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Fan Club: A Novel
by Erin Mayer&“Mayer lays bare the terrible destiny of a society obsessed with social media stalking and celebrity relationships.&” —Julia Heaberlin, bestselling author of We Are All the Same in the DarkIn this raucous psychological thriller, a disillusioned millennial joins a cliquey fan club, only to discover that the group is bound together by something darker than devotion Day after day our narrator searches for meaning beyond her vacuous job at a women's lifestyle website—entering text into a computer system while she watches their beauty editor unwrap box after box of perfectly packaged bits of happiness. Then, one night at a dive bar, she hears a message in the newest single by international pop star Adriana Argento, and she is struck. Soon she loses herself to the online fandom, a community whose members feverishly track Adriana's every move. When a colleague notices her obsession, she&’s invited to join an enigmatic group of adult Adriana superfans who call themselves the Ivies and worship her music in witchy candlelit listening parties. As the narrator becomes more entrenched in the group, she gets closer to uncovering the sinister secrets that bind them together—while simultaneously losing her grip on reality. With caustic wit and hypnotic writing, this unsparingly critical thrill ride through millennial life examines all that is wrong in our celebrity-obsessed internet age, and how easy it is to lose yourself in it.
Special Operations Consolidated B-24 Liberators: The Unknown Secret and Specialized Duties Aircraft
by William Wolf“For anyone interested in the B–24 and some of its more unusual applications, details that most books gloss over, and in some interesting tales of little-known aspects of the air war, this is certainly a book to read—and read closely.” -The Journal of the Air Force Historical Foundation Despite being America’s most produced bomber, the Consolidated B-24 Liberator has forever flown in the shadow of its more famous and glamorous B-17 rival. The workmanlike B-24 performed multiple unheralded roles in all theatres beyond its also multiple offensive missions, making it the war’s most versatile heavy bomber. Besides its offensive bombing, anti-submarine, and mining missions, the Liberator performed many little known “inoffensive” duties. Undoubtedly the most colorful of all Liberators were the so-called assembly ships of the Groups of the 2nd Air Division. Their unique paint schemes of stripes, polka dots, and checkerboard, were designed to make them ultra-conspicuous for their task of acting as leaders on which a Group formation could assemble their combat formations more quickly for a combat mission The Consolidated F-7 was a photographic reconnaissance version of the B-24 Liberator. The F-7 saw service in most theatres of the war. The long range of the Liberator also made it well suited to mapping missions during the war and post-war. Beginning in early 1944, to aid the Allied liberation of Europe, Carpetbagger B-24s were utilized to parachute spies, called “Joes” or “Janes”, or provide aerial supply of weapons and other matériel to resistance fighters in occupied Europe. Liberators also participated in the dropping of 2.75 billion propaganda leaflets using various techniques and delivery devices. Electronic Warfare played an important part in Allied global pre-invasion plans to discover the location of enemy radars, and, if possible, destroy them. This interception and analysis of an enemy electronic radiation was the origin of present day ELINT (ELectonicINTelligence). Modified RAF B-24D Airborne Electronic Reconnaissance Liberators, codenamed Ferret, were Radio Counter Measures and Electronic Intelligence aircraft that played a major role in European air opera¬tions. During 1942 the AAF became interested in aerial refueling as a means to bombing Japan. A shorter-range B-17E was selected as the receiver aircraft while the more spacious B-24D acted as the tanker. Although these tests were considered to be successful, the availability of longer-ranging B-29s and bases ever closer to Japan diminished the urgency of wartime aerial refueling. During the war, eighty-three B-24s crashed or made forced landings in Switzerland, sixty in Sweden, and several in Russia, Spain, Portugal, and Turkey. Many of these Liberators landed undamaged or were repaired to be flown by these nations. Of particular interest are the six Liberators that were captured and flown by the Luftwaffe. Packed with a unique collection of photographs. Special Operations Consolidated B-24 Liberators reveals the most unusual and little-known facets of the Second World War’s most versatile bomber.
