Bronze Mystique

Two novels combined in one book, Barbara Delinsky's Bronze Mystique and Gayle Wilson's Secrets in Silence. Romance and suspense wrapped up in one unique book.

Shopping Around investigates the issues of contemporary popular narrative, feminine pleasure, and consumer culture, viewing the permutations of the feminine subject as a textual construction evolved through everyday life. A wide spectrum of texts are examined, exposing the fact that women "read" within a complex and conflicted cultural arena characterized by a significant intertextuality that multiply defines "femininity." Shopping Around raises these issues in the context of everyday cultural practices such as applying make-up, reading magazines, watching television, and working-out, providing a unique introduction to postmodern feminist and cultural theory.

New York Times Bestselling Author BARBARA DELINSKY THE FOREVER INSTINCT From America's beloved storyteller, Barbara Delinsky, comes a classic novel of a man and woman following their instincts—and doing what comes naturally... When Jordanna Kirkland agrees to go backpacking in New Hampshire, she doesn't realize the trip is for men only—and that one of those men would be Patrick Clayes. Not only is Patrick rugged, handsome, and irresistibly charming, he's also her ex-husband's business rival in New York. Jordanna knows she should ignore her attraction to Patrick. But when the nights get cold, those lips of his are awfully warm—and impossible to resist. Why fight it? What happens in the wild stays in the wild, right? The real problem starts when Jordanna and Patrick go back to the boardrooms of Manhattan—but the passion never stops...

An expansive new saga chronicling the world-altering changes that take place as three connected universes - the Human world, the Goblin world, and the Faery world - are slowly drawn together. In Book 1, young Galen Arvad, a human with magical powers, must avoid the ritual that puts those with such talents to death. it seems that in the eyes of the community magic is a sign of lunacy, and in a yearly ritual the local "crazies" are offered up to the Dragon Priests. Having successfully dodged the "elections" for many years, Galen is suddenly captured and hauled away with others that are deemed "insane." Now as Galen's wife, Berkita, and his friend, Cephas the dwarf, set off to rescue him, Galen learns of the fate that awaits him... a fate far worse than even his own death.

A romantic suspense writer finds herself trapped in the plots of her own books in this sexy thriller from the New York Times-bestselling author. A failed marriage has shown Sasha Blake exactly what she doesn't want in life: a man; and what she does want: a fulfilling career, good friends, and independence. The introverted author has found a sanctuary on Martha's Vineyard, where she can pen her bestselling romance thrillers in peace and quiet. Until Doug Donohue comes to town . . . A world-renowned men's fashion designer, Doug is ready to put his hard-charging New York City days behind him. He's longing for something--and someone--more. Enter Sasha Blake, though skidding on her motorcycle into his Maserati one rainy night is no one's idea of a meet-cute. The accident is just the latest in a series of strange occurrences that seem to be plaguing Sasha. Being around a man like Doug, who can enflame her desire with just a touch, throws Sasha off-kilter. But they can both agree that the freak accidents taken from the pages of her books are not coincidences. Sasha is used to creating heroines who find themselves in danger, but this time the woman in peril is her . . . Praise for Barbara Delinsky "Delinsky's writing is fluid and makes for a hard-to-put-down book." --Glamour "Delinsky is a first-rate storyteller who creates believable, sympathetic characters who seem as familiar as your neighbors." --The Boston Globe "Delinsky writes about the emotional crises of everyday people and how those trials shape relationships." --The Cincinnati Enquirer

The eighth and seventh centuries BCE were a time of flourishing exchange between the Mediterranean and the Near East. One of the period’s key imports to the Hellenic and Italic worlds was the image of the griffin, a mythical monster that usually possesses the body of a lion and the head of an eagle. In particular, bronze cauldrons bore griffin protomes—figurative attachments showing the neck and head of the beast. Crafted in fine detail, the protomes were made to appear full of vigor, transfixing viewers. Bronze Monsters and the Cultures of Wonder takes griffin cauldrons as case studies in the shifting material and visual universes of pre-classical antiquity, arguing that they were perceived as lifelike monsters that introduced the illusion of verisimilitude to Mediterranean arts. The objects were placed in the tombs of the wealthy (Italy, Cyprus) and in sanctuaries (Greece), creating fantastical environments akin to later cabinets of curiosities. Yet griffin cauldrons were accessible only to elites, ensuring that the new experience of visuality they fostered was itself a symbol of status. Focusing on the sensory encounter of this new visuality, Nassos Papalexandrou shows how spaces made wondrous fostered novel subjectivities and social distinctions.

**The Art of Alchemy in Metalworking An Unveiled Journey Through Mystical and Modern Crafting** Unlock the enchanting realm where ancient mysticism meets modern science with "The Art of Alchemy in Metalworking”! Delve into the rich tapestry of alchemical practices that have shaped the evolution of metalworking from the dawn of civilization to the cutting-edge innovations of today. **Dive into the Historical Tapestry** Begin your journey with an exploration of the alchemical roots deeply woven into the fabric of ancient metalworking. Discover how early civilizations used alchemy to transform basic metals into prized alloys, setting the stage for modern metallurgy. Learn about the cultural influences that flavored these ancient practices and their lasting impacts on societies around the globe. **Discover the Mystical Qualities of Metals** Each chapter peels back the layers of history and reveals the alchemical processes behind some of the most significant metals and alloys known to man. From the legendary transmutations of copper and the history-changing introduction of bronze to the golden elegance of brass and the enigmatic strength of steel, find out how alchemists viewed and worked with these powerful substances. **Modern Applications with Ancient Wisdom** Explore how these age-old practices have evolved and are applied in contemporary industries. See how the alchemical traditions still influence jewelry making, weapon production, and even biomedical alloys. Understand the philosophical and symbolic meanings that these metals held, and how those meanings translate into modern scientific understandings and applications. **Sustainable and Future-Forward** The book also delves into the environmental impacts of metalworking through a historical lens, offering insights into sustainable practices that promise a greener future. Discover the potential for alchemical principles to inspire future technological advancements, blending time-honored wisdom with cutting-edge science. "The Art of Alchemy in Metalworking" is more than a book; it's a journey through time, merging the mystical and the modern to show how far we've come—and how far we can still go. Embrace the secrets of the past to forge the innovations of the future!

This volume catalogues more than six hundred bronze and iron objects in the Department of Ancient Near Eastern Art of The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Each is illustrated and discussed in terms of its formal and stylistic aspects, cultural background, function, and chronology. Bibliographic citations present comparative material relevant to each object. - Book jacket.