Happy Puppy Vintage Computers

There are fun animal sounds in every "room" and even a charming animal tune. The food bin in the outdoor animal area changes from food to water when your toddler bats at it. The "merry-go-round area in the front takes the animals on a round-about ride, complete with an animal sing-along when your child "spins" the floor. Your child can also drop figures through the silo to send them racing down the side of the barn, or open and close the bard doors to activate animal sounds. Farm includes food cart and six figures: pig, cow, horse, sheep, chicken and Farmer Jed. Requires 3 "AA" alkaline batteries (not included).

Startech Keyboard and Mouse Adapter USBPS2PC Cable Adapters

Specifications Wireless PAN Standard: Dell Bluetooth 2.0 compliant with Enhanced Data Rate Backward compatible with 1.1 and 1.2 Frequency Band: 2.4GHz ISM Range: 7m (23ft) Bluetooth Profiles Supported file transfer network client access mice/keyboards (HID) audio printing object push (OBEX) for vcard vcal transfer Data Encruption: 128 bit Receive Sensitivity: -80dBm Compatibility Dell Inspiron 6000 6000D 8500 9100 9200 9300 XPS XPS Gen 2 300m Dell Latitude D400 D410 D505 D610 D800 D810 X300 X1 Dell Precision M20 M70 Installation Instructions Inspiron XPS Inspiron 9300 Inspiron 6000 Inspiron 6000D Latitude D810 Latitude D610 Latitude D410 Latitude X1 Precision M70 Precision M20 Inspiron XPS Gen 1 Inspiron 9100 Inspiron 8500 Inspiron 8600 Inspiron 300m Inspiron 600m Latitude X300 Latitude D800 Latitude D505 Precision Product Specifications: Manufacturer: Dell Part # W9242 Alt P/N: T5152 Package: OEM

Packed with multimedia features, Windows XP Home Edition aims to unlock the full potential of your personal computer. It also looks great, with rounded window corners, larger and more detailed icons, and a clean-look desktop. The best thing about Windows XP is that, because it belongs to the Windows NT/2000 product family, it's designed from the ground up for reliability, security, and networking. XP Home users will soon see the benefits of this. The dreaded Windows crash-and-reboot cycle really is much less common with XP, and, provided the hardware is up to scratch, XP's performance is better, too. The downside is that using a different code base can make compatibility with old applications less assured. Business applications normally run fine, but older games, MIDI software, and system utilities may well cause problems. Windows XP is more customizable than previous versions, including its visual themes that let you change the whole appearance of Windows in an instant. Fast User Switching is a neat feature for computers used by more than one person--it lets another user log on without killing the previous user's session, and when you switch back, running applications and open documents are as you left them. This is impressive, but what really counts is that XP understands how to deal with multiple users. Each user has their own special folders, such as My Documents, which cannot be seen by other users. And for those with more than one computer, the network setup wizard simplifies setting up a network. Windows XP Home has many strong multimedia features. New Media Player lets you copy music from CD to hard disk, create your own playlist, and write your own music CDs if you have a CD writer. You can also play back DVD-Video (but only if a hardware or software DVD decoder is already installed) and play MP3 audio files and MPEG videos (but sadly not the popular RealMedia formats). Admittedly, Media Player does nothing that you cannot also do with free alternatives, but it is slick and nicely integrated. There is also Windows Movie Maker, a basic tool for capturing and editing videos that's fun to use, although too limited for serious work. For Web browsing, XP Home comes with Internet Explorer 6.0 and MSN Explorer. The most significant new feature for Internet users is the built-in firewall. A firewall protects against one of the most disturbing security risks, in which other users unknown to you might connect to your computer while it is online, reading private files or causing other damage. XP's built-in firewall is a simple affair, but it does prevent most types of unauthorized connections. The XP user interface is not a radical departure from earlier versions of Windows, but there are a number of small changes that together add up to a significant improvement. For example, you can add and remove shortcuts from the Start menu by right-clicking on the icon and selecting Pin or Unpin from the pop-up menu. Windows online help is integrated into a Help and Support Center that works like an internal Web site, with searchable help, tutorials, and walkthroughs. Laptop or other flat-screen users can set Windows to use ClearType for screen fonts, for a more readable display. There are, of course, some pitfalls. Windows XP Home is demanding on hardware, and it would be a mistake to install it on less than Microsoft's recommended minimum. Business users note: unlike Windows 98 or Me, XP Home Edition cannot join a Windows server domain, so the networking is peer-to-peer only--see Windows XP Professional Edition Upgrade for this functionality. There is also no multiprocessor support, and a mildly annoying anti-piracy measure requires you to obtain a code from Microsoft for full installation and any future system changes. But don't let that put you off: this is Microsoft's best Windows yet. --Tim Anderson

