Collection: Adult

Humane Perspectives: Leadership in Animal Welfare brings together 45 voices from leaders who have helped shape the animal welfare field in the United States over the past several decades. Through candid, first-person reflections, contributors share the lessons they learned while building programs, leading teams, navigating conflict, and advancing the work of animal welfare. Rather than offering prescriptive formulas, Humane Perspectives explores leadership through lived experience-highlighting the challenges, missteps, and defining moments that shape compassionate, ethical, and resilient leadership in a complex and emotionally demanding profession. This collection honors the progress made in animal welfare while acknowledging the work still ahead. It reflects on where the field has been, invites readers to consider how leadership shows up for animals and the people who care for them, and challenges us to think more deeply about how leadership must continue to evolve for the sake of animals, the professionals who serve them, and the communities that depend on this work.

We all have born ready moments that mark our lives and lead us toward purpose. It's up to us to recognize them so we can become what we are meant to be.

You know those moments in life you can look back on and say, "Everything changed right there"? When a door opened - or closed -or a timely word from a friend shifted your direction? In my family, we call those Born Ready Moments, a phrase made legendary by my John Wayne-loving grandpa.

In Born Ready, I share the moments that shaped not only my softball career, but my whole life. These moments taught me to work hard, find my voice, and, ultimately, led me on a journey to finding my faith. Some moments are mountaintop experiences like living my dream at the Women's College World Series and competing in the Olympics, however many are low seasons marked by insecurity, inadequacy, or brokenness. Looking back, I see how even the hardest moments mattered and brought something important out of me.

Realizing that every moment had a purpose reminded me I'm Born Ready - for the wins and the losses, the rewarding and the hard, because each one has shaped who I am.

Auschwitz, 1945: I rock my baby gently in my arms, willing him to be quiet. Because if anyone hears my newborn cry, he could be taken from me. I pray that soon I will be able to escape with my precious son...

Inspired by incredible true stories, this emotional novel tells of a mother's love and courage in a time of unimaginable darkness.

Naomi Demetriou has survived three years behind the walls of Auschwitz. Torn apart from her family, every breath could be her last. She's learnt to survive by secretly trading the clothes she's forced to sort through in exchange for food. But when an SS officer singles her out, her life becomes even harder. And then she discovers she's pregnant...

With the support of Ana, the kind midwife, and the other mothers in Barrack 24, Naomi does the impossible and gives birth to a tiny baby boy. Hiding in the shadows, Naomi vows to do whatever it takes to keep baby Isaac safe. With rumours circulating of an Allied invasion, Naomi holds onto the hope the camp will be liberated. And she dreams of returning to her house by the Greek sea with her son.

But the day comes when Naomi hears heavy footsteps and the harsh voice of an SS guard. 'Out! Now! You can't take anything with you!' She's shoved into a line of people being marched out of the iron gates. Thick snow falls around them. Tears sting in Naomi's eyes.

It all happened so fast. And she was unable to grab the bundle of blankets containing her little boy. But Ana is still there, will she and the other brave women be able to save him?

An absolutely heart-wrenching and page-turning WW2 novel inspired by true stories of love and bravery. Perfect for fans of The Tattooist of Auschwitz, The Alice Network and The Nightingale.

'BLEW me away... I was in absolute AWE reading this... I could picture everything... SPEECHLESS... Brought tears to my eyes.' @thatbookishvixen, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'Absolutely heart-wrenching... I raced through this book... Grabbed me from the first paragraph and didn't let go until the last line of the fabulous ending. Anna Stuart is fast becoming my favourite WW2 author. A cracker of a story.' Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'Shattered my heart... I was in tears... So powerful you feel as if you are there... Incredibly moving... Absolutely brilliant... this gut-wrenching journey will hit your heart... I highly recommend. Cindy L. Spear, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'This book is everything! It deserves every one of its five stars and more!... I can't recommend this book highly enough, the writing and the storyline are exquisite.' Goodrea

The New York Times bestselling author of The Hangman's Daughter returns with the first volume in a brand-new mystery series which introduces a gravedigger and young inspector who must stop a serial killer in fin de siecle Vienna--the period during which modern criminology was born.

