Her aura has never reacted to any man this way. After the female dire wolf under her protection goes missing, Laurel Finnegan’s new assignment, vetting the brother, proves even more challenging. He’s everything Laurel isn’t. And everything she wants. Before the full moon rises, she’ll have to test their mutual attraction, find his sister, and keep him away from the other females who will stop at nothing to be the dire wolf’s mate. He refuses to accept the significance of their mingled auras. Lucas MacDugal’s family is the last of the purebred dire wolves, and times have changed. So when his sister fought tradition and fled Scotland for Sarasota, he agreed. Now, he has to deal with her female security guard. Laurel has extraordinary elemental assets and is instrumental in deciphering evidence, but she’s also the first female to destroy his self-control. He has until the full moon rises to figure out why. After that, his unusual attraction to Laurel may prove deadly for her. All the evidence indicates Grace set herself up. Laurel’s worst fears prove true. Rogues from the south have infiltrated the outlying pack land. When she discovers Grace’s location and telecommunications fail, she decides to rely on the elemental connection she formed with Lucas. He’s in denial… But there’s no denying how much she hungers for him, and his lust rises with the waning moon. The innocent female haunts his thoughts night and day. He has to respond. Too many lives are at stake for him to ignore the appeal he can’t resist. The full moon calls his wolf to action. Lucas will give up everything to claim Laurel as his, but he won’t risk her life. The fear of losing her drives him to discover the mystery surrounding their irresistible connection.

Susan Michaels was once the hottest reporter on the Beltway Beat until a major scandal ruined her life and left her writing stories about alien babies and Elvis sightings. Life as she once knew it is over, or so she thinks, but then she gets a lead on a story that could salvage her extinct career. She heads to the local animal shelter, expecting a hot news tip, which she gets in the form of a major police cover-up . . . for a ring of soul-sucking vampires out to take over Seattle. So much for saving her credibility. And if that isn't bad enough, she gets talked into adopting a cat and finds she's allergic to it. A cat that turns out to be a shapeshifter who claims to be an immortal vampire slayer on the prowl for the same corrupt cops. Her first thought: seek professional help. But as Susan's drawn into Ravyn's dark and dangerous world, she comes to realize that there's a lot more at stake than just her defunct career. Now it's no longer a question of bringing the truth to her readers; it's a matter of saving their very lives and souls. Ravyn's life was shattered over four hundred years ago, when he mistakenly trusted the wrong human with the truth of his existence. He lost his family, his honor, and his life. Now, in order to save the people of Seattle, he's forced to confront that nightmare all over again, and to trust another woman with the secret that could destroy him. In the world of the Dark-Hunters, life is always dangerous. But never more so than now; when a very human woman can shatter their entire world with just one story. The only question is . . . will she?

Chinese idioms, also known as chéngyǔ (成语) in Chinese, are fixed phrases or expressions consisting of four or more Chinese characters. These idioms often convey a specific meaning and are characterized by their conciseness, vividness, imagery, and imaginative qualities. Chinese idioms hold significant importance for several reasons: Cultural Heritage: Chinese idioms reflect the rich cultural heritage and historical traditions of China. They carry the wisdom, values, and experiences of Chinese civilization, offering insights into Chinese history, literature, philosophy, and folklore. Effective Communication: Idioms are a powerful tool for effective communication. They condense complex ideas into concise phrases, enabling speakers and writers to convey profound meanings or emotions succinctly. Using idioms can enhance the expressiveness and impact of communication. Language Enrichment: Chinese idioms enrich the Chinese language by adding depth, nuance, and color to expressions. They provide alternative ways to express thoughts and emotions, enhancing language fluency and versatility. Cultural Understanding: Learning and understanding Chinese idioms is essential for gaining a deeper understanding of Chinese culture. It allows individuals to grasp the cultural context, historical allusions, and traditional values associated with specific idiomatic expressions. Literary and Artistic Appreciation: Chinese idioms are prevalent in Chinese literature, poetry, calligraphy, and traditional arts. Familiarity with idioms enhances one's appreciation and interpretation of these artistic forms, unlocking layers of meaning and beauty. Symbolic and Metaphorical Language: Idioms often use vivid metaphors and symbolic language, allowing for creative and imaginative expression. They enable writers and speakers to evoke imagery, evoke emotions, and engage the audience on a deeper level. Overall, Chinese idioms play a crucial role in preserving cultural heritage, facilitating effective communication, expanding language proficiency, fostering cultural understanding, and enhancing the appreciation of literature and art. They serve as a bridge connecting the past and present, providing valuable insights into Chinese language, culture, and history.

