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Good Time Coming: A Novel of the American Civil War
by C.S. HarrisA girl grows up too quickly in Civil War Louisiana: &“Powerful…This is top-notch historical fiction.&”—Publishers WeeklyI killed a man the summer I turned thirteen… Thus begins USA Today-bestselling author C. S. Harris&’s haunting, lyrically beautiful tale of coming of age in Civil War-torn Louisiana. Eleven-year-old Amrie St. Pierre is catching tadpoles with her friend Finn O&’Reilly when the Federal fleet first steams up the Mississippi River in the spring of 1862. With the surrender of New Orleans, Amrie&’s sleepy little village of St. Francisville—strategically located between the last river outposts of Vicksburg and Port Hudson—is now frighteningly vulnerable. As the roar of cannons inches ever closer and food, shoes, and life-giving medicines become increasingly scarce, Amrie is forced to grow up fast. But it is her own fateful encounter with a tall, golden-haired Union captain named Gabriel that threatens to destroy everything and everyone she holds most dear. Told with rare compassion and insight, this is a story of loss and survival; of the bonds that form among women and children left alone to face the hardships, depravations, and dangers of war; and of one unforgettable girl&’s slow and painful recognition of the good and evil that exists within us all. &“This story of love, loss, and growing up under some of the most difficult circumstances imaginable is beautifully written, superbly researched, emotionally engaging and gripping from first page to last. A must for old-school fans of historical fiction.&”—Booklist (starred review
The Painted Gun
by Bradley Spinelli2018 Shamus Award Finalist: A &“tricky and delightfully surprising crime novel&” set at the dawn of the digital age in San Francisco (Publishers Weekly).It&’s 1997, and the dotcom boom is going strong in San Francisco. But ex-journalist and struggling alcoholic David &“Itchy&” Crane's fledgling &“information consultancy&” business is getting slowly buried by bad luck, bad decisions, and the growing presence of the Internet. Before he can completely self-destruct, a private investigator offers him fifty grand to find a missing girl named Ashley. Crane takes the job because the money&’s right and because the only clue to her disappearance is a dead-on oil portrait of Crane himself—painted by the mysterious missing girl whom he has never met.As Crane&’s search for Ashley becomes an obsession, he stumbles upon a series of murders, for which he begins to fear he's being framed...&“Spinelli deftly segues from one genre to another—from hard-boiled noir to paranoid thriller, puzzle mystery (with each and every riddle logically explained), spy caper, and ultimately to something evocative of Bogart and Bacall. Spinelli is definitely a talent to watch.&”—Publishers Weekly&“A neat little post-modern mash-up of Chandler and Hammett...[Spinelli&’s] got wit and style up the wazoo.&”—Thrilling Detective &“The Painted Gun is hardboiled like they don&’t make anymore. Whiplash twists, razor-sharp prose, an addictive narrative—I couldn&’t read it fast enough.&”—Rob Hart, author of The Warehouse
Cereal Sweets & Treats
by Jessica SegarraFrom the creator of The Novice Chef Blog, recipes to create delicious desserts and snacks from your favorite cereals.Everybody loves cereal, whether is it floating in a big bowl of milk or straight out of the box. In Cereal Sweets & Treats, Jessica Segarra takes her passion for cereal one step further to satisfy both young and old sweet-tooth cravings by turning these sugary little bits of crunchy heaven into, dare we say, guilt-free desserts and snacks featuring bars, cakes, cupcakes, muffins, candies, cookies, and frozen treats. So open up a box of your favorite cereal, mix in a few ingredients and then sink your teeth into a Fruit Loops Cupcake, Lucky Charms Macaroon, or pour yourself a Cap&‘n Crunch Milkshake.
Finding Nouf: A Novel
by Zoë FerrarisA Palestinian P.I. investigates the death of a pregnant Saudi teenager in a mystery that offers &“a fascinating glimpse into the workings…of Saudi society&” (Publishers Weekly). When sixteen-year-old Nouf ash-Shrawi goes missing, her prominent family calls on desert guide Nayir al-Sharqi to lead a search party. Ten days later, Nouf&’s body is discovered. The coroner determines that she was several weeks pregnant. But even more unsettling is that she died not of dehydration but from drowning. Though her family is suspiciously uninterested in getting at the truth, Nayir is determined to find out what happened. Now Nayir, a gentle and pious Palestinian living in Saudi Arabia, must delve into Nouf&’s secret life—no easy task in one of the world&’s most rigidly gender-segregated societies. Shocked by the idea of a woman baring her face and working in public, Nayir realizes that to gain access to the hidden world of Saudi women, he will have to join forces with Katya Hijazi, a lab worker at the coroner&’s office. As their partnership leads to surprising revelations, it also challenges Nayir, bringing him face to face with his desire for female companionship and the limitations imposed by his beliefs.
