A Song For Mandy

The inspiring true story of a young woman who became deaf at age 19 while pursuing a degree in music--and how she overcame adversity and found the courage to live out her dreams.

“Will hit all the high notes for theater and mystery fans alike.” —Kirkus Reviews Better Nate than Ever meets Love Sugar Magic in this spooky middle grade novel from Hamilton and Broadway star Mandy Gonzalez about a group of young thespians who must face the ghost haunting their theater. Twelve-year-old Monica Garcia has arrived in NYC with her grandmother and a few suitcases to live her dream on Broadway. She’s been chosen as understudy to the star of Our Time, the famed Ethel Merman Theater’s last chance to produce a hit before it shutters its doors for good. Along with her fellow castmates—a.k.a. “the squad”—Monica has a big and very personal reason to want this show to succeed. But rumors of a long-running curse plague the theater. And when strange and terrible things start to threaten their hopes for a successful opening night, Monica and the rest of the squad must figure out how to reverse the curse before their big Broadway debuts. With the help of her new friends, her family, and a little magic, can Monica help save the show—and save their dreams? From Broadway and television star Mandy Gonzalez comes a story about what it means to dream, be yourself, and be fearless.

An award-winning and extraordinary story of a boy who protects a baby whale that locals believe is threatening their livelihood. Winner of the Margaret Mahy Book of the Year New Zealand Book Awards for Children and Young Adults 2015 Young Adult Category Winner New Zealand Book Awards for Children and Young Adults 2015 Storylines Notable Young Adult Fiction Award 2015 Will Jackson is hiding out, a city boy reluctantly staying with his uncle in small town New Zealand while he struggles to recover from a brutal attack and the aftermath of a humiliating YouTube clip gone viral. After he discovers a young abandoned orca whale his life is further thrown into chaos, when he rallies to help protect it against hostile, threatening interests. This threatens to tear apart the small fishing community and forever changes Will’s life. The boy and the whale develop a special bond, linked by Will's love of singing. With echoes of classic book and film The whalerider this powerful connection is utterly convincing on the page. An exciting plot-driven story full of drama, tension and romance, this magical book captures both heart and mind to hold the reader enthralled from start to finish. These qualities, along with its lyrical use of language and its compelling and persuasive exploration of many global concerns, makes this a beautifully touching, rich and multi-layered story by an award-winning writer for young adults. Singing Home the Whale will appeal to all readers of high-quality New Zealand fiction.

High school senior Mandy Thorpe has two great hopes: to nudge her friendship with Erik Andersen into romance, and to step up her singing dreams by winning the lead in a musical. She has other dreams, too. Since childhood, Mandy's prophetic dreams have called her to action. When those dreams become nightmares about Erik that grow ever more terrifying, Mandy is determined to do something about it. With God's help, she must find the courage to make a difference in Erik's life before her nightmares

Filled with intrigue and juicy stories, The Vamp of Savannah tells the story of one of Savannah's most colorful characters, Ms. Nancy Hillis. Now with ALS, Miss Hillis is telling the real story of Mandy Nichols, her character in the best selling book, Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil. From her partnership with the piano playing, loving scoundrel Joe Odom in Sweet Georgia Browns, the hot jazz club in Savannah, Georgia; to her escapades with Minerva, the Voodoo Priestess; to her reign as a national beauty queen; and her heartbreaking dealings with the molestation of her son; Nancy tells it all--the good and not so good. You will laugh, cry and be amazed to read the story of this remarkable woman whose motto is "never, never, never give up."

I'm Annabel. I'm the girl who has it all. Model looks, intelligence, a great social life. I'm one of the lucky ones. Aren't I? My 'best friend' Sophie is spreading rumours about me. My family is slowly falling apart. It's turning into a long, lonely summer, full of secrets and silence. But I've met this guy who won't let me hide away. He's one of those intense types, obsessed with music and totally unafraid of confrontation. He's determined to make me listen. Will I ever find the courage to tell him what really happened the night Sophie and I stopped being friends? Captivating, emotionally turbulent, unputdownable teenage fiction – the natural step up for older Cathy Cassidy fans.

Best Romance, The NABE Pinnacle Book Achievement Award (Summer 2014) An inspiration of Barry Manilow's 70s hit song MANDY and in commemoration of its 40th anniversary, Judith Kohnen presents her fictional account of the story behind the song... Renowned singer/musician Garry Danzlo has decided to live a life of seclusion after a debilitating accident destroys his musical career. Guilt-ridden and stubborn, he wants no part of the holistic nurse his sister has hired to rehabilitate him. He's determined to get rid of her; she's determined to stay. Spunky, fun-loving Amanda Fields, widowed after a loveless marriage, is on a mission for love. More than anything in the world, she wants to adopt an eight-year-old, wheelchair-bound boy named Robbie. When her chance arrives that will provide her with sufficient funds for the adoption, there's nothing to stop her from accomplishing the temporary job in Colorado. But what she has to contend with is far more than just a difficult patient. Unexpected obstacles are suddenly out of her control. The least of her worries is falling for yet another man who doesn't love her back. "One Chance, One Moment" is a humorous, surprising and deeply emotional story of love found by two special people - love built on chances one must sometimes take, but sometimes give as well. Each moment becomes nourished by the faith of one woman, and eventually, by the dream of one man. Intriguing, fun, hope-filled, and bubbling with love, adventure and suspense, the novel explores: * How our choices can be guided by intuition * How love goes far deeper than skin * The various facets of the heart and how we observe them in life * The importance of forgiveness to find true peace within * How spirituality and intuitive development can shape our relationships * How we are sometimes faced with "one chance, one moment" opportunities in life. NOTE: When purchasing One Chance, One Moment, 20% of proceeds will be donated to charity - THE MANILOW MUSIC PROJECT - a program that tends to the needs of public schools and their severely depleted music programs.