Presumed Innocent

      Scott Turow
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Rusty Sabich is chief deputy prosecuting attorney in a large mid-western city. His boss is in the midst of a bitter campaign for re-election. A fellow prosecuting attorney, Carolyn Polhemus, has been brutally murdered. Rusty is handling the investigation-- and he needs results. Before election day. Before his illicit affair with Carolyn is uncovered. Election day brings a new prosecuting attorney into office. A political enemy who wants Rusty out. A man whose own secret investigation has revealed Rusty's relationship with Carolyn. A man who takes Rusty off the case-- and charges him with murder. Rusty now faces a long battle in court. Each side will twist the evidence to win its case, and try any procedural ploy, any courtroom trick that might ensure victory. Rusty's ordeal will uncover corruption, deceit, depravity and incompetence-- and keep you spellbound. Who did kill Carolyn Polhemus?

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    Rough Justice

      Lisa Scottoline
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A stunning legal thriller, * Rough Justice * confirms that Edgar Award winner Lisa Scottoline shows readers more than a good crime. With her fifth novel, Scottoline breaks new ground in fiction's hottest genre and launches a riveting series featuring the adventures of an all-woman law firm. No one but a Scottoline could write this series. As * Rough Justice * opens, criminal lawyer Marta Richter is only hours away from winning an acquittal on a murder charge leveled against her client, millionaire businessman Elliot Steere. But as the jury begins to deliberate, Steere lets it slip that he sold Marta a bogus self-defense claim and that he in fact murdered the homeless man who tried to carjack him. Infuriated, Marta sets out to find evidence that will convict Steere -- before the jury returns with its verdict. Marta has her hands full; she's playing beat-the-clock with both the jury and the worst blizzard Philadelphians have seen in decades. She drafts help in the form of two able young lawyers -- Mary DiNunzio and Judy Carrier -- from the all-female firm Rosato & Associates. DiNunzio and Carrier wade through snowdrifts and computer records, interview witnesses and scour the crime scene for evidence. Enter Bennie Rosato, managing partner of Rosato & Associates. When she realizes that Marta is determined to convict her own client -- and ruin the law firm in the process -- Bennie acts to thwart Marta's plans and bring Steere to justice in her own way. But Elliot Steere didn't reach the top of the real estate business without bloody knuckles. He won't let anyone -- especially a couple of lawyers -- stand between him and freedom. Even from his jail cell, the businessman has the cunning and connections to kill again. The lawyers have finally met their match in Elliot Steere. Or have they? Rough Justice * demonstrates again why reviewers and readers praise Scottoline's breakneck pacing, vivid characters and realistic dialogue, and why bar associations have used her books to examine legal and ethical issues in our systems of civil and criminal justice.

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    Return to Sullivan's Island

      Dorothea Benton Frank
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Dorothea Benton Frank returns to the enchanted landscape of South Carolina's Lowcountry made famous in her beloved New York Times bestseller Sullivans Island to tell the story of the next generation of Hamiltons and Hayes. Return to Sullivans Island Whether you were away from the Lowcountry for a week or for years, it was impossible to remember how gorgeous it was. It never changed and everyone depended on that. Newly graduated from college and an aspiring writer, Beth Hayes craves independence and has a world to conquer. But her notions of travel, graduate study, and writing the great American novel will have to be postponed. With her mother, Susan, leaving to fulfill her own dreams in Paris and her Aunt Maggie, Uncle Grant, and stepfather, Simon, moving to California, Beth is elected by her elders to house-sit the Island Gamble. Surrounded by the shimmering blue waters of the Atlantic, the white clapboards, silver tin roof, and confessional porch have seen and heard the stories of generations of Hamiltons. But will the ghosts of the Island Gamble be watching over Beth? Buoyed by sentimental memories of growing up on this tiny sandbar that seems to be untouched by time, Beth vows to give herself over to the Lowcountry force and discover the wisdom it holds. She will rest, rejuvenate, and then reenter the outside world. Just as she vows she will never give into the delusional world of white picket fences, minivans, and eternal love, she meets Max Mitchell. And all her convictions and plans begin to unravel with lightning speed. There is so much about life and her family's past that she does not know. Her ignorance and naiveté nearly cost her both her inheritance and her family's respect. But Beth finds unexpected friends to help her through the disaster she faces: her wise and charming Aunt Sophie; Cecily Singleton, the granddaughter of Livvie Singleton; and Woody Morrison, the solid young investment banker. This wonderful ensemble of characters could be your own family, but watch what unfolds as they succumb to the island's spell. If everything happens for a reason, then Beth's return to Sullivans Island teaches her that betrayal and tragedy are most easily handled when you surround yourself with loyal family and friends in a magical place that loves you so much that it wants to claim you as its own.

