Celebrated author Peter Straub's mastery of the short form shines in this wide-ranging collection of his most chilling, intense, and compelling tales from the past twenty-five years.Peter Straub has spent forty years at the forefront of modern literary horror. The stories assembled here represent his astonishing range and his ability to terrify, transport, and hold a reader hostage. "Mr. Clubb and Mr. Cuff" is a darkly comic masterpiece in which a stern estate lawyer known as the Deacon hires a pair of "Private Detectives Extraordinaire" to investigate and seek revenge on his unfaithful wife. In "The Ballad of Ballard and Sandrine," a man and his much younger lover explore their decadent and increasingly sinister fantasies on a luxurious yacht in the remotest stretch of the Amazon River. "Blue Rose" finds violence and power in the hands of the most innocent among us, leading to a conclusion that is fully surprising and devastating. Each story... Views: 15
Love's Healing Power After surviving a tragic accident, little Madison Winters is in desperate need of comfort. And social worker Abbey Harris has the perfect solution. With the help of her cherished therapy dogs, Gabe and Cottonball, Abbey soon coaxes a smile from Madi--and her workaholic guardian. Dominic Winters is heartbreakingly handsome and is hurting just as much as Madi. But it might take more than wagging tails to get the brooding businessman to open his heart. With the help of a matchmaking little girl and two sweet dogs, Abbey and Dominic may get a second chance at love. Caring Canines: Loving and loyal, these dogs mend hearts. Views: 15
Julia Lanchester must defend her love nest from an invasive species: her boyfriend's sister. And then there's the little matter of murder . . . "The cuckoo comes in April and sings its song in May. In June it changes tune and July it flies away." Wedding bells are ringing in the small British village of Smeaton-under-Lyme. Julia Lanchester's second-in-command at the local tourist center is finally getting married, and the lovebirds are giving Julia and her live-in boyfriend, Michael Sedgwick, ideas about their own future. But before anyone can say "Will you," Michael's flighty older sister, Pammy, crashes the party, fresh off a breakup and lugging all her worldly possessions around with her in a tangle of plastic bags. Before long, Julia's cozy cottage starts feeling more like Pammy's bachelorette pad. To keep herself from going cuckoo, Julia throws herself into her pet projects at work—until death disrupts her plans. First a... Views: 15
Former prosecutor and now hot-shot defense attorney, Jackie DelRay, is a star in the shark-infested judicial waters of Washington, DC. Behind her take-no-prisoners façade, she hides a painful secret and a longing for FBI Special Agent Beckett Pearson—the man who captured her heart during a passion-filled weekend in college. The same man who still holds a grudge over a case Jackie refused to prosecute years before. When Beck is arrested for the shocking murder of the FBI director's estranged wife, Jackie breaks every rule she's known about being emotionally involved with her client. Knowing the risks to her heart and her career, she rushes to defend him. A former model and football star, Beck has finally found his home with the Bureau. He wants nothing to do with the sexy lawyer who left him without a goodbye twelve years ago and then destroyed his first, and most important, missing persons investigation. Now, with his freedom on the line, Jackie's brilliant legal... Views: 15
Belle Monroe has already scandalized her family to its proud Virginia roots by choosing to work up north rather than languish in genteel poverty. Her mother would swoon if she knew Belle was considering letting Winslow Asher take her portrait and plaster it all across America to publicize the World’s Fair. Views: 15
Enjoy this heartwarming story in the Fostered By Love series, from top selling author Margaret Daley.Three foster kids fall into Noah Maxwell's lap and turns his life upside down. The successful businessman knows nothing about children, so he hires single mom Cara Winters to help care for his new brood. Cara senses that despite Noah's confident faade, old wounds trouble him. But he refuses to discuss his past pain, despite her desire to help him heal. Perhaps her love can inspire Noah to relinquish his independence and give Cara and the children the fairy-tale ending they all deserved.Originally published 2008 Views: 15
