Dressmaker, Raye Dawkins, is obsessed with her neighbor, Eric Mandini, an international businessman. When they meet by chance, she later becomes his lover, his domestic goddess, his babysitter to his ten-year-old son, Enzo. Just when she believes their relationship is moving to the next level, he dumps her by email. Heartbroken, devastated, she wants to hurt him back and begins her vengeance.The drummer for the Cramping Violets, an up and coming grunge band, lies dead in his apartment. Nicholas Peltier knows about it. How does he know? The Devil just told him. After the death, the band becomes a national phenomenon. "Love Blender," a song that Nick wrote for them becomes number one. It's the worst song he ever wrote. It was supposed to be a filler for their album but now it haunts him just as much as Satan herself. After being sent across the country in search of a replacement drummer, he suddenly finds himself the prime suspect in the murder.Now, if he could only find himself...

International news photographer Mike Scott is on assignment in The Bahamas working on a story about the recovery being made by Tiger Sharks because of the island-nation’s no take laws. When he discovers several sharks that have been finned and thrown back in the ocean to die, he goes searching for the most dangerous predator in the ocean: Man!Is there a problem at the behavioral science lab? No one is responding. Has something gone terribly wrong? The ownership has sent Jason Brentwood to find out. What he finds is hard to describe. Has everyone gone a little crazy? Or have some of the subjects received a long overdue and richly deserved freedom? It may depend on your perspective. Animal lovers may rejoice at this...then again---maybe not.

Lizzy Sheppard loses her husband too soon and one day finds something that helps the grieving process: his bucket list. 30 things he wanted to do before he died. Eager to do something for her departed beloved, Lizzy sets off to complete the list in the hopes that she will learn more about the man who was the love of her life. *2nd Round Selection, 2013 Amazon Breakthrough Novel Awards!*A woman named Lizzy Sheppard is forced to endure a very hard situation with the untimely death of her husband Hayden. Married for only five years, Lizzy must accept the 'till death do us part' portion of their union a lot earlier than anticipated. While trying to cope with her loss, Lizzy uncovers something that changes the direction of her grieving process. When going through his stuff, she discovers something hidden away: her late husband’s bucket list. 30 things Hayden wanted to do before he died, with only the first four scratched away.Lizzy makes a bold decision to finish the list for her husband and the journey to complete this list allows her to discover new things about the man she fell in love with. Rather than mourn the loss of her love, Lizzy begins to celebrate the life Hayden had by learning more about who he was, what he did and what was important to him. The list brings Lizzy closer to his family, his friends and to the dreams that Hayden wanted to share with her, the love of his life.**2nd Round Selection, 2013 Amazon Breakthrough Novel Awards!**

Sandra Lamb thought J.B. was one of the good guys. After all, he was fighting terrorism, wasn't he, bringing the full arsenal of the government's surveillance apparatus to bear on those who would do us harm.But knives have two edges,and they can turn on the attacker as well as the victim. So strap your tin foil hat on a little tighter, and see what Big Brother is up to in .Gov.Sandra Lamb thought J.B. was one of the good guys. After all, he was fighting terrorism, wasn't he, bringing the full arsenal of the government's surveillance apparatus to bear on those who would do us harm.But knives have two edges,and they can turn on the attacker as well as the victim. So strap your tin foil hat on a little tighter, operate your microwave with the door open to counteract the government-zombie-death-ray, and see what Big Brother is up to in .Gov.In honor of Wikileaks Vault 7 release, dot Gov is presented for your pleasure. For those of you who poo-pooed my metallic choice of headgear, "Who's crazy now?" ;-)

A free-flow art experiment that plumbs the depths of tolerance.A NaNoWriMo entry.DEFINITELY NOT MEANT TO BE TAKEN SERIOUSLY.Agents 32 and 33 take a ride on the Gold Line streetcar on a snowy Sunday morning in Charlotte. They are headed to an uptown bar to watch the Liverpool - Man Utd. soccer/football match. On the way, they strike up a conversation with a passenger from NYC. The subject of the Seahawks - Panthers game comes up. At the final stop, the passenger has a surprise announcement.No sex, religion, politics, violence, or Mr. Malloy in this one.Percent real-life experience: 92%.Approx. 1400 words.