Designed for reliability, security and privacy, high performance, and ease of use, the Windows XP operating system provides a host of benefits forbusiness and home users. A clean and simple desktop, rock-solidreliability, and easy-to-use features that take advantage of the digitalage all contribute to the value of Windows XP.Enhancements in real-time voice, video, and data communications will allowthe PC to become a center of communications and creativity beyond juste-mail and instant messaging. Windows XP will also allow the user toconnect back to the desktop from any location, and support for new wirelessnetworks will be built in. Windows XP will unify the user's supportexperience by enabling the user to provide temporary and secure control oftheir PC over the Internet to whomever can best help them.Windows XP takes an end-to-end approach to how people transfer videos andpictures onto their computer, how they use them on their PC and otherdevices, and how they share them, whether in person or through e-mail, over the Web, or through removable media like DVDs and CDs. It extends this experience through applications that help users buy music and videos, mobile devices, services for saving your music on the Internet, and more. Windows XP will make it easier for households to share a single PC and share pictures, music, files,printers, and other resources.

Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition is the next version of the Windows operating system, which is designed exclusively for home computing. Windows XP Home Edition puts the exciting experiences of the digital age at your fingertips. From digital photos, music, and video to building a home network, Windows XP Home Edition brings you into the digital age with ease. Built on the solid foundation of Windows 2000, Windows XP Home Edition also sets the new standard in efficient and dependable computing. A new visual design, reliable Windows engine, and new Internet security features combine with capabilities for sharing your computer to give you the most dependable Windows operating system yet.

The new Roxio Easy Media Creator® 10 puts everything you need to express yourself digitally at your fingertips. Transform raw vision into sophisticated movies stunning photo slideshows. Even advanced creative work is a snap like timeline video editing or photo touchups and object cloning. Now you can auto-fix camera phone photos. Post video to YouTube™ with one click. Encode HD video faster. Burn or copy the latest HD DVD or Blue-ray discs. Share and enjoy your creations at home on-the-go or on the web. It s the best software for all your digital media needs. Fully certified for Windows Vista™ and supports Windows® XP too!System Requirements:Minimum System Requirements: Windows Vista with 1.6 GHz Intel processor 512 MB RAM Windows XP with 500 MHz processor or faster; 128 MB RAM 1 GB of free hard disk space for typical installation of all components 1024x768 16-bit color graphics card DirectX 9 or higher compatible sound card and graphics card Windows Media Player 10 or higher Microsoft Internet Explorer 6 or higher DVD-ROM drive is required to install the software Format: WIN XPVISTA Genre: PRODUCTIVITY UPC: 815227007981 Manufacturer No: 235500

