Few playwrights have been as successful as Kwame Kwei-Armah atbringing a distinctive new voice and examination of our culture to thestage in recent years. This collection of his work includes his trilogyof plays commissioned and produced by the National Theatre between 2003and 2008, and Let There Be Love, first produced at the Tricycle Theatre, London, in 2008.Elmina's Kitchen won him awards for most promising newplaywright and was described as 'a scorching drama about the blackexperience in Britain's inner cities. . . there is no mistaking its rawpower, humanity and urgent concern' (Daily Telegraph). Fix Upexplores race and cultural roots and heritage with verve and wit,setting heritage against the inexorable march of time and change. Statement of Regretexplore tensions within the Black community amid changes in the teamleading an influential Black policy think-tank. The final play, Let There Be Love,was presented at the Tricycle Theatre, London, in 2008: 'a smart andpossibly... Views: 69
Ellie loves her hometown, job, and best friend Jake. But Jake is a ladies man that will never settle down. Ellie can't stand to see him with other women anymore, so she is packing up and leaving Cedar Grove and everything she loves to start over. A night of unexpected passion makes her start to think maybe things can work out between them, until she happens upon a secret Jake has been keeping for more than a year. Will their friendship be forever torn apart? Or will Ellie find A Reason to Stay? Views: 69
Rudy Harrington is ready for a new life. His daughters are grown, his wife has died, and the idea of running an avocado grove in Texas suddenly seems infinitely more appealing than staying in his rambling Midwestern house.So a new life it is. Rudy heads off for a part of the world where he knows scarcely a soul. But he has a guide: a slender book called Philosophy Made Simple, each chapter highlighting the ideas of a different philosopher. No amount of Plato, Schopenhauer, or Sartre, however, can prepare Rudy for the surprises that emerge as he arranges for his daughter's Hindu wedding and gets to know Norma Jean - an elephant with a talent for painting - who is abandoned to Rudy's care and who leads him, ultimately, toward the prospect of a new love. Views: 69
When the Imperial prison barge Purge–temporary home to five hundred of the galaxy’s most ruthless killers, rebels, scoundrels, and thieves–breaks down in a distant, uninhabited part of space, its only hope appears to lie with a Star Destroyer found drifting, derelict, and seemingly abandoned. But when a boarding party from the Purge is sent to scavenge for parts, only half of them come back–bringing with them a horrific disease so lethal that within hours nearly all aboard the Purge die in ways too hideous to imagine. And death is only the beginning. The Purge’s half-dozen survivors–two teenage brothers, a sadistic captain of the guards, a couple of rogue smugglers, and the chief medical officer, the lone woman on board–will do whatever it takes to stay alive. But nothing can prepare them for what lies waiting aboard the Star Destroyer amid its vast creaking emptiness that isn’t really empty at all. For the dead are rising: soulless, unstoppable, and unspeakably hungry. Views: 69
A romance three thousand years in the making. When Bree Sennett breaks into Ming Xao Chen’s Curiosity Shop to recover the fabled Soul Jar of Ammonptah, the last thing she expects to find among the tacky souvenirs is a ghost. But there he is, Mason “Chance” MacKenzie, back from the dead and stirring a confusing mix of joy at seeing him alive…and betrayal for leaving her. Two years ago, Chance faked his own death to save both their lives. It’s taken him that long to convince himself she’s better off without him, that she’ll never forgive him much less love him. Yet as their mutual search for the Soul Jar brings them face to face, he realizes the only one he was fooling was himself. Now the woman who stole his heart is about to steal the Soul Jar, but a life he promised to protect hangs in the balance. There’s only one way to satisfy both their clients. Make a deal. And hope he can trust her to help him complete his mission before he loses her forever. This book has been previously published. Warning: This title contains too much caffeine, just the right amount of fireworks and a heaping scoop of steal-your-heart Australian hunk. Views: 69