With a Hammer for My Heart: A Novel (Kentucky Voices)
by George Ella Lyon&“A story rich in precise, gorgeous language . . . Tragedies old and new weave a tiny Kentucky town into the center of the universe.&”—Booklist (starred review) With a Hammer for My Heart is the story of Lawanda, a precocious, poverty-stricken fifteen-year-old girl from Cardin, Kentucky, who dreams of attending college. When Lawanda&’s friendship with an alcoholic World War II veteran named Garland is misinterpreted by their fellow townspeople, a tragedy calls her future into question. &“A compelling, skillfully told story . . . Lyon&’s finest achievement.&” —Lexington Herald-Leader &“[A] rich tale of healing, redemption, and social responsibility.&” —Publishers Weekly &“Lyon consistently reveals in her work an ability to render the peculiarities of the people and the places she knows best, while at the same time exploring concerns that lend her stories and poems universal appeal. The same is true of With a Hammer for My Heart, a powerful first novel that catapults Lyon into the ranks of other well-respected contemporary novelists.&” —The Southern Register &“The dialogue in this wonderful story is moving, often funny, and always true to life. YAs will find in Lawanda a revealing picture of a young woman struggling to become her own person in the midst of a loving family whose members think they know what&’s best for her.&” —School Library Journal
The Middle of Everywhere: Helping Refugees Enter the American Community
by Mary PipherThe bestselling author of Reviving Ophelia and Another Country profiles refugees from around the world who emigrate to the United States.In cities and towns all over the country, refugees arrive daily. Lost Boys from Sudan, survivors from Kosovo, families fleeing Afghanistan and Vietnam: they come with nothing but the desire to experience the American dream. Their endurance in the face of tragedy and their ability to hold on to the essential virtues of family, love, and joy are a tonic for Americans who are now facing crises at home. Their stories will make you laugh and weep—and give you a deeper understanding of the wider world in which we live.The Middle of Everywhere moves beyond the headlines, into the hearts and homes of refugees from around the world. Her stories bring to us the complexity of cultures we must come to understand in these times. &“Pipher enters the hearts and homes of refugees who now live virtually from coast to coast, chronicling their struggles…. Her work is a plea for others to join her in a campaign of understanding.&”—USA Today&“Pipher unites refugees, people who have fled some of the most oppressive regimes in the world, with all of us…. [She] is taking this moment to teach us un-American behaviors: Patience, manners, and tolerance.&”—Milwaukee Journal Sentinel&“Drawing upon anthropology, sociology and psychology, [Pipher] offers a deft, moving portrait of the complexity of American life…Pipher's ambitious undertaking of combining personal stories with global politics is wonderfully realized.&”—Publishers Weekly (starred review)
The Social History of Bourbon: An Unhurried Account Of Our Star-spangled American Drink
by Gerald CarsonA high-spirited history of the role bourbon has played in American life and culture, &“documented and full of folklore&” (Kirkus Reviews). The distinctive beverage of the Western world, bourbon is Kentucky&’s illustrious gift to the nation. While much has been written about whiskey, the particular place of bourbon in the American cultural record has long awaited detailed and objective presentation. A fascinating and informative contribution to Americana, The Social History of Bourbon reflects an aspect of our national cultural identity that has been widely overlooked. Gerald Carson explores the impact of the liquor&’s presence during America&’s early development, as well as bourbon&’s role in some of the more dramatic events in American history, including the Whiskey Rebellion, the scandals of the Whiskey Ring, and the &“whiskey forts&” of the fur trade. From moonshiners to the Civil War to Old West saloons and the privations of Prohibition, The Social History of Bourbon is a revealing look at the role of this classic beverage in the development of American manners and culture. &“Goes into the families and personalities of bourbon&’s early history and does so with humor . . . a great cause to raise a glass.&” ―Rowley&’s Whiskey Forge
Thrill Kill: A Voodoo Mystery Set In New Orleans (The Quentin Archer Mysteries #2)