The new Roxio Easy Media Creator 10 puts everything you need to express yourself digitally at your fingertips. Transform raw vision into sophisticated movies, stunning photo slideshows. Even advanced creative work is a snap, like timeline video editing or photo touchups and object cloning. Now you can auto-fix camera phone photos. Post video to YouTube with one click. Encode HD video faster. Burn or copy the latest HD DVD or Blue-ray discs. Share and enjoy your creations at home, on-the-go or on the web. It's the best software for all your digital media needs. Fully certified for Windows Vista and supports Windows XP too! Roxio Central component provides a link to the many digital media components, applications and utilities offered in Easy Media Creator 10. Media Manager includes dozens of tools to help you keep track of and work with your photos, videos and music. Edit just about any video type. Imagine great things. Now create them. Suite and complete. Creator 10 puts everything you need to express yourself digitally at your fingertips. Capture, organize, edit, enhance, protect, share and enjoy your photos, video and music as only you can. Unrivaled, easy control. Transform raw vision into sophisticated movies, stunning photos and more with Creator 10. Even advanced creative work is a snap, like timeline video editing or photo touch-up and object cloning. Results that rock! Imagine great things. Then create breathtaking vacation slideshows, mesmerizing wedding videos. Give a calendar or a music mix CD to a friend that cost you nothing but a few mouse clicks. Creator 10 makes it fun and easy with professional-looking DVD menus or templates. Top 10 cool things you can do now with Creator 10 1. Copy* your favorite audio, movies and TV shows from any iPod to your PC. 2. Add perfect soundtracks to slideshows and movies--no looping. 3. Send videos to YouTube with one click. 4. Auto-fix your camera phone photos with the Mobile Photo Doctor. 5. Show off mobile phone pictures without bars or borders. 6. Auto-sync digital media on your PC and mobile devices. 7. Convert audio and video files to the format of your choice--right on your Windows Vista desktop. 8. Save tons of time by ripping CDs from multiple drives. 9. Control lots of gigs: save data to HD DVDs and copy with one click. 10. Automatically catalog the contents of your CDs and DVDs. Key New Features and Enhancements Easy Media Creator 10 combines over 40 components and many new features and enhancements into a comprehensive suite of best-of-breed digital media applications. Here is a quick breakdown of what's new in Creator 10: Embracing Vista The now fully certified Easy Media Creator 10, is the ideal complement and enhancement to Microsoft Vista. The product now sports a stunning new "Aero" User Interface design in keeping with the visual appeal of the latest Operating System. Perhaps more importantly, Easy Media Creator offers new features and capabilities that are specifically designed to naturally extend the digital-media functionality of Vista. Creator now also includes new Vista gadgets, which make it convenient for users to quickly convert audio and video files to a favorite file type directly on the Vista desktop. In the case of the audio gadget, users can also use it to capture audio from various sources including streaming Web audio. Mobile Companion Easily Media Creator 10 adds a number of features to allow users to maximize the use of their multi-media enabled devices. This includes a feature for quickly fixing photos snapped using a device's built-in digital cameras called Mobile Photo Doctor. In addition, Mobile PhotoFit ensures digital photos are displayed accurately based on the capabilities of the device and a synchronizing tool enables users to prepare content for automatic transfer the next time a device is connected. Enhancing Audio For audiophiles, Easy Media Creator makes improvements to AutoMix a feature that automatically generates a collection of songs that sound great together based on a single Ôseed' song selected by the user. The resulting collection can be saved to the Hard Drive as a playlist, used to create a music CD, DVD, or sent to a mobile player. DVD Music Album, the feature that allows users to create 50-hour music DVDs complete with on-screen navigation has been enhanced with a range of new professionally-designed menu templates. Easy Media Creator also now offers a Batch Audio Converter that saves users time by automatically converting a wide range of audio file types into a single desired format (such as .MP3). The program also provides users with the ability to use disc drives in parallel so they can very quickly rip their entire CD collection. In addition, Creator's Sound Editor now supports VST plugins to allow users to enhance their audio editing and mixing capabilities. Data Protection Creator 10 lets users backup files to predefined archive categories such as Email, Financial, Music, and Photos or create their own custom categories. Special features allow users to backup only files that have changed since the last known backup or automatically prompt for a backup when an external Hard Drive is connected. Creator supports a range of backup devices and media including Blu-ray Discs and HD DVD discs. Large files can be automatically spanned across multiple discs as required. Finding a file that's stored on a disc is now a whole lot easier thanks to the new Disc Gallery