An extraordinary mixture of adventure story and guide to self-knowledge, this book recounts the spectacular trials of Paulo and his mentor, Petrus, as they journey across Spain in search of a miraculous sword. A compelling tale that delivers a powerful brew of magic and insight, The Pilgrimage recounts the amazing trials of Paulo Coelho and his mysterious mentor, Petrus, as they journey across Spain in search of a miraculous sword — on a legendary road travelled by pilgrims of San Tiago since the Middle Ages. Paulo's visionary blend of mysticism, magical realism and folklore makes this an adventure story with a difference.

Splat the Cat is excited to play games with his friends — until he loses every game! Will Splat find a way to have fun?

He found the body on the forty-third day of his walk ... Devastated by the senseless murder of his wife, Detective Superintendent Thomas Lynley retreated to Cornwall, where he has spent six solitary weeks hiking the bleak and rugged coastline. But no matter how far he walks, the painful memories do not diminish. Then, at the base of a cliff near a town better known for its surfing than its intrigue, Lynley discovers the body of a young man who has fallen to his death. First a witness, then a suspect when the hand of a killer is revealed, Lynley remains, above all, a policeman willing to aid the gruff head of an understaffed local constabulary in her investigation. But the secrets in this community run dark and deep—and Lynley must somehow find a way to let go of the past long enough to solve a most devious and dreadful crime.

From New York Times bestselling author James Rollins comes a novel of boundless imagination and meticulous research, a book that dares to answer a frightening question at the heart of America: Could the founding of the United States be based on a fundamental lie? The shocking truth lies hidden within the ruins of an impossibility, a lost colony of the Americas vanished in time and cursed into oblivion. A place known only as The Devil Colony. Deep in the Rocky Mountains, a gruesome discovery-hundreds of mummified bodies-stirs international attention and fervent controversy. Despite doubts about the bodies' origins, the local Native American Heritage Commission lays claim to the prehistoric remains, along with the strange artifacts found in the same cavern: gold plates inscribed with an unfathomable script. During a riot at the dig site, an anthropologist dies horribly, burned to ashes in a fiery explosion in plain view of television cameras. All evidence points to a radical group of Native Americans, including one agitator, a teenage firebrand who escapes with a vital clue to the murder and calls on the one person who might help-her uncle, Painter Crowe, Director of Sigma Force. To protect his niece and uncover the truth, Painter will ignite a war among the nation's most powerful intelligence agencies. Yet an even greater threat looms as events in the Rocky Mountains have set in motion a frightening chain reaction, a geological meltdown that threatens the entire western half of the U.S. From the volcanic peaks of Iceland to the blistering deserts of the American Southwest, from the gold vaults of Fort Knox to the bubbling geysers of Yellowstone, Painter Crowe joins forces with Commander Gray Pierce to penetrate the shadowy heart of a dark cabal, one that has been manipulating American history since the founding of the thirteen colonies. But can Painter discover the truth-one that could topple governments-before it destroys all he holds dear?

A lower-level exam practice book designed to improve the level of students who plan to take the IELTS test in the future. Collins Get Ready for IELTS Speaking is the perfect book for lower level learners who want to develop the necessary skills to perform effectively on the IELTS Speaking test. Perfect for self-study, the series follows a guided-learning approach that gives students access to a full answer key with model answers. Developed by experienced IELTS tutors, the series takes into account the specific language needs of learners at this level. * Twelve units of carefully graded material for lower level students, all supported with clear examples * Key IELTS grammar and vocabulary for the IELTS Speaking test provided in each unit * Regular exam tips and information in each unit * 'Watch out!' sections that highlight common errors made by learners in the IELTS Speaking test * Four review units to check and consolidate understanding of key language and skills for the IELTS Speaking test * Complete IELTS Speaking practice test, answer keys, audioscripts and audio CD provided * Vocabulary glossary for each unit provided at the back of the book CEF level: A2-B1 Ideal for learners with band score 3-4 who want to achieve a higher score. ALSO AVAILABLE in the Collins Get Ready for IELTS series: Get Ready for IELTS Listening Get Ready for IELTS Reading Get Ready for IELTS Writing Through IELTS-style tasks and exercises, Collins Get Ready for IELTS Speaking helps learners gain confidence in core speaking competencies for IELTS.

This unique self-study course is for elementary-level adults who need English for the hospitality industry, such as workers in hotels and restaurants. Ideal for front-line staff who need to communicate confidently in English to maintain good customer relations. *24 compact units cover a wide range of practical scenarios, such as meeting and greeting guests, taking orders at breakfast and at the bar, handling guest complaints and dealing with guest requests. *4-page unit includes an easy-to-follow photo story that deals with the topic of the unit and introduces key functional language. *The pocket-sized course book also contains vocabulary lists for quick reference, practical examples of typical emails, an answer key and a pronunciation guide to further aid the self-study learner. *The audio CD provides valuable listening practice to accompany each unit.

