ᅠA fleet of starships carrying superhuman soldiers approaches the war-torn world of Materiea. Among them, a powerful young woman named Whitney seeks to uphold the teachings of her faith and fulfill the duties of her people, the Archon Peacekeepers. The world of Materiea is a mysterious place. On this planet, Whitney not only discovers a strange conflict but learns of a vile corruption within the ranks her own people. Whitney must not only bring peace to the planet but also to Peacekeepers themselves.

In the G.A. Aiken’s fantasy follow up to the USA Today bestselling Scarred Earth Saga’s The Princess Knight and The Blacksmith Queen, two sisters battle for a single throne, warring factions take up arms, a land is divided, and uncertain allies become very certain lovers . . . With subtle commentary on today’s political polarization, this riveting epic celebrates strong female characters and champions the underdog within a diverse, high fantasy framework. As two sisters battle for a single throne in G.A. Aiken’s newest fantasy, warring factions take up arms, a land is divided, and uncertain allies become very certain lovers . . . GODS SAVE THE QUEEN!Ainsley Farmerson has always planned to break free of the family business—and the family drama. But what was once farming, smithworking, and bickering over the dinner table has turned into open warfare between sisters. Sides have been taken, lives are on the line, and Ainsley has no doubt which sister must be queen. She’ll do whatever is necessary to take down the soulless Beatrix. Even if that means joining forces with angry battle nuns, irritating monks, and overbearing centaurs. Gruffyn of the Torn Moon Clan has no time for human beings. And yet . . . there is something about the uncontrollable princess that he can’t ignore. Maybe it’s the way her eldest sisters underestimate her. Or her bravery facing down dragons and mad queens from distant lands. Whatever the reason, Gruff is willing to fight by this human’s side. Not only for the entertainment value, but because she’s right. Beatrix must never be queen. So whatever he has to do, whoever he has to destroy, Gruff will battle beside Ainsley. Fast. Hard. And with absolutely no mercy . . .

This book examines the effects of Jewish conversions to Christianity in late medieval Spanish society. Ingram focuses on these converts and their descendants (known as conversos) not as Judaizers, but as Christian humanists, mystics and evangelists, who attempt to create a new society based on quietist religious practice, merit, and toleration. His narrative takes the reader on a journey from the late fourteenth-century conversions and the first blood purity laws (designed to marginalize conversos), through the early sixteenth-century Erasmian and radical mystical movements, to a Counter-Reformation environment in which conversos become the advocates for pacifism and concordance. His account ends at the court of Philip IV, where growing intolerance towards Madrid’s converso courtiers is subtly attacked by Spain’s greatest painter, Diego Velázquez, in his work, Los Borrachos. Finally, Ingram examines the historiography of early modern Spain, in which he argues the converso reform phenomenon continues to be underexplored.

Immortal cultivators are outlaws. They are hunted and executed, and their magic is illegal. Anti-cultivation propaganda posters are plastered on every street corner. The Counter-Cultivation division investigates, the elite Black Corpses are sent in for the kill. None are spared. Mercy doesn't exist. But did the cultivators really bring the War of Tribulation? Are they actually responsible for the Heavenly Curse? Are they truly the bloodthirsty psychopaths the government paints them to be? Wang Fan is a homicide detective who fights for justice, and who believes that officers like himself are tasked with championing the rights of the common citizens. Then a seemingly routine case goes awry, and he finds himself dragged into the darkness of the cultivation world. And when he realizes the Black Corpses have their sniper rifles aimed at the back of his head, he has no choice. He has to fight the system to survive. But can he escape the most elite and technologically advanced troops the Sinotech Corporation sends at him? Does he dare to peel back the veil of lies and secrecy to uncover the truth? Do you dare take that journey with him? Find out in The Heretic Peacekeeper. Order now!

The Women’s Media Center—founded by Jane Fonda, Gloria Steinem, and Robin Morgan—presents its first comprehensive guide to using accurate, inclusive, creative, and clear language. At a time when language is too often used to “spin” instead of communicate, Unspinning the Spin: The Women’s Media Center Guide to Fair and Accurate Language was created to help everyone understand and be understood. Unspinning the Spin offers the convenience of a dictionary, the authority of a usage guide, the helpfulness of a thesaurus, and the wit and wisdom of an entertaining and authoritative teacher of the subject. Organized alphabetically for easy use, with cross-references to related words, phrases, and issues, this book goes beyond the scope of the usual reference book. It mines a wide variety of fields to present the background, current uses, accuracy, alternatives, and best practices for choosing and decoding common words and phrases, and offers a trove of suggestions for bias-free language. Unspinning the Spin is a practical, indispensable how-to that is fun to read. It’s invaluable for journalists, bloggers, students, teachers, government officials, and communications professionals, and it will be compelling for any reader who loves the English language. The author, Rosalie Maggio, has been an expert and widely read authority on language for more than 25 years. She is the author of the award-winning Dictionary of Bias-Free Usage and the editor of The New Beacon Book of Quotations by Women. Unspinning the Spin includes a preface by Robin Morgan, feminist activist, former editor-in-chief of Ms., and award-winning author of more than 20 books; and Gloria Steinem, writer, activist, editor, bestselling author, and cofounder of Ms. This book is the first publication of WMC Press, the publishing arm of the Women’s Media Center. “Given the growing awareness of sexism imbedded in our everyday speech, we—and the news media in particular—need alternative language. Unspinning the Spin should be a welcome resource for journalists, and for anyone who works with words, to consult. At last we have a comprehensive, authoritative (and funny!), feminist Fowler’s.” —Suzanne Braun Levine, author, first editor of Ms., and first woman editor of The Columbia Journalism Review “Language is power and debates are won or lost on how the arguments are shaped. Anyone who cares about politics, power, and the histories we make today will find Unspinning the Spin: The Women’s Media Center Guide to Fair and Accurate Language a reference for all seasons.” —Katrina vanden Heuvel, Editor and Publisher of The Nation

