Showing results by narrator "Andrea Emmes" in All Categories

When Ben Winters and Lara Cottridge hear that a Vermont radio station is hosting a Christmas contest with a $10,000 prize for a charitable project of the winner’s choice, they seize the challenge. Although strangers, they both are obsessed with all things Christmas and each has their own worthy pet project in mind. News of the contest creates a lot of buzz, but most participants fall at the first hurdle - a timed online quirky Christmas quiz. The second, an on-air quiz whittles the field down to two - Briarhill Falls residents Lara and Ben, who are surprised that they have never met.

In Artificial Unintelligence, Meredith Broussard argues that our collective enthusiasm for applying computer technology to every aspect of life has resulted in a tremendous amount of poorly designed systems. We are so eager to do everything digitally - hiring, driving, paying bills, even choosing romantic partners - that we have stopped demanding that our technology actually work. Broussard, a software developer and journalist, reminds us that there are fundamental limits to what we can (and should) do with technology.

Weird Tales magazine is known for launching a number of sub-genres of fiction—cosmic horror, swords & sorcery, dark fantasy, and others. It has also greatly added to existing genres like science fiction, horror, and—a personal favorite of editor Jonathan Maberry—weird mystery stories. Or, as they became known—occult detective tales.

Guarding witnesses? All in a day's work for deputy US marshal Carly Masterson. Protecting the judge who was indirectly responsible for her mentor's death? That's another story. Still, she won't let harm come to Judge Nicholas Floyd, or the niece and nephew in his care. She's determined to do the job right, and not let her emotions take over - no matter how wonderful it feels to be accepted by the little family. Can she let go of the past and learn to trust again before danger finds them once more?

A Word Is Not A Sparrow is a diverse anthology of stories set amid Russian repression through the centuries; personal narrator testimony about the impact in America of immigrant grandparents from Ukraine and elsewhere; powerful fables and allegories that deliver universal messages about displacement, migration, and human connection; and classic Cossack folk tales that are a touchstone of Ukrainian culture. Listen as we let these words fly out around the world.

Having teleported halfway across the continent, we've finally escaped Ivicka's notice and are free to do something about getting home to Earth. Except none of our options are exactly simple. My attention may be getting slightly diverted by a certain K'tharn. But only a little. It's not my fault Rufka has style, grace, and humor to match. Even as Rufka goes to the Aetherium's capital to rescue her mum, we head to Glimmering Sands. A totally normal resort town, other than the fact it's on an alien planet and is run by a bunch of giant squids known as the M'tari.

Nicole Fitzhenry-Dawes feels like she's the only failure amid a family of high achievers. Her last serious boyfriend turned out to be married and her career as a criminal defense attorney is in tatters. When her uncle passes away and leaves her his maple syrup farm in Michigan, she thinks it might be time for a career change - hopefully one that allows her to stay as far away from murderers and liars as possible. For half a day at least.

Lily Weiss is her mother’s worst nightmare: thirty-two and single - the horror! She’s also a talented writer but hides behind a boring job at a science foundation. To her friends, she’s reliable and selfless, which is how she winds up a bridesmaid in five weddings in six weeks. Anything for her three best friends and two (younger) siblings, right? Even if her own love life is...well, she’d rather not talk about it. To keep her sanity, Lily needs a safe place to vent. And so her anonymous blog, Bridesmania, is born.

Finn No Last Name's life is going exactly the way she likes. Sure, she lives on the Mud Pit with some of the worst criminals and cast-offs the Reliance has to offer, but she has a knack for stealing things that has earned her a reputation as the best thief in the Farthers. Unfortunately for Finn, her life gets turned on its head when a job leaves her stuck in space on a merchant ship run by an eclectic crew. Finn quickly learns that there is more to them than meets the eye. Before she can escape or con her way back home, she finds herself joining them on a mission

Having been forced to abandon their home in the cold, western mountains, Fresh and her friends make a bid to move across the nation in their desperate search for a place where they can live in peace together. This drives them towards the distant east, to the dry, harsh desert and the ocean city—the nation’s most thriving port of call.

