# comments

text:
<h3>From Publishers Weekly</h3><p>With this taut, over-the-top romantic thriller, Jackson revisits her popular Madaris Family and Friends series (_Surrender_, etc.). For five years, ex-Marine turned CIA agent Sir Drake Warren has been haunted by recollections of his former fiancee, fellow Marine Sandy Carroll, who was killed in an explosion during a mission in Haiti. The only thing that has kept Drake going is his desire to annihilate Solomon Cross, the psychopathic drug lord who orchestrated Sandy's death. When Drake is paired with beautiful CIA agent Tori Green on an assignment to rescue the President's niece from kidnappers, he finally begins to heal. Although he notices eerie similarities between his new love interest and Sandy, he never suspects that the two women are one and the same. This plot twist is more than a little far-fetched, but Jackson smoothly alternates between several points of view and throws in a number of plot twists. Although readers new to this series may be daunted by the complexity of the family trees detailed in the first few pages, Jackson's knack for creating characters with emotional depth and distinct voices helps readers untangle the relationships in this tension-packed read.<br />Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. </p><h3>From Booklist</h3><p>CIA agent Warren Drake is the epitome of a military man in physical stature and personality. After he loses the love of his life, Sandy Carroll, during a military mission in Haiti, he spends the next five years alone, bitter and eager to avenge her death. His senses are awakened when he is ordered to work with a new partner, Victoria Green. Her physical beauty and military skills are enticing, and he falls for the first time since Sandy. Only two people know that Sandy didn't die, and after her extensive surgeries to change her looks and identity, Sandy is now CIA agent Victoria Green. She senses that Drake is attracted to her yet, she's unable to tell him she's Sandy. After an enemy from their past forces them to protect themselves, they team up to put an end to his madness. The suspense and danger of their mission is heightened by their love for and protectiveness of one another. Jackson has written another compelling drama about the Madaris family and their friends. <em>Lillian Lewis</em><br /><em>Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved</em></p>


text:
<div><h3>From Publishers Weekly</h3><p>Handsome cattle baron Jacob Madaris reluctantly fulfills a poker pal's request to host beautiful actress Diamond Swain for a three-week respite at his sprawling Texas ranch, Whispering Pines. Worried that the star's arrival will disrupt the smooth operation of his successful business and distract his workers, Jake decides to keep Diamond's presence low-key. Although he has vowed to never let a sophisticate like his nasty ex-wife into his heart again, and Diamond's own bitter divorce from an abusive husband makes a romantic match with Jake unlikely, the requisite relationship develops. Confronted with unwanted media attention after eventually going public with their love, Jake and Diamond rely on the support of his large and loyal family. Jackson's (Fire and Desire) talent for character development imparts credibility to the otherwise improbable marriage that the couple manages to keep secret for more than a year. (Jan.) </p><p>Copyright 1999 Cahners Business Information, Inc.</p><h3>Product Description</h3><p>Celebrity actress Diamond Swain needs a peaceful place to hide out from the news-hungry paparazzi—a place like Whispering Pines. And yet from the moment she arrives at the remote Texas ranch, Diamond finds herself at odds with its rugged owner, Jake Madaris—a man who challenges her to care about more than making it to the top.</p><p>Jake doesn't have time to babysit some Hollywood star. Then he comes face-to-face with beautiful, compassionate Diamond and is drawn into a whirlwind, secret romance. But is what he shares with her strong enough to overcome the media's prying eyes? Together Jake and Diamond must discover what's truly important…if they're to claim a love that lasts a lifetime. </p></div>


text:
<p>How do great chefs make their food taste better? Is it the ingredients they use? Their cooking techniques and equipment? That's part of the answer. But the real secret is that truly great chefs follow their instincts—the kitchens in their heads. Now, in her first cookbook, Jody Adams, the award-winning chef/co-owner of Boston's Rialto, teaches you how to follow your own instincts and make the transition from passionate eater to passionate cook.</p><p><em>In the Hands of a Chef</em> shares Jody's favorite dishes, those she prepares for family and friends in her home kitchen. By teaching the basics of artisanal cooking, or making good food from scratch, she gives cooks a solid foundation for cooking like a chef. She tells readers what to look for when buying ingredients, what equipment is essential, and how a dish should look and taste while being prepared.</p><p>Above all, Jody encourages readers to trust their instincts and follow them to create a cooking style that feels right, using recipes as the building blocks for their own creations.</p><p>From starters, seasonal soups, salads, and main courses to desserts, Jody reinvents Mediterranean foods using unconventional ingredients, many from New England. For a boost of summer flavor, grilled tomatoes add depth to gazpacho. To vary the flavor of simple salads—from a Minted Romaine Salad with Grapes, Ricotta Salata, and Toasted Almonds to Arugula and Portobella Mushroom Salad-one or two seasonal ingredients are added to the usual recipes. Drawing inspiration from Italian tradition, Jody offers up innovative pasta and grains dishes. Ravioli, pappardelle, gnocchi, and linguine are served up with Mediterranean flavors and ingredients—tomatoes, olives, figs, chestnuts, fresh greens, wild mushrooms, Parmesan cheese—for home-style meals any time of the year. Yet much of Jody's cooking is pure American in flavor. Dessert classics are reinvented with new twists, such as Super-Creamy Rice Pudding with Passion Fruit Sauce and Heather's Cranberry Chocolate Pecan Tart. Here, too, are Jody's signature dishes, including Roasted Marinated Long Island Duck with Green Olive and Balsamic Vinegar Sauce and Soupe de Poisson, which Jacques Pépin calls the best version outside of France.</p><p>Intended to make you wish you had more time to spend in the kitchen, <em>In the Hands of a Chef</em> is an inspiration as well as an essential resource for every cook. Why be just a good cook when you can be a great one? Put yourself in the hands of Jody Adams with <em>In the Hands of a Chef</em>. </p>


text:
<div><h3>From Publishers Weekly</h3><p>If Vietnamese Zen Buddhist master Nhat Hanh says the same thing over and over, it could be because not enough people have heard him, and those who have need a reminder. He speaks to both groups in this work, coauthored by Harvard nutritionist Cheung, urging mindfulness about what people put in their mouths. It's a diet book and a meditation book, an unusual hybrid that makes sense for Nhat Hanh because it applies his essential wisdom: pay attention; breathe. If you consistently do that, you'll eat less, and at least two-thirds of Americans surely need to follow that advice. This book adds a lot of eat-this-and-not-that rules, as well as exercise guidelines, delivering so much information the effect is a little overwhelming. But the core meditation instructions are quintessential Nhat Hanh, steely and loving. This could be the diet-and-exercise book for those who have failed using other methods and need a fresh approach. For Nhat Hanh's many fans, it is the sole wellness book they'll need to remind themselves to only pay attention. <br>Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. </p><h3>From Booklist</h3><p>So essential to healthy eating is a healthy perspective that Zen Buddhist master and prolific author Nhat Hanh joins forces with nutritionist Cheung for a truly holistic approach. The duo pairs the latest nutritional information with the age-old Buddhist practice of mindfulness—that is, of being fully aware of all that is going on within ourselves and all that is happening around us—to draw attention to what and how we eat. Guidance is offered for recognizing what barriers—physical, psychological, cultural, and environmental—prevent us from controlling our weight, and readers are encouraged to savor food in order to fully nourish both the body and the mind. To that end, Nhat Hanh provides guided meditations on everything from eating an apple to coping with stressful situations, along with advice on selecting and preparing food, staying active, and avoiding self-criticism. Complete with a discussion of why healthy eating is also good for the environment, this is a uniquely insightful and positive program for wellness: a book of tested wisdom; practical action; and intellectual, emotional, and spiritual nutriments. --Donna Seaman </p></div>


text:
<p class="description">Bestselling author Rob Bell returns with a provocative new book which gets to the heart of questions about life and death. His perspective, encapsulated by his famous slogan 'love wins', will surprise and challenge both Christians and atheists, and will inspire people of all faiths and none. A recent Gallup survey showed that over half of British people believe in heaven. But what is it? Who is it for? Why does it matter? And how do we know if we're going there? Rob Bell believes that even the most fervent Christians and the most committed atheists, are still not satisfied with their traditional answers to these questions. Out of respect for their traditions they keep quiet, confiding to a few close, safe friends their doubts and questions about why they are here and where they are going. For many years, on sermons and DVDs and on bumper stickers and t-shirts, bestselling Chrisian author Rob Bell has been saying that 'Love Wins'. But 'Love Wins' is much more than a pithy slogan. 'Love Wins' is a philosophy drawn out from deep within religious tradition and writings. It provides answers to the deepest and most difficult questions about life and faith, and about heaven and hell. And it is a call to arms for all of us to live a more meaningful life.</p>


text:
<div><h3>Product Description</h3><p><strong>Friends…</strong></p><p>Attorney Syneda Walters and fellow attorney Clayton Madaris are just friends…the last two people likely to end up as lovers. Syneda holds all men at arm's length because of the father whose name she never knew. Clayton has always been a playboy, and no woman has ever come close to keeping his interest for very long.</p><p><strong>or Lovers?</strong></p><p>Things suddenly heat up between them when Syneda impulsively accepts Clayton's invitation to join him for a Florida vacation, and is shocked by how much passion she feels. To Clayton, Syneda has become a temptation he cannot resist…and the woman he wants to share the rest of his life with. But getting her to trust again means finding a way to heal old wounds and convincing her, with all his heart, that she will always be eternally his. </p><h3>Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.</h3><p>Your bed or mine?"</p><p>Clayton Madaris glanced up from his meal and gazed into the eyes of the woman who'd asked the question. She was beautiful, and her sensuous proposition was something any man would jump at. No hot-blooded male in his right mind would ever think of turning it down.</p><p>So why was he contemplating doing just that?</p><p>An impassive expression masked his handsome features. His hesitation had nothing to do with the fact that he'd just met her that morning. Like him, she was an attorney attending a convention in D.C. He had come to enough of these conferences to be prepared for the expected. One would be surprised just how many unmarried, as well as married people took advantage of the three-day convention to engage in short, no-strings-attached affairs. In all his thirty-five years, there had never been a time when he'd been hesitant about making love to a willing woman, granted the situation wasn't a risky one.</p><p>So what was wrong with him tonight?</p><p>His dinner companion undoubtedly was wondering the same thing and had no plans to stick around and find out. He sensed her agitation with his silence. Her eyes narrowed. "I won't make the same offer twice," she said quietly. There was a feverish edge to her voice.</p><p>Clayton nodded slowly, his eyes never leaving her face. He knew her type. She was a woman hungry for physical intimacy. Her eyes had sent him silent, intimate messages all day. There was no doubt in his mind that although he'd just disappointed her by not jumping at her offer, she wouldn't give up on him. She would make the offer again.</p><p>His smile was slow. "Sorry. Not tonight…"</p><p>Evidently not happy with his response, she pushed her plate aside and stood, giving him a measured look. "Perhaps another time, then?"</p><p>Clayton stared up at her before answering. "Perhaps."</p><p>After she left he simply sat, quietly eating the rest of his meal and drinking his coffee.</p><p>A short while later, after taking care of the dinner bill, he rode up the elevator alone to the fifth floor. During the ride he tried coming to terms with his sudden lack of interest in an affair. It wasn't like him to turn down any woman's advances or not make a score or two of his own. It definitely wasn't his style. Enjoying the opposite sex was something he had been overly fond of doing since his first time with Paula Stone when he'd been sixteen.</p><p>So what was his problem now?</p><p>The huge metal elevator doors swooshed open. Taking a deep breath he stepped out and began walking down the long hallway leading to his room. Opening the door to his suite, he walked into the sitting area, then through open double doors to the large bedroom.</p><p>He leaned his shoulder against the doorjamb, looking at the king-size bed. No one, especially those who considered him a player of the third degree, would believe he'd actually slept in the huge bed alone. And definitely not by choice.</p><p>He smiled as he pushed himself away from the door. There's a first time for everything, he thought, removing his tie and jacket and going into the bathroom. Peeling off the rest of his clothes, he stepped into the shower, dismissing the fact he'd taken a shower just before dinner.</p><p>Since becoming an attorney over ten years ago, he'd discovered his most soothing moments were in the shower while warm water caressed his skin. It was during that time he possessed the ability to blank out any thoughts other than those needing his undivided attention. In the end, whatever plagued his mind was usually put in perspective. At the moment, he needed to think about why he'd just refused an offer of no-strings-attached sex.</p><p>Adjusting the water, he picked up the scented soap and lazily lathered himself as he mentally analyzed the situation.</p><p>For some reason, he was becoming bored with the way his life was going. Somehow he was getting tired of his routine of chasing and bedding women. He twisted his lips in a wry grin. Now that was a laugh, especially since the main reason he had constantly shunned any sort of commitment with a woman was the fear of that very thing—boredom. He was the type of person who found any kind of routine deadly. He'd always been afraid of committing himself to someone only to lose interest with that person and end up feeling trapped.</p><p>His thoughts fell on his two older brothers, Justin, the physician, and Dex, the geologist in oil exploration. Both were happily married and neither appeared bored. If anything they seemed to be having the time of their lives with their wives, Lorren and Caitlin. Was it possible he'd been wrong? Was there a woman out there somewhere who could forever excite, stimulate and amuse him?</p><p>He shuddered at the way his thoughts were going; shocked that he could even consider such a thing. His credo in life for the longest time had been "The only men who aren't fools are bachelors." But he couldn't help wondering why lately he had been subconsciously longing for more than a little black book filled with the names of available women.</p><p>As the water from the shower pounded his body, he tossed the problem around in his mind, pulling it apart, analyzing and dissecting it. But he still couldn't come up with any answers.</p><p>With a groan he turned off the water and grabbed a towel. Stepping out of the shower, he began drying himself off. There were a lot of questions to which he needed answers. And he knew those answers wouldn't come from taking just one shower. The main problem might be that he had been working too hard lately. Too many court cases and too many late nights spent poring over them. A tired body occasionally filled the mind with foolish thoughts. And what could be more foolish than the notion that he was longing for a steady relationship with a woman?</p><p>Clayton shook his head to clear his muddled mind. What he needed was to get away for a while. He had some vacation time coming up. And it was time he took it.</p><p>Syneda Walters looked across her desk at the elegantly groomed woman sitting in front of it. She schooled her expression not to show her irritation and annoyance—or her pity. Bracing her elbows on the arm of the chair, she leaned forward. "Ms. Armstrong, I hope you'll reconsider your decision."</p><p>"But he has told me he's sorry about everything and really didn't mean to hurt me. He's been under a lot of stress lately. He loves me."</p><p>Syneda sighed, letting her well-manicured fingers run agitatedly over the desk surface. She could barely restrain herself from calling the woman all kinds of fool for letting a man abuse her. Yet the woman sat defending a man who evidently got his kicks using her as a punching bag.</p><p>Rubbing the ache at the back of her neck, Syneda stared beyond the woman and out the window. It was a beautiful day in early May. The midday sun slanted across the sky and reflected off another building. Its golden rays gleamed brilliantly in the blue sky. She watched as a flock of birds flew by and wished she could somehow fly away with them.</p><p>"Ms. Walters?"</p><p>Syneda's eyes again rested on the woman's tear-stained face. The bruises hadn't quite faded and were not adequately concealed with the use of makeup. "Yes?"</p><p>"You just don't understand."</p><p>Syneda allowed her eyes to close for a moment. Then pushing her chair back she rose and sat on the edge of her desk facing the woman. "You're right, Mrs. Armstrong, I don't understand," she replied quietly. "I don't understand several things. First, how can a man who claims he loves a woman physically hurt her the way your husband has repeatedly hurt you? Second, how can a woman who cares anything about herself let him do it and get away with it?"</p><p>Mary Armstrong blew her nose in a well-used napkin. "But he's my husband," the woman implored, pleading understanding.</p><p>Syneda didn't give her any. "He's also your abuser. Look, Mrs. Armstrong, you've only been in the marriage for three years and he's doing this to you now. What do you think he'll be doing to you three more years from now?"</p><p>"He'll change."</p><p>"That's what you said a few months ago." Syneda gave a disgusted shake of her head. "It's time for you to make changes. Don't live under a false conception you're worth less than you really are. Don't ever believe you deserve to be beaten. No one deserves that. And please stop thinking you're nothing without him."</p><p>There was a moment of silence in the room. Then the woman spoke. Her voice quavered with indecisiveness. "What do you suggest I do?"</p><p>"As your attorney I suggest the first thing you should do is get some counseling. And I highly recommend that you bring charges against your husband."</p><p>"Will he be arrested?"</p><p>"That's a good possibility."</p><p>The woman's face paled. "What will happen to his practice? He's an outstanding member of the community."</p><p>Syneda let out a huff of breath that was more disgust than anger. "He's also an abuser. As far as his medical practice is concerned, if I were you I'd let him worry about that."</p><p>"He loves me, and he's sorry that he's hurt me. I can't let him lose everything. I can't do that to him."</p><p>Syneda stood. "Then there's nothing I can do. We'll be more than happy to help you, Mrs. Armstrong, when you're ready to first help yourself. Good day."</p><p>Syneda continued to gaze at the closed door after Mrs. Armstrong had left. She let out a deep sigh of frustration. She was not having a good day. To be more specific, it had not been a good week. It had started with the case she'd lost on Monday, and the week had gone downhill from there.</p><p>She rubbed her forehead, trying to relieve the throbbing at her temples. Even after five years she often wondered about her decision to practice family law. But then, she silently admitted, the profession she had chosen was important to her because she'd always managed to feel she had somehow made a difference in someone's life; whether it was getting them out of a hellish marriage, taking on their fight for custody rights, or in a case like Mary Armstrong's, helping them to realize options in life other than one filled with physical abuse.</p><p>A quick knock sounded at the door. "Come in."</p><p>The door opened and her secretary stuck her head inside. "I'm leaving for lunch now. Do you have anything you want ... </p></div>


text:
<h3>Product Description</h3><p>Learning that her estranged husband has passed away is the biggest shock of Danielle Timberlake—Foster's life—until she learns that she wasn't his only wife. Though Danielle and Marc were separated, she believed they were about to reconcile and start a family. Rocked by betrayal, Danielle sees her dreams slipping away. Until her brother's best friend, Tristan Adams, offers support, comfort—and a chance to have the child she's always wanted. Danielle is drawn to Tristan's strong, sensual nature, but she wed Marc in haste and regretted it. Is she about to repeat her mistake? Or will a marriage of convenience turn into the soulful union she's always longed for? </p><h3>Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.</h3><p>If it had been left up to Tristan Adams, he would not have given Danielle Timmons-Foster the news. But it hadn't been left up to him. For the past two months her life had been one hellacious lie. A part of him wondered if one more lie wouldn't hurt. But for Danielle he knew it would. </p><p>And when she hurt, he hurt. </p><p>She had dropped onto the sofa and was staring at him as if he had totally lost his mind. He almost wished he had. Or, at least, that this episode had been one long nightmare they would finally wake up from—and find that not only was her husband not dead, but that he hadn't left three wives behind. Three wives who, until a couple of months ago, each assumed they were Mrs. Marc Foster. And now to add salt to the wound, he'd just told Danielle there might be a fourth woman out there with the title, as well. </p><p>"Tristan, please tell me you're joking," Danielle said, her voice soft, low and sounding utterly defeated. "It's a sick joke, but I'll accept it. I don't want to believe what you just said. I <em>can't </em>believe what you just said." </p><p>He nodded slowly, understanding. He had been with her when she'd gotten the call two months ago that her husband of five years was dead after having choked on—of all things— his wedding ring. He'd also been with her at Marc's funeral in California when they'd discovered she wasn't the only Mrs. Foster. And he'd been by her side at the attorney's office when it had been declared that the second wife, Renée, was the legal Mrs. Foster and that Danielle, his first wife, and Alexandra, his third, had gotten duped with phony marriage licenses. </p><p>He released a long sigh and crossed the living room's hardwood floor to sit beside Danielle on the sofa. He took her hand in his and tried to smile. "Dani, I stopped teasing you the day you began wearing your first training bra, remember?" </p><p>He knew that would get a smile out of her. She would remember that day. It would remind her of happier times when her brother had been alive. Tristan couldn't help but smile himself whenever he thought of Paul Timmons, his best friend since kindergarten. They'd lived in the same neighborhood and had gone to school together, had played peewee football and gone off to college together—roommates at the University of Florida in Gainesville, a long way from their hometown of Port St. Lucie, Florida. And then when they'd finished college, they'd returned home to go into business together. They started A&amp;T Shipping Company, making it into a very successful corporation. Then the Iraq war started and Paul's reserve unit was shipped out for duty. Paul never made it back home alive. </p><p>"When will it end?" Danielle asked, her words intruding into his thoughts. "How could I have been married to a man and not know him the way I thought I did?" </p><p>Tristan's grip on her hand tightened. They had covered this ground before and he felt partly to blame. Danielle had been a well-known international model when she had been contacted about Paul's death. Since their parents had gotten killed in a plane crash her first year in college, Paul had been all the family she'd had. Losing him had taken a toll on her. Claiming she was tired of the glitz and glamour of life as a successful fashion model, she had returned to Port St. Lucie to take over Paul's role as Tristan's partner. </p><p>Barely two months after Paul's death, Marc Foster had opened a business account, and since Danielle's role was to wine and dine new clients, she had taken on Marc. If Tristan hadn't been so torn up with grief himself over losing his best friend, he would have seen Marc for the conniving snake he was. Marc had set his sights on Danielle and less than a month later, Danielle had called to say she and Marc had eloped to Atlanta. </p><p>The reason Tristan blamed himself was that he had promised Paul the day he'd left for Iraq that if anything were to happen to Paul, he would look after Danielle. Apparently he'd done a piss-poor job of it. </p><p>Danielle pulled her hand from his, stood up and began pacing the floor. It wasn't hard to realize she was madder than hell. He would be, too, if he were in her shoes. </p><p>She had dropped by last night for dinner and he had talked her into spending the night, since the guest room practically had her name on it, anyway. He knew she thought of him as nothing more than her best friend and confidant. He was hoping that one day she would begin to see him as more. </p><p>He leaned back in the sofa trying to recall when he had finally broken down and admitted to himself that he was in love with her. Had it been that day she'd called to say she'd eloped? That was probably the reason he had taken off a couple of days and drank himself into a stupor. </p><p>He had called himself all kinds of fool for letting Marc into her life, but not once had Tristan gotten out of line or tried convincing her to divorce the guy. He'd respected her marriage. He'd even tried to like Marc. When he saw that he couldn't, he'd gone five years and pretended he did. </p><p>But he should have suspected something wasn't on the up-and-up with the guy. Because Danielle confided in Tristan, he knew about the spats the couple had about Marc's job as a salesman and the frequency of his out-of-town trips. He also knew that they were on bad terms around the issue of children—Danielle wanted a child but Marc never seemed to have the time to slow down and give her one. Now they knew why. The man had been living a double life. Tristan took that back. Marc Foster had been living a <em>triple </em>life. And now, according to Marc's brother, Chris, who'd called late last night, there may have been a fourth woman involved. </p><p>"Who told you about the fourth woman?" </p><p>He glanced over at Danielle. She stood—all five foot eight of her—in a stance he found totally sexy. She was an absolutely gorgeous woman whose face and body had once graced the covers of a number of magazines. Her face was tilted at a haughty angle, her hands were on her hips, her feet were bare, and she was wearing a short skirt with an even shorter ribbed top. Today she looked more like twenty than thirty, with a body that made men weep. </p><p>His gaze zeroed in on her face. She had coffee-colored skin, dark almond eyes and lush, full lips. Her shoulder-length hair was tousled and sexy. She looked like she'd just crawled out of bed. Too bad it hadn't been his. </p><p>Dani didn't know how he felt about her. Didn't have a clue. She assumed their rela-tionship—as it had always been—was that of little sister and big brother. Boy, was she wrong. At thirty-four, he could no longer think of her as a little sister. She was a full-grown woman in every sense of the word. But he would continue to be her best friend until she finally opened her eyes to see just how things really were. </p><p>"Tristan?" </p><p>Her saying his name reminded him that he hadn't answered her question. "Chris called after you went to bed last night." </p><p>She inhaled and he watched the movement of her chest when she did so. The low cut of her top displayed the top swell of her breasts. "Do Alex and Renée know?" </p><p>He shrugged. "Yes. Chris mentioned he told Renée and that he had spoken to Hunter to relay the news to Alexandra." </p><p>He thought about the three women, who at Marc's funeral had quickly become bitter enemies. Over the past couple of months, however, after discovering that Marc had been a pathological liar, they had actually bonded. Marc had betrayed all three of them. And now there might be a fourth one out there. </p><p>Alexandra and Hunter Smith had gotten married last month, and Renée and Chris Foster were engaged and would be getting married later this month. Hunter was Chris's friend. He'd agreed to fly to Atlanta and escort Alexandra to Marc's funeral in California two months ago. </p><p>"How did Chris find out?" </p><p>Tristan hesitated before saying anything, deciding to give her the skimmed-down version without a lot of detail. If he told her everything, she'd be more upset. "It seems that Marc had a locker at the airport. Chris had all Marc's mail at that post-office box in Costa Woods forwarded to him, and two days ago he received a renewal notice for the locker. Chris caught a plane out to California to check out the locker and found an apartment key inside it. After a little investigating he determined where the apartment was located and went there." </p><p>"And?" </p><p>"And from what he discovered, he reached the conclusion that there could be a fourth Mrs. Foster, or that Marc was planning another wedding. Chris leans toward the latter." </p><p>"The bastard!" </p><p>Tristan went to her and pulled her into his arms, wanting her to get her emotions out. She had cried in the attorney's office when it was revealed that Marc was sterile, but he felt she was still holding a lot inside. She refused to let all of it out. </p><p>She pulled away from his arms. "No, I won't cry again," she said angrily. "If I cry again that means Marc has succeeded in humiliating me again. And I won't let him." </p><p>Danielle walked back over to the sofa and calmly sat down. "Now, Tristan," she said in a composed voice, "does Chris know how to contact the woman?" </p><p>He sat beside her. "No," he said. </p><p>"Who's been paying the rent?" </p><p>"Chris spoke with the landlord and it appears Marc had a paid-up lease for a full year." </p><p>Danielle nodded. "And from what Chris found at the apartment he's pretty sure there might be a fourth woman?" </p><p>"Yes, it's a very good possibility." </p>


