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Heidi Heckelbeck and the Cookie Contest: Heidi Heckelbeck Has A Secret; Casts A Spell; And The Cookie Contest; In Disguise; Gets Glasses; And The Secret Admirer; Is Ready To Dance!; Goes To Camp!; And The Christmas Surprise; And The Tie-dyed Bunny (Heidi Heckelbeck #3)
by Wanda CovenHeidi Heckelbeck mixes up a magical cookie concoction in a new whimsically witchy adventure that’s perfect for beginning readers. Heidi can’t wait to enter the famous Heckelbeck Chocolate Chunk Cookies in the annual cookie contest at Brewster Elementary. But when Melanie Maplethorpe laughs and says that Heidi’s cookies are “blah,” Heidi decides they could use a little magic. The result of Heidi’s revised recipe is sure to steal the show…but wait—what’s that strange smell? The Heidi Heckelbeck series is perfect for readers who want a “grown-up” format but are not quite ready for lengthy chapter books. With easy-to-read language and illustrations on almost every page, the Heidi Heckelbeck chapter books are perfect for beginning readers.
Shark Dialogues: A Novel
by Kiana DavenportA Hawaiian grandmother and seer gathers her estranged granddaughters from around the world in this “compelling” saga spanning generations of history (Publishers Weekly).“Beginning in the nineteenth century with the dramatic meeting of a young Yankee sailor and a beautiful Tahitian princess, this expansive and engrossing multigenerational saga details the history of Hawaii through the experiences of one family. Their descendants . . . are four cousins named Vanya, Ming, Rachel, and Jess who have been brought up by Pono, a kahuna, or seer, who has never talked about her mysterious past to her four granddaughters. [The author] incorporates folklore, history, and myth in a vivid, lush prose style. . . . Entertaining and educational.” —Library Journal“Complex, resonant . . . handles the sweep of history and the nuance of the personal equally well . . . Sensuous.” —San Francisco Chronicle“Compares with Toni Morrison.” —Glamour“An epic . . . as enduring as the pearls [Davenport’s] extraordinary women pass down through the generations.” —Isabel Allende, New York Times–bestselling author of The Wind Knows My Name
Zeke and Ned: A Novel
by Larry McMurtry Diana OssanaFull of adventure, grace, and tragedy, Larry McMurtry and Diana Ossana tell the story of two powerful Cherokee warriors searching for the future of Indian Territory. Zeke and Ned is the story of Ezekiel Proctor and Ned Christie, the last Cherokee warriors—two proud, passionate men whose remarkable quest to carve a future out of Indian Territory east of the Arkansas River after the Civil War is not only history, but legend. Played out against an American West governed by a brutal brand of frontier justice, this intensely moving saga brims with a rich cast of indomitable and utterly unforgettable characters such as Becca, Zeke's gallant Cherokee wife, and Jewel Sixkiller Proctor, whose love for Ned makes her a tragic heroine.At once exuberant and poignant, bittersweet and brilliant, Zeke and Ned takes us deep into the hearts of two extraordinary men who were willing to go the distance for the bold vision they shared—and for the women they loved.
The Bard and the Beast: The Bard And The Beast; The Pegasus Quest; The False Fairy; The Sorcerer's Shadow (The Kingdom of Wrenly #9)
by Jordan QuinnPrince Lucas discovers that sometimes music is the only way to defeat a savage beast in this newest adventure from the fantastical Kingdom of Wrenly series.Prince Lucas does not want to learn to play the lute. He would much rather be outside exploring with his best friend Clara. When a traveling bard pays a visit to the castle, he tries to convince the young prince that there is magic in music, but Lucas isn’t falling for it. And when the two go for a walk in the hills and stumble upon a ferocious monster, Lucas learns that the bard might just be telling the truth after all.With easy-to-read language and illustrations on almost every page, The Kingdom of Wrenly chapter books are perfect for beginning readers.
