Three Balconies brings together 17 new stories by the celebrated humorist, vintage Friedman all. In sumptuously simple language, the language of the street, the bar, the store, the office, Friedman gives us a collection of moral fables that explores friendship and faith and failure unswervingly, yet with compassion and, as always, tremendous humour. Views: 61
Praise for The Year of Fog:"A page-turner with a philosophical bent." Booklist"A mesmerizing novel of loss and grief, hope and redemption, and the endurance of love." Library Journal, starred review"Impossible to put down." News of the World"Compulsively readable." The Denver Post"Gripping: Grade A." The Washington Post"A harrowing, beautifully written story of a photographer and soon-to-be stepmom whose momentary lapse in attention results in the disappearance of her fiance's little girl on a foggy beach in San Francisco. What happened to 6-year-old Emma? The answer, and its implications, will keep you on the edge of your beach chair." Melinda Bargreen, Seattle Times.ABOUT THE YEAR OF FOGSix-year-old Emma vanished into the thick San Francisco mist. Or into the heaving Pacific. Or somewhere just beyond: to a parking lot, a stranger's van, or a road with traffic flashing by. Devastated by guilt, haunted by her fears about becoming a stepmother, Abby refuses to believe that Emma is... Views: 61
When Members of Parliament are murdered crossing Westminster Bridge, Thomas and Charlotte Pit must sift through the many suspects to find the killer—before he strikes againIn the few minutes it takes to cross Westminster Bridge, Sir Lockwood Hamilton has his throat slit and is tied securely to the lamppost with his evening scarf. The killer then vanishes without being seen. Inspector Thomas Pitt thinks the motive might have been personal . . . or political. When a second Member of Parliament is murdered in the same way, politics appear to be the reason. Soon the suspect list includes anarchists and suffragettes. Public outrage mounts and fear grips London and Parliament after a third lamppost murder.Deep in his end of the investigation, Pitt must rely on his wife, Charlotte, and Great-aunt Vespasia to explore the drawing rooms of the upper class for clues to the mystery. With burning social issues swirling around them, the three of them must solve the case before... Views: 61
The uneasy peace within the Dominion's borders was shattered when treacherous forces seized the crown by slaughtering all members of the ruling Clan Leonne. Now, in a neighboring empire, the sole surviving heir to the throne, a young man never destined to rule, must prove his worthiness to claim the crown, even as his family's murderers and their sinister demonic allies plot his doom. Views: 61
Twenty-five years ago Mark Nelson was ready to take on the world; just as soon as his lover-turned-business-partner returned from summer vacation. Instead, Mark received an invitation to his lover's wedding and his dreams came to an abrupt end. Could the unexpected invitation to the couple's twenty-fifth wedding anniversary give Mark the motivation he needs to start living again, or propel him into greater despair?Chancellor Marshall has finally worked up to courage to 'come out' to his parents, but he probably shouldn't have chosen the week of their twenty-fifth wedding anniversary to do it. Could the comfort he finds in the arms of a sexy stranger provide shelter from the fall-out, or will he heap even more troubles onto his life? Views: 61
Rain has a secret — one that risks her whole world if it comes out. She designs exquisite stained glass for the windows of her city. But the law is clear: it is forbidden for girls to be part of the glassmakers’ guild. To keep her secret hidden, Rain leaves home and travels to a strange new country. Her trip becomes a nightmare when bandits attack and she is abandoned in a society on the edge of disaster. To survive, she must discover new strengths in herself and seek out the other people that this society has scorned, including a young falconer who is one of the "untouchables." This exciting new novel is a companion book to Dragonfly, which received a starred review from School Library Journal, was a YALSA Teens’ Top Ten nominee, and was selected by librarians for the 2011 Texas Lone Star reading list. Views: 61
Wars come to an end. But then new ones begin. Just weeks after Hitler's suicide, Cletus Frade and his colleagues in the OSS find themselves up to their necks in battles every bit as fierce as the ones just ended. The first is political-the very survival of the OSS, with every department from Treasury to War to the FBI grabbing for its covert agents and assets. The second is on a much grander scale-the possible next world war, against Joe Stalin and his voracious ambitions. To get a jump on the latter, Frade has been conducting a secret operation, one of great daring-and great danger-but to conduct it and not be discovered, he and his men must walk a perilously dark line. One slip, and everyone becomes a casualty of war. Views: 61
