Maddie kissed Joe's cheek and whispered, "Steven’s not crazy Joe, he’s damaged. He’s hurt and broken, like everyone in this place. We're all broken, but never ever ruined.”Joe was determined not to make any friends -- not while he was in a psychiatric hospital, where everyone around him was crazy. His only concern was dealing with his own inner demons, demons that insisted death was his best option. That's why he latched on to Steven, his schizophrenic roommate who was considered the social leper among the crazies on the adolescent psyche ward. Hanging around that angry and deranged sixteen year old Native American meant everyone else would leave him alone, that's what Joe wanted. When Steven invited Maddie, a habitual liar and long time cutter, to join them at dinner one evening, everything changed. The lives of these three hurting and broken teenagers would become reluctantly entwined and lead to an unpredictable course of events where they would have to depend on one another to survive. Views: 193
Stories of American HistoryIt was a small but by no means feeble-looking boy who stood in front of a driveway disclosed by the opening of huge gates which, until they had been swung inward, appeared to have been a portion of the high fence of boards.There was seemingly no inducement for a boy to linger in this vicinity, unless, indeed, it might have been the sign posted either side the gate, on which was painted in letters rendered conspicuous because of the vivid colouring, the forbidding words, "Keep Out.""I\'ll not keep out \'less I\'m minded to, an\' him as can hold me this side the fence needs to be spry on his feet," the small boy said, half to himself, and with a gesture of defiance which told he had not been accustomed to obeying commands that might be evaded.Through the gateway nothing could be seen save enormous heaps of coal, some enclosed in pens formed of planks as if to prevent them from mingling with the others, and between all a path or road of no more than sufficient width to permit the passage of a cart. In the distance, a rough building abruptly closed the view, and beyond it the puffing of steam and rattle of iron implements told of life and activity.Outside the fence, it was as if this certain portion of the city had been temporarily deserted; but one could hear the rumble of wheels over the pavements on either hand, giving token that the coalyard was situated just beyond the line of city traffic.The boy gazed into the uninviting-looking place as if fascinated, only glancing up now and then at the signs which mutely forbade his entrance, and, as if unconscious of his movements, stole slowly nearer and nearer the gateway until he stood directly on the line that separated the yard from the sidewalk."If I wanted to go in, it\'s more\'n a couple of signs that could keep me out," he muttered, threateningly, and then, with one backward glance to assure himself that no unfriendly policeman was watching from the distance, the boy darted forward, taking refuge behind the nearest heap of coal, lest an enemy should be lurking near at hand.Save for the hum of labour everywhere around, he heard nothing. No guardian of the smutty premises appeared to forbid his entrance, and after waiting a full minute to make certain it was safe to advance yet farther, he left one place of partial concealment for the next in his proposed line of march.So far as he could see, there was no other guardian of the yard save the two signs at the entrance, and the only purpose they served was to challenge him.CONTENTS"KEEP OUT"KEEP INOFF SANTIAGOTHE MERRIMACTHE CHASETEDDY\'S DADDY Views: 193
Harley feels responsible for everything at home. Her twin brother gets away with murder, and her bitchy new stepsister's accustomed chore is dusting the TV! Her mum's getting remarried, and with shockingly little preparation. A thirteen-year-old girl can't organise a wedding - she can barely make toast, let alone *a* toast. Thing is, in a blended family, communication is key...Harley feels responsible for everything at home. Her twin brother gets away with murder, and her bitchy new stepsister's accustomed chore is dusting the TV! With two unpredictable Primary-schoolers and a happy couple already shirking chores, everything falls to Harley.Her mum's getting remarried, and with shockingly little preparation. It seems that booking the registry office is as far as her supposedly businesslike new hubby has thought. As usual, Harley takes the challenge, but a thirteen-year-old girl can't organise a wedding - she can barely make toast, let alone *a* toast. What with her friends arguing over the pettiest of attractions, it's almost a welcome break.Thing is, in a blended family, communication is key... Views: 192
She shall bring death to the race of vampires.
If prophecies are to be trusted, Liv possesses the means to destroy creatures of the night. But in the real world vampires don't exist. At least not until one of them scents her. And pursues her.
As she flees to save her life, she feels the power in her blood. The power that might eradicate a world of violence and darkness. The power that enchains her to the most ruthless vampire of all. Views: 192
This ebook compilation offers both the first 5 chapters of The Orbury Way (this sample is over 10,000 words longer than the samples offered online elsewhere) as well as bringing together all fifteen columns of 'The Hacker' that were written for the Surrey Hills League. They are reproduced in their full original format, rather than the reduced formats published online by Golf Monthly.This ebook compilation offers the reader both the first 5 chapters of The Orbury Way (so that you can try before you buy - this sample is over 10,000 words longer than the samples offered elsewhere) as well all fifteen columns of 'The Hacker'. 'The Hacker' was a regular column written by Phil Churchill for the Surrey Hills League and as well as featuring on their website it was also published online in a reduced format for Golf Monthly. In this book the columns are reproduced in their original longer format in which Phil Churchill turns his witty eye to the world of golf and muses on the strange, absurd and at times downright silly sport loved by so many. Views: 192
Book Description:
Now
for the first time, the first three titles in the cozy coffeehouse mystery
series, Maggy Thorsen Mysteries, in a box set!