text:
<h3>Product Description</h3><p><strong>An Outrageous Offer</strong></p><p>To help her brother's struggling cosmetics company, schoolteacher Colby Wingate travels to Los Angeles for one last, desperate gamble—to have superstar actor Sterling Hamilton endorse her brother's new perfume. But Sterling thinks Colby has come to answer his want ad for a woman who would bear his child. When she realizes what Sterling is looking for, Colby is shocked that he expects any woman, let alone her, to comply no matter how much money he's willing to pay.…</p><p><strong>A Passionate Bargain</strong></p><p>A childhood loss has made Sterling determined not to get too close to anyone—even the strikingly beautiful Colby. But somehow, he has to convince Colby to become the mother of his child…with no strings attached. What he doesn't expect is for his carefully laid plans to explode into restless, fiery desire. Now, Sterling knows he needs Colby for much more—if only he can prove his intentions are for real and that he'll cherish and love her…forever. </p><h3>Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.</h3><p>This would be the biggest gamble of her life.</p><p>That was Colby Wingate's very thought as she glanced up at the tall, impressive structure that housed the law firm of Stewart, Heard and Mathers. Summoning up much-needed courage, she entered the building determined to go through with her plan. She couldn't get cold feet now. The future of her brother's company depended on her.</p><p>The main lobby of the huge building contained a spectacular eighty-foot atrium populated with numerous flowers and plants, and a huge breathtaking, tinkling waterfall. She couldn't help admiring a painting on a wall that showed a stunning scene of turquoise waters and snow-capped mountains.</p><p>She stepped into the elevator, the doors slid shut and it carried her to the twenty-ninth floor. The door of the elevator opened, and a smiling secretary seated in the spacious and elaborately decorated foyer eyed her curiously when she gave her name.</p><p>"Mr. Stewart's on the phone right now, Ms. Wingate. Please have a seat. He'll be with you shortly."</p><p>Colby nodded and sat in the leather chair offered. To pass the time, she picked up the latest issue of People magazine from a nearby table. There on its cover, bigger than life, was the one man who could save Wingate Cosmetics—movie actor Sterling Hamilton.</p><p>She studied his features and decided that although Denzel Washington was her favorite actor, Sterling Hamilton was definitely a good-looking man. His eyes, the color of rich, dark chocolate and fringed by thick ebony lashes, appeared to be staring right at her. His face, sable in color, contained full sensual lips and a blunt jaw. His slightly arched nose appeared to have been broken at one time. That wouldn't have surprised her.According to her sister-in-law, Cynthia, who was probably one of Sterling Hamilton's biggest fans, he performed most of his own stunts. Instead of blemishing his features, the slight indentation in his nose somehow enhanced his looks. Centuries of African heritage were etched in his features, and his prominent cheekbones hinted at the possibility of Indian ancestry as well.</p><p>As she catalogued his explosively attractive looks, she knew that this was a man who had a masculine force about him. He had a quality of male assurance not many women could easily ignore, or forget. There was no doubt about it, the man definitely had appeal. And she hoped he would agree to use that appeal and endorse Wingate Cosmetics' newest masculine cologne called Awesome. His endorsement would guarantee the cologne's success and the survival of the company.</p><p>Colby was grateful Mr. Hamilton's attorney, Edward Stewart, had agreed to meet with her, and she had been delighted at the expedience with which he had done so. She understood Sterling Hamilton was out of the country filming a movie and was not due back in the States for another month or so. Edward Stewart handled all of his business affairs while he was away.</p><p>"Ms. Wingate, Mr. Stewart will see you now." The secretary's words snapped Colby out of her thoughts. She stood, refusing to think anything but positive thoughts.</p><p>The door to the office opened. Taking a deep breath to settle the feeling of butterflies in her stomach, she walked inside the spacious room. The first thing she noticed was that Mr. Stewart hadn't completely opened the window blinds in his office to allow the California sun to shine through.</p><p>Colby looked up into the face of the older gentleman who stood when she entered the plush office. He was a little on the heavy side, slightly bald and had a square wall of a forehead with heavy brows for a base. His face, although firmly set in deep thought, was friendly.</p><p>"Please have a seat, Ms. Wingate, and thank you for coming," he stated, coming forward to shake her hand. "Thank you for agreeing to see me, Mr. Stewart," she said, smiling and taking the chair he offered.</p><p>He nodded. "How was your flight to L.A.?" </p><p>"Fine." </p><p>"And your hotel accommodations?" </p><p>"They're excellent. I didn't expect you to take care of my flight nor my lodging."</p><p>He gave a warm chuckle. "Of course we took care of them. We sent for you to come to California, didn't we?"</p><p>Colby drew in a deep breath of excitement. "Yes." </p><p>"Well, then," he said, placing a folder in front of her. "The proposal is ready. I'll cover all the specifics with you in detail before you leave my office."</p><p>Colby's head came up. "It's ready? But I haven't given you all the information you'll need to make a sound decision."</p><p>Edward Stewart smiled, waving off her words with his hand. "There's really no need. Sterling was quite taken with the history and background investigation that was done."</p><p>Colby was surprised. "You did an investigation?" </p><p>"Of course. Under the circumstances, such measures had to be taken. This is very important to Sterling."</p><p>Colby was stunned. It was a known fact that on numerous occasions Sterling Hamilton had refused to endorse or have his name linked to any products. She'd been prepared to vigorously plead her case. Why was this endorsement very important to him? Why did he suddenly have a change of heart about doing them?</p><p>She was assaulted with a satisfying sense of relief.</p><p>Whatever his reasons, she was grateful for them and glad Wingate Cosmetics would ultimately benefit.</p><p>"After our meeting, I'll give you a copy of the proposal. I suggest you look it over carefully. Although, I'm sure you'll find everything satisfactory and in order. When Sterling decides to do something, he doesn't do it half-measure. And I do hope you understand that due to the nature of this matter, you're not to disclose this business arrangement between you and Sterling with anyone. That stipulation is included in the proposal and will be outlined in the final contract."</p><p>"But what about my brother? I'm sure you'll want to meet with him."</p><p>A confused frown covered the older man's face. "I don't understand. Why would we?"</p><p>Before Colby could answer the door behind her opened. </p><p>"Sterling? This is a pleasant surprise," Edward Stewart said, smiling at the man. "I didn't know you were back."</p><p>Colby glanced over her shoulder to look at the bearded man who entered the room. She took a deep breath as her eyes collided with Sterling Hamilton's. Even with the window blinds slightly closed, his very presence in the room radiated light…and something else she couldn't help but notice, sensuous heat. The very idea that she could think such a thing surprised and fascinated her.</p><p>He was distinctively dressed in a pair of charcoal-gray, triple-pleated slacks, a colorful printed shirt and a double-breasted navy blue blazer. Tall and masculine, his clothes fit his body well.</p><p>Their eyes held.Apprehension touched Colby's body. An emotion she couldn't put a name to flooded through her with a force that left her speechless. For the first time in her life, a man had evoked an immediate and tangible response from her. She was vaguely aware of Edward Stewart making introductions and found herself getting to her feet on wobbly knees.</p><p>"Colby Wingate, how are you?" Sterling Hamilton's deep masculine voice seemed to radiate through the room.</p><p>Colby suddenly found her soft, fragile hand encompassed in the strong firmness of his. His eyes held her spellbound and seemed to probe deeply into hers. She didn't miss the look of pure masculine appreciation in them. For an intensifying moment, her heart thumped against her rib cage.</p><p>She took a deep breath. Nothing could have prepared her for this meeting. Because of her sister-in-law, Cynthia, she had seen many of his movies, but seeing him in the flesh was very unnerving. The man was bigger than life and just as sexy. She found her voice and replied shakily. "I'm fine, Mr. Hamilton, thank you."</p><p>"Please, call me Sterling."</p><p>Edward Stewart took a quick glance at the both of them. He cleared his throat. "I…er…think it would be a good idea if I left the two of you alone awhile to discuss the finer details of the contract. I'm sure Sterling will be able to answer any questions you might have, Ms. Wingate. I'll return later and make any modifications to the final contract the two of you deem necessary." Then he left the room.</p><p>An irresistibly devastating smile tugged at the corners of Sterling's mouth. "Please have a seat, Ms. Wingate."</p><p>"Thanks, and please call me Colby."</p><p>"All right, Colby." He took a quick glance around the room. "Edward isn't one for a lot of light," he said, opening the window blinds some more.</p><p>Colby sat down, staring at him. If she thought he was one fine brother in the dimly lit room, in the bright sunlight he was undeniably awesome. Never had a man radiated so much sensuality. It wasn't just in his looks, but in his walk, his stance, his stare and even his smell. The fresh, clean scent of him flowed through the room.</p><p>Sterling Hamilton turned from opening the blinds and stared at Colby in a way that went deeper than just casual observation. He leaned against the desk, enjoying the way the sunlight slanted through the windows and highlighted her nut-brown coloring. The stunning two-piece navy suit she wore gave her a look of sheer sophistication. Her thick mass of brownish-black hair flowed past her shoulders. Its glossy strands cascaded around her face like silk, softly framing her delicate features of almond-shaped dark eyes, high cheekbones, straight nose and succulent red lips that belonged in a Fashion Fair lipstick ad.</p><p>He couldn't help but notice her perfume was totally alluring. It was a fragrance he wasn't familiar with but one he definitely enjoyed inhaling. His nose had picked up the luscious scent of her the moment he'd walked into the room.</p><p>Sensing her nervousness from his open scrutiny, Sterling took the seat across from her. He couldn't remember the last time a woman had completely captured his full attention. He found it incredible that any woman could do that. He was accustomed to beautiful women, but the one sitting across from him not only had captured his attention, she was holding it tight.</p><p>"Mr. Stewart indicated you would cover the specifics of the contract," Colby said nervously, breaking the silence that had enveloped them. She felt... </p>


text:
<h3>Product Description</h3><p>Although frustrated in his attempt to acquire Steele Corporation, arrogant millionaire Cameron Cody will not be denied the firm's most attractive asset, Vanessa Steele. So when Cameron learns that Vanessa is house-sitting for her sister in Jamaica, he buys the adjoining property and makes her an offer she can't refuse….</p><p>Cameron is determined to prove to Vanessa that he is the one temptation she cannot resist, but she is equally determined to prove him wrong. What Vanessa doesn't suspect is that Cameron intends to brand her so deeply with his island passion, that once they're back in the States, she'll be the one in hot pursuit.</p><h3>Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.</h3><p><em>This is paradise,</em> Vanessa thought as she stood on the shore of the white-sand beach that overlooked the deep blue waters of the Caribbean Sea. Cheyenne's two-story home was located on a secluded cove in Montero Bay, on a private street with one other house. </p><p>Other than the pool workers, who arrived at nine and left by five, Vanessa was alone, except for the two days a week that the housekeeper showed up.</p><p>Cheyenne had already left for Italy by the time Vanessa had arrived so her first days were spent unpacking and shopping.</p><p>This was day three and she had decided just to do nothing. Since weather reports had predicted it would be another scorcher of a late-July day, she stayed inside working crossword puzzles and sipping lemonade while reading a book she had picked up yesterday. Later that day, after the workers had left, she gathered up her large straw hat, her beach bag, which was stuffed with a bottle of wine and a glass, and a huge towel to head down to the beach. </p><p>When she reached what she considered a good spot, she casually glanced around. This stretch of private beach was shared only by whoever was living in the house next door and so far the place appeared empty. According to Helen, Cheyenne's housekeeper, the house had changed ownership several times, and rumor had it someone had recently purchased it. </p><p>Helen had gone on to say that a few years ago, the house had been owned by some gorgeous Italian jet-setting playboy by the name of Chardon Argentina. And if you went along with what everyone believed, a number of seductions had taken place in that house. It was even rumored that many of Hollywood's leading ladies had been overnight guests.</p><p>Vanessa shrugged as she spread the huge towel on the sand and sat down. She was glad she didn't believe everything she heard. Besides, what had happened in that house was not her business. After placing the huge straw hat on her head and situating the brim in such a way as to block what was left of the sun, she glanced toward the ocean, thinking she could definitely get used to this. She'd never had an entire beach to herself. She was glad that Cheyenne had invited her to stay. </p><p>She, Taylor and Cheyenne had always been close, but it was Vanessa who had decided to stick with the family business instead of pursuing other careers as her sisters had. She had returned home to Charlotte and the Steele Corporation after getting a grad degree from Tennessee State.</p><p>Taylor, who was twenty-four, had graduated from Georgetown with a degree in business and a grad degree in finance. After college, she'd moved to New York to work at a major bank as a wealth asset manager and was doing quite well for herself. </p><p>After obtaining a degree in communications from Boston University, Cheyenne, who was twenty-two, had taken a reporter position at a television station in Philly and in less than a year, her looks, personality and keen intelligence had gotten her a promotion to the position of anchorwoman on the morning news. That job was short-lived as she had suddenly realized she wanted to do something different and had become a model. Modeling meant a lot of traveling and living in some of the most beautiful and exotic places in the world. A year ago, Cheyenne had been doing a photo shoot in Jamaica when she'd stumbled across this particular house, fallen in love with it and purchased it. </p><p>Vanessa leaned back on her arms with her legs stretched out in front of her. She tilted her head back to enjoy the feel of the evening sun on her face, as well as the salty spray from the ocean on her cheeks and lips. She couldn't help wondering what was happening back in Charlotte. Had Cameron arrived yet? Had he discovered her gone? Was he upset about it? Why did she even care?</p><p>She was deep into her thoughts when a movement caught her eye, and she turned her head. In the distance, in front of the property next door, she could see a man standing close to shore.With the palm trees partially blocking her view, she couldn't make out his features, but she could tell he wore only a pair of swimming trunks.And he was overpoweringly male.</p><p>She sat up as her heart began pumping wildly in her chest, and she wondered what on earth was wrong with her. It wasn't as though she hadn't seen good-looking men before. So what was there about this tall, broad-shouldered, long-legged, fine-as-they-come brother whose aura was seeping out to her over stretches of sand? And what was there about him that seemed so oddly familiar?</p><p>Biting down on her lip, she fought against one particular ultra-sexy male image that tried forcing its way into her mind. She simply refused to go there. She would not let Cameron creep into her thoughts. Tilting her head, she refocused her attention as she continued to gaze at the man, not seeing as much as she would like due to the shade cast by the palm trees, the fading evening sun and the emergence of dusk. </p><p>Since this was a private beach she quickly assumed he was the owner of the house next door and wondered who he was. A celebrity perhaps? Was he married, single or in between lovers like she was?</p><p>A lump caught in her throat when the man eased down his swimming trunks. It suddenly occurred to her that he was about to go swimming in the nude. Although their properties were separated only by a few palm trees, she wondered if he hadn't noticed her sitting here—if he had, evidently he didn't care.</p><p>She knew the decent thing to do was to ignore him, but she couldn't pull her gaze away. When he had completely removed the trunks, she held her breath and wished like hell that she had a pair of binoculars.</p><p>Reaching into her beach bag, she pulled out the bottle of wine and wineglass she had packed. By the time the man had dived into the ocean water she had not only poured a glassful but had quickly tossed back the contents, liking how the soothing liquid had flowed down her throat.</p><p>She decided to pour another glass, taking her eyes off the man for just a second. When she looked back, pausing with the wineglass halfway to her lips, he was gone. She sighed, wondering if she'd really seen him or if he'd been a mirage, a cruel trick of her imagination.</p><p>As she took a sip of her wine to calm her racing heart, a part of her knew that what she'd seen earlier had been the real thing. * * *</p><p>Cameron Cody stood at the window and watched as the woman he intended to marry gathered up her belongings to walk back to the house where she would be staying for two weeks.</p><p>He didn't want to think what her reaction would be once she discovered he was her neighbor and that her flight from Charlotte had been for nothing. As soon as he had gotten word—thanks to her cousin and his loyal friend Morgan Steele— that she intended to leave the country for a few weeks to house-sit her sister's home in Jamaica, he had changed his plans. No big deal. Where she went, he intended to follow. Her time for avoiding him had run out. At thirty-five, he was no longer interested in playing games. He was ready to make his move.</p><p>When he was sure Vanessa was safely inside the house, he moved away from the window toward the wet bar to pour himself a drink. He glanced around the home he had recently purchased, wanting to believe that luck was still on his side. It had been easy enough to buy this house within a matter of hours, his first move to gain what he considered the most valuable asset of his life.</p><p>As he sipped his brandy, he recalled the exact moment a little over three years ago when he had first laid eyes on Vanessa Steele. He had arrived at a very important Steele Corporation board meeting, one he'd assumed would give him total control of the Charlotte-based manufacturing company.</p><p>He had walked into the conference room, confident in his abilities and pretty damn positive that one of the Steeles would defect and throw their voting shares his way. After all, past experience had shown him that if offered the right price, family members had a tendency to prove that blood might be thicker than water but not thicker than the mighty dollar. </p><p>The Steeles had proved him wrong that day. In less than an hour he had walked away after encountering the first defeat of his career as a corporate raider. But that afternoon hadn't been a complete waste, since he had sat across the table from the most beautiful woman he'd ever seen. He could admit now that he had focused his attention more on Vanessa Steele than on taking over her family's company. </p><p>The memory of that day would forever be etched in his mind. Something about Vanessa had immediately captured his attention. The moment he had gazed into her eyes he had suffered an instant jolt in his gut. he'd been mesmerized, awe-struck and captivated all at the same time. The other two Steele women had been just as good-looking, but it had been Vanessa who had caused his body and mind to react in all sorts of ways. Everything about her had turned him on, even when she had glared at him, which she'd spent most of her time doing.</p>