Adore: A Novella
by Doris Lessing“A keen sociological eye for class and ideology; an understanding of the contradictory impulses of the human heart; an ability to conjure a place, a mood and a time through seemingly matter-of-fact descriptions.” — Michiko Kakutani, New York TimesShocking, intimate, often uncomfortably honest, Adore reaffirms Doris Lessing’s unrivaled ability to capture the truth of the human condition.Roz and Lil have been best friends since childhood. But their bond stretches beyond familiar bounds when these middle-aged mothers fall in love with each other's teenage sons—taboo-shattering passions that last for years, until the women end them, vowing to have a respectable old age.
Rituals of Celebration: Honoring the Seasons of Life through the Wheel of the Year
by Jane MeredithSacred CelebrationsCreate a deeper experience of the Wheel of the Year for yourself and your community. In Rituals of Celebration, author Jane Meredith provides lyrical accounts of the most memorable rituals she's organized, as well as how-to instructions for creating them. Inspired by Pagan, Druid, and Goddess traditions, the rituals are crafted to help us honor the changing seasons and to mark the important milestones of our personal journeys in a way that is relevant to contemporary life.Along with the rituals, you will discover craft projects that go hand-in-hand with each festival—perfect ideas for artistic expression whether you are practicing alone, with a group, or celebrating with children. With additional instructions for building an altar and other basic tasks, this guide includes everything you need to create celebrations that will resonate deeply within you, your family, and your life.Praise:"A generous book that gives from the heart and speaks to what is real in the celebration of the Wheel of the Year."—Dr. Tricia Szirom, author of Seasons of the Goddess
The Playboy's Baby (Expecting!)
by Mary LyonsThe millionaire daddy...Tycoon Matthew Warner had broken Samantha's heart once-she was determined never to let him get close to her again. But what he was proposing wasn't exactly marriage, but more of a casual affair.Samantha knew she should refuse, but Matt was hard to resist. Besides, Samantha was older now and wiser. A single-minded and successful career girl, she could handle a no-strings relationship with a devastatingly sexy playboy, couldn't she? Only, Samantha had broken two unwritten rules-she'd fallen in love with Matt...and fallen pregnant!She's sexy, she's successful...and she's PREGNANT!
The Last Face You'll Ever See: The Culture of Death Row
by Ivan SolotaroffIn fascinating detail, Ivan Solotaroff introduces us to the men who carry out executions. Although the emphasis is on the personal lives of these men and of those they have to put to death, The Last Face You'll Ever See also addresses some of the deeper issues of the death penalty and connects the veiled, elusive figure of the executioner to the vast majority of Americans who, since 1977, have claimed to support executions. Why do we do it? Or, more exactly, why do we want to?The Last Face You'll Ever See is not about the polarizing issues of the death penalty -- it is a firsthand report about the culture of executions: the executioners, the death-row inmates, and everyone involved in the act. An engrossing, unsettling, and provocative book, this work will forever affect anyone who reads it.
Betrayed and Betrothed
by Anne AshleyPoor Miss Abbie Graham had never felt so betrayed! Betrothed to her grandfather's godson, Mr. Bartholomew Cavanagh, she had found him in a rather compromising position in the garden with another woman! Refusing to marry Bart has resulted in years of quarrel. And now Abbie's been packed off to Bath. Can things get any worse for the girl?They can, and they do, when Bart joins their party. He's now six years older and a rather dashing gentleman to boot—it looks as if Abbie's grandfather is playing matchmaker again! Only this time it may just work, as mysterious goings-on push Abbie and Bart closer together. And soon they realize they cannot survive apart.…
My Heart Laid Bare
by Joyce Carol OatesNew York Times Bestselling AuthorFinally returned to print in a beautiful trade paperback edition, a haunting gothic tale that illuminates the fortunes and misfortunes of a 19th-century immigrant family of confidence artists—a story of morality, duplicity, and retribution that explores the depths of human manipulation and vulnerability “Oates . . . rarely falters throughout this epic. . . . An American tragedy.”—People“My Heart Laid Bare shows Oates at her most playful, extravagant and inventive.”—The San Francisco ChronicleThe patriarch of the Licht family, Abraham has raised a brood of talented con artists, children molded in his image, and experts in The Game, his calling and philosophy of life. Traveling from one small town to the next across the continent, from the Northeast to the frontier West, they skillfully swindle unsuspecting victims, playing on their greed, lust, pride, and small-mindedness. Despite their success, Abraham cannot banish a past that haunts him: the ghost of his ancestor Sarah Licht, a former con woman who met with a gruesome fate.As Abraham moves his family from town to town, involving them in more and more complex and impressive schemes, he finds himself caught between the specter of Sarah and the growing terrors of his present. As his carefully crafted lies and schemes begin to fracture and disintegrate before his eyes, Abraham discovers that the bond of family is as tenuous and treacherous as the tricks he perpetrates upon unsuspecting strangers.