feature that creates a catalog on the user's PC of all the offline content stored on CDs and DVDs. In addition, Creator now includes a feature to enable users to archive non-protected iPod music and video files to a PC even if that PC is not paired with the device. After you have created a video using the video creation tools in Creator 10, you can easily upload it to YouTube. There are dozens of menu styles to choose from for any event or occasion, including all new professionally designed styles with matching chapter/scene menus. Video Editing and Publishing Beyond the unrivaled editing power offered in the 32-track timeline, complete with batch video-segment removal, timeline markers and automatic tools for correcting color and removing background noise, users can now easily add the perfect sound track with the SmartSound feature. SmartSound provides a variety of built-in sound tracks to suit any mood. Users simply select the music they like and it is automatically added and adjusted to fit the length of their production. Video output options have also been enhanced. Creator supports quick output of video content to popular user-generated content site YouTube. The suite also provides new menu styles, menu navigation, and Fit-to-Disc auto encoding for when users author DVDs. Creator 10 Key Components Core, feature-rich applications provide a wealth of hands-on control. Roxio CentralRoxio Central is the streamlined central launch area where users can enter an application, a task assistant, or quickly complete a popular digital media activity such as copy a disc. Media ManagerMedia Manager is the component that enables users to easily browse, manage, share and protect their media files. Creator ClassicOffers reliable data burning with powerful advanced features such as disc spanning, compression, encryption and parallel burning. Video Copy & ConvertAllows users to backup non-encrypted DVD-Videos or convert video files into preferred formats for use on an iPod, PSP, Windows Media portable device or mobile phone. PhotoSuiteFor editing and enhancing photos, creating delightful photo projects and gifts. VideoWavePowerful 32 track video editor with HD support and studio quality tools, effects, and transitions. MyDVDFor authoring professional-looking DVDs and VCDs CinePlayerFull featured video player. Music Disc CreatorCreate audio CDs with DJ-style fades, MP3 mix discs, or music DVDs with up to 50 hours of music. Sound EditorRecord, convert and edit audio files. Label CreatorCreate personalized disc labels, case covers and inserts. Music Disc Creator helps you create audio CDs with DJ-style fades, MP3 mix discs, or music DVDs with 50 hours of music, on-screen menus and shuffle play. PhotoSuite provides picture perfect photo editing and enhancements, and helps you to create delightful projects. CinePlayer is the easiest way to enjoy your music, photos, video and DVDs. Vista Gadgets (accessible from Vista Sidebar) Vista gadgets provide the ease of doing things directly on the desktop Audio/Video Converter GadgetDrag and drop audio and video files for automatic conversion to a preferred format and to a preferred location (folder or portable device.) Easy Audio Capture GadgetInstantly capture any audio playing on your computer, including streaming radio. Task Assistants (accessible from Roxio Central) Task Assistants guide users quickly through the completion of a rich project. LP & Tape AssistantFor digitizing LPs & tapes. Quick Music DVDFor producing 50-hour music disc on a standard DVD that plays in any DVD player. Audio Tag EditorAutomatically adds artist, album, song title or other track information to songs. Plug & BurnTurns camcorder DV tapes into a finished DVD in one simple step. CineMagicAutomatically edits raw video into a finished production. MyDVD ExpressCreates great looking DVDs with your pictures and videos. Slideshow AssistantTransforms still photos into fantastic slideshows complete with pan & zoom motion effects, titles and soundtrack. Batch Audio ConverterBatch converts selected audio files or an entire library into a preferred format. Multi CD RipperRip audio CD tracks to hard disk from multiple drives at the same time. Photo AssistantsTurn photos into calendars, cards, panoramas, posters and other memorable projects. Express LabelerPersonalize your CDs, DVDs and Blu-ray Discs with labels and case covers Ð supports print to disc technology and laser labeling. AutoMixCreates a perfect playlists based on songs that are similar to selected Ôseed' song. Innovative Utilities and Features (accessible from Roxio Central) Creator 10 includes innovative utilities that help users do even more with their media and digital devices. Disc Image LoaderMount up to 23 disc image files as virtual drives, as if they were physical discs in a drive. Media ImportEasily import and capture audio, video and photos from both digital and analog devices. Disc GalleryCatalogs all the files stored on discs so users can instantly find an offline file Great Menu and Project Themes (accessible from MyDVD, DVD Music and Photo projects) Creator 10 includes innovative utilities that help users do even more with their recorder and media, as well as with other peripheral devices, such as cameras and camcorders. DVD Menu Themes15 new high quality menu themes for DVD-Video creation DVD Music Disc Themes10 new themes to fit any mood Photo Projects ThemesStandout projects with 34 new templates.