"When she's good, she's very, very good, and Beautiful People finds Holden on steroids. Unmissable."-Daily MirrorA witty, utterly addictive novel from bestselling author Wendy Holden, Beautiful People is a tale wicked in its observations yet buoyant at its heart: an irresistible confection you'll want to devour immediately.Darcy-a struggling English rose actress when The Call comes from L.A. An Oscar-tastic director. A movie to make her famous. The hunkiest costar in Hollywood. So why doesn't she want to go?Belle-a size-zero film star but she's in big, fat trouble. Hotter than the earth's core a year ago, she's now Tinseltown toast after her last film bombed. Can she get back to the big time?Emma-a down-to-earth, down-on-her-luck nanny trying to weather London's cutthroat childcare scene and celebrity mom whirlwinds. What will it take for her to get back in control of her own life?Jet to London, Hollywood, and Italy; toss in a passionate star chef, a kindhearted paparazzo, and a reluctant male supermodel; and find Wendy Holden at her best-a smash international hit.From BooklistHolden’s novel is the literary equivalent of a big-budget romantic comedy with an all-star Hollywood cast in which everyone’s stories overlap. And it is equally as carefree and enjoyable. Holden’s characters, ranging from a young and troubled starlet to a well-respected English actress, male supermodel, struggling nanny, and celebrity chef, to name but a few, have two things in common: they are all beautiful, and Holden portrays each one with humor and honesty.Their separate stories are eventually entwined in the second half of the novel, once everyone ends up in a small town in Italy, a coincidence that is surprisingly fun and funny. With clever dialogue and a great spectrum of personalities, Holden’s big book of celebrity obsession and the price of beauty is fast-paced, realistic, and hugely entertaining. --Hilary Hatton ReviewWith clever dialogue and a great spectrum of personalities, Holden's big book of celebrity obsession and the price of beauty is fast-paced, realistic, and hugely entertaining.Holden's satirical humor and adept writing shine through. Glitzy fun with appeal for readers of Emma McLaughlin, Plum Sykes, or Lauren Weisberger."There are ringside moments that nail the wispy nature of celebrity and the futility of chasing it."You can tell that this is a Wendy Holden book - the characters are well drawn out and are fun to read - and the book is still loaded with great "chick lit" moments.Pure frothy fun! If you enjoy Sophie Kinsella or Helen Fielding, you will love this author.You'll be sitting there rooting for the underdogs and racing to the end.A fun sparkling jet set read!My goodness, does that Wendy Holden make me laugh or what! I gobbled up Beautiful People.Holden's wit is rapier sharp and her keen sense of observation of the comedic is spot on.Simply Divine... Beautiful People is the next Lipstick Jungle!A funny, entertaining novel that will keep you turning the pages... you are in for a great escape.Light, frothy, and frenetic, this book was a fun read.A fun, witty, story about the trials and tribulations of the acting industry.Fascinating... this novel has a story to tell for every reader.It was fun to root for the good guys and wish terrible things on the bad and to see how the author tied all their stories together.It is satisfying to finally read a book where the good people are rewarded and the ugly people are given their just deserts.Holden's novels are great fun, and this one is no exception.The perfect scandalous guilty pleasure.An entertaining look at how life can chew us up and spit us out and yet, at the same time, we learn so much more of ourselves in the process. Views: 69
Being a Vampire Isn't What It Used to Be...
Savanna Royce is a weekend Goth-girl who’s always been fascinated with vampires. She doesn’t really believe in them, of course, but that changes when she’s bitten by a rogue vamp and left for dead. Fortunately, two-hundred-and-seventy-eight-year-old vampire Kaige Travers is there to rescue her. Unwilling to let her die, he turns Savanna into a vampire to save her life—not knowing if she’ll thank him or hate him for it.
While Kaige is teaching Savanna what she needs to know about being a vampire, neither of them can deny the chemistry that’s there. Somewhere between getting her registered at the local vampire admin office and teaching her how to order blood on the internet, they fall for each other—fast and hard.
Just as things are heating up between the sheets—and everywhere else—they encounter one minor problem. The rogue vampire who attacked her is back and this time he wants to finish the job he started.
