Best Selling Books by Paul Collins

When Jack Sligo runs away from his loving Boston-Irish family, he hopes to get a summer job on a cruise ship. His dream becomes a nightmare when he meets two strangers who give him mysterious drinks in a waterfront saloon. Jack wakes up, far at sea, shanghaied aboard the African freighter, SS Iron Prince. The ship’s first call is a remote jungle port in Venezuela where there’s plenty of rum, women, and thieves, but no opportunity for escape.

Beyond Priests contends that the requirements of the clerical priesthood of the Catholic Church—that all priests must be male, and that all priests must be celibate—is a gross distortion of scripture and the church’s early history that must be changed. While the roots of the modern priesthood go back to the fourth century and even more remotely to the presbyters or elders who advised local bishops in the early church, the contemporary priestly model is very much the product of seventeenth-century French reformers acting to apply a 1563 decree on the priesthood of the Council of Trent. The present-day priestly model has increasingly become harmful, even toxic, not only to priests themselves, but to the ministry and the Catholic community. Based on the historical analysis, Beyond Priests outlines a whole new way of approaching ministry and leadership that is in tune with contemporary needs, is inclusive of women and men, and is more authentically derived from the New Testament and the early church.

Ming Lee - The Chinese Dragon - is the unbeaten, undisputed queen of virtual martial arts. Until she meets James Gong, fresh from his starring role in Ham Solo: Revenge of the Fist. Can their combined skill, grace and teamwork defeat everything the virtso world throws at them? Do they take down the mobsters? The bully? And just where does ''the gymnast'' fit into all of this?

When two of Australia’s most popular fantasy authors collaborate, The Warlock’s Child weaves a new and exciting brand of magic. The Invincible has been attacked, and all seems lost. Dantar’s only escape from his enemies is through the foul-smelling sewers of Savaria. Velza’s plans to save him are soon thwarted by three enormous dragons threatening to set fire to the city. Can Dantar and Velza deliver the city from danger?

Not since Garth Nix and Sean Williams joined forces has there been such a great collaboration! The warlock Calbaras wants to revive the ancient, forbidden magic of dragons, and his son Dantar is vital to his plans. Dantar is on the run in an enemy kingdom, unaware that he is so important. Worse, his sister Velza is now working for the enemy king.

Presents practical, easy-to-follow exercises to condition your body for athletic and sports performance. This title - for men and women - provides step-by-step coaching advice and workouts utilizing body weight, fitness balls, medicine balls, plyometrics, resistance bands, stability and speed training equipment.

Quentaris is at war with Tolrush, draining the city of every able bodied fighter. Famous Quentaran rift guide, Rad de La?rel, is shocked to discover that his beloved city has been left wide open to attack by vampires. Other cities have already fallen to the scourge and Quentaris is next in line. Rad prepares Quentaris for its greatest onslaught yet. But how can a ragtag army stop vampires who suck the souls from their victims, leaving zombie-like remains? Quentaris is fast filling up with the walking dead ...

Amassing wisdom from as early as the 5th century B.C.E. to the modern day has produced an intensely profound, yet simple and straight to the point collection of quotes from the greatest minds all over the world: from speakers, philosophers, authors, entrepreneurs, scientists, and more. It is like having an entire library of wisdom contained within a single book. Below are just a few of the great minds included in this collection: Aristotle, Theodore Roosevelt, Confucius, Albert Einstein, Oscar Wilde, Kahlil Gibran, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, Maya Angelou, Leo Tolstoy, H. Jackson Brown, Jr., Benjamin Franklin, James Earl Jones, Horace, Winston Churchill, Voltaire, Benjamin Disraeli, Henry David Thoreau, Marcus Aurelius, Helen Keller, and Seneca. A Selection Of Three Quotes From The Book: “Never believe anything that requires you to hate people who do not believe it.” -Robert Brault “To forgive is to set a prisoner free and discover that the prisoner was you.” Louis B. Smedes “A friend is someone who knows the song in your heart and can sing it back to you when you have forgotten the words.” -Danish Proverb This collection presents an opportunity to seek and meditate upon the advice from the greatest counselors who ever lived, to receive teaching from the most venerated philosophers, and a passage for listening to those who have long since passed away. Drawing from an extremely careful and meticulous search of quotes, more focused yet more profound than any source ever made, this compilation is designed to permanently improve the reader’s mindset in every aspect of their life, creating an active and living asset for positive change in the world.

