ALEX's DIARY - DECEMBER 7th, 1941 Today the war began! I’ve just heard the news on the radio. I was trying to finish my homework in English, and at the same time listen to a talk to improve my Japanese. I often use the radio for this purpose. The Marianist Brothers at St Joseph’s teach us in English and French, but speaking Japanese at school is forbidden. Which is a pretty stupid rule, since this is where I was born and where my family lives, and on leaving school I want to get a job here … Born in Japan of a French father and White Russian mother, Alex Faure greeted news of war in the Pacific with schoolboy enthusiasm. That is until the hardships of being a gaijin and neutral foreigner in Japan during World War II became a stark reality for the Faure family. ALEX's DIARY - DECEMBER 22nd, 1944 Since Sunday night there has been a raid most days and every single night. The bombing has been relentless. It accounts for the sombre mood; no Christmas spirit in evidence anywhere in this city. Certainly none at the French bank … Peter Yeldham masterfully tells Alex Faure’s own true story against the backdrop of real events in wartime Japan. Laced with excerpts from Alex’s diary, Dragons in the Forest is a riveting tale of life as a foreigner in a strange land at a very dangerous time.

A fantasy world far like any other. A place where loyalty meets authority and power meets demand. Gems of all kinds lay about, but some are more special than others. When characters collide, can they finally use the gems’ powers to bring the Kingdoms back to what they once were? Or is it too late to stop the evil cast in the shadows? Will they figure out how to use the gems? And will the Kingdoms finally unite?

Follow three sexy dragons as they find their mates in swoon-worthy romances! Rage What’s a mercenary dragon to do when he meets a woman who makes his body surge with an energy he’s never felt before? Drake’s part of an elite group of dragon mercenaries. He’s a dragon for hire. Tara’s a senator’s daughter who’s been kidnapped and is being kept underground. Until a dragon shows up to rescue her. A dragon! Soon, one dragon turns into a baker’s dozen of dragons. And they’re living in a secret compound that’s more like a luxury hotel on the inside. Then, one fight breaks out in the cafeteria and Tara learns she’s so much more than a kidnap victim. And it’s somehow tied into Drake, a guy that’s beyond hot. Fury What’s a mercenary dragon to do when he meets a woman who has bruises and cuts on her face instead of joy and happiness? Braxim’s part of an elite group of dragon mercenaries. He’s a dragon for hire. Renee’s a waitress at a local diner in Charlotte. She wants to leave her abusive boyfriend Freddie, but it’s not as easy as it seems. Sure, Braxim can save her from Freddie, then what? He’s a dragon. They’re supposed to stay private and secret. Where can he take her when he’s expected to report back at the compound. Can’t take her there and risk pissing off Xedron, can he? Or can he? Rush Xedron broke a rule and now it’s cost him. He’s the prisoner of a madman scientist who wants his dragon blood for nefarious reasons. Sadly, none of Xedron’s brothers know where he is. Cody’s just recently met the man who fathered her. Fletcher’s finally a part of her life. It’s especially bittersweet now that her mother’s dying of cancer. Cody’s not normally a nosy sort, so she can’t explain why she’s gone poking around in Fletcher’s basement. What she didn’t expect to find is a hot guy in a cage. Fletcher tells her he’s a serial killer but something doesn’t seem quite right about her recently-found father’s explanation. Who is this gorgeous hunk? Why is he her father’s captive? Rage What’s a mercenary dragon to do when he meets a woman who makes his body surge with an energy he’s never felt before? Drake’s part of an elite group of dragon mercenaries. He’s a dragon for hire. Tara’s a senator’s daughter who’s been kidnapped and is being kept underground. Until a dragon shows up to rescue her. A dragon! Soon, one dragon turns into a baker’s dozen of dragons. And they’re living in a secret compound that’s more like a luxury hotel on the inside. Then, one fight breaks out in the cafeteria and Tara learns she’s so much more than a kidnap victim. And it’s somehow tied into Drake, a guy that’s beyond hot. Fury What’s a mercenary dragon to do when he meets a woman who has bruises and cuts on her face instead of joy and happiness? Braxim’s part of an elite group of dragon mercenaries. He’s a dragon for hire. Renee’s a waitress at a local diner in Charlotte. She wants to leave her abusive boyfriend Freddie, but it’s not as easy as it seems. Sure Braxim can save her from Freddie, then what? He’s a dragon. They’re supposed to stay private and secret. Where can he take her when he’s expected to report back at the compound. Can’t take her there and risk pissing off Xedron, can he? Or can he? Rush Xedron broke a rule and now it’s cost him. He’s the prisoner of a madman scientist who wants his dragon blood for nefarious reasons. Sadly, none of Xedron’s brothers know where he is. Cody’s just recently met the man who fathered her. Fletcher’s finally a part of her life. It’s especially bittersweet now that her mother’s dying of cancer. Cody’s not normally a nosy sort, so she can’t explain why she’s gone poking around in Fletcher’s basement. What she didn’t expect to find is a hot guy in a cage. Fletcher tells her he’s a serial killer but something doesn’t seem quite right about her recently-found father’s explanation. Who is this gorgeous hunk? Why is he her father’s captive?