**From the Author
More from New York Times Bestselling Author Paige Tyler!
Special Wolf Alpha Team (SWAT) Series
Hungry Like the Wolf
Wolf Trouble
In the Company of Wolves
To Love a Wolf
Wolf Unleashed
Wolf Hunt
Wolf Hunger
X-OPS Series
Her Secret Agent
Her Perfect Mate
Her Lone Wolf
Her Wild Hero
Her Fierce Warrior
Her Rogue Alpha
Her True Match
Her Dark Half
SEALs of Coronado Series
SEAL for Her Protection
Strong Silent SEAL
Texas SEAL
Dallas Fire & Rescue Series
Rekindled
Ablaze
Alaskan Werewolves
Animal Attraction
Modern Day Vampires
Vampire 101
Badge Bunnies Series (Available in a Boxed Set or Standalone)
Seducing Officer Barlowe
Two Cops, a Girl and a Pair of Handcuffs
A Cop, His Wife and Her Best Friend
Ride-Along
Hands-on-Training
The Buckle Bunnies (Available in a Boxed Set or Standalone)
Ride of Her Life
Team Roping
Ride 'em Hard
The Cowboys Series (Available in theTwo-Book Set "More Than a Cowboy" or Standalone)
Karleigh's Cowboys
And the Ranch Hand Makes Three
More Than a Cowboy
Reclaimed
Good Cop, Bad Girl
Submission Becomes Her
Unmasked
Sexy Secret Santa
Standalone Books
My SEAL Bodyguard (Hot SEALs Kindle World)
Protective Custody
Dead Sexy
Santa's Wayward Elf
Librarian By Day
Sadie and Her Cowboy
Mr. Right-Now
Pirate's Woman
Erotic Exposure
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In his electrifying debut, The Mirrored Heavens, David
J. Williams created a dark futuristic world grounded in the military
rivalries, terror tactics, and political wrangling of our own time. Now
he takes his masterful blend of military SF, espionage thriller, and
dystopian cyberpunk one step further - to the edge of annihilation . . .
.Life as U.S. counterintelligence agent Claire Haskell once
knew it is in tatters - her mission betrayed, her lover dead, and her
memories of the past suspect. Worse, the defeat of the mysterious
insurgent group known as Autumn Rain was not as complete as many
believed. It is quickly becoming clear that the group's ultimate goal is
not simply to destroy the tenuous global alliances of the 22nd century -
but to rule all of humanity. And they're starting with the violent
destruction of the Net and the assassination of the U.S. president. Now
it's up to Claire, with her ability to jack her brain into the systems
of the enemy, to win this impossible war.Battling ferociously
across the Earth-Moon system, and navigating a complex world filled with
both steadfast loyalists and ruthless traitors, Claire must be ready
for the Rain's next move. But the true enemy may already be one step
ahead of her. Views: 69
Product DescriptionFOR USE IN SCHOOLS AND LIBRARIES ONLY. In the first book in the exciting new Model Mystery trilogy, Nancy's friend Sydney is getting married, but things keep going horribly wrong at the wedding. Who would want to ruin her special day? Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.Imagine, Nancy -- me, a world-famous model!" Bess Marvin's lively blue eyes were shining, and the smile on her face was more than intense. She ran her fingers through her long blond hair and struck a nonchalant pose, gazing at herself in the mirror. "This is fantastic news, Bess," Nancy Drew said, rereading the letter that had come for Bess the day before. "'Dear Bess Marvin,'" she read aloud. "'We're happy to inform you that you've been selected as a finalist in the Face of the Year contest jointly sponsored by Smash Clothing, Elan Modeling Agency, and Teen Scene magazine.' It really is incredible," Nancy concluded. Bess continued to gaze at her reflection in the closet door mirror. "All I did was lose a few pounds, and suddenly my whole life has changed," she said with a happy sigh. "I guess it was worth it to turn down all the ice-cream cones, brownies, mocha cheesecake . . ." "It's really great," said George Fayne. Bess's cousin and good friend, who was sitting on Bess's bed. "When I took those pictures, I never dreamed they'd actually get you into the finals." "You didn't?" Bess spun around and faced her cousin. "George Fayne -- are you saying I'm not beautiful enough to be a model?" Nancy held up a hand. "Hold on, Bess," she said. "George just means she's surprised