text:
<h3>Product Description</h3><p>With a body as solid as his reputation, private investigator Drey St. John never dreamed helping the Braddocks discover the truth behind their father's fatal crash would lead to his own mother's shocking confession: Senator Braddock was Drey's biological father. Determined to solve the case, Drey enlisted all-work-and-no-play Charlene Anderson's help. But the more time he spent with the beautiful forensic scientist, the more he realized their sharp banter fronted a simmering mutual attraction that wouldn't be denied. </p><p>Charlene's career left no time for exotic playboys. Then she found herself under Drey's roof, in need of his protection—and a victim of his seductive charms. But when the late senator's secrets—and Drey's true identity—were uncovered, would Drey face the betrayals in his past, and his future as a Braddock, with Charlene by his side? </p><h3>Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.</h3><p>"I might as well come in since it doesn't appear that you're busy."</p><p>Charlene Anderson didn't need to look up to know who the deep, husky voice belonged to.</p><p>Drey St. John.</p><p>She did, however, glance over at the small heart-shaped ceramic clock sitting on her desk, the only part of her work area that wasn't buried under paperwork. Drey was early although his visit wasn't unexpected. He was a private investigator and she was a forensic scientist in Houston's coroner's office. It wasn't unusual for him to drop by occasionally to harass her for forensic information that would help with the investigation of his current case.</p><p>"If you think I'm not busy, St. John, look again," she said, not taking her eyes off the document she was reading. "Now get lost."</p><p>She knew he wouldn't go away. He never did. That didn't bother her since she had a weak spot for the rebel private investigator and actually looked forward to seeing him, although she would never admit such a thing to him. His visits were the only high point in her rather dull life. At twenty-seven, she was focused on work, and no matter how you looked at it, dead bodies didn't equate to great dates. Her social life was practically nonexistent, and of all things, she was still a virgin.</p><p>While attending Oklahoma State University, she had been too busy making the grades to get involved with anyone and had figured things would change once she finished school and got her career off the ground. She had been convinced, since she looked decent enough, that she would eventually meet some nice guy and get serious. That never happened. For her it always seemed to be all work and no play.</p><p>"Don't you ever get tired of messing around with the dead?"</p><p>She glanced up. Speaking of dead… Drey was drop-dead gorgeous. Definitely a living-breathing specimen of a sexy male. Tall, dark and ultrahand-some. There was no doubt about the fact that at thirty-three he was every woman's fantasy.</p><p>He had skin the color of creamy rich chocolate, and had dark hair and slanted dark eyes. All she knew about him was the tidbit she'd overhead from a group of women discussing him one day at lunch. According to them, his mother was half Chinese. If that was the case, she had passed a strikingly exotic look on to her son. Charlene had also heard that his middle name of Longwei meant "dragon strength" in Chinese. The name suited him because of his well-defined muscular physique.</p><p>"Not really," she finally said, taking her eyes off him and attempting to return her focus to the document in front of her. "At least I don't have to worry about the dead giving me a hard time."</p><p>"Yeah, I would imagine they wouldn't."</p><p>She didn't have to glance up to know he was no longer standing in the doorway but had come into her office. Her heart began beating twice as fast. The man had a way of getting to her. In addition to her erratic heartbeat, there was this unexplainable flush of heat that always overtook her whenever he was near, not to mention the way the air surrounding them always felt charged. He apparently didn't pick up on such vibes, nor did he notice she did. He was too busy trying to pump her for information.</p><p>When he halted before her desk, blocking her sunlight, she decided to glance up, but took a deep breath before doing so. "And what got you out of bed so early this morning?" she asked, and immediately she wished she hadn't when a vision of him getting out of bed—half naked— filtered through her mind. It was a nice vision but dangerous ground for her mind to tread on. "I need your help with something." She rolled her eyes. "What else is new?" "You're the best there is," he said, smiling. She wished he wouldn't do that. He was sexy enough without the megawatt smile. "Flattery will get you nowhere, Drey."</p><p>"What about dinner tonight?"</p><p>She placed her pen down and leaned back in her chair. "This must be some case if you're willing to spring for dinner."</p><p>She watched the emotions that crossed his face, emotions he rarely let show. He was angry and upset but was holding it in. Something about the case he was working on was bothering him. She could feel it.</p><p>"It is," he finally said. "And the answers may very well come from a stiff brought here last week by the name of Joe Dennis."</p><p>Charlene turned toward her computer and typed in the name. "Nothing has been done with him yet. He's on Nate's list to do later today." Nathaniel Ganders was her boss. "What exactly do you need to know?"</p><p>His tensed features relaxed somewhat when he said, "Anything you can tell me."</p><p>She nodded. He understood there were limitations as to what she could share, and she appreciated the fact that he had never asked her to cross the line in doing anything unethical. Not that she would. "In other words, anything out of the ordinary."</p><p>"Yes."</p><p>"Okay. I'll take a look at the report when Nate's finished. As you know, my boss is very thorough." She cleared her computer screen and turned back to him. "I'll let you know if I notice anything."</p><p>"Thanks, and I'm serious about dinner."</p><p>"But I'm not." It hadn't been the first time he had hinted at the two of them going somewhere to grab something to eat. She could barely handle her reaction to him now; she didn't want to think how things would be if she had to share a meal with him. Besides, she considered him business and she didn't mix business with pleasure. "Maybe some other time, Drey," she said, knowing it wouldn't happen.</p><p>"You said that before."</p><p>Not that she was foolish enough to think that it mattered to him. "And I'm saying it again. I'll call you if I learn anything."</p><p>"Thanks, Charlie. I would appreciate it."</p><p>Charlene glared at him, something she always did whenever he called her that. "Do I look like a Charlie to you?"</p><p>He smiled. "Hard to say. That lab jacket's all I've ever seen you wear."</p><p>Before she could give him a blazing retort, he turned and left.</p><p>The smile remained in place on Drey's lips as he got into his car. For some reason he enjoyed getting a rise out of Charlene. In fact, the thought of seeing her today had pretty much kept his anger at bay, although it was creeping back on him now. He was discovering that being lied to all his life was something he was having a hard time dealing with.</p><p>Before starting the engine, he sat still a moment and stared out of the windshield, thinking about the conversation he'd had with his mother, Daiyu Longwei, a few days ago. The conversation had practically shattered his world when she had told him that Ronald St. John was not his father. Instead, the man whom Drey had considered his mentor, Congressman Harmon Braddock, was actually his biological father.</p><p>His hands tightened on the steering wheel as his mother's words flowed through his mind.</p><p>Sighing deeply, Drey started the engine, thinking that in essence, he was investigating his own father's death. His own father's <em>murder, </em>he immediately corrected, since he was convinced Harmon Braddock's fatal car accident had been deliberate. Someone had wanted him dead and Drey was determined to find out who.</p><p>Something else he couldn't put out of his mind was that the very people who had hired him to find the truth were Harmon Braddock's offspring— and his siblings. He shook his head knowing they didn't have a clue as to what his relationship was to them. At some point he would have to tell them, but not now. He wasn't ready to go there yet. It was bad enough that he had to deal with it. Besides, how his own mother played into the investigation was still a mystery since it was well documented that less than an hour before his death, Harmon had tried contacting Daiyu. Hell, Drey hadn't known the two knew each other and none of the Braddocks knew that Daiyu was his mother. He didn't like withholding information of any kind from clients, yet that was exactly what he was doing.</p><p>He had known the congressman for a number of years. When Ronald St. John, the man Drey had adored as a father, had gotten killed in the line of duty as a police officer when Drey was fifteen, Drey had taken it hard since the two of them had always been close.</p><p>It was during that time that Congressman Braddock took an interest in him. And later on in life when Drey had felt himself getting tired of his own career as a police officer, it had been the congressman who had encouraged him to start his own private investigating firm and had gone so far as to keep him on retainer during those times he'd been trying to make ends meet. He would be the first to admit that over the years, Harmon had become the father figure that he'd lost.</p><p>To be quite honest, at first when he'd heard of Harmon's car accident he had no reason to suspect foul play, even when the other Braddocks had. But now Joe Dennis's death was raising his suspicions.</p><p>Drey brought the car to a stop at the next traffic light as he replayed the facts of the case over and over in his mind. Congressman Braddock had gotten killed in a car accident. The skid marks on the road had been consistent with a car losing control. It seemed Harmon was heading for the airport, which was another mystery since Gloria Kingsley, the congressman's executive assistant, who'd known Harmon's every move, hadn't known about any planned trip.</p><p>Another thing that baffled everyone was why the congressman was behind the wheel when his personal driver, Joe Dennis, usually drove Harmon everywhere he went.</p><p>And now Joe was dead and according to the police report there didn't appear to be any foul play. Someone just wanted him dead. Why? And exactly what had been the cause of death?</p><p>Drey had a lot of unanswered questions but at least he felt fairly confident the latter question would get answered soon enough, once he heard from Charlene. With that certainty, his thoughts couldn't help shift to the efficient forensic scientist. They might bicker every chance they got, but they understood each other. He was as dedicated to his profession as she was to hers.</p><p>In the two years he'd known her, he'd never met another no-nonsense woman quite like her, and he found her to be sharp, intelligent…and definitely beautiful. The latter he tried not to dwell on too m... </p>


text:
<h3>Product Description</h3><p>Two Westmoreland novels—one classic and one new—from <em>New York Times</em> and <em>USA Today</em> bestselling author Brenda Jackson</p><p><em>Delaney's Desert Sheikh</em></p><p>A mix-up in Delaney Westmoreland's vacation plans forces her to share a cabin with a tall, dark and oh-so-handsome sheikh who is bent on her seduction. Jamal Ari Yasir intends to school Delaney in sensuality for his own pleasure. But instead of loving and leaving her, he becomes enraptured by an irresistible and unforgettable passion for his sexy-as-sin roommate. Can the arrogant sheikh convince his secret lover that they are fated for more than just a summer fling?</p><p><em>Seduced by a Stranger</em></p><p>Johari Yasir has no interest in returning to her homeland to marry a man she's never met—at least, not without sowing some wild oats first. And when a handsome charmer offers to whisk her away in his private plane, she impulsively accepts. Rasheed Valdemon is shocked that his bride-to-be would fly off with someone she barely knows— even though <em>he's</em> the one doing the asking. More surprising is his hunger for this lovely, rebellious woman. Yet what will happen when she realizes she's been seduced by the man who's destined to be her husband? </p>


text:
<h3>Product Description</h3><p>One mind-blowing kiss. That was all Ellie Weston shared with her neighbor and crush one summer, before he angrily discovered she'd approached him on a dare. Ten years later, Ellie is back at her great-aunt's lake house, and so is Uriel Lassiter still wildly sexy, single and happy to stay that way. When Ellie finds her great-aunt's never-completed romance novel, she decides to finish the manuscript but first she needs some real-life inspiration: a sultry summer fling.  </p><p>Uriel hasn't forgotten Ellie, and their sizzling chemistry is starting to make him reconsider his tried-and-true bachelor status. But when the truth about her motive emerges, can Ellie convince him that make-believe has turned into sweet reality? </p>


text:
Beyond Duty...    A proud yet haunted warrior， Sir Richard de Cantor left his past behind when he joined the secret brotherhood of Templar Knights.  Now he is returning home to face a challenge greater than any he has ever known: a forbidden promise of ecstasy that dwells in the gentle heart of a fallen noblewoman...    Beyond Desire...    Lady Margaret Newcomb has paid dearly for her sins of long ago， her good name stripped away as she was forced into seclusion.  Yet such torment is nothing compared to what she suffers when Richard de Cantor enters her world of penance.  Here is a man， brave and strong yet tender， whose breathtaking masculinity tempts her to sin once more.  To want him is dangerous and taboo.  But to deny her passion is to deny life itself and the one chance for a love beyond limits， beyond rapture...    BEYOND TEMPTATION


text:
Drop-dead-gorgeous Ethan Chambers loves his life as Hollywood's most eligible—and elusive—bachelor. Plus, the talented actor has just gotten an offer he can't refuse: a starring role on TV's hit medical drama. But it's the show's sultry makeup and wardrobe director who's got his pulse racing—and making him think twice about staying single. Getting the gig on  Paging the Doctor  has thrust Rachel Wellesley into the unwelcome glare of the spotlight. She wants to paint the story, not be the story. But when Rachel starts falling for the show's sinfully sexy star, she knows it's time to get her own heart checked. But how can she give up these passionate nights in Ethan's arms? Now, as the cameras roll and her creative vision comes to life, is Rachel finally ready for her close-up—with the man of her dreams?


text:
<div><h3>Product Description</h3><p><strong>All she has to do is be his lover for a week...</strong>  </p><p>And when the man is gorgeous Galen Steele, what woman could possibly say no?  </p><p>Brittany Thrasher has her own hidden motives for accepting Galen's proposal. Only the savvy businesswoman draws the line at actually falling for the sexy playboy. Even if he <em>is</em> the incredible lover of her most taboo fantasies....  </p><p>The moment their paths crossed again at an auction, Galen knew Brittany was special. If she wants the house he just won so badly, how far is she willing to go to get it? That's when the Phoenix entrepreneur makes her an offer he fully expects her to refuse.  </p><p>But once their passion heats up, the bidding really begins. And Galen <em>will</em> uncover Brittany's secret. Because this determined man of Steele isn't about to let the woman of his dreams get away....  </p></div>


text:
<h3>Amazon.com Review</h3><p><strong>Amazon Best Books of the Month, May 2011</strong>: <em>The Snowman</em>, Norwegian author Jo Nesbø's thriller, should please even the most die-hard Stieg Larsson fans. On the first day of snow, a child wakes up to find his mother has disappeared during the night. Outside, a snowman has appeared out of nowhere, the calling card of one of the most terrifying serial killers in recent fiction. A letter from the perpetrator draws Detective Hole further and further into the case, and together with his new partner, Katrine Bratt, he hunts the Snowman through twists and turns that become increasingly personal and may drive Hole to the brink of insanity. Brilliantly crafted, this credible and dark page-turner fully fleshes out the characters, especially Hole, a hardened detective with sharp instincts and real heart. What is the link between the victims? Is the Snowman a suspicious doctor, a notorious playboy, or one of Hole's peers on the force? The police keep thinking they've caught the criminal, but Hole's astute observations may steer him around the red herrings and right into the hands of the cold-as-ice killer. <em>--Miriam Landis</em></p><h3>Review</h3><p>“Jo Nesbø is my new favorite thriller writer and Harry Hole my new hero.” —Michael Connelly </p>


text:
<h3>Product Description</h3><p><strong>Some secrets just can't stay buried, in the brilliant new Lucas Davenport thriller from the number-one <em>New York Times</em>- bestselling author. </strong>   </p><p>"One of the best," said <em>Kirkus Reviews</em> of <em>Storm Prey</em>. "Razor-sharp dialogue, a tautly controlled pace and enough homicides for a miniseries. What more could fans want?"   </p><p>A house demolition provides an unpleasant surprise for Minneapolis-the bodies of two girls, wrapped in plastic. It looks like they've been there a long time. Lucas Davenport knows exactly how long.   </p><p>In 1985, Davenport was a young cop with a reputation for recklessness, and the girls' disappearance was a big deal. His bosses ultimately declared the case closed, but he never agreed with that. Now that he has a chance to investigate it all over again, one thing is becoming increasingly clear: It wasn't just the bodies that were buried. It was the truth. </p><h3>About the Author</h3><p><strong>John Sandford</strong> is the author of twenty-one Prey novels and ten other books of fiction, most recently the Virgil Flowers novel <em>Bad Blood</em>. He lives in Minnesota. </p>


text:
<h3>Amazon.com Review</h3><p><strong>Amazon Best of the Month, September 2010</strong>: In many ways, Jack is a typical 5-year-old. He likes to read books, watch TV, and play games with his Ma. But Jack is different in a big way--he has lived his entire life in a single room, sharing the tiny space with only his mother and an unnerving nighttime visitor known as Old Nick. For Jack, Room is the only world he knows, but for Ma, it is a prison in which she has tried to craft a normal life for her son. When their insular world suddenly expands beyond the confines of their four walls, the consequences are piercing and extraordinary. Despite its profoundly disturbing premise, Emma Donoghue's <em>Room</em> is rife with moments of hope and beauty, and the dogged determination to live, even in the most desolate circumstances. A stunning and original novel of survival in captivity, readers who enter <em>Room</em> will leave staggered, as though, like Jack, they are seeing the world for the very first time. <em>--Lynette Mong</em>  </p><hr /><h3>From Publishers Weekly</h3><p>Starred Review. Five-year-old Jack and his Ma live and eat and play and sleep in one room--an 11×11-foot space that is their prison--captives of the terrifying man Jack calls Old Nick. But as Jack grows older and more curious, it becomes clear that the room will not be able to hold him and Ma forever. Michal Friedman shines as Jack; her narration is haunting and compelling in its every inflection and tone. The voice she creates for Jack is so convincing, listeners may even mistake her for an actual child. Her powerful performance is complemented by Robert Petcoff's sinister Old Nick, and Ellen Archer's portrayal of resourceful Ma, whose gentle voice is infused with patience, terror, and hope. The chemistry between the players creates a gem of an audiobook that will haunt listeners long after the story's end. A Little, Brown hardcover (Reviews, July 12). (Sept.) <br />(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved. </p>


text:
<p class="description">From his early days living in small-town poverty, young Dutch Reagan's thoughts were always on the future. Whether helping his family through financial hard times or doggedly pursuing opportunities reserved for the few, Dutch knew that all the knowledge that he had absorbed over the years was waiting inside of him for a chance to come out. Achieving success as an athlete, sports announcer, and actor, Ronald Reagan discovered his greatest role late in life, as the fortieth president of the United States and The Great Communicator, a man with the ability to reach out to the American people and leave a lasting legacy.</p>