Vienna, 1893. A gravedigger at the city's famous Central Cemetery, Augustin Rothmayer is an unorthodox yet highly educated oddball who finds solace amongst the dead as well as in the writing the pages of the first almanac of his profession. But his fragile peace is abruptly disturbed when young inspector Leopold von Herzfeldt, an ambitious young transfer from Graz, arrives in need of help from someone expert in death. No one knows the subject better than Augustin Rothmeyer.

A superstitious killer is on the loose. His victims include several maids, each brutally staked. Recognizing the killer is using an ancient ritual for keeping the undead buried, the gravedigger joins the inspector on a journey that will take them deep into the underworld of their glamorous cosmopolitan city. In their search for a depraved monster, they receive unexpected help from telephone operator Julia Wolf, who impresses them with her unusual insight even as she fights her own personal demons.

Oliver Pötzsch's inventive historical crime series delivers the thrills and historical detail modern international mystery fans crave: a grippingly plotted mystery, a rich and painstakingly researched setting, a fascinating look into the beginnings of modern criminology, and an unlikely and unforgettable trio of characters.

A great read for spooky-season nightsA perfect addition to any Halloween reading list

"In the dawning, there was only wilderness and snow.
Now, cities stand upon the land the wild birds used to know." Irene Parikhal

Although the spirit of adventure lives deep within us all, thousands of years ago, a young Ojibwe woodcarver named Nwahtin ("of the calm waters") felt that spirit more strongly than most ... driving him from an early age to search for answers to questions no one had even yet thought to ask.

After giving himself over to the Painted Waters on an incredible vision quest-followed by a period of mourning for his beloved grandmother ("nokomis") who dies soon thereafter-he makes the impossible decision to leave behind his family and the riches of his bountiful homeland of the Great Lakes. First by paddle, then on foot, he embarks on an epic journey of exploration, following the setting sun westward into the unknown.

It was a journey that would reveal much to him about the world around him, even more about himself, and ultimately lead him to the revered island nation of Haida G'wai'i, off the northwest coast of current-day British Columbia. It is here, among the Haida people, that Nwahtin's spiritual connection to the natural world, his understanding of the profound teachings and wisdom of his own people, and his evolution into a master woodcarver would one day make him a legend.

Propelled by a terrifying otherworldly encounter, Sarah Flannery's small town bookstore becomes the heart of intrigue as she tries to untangle the skeins of dark and mysterious history, overcome her own past betrayals, and forge new connections.

Struggling to adapt to a new life and alone in a new land, a young Irish immigrant girl endures narrow opportunities, hard work, and simmering threats on the shores of Lake Ontario.

One must overcome a cage of her own making, the other must survive the labyrinth of a perverse employer. This is a story of the promise we nurture within ourselves and others.

From debut author Artemisia Clare comes the first entry in a cloak and dagger romance x mystery series set during the Renaissance.

The trials and tribulations of 16th century France spare no one and no place, not even the City of Fountains...

It's 1567 in Aix-en-Provence. Oste Lézin, the scandalous leader of a local confraternity, the Order of Saint-Mitre, is a commissioned city doctor at long last. Dorotèa Galoup, a member of the order, carries the secret that she's the masked duelist who has playfully sparred with him for years. Their friendship and deceptions tarry without trouble until the times catch up with them and leave Oste severely wounded after taking a stand during Reformation conflict.

Though he's back to work come summer, Oste is displeased to find that his own confraternity sent Dorotèa to assist him with his duties, and even more displeased when he encounters her next to a murder victim her first day on the job. Dorotèa and Oste find themselves working together in a reluctant alliance not only in a desperate bid to get a killer off the Aixois streets, but to find peace in what it means to love and be loved in return.

Under the pale glow of a Parisian spring in 1886, two restless souls move toward the same horizon-unaware that their meeting will ignite a love as luminous and fleeting as the stars themselves.

Vincent van Gogh arrives in Paris with little more than paint-stained hands and an aching determination to create something worthy of the world. Living in the cramped apartment of his brother Theo, he struggles against poverty, doubt, and the relentless pull of his own restless mind.

Across the ocean in Amherst, Emily Dickinson receives news that changes everything. Faced with the nearness of death, the reclusive poet does the unthinkable: she leaves the quiet safety of the Homestead and sails for Paris, determined to taste life before it slips beyond her reach.

When Emily agrees to sit for Vincent's portrait, their worlds collide in a blaze of color, poetry, and dangerous intimacy. Through letters, poems, and whispered confessions, the two artists discover in one another a fierce, unguarded understanding-one that will shape their art, their faith, and the fragile hours they have left.

