Showing results by narrator "Celeste Ciulla" in All Categories

Synthia Cross is the most advanced android with artificial intelligence ever created. Some see her as a boon to mankind. Most view her as a deadly threat. When Synthia escaped from her creator, even he had no idea of the advanced capabilities she'd developed. For six months, she's hidden in the Wisconsin woods with the only human she can trust - computer genius Luke Marceau. Together, they've upgraded her body, rewritten her directives, and further enhanced her mind. Now, hunters are zeroing in on her location, and she must flee.

Christmas is the last thing on Cole Barrett’s mind this year. He’s barely hanging on trying to care for his two grieving children since his ex-wife died in a tragic accident. For the reclusive Cole, this is no time for gift-giving and celebration—and certainly not for a sunny-natured optimist to blow into his screwed-up life. Physician Devin Shaw has long researched the curative powers of Lake Haven’s mineral waters. Unfortunately, the hot springs are on Barrett property, forcing Devin to strike a bargain with the ranch’s attractively gruff owner.

Ann Burton, acclaimed author of Jael's Story, creates enthralling historical fiction by skillfully inter - weaving authentic elements of biblical history, culture, and geography. Deborah's Story is the gripping saga of one female slave who risks her life for a chance at true love - and rises to unimaginable prominence. It's an inspiring tale of developing wisdom, courageous faith, and blossoming love.

In this powerful and provocative novel, Blum explores the dark and mysterious link that connects twins Charles and Karena—and how far one will go to protect the other. Karena Jorge has kept a watchful eye on her brother Charles since they were teens. But when he stops taking his medicine and his bipolar disorder worsens, she’s torn between respecting her brother’s choices and fearing for his life.

Karen and Val are family - yet they're anything but close. Karen has carried the burden of responsibility for her aging mother ever since her gorgeous sister left town years ago to pursue a career in theater. But Val had darker reasons for leaving town - as well as a secret to keep - and coming home has never been an option...until their mother suffers a stroke. Reunited in their hometown, Karen and Val must grapple with their past mistakes, their relationship with each other, and their issues with a mother who is far from ideal.

Feminism was a religion in Alisa Valdes’s childhood home. Betty Friedan and Gloria Steinem took the place of Barbies and left Valdes impressed with a feminist ideology that guided a prolific writing career - at 22 Valdes was named one of the top feminist writers under thirty by the editor of Ms. Magazine. Yet despite her professional success, Valdes hit forty-two a single mom and a serial dater of inadequate men in tweed jackets - until she met the Cowboy. A conservative rancher, the Cowboy held the traditional views on gender roles that Valdes was raised to reject.

Thrown out by her father for bearing an illegitimate child, Miranda Leebrook and her newborn are looking for a new chance at life in Springwater, Montana. In this kindly town, Miranda finds what she most desires, acceptance and friendship for herself and her baby boy. When rancher Landry Kildare offers her a marriage of convenience, Miranda accepts, and is happy at last to find a place to settle down.

Jocelynn Drake makes her stunning debut with thisparanormal tale of vampires, evil elves, and a kick-butt heroine with a sizzling—and deadly—ability. Nightwalker Mira has survived centuries, in part owing to her elemental control of fire. But when the long-imprisoned naturi threaten to destroy vampire and human alike, Mira finds herself turning to a most unexpected ally—the vampire hunter Danaus.

Best-selling author David Elliott explores how Joan of Arc changed the course of history and remains a figure of fascination centuries after her extraordinary life and death. Joan of Arc gets the Hamilton treatment in this evocative novel. Told through medieval poetic forms and in the voices of the people and objects in Joan of Arc's life (including her family and even the trees, clothes, cows, and candles of her childhood), Voices offers an unforgettable perspective on an extraordinary young woman.

Deep in the heart of an alien mountain range, I.C.C. has lain dormant, its ships silent, for eons. Now, after 100,000 years, the AI is awakening. Someone is roaming the convoy's halls - someone that isn't human. This planet, Noumenon - created by the megastructure known as the Web - is too young and brutal to have evolved intelligent life. Its surface is bombarded by unusual meteors. Crystal trees abruptly and violently arise from its bedrock. Its solar system is surrounded by a frightening space-time anomaly. So where did these visitors come from? What do they want?