The City Below: A Novel
by James CarrollA New York Times Notable Book"A rich, seductive meld of characters real and fictive, of history and fancy." — New York Times Book ReviewIn this compelling family saga set during a tumultuous era in Boston history, 1960-1984, acclaimed author James Carroll chronicles the lives of two brothers, Nick and Terry Doyle, as they strive to move beyond the strictures of their working-class Charlestown neighborhood to "the city below." Though one brother is drawn to the worlds of politics and real estate and the other to the underworld of organized crime, their fates remain inextricably linked as each struggles to break free of the blood tie holding him captive to the past. As in his previous bestselling novels Mortal Friends and Family Trade, Carroll seamlessly blends fiction and history to create a gripping tale of family bonds and ethnic violence, vows and betrayals, and political intrigue in the inner sanctums of both church and state.
Sustainable Crafts, Gifts and Projects for All Seasons
by Becci Coombes"The photo illustrations are easy to follow and Coombes provides plenty of useful tips...This will help crafters get in the spirit of any season." — Publishers Weekly Take advantage of nature’s bounty and craft in time with the seasons! Whether potting up dandelion honey, cooking and crafting with rose petals or preserving autumn leaves and acorns, there are so many wonderful gifts, ornaments and treats that can be made from either a short walk in the woods or a rummage in your cupboard. With an emphasis on foraging and upcycling, Becci explores the ways we can create beautiful projects using materials readily available in the garden and home. Upcycled projects include gorgeous home textiles woven from bed linen, mini lampshade fairy lights for a summer’s evening and even a fabulous picnic table from an old suitcase. Capture the breeze of autumn with wind chimes made from old necklaces and cutlery and learn how to felt old sweaters, turning them into cosy wreaths, brooches and purses for winter. There is also a section on working with willow, with projects encompassing everything from woven bird-feeders (with home-made fat balls!) to festive ornaments.
A Husband's Revenge
by Lee WilkinsonForgotten husband!After waking up in a hospital bed, Clare couldn't even remember her own name, let alone who she was married to! When Jos introduced himself as her husband, he was a complete stranger to her....Clare couldn't deny the sparks of sexual attraction between her and Jos, but she sensed a deeper bond between them. Was it simply the love between man and wife-or something dark and dangerous? Clare was about to find out if Jos really wanted a reunion, or revenge....
Crime and Punishment in Tudor England: From Alchemists to Zealots
by April TaylorDon't miss out on this riveting read that will transport you back in time and leave you with a deeper understanding of law enforcement in medieval England! Crime and Punishment in Tudor England tells the story of the enactment of law and its penalties from Henry VII to Elizabeth I. The sixteenth century was remarkable in many ways. In England, it was the century of the Tudor Dynasty. It heralded the Reformation, William Shakespeare, the first appearance of bottled beer in London pubs, Sir Francis Drake, and the Renaissance. Oh, and the Spanish Armadas—all five of them! Yes, five armadas and all failures. It was a watershed century for crime and punishment. Henry VII’s paranoia about the loyalty of the nobility led to military-trained vagrants causing mayhem and murder. Henry VIII’s Reformation meant executions of those refusing to take the Oath of Supremacy. State-controlled religion—summed up through the five reigns as Roman Catholic; Anglo-Catholic; Protestant; Roman Catholic, and Sort of Protestant but I don’t mind so long as you swear the Oath of Supremacy—became an increasingly complex, not to say confusing, issue for ordinary people. Although primary sources are rare and sometimes incomplete, the life of criminals and the punishments meted out to them still fascinates. Read about John Daniell and how he tried to blackmail the Earl of Essex; the Stafford insurrection of 1486, the first serious opposition to the new king; the activities of con-man extraordinaire, Gregory Wisdom, and many more. Crime and punishment didn’t start with the Tudors and this book summarizes judicial practices built on tradition from the Roman occupation. It covers often gory details—what happens to the body when it is beheaded, burned, boiled, or hanged? Arranged in alphabetical order of crimes, it recounts tales of blackmail, infanticide, kidnapping, heresy, and sumptuary laws. Told with occasional low-key humor, the book also includes Tavern Talk, snippets of quirky information. Dip into it at your pleasure.