Idioms (Chengyu) are a type of traditional Chinese idiomatic expression, most of which consist of four characters. Chengyu were widely used in Classical Chinese and are still common in vernacular Chinese writing and in the spoken language today. Chinese idioms are important for IB Chinese for several reasons: Cultural understanding: Chinese idioms are deeply rooted in Chinese culture and history. Learning idioms helps students gain a better understanding of Chinese traditions, values, and ways of thinking. It allows students to appreciate the rich cultural heritage of China. 1 Language proficiency: Idioms are an essential part of the Chinese language and are widely used in both spoken and written forms. Learning idioms helps students improve their vocabulary, comprehension, and overall language proficiency. It also enhances their ability to express ideas creatively and effectively. 2 Reading comprehension: Chinese idioms often appear in Chinese literature, newspapers, and other texts. Familiarity with idioms enables students to comprehend and interpret written materials more accurately. It allows them to grasp the intended meanings, nuances, and figurative expressions in the texts they encounter. 3 Writing skills: Incorporating idioms into written compositions and essays showcases a student's ability to use the Chinese language fluently and expressively. It adds depth and sophistication to their writing, making it more engaging and persuasive. 4 Examinations and assessments: In the IB Chinese curriculum, idioms may be included in reading comprehension exercises, listening tasks, or essay prompts. Being familiar with idioms gives students an advantage in understanding and responding to these assessments effectively. Overall, learning Chinese idioms enhances students' language proficiency, cultural knowledge, and communication skills, all of which are crucial aspects of the IB Chinese curriculum.

Dennis Lehane meets Megan Miranda in this “dark beauty of a novel” (William Kent Krueger, New York Times bestselling author) about the first female sheriff in rural Bad Axe County, Wisconsin, as she searches for a missing girl, battles local drug dealers, and seeks the truth about the death of her parents twenty years ago—all as a winter storm rages in her embattled community. Fifteen years ago, Heidi White’s parents were shot to death on their Bad Axe County farm. The police declared it a murder-suicide and closed the case. But that night, Heidi found the one clue she knew could lead to the truth—if only the investigators would listen. Now Heidi White is Heidi Kick, wife of local baseball legend Harley Kick and mother of three small children. She’s also the interim sheriff in Bad Axe. Half the county wants Heidi elected but the other half will do anything to keep her out of law enforcement. And as a deadly ice storm makes it way to Bad Axe, tensions rise and long-buried secrets climb to the surface. As freezing rain washes out roads and rivers flood their banks, Heidi finds herself on the trail of a missing teenaged girl. Clues lead her down twisted paths to backwoods stag parties, derelict dairy farms, and the local salvage yard—where the body of a different teenage girl has been carefully hidden for a decade. As the storm rages on, Heidi realizes that someone is planting clues for her to find, leading her to some unpleasant truths that point to the local baseball team and a legendary game her husband pitched years ago. With a murder to solve, a missing girl to save, and a monster to bring to justice, Heidi is on the cusp of shaking her community to its core—and finding out what really happened the night her parents died. With “striking prose, engaging characters, and a searing story of crimes rooted in the heartland,” Bad Axe County is a “darkly irresistible thriller” (Kirkus Reviews, starred review) that you won’t be able to put down.

New York magazine was born in 1968 after a run as an insert of the New York Herald Tribune and quickly made a place for itself as the trusted resource for readers across the country. With award-winning writing and photography covering everything from politics and food to theater and fashion, the magazine's consistent mission has been to reflect back to its audience the energy and excitement of the city itself, while celebrating New York as both a place and an idea.

In its 114th year, Billboard remains the world's premier weekly music publication and a diverse digital, events, brand, content and data licensing platform. Billboard publishes the most trusted charts and offers unrivaled reporting about the latest music, video, gaming, media, digital and mobile entertainment issues and trends.

In its 114th year, Billboard remains the world's premier weekly music publication and a diverse digital, events, brand, content and data licensing platform. Billboard publishes the most trusted charts and offers unrivaled reporting about the latest music, video, gaming, media, digital and mobile entertainment issues and trends.