When a werewolf is killed, Cassidy Blaze is sent to navigate the paranormal underworld to find out why. The fate of the world could rest upon what she finds.When a werewolf is killed, pyrokinetic monster-fighting agent, Cassidy Blaze is sent to navigate the paranormal underworld to find out why. While tracking down the mystery, she encounters an adventurer who can see the future, a ghoulish mobster, a monstrous beast, a man who thrills in hunting the paranormal, and an ancient God planning to destroy the world.

A simple game turns into tragedy, when an 8-year-old girl who has a fascination with animals and insects, takes an unplanned truck ride down a hill and into a pond, leaving her in a coma. As her family gathers around her worriedly, her dreams and imagination carry her into an adventure like she's never known!Mother thought it would be a simple day of shopping and ice cream. But when Shirley and her brother again get into an spat over her favorite toy, things take a bad turn. In the hospital, nearly drowned and in a coma, Shirley's dream will bring her face to face with many of her favorite animals...and a few surprises that will bring her the assurance that the great I AM is indeed with us, always.

Desperate not to end up just like his father, a felon struggles with what may turn out to be the worst decision of his life. This story was my second round entry in NYC Midnight‘s 2017 Short Story Challenge. The writing prompts in my brief were: Historical Fiction | A Tunnel | A New Father.Desperate not to end up just like his father, a felon struggles with what may turn out to be the worst decision of his life.This story was my second round entry in NYC Midnight‘s 2017 Short Story Challenge. The writing prompts in my brief were: Historical Fiction | A Tunnel | A New Father.

***New York Times* bestselling author Jaci Burton breaks the rule of mixing business with pleasure when two professional rivals cross paths at a tropical resort...** Since Ella Hick’s husband died five years ago, she’s thrown herself into her work, resisting every thought of getting involved with someone new. Now she’s finally ready for a man’s touch. And where better to indulge her desire for an anonymous hook-up than at a Hawaiian resort? So she’s stunned when the first man she runs into is her number one business rival, Clay Mansfield. Clay’s determined to be the man to introduce sex back into Ella’s life. He’s been by her side ever since her husband died, but only in friendship. Now he can finally release the desire he’s held in check all these years. Ella’s had plenty of fantasies about Clay over the past couple years and now she can indulge. As long as Clay plays by her no-strings rule: when the vacation is over, they’ll go back to being friendly rivals—business only. But they’re both about to learn that when it comes to business—and pleasure—rules are made to be broken. NOTE: *No Strings Attached* previously appeared January 2010 in the trade paperback anthology, *Laced with Desire*. Includes a preview of Jaci Burton’s *Thrown by a Curve*.

In the eye of the storm . . . Living on the streets with her destitute mother, selling knickknacks and trinkets just to survive, Sasha Porter dreams of someday having a normal life, with a real house and family. But she never dreamed a devastating tragedy would bring her those very things: on a stormy night by a rainspattered highway, a speeding car veers out of control, striking and killing her mother and badly injuring Sasha. . . . is anywhere truly safe? In the hospital, Sasha is whisked off to a fancy private suite at the request of wealthy Mrs. Jordan March, a complete stranger who keeps watch by Sasha’s bedside and insists she come live at her family’s sprawling, luxurious mansion. Sasha soon learns Mrs. March never recovered from the loss of her daughter Alena, and with nowhere else to go, Sasha agrees to use Alena’s room, sleep in her bed, and wear her clothes. But someone will make sure that Sasha never takes Alena’s place: a jealous sister dead set on making Sasha’s life a living hell.

Grace, dignity, and eloquence have long been hallmarks of Maya Angelou’s poetry. Her measured verses have stirred our souls, energized our minds, and healed our hearts. Whether offering hope in the darkest of nights or expressing sincere joy at the extraordinariness of the everyday, Maya Angelou has served as our common voice. Celebrations is a collection of timely and timeless poems that are an integral part of the global fabric. Several works have become nearly as iconic as Angelou herself: the inspiring “On the Pulse of Morning,” read at President William Jefferson Clinton’s 1993 inauguration; the heartening “Amazing Peace,” presented at the 2005 lighting of the National Christmas Tree at the White House; “A Brave and Startling Truth,” which marked the fiftieth anniversary of the United Nations; and “Mother,” which beautifully honors the first woman in our lives. Angelou writes of celebrations public and private, a bar mitzvah wish to her nephew, a birthday greeting to Oprah Winfrey, and a memorial tribute to the late Luther Vandross and Barry White. More than a writer, Angelou is a chronicler of history, an advocate for peace, and a champion for the planet, as well as a patriot, a mentor, and a friend. To be shared and cherished, the wisdom and poetry of Maya Angelou proves there is always cause for celebration. From the Hardcover edition.

