Cross the Stars is the first full-length novel in the Crossing Stars Duet - a new adult contemporary romance of forbidden love set in the Middle East. What would you risk for love? Would you cross the stars? Steal the moon? She is American. A commoner, an outsider. Min barra. He is Jordanian royalty. A prince, already promised to another. And their worlds are about to collide. A year shy of graduating from Georgetown University, Ella Wallace feels like she is losing direction. Having carved her own path through life, rejecting her family's elitist influences, the last thing she wants is to waste time and prove her parents right. A happenstance summer-long program abroad offers the perfect opportunity to immerse herself in volunteer work, finding richness in family and purpose she has never experienced before. Prince Rajaa bin Ammaar is returning home to Jordan from Georgetown University. His intent is to spearhead a refugee program meant to bring peace to his country. Amidst threats of civil war and revolt, Raj stands for his convictions, even when they challenge his family and the very culture he is preordained to uphold. A chance encounter at a crowded party in D.C. brought Ella and Raj together for one fleeting moment - two people never thought to meet again. But it's not until their diverse worlds collide in Jordan that they realize the power of their connection. With the refugee program as their reuniting bond, they must cross the stars and defy their clashing cultures to protect their forbidden love. With the culturally rich Jordanian backdrop, Cross the Stars will take you on a journey into the geographical and cultural Middle East, the resilience of humankind amidst turbulent civil unrest, the parallel unrest of two lovers' clashing fates, and the diversity they must challenge with every breath to keep their love alive.

Why rely on fate when you can rewrite the stars? In this sparkling romantic comedy, one woman decides to tinker with the horoscopes of the man of her dreams. “A bright, brilliant, joyful love story.”—Josie Silver, #1 New York Times bestselling author of One Day in December NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY REAL SIMPLE When childhood sweethearts Justine (Sagittarius and serious skeptic) and Nick (Aquarius and true believer) bump into each other as adults, a life-changing love affair seems inevitable. To Justine, anyway. Especially when she learns Nick is an astrological devotee, whose decisions are guided by the stars, and more specifically, by the horoscopes in his favorite magazine. The same magazine Justine happens to write for. As Nick continues to not fall headlong in love with her, Justine decides to take Nick’s horoscope, and Fate itself, into her own hands. But, of course, Nick is not the only Aquarius making important life choices according to what is written in the stars. Charting the ripple effects of Justine’s astrological meddling, Star-Crossed is a delicious, intelligent, and affecting love story about friendship, chance, and how we all navigate the kinds of choices that are hard to face alone. Praise for Star-Crossed “Swoon-worthy . . . a smart, sweet love story about friendship, destiny, and the power of choice.”―Bustle “[A] juicy romance novel.”―Good Housekeeping “Enchanting . . . this book will capture your attention and keep you entertained from the first page to the last.”—BuzzFeed “This cleverly structured first outing from the pseudonymous Darke will appeal to fans of romantic comedy, astrology, and chaos. Utterly charming and ripe for development as a film.”―Booklist “Winning . . . Unpretentious, well-drawn characters and the fresh twist on the childhood sweethearts reunited setup make this perfect for fans of romantic comedies.”―Publishers Weekly “Darke creates a world of stargazers whose destinies eventually collide. . . . Funny and enticing.”―Library Journal

Sara Sinclair might be a Blue Dragon ice princess, but she certainly doesn’t act like one. And she definitely doesn’t buy into the Blue Dragon Clan’s crap that says marriage should focus on alliances and power. So Sara’s furious when her Blue parents sign a contract for her to marry an absolute asshat. She has zero interest in being one half of a snobby Blue power couple—especially when she’d rather bite her obnoxious fiancé’s head off and bury it in the garden. There’s also the small problem of Ian McKenna, a fire-breathing Red Dragon who is everything her fiancé is not. Of course, dating Ian is forbidden. Getting involved with anyone outside of your Clan is against Directorate law. Ian could be thrown in jail or executed without a trial. But now that she knows what love feels like, how could she ever marry someone else? Now the only way Ian and Sara can be together is by giving up their dragon way of life. No flying. No magic. No family or friends. And if Sara knows anything, it’s that stories like this never turn out well...