Once a Cop: The Street, the Law, Two Worlds, One Man
by Corey PeguesNew York City Book Awards Hornblower Award Winner African American Literary Award Winner for Best Biography/Memoir As a youth, Corey Pegues was a criminal. As an adult, he became a high-ranking police officer.In this fascinating look at life on both sides of the law, Corey Pegues opens up about why he joined the New York Police Department after years as a drug dealer. Pegues speaks honestly about the poor choices he made while coming of age in New York City during the height of the crack epidemic. He&’s equally candid about why he turned his life around, and takes you inside the NYPD, where he becomes a decorated officer despite bureaucratic pitfalls and discriminatory practices. Written with the voice and panache of someone who knows the streets, Once a Cop is a credible and informative look at the forces that lead some into a life of crime and what it means to make good on a second chance.
God Attachment: Why You Believe, Act, and Feel the Way You Do About God
by Tim Clinton Joshua StraubGod. Whether one loves him, hates him, denies or defies him, it is hard to deny the worldwide fascination with God. This book explores why and suggests a personal response to the God Attachment in all of us.Why has the human race, the world over, been so fascinated with . . . some might say obsessed with . . . God? This built-in attachment to God crosses religious, political, ethnic, cultural, and generational barriers.Drs. Clinton and Straub reveal fascinating research about this worldwide phenomenon. From avoidant, anxious, and fearful to secure and personal, the range of responses to our internal attachment to God has a profound influence on the way we do relationships, intimacy, and life choices.With helpful self-assessments, intriguing questions, and surprising revelations, this book moves from worldwide statistics to personal challenge, offering the means to become securely attached to God in a way that can have positive effects on our attitudes, approach to life, and overall life satisfaction.
Grand Ambition: An Extraordinary Yacht, the People Who Built It, and the Millionaire Who Can't Really Afford It
by G. Bruce KnechtG. Bruce Knecht, former reporter for TheWall Street Journaland author of The Proving Ground and Hooked, describes the creation of an outsized yacht in a sweeping narrative centered on the men and women who made it happen.Doug Von Allmen, a self-made man who grew up in a landlocked state dreaming of the ocean, was poised to build a 187-foot yacht that would cost $40 million. Lady Linda would not be among the very largest of the burgeoning fleet of oceangoing palaces, but Von Allmen vowed that it would be the best one ever made in the United States. Nothing would be ordinary. The interior walls would be made from rare species of burl wood, the floors paved with onyx and exotic types of marble, the furniture custom made, and the art specially commissioned. But the 2008 economic crisis changed everything. Von Allmen&’s lifestyle suddenly became unaffordable. Then it got worse: desperate to reverse his losses, he fell for an audacious Ponzi scheme. Would Von Allmen be able to complete Lady Linda? Would the shipyard and its one thousand employees survive the financial meltdown? The divide between the very rich and everyone else had never been greater, yet the livelihoods of the workers, some of them illegal immigrants, and the yacht owners were inextricably intertwined. In a sweeping, high-stakes narrative, the critically acclaimed author of The Proving Ground and Hooked weaves Von Allmen&’s story together with those of the men and women who are building his yacht. As the pursuit of opulence collides with the reality of economic decline, everyone involved in the massive project is forced to rethink the meaning of the American Dream.
Welcome to Wagmire (Itty Bitty Princess Kitty #7)
by Melody MewsItty visits Puppy Prince in his royal kingdom of Wagmire in this seventh Itty Bitty Princess Kitty chapter book.Once Itty arrives at Wagmire, she gets a fabulous royal welcome as Prince Pip shows her all his favorite spots, including Magic Mountain Lake. There&’s so much to do and so much to see that Itty excitedly wanders off by herself…only to get lost in a place she doesn&’t know! Will Itty be able to find her way back to the palace before the welcome celebrations are over?With easy-to-read language and illustrations on every page, the Itty Bitty Princess Kitty chapter books are perfect for emerging readers.
Stop. Breathe. Chill.: Meditations for a Less Stressful, More Awesome Life
by Beth StebnerHow're You Feeling Today? Stressed? Worried? Anxious?Stop. Breathe. Chill. These mindfulness exercises will teach you how to focus on the present and stop freaking out about the future. Each entry tackles the sort of stuff life throws at you every day. Whether it's a situation with friends, issues with family, or the pressures of school, you'll learn how to live in the moment and stop stressing out. It's going to be okay. Armed with these meditation skills and mantras, worrying will be a thing of the past. Now take a breath, relax, and start feeling better about today!
