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The Blue-Ribbon Jalapeño Society Jubilee
by Carolyn BrownYou Are Cordially Invited...Come early, eat until your buttons pop, and dance until you drop! Miss Clawdy's Café has won the Jubilee blue ribbon every year since the dawn of time. This year, town matron Violet Prescott is going after that ribbon with an iron-clad determination only thinly disguised by her perfect coiffure and flawless manners, bless her heart. It's time for café owners Cathy and Marty and their best friend Trixie to pull out their secret weapon. And this is where a lifetime of friendship, combined with just the right recipe at just the right time, might carry the day--or blow everything to smithereens. Welcome to Cadillac, Texas, where the jalapeños are hot, the gossip is hotter, and at the end of the day, it's the priceless friendships that are left standing... "Funny, frank, and full of heart...one more welcome example of Brown's Texas-size talent for storytelling."--USA TODAY Happy Ever After on One Hot Cowboy Wedding "Brown revitalizes the Western romance with this fresh, funny, and sexy tale filled with likable, down-to-earth characters."--Booklist on Love Drunk Cowboy "Brown's novel will warm your heart and bring you characters so real, you'll swear they're flesh and bone...A 5 Star Comfort Read!"--Love Romance Passion on Getting Lucky
Blue Ridge Hideaway
by Cynthia ThomasonALL SHE CAME FOR WAS HER FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS Armed with a can of pepper spray and fuming mad, Dorie Howe is determined to get what's hers from the old con man who fleeced her. Even if she has to cut a deal with his ex-cop son, Bret Donovan. With her brother in jail and no way to pay his lawyer, she's desperate enough to agree to Bret's terms. Desperate-and intrigued. Helping Bret get his mountain retreat in order wouldn't be the worst job she's ever had. The spring air is fresh and the scenery is gorgeous. As long as Bret can keep his policeman's instinct to snoop in check, she just might get away unscathed. All she has to do is keep him, and her feelings, at bay for a few more days....
Blue Sea Burning
by Geoff Rodkey"This is a rip-roaring debut. . . I highly recommend you grab a copy. . . The best way I can describe it is Lemony Snicket meets "Pirates of the Caribbean," with a sprinkling of "Tom Sawyer" for good measure. "--RICK RIORDAN, "New York Times" bestselling author of the Percy Jackson series on "Deadweather and Sunrise. " After narrowly escaping the New Lands, Egg is determined to take down ruthless slave trader Roger Pembroke. But war is brewing among the Blue Sea's pirate gangs--and Egg, Guts, and Kira are running out of time to find the Fire King's treasure and free the Okalu slaves from the silver mine on Sunrise. Can they save Kira's people before Sunrise is plundered by Ripper Jones's pirates? Will Burn Healy save the day, or has the legendary captain finally met his match? And will Egg ever win back Millicent from the annoyingly handsome Cyril? This explosive conclusion to Egg's journey delivers the ultimate combination of humor, heart, and white-knuckle adventure.
Blue Shoes And Happiness (No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency #7)
by Alexander McCall SmithTHE SEVENTH BOOK IN THE BELOVED NO. 1 LADIES' DETECTIVE AGENCY SERIESThe one with the witch who flew away . . .Mma Ramotswe is happily married to Mr J. L. B. Matekoni, but her work seems more hectic than ever. Among the raft of cases coming the way of the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency are blackmail, witchcraft and theft, all calling for the wisdom of a traditionally built detective.It's enough to make her wonder what the secret of happiness is, and whether she is right to find it in small things such as a pair of blue shoes, a slice of cake, or a red sunset over Kalahari.
Blue Shoes And Happiness (No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency #7)
by Alexander McCall SmithTHE SEVENTH BOOK IN THE BELOVED NO. 1 LADIES' DETECTIVE AGENCY SERIESThe one with the witch who flew away . . .Mma Ramotswe is happily married to Mr J. L. B. Matekoni, but her work seems more hectic than ever. Among the raft of cases coming the way of the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency are blackmail, witchcraft and theft, all calling for the wisdom of a traditionally built detective.It's enough to make her wonder what the secret of happiness is, and whether she is right to find it in small things such as a pair of blue shoes, a slice of cake, or a red sunset over Kalahari.