by Don BrunsA New Orleans homicide detective investigates a rash of murders shaking up Mardi Gras in this mystery by the USA Today–bestselling author of Casting Bones.Three murders so far. No apparent motive; no link between the victims; none of them have been robbed. One item ties them together: a can of spray gas known as Chill has been left at the scene of each crime. Is someone killing for kicks? With no leads to pursue and no witnesses coming forward, all the cops can do is wait for murder number four. As rumors emerge, Archer realizes there&’s a pattern taking shape. Could there be more to these seemingly random killings than meets the eye? Teaming up with voodoo queen Solange Cordray, Archer begins to uncover evidence of a shocking conspiracy.&“Bruns brings the chaotic frenzy of Mardi Gras to life.&”—Publishers Weekly&“Thrill Kill explores gang turf wars, drug cartels and human trafficking as well as energy forces and the supernatural. If thrillers are your genre, this is a great one!&”—Fresh Fiction
Tales from Kentucky One-Room School Teachers
by William Lynwood MontellThis colorful collection of stories celebrates a fascinating aspect of Kentucky&’s cultural heritage in &“a fascinating look back at a bygone era&” (Kentucky Monthly). In an educational era defined by large school campuses and overcrowded classrooms, it is easy to overlook the era of one-room schools, when teachers filled every role, including janitor, and provided a family-like atmosphere in which children also learned from one another. In Tales from Kentucky One-Room School Teachers, oral historian William Lynwood Montell reclaims an important part of Kentucky's social, cultural, and educational heritage, assembling a fascinating collection of schoolroom stories. The firsthand narratives and anecdotes in this collection cover topics such as teacher-student relationships, day-to-day activities, lunchtime foods, students' personal relationships, and, of course, the challenges of teaching in a one-room school. Montell includes tales about fund-raising pie suppers, pranks, outrageous student behavior—such as the quiet little boy whose first &“sharing&” involved profanity—and many other topics. Montell even includes some of his own memories from his days as a pupil in a one-room school.
Listen Here: Women Writing in Appalachia
by Sandra L. Ballard and Patricia L. Hudson&“A comprehensive and unsurpassed anthology of women writers from Appalachia . . . Exceptional in diversity and scope.&” —Southern Historian Listen Here: Women Writing in Appalachia is a landmark anthology that brings together the work of 105 Appalachian women writers, including Dorothy Allison, Harriette Simpson Arnow, Annie Dillard, Nikki Giovanni, Denise Giardina, Barbara Kingsolver, Jayne Anne Phillips, Janice Holt Giles, George Ella Lyon, Sharyn McCrumb, and Lee Smith. Editors Sandra L. Ballard and Patricia L. Hudson offer a diverse sampling of time periods and genres, established authors and emerging voices. From regional favorites to national bestsellers, this unprecedented gathering of Appalachian voices displays the remarkable talent of the region&’s women writers who&’ve made their mark at home and across the globe. &“A giant step forward in Appalachian studies for both students and scholars of the region and the general reader . . . Nothing less than a groundbreaking and landmark addition to the national treasury of American literature.&” —Bloomsbury Review &“A remarkable accomplishment, bringing together the work of 105 female Appalachian writers saying what they want to, and saying it in impressive bodies of literature.&” —Lexington Herald-Leader &“One of the keenest pleasures in Listen Here lies in its diversity of voices and genres.&” —Material Culture &“Besides introducing readers to many new voices, the anthology provides a strong counterpart to the stereotype of hillbillies that have cursed the region.&” —Atlanta Journal-Constitution &“Full of welcome surprises to those new to this regional literature: specifically, it includes particularly strong selections from children&’s fiction and a substantial number of African American writers.&” —Choice
The Ten-Mile Trials (The Jack Hines Mysteries #8)
by Elizabeth GunnA small-town Minnesota police captain uncovers drug-dealing, murder, and organized crime in this &“satisfying [and] entertaining&” crime novel (Publishers Weekly). Rutherford, Minnesota, is a sparsely populated town not typically known for lawlessness or violent crime. But a string of suspiciously professional burglaries is keeping Captain Jake Hines busier than usual. Then a murder victim is discovered in a suburban home that also happens to be a marijuana farm and meth lab. Suddenly Rutherford isn&’t so quiet, and Hines pulls in all his detectives to investigate. While the victim has no identification on him, a small Mass card written in Cyrillic is found hidden in his jacket. That gives Jake an unsettling thought. Could this man be connected to a ruthless Eastern European gang that has started operating in Minnesota?