Clara lives in her balanced world where everything is perfect. Her glasshouse is free of bugs, her prized pumpkins free blemishes. But then one day a boy walks into her life and slowly Clara realises that her world is not perfect at all. paranoia spreads and she loses all her customers. Finally, she must face up to the realisation that her world is not perfect, and she must make allowances and compromise if she is to survive.

In a galaxy where the Balance binds the stars, a curious alien named Troyt sets out from his humble home on Proxima b to uncover the mysteries of the universe. Armed with a homemade space billy cart and an unyielding determination, Troyt answers the call of a mysterious signal that leads him to a vast network of interconnected shards—fragments of an ancient system designed to unite the cosmos. But all is not as it seems. As Troyt journeys across breathtaking worlds, from glowing crystalline forests to desolate rogue planets, he discovers the remnants of a dark force: the Whisperer, a shadow of chaos determined to consume the network and unravel the Balance. Joined by a diverse band of Watchers—guardians drawn from across the galaxy—Troyt faces relentless challenges to restore harmony to the network. Together, they confront corruption, repair fractured shards, and battle the Whisperer in its lair. An epic tale of resilience, unity, and courage, The Adventures of Troyt and the Network blends cosmic wonder with heartfelt adventure. Follow Troyt as he rises from a humble tinkerer to a legendary protector of the stars, proving that even the smallest spark of curiosity can illuminate the universe.

Stanas, brewmaster and stable-keeper, is extending the cellar in the Old Tree Guesthouse. A collapse occurs, Stanas is trapped, injured. Nisha Fairsight comes to his aid with her fire magic. In doing so, a pit is uncovered. This pit has been the hiding place for a mysterious statue of two warriors. Nisha s fire magic washes over the statue and it begins to glow. The next day, an exotic warrior comes from the rift caves and demands the statue. Arna Greentower, the proprietor of the Old Tree, and Nisha, refuse, unconvinced by the warrior s claim. Hot on the heels of this, another exotic warrior descends from the rift caves and claims the statue. These two warriors are implacable enemies and are the figures represented on the statue, although they deny this. The two warriors fight a titanic battle, but they are perfectly matched and cannot defeat each other. They part, swearing vengeance, and they go about recruiting armies in Quentaris to win the day. Their powers of oratory are powerful, and many who hear their harangues fall under their spell, including Nisha and Tal. However, Nisha is swept away by one warrior while Tal follows the other. They are on opposite sides! Nisha finally manages to break the spell that holds her. She then must free Tal, Arna and the recovered Stanas as well as other prominent Quentaran citizens (Rad, Storm, the Archon). Nisha goes back to the statue that started the struggle. It is still glowing, even more so as the warriors battle. Nisha uses her fire magic in reverse to cool the statue. The warriors fade and become ghostly, but Nisha cannot hold the statue in its cooled state. It must leave Quentaris. Nisha suggests it is banished into an inimical rift world.

“Well-researched and beautifully written.…Collins knows how to build suspense.” —San Francisco Chronicle On November 23rd of 1849, in the heart of Boston, one of the city’s richest men simply vanished. Dr. George Parkman, a Brahmin who owned much of Boston’s West End, was last seen that afternoon visiting his alma mater, Harvard Medical School. Police scoured city tenements and the harbor, and leads put the elusive Dr. Parkman at sea or hiding in Manhattan. But one Harvard janitor held a much darker suspicion: that their ruthless benefactor had never left the Medical School building alive. His shocking discoveries in a chemistry professor’s laboratory engulfed America in one of its most infamous trials: The Commonwealth of Massachusetts v. John White Webster. A baffling case of red herrings, grave robbery, and dismemberment, it became a landmark case in the use of medical forensics and the meaning of reasonable doubt. Paul Collins brings nineteenth-century Boston back to life in vivid detail, weaving together newspaper accounts, letters, journals, court transcripts, and memoirs from this groundbreaking case. Rich in characters and evocative in atmosphere, Blood & Ivy explores the fatal entanglement of new science and old money in one of America’s greatest murder mysteries.