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    Freeglader: Third Book of Rook

      Paul Stewart
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Fleeing from the ruins of New Undertown, young librarian knight Rook Barkwater and his colleagues – Felix Lodd and his banderbear friends – must lead the escaping population to a new life in the Free Glades. But perils aplenty are ahead for the crowd, and Rook knows the journey will be full of danger. Meanwhile, in the Goblin Nations, the tribes are amassing for war. Will Rook be able to keep his friends, himself and their new lives safe? Freeglader is the third book of the Rook Saga – third trilogy in The Edge Chronicles, the internationally best-selling fantasy series, which has featured on the UK and the New York Times best-seller lists and sold more than 3 million copies. There are now 13 titles and four trilogies in the series, but each book is a stand-alone adventure, so you can read The Edge Chronicles in any order you choose.

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    The Iron Chancellor

      Robert Silverberg
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THE IRON CHANCELLOR was Robert Silverberg’s second contribution to GALAXY (his first a year earlier in 1956 was BLAZE OF GLORY); he was 22 when it appeared and it shows a remarkably developed talent. Silverberg in his memoirs remembers how Horace Gold, the editor of GALAXY magazine, was simultaneously entranced by Silverberg’s precocity and angered by what he felt was the young writer’s eagerness to settle for production, stylistic facility and prolific output. Like all of the editors with whom Silverberg dealt in his early career, Gold alternated between impatience and admiration but he did find THE IRON CHANCELLOR a strong story and he was glad to have it at a time when so many of his regular contributors, impatient with the field and with Horace, were moving on or moving out. In this story of a controlling machine assuming a totalitarian control, the influences on Silverberg can be clearly noted--Henry Kuttner’s Gallegher stories, Robert Sheckley’s rampant and perverse technology in the AAA Ace Series (also published in GALAXY). Silverberg’s own voice has emerged and he handles his rather large cast without stereotype, with clear definition and with a good deal of control. Silverberg became an increasingly dominant GALAXY contributor in the following decade and then, in the early 1970’s when the editorship had passed to Ejler Jakobsson’s and a new publisher, three of Silverberg’s novels were serialized in consecutive issues of the magazine, "The amazing fulfillment of a childhood fantasy" Silverberg wrote.

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    Farthing

      Jo Walton
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One summer weekend in 1949 — but not our 1949 — the well-connected "Farthing set", a group of upper-crust English families, enjoy a country retreat. Lucy is a minor daughter in one of those families; her parents were both leading figures in the group that overthrew Churchill and negotiated peace with Herr Hitler eight years before. Despite her parents' evident disapproval, Lucy is married — happily — to a London Jew. It was therefore quite a surprise to Lucy when she and her husband David found themselves invited to the retreat. It's even more startling when, on the retreat's first night, a major politician of the Farthing set is found gruesomely murdered, with abundant signs that the killing was ritualistic. It quickly becomes clear to Lucy that she and David were brought to the retreat in order to pin the murder on him. Major political machinations are at stake, including an initiative in Parliament, supported by the Farthing set, to limit the right to vote to university graduates. But whoever's behind the murder, and the frame-up, didn't reckon on the principal investigator from Scotland Yard being a man with very private reasons for sympathizing with outcasts… and looking beyond the obvious. As the trap slowly shuts on Lucy and David, they begin to see a way out — a way fraught with peril in a darkening world.