The Forgotten Tudor Royal: Margaret Douglas, Grandmother to King James VI & I
by Beverley AdamsBrings to life one of Tudor England’s most overlooked key players responsible for bringing about the marriage of her son Lord Darnley and Mary, Queen of Scots. As the daughter and cousin of queens and the granddaughter and niece of kings, Lady Margaret Douglas was an integral part of the Tudor royal dynasty. A favorite of her uncle King Henry VIII and a close friend of Queen Mary I she courted scandal which saw her imprisoned in the Tower of London on more than one occasion. Against the orders of Queen Elizabeth I she plotted the marriage of her eldest son Lord Darnley to Mary, Queen of Scots with disastrous consequences. She came as close to the executioners block as she did to the throne of England, with some believing she had a right to be queen. A devout Catholic all her life, she lived at a time when religious division split the country in half yet she remained steadfast in her beliefs. A respected and revered lady on both sides of the border, Lady Margaret Douglas, later Countess of Lennox through her marriage, suffered much heartbreak and loss. Her husband and son were both murdered at the hands of the Scots and she outlived all her children. Despite these tragedies she never gave up on her dream of uniting the thrones of England and Scotland which was realized through her grandson King James VI/I. The story of her life is a remarkable tale of intrigue and survival and deserves to be more widely told.
The Complete Magick Curriculum of the Secret Order G.B.G.: Being the Entire Study, Curriculum, Magick Rituals, and Initiatory Practices of the G.B.G (The Great Brotherhood of God) (The Great Brotherhood of God)
by Louis T. CullingFounded upon the revolutionary premise that High Magick can be distilled to a few powerful and efficient steps, Louis T. Culling's original edition of this classic magick book broke all the rules.Llewellyn is proud to present an updated and expanded edition of this pioneering work.The G∴B∴ G∴, or "Great Brotherhood of God," was a magickal order founded by acclaimed magician Frater Genesthai. Louis T. Culling, one of the initial members of the G∴B∴ G∴. in California, was instructed by Genesthai to reveal the Order's magickal curriculum when the time was right.Carl Llewellyn Weschcke, publisher of Culling's original edition of this book, offers illuminating commentary, definitions, and discussion points to render these profound magickal philosophies and practices even more accessible and relevant for contemporary magickal practice. This new edition is also an interesting philosophical commentary, answering a number of questions about historical occult orders and figures like Aleister Crowley. The techniques taught in this curriculum include:Dream Recall and InterpretationFunctioning in the BorderlandFinding One's True Magickal IdentityThe Retirement RitualThe Invocation of ThothRitual DivinationImprinting the I Ching on the BodyThe Three Degrees of Sex MagickThelema and the Magickal WillInvocation of Human QualityThe Rite of TransubstantiationConversations with a GodMagickal OffspringThe FamiliarThe Great Lunar Trances
Curious Video Game Machines: A Compendium of Rare and Unusual Consoles, Computers and Coin-Ops
by Lewis PackwoodThe story of video games is often told as the successive rise of computers and consoles from famous names like Atari, Commodore, Nintendo, Sega, Sony and Microsoft. But beyond this familiar tale, there’s a whole world of weird and wonderful gaming machines that seldom get talked about. Curious Video Game Machines reveals the fascinating stories behind a bevy of rare and unusual consoles, computers and coin-ops – like Kimtanktics, a 1970s wargame computer made out of calculator parts, or the suite of Korea-exclusive consoles made by car manufacturer Daewoo. Then there’s the Casio Loopy, a 1990s console that doubled up as a sticker printer, the RDI Halcyon, a 1985 LaserDisc-based machine that could recognize your voice, and the Interton VC 4000, a German console made by a hearing-aid company, as well as a range of bizarre arcade machines, from early attempts at virtual reality to pedal-powered flying contraptions. There are tales of missed opportunities, like the astonishingly powerful Enterprise 64 computer, which got caught in development hell and arrived too late to make an impact on the British microcomputer market. And there are tales of little-known triumphs, like the Galaksija DIY computer kit that introduced a whole generation of Yugoslavians to computing before the country became engulfed by war. Featuring exclusive interviews with creators, developers and collectors, Curious Video Game Machines finally shines a light on the forgotten corners of video-game history.