because there was so much competition." "Right!" George's wide brown eyes were fixed innocently on Bess. "You were the one who said over five thousand girls sent in their pictures -- " "And only eight were selected as finalists," Nancy finished for her. "That's pretty amazing." "It is, isn't it?" Bess said with a sigh. Nancy brushed back her silky reddish-blond hair and glanced quickly at George. Ever since the letter had arrived, Bess had been subject to some pretty wild mood swings. Now, for instance, when Bess turned back to the mirror she was biting her lip and frowning. "Those pictures George took made me look so glamorous. Let's face it, I'm not that pretty in real life." She turned from the mirror and flopped down on her bed. "You are too!" George insisted. "I agree," Nancy added. "But even if you weren't, there's no sense worrying about real life now. This is a modeling contest! You're going to be treated to an all-expenses-paid trip to Chicago, get a makeover by a professional makeup artist, and have your picture taken by world-famous photographers. It'll be the time of your life!" Bess nodded, her expression brightening. "You're right!" she said, sitting up. "Besides, the judges aren't only looking for beauty. We'll be judged on personality as well." Bess had no doubts about her personality. "And with you two there, how could I help but be a winner?" George raised her eyebrows and bit her lip. "Bess, I didn't want to tell you, but I can't go. I'm playing in the All-County Tennis Tournament this week." Bess winced. "What about you, Nan? You can come, can't you?" "Better say yes, Nan," George suggested. "Without you there to hold her down, Bess may float off planet Earth." "I wouldn't miss it for the world," Nancy said with a grin. "In fact, if we're leaving tomorrow, I'd better go home and pack right now!" "Hurry! Please, sir," Bess sounded truly desperate. She was standing on the sidewalk in front of the Chicago Inter-Continental Hotel with Nancy, waiting while a bellhop loaded their suitcases onto a wheeled luggage carrier. The elderly man just smiled and hefted the last bag onto the pile. "Ready, ladies?" he said, pushing the cart through the doorway. Bess stopped short just inside the lobby. "Oh, no!" she shrieked, staring at her hand in horror. "What's the matter?" Nancy asked. "Just look at that chip on my fingernail! I was so careful, too!" Nancy examined the offending nail. It was barely noticeable. "It's tiny, Bess. You can fix it when we get upstairs." "Oh, no, I can't," Bess moaned. "I didn't bring that shade." She squeezed her eyes shut and shook her head helplessly. "Oh, please, please, let there be a store in Chicago that sells Heavenly Pink. I'll die if I can't find it." "Gosh, Bess," Nancy ventured. "Is nail polish really worth dying for?" "I guess I am getting carried away, huh?" she said, apologizing. She hurried across the thick red-and-black carpet to the reception desk. "Hi, I'm here for the Face of the Year contest," Bess announced to the man behind the desk. He wore a gold pin with his name, Mr. Johnson, on it. Mr. Johnson peered over the counter at Bess and adjusted his glasses. "Are you one of the contestants?" "Yes," Bess said, a little annoyed. "I'm Bess Marvin, and this is my friend, Nancy Drew. She's staying with me." "I only asked because the other contestants have already left for the pier. They're doing a 'Welcome to Chicago' shoot there. It's two blocks north on Lake Shore Drive." "Oh, no, we're really late! I'm so mad I wasn't ready when you got to my house," Bess said to Nancy. "Sign here, and I'll have your bags brought to your room. Suite four hundred twelve," Mr. Johnson said calmly. "Good luck." "Thanks," said Bess, who was running for the glass sliding door. Nancy followed, and soon the two were dashing up Lake Shore Drive, searching for the other contestants. The scenery was breathtaking, with the skyscrapers of the city towering over the lake. Bess was too nervous and hurried to notice. "There they are," Nancy announced after only a block and a half. She pointed across the street to a huge pier jutting out into Lake Michigan. A truck with its own electric