Blue Shoes and Happiness (No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency #7)
by Alexander Mccall SmithNow that she is finally and happily married to her long-term suitor Mr J. L. B. Matekoni, Mma Ramotswe of the No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency of Botswana might have expected life to grow more sedate. But the many problems that lead customers to Mma Ramotswe's door seem, if anything, to have multiplied, and no sooner has she settled her traditionally built person into the married state than she finds herself looking into several troublesome matters at once. There is, to begin with, a disturbing case of ackmail and theft from the Government catering college. Then, while on an errand for her husband to the Mokolodi Game Reserve Mma Ramotswe is seconded to investigate an unpleasant atmosphere that may be down to witchcraft, or something worse. There are sinister goings-on at a health clinic to be looked into, not to mention any number of small wrongs to be righted along the path to detective triumph. And all the time Mma Ramotswe has weighty questions of a philosophical nature to consider, such as whether it is right to find happiness in small things, such as a new pair of ue shoes, a slice of cake, or a red sunset over the Kalahari.
Blue Skies: A Novel
by T. C. Boyle"Boyle’s satire has lost none of its edge over the course of a nearly half-century literary career . . . [Blue Skies is] an expert blend of suspense, terror and, occasionally, very black humor . . . this fiercely honest writer shows us what he sees and invites his readers to draw their own conclusions." —Wendy Smith, Washington Post From best-selling novelist T. C. Boyle, a satirical yet ultimately moving send-up of contemporary American life in the glare of climate change. “Boyle has long been one of the most exciting and intelligent storytellers in the United States.” —Ron Charles, Washington Post Denied a dog, a baby, and even a faithful fiancé, Cat suddenly craves a snake: a glistening, writhing creature that can be worn like “jewelry, living jewelry” to match her black jeans. But when the budding social media star promptly loses the young “Burmie” she buys from a local pet store, she inadvertently sets in motion a chain of increasingly dire and outrageous events that comes to threaten her very survival. “Brilliantly imaginative . . . in a terrifying way” (Annie Proulx), Blue Skies follows in the tradition of T. C. Boyle’s finest novels, combining high-octane plotting with mordant wit and shrewd social commentary. Here Boyle, one of the most inventive voices in contemporary fiction, transports us to water-logged and heat-ravaged coastal America, where Cat and her hapless, nature-loving family—including her eco-warrior parents, Ottilie and Frank; her brother, Cooper, an entomologist; and her frat-boy-turned-husband, Todd—are struggling to adapt to the “new normal,” in which once-in-a-lifetime natural disasters happen once a week and drinking seems to be the only way to cope. But there’s more than meets the eye to this compulsive family drama. Lurking beneath the banal façade of twenty-first-century Californians and Floridians attempting to preserve normalcy in the face of violent weather perturbations is a caricature of materialist American society that doubles as a prophetic warning about our planet’s future. From pet bees and cricket-dependent diets to massive species die-off and pummeling hurricanes, Blue Skies deftly explores the often volatile relationships between humans and their habitats, in which “the only truism seems to be that things always get worse.” An eco-thriller with teeth, Boyle’s Blue Skies is at once a tragicomic satire and a prescient novel that captures the absurdity and “inexpressible sadness at the heart of everything.”
The Blue Umbrella
by Disney PressOne rainy evening on a busy street, a blue umbrella and a red umbrella meet. It could be love... But then they are pulled apart in the bustle of the crowd, and it's up to Blue to find Red again. Watch the adventure and romance unfold in this charming storybook full of colorful stills from the Disney*Pixar short film!