While enjoying a fast start to the Christian life is common, finishing strong is less frequently experienced. In The Uzziah Syndrome, United States Navy Chaplain Daniel Klender explores the 40 keys to finishing strong in the Christian life. The Uzziah Syndrome offers a treasure trove of inspiring stories and practical biblical insights that serve as a hedge against finishing the Christian life poorly. Borne out of 30 years of civilian and military ministry experience, The Uzziah Syndrome will enable you to pursue the Big Holy Audacious Goals God intends for all of His children.

Stories of the fantastic, stories of the science fictional: A young man lives alone on the far side of the moon, an artificial intelligence his only friend and companion. A hex-slinger encounters his dead wife, sword in hand, standing at a twilight crossroads. A young woman in prison for having superpowers is tested. A former Martian marine and her brilliant husband, investigate troubles on a colossal space station orbiting Saturn. A traveling medicine show where real magic happens faces evil in a frontier boomtown in 1901. Plus five more. This story collection is a tribute to a friendship, and the influences writers can have on one another. Dale Ivan Smith met K.C. Ball in 2009, when she was an editor guest at an online writing school. That led to Dale’s first sales to K.C.’s online magazine 10Flash Quarterly, a lasting friendship, and a writing partnership. They co-wrote three stories, all of which are included in this collection, including the novella “Silver City,” published here for the first time. Four of the other stories, written by Dale, were published by K.C. in 10Flash, while K.C. read and influenced “Persisting” and “Nullified.” Rules Concerning Earthlight and Other Stories of Fantasy and Science Fiction includes introductions to each story, and additional bonus material.

Immortal cultivators are outlaws. They are hunted and executed, and their magic is illegal. Anti-cultivation propaganda posters are plastered on every street corner. The Counter-Cultivation division investigates, the elite Black Corpses are sent in for the kill. None are spared. Mercy doesn't exist. But did the cultivators really bring the War of Tribulation? Are they actually responsible for the Heavenly Curse? Are they truly the bloodthirsty psychopaths the government paints them to be? Wang Fan is a homicide detective who fights for justice, and who believes that officers like himself are tasked with championing the rights of the common citizens. Then a seemingly routine case goes awry, and he finds himself dragged into the darkness of the cultivation world. And when he realizes the Black Corpses have their sniper rifles aimed at the back of his head, he has no choice. He has to fight the system to survive. But can he escape the most elite and technologically advanced troops the Sinotech Corporation sends at him? Does he dare to peel back the veil of lies and secrecy to uncover the truth? Do you dare take that journey with him? Find out in The Heretic Peacekeeper. Order now!

The flame of rebellion burns across the solar system in this dazzling conclusion to Linden A. Lewis’s stunning First Sister trilogy perfect for fans of Red Rising, The Handmaid’s Tale, and The Expanse. Astrid is finally free of the Sisterhood, yet her name carries on. She’s called the Unchained by those she’s inspired and the Heretic by those who want her voiceless once more. Now Astrid uses knowledge of the Sisterhood’s inner workings against them, aiding the moonborn in raids against abbeys and Cathedrals, all the while exploring the mysteries of her forgotten past. However, the Sisterhood thrives under the newly appointed Mother Lilian I, who’s engaged in high-stakes politics among the Warlords and the Aunts to rebuild the Sisterhood in her own image. But the evil of the Sisterhood can’t be purged with anything less than fire... Meanwhile, Hiro val Akira is a rebel without an army, a Dagger without a Rapier. As protests rock the streets of Cytherea, Hiro moves in the shadows, driven by grief and vengeance, as they hunt the man responsible for all their pain: their father... Transformed by the Genekey virus, Luce navigates the growing schism within the Asters on Ceres. Hurting in her new body, she works to bridge two worlds seemingly intent on mutual destruction. All while mourning her fallen brother, though Lito sol Lucius’s memory may yet live on. Yet Souji val Akira stands in judgment on them all, plotting the future for all of humanity, and running out of time before war erupts between the Icarii and Geans. But can even the greatest human intellect outwit the Synthetics? This “sprawling, queer space opera” (NPR) trilogy comes to a sensational climax in this final installment, and is a must-read for science fiction fans everywhere.

In the interest of providing exemplary models of sermons, the editors have compiled examples that display excellence in form, aim, style, and content. Developed and delivered by renowned pastors, theologians, and homileticians, the thirty-six entries in this volume include sermons that make artful use of sources, pursue classic aims, and exhibit particular homiletic forms.