text:
<div><h3>Amazon.com Review</h3><p><strong>Product Description</strong>  </p><p>__<strong>When the Navy sends their elite, they send the SEALs. When the SEALs send their elite, they send SEAL Team Six</strong>__</p><p>SEAL Team Six is a secret unit tasked with counterterrorism, hostage rescue, and counterinsurgency. In this dramatic, behind-the-scenes chronicle, Howard Wasdin takes readers deep inside the world of Navy SEALS and Special Forces snipers, beginning with the grueling selection process of Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL (BUD/S)—the toughest and longest military training in the world. </p><p>After graduating, Wasdin faced new challenges. First there was combat in Operation Desert Storm as a member of SEAL Team Two. Then the Green Course: the selection process to join the legendary SEAL Team Six, with a curriculum that included practiced land warfare to unarmed combat. More than learning how to pick a lock, they learned how to blow the door off its hinges. Finally as a member of SEAL Team Six he graduated from the most storied and challenging sniper program in the country: The Marine’s Scout Sniper School. Eventually, of the 18 snipers in SEAL Team Six, Wasdin became the best—which meant one of the best snipers on the planet. </p><p>Less than half a year after sniper school, he was fighting for his life. The mission: capture or kill Somalian warlord Mohamed Farrah Aidid. From rooftops, helicopters and alleys, Wasdin hunted Aidid and killed his men whenever possible. But everything went quickly to hell when his small band of soldiers found themselves fighting for their lives, cut off from help, and desperately trying to rescue downed comrades during a routine mission. The Battle of Mogadishu, as it become known, left 18 American soldiers dead and 73 wounded. Howard Wasdin had both of his legs nearly blown off while engaging the enemy. His dramatic combat tales combined with inside details of becoming one of the world’s deadliest snipers make this one of the most explosive military memoirs in years.</p><hr><p><strong>An Excerpt from <em>SEAL Team Six</em></strong>   </p><p><strong>Chapter One</strong></p><p><em>Reach Out and Touch Someone</em></p><p>When the U.S. Navy sends their elite, they send the SEALs. When the SEALs send their elite, they send SEAL Team Six, the navy's equivalent to the army's Delta Force—tasked with counterterrorism and counterinsurgency, occasionally working with the CIA. This is the first time a SEAL Team Six sniper's story has been exposed. My story.</p><p>Snipers avoid exposure. Although we prefer to act rather than be acted upon, some forces are beyond our control. We rely on our strengths to exploit the enemy's vulnerabilities; however, during the war in the Persian Gulf I became vulnerable as the lone person on the fantail of an enemy ship filled with a crew working for Saddam Hussein. On yet another occasion, despite being a master of cover and concealment, I lay naked on an aircraft runway in a Third World country with bullet holes in both legs, the right leg nearly blown off by an AK-47 bullet. Sometimes we must face what we try to avoid.</p><hr><p>In the morning darkness of September 18, 1993, in Mogadishu, Somalia, Casanova and I crept over the ledge of a retaining wall and climbed to the top of a six-story tower. Even at this early hour there were already people moving around. Men, women, and children relieved themselves in the streets. I smelled the morning fires being lit, fueled by dried animal dung and whatever else people could find to burn. The fires heated any food the Somalis had managed to obtain. Warlord Aidid knew fully the power of controlling the food supply. Every time I saw a starving child, I blamed Aidid for his evil power play that facilitated this devastation of life.</p><p>The tower we were on was located in the middle of the Pakistani compound. The Pakistanis were professional and treated us with great respect. When it was teatime, the boy in charge of serving always brought us a cup. I had even developed a taste for the fresh goat milk they used in the tea. The sounds and scents of the goatherd in the compound reached my senses as Casanova and I crawled onto the outer lip at the top of the tower. There we lay prone, watching a large garage, a vehicle body shop that had no roof. Surrounding the garage was a city of despair. Somalis trudged along with their heads and shoulders lowered. Helplessness dimmed their faces, and starvation pulled the skin tight across their bones. Because this was a "better" part of town, multilevel buildings stood in fairly good repair. There were concrete block houses instead of the tin and wooden lean-to sheds that dominated most of the city and countryside. Nevertheless, the smell of human waste and death—mixed with hopelessness—filled the air. Yes, hopelessness has a smell. People use the term "developing countries," but that is bullcrap. What developed in Somalia was things such as hunger and fighting. I think "developing countries" is just a term used to make the people who coined it feel better. No matter what you call them, starvation and war are two of the worst events imaginable.</p><p>I calculated the exact distances to certain buildings. There are two primary considerations when making a sniper shot, windage and elevation. Because there was no significant wind that could throw my shot left or right, I didn't have to compensate for it. Elevation is the variable considered for range/distance to the target. Since most of my potential targets were between 200 yards (garage) and 650 yards (intersection beyond the target garage), I dialed my scope in at 500 yards. This way I could just hold my rifle higher or lower depending on range. When the shooting began, there would be no time to dial in range corrections on my scope between shots.</p><p>We started our surveillance at 0600. While we waited for our agent to give us the signal, I played different scenarios over in my mind: one enemy popping out at one location, then another popping up at another location, and so on. I would acquire, aim, and even do a simulated trigger pull, going through my rehearsed breathing and follow-through routine while picturing the actual engagement. Then I simulated reloading and getting back into my Leupold 10-power scope, continuing to scan for more booger-eaters. I had done this dry firing and actual firing thousands of times—wet, dry, muddy, snowbound, from a dug-in hole in the ground, from an urban sniper hide through a partially open window, and nearly every which way imaginable. The words they had drilled into our heads since we began SEAL training were true, "The more you sweat in peacetime, the less you bleed in war." This particular day, I was charged with making sure none of my Delta Force buddies sprang a leak as I covered their insertion into the garage. My buddies' not bleeding in war was every bit as important as my not bleeding.</p><p>Our target for this mission was Osman Ali Atto—Warlord Aidid's main financier. Although Casanova and I would've been able to recognize the target from our previous surveillance, we were required to have confirmation of his identity from the CIA asset before we gave the launch command.</p><p>The irony wasn't lost on me that we were capturing Atto instead of killing him—despite the fact that he and his boss had killed hundreds of thousands of Somalis. I felt that if we could kill Atto and Aidid, we could stop the fighting, get the food to the people quickly, and go home in one piece.</p><p>It wasn't until around 0815 that our asset finally gave the predetermined signal. He was doing this because the CIA paid him well. I had learned firsthand while working with the CIA how payoffs could sway loyalty.</p><p>When we saw the signal, Casanova and I launched the "full package." Little Bird and Black Hawk helicopters filled the sky. During this time, the Delta operators literally had their butts hanging out—the urban environment provided too much cover, too much concealment, and too many escape routes for the enemy. All a hostile had to do was shoot a few rounds at a helo or Humvee, jump back inside a building, and put his weapon down. Even if he reappeared, he was not considered hostile without a weapon. Things happened fast, and the environment was unforgiving.</p><p>Delta Force operators fast-roped down inside the garage, Rangers fast-roped around the garage, and Birds flew overhead with Delta snipers giving the assault force protection. Atto's people scattered like rats. Soon, enemy militia appeared in the neighborhood shooting up at the helicopters.</p><p>Normally, snipers operate in a spotter-sniper relationship. The spotter identifies, ranges the targets, and relays them to the sniper for execution. There would be no time for that on this op—we were engaged in urban warfare. In this environment, an enemy could appear from anywhere. Even worse, the enemy dressed the same as a civilian. We had to wait and see his intention. Even if he appeared with a gun, there was a chance he was part of a clan on our side. We had to wait until the person pointed the weapon in the direction of our guys. Then we would ensure the enemy ceased to exist.</p><p>There would be no time for makeup or second shots. Both Casanova and I wielded .300 Win Mag sniper rifles.</p><p>Through my Leupold 10-power scope, I saw a militiaman 500 yards away firing through an open window at the helos. I made a mental note to keep my heart rate down and centered the crosshairs on him as my muscle memory took over—stock firmly into the shoulder, cheek positioned behind the scope, eye focused on the center of the crosshairs rather than the enemy, and steady trigger squeezing (even though it was only a light, 2-pound pull). I felt the gratifying recoil of my rifle. The round hit him in the side of the chest, entering his left and exiting his right. He convulsed and buckled, falling backward into the building—permanently. I quickly got back into my scope and scanned. Game on now. All other thoughts departed my mind. I was at one with my Win Mag, scanning my sector. Casanova scanned his sector, too.</p><p>Another militiaman carrying an AK-47 came out a fire escape door on the side of a building 300 yards away from me and aimed his rifle at the Delta operators assaulting the garage. From his position, I'm sure he thought he was safe from the assaulters, and he probably was. He was not safe from me—300 yards wasn't even a challenge. I shot him through his left side, and the round exited his right. He slumped down onto the fire escape landing, never knowing what hit him. His AK-47 lay silent next to him. Someone tried to reach out and retrieve the weapon—one round from my Win Mag put a stop to that. Each time I made a shot, I immediately forgot about that target and scanned for another.</p><p>Chaos erupted inside and outside of the garage. People ran everywhere. Little Birds and Black Hawks filled the skies with deafening rotor blasts. I was in my own little world, though. Nothing existed outside my scope and my mission. Let the Unit guys handle their business in the garage. My business was reaching out and touching the enemy.</p><p>This wasn't the first time I'd killed for my country. It wouldn't be the last.</p><p>A few minutes passed as I continued scanning. More than 800 yards away, a guy popped up with an RPG launcher on his shoulder, preparing to fire at the helicopters. If I took him out, it would be the longest killing shot of my career. If I failed...</p><p>Copyright © 2011 by Howard E. Wasdin and Stephen Templin   </p><hr><h3>Review</h3><p>Praise for <em>SEAL Team Six</em>:  </p><p>“Mr. Wasdin’s narrative is visceral and as active as a Tom Clancy novel…[it] will also leave readers with a new appreciation of the training that enabled Seal Team Six to pull off the bin Laden raid with such precision…adrenaline-laced.” —_The New York Times_</p><p>"_SEAL Team Six_ pulses with the grit of a Jerry Bruckheimer production...On his journey to becoming a member of the Navy's best of the best, Wasdin proved his mettle in Operation Desert Storm and endured training that would break the back of most mortal men." --_The Washington Post_</p><p>"[_SEAL Team Six_] describes the harrowing ops he undertook as part of the elite Seal Team Six squadron, including the 1993 Battle of Mogadishu that almost killed him....reveals an intimate look at the rigorous training and perilous missions of the best of the Navy's best." --_Time_  </p><p>_“SEAL Team Six <em>is a masterful blend of one man’s—</em>Waz-Man’s—_journey from hard knocks to hard corps. Even better, Waz-Man and Templin can actually write as good as they can shoot. They capture your attention at every turn—not knowing if you’re about to take a bullet to the head from a SEAL sniper or get hit in the gut with a punch line.” —Dalton Fury, former Delta Force Commander and _New York Times <em>bestselling author of </em>Kill Bin Laden   </p><p>_“Great insights into the training and operations of one of America’s premier counterterrorism units. Grabs you on page one and is hard to put down.” —General Henry H. Shelton, USA(R), former Commander-In-Chief, U.S. Special Operations Command and 14th Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff  </p><p>“Wasdin is a true warrior and real hero. <em>SEAL Team Six </em>is a must read.” —Gunnery Sgt. Jack Coughlin, USMC, and bestselling author of <em>Shooter </em></p></div>


text:
<div><h3>Amazon.com Review</h3><p><strong>Amazon Best Books of the Month, May 2011</strong>: <em>In the Garden of Beasts</em> is a vivid portrait of Berlin during the first years of Hitler’s reign, brought to life through the stories of two people: William E. Dodd, who in 1933 became America’s first ambassador to Hitler’s regime, and his scandalously carefree daughter, Martha. Ambassador Dodd, an unassuming and scholarly man, is an odd fit among the extravagance of the Nazi elite. His frugality annoys his fellow Americans in the State Department and Dodd’s growing misgivings about Hitler’s ambitions fall on deaf ears among his peers, who are content to “give Hitler everything he wants.” Martha, on the other hand, is mesmerized by the glamorous parties and the high-minded conversation of Berlin’s salon society—and flings herself headlong into numerous affairs with the city’s elite, most notably the head of the Gestapo and a Soviet spy. Both become players in the exhilarating (and terrifying) story of Hitler’s obsession for absolute power, which culminates in the events of one murderous night, later known as “the Night of Long Knives.” The rise of Nazi Germany is a well-chronicled time in history, which makes <em>In the Garden of Beasts</em> all the more remarkable. Erik Larson has crafted a gripping, deeply-intimate narrative with a climax that reads like the best political thriller, where we are stunned with each turn of the page, even though we already know the outcome. --_Shane Hansanuwat_</p><h3>Review</h3><p>“Reads like an elegant thriller…utterly compelling… marvelous stuff. An excellent and entertaining book that deserves to be a bestseller, and probably will be.”—_The Washington Post_  </p><p>“A master at writing true tales as riveting as fiction.”--_People_ (3 1/2 stars)   </p><p>"Larson has done it again, expertly weaving together a fresh new narrative from ominous days of the 20th century."--Associated Press  </p><p>"[L]ike slipping slowly into a nightmare, with logic perverted and morality upended….It all makes for a powerful, unsettling immediacy."--Bruce Handy, _Vanity Fair  </p><p><em>“Dazzling….Reads like a suspense novel, replete with colorful characters, both familiar and those previously relegated to the shadows.  Like Christopher Isherwood’s Berlin Stories or Victor Klemperer’s Diaries, IN THE GARDEN OF BEASTS is an on-the-ground documentary of a society going mad in slow motion."--</em>The Chicago Sun-Times<br>_<br>“[G]ripping, a nightmare narrative of a terrible time.  It raises again the question never fully answered about the Nazi era—what evil humans are capable of, and what means are necessary to cage the beast.”--_The Seattle Times<br>_<br>"In this mesmerizing portrait of the Nazi capital, Larson plumbs a far more diabolical urban cauldron than in his bestselling <em>The Devil in the White City</em>...a vivid, atmospheric panorama of the Third Reich and its leaders, including murderous Nazi factional infighting, through the accretion of small crimes and petty thuggery."--_Publishers Weekly_(Starred Review)   </p><p><strong><em>Praise for Erik Larson</em></strong><br><em>  </em><br><strong>THUNDERSTRUCK</strong><br>“A ripping yarn of murder and invention.”—_Los Angeles Times_   </p><p>“Larson’s gift for rendering an historical era with vibrant tactility and filling it with surprising personalities makes... </p></div>


text:
<div><p>THE HEART AND THE FIST shares one man's story of extraordinary leadership and service as both a humanitarian and a warrior. In a life lived at the raw edges of the human experience, Greitens has seen what can be accomplished when compassion and courage come together in meaningful service.</p><p>As a Rhodes Scholar and Navy SEAL, Greitens worked alongside volunteers who taught art to street children in Bolivia and led US Marines who hunted terrorists in Iraq. He's learned from nuns who fed the destitute in one of Mother Teresa's homes for the dying in India, from aid workers who healed orphaned children in Rwanda, and from Navy SEALs who fought in Afghanistan. He excelled at the hardest military training in the world, and today he works with severely wounded and disabled veterans who are rebuilding their lives as community leaders at home.</p><p>Greitens offers each of us a new way of thinking about living a meaningful life. We learn that to win any war, even those we wage against ourselves; to create and obtain lasting peace; to save a life; and even, simply to live with purpose requires us—every one of us—to be both good and strong. </p></div>


text:
<p>With the launch of its superjumbo, the A380, Airbus made what looked like an unbeatable bid for commercial aviation supremacy. But archrival Boeing responded: Not so fast. Boeing's 787 Dreamliner has already generated more excitement—and more orders—than any commercial airplane in the company's history.</p><p>This book offers a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at the first all-new airplane developed by Boeing since its 1990 launch of the 777. With hundreds of photographs, Boeing 787 Dreamliner closely details the design and building of Boeing's new twin-engine jet airliner, as well as the drama behind its launch.</p><p>Here are the key players, the controversies, the critical decisions about materials and technology—the plastic reinforced with carbon fiber that will make this mid-sized widebody super lightweight. And here, from every angle, is the Dreamliner itself, in all its gleaming readiness to rule the air. </p>


text:
Packing an off-kilter sense of humor and keen scientific minds, Margaret Mittelbach and Michael Crewdson, along with renowned artist Alexis Rockman, take off on a postmodern safari. Their mission? Tracking down the elusive Tasmanian tiger. Tragically, this mysterious, striped predator was hunted into extinction in the early part of the twentieth century. Or was it? Journeying first to the Australian mainland and then south to the wild island of Tasmania, these young naturalists brave a series of bizarre misadventures and uproarious wildlife encounters in their obsessive search for the long-lost beast. Filled with Rockman's stunning drawings of flora and fauna originally crafted from river mud, wombat scat, and even the artist's own blood, Carnivorous Nights is a hip and hilarious account of an unhinged safari, as well as a fascinating portrayal of a wildly unique part of the world. Carniverous Nights is: One of the New York Public Library's "25 Books to Remember from 2005" A New York Public Library Books for the Teen Age, 2006 selection


text:
If you wanted to buy a top-quality condom in prewar Germany, you bought Fromms Act, the first brand name condom and still a leading brand in the German market. The man behind this "pure German quality product" was Julius Fromm, a Jewish entrepreneur who had immigrated from Russia as a child. Fromm was in the right place at the right time: he patented Fromms Act in 1916, when the combination of changing sexual mores, awareness of sexual health, and the lack of reliable prophylactics meant a market primed for his product. In 1922 he began mass production and opened international branches. Sixteen years later, after building the brand into a best seller and the company into a model business, he was forced to sell Fromms Act for a fraction of its worth to a German baroness. In 1939 he emigrated to London. Aly and Sontheimer trace Fromm's rise and fall, illuminating the ways Jewish businesses like his were Aryanized under the Nazis. The authors also recount the Fromm family's quest for reparations, one that came to an end only in 2006. Through the biography of this businessman and the story of his unusual and fabulously successful company, we learn the fascinating history of the first branded condoms in Germany and the sexual culture that allowed them to thrive, the heretofore undocumented machinations by which the Nazis robbed German-Jewish families of their businesses, and the tragedy of a man whose great love for the adopted country that first allowed him to succeed was betrayed by its government and his fellow citizens. This captivating account offers a wealth of detail and a fresh array of photographic documentation, and adds a striking new dimension to our understanding of this dark period in German history.


text:
<h3>Amazon.com Review</h3><p>A former infantryman, Adolf Hitler had little use for the German navy, which he considered inept and politically suspect. Still, through the skillful maneuverings of a young, up-and-coming naval officer named Karl Dönitz, Hitler eventually endorsed a costly program of shipbuilding. As a result, Dönitz was able to field a vast fleet of U-boats when Germany went to war against France and England in 1939. Although his enemies were initially better equipped, Dönitz was the craftier fighter, launching daring raids on shipping convoys and Allied harbors, and for a time, controlling the chief Atlantic sealanes.</p><p>In this monumental history, Clay Blair analyzes the German U-boat campaigns from 1939 to 1942 (a companion volume continues his narrative to 1945), which, he writes, fall into three phases: one against England alone, another against the newly arrived American navy, and a furious third against the combined Allied forces. Blair argues, against other historians, that the "U-boat peril" has been overestimated. He holds that the American submarine campaign against Japan in the Pacific was far more effective, and observes that 99 percent of Allied merchant ships on transatlantic convoys reached their destinations. Even so, the U-boats introduced a powerful element of terror into an already horrific war, diverting Allied effort into antisubmarine campaigns and delaying the transport of much-needed materiel.</p><p>Blair's outstanding work adds much to the naval history of World War II. Packed with detail, it is sure to become a standard work on the Battle of the Atlantic. <em>--Gregory McNamee</em></p><h3>From Publishers Weekly</h3><p>Everything about this book is big: its page count, its thesis?and its shortcomings. Blair is a respected authority on submarine warfare whose Silent Victory, a history of the U.S. submarine service, remains a widely cited work. He is also a master of operational narrative, a writer who can put readers in a destroyer's bridge or a U-boat's conning tower as convincingly as many novelists. Here, in the first of two projected volumes, Blair employs a comprehensive mix of German, British and U.S. sources to argue that the German U-boats have been mythologized, their successes overstated and their threat to the Allied war effort exaggerated. While U-boats delayed and diminished the arrival of supplies to Europe, 99% of all ships in transatlantic convoys reached their destinations. For Blair, that is a sizable margin of acceptable loss. He even stands foursquare behind Admiral Ernest King's reluctance to organize merchant convoys after Pearl Harbor. German U-boats operating off the Atlantic Coast and in the Caribbean accounted for about a quarter of all tonnage sunk during the war, but even these losses could be replaced. Blair compares by implication German failures in the U-boat war to the U.S. submarine campaign in the Pacific, which succeeded in strangling Japan by mid-1945. But to assert, as he does, that the U-boats never had a chance seems to fly in the face of an overwhelming body of evidence that cannot be dismissed as retrospective mythmaking. Even before the climactic convoy battles of 1943, the Allied navies were morally and materially stretched to near breaking point. Though richly informed and a pleasure to read, this volume ultimately provokes without convincing. Photos and maps not seen by PW. History Book Club selection. <br />Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc. </p>


text:
A funny and revealing look at the hidden underside of urban life in New York: a rat-eye view of the city


text:
<h3>From Publishers Weekly</h3><p>Keneally (_Schindler's List_) offers a novelistic chronicle of the founding of the colony now known as Australia, focusing on the first five years, 1788 to 1793, when the initial flotillas of boats carrying convicts, their military guard and administrators arrived in New South Wales. At the book's center is the relationship between Arthur Phillip, the pragmatic first governor, and Woolawarre Bennelong, the Aborigine who eventually served as a liaison between the settlers and natives. Keneally describes their first meeting "as fateful and defining as that between Cortés and Montezuma, or Pizarro and Atahualpa." Using their relationship as a prism, Keneally depicts the instances of tense commingling between the two communities. His historical narrative is so detailed as to at times feel dutiful. He's most successful serving up some of the dozens of pithy mini-portraits of the lowborn settlers. Like Robert Hughes in his seminal <em>The Fatal Shore</em>, Keneally seeks to correct some of the clichés that have arisen. He's careful to point out that the few thousand convicts sent to the colony were hardly the worst of the worst. Keneally's new consideration won't replace Hughes's definitive work, but with its colorful and eloquent prose, it makes for a compelling companion piece, one that credits Phillip for most of the colony's success. Maps._ (Oct.)_ <br />Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. </p><h3>From Booklist</h3><p>The versatile Keneally commands a loyal readership no matter what topic he addresses. And here it's Australia's origin story of British settlement, which succeeds Robert Hughes' <em>The Fatal Shore</em> (1986). Using the techniques of fiction, accomplished novelist Keneally strives to vivify scenes based on the historical record. From the several thousand convicts and officers who arrived in Australia in 1788-92, the period covered by the narrative, the author brings to the foreground the most interesting individuals. Prime among them, the colony's enigmatic first governor, naval officer Arthur Phillip. More exuberant characters, such as subordinate officer Watkin Tench, provide Keneally with the means to explore the adjustments of newcomers and natives to their extraordinary situations. Meanwhile, the convicts, many of whose hardships Keneally summarizes, ranged from the incorrigible to the adaptable. Vibrant and fluent, Keneally's latest will be in high demand. <em>Gilbert Taylor</em><br /><em>Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved</em></p>


text:
From the bestselling author ofTulipomaniacomesBatavia's Graveyard, the spellbinding true story of mutiny, shipwreck, murder, and survival. It was the autumn of 1628, and the Batavia, the Dutch East India Company's flagship, was loaded with a king's ransom in gold, silver, and gems for her maiden voyage to Java. The Batavia was the pride of the Company's fleet, a tangible symbol of the world's richest and most powerful commercial monopoly. She set sail with great fanfare, but the Batavia and her gold would never reach Java, for the Company had also sent along a new employee, Jeronimus Corneliszoon, a bankrupt and disgraced man who possessed disarming charisma and dangerously heretical ideas. With the help of a few disgruntled sailors, Jeronimus soon sparked a mutiny that seemed certain to succeedbut for one unplanned event: In the dark morning hours of June 3, the Batavia smashed through a coral reef and ran aground on a small chain of islands near Australia. The commander of the ship and the skipper evaded the mutineers by escaping in a tiny lifeboat and setting a course for Javasome 1,800 miles northto summon help. Nearly all of the passengers survived the wreck and found themselves trapped on a bleak coral island without water, food, or shelter. Leaderless, unarmed, and unaware of Jeronimus's treachery, they were at the mercy of the mutineers. Jeronimus took control almost immediately, preaching his own twisted version of heresy he'd learned in Holland's secret Anabaptist societies. More than 100 people died at his command in the months that followed. Before long, an all-out war erupted between the mutineers and a small group of soldiers led by Wiebbe Hayes, the one man brave enough to challenge Jeronimus's band of butchers. Unluckily for the mutineers, the Batavia's commander had raised the alarm in Java, and at the height of the violence the Company's gunboats sailed over the horizon. Jeronimus and his mutineers would meet an end almost as gruesome as that of the innocents whose blood had run on the small island they called Batavia's Graveyard. Impeccably researched and beautifully written,Batavia's Graveyardis the next classic of narrative nonfiction, the book that secures Mike Dash's place as one of the finest writers of the genre.


text:
An old man recounts his past to a voluptuous widow, revealing man's compulsion to create and destroy what he loves.