Blue White Red: A Novel (Global African Voices Ser.)
by Alison Dundy Alain MabanckouThis tale of wild adventure reveals the dashed hopes of Africans living between worlds. When Moki returns to his village from France wearing designer clothes and affecting all the manners of a Frenchman, Massala-Massala, who lives the life of a humble peanut farmer after giving up his studies, begins to dream of following in Moki's footsteps. Together, the two take wing for Paris, where Massala-Massala finds himself a part of an underworld of out-of-work undocumented immigrants. After a botched attempt to sell metro passes purchased with a stolen checkbook, he winds up in jail and is deported. Blue White Red is a novel of postcolonial Africa where young people born into poverty dream of making it big in the cities of their former colonial masters. Alain Mabanckou's searing commentary on the lives of Africans in France is cut with the parody of African villagers who boast of a son in the country of Digol.
Bluebird
by Ciel Pierlot**SHORTLISTED for the COMPTON CROOK AWARD, 2023**Lesbian gunslinger fights spies in space!Three factions vie for control of the galaxy. Rig, a gunslinging, thieving, rebel with a cause, doesn&’t give a damn about them and she hasn&’t looked back since abandoning her faction three years ago. That is, until her former faction sends her a message: return what she stole from them, or they&’ll kill her twin sister. Rig embarks on a journey across the galaxy to save her sister – but for once she&’s not alone. She has help from her network of resistance contacts, her taser-wielding librarian girlfriend, and a mysterious bounty hunter. If Rig fails and her former faction finds what she stole from them, trillions of lives will be lost--including her sister's. But if she succeeds, she might just pull the whole damn faction system down around their ears. Either way, she&’s going to do it with panache and pizzazz.File Under: Science Fiction [ Independent Women | Robbing Hood | Keep Your Enemies Close | Guns Don&’t Kill People ]
The Bluebird Bet
by Cheryl HarperWinning isn't everything...to other people Dr. Elaine Watson never loses. Period. So she won't miss out on a chance to restore the Bluebird Bed-and-Breakfast. The owner's son, Dean Collins, seems just as determined as she is. A famous photojournalist, he hasn't been home in years, so why does he want to turn the Bluebird, a charming old B and B, into a fishing camp? With just a few weeks to create the winning plan, Elaine has no choice but to spend time with the guy. She's drawn to the handsome, wounded man, but being with Dean would mean giving up the future she's been dreaming of... And Dr. Elaine Watson never gives up.
Blueprint for Disaster: A Get Fuzzy Collection (Get Fuzzy #5)
by Darby ConleyYou have to wonder what kind of pets cartoonist Darby Conley had as a child. If they were anything like Bucky Katt and Satchel Pooch. . . well, life in the Conley house must have been interesting to say the least. The wacky triumvirate of Bucky, Satchel, and Rob are back in this Get Fuzzy collection,Rob Wilco is the mild-mannered ad executive caretaker of Bucky and Satchel. Satchel is a sweet and naive shar-pei-yellow-Lab cross, while Bucky is a Siamese with "cat-titude" to spare. Bucky and Satchel get along like, well, like cats and dogs. Like a beleaguered parent, Rob constantly must thwart Bucky's schemes and protect the unsuspecting Satchel. His pets' mischief continually disrupts his attempts to meet women. You try explaining to your date why your cat thinks he's a gangsta rapper and your dog is filming his "crib" for MTV. Would anyone live with humans who behaved like this?Bitingly funny with a wry sense of the absurdity of life with pets, Get Fuzzy appeals to everyone who has ever lived in a mixed-species household.
Blue's Clues: My Favorite Letters
by Deborah ReberIn this Pre-Level 1 Ready-to-Read book, Blue shares the four letters that spell out her name, and other words that begin with those same great letters. Join Blue in a backyard adventure filled with everything from butterflies to easels. Picture descriptions added.
