In this candid memoir, A. Alfred Taubman explains how a dyslexic Jewish kid from Detroit grew up to be a billionaire retailing pioneer, an intimate of European aristocrats and Palm Beach socialites, a respected philanthropist and, at age 78, a federal prisoner.With a unique blend of humor and genius, Taubman shows how selling fine art and antiques really isn't that different from marketing root beer or football, and offers penetrating insights into that quintessential palace of commerce, the luxury shopping mall. Alfred Taubman may not have invented the modern shopping center but, in the words of The New Yorker, "he perfected it."Despite the twists and turns, Taubman's life and business philosophy can be summed up in one evocative phrase: Threshold Resistance. Understanding and defeating that force—breaking down the barriers between art and commerce, between shoppers and merchandise, between high culture and popular taste—has been his life's work. Views: 36
With a wickedly witty touch, Elkin's essays takes readers on a tour ofAmerican life in the 20th century.Stanley Elkin was one of our great American writers. "Adivine exploiter of the idiocies and intricacies of our language," as JohnIrving put it, and nowhere is that more clear than this collection of essays,which find Elkin wresting hilarity and heartbreak from the most unlikely ofsources. Views: 36
Twenty-two year old Faren Mitchell hears the two words that change her abbreviated life forever. They're so final Faren decides she has nothing to lose by seizing every remaining moment of what life has to offer.Until Faren collides with a motorcycle ridden by billionaire Jared McKenna.Even the dark secret of her past and catharsis as a physical therapist can't save Faren from the s*xual spiral that waits for her in the arms of a man who commits to no one. When circumstances force her to get a second job as an exotic dancer, Faren never imagines how close that choice will bring her to the brink of a new reality she is unequipped to handle. Views: 36
Chaste Sarah can’t believe it when the sexy twins who moved in next door turn out to be meanies. She gets tortured by the devious hotties until they finally leave for college, but when they return for the summer break, they catch Sarah in an embarrassing act they promise to share with the world. There’s just one way she can get them to keep their silence, and it involves being twice filled, raw! Views: 36
For process server-turned-private investigator, Jane Kelly, weddings are murder. Usually that's a metaphor, but for newly minted P.I. Jane Kelly, it's fast becoming an all-too-accurate nightmare. Roland Hatchmere, plastic surgery magnate, has been found murdered just before his daughter's society wedding. The weapon is a wedding gift: a heavy, silver serving tray. The prime suspect is Roland's ex-wife #2: Violet "Ultraviolet" Purcell. Everywhere Jane and her lovable, misfit pug, Binky, look, there's a suspect odder than the last, including two grown, very troubled kids, an ex-wife strung out on Botox and a current wife who's a cross between Donna Reed and a sex kitten--all of them eager to blame Roland's death on Violet. The deeper Jane digs, the less she wants to know. Every truth leads her deeper into danger, and soon, Jane wonders if her first official case might also be her last. . .and if the client she's been asked to clear just might be the coldest... Views: 36
A riding holiday in America should be the perfect holiday for two of the Sandy Lane Stables regulars. But when the girls arrive at Whitetops Horse Farm, the family seem preoccupied and haven't prepared for their arrival. When, after several days of mucking out and grooming, they still haven't been offered a ride, Izzy decides it's time to find out what's going on... Views: 36
A brand new 50,000 word novella, Sword Brother.From the 20007 year edition of "Oath of Swords" Views: 36
She was his pregnant mistress...Two years ago, Freya Addison fell for sexy billionaire Zac Deverell. He gave her everything money could buy, and more pleasure in the bedroom than she'd thought possible. But when Freya announced she was pregnant, Zac threw her out.Now she'll become his wife!When they meet again, the passion between them is as strong as ever. Zac whisks Freya away to Monaco and back to his bed, where he'll get his answers! If the baby is his, he'll make Freya his wife.... Views: 35
A number-one bestseller from one of Britain's most popular novelists, Sheer Abandon is an all-consuming story revolving around the consequences of a desperate act . . . Martha, Clio, and Jocasta meet by chance at Heathrow airport in 1985 as they are starting off on separate backpacking adventures, and they decide to spend the first few days of their trips together in Thailand. When they go their separate ways, they vow to get together in London the following year. But many years pass before the three cross paths again, and the once-capricious, carefree girls now all have thriving careers. One of them, however, harbors a terrible secret: On her return from her pre-college excursion, she abandoned her just-born daughter at Heathrow. Clio has fulfilled her ambition of becoming a doctor, only to find herself trapped in a marriage to an arrogant surgeon who belittles her and her professional achievements. Martha is a highly paid corporate lawyer, just... Views: 35
"For the fairest." Past, present, and future. Again. Views: 35
When Chet Ballard visits an old friend, Ben Colter, in New Mexico, he finds Colter's ranch burned to the ground, Ben and his wife Rachel missing, and the Apache who worked for Colter badly wounded. It turns out that whoever hit the ranch did so in order to kidnap Rachel. But why?While McCall goes in search of Colter, Ballard finds his own trail being dogged by vicious bounty hunters and an Apache on a blood hunt.Along the way Colter begins to understand why his wife has been taken. It also reveals the desire of a ghost from the past to get his hands on a treasure that has lain hidden for years – a cache that only Ben Colter knows how to locate.As all the different characters make their desperate attempts to gain what they seek, Ballard and McCall can only help Ben locate and save his missing wife in the bullet-riddled finale of Colter's Quest. Views: 35
Eleven-year-old Charlene is not impressed with Merry, her new guardian. Clearly the woman needs some major help in the parenting department. Their neighbor Jack could be the right man for the job--but it doesn't look as though the two grown-ups are ever going to get together without help.Jack recognizes a short-distance runner when he sees one, and Merry fits the bill. The gorgeous party girl is so unprepared to take charge of the totally fun-proof Charlene, he almost feels sorry for her. Almost.Merry is in way over her head. Who would have thought that a vow written on a cocktail napkin would make her a parent long before her time...or that a rock-solid man and a serious little girl would ever become the two most important people in her life?Merry has finally found something worth fighting for. Now all she has to do is figure out just how to fight! Views: 35
Trouble on the set! A reality-based game show called Warehouse Rumble has come to Bayport, and Frank and Joe Hardy are hoping to be among the first contestants. But when someone finds a skeleton on the set, production comes to a screeching halt. Once filming can begin again, the show is plagued with problems -- and the Hardys and their friends are doing so well that jealous competitors start to blame them for all the trouble. Frank and Joe are suddenly on double duty. They have to convince their fellow contestants that they're playing a clean game, and solve the mystery so the show can go on! Views: 35
EDITORIAL REVIEW: A Christmas Conundrum Women, Dr. Jacob Hartman knew, were a mystery. Take the first time he met social worker Hannah Smith at the Stone Refuge home for foster children. The woman stared him down as if he'd come at her with castor oil. Why? His past was full of heavy-duty heartache, but he was positive they'd never met. And as a former foster child himself, Jacob was deeply touched by how much she cared about the kids at the home, how loving she was to everyone but him. Which was where, he figured, the mistletoe came in! Views: 35