text:
<div><h3>Amazon.com Review</h3><p>Inspired by Werner von Braun and his Cape Canaveral team, 14-year-old Homer Hickam decided in 1957 to build his own rockets. They were his ticket out of Coalwood, West Virginia, a mining town that everyone knew was dying--everyone except Sonny's father, the mine superintendent and a company man so dedicated that his family rarely saw him. Hickam's smart, iconoclastic mother wanted her son to become something more than a miner and, along with a female science teacher, encouraged the efforts of his grandiosely named Big Creek Missile Agency. He grew up to be a NASA engineer and his memoir of the bumpy ride toward a gold medal at the National Science Fair in 1960--an unprecedented honor for a miner's kid--is rich in humor as well as warm sentiment. Hickam vividly evokes a world of close communal ties in which a storekeeper who sold him saltpeter warned, "Listen, rocket boy. This stuff can blow you to kingdom come." Hickam is candid about the deep disagreements and tensions in his parents' marriage, even as he movingly depicts their quiet loyalty to each other. The portrait of his ultimately successful campaign to win his aloof father's respect is equally affecting. <em>--Wendy Smith</em></p><h3>From Publishers Weekly</h3><p>Great memoirs must balance the universal and the particular. Too much of the former makes it overly familiar; too much of the latter makes readers ask what the story has to do with them. In his debut, Hickam, a retired NASA engineer, walks that line beautifully. On one level, it's the story of a teenage boy who learns about dedication, responsibility, thermodynamics and girls. On the other hand, it's about a dying way of life in a coal town where the days are determined by the rhythms of the mine and the company that controls everything and everybody. Hickam's father is Coalwood, W.Va.'s mine superintendent, whose devotion to the mine is matched only by his wife's loathing for it. When Sputnik inspires "Sonny" with an interest in rockets, she sees it not as a hobby but as a way to escape the mines. After an initial, destructive try involving 12 cherry bombs, Sonny and his cronies set up the Big Creek Missile Agency (BCMA). From Auk I (top altitude, six feet), through Auk XXXI (top altitude, 31,000 feet), the boys experiment with nozzles, fins and, most of all, fuel, graduating from a basic black powder to "rocket candy" (melted potassium chlorate and sugar) to "Zincoshine" (zinc, sulfur, moonshine). But Coalwood is the real star, here. Teachers, clergy, machinists, town gossips, union, management, everyone become co-conspirators in the BCMA's explosive three-year project. Hickam admits to taking poetic license in combining characters and with the sequence of events, and if there is any flaw, it's that the people and the narrative seem a little too perfect. But no matter how jaded readers have become by the onslaught of memoirs, none will want to miss the fantastic voyage of BCMA, Auk and Coalwood. First serial to Life. 10-city author tour. (Sept.) FYI: Rocket Boys is currently in production at Universal, which plans to release it later this year.<br>Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc. </p></div>


text:
<h3>From Publishers Weekly</h3><p>Signature_Reviewed by_ Greg BearCaryatids, in Greek architecture, are stone women who support massive buildings. The Caryatids of Bruce Sterling's shimmering new novel—Vera, Radmila and Sonja—support the weight of a near-future world. They are the last of seven clone sisters created by a mother accused of Balkan war crimes, now exiled in orbit. We're 50-some years into the future, and the planet is split into an international, symbiotic competition between the hypernetworked Acquis, who train distressed, abandoned children into tight-knit cadres of activists, and the Dispensation, more sedate, mannered and cosmo-business in its orientation.Vera works with an Acquis team remediating the Croatian island of Mljet, laid waste by toxic dumping and the rising waters of global warming. The Acquis technology is extreme but humanly adapted: the users wear bonewear (amplified skeletal suits that allow tremendous feats of speed and strength) and spex (laser-equipped eyeshades that hook their wearers into a postencyclopedic wonderworld of information. In a beautifully realized and Huxleyan Los Angeles, Radmila has fit too snugly into a Dispensation Family, but California is being squeezed between a geological devil and the surging deep blue sea. The Family sees these changes in terms of economic potential, and they track real estate values by the second: Norwalk is glamorous; beach property is cheap.Sonja, dotted with the shrapnel of her own self-destructive past, performs medical and social work in the middle of a constantly rebirthing China. Due to female infanticide, there are far more men than women in China—the reverse of Russia, where men die young—and Sonja hooks up with a Gobi jihadist who indulges both her sexual appetites and her political ambitions. Sterling's language is kaleidoscopic. We swim into a chapter, and his ideas and language flash and dance like sunlight off the Adriatic, then coalesce in a moment of plot; the effect is unsettling, but suited to the world he reveals spark by hammered spark. Dispersed around the world, the sisters mirror Earth's difficulties: traumatized by their origin, they hate each other. Their solutions may be Earth's solutions as well. In John Brunner's 1968 masterpiece, <em>Stand on Zanzibar</em>, excerpts from fictional author Chad C. Mulligan's The Hipcrime Vocab provide sharp, street-smart and world-wise commentary on the culture of 2010. Bruce Sterling is the closest we've come to Mulligan in the actual 21st century. His international perspective is rare in science fiction, which often suffers from Amerocentric bias. A new novel from Sterling is a guarantee of something wild and tasty, and <em>The Caryatids</em> amply fulfills that promise._ (Mar.)__Greg Bear's latest science fiction novel,_ City at the End of Time_, was published by Del Rey in August._ <br />Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. </p><h3>From Bookmarks Magazine</h3><p>Books of Big Ideas often polarize reviewers, and Bruce Sterling's latest novel is no exception. Either the best SF book of this or any other year (Cory Doctorow) or "a mess of a book about the mess of the world" (John Clute), <em>The Caryatids</em>, at the very least, illustrates Sterling's ability to raise voices (in praise or protest) 30 years after he laid the groundwork for the cyberpunk movement, without which contemporary SF would be a much rockier -- and much less diverse -- landscape. Sterling's complex, controversial vision of our future invites comparison to Neal Stephenson (_Cryptonomicon_, <em>Snow Crash</em>) and William Gibson (_Neuromancer_). Love him or hate him, Bruce Sterling always has something important to say, and <em>The Caryatids</em> is worth a look.Copyright 2009 Bookmarks Publishing LLC </p>


text:
<h3>Amazon.com Review</h3><p><em>The Zenith Angle</em>, futurist Bruce Sterling's first novel since <em>Zeitgeist</em> (2000), tells the story of Derek "Van" Vandeveer. As <em>The Zenith Angle</em> opens, Van sits peacefully at his breakfast table, enjoying life as a new homeowner and happily married man, with a new son and a fortune in stock options. Then the morning news reports a jetliner has crashed in nearby Manhattan--colliding with the World Trade Center. Like many other Americans' lives, Van's will never be the same. He leaves his corporate job to work fighting terrorism for the U.S. government. He soon finds himself sequestered at a top-secret undisclosed location while his fortune vanishes, his former company sinks into a morass of lawsuits and arrests, and his wife and son move to the far side of the country. And as Van is transformed from cyber-whiz to spook, he finds himself changing in ways he would never have imagined.</p><p>A novel from Bruce Sterling is always cause for celebration, and <em>The Zenith Angle</em> is one of the finest contemporary novels and finest techno-thrillers of 2004. Sterling operates at the cutting edge of both technology and pop culture, and he possesses innumerable literary strengths. However, his strengths don't usually include deeply-penetrating character development, and that injures the believability of <em>The Zenith Angle</em>, which is the portrait of a man undergoing an enormous and shocking transformation. <em>--Cynthia Ward</em></p><h3>From Publishers Weekly</h3><p>The godfather of cyberpunk abandons SF in this satiric look at the high-tech security industry after 9/11. Dr. Derek Vandeveer gives up his high-paying job in private industry in order to try to help the government plug the nation's most serious computer security leaks. Unfortunately, he soon discovers that many of the worst problems are either too expensive to fix or impossible to deal with for political reasons. Vandeveer finds himself living in a slum in Washington, D.C., up to his ears in red tape and surrounded by a cast of would-be cyber warriors and failed dot-com entrepreneurs. Even worse, he's paying for the equipment he needs out of his own pocket. Worst of all, Vandeveer's wife Dottie, a world-class astronomer, is off on a mountaintop in Colorado. Meanwhile, something or someone is playing games with America's most sophisticated spy satellite and Vandeveer stakes his reputation on solving the mystery. Sterling (_Zeitgeist_) knows the world of cyber-security inside out, and he does a fine job of talking the talk without losing his readers. The Vandeveers have a convincingly believable geek marriage and their scenes together are particularly well done. Sterling has always been more comfortable with satire than action, however, and the shift near the end to techno-thriller mode isn't entirely successful. Still, this novel should please the author's fans, many of whom will be interested in the latest innovations in computer security. <br />Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. </p>


text:
<h3>Review</h3><p>?Fresh and arresting?unforgettably good and nothing less than brilliant.?<br />?_Maclean?s_  </p><p>?Superb and movingly human.?<br />?_Saturday Review_ -- <em>Review</em></p><h3>Product Description</h3><p>A thirty-four-year-old school teacher living with her mother, Rachel Cameron feels trapped in an environment of small-town deceit and pettiness—her own and that of others. She longs for contact with another human being who shares her rebellious spirit. Finally, by confronting both love and death, Rachel earns the freedom she desperately needs.   </p><p>Winner of the Governor General's Literary Award, <em>A Jest of God</em> was also the basis of the movie <em>Rachel, Rachel</em>.  </p><p>"Mrs. Laurence tells [her story] unsparingly, with absolute authority, using her thorough understanding of Rachel to draw us into her anguish. We know Rachel, sympathize with her, and in a sense, become Rachel, so authentic is her voice. . . . <em>A Jest of God</em> has extraordinary clarity, beautiful detail, as well as the emotional impact of honest confession."—Joan J. Hall, <em>Saturday Review</em>   </p><p>"Laurence's rendition is close to faultless . . . reaffirming her ability to draw, without pathos, life-sized women. . . . Skillfully wrought and eloquently told."—Marilyn Gardner, <em>Christian Science Monitor</em>  </p><p>One of Canada's most accomplished writers, Margaret Laurence(1926-1987) was the recipient of many awards, including the prestigious Governer General's Litarary Award for <em>The Diviners</em> and <em>A Jest of God</em>.</p>


text:
<h3>Product Description</h3><p>A little whimsy, now and then, makes for good balance. Theoretically, you could find this type of humor anywhere. But only a topflight science-fictionist, we thought, could have written this story, in just this way. . . . </p><p>Start here: <em>It was quite by accident I discovered this incredible invasion of Earth by lifeforms from another planet. As yet, I haven't done anything about it; I can't think of anything to do. I wrote to the Government, and they sent back a pamphlet on the repair and maintenance of frame houses. Anyhow, the whole thing is known; I'm not the first to discover it. Maybe it's even under control. . . .</em></p>


text:
<h3>Product Description</h3><p>Everyday life in Baltimore, USA, is full of problems - getting the washing done, buying groceries and dog food, avoiding the neighbors ...After the death of his son and the departure of his wife, Macon's attempts to run his own life become increasingly desperate - and more and more odd. Meanwhile, he has to get on with his work, writing tourist guides for business people. Then his dog Edward starts to bite people, and he has to send for Muriel, the dog trainer. And day by day, Macon's life gets more and more complicated. </p><h3>About the Author</h3><p>Jennifer Bassett is Series Editor of the Oxford Bookworms Collection, for which she has written original stories One-Way Ticket and The President's Murderer. </p>


text:
<p>Jesse James has survived lower depths, faced harder times, and beaten down more private demons than most--and lived to tell his story with honesty, introspection, and humility. </p>


text:
<div><p class="description">EDITORIAL REVIEW:</p>
<p class="description">**A new translation of one of the most notorious novels of all time** </p>
<p class="description"></p>
<p class="description"> Published just years before the French Revolution, Laclos's great novel of moral and emotional depravity is a disturbing and ultimately damning portrayal of a decadent society. Aristocrats and ex-lovers Marquise de Merteuil and Vicomte de Valmont embark on a sophisticated game of seduction and manipulation to bring amusement to their jaded lives. While Merteuil challenges Valmont to seduce an innocent convent girl, he is also occupied with the conquest of a virtuous married woman. Eventually their human pawns respond, and the consequences prove to be more serious-and deadly-than the players could have ever predicted.</p></div>


text:
<h3>From Publishers Weekly</h3><p>A tiny, godforsaken California town named Durango is the setting for Thomas's ( Out on the Rim ) tense new novel, a suspense story laced with wry wit. The town's mayor, plucky Barbara Huckins, and its chief of police, Sid Fork, are part-time lovers and ex-San Francisco hippies who drifted into Durango 20 years back. The action begins when Jack Adair, an acid-tongued judge falsely accused of taking a big bribe, drops into Durango to hide from whoever wants him silenced. Poor Adair already has a daughter in a mental hospital, a disbarred attorney for a son-in-law and a gay son who committed suicide (or was it murder?). Barbara and Sid, an unlikely duo assisted by no less than four detectives, follow a trail warm with corpses to a brutal killer who dresses up as a priest or a plumber. The socko climax takes place on the Fourth of July, with readers kept in the dark right through the fireworks. In this offbeat diversion, Thomas builds suspense and character almost casually, once again proving himself a master of the crime thriller. Major ad/promo; Literary Guild alternate; Mystery Guild and Doubleday Book Club selections. <br />Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc. </p><h3>Product Description</h3><p><em>The Fourth Durango</em> is not your ordinary Durango. It's not in Spain, or Mexico, and it's not a ski town in the Colorado Rockies, although Durangos do exist in all of those places. This Durango has an industry, albeit a rather odd one-it is a hideout business, a place where people pay to find sanctuary from former friends and associates who are either trying to kill them, or have them killed. Into this Durango comes a former chief justice of a state supreme court, followed by son-in-law Kelly Vines to act as his emissary to the beautiful and savvy mayor. Following them come a false priest, and a run of murders. It takes a Ross Thomas to stir these characters into a witty and ingenious mix readers will not be able to -and certainly would not want to-resist.  </p>


text:
<h3>Amazon.com Review</h3><p><strong>Amazon Best Books of the Month, May 2011</strong>: Steve Earle's heartbreaking debut novel features a morphine addict who performs illegal abortions, a young Mexican girl with mysterious healing powers, the ghost of Hank Williams, and a host of other more or less charismatic misfits. Set in San Antonio around the time of JFK’s assassination, and told with an equal mix of sympathy and violent detail, the story maintains a delicate balance of many such would-be opposing forces: Catholicism and "hoodoo," addiction and redemption, brutal reality and magical realism. A first novel this compelling from any author would be cause for celebration, but Earle is also a musician (the GRAMMY®-winning albums <em>Washington Square Serenade</em> and <em>Townes</em>), actor (_The Wire_), and activist, and in this context the book is even more of a watershed accomplishment. <em>I'll Never Get Out of This World Alive</em> is decidedly not for the faint of art, but adventuresome fiction readers will find much to love in its shocking, tender depths. --_Jason Kirk_</p><h3>Review</h3><p>"Earle (a hell of a songwriter himself) has written <strong>a deft, big-spirited novel</strong> about sin, faith, redemption, and the family of man." --_Entertainment Weekly_ "Earle draws on the rough-and-tumble tenderness in his music to create <strong>a witty, heartfelt story of hope, forgiveness, and redemption.</strong>" --_Booklist_ "In this spruce debut novel...hard-core troubadour Earle ponders miracles, morphine and mortality in 1963 San Antonio... With its Charles Portis vibe and the author's immense cred as a musician and actor, this should have no problem finding the wide audience it deserves." --_Publishers Weekly_ "A thematically ambitious debut novel that draws from the writer's experience, yet isn't simply a memoir in the guise of fiction...richly imagined..." --_Kirkus Reviews_, starred "Steve Earle brings to his prose the same　authenticity, poetic spirit and　cinematic energy he projects in his music. <em>I’ll Never Get Out of This World Alive </em>is like a dream you can't shake,　offering beauty and remorse,　redemption in spades."　 —Patti Smith ". . . a doctor, a Mexican girl, an Irish priest, the ghost of Hank Williams, and JFK the day before he dies. This subtle and dramatic book is the work of a brilliant songwriter who has moved from song to orchestral ballad with astonishing ease." —Michael Ondaatje   "A rich, raw mix of American myth and hard social reality, of faith and doubt, always firmly rooted in a strong sense of character." —Charles Frazier "Steve Earle writes like a shimmering neon angel." —Kinky Friedman   "Earle has created a potent blend of realism and mysticism in this compelling, morally complex story of troubled souls striving for a last chance at redemption. Musician, actor, and now novelist—is there another artist in America with such wide-ranging talent?" —Ron Rash "The characters are unforgettable,　and the plot moves like a fast train. A fantastic mixture of hard　reality and dark imagination." —Thomas Cobb   "Raw, honest and　unafraid, this novel　veers in and out of the lives of its many memorable characters with flawless pitch. Earle has given us dozens of remarkable songs, he has given us a dazzling collection of short stories, and now here's his first novel, a doozy from a great American storyteller." —Tom Franklin "A haunting and haunted bookend to Irving’s <em>Cider House Rules</em>. Gritty and transcendent, Earle has successfully created his own　potion of Texas, twang, and dope-tinged magic-realism."<br />—Alice Randall "If Jesus were to return tomorrow to twenty-first-century America, and do some street preaching on the gritty South Presa Strip of San Antonio, he’d love Earle’s magnificently human, big-hearted drifters." —Howard Frank Mosher   "Colorful, cool, and downright gripping." —Robert Earl Keen "Reads like the best of Steve Earle’s story songs, which means real good. The tale of a more charmingly haunted, trying-to-do-the-right-thing dope fiend you won’t easily find." —Mark Jacobson   "The best book I've read since <em>The Road</em>. As much or more than any other artist of his generation Steve Earle rises to the call, culturally and politically, traditionally in folk and country and rock music and what he’s added there, and with acting and writing for theater, and now with all the literary forms crescendoing in this beautiful novel. He just keeps stepping up." —R. B. Morris "Steve Earle astonishes us yet again. Country Rock's outlaw legend　brings the ghost of Hank Williams to life in a gloriously gritty first novel that soars like a song. And echoes in the heart." —Terry Bisson <br />"A mighty fine piece of storytelling." —Madison Smartt Bell   </p>


text:
<p>It's hard finding beauty in the badlands of Washokey, Wyoming, but 14-year-old Grace Carpenter knows it's not her mother's pageant obsessions, or the cowboy dances adored by her small-town classmates. True beauty is wild-girl Mandarin Ramey: 17, shameless and utterly carefree. Grace would give anything to be like Mandarin. When they're united for a project, they form an unlikely, explosive friendship, packed with nights spent skinny-dipping in the canal, liberating the town's animal-head trophies, and searching for someplace magic. Grace plays along when Mandarin suggests they run away together. Blame it on the crazy-making wildwinds plaguing their Badlands town. Because all too soon, Grace discovers Mandarin's unique beauty hides a girl who's troubled, broken, and even dangerous. And no matter how hard Grace fights to keep the magic, no friendship can withstand betrayal.  </p><p><em>From the Hardcover edition.</em></p>


text:
<p>More than 250 Tasty Low-Cal Cocktail Options</p><p>There's nothing better than letting loose with friends and a few drinks, but whether you're planning on kicking back after a hectic day or glamming it up for a night out, the last thing you want to do is obsess about calories.</p><p>Enjoy The Low-Cal Frangelini Melt My Heart Mojito Seven Skinny Sparkling Summer Spritzer Dandy Shandy</p><p>With no-fear recipes, easy-access calorie counts, and minimaldamage mixers, Skinny Cocktails is the must-have companion to a stress-free skinny life. </p>


text:
<h3>From School Library Journal</h3><p>Grade 9 Up—In this sequel to <em>Once Dead, Twice Shy</em> (HarperCollins, 2009), purple-haired Goth Madison is adjusting to life at her new high school—and to the fact that she is recently dead. She is the newest dark timekeeper put in charge of reapers of death. Her ideals clash with tradition—she believes in choice over fate: people with the potential to do evil might still be able to change in time to save their souls. Madison and her two reapers, (mostly) light Barnabas and dark Nakita, set out to alter the fate of a teen with a computer virus set to wreak havoc on the local hospital and cause several deaths. Madison's adversarial light timekeeper, Ron, and his apprentice are positioned to prevent them from succeeding. Amulets with hidden forces and an occasional visit from a limerick-spouting guardian angel add to the complex hierarchy of fate and supernatural power. Sharp-dressed Nakita, who can "scythe" (kill) mortals is still concerned with fitting in at school and is an engaging sidekick to Madison, yet other characters are portrayed sketchily at best. This fast-paced tale delivers some uniquely amusing moments but does not stand alone. Fans of Lauren Kate's <em>Fallen</em> (Delacorte, 2009) and those who enjoyed the first book may be drawn into Harrison's world of heaven and earth, but new readers will be left confused by undeveloped characters and overly complex rules and guidelines.—_Tara Kehoe, Plainsboro Public Library, NJ_ <br />(c) Copyright 2011.  Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted. </p><h3>From Booklist</h3><p>Fans of Once Dead, Twice Shy (2009) won’t be disappointed by this more-of-the-same sequel, which follows Madison—the newly minted dark timekeeper of the afterworld—as she tries to stave off unnecessary reaper scythings. The plot this time revolves around a dangerous computer virus, but the story’s primary concerns are the rocky relationships between the rogue’s gallery of supernatural characters (and a few human ones, too). Harrison’s afterworld rules remain rather exhausting, but her theme of fate versus choice is more finely tuned here than in the first book. If this is your kind of thing, you already have it on order. Grades 8-11. --Daniel Kraus </p>


text:
<h3>From Publishers Weekly</h3><p>A seasoned author of supernatural tales, Harrison makes her YA debut with the story of 17-year-old Madison Avery, who is killed by a "dark reaper" named Kairos on her prom night. But by stealing Kairos's amulet in the process, Madison manages to retain her soul. Along with Barnabas, a beautiful "light reaper," and Grace, her guardian angel, Madison plots to repossess her body and protect her prom date from Kairos and from the dark reapers' attempts to control time and fate. Having been content as an outsider ("I was happier being myself-purple hair, loud music, dead, and everything-than trying to fit in"), Madison must build her trust in others in order to save her life and discover her fate-whether or not she even believes in fate. Though rules and explanations seem at times a little too convenient, Harrison weaves an exciting battle, not between good and evil, but between free will and destiny. A compelling blend of mysticism, suspense and surprise make for a quick and pleasurable read. Ages 12-up. <br />Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. </p><h3>From School Library Journal</h3><p>Grade 7-10–With her purple-tipped hair and Goth style, Madison didn't fit in when she was alive, and she has real problems now that she is dead. She went to the prom with popular and handsome Josh, but when she found out that her dad had arranged the fix-up, she ran off with the dangerously charming Kairos. This was a bad idea. Kairos is a dark timekeeper who needed to strike down Madison because his own time was about to run out and when he tried, she stole his amulet. This event sets off a unique adventure in which Madison is stuck somewhere between life and death. Caught up in a world of dark and light reapers, seraphs, and guardian angels, she has to fight to get the correct amulet and to reunite her body and soul so that she can live out a life cut short. The characters and their specific jobs and places in the hierarchy of heaven and earth are hard to follow, perhaps because this first book in the series is the setup for those that follow. The final chapters are by far the best as readers finally get a handle on all of the intricacies of the story and become attached to some of the characters, such as Grace, a funny and charming guardian angel who often speaks in limericks._–Jake Pettit, Thompson Valley High School, Loveland, CO_ <br />Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. </p>