Dragon NaturallySpeaking 9 (Preferred Edition) gives small business users and PC user the power to create documents, reports, e-mails and more -- all by speaking! Over three times faster than typing, and amazingly accurate, NaturallySpeaking 9 translates your voice dictations into Microsoft Word and Excel, Corel WordPerfect, and virtually all Windows-based applications. You can even dictate into a handheld device when you're away from your PC, or use a Bluetooth microphone. It's never been easier to use -- no script reading required, so you can get started right away! NaturallySpeaking 9 translates your voice dictations into Microsoft Word and Excel, Corel WordPerfect, and virtually all Windows-based applications. View larger. Three Times Faster than Typing A C/NET Editor's Choice for February 2006, and a PC World 100 Best Products choice of 2006, Dragon NaturallySpeaking 9 is up to 99 percent accurate, and often more accurate than typing. Dragon NaturallySpeaking never makes a spelling mistake, and it's actually programmed to get "smarter" the more your use it. And because most people speak over 120 words per minute, but type less than 40 words a minute, NaturallySpeaking effectively lets you create letters and e-mails about three times faster than typing by hand. Dragon NaturallySpeaking 9 is extremely easy to use and require no training. A full set of on-screen tutorials, and an included approved free noise-canceling microphone, helps you get started immediately. And you can use your voice to dictate, edit and control just about any Windows-based application, which gives you unprecedented flexibility as you work. It even supports Mozilla Firefox and Thunderbird. Just talk, and you can surf the web, open and close applications, even control your mouse and the entire desktop. You can also dictate, edit, and navigate more easily in Microsoft Word, Outlook Express, and Corel WordPerfect than in previous versions. For Web browsing, Dragon NaturallySpeaking 9 lets you search the Web, access information, and navigate web pages by speaking URLs and links. Bluetooth Wireless Microphone and PDA Support Dragon NaturallySpeaking 9 now supports certain Bluetooth wireless microphones as an input device, empowering you to dictate without being tethered to your PC. And you can also use the software with Nuance-approved Bluetooth headsets. You can even dictate into any Nuance-certified handheld device for automatic transcription when you synch with your PC. Dragon NaturallySpeaking 9 supports handheld digital recorders and other PDAs that record in .wma and .mp3 format for deferred transcription. Seamless Editing, Formatting, and Punctuation With the program's "smart formatting" functionality, you can specify exactly how you want to format dates, measurements, acronyms or any word to meet your requirements. By simply scanning your documents, contact names and sent e-mails, you can add contact names to the program's vocabulary, thereby assuring that you'll never have to spell a name again. And when you select and correct an unrecognized word -- using voice, mouse, or keyboard -- the software will learn from your correction, and you'll never have to worry about another mis-spelling. The DragonBar includes a "Select and Say" indicator that turns green when you are in an application or window where all of NaturallySpeaking's functionality is supported. We all add unnecessary "ums" and "ahs" when we speak, and the last thing you want is to spend your time editing all those extraneous insertions from your documents. Thanks to its built-in Nothing But Speech (NBS) technology, Dragon NaturallySpeaking 9 filters out inadvertent fillers and sounds between words, keeping your document clean. In addition, the program's "natural punctuation" feature means that when you dictate casual writing styles, you no longer have to say "period" and "comma." When you have to make edits to your work, you can simply choose the "Select-and-Say" feature to make text changes by voice in many dialogues and applications. Dictation Playback makes editing even easier by playing back what you said so that you can quickly correct your work. To hear any text spoken aloud, such as incoming e-mail, you can use the "Text-to-Speech" functionality and simply sit back and listen to your e-mail.