Blues, Twos and Baby Shoes (The Constable Mavis Upton Series #3)
by Gina KirkhamMavis Upton returns from her adventures in Whiskey Tango Foxtrot, and this time she&’s taking no prisoners—which is never ideal for a police officer . . . Mavis is pregnant, as is her daughter Ella. Facing the prospect of motherhood and being a grandmother simultaneously, the last thing Mavis needs is problems at work. She must contend with a new sexist dinosaur of a Sergeant who is more bully than mentor, and a mysterious case involving a blackmailer sending poison pen letters is baffling the force and tearing the local community apart. Can Mavis juggle impending motherhood and her career, maintain a loving relationship with her other half Joe and deal with being a grandmother, all while solving the case? Well, this is Constable Mavis Upton . . . literally anything is possible . . . Series praise &“Laugh out loud brilliance, so witty and cleverly written.&” —Samantha Magson &“Hilarious! It&’s true, everyone needs Mavis in their life.&” —Sherrie Hewson &“Such a terrific read!&” —Lorraine Kelly
A Bluestocking's Guide to Decadence (Lucky Lovers of London #3)
by Jess EverleeLove can make even the most buttoned-up bluestocking come undone…London, 1885A lesbian in a lavender marriage, Jo Smith cuts a dashing figure in pin-striped trousers, working in her bookshop and keeping impolite company. But her hard-earned stability is about to be upended thanks to her husband&’s pregnant paramour, who needs medical attention that no reputable doctor will provide.Enter Dr. Emily Clarke, a tantalizing bluestocking working at a quaint village hospital outside the city. Emily has reservations about getting mixed up in Jo&’s scandalous arrangement, but her flustered, heart-racing response to Jo has her agreeing to help despite herself.There&’s a world of difference between Jo&’s community of underground clubs and sapphic societies and Emily&’s respectable suburbs. Perhaps it&’s a gap that even fervent desire can&’t bridge.But for those bold enough to take the risk, who knows what delicious adventures might be in store…Lucky Lovers of LondonBook 1: The Gentleman's Book of VicesBook 2: A Rulebook for Restless RoguesBook 3: A Bluestocking's Guide to Decadence
Bluff
by Jane Stanton HitchcockWinner of the Dashiell Hammett Prize for Literary Excellence in Crime Writing. &“This delicious novel of sweet revenge reveals . . . New York high society.&” —Publishers Weekly (starred review) From New York Times–bestselling author Jane Stanton Hitchcock comes a noir crime thriller full of wit, charm, and intrigue. For Maud Warner, the only way to get revenge is at the poker table—and she likes her odds. One-time socialite Maud Warner polishes up the rags of her once glittering existence and bluffs her way into a signature New York restaurant on a sunny October day. When she walks out again, a man will have been shot. Maud has grown accustomed to being underestimated and invisible to young New York socialites, and she uses her ability to fly under the radar as she pursues celebrity accountant Burt Sklar, the man she believes stole her mother&’s fortune and left her family in ruins. Her fervent passion for poker has taught Maud that she can turn weakness into strength to take advantage of people who think they are taking advantage of her, and now she has dealt the first card in her high-stakes plan for revenge. One unexpected twist after another follows as Maud plays a deadly game of poker. The stakes? To take down her enemies and get justice for their victims. Her success depends on her continuing ability to pull off the biggest bluff of her life—and on who will fold. Can she win? &“A vivid, compelling novel about deceit, seduction, and delicious revenge that will have you spellbound and cheering as you turn the last page.&” —Susan Cheever, author of My Name Is Bill
Blurb Your Enthusiasm: An A-Z of Literary Persuasion
by Louise Willder&‘The bookiest book about books you&’ll ever read – I loved it&’ Lucy Mangan &‘Truly delightful...I couldn&’t have had more fun&’ Benjamin Dreyer &‘Very funny, erudite and profound. A delight!&’ Nina Stibbe This is the outside story of books. From blurbs to titles, quotes to (checks jacket) cute animal designs – via author feuds, writing tricks, classic literature, bonkbusters, plot spoilers and publishing secrets – discover why it&’s good to judge a book by its cover. Maybe even this one…
Blurp's Book of Manners
by Cindy DerbyFrom Caldecott Honoree Cindy Derby comes an uproarious tale about an etiquette coach and the sentient paint blob that just might teach her proper manners. When etiquette coach Ms. Picklepop teeters off her stool and spills a bucket of paint, a creature emerges. Not a scary one, or an evil one, or anything of the sort. Instead, what comes alive is ...BLURP!She'll have to carry on with her lesson, despite Blurp's many, messy distractions. But paint splotches and burps aren't all that disrupt Ms. Picklepop's decorous class. Perhaps through an unlikely friendship, Ms. Picklepop will learn a thing or two about manners herself. Fall in love with Cindy Derby's newest adorable creation - Blurp - in this colorful, heartwarming, and laugh-out-loud funny tale.
