Peace is just a pause between wars. And the pause is over. In the Cradle, violence is treated as a disease. History is a cautionary tale. For Kaelen, a scholar of the ancient "Sick Years," war is something that happens in dusty books, not in the pristine, bioluminescent streets of his home. Until the sky falls. When the "Invaders"—a mechanized, merciless force known as the Iron Swarm—descend upon the valley, they don't bring demands. They bring extermination. They burn the libraries, pave the forests, and slaughter anyone who tries to reason with them. Stripped of his family, his mentor, and his philosophy, Kaelen is forced to flee into the frozen Iron Mountains. There, buried in the dark, he discovers the one thing his pacifist society tried to hide. To save the future, Kaelen must resurrect the violent ghosts of the past. He must trade his stylus for a rifle, and his morality for survival. But as he transforms from a scholar into a killer, Kaelen realizes that the greatest threat isn't the army marching on the capital. It’s the darkness growing in his own blood. Because when the metal screams, the man breaks. And what rises from the ashes might be worse than the enemy. ___________________ Perfect for fans of Red Rising and The Expanse, When the Metal Screams is a brutal, fast-paced dive into the cost of war.

When Death takes a vacation, all Hell breaks loose. Juan Tu drives a 1979 Cadillac Deville and has a five-star rating on the Uber of the underworld—or he would, if he knew he was working for it. When Juan accidentally runs over the Grim Reaper in a taco shop alleyway, he expects a lawsuit. Instead, he gets a job offer. Azrael, the Angel of Death, is suffering from severe burnout and decides to take an unauthorized sabbatical, leaving Juan holding the bag. (Literally. It’s a leather satchel that hums.) The Job: Collect souls. The Method: Push the button on the pager. The Problem: Juan is human. Unlike the efficient, unfeeling bureaucracy of the afterlife, Juan has a heart. He listens to the souls. He comforts them. And thanks to a cosmic glitch, his empathy acts as a spiritual super-glue. Before long, Juan is physically fused to a motley crew of lost souls, including a paranoid conspiracy theorist and a grandmother who misses her cat. To get them unstuck, Juan has to bypass the standard "Grease Trap" processing center and venture into Worship World—a flashy, neon-lit alternative afterlife run by Lucifer himself. But the Devil’s new theme park is hiding a dark secret, and he’s turning souls into batteries to keep the lights on. Armed only with a tire iron, a magical pager, and a stubborn refusal to give up, Juan has to unionize the dead, outsmart the Prince of Darkness, and reboot the entire afterlife. Perfect for fans of Christopher Moore’s A Dirty Job, Neil Gaiman’s Good Omens, and anyone who has ever suspected that Hell is just a basement office with bad air conditioning.

The monster didn’t keep her. He taught her. Twenty years ago, eight-year-old Maya Miller was stolen from her driveway in Oakhaven. The town mourned, the family shattered, and her sister, Sarah, spent two decades waiting for a ghost. Then, the miracle happened. Maya came back. But the woman who walked out of the woods isn't a broken victim seeking comfort. She is cold, calculated, and terrifyingly efficient. While the town celebrates her return, Sarah watches her sister retreat to a secluded ranch, fortifying it with high fences and soundproof rooms. Maya claims she needs peace. She claims she needs silence. But as Sarah tries to reconnect, she realizes she isn't just helping her sister heal—she is being enrolled in a dark curriculum. Maya has brought back a philosophy from the dark: that empathy is a weakness, noise is a danger, and the world is divided into those who eat and those who are meat. Now, with local girls disappearing and her own marriage crumbling under the weight of Maya’s influence, Sarah must decide how far she will go to protect her sister. Is she saving a survivor? Or is she becoming an apprentice?

Why do we believe? What drives billions to seek solace in faith, find meaning in ancient texts, and build communities around shared spiritual experiences? Why Do We Believe?: Exploring the Psychology of Religion unravels the fascinating mysteries of the human mind and its enduring relationship with the supernatural. This isn't a book about proving or disproving God. It's a journey into the cognitive, emotional, and social forces that shape all belief systems, from traditional religions to modern spiritualities. Drawing on cutting-edge research in psychology, neuroscience, and anthropology, we'll explore: How our brains are wired for belief, including cognitive biases and intuitive thinking. The deep emotional needs that religion fulfills: meaning, purpose, comfort, and hope. Religion's powerful influence on social behavior, both positive and negative. The darker side of faith: manipulation, control, and spiritual abuse. The diverse expressions of religious experience across major world faiths. The surprising links between religion and mental health, including coping with trauma. The future of religion in an increasingly secular world. Whether you're a lifelong believer, a dedicated skeptic, or simply curious about the human condition, Why Do We Believe? offers a balanced, insightful, and deeply engaging exploration of one of humanity's most enduring and influential forces. Discover the science behind belief.

Embark on a journey of self-discovery and transformation with the power of Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP). This comprehensive guide delves deep into the core principles and techniques of NLP, providing you with practical tools to reprogram your mind for success. Discover how to: Overcome Limiting Beliefs: Identify and challenge negative thoughts and beliefs that hinder your progress. Manage Emotions: Master techniques for regulating your emotions, reducing stress and anxiety, and cultivating emotional resilience. Achieve Your Goals: Set clear and compelling goals, develop action plans, and maintain motivation to achieve the outcomes you desire. Enhance Communication Skills: Build rapport, improve listening skills, and communicate effectively in various personal and professional settings. This book explores a wide range of NLP techniques, including: Anchoring: Create and access positive emotional states on demand. Visualization and Mental Rehearsal: Harness the power of imagination to achieve your goals and overcome challenges. Submodalities and Representational Systems: Fine-tune your experiences and change your emotional responses. Reframing: Transform your perceptions and find new, empowering meanings in any situation. Swish Pattern: Quickly and effectively change unwanted behaviors and habits. Whether you're seeking personal growth, improved relationships, or greater success in your career, this book provides you with the knowledge and tools to reprogram your mind for a better life.Embark on a journey of self-discovery and transformation with the power of Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP). This comprehensive guide delves deep into the core principles and techniques of NLP, providing you with practical tools to reprogram your mind for success. Discover how to: Overcome Limiting Beliefs: Identify and challenge negative thoughts and beliefs that hinder your progress. Manage Emotions: Master techniques for regulating your emotions, reducing stress and anxiety, and cultivating emotional resilience. Achieve Your Goals: Set clear and compelling goals, develop action plans, and maintain motivation to achieve the outcomes you desire. Enhance Communication Skills: Build rapport, improve listening skills, and communicate effectively in various personal and professional settings. This book explores a wide range of NLP techniques, including: Anchoring: Create and access positive emotional states on demand. Visualization and Mental Rehearsal: Harness the power of imagination to achieve your goals and overcome challenges. Submodalities and Representational Systems: Fine-tune your experiences and change your emotional responses. Reframing: Transform your perceptions and find new, empowering meanings in any situation. Swish Pattern: Quickly and effectively change unwanted behaviors and habits. Whether you're seeking personal growth, improved relationships, or greater success in your career, this book provides you with the knowledge and tools to reprogram your mind for a better life.