A story about the sacrifices we make for love... He's the son of a mafia foot soldier. My father is the boss. I shouldn't even know Giovanni. And I definitely shouldn't kiss him. Our relationship is doomed to fail, but that won't stop me from trying. I sneak out of my room every night. My father's guards don't see me. My sister doesn't see me. No one sees me, except him. Not every girl wants to be a princess. I just want to be free. Tough Love is the prequel novella to the sexy Stripped series. Fair warning: Contains a dark hero who will do anything to keep his girl safe and an ending that will make you gasp! Praise for Skye Warren and the Stripped series: "I've always been a fan of Skye Warren ever since I read Wanderlust. Her writing is flawless and tales captivating. Love The Way You Lie is no exception. 5 Stars." - Pepper Winters, New York Times bestselling author of Tears of Tess "It's gritty, edgy, and sexy, served to you in the well-written, absorbing style that Skye is so talented at delivering. I can't wait to get my hands on the rest of the Stripped series." - Shameless Book Club "It's dark, mysterious, sexy, and I loved every page of it! There were twists and turns that I never saw coming! I love when an author is able to keep me guessing until the very end of the book." - Book Fancy Book Blog

In this extraordinary novel, William Boyd presents the autobiography of John James Todd, whose uncanny and exhilarating life as one of the most unappreciated geniuses of the twentieth century is equal parts Laurence Stern, Charles Dickens, Robertson Davies, and Saul Bellow, and a hundred percent William Boyd.   From his birth in 1899, Todd was doomed. Emerging from his angst-filled childhood, he rushes into the throes of the twentieth century on the Western Front during the Great War, and quickly changes his role on the battlefield from cannon fodder to cameraman. When he becomes a prisoner of war, he discovers Rousseau's Confessions, and dedicates his life to bringing the memoir to the silver screen. Plagued by bad luck and blind ambition, Todd becomes a celebrated London upstart, a Weimar luminary, and finally a disgruntled director of cowboy movies and the eleventh member of the Hollywood Ten. Ambitious and entertaining, Boyd has invented a most irresistible hero. From the Trade Paperback edition.

For Ava-Claire Sullivan, it's bad enough that loving vampire Peter Mackintire might kill him the rest of the way. His equally immortal mother keeps trying to murder her so Di won’t lose another of her precious sons. A promise Peter made nearly a hundred years ago means loving someone will kill him. Ava's done her best to either end her own feelings or stifle his, but she's losing; he's falling harder for her every night. She hasn't found a way to free him of his promise yet, and it's almost too late. But her own terminally ill mother is dying fast, and now Ava-Claire is forced to choose between the last days of her mother's life and freeing Peter as they wait for Di to come up with yet another plan to destroy their love, and Ava’s life.

A luminous young adult novel that evokes Judy Blume’s Forever for a new generation. Ever since Sarah was born, she’s lived in the shadow of her beautiful older sister, Scarlett. But this summer on Cape Cod, she’s determined to finally grow up. Then she meets gorgeous college boy Andrew. He sees her as the girl she wants to be. A girl who’s older than she is. A girl like Scarlett. Before she knows what’s happened, one little lie has transformed into something real. And by the end of August, she might have to choose between falling in love, and finding herself. Fans of Jenny Han and Stephanie Perkins are destined to fall for this story about how life and love are impossible to predict.

wa-ter-locked adjective Definition: enclosed entirely, or almost entirely, by water Example: What happens when the water vampire you’ve promised yourself to actually wants you to go through with the wedding? For Gemma Melcombe, her engagement to Terrance Ramsay was a political maneuver. For Terry, it’s something entirely more. Rough waters may be ahead for these two headstrong lovers, but until they come to an agreement, Gemma will be waterlocked. Waterlocked is a novella in the Elemental World series.