Already the world's third largest economic power, China presents enormous potential for businesses worldwide. Opportunities abound, and despite current economic crises throughout Asia, Richter and the contributors to this unique volume are convinced that opportunities in China can only increase. They explore and analyze these opportunities and the management practices that implement them. In doing so they study the Chinese economy, forecast the future of Chinese business organization, and assess China's place in the coming global economy. Recent developments in the Chinese economy show how Chinese firms actively pursue new strategies to shape their organizations. The current Asian crisis will radically alter the patterns of doing business in China, and Richter and his contributors explain how Western firms can cope with these ongoing changes. Other books, usually from the Western viewpoint, tend to describe only the present structure of the Chinese economy. Richter's looks at it from China's viewpoint and advocates a dynamic approach to the study of Chinese organizations. The analytical scope of the book concentrates more thoroughly on transforming organizations' structures than is found in other mainstream studies. Their book is thus a true inside view of China's economic and business structures, by people who have studied and know it intimately—a book that will help corporate executives and their academic colleagues appreciate China's vitality and understand the reasons for her optimism. Although knowledge of China is growing it still remains relatively sparse, considering the rise to prominence of Chinese business enterprises. Richter and his Chinese experts (visionaries he calls them) seek to fill the gaps. They look at the complex questions associated with the concept of ownership and control in China and address economic policy and the development of the Chinese firm. They look at the development path of some selected industries, then itemize the challenges that multinational companies face in China, ending with a discussion of a hypothetical way of managing. All of the contributors are members of the worldwide Chinese business and academic communities. The research presented inspires further academic discourse and managerial policy in face of evolving Chinese reality. The book supplies expert knowledge and support for business practitioners, policy analysts, scholars and students in China and abroad.

The Current Synopsis of the Work: After the Great Wars, the race of man has all but pushed aside the sub-races of Orcs and Goblins, and forced the Elves and Dwarves to withdraw into a different dimension to ensure their survival. As powerful as man may seem, there is one who is mightier still. Through the power of an ancient amulet - Dragon's Breath - the evil spirit of an omnipotent malignant Dragon is set on destroying the world. As foretold and regulated by the Prophecy, the beautiful Elven race will have to do everything in their magical powers to prevent the total annihilation of all races, and the destruction of the world as they know it. They have no choice but to seek renewed alliances with their old enemies, the humans and the dwarves. and thus, the scene is set for a thrilling adventure of epic proportions. Become enchanted by this artful mixture of fantasy and legend, with a bit of native cultures and beliefs, and the added spice of humor and sensuality. Join the strong characters as they fight to defend everything they love, in a story that will entrance you. Characters: There are numerous main and supporting characters throughout the story as there are several story lines going on simultaneously (not even mentioning the Dragon himself, who, even asleep, is the most menacing character of all!). Just a few of the most important ones are: Tia, Queen of the Elves, a strong, wise, feminine and wily woman General Dade, the Elven Commander with a volatile character (who, though seasoned and experienced in war craft, is clumsy with women) Mandrake, the Elven Cleric having to find a way to defeat the Dragon Eldeen, the ethereally beautiful and powerful Elven Priestess Kat'Len, an Elven Captain banished to the world of humans Guardian, a chivalrous human rebel leader Galdan'een, the flamboyant Elven Wizard Asthel and La'Traiel, the Queen's daughter and her friend, sent on a quest to find the elusive Dwarven race

A knitting group's change of scenery changes lives in unexpected ways Margaret, Rose, Jane, and Fran had a good thing going: meet every week in the quiet of their peaceful chapel and knit prayer shawls. No muss, just ministry. That is, until their pastor boots them out of the church in his last-ditch effort to revive the dwindling congregation. Uptight Margaret isn't having it. Knitting prayer shawls where people can watch is the most ridiculous idea she's ever heard of, and she's heard plenty. Prayer belongs in the church, not out among the heathen masses. How are they supposed to knit holiness into these shawls if they're constantly distracted by the public? But with no choice, the others embrace the challenge. They pack their knitting bags and drag Margaret—grumbling the whole way—to the mall with them. She can't wait to prove them all wrong when it fails miserably, and show the pastor that she always knows best. Without the familiar mold the group has been stuck in, their own losses, pain, and struggles rise to the surface. And the people and situations they encounter every time they try to sit quietly and knit are taking them a lot further out of their comfort zone than they ever imagined. Can they find the courage to tackle the increasing number of knotty issues they learn about in the community--or will the tangle be too much to unravel? Sharon J. Mondragon's debut is warm and delightful, full of real laughter, grief, and personality. It beautifully illustrates the power of women across generations to reach people for Christ

The enormous popularity of Stieg Larsson's Millennium trilogy has raised awareness of other contemporary European authors of crime fiction. As a result, several of these novelists now reach a receptive American audience, eager for fresh perspectives in the genre. This critical text offers an introduction to current European crime writing by exploring ten of the best new crime nd mystery authors from Sweden (Stieg Larsson and Henning Mankell), Norway (Karin Fossum and Jo Nesbo), Iceland (Arnaldur Indridason), Italy (Andrea Camilleri), France (Fred Vargas), Scotland (Denise Mina and Philip Kerr), and Ireland (Ken Bruen), who are reshaping the landscape of the modern crime novel. Instructors considering this book for use in a course may request an examination copy here.