Dragon products have won over 175 major awards for accuracy and ease of use, and are used by more people around the world than any other speech recognition software. Dragon NaturallySpeaking Preferred 9 gives small business users and PC enthusiasts the power to create documents, reports, e-mails and more - all by speaking! Fast, easy and amazingly accurate, it's over three times faster than typing. Just use your voice to dictate and edit in Microsoft Word and Excel, Corel WordPerfect, and virtually all Windows-based applications. You can even dictate into a handheld device when you're away from your PC, or use a Bluetooth microphone! It's never been easier to use with no script reading required, so you can get started right away! Dragon products have won over 175 major awards for accuracy and ease of use, and are used by more people around the world than any other speech recognition software. Use Dragon NaturallySpeaking with Nuance-approved Bluetooth headsets Dictate into any Nuance-certified handheld device for automatic transcription when you synch with your PC Supports Mozilla Firefox and Thunderbird New indicator that lets you know when you have Select-And-Say functionality available New supported edit controls include Borland's TMemo, TEdit & TRichEdit controls as well as TE Edit from SubSystems and TX Text from TX Text Control Also supports handheld digital recorders and other PDAs that record in. wma and .mp3 format for deferred transcription.

Features of ergonomically designed iPearl mCover® hard shell case for Dell Mini 10(1012 model) 10.1-inch Netbook: * Made of USA-made high-quality translucent DOW polycarbonate material, which is shatter-proof and will protect your Dell Mini 1012 10.1-inch netbook all around. * Design to protect ALL corners for Dell Mini 1012 10.1-inch. * The ONLY Dell Mini case with foldable feet to let you type more comfortably. It also helps to prolong your Dell Mini's life with BETTER heat ventilation from features like retractable feet and more wider ventilation slots. * 2-piece light-weight(5.6 oz or 159 g) shell easily snaps on and off. * All ports and charging port are accessible. * 9 vibrant colors(Aqua/Clear/Black/Pink/Blue/Green/Purple/Orange/Red) at the SAME price. Please note all colors are transparent colors, which means you can still see the dell logo once you install the hard cover case. * Note: This case is NOT compatible with older Dell Mini 10/10v netbook.

Convert IDE/PATA and SATA hard drive interfaces for use with older/newer computer systems. Adapter has female SATA power and data connectors, and male IDE/Molex data and power connectors. Note: adapters of this type CAN NOT be used with external hard drive enclosures, it WILL NOT FIT. Don't forget to adjust your BIOS settings to detect the adapted hard drive! You may need extra cables not included with this product.

Logitech Wireless Keyboard K350 920-001996 Keyboards & Keypads

Linksys Wireless N USB Adapter

The child from twelve to twenty-four months of age is a joy to have around - some of the time, that is. This child is growing at an incredible rate, learning to walk, learning to touch, learning to love, and learning to say "No!" for the first time. All of this can be quite a handful for the new parent.In this first book in the series from the renowned Gesell Institute, which includes Your One-Year-Old through Your Ten- to Fourteen-Year-Old, the authors discuss all important questions that concern the twelve to twenty-four-month-old child. They examine the various stages of development between infancy and toddlerhood: what new things the child can do; how the child acts with parents and other people; what the child thinks and feels.

