Books with author V. A. Richardson

The Darkening has risen...Agathea Flamma and Sebastian Smith now face an overwhelming enemy. The rapid spread of the Darkening, a threat arising from the mists of legend, looms over the entire land. With both their families torn apart by the conflict and betrayal lurking around every corner, one mistake could doom the kingdom. They'll have to decide where to put their faith: blood ties or newfound friends? After the destruction of the Dragon Academy, it’s up to Thea and Seb to gather their loyal comrades—and forge uneasy new alliances—to quell the ancient menace and face the evil Lord Vincent. With civil war raging, the Dragon Riders must race against time to find the legendary Dragon Stone, the only tool they have to fight against the endless darkness that threatens to swallow them all.*Dragon Trials (Return of the Darkening Book One) is FREE until 17th July!*

In this convenient flip-chart guide, you can easily find prompts, discussion starters, and teaching points to use when you want students to process more effectively, think more deeply, and express their ideas more thoughtfully. The self-standing guide with sturdy pages makes it convenient to use while working with small groups. Instantly, you can use these tools as starting points for in-depth inquiry based on behaviors you’re noticing in students. There are also recommendations on how to revise them as necessary to meet every reader’s needs.

A $28 value! This colorfully packaged boxed set contains the four books from the best-selling Grandma’s Attic series. In these refreshed classics for girls ages 8 to 12, Arleta Richardson weaves tales of a simpler time, stories that have touched more than two million lives.A young girl’s discovery of her grandmother’s keepsakes inspires heartwarming tales of her grandmother’s childhood and the lessons learned on a nineteenth-century farm. The set includes: In Grandma’s Attic, More Stories From Grandma’s Attic, Still More Stories From Grandma’s Attic, and Treasures from Grandma’s Attic.

Ever since scruffy Sebastian Smith and Lady Thea Flamma were paired as Dragon Riders, their lives have been forever changed. The unlikely duo forged an unbreakable bond, but now with dark stirrings in the south their bond will be put to the ultimate test. Seb discovers Lord Vincent has returned and he wants to unleash an ancient evil that will destroy the lives of everyone in the kingdom – The Darkening. In order to defend the realm against unspeakable foes, Seb, Thea, and their shared dragon, Kalax, set out on an arduous journey to find the sacred Dragon Stones – before their dark power ends up in the wrong hands. But to conquer an old enemy, Thea must find a way to overcome her own inner demons, and Seb has to muster the courage to become the brave leader his kingdom needs . . .

Sometimes, the past is best left behind… Char longs for peace and escape, preferring her dreams to the ugly realities of an uncertain age. As an illegitimate daughter of the North Prince, Char has always felt deep insecurity, but she must put that aside when Zaxx gives her the task of retrieving an ancient crown from her family’s palace. If she brings him this crown, he says, he will allow the dragon hoard to choose their riders.When her father sends for her to return home, fearing war, she senses an opportunity. But Char’s dragon Paxala has grander ideas—she wants to become the greatest of all dragons and defeat the ancient Zaxx. But she can’t do it without Char’s guidance and aid. Employing patience and skill, Char will have to learn the secrets of dragon lore hidden away in her father's archives before Zaxx’s suspicions turn aggressive. With the help of her love, Neill, Char discovers the secret of the old queen’s crown in her father’s castle, learning a tale of dark magic steeped in blood. But when her father wishes to marry her off to the leader of the Wildmen, the fate of Torvald will depend on her difficult choice: accept the role she has always played, or learn to trust her own power.

Will adapting to a changing world make one young woman lose touch with where she came from?Far from the kingdom of Torvald, on the Western Isles near the coast, Sea Dragons rule the skies. Lila is the daughter of the Raider leader, destined to take his place one day aboard their plundering ships. Her people value only what shiny trinkets they can get their hands on, but she aspires to much more than that: Lila wants the Raiders to become Dragon Mercenaries, dragon riders who help protect merchant fleets and navies from attack. Her father Kasian is skeptical, but a young monk named Danu—with a quest of his own—comes bearing a prophecy claiming that Lila is the lost heir of Roskilde, a born Dragon Rider.With Danu’s guidance, Lila finds the unruly dragon she’s destined to bond with—but the mismatched pair soon learn that much more than just their futures is at stake.

New release of a popular favorite! As so many have found, this beloved companion for the season of Advent and Christmas is a treasure to return to year after year. Jan Richardson's original artwork, reflections, poetry, and prayers draw the reader into the quiet spaces of an often-frenzied season. Beautifully designed with color artwork throughout, Night Visions beckons us to encounter the God who dwells in darkness as well as in daylight.

