Fresh from the first $10 billion election campaign, two award-winning authors show how unbridled campaign spending defines our politics and, failing a dramatic intervention, signals the end of our democracyBlending vivid reporting from the 2012 campaign trail and deep perspective from decades covering American and international media and politics, political journalist John Nichols and media critic Robert W. McChesney explain how US elections are becoming controlled, predictable enterprises that are managed by a new class of consultants who wield millions of dollars and define our politics as never before. As the money gets biggerespecially after the Citizens United rulingand journalism, a core check and balance on the government, declines, American citizens are in danger of becoming less informed and more open to manipulation. With groundbreaking behind-the-scenes reporting and staggering new research on the money power,” Dollarocracy shows... Views: 27
**THE DISAPPEARING BRIDE**
Their wedding was scandalous—Steve Corbett, the Corbett heir, about to marry poor, unpolished Annette Trevetti. She was a modern-day Cinderella and he'd been her Prince Charming…until another, very pregnant, woman walked into the church and Annette walked out!
Seven years later Annette was back, an accomplished businesswoman who claimed she was over him. But Steve saw the longing in her eyes, noticed her breath hitch when he touched her. And he felt the warmth of her smile when she talked to his precious little girl. Dare he tell her the truth and cause more scandal? Scandal be damned! This single father wanted what he'd lost so long ago…no matter the risks! Views: 27
“There are three things all wise men fear: the sea in storm, a night with no moon, and the anger of a gentle man.” An escalating rivalry with a powerful member of the nobility forces Kvothe to leave the University and seek his fortune abroad. Adrift, penniless, and alone, he travels to Vintas, where he quickly becomes entangled in the politics of courtly society. While attempting to curry favor with a powerful noble, Kvothe discovers an assassination attempt, comes into conflict with a rival arcanist, and leads a group of mercenaries into the wild, in an attempt to solve the mystery of who (or what) is waylaying travelers on the King’s road. All the while, Kvothe searches for answers, attempting to uncover the truth about the mysterious Amyr, the Chandrian, and the death of his parents. Along the way, Kvothe is put on trial by the legendary Adem mercenaries, forced to reclaim the honor of the Edema Ruh, and travels into the Fae realm. There he meets Felurian, the faerie woman no man can resist, and who no man has ever survived. Under her tutelage, Kvothe learns much about true magic and the ways of women. In The Wise Man’s Fear Kvothe takes his first steps on the path of the hero and learns how difficult life can be when a man becomes a legend in his own time. Views: 27
Parlourmaid Annis Jones falls in love with handsome cornet William Dean, though she knows a young officer with a career to make can't marry a penniless servant. But when his colonel rapes her and leaves her pregnant and disgraced, the young couple must find a way to build a life together - somehow. Historical romance short story set in York during the Napoleonic War. Views: 27
Garth, the notorious Lord Warwick, has long wondered whether he would still enjoy kissing Georgiana Halliday. A chance encounter on the beach at Brighton leads him to discover that he likes kissing Georgie very well. However, before they can concentrate on kissing there is a stolen emerald to be recovered, and an elopement to be foiled, not to mention the machinations of Georgie's old friend Marigold… Regency Romance by Maggie MacKeever; originally published by Zebra Views: 27
EDITORIAL REVIEW: Ethan Parnell and Gina Morante meet when they accidentally wind up in the same time-share condominium on the Caribbean island of St. Thomas. Right place for a tropical vacation, but wrong time for them both to appear--and for sure the *wrong* two Views: 27
Henry Ford wasn't wrong when he said that, "history is bunk". He could still remember the days when the wireless transmission of energy had powered motorcars, mighty airships and space cruisers. And when Britannia ruled not only the waves, but all of the Earth and much of the cosmos besides. Have you ever wondered how Victorians such as Jules Verne and H.G. Wells managed to dream up all that fantastic futuristic fiction? Did it ever occur to you that it might just have been based upon fact? That War Of The Worlds was a true account of real events? That Captain Nemo's Nautilus even now lies rusting at the bottom of the North Sea? That there really was an invisible man? No? Then what about the other stuff? Views: 27
Joey Klingerman, a visitor at Keystone Stables, has Down syndrome and is very outgoing and talkative. He immediately takes a special liking to Skye, constantly calling her his girlfriend. Embarrassed and furious, Skye begins to treat Joey harshly, but when Bucky, his buckskin horse, comes up lame right before the county fair, Skye is forced to make a big decision. Should she let Joey ride Champ, even though she promised herself no one but her would ever ride him? Skye has to listen to God's promptings in order to share his love with Joey. Views: 27