Escape from Lucania: An Epic Story of Survival
by David RobertsIn 1937, Mount Lucania was the highest unclimbed peak in North America. Located deep within the Saint Elias mountain range, which straddles the border of Alaska and the Yukon, and surrounded by glacial peaks, Lucania was all but inaccessible. The leader of one failed expedition deemed it "impregnable." But in that year, a pair of daring young climbers would attempt a first ascent, not knowing that their quest would turn into a perilous struggle for survival. Escape from Lucania is their remarkable story.Classmates and fellow members of the Harvard Mountaineering Club, Brad Washburn and Bob Bates were two talented young men -- handsome, intelligent, and filled with a zest for exploring. Both were ambitious climbers, part of a small group whose first ascents in the great mountain ranges during the 1930s and 1940s changed the face of American mountaineering. Setting their sights on summitting Lucania in the summer of 1937, Washburn and Bates put together a team of four climbers for the expedition. But when Bates and Washburn flew to the Walsh Glacier at the foot of Lucania, they discovered that freakish weather conditions had turned the ice to slush. Their pilot was barely able to take off again alone, and there was no question of returning with the other two climbers or more supplies. Washburn and Bates found themselves marooned on the glacier, more than a hundred miles from help, in forbidding and desolate territory. Eschewing a trek out to the nearest mining town -- eighty miles away by air -- they decided to press ahead with their expedition. Escape from Lucania recounts Washburn and Bates's determined drive toward Lucania's 17,150-foot summit under constant threat of avalanches, blinding snowstorms, and hidden crevasses. Against awesome odds they became the first to set foot on Lucania's peak, not realizing that their greatest challenge still lay beyond. Nearly a month after being stranded on the glacier and with their supplies running dangerously low, they would have to navigate their way out through uncharted Yukon territory, racing against time as the summer warmth caused rivers to swell and flood to unfordable depths. But even as their situation grew more and more desperate, they refused to give up. Escape from Lucania tells this amazing story in thrilling and vivid detail, from the climbers' exultation at reaching the summit to their darkest moments confronting seemingly insurmountable obstacles. It is a tale of awesome adventure and harrowing danger. But above all it is the story of two men of extraordinary spirit, inspiring comradeship, and great courage. Today Washburn and Bates, now in their nineties, are legends in climbing circles. Bates co-led 1938 and 1953 expeditions to K2, the world's second-highest mountain. Washburn, whose record of Alaskan first ascents is unmatched, became founding director of Boston's Museum of Science and is one of the premier mountain photographers in the world. Some of his remarkable images from the 1937 Lucania expedition are included in this book.
The Game for a Lifetime: More Lessons and Teachings
by Harvey Penick Bud ShrakeTIMELESS LESSONS FROM THE MASTER OF THE GAMEThis, the fourth book by Harvey Penick, was nearly finished when he died in April 1995. A return to the timeless wisdom that has made his first bestseller, Harvey Penick's Little Red Book, a modern classic, The Game for a Lifetime does not contain the technical swing tips and stance aids of today's instructional guides, but dispenses a philosophy on golf, and on life.Harvey Penick knew that the teachings in his book would stand the test of time, and he spent his lifetime pursuing and enjoying all that the game has to offer -- physically, emotionally, and spiritually. The Game for a Lifetime, the final book by Harvey Penick, stands as a wonderful testimonial to this legendary career, his celebrated teaching style, and his ability to affect the lives of the people who had the good fortune to know him.
Binding Ties (CSI: Crime Scene Investigation #6)
by Max Allan CollinsBased on the Emmy Award-winning TV series, this edge-of-your-seat thriller follows the savvy and remarkable team of forensic investigators led by veteran Gil Grissom as they use the latest cutting-edge technology to track down a mysterious killer from the past.Ten years ago, Las Vegas was terrorized by a vicious and bloodthirsty serial killer responsible for nearly half a dozen brutal murders. But after two years of keeping the city in a panic, the killer mysteriously vanished and has not been heard from…until now.Gil Grissom and his CSI team are called in to investigate a homicide that perfectly fits the notorious criminal&’s modus operandi. But all hell breaks loose when a reporter made famous by the original cases receives a letter from someone claiming to be the very same killer—but he insists that he had nothing to do with the latest slaying.Now the CSI team must stop someone who may be a copycat killer from striking again, even as a murderer from the past continues to evade capture, and isn&’t taking too kindly to rivals.