But love between stars is never simple. As time grows short and darkness gathers, Vincent and Emily must decide whether beauty is meant to last...or simply to burn bright enough to change the night forever.

Some Starry Night is a sweeping, lyrical imagining of the hidden story behind Vincent van Gogh's most iconic painting-an unforgettable tale of love, creativity, and the courage to live fiercely, even in the shadow of the end.

The Ultimate Shell Seeker's Guide is the book that beachcombers have been anxiously waiting for an expert to finally write. Join Dr. Ashley Oliphant as she reveals the secret calculus that the best beachcombers in the world are constantly working in their brains as they decide when and where to plan their next hunt. This is not just another identification guide that offers species names and descriptions. Instead, this book is a practical fi eld manual that puts the reader on the beach with one of the most well-known beachcombers in the country. Oliphant reveals the insider knowledge that so many veteran collectors want to keep hidden from newcomers to the hobby, including where to hunt and how to read the tides, moon phases, wind directions, wave heights, and seasonal fluctuations that have such a dramatic impact on beachcombing success. The text delivers the foundational information that beginners need but then advances beyond those fundamentals to off er experienced hunters more complex strategies to help improve their game. Along the way, readers will be entertained by Oliphant's unique personal stories and enthusiastic outlook--both of which have made her such a sought-after speaker on the national circuit.

Unsupported follows Bethany Adams (contributor to Blood Sweat Tears) and her hiking partner, Katie Rhodes on their record-setting thru-hike of the Adirondack 46 High Peaks. Adams and Rhodes face the challenges of the trail head-on, and with each other's constant companionship, buoyed by their fierce desire to prove just what women can do in the mountains. Through her time on trail, Adams is forced to reckon with the dissolution of her marriage, and what it means to be supported in life, love, and adventure.

The Luck We Carry is a collection of personal essays about love, loss, and the enduring presence of the people who shape us. Written over many years, the book traces life after the death of the author's husband, Ken, and the ways grief quietly weaves itself into identity, memory, and daily living.

Rather than offering advice or prescriptive steps for grieving, The Luck We Carry bears witness to what it means to continue living after profound loss. These essays explore marriage and partnership, chosen family, resilience, and the small, often unexpected moments that allow meaning to surface again. The tone is reflective and honest, allowing space for sorrow, humor, gratitude, and tenderness to coexist.

At its heart, this book is grounded in the belief that grief is not something to overcome, but something to carry. Loss becomes evidence of a deeply felt love, and remembrance becomes an act of devotion rather than a barrier to moving forward. The essays move fluidly between past and present, honoring what was while acknowledging the reality of what remains.

Each essay is accompanied by a brief author's note that offers context about when the piece was written and where the author was emotionally at the time. These notes are not meant to instruct or explain, but to gently orient readers and invite them to locate themselves within the work, wherever they may be in their own experience of loss or transition.

The Luck We Carry will resonate with readers who have lost a spouse or partner, those navigating life after grief, and anyone drawn to thoughtful, literary nonfiction. It is particularly well-suited for readers seeking honest storytelling that affirms love's lasting impact without minimizing the complexity of grief.

Tender without sentimentality and hopeful without denial, The Luck We Carry is a meditation on how love continues to shape us, long after the person we loved is gone.

LYSANDER
Lysander Whitlock was trained to kill monsters-not to become one. A Slayer bound to an ancient, volatile power.
But when a mission gone wrong awakens something far older than the Corps ever intended, Lysander begins to question whether obedience is salvation... or a lie.

KIAKO
Kiako is not what the world expects.
Feared, desired, and endlessly underestimated, she carries a power that does not bend easily to gods or men. She has loved before. She has lost before. And she has no intention of surrendering herself again.

TOGETHER
Drawn together by frost, Lysander and Kiako find themselves at the center of a war where Slayers, demons, and gods all want the same thing: control.
But some power cannot be owned.
And some love is dangerous enough to rewrite the fate of heaven and hell.

Told with sharp humor and unflinching honesty, Fran Weinstein's memoir traces one woman's journey from dutiful immigrant daughter to seasoned entertainment news reporter who reckons with the price of ambition-and finally chooses a life grounded not in Hollywood glitz, but in grace.