Mischievously Mine (Sycamore Cove Games #2)
by Leigh W. StuartIn this contemporary romance, a small-town contest with a cash prize rekindles a childhood prank war between a reporter and her handsome rival.Only one can come out on top…Sandra Kelly has a take-no-prisoners policy when reporting the local news—and for getting what she deserves. For instance, first place in the Townsperson of Year contest, and a promotion at the station. Except, one man stands in her way.Cooper Hall needs to win the upcoming Townsperson contest for reasons of his own—and a certain sexy journalist won&’t stop him. No prank is too complicated, no scheme too elaborate, and her red lace underwear will not distract him. Much.They signed a peace treaty years ago and swore they&’d never speak of the pranks again. But when they both set their eyes on the same prize, their prank war rekindles. This time, they aren&’t stopping at tighty-whities on flag poles and stuffed tarantulas, either. Love has no place in war, and these two enemies play to win.&“A humorous romp from start to finish...Heart-warming, sweet.&”—InD&’tale Magazine
Vancouver Noir: Vancouver Noir (Akashic Noir #0)
by Timothy Taylor Linda L. Richards Sheena KamalThis &“excellent anthology&” of noir fiction set in Canada&’s City of Glass features all-new stories by Linda L. Richards, Sam Wiebe, Yasuko Thanh and more (Quill & Quire, starred review). For many people, Vancouver is a city of affluence, athleisure, and craft beer. But if look a little closer at this gentrified paradise, you&’ll find the old saying holds true: behind every fortune there&’s a crime. Hidden beneath Vancouver&’s gleaming glass skyscrapers are shadowy streets where poverty, drugs, and violence rule the day. These fourteen stories of crime and mayhem in the Pacific Northwest offer an entertaining &“mix of wily pros, moody misfits, bewildered bystanders, and a touch of the supernatural&” (Kirkus). Vancouver Noir features the Arthur Ellis Award-winning story &“Terminal City&” by Linda L. Richards, and the Arthur Ellis Award-finalist &“Wonderful Life&” by Sam Wiebe. It also includes entries by Timothy Taylor, Sheena Kamal, Robin Spano, Carleigh Baker, Dietrich Kalteis, Nathan Ripley, Yasuko Thanh, Kristi Charish, Don English, Nick Mamatas, S.G. Wong, and R.M. Greenaway.
The Hungry Tide: A Novel
by Amitav GhoshThree lives collide on an island off India: &“An engrossing tale of caste and culture… introduces readers to a little-known world.&”—Entertainment Weekly Off the easternmost coast of India, in the Bay of Bengal, lies the immense labyrinth of tiny islands known as the Sundarbans. For settlers here, life is extremely precarious. Attacks by tigers are common. Unrest and eviction are constant threats. At any moment, tidal floods may rise and surge over the land, leaving devastation in their wake. In this place of vengeful beauty, the lives of three people collide. Piya Roy is a marine biologist, of Indian descent but stubbornly American, in search of a rare, endangered river dolphin. Her journey begins with a disaster when she is thrown from a boat into crocodile-infested waters. Rescue comes in the form of a young, illiterate fisherman, Fokir. Although they have no language between them, they are powerfully drawn to each other, sharing an uncanny instinct for the ways of the sea. Piya engages Fokir to help with her research and finds a translator in Kanai Dutt, a businessman from Delhi whose idealistic aunt and uncle are longtime settlers in the Sundarbans. As the three launch into the elaborate backwaters, they are drawn unawares into the hidden undercurrents of this isolated world, where political turmoil exacts a personal toll as powerful as the ravaging tide. From the national bestselling author of Gun Island, The Hungry Tide was a winner of the Crossword Book Prize and a finalist for the Kiriyama Prize. &“A great swirl of political, social, and environmental issues, presented through a story that&’s full of romance, suspense, and poetry.&”—The Washington Post &“Masterful.&”—Publishers Weekly (starred review)