It's simple. No sight. No questions. 48 hours. An intensely charged erotic journey, perfect for anyone who was seduced by 50 Shades of Grey. When 37-year-old psychologist, Alexandra Blake, leaves her comfortable suburban existence to give a series of lectures, she meets up with Dr Jeremy Quinn, the man who opened her eyes and body to the world in ways she never thought possible. After a few glasses of champagne in his luxurious hotel penthouse, he presents her with an extraordinary proposition. Alexandra knows that they never promise each other something they can't commit to and that he will challenge her every inhibition. But she soon finds herself seduced into a level of surrender — and danger — she could never have imagined. Destined to Play is the first book in the Avalon trilogy exploring the intricate relationships between trust and betrayal, desire and love, risk... and reward. If you liked 50 Shades of Grey, you will love Destined to Play.

What if — whoosh, right now, with no explanation — a number of us simply vanished? Would some of us collapse? Would others of us go on, one foot in front of the other, as we did before the world turned upside down? That's what the bewildered citizens of Mapleton, who lost many of their neighbors, friends and lovers in the event known as the Sudden Departure, have to figure out. Because nothing has been the same since it happened — not marriages, not friendships, not even the relationships between parents and children. Kevin Garvey, Mapleton's new mayor, wants to speed up the healing process, to bring a sense of renewed hope and purpose to his traumatized community. Kevin's own family has fallen apart in the wake of the disaster: his wife, Laurie, has left to join the Guilty Remnant, a homegrown cult whose members take a vow of silence; his son, Tom, is gone, too, dropping out of college to follow a sketchy prophet named Holy Wayne. Only Kevin's teenaged daughter, Jill, remains, and she's definitely not the sweet A student she used to be. Kevin wants to help her, but he's distracted by his growing relationship with Nora Durst, a woman who lost her entire family on October 14th and is still reeling from the tragedy, even as she struggles to move beyond it and make a new start. With heart, intelligence and a rare ability to illuminate the struggles inherent in ordinary lives, Tom Perrotta has written a startling, thought-provoking novel about love, connection and loss.

Swedish crime sensation and No. 1 international bestseller, Camilla Lackberg's new psychological thriller — for fans of Stieg Larsson and Jo Nesbo Christian Thydell's dream has come true: his debut novel, The Mermaid, is published to rave reviews. So why is he as distant and unhappy as ever? When crime writer Erica Falck, who discovered Christian's talents, learns he has been receiving anonymous threats, she investigates not just the messages but also the author's mysterious past... Meanwhile, one of Christian's closest friends is missing. Erica's husband, Detective Patrik Hedstrom, has his worst suspicions confirmed as the mind-games aimed at Christian and those around him become a disturbing reality. But, with the victims themselves concealing evidence, the investigation is going nowhere. Is their silence driven by fear or guilt? And what is the secret they would rather die to protect than live to see revealed? International bestseller Camilla Lackberg delivers a chilling and suspenseful mystery that will grip the reader right until its staggering final twist...

When Tansy Poole inherits a run-down shoe shop tucked away in the village of Sticklepond, 'Cinderella's Slippers' is born — providing the footwear to make any fairytale wedding come true! Carrying everything a bride would want to walk down the aisle in, Tansy's shop soon expands to carry shoe-themed wedding favours, bridesmaid gifts and even delicious chocolate shoes. It's the dream destination for any shoe-lover! If only everything in her personal life could be as heavenly — but with a fiance trying to make her fit into a size 8 wedding dress, not to mention the recent discovery of disturbing family revelations, Tansy takes refuge in the shop's success. But one man isn't thrilled by the stream of customers hot-footing it to Cinderella's Slippers! Actor Ivo Hawksley, resident of the cottage next to the shop, is troubled by a dark secret in his past and has come to Sticklepond to nurse his own broken heart. However, Ivo realises that he and Tansy have a link in their past and soon, they both find out how secrets shared can make a very strong bond indeed! Forget the Jimmy Choos, Chocolate Shoes and Wedding Blues is the only accessory you need for spring 2012!

Step into the exquisite miniature world of the mice of Brambly Hedge in this beautiful new edition of the classic picture book. Bad weather is on the way and the autumn stores are still not gathered in! Quickly, all the mice of Brambly Hedge set to work to finish the harvesting before the rain begins. Primrose, Lord Woodmouse's daughter, meant to help, but somehow she daydreamed her way over the cornfield and into the Chestnut Woods, and before she knew it, she was lost. The sun went down, the wind rose and it began to rain. Primrose was all alone in the dark and she was frightened. Poor Primrose, would she find her way home again?

