The Wish Maker

In middle-class Lahore, the fatherless Zaki Shirazi grows up in an unusual Muslim family, a family of women. The matriarchs of his world are strong and outspoken: his mother, Zakia, is a journalist and activist; his paternal grandmother, Daadi, is a shrewd navigator of the mores of her culture; his slightly older cousin, Samar Api, acts as his beloved ally and friend; and Naseem, the stalwart servant woman, is a sharpeyed judge of character. Through the lives of these remarkable women (and in flashback to the life of Zaki’s father), we are drawn into a family’s story through nearly fifty years of partition, wars, coups and upheaval in Pakistani society. This is a story of love and loss, masterfully written, compellingly told, universally appealing, by a major new international voice.

A brilliant, enthralling debut novel about a fatherless boy growing up in a family of outspoken women in contemporary Pakistan, The Wish Maker is also a tale of sacrifice, betrayal, and indestructible friendship. Zaki Shirazi and his female cousin Samar Api were raised to consider themselves "part of the same litter." In a household run by Zaki's crusading political journalist mother and iron-willed grandmother, it was impossible to imagine a future that could hold anything different for each of them. But when adolescence approaches, the cousins' fates diverge, and Zaki is forced to question the meaning of family, selfhood, and commitment to those he loves most. Chronicling world-changing events that have never been so intimately observed in fiction, and brimming with unmistakable warmth and humor, The Wish Maker is the powerful account of a family and an era, a story that shows how, even in the most rapidly shifting circumstances, there are bonds that survive the tugs of convention, time, and history.

Gahl Sasson's second book, Cosmic Navigator, is like a GPS for the soul. It combines Astrology, the map of where and who we are, with Kabbalah the navigation system that tells us how to get to our goal and avoid those traffic patterns and areas of gridlock in our lives. This three part text is the first book of its kind. Not only is it the first book to use Astrology as a resource for self help, it also weds the wisdom of ancient Kabbalisitic truths with the powerful archetypes of the zodiac to help you improve and change your life. The first part of the book introduces the basic concepts of Kabbalah and Astrology and how they work together. The second part teaches you how to interpret your own astrological chart as the road map of your life. The third and final part of the book, which is based on Gahl's twelve week workshop, walks the reader through the twelve signs and teaches them how to use each one to bring balance and success into their lives. Is your love life in need of more passion? Turn to the chapter on Scorpio and learn how to invoke that sexual mysterious energy. Do you need to be more assertive at work? Turn to the chapter on Aries and discover your inner warrior. Unlike other astrology books that simply offer stereotypical profiles, Cosmic Navigator teaches us how to take control of our astrological destinies.

At Christmas, sometimes even impossible wishes come true? One word changed Wes Lockhart's life forever. Cancer. Fighting for his life completely flipped his priorities, making him realize he wanted-no, needed-to use his billions to help others find the kind of second chance he'd been given. The first person he intended to help? The beautiful, kind, and dedicated oncologist who got him through his treatments and ushered him into remission. And what better time than the holidays to become her not-so-secret Santa? Dr. Paige Regis has spent her entire career helping others, often at the expense of her personal life. She'd love to start a family of her own-but with her current patients and her plans to open a brand-new cancer center, it seems like an impossible dream. It's not until she reconnects with the charming Wes that she realizes he might just be the man to make all her Christmas wishes come true. Can Wes and Paige open their hearts to the magic of the season-and each other-to get a shot at their very own Christmas miracle? Or will past hurts and doubts end their happily ever after before it even begins?

A journey through the absolute wonders of wishing. Join us as Willie becomes Willie Wish Granter and takes on the task so many people have wondered about, and many people have asked... Who do we wish to? Who hears our wishes? Is anyone actually listening? A fun and educational adventure about... How to wish, Who to wish to, and What to expect from our wishes. Through his adventure Willie gets help from the others to make wishing fun and special for everyone. So, step into this magical wishing world, meet Willie Wish Granter and his friends that come along, and learn that someone is indeed listening to your wishes. Find new and exciting ways to wish, and different wish expectations. Happy reading, Happy wishing.

A Newbery Honor Book A Walter Dean Myers Honor Book for Teen Readers From Christina Soontornvat, the visionary and versatile author of three Newbery Honor Books, comes a high-seas adventure set in a Thai-inspired fantasy world. In a fantasy adventure every bit as compelling and confident in its world building as her Newbery Honor Book A Wish in the Dark, Christina Soontornvat explores a young woman’s struggle to unburden herself of the past and chart her own destiny in a world of secrets. As assistant to Mangkon’s most celebrated mapmaker, twelve-year-old Sai plays the part of a well-bred young lady with a glittering future. In reality, her father is a conman—and in a kingdom where the status of one’s ancestors dictates their social position, the truth could ruin her. Sai seizes the chance to join an expedition to chart the southern seas, but she isn’t the only one aboard with secrets. When Sai learns that the ship might be heading for the fabled Sunderlands—a land of dragons, dangers, and riches beyond imagining—she must weigh the cost of her dreams. Vivid, suspenseful, and thought-provoking, this tale of identity and integrity is as beautiful and intricate as the maps of old.

The Magnum Opus is inspired by the multi-award-winning short film, The Maker. Watch it here: http://bit.ly/WatchTheMaker Synopsis: In a time and world long ago forgotten, there existed an enchanted workshop. Within its walls, a magical creature called a 'Maker' busily created the next of his kin. Upon completion, the creator was whisked away to join the rest of the Maker community. Meanwhile, their progeny was left alone to create the next Maker in a never-ending cycle of creation. That was, until the day an offbeat Maker named Ario was unable to complete 'The Making' and broke their sacred chain of existence. Wracked with guilt, Ario embarked on a quest to right his wrong, but what he discovered was far more monstrous and miraculous than anyone ever imagined. Awards: Distinguished Favorite - Independent Publisher Book Awards Honorable Mention - Los Angeles Book Festival Self-Published Cover Award - New York Book Show