This is the story of the greatest love, ever.... J. J. Smith, Keeper of the Records for The Book of Records, is an ordinary man searching for the extraordinary. J.J. has clocked the world’s longest continuous kiss. He has verified the lengthiest single unbroken apple peel. He has tasted the world’s largest menu item. But J.J. has never witnessed great love. That is, until he comes to a tiny town in the American heartland. Here J.J. discovers a world record attempt like no other. Piece by piece, a farmer is eating a Boeing 747 to prove his love for a woman. But when J.J. unexpectedly falls in love with the same woman, a woman as outwardly cynical as he is, J.J. learns why records are made to be broken...and why the greatest wonders in life can never be measured. From the Paperback edition.

The Little Town Where Time Stood Still contains two linked narratives by the incomparable Bohumil Hrabal, whom Milan Kundera has described as “Czechoslovakia’s greatest writer.” “Cutting It Short” is set before World War II in a small country town, and it relates the scandalizing escapades of Maryška, the flamboyant wife of Francin, who manages the local brewery. Maryška drinks. She rides a bicycle, letting her long hair fly. She butchers pigs, frolics in blood, and leads on the local butcher. She’s a Madame Bovary without apologies driven to keep up with the new fast-paced mechanized modern world that is obliterating whatever sleepy pieties are left over from the defunct Austro-Hungarian Empire. “The Little Town Where Time Stood Still” is told by Maryška and Francin’s son and concerns the exploits of his Uncle Pepin, who holds his own against the occupying Nazis but succumbs to silence as the new post–World War II Communist order cements its colorless control over daily life. Together, Hrabal’s rousing and outrageous yarns stand as a hilarious and heartbreaking tribute to the always imperiled sweetness of lust, love, and life. 

Lark Noble is finally happy. She’s trying to move on and put the events of the past behind her: the people who avoided her because she talked to the ghost of her dead twin sister, the parents who couldn’t be around her anymore and even the attempt she made on her own life. She finally has friends—people who know her secrets and still care about her—and she has Ben, the cute guy she never saw coming. Wren Noble is lonely. Unable to interact with the living, she wants to be happy for her sister’s newfound happiness, but she feels like she’s losing her. It doesn’t help that Kevin, the very not-dead guy she was starting to fall for, seems to be moving on. Then Wren meets Noah, the spirit of a young man who died a century ago. Noah is cute, he’s charming and he makes Wren feel something she’s never felt before. But Noah has a dark influence on Wren, and Lark’s distrust of him drives the sisters apart for the first time in their lives. As Halloween approaches and the veil between the worlds thins, bringing the dead closer to the world of the living, Lark must find a way to stop whatever deadly act Noah is planning, even if it means going through her sister to do so.

Darian Frey is down on his luck. He can barely keep his squabbling crew fed and his rickety aircraft in the sky. Even the simplest robberies seem to go wrong. It's getting so a man can't make a dishonest living any more. Enter Captain Grist. He's heard about a crashed aircraft laden with the treasures of a lost civilisation, and he needs Frey's help to get it. There's only one problem. The craft is lying in the trackless heart of a remote island, populated by giant beasts and subhuman monsters. Dangerous, yes. Suicidal, perhaps. Still, Frey's never let common sense get in the way of a fortune before. But there's something other than treasure on board that aircraft. Something that a lot of important people would kill for. And it's going to take all of Frey's considerable skill at lying, cheating and stealing if he wants to get his hands on it... Strap yourself in for another tale of adventure and debauchery, pilots and pirates, golems and daemons, double-crosses and double-double-crosses. The crew of the Ketty Jay are back!

Wyldcliffe Abbey School for Young Ladies, housed in a Gothic mansion on the bleak northern moors, is elite, expensive, and unwelcoming. When Evie Johnson is torn away from her home by the sea to become the newest scholarship student, she is more isolated than she could have dreamed. Strict teachers, snobbish students, and the oppressive atmosphere of Wyldcliffe leave Evie drowning in loneliness. Evie’s only lifeline is Sebastian, a rebellious, mocking, dangerously attractive young man she meets by chance. As Evie’s feelings for Sebastian grow with each secret meeting, she starts to fear that he is hiding something about his past. And she is haunted by glimpses of a strange, ghostly girl—a girl who is so eerily like Evie, she could be a sister. Evie is slowly drawn into a tangled web of past and present that she cannot control. And as the extraordinary, elemental forces of Wyldcliffe rise up like the mighty sea, Evie is faced with an astounding truth about Sebastian, and her own incredible fate. Gillian Shields’s electrifying tale will dazzle readers with suspense, mysticism, and romance.