How long does it take to go from It Girl to on the dole?TV producer Rebecca Cole has seen better days. Like the day her cartoon creation, Esme, made her a hit and scored her a promotion. That was a good day. But now that her roommate has decided to heed her therapist and appreciate the simpler things in life—outside of New York City—and a corporate takeover at her network has left Rebecca jobless, this food snob has to find a way to afford her rent and her penchant for fine dining. Oh, and she really should start saying no to the break-up sex with her ex.Surely Rebecca will be able to draw herself out of this mess, and maybe even find a way to eat well in the process? Views: 27
A fan-favorite story from New York Times bestselling author Candace Camp, originally published in 2003.Rachel Aincourt fears that she's trapped in a loveless marriage. Her husband, Michael Trent, the Earl of Westhampton, is cold, enigmatic, and completely unreadable, and Rachel herself is miserable.But what she doesn't know is that behind Michael's stiff demeanor lies a man who thrives on danger and intrigue. And now he's been drawn into a dark, dangerous mystery—one that involves Rachel herself. To solve it, he'll need to take on the most difficult, but rewarding, task of all: convincing his wife that he loves her. Views: 27
With such classic works as The Rector of Justin and, more recently, Manhattan Monologues, Louis Auchincloss has long established himself as one of our "most useful and intelligent writers" (New York Observer). Now this American master offers his cleverest novel yet: a triumphant modern twist on the legendary Hawthorne tale, in which secrets, sin, and suspense collide among the fabulously rich.The year is 1953, and the coastal village of Glenville, on the opulent north shore of Long Island, is shaken by scandal. Ambrose Vollard, the managing partner of a prestigious Wall Street law firm, gets word of an alleged affair in his family. Most astonishing, the adulterer is Rodman Jessup, Vollard's son-in-law, junior partner, and most likely successor. Until now Jessup has been admired for his impeccable morals and high ideals, so what could explain his affair with a woman of fading charms? All is on the line for Jessup, who threatens to upset Glenville's carefully calibrated social order. As each family member learns of the affair, the story reveals layer upon layer of abiding loyalties and shameless double-crossing.Wise, rich, and exuberantly entertaining, The Scarlet Letters posts a seductive missive to anyone ever tempted by power, wealth, or passion.From Publishers WeeklyAuchincloss's latest novel takes place in familiar territory-the world of the privileged classes in 1950s New York-and acquires extra resonance from its mirroring of Hawthorne's famous tale of guilt and redemption. The story opens with a scandal: respected New York lawyer Ambrose Vollard is shocked by the flagrant adultery of his favored son-in-law and heir apparent, Rod Jessup. The author then explores Vollard's rise from ignored son to head of his beloved law firm; his marriage to Hetty, the intelligent daughter of a Boston preacher; his indulgence of his favorite daughter Lavinia; and her relationship to the somewhat puritanical Rod, who is troubled by ghosts of the past, personified in the more hedonistic Harry Hammersly, his best friend and colleague at Vollard's law firm. When Vinnie and Rod divorce and she quickly marries Harry, the story-the battle between a too-strict moralism and a cynical disregard for right and wrong-is only beginning. Auchincloss's writing, which can seem somewhat old-fashioned and burdened with authorial exegesis rather than demonstration of character, makes perfect sense in the context of this near-allegorical morality tale, and readers are rewarded with an embellishment of the simple dichotomies of Hawthorne's novel with an appropriately ambiguous ending. The 1950s context allows the scenes of spiritual, sexual and legal corruption to have an impact they might not in a modern setting, and while the author makes apparent the force of personal history justifying each character's actions, it is always clear who the good guys and bad guys really are. This is a satisfying and sometimes surprising story from a past master of New York tales.Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc. From BooklistAmbrose Vollard has a successful career as managing partner of a distinguished Wall Street law firm and a useful marriage to the practical daughter of an old Boston family. The only thing lacking is a son, until his favorite daughter, Vinnie, marries Rod Jessup. But adultery destroys Vinnie's marriage, and change in the form of both her husbands--the honorable Rod and the less honorable Harry--undermines the old ways at Vollard Kaye. There is a sameness to Auchincloss' elegant tales of the Manhattan brownstone set, especially true in this novel, which is a reworking and expansion of a clever story in his 2002 collection, Manhattan Monologues. Some of the names have been changed; Ambrose was previously called Arnold Dillard. Some passages have been transplanted from the story word for word. But Auchincloss now provides more backstory, especially about Arnold--Ambrose, rather, and also takes his tale further into the future. In giving himself more scope to flesh out characters and examine shifting mores, Auchincloss sacrifices some of the story's original punch, but his many loyal readers probably won't mind. Mary Ellen QuinnCopyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved Views: 27
Mars Cannon is in Texas with Brett, ready to face her worst nightmare in court. The Sledgehammer’s trial will commence in only a few days, and Mars’ nerves begin to fray. With Brett’s help, she prepares to face the killer one last time. But there’s a snag. Mysterious boxes appear on doorsteps with new, horrifying evidence. While Annie is behind bars, the murders continue. Views: 27