Captive: 2,147 Days of Terror in the Colombian Jungle
by Clara RojasOn a fateful day in February 2002, campaign manager Clara Rojas accompanied longtime friend and presidential hopeful Ingrid Betancourt into an area controlled by the powerful leftist guerrilla group, the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC). Armed with machine guns and grenades, the FARC took them hostage and kept them in the jungle for the next six years. After more than two years of captivity deep in the Colombian jungle, surrounded by jaguars, snakes, and tarantulas, miles from any town or hospital, Clara Rojas prepared to give birth in a muddy tent surrounded by heavily armed guerrillas. Her captors promised that a doctor would be brought to the camp to help her. But when Rojas went into labor and began to suffer complications, the only person on hand was a guerrilla wielding a kitchen knife. The guerrillas drugged Rojas with anesthetic while one of them slit open her abdomen. Her son, Emmanuel, was born by amateur cesarean section in April 2004. His survival was miraculous, but her joy was soon cut short when the FARC took him from her when he was only eight months old. For the next three years, Clara was given no information about him, but her desire to one day see him again kept her alive. In early 2008, Clara was finally liberated and reunited with her son—to whom this book is dedicated.
Date Decoder: Military Intelligence Techniques to Expose What He's Really Thinking
by Gary Hartley Maryann BrownellA Simon & Schuster eBook. Simon & Schuster has a great book for every reader.
A Panoramic View of Chinese Culture
by Wu DingmingA Panoramic View of Chinese Culture is an accessible introduction to the beautiful, vibrant world of Chinese customs, history, and civilization. Written for English speakers, with simplified Chinese translations of key words, the text invites students of China and the Chinese language to engage with the text in new and interesting ways. Covering everything from history, philosophy, and religion, to sports, cuisine, and medicine, A Panoramic View of Chinese Culture covers a vast array of topics with elegance and ease.
Overlord: General Pete Quesada and the Triumph of Tactical Air Power in World War II
by Thomas Alexander HughesOver Lord is the fascinating story of how American tactical air power was developed by General Elwood "Pete" Quesada during World War II, including its decisive role in Operation OVERLORD and the liberation of Europe.Pete Quesada is one of World War II's unsung yet crucial heroes. With his famous "Ninth Tactical Air Command," Quesada established the best air-ground team in the European theater. he pioneered the use of radar in close air support operations, introducing weapons systems specifically geared to tactical operations. He nurtured new flying methods designed for the kind of precision bombing the battlefields of Europe demanded. And more than anything else, Pete Quesada championed efforts to model air and ground officers into a single fighting unit. His relationships with ground leaders like Generals Omar Bradley and "Lightning Joe" Collins were a model for the kind of interservice harmony that was essential for dislodging the entrenched German Army.At war's end everybody from General of the Army Dwight Eisenhower to ordinary infantrymen recognized Pete Quesada as the premier expert and dogged patron of close air support. Allied airplanes over the battlefields of Europe had undoubtedly shortened the war and saved many thousands of lives, and Pete Quesada came home to a hero's welcome in 1945. By then he was the personification of tactical air power. Indeed, he was its over lord.Unfortunately, Quesada's groundbreaking methods were all but forgotten after the war. As the Cold War deepened, Air Force leaders stressed the role of big bombers flying deep into enemy territory and renounced the importance of close air support missions. Quesada himself was shunted into jobs that were both illsuited to his fiery temperament and divorced from his wartime expertise in tactical aviation. Frustrated, he retired from the Air Force in 1951 at forty-seven years of age.Fortunately, the story of Quesada's innovative tactics did not end there for the American military. In Korea in the 1950s and Vietnam in the 1960s, U.S. servicemen struggled -- and died -- relearning and recreating the kinds of tactics that Quesada had made commonplace in 1944-45. Had the U.S. Air Force nurtured its capacity for close air support, those two conflicts may have unfolded differently. Since then, the Air Force has struggled for a better balance between its bombardment missions and its support functions.This is the definitive story of an extraordinary man, whose remarkable efforts to aid foot soldiers in World War II contributed significantly to the Allies' success. America's belated rediscovery of Quesada's precepts some forty years later in conflicts like Operation DESERT STORM only underscores the importance of Quesada's story.