Celebrate the bicentenary of Dickens' birth with this beautiful gift edition of Oliver Twist Charles Dickens' Oliver Twist is one of the best-loved stories ever written. The story of the young orphan is as powerful now as when it was first published over a century ago. The text in this edition has been carefully abridged so that it is accessible to younger readers and retains both the drama and the humour of the original. Throughout, Christian Birmingham's exquisite illustrations enhance the story and bring to life the amazing range of colourful characters. With a foreword from Michael Morpurgo.

A lower-level exam practice book designed to improve the level of students who plan to take the IELTS test in the future. Collins Get Ready for IELTS Reading is the perfect book for lower level learners who want to develop the necessary skills to perform effectively on the IELTS Reading test. Perfect for self-study, the series follows a guided-learning approach that gives students access to a full answer key with model answers. Developed by experienced IELTS tutors, the series takes into account the specific language needs of learners at this level. Twelve units of carefully graded material for lower level students, all supported with clear examples * Key IELTS grammar and vocabulary for the IELTS Reading test provided in each unit * Regular exam tips and information in each unit * 'Watch out!' sections that highlight common errors made by learners in the IELTS Reading test * Four review units to check and consolidate understanding of key language and skills for the IELTS Reading test * Complete IELTS Reading practice test and answer key provided * Vocabulary glossary for each unit provided at the back of the book CEF level: A2-B1 Ideal for learners with band score 3-4 who want to achieve a higher score. ALSO AVAILABLE in the Collins Get Ready for IELTS series: Get Ready for IELTS Listening Get Ready for IELTS Writing Get Ready for IELTS Speaking Through IELTS-style tasks and exercises, Collins Get Ready for IELTS Reading helps learners gain confidence in core reading competencies for IELTS.

A lower-level exam practice book designed to improve the level of students who plan to take the IELTS test in the future. Collins Get Ready for IELTS Writing is the perfect book for lower level learners who want to develop the necessary skills to perform effectively on the IELTS Writing test. Perfect for self-study, the series follows a guided-learning approach that gives students access to a full answer key with model answers. Developed by experienced IELTS tutors, the series takes into account the specific language needs of learners at this level. * Twelve units of carefully graded material for lower level students, all supported with clear examples * Key IELTS grammar and vocabulary for the IELTS Writing test provided in each unit * Regular exam tips and information in each unit * 'Watch out!' sections that highlight common errors made by learners in the IELTS Writing test * Four review units to check and consolidate understanding of key language and skills for the IELTS Writing test * Complete IELTS Writing practice test and answer key provided * Vocabulary glossary for each unit provided at the back of the book CEF level: A2-B1 Ideal for learners with band score 3-4 who want to achieve a higher score. ALSO AVAILABLE in the Collins Get Ready for IELTS series: Get Ready for IELTS Listening Get Ready for IELTS Reading Get Ready for IELTS Speaking Through IELTS-style tasks and exercises, Collins Get Ready for IELTS Writing helps learners gain confidence in core writing competencies for IELTS.

Shortlisted at HRH THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH ENGLISH LANGUAGE BOOK AWARDS 2013 Be the best you can be in presentations, meetings, negotiations and networking. Collins Key Business Skills gives you the tools you need to succeed in business if English is not your first language. Written by an expert in business and international communication, Key Business Skills offers professional advice and practice in the following areas: * presentations * meetings * negotiations * networking Non-native English speaker executives working in international environments need more than Business English. They need the business skills to present, run meetings, negotiate and network in international environments and then master the language needed to use those skills successfully. Key Business Skills follows a unique 'Business Plus' approach, with a focus on business skills and advice plus English language support. It provides activities to develop key skills needed by executives, such as dealing with difficult questions in presentations, intervening successfully in conference calls and meetings, recognizing the signals in a negotiation in English and networking without causing offence. The 24 units include language and vocabulary practice, as well as cultural tips for interacting with colleagues and clients, to ensure you avoid embarrassment and to help enhance your business relationships. * All the fundamental skills needed for business in one book * Focuses on business skills and advice plus English language support * Audio CD features native-speaker models to help you improve pronunciation * Includes key vocabulary for each skill * Provides essential cultural awareness tips for working in international businesses * Suitable for self-study or can be used in the classroom with students of Business English * For CEF level B1-C1 (Intermediate-Advanced) A note on the author Barry Tomalin is a world-recognized writer, trainer and lecturer in language, cultural awareness and international communication. He has worked with the British Council and the BBC World Service, and is currently Director of Cultural Training at International House, London.