"Wonderfully
rich and sharply written." –Chicago
Tribune
Uncommon Grounds (Book 1)
In her
delightful debut, Balzo puts a 21st-century spin on the traditional cozy,
replacing tea with coffee as the comfort beverage of choice. Maggy Thorsen, a
divorcée whose husband left her for his 24-year-old dental hygienist, and two
women friends are eager to open a coffee shop, Uncommon Grounds, in the small
Wisconsin town of Brookhills, whose inhabitants include such recognizable types
as the local gossip and tennis moms. In a world where Starbuck's and other
chains are ubiquitous, Maggy and her friends have their work cut out for them.
The challenge becomes even greater when Maggy discovers the body of one of her
partners, Patricia Harper, on the floor of their coffee shop.
Determined
to find out who killed Patricia and why, Maggy delves into the mystery with a
sense of humor that would make Miss Marple smile. In her search for the truth,
she works with, and sometimes against, the new and unpredictable county
sheriff, Jake Pavlik—and uncovers at considerable personal risk the secrets of
some of the town's most prominent citizens. Readers will want to curl up with
this winner with a cappuccino or maybe even a Viennese cinnamon latte.
Copyright
© Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights
reserved.
Grounds for Murder (Book 2)
Exactly
how hot is the competition at the annual coffee trade industry conference in
Milwaukee? Scalding!!
What's
not hot? Finding Marvin LaRoche, owner of the HotWired coffeehouse chain store
stone-cold dead under a banquet table in the middle of the convention.
And
everybody knows that Maggy was no great fan of Mr. LaRoche, nor of his overly
competitive business practices - so it's up to Maggy's own amateur sleuthing
skills to get herself out of the hotseat!
Mrs.
LaRoche, newly widowed, certainly seems a bit too cheery. But then there's the
angry activist who denounced LaRoche's practice of exploiting Third World
coffee growers.
As the
conference coordinator and the number one suspect, Maggy is on a countdown to
find the murderer, save her coffeehouse and maybe, just maybe heat up her love
life...
Thank
goodness for caffeine!!
Bean There, Done That (Book
3)
Here's a
tip: if your ex-husband's mistress-cum-missus asks for your help in proving
that he cheated on her while he was married to you, just say no.
And you
most certainly should not invite this new missus, Mrs. Rachel Thorsen, in for a
cup of coffee. But big-hearted Maggy can't seem to help her own hospitality.
Unfortunately,
most unfortunately, this mistress-cum-missus disappears shortly after her coffeehouse
confab with Maggy and is later found murdered...making Maggy's ex, Ted, the
chief suspect.
Despite
the tempting satisfaction of seeing her ex go down, Maggy knows Ted is
innocent. Cheater? Most definitely. Murderer? Most definitely not. So Maggy
reluctantly agrees to help him. Rachel's wealthy family, however, disagrees and
spares no expense in trying to put Ted behind bars.
Now it's
up to Maggy to discover the truth...even if it upsets her on-again, off-again
relationship with the handsome Sheriff Jake Pavlik...
About the Author
Sandra
Balzo turned to mystery writing after twenty years in corporate public
relations, event management and publicity. Triple Shot, her seventh Maggy
Thorsen coffeehouse mystery, was just released, and Sandy's second series, Main
Street Mysteries, debuted with Running on Empty. The books, set in the popular
vacation destination of North Carolina's High Country, will alternate with the
Maggy Thorsen mysteries. Heaven's Fire,
about a fireworks show gone badly wrong, was released directly to Kindle with
excellent reviews.
Balzo's
novels have been nominated for both the Anthony and Macavity awards and
received starred reviews from Kirkus and Booklist. In addition to her books
about coffee-maven Maggy Thorsen and displaced journalist AnnaLise Griggs,
Balzo writes short stories, two of which have been published in Ellery Queen
Mystery Magazine, winning the Macavity, Derringer and Robert L. Fish awards.
Those psychological thrillers, along with a third original story, are available
in The Grass is
Always Greener and Other Stories.
Balzo
has handled publicity for three Bouchercons (World Mystery Conventions), as
well as the International Association of Crime Writers, and has served a
national board member of Mystery Writers of America. A native of southeastern
Wisconsin, she currently splits her time between Florida and the High Country
of North Carolina.