Okay, so officially, I’ve resigned from the Dark Witch Court as one of the witches who clean up paranormal problems no one else wants to handle. Specifically, I deal with the demons that escape from the Veil—the invisible layer that protects our world from the Netherworld.But when I’m called in to investigate a series of human deaths at a local New York restaurant while between jobs, I’m in no position to turn down the cash. So, I unofficially take the gig. I quickly discover there’s a new player in town—one who’s been gone for hundreds of years and is now killing innocents with a magical virus.I hate to admit it, but even as badass as I am, I’m seriously out-magicked. If I can’t find the culprits behind the magical virus, more innocent people will die. It’s time for me to put on my big girl pants and show the Court just what kind of Dark witch I am—a very bad one.Hexes & Flames is a fast-paced urban fantasy adventure with a kick-butt heroine and plenty of action, suspense and humor. Grab your copy today.The Dark Files series:Spells & Ashes (The Dark Files Book 1)Charms & Demons (The Dark Files Book 2) Hexes & Flames (The Dark Files Book 3)Curses & Blood (The Dark Files Book 4)

The Rebellion has several battle victories under its belt, but although Desiree Black is credited for the war’s turn, she still has one goal—freeing her parents from the Spirit King’s grip. The problem is that the magic clouding her parents’ allegiance is all-powerful, and no record exists of a successful attempt to break the Mind Trap. That knowledge won’t temper Dez’s determination, but it does fuel her frustration with the Rebellion’s path and leadership.To adjust her attitude, Dez is removed from the battlefield to act as an attaché to the commander in chief—If she refuses she’ll face ejection from the Rebellion for her reckless attitude. But learning to be a leader and gaining wisdom aren’t simple things, even when Dez manages to find the Dragon Oracle, who possesses a direct link to the Goddess and may hold the key to setting her parents free.But their arrival portends oncoming doom. And as the Rebellion reels from unexpected losses within their ranks, the lies that once haunted Dez return with a vengeance. Now, in order to save the Rebellion and rescue her family, Dez must use newfound powers to enter the dimension housing the knowledge of the dead.There, she’ll face the Spirit King.Alone.

To unite a fractured kingdom, a reluctant hero must rise. Neill has been charged with the impossible task of bringing the Middle Kingdom together to fight the burgeoning threat posed by the rogue sorcerer Ansall and his dragon Zaxx. Neill longs for his old life as a mere foot soldier for his father responsible only for his family’s wellbeing, and is unsure about whether he is fit to lead an army. Neill’s contemplative nature forces him to consider every aspect of the problems he faces, but often makes it difficult for him to take action—and failure to act could mean the deaths of many.Now, echoing Char and their dragon Paxala, his duty beckons him to lead the DragonRiders—and take his rightful place as king—but with doubt and new enemies creeping in, his resolve will be tested. When the mysterious Dark Prince arrives with an offer, Neill will have to make a decision that could change the course of history. As Ansall grows in strength by harnessing black magic, Neill must choose between his own desires and the welfare of the entire kingdom. Can he rise to the challenge before it’s too late?

Some secrets are best left buried.Desiree Black’s foster family welcomed her years ago, but most of the villagers merely tolerate the seventeen-year-old’s presence with barely concealed hatred—and fear. Dez herself can’t stomach remembering the strange power that rose up inside her and left her brother with a shattered arm. The only peace she finds from others’ accusing stares is in the misty swamps surrounding the village. Swamps that have long held mystical secrets.Secrets that are ready to be exposed.After a narrow escape from the town bully sends Dez deep into the swamps, she stumbles across a glowing warm stone buried in the muck. Long hidden truths are divulged when a crazy hag rescues her and sets Dez on an extraordinary new course—to become one of the legendary dragon riders.Now Dez and her dragon hatchling must harness their magical link on the long journey to join the Rebellion—and avoid the enemy closing in on them. But it’s in the heat of battle where Dez discovers the painful reality of her forgotten past.And exactly why she can’t be trusted.

The new world is calling...Neill Torvald is desperate to prove himself—his father’s warlord kingdom depends on him. When a vicious attack on the way to the Draconis Order monastery nearly kills him, it becomes clear that grave trials await him on this path. Jodreth, the wise monk who saves his life, advises caution upon entering the sacred halls. His mission is to learn arcane magic from the monks that will help to cement his father’s power, but Neill will need more than magical arts alone to navigate the challenges before him.Among the monks’ students, Neill meets the lovely and mysterious Char, who senses evil deep within the ranks of the Draconis Order’s members. She takes him to a dragon she has raised, Paxala, and the three of them become fast friends. Neill soon grows in strength as he and his fellow students gain ancient knowledge, and his closeness to Char blossoms into something more.But when Niell’s brothers grow impatient and attack the monastery in a bid to seize power, he will have to decide where his loyalties lie: with his warlord father’s domain, or the new friends he has made in the wider world.