The Raising: A Novel
by Laura Kasischke“Kasischke’s writing does what good poetry does—it shows us an alternate world and lulls us into living in it . . . The language catapults us into another plane of existence, one of facade and reflection.” —New York Times Book Review “Haunting, unsettling, and unforgettable, The Raising limns love, longing, belonging and the things we only think we know about life—and yes, death.” —Caroline Leavitt, author of Pictures of YouFrom Laura Kasischke, the critically acclaimed, bestselling author of In a Perfect World and The Life Before Her Eyes, comes a hypnotic mystery about one girl’s tragic death and the fallout that occurs on her closely-knit college campus. Part Stephen King, part Donna Tartt, and wholly unforgettable , Kasischke’s The Raising sets a new standard for hair-raising literary suspense.
Where the Road Bends: A Novel
by David RawlingsFour college friends reconnect for a trip of a lifetime in the Australian Outback—only to find themselves on personal journeys of self-discovery.It's been fifteen years since their college graduation. Fifteen years of careers, relationships, and lives that didn't turn out as expected.Eliza needs to disconnect from her high-powered fashion job to consider the CEO position she’s just been offered. Lincoln hopes to rekindle a past relationship and escape from another one. Bree looks forward to a fun getaway from home and her deeply buried disappointments. Andy wants to disappear from the mess he’s made of his life—possibly forever.Dropped at a campsite in the middle of nowhere, the friends quickly discover they aren’t the same people they once were, and they begin to confront hard truths about one another—and themselves. Then a bizarre storm sweeps across their camp, scattering them across the desert. Wondering if they are part of some strange escape game, each of the friends meets a guide to help them find exactly what they need: purpose, healing, courage, and redemption.But they’ve already traveled far down the road of life and course-correcting to become the people they were meant to be won’t be easy.
Guardian Groom
by Shelley CooperPROTECTORAs far as security specialists went, Steve Gallagher was the best. Driven and downright tenacious, he'd never lost a client. And he refused to let harm befall the woman who'd once been his wife.LOVERWith just a look, Kate owned his heart. She always had. But though loving this lady was as natural and necessary as breathing, Steve feared his dark past would spell disaster for her, even more than the threat dogging her now.HUSBANDGuarding Kate by day-and night-was absolute torture. Because, for Steve, their marriage had never ended. Kate was his bride. He was her groom. But to make this second chance last, first they had to survive....
Shadows on the Mirror (The Sarah Fortune Mysteries)
by Frances FyfieldThis searing thriller is perfect for fans of Carol O’Connell and Louise Penny.Sarah Fortune is bored to death—but few know, and fewer would guess, how the beautiful and successful lawyer escapes the stultifying tedium of her career. Since the death of her unfaithful husband, she has been moonlighting as a generous mistress, offering intimate company to lonely men.Sarah is satisfied with her routine. But then she meets Charles Tysall, an important figure at her firm, whose charisma and enormous wealth conceal an implacable will and a misogynist’s mad aggression. Soon Sarah finds herself implicated in a murder when a decaying body is found off the coast. Inexorably, Sarah is hurtling toward a confrontation where there will be no escape from the shadows, no turning from the face of lethal obsession …
Living With the Enemy
by Laura MartinFiancé or foe?When Lucy Harper reluctantly agreed to use writer Alex Darcy's villa in Majorca to get over her late husband, she had one condition-that the host would keep well out of her way. But Alex had other ideas. Assuming the role of a guardian angel, he helped Lucy out of her despair-and into his bed....And, it seemed, into his trap. For Alex hid a secret-a secret that, when she finally did learn the shocking truth, made Lucy wonder if she had been living with the enemy all along!
