Dialogue is often overlooked as a necessary and potent instrument in the novelist's repertoire. A novel can rise or fall on the strength of its dialogue. Superb dialogue can make a superb novel. F. Scott Fitzgerald wrote, "Action is character." George V. Higgins said, "Dialogue is character." They were both right, because dialogue is action. It comprises much, if not all, of the clarifying drama of any novel. How much physical action can there be...

This "gorgeous and heartbreaking" (Elin Hilderbrand, #1 New York Times bestselling author) portrait of marriage explores the long union of a middle-aged couple as they grapple with secrets, illness, and loyalty from the author of the "original, profound novel" (Lee Smith, author of On Agate Hill) Seen the Glory. Pete and Jackie were high school sweethearts. Everyone expected them to marry immediately but an explosive incident tore them apart before...

Two young orphans with supernatural powers are adopted by a powerful and ruthless millionaire who plans to hold them captive and use their psychic gifts for his own selfish purposes. The children make a daring escape and learn they are actually castaways from another world.

Having struck down his victim, the assassin is safe; except for one witness, a boy. A boy who is notorious for his tall stories. Has he cried wolf once too often?

King of Kings, Lord over Men and Demons Alike: Only one ruler had ever held that title, and now Iraj Protarus, an orphaned prince exiled to a small village high in the Valley of the Clouds, dreamed of being the next great conqueror.

In Strike Group Reagan, Harold C. Hutchison takes us inside the world of war and sacrifice, loyalty and heroism, in a story that mirrors events taking place around the globe. Lieutenant Renee Patterson is a Navy fighter pilot with one of the squadrons assigned to the carrier USS Ronald Reagan. The Reagan and its battle group, under the command of Rear Admiral Kevin Bradshaw are deployed to the Mediterranean. Renee s sister younger sister Angela is...

Ever since Amalric Antero returned from the legendary Far Kingdoms, bringing with him magic and riches, the people of Orissa believed they lived in a golden age. Even Amalric did not suspect the truth: that dark forces from another world threatened his beloved city. Then a beautiful stranger arrived claiming to be the great-granddaughter of Janos Greycloak, master-wizard and betrayer of Amalric's youth. And Amalric learned that the idyllic lands he...

This engaging pictorial history traces the evolution of South Puget Sound from the provider of rich resources for the First Nations to Olympia's role as an important international seaport. The estuary was named Puget's Sound after Lt. Peter Puget, of British captain George Vancouver's 1792 exploration of the region. The capital city of Olympia was a frequent stop for Mosquito Fleet steamers a century ago and has evolved into a major port for the worldwide...

The most serious mistake of our society is to remove incentives for individual accomplishment.

Pay heed, good mates. Let nary a mother's son speak of the treasure map bestowed upon cabin boy Jim Hawkins. Be as silent as the grave. To the plank if ye as much as breathe a word to that peg legged seadog known as Long John Silver. The ideal match of larger-than-life role and a legendary actor, this lavish 1972 version of Robert Louis Stevenson's adventure classic stars Orson Welles as Silver, swaggering and conniving in grand skull-'n'-bones tradition....