Whispers Within

Summary As you read this book, you will find that some of the things written will grab your heart, and others will have you wondering what the author was thinking about when he wrote it. The inspiration for the many different types of writing comes from several things. Some from others and their different and varied circumstances in life. They often ask me to try to put into words something that would encourage or pick up their spirits. Other items written are simply written from the heart in a lighthearted way, hoping to spark the imagination of the reader and to also give them something to think about. When you read these writings, sit back and relax and tune the world out and let your mind wander. Try to feel the words and allow them to touch your heart.

I heard him staggering down the hallway, banging into the banister sloshing his drink of choice, most likely a gin and tonic, along the way. As he reached for her door, I felt my airways constrict and the walls of the room close in around me. My body stiffened, and my senses numbed, as I listened for the faint squeak of my bedroom door to open softly. I am, 17 year-old aristocratic-born Candace Spencer, and I quickly recognized the monster that prowled the darkness of my sanctuary. My breath faded as the muscular figures slithered into my room and onto my body. My nightmare only lasted a few minutes several times a week but I lost a part of my soul a little bit more during each horrific moment. I closed my eyes and lived one more death as he devoured me, but tonight I vowed it would end. The prominent and respected businessman revered by the community would not return to my bedroom again. Never again! I had no idea how long it had been away; a Spiritual Guide's time was measured very differently compared to human lifetime. Was it a day later or had one or twenty years passed? Right now I had my first assignment in my new form, Mari Santiago, a 16 year-old teenager struggling to survive her family's domestic violence and sexual assaults in the tough streets of New York. The Whispers Within reveals the parallel of two dissimilar lives between two teenagers: one alive and the other dead. Mari comes to know Candace in a manner she would have never dreamt. Candace, having lived life at the opposite economic strata from the inner city life Mari was accustomed to, is only equipped with whispers of encouragement to defeat Mari's demons. How will Candace handle returning to earth as a spirit when she did not deal with her own nemesis while alive? Will Mari be consumed by the demons that surround her or will Candace pave a way for Mari to flee them? Will they both come to know each other's demons? Will Candace's whispers be enough for Mari to conquer her demons while building a new life?

There exists a voice within each of us, a quiet whisper amidst the clamor of the world. It speaks not in words, but in feelings, intuitions, and deep knowing. This voice is our inner guide, our compass, always pointing us towards our truth. I recall a time when this inner voice was particularly strong. I was at a crossroads in my life, facing a decision that would have a profound impact on my future. Fear and uncertainty clouded my mind, each path seeming fraught with risk and the potential for regret. Yet, amidst this turmoil, a gentle voice emerged, urging me towards a path I had not considered. It was not a voice of logic or reason, but one of deep inner knowing. It felt like a pull towards a destiny that was meant for me, a path aligned with my true self. We are constantly bombarded with external noise, the opinions of others, societal expectations, and the relentless chatter of our own minds. This noise can easily drown out the subtle whisper of our inner voice, making it difficult to discern our own truth. At the crossroads of choice, this inner voice becomes paramount. It cuts through the confusion, providing clarity and direction. It speaks to our deepest desires, our values, and our innate wisdom. It guides us towards choices that are in alignment with our authentic selves. The inner voice is not always easy to hear. It requires stillness, presence, and a willingness to listen. It may come as a gentle nudge, a sudden insight, or a deep sense of knowing. The more we cultivate our ability to listen, the clearer and stronger this voice becomes. The inner voice is our compass, guiding us through the twists and turns of life. It is not infallible, but it always points us in the direction of our highest good. It may lead us down unexpected paths, challenge our preconceived notions, and push us beyond our comfort zones. This voice is not about seeking comfort or ease. It is about aligning with our truth, even when it is uncomfortable or challenging. It is about embracing growth, expansion, and the unfolding of our highest potential. Trusting this inner voice requires courage. It means letting go of the need for certainty and embracing the unknown. It means having faith in ourselves and the wisdom that resides within.