Blurred Lines (Love Unexpectedly)
by Lauren LayneIn a novel that's perfect for fans of Alice Clayton and Emma Chase, Lauren Layne delivers a sexy take on the timeless question: Can a guy and a girl really be "just friends"? When Parker Blanton meets Ben Olsen during her freshman year of college, the connection is immediate--and platonic. Six years later, they're still best friends, sharing an apartment in Portland's trendy Northwest District as they happily settle into adult life. But when Parker's boyfriend dumps her out of the blue, she starts to wonder about Ben's no-strings-attached approach to dating. The trouble is, even with Ben as her wingman, Parker can't seem to get the hang of casual sex--until she tries it with him. The arrangement works perfectly . . . at first. The sex is mind-blowing, and their friendship remains as solid as ever, without any of the usual messy romantic entanglements. But when Parker's ex decides he wants her back, Ben is shocked by a fierce stab of possessiveness. And when Ben starts seeing a girl from work, Parker finds herself plagued by unfamiliar jealousy. With their friendship on the rocks for the first time, Parker and Ben face an alarming truth: Maybe they can't go back. And maybe, deep down, they never want to.
Blurred Lines: A flirty feel-good romance from the author of The Prenup! (Love Unexpectedly #1)
by Lauren LayneCan a guy and a girl really be 'just friends'? Blurred Lines is the sexy take on this timeless question in the Love Unexpectedly series, from Lauren Layne, author of bestselling Sex, Love & Stiletto, Oxford and Wedding Belles romantic comedy series. Perfect for fans of Jessica Lemmon, Lauren Blakely and Emma Chase.When Parker Blanton meets Ben Olsen during her freshman year of college, the connection is immediate - and platonic. Six years later, they're still best friends, sharing an apartment in Portland's trendy Northwest District as they happily settle into adult life. But when Parker's boyfriend dumps her out of the blue, she starts to wonder about Ben's no-strings-attached approach to dating. The trouble is, even with Ben as her wingman, Parker can't seem to get the hang of casual sex - until she tries it with him.The arrangement works perfectly...at first. The sex is mind-blowing, and their friendship remains as solid as ever, without any of the usual messy romantic entanglements. But when Parker's ex decides he wants her back, Ben is shocked by a fierce stab of possessiveness. And when Ben starts seeing a girl from work, Parker finds herself plagued by unfamiliar jealousy. With their friendship on the rocks for the first time, Parker and Ben face an alarming truth: Maybe they can't go back. And maybe, deep down, they never want to.Want more fun, fresh, flirty and very sexy rom-com? Check out the titles in the Oxford series, beginning with Irresistibly Yours, and don't miss the warm, witty and sexy Wedding Belles series.
Bo and Mzzz Mad
by Sid FleischmanThe Gamages and the Martinkas despise each other, because of a family feud handed down from generation to generation. Nevertheless, to escape a foster home, newly orphaned Bo Gamage steps off the bus in the California desert to meet his distant cousin Madeleine, a genuine on-the-hoof Martinka. About his own age, Madeleine wears big sunglasses and calls herself Mzzz Mad. The name sounds to Bo like a mosquito in the air, about to attack. "You one of them ornery Gamages?" she asks. "Where's your horns and your mangy tail?" Enemies at first sight, they find themselves under the same roof in a ghost town presided over by cantankerous Charlie Martinka, a former cowboy movie star turned prospector. Bo is quickly caught up in a razzle-dazzle of goings-on, which include a wild battle for a missing map, the mystery of the tattooed head, and a daring search for the legendary Pegleg Smith gold mine. And before they know it, Bo and Mzzz Mad find themselves handcuffed -- together!