text:
<h3>Review</h3><p>“_Pure Blood_ pounds along hard on the heels of <em>Night Life</em>, and is every bit as much fun as the first in the series. With a gutsy, likable protagonist and a well-made fantasy world, <em>Pure Blood</em> is real enough to make you think twice about locking your doors at night. A swiftly-paced plot, a growing cast of solid supporting characters, and a lead character you can actually care about—Kittredge is a winner.”  —Jim Butcher</p><p>“I loved the mystery and the smart, gutsy heroine._”_—Karen Chance, <em>New York</em>_ Times_ bestselling author of <em>Claimed by Shadow</em></p><p>“Fast-paced, sexy and witty with many more interesting characters than I have time to mention. I’m looking forward to reading more stories in the exciting Nocturne City series.” —Fresh Fiction</p><p>__</p><p>Caitlin Kittredge just keeps honing her craft with each new book. <em>Second Skin</em> has some pretty creepy elements and page-turning action. Readers who enjoy good solid urban fantasy will enjoy this installment” —A Romance Review</p><p>“_Night Life_ dives right into the action, and carried me along for the ride…If the following books are written with the same care and interest as <em>Night Life</em>, they will be a welcome addition to this fantasy genre.” —Arm Chair Interviews</p><p>__ </p><h3>Review</h3><p>“_Pure Blood_ pounds along hard on the heels of <em>Night Life</em>, and is every bit as much fun as the first in the series. With a gutsy, likable protagonist and a well-made fantasy world, <em>Pure Blood</em> is real enough to make you think twice about locking your doors at night. A swiftly-paced plot, a growing cast of solid supporting characters, and a lead character you can actually care about—Kittredge is a winner.”  —Jim Butcher</p><p>“I loved the mystery and the smart, gutsy heroine._”_—Karen Chance, <em>New York</em>_ Times_ bestselling author of <em>Claimed by Shadow</em></p><p>“Fast-paced, sexy and witty with many more interesting characters than I have time to mention. I’m looking forward to reading more stories in the exciting Nocturne City series.” —Fresh Fiction</p><p><em>Caitlin Kittredge just keeps honing her craft with each new book. </em></p><p><em>Second Skin</em></p><p>has some pretty creepy elements and page-turning action. Readers who enjoy good solid urban fantasy will enjoy this installment” —A Romance Review</p><p>“_Night Life_ dives right into the action, and carried me along for the ride…If the following books are written with the same care and interest as <em>Night Life</em>, they will be a welcome addition to this fantasy genre.” —Arm Chair Interviews</p>


text:
<blockquote><p>After spending nine months in a coma, Tara Kinsale awakes to devastating news. Her best friend, Alexis, has been murdered, leaving Tara as guardian to her daughter, Claire. And Tara's husband has divorced her for another woman.</p></blockquote><p>Forced to start over, Tara focuses on reopening her P.I. firm and caring for Claire. But soon her world is shattered again when Nick MacMahon, Claire's uncle, returns from military service in Afghanistan to take guardianship of his niece. The bad dream turns unbearable when Tara learns that something precious was taken from her while she was in a coma.</p><p>Working with Nick, a man haunted by his own past, Tara begins to investigate the missing months of her life. Together, they will find that secrets don't stay buried forever...even when they are kept in the darkest of hiding places.</p>


text:
<p>A must-read title for all fans of Patrick Rothfuss and Trudi Canavan, <em>Fire</em> is an exceptional fantasy novel. From the deft characterisation to the gripping story, the fast-paced action to the evocative prose, this is one of the strongest fantasy novels of the year.</p><p>Set in a world of stunningly beautiful, exceptionally dangerous monsters, Fire is one of the most dangerous monsters of all—a human one. Marked out by her vivid red hair, she's more than attractive. Fire is mesmerising.</p><p>But with this extraordinary beauty comes influence and power. People who are susceptible to her appeal will do anything for her attention, and for her affection. They will turn away from their families, their work, and their duties for her. They will forget their responsibilities to please her...and worse, crush nations, neglect kingdoms and abuse their power.</p><p>Aware of her power, and afraid of it, Fire lives in a corner of the world away from people, and away from temptation. Until the day comes when she is needed—a day when, for her king, she has to stand against not only his enemies, but also against herself... </p>


text:
In the shadows of Nocturne City, witches lurk and demons prowl, and homicide detective Luna Wilder must keep the peace—while living life as a werewolf. Now bodies are turning up all over town, the brutal murders linked by a cryptic message: "We see with empty eyes…""PURE BLOOD"""To make matters worse for Luna, she can’t get wolfishly handsome Dmitri Sandovsky out of her mind. The last time he helped her with a case, Dmitri suffered a demon bite that infected him with a mysterious illness…and now his pack elders have forbidden him from associating with Luna. But she’ll need his help when high-level witches start turning up slaughtered. Because a war is brewing between rival clans of blood witches and caster witches—a magical gang war with the power to burn Nocturne City to the ground. Praise for the Nocturne City series: ""Pure Blood" pounds along hard on the heels of "Night Life," and is every bit as much fun as the first in the series.  With a gutsy, likable protagonist and a well-made fantasy world, "Pure Blood" is real enough to make you think twice about locking your doors at night.  A swiftly-paced plot, a growing cast of solid supporting characters, and a lead character you can actually care about--Kittredge is a winner."  --Jim Butcher“Dark and cutting edge” —"Romantic Times"“I loved the mystery and the smart, gutsy heroine.”—Karen Chance"" “Hot, hip, and fast-paced…I couldn’t put it down”—Lilith Saintcrow


text:
<h3>From Publishers Weekly</h3><p>This prequel to Canavan's Black Magician trilogy (_The Magicians' Guild_, etc.) fails to distinguish itself from other magical coming-of-age tales. Tessia treads the well-worn path of a girl in a low-tech monarchy, determined to be a healer like her father but discouraged from pursuing a career. When her insistence on practicing medicine brings her up against the arrogant Sachakan wizard Ashaki Takado, Tessia discovers a natural talent for magic in self-defense. She hires on with magician Lord Dakon, competing with his more experienced apprentice and hoping to combine her powers with her interest in healing. Meanwhile, the encroaching Sachakan army threatens Tessia's hometown, forcing her thoughts to turn to war. Although the plot is well paced and Tessia is a sympathetic protagonist, Canavan never manages to make the world and other characters distinctive or memorable. <em>(Feb.)</em> <br />Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. </p><h3>Product Description</h3><p><strong>Taking place hundreds of years before the events of <em>The Magicians' Guild, The Magician's Apprentice </em>is the new novel set in the world of Trudi Canavan's Black Magician trilogy.</strong>  </p><p>In the remote village of Mandryn, Tessia serves as assistant to her father, the village Healer. Her mother would rather she found a husband. But her life is about to take a very unexpected turn.  </p><p>When the advances of a visiting Sachakan mage get violent, Tessia unconsciously taps unknown reserves of magic to defend herself. Lord Dakon, the local magician, takes Tessia under his wing as an apprentice.  </p><p>The hours are long and the work arduous, but soon an exciting new world opens up to her. There are fine clothes and servants and - to Tessia's delight - regular trips to the great city of Imardin.  </p><p>However, Tessia is about to discover that her magical gifts bring with them a great deal of responsibility. For a storm is approaching that threatens to tear her world apart. </p>


text:
<h3>Review</h3><p>Enough twists and turns to keep readers' interest. (_Voya_) </p><h3>Product Description</h3><p><strong>Sorceress. Lady. Mistress. Thief. Just call her an overachiever.</strong>  </p><p>To survive, Sham has spent most of her young life stealing from Southwood’s nobility. Now, as the city’s nobles fall prey to a killer, Sham is called on to help—and must use all of her magical wisdom to send the demon away. </p>


text:
<h3>Product Description</h3><p>Shapeshifting mercenary Aralorn leads a dangerous existence. Now she must return home for her noble father, the Lyon of Lambshold, has passed away. But when Aralorn and her companion Wolf arrive, they find he's not dead, but ensorcelled by the ae'Magi, using him as a conduit to destroy Aralorn and Wolf. She must overcome this mysterious mist or fall to the blackest of magic. </p><h3>About the Author</h3><p>Patricia Briggs is the author of the New York Times bestselling Mercy Thompson urban fantasy series. She lives in Washington state with her husband, children, and a small herd of horses. </p>


text:
<h3>From Publishers Weekly</h3><p>This sprawling, spellbinding conclusion to the trilogy that began with The Dragonbone Chair weaves together a multitude of intricate strands, building to a suitably apocalyptic confrontation between good and evil. Prince Josua wins a first victory against the forces of his brother, Elias, who rules as High King in Osten Ard. Elias has the help of the dark priest Pryrates and of Ineluki the Storm King, onetime ruler of the immortal Sithi (the race that preceded humans). But others defy him, including Elias's own daughter, Princess Miriamele, the scullion turned knight Simon, and Camaris, once one of the greatest knights of Osten Ard and wielder of the sword Thorn, one of the three weapons that may effect a victory over Elias's hordes. As Josua's forces-- augmented by those Elias has wronged and by friendly Sithi--approach the king's stronghold, a secret battle takes place in the underlying caverns. It will affect not only the conflict's outcome, but also the futures of many races. The main caveat to Williams's engrossing epic is its length. A tetralogy might have been more easily digested, although that format might have drained some of the extraordinary tension built up in the book's closing pages. <br />Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc. </p><h3>From School Library Journal</h3><p>YA-This culmination of the trilogy is incredibly long and carries, besides the story, a dictionary of names, places, and other necessary information. It tells of the final battle between the forces of good and evil in the land of Osten Ard, a mythical place not unlike medieval Europe. Clearly, the author has been influenced not only by Tolkien, but also by Wagner's "Ring" story. Everything in Williams's narrative is larger than life-the individuals, the battles, the mysticism and magic. Yet his painstaking detail ensures that the world he creates is as believable and immediate as readers' everyday lives. The main character, Simon, is a reluctant hero. He is a superior warrior, yet he hates violence. He has been chosen as a seer by mystical beings who wish to aid his human counterparts, but he is never sure of his own worth. He understands cosmic truths, but considers himself ignorant. All action spins around Simon, but the book is replete with many other interesting characters, all fully developed. Enjoying the story's wealth of entertainment can literally take months, but for the author's fans it will be a treasure. It can also stand on its own.<br /><em>Jessica Lahr, Edison High School, Fairfax County, VA</em><br />Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc. </p>


text:
A major event in the annals of Fantasy: the long-awaited conclusion of Tad Williams' bestselling trilogy Memory, Sorrow and Thorn (which began with The Dragonbone Chair and Stone of Farewell). In Part 2 of To Green Angel Tower, Simon and Miriamele undertake a dangerous quest through the war- and magic-torn lands.


text:
<h3>Product Description</h3><p>SIN AND DANGER COLLIDE WHEN THE WORLD’S HOTTEST SECRET AGENTS COMPETE FOR THE PRIZE EVERYONE’S LUSTING AFTER….  </p><p>No one’s ever seen it. Everybody wants it. That’s why the government has just unleashed its secret weapon. Drop-dead-gorgeous art dealer Suzi Toussi has been tapped for the toughest mission of her career: to locate the Memphis Sphinx, an ancient artifact rumored to possess otherworldly powers. Tracking it to Paraguay means going up against Dax Killian, the sexy special ops agent who’s planning to snatch the coveted relic right out of her hot little hands. If he can find it first…   </p><p>Dax first spotted her outside a seedy bar—in three-inch heels and a too-tight dress. He’d know those curves anywhere. But what was Suzi doing in a hellhole like Ciudad del Este? Dax knows the answer: the Sphinx. Suddenly the game is on—and only one of them will walk away with the prize. With the Sphinx surfacing and passion taking Suzi and Dax under, they’re headed for a showdown that could reveal the secrets of the ages…or expose them to the hottest danger of all.  </p><p><em>From the Paperback edition.</em></p><h3>About the Author</h3><p>Tara Janzen lives in Colorado where she is at work on her next novel. </p>


text:
<p>On the campus of the University of Tennessee lies a patch of ground unlike any in the world. The "Body Farm" is a place where human corpses are left to the elements, and every manner of decay is fully explored -- for the sake of science and the cause of justice. The scientist who created the Body Farm has broken cold cases and revolutionized forensics, and now, in this heart-stopping novel, he spins an astonishing tale inspired by his own experiences.</p><p>A woman's corpse lies hidden in a cave in the mountains of East Tennessee. Undiscovered for thirty years, her body has been transformed by the cave's chemistry into a near-perfect mummy -- one that discloses an explosive secret to renowned anthropologist Bill Brockton. Dr. Brockton has spent his career surrounded by death and decay at the Body Farm, but even he is baffled by this case unfolding in a unique environment where nothing is quite what it seems.</p><p>The surreal setting is Cooke County, a remote mountain community that's clannish, insular, and distrustful of outsiders. The heartbreaking discovery of the young woman's corpse reopens old wounds and rekindles feuds dating back decades. The county's powerful and uncooperative sheriff and his inept deputy threaten to derail Brockton's investigation altogether. So do Brockton's other nemeses: his lingering guilt over the death of his wife, and the fury of a medical examiner whom Brockton dares to oppose in court.</p><p><em>Carved in Bone</em> is a richly atmospheric, superbly suspenseful, and magnificently rendered trip into the world of forensic science, the heart of the Appalachian Mountains, and the dark passageways of the human psyche. Full of vivid characters and startling twists and turns, this thrilling novel heralds the debut of a major new voice in crime fiction -- and an unforgettable work from the hand of a scientific legend. </p>


text:
<h3>From School Library Journal</h3><p>Gr 7-10–Funke takes readers on a new adventure into a magical place where the dark side of fairy tales holds sway. Jacob Reckless, like his father before him, escapes into the Mirrorworld, and all is well until his younger brother, Will, follows him in and falls under the enchantment of the Dark Fairy. Through an injury, she turns him slowly into a Goyl, a person made of stone. Jacob is determined to rescue his brother and restore him to himself. Accompanied by his companion, a shape-shifter girl/vixen named Fox, and Will's girlfriend, Clara, Jacob journeys with Will to find the antidote to the spell. With a large cast, including a dwarf, powerful fairies born from water, deadly moths, man-eating sirens, unicorns, and the terrifying Tailor with fingers ending in blades and needles, the story includes multiple fairy-tale motifs as the characters grapple with fear and despair while on their seemingly hopeless quest. The action picks up midway through the book and races to an exciting climax. Despite some loose plotting and broadly drawn characters, readers are pulled into the thrill of the story. The themes of guilt, responsibility, abandonment, and love, in the context of the many dangers in the Mirrorworld, contribute to a serious tone. Ultimately the characters keep faith with what matters most to each of them. The fact that the main characters are in their 20s will help to extend its potential readership to older students. Reckless will be enjoyed by Funke's fans, who will be pleased that she has left the door open for a sequel._Sue Giffard, Ethical Culture Fieldston School, New York City_<br />© Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted. </p><h3>From Booklist</h3><p>Jacob, whose father has been missing for more than a year, is 12 when he discovers how to use the mirror in his dad’s study as a portal to an alternate reality. Chapter 2 picks up the story 12 years later, when his younger brother Will follows him into the mirror’s world, where Jacob has carved out an adventurous life for himself and Fox, his companion. Will’s experience is different: he begins a slow, painful, relentless transformation into a goyl, a living stone man, though his girlfriend, Clara, works with Jacob and Fox to save him. The alternate world is a largely recognizable, European-fairy-tale land, while the goyls add a new element and are used creatively in ways that serve the story well. It’s hard to connect with the main characters, though, perhaps because they are unwilling or unable to communicate well with each other or simply because the author withholds information. Jacob is so enigmatic that some may find him unsympathetic. Story is king here, however, and this adventure-driven fantasy, the first in a series, will have readers turning pages. Grades 7-10. --Carolyn Phelan </p>


text:
<h3>From Publishers Weekly</h3><p>Starred Review. Preston and Child up the emotional ante considerably in their 10th thriller featuring brilliant and eccentric FBI agent Aloysius Pendergast (after <em>Cemetery Dance</em>), one of the best in the series. For 12 years, Pendergast has believed that the death of his wife, Helen, in the jaws of a ferocious red-maned lion in Zambia was just a tragedy, but his chance examination of the gun she carried on the fateful day reveals that someone loaded it with blanks. Pendergast drags his longtime NYPD ally, Lt. Vincent D'Agosta, into a leave of absence that includes travel to Africa as well as the American South. The motive for Helen's murder appears to be linked to her fascination with John James Audubon and her quest for a mysterious lost Audubon painting. Once again, the bestselling authors show they have few peers at creating taut scenes of suspense. Their restraint in the book's early sections make the payoffs all the more compelling. <em>(May)</em> <br />Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. </p><h3>Review</h3><p>"René Auberjonois...lends the proper air of gravitas to his performance. With the underlying story featuring zombies and the undead, it takes the sober Auberjonois to help maintain the credibility of the plot. His sincere delivery is perfect for a strange story that is more than a little creepy." (<strong>AudioFile Magazine on CEMETERY DANCE</strong> )  </p><p>"[A] suspenseful tale of urban terror...this taut page-turner can only add to the authors' growing fan base." (<strong>Publishers Weekly on CEMETERY DANCE</strong> )  </p><p>"Narrator As Pendergast discovers that his beloved wife kept a myriad of secrets, Auberjonois's characterization dramatizes the special agent's confusion over his wife's loyalty." (_<strong>AudioFile</strong>_ ) </p>


text:
<h3>From Publishers Weekly</h3><p>In Jacobson's tepid third thriller (after <em>Hunted</em> and <em>False Accusations</em>), FBI profiler Karen Vail is obsessed with bringing to justice the Dead Eyes Killer, who's gruesomely slain several women in Virginia. The action alternates between Karen's attempts to unravel the clues left behind at the crime scenes and glimpses of the Dead Eyes Killer himself as he stalks future victims. A messy divorce and custody battle threaten to distract Karen, as do her tentative relationship with a local detective and disturbing revelations about her family history. The author fails to put a fresh spin on any of the genre's cliches--the serial killer who taunts law enforcement, the FBI agent with an implausible connection to the case, the chaotic crime scene that contains clues only the hero can crack. Though Jacobson's research into the FBI's Behavioral Analysis Unit is evident, he overloads his story with too much information and unbelievable coincidences. <em>5-city author tour. (Nov.)</em> <br />Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. </p><h3>From School Library Journal</h3><p>Jacobson's third novel (after <em>False Accusations</em> and <em>The Hunted</em>) has all the ingredients for a best-selling psychological thriller: strong female lead, multifaceted serial killer, compelling plot, and just enough secrets and surprises to keep the adrenaline racing. The hunt is on for the notorious Dead Eyes killer who is preying on young women. Karen Vail is a gritty yet vulnerable FBI profiler with a precarious personal life. As Vail and the task force pursue the serial killer, readers are drawn into the inner sanctum of a profiler while simultaneously privy to the killer's crazed thoughts. The murders rapidly escalate, and Vail's personal life is careening out of control, threatening to derail her investigation. When the killer strikes a seventh time, surprising revelations provide a shocking finale. The author's seven years of study with the FBI's profiling unit have helped him craft a riveting, authentically detailed thriller that will ensnare readers. Strongly recommended for all popular fiction collections.—Mary Todd Chesnut, Northern Kentucky Univ. Lib., Highland Heights <br />Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. </p>


text:
<h3>From Booklist</h3><p>This opening book in a new series, The Immortals, will thrill many teen fantasy-suspense readers, especially fans of Stephenie Meyer’s Twilight series. Seventeen-year-old Ever survived the car crash that killed her parents, younger sister, and their dog. Now she lives with an aunt in Southern California, plagued not only by survivor guilt but also by a new ability to hear the thoughts of all around her. She tries to tune out all these distractions by keeping her hoodie up and her iPod cranked loud, until Damen, the cute new boy at school, convinces her to come out of her shell. Damen, however, is frighteningly clever—and has the strange ability to produce tulips from nowhere and disappear himself at critical moments. Noël (Saving Zoë, 2007) creates a cast of recognizably diverse teens in a realistic high-school setting, along with just the right tension to make Ever’s discovery of her own immortality—should she choose it—exciting and credible. Grades 8-10. --Francisca Goldsmith </p><h3>Review</h3><p>"_Evermore_ is addictive.  When I wasn't reading, I was thinking about how I could sneak away to read some more.  I couldn't put it down.  I dreamt abuot this book.  And when I was finished, I couldn't get it out of my head.  This book was simply breathtaking." --_Teens Read Too  </p><p>_"Teen angst and the paranormal make a combustible mix as Noel utilizes typical themes and gives them a dangerous and eerie twist. Getting hooked on this new series, <em>The Immortals</em>, is guaranteed."--4 stars!  _Romantic Times Magazine  </p><p><em>"Readers who enjoy the works of PC Cast and Stephenie Meyer will love this outstanding paranormal teen-lit thriller." –</em>Midwest Book Review  </p><p><em>“Get ready for a wild ride that is filled with twisting paths and mystery, love and fantasy. . . The writing style, story, and characters are a bit like Meyer and Marr's popular books, but written with a new twist and voice. And after reading the book, you too will probably want your own Damen, even if it means making the ultimate sacrifice.”  --5/5 stars! </em>The Book Queen  </p><p><em>"I found myself unwilling to put the book down, even though I had to at some points, because I wanted to know what was going to happen…Ever was so real and her emotions were so believable that it was a little creepy. It's like Alyson Noël is actually a grieving, lovestruck teenager. She got Ever completely perfect. And by perfect, I mean delightfully flawed and deep.” --</em>The Frenetic Reader  </p><p><em>"Evermore is a wonderful book that I believe would be a lovely addition to any library . . .Definitely a book that fans of Stephenie Meyer and Melissa Marr should add to their collections. Definitely engaging and will catch your attention the minute you open to the first page!" - </em>Mind of a Bibliophile  </p><p>_“Alyson Noel creates a great picture of each and every character in the book. I am a fan of the <em>Twlight</em> series and I recommend this book to those who like the series as well. It is a very quick read, with all the interesting twist and turns.” –_Flamingnet Book Reviews  </p><p><em>"I loved this book. It really keeps your attention though out the story, because the puzzle gets pieced together bit by bit, but you don't know exactly what happened until the end. The only thing that disappoints me is that the second book won't be published for a while. I would definitely recommend this to my friends." --</em>Portsmouth Teen Book Review  </p><p>_"This is the first installment of <em>The Immortals</em> series. Ms. Noël pens a well-detailed story that makes it easy for the reader to visualize both the characters and the world around them. <em>Evermore</em> has a familiar theme that attracts readers, but inside this book you’ll find that the author has added some unique details that sets it apart." --_Darque Reviews  </p><p><em>“</em>Evermore_’s suspense, eerie mystery, and strange magic were interestingly entertaining…I found Ever to be a character I could really respect…Recommended.” –_The Bookworm  </p><p><em>“Beautiful main characters, tense budding romance, a dark secret, mysterious immortals—what more could you ask from this modern gothic romance?” –</em>Justine Magazine  </p><p><em>“</em>Evermore_ was a great way to lighten my reading load this winter and provided me with a creative, magical story that I really enjoyed. This is the first in a series for Noel and I think she may have a hit on her hands . . . <em>Evermore</em> has good and evil, likable characters, vivid descriptions and a good story.”- _Planet Books  </p><p><em>“I fell into it easily, and loved the world Noel created . . . The fact that Ever had psychic powers was truly interesting. They flowed neatly through the book and I felt Ever's pain . .trust me, this book was really good. I couldn't put it down. Alyson Noel created an amazing new world, and after this book I am so curious to see where it heads because honestly, I have no idea.” – </em>Reading Keeps You Sane  </p><p><em>“Ever is an easy character to like. I really felt for her because of all she lost and what she struggled with daily…</em>Evermore_ was a really fast, engaging read with some great characters. It is the first in a series, so I'm eager to see if we will learn more about Ever, Damen and friends in the next one…it's sure to be a great read.”- _Ninja reviews  </p><p><em>“The writing here is clear, the story well-defined and narrator Ever has an engaging voice that teens should enjoy."- </em>January Magazine  </p><p>_"Alyson Noël created a well-detailed story that makes it easy for the reader to visualize both the characters and the world around them. <em>Evermore</em> has a familiar theme that attracts readers, but inside this book you’ll find that the author has added some unique details that sets it apart and will surprise you."- <em>The Ravenous Reader</em></p>