“[An] exceptionally raw look at the Vietnam War . . . an excellent tribute to the generation that fought, laughed, and died in Southeast Asia.” —New York Journal of Books This is the second volume of a Green Beret’s riveting memoir of his time serving in Recon Teams Habu and Crusader, CNN, part of Military Assistance Command, Vietnam—Studies and Observations Group (MACV-SOG). Picking up where We Few left off, Whispers in the Tall Grass opens as the war moves into a new phase. The enemy are using special formations to hunt recon teams and missions are now rarely accomplished without heavy contact. Despite the teams’ careful prep, losses are mounting. More and more missions are extracted by Bright Lights until eventually classic recon missions are almost impossible, and the teams briefly trial HALO insertion. Finally, as the US prepares to withdraw, the teams undertake back-to-back missions directing air strikes and disrupting supply lines to ease the pressure on the ARVN. Broken by the pace, but desperate not to leave the Yards, Brokhausen is ordered to out-process, his request for extension denied, and is forced to leave his friends—his brothers—behind. Written in the same vivid, immediate style that made We Few a cult classic, Whispers in the Tall Grass follows Habu, Crusader and other teams as they undertake missions in this new, deadlier phase of the war. The narrative veers from hair-raising to tragic and back as the teams insert into hot targets, act as Bright Light for stricken teams, and play hard in between missions to diffuse the ever-rising tension. “Brokhausen tells all in a masterfully gonzo style of reporting and recollection shaped by clever gallows humor.” —Booklist

‘This fast, engrossing novel is enjoyable, cheerful, and accessible to new readers.’ — Publishers Weekly My name is Peter Grant, police officer, apprentice wizard and well dressed man about town. I work for ECD9, otherwise known as the Folly, and to the Murder Investigation Team as ‘oh god not them again.’ But even their governor, the arch sceptic and professional northerner DCI Seawoll, knows that sometimes, when things go bump in the night, they have to call us in. Which was why I found myself in an underground station at five o’clock, looking at the body of James Gallagher, US citizen and Arts Student. How did he avoid the underground’s ubiquitous CCTV to reach his final destination, and why is the ceramic shard he was stabbed with so strongly magical? As the case took me into the labyrinth of conduits, tunnels and abandoned bomb shelters that lay beneath the streets I realised that London below might just be as complicated and inhabited as London above. And worse, James Gallagher’s father is a US senator, so the next thing I know, I’ve got Special Agent Kimberley Reynolds of the FBI “liaising” with the investigation and asking awkward questions. Such as ‘just what are you guys hiding down here’ and ‘how did you conjure that light out thin air?’ LOCUS AWARD FINALIST FOR BEST FANTASY NOVEL Reviews for Whispers Underground ‘One of the most refreshing things about former Doctor Who writer Aaronovitch’s Rivers of London series of magical procedurals is that they are blessedly free of manufactured rivalries.... This fast, engrossing novel is enjoyable, cheerful, and accessible to new readers.’ — Publishers Weekly ‘Ben Aaronovitch writes some of the funniest prose in current fantasy. These books are extremely entertaining, mainly because narrator Peter Grant has a hilarious voice and a sly sense of humor... quirkily effective prose and dry humor, making it a pure pleasure to read.’ — Tor.com ‘The prose is witty, the plot clever and the characters incredibly likeable...’ — Time Out

Book Two in Lauraine Snelling's Exciting Wild West Wind Series After fleeing North Dakota and the now defunct Wild West Show, Cassie Lockwood and her companions have finally found the hidden valley in South Dakota where her father had dreamed of putting down roots. But to her dismay, she discovers a ranch already built on her land. Cassie's arrival surprises Mavis Engstrom and forces her to reveal secrets she's kept hidden for years. Her son Ransom is suspicious of Cassie and questions the validity of her claim to the valley. But Lucas Engstrom decides from the start that he is in love with her and wants to marry her. Will Cassie be able to build a home on the Bar E Ranch and fulfill her father's dream of raising horses, or will she be forced to return to the itinerant life of her past?

Many of us spend a great deal of our time dreaming about our next trip to the mountains, whether for a weekend getaway or our yearly vacation. We hear within that deep inexplicable pull toward the wilderness and would agree with John Muir, who said: "The mountains are calling and I must go." We sense that in the wild we are touching the edge of something that is both wonderful and mysterious.In this book Erik Stensland, a professional landscape photographer based in Estes Park, Colorado, explores this longing we have for the wilderness and suggests that it is the trailhead for a journey to wholeness. Through short daily reflections on the natural world paired with his gorgeous photos from Rocky Mountain National Park, he encourages us to go deeper within ourselves and discover the healing that nature is offering.

Scarlet and Ivy return to Rookwood School – in their second spine-tingling mystery adventure! Perfect for fans of MURDER MOST UNLADYLIKE.