Since our sixteenth birthday, my twin brother and I have taken one hit after another, beginning with our mother's sudden disappearance and ending when she tried to destroy us with her magic. Now, we're embroiled in a mess of murderous proportions, chasing after a group of rogue witches drunk on their own power, and Mom is at the center of the chaos. We've got one chance to stop her and her cronies from unleashing their darkest, deadliest spell, one meant to bend every human and supernatural to their will. But first, we have to find her...and the clock is ticking faster with every step we take. Don't miss the stunning conclusion to the Urban Fantasy Mystery series readers call "brilliant" and "exceedingly well-written."

THE WORST CRIME OF ALL. . . It began with the desperate cry of a seven-year-old girl and escalated into the victimization of dozens of innocent citizens in Wenatchee, Washington. For in the eyes of the righteous, a crusading policeman and well-intentioned social services employees became champions of public decency, and family values, while a terrified and confused young girl became the symbol of rampant moral degeneracy within the picturesque community at the foot of the Cascade Mountains. IS NOT CRIME AT ALL! As the media frenzy engulfed Wenatchee, townspeople wondered how a debauched group who committed horrific sex crimes against children lived in their midst for so long without detection. Suddenly, in the name of justice, families were being broken up, individuals were accused of heinous crimes and were prosecuted--despite the protests of many townspeople questioning the methods of the so-called experts and accusers. Now, a lone observer, an independent attorney who spent a year in the explosive atmosphere of Wenatchee, pieces together the whole story of one of the most blatant cases of misuse of power and miscarried justice since the McCarthy witch hunts. As public outrage demanded justice, an overzealous legal system perpetrated crimes just as devastating as child sexual abuse: the persecution and condemnation of innocent people. THE WORST CRIME OF ALL. . . It began with the desperate cry of a seven-year-old girl and escalated into the victimization of dozens of innocent citizens in Wenatchee, Washington. For in the eyes of the righteous, a crusading policeman and well-intentioned social services employees became champions of public decency, and family values, while a terrified and confused young girl became the symbol of rampant moral degeneracy within the picturesque community at the foot of the Cascade Mountains. IS NOT CRIME AT ALL! As the media frenzy engulfed Wenatchee, townspeople wondered how a debauched group who committed horrific sex crimes against children lived in their midst for so long without detection. Suddenly, in the name of justice, families were being broken up, individuals were accused of heinous crimes and were prosecuted--despite the protests of many townspeople questioning the methods of the so-called experts and accusers. Now, a lone observer, an independent attorney who spent a year in the explosive atmosphere of Wenatchee, pieces together the whole story of one of the most blatant cases of misuse of power and miscarried justice since the McCarthy witch hunts. As public outrage demanded justice, an overzealous legal system perpetrated crimes just as devastating as child sexual abuse: the persecution and condemnation of innocent people.

Gamer. Nerd. Sorceress. Jade Crow lives a quiet life running her comic book and game store in Wylde, Idaho. After twenty-five years fleeing from a powerful sorcerer who wants to eat her heart and take her powers, quiet suits her just fine. Surrounded by friends who are even less human than she is, Jade figures she’s finally safe. As long as she doesn’t use her magic. When dark powers threaten her friends’ lives, a sexy shape-shifter enforcer shows up. He’s the shifter world’s judge, jury, and executioner rolled into one, and he thinks Jade is to blame. To clear her name, save her friends, and stop the villain, she’ll have to use her wits… and her sorceress powers. Except Jade knows that as soon as she does, a far deadlier nemesis awaits. Justice Calling is the first book in the Twenty-Sided Sorceress urban fantasy series. Key Themes: Magic, Shapeshifters, Urban Fantasy, Sorcerer, Witch, Werewolf, Romance, Paranormal, Fantasy, Native American, Strong Female Protagonist, Shifter, Nerd, Gamer

In 2008, the High Appellate Court of California re-addressed an unprecedented jury trial case of clergy sex abuse, which was filed, and won 5 years earlier in 2003 by Joey Piscitelli, a former Catholic clergy abuse victim in the San Francisco Bay Area. This non-fiction story reveals the lengths the Catholic clergy and hierarchy were capable of going through to shield a predator, during Piscitelli's school years, and the lengths they were capable of going through to fight a victim for the cause of saving face for mother church. The irony of the case is magnified by the fact that Piscitelli subsequently returned to his roots as a Pagan Witch. To add to the irony, the present day Pope Benedict, and the present day General Inquisitor, Cardinal William Levada, had kept the accused sex abuser as pastor in active ministry intentionally. The abusive cleric had access to children in San Francisco, throughout a vicious litigation, without regard for his accuser; and the added potential danger to children at his parish. It is estimated that the Catholic Church and the Salesian Order of priests spent several million dollars for the 5 year battle, and hired several law firms to represent the church and the accused sex abuser priest, Fr. Stephen Whelan. They had refused to compromise or settle the case. Although over ninety-nine percent of clergy abuse cases in the USA are settled out of court, the Catholic hierarchy and the Salesian Order had no intention of losing this case, nor settling a highly publicized case against a practicing Pagan Witch. Despite Piscitellis relentless public protests, press conferences, and letters sent to Cardinal Ratzinger - now Pope Benedict, and to the Inquisitor General - Cardinal Levada of San Francisco, to remove the accused priest from having access to children, his countless efforts went ignored. The Catholic church had never lost a court jury trial to an abused Witch in history, and this unprecedented battle was literally at the Inquisitor Generals' front door. But this was no ordinary case, and Piscitelli was not the typical abuse victim who was included in the ninety-nine percent of clergy abuse settlement victims, none of whom were admitted to be Witches. Piscitelli takes the reader through an autobiography of his early life as a devout Catholic, his transformation, the discovery of his past, and the traumatic journey through his abusive experiences in a Catholic school. He describes the aftermath of child sex abuse with a surprisingly different twist, and the multiple ironies that take place throughout his exposure to corrupt clergy, their protectors, and the ultimate war with the top officials of the Salesian order, and the modern day Office of the Inquisition. The story culminates with an unusual turn of events and conclusions, unlike any other story of clergy abuse, leaving the reader to ponder the after effects of clergy abuse; and induces questions as to the reality of Pagan Magick; and also what may actually occur when a practicing Witch goes to trial in the present day clergy abuse battle against the Roman Catholic church.

