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This powerful essay collection is a natural extension of the #MeToo movement, revealing the interior experience of women after they’ve inevitably been underestimated or hurt—the epiphany that the world is different than they thought it to be—and how they’ve used this knowledge to make change.

Valentina Rosas has always known what she wants. Mostly. Sort of. At least, she does now. And what she wants is the coveted staging role at Gia, San Francisco. With four years at the top of her class in culinary school and enough tenacity to fuel the entire Mission, no one doubts she is about to land the job of her dreams—including the three-person cheer squad made up of her best friend and adorably overbearing parents.

Arien desires to protect her warrior family, even if that means giving up her bond with Kole and spending the rest of her life in hiding. But when hordes of supernaturals start hunting her, she becomes convinced the only way to protect her found family is to surrender to the menacing Magister of Invicta.

Poor Liam. On the very first day of fifth grade, in a strange new town, and a large new school, he interrupts everyone to bolt out and into the girl's bathroom. There, down in the far stall, in pain from a horrible stomach condition, he meets a new friend: Poop. The cheery little guy says he's there to help Liam through a tough time in his life. But what does Liam need help with? And who, in their right mind, would want Poop for a friend?

Ruby's Bite Me Bakery is open for business with coffins, cupcakes, and kinks. Rubina Tepes, a curvy Southern belle, knows a thing or two about sweet bites and hot, dark nights. She pours her undead soul into every delectable creation that emerges from her ovens while having the time to charm the pants off one bad boy bounty hunter who soon crosses her path.

From body-positive Instagram influencer and content creator Meg Boggs, an inclusive and empowering fitness and lifestyle guide to inspire listeners of every shape and size.

No straight women. No parents of students. Nobody under 35. Vanessa Martini makes no apologies for her dating checklist. She’s been up close to enough messy breakups to know what havoc they wreak in life. Just because people see her as fun and happy, and just because she loves her life in general, that doesn’t mean she can’t be careful. Or discerning. Or, okay, fine, super picky.

Arien Blair yearns to belong. Aged out of the foster system and living on the streets, the desperate eighteen-year-old works odd jobs just to put a roof over her head. But when she’s attacked by a hooded and faceless being, she’s stunned when a brooding warrior steps in and promptly declares he’s duty-bound to protect.

During a cringey visit to IKEA, the store where relationships go to die, Emma finally blurts out to Rob that she is no longer happy in their 26-year marriage. She wants more meaningful work, connections, thrills, joy – and more passionate sex. It’s been ages. Rob knows their marriage isn’t perfect, but it’s good enough…isn’t it? He’s loyal, solid, a good provider. What more does she want, anyway? Emma suggests taking a Marriage Gap Year. Time apart, no calls, no texts. This feisty communications manager wants the comms switched off between them for the next 12 months.

Skip the small talk and learn how to build a supportive community, engage with new people, and cultivate authentic, long-lasting friendships at every stage of life. It sometimes seems like everyone has a big, happy, fulfilling social life, full of lifelong friendships...except you. As we grow older and school friendships fade, it can be difficult to meet new people and cultivate meaningful friendships. How do you strike up a conversation with a stranger? How do you move from mutual acquaintances to real friends?

I will uncover the secrets that have been locked away in jargon and present you with the entire world of cryptocurrencies. You will not only learn the advantages and long-term benefits, but also the precautions you have to take to avoid the disadvantages. You will be provided with step-by-step instructions and guidance in simple language to never feel overwhelmed with information. In addition, there is an abundance of tricks and tips that you will learn along the way to help you make the best decisions regarding making money.

Brandon Fletcher has always loved Summer Blakely. The day she walked away and stopped returning his calls broke his heart. He tried to move on, but ten years later, when he learns she’s been injured in the line of duty, he knows he will do anything for her. Summer never thought she’d make the army her career, but it was easier than facing her personal trauma. When her convoy is ambushed, she needs the peace only Sugar Creek can offer. If she’s lucky, she can hide at home and avoid the man she never stopped loving.

Parker King is the number-one tennis player in the world with a real talent for getting women in her bed. To prepare herself for the one title she's never won - and avoid the press and her ex - she retreats to a secluded home in Press Cove, Alabama. There she'll also be safe from the Soldiers of God who've threatened to kill her for what they see as her depraved lifestyle.

Are you ready to get Discomfortable? This is a book about shame: what it is, why we have it, and how we can break its hold on our happiness. We all know shame: It's that feeling that tells us that, somehow, who we are is inherently wrong. It's more than embarrassment or regret: It shakes us to the core. And most of all, it tells us that we need to be, feel, and act differently in order to be seen, loved, and accepted.

Amelia Martini’s favorite things are traveling, animals, and peanut butter. When she left her job to explore the world with her wife, she didn’t expect Tammy’s plans to include leaving her. Now, Amelia is starting over again and facing middle age alone. It’s a struggle, but she doesn’t want to be bitter forever. Thirty-something Kirby Dupree loves life. Not always easy when you’ve lost as much as she has and carry as much sadness as she does. But she made a promise to always look for beauty, so she does her best...even when she has to squint to see it.

The Christian counselor or pastor plays an important role in helping people process the trauma they’ve experienced. Too often, a client leaves the counselor’s office with feelings of guilt and shame. They feel the heavy burden of what they did wrong. But somehow, they’ve missed the grace of God that makes things right again.

Fern Brookbanks has wasted far too much of her adult life thinking about Will Baxter. She spent just twenty-four hours in her early twenties with the aggravatingly attractive, idealistic artist, a chance encounter that spiraled into a daylong adventure in Toronto. The timing was wrong, but their connection was undeniable: they shared every secret, every dream, and made a pact to meet one year later. Fern showed up. Will didn’t.

Maya Vaughn, the hottest young pastry chef to emerge from the reality television machine, takes a turn as a judge on the very show that launched her career, expecting to find a nice change of scenery and a little diversion. A late-bloomer at 42 years old, Shannon Hayes is finally on the precipice of achieving her dreams. She has one shot to prove she can compete with chefs half her age and with much more experience. Engaging in a fling with a judge 14 years her junior would almost certainly kill that chance.

Two independent filmmakers choose the wrong party to attend while promoting their scary movie in Los Angeles.

Ellis Renois is at the top of the fashion world and has built the Renois Company into a success that dominates the runways of the world. Ellis loves creating clothes, and she loves the beautiful women who wear them. While Ellis deals with design, she leaves the business aspect to others. It's a mistake that could cost her more than just her life's work. Charlotte Hamner has worked her way through school and is ready to make a better life for herself and her daughter Sawyer.