検索キーワード： ナレーター "J. A. Smith" すべてのカテゴリー

The mage Frank "Half Dead" Johnson is a marked man. Literally. A drunken decision fueled by tragedy has left him with half a soul, sorcerous powers, and two centuries to work off his debt to Scratch (a.k.a. the Devil) himself.   

The history of the Russian Revolution and the subsequent civil war has been well documented in a number of books and documentaries. What has received far less coverage is an almost uncannily similar situation in Finland during the same time period. Starting in 1917, Finland was convulsed by a series of events that provided a direct parallel to those in Russia. The revolution, the civil war that followed, and the impact of the end of World War I all helped to define the modern state of Finland. This is the story of a forgotten conflict, its roots, and its impact on Finland and beyond.

Raised by his single mother, infamous Pirate Queen Sushana O’Cuilin and her crew, Pádraig O’Cuilin continues the fight against slavery and their sworn arch enemy, Queen Elizabeth I. An unlikely duo, a blacksmith and a vagabond, join Grace O’Malley, Irish noblewoman and Sea Queen of Connaught, to overthrow the English crown. With the backing of Spain, an assassination plot is forged, only to backfire in a twist of royal revenge. Forbidden love and betrayal lead to kidnap, torture, murder and execution on both sides of the conflict but a shocking turn of events occurs to even the odds.

Anaïs Nin was an influential and acclaimed writer best known for her diaries that cover six decades from the 1910s to the 1970s. In addition to her famous journals, her works include novels, essays, poetry, studies, and erotica - many of which remain popular to this day. As one of the first prominent female authors of erotica, Nin led a controversial life that was subject to many rumors. Her fearlessness when it came to tackling taboo topics such as incest, sexual abuse, and extra-marital affairs would earn her both staunch supporters and zealous critics.

Anne Boleyn is most likely the best-known of Henry VIII’s six wives; she is also the most controversial. History has represented Anne as either a whore or a martyr. The true story, however, is far more complex...Catherine of Aragon had failed to provide Henry VIII of England with a male heir to the throne, so the king looked to Catherine’s maid of honor, Anne Boleyn, to secure his Tudor lineage. When Anne also failed to give birth to a son, her fate was sealed. She was charged with multiple counts of adultery during a trial everyone agreed was a sham.

Souls fuel the Empire, magic arms the legions, and the end is always coming. The cycle has repeated for millennia: heroes rise, cataclysms are delayed, civilization survives another generation. But every salvation comes at a cost… and the bill is overdue. Syl is a battle-worn Vigil Hunter whose faith in the Empire and in his own revenge begins to fracture after an unexpected act of mercy.

Junie Bounderby is a self-made man. Junie Bounderby has nobody to thank but himself. Junie Bounderby deserves his share of the family fortune. Screw all the doubters and naysayers! Screw his family most of all! With biting and unflinching honesty, this darkly comedic novel dissects American entitlement, the myths we tell ourselves, and the price of refusing to see the truth. Part satire, part psychological thriller, Bounderby's Best Life asks: What happens when a man who believes he's the hero of his own story discovers he might actually be the villain?

Peruvian cuisine is a vibrant tapestry of flavors, textures, and traditions, reflecting centuries of cultural fusion. From the ancient Inca staples of quinoa, potatoes, and maize to the influences of Spanish, Asian, and Andean immigrants, Peru’s culinary heritage is as diverse as its landscapes. Whether it’s the coastal ceviches bursting with citrusy freshness, the famous lomo saltado and the hearty stews, or the delicious sandwiches that are a celebration, Peruvian food tells a story of history, community, and creativity.

For many, she was simply the last of King Henry VIII’s many wives, but Catherine Parr was much more than that. She had a unique and incredible history all of her own. Catherine was a dynamic figure who survived more than her fair share of hardship. Even before she married Henry, she found herself caught up in the drama of England’s Reformation, and at one point, she was even held hostage in her own home by religious radicals.

