THE NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER When Nicolas James draws Stephanie Martin's name in their law firm's Secret Santa exchange he knows he's in for a merry Christmas-if he can figure out what to give the woman he's wanted for months. When he works late and finds a crumpled piece of paper listing Steph's personal wish list, he knows he's in luck. Because all Steph wants for Christmas is him, in a number of naughty ways. And not-so saintly Nick is going to make every one of her carnal wishes come true.

In this all-new novella from the New York Times bestselling author of Midnight Marked, Merit, Ethan, and the rest of Cadogan House crew discover that not all undead creatures are kindred spirits… Vampires generally aren’t afraid of things that go bump in the night, but Merit and Ethan are extra jumpy after a recent attack by a dark sorcerer. So when they learn that someone is messing with graves in Chicago’s cemeteries, stealing skulls and snatching souls, they fear that their powerful foe might be back for even more magical vengeance. But after a specter begins haunting Cadogan House—and targeting vampires—they realize that their being taunted by an altogether different sort of monster. A ghoulish villain straight out of the Windy City’s urban legends is on the prowl—and he won’t stop until he’s killed again... Includes a sneak peek of Blade Bound, the epic final novel in the New York Times bestselling Chicagoland Vampires series.

How far would you go if you were offered a chance to fulfill your secret fantasies? What would you ask someone to do, if you knew they’d do anything? After the death of her mother and the abrupt end of her marriage, Kate is desperately unhappy to be spending the upcoming holiday season alone. She vents her frustration in a letter to the one man her mother raised her to believe in—Santa Claus. This year she is rebelliously requesting something guaranteed to raise his eyebrows. Brock Foster has wanted Kate since they were in high school. When he finds her letter, her Christmas wish becomes his obsession. Winning her will require skill and deception. Brock initiates a game that will bring them together and tear them apart. Join Kate and Brock as they discover what happens when Santa puts you on The Naughty List.

After Emma Davis’s first week at Danvers International, she’s convinced her boss will drive her crazy… Being the assistant to uptight workaholic Brant Stone is more than Emma can bear. But in her weaker moments, she can’t help but admit that the sexy control freak can turn her on with an insult more than any man she’s ever met... So when Emma gains an unexpected advantage, she blackmails Brant into accompanying her to her high school reunion. After all, the enemy she knows is preferable to a blind date arranged by her meddling mother. But before they realize what’s happening, they are doing more than acting the part…they’re living it. The war that has been raging between them shifts playing fields to the bedroom, as hate turns to lust and then to something so much more…

From the author of Smilla's Sense of Snow, an epic novel about faith and the magic of everyday life. Told from the precocious perspective of fourteen-year-old Peter, The Elephant Keepers’ Children is about three siblings and how they deal with their eccentric parents. Peter’s father is a vicar, his mother is an artisan, and both are equally and profoundly devout. The family lives on the (fictional) island of Finø, where people of all religious faiths coexist peacefully. Yet nothing is at it seems.    When Peter’s parents suddenly go missing, Peter and his siblings fear the worst—has their parents’ relentless quest to boost church attendance finally put them in danger? Told with poignancy and humor, The Elephant Keepers’ Children is a fascinating exploration of fundamentalism versus spiritual freedom, the vicissitudes of romantic and familial love, and the triumph of the human spirit.

After a marshmallow mix–up, Jodie, Freddi, and Samantha find themselves back in 1805 on an adventure with the famous Lewis and Clark explorers! Along the way, they meet Sacagawea, a seventeen–year–old Shoshone girl, and learn the ropes of wilderness travel. The girls must retrieve The Book from a wild bear, but in order to do so, they have to travel along with Lewis and Clark and face the dangers that come with discovering America. Find out more at www.timewarptrio.com Ages: 6 –11