When Riley Schoenberg strides into family lawyer Sandy Moss’s office without knocking and coolly sits down, Sandy’s more irritated than amused. She has a client meeting to prepare for, and being interrupted by an eleven-year-old girl is not on her to-do list. But then Sandy hears Riley’s pitch, and it’s a killer one: Riley’s father’s been convicted of murdering her mother…and the oddly intimidating pre-teen will do anything to get him out of jail.

Hack your next Disney vacation to make the most magical place on earth the absolute happiest it can be with this updated guide to getting the most out of your visit.

Seventeen-year-old Sally Spitz is done with dating. Or at least, she's done with the horrible blind dates/hookups/sneak attacks her matchmaking bestie, Hooker, sets her up on. There's only so much one geek girl and Gryffindor supporter can take. Her solution: she needs a fake boyfriend. And fast. Enter Becks, soccer phenom, all-around-hottie, and Sally's best friend practically since birth. When Sally asks Becks to be her F.B.F. (fake boyfriend), Becks is only too happy to be used.

When Bear and Mandy Logan’s travels take them to Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, they expect to settle in for a quiet winter on the barrier island. But when a mysterious man shows up harassing their elderly neighbors, Bear can’t stop himself from getting involved. His search for answers soon leads him to more shocking discoveries, as he realizes the small town where he spent summers as a kid holds more secrets than he could have imagined.

Welsh baker Poppy Davies is happily living her best life in London. Passionate about her work, there is nothing more she could possibly want - except to land the coveted job of baking the official biscuits for the upcoming royal wedding for Prince Christian, second in line to the throne. It's an assignment that could change the entire trajectory of her professional career. But what about her personal life? An accidental meeting with Prince Alexander of Wales, the future king, changes everything.

Princess Elizabeth "Liz" of York isn't interested in a fairy tale life. Determined to use her elite platform to champion children's causes, she'd much rather raise awareness than find her prince. If only she could stop picturing one certain gardener with vivid hazel eyes.... When the relentless paparazzi invade her space, Liz's crush comes to her rescue and steals her heart. Tossing aside centuries of tradition for something real, she takes Roman's calloused hand and braces for the backlash. One member of the monarchy vows to keep the princess locked in her ivory tower.

Magic City is full of hustlers, con men and magicals just out for a good time. The perfect mix of glamour and gangsters. But underneath it all, a con man is scheming to pull it all apart. Can Ruby and her weretiger, Idryll, find a way to save her hometown before time runs out? Or will her quest lead her to her own unforeseen destiny? New challenges can also bring new allies. A Drow trader with an eclectic set of resources offers to help. A purple-haired troll who offers to teach her to fly or the hooded archer whose help Ruby can't decline. Are they really friends or foes?

This old world can be exhausting, despairing, and cynical. But you don't have to be. Instead, you can unlock the power to a happy life - an act of defiance that will make you more resilient in times of turmoil, pain, and chaos. Cultivating happiness takes grit, determination, and a good sense of humor. It's not always easy, but it's well worth it. Beloved writer Joy Marie Clarkson leads the way, crafting an audacious case for happiness no matter what you're going through. Go, therefore, and choose an aggressively happy life.

The Mist Casino sits just above a kemana with an interior that would make a ghost feel right at home. Of course it does. After all, Magic City has to compete with nearby Vegas. Ruby is just back from University for the summer, catching up with an old friend, when everything changes with a bang! A series of small blasts are exploding all around her. Chips are flying through the air. Someone wanted to announce their arrival in town. But who? Ruby is about to get drawn into a battle for control of Magic City. They just made the fight personal. Is the Ebon Dragon Casino next?

Will the creators of Metamorphosis Online and their infighting ruin the game for everyone? Over Gracie’s dead avatar. Others want to learn what is allowing Gracie’s team to jump in the ranks, and they’re willing to go to great and scuzzy lengths to figure it out. The group has decided to form a guild, but can they hold it together long enough to figure out a team tabard? Can Gracie hold her team together while her personal life is going nowhere? Will she accept her mom’s invite to join the family for her sister’s engagement?