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    Fates Edge

      Ilona Andrews
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Audrey Callahan left behind her life in the Edge, and she's determined to stay on the straight and narrow. But when her brother gets into hot water, the former thief takes on one last heist and finds herself matching wits with a jack of all trades. . . Kaldar Mar-a gambler, lawyer, thief, and spy-expects his latest assignment tracking down a stolen item to be a piece of cake, until Audrey shows up. But when the item falls into the hands of a lethal criminal, Kaldar realizes that in order to finish the job, he's going to need Audrey's help. . .

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    Fire-Tongue

      Sax Rohmer
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An impossible murder, an occult detective tale, and a tale within a tale . The story contains several characters: Paul Harley, an independent investigator; Nicol Brinn, a renowned world adventurer, and Philomena Abingdon, an English beauty whose father dies under mysterious circumstances. This pulp mystery combines them and several other characters into the strange world of Fire-Tongue that may be the name of a cult, the name of a prophesied Zoroastrian god-messiah, or simply a cold-blooded assassin.Or maybe all three.

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    The One

      Tony Spencer
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Alan Palmer sits in a coffee bar of a swanky hotel contemplating the loss of his relationship when the last person he ever wanted to see again pops up to compound his misery. Set in England.One average families day out.A tropical tale with a twist in the tail...Taken from the free Smashwords ebook 'Twenty Tiny Tales'

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    Secrets or Surrender

      Mary Tribbey
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After saving the life of David Allen, famous NFL quarterback, Joan's life turned upside down. Because of a past tragic event, she is so terrified people will learn her secret shame that she shuns all publicity. Now drawn into his world, she battles her fear and the passion and desire that is growing between them. Will she protect her secret or surrender to the love she feels when he holds her.After saving the life of David Allen, famous NFL quarterback, Joan's life turned upside down. Because of a past tragic event, she is so terrified people will learn her secret shame that she shuns all publicity. Now drawn into his world, she battles her fear and the passion and desire that is growing between them. Will she protect her secret or surrender to the love she feels when he holds her. Will the pain and regrets of the past prevent her from love and happiness today and destroy her chance of a lifetime with the man of her dreams?

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    Flee: A Short Story

      Alicia McCalla
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Shania Moore, a 27-year old African-American woman is tormented by her ex-boyfriend and a paranormal serial killer. In order to save her daughter’s magical soul, she must run into the arms of the white man that she lied to and stood up at the altar ten years before.Flee: A Short Story is the prequel to the Soul Eaters: An African Elemental Novel. After the death of her grandmother, Shania Moore, a 27-year old African-American woman is tormented by her ex-boyfriend and a paranormal serial killer. When Shania falls into a dream realm and connects with an ancient African Goddess, her earth magic awakens. Shania realizes that in order to save her daughter’s magical soul, she must run into the arms of the white man that she lied to about having an abortion and stood up at the altar ten years before.

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    After the Fire

      Meredith Rae Morgan
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An insurance adjuster investigates a suspicious fire that killed dozens of people from her home town. The fire was arson and the owners had motive, but Bev believes them when they tell her they didn't set the fire. She sets out to find out who did it, and why.College-bound Lexi Adams leads no ordinary life. Premonitions dictate her every move, compelling her to rescue strangers day and night. After years of self-sacrifice, she decides to ignore one, but innocent people die. So, when the next premonition depicts her own death, she has a decision to make.Except more complications arise when a series of strange illnesses and murders devastate her small town, and co-worker Jessica Nelson insists Lexi can help. According to Jessica, everyone is born with an inner energy called Essence. Only a select few, Amethysts, can control Essence and heal people. Jessica claims to be an Amethyst and asks Lexi to join her and a group of her friends as they track the murderers. Despite her personal plight, Lexi considers working with them but soon discovers their secrets run deep: Not only do Jessica's friends have a hidden agenda, but they also harbor extraordinary abilities. Even more unsettling, they have connections with the Ray-pacs – the sadistic killers who are preying on human Essence. Ultimately, Lexi must decide if life, not death, equals salvation. And if so, is she willing to make sacrifices and join her friends in eradicating the Ray-pacs?Amethyst is the first novel in the Guardian series, a spellbinding, young adult, urban fantasy series. One that wouldn’t be complete without a love triangle at the heart of the story.