"HIGHLY ENTERTAINING...SIT BACK IN THE BUBBLES AND ENJOY." --The Philadelphia Inquirer Brenda Kovner, a Washington columnist, advice dispenser, and amateur psychologist, doesn't consider herself intrusive, just extremely interested in helping. If she knows the answer, she can't shut up--even if no one's listening. Since Brenda knows what's best--for everyone--she secretly decides she must murder her son Wally's prospective father-in-law, before he can get to Wally. She has a foolproof plan. In fact, she has a million of them. But first she's got a few kinky desires of her own to satisfy (. "Viorst keeps us laughing....A serious look at family and cultural issues while still a farce, narrated by a needling Machiavellian who keeps winning us over." --San Francisco Chronicle "A wry look at the follies of superficial urbanites...Enjoy." --The Washington Post Book World "Acerbic and extremely funny...Done with the arch, sardonic flavor familiar to readers of Ms. Viorst." --The Baltimore Sun

Annie is no longer a Nobody--she's a Time Stopper, one of the last of a magical line of humans who can control time. And even better, she's found a new home in the enchanted town of Aurora alongside all sorts of mystical creatures, and made three new best friends in Eva the dwarf, Bloom the last elf, and Jamie, who might be a troll. Then Annie wakes up to discover that the wicked Raiff has kidnapped her beloved new guardian Miss Cornelia. To save her, Annie has to win the trust of a riddle-loving dragon named Grady O'Grady, and search for the only weapon that can defeat the Raiff, a magical bow and arrow. But as Annie and her friends embark on this mission, she learns some shocking secrets about her past--and about Bloom's, too. The clock is ticking, and Annie will have to hurry. . . She must rely on her friends--and herself--more than ever if she hopes to save the day before the Raiff destroys Aurora and everything she holds dear. Awards for Need An Indiebound Next Pick A YALSA BBYA Nominee

In this striking literary debut, Carol Rifka Brunt unfolds a moving story of love, grief, and renewal as two lonely people become the unlikeliest of friends and find that sometimes you don't know you've lost someone until you've found them. There's only one person who has ever truly understood fourteen-year-old June Elbus, and that's her uncle, the renowned painter Finn Weiss. Shy at school and distant from her older sister, June can only be herself in Finn's company; he is her godfather, confidant, and best friend. So when he dies, far too young, of a mysterious illness her mother can barely speak about, June's world is turned upside down. But Finn's death brings a surprise acquaintance into June's life—someone who will help her to heal, and to question what she thinks she knows about Finn, her family, and even her own heart. At Finn's funeral, June notices a strange man lingering just beyond the crowd. A few days later, she receives a package in the mail. Inside is a beautiful teapot she recognizes from Finn's apartment, and a note from Toby, the stranger, asking for an opportunity to meet. As the two begin to spend time together, June realizes she's not the only one who misses Finn, and if she can bring herself to trust this unexpected friend, he just might be the one she needs the most. An emotionally charged coming-of-age novel, Tell the Wolves I'm Home is a tender story of love lost and found, an unforgettable portrait of the way compassion can make us whole again.

Award-winning author Jennifer Egan brilliantly conjures a world from which escape is impossible and where the keep-–the tower, the last stand-–is both everything worth protecting and the very thing that must be surrendered in order to survive. Two cousins, irreversibly damaged by a childhood prank, reunite twenty years later to renovate a medieval castle in Eastern Europe. In an environment of extreme paranoia, cut off from the outside world, the men reenact the signal event of their youth, with even more catastrophic results. And as the full horror of their predicament unfolds, a prisoner, in jail for an unnamed crime, recounts an unforgettable story that seamlessly brings the crimes of the past and present into piercing relation.

The Invincible Ninth Roman Legion Marches from York to Fight The Northern Tribes. and then Vanishes from the Pages of History. Archaeologist Verity Grey has been drawn to the dark legends of the Scottish Borderlands in search of the truth buried in a rocky field by the sea. Her eccentric boss has spent his whole life searching for the resting place of the lost Ninth Roman Legion and is convinced he's finally found it—not because of any scientific evidence, but because a local boy has "seen" a Roman soldier walking in the fields, a ghostly sentinel who guards the bodies of his long-dead comrades. Here on the windswept shores, Verity may find the answer to one of the great unsolved mysteries of our time. Or she may uncover secrets someone buried for a reason.