Gorbachev: On My Country and the World
by Mikhail GorbachevThe last president of the Soviet Union discusses Communism, the Cold War, and bringing democracy to Russia in this sweeping political memoir. Drawing on his own experience and rich archival material, Mikhail Gorbachev shares his illuminating perspective on Russia's past, present, and future place in the world. Beginning with the October Revolution of 1917, he notes how much Vladimir Lenin and the Bolshevik Party did to modernize Russia. While he argues that the Soviet Union had a positive influence on social policy in the West, Gorbachev maintains that this positive development was cut short by Stalinist totalitarianism. Discussing the fall of the USSR in depth, Gorbachev examines the goals of perestroika, awakening ethnic tensions, the inability of democrats to unite, and his own attempts to preserve the union through reform. In retracing those fateful days, he explains the origins of Russia's present crisis. He then lays out a blueprint for Russia&’s future, charting a path toward meaningful economic and political reforms. He also presents possible resolutions to a number of international dilemmas, including NATO expansion, the role of the UN, the fate of nuclear weapons, and environmental problems
Virginia at War, 1862 (Virginia at War #Vawr)
by William C. Davis James I. Robertson Jr.The second volume in this history of Confederate Virginia examines the effects of military occupation, industrial expansion, and the Battle of Antietam. In Virginia at War, 1862, leading Civil War historians demonstrate how no aspect of life in the Commonwealth escaped the war's impact. The collection of essays examines topics as diverse as daily civilian life and the effects of military occupation, the massive influx of tens of thousands of wounded and sick into Richmond, and the wartime expansion of Virginia's industrial base, the largest in the Confederacy. Out on the field, Robert E. Lee's army was devastated by the Battle of Antietam, and Lee strove to rebuild the army with recruits from the interior of the state. Many Virginians, however, were far behind the front lines. A growing illustrated press brought the war into the homes of civilians and allowed them to see what was happening in their state and in the larger war beyond their borders. To round out this volume, indefatigable Richmond diarist Judith McGuire continues her day-by-day reflections on life during wartime. The second in a five-volume series examining each year of the war, Virginia at War, 1862 illuminates the happenings on both homefront and battlefield in the state that served as the crucible of America's greatest internal conflict.
Saint Jack: A Novel
by Paul TherouxAn American pimp in Singapore finds his life of pleasure turning against him in this comic novel by the acclaimed author of The Great Railway Bazaar. Once a small-time American hustler, Jack Flowers found his calling when he jumped into the Straits of Malacca and hitched a ride to Singapore. Deftly identifying the fastest route to fame along the seedy port, Jack started hiring girls out to lonely tourists, sailors, bachelors—anyone with some loose change and a wandering eye. Some years later, he&’s running two pleasure palaces and something of a legend among those in the know. But just as Jack is riding high, a shocking tumble toward the brink of death leaves him shaken, depressed and vulnerable. Desperate to pull himself back up, he&’s quick to do business with Edwin Shuck, a powerful American working to take down an unsuspecting general. Marked with Paul Theroux&’s trademark biting humor, Saint Jack is an audacious tale of sex, faith, guilt, innocence, middle-age, and the meaning of it all.