And
roots for the Green Bay Packers.
www.sandybalzo.com
Views: 192
From Publishers WeeklyIn her debut novel, George too often plays to the gallery with characterizations broad enough to border on caricature. The legendharking back to violent events in Cromwell's timethat surrounds local Keldale Abbey pales in comparison to a modern-day crime committed in this quiet corner of Yorkshire, England: Roberta Teys, a silent, obese adolescent, is accused of killing her church-going father with an axe. The detectives sent by Scotland Yard to investigate are a mismatched pair. Inspector Thomas Lynley is smooth, attractive and utterly upper-class; "stubby, sturdy" detective-sergeant Barbara Havers, conscious of her plain appearance and lower-class origins, considers Lynley a "sodding little fop." Thrown together, they weigh the general conviction in the villagethat Roberta could not possibly have wielded the bloody axeagainst mounting evidence that damns the now catatonic girl. In sifting slowly through the ashes of the past, the detectives find enough horrific skeletons in every closet to lead them to a climax unexpectedly loaded with fire and fury. While Lynley seems rather bland despite emotion roiling beneath the surface, it is Havers' painful secrets and driving rage that encourage one to overlook decidedly uneven passages in this essentially intriguing psychological thriller. 35,000 first printing; $50,000 ad/promo. Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc. Review"Spellbinding...a truly fascinating story that is part psychological suspense and part detective story."—_Chicago Sun-Times_"Pure entertainment from its insidious beginning to its gripping end."—_The Washington Post Book World_"Exceptionally assured and impressive...highly entertaining."—_Newsweek_"Awesome...immediately thrusts the author into P.D. James' dark orbit."—_Kirkus Reviews_ From the Paperback edition. Views: 192
Why is the Splintered Canyon gang out to kill Frank Slessor? And why does he take no interest in the fact? Luckily, his old friend Jet Barclay finds him first, seeking his help to tame the rowdy township of Wind Creek and as they ride together, they find that their respective stories converge. Ral Craven, the outlaw leader, is attempting to take over the local cattle shipment business and is making use of the T Bench ranch run by the mysterious Miss Peyote. As events spiral and lead flies, the Splintered Canyon Bunch seems to hold all the cards, but who will win the final hand? Views: 192
Lonnie Kuhl's high school friend and secret crush, Vonnie Markham is dead, murdered in the dead of night by a burglar. The case wraps up quickly, and then just as quickly comes undone as Lonnie, with the help of pal Targe Wilkins, follows clues and more dead bodies to find out why Vonnie really died and who killed her,Lonnie Kuhl's high school friend and secret crush, Vonnie Markham is dead, murdered in the dead of night by a burglar. Vonnie spent a year of troubled adolescence with Lonnie's family and he still feels the bond they formed briefly many years ago. The murder case wraps up quickly, and then just as quickly comes undone. Lonnie, with the help of pal Targe Wilkins, follows clues and more dead bodies to find out why Vonnie really died and who killed her, Views: 192
When you land in hot water, swim for safety—or let the fire burn.
Claire McKinley has just experienced every bride’s nightmare. The groom is a no-show, and now she must face five hundred guests alone. Furious and humiliated, Claire seeks help from the most unlikely candidate—her almost-brother-in-law, who promptly whisks her away to his apartment in San Diego, where she can recover her pride in peace and quiet.
Dylan Wade is no fan of Claire’s, but no way can he leave the jilted bride in her time of need. Bringing her home seems like a good idea—until he remembers his new roommate. Dylan’s relationship with Aidan is…complicated. And with Claire thrown into the mix, life becomes even more…complicated.
Claire is blindsided by her attraction not only to Dylan, but also to Aidan, a man she’s just met. Soon they’re caught up in an all-consuming sexual storm they can’t fight even if they wanted to. Yet Claire wonders if it can last, or if she’s just setting herself up for more heartache.
Warning: This book is very dirty. Ménage a trois and man-on-man dirty. Graphic-language and explicit-sex dirty. Basically? Dirty. You’ve been warned. Views: 191
Excerpt from The Hero of Panama: A Tale of the Great CanalEven a nigger would have been inclined to grumble. But the Chinamen aboard the tub seemed, if any thing, rather to enjoy this rocking. One of them stood almost amidships, his feet wide apart to pre serve his balance, while he gripped the handle of the pump he was working, and turned it over and over with a monotonous regularity that seemed to match with his surroundings.The man, who was barefooted, boasted of the very lightest of clothing, and wore his pigtail rolled in a coil at the back of his head. Other protection against the roasting sun he had none. Indeed, to look at him, he hardly seemed to need it, while the hot blast which came from the adjacent land passed over him without any apparent effect. Ching Hu was in his element.About the PublisherForgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.comThis book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works. Views: 191
Intermix: to mix together, blend
North America, paragon of diversity, is gone. From its ashes, a new nation has arisen – Renatus – where the government segregates the surviving population into races, forbidding interracial marriage, mating, and love.
Eighteen-year-old Nazirah Nation is a pariah, an intermix, born of people from different races. When her parents are murdered in the name of justice, Nazirah grudgingly joins the growing rebellion fighting against the despotic government.
Overwhelmed with grief, consumed by guilt, Nazirah craves vengeance as a substitute for absolution. But on her journey to find the girl she once was, Nazirah must learn the hard way that nothing … no one … is purely black or white. Like her, every human is intermix, shades and hues of complex emotions. And those who can take everything away are also the ones who can give everything back. Views: 191
Melissa Schwendemann never thought about why dragons disappeared until her grandmother left her the family manor and the responsibility of keeping them trapped. When she can’t keep that dying wish, Melissa is quickly faced with another even harder challenge: stopping angry and confused dragons from taking their revenge out on who they think trapped them – The entire human race Views: 191