The daughter of Polish immigrants who fled Nazi Germany, Fran Weinstein grew up in the post World War II Bronx. Though she was expected to follow a conventional and exclusive path to homemaking at an early age, she forged her own, rising in the cutthroat game and glamour of Hollywood's red carpets. Mentored by the iconic Robin Leach, creator of the groundbreaking television show, Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous, she became a force behind the camera at Entertainment Tonight, where she transformed whispers into headlines while chasing stories in stilettos that doubled as armor.

But the higher she climbed in those backbreaking heels, the greater the cost to her spirit. Tortured Soles pulls back the glitzy velvet ropes to a gutsy career built on adrenaline, ethical tightropes, and impossible standards. Behind the scenes, Weinstein navigates painful family turmoil, mental health battles, and the corrosive pressures of an industry built on spectacle.

"Whether you are a pop culture junkie or just love a good story, Tortured Soles gives you a front row seat to the real "business" of celebrity journalism told by one of its most grounded, honest, and generous insiders. I couldn't put it down."

- Lara Spencer, co-anchor of Good Morning America

"...for anyone who's ever fantasized about working on the frontlines of entertainment news. From being robbed by Anne Heche, trespassing through the ashes of a child star's apartment and a startling discovery in the private chambers of a TV judge, Weinstein puts one Manolo Blahnik in front of the other as she navigates a decidedly rocky road to run with the world's most famous movie stars."

- Paula Froehlich, on-air correspondent and producer, "News Nation Now"

When a fun day out in the Scottish Highlands turns fatal, there's only one solution: call for Ally McKinley!

It's the annual Locharran Highland Games and Ally McKinley has never seen her little village so busy or excited. Everyone's enjoying the Scottish dancing, the bagpipes, and cheering the competitors on. But there's a hitch in the proceedings when champion challenger Archie Armstrong drops dead in the middle of tossing the caber. Rushing to the scene, Ally is the first to spot that Archie's death was no accident - this was murder!

Ally flings herself into a new investigation and soon discovers that more than one person may have had a murderous motive, including some of the current residents of her cosy little guesthouse. Patti, Archie's glamourous wife, seems intent on acting like the perfect widow, but rumours of infidelity have been flying. Is her performance too good? Could her uncle, cranky gamekeeper Angus, have finally snapped, furious at Archie's treatment of his niece? Or was it one of the frustrated local competitors, desperate to end Archie's winning streak?

Determined to crack the case and fuelled by more than one piece of her famous shortbread, Ally begins to narrow down her list of possible culprits, but is thrown for a loop when her chief suspect is found dead by the loch, a mysterious and threatening note clutched in their fingers. With a killer at large, can Ally finally uncover the truth? Or, as the sun sets over the highlands, will this game be her last?

For fans of Agatha Christie, Faith Martin and Clare Chase, this totally unputdownable cozy mystery set in the beautiful Scottish Highlands will have you turning the pages late into the night!

Readers love Dee MacDonald:

'Brilliant mystery... I found myself racing through this one, eager to find out who did what - and to who! A terrific read.' Grace J Reviewer Lady, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'OMG!... I absolutely adored every single step... Had my jaw dropping!!... One of my favourite books of the year.' My Chestnut Reading Tree, 5 stars

'I couldn't put it down... I genuinely loved it... So vivid, like I was right there with them... I would definitely recommend it.' Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'So absorbed I read it in one sitting... I absolutely adored the ending and actually clapped my hands at it!!! Absolutely amazing... I LOVED it.' Bookworm86, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'Fantastic... I devoured in a single sitting... Plenty of red herrings, twists and turns... Kept me hooked from page one until the very last... Fast-paced, compelling and immensely enjoyable.' Bookish Jottings, ⭐⭐⭐⭐

'Oh my goodness... absolutely captivating! Filled with twists and turns... kept me on the edge of my seat from beginning to end... I highly recommend it!' Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'An absolute delight and a must-read... This rapid page-turner is one that will keep you up reading, unable to stop until the very end. I absolutely loved it!' Page Turners, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

In the late 21^st century, society is more fractured than ever. Billions satisfy their every whim in virtual worlds, leaving those in power free to tighten their grip on the real one.When a terrorist with strange abilities begins a campaign of violence, military investigator Asim Rahal is thrust into a race against time to find and stop her. But each step of his pursuit reveals the threat to be far worse than he could have imagined, and uncovering it may cost him everything.Truth has always come with a price. Every hero asks themselves what's worth dying for. The harder question is: what's worth killing for?