Rachel Fortier, a thirty-something home design consultant, has had it with her fiancé. It's bad enough that he gave her a Thighmaster for Valentine's Day and a Butt Buster for her birthday, and that their seven-year engagement has no end in sight. But she just learned that he's had a vasectomy! Rachel packs up and heads south to meet her great-aunt Gizelle for the first time and take a few days to regroup. She imagines a Grandma Walton living in a picturesque house surrounded by wondrous nature. What she finds is a cabin on stilts deep in the bayous, with alligators and snakes the size of telephone poles. As for Aunt Gizelle, she's a former taxidermist who can outcreep Hannibal Lechter any day of the week. And if that isn't enough to make a girl turn around and head right back to her ex, Gizelle is feuding with a Cajun bad boy -Remy LeDeux, a helicopter pilot and Air Force vet whose face is scarred from battle. Rene wants to buy a piece of property from Gizelle, but the feisty senior makes it clear she wants nothing to do with any LeDeux. But the moment Remy sees Rachel getting out of a red truck, it's love at first sight for the long-time bachelor, despite all the turmoil she brings into his life, with her ideas of Feng Shui-ing his houseboat and her ex chasing after her, not to mention her great-aunt threatening to shoot his heinie. But getting Rachel to say "I do" is worth it. After all, he's never met a woman before who looks at him like he's a Whitmans Sampler box and she's a chocoholic.

At first report Matt Cowart doesn't believe the claims of innocence from Robert Earl Ferguson, Death Row inmate. But the more Coward digs into his case, the more he believes that, as a black man, Ferguson is a victim of hate and prejudice, and that the wrong man is going to be executed. Cowart lets fly a series of hard-hitting investigative articles that ultimately frees Ferguson and gets Cowart a Pulitzer Prize. He's a hero, a celebrity, a big-hearted guy--who has unwittingly set in motion a scenario of horror and death.... Now a Warner Bros. Motion Picture starring Sean Connery.

Where does inspiration come from? What secrets lie at the heart of an author's stories and novels? What is written on the invisible ink between the lines of dialogue and description? Most writers will never tell you, will leave you to guess at the connections between their fiction and their lives. Jack Ketchum gives a rare and intimate look into his world and into some of the people who have influenced his life in this collection of essays. Idols and friends, lovers and strangers are revealed, examined, adored and lamented as only Jack Ketchum can.

Sam and Noel have had more than their share of mishaps since they met, and are starting to wonder if they might be jinxed around the holidays. But what could possibly go wrong during a beautiful celebration like Easter, when spring is in the air, eggs need to be colored, baskets have to be filled, and cute little bunny decorations need a home? With this family - EVERYTHING. Join Sam, Noel, Reggie, Bev, Scheva, Alex and everyone’s favorite Aunt Bobbie as the Holiday family hops into Easter in their usual, crazy fashion!

(Suncoast Society #44, BDSM, various, HEA) The Suncoast Society is having a BDSM Valentine’s Day party, and “Aunt” Tilly’s watching the kids while everyone else attends the “adult” festivities. She’s planned arts, crafts…and combat practice. What could possibly go wrong? Let’s just say it’s a good thing some of the Doms have well-stocked first-aid kits in their toybags.

With her thirtieth birthday looming, Emma Harrison finds her biological clock clanging and the elusive knight in shining armor yet to appear. She’s running out of options, especially after her gay best friend backs out from being her sperm donor. Of course, there’s always a sperm bank, but Emma fears a donor mix-up might impregnate her with the spawn of Satan. Resident company womanizer, Aidan Fitzgerald, is used to always getting what he wants, especially in the bedroom. When Emma spurns his advances at the company Christmas party, he's determined to have her no matter what it takes. After Aidan learns of Emma's predicament, he is quick to offer a proposition that will benefit them both. He will father Emma's child, but she must conceive it with him naturally. Not one for hook-ups or casual sex, Emma is reluctant to take him up on his offer, but his charm, coupled with her intense desire for motherhood, wins out. Soon their baby-making sessions become more than just physical. Aidan can't seem to walk away from her while Emma begins to wonder if Aidan could be the one. But can Aidan leave his past behind to become the man Emma needs him to be?