Life isn’t all sunny in Fort Lauderdale’s Lanai Gardens. Returning from a blissful double honeymoon with her sister Evvie, Gladdy Gold announces that she wants her new hubby, Jack, to join her detective agency. But Gladdy’s gals say no dice, and soon Ida, Sophie, and Bella are striking out on their own, enrolling in a class to learn how to be real PIs. But there’s more than enough trouble for two detective agencies when sultry Joyce Steiner moves in, reopening an old rivalry with Arlene Simon, whose husband ran off with Joyce fifty-five years earlier. When Joyce is found murdered, Arlene becomes the prime suspect, and Gladdy and her girls will have to band together if they’re going to prove that the truth is not just elusive but a real killer.

When their hard-drinking, but loving, father dies in a car accident, teenage brothers Kyle and Klint Hayes face a bleak prospect: leaving their Pennsylvania hometown for an uncertain life in Arizona with the mother who ran out on them years ago. But in a strange twist of fate, their town's matriarch, an eccentric, wealthy old woman whose family once owned the county coal mines, hears the boys' story. Candace Jack doesn't have an ounce of maternal instinct, yet for reasons she does not even understand herself, she is compelled to offer them a home.Suddenly, the two boys go from living in a small, run-down house on a gravel road to a stately mansion filled with sumptuous furnishings and beautiful artwork-artwork that's predominantly centered, oddly, on bullfighting. And then there's Miss Jack's real-life bull: Ventisco-a regal, hulking, jet-black beast who roams the land she owns with fiery impudence. Kyle adjusts more easily to the transition. A budding artist, he finds a kindred spirit in Miss Jack. But local baseball hero Klint refuses to warm up to his new benefactress and instead throws himself into his game with a fierceness that troubles his little brother. Klint is not just grieving his father's death; he's carrying a terrible secret that he has never revealed to anyone. Unbeknownst to the world, Candace Jack has a secret too-a tragic, passionate past in Spain that the boys' presence threatens to reveal as she finds herself caring more for them than she ever believed possible. From the muted, bruised hills of Pennsylvania coal country to the colorful, flamboyant bull rings of southern Spain, Tawni O'Dell takes us on a riveting journey not only between two completely different lands, but also between seemingly incompatible souls, casting us under her narrative spell in which characters and places are rendered with fragile tenderness.From the Hardcover edition.

When their hard-drinking, but loving, father dies in a car accident, teenage brothers Kyle and Klint Hayes face a bleak prospect: leaving their Pennsylvania hometown for an uncertain life in Arizona with the mother who ran out on them years ago. But in a strange twist of fate, their town’s matriarch, an eccentric, wealthy old woman whose family once owned the county coal mines, hears the boys’ story. Candace Jack doesn’t have an ounce of maternal instinct, yet for reasons she does not even understand herself, she is compelled to offer them a home.Suddenly, the two boys go from living in a small, run-down house on a gravel road to a stately mansion filled with sumptuous furnishings and beautiful artwork—artwork that’s predominantly centered, oddly, on bullfighting. And then there’s Miss Jack’s real-life bull: Ventisco—a regal, hulking, jet-black beast who roams the land she owns with fiery impudence. Kyle adjusts more easily to the transition. A budding artist, he finds a kindred spirit in Miss Jack. But local baseball hero Klint refuses to warm up to his new benefactress and instead throws himself into his game with a fierceness that troubles his little brother. Klint is not just grieving his father’s death; he’s carrying a terrible secret that he has never revealed to anyone. Unbeknownst to the world, Candace Jack has a secret too—a tragic, passionate past in Spain that the boys’ presence threatens to reveal as she finds herself caring more for them than she ever believed possible. From the muted, bruised hills of Pennsylvania coal country to the colorful, flamboyant bull rings of southern Spain, Tawni O’Dell takes us on a riveting journey not only between two completely different lands, but also between seemingly incompatible souls, casting us under her narrative spell in which characters and places are rendered with fragile tenderness.From the Hardcover edition.