text:
<h3>Product Description</h3><p>Cerise Mar and her clan are cash poor but land rich, claiming a large swathe of the Mire, the Edge swamplands. When her parents vanish, her clan's long-time rivals are suspect. But all is not as it seems.   </p><p>Two nations of the Weird are waging a cold war fought by feint and espionage, and their conflict is about to spill over into the Edge-and Cerise's life. </p><h3>About the Author</h3><p>Ilona Andrews lives in Pooler, GA.</p>


text:
Marine corporal Rick Sudder is home early from Iraq—his tour ended abruptly on the battlefield. The carefree boy is gone, replaced by a man who believes his future is as bleak as his mirror image. But can the passion and commitment of a young woman who has never given up on him mend his broken body and shattered heart? As the people of Virgin River rally around Rick, another recent arrival tests the tightly knit mountain town's famous welcoming spirit. Dan Brady has a questionable past, and he's looking for a place to start over. He'd like it to be Virgin River…if he can find a way in. But he never expects to find it in the arms of a woman who was as much an outcast as himself. For a favorite son returned from war and an outsider looking for a home, Virgin River offers them a chance to make peace with the men they once were…and to find the dreams they thought they'd lost.


text:
<h3>From Publishers Weekly</h3><p>Starred Review. Philadelphia homicide detectives Kevin Byrne and Jessica Balzano take on a high-profile cold case in Montanari's superior thriller, which combines a genuinely creepy villain with fully fleshed-out victims. The dead-end inquiry into the drowning death of 17-year-old Caitlin O'Riordan four months earlier gets a boost when someone, privy to details never made public, tips the police to an abandoned building in a bad neighborhood that later turns out to house a second corpse. The stakes are raised even higher when another body turns up, an ex-girlfriend of Byrne's who'd worked for the local district attorney. Segments from the killer's perspective increase the tension, and Montanari (_Merciless_) does a nice job of concealing one of the murderer's alter egos. The fiend's methods, modeled after elaborate magical tricks, are a welcome change from the gore typical of the serial killer subgenre. Likewise, Byrne and Balzano possess a psychological depth all too rare in such fiction. <em>(Sept.)</em> <br />Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. </p><h3>From Booklist</h3><p><em>Starred Review</em> The new Jessica Balzano and Kevin Byrne mystery is also, by far, the best is the series, a novel worthy of comparison with such elite procedural authors as Michael Connelly. Philadelphia homicide cops Balzano and Byrne are working a cold case, the disappearance of a young girl. Following some new evidence, the partners discover that a serial killer is stalking runaways, abducting and killing them in bizarre ways. This is a stunning novel, combining the best elements of the police procedural with the most unsettling aspects of the psycho serial-killer genre.  The villain is not merely a psychopath but a fully realized human being, with a backstory that explains his obsessions. We feel a certain amount of compassion for him even as we’re seriously creeped out by his actions and what goes on inside his head. Along with such Connelly jewels as The Narrows (2004), this outstanding, truly memorable novel will remind readers of Ridley Pearson’s Lou Boldt and Daphne Matthews series, especially The Pied Piper (1998), which also includes a riveting portrait of a deranged serial killer. Montanari seems poised to take his place on the top ranks of the mystery field. --David Pitt </p>


text:
<p>After Hudson Savage betrayed her, Dana Cardwell hoped never to lay eyes on the seductive cowboy again. Until a bunch of old bones showed up on her family ranch. Suddenly her former lover was back in her life in a big way—to investigate a decades-old crime.</p><p>Five years ago, Hud left town with a heart load of regrets. But now, as acting interim marshal, he had a job to do. And this time he wasn't walking away. Because now Dana's life was on the line—as the unsuspecting target of a killer who still walked the canyon. Hud would do whatever it took to keep Dana close. Even if it meant risking his own heart for a second chance for both of them.... </p>


text:
<h3>Review</h3><p><strong>Praise for <em>Dead by Morning</em>:</strong>  </p><p>''The popular and dependable Barton has again created an intricately plotted, thoroughly engrossing serial killer tale that satisfactorily resolves the current dilemmas but leaves a stunning cliff-hanger.'' --_Library Journal_   </p><p><strong>Praise for <em>As Good as Dead</em>:</strong>  </p><p>''A powerful story that kept me up very late--with all the lights on.'' --Kay Hooper, <em>New York Times</em> bestselling author </p><h3>Product Description</h3><p><strong>In murder . . .</strong>  </p><p>The last sounds Dean Wilson hears are a clock striking twelve and a killer's taunting words. And his death is just the first. One by one, victims are stalked and shot at close range. Only the killer knows their sins, and who will be the next to die at midnight?  </p><p><strong>And in life . . . </strong>  </p><p>In the ten years since her Hollywood career imploded, Lorie Hammonds has built a good life in her Alabama hometown. When the first death threat arrives, she assumes it's a joke. Then she gets a second. Sheriff Mike Birkett, her high school sweetheart, has avoided Lorie since she returned to Dunmore, but when investigators uncover her connection to a string of recent murders, he's drawn into a case that's terrifyingly personal.   </p><p><strong>Timing is everything.</strong>  </p><p>With every murder, the killer edges closer. Soon Lorie's will be the last name left on his list. Her only hope is to unearth a deadly secret--before the clock runs out for good. </p>


text:
<h3>From Publishers Weekly</h3><p>Bestseller Goodkind (_Confessor_) ventures into thriller territory with results sure to please fans of his fantasy fiction. In the opening pages, Alex Rahl, the book's unwitting hero, saves the beautiful Jax from being run down on the street in Orden, Neb., by a plumbing truck flying a pirate flag. Jax, who turns out to be from an alternate reality where evildoers are attempting to seize control of her civilization, has traveled to Nebraska to seek Alex's help in saving her people. In Jax's world, magic takes the place of technology, but on earth she's stripped of her powers and forced to fight armed with only her trusty dagger. The author takes his time setting all this up, but once the story gets rolling, it's a gripping ride as the bad guys whoosh in between their world, which remains unseen, and ours. Fantasy and thriller readers alike will find themselves swept along to the final confrontation and looking forward to the next installment. <em>(Sept.)</em> <br />Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. </p><h3>Review</h3><p>“Fast paced, riveting and scary. It will leave the reader breathless.”<br />--<strong>Nelson DeMille</strong>   </p><p>“A gripping ride”<br />--<strong><em>PW </em></strong>   </p><p>"Astonishing”<br />--<strong><em>Kirkus </em></strong></p>


text:
<p class="description">O romance gira em torno de um 'tremor de tempo' que teria feito com que o universo sofresse uma espécie de soluço, voltando dez anos em sua trajetória. O texto é permeado por auto-referências. Do massacre da cidade de Dresden, em 1945, que o escritor presenciou, à morte, por câncer, de seus dois irmãos, Bernard e Allie, e da primeira esposa, Jane, os fatos da vida de Vonnegut se misturam com o dia-a-dia dos personagens Trout, Monica, Zoltan Pepper e Dudley Prince. No prólogo, Vonnegut cita 'O velho e o mar' , de Ernest Hemingway, sugerindo que o peixe enorme deveria ter sido fatiado, permitindo ao ancião salvar as melhores partes.</p>


text:
<div><h3>Product Description</h3><p><em>Outside the window, a squirrel in a tree popped out with a little black suitcase. At first, Jane was sure she must be mistaken, but as she watched, the squirrel opened the tiny suitcase and began arranging nuts and acorns inside...</em></p><p><em>The animals clearly knew something was wrong. Even her pet iguana scrawled a warning in the sand of his tank: He is coming.</em></p><p>Soon all the animals are fleeing the suburb where Jane lives. But they aren't the only ones acting strange. Jane's parents seem to be hypnotized by their cell phones and the TV. And her grandma starts controlling the weather and speaking in a funny language. But when Jane meets an old blind man who can drive a car and claims Jane is the only one who can save the world, well, that's when things really start to get weird...</p><h3>About the Author</h3><p>While still in high school, <strong>Stephen Chambers </strong>sold two novels, <em>Hope's End </em>and <em>Hope's War</em>. Stephen will contribute to the forthcoming anthology of short fantasy fiction by rising authors, <em>Twenty by Twenties</em>, introduced by bestselling writer Orson Scott Card. Stephen is currently a doctoral candidate in the history department at Brown University.</p></div>


text:
<p>It was an explosion that reverberated across the country--and into the very heart of early-twentieth-century America. On the morning of October 1, 1910, the walls of the Los Angeles Times Building buckled as a thunderous detonation sent men, machinery, and mortar rocketing into the night air. When at last the wreckage had been sifted and the hospital triage units consulted, twenty-one people were declared dead and dozens more injured. But as it turned out, this was just a prelude to the devastation that was to come.  </p><p>In <em>American Lightning</em>, acclaimed author Howard Blum masterfully evokes the incredible circumstances that led to the original "crime of the century"--and an aftermath more dramatic than even the crime itself.   </p><p>With smoke still wafting up from the charred ruins, the city's mayor reacts with undisguised excitement when he learns of the arrival, only that morning, of America's greatest detective, William J. Burns, a former Secret Service man who has been likened to Sherlock Holmes. Surely Burns, already world famous for cracking unsolvable crimes and for his elaborate disguises, can run the perpetrators to ground.   </p><p>Through the work of many months, snowbound stakeouts, and brilliant forensic sleuthing, the great investigator finally identifies the men he believes are responsible for so much destruction. Stunningly, Burns accuses the men--labor activists with an apparent grudge against the Los Angeles Times's fiercely anti-union owner--of not just one heinous deed but of being part of a terror wave involving hundreds of bombings.   </p><p>While preparation is laid for America's highest profile trial ever--and the forces of labor and capital wage hand-to-hand combat in the streets--two other notable figures are swept into the drama: industry-shaping lmmaker D.W. Griffith, who perceives in these events the possibility of great art and who will go on to alchemize his observations into the landmark film The Birth of a Nation; and crusading lawyer Clarence Darrow, committed to lend his eloquence to the defendants, though he will be driven to thoughts of suicide before events have fully played out.  </p><p>Simultaneously offering the absorbing reading experience of a can't-put-it-down thriller and the perception-altering resonance of a story whose reverberations continue even today, <em>American Lightning</em> is a masterpiece of narrative nonfiction.  </p><p><em>From the Hardcover edition.</em></p>


text:
<p>With only a yellowing photograph in hand, a young man - also named Jonathan Safran Foer - sets out to find the woman who might or might not have saved his grandfather from the Nazis. Accompanied by an old man haunted by memories of the war, an amorous dog named Sammy Davis, Junior, Junior, and the unforgettable Alex, a young Ukrainian translator who speaks in a sublimely butchered English, Jonathan is led on a quixotic journey over a devastated landscape and into an unexpected past.</p><p>As their adventure unfolds, Jonathan imagines the history of his grandfather's village, conjuring a magical fable of startling symmetries that unite generations across time. Lit by passion, fear, guilt, memory, and hope, the characters in Everything Is Illuminated mine the black holes of history. As the search moves back in time, the fantastical history moves forward, until reality collides with fiction in a heart-stopping scene of extraordinary power.</p><p>An arresting blend of high comedy and great tragedy, this is a story about searching for people and places that no longer exist, for the hidden truths that haunt every family, and for the delicate but necessary tales that link past and future. Exuberant and wise, hysterically funny and deeply moving, EVERYTHING IS ILLUMINATED is an astonishing debut. </p>


text:
<p>Just when you thought the last thing the world needed was another book on weeknight cooking, along comes an entirely fresh take on the subject. As they do on their weekly show, host Lynne Rossetto Kasper and producer Sally Swift approach their topic with attitude and originality, making <em>The Splendid Table's How to Eat Supper</em> one of the most engaging cookbooks of this or any other year.  </p><p>As loyal listeners know, Lynne and Sally share an unrelenting curiosity about everything to do with food. Their show, The Splendid Table, looks at the role food plays in our lives--inspiring us, making us laugh, nourishing us, and opening us up to the world around us. Now they have compiled all the most trenchant tips, never-fail recipes, and everyday culinary know-how from the program in <em>How to Eat Supper</em>, a kitchen companion unlike any other.  </p><p>This is no mere cookbook. Like the show, this book goes far beyond the recipe, introducing the people and stories that are shaping America's changing sense of food. We don't eat, shop, or cook as we used to. Our relationship with food has intensified, become more controversial, richer, more pleasurable, and sometimes more puzzling. <em>How to Eat Supper</em> gives voice to rarely heard perspectives on food--from the quirky to the political, from the grassroots to the scholarly, from the highbrow to the humble--and shows the essential role breaking bread together plays in our world.  </p><p><em>How to Eat Supper</em> takes you through a plethora of inviting recipes simple enough to ensure success even if you've never cooked before. And if you are experienced in the kitchen, you'll find challenging new concepts and dishes to spark your imagination.  </p><p><em>From the Hardcover edition.</em></p>


text:
The Vietnam Reader is a selection of the finest and best-known art from the American war in Vietnam, including fiction, nonfiction, poetry, drama, film, still photos, and popular song lyrics. All the strongest work is here, from mainstream bestsellers to radical poetry, from Tim O'Brien to Marvin Gaye. Also included are incisive reader's questions--useful for educators and book clubs--in a volume that makes an essential contribution to a wider understanding of the Vietnam War.This authoritative and accessible volume is sure to become a classic reference, as well as indispensable and provocative reading for anyone who wants to know more about the war that changed the face of late-twentieth-century America.


text:
<h3>From Publishers Weekly</h3><p>Starred Review. Profound loss, desolation and rebuilding are the literal and metaphoric themes of Michaels's exquisite second novel (after <em>Fugitive Pieces</em>). Avery Escher is a Canadian engineer recently moved to a houseboat on the Nile with his new wife, Jean, in 1964. Avery's part of a team of engineers trying to salvage Abu Simbel, which is about to be flooded by the new Aswan dam. His wife, Jean, meanwhile, carries with her childhood memories of flooded villages and the heavy absence of her mother, who died when she was young. Now, the sight of the entire Nubian nation being evacuated from their native land before it's flooded affects both Avery and Jean intensely. Jean's pregnancy seems a possible redemption, but their daughter is stillborn, and Jean falls into despair, shunning the former intimacy of her marriage. When the couple returns to Canada, they set up separate lives and another man enters the picture. Michaels is especially impressive at making a rundown of construction materials or the contents of a market as evocative as the shared moments between two young lovers. A tender love story set against an intriguing bit of history is handled with uncommon skill. <em>(May)</em> <br />Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. </p><h3>From Bookmarks Magazine</h3><p>Anne Michaels has published several acclaimed poetry collections, including The Weight of Oranges and Miner’s Pond. Her background as a poet shines through in The Winter Vault, which awed critics with its many elegant, vibrant, and luminous passages and Michaels’s endless curiosity about science, engineering, and architecture. Unfortunately, many of these same critics were conflicted in their overall reviews: they reluctantly felt hampered by rolling monologues, pedantic segments, uninspiring characters, and an awkward story structure. The San Francisco Chronicle even remarked: “[T]hese long recitations of memory and conjecture, while exquisite, grow exhausting.” Overall, critics cited this latest from Michaels as a beautiful, important novel, but they were skeptical of its widespread appeal.<br />Copyright 2009 Bookmarks Publishing LLC </p>


text:
<p>Strictly speaking, Lew Archer is only supposed to dig up the dirt on a rich man's suspicious soon-to-be son-in-law. But in no time at all Archer is following a trail of corpses from the citrus belt to Mazatlan. And then there is the zebra-striped hearse and its crew of beautiful, sunburned surfers, whose path seems to keep crossing the son-in-law's--and Archer's--in a powerful, fast-paced novel of murder on the California coast.  </p><p><em>From the Trade Paperback edition.</em></p>


text:
<p>Alaska is a place where know-how is currency and a novice's mistakes can kill you. An extreme landscape in both its beauty and challenges, the state is nicknamed "The Last Frontier" with good reason: Here is a paradoxical landscape where boundaries—between community and isolation, bounty and deprivation, conservation and exploitation—are constantly in flux.</p><p>But the state has also always been a place for reinvention, a refuge as much for those desperate to escape something as for those on a quest for something else. In <em>Tide, Feather, Snow</em>, Miranda Weiss, a young woman who grew up landlocked in well-kept East Coast suburbs, moves with her boyfriend to Homer, Alaska, where the days are quartered by the most extreme tides in the country, where the years are marked by seasons of fish, and where locals carry around the knowledge of fish, tides, boats, and weather as ballast. At first, she struggles to make a place for herself in this unfamiliar country. But ultimately, Weiss learns the skills to survive on her own, from setting a fishing net to befriending the locals, from jarring rosehip butter to skinning a sea otter.</p><p>Weiss's keenly observed prose introduces readers to the memorable people and peculiar beauty of Alaska's vast landscape and takes us on her personal journey of adventure, physical challenge, and culture clash. In the tradition of John McPhee's <em>Coming into the Country</em>, this elegant and affecting memoir is nature writing at its best. </p>


text:
<div><p>WHITE-HOT, DOWN-AND-DIRTY PASSION IGNITES WHEN A SEXY SOLDIER ENCOUNTERS AN IRRESISTIBLE THIEF WHO'S CHANGED HER WAYS.  </p><p>Six years ago, the Special Defense Force mourned the loss of J. T. Chronopolous. Now the striking soldier is back with scant memory, a new name--Conroy Farrel--and one single mission: to bring down SDF. But SDF has its own plan: get him back at any cost. And so they've set a trap for Con, a trap that Jane Linden accidentally steps into. With darkness falling and the night heating up, Con finds himself on the run in an oddly familiar 1967 Pontiac GTO with a drop-dead-gorgeous brunette named Jane by his side. Who she is he doesn't know. Or does he? Jane certainly hasn't forgotten <em>him</em>. When she was a teenager, he caught her picking his pocket. Now the former street thief is all grown up and gone legit--and the effect she has on Con is all too clear: pure, sweet longing. Con's not sure if Jane is there to save him or to take him down. But one thing's certain: With desire leading the way, all bets are off.  </p><p><em>From the Paperback edition.</em></p></div>


text:
<div><h3>Product Description</h3><p>After an upbringing of proper behavior and oppressive expectations, Aralorn fled her noble birthright for a life of adventure as a mercenary spy. Her latest mission involves spying on the increasingly powerful sorcerer Geoffrey ae'Magi. But in a war against an enemy armed with the powers of illusion, how do you know who the true enemy is-or where he will strike next? </p><h3>About the Author</h3><p>Patricia Briggs is the author of the New York Times bestselling Mercy Thompson urban fantasy series. She lives in Washington state with her husband, children, and a small herd of horses. </p></div>


text:
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); "><h3 style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 12px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(176, 163, 119); ">Synopsis</h3><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; ">Jim Longworth is an attractive and brilliant Chicago homicide detective with a reputation for being difficult. When his captain wrongfully accuses him of sleeping with his wife and shoots him, he is exiled and forced to relocate. He lands in the sleepy, middle-of-nowhere town of Palm Glade, outside of Florida s Everglades, where sunshine and golf are plentiful and crime is seemingly at a minimum. But Longworth soon finds out this town isn t quite as idyllic as he originally thought, when murders keep piling up. Each case pulls Longworth off the golf course and reluctantly into his element as one of the sharpest homicide detectives to wear a badge.</p></span>