The Bracelet: A Short Story (Piper Donovan/Wedding Cake Mysteries)
by Mary Jane ClarkPiper Donovan adores her brother. Her sister-in-law is another matter. Self-centered, greedy, and completely annoying, Zara is, inexplicably, the love of Robert’s life. Piper puts up with her to maintain peace within the family.When an exquisite gold bracelet goes missing, all the evidence points to Zara as the thief. Piper knows she should go to the police, but she’s torn. Is finding justice worth risking the happiness of her entire family?
Careful What You Wish For: A Novel of Suspense
by Hallie EphronFrom the New York Times bestselling author of There Was an Old Woman comes a novel about a professional organizer with a deadly problem she may not be able to clean up.Emily Harlow is a professional organizer who helps people declutter their lives; she’s married to man who can’t drive past a yard sale without stopping. He’s filled their basement, attic, and garage with his finds. Like other professionals who make a living decluttering peoples’ lives, Emily has devised a set of ironclad rules. When working with couples, she makes clear that the client is only allowed to declutter his or her own stuff. That stipulation has kept Emily’s own marriage together these past few years. She’d love nothing better than to toss out all her husband’s crap. He says he’s a collector. Emily knows better—he’s a hoarder. The larger his “collection” becomes, the deeper the distance grows between Emily and the man she married.Luckily, Emily’s got two new clients to distract herself: an elderly widow whose husband left behind a storage unit she didn’t know existed, and a young wife whose husband won’t allow her stuff into their house. Emily’s initial meeting with the young wife takes a detour when, after too much wine, the women end up fantasizing about how much more pleasant life would be without their collecting spouses. But the next day Emily finds herself in a mess that might be too big for her to clean up. Careful what you wish for, the old adage says . . . now Emily might lose her freedom, her marriage . . . and possibly her life.
Prim and Improper
by Liz IrelandTy Saunders Was Nothing But A Big, Brawny Reprobate-And, Oh, Lordy, How She Wanted Him!But that was impossible, Louise Livingston protested. She had her standards, after all...while he had a smile stolen from the devil himself. Still, she'd be darned if she'd give in to temptation!There were few women in town like Louise Livingston. Heck, in this played-out mining town, there were practically no women, Ty admitted. But that didn't take away from the fact that Louise was a combustible mix of spitfire and saint. And he was just the man to start the fireworks!
The Subprimes: A Novel
by Karl Taro GreenfeldA wickedly funny dystopian parody set in a financially apocalyptic future America, from the critically acclaimed author of Triburbia.In a future America that feels increasingly familiar, you are your credit score. Extreme wealth inequality has created a class of have-nothings: Subprimes. Their bad credit ratings make them unemployable. Jobless and without assets, they’ve walked out on mortgages, been foreclosed upon, or can no longer afford a fixed address. Fugitives who must keep moving to avoid arrest, they wander the globally warmed American wasteland searching for day labor and a place to park their battered SUVs for the night.Karl Taro Greenfeld’s trenchant satire follows the fortunes of two families whose lives reflect this new dog-eat-dog, survival-of-the-financially-fittest America. Desperate for work and food, a Subprime family has been forced to migrate east, hoping for a better life. They are soon joined in their odyssey by a writer and his family—slightly better off, yet falling fast. Eventually, they discover a small settlement of Subprimes who have begun an agrarian utopia built on a foreclosed exurb. Soon, though, the little stability they have is threatened when their land is targeted by job creators for shale oil extraction.But all is not lost. A hero emerges, a woman on a motorcycle—suspiciously lacking a credit score—who just may save the world.In The Subprimes, Karl Taro Greenfeld turns his keen and unflinching eye to our country today—and where we may be headed. The result is a novel for the 99 percent: a darkly funny comedy about paradise lost and found, the value of credit, economic policy, and the meaning of family.
Rachel and the Tough Guy
by Jeanne AllanBad, bossy-and all hers!Nicholas Bonelli has bad-boy sex appeal written all over him. Not that in his battered condition-broken arm, shattered leg-he was looking for female company.What right-minded woman would actually take this surly, ill-tempered man on? Only Rachel Stuart, it seemed, who had been hired by his exasperated family as a "baby-sitter" to look out for him.It was all too easy for Rachel to feel sympathy for this obstinate though, at times, endearingly vulnerable man. Until, that was, she remembered who he was and just why she had taken the job to get close to him!