Approx.312 pagesApprox.312 pages - Fully updated self-assessment section – ideal for current examination practice! - Includes useful ''Learning Objectives'' at the start of each chapter. - Pharmacological and disease management information updated in line with current best practice guidelines. - Includes recent research findings. - Discusses key aspects of patient communication – presented in easy ''Communication'' boxes. - Fully updated to include feedback from hundreds of students!

After the crash of the ship Colony, 14-year-old Welkin was left for dead on the inhospitable landscape of a ravaged Earth. After being rescued by a gang of Earthborn, Welkin proves his value and becomes a trusted member of the Family. But existence is still hand to mouth. The nuclear ravaged landscape is hardly more than a vast wasteland. Dangers from bands of mutants threaten continually. As does the ominous presence of Colony itself. Inside the grounded starship Skyborn inhabitants feed on their hatred of the Earthborn. When on routine patrol a Colony scout is captured by the Family, he reveals a secret: authorities onboard Colony have regrouped and mean to launch a final assault-to rid the Earth of the "savage" Earthborn for ever. But even Welkin--armed with his knowledge of Skyborn ways and methods--could never have been prepared for what he finds.

Earth Mysteries Calendar 2015 Dedicated to all citizens of the planet and their great interest in Earth''s mysteries.

The concept of stylus phantasticus (or ?fantastic style?) as it was expressed in free keyboard music of the north German Baroque forms the focus of this book. Exploring both the theoretical background to the style and its application by composers and performers, Paul Collins surveys the development of Athanasius Kircher?s original concept and its influence on music theorists such as Brossard, Janovka, Mattheson, and Walther. Turning specifically to fantasist composers of keyboard works, the book examines the keyboard toccatas of Merulo, Fresobaldi, Rossi and Froberger and their influence on north German organists Tunder, Weckmann, Reincken, Buxtehude, Bruhns, Lubeck, Bohm, and Leyding. The free keyboard music of this distinguished group highlights the intriguing relationship at this time between composition and performance, the concept of fantasy, and the understanding of originality and individuality in seventeenth-century culture.

Calbaras has knowledge that the dragons of Dracondas desperately want. As payment, they are willing to grant him his wish to become the greatest warlock of all time. But can Calbaras handle this power? Or will it ultimately destroy him?

In The Adventures of Troyt: The Nexus Beyond, Troyt, the daring young alien with an unstoppable spirit, embarks on his greatest journey yet. Equipped with his ingenious Stellar Kart and boundless curiosity, Troyt sets his sights on the Nexus—a radiant, ancient structure at the heart of the galaxy that holds the key to the Balance of the cosmic network. But all is not as it seems. The Nexus is under siege by the lingering tendrils of the Void, a shadowy force that seeks to unravel the harmony of the network. As Troyt races across breathtaking star systems and navigates the mysteries of the Nexus, he uncovers secrets about the network’s origins and his vital role in preserving its legacy. Joined by his loyal companions and guided by the echoes of the Architects, Troyt must harness the power of the crystalline shards and confront the growing threat of the Whisperer. With courage, cleverness, and the unshakable belief that even the smallest explorer can make the biggest difference, Troyt faces challenges that test his resolve and ingenuity. Full of interstellar wonder, vivid worlds, and pulse-pounding adventure, The Nexus Beyond is a journey of discovery and bravery. It’s a story that will leave readers inspired to explore the unknown and protect the bonds that connect us all.

James Gong is training for his black belt in taekwondo. One night a camera crew turns up at training for an episode of My Life. James is sparring a white belt who gets carried away and hammers James'' foot. Sparks fly in James'' brain and he gasps – all caught on national TV. James responds with a jumping spinning sidekick which obliterates his opponent. This is the beginning of James'' woes at the club, for he has disgraced Mr Cho, the head instructor. Hollywood Productions just loves James'' jumping , spinning sidekick. They decide to star him in their small budget flick, Big Action in Little Town. Unbeknown to James, Hollywood Productions is a scam company that basically produces B grade ‘loser’ movies to offset huge tax bills. Meanwhile James, who lusts after his sister Caitlin’s best friend, Amber, thinks his sudden film career will curry favour. Not so. If anything, Amber shuns him even more. Determined to win the love of his life, James tries to learn how to skate, because he knows that Amber fancies a local skater named Spiros. He only succeeds in showing himself up, but James is pathetically immune to the irony and subtleties of life. He figures that all is well with the world and that he’s making vast progress. To Hollywood Productions’ great horror the flick is so bad that it’s good. People have queued at the premiere and national TV stations have got wind of the huge success of this little budget movie. Big Action in Little Town is going to be a blockbuster!