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    Even Better

      Skye Warren
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A story about how coming together can break us apart… An old military friend of Blue’s comes to stay with us, and suddenly I have two muscled men surrounding me. Before I can take a breath, we’re diving into something dirty together—something dangerous. Dangerous because three is a crowd. This is Blue’s best friend, and one of us will have to leave.

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    Adventures in Cottontail Pines - Kindred Hearts Day

      TK Wade
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Welcome to the wonderful town of Cottontail Pines–a place where animals talk and new friends can be made every day. In this new story, Flopsy the bunny wants to give a boy a special gift for Kindred Hearts Day, but things do not go the way she expects. Will the special day be ruined? Find out in this new children’s story by T.K. Wade!“Adventures in Cottontail Pines” is a new series of children’s short stories by the up-and-coming author T.K. Wade. In this chapter, the town is preparing for Kindred Hearts Day. This is a special day when all the animals get together and trade sugar hearts with each other in order to make new friendships or strengthen existing ones.When Flopsy decides to give a special early gift to a boy she likes, things do not go at all as she planned. What will happen to Flopsy if things go wrong? Will Kindred Hearts Day be ruined?“Kindred Hearts Day” is a story about how it is not always easy to make friends. Read on to find out what happens to all the cute animal characters of Cottontail Pines in this brand new adventure!

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    Why Sinatra Matters

      Pete Hamill
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Shaped by Prohibition, the Depression and World War II, Sinatra became the spokesman of urban loneliness. In this tribute, the author draws upon intimate conversations over the course of many year, examining his art and his legend.

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    Dark That Day, After All

      Jason McIntyre
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Excerpted from the anthology NIGHTS GONE BY by #1 Kindle Suspense author Jason McIntyre.On this day, elderly Jarvis Schloss unburdens his soul to another elderly park dweller as they sit on his favorite park bench. In the tradition of Rod Serling, this eerie tale begins as the two each reflect on the primes of their lives and uncover something even darker than the sky overhead.Excerpted from the anthology NIGHTS GONE BY by #1 Kindle Suspense author Jason McIntyre, this is the story of two old souls connecting under darkening skies.On this day, as they peer into the heavens together, elderly Jarvis Schloss unburdens his soul to another elderly park dweller as they sit on his favorite park bench. In the tradition of Rod Serling, this eerie tale begins as the two each reflect on the primes of their lives and uncover something even darker than the sky overhead. DARK THAT DAY, AFTER ALL explores our relationship with others, our duty to them, and whether we can expect to trade someone else’s good fortune for our own.

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    Towards Sunset (third edition)

      Peter D Wilson
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A collection of 30 stories, varying in length, on a wide variety of subjects, mostly with a gently humorous tone.A collection of 30 short stories, including a dozen entries in the "Telegraph" competition of 2012 on varied themes and others previously published in "Pebbles on a Northern Shore"; one group on an eccentric rural community; another on a professional assassin with a conscience; dreams and fancies; a penalty of misplaced confidence; the odd bit of science fiction (definitely not of the "space western" type); a portrait linking mediaeval and modern romances; the friendship between an 18th-century aristocrat and his executioner; and the long-delayed fulfilment of a youthful crush.

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    Lacey's Journey part 2

      Harry Davis, Jr
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Lacey continues to try and piece a life together after being asked to leave home, because she got pregnant in high school. Failing to live up to her parents expectations and a difficult relationship with the father of her child, Lacey's world keeps falling apart.This is part two, in part one Lacey met a boy and the little girl her parents knew changed, she was asked to move out because of an early unexpected pregnancy. Lacey was determined to prove to her parents things would still work out for her in life, but it is not as easy as she thought it would be.

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