Flash Point: A Psychological Thriller (The Dr Jenna Ramey Novels #3)
by Colby MarshallA unique forensic psychiatrist must decipher clues left behind by assassins attacking D.C. in this psychological thriller from the author of Color Blind. A band of ruthless assassins converges on a bank in Washington, D.C. They slaughter everyone inside and escape without stealing a dime, leaving only a message for police warning that another attack is coming. The attackers are more than willing to communicate who they are and what they want. The problem is, they only do so through cryptic messages hidden in a labyrinth of classic literature references. With the clock ticking down the hours and minutes until another bloodbath, Dr. Jenna Ramey and the rest of the FBI&’s Behavioral Analysis Unit have a challenge profiling not one or two, but a dozen individual killers. But even if she can save the day, two enemies from Ramey&’s past are lurking in her blind spot, ready to take advantage of her current preoccupation…&“Just the gift for connoisseurs of multiple murders who also want to plume themselves on their knowledge of literary classics.&”—Kirkus Reviews&“Absorbing…Adding spice is Jenna&’s special gift, grapheme-color synesthesia, which allows her to use colors she associates with people and situations to help her determine the truth.&”—Publishers Weekly
Amsterdam Noir (Akashic Noir)
by Herman Koch Hanna BervoetsThis anthology of new noir fiction set in the Dutch capital &“features superior writing from authors largely unknown to an American audience&” (Publishers Weekly). From its numerous coffee shops where drugs are openly available, to its world-famous Red Light District where prostitutes display themselves in shop windows, Amsterdam is a city where almost anything goes in broad daylight. And yet, this serene city of canals has its dark side as well. In fifteen tales of greed, jealousy and revenge, some of the finest Dutch crime writers—including literary award-winners and international bestsellers—explore the seamy shadows of this historic city. Amsterdam Noir features brand-new stories by: Michael Berg, Anneloes Timmerije, Murat Isik, René Appel & Josh Pachter, Simon de Waal, Hanna Bervoets, Karin Amatmoekrim, Christine Otten, Mensje van Keulen, Max van Olden, Theo Capel, Loes den Hollander, Herman Koch, Abdelkader Benali, and Walter van den Berg, whose story "Get Rich Quick" won the inaugural Literatuurprijs Nieuw-West award.
Hitler's Generals in America: Nazi POWs and Allied Military Intelligence
by Derek R. MallettThe WWII historian offers &“provocative analysis&” of the US military&’s evolving relationship with German officers held on American soil (Robert D. Billinger Jr., author of Nazi POWs in the Tar Heel State). In Hitler&’s Generals in America, Derek R. Mallett examines the relationship between American officials and the Wehrmacht general officers they held as prisoners of war in the United States between 1943 and 1946. While the British pampered the German officers in their custody in order to obtain intelligence, Americans did not share the same sense of class privilege, and refused any special treatment to German prisoners of any rank. By the end of the war, however, the United States had begun to envision itself as a world power rather than one of several allies providing aid during wartime. Mallett demonstrates how a growing admiration for the German officers&’ prowess and military traditions, coupled with postwar anxiety about Soviet intentions, drove Washington to collaborate with many Wehrmacht general officers. Drawing on newly available sources, this intriguing book shows how Americans undertook the complex process of reconceptualizing Germans—even Nazi generals—as allies against what they perceived as their new enemy, the Soviet Union.
Forbidden Love Collection Books 1–3 (The Forbidden Love Novels)
by Negeen PapehnThree novels—Forbidden by Faith, Forbidden by Destiny, Forbidden by Time—in the series that &“shows how family, love, and faith can collide&” in one ebook (A. K. Leigh, author of See Her Run). From award-winning contemporary romance author, Negeen Papehn, comes a multicultural exploration of love and romance, family and friendship, and the ties that bind . . . Forbidden by Faith (Book 1) Raised by her Iranian immigrant parents, Sara has been taught that a good daughter makes decisions based on her family&’s approval. She&’s spent most of her life in their good graces—until she meets Maziar . . . Forbidden by Destiny (Book 2) Leyla&’s loyalty is tested when she finds herself falling for her best friend&’s ex-boyfriend. His pain speaks to Leyla&’s heart, and she suddenly finds herself feeling what it&’s like to fall in love for the first time ever. Forbidden by Time (Book 3) Bita is determined to stand on her own two feet. She&’s purchasing her first home, and ultimately, her independence. But when Bita meets a sexy, older real estate agent, a simple property transaction blooms into a fierce desire that leaves her breathless. Praise for the Forbidden Love series &“A heartfelt immigrant love story.&”—Publishers Weekly &“Ms. Papehn is a wonderful storyteller! I was immediately caught up in the lives of her characters. In Forbidden by Destiny, the heroine, Leyla, might be of Iranian descent but her story belongs to all women.&”—Carrie Nichols, author of the Small-town Sweethearts series &“A strong message about family and protecting those you love.&”—InD&’tale Magazine