Three times a babe shall be born, between star-crowned and iron-bound. First, the sower of seeds, the soothsayer, though lame, he must travel far. Next shall be the king-breaker, the king-maker, Though broken himself he shall be. Last, the smallest and the greatest – in him, the blood of wise and wild, farseeing ones and starseeing ones. Though he must be lost before he can find, Though, before he sees, he must be blind, If he can find and if he can see, The true king of all he shall be. Merry, Zed and Liliana – three children born between those of hearthkin blood and starkin blood – are on a perilous quest to the Palace of Zarissa. Amid the splendour and treachery of court, they watch and wait: planning the rescue of Princess Rosalina, held captive in the dazzling Tower of Stars. And as their pasts and presents unfold, their destinies become clear. The engrossing companion to The Starthorn Tree by one of Australia's best fantasy storytellers, Kate Forsyth. Click here to see video clips of Kate discussing her writing for the Centre for Learning Innovation

The sweeping plains held the promise of a lifetime. Linnea Eager to begin her first teaching position, lovely Linnea Brandonberg stepped off the train looking as grown up and worldly as her eighteen years would allow. The golden fields and fragrant wheat of Alamo, North Dakota, were as new and different as the Westgaard family with whom she would live. Teddy Farm life in 1917 was hard and bitter—but tiny, spirited Linnea was determined to brave its challenges. And as World War I threatened to take those she held dear, Linnea grew to womanhood in the arms of Teddy Westgaard, a man who thought he'd never find love. Years A story of passion. A story of heartache. A story of a way of life that will long be remembered—with people and places as real as the emotions of the heart.

A USA TODAY BESTSELLER! Rocked Up is a STANDALONE rockstar romance and the sexy, fun brainchild of the husband and wife writing duo, Scott Mackenzie and New York Times bestselling author Karina Halle.  * I've been watching him since I was a teenager. He didn't notice me back then and it didn't matter. Brad Snyder, guitarist and singer for one of the world's greatest bands, was my entire life. My father, the CEO of Ramsey Records, takes credit for all of Brad's success, trying to control him in the same way he's controlled me. But I finally get an opportunity to prove myself. To be wild. To be free. Today I'm auditioning to be the replacement bass player for Brad's band. If I get the job, I'll go on tour and work with Brad every day, in very close proximity. There's only one rule: he's not allowed to touch the boss's daughter. Remember when I said that Brad never used to notice little ol' me? Well, Brad's noticing me now. In a way that's going to get us both in trouble. My name is Lael Ramsey and we all know how this will turn out.

The last thing Maldynado Montichelu—former aristocrat and current ladies' man—ever wanted was to be left in charge. After all, the team just blew up a train, crashed a dirigible, and kidnapped the emperor. It's kind of an important time. But, with Amaranthe captured by the nefarious Forge coalition, and Sicarius off to find her, the team is lacking in leaders. Also, Sicarius has made it clear that Maldynado’s life may be forfeit should anything happen to the emperor while he’s gone. To make matters worse, Forge’s cutthroats are after Sespian, and the young emperor believes Maldynado's loyalties are suspect. As if it’s his fault that his older brother is working with the coalition to usurp the throne. If Maldynado can’t figure out how to earn the emperor’s trust quickly, Sespian will go off to confront their powerful enemies on his own. Meanwhile, Amaranthe must find a way to escape from the coalition’s newest ally, Master Interrogator Pike, a man who plans to pull all of the secrets from her head, one way or another… Blood and Betrayal is the fifth novel in The Emperor’s Edge series.