Alexander von Humboldt was the reigning scientific mind of the early nineteenth century, a unique combination of naturalist and adventurer. With his companion Aimé Bonpland, Humboldt cut a six-thousand-mile swath across the New World, through what is now Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Mexico, and Cuba. Risking his life in treacherous terrain, he conducted the first extensive scientific study of the Andes and the Amazon, literally redrawing the map of the Americas and dramatically expanding our knowledge of the natural world. He brought back to Europe more than 60,000 plant specimens and a multitude of exotic New World animals, set an altitude record while climbing the volcano Chimborazo, made revolutionary discoveries regarding volcanoes and the Earth's magnetic field, and introduced millions of Americans and Europeans to the astonishing cultures of the Aztecs and the Incas.At the completion of his epic journey, Humboldt became one of the most celebrated men in the... Views: 61
The officer on duty at Bamford police station is skeptical when he takes a call from Guy Morgan. Morgan claims to have stumbled upon human bones in Stovey Woods in the heart of the Cotswalds, but surely animal bones are more likely? Morgan, though, is a doctor as well as a hiker, and he knows exactly what he's found.It sends a shiver down Detective Alan Markby's spine when he hears the news. Twenty-two years ago, as a fresh-faced young inspector, he had a rare failure: His hunt for a brutal serial rapist preying on local women in the Stovey woods came up empty. After the third rape, the attacker disappeared, never to be heard of again.Now, with a new investigation prompted by Morgan's grisly discovery, the trail could be warm once more. But almost at once Markby is confronted with another body and a thoroughly up-to-date murder. Markby's lover, Meredith Mitchell, can't help but wonder: Could the two be connected? But as both are about to find out, it... Views: 61
In the final book in Melody Carlson's popular series, the four Lindas learn that life doesn't stop for the holidays and even a cruise can rock your boat. Here's to Friends carries our favorite fifty-somethings through the holidays to a New Year cruise to a romantic hometown wedding with plenty of bumps in between. As they struggle to reinvent themselves at midlife—coping with marital woes, a creative crisis, a financial tsunami, a prodigal child and (scariest of all!) a home remodel—Abby, Janie, Caroline and Marley must all come to terms with the need to give their worries over to God. And they learn once more that in your fifties, friendships aren't just fun. They're an absolute necessity! Views: 61
Gargoyles of Cuchulian 3 – Mate-Claim: If demons don’t recognize mates, how can Tyron claim Santos as his own? Santos is a demon, enjoying life as a bachelor and the body of any male that strikes his fancy. But one kiss to Tyron’s lips and he becomes obsessed with the little gargoyle. They strike a deal. Tyron will give him one night of passion in exchange for information his tribe needs. But before the deal is done, the gargoyle’s conscience kicks in and Tyron reveals that they’re mates and that’s why Santos can’t stop thinking about him. Scoffing at the ridiculous notion, after all, demons don’t mate like gargoyles do, Santos insists on fulfilling their bargain. Imagine his surprise when the Demon Coalition, the ruling body of demons, kidnaps Tyron, claiming Santos has started an unapproved binding with the gargoyle. Santos is told their bond must be broken. Now he has a choice, but how can Santos decide between his own execution, which would free Tyron, or allowing the Coalition to sacrifice the honorable gargoyle he’s infatuated with? Views: 61
Even though she's always wanted her own family, Bailey Wayne is happy to be a surrogate mom. She knows one day she'll find her perfect man—and until then, what greater gift could she give to her sister? Make that gifts...Bailey's just found out she's having twins.Dr. Owen Tartikoff, the new head of the Safe Harbor fertility program, is cool and professional with his colleagues. But he has a soft spot for a certain pregnant nurse, and the miracles growing inside her. What she doesn't know yet is Owen is the actual sperm donor—and those are his children.Owen has a reputation to protect. He also knows Bailey deserves to know the truth. And with Bailey's sister and brother-in-law in serious trouble with the law, Owen and Bailey have to decide what's right in this decidedly complicated situation! Views: 61