"Women, the body and primitive accumulation"--Cover.

The first hands-on guide to witchcraft activism with practical tips on everything from joining activist groups to conjuring spells for self-protection There is a movement on the rise, one that brings the worlds of social justice and political activism together with the practice of witchcraft. Activists wish to add magical methods to their arsenal, while spell casters seek to use their powers to resist oppression. Written by an experienced witch-activist and with the current political climate in full view, the book shows readers how to learn spells for self-protection and body shielding, as well as methods of developing enhanced psychic intuition and situational awareness. Salisbury explains how and why to conjure spirits of defense, land spirits, ancestral spirits of activism, as well as your own personal guardian spirits. Included are rituals, spells, and sigils, written clearly and simply, so that even someone with absolutely no previous experience in spell casting can immediately feel empowered and join the "witch resistance."

Action, intrigue, and magic collide in this epic fantasy following Sir Konrad Vonvalt, an Emperor's Justice, who is a detective, judge, and executioner all in one—but with rebellion and unrest building, these are dangerous times to be a Justice . . . The Empire of the Wolf simmers with unrest. Rebels, heretics, and powerful patricians all challenge the power of the Imperial throne. Only the Order of Justices stands in the way of chaos. Sir Konrad Vonvalt is the most feared Justice of all, upholding the law by way of his sharp mind, arcane powers, and skill as a swordsman. At his side stands Helena Sedanka, his talented protégé, orphaned by the wars that forged the Empire. When the pair investigates the murder of a provincial aristocrat, they unearth a conspiracy that stretches to the very top of Imperial society. As the stakes rise and become ever more personal, Vonvalt and Helena must make a choice: Will they abandon the laws they’ve sworn to uphold, in order to protect the Empire? "Richard Swan's sophisticated take on the fantasy genre will leave readers hungry for more." – Sebastien de Castell, author of Spellslinger “A fantastic debut.” – Peter McLean, author of Priest of Bones

Reporter Stacy Justice did not expect to be set on fire that night, but being raised by witches prepares one for life's little surprises. In fact, she isn't the least bit shocked when her cousin is accused of arson, or when her divorced grandparents sign up for a marriage retreat, or even when her own boyfriend hauls her off to jail.But when a decades-old corpse is discovered within the walls of her cousin's bar, even Stacy is rattled. Now, someone wants her dead and she finds herself dodging angry motorists, exploding chickens and a very creepy man who lurks around every corner. As she begins to unearth long-buried secrets, Stacy learns that even those closest to her have something to hide- and she's about to discover a destiny she never imagined.

Smoke Gets in Your Eyes meets Women Who Run With The Wolves in this "gorgeously written, fierce, political, personal, and deeply inspiring" (Michelle Tea) memoir about finding meaning, beauty, and power through a life in witchcraft. An initiation signals a beginning: a door opens and you step through. Traditional Wiccan initiates are usually brought into the craft through a ceremony with a High Priestess. But even though Amanda Yates Garcia's mother, a practicing witch herself, initiated her into the earth-centered practice of witchcraft when she was 13 years old, Amanda's real life as a witch only began when she underwent a series of spontaneous initiations of her own. Descending into the underworlds of poverty, sex work, and misogyny, Initiated describes Amanda's journey to return to her body, harness her power, and create the magical world she longed for through witchcraft. Hailed by crows, seduced by magicians, and haunted by ancestors broken beneath the wheels of patriarchy, Amanda's quest for self-discovery and empowerment is a deep exploration of a modern witch's trials - healing ancient wounds, chafing against cultural expectations, creating intimacy - all while on a mission to re-enchant the world. Peppered with mythology, tales of the goddesses and magical women throughout history, Initiated stands squarely at the intersection of witchcraft and feminism. With generosity and heart, this book speaks to the question: is it possible to live a life of beauty and integrity in a world that feels like it's dying? Declaring oneself a witch and practicing magic has everything to do with claiming authority and power for oneself, of taking back our planet in the name of Love. Initiated is both memoir and manifesto calling the magical people of the world to take up their wands: stand up, be brave, describe the world they want, then create it like a witch.

Witchcraft is a subject that fascinates us all, and everyone knows what a witch is - or do they? From childhood most of us develop a sense of the mysterious, malign person, usually an old woman. Historically, too, we recognize witch-hunting as a feature of pre-modern societies. But why do witches still feature so heavily in our cultures and consciousness? From Halloween to superstitions, and literary references such as Faust and even Harry Potter, witches still feature heavily in our society. In this Very Short Introduction Malcolm Gaskill challenges all of this, and argues that what we think we know is, in fact, wrong. Taking a historical perspective from the ancient world to contemporary paganism, Gaskill reveals how witchcraft has meant different things to different people and that in every age it has raised questions about the distinction between fantasy and reality, faith and proof. Telling stories, delving into court records, and challenging myths, Gaskill examines the witch-hunts of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, and explores the reinvention of witchcraft - as history, religion, fiction, and metaphor. ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.