The Boarding-House: The Old Boys; The Boarding-house; The Love Department
by William TrevorA London boarding-house becomes a battle ground in this &“dazzling display of character-led fiction&” from the award-winning author of The Old Boys (The Independent). William Wagner Bird spent his life collecting lost souls—dispossessed immigrants, lonely old ladies, and the simply half-mad—to live in his London boarding-house. But when he dies, the true intent of his work is revealed in his diary. Bird had been watching them all closely, keeping notes on their sad and peculiar circumstances. And then there&’s the matter of his will, in which he leaves the house to the two tenants who most despise each other, the petty thief Mr. Studdy and the equally nasty Nurse Clock. In this &“rhapsody to misanthropy&” Whitbread Award winner William Trevor paints a fascinating group portrait of society&’s outcasts, each of whom sees their small life unravel &“in a manner somewhere between Dubliners and Grimm&’s fairy tales&” (The New York Times).
Boardroom Rivals, Bedroom Fireworks!
by Kimberly LangJack Garrett enjoys biddable women- sharing the vineyard he's inherited with his fiery ex-wife does not appeal. His agenda is clear-visit Brenna, make her a deal... and leave. Immediately.Her steamy surrender!But one glimpse of Brenna's sun-kissed skin has Jack's rugged body recalling their fevered nights together.... As their red-hot passion erupts, ten years of ice-cold separation melt away. Now they're back where it started all those years ago-in bed! Suddenly negotiations are looking much more pleasurable....
Boardroom Seduction
by Anita BunkleyWhen Kacey Parker leaves her hectic, big-city life for small-town Texas, the ambitious swimwear designer doesn't expect to go overboard for her new boss. Sensual and sensitive, Leon Archer is a man few women can resist. Ignoring the rumors swirling around the plant, Kacey enters the uncharted waters of passion....Kacey may know what women want. But Leon knows exactly what the sexy designer needs. The tidal wave of desire engulfing them is just the beginning. Even when a backstabbing colleague threatens to submerge their relationship-and the future of his company-Leon knows that, together, he and Kacey are an unbeatable team. If he can convince her that she's his one true desire....
Bob Books - Animal Stories | Phonics, Ages 4 and up, Kindergarten (Bob Books)
by Lynn Maslen KertellCreated by a teacher, Bob Books have been helping children learn to read for more than forty years! This set of phonics-based, easy-to-read stories features silly animal characters -- perfect for kids in kindergarten and first grade.Bob Books Animal Stories are full of fun animal characters, from a pig who is a picky eater to a rabbit who loves to dress up! These charming books engage young readers while they practice their reading skills. Each story uses one-syllable words with consistent short vowels, which keeps text decodable and builds kids' confidence. Longer animal names and sight words sprinkled throughout add just the right amount of challenge.Inside this collection you'll find:12 small, hilarious, easy-to-read books: 12 pages each, 18-28 unique words per storyA parent guide with tips for helping your child learn to readEach story includes:Decodable text: Mostly three- and four-letter words with short vowels that can be sounded out (eggs, mop, slug)Simple sentences (Pig has buns and jam.)Limited sight words (saw, car, mouse)Friendly, simple illustrations that add fun and do not distract from the wordsGuided Reading Levels: C, D, E, F | Lexile® Measure: 60L - 270L | Bob Books Level: Stage 2Ages: 4-6 | Grade Levels: Kindergarten, First GradeBob Books' phonics-based method aligns with the body of research known as the Science of Reading, which proves that systematic phonics instruction is crucial to children's reading success. With simple phonics, playful stories, and silly illustrations, Bob Books keep young readers' confidence high, leading to continued success and a love of reading. Your child will soon join the millions of happy kids who say, "I read the whole book!"®