A law-student stripper, two inept hitmen, the First Church of Elvis, Scientist, and a small-time mobster's biggest scam. Things are about to get all shook up in this hilarious novel filled with explosions, attempted murder, intrigue, and a whole lot more. Indescribable…except…in a word. FUNNY. PRAISE FOR MIKE ARGENTO & DON'T BE CRUEL “It’s an understatement to say that Mike Argento is a funny writer. His wit unfolds across every character, scene and scenario of ‘Don't Be Cruel.’ Virtually every page elicits grins and frequent gut-busting laughs. I’ll never sit in a church pew again without looking at the altar and imagining the worship service at the First Church of Elvis, Scientist.” - Mike Leonard, columnist, The Herald Times, Bloomington, Ind. “Who would've thunk Mike Argento had it in him to write anything as consistently funny, profane and gratuitously outrageous as ‘Don't Be Cruel?’ If Spew, Nunn, ‘Traci with an I,’ the First Church of Elvis, Scientist and the whole crew don't put you in cracked ribbed territory early and often, well, you might as well tie a tag around your own big toe and go work for Rick Santorum. This is a deeply American tragicomedy, rooted in postmodern sensibility, insouciant nihilism and hillbilly smarminess. There's even a little sweetness stabbing around the contours of its narrative heart, which beats as solidly as anything this side of St. Vonnegut. It races along like those early Elvis Costello records, pulling you by the throat into some pretty dark corners thanks to its irresistible rhythms. Argento delights in kicking us in the balls while proclaiming his undying love.” - Tony Norman, columnist, Pittsburgh Post Gazette “In his first novel, the delightfully goofy ‘Don't Be Cruel,’ Mike Argento proves once again he's a twisted bastard with a heart of gold. This crime caper novel is filled with classic Argento observations of true life absurdities that devoted readers of his columns (and there are more than a few of us) will immediately recognize and appreciate. He’ll hate me for saying it, but his sentimental side is on fine display in ‘Don't Be Cruel.’ As I have done countless times, I'm simultaneously shaking my head head wondering, ‘What the hell is wrong with that boy?’ as I'm smiling and thinking, ‘Awwwwww.’” - Lauri Lebo, author, “The Devil in Dover: An Insider's Account of Darwin v Dogma in Small Town America” "Bizarre, clever and full of pitch black humor, ‘Don’t Be Cruel’ is one hell of a debut novel! Argento's voice, prose, and wit are sharp as razors." - Brian Keene, bestselling author of “Ghoul” and “Darkness on the Edge of Town” "Mike wrote a book?" - Jack Mayer, postal worker, musician Views: 69
The Drunk Logs is a narrative of life within the walls of Stone River, an addiction treatment center found among a picturesque countryside. The serene setting belies the frenzied mindsets of those who, for a short time, call it home.Matt Hoffman is the newest arrival at Stone River. In a state of denial and with his defenses on high, Matt comes to realize that he has been a longtime member of society’s outcasts, though he never wanted to admit it. Alleviating the pain of his situation, Matt focuses on the darkly comical side of addiction as he is befriended by an odd assortment of patients, resulting in funny, pathetic, and surreal experiences.Through this last chance at recovery, and indeed life, Matt discovers that in the end, it is the experiences he both learns and shares from the other patients that transform his life. Views: 69
A quirky story about girls, love, and rock 'n' rollAs the singer and bass player for Lucky Twenty, a Beatles cover band, Toby wants to make it big. But Zach, Toby's best friend and fellow band member, is convinced there's a problem: Toby's utter lack of mojo. How can he croon about love when he's never even kissed a girl?So begins Toby's quest for cred as a lovestruck singer. But his quest derails when he finds a note inside his old bass guitar. Who is the true owner of the bass? And can a kiss really help Toby figure out who he is?"Fast-paced, with authentic characters (the chemistry between Toby and Michelle is particularly satisfying) and a general air of good-natured fun, Briant's story rings true and doesn't disappoint."PUBLISHERS WEEKLY"Briant has an ear for smart-aleck teen talk and keeps the first-person narration crisp. A light and entertaining rock-'n'-roll romp."—KIRKUS REVIEWS Views: 69
Rookie cop Katya Danske didn't ask to become a member of Manhattan's Paranormal Investigation Team—or to be partnered with a sexy-as-hell demon. Then a zombie literally drops into her lap and she's recruited to help Blaise Michaels battle an impending zombie outbreak. Blaise is as exasperating as he is arousing, but while Katya's head tells her she should keep her distance, her body wants something else entirely. Forced to work closely together, their investigation takes them into the darkest shadows of the Manhattan underworld - and makes their attraction impossible to deny. But with the zombie threat rising, their hot nights together may be their last…. Views: 69
Tess Slesinger's 1934 novel, The Unpossessed details the ins and outs and ups and downs of left-wing New York intellectual life and features a cast of litterateurs, layabouts, lotharios, academic activists, and fur-clad patrons of protest and the arts. This cutting comedy about hard times, bad jobs, lousy marriages, little magazines, high principles, and the morning after bears comparison with the best work of Dawn Powell and Mary McCarthy. Views: 69
You're not supposed to find love in the middle of a war, and definitely not with someone in your same company.Corporal Henry Iverson is 2nd Platoon's Doc. He loves his job, even if the guys don't quite love him back. Uneasy with the "company queer", Henry is on the outs of everything, except when they need his help. He's used to being lonely, though, and he's got the tough skin to prove it.Private Will Rollins joined the Army to get away from everything and everyone, but most especially from himself. Five thousand miles away, about to leap out of a plane over Utah Beach on D-Day, Will knows he's missing something in his life, but he told himself he wouldn't think about that. Not ever again.When the jump doesn't go as planned, Henry finds Will – a man he barely knows from another platoon – injured behind enemy lines, and it's up to him to get Will to safety, despite the raging war and Will's sudden amnesia... and Will's out-of-seeming-nowhere searing attraction to Henry.The war... Views: 69
Short Story (10,000 words)Genre(s): Fantasy, Historical, SteampunkAnke can do anything with brass and steam, springs and gears. What she can’t do is cross the lines of class and propriety that keep her from declaring her love for her patron, the beautiful Lady Phoebe. Lady Phoebe has long been entertained – and stimulated—by the dancing dolls Anke has made for her, but now she must marry for the sake of duty and family. She has one last commission for Anke—to build a doll that can love her as much as Anke does. (F/F) Views: 69
Duck & Goose are back! And this time, New York Times bestselling author and illustrator Tad Hills brings our favorite feathered friends out to celebrate Valentine's Day. What does Goose need more than anything this Valentine's Day? A hug from a good friend. Views: 69
Journey into the fashionable art world of 1960s Vancouver as Margaret Spencer and Nat Southby return in Death as a Fine Art, the fifth book in the Margaret Spencer mystery series. The owner of the Silver Unicorn Art Gallery is dead, and Southby and Spencer, Private Investigators are back at work in search of the killer. With plenty of suspects and twists and turns along the way, Maggie and Nat have their work cut out for them.The cast of memorable characters are no match for the investigators. Maggie trusts her instincts as they take her from the streets of Vancouver to Victoria, Galiano Island, and Mission. Meanwhile, her estranged husband continues his efforts to win her back, but even with plans for her daughter's wedding taking up all her spare time, Maggie knows there is no returning to her old life. Author Gwendolyn Southin uniquely blends the charm of gumshoe techniques with the fresh perspective of a developing female detective. Views: 69
