Dark Chrysalis

Dark Chrysalis is a symbolical characterization of man's mortality and an incisive overview of man's quest for a rebirth. Presented in a series of poetic epiphanies, it delves on the spiritual, moral and emotional aspects of man's existential interrelationship with his world and his creator. The book is more than a compendium of thoughts. It is one realistic perception of life's unending philosophy.

Where do people go when they leave your side? You might think of them occasionally, remember words spoken under the cover of friendship, but once lost, once they leave you in the darkness, all that remains is a whispered memory slowly fading in time. The island of Malta and the unnamed detective returns, still haunted by the death of his friend, the havoc caused by the sinister drug smuggler, his own fall from grace and the slow rebuilding and reform of his life. Into that life falls a man to whom time has also not been kind, his existence in turmoil when he makes a connection with the past that someone would rather he had forgotten. Accused of murder, the man’s only hope is the detective in a case that has roots in the USA, England and France, and for which the citizens of Malta could pay the ultimate price.

A glimpse into the dark minds and hearts of the vampire community. Filled with beautiful and disturbing illustrations throughout, of the erotic emotions and forbidden lust and love of the vampire archetype. Expressive and beautiful feelings of the real vampire community, and their hardships; Dealing with balancing their day and night-side.

Treasures of Darkness: Finding God When Hope Seems Hidden People generally consider dark times in life as times that are filled with pain, fear, anxiety, depression, loss, or sadness. Tara Soughers recognizes such moments in her own life. When hope seemed hidden, however, she encountered God. She tells us that she does not always recognize her times of darkness as grace-filled. “There are times when God seems absent in the darkness. There are times when I feel lost and even abandoned. But my journeys through the darkness have revealed God to me in ways that I could never have imagined.” She shares personal stories about dark times in her life and how she encountered God through the experiences. She invites us to embrace the darkness as an opportunity to experience the treasure of God’s love, presence, and power. Soughers invites us to explore several biblical stories in which darkness plays a major role, and each of the scripture readings offers a unique treasure in the darkness. Psalm 139:12 proclaims a powerful truth about God. “Even the darkness is not dark to you; the night is as bright as the day, for darkness is as light to you.” God creates in darkness (Genesis 1). God gives us “life . . . the light of all people” in Jesus Christ (John 1:4). Abraham, Paul, Jacob, Job, Nicodemus, and Jesus encounter treasures from God in the darkness. As Soughers explores each biblical account, she offers a unique point of contact for contemporary Christians, treasures that can sustain us as we encounter darkness in our lives. Book contents contain: Prologue: Discovering Treasures in Darkness 1. Darkness is as Light to You (Psalm 139:7-12) 2. Let There Be Light: Creation and Creativity (Genesis 1:1-5) 3. Count the Stars: Hearing God's Promise (Genesis 15) 4. Who Are You? Overcoming our Blindness (Acts 9:1-19) 5. Why Have You Forsaken Me? Bringing Life Out of Death (Matthew 27:45-56) 6. Wrestling with God: Transformation (Genesis 32:22-32) 7. Listen to this Dream: Enlightenment through Dreams (Genesis 37:1-11; 41:1-36) 8. Out of the Whirlwind: God as Mystery (Job 3:1-8; 38:4-21) 9. How Can These Things Be? Being Born Again (John 3:1-10) 10. Gate of Heaven: Encountering God Where Least Expected (Genesis 28:10-22) 11. The Light Shines in the Darkness: God's Self-Revelation (John 1:1-15) 12. The Night Is as Bright as the Day (Psalm 139:7-12) Epilogue: Treasures of Darkness Each chapter includes questions for reflection and discussion.This book is ideal for use in local church book groups.

The Essential Reference Guide to America’s Most Popular Songs and Artists Spanning More than Fifty Years of Music Beginning with Bill Haley & His Comets’ seminal “Rock Around the Clock” all the way up to Lady Gaga and her glammed-out “Poker face,” this updated and unparalleled resource contains the most complete chart information on every artist and song to hit Billboard’s Top 40 pop singles chart all the way back to 1955. Inside, you’ll find all of the biggest-selling, most-played hits for the past six decades. Each alphabetized artist entry includes biographical info, the date their single reached the Top 40, the song’s highest position, and the number of weeks on the charts, as well as the original record label and catalog number. Other sections—such as “Record Holders,” “Top Artists by Decade,” and “#1 Singles 1955-2009”—make The Billboard Book of Top 40 Hits the handiest and most indispensable music reference for record collectors, trivia enthusiasts, industry professionals and pop music fans alike. Did you know? • Beyoncé’s 2003 hit “Crazy in Love” spent 24 weeks in the Top 40 and eight of them in the #1 spot. • Billy Idol has had a total of nine Top 40 hits over his career, the last being “Cradle of Love” in 1990. • Of Madonna’s twelve #1 hits, her 1994 single “Take a Bow” held the spot the longest, for seven weeks—one week longer than her 1984 smash “Like a Virgin.” • Marvin Gaye’s song “Sexual Healing” spent 15 weeks at #3 in 1982, while the same song was #1 on the R&B chart for 10 weeks. • Male vocal group Boyz II Men had three of the biggest chart hits of all time during the 1990s. • The Grateful Dead finally enjoyed a Top 10 single in 1987 after 20 years of touring. • Janet Jackson has scored an impressive 39 Top 40 hits—one more than her megastar brother Michael!

Stephen King once said that books are portable magic. Ran Walker decided to take this phrase a bit more literally in his third short story collection, bringing to life vibrant new landscapes of both the strange and the familiar. A writer finds himself in a love triangle where one of the women is a ghost. A woman discovers that her cure for alopecia has unintended consequences. An artist paints a woman he has been dreaming about, only to discover his dreams might be closer to reality than he thought. A graduating senior learns the true value of sacrifice. A guy professes his love for his girlfriend through an overwhelming metaphor. A social media-focused couple welcomes the world into their adoption struggles. And a relationship is threatened when a childhood secret is revealed. In these seven stories, Walker paints a world where nothing is quite as it seems.