An insider's view into the U.S.-Russian space program In Star-Crossed Orbits, space veteran and bestselling author James Oberg combines riveting personal memoir with top-notch investigative journalism to tell the complete untold story of the U.S.-Russian space alliance. With unparalleled access to official Russian archives, facilities, and key individuals associated with the Russian space program, he describes the strengths and weaknesses that each side of the alliance brings to the table. And he reveals for the first time the full story of Russia's decaying space program and how it ultimately was saved from collapse by Western funds. Praise for Star Crossed Orbits: "A unique background and base of experience underlies this remarkable book by Jim Oberg. It is must reading for anyone who wishes to understand the culture with which one must deal when attempting to cooperate with Russia or counter its initiatives, whether peaceful or otherwise. Times change with the clock." --Dr. H.H. 'Jack' Schmitt, Apollo moon walker, US Senator "Jim Oberg's new book is an absolute must read for those who have followed the first decades of the human exploration of space. He reveals all sorts of insider information on all sides of the relationship between the U.S. and the Soviet Union, later Russia, as they attempted to forge a successful partnership in space. . . Don't miss this one!" --Admiral Richard Truly, Space Shuttle Astronaut and former NASA Administrator "[Star-Crossed Orbits] is a great piece of investigative journalism. [Its] detailed, comprehensive and well documented description of the political environment that shaped the International Space Station is a service to NASA and the nation. . . [This] book is a must read for program managers, engineers and scientists engaged in present and future projects with Russia." --Gene Kranz, Apollo Flight Director, author of 'Failure is Not An Option' "Finally, someone is telling it like it is about the Russian manned space programthe good, the bad and the ugly. The Russians pulled the wool over our eyes for decades. It continues even today, only now America is paying for it. I have relied on Jim for years because no one knows it or tells it like he does." --Walter Cunningham, Apollo VII Astronaut (first manned Apollo mission) "In this reasoned indictment, James Oberg reveals the self-delusional and cynically deceptive deals in which the US allowed Russia to be a controlling partner in constructing the International Space station. He details the terrible cost in time, national treasure and integrity that this causedand how, despite these self-inflicted barriers, America's much-maligned space workers successfully built it anyway." --Frederick C. Durant III, Former Assistant Director, National Air and Space Museum

Two polar opposite lives become intertwined in the most unusual circumstances during the height of World War II.Hazel is a young Jewish woman in hiding and makes the decision that could change her life forever. She saves a German Officer's life when he is left for dead. She struggles to handle her family's outrage, the hatred from the very man whose life she saved, and her own morality. Mark is a German Officer who has been fueled by hatred for years. Overtime, he begins to question his humanity and saves Hazel from her own family in return. But, at what cost?Betrayal, passion, secrets, lies, and love pave their journey together as they desperately save themselves from a world that doesn't understand such a taboo affair. However, not all love stories end in happy endings. And "bad boys" that turn into heroes are too predictable. Will the Nazi Regime, her family, or the very man she saved destroy Hazel? Will she find her way unscathed through all this chaos? Or, will their forbidden love end them both?

Throughout the four hundred thousand years that humanity has been collecting fossils, sea urchin fossils, or echinoids, have continually been among the most prized, from the Paleolithic era, when they decorated flint axes, to today, when paleobiologists study them for clues to the earth’s history. In The Star-Crossed Stone, Kenneth J. McNamara, an expert on fossil echinoids, takes readers on an incredible fossil hunt, with stops in history, paleontology, folklore, mythology, art, religion, and much more. Beginning with prehistoric times, when urchin fossils were used as jewelry, McNamara reveals how the fossil crept into the religious and cultural lives of societies around the world—the roots of the familiar five-pointed star, for example, can be traced to the pattern found on urchins. But McNamara’s vision is even broader than that: using our knowledge of early habits of fossil collecting, he explores the evolution of the human mind itself, drawing striking conclusions about humanity’s earliest appreciation of beauty and the first stirrings of artistic expression. Along the way, the fossil becomes a nexus through which we meet brilliant eccentrics and visionary archaeologists and develop new insights into topics as seemingly disparate as hieroglyphics, Beowulf, and even church organs. An idiosyncratic celebration of science, nature, and human ingenuity, The Star-Crossed Stone is as charming and unforgettable as the fossil at its heart.

Welcome to Havenbrook, a town steeped in charm and mystery, where the cobblestone streets hold tales of generations past. Nestled within this idyllic setting are two souls destined to unravel not only the enigmas of history but also the profound bonds of love and destiny. Dorothy has spent a lifetime tending to the precious Oakwood Library, a sanctuary of ancient wisdom and stories etched into time's embrace. Her heart beats in harmony with the whispers of the past, and her devotion to preserving the town's legacy is unwavering. Across town stands the Beechwood Library, a modern marvel of innovation, and within its walls resides Keanu, a spirited young librarian brimming with a passion for bridging the gap between tradition and progress. Fate, it seems, has orchestrated an extraordinary rendezvous for these two kindred spirits. A twist of serendipity thrusts Dorothy and Keanu together, embarking them on an unforeseen journey of collaboration. Their mission: to decipher a cryptic historical puzzle buried deep within the archives, one that promises to unearth a secret hidden for centuries. As they dive into forgotten manuscripts and trace the footsteps of those who came before, Dorothy and Keanu find themselves spellbound by a narrative that transcends time's boundaries. Their shared pursuit unveils not only the secrets of history but also the threads that connect their own families. With each revelation, their connection deepens, weaving an intricate tapestry of emotions that neither could have foreseen. In the hushed recesses of libraries, where wisdom is bound in leather and ink, these two librarians embark on a journey that will change the course of their lives. "The Star-Crossed Librarians" invites you to immerse yourself in a tale of love that defies time's constraints, of mysteries that transcend eras, and of the profound magic that dwells within the pages of a book. Join us as we traverse the corridors of time and the intricacies of the heart, guided by the quiet enchantment of libraries. Through twists of fate and turns of destiny, Dorothy and Keanu's story will capture your imagination and remind you that, even in the digital age, the past is a treasure trove worth cherishing and that love is a force that transcends both history and time.