generator was parked on the pier, and farther out a group of young women were arranged at a railing. "Great!" Bess said excitedly, stepping off the curb to cross the street. "Whoa," Nancy said firmly, taking her friend by the arm and pulling her back. "Let's wait for the light." "Ooh, I can't believe it. There's Kelly Conroy!" Bess whispered excitedly as they stepped onto the pier. She pointed to a young woman with dark auburn hair and green eyes who stood in a small cluster of people about twenty feet from the sidewalk. "I recognize her from the picture by her column in Teen Scene." At that moment Kelly turned and caught sight of Bess and Nancy. She waved and started walking toward them, a big smile on her face. She wore a smart black jacket with brass buttons and epaulets, skinny black pants, and ankle-high black boots. "You've got to be Bess," she said when she reached them. "I recognize you from your photo. Hi!" "Hi,"said Bess, staring at the columnist. "I can't believe I'm actually meeting you. I mean, I read your column every week. It's the best." "Can I quote you? I'm Kelly Conroy," the columnist said, and she extended her hand to Nancy. "You're not one of the contestants, are you? Bess makes eight -- " "No , " answered Nancy quickly. "I'm just here with Bess. My name's Nancy." "Excuse me, Kelly," said a tall, handsome man of about thirty who had joined them. "Bettina wants to talk to you about the group shot." "Thanks, Thom. " Kelly turned back to Bess and Nancy. "Well, I'll see you later, girls. Meanwhile, meet Thom Fortner. He's the public relations person for Smash Clothing and also for the contest. Thom, this is Bess Marvin, one of our finalists, and her friend Nancy." "Oh, hello, Mr. Fortner, Bess gushed. "I just love Smash Clothes. I wear them all the time." "That's nice to hear," Mr. Fortner told her. "And please, call me Thom." "Thom! Thom!" Nancy turned and saw a tall woman with frosted hair and dangling royal-blue earrings wave at him. "What are you doing? I need you here, too!" "Sorry, Bettina. I didn't realize." The public relations man raised his eyebrows in an amused gesture. "Excuse me, ladies. When Bettina calls, we all answer." "Bettina Vasquez works for Elan Agency," Bess told Nancy. "She runs the place for Monique Durand. That's what they told me when I called to make arrangements for my trip." "Young lady!" Bettina was shouting over Kelly Conroy's head. "If you want to be in the shot, you'd better join us, too." "Who, me?" Bess looked confused. "Yes, darling, you," the woman said icily. "She doesn't seem very nice. But then, a big shoot like this must mean a lot of pressure for her," Nancy said as they walked toward the others. The closer they got, the more Bess seemed to freeze up. Nancy thought she knew why. Standing near the iron railing, with only Lake Michigan behind them, were seven of the tallest, most beautiful girls she had ever seen. "I suddenly feel short," Bess whispered. "It's called 'petite,'" Nancy said, patting her friend on the arm. "Hi, you must be Bess," said a honey blonde with a wide smile and warm brown eyes. "I'm Maggie Adams." "Hi," said Bess, studying her with obvious dismay. Maggie was tall and willowy. Her skin was luminous, and her features were perfect. "Don't worry," Maggie said reassuringly. "You haven't missed a thing. We've been here for an hour, but they haven't taken a single shot yet." "This is so unprofessional," said one of the girls, an ash blonde with catlike golden eyes. "Have you worked as a model?" Bess asked. "Of course I have," the girl snapped. "But I thought this contest was only for amateurs," Bess murmured. "Er -- I worked for charities," the girl responded with an insincere smile. "I'm Bess Marvin. This is my friend, Nancy Drew." The girl nodded and turned her back on them. "When are they going to start shooting?" she complained to no one in particular. "It's freezing out here." "That's Heather Richards," Maggie told them in a whisper. "She's from New York." Heather was right, though. The wind had begun to blow off the lake. Even for a fall day it was chilly. Nancy pulled up the collar of her light wool jacket and stuffed her hands