Crashback: The Power Clash Between the U.S. and China in the Pacific
by Michael FabeyThis chilling account of the &“warm war&” over control of the South China Sea—one that is threatening to flare into full-scale conflict—presents a &“telling picture of the operational challenges the US Navy faces in the western Pacific&” (Wall Street Journal) from an award-winning journalist with unprecedented access to the highest naval officers in America and China.Out in the Pacific Ocean, there is a war taking place. It is a &“warm war,&” a shoving match between the United States, the uncontested ruler of the seas since WWII, and China, which now possesses the world&’s largest navy. The Chinese regard the Pacific, and especially the South China Sea, as their ocean, and they&’re ready to defend it. Each day the heat between the two countries increases as the Chinese try to claim the South China Sea for their own, and the United States insists on asserting freedom of navigation. Throughout Southern Asia, countries are responding with outrage and growing fear as China turns coral reefs into manmade islands capable of supporting airstrips and then attempts to enforce twelve-mile-radius, shoot-down zones. The immediate danger is that the five trillion dollars in international trade that passes through the area will grind to a standstill. The ultimate danger is that the US and China will be drawn into all-out war.Pulitzer Prize-nominated journalist Michael Fabey has had unprecedented access to the Navy&’s most exotic aircraft carriers, cruisers, destroyers, aircraft, and submarines, as well as those who command them. In his &“well-informed, readable treatment&” (Library Journal, starred review), Fabey offers &“good…reporting from both sides of the conflict. He gives his Chinese sources a thorough workout, the little emperors and true believers alike, and he has a sharp eye for what faces the American fleet if push comes to shove&” (Kirkus Reviews). Fabey predicts the next great struggle between military superpowers will play out in the Pacific, and Crashback, more than any other book, is an accurate preview of how that conflict might unfold.
Heart Earth: A Memoir
by Ivan DoigIvan Doig’s companion memoir to his bestselling This House of Sky—inspired by the letters his mother wrote during World War II—is “a lyrical evocation of the Doigs’ gallantly hardscrabble existence and love for the unforgiving Montana mountains” (San Francisco Chronicle).Raised by his father and maternal grandmother, Ivan Doig grew up with only a vague memory of his mother, who died on his sixth birthday. Then he discovered a cache of her letters, and through them, a spunky, passionate, can-do woman emerged. His mother was as at home in the saddle as behind a sewing machine, and as in love with language as her son.In this prize-winning prequel to his acclaimed memoir This House of Sky, Doig brings to life his childhood before his mother’s death, and the family’s journey from the Montana mountains to the Arizona desert and back again. “Profoundly original and lustrous,” (Kirkus Reviews) Doig eloquently captures the texture of the American West during and after World War II, the fortune of a family, and one woman’s indomitable spirit. Doig is “a colloquial stylist without equal…and Heart Earth is a book that repeatedly proves the power of language” (Los Angeles Times).
Greenthieves
by Alan Dean FosterAn investigator must solve a seemingly impossible theft in this comedic sci-fi mystery by New York Times–bestselling author Alan Dean Foster . The room—surrounded by cameras, motion sensors, and alarms, and guarded by rotating security crews twenty-four seven—was supposed to be impenetrable. No one should have been able to approach the vault unseen. So how did the irreplaceable pharmaceuticals stored there get stolen? How did someone breach the vault three times and escape unnoticed and without leaving a trace? It&’s a mystery that falls to insurance adjuster Roderick Manz to solve. Assisted by a humanoid robot, an AI, and an off-world partner named Vyra with secrets of her own, Manz is on the hunt for the most clever thieves he has ever encountered.