If you feel overwhelmed by the complexity of TOEFL, Collins Skills for the TOEFL iBT Test can help. This book helps you handle the integrated aspect of the tasks in the test, and give you tips and strategies for the different question types you will face. Collins Skills for the TOEFL iBT Test is a two book series (1 Listening/Speaking; 2 Reading/Writing) to help learners prepare for the 'Test of English as a Foreign Language', used by over 7,500 institutions in 130 countries as a measure of language ability. To date, 25 million learners have taken the test around the world. In particular these books are aimed at helping learners handle the integrated-skill aspect of the test, where they are required to produce responses based on mixed input. The books help learners to familiarise with the TOEFL test. Learners focus on improving their skills and test-taking times for specific sections of the test, and look at solutions for how to overcome the most common challenges of the test. The books provide clear strategies and tips to help learners improve their score. Summary * Quick Guide: question overviews give learners an easy reference to the characteristics of each question type * Challenges and Solutions: these sections offer strategy and skills reviews to help learners learn how to overcome the most common challenges. * Get it right: gives a quick overview of the most important steps for doing well on each question type and includes useful vocabulary and expressions * Answer Analysis: teaches learners how to rule out distracter answer options * Progressive Practice: encourages independent learning by offering a graded progression of content and task sets * Review Test sections: offer timed TOEFL test-taking guides and help learners practice what they've learned in a simulated environment * Audio CD: enables effective TOEFL practice *Highly experienced author team, who have written TOEFL materials before and worked as teachers preparing learners for the test.

Paperback. Pub Date: 2012-08-01 Pages: 432 Language: English Publisher: HarperCollins UK Hey. arcade!Normal life is a total yawn. Break out of boredom with Ruby Redfort. the super — awesome teen detective series from multi — m letters — copy bestseller Lauren Child...Want to know more Of course you do. bozo.Heres the low-down on Ruby Redfort: shes a genius code-cracker. a daring detective. and a gadget-laden special agent who just happens to be a thirteen-year-old girl. She and her slick sidekick butler. Hitch. foil crimes and get into loads of scrapes with evil villains. but theyre always ice-cool in a crisis.In this first book. we go right back to Rubys beginnings as an agent. When an anonymous caller sets Ruby a challenge. its not long before she finds her way into the HQ of the most secret of secret agencies SPECTRUM. They need her help to crack a code but her desk job s...

A lower-level exam practice book designed to improve the level of students who plan to take the IELTS test in the future. Collins Get Ready for IELTS Listening is the perfect book for lower level learners who want to develop the necessary skills to perform effectively on the IELTS Listening test. Perfect for self-study, the series follows a guided-learning approach that gives students access to a full answer key with model answers. Developed by experienced IELTS tutors, the series takes into account the specific language needs of learners at this level. * Twelve units of carefully graded material for lower level students, all supported with clear examples * Key IELTS grammar and vocabulary for the IELTS Listening test provided in each unit * Regular exam tips and information in each unit * 'Watch out!' sections that highlight common errors made by learners in the IELTS Listening test * Four review units to check and consolidate understanding of key language and skills for the IELTS Listening test * Complete IELTS Listening practice test, answer keys, audioscripts and audio CD provided * Vocabulary glossary for each unit provided at the back of the book CEF level: A2-B1 Ideal for learners with band score 3-4 who want to achieve a higher score. ALSO AVAILABLE in the Collins Get Ready for IELTS series: Get Ready for IELTS Reading Get Ready for IELTS Writing Get Ready for IELTS Speaking Through IELTS-style tasks and exercises, Collins Get Ready for IELTS Listening helps learners gain confidence in core listening competencies for IELTS.

Collins brings the Queen of Crime, Agatha Christie, to English language learners. Agatha Christie is the most widely published author of all time and in any language. Now Collins has adapted her famous detective novels for English language learners. These carefully adapted versions are shorter with the language targeted at upper-intermediate learners (CEF level B2). Each reader includes: A CD with a reading of the adapted story; Helpful notes on characters; Cultural and historical notes relevant to the plot; A glossary of the more difficult words Rex Fortescue, the boss of a financial empire, is sipping tea in his office, when he suffers a painful and sudden death. When the police check the victim's pockets, they find grain. Miss Marple knows one of the servants in Rex Fortescue's house and comes to help solve the mystery. She soon starts to suspect that she is dealing with a case of crime by rhyme!

I am doomed to remember a boy with a wrecked voice--not because of his voice, or because he was the smallest person I ever knew, or even because he was the instrument of my mother's death, but because he is the reason I believe in God; I am a Christian because of Owen Meany. In the summer of 1953, two eleven-year-old boys — best friends — are playing in a Little League baseball game in Gravesend, New Hampshire. One of the boys hits a foul ball that kills the other boy's mother. The boy who hits the ball doesn't believe in accidents; Owen Meany believes he is God's instrument. What happens to Owen, after that 1953 foul ball, is extraordinary.