into her pockets. "Everybody," Maggie was saying, "this is Bess Marvin and her friend Nancy. Now let's see if I can remember all the names! Bess, you've already met Heather. This is Trudy Woo, Carey Harper, Alison Williams, Diana Amsterdam, and Natasha." One by one the lovely girls nodded and introduced themselves. "Hi, Bess and Nancy," said Trudy Woo. She had glossy black hair, cut blunt and in bangs, and sparkling almond-shaped eyes. Next to Trudy stood tall, slender Carey Harper. Her dark hair was twisted into a thick French braid, giving her a soft, classic look. "Welcome," Carey said, taking Bess in with a pair of amazing blue eyes that seemed to leap from her face when she smiled. "Hi," Bess gulped before she turned to her next competitor. "We wondered when you were going to get here," the girl said with a warm smile. "I'm Alison Williams." Alison was tall, like Maggie and Carey, but her skin was a rich chocolate brown, set off by large, glowing black eyes. Her glossy jet-black hair was parted on one side and held in place with a simple gold clip. "Hi, Bess, I'm Diana," the next girl said. Diana's face had a delicate elfin quality, with mischievous aquamarine eyes. Diana and Trudy weren't quite so tall as the others. But Nancy noticed with dismay that Bess was by far the shortest of the contestants. Natasha, who nodded at Bess and Nancy from the end of the group, had full, pouting lips, a short, slender nose, and enormous green eyes. All in all, Nancy had to admit that the Face of the Year contestants were a pretty impressive-looking group. Bess shook hands with each girl in turn. "I'm sorry," Bess said when she got to Natasha, "I didn't get your last name. " "It's just Natasha," the girl said with a thick European accent. "That's beautiful," Bess said. "I'm never going to remember everyone's name, though." "Don't worry," Maggie said. "There's no test. And besides, we have plenty of time to get to know one another. We'll be here all week." "Okay! Okay, girls! Listen up!" Bettina Vasquez was clapping her hands and shouting to get everyone's attention. "We're ready for the first shot! Line up in this order, please! In the back row, Heather Richards, Natasha, Carey Harper, and Alison Williams. Maggie Adams, Trudy Woo, Diana Amsterdam, and Bess Marvin, you'll be in front." "Excuse me, Bettina, may I talk to you a moment?" Heather Richards said politely as the girls began taking their places. "Could I please stay in the front?" Nancy heard Heather ask. "I'm terribly afraid of the water." Bettina rolled her eyes impatiently and waved a hand. "Maggie Adams, you're tall. Would you please change places with Heather?" "Sure," soft-spoken Maggie answered. None of the other girls said anything when Heather rejoined them, but Nancy could tell they found the blond New Yorker less than charming. "Okay, ladies." A bearded photographer wearing a red sweatshirt and gray jeans stepped out in front of the group. "I want you each to make sure you can see the lens. Some of you in front may have to scrunch down a little -- " "Wait for me," a man's voice rang out. Nancy turned around. A tall, incredibly handsome blond man with chiseled features was rushing up to the girls. Nancy recognized him from dozens of commercials, although she didn't know his name. "I'm in this shot, too!" "Roger Harlan!" Bess shrieked, totally forgetting her cool. "That's my name," he said with a dazzling smile that reached all the way up to his perfect blue eyes. "Sorry I'm late. I was filming a commercial." "Roger, move in between Alison and Maggie, would you, darling?" Bettina asked. She and the handsome model obviously knew each other. "Okay, folks," the photographer explained. "Pretend the lens is your best friend. You're just standing -- " The photographer's words were interrupted by a sharp crack. The contestants were all screaming as the iron railing behind them gave way. Before Nancy -- or anyone -- could react, there was a splash -- one of the girls had plunged headlong into the lake! Views: 69
Рассказ вошёл в сборники: The Golden Apples of the Sun (Золотые яблоки солнца) The Stories of Ray Bradbury (И грянул гром: 100 рассказов) Views: 69