The 17 Day Plan to Stop Aging
by Mike MorenoFrom the author of the #1 bestselling The 17 Day Diet, the inspiring and easy-to-follow plan for staying young and healthy, based on the same 17 day model that made the diet the bestselling diet book of 2011.Every year, every month, every day, every hour, every minute that you are alive, you are getting older. No matter how old you are, your body is undergoing age-related changes that can lead to less energy, painful joints, droopy skin, unsightly wrinkles, and overall declining health. But what if someone told you that getting older and the physical process of aging don’t have to be so closely entwined? And what if you had the ability to slow down the aging of your body so much that you could actually live to see, and more important, enjoy your 100th birthday or beyond? From feeling pain in your joints to realizing that your memory isn’t what it used to be, our bodies all suffer from wear and tear as we get older. But Dr. Mike Moreno—author of the #1 bestselling sensation The 17 Day Diet—explains that it is totally within your power to prevent and even reverse these symptoms of aging. The 17 Day Plan to Stop Aging is a 4-cycle plan that uses nutrition, physical fitness, and mental exercise to get you ready for longevity. Each cycle focuses on a different set of body parts and offers prescriptive solutions for improving the way those parts function. The plan is set up so that you can target specific areas or work on improving whole-body health at once. From your heart to your lungs, your nervous system to your reproductive system, the book is packed with information about what you can do to start feeling more vital. The 17 Day Plan to Stop Aging puts the power in your hands so you will never have to fear the prospect of old age again. Dare to imagine not just living 100 years, but thriving for all of them. The time to get started is now! *** The 17 Day Plan to Stop Aging is a 4-cycle system designed to help you feel healthier and younger. Whether you want to focus on a specific part of your body or feel rejuvenated from top to bottom, this is your guide to a happier, more vital life! • Cycle 1—Restore: The plan begins with basic anti-aging approaches that will help restore all of your body’s systems to a healthy baseline, stop potential medical problems before they start, and make way for a healthier, happier lifestyle—in 17 days flat. This cycle focuses on your heart, lungs, and brain, which Dr. Moreno considers to be the primary systems worthy of your immediate attention. • Cycle 2—Rebuild: This cycle shows you how to protect your immune, digestive, and musculoskeletal systems. Through simple shifts in diet, unexpected ways to get your body moving, and a healthy dose of common sense, it’s easy to strengthen these secondary systems so they can do their most efficient work for years to come. • Cycle 3—Refine: When your reproductive and urinary systems are performing properly, you are most likely to feel energetic and sexy. Whether you want to avoid unpleasant symptoms like urinary incontinence or your goal is to keep your sex life thriving for years to come, Cycle 3 offers tools that you can easily apply to your life. • Cycle 4—Renew: The strategies you’ll master in the last 17 days of this plan will not only leave you feeling rejuvenated, but they will ensure that you are ready to make the most—in every way—of the long, happy, and healthy life that you’re working toward. The vital elements in this final cycle help you achieve true harmony among your health, environment, and overall lifestyle.
Damages
by Barry WerthDamages is the riveting true story of one family’s legal struggles in the world of medicine. At the urging of a friend, the Sabias filed a medical malpractice lawsuit against Dr. Humes and Norwalk Hospital. Barry Werth takes us through the seven-year lawsuit, allowing us to see the legal strategy plotted by the Sabias’s attorneys, Connecticut’s premier medical malpractice law firm.
You Have It In You! Workbook: Empowered To Do The Impossible
by Sheryl BradyBy exploring the lives of the Bible’s most remarkable characters, we can learn how to dig deep within ourselves and find the strength to overcome and succeed in any situation.Some of the most talented, faithful, and amazing people in the Bible didn’t know they had it in them, either—not until God revealed to them the truth about their identity and abilities, often in the midst of perilous trials and challenging situations. Like these heroes of Christianity, all of us have untapped talents, unclaimed abilities, and unknown gifts waiting to be discovered inside us. Pastor Sheryl Brady believes God wants us to peel away the layers we try to hide behind, dissolve the excuses we use as camouflage, and reveal the beauty of our true selves. By sharing her own life journey as well as examples from history and current culture, Brady encourages us to reconsider the way we see ourselves and to reframe our own understanding of how we got there. You Have It in You! asks: Do you know what you’re made of? More important, do you want to discover the strengths lying dormant inside you? Brady hopes you will be inspired to view challenges as opportunities for self-discovery and faith enrichment. She believes she can give you a new perspective on all that God has brought you through and a greater awareness of all that you’ve accomplished and endured. *** Have you ever found yourself thinking “Is it possible that where I am in life is as far as I will ever go? Have I maximized my potential?” We all have asked similar questions. Before you sell yourself short, take a moment and allow Pastor Sheryl Brady to become a bridge to help you step over every limitation. You are on the brink of something extraordinary in your life!