What if love wasn’t bound by time? When a young woman stumbles into an ancient mystery, she is swept into a story of passion that has echoed for centuries. Across lifetimes and landscapes, she finds herself drawn to the same man—his face changing with each era, his soul always the same. From gothic castles shrouded in mist to quiet moments where two hearts recognize each other in the crowd, their love is relentless. No matter the obstacles—war, betrayal, distance, even death—something greater than fate keeps pulling them back together.

Blacklisted into the trash. Gil Klanz is a sixteen-year-old in the asteroid belt. He's about to graduate from Belt Corporation high school and he's secured the corporation appointment to the Earth Federation Naval Academy on the Moon. But all his dreams collapse when a prank involving 300 kilos of dessert gelatin, a swimming pool, and his school principal goes terribly wrong. Gil and his mother are black listed by the Belt Corporation. He has to make his way outside the company and becomes involved in an independence movement and the revolt against the greedy Corporation.

Dave Varine is the host of Ghost Search International, a reality show verifying or debunking sites of supernatural activity. Nouvel Espoir plantation is called the “Most Haunted House in New Orleans. Visitors claim to have seen things but when asked for details, they become very close-mouthed. Now, the Louisiana Historical Society wants David to certify the house, abruptly abandoned in the late 19th century, is really haunted.

The Ford presidency took place during a very difficult period for Americans, and he was the steady hand at the helm to ensure they made it through. This book follows Gerald Ford’s life and career from beginning to end.

This story follows four women, Nicole, Jasmine, Veronica, and Erika. Each of these women is tethered to pain, injustice, and prejudices in their lives. At the center of it all lies Erika, and the costly decisions she's made that ultimately forces these women to confront their demons, as they try to break free from their shackled lives.

Michael Kingman thought he was going to die by the executioner’s axe, forever labeled as a traitor. Still alive, and under the protection of the Orbis Mercenary company, Michael and his family and friends are deeply involved in the seemingly rival conspiracies that are tearing The Hollows apart. With the death of the King, both the Corrupt Prince and his sister Serena are vying for the throne, while the Rebel Emperor is spreading lies amongst the people, and all of them want Michael dead.

Lyndon B. Johnson was a powerful figure in American politics for many decades. Rising to prominence as a congressman and senator in his home state of Texas, he then became the surprise vice-president pick for the young and dashing John F. Kennedy. LBJ certainly cut a far different figure and utilized a much different approach than JFK, but he was just as charismatic (and not to mention cunning) in his own right. When Kennedy was tragically struck down by an assassin’s bullet in 1963, Johnson was sure to rise to the occasion.

A New York Times Bestseller “This may be Towles’ best book yet. Each tale is as satisfying as a master chef’s main course, filled with drama, wit, erudition and, most of all, heart.” —Los Angeles Times “The book spans the 20th century, bringing characters into tableaus of deceit and...

They say that laughter is the best medicine, and no one could quite make us laugh like Robin Williams. His meteoric rise to fame was fueled by an irrepressible sense of humor and dazzling improvisational skills. From the extraterrestrial Mork to the inspiring John Keating in Dead Poets Society and the endearing Genie in Aladdin, Williams’ performances captured the hearts of millions.

Many of the city-states of Ancient Greece gave the world a legacy rich in art, literature, poetry, philosophy, and science. But one such state distinguished itself by embracing something very different: a warrior lifestyle, a denial of luxury and wealth, and a focus on the collective rather than the individual. While most other Ancient Greek city-states have been forgotten, the name of that city remains in use in the English language today, meaning austere or rigorous: Spartan.

In 1973, Israel would face the greatest challenge to its very existence. Egypt and Syria launched massive simultaneous invasions intended to recapture territory occupied by Israel during the Six-Day War. Israel was taken completely by surprise by this attack, launched on the day of one of the most important Jewish holidays, Yom Kippur. Israeli intelligence, which had proved so effective in previous conflicts, failed to provide any warning, and the armed forces of Israel were completely unprepared to face this onslaught on two fronts. This is the story of the Yom Kippur War.