The 12 Dares of Christmas (Sycamore Cove Games #1)
by Leigh W. Stuart&“A cheerful, lighthearted romp…cleverly mixes in a seductive game of alternating dares that morphs into more than just a holiday hookup…[a] joyous tale.&”—Publishers Weekly Lauren Hall has one wish for Christmas this year—raise money to build a new, no-kill animal shelter for the little Virginia town of Sycamore Cove. And she is prepared to do anything to make it happen. Even dare a man she just met to perform a strip tease for the local knitting society. Gabe Nicholson has one wish too—obtain the job of a lifetime to launch his career. But his wishes get snowballed when his best friend's little sister hands him a pair of stripper pants and a bottle of eggnog-flavored body oil. It&’s all sugar plums and mistletoe until a scandal caused by Lauren&’s fundraiser threatens to ruin everything. With Gabe's work opportunities disappearing before his eyes and Lauren's fundraising efforts tanking, their game of dares stands to burn them both. Unless it ignites a spark of Christmas magic…
The Con Men: Hustling in New York City (Studies in Transgression)
by Terry Williams Trevor B. MiltonThis ethnography of NYC&’s scammers presents &“a revealing portrait of a critical but little known element of city life…timely, incisive, and poignant&” (Elijah Anderson, author of Code of the Street). This vivid account of hustling in New York City explores the sociological reasons why con artists play their game and the psychological tricks they use to win it. Sociologists Terry Williams and Trevor B. Milton spent years with New York con artists to uncover their secrets. The result is an unprecedented view into how con games operate, whether in back alleys and side streets or in police precincts and Wall Street boiler rooms. Whether it's selling bootleg goods, playing the numbers, squatting rent-free, scamming tourists with bogus stories, selling knockoffs on Canal Street, or crafting Ponzi schemes, con artists use verbal persuasion, physical misdirection, and sheer charm to convince others to do what they want. Williams and Milton examine this act of performance art and find meaning in its methods. Through their sophisticated exploration of the personal experiences and influences that create a successful hustler, they build a portrait of unusual emotional and psychological depth. This engaging ethnography demonstrates how the city's unique urban and social architecture lends itself to the perfect con.
Murder at Mullings: A 1930s Country House Murder Mystery (The Florence Norris Mysteries #1)
by Dorothy CannellA 1930s housekeeper stars in &“an Agatha Christie–like whodunit with touches of Olde World England and a soupçon of romance&” (Booklist). In its three-hundred-year history, there has never once been a scandal at Mullings, ancestral home of the decent but dull Stodmarsh family. Until, that is, Edward Stodmarsh makes an ill-advised second marriage to the scheming Regina Stapleton, who insists on bringing her family's &“ornamental hermit&” to live on the estate. Suddenly everyone wants to visit Mullings to glimpse this mysterious figure. Strange but harmless, thinks Florence Norris, the family's longstanding housekeeper. But events take a sinister turn with the arrival of sudden, violent death—and suddenly the hermit doesn't seem so harmless after all… &“Fans of mannered English mysteries will likely not be disappointed.&”—Chicago Tribune &“Strong characters…this mix of romance and crime will appeal to a wide range of readers.&”—Booklist
The Path of Emotions: Transform Emotions Into Energy to Achieve Your Greatest Potential
by Dr. Synthia AndrewsA guide that explains the emotion-energy connection and how to harness its power to clear past trauma and fuel creative expression. Do you feel there is more to reality than what your five senses reveal? Are emotions controlling the quality of your life? Do you avoid uncomfortable feelings or suppress past trauma? You may have been taught that emotions aren&’t logical and therefore can&’t be trusted. That happiness depends on suppressing or avoiding negative feelings. On the contrary, emotions are the key to discerning energy reality. They are the language of subtle energy providing information, direction, motivation, and vitality. Understanding and harnessing the power of emotions will help you make better decisions, heal your past, and create the life of your dreams. The Path of Emotions explains how emotions are the key to mind-body communication, translating information from subtle energy realms into useable guidance. Reading it will help you: Interpret your instincts and gut reactionsExpand your subtle energy awareness and increase your intuitionIdentify and release emotions that are binding your energy, inhibiting your potential, and causing physical pain and dysfunctionFree up and use the energy currently bound up in limiting emotional patternsUse emotions to empower your intentions and manifest the life you desire &“Dr. Andrews shows how we can use our emotions to make ourselves miserable or happy. Then, more importantly, she shows us practical and effective ways we can channel that energy to take charge of our health and happiness and rid ourselves of our human barriers to love.&”—Henry Grayson, PhD, author of Your Power to Heal