Before It Gets Dark

Ken Levine's second novel, Before It Gets Dark, powerfully explores what happens when a person's expectations for a better life are raised, only to have those expectations dashed by a shattering event that illuminates how fragile life can be. Boyd may be nearly seven feet tall, but everything else about the socially awkward custodian is ordinary. At the factory in a small southern town where he works, Boyd happens upon pregnant and lonely Marcy Travers crying in a bathroom stall. The novel traces the tumultuous lives of Marcy and her sister Tanya with their troubled young mother Jo. As Marcy grows to an adult, she strives to avoid her mother's mistakes, yet finds herself about to repeat them before Boyd comes into her life. Their chance meeting transforms Boyd's unexceptional life into one with purpose and meaning and provides Marcy the stability she craves. Boyd creates a bond with Marcy's daughter Katie, and through her he becomes the father he never imagined he could be. But his new life comes crashing down in a momentary spasm of violence that sets him off on an unpredictable journey with Katie that will forever change all of their lives.

Refreshed with a new design, Oxford Practice Grammar is a three-level English grammar practice series for the classroom or self-study. Its tried and trusted methodology provides clear explanations and lots of extra practice. Oxford Practice Grammar knows that students need different types of explanation and practice at each stage of their study. Basic provides lots of practice and short explanations; Intermediate gives you more detail with extended practice; Advanced gives challenging practice activities and in-depth explanations. Great for classroom or self-study.

Alexandra Thorpe was orphaned when her parents were killed crossing a busy main road in a North Midlands town.Taken into the home of so called friends, she was used as an unpaid skivvy, forcing the lonely young girl to turn to shoplifting as a means of providing herself with the basic necessities of life.Eventually, convicted of habitual shoplifting she is fostered out to a farming family in a remote area of the Lake District in Cumbria.Alex grows to love the country life amid the picturesque mountains and Lakeland Fells where she becomes lost on the peaks in a fog; is involved in a tragic mountain rescue operation; and falls deeply in love.An exciting Fell Race at the beautiful Grasmere Village Sports Festival adds spice to a story with many unexpected and heartbreaking twists.

Recovering from the death of his brother, Chet Bowman is finally finding a sense of normalcy. He's through hiding from the world on his ranch, and he's tired of being alone. He's ready to act on his long-time attraction to Lil Kersey, the sultry saloon owner who runs his favorite watering hole. While his relationship with Lil blossoms, their courtship comes under fire from the former marshal of Calico, now gone rogue. As Austen Riley ramps up his revenge on the cowboy who thwarted his plans to control Calico, Lil struggles to survive Austen's unwanted attentions. When the dust settles after one final gun fight, will Lil and Chet find their happily ever after? Or will Austen's maniacal revenge tear them apart forever?

With love on the horizon for their children, but sabotage just around the corner, two friends fight for those they love... while having a blast, of course. In After the Dance is Over, Joan Jonker brings us another instalment of her hugely popular Molly and Nellie series, as the two friends get up to more mischief in their beloved Liverpool. Perfect for fans of Dilly Court and Katie Flynn. 'There's something for everyone and all delivered up in that inimitable Jonker style which is guaranteed to delight her large number of fans' - Middlesborough Evening Gazette There's never a dull moment when Nellie McDonough and Molly Bennett get together, and there's always something to keep them busy in their Liverpool street. First, Molly's son Tommy sets the date for his wedding to Rosie O'Grady, and everyone's saving hard to ensure their day is perfect. Then a new family arrive in the area and their daughter is determined to put a stop to the budding romance between Nellie's son Paul and Phoebe Corkhill. Meanwhile, Molly's daughter Doreen and her husband Phil make an announcement, and Nellie and Molly are determined to track down Phil's long lost family, so that they can share in the joyful news... What readers are saying about After the Dance is Over: 'Being an enthralled fan of Joan's books, I couldn't wait to read this book... this book is definitely the funniest yet! Molly and Nellie are hilarious, warm, honest and very touching' 'Enjoy a stroll down a Liverpool street in the early 40s, feel the warmth of the residents, laugh at the antics of two very humorous ladies, but also have a hanky ready to collect your tears of laughter'

The year is 2112 and scientists are predicting that in twenty years or so an ice age will develop, that will, in all probability, be an extinction level event (ELE). Six scientists from various scientific fields come together and are able to build a spaceship that is capable of traveling faster than the speed of light. They discover that this will allow them to travel back in time. Traveling essentially the speed of light allows them to travel forward in time. Using time travel, they go back to 2012 to try to convince people to change their ways and prevent this ELE from happening. Unfortunately, the people in that time period don’t believe them and the ice age is definitely coming. The six explorers search for an earth-like planet to which they can bring a number of people. They find a suitable planet more than two million light-years from earth. Is there time to find the appropriate individuals and transport them to this new planet before ice age engulfs the entire Earth?

An easy, fun reference for learning Spanish at home or in school Verbs in Spanish can be conjugated in six different ways, depending on the speaker and audience. In addition, there are fifteen different tenses in which verbs are used, making a total of 80 different conjugations for each verb. This knowledge can make anyone's head spin — but fear not! Dummies has it covered. 500 Spanish Verbs For Dummies is the ultimate guide to learning and conjugating verbs in the Spanish language. Beginners to the language will find quick reference for verbs in the basic present tenses, and advanced speakers will learn the more complex tenses of verbs as well as memorize advanced verbs with irregular endings. 500 of the most commonly used Spanish verbs are presented alphabetically and numbered for easy reference An additional index of 1,500+ Spanish verbs with the English translation of the infinitive Includes a summary of basic Spanish grammar, including verb tenses and moods Accompanying CD features memorization drills and exercises Complete with English translations, pronunciation guides, and examples of common verb use in everyday conversation, 500 Spanish Verbs For Dummies is an essential reference tool for any level of Spanish speaker.

Three hundred years have passed since the exodus. Aiden is forced to roam the earth cheating and stealing among the lowest forms of life he knows, the humans. The exodus was the answer to a war between two gods. Kilmanagh and his evil sister Dunath. Kilmanagh created the new world for Aiden and his people to escape the reach of Dunath and her children but somehow Aiden had managed to get left behind. Kyle and Vespa, two humans in need of his help track Aiden down. He is unwilling to help them until they produce a Gatekeepers stone. Realizing the possibility was real that he could join his people he agrees to help search for the other two stones. However Dunath, has other plans and sends her children to kill them and retrieve the stones for herself. Their quest takes them across most of the world as they know it. They will encounter many strange things and people. Talon Gall, brought back from the dead to aid them, ambushes by Dunath's Children, the mysterious bag of coins. What is the mystery of the church at Tinnehinch and the cargo they protect. Worst yet, how to kill the banshee hunting them.