When a sudden rainstorm disrupts an archeological dig at a remote Mayan site, site supervisor Deborah Miller makes an astonishing discovery: a collection of rubies so precious that generations of men have died -- and killed -- to possess them. Some believe the jewels harbor occult power; others believe they are the key to the arms race; still others see merely their potential for profit. But Deborah doesn't want power or money -- she only wants the truth. And so she sets out to trace the stones' complex history across four centuries and two continents, from Mexico to northern England, where the rubies once played a harrowing role in the Lancashire witch trials of 1612. But she is not the only one obsessed with the jewels; close on her heels is a notorious arms dealer who will stop at nothing, not even murder, to claim the prize for himself.

When his bid to purchase an appaloosa is accepted, Marks friend Jane, dampens his spirits by reminding him that he has purchased his horse and spent all of his money without his parents knowledge. Mark admits hes worried, but feels he is justified because he plans to enter barrel races with Jaguar and win tuition money for the veterinary college he wants to attend. His dreams may prove to be unrealistic, but Mark is determined. Mark and his father have a verbal showdown after which his father finally gives him a year to prove himself and his horse, or he must sell the horse. During this time, Mark and Jaguar learn about each other sometimes humorously and sometimes painfully. Mark and his friends become involved in a mystery when there is a forest fire that threatens to consume all of the Long Island area where they live. This problem is compounded when the stable where they board their horses is threatened with closure because horses are being blamed for polluting the nearby river. When these problems appear to be solved, Mark has an even greater one when he accidentally discovers Jaguar is blind. There is no money to pay for an operation. A man who had befriended Mark and Jane and given Mark animal care books, comes forward and admits he is a retired veterinary surgeon. He offers to operate and the only payment he requires is that Mark pass it on when he becomes a vet. The operation is a success and Mark and Jaguar go back to barrel racing. On the day they win their first first, Marks father tells his son he has shown wisdom and maturity in handling his problems and he may keep Jaguar and continue on with his racing.

Many secrets are hidden within the darkness of the jungle. Behold this one about a man, a woman, a black jaguar, and an ancient Mayan legend. When Andrea Granger was assigned to go to Honduras, ‘get inside and gather evidence’ against the DEA’s main suspect, she was determined to accomplish her mission with the same efficiency as in her previous assignments. But that was before she met her culprit, Brandon Shaw. He melted her heart and her resolve, and so did Naja, Brandon’s 300 pound black jaguar and closest companion. She quickly discovered there was much more to Brandon Shaw than met the eye, and just as quickly, she found her mission in jeopardy. Instead of arresting him, she became determined to rescue the flawed man of the jungle. But could she successfully extricate him from the web he had tangled himself in? As if that weren’t enough, she found that Brandon Shaw was somehow connected to a thousand year old Mayan legend which threatened to destroy everything. Unprepared, she found herself having to deal with an ancient spirit determined to kill her.

Based on a true story, The Jaguar's Heart brings to life the first encounter of Maya and European in the 16th century. It tells the story of Gonzalo Guerrero, a Spanish sailor shipwrecked on the coast of Yucatan in 1511, between Columbus' discovery of the Americas and Cortez' conquest of Mexico. Maya lords enslave Guerrero and his fellow castaways, but he eventually gains his freedom. Encountering Ix Chan Can, the beautiful younger sister of the Maya lord Nachan Can, Guerrero chooses to remain among her people and win her love. Guerrero earns renown in a war against Nachan Can's enemies, and finally Ix Chan Can's hand. After they have two children, the only other still-living castaway, the clergyman Jeronimo de Aguilar, brings word of Cortez' landing. Guerrero refuses to rejoin his countrymen, cleaving to his family. But with Aguilar as interpreter, Cortez conquers the Aztecs, and the Spaniards inevitably return to impose their rule and religion on the Maya. Nachan Can now demands that Guerrero fight, and at last accepting that he must do so to protect his family, Guerrero tragically stakes his life for his adoptive people against ever-mounting odds. The Jaguar's Heart reveals the struggle of a man caught between cultures and conflicting loyalties at a pivotal moment in the history of the Americas. It is a book with the captivating setting of Gary Jennings' Aztec and its sequels, yet which reveals the humanity of both Spaniard and Indian, and with the compelling theme of W. Michael Gear and Kathleen O'Neal Gear's Contact: The Battle for America series.

She’s not looking for a mate… Sapphire is cursed. Every relationship she’s ever been in has ended poorly. So she’s sworn off relationships and is happy with her life. Until Eli comes along—a one-night stand that turned into more. When things got too intense, she did what she always did. She ran. He’s not letting her get away… This time Eli isn’t letting Sapphire go without a fight. When her friend needs help escaping an abusive situation, he steps up, no questions asked. It doesn’t matter that Sapphire won’t tell him why she’s holding back from him. He’s a jaguar shifter and cats are very patient—he’ll wait for his mate to come around. But before he can claim her once and for all, they’ll have to deal with an angry bunch of shifters who are out for blood. Length: NOVELLA Author note: all stories in the series can easily be read as individual titles. There are no cliffhangers and each story is complete with an HEA.