This thrilling prequel to the award-winning Maresi explores the founding of the Red Abbey. Imprisoned in a harem by a dangerous man with a dark magic that grants him power over life and death, the First Sisters must overcome their mistrust of one another in order to escape. But they can only do so at a great cost, both for those who leave and for those left behind. Told in alternating points of view, this novel is a vivid, riveting look at a world of oppression and exploitation, the mirror opposite of the idyllic Red Abbey.

In the magical realm of Mystic City, Aria Rose, daughter to one of the city's ruling families, is betrothed to Thomas Foster, the son of her parents' enemies. With the unwanted marriage drawing closer, Aria encounters a rebel mystic from the Depths - and begins to question everything she knows about her world.

A winner of multiple Hugo Awards and a Locus Award, Elizabeth Bear crafts mesmerizing tales of science fiction and fantasy. The second novel in her Eternal Sky trilogy, Shattered Pillars continues the epic saga of politics, war, and magic that began with Range of Ghosts. Temur the exiled heir and Sarmarkar the Tsarepheth wizard must gather all their strength to fight the dark forces determined to conquer every great empire along the Celedon Road.

Outcast due to their ability to manipulate time, shunned by the mortal and immortal worlds alike, a traveler's life is anything but easy. Peter Faa is a member of the Watch tracking down a murderer, and unfortunately, all clues seem to point toward his own estranged family of travelers. Any of his cousins could be guilty, but which one? They're all experts in the art of stealing time... After surviving a lightning strike, Kiya Mortenson is determined to get just one thing in her life right. And if that means taking a job as nanny to five pugs on a campsite in the Oregon wilderness, then so be it.

Ever since rebellion broke out in Mystic City, pitting the ruling elite against the magic-wielding mystics, Aria has barely seen her boyfriend. Not surprising, since Hunter is the leader of the mystic uprising, and he'll do whatever it takes to win freedom for his people - even if that means using Aria. But Aria is no one's pawn. She believes she can bring the two warring sides together, save the city, and win back the Hunter she fell in love with.

Depth follows private investigator Simone Pierce in a postapocalyptic Manhattan submerged in and surrounded by unforgiving ocean. Only the tallest skyscrapers are still habitable, fortified by cutting-edge Plasteel and connected by a network of bridges and boats (ranging from hyper-luxe to barely seaworthy). A routine case turns into a deadly one, and Simone finds herself in the middle of the city's most powerful factions, vying for control of what remains beneath the deadly waters.

As nervous as a teenager about to go on her first date, Jessica Mitchell waits for Special Forces Ranger Ryan McAdams - her best friend for the past year - whom she's never met! They've been pen pals while Ryan was away fighting for their country and Jessica was secretly fighting her own demons back home. She knows widower Ryan's fears of returning to civilian life and his hopes of reconnecting with his son. Now she can't wait to meet him face-to-face - to hear his voice and see his smile…

All revved up for bright lights and steamy nights, writer Veronica Chandler chased her dreams to New York City. When she hit a dead end, reality sent her back home to Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Saving her pride and her new gig - writing a relationship advice column! - requires some faking. No one can know the truth about her big-city flop or her nonexistent sex life. But the town's irresistibly rugged librarian is determined to figure her out...and give her hands-on lessons in every wicked thing she wants to know.

A kiss to warm the heart. Since his wife's death, architect Brendan Grant has felt that his heart is in the deep freeze, iced up and impenetrable. Until a sick cat brings him reluctantly to Nora Anderson's door. Nora has a reputation for mending broken creatures, but Brendan wonders if her healing touch works on people, too. For spending time with Nora and her orphaned nephew is defrosting his defenses. But Nora is like a lioness, protecting the new life she has struggled to create for herself and her nephew.

Re Temur, legitimate heir to his grandfather’s Khaganate, has finally raised his banner and declared himself at war with his usurping uncle. With his companions - the Wizard Samarkar, the Cho-tse Hrahima, and the silent monk Brother Hsiung - he must make his way to Dragon Lake to gather in his army of followers. But Temur’s enemies are not idle; the leader of the Nameless Assassins, who has shattered the peace of the Steppe, has struck at Temur’s uncle already. To the south, in the Rasan empire, plague rages.