The citizens of the world as we know it currently feel more lost, confused, hopeless, helpless, and angry than they have ever felt in remembrance of time past. Many have no idea what is going on with the occurrence of catastrophe after a catastrophe that is plaguing the nations of the earth, from wars, droughts, food shortages, and newly emerging diseases, and most have an expectation that things are only going to get worse from this point moving forward, both in the short-term and long-term. Consequently, an undertone of apprehension, uncertainty, and a healthy fear of what may be coming next upon the earth have all left the populations of our world rightly on edge. In A Prisoner''s Cry: Look Up, Your Redemption Draws Near!, Minister Johnny Paul Collins provides us with a biblically sound and evidence-based explanation for the seven sorrows that are currently distressing mankind, and he warns of the additional sufferings for many that are on the way. Through the biblical--time-specific--promise of our Lord, hope is provided for the saved, and forewarning is given for those unbelieving and wicked inhabitants of the earth who continue to resist and oppose God.

Exercise guide for achieving a stronger, leaner and more flexible body. Sydney based personal fitness trainer, Paul Collins, provides step by step instruction for improving posture, balance, coordination, strength and flexibility. More than 50 exercises for the whole body especially for the abdominal and lower back regions.

More than 50 exercises for all age groups, demonstrates exercises for the workplace, sports and general fitness, increase strength flexibility and range of motion.

"Wardragon is the culmination of The Jelindel Chronicles in a soaring saga. Finally Jelindel, with her allies, Zimak and Daretor, has tracked the alien mailshirt across two radically different worlds. But the journey is perilous when each step is lined with flying beasts, metal wasps, mercenaries and assassins . . . and the mailshirt linked up with the evil Preceptor to create a deadly enemy. All Jelindel has is a little magic, Zimak’s wit and Daretor’s sword to scrape through and that is not enough. Collins captures a terrifying, tense world with a touch of humour and holds it to the last shattering battle.” ALLAN BAILLIE

A fractured world, 1600-1550 BC -- The rise of the great powers, 1550-1500 BC -- The birth of empires, 1500-1400 BC -- Power and prestige, 1400-1300 BC -- Empires collide, 1300-1200 BC -- Collapse and transformation, 1200-1100 BC -- The threat of chaos, 1100-1000 BC -- Survival and revival, 1000-900 BC -- Expanding horizons, 900-800 BC -- Stability and change, 800-700 BC -- From Babylon to Egypt, 700-00 BC -- A world united, 600-500 BC

This is not an invective against the Church, but a deeply felt argument on behalf of the many Catholics who now feel disenfranchised. It encourages those holding on to a faith they love (often with gritted teeth) to keep going, and offers a concept of Catholicism through which they can still find deep meaning and stay connected to their Church.

When the city of Quentaris is uprooted and sent adrift in the uncharted rift-maze, Tab Vidler strives to adjust to the changes that this brings and to help her city deal with an invasion from the enemy city of Tolrush.

Based on a true story, this title is about a lonely boy, Robbie, who longs for the day when the other kids will play with him. At last he proves that, if you wish hard enough, your dreams will come true.

Although Dantar is able to shapeshift into dragon form, he still thinks like a rebellious teenager. His sister Velza has been given the ultimate gift by the dragons of Dracondas - the mind of a dragon. Now they must combine their gifts to stop the most powerful warlock of all time from casting his doomsday spell.

Kung fu and tae kwon do meet virtual reality in Cyberkids. Winning is everything and Don needs his sister''s very special playstation to beat Ming Siou Loong and the Chinese Dragon. He steals it, risking everything that really matters.

We were on school vacation when it happened. The Loud Bang mystery, that is.