text:
<div><h3>Amazon.com Review</h3><p><strong>Arianna Huffington and Mary Matalin: Author One-to-One</strong><br>In this Amazon exclusive, Arianna Huffington and Mary Matalin discuss issues raised in Arianna's new book <em>Third World America: How Our Politicians Are Abandoning the Middle Class and Betraying the American Dream</em>. Arianna Huffington is the cofounder and editor-in-chief of the Huffington Post, a nationally syndicated columnist, and the author of 13 books. Mary Matalin is the author of </p><p><strong>Mary</strong>: In August, thirty thousand Americans stormed government offices for a chance to apply for a few hundred Section 8 housing slots. That same month, a relentlessly "get'er done" kind of guy, Mort Zuckerman, penned an <em>Wall Street Journal</em> op ed entitled, "The End of American Optimism." All confidence indicators are scraping rock bottom, including the all-powerful political "right track/wrong track." No one in the "ruling class" dares utter the word malaise, but they all wear it like a wet, wool mantle. And now you, my eternally optimistic friend! You and I came to Our Nation's Capital at the same time--I like to joke when you were a conservative, I was a moderate! Whatever our politics, we have always both been optimists. So when you gave me a copy of your manuscript, I was surprised by the title, <em>Third World America</em>. Thank goodness I was reading your manuscript side-by-side with one of my current favorite new books by Matt Ridley, __, whose ten-thousand-year view gives one space for easier breathing.</p><p><strong>Arianna</strong>: I know "Third World America" is a jarring phrase, but I wrote this book as a warning, a way of saying that if we don’t change course--and quickly--that could very well be our future. Growing up in Greece, everyone knew someone who'd left to find a better life in America. That was the phrase everyone associated with America: "a better life." When I came to live here in 1980, I knew that there was no other place I'd rather live. And I still feel that way. But something went wrong--terribly wrong--and put our country on a very dangerous path that threatens to transform us into Third World America. Wherever I looked, and in so many of the stories we covered on The Huffington Post, I kept seeing all the ways the middle class was getting the short end of the stick. It was the way that Washington rushed to the rescue of Wall Street but forgot about Main Street. It was the daily drumbeat of depressing statistics: One in five Americans unemployed or underemployed. One in eight mortgages in default or foreclosure. One in eight Americans on food stamps. Upward mobility has always been at the center of the American dream--a promise that if you work hard and play by the rules, you'll do well and your children will have the chance to do even better. But now, that promise has been broken--and America's middle class is under assault. The American Dream is becoming a nightmare--one of our own making. But the book, at its core, is, in fact, optimistic. It's partly a critique of the many ways things are broken--but it's also a practical guide for how to fix them.</p><p><strong>Mary</strong>: Not only did we come to Washington together, we came up with the same worldview. My people escaped from (then) Yugoslavia "for a better life." Croatians (Dalmatians) and the Greeks go back to antiquity, characterized by a smart, hard work ethic and sound, ahead-of-the-curve reasoning. It is not accidental we gravitated to this country, where our hopes and dreams could be realized by not just our effort, but through the opportunities available only in the unique American system, which I will get to in a minute. For the millions of Americans like us, your sad chronicling of the dream gone bad is almost unfathomable but for all Americans even more outrageous is the failure of "the system" to anticipate it--and worse--to have tools to alleviate it. In their seminal, bestselling opus, </p><p><strong>Arianna</strong>: That’s definitely a beyond left and right conclusion! What became clear while writing this book is that the decline of the middle class was no accident. It was the result of tricks and traps. Tricks in the ways we financed our homes. Traps in the ways credit card companies used hidden fees and fine print and skyrocketing interest rates to get their hands on our money, driving more and more people into debt. So, yes, the game is rigged. Our financial system has become a bad carnival game where the rich always get the grand prize and the average American walks away empty-handed. We've gone from an economy where we make things to an economy where we make things up: default credit swaps, derivatives, CDOs and the like have turned Wall Street into a casino. Actually, a casino is fairer: at least you know the odds going in. And for me, the answer to the question of how we got here has to start in Washington, where special interests run the show--and where lobbyists outnumber elected officials 26 to 1. Unfortunately, there are no lobbyists for the American Dream. Now, I know you played a lobbyist on HBO ... so I'm curious what your take on the role special interests now play in Washington. For me, this is one of those questions that is beyond the right vs. left framing the media loves to apply to every issue in Washington. I think both sides are under the influence of a small financial elite.</p><p><strong>Evanovich</strong>: Hahaha! On the HBO series, <em>K Street</em>, I was terrible playing a lobbyist (overcoming my natural ideologue persona was impossible), but making a fool of oneself is a small price to be in the wake of Steven Soderbergh's genius (not to mention breathing the same air as George Clooney--who is beautiful on the inside, too). I used to think lobbyists provided an economy-of-scale representation for busy Americans, but when I learned how many hard working, highly productive and profitable industries connected to the oil business did NOT have lobbyists to protect them from the "arbitrary and capricious" moratorium in the aftermath of the BP spill, it was a sad, revelatory moment. These are men and women whose families had lived and prospered on the water for centuries; who turned fishing and shrimping vessels into bigger businesses, providing indispensable services and thousands of jobs in the process, all while preserving a one-of-a-kind American culture. I am still not anti-lobbyist (there are many good and necessary ones), but you and I surely agree on a couple of points: 1) there has to be a more accessible/successful way to petition the national government in a national crisis; 2) taking meetings with lobbyists at the coffee shop so they don't appear on the White House visitors' log is hardly transformational transparency; 3) as you note in <em>Third World America</em>, there is no transparency in the legislative process when the work is done, the cake is baked long before the floor debate begins. No transparency, no accountability. No accountability ends in tyranny.</p><p><strong>Arianna</strong>: Exactly, the media like to pretend that something's at stake when a big bill is being debated in the House or Senate, but by then the game is often over. The real fight happens behind closed doors. And the lobbyists usually win. Let's talk financial regulation: while we may not agree on how the new rules will effect the economy moving forward, or on what the role of government should be when it comes to regulating the financial system, I think we might find some beyond left and right common ground on the role morality has to play in all this. For me, there will never be enough regulators or government regulations to make a difference if Wall Street doesn't tap back into the notion that businessmen have responsibilities above and beyond the bottom line. There is a reason Adam Smith's free-market gospel, </p><p><strong>Mary</strong>: We agree on the shortcomings of the ridiculously heralded Financial Regulations bill ... most glaring for me: the omission of the toxic twins, Fannie and Freddie, the fertile crescent of the housing mess. I think we could also agree that financial instruments are a different free-market animal from goods and services, and therefore, institutionally subject to differing assumptions (excellently analyzed by Anatole Kaletsky in </p><p><strong>Arianna</strong>: Here's another thing I think we'll agree upon: the suffering we are seeing all across America is definitely bipartisan.</p><p><strong>Mary</strong>: In his many eloquent works, Michael Novak notes, whatever its sharp and messy edges, no system has better served humanity than capitalism. It raises up the poor, it protects human rights, it is a necessary condition for democracy. It doesn't know right/left, red/blue. But it does rest absolutely on virtue. As we all know, our founders' overwhelming concern about staging a representative republic was "are we virtuous enough?" One of the silver linings of this tumultuous time is the astounding back-to-basics effort of millions of Americans: studying their own history; being shocked and awed by their own heritage; reassessing their own virtue of citizenship.</p><p><strong>Arianna</strong>: When I was talking to and writing about the people whose stories I tell in the book, politics rarely came up. And while I think it's essential that we hold our leaders feet to the fire--and point fingers at those who are responsible for creating the policies that are killing the American Dream--I think that the way we are going to keep America from becoming a Third World country is by each of us getting more involved and reaching out to one another. We need to remember that democracy is not a spectator sport--and take action.</p><p><strong>Mary</strong>: And this is where we always come together, girlfriend. "Decline" is a choice. An examination of conscience (in the religious or just citizenship way), a commitment to assuming proportionate responsibility to the rights we exalt, a demand for universal virtue must occur concomitant to action. <em>Third World America</em> offers some timely, interesting, and innovative prescriptives for action, even if a few come from left field! Your call to action is certain to get right, left, and center--who aren't already--in gear.</p><p><strong>Arianna</strong>: In fact, writing this book ultimately did leave me feeling hopeful. And that's because I was again and again struck by the resilience, creativity, and acts of compassion that I discovered taking place all across America. That's why the last section of the book is filled with the specific steps we--as individuals, as families, and as a country--need to take to stop our free-fall. So often, our desire to take action gets derailed by our uncertainty over exactly what action to take, and how to best make a difference. I wanted to try to help bridge the gap between intention and involvement--and inspire each of us to do the things we need to do to make sure we never find ourselves living in Third World America.</p><hr><h3>From</h3><p><em>Starred Review</em> Could the U.S. be on the brink of becoming a Third World nation? Syndicated columnist Huffington argues that overspending on war at the expense of domestic issues and the alarming decline of the middle class are troubling signals that the U.S. is losing its economic, political, and social stability—a stability that has always been maintained by the middle class. She pinpoints the beginning of the decline to the Reagan era, with its denigration of a government safety net. But she is nonpartisan in assigning responsibility to George W. Bush and Bill Clinton for supporting monied interests over those of the middle class; she then takes aim at Obama for expending more money to bail out Wall Street than Main Street. She also points to loss of manufacturing jobs, outsourcing, and globalization, all with emphasis on corporate profits at the expense of workers. Although the U.S. has faced similarly fearful times during the late 1800s and the Great Depression, the middle class was not threatened, as it is today. She offers possible solutions for the decline, including creating jobs to rebuild national infrastructure, reforms in home and credit lending, and tighter restrictions on Wall Street. An engaging analysis of troubling economic and political trends. HIGH-DEMAND BACKSTORY: The Huffington Post founder is sure to get some media traction with her assertion that the American Dream is an outdated concept. --Vanessa Bush </p>

</div>


text:
<div><h3>From Publishers Weekly</h3><p>Mushing is an odd sport for anybody. First you take a dozen-plus slightly tamed dogs ("damned wolves with collars," one rancher calls them), strap them to a sled that, with little enough provocation, will send you rocketing into the tundra and start out for the 1000-mile race accompanied by chunks of frozen liver and the occasional whole reporter?this after forking over $1249. O'Donoghue, who moved to Alaska from the lower 48 to work for the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner, decided to start mushing after just two winters. He soon entered Iditarod XIX while writing a column for the paper titled "Off to the Races." Perhaps because his own mishaps (shredded doggie booties, sled falls, lack of sleep, poor visibility, missed shelters, tangled, bruised, grouchy and, as the title implies, polymorphously perverse, dogs) don't really change over the course of the race (they just accumulate), O'Donoghue introduces a large cast of other mushers. These do bring new misadventures, but the account can be a little confusing. O'Donoghue's style is amusing but rarely laugh-out-loud. Instead, what really keeps this book going is the same thing that keeps the racers going, a kind of bloody-minded doggedness that thinks, when faced with frostbitten fingers, not about the possibility of amputation but the possibility of scratching. <br>Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc. </p><h3>Product Description</h3><p>O'Donoghue tells what happened when he entered the 1991 Iditarod, along with 17 sled dogs with names like Rainy, Harley and Screech. O'Donoghue braved snowstorms, sickening wipeouts, and endured the contempt of more experienced racers. Narrated with icy elan and self deprecating wit, this is a true story of heroism, cussedness, and astonishing dumb luck. </p></div>


text:
<div><h3>From Publishers Weekly</h3><p>French-born marketing consultant and psychoanalyst Rapaille takes a truism—different cultures are, well, different—and expands it by explaining how a nation's history and cultural myths are psychological templates to which its citizens respond unconsciously. Fair enough, but after that, it's all downhill. Rapaille intends his theory of culture codes to help us understand "why people do what they do," but the "fundamental archetypes" he offers are just trumped-up stereotypes. He often supports jarring pronouncements ("The Culture Code for perfection in America is DEATH") with preposterous generalizations and overstatements, e.g., Japanese men "seem utterly incapable of courtship or wooing a woman." Writing with the naïveté of someone who has learned about the world only through Hollywood films, he seems unaware that every person living within a nation's borders doesn't necessarily share the same cultural biases and references. Rapaille's successful consulting career is evidence that he's more convincing in the boardroom than he is on the page. Amid the overheated prose and dubious factoids, it's easy to overlook the book's scattered marketing proposals and employee-management tips. <em>(June 6)</em> <br>Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. </p><h3>Review</h3><p>“This book is just plain astonishing! Filled with profound insights and ideas that have enormous consequences for today’s organizations. If you want to understand customers, Constituencies, and crowds, this book is required reading.”  </p><p>--Warren Bennis, Distinguished Professor of Business, University of Southern California and author of _On Becoming a Leader<br>_</p></div>


text:
<div><h3>Amazon.com Review</h3><p><strong>Product Description</strong>  </p><p>The life Kamila Sidiqi had known changed overnight when the Taliban seized control of the city of Kabul. After receiving a teaching degree during the civil war—a rare achievement for any Afghan woman—Kamila was subsequently banned from school and confined to her home. When her father and brother were forced to flee the city, Kamila became the sole breadwinner for her five siblings. Armed only with grit and determination, she picked up a needle and thread and created a thriving business of her own.</p><p><em>The Dressmaker of Khair Khana</em> tells the incredible true story of this unlikely entrepreneur who mobilized her community under the Taliban. Former ABC News reporter Gayle Tzemach Lemmon spent years on the ground reporting Kamila's story, and the result is an unusually intimate and unsanitized look at the daily lives of women in Afghanistan. These women are not victims; they are the glue that holds families together; they are the backbone and the heart of their nation. Afghanistan's future remains uncertain as debates over withdrawal timelines dominate the news.   </p><p><em>The Dressmaker of Khair Khana</em> moves beyond the headlines to transport you to an Afghanistan you have never seen before. This is a story of war, but it is also a story of sisterhood and resilience in the face of despair. Kamila Sidiqi's journey will inspire you, but it will also change the way you think about one of the most important political and humanitarian issues of our time.</p><hr><p><strong> Amazon Exclusive: Greg Mortenson Interviews Gayle Tzemach Lemmon </strong>   </p><p><strong> Since a 1993 climb of Pakistan's K2, <em>The New York Times</em> bestsellers </strong>.<br></p><hr><p></p><p><strong>Greg Mortenson:</strong> In <em>The Dressmaker of Khair Khana</em>, Kamila and her sisters sew a collection of wedding dresses overnight for a wedding party they later find out is connected to the Taliban. How did writing this book affect your view of the Taliban period?</p><p><strong> Gayle Tzemach Lemmon:</strong> That scene in the book captures precisely the extraordinary complexity of the period. Reporting on the Taliban period I quickly learned there were many different views of what those years were like, depending on who you were, what you did, and where you lived. A lot of women I knew, including, of course, Kamila, told me stories about local Talibs who knew of their work and even helped them to keep it going. And they said that many of the Taliban in their neighborhood were men they had known for years who simply needed to support their families.</p><p>What I kept coming back to—and what moved me deeply during so many conversations with young women , some of them tearful—was the raw loss they felt at having been deprived of five and a half years of education. And yet even amid all that despair they found ways to come together to build a community for the sake of their families. We are so used to seeing women as victims of war to be pitied rather than survivors of war to be respected. I really hope <em>The Dressmaker of Khair Khana</em> does its small part to change that.</p><p><strong> Mortenson:</strong> How has your work at Harvard Business School informed your view of Afghanistan’s predicament?</p><p><strong> Lemmon:</strong> My experience at HBS has made me even more keenly aware of the constellation of obstacles facing entrepreneurs in some of the toughest parts of the world. That’s perhaps why I am so taken by stories of entrepreneurs like Kamila who succeed every day despite all the obstacles (and sometimes even because of them).</p><p>Economic growth strengthens families and communities. More attention must be paid by Afghanistan’s leaders and the international community to the importance of making business easier for entrepreneurs, so they can spend time making money to support their families and less time fighting red tape, corruption and security obstacles.</p><p><strong> Mortenson:</strong> In many ways, <em>The Dressmaker of Khair Khana</em> reads like a novel, and yet it is all true. How much energy did you focus on the craft of storytelling vs. the reporting itself?</p><p><strong> Lemmon:</strong> I believe in the power of stories to shape and change our world. The Dressmaker happens to be set in Afghanistan during the Taliban, but it could just as easily have been the US during the Civil War or the UK during World War II. Storytelling allows us to see just how similar our struggles really are. My hope was that my godmother and my aunt, who will never go to Afghanistan, could pick up this book and see themselves in this universal story of family and faith.</p><p>For me, the reporting is where the joy is—it’s a privilege to be allowed to take a step into people’s lives and to be entrusted with telling their story. In this case the reporting was much more physically difficult than the storytelling—the fall of 2008 in particular was a time during which kidnappings and bombings became regular occurrences in Kabul; both Afghans and foreigners I visited with constantly swapped stories of terrifying incidents which involved their friends and relatives. I knew a lot of people who were affected by the violence, and all the insecurity made it much harder to convince young women to speak with me about their experiences.</p><p><strong> Mortenson:</strong> You’ve spent a lot of time on the ground in Afghanistan. What is it like to travel there as a young woman?</p><p><strong>Lemmon:</strong> I love going to Afghanistan, though the trip from California is nearly 40 hours. It is a beautiful country with incredibly generous people who will give you anything they have even if it is all they have. (And I highly recommend the food!)</p><p>Being a young woman actually made my work easier. I could meet women of all ages and spend time with them at their homes hearing their stories and sharing my own. This is a world many foreign men will never have access to, for cultural reasons. I also could meet Afghan men because, as a foreign woman, you sort of fit a third category—not male, but not exactly female, either. I worked hard to build trust with those women and men who entrusted me with their stories—I tried to learn Dari and to draw as little attention to my ‘foreign-ness’ as possible: I often was the frumpiest woman I saw all day in my uniform of black pants, black socks, black shoes, black t-shirt, and a dark jacket and head scarf. I think those I wrote about respected the fact that I kept coming back to Afghanistan.</p><p><strong> Mortenson:</strong> You've worked and studied in conflict and post-conflict regions such as Rwanda, Bosnia and Afghanistan. Women are rarely involved in the high level decision making that affects conflict negotiations or even consulted about their own creative ideas for resolution. How can we help and empower women to play a much larger role in resolving conflicts?</p><p><strong> Lemmon:</strong> This is a question I think about all the time. We are used to women pulling families through war, but having no say in the peace which follows. This must change for the world to be a safer, more stable place.</p><p>A great example has been set by the women of Liberia, who insisted their voices be heeded when it came time for UN negotiations to end their nation’s civil war. (There is a great film about their push to be heard called “Pray the Devil Back to Hell.”) Afghan women, too, are speaking up to make sure that no peace negotiations happen without their real and substantive representation. Each one of us can help advance their cause and this effort by insisting that our own elected officials don’t take part in any talks in which women don’t take part. Holding our own leaders accountable is a great place to start.</p><h3>From Publishers Weekly</h3><p>In 2005, Lemmon went to Afghanistan on assignment for the Financial Times to write about women entrepreneurs. When she met a dressmaker named Kamila Sediqi, Lemmon (once a producer for This Week with George Stephanopolos) knew she had her story. It's an exciting, engrossing one that reads like a novel, complete with moments of tension and triumph, plus well-researched detail on daily life in Kabul under Taliban rule. When that regime descended in 1996, it brought fear, violence, and restrictions: women must stay home, may not work, and must wear the chadri—a cloak, also known as a burqa, that covers the face and body—in public. After Sediqi's parents left the city to avoid being pressed into service, or worse, by the Taliban, it fell to her to support the family. Her story is at once familiar (she came up with an idea, procured clients, hired student workers, and learned as she went) and wholly different (she couldn't go anywhere without a male escort, had to use an assumed name with customers due to the threat of being found out and punished, and could fit in work on the sewing machine only when there was electricity). It's a fascinating story that touches on family, gender, business, and politics and offers inspiration through the resourceful, determined woman at its heart. (Mar.) <br>(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved. </p>

</div>


text:
<p class="description">SUMMARY:<br>This is the definitive guide on how to prepare for any crisis, from global financial collapse to a flu pandemic.It would only take one unthinkable event to disrupt our way of life. If there is a terrorist attack, a flu pandemic, or sharp currency devaluation, you may be forced to fend for yourself in ways you've never imagined. Where would you get water? How would you communicate with relatives? What would you use for fuel?Survivalist expert James Wesley, Rawles, editor of SurvivalBlog.com and a former US Army Intelligence officer, shares the essential tools and skills you will need for your family to survive, including how to find and build a retreat, store food, supply power, rear animals, administer medicine, barter, and defend your family.Save those wine corks. Burned cork makes quick and cheap face camouflage.'Store only foods with minimal spices. When you are surrounded by starving people, just heating up a can of spicy chili con carne could be a death warrant.' If you are on a budget, you might get away with a good-quality bolt-action rifle</p>


text:
<div><h3>Review</h3><p>“Brilliant. . .Best enjoyed after a three-martini lunch.” –GQ (UK)  </p><p>“When there was some debate about whether something was accurate or not, Jerry said 'You're not even close. It was so much worse than what you're seeing on the show.'" </p><p>--Matthew Weiner, creator and executive producer of <em>Mad Men (GQ)</em>  </p><p>“Reads like the transcript of a tape made at a bar or cocktail party with the recorder propped up next to the raconteur at the center of the crowd.” –_Salon_  </p><p>“The 'Mad Men' of this book were not mad at all. They were clever and articulate proponents of the American Dream. The book evokes a long-lost era of American self-confidence and optimism, and helps explain how America became a cultural icon.”</p><p>—<strong>Maurice Saatchi, co-founder of Saatchi &amp; Saatchi and M&amp;C Saatchi</strong></p><h3>Product Description</h3><p>Vividly reminiscent of the goings-on at Sterling Cooper<strong>—</strong>the late nights, the three-martini lunches, the sex on couches, and, of course, the actual work of plugging products<strong>—</strong>this is the story of what Madison Avenue was really like in the ’60s. A worldwide bestseller when first published in 1970, this frank, irreverent, and hilarious memoir is a one-of-a-kind cult classic. </p></div>


text:
<h3><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: normal; font-size: 11px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); "><h3 style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 12px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(176, 163, 119); ">Synopsis</h3><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; ">Winston S. Churchill's <i style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; ">A History of the English Speaking Peoples</i> is the literary masterwork of the twentieth century's greatest historical figure. Beginning with Marlborough's victory at Blenheim in 1704 and ending with Wellington's defeat of Napoleon at Waterloo in 1815, Churchill recounts Britain's rise to world leadership over the course of the eighteenth century. In this volume Churchill provides an excellent illustration of his unique literary voice, together with an introduction to his thoughts on the forces that shape human affairs.</p></span></h3>


text:
<div><h3>Product Description</h3><p>We are still working on filling in the product descriptions. If you need more information please call or email us. </p></div>


