Backwater Mystic Blues

"Between the voids at the deepest and farthest reaches of our science, there is this eternal now..." In this second suite of intimate essays, Lloyd Ratzlaff summons the secret hiding spots, makeshift rafts, and uncomplicated childhood joys that lay the foundations for adult philosophy. In tune with the vivid simplicities of the sensuous world and the honour of unassuming people, Ratzlaff explores the disguises shaped by religion, family, and memory as he recreates the discovery and illumination that his past has offered. Whether you sit back and savour the ribald yarns of Sandra Dee or pick up a bit of Christian dating advice circa 1950s, remember, the tombstones are talking, and the child's cookie box found in the river may contain miracle or misery-but you won't know until you open it.

Essays about the literary history of Saskatchewan.

The power of Excalibur is changing Ariane in scary ways. As she and Rex Major race for the second shard, Wally’s no longer sure whose side he should be on . . . When Ariane seriously hurts Wally’s sister, Flish, his belief in her is shaken. Meanwhile, the second shard is in France, and Rex Major already knows it’s there. Ariane powers from the Lady of the Lake enable her to travel magically through freshwater, but now there’s a saltwater ocean in the way . . . As Major uses Wally's doubts to cause a rift between the friends, Ariane takes the chance to go it alone. But if the first shard's power is barely controllable, how will she fare when two shards are united? Twist of the Blade is an exciting modern-day young-adult fantasy by award-winning author Edward Willett, perfect for anyone who thrills to stories of modern-day magic and tales of King Arthur. Adventure awaits high in the clouds and deep underground in this second instalment of the five-book Shards of Excalibur series. Get your copy today!

Ariane is on her own and on the run. Wally has taken up with Rex Major. And the third shard of Excalibur is literally on the other side of the world, in New Zealand! While Ariane tries to stay one step ahead of Rex Major, Wally discovers that life as Major's "guest" isn't all it promised, especially when he finds out Major's plans for Ariane's aunt. With Aunt Phyllis under threat, Ariane has no choice but to walk directly into Rex's trap—and hope she can find a way to protect both the Shard "and" those she loves. Lake in the Clouds is an exciting modern-day young-adult fantasy by award-winning author Edward Willett, perfect for anyone who thrills to stories of modern-day magic and tales of King Arthur. Find adventure in the mountains of New Zealand in this third instalment of the five-book Shards of Excalibur series. Get your copy today!

A searing far-future science fiction adventure about a lost human colony struggling to survive on an alien planet--no matter what the cost. Majstro Falchilo Kredo has devoted his life to protecting the abandoned earth colony of Duatero from Malamiko, the indigenous ecosystem that makes their crops fail and whose contamination turns humans into mindless monsters. But Malimiko is changing, becoming more dangerous, more aware, even as the ancient technology they use to combat it fails piece by precious piece. Kredo and his fellow soldiers must risk everything or see all they hold precious wiped away and forgotten. Kredo is prepared to sacrifice himself-and anyone around him-to do his duty. But what if the price demanded is even higher?

The power of the Lady of the Lake. A magical quest. A nerdy sidekick. Ariane’s life just got a lot more interesting. On the first day of her suspension from school for fighting bullies, Ariane hears the lake singing to her, meets the Lady of the Lake from the days of King Arthur in an underwater chamber, and learns she’s heir to the Lady’s magical power over water. Now she and Wally Knight, who unexpectedly followed her, have a quest: find the scattered shards of King Arthur’s sword Excalibur before the ruthless wizard Merlin can, in his modern-day guise as the rich, powerful Rex Major. Can Ariane learn to use her power in time—and keep herself and Wally alive—in the race to beat Merlin to the first shard? Song of the Sword is an exciting modern-day young-adult fantasy by award-winning author Edward Willett, perfect for anyone who thrills to stories of modern-day magic and tales of King Arthur. Plunge into adventure in this first book in the five-book Shards of Excalibur series. Get your copy today!

She could almost see the people gathered around a fire, listening with rapt attention while the storyteller’s rich voice recounted the love tale of Sarah, a legend in her own time... At fourteen, Sarah is an accomplished pickpocket who knows all the back streets and boltholes of the town of Monn. She steers clear of Brother Parker and his Church of True Faith, knows better than to enter the Inn of The Honest Keeper, and avoids the attentions of Butch, the Miller’s son, as best she can. The one bright spot in Sarah’s day is listening to the storyteller’s tales of the magically easy lives of the Old People—and if, as darkness falls, one of the wealthier listeners happens to be so intent on the storyteller’s voice that he becomes careless of his own purse, well, so much the better. Inspired by the storyteller’s narratives, Sarah often imagines her own life as the stuff of legend for some future troubadour. But even such daydreams can’t prepare her for becoming embroiled with a witchy Phile—an agent of the devil, come in search of the Old People’s hidden secrets. How could Sarah have known that picking the wrong pocket would strand her in the middle of a power struggle among Brother Parker, the Governor, and the encroaching Phile spies? A new edition of Leslie Gadallah's classic science fiction novel, originally published by Del Rey Books as The Loremasters.

Bored with hanging around on a branch, munching leaves, a little caterpillar has a big dream of a wonderful future of flying and twirling in the sun and enjoying nectar from beautiful flowers. But which inner voice should he listen to? The kind voice that encourages him to believe in his dreams, or the mean one that warns him against change and tells him to give up on a brighter future? This little caterpillar’s inspirational story of transformation is everyone’s story. We all have to decide which inner voice to listen to whenever we prepare to leave our comfort zone, spread our wings, and fly.