2015 Schneider Family Book Award Winner * "A candid and deeply resonant account of a hard-fought battle against societal stigma, and an embrace of one's true talent and calling." —Publisher's Weekly, starred review Speaking for the animals he loves gives one boy’s life hope, purpose, and truth in this gorgeous picture book autobiography. Alan loves animals, but the great cat house at the Bronx Zoo makes him sad. Why are they all alone in empty cages? Are they being punished? More than anything, he wants to be their champion—their voice—but he stutters uncontrollably. Except when he talks to animals…then he is fluent. Follow the life of the man Time Magazine calls, "the Indiana Jones of wildlife conservation" as he searches for his voice and fulfills a promise to speak for animals, and people, who cannot speak for themselves. This real-life story with tender illustrations by Catia Chien explores truths not defined by the spoken word. Publishers Weekly Best Book Ezra Jack Keats New Writer Honor Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People 2015 Winner of the 2015 Sigurd F. Olson Nature Writing Award 2015 Green Earth Book Honor book

Diego DiSilva escapes death at the hands of the man he called father only to be thrust into an uncertain future with a shadowy Cortez, his alien allies the dark Suns, and a Mexica emperor determined to drive Cortez and the Dark Suns from the New World. Diego must overcome his fear of his psychic abilities and escape Cortez and his allies if he is to survive. His curiosity about a book called The Codex of Flowering Butterfly ends in a chance encounter with an alien device used by the Dark Suns. Diego flees to the camp of the Mexica where he confronts his greatest fear as he trains to become a Light Dancer and face the Mind Jewel. Can he overcome his past and his fears in time to help the Mexica drive the Dark Suns from their land? And what of the strange prophecy that states a war will start in this world and end in another? As Diego is drawn deeper into the conflict between old enemies, he finds that knowledge is his best ally.

A riveting shifter mate romance from USA Today bestselling author Terry Spear full of passion, action, and mystery. They're not the only ones on the prowl...but they're the most dangerous... When jaguar shifters Howard Armstrong and Valerie Chambers are trapped in the jungles of Belize, neither of them will come out with their hearts intact. The United Shifter Force gave jaguar agent Howard Armstrong an impossible task—to protect fierce she-jaguar Valerie Chambers, when the last thing she wants is protecting. They're going international to take down a killer, two shifters unbound and ready to face intense danger. Armstrong is certain he can guard Valerie and keep her from being captured. But guard his heart? He doesn't stand a chance. Praise for Terry Spear's shifters: "Fantastic! Again Terry Spear weaves her magic."—Fresh Fiction for Jaguar Pride "Sensual, intense...Terry Spear captivates."—The Reading Café "[T]hrilling from start to finish."—RT Book Reviews, 4 Stars for Jaguar Pride "Packed with adventure... Magnificently entertaining."—RT Book Reviews, TOP PICK for Billionaire in Wolf's Clothing, 4 1⁄2 Stars "Loaded with passion, action and mystery... Terry Spear is an amazing storyteller." —Night Owl Reviews for All's Fair in Love and Wolf

The Sacred Texts, a set of books created by the archangels of Heaven, have been kept locked away by the Creator since the early times of human history: the Book of Water crafted by Gabriel/Gabrielle, the Book of Fire forged by Michael, the Book of Earth made by Uriel, and the Book of Language created by Azrael. It is said that the last of those books, the one created by the very hands of Death Himself, is one of two keys to deciphering the language of the angels and with it the ability to control God and all in known existence. For the past two hundred years, the Fallen Angel Lucifer has waited for the proper moment to strike, the proper moment to invade Avalon and take control of the Book of Azrael in hopes of defeating the Creator once and for all. Aware of the imminent danger, Azrael tasks a single magic wielding mortal with entering Hell itself and destroying his Sacred Text. After becoming weakened in his determination to complete the task given to him by the Archangel of Death, Raven the Archmage finds that he must pass on the responsibilities of destroying The Book of Azrael to his insecure and often difficult apprentice, Jaguar. Follow Jaguar's arduous journey alongside his best friend Lion, and a mysterious earth wielding mage and his werewolf sister, as they travel through the halls of Perdition in hopes of keeping evil from gaining victory and throwing off the balance of all of Creation.The Sacred Text Series is a coming of age story that seamlessly weaves many ancient archetypes into a cohesive whole. Enter a world where vampires, angels, demons, werewolves, magic, and human myths from a myriad of cultures collide.

In Gift of the Jaguar, the ancient wisdom traditions of Peru are interwoven into a spiritual parable about the path to joy. Guilt-ridden over his sister's death, Juan encounters a black jaguar and is confronted with his own fear of dying but with a strange twist. He can see through the jaguar's eyes. Desperate for help, he reaches out to his friend Rosa, and her grandfather, the shaman Don Francisco, and enters into a world where the jaguar becomes a teacher of life and death. Sent on a journey of initiation to a sacred mountain, Juan uncovers the truth about his sister and discovers a secret that will change his life. In this beautifully crafted story, the reader travels on a surprising journey of self-discovery.