The School for Heiresses Series: Never Seduce a Scoundrel, Only a Duke Will Do, and Beware a Scot's Revenge (The\school For Heiresses Ser.)
by Sabrina JeffriesRead the first three installments in New York Times bestselling author Sabrina Jeffries School for Heiresses series. These passionate tales feature young women who learn that there’s nothing textbook about love…NEVER SEDUCE A SCOUNDREL The ballrooms of Mayfair have become much more appealing to Lady Amelia Plume since the arrival of Major Lucas Winter, an American with a dark past and a dangerous air. Lucas is brash, arrogant--and scandalously tempting. Yet Amelia suspects that Lucas has a hidden motive in wooing her. And she intends to discover it, by any means necessary.ONLY A DUKE WILL DO Louisa North likes her independence very much. So when Simon Tremaine, the dashing Duke of Foxwood, whom she once loved, returns bent on marrying her, she's skeptical. The fire between them burns as hot as ever, but when Simon's ulterior motive for marriage is exposed, along with the deeply buried secrets of her past, Louisa vows to make him pay...and the price will be his heart.BEWARE A SCOT'S REVENGE When Lady Venetia Campbell is kidnapped at pistol point by her father's sworn enemy, Sir Lachlan Ross, she discovers the wickedly sexy Scot is even more intoxicating than she remembers...and much more dangerous. Lachlan plans to use her as a weapon against her father, but Venetia is determined that his lust for revenge will be trumped by an even more powerful desire.
Making Schools Work: A Revolutionary Plan to Get Your Children the Education They Need
by William G. OuchiIntroducing a bold, persuasive new argument into the national debate over education, Dr. William Ouchi describes a revolutionary approach to creating successful public schools. This program has produced significant, lasting improvements in the school districts where it has already been implemented. Drawing on the results of a landmark study of 223 schools in six cities, a project that Ouchi supervised and that was funded in part by the National Science Foundation, Making Schools Work shows that a school's educational performance may be most directly affected by how the school is managed. Ouchi's 2001-2002 study examined innovative school systems in Edmonton (Canada), Seattle, and Houston, and compared them with the three largest traditional school systems: New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago. Researchers discovered that the schools that consistently performed best also had the most decentralized management systems, in which autonomous principals -- not administrators in a central office -- controlled school budgets and personnel hiring policies. They were fully responsible and fully accountable for the performance of their schools. With greater freedom and flexibility to shape their educational programs, hire specialists as needed, and generally determine the direction of their school, the best principals will act as entrepreneurs, says Ouchi. Those who do poorly are placed under the supervision of successful principals, who assume responsibility for the failing schools. An essential component of this management approach is the Weighted Student Formula, a budgetary tool whereby every student is evaluated and assessed a certain dollar value in educational services (a non-English-speaking or autistic student, or one from a low-income family, for example, would receive a higher dollar value than a middle-class student with no special needs). Families have the freedom to choose among public schools, and when schools must compete for students, good schools flourish while those that do poorly literally go out of business. Such accountability has long worked for religious and independent schools, where parents pay a premium for educational performance. Making Schools Work shows how the same approach can be adapted to public schools. The book also provides guidelines for parents on how to evaluate a school and make sure their child is getting the best education possible. Revolutionary yet practical, Making Schools Work shows that positive educational reform is within reach and, indeed, already happening in schools across the country.
My Favorite Match: WWE Superstars Tell the Stories of Their Most Memorable Matches
by Jon RobinsonRemember the time Goldust ran over “Rowdy” Roddy Piper in his gold Cadillac? How about when Randy Orton battled Mick Foley with a barbed-wire bat named “Barbie”? When you ask a WWE Superstar what his favorite match is, you might be surprised by his answer. But that’s the thing about a phrase like “favorite match.” It’s not about the greatest match in their careers or the time they won their first title. It’s about the moments that stand out and make them smile. Sometimes, it’s the same smile they had when they left the ring, face full of blood and sweat, to the roars of thousands. Sometimes, it’s the smile they tried so hard to hide when anything and everything seemed to go so wrong that even the ring announcer was accidentally injured in their struggle. And sometimes, it’s the smile only the showmen themselves share with each other as brothers in battle with one goal in mind: doing whatever it takes to put on the best show possible, even if it means landing on a few thousand thumbtacks along the way. These are their stories, straight from the Superstars who performed some of the most memorable matches in WWE history. These are the most unexpected, the most brutal, the most hilarious, and the most unforgettable moments of their careers—captured in their own words.