Tim Hudson was determined to demonstrate his recovery from a recurring injury. Barry Zito had to show the world that after a ho-hum 2003, his 2002 Cy Young Award was not a fluke. Mark Mulder missed the 203 playoffs entirely with a stress fracture, but the way he saw it, he simply needed to be himself-the natural-born pitcher.Given unprecedented access to the Big Three , Mychael Urban recreates their tumultuous season through their eyes. he explores the nuts and bolts of major league pitching, examining each player's unique approach to this craft while revealing how three very different personalities cope with the demands, rewards, and challenges of sports stardom.Now with a new afterword on the 2005 seasonUrban traces the fortunes of the Big Three after Hudson was sent to Atlanta and Mulder to St. Louis, trades which held the dramatic promise of them being reunited again-as opponents-in the playoffs."Written with great color, style, humor, and grace, Aces takes readers on a captivating ride." - Mike Silver, Sports Illustrated"Mychael Urban's book is a fabulous read... This is hardly just a baseball book. It's about life, and he tremendous burden each pitcher carried while trying to lead the Oakland A's to the playoffs. I absolutely loved it." - Bob Nightengale, Senor Writer/Columnist, USA Today Sports Weekly"From the southern fried heat of Tim Hudson to Mark Mulder's cool aloofness to Barry Zito's cerebral wanderings, Urban captures the engine of Oakland's Little Engine That Could of a team with grace and aplomb." - Scott Miller, National Baseball Columnist, CBS.SportsLine.com

    To describe her heart as broken would be an insult of its own because she was long past that word. Left to pick up the pieces in the wake of Knight’s absence, Charde can’t seem to get back to the girl she once was. Grief, anger and betrayal fills her heart and without her only friend at her side, there doesn’t seem to be a rainbow showing up after all of this rain. Leaving the streets behind was always the plan for Knight, but what happens when the streets refuse to stay a thing of the past? With so many issues calling for Knight’s attention, it’s hard to decide what takes priority. While he knows that he just wants to be happy with Charde at his side, Knight is also aware that a pregnant Ainsley won’t just go away. Add to that the fact that she seems to have a closet full of secrets that are constantly spilling out, Knight will soon realize that the life he’s been living has been a lie. Trapped in her own form of prison, Ju-Ju is in full survival mode as key players are exposed in Gemini’s twisted plans for her group of friends. Playing the role of the beautiful wife to an abusive kingpin is a hard job but Ju-Ju knows that her life depends on making it believable. With outside help, she gains hope that she will make it out of her situation alive. But, what is she returning home to? With her relationship with her and Gunna in the balance, Ju-Ju is left unsure on if they will ever get back to each other’s heart. In fact, she isn’t even sure that she wants to get back to what they had after the dust settles. In the finale of this explosive series, lines are drawn and crossed countless times by both friends and foe. Family ties are tested, and some bonds are better left broken. It’s been said that nobody wins when the family feuds, but the question remains, will there be anything left standing of the Bentley clan when the dust settles?

    

    A fiendish plot. A spectacular do-or-die climax.The five-day Ascot opening is the most fashionable event in England and, some say, around the world. But it's now 1900, and Royal Ascot is different. Even the newspapers will report that opening day is not quite the gala occasion to which the British Public has become accustomed.Yet none of them knows that among the glamorous crowds are powerful men who have come, not to watch the grand spectacle, but to create a ghastly event that will shock the world.Unless someone stops them.Enter Sherlock, Lucy, and the Baker Street team.A fast-paced and thrilling take on a classic Sherlock who-done-it, with unexpected twists and turns, two strong, feisty heroines, and a touch of romance. Holmes Picks a Winner stays faithful to the spirit of the beloved original series, while introducing more intriguing relationship dynamics.The third installment in a three-part 'season finale.

    Sharnard, born Josiah Jones, is the eldest brother of Jacobi, Jamari and Joriah. Not only that but he is the adopted brother of Zaii, Joriah’s girlfriend. After successfully gunning those two down but not killing them, he is now on the run trying to get out of Dodge. Not only do Jacobi and Jamari have to worry about Joriah recovering, Luna has now been contacted by her ex, Jose, who is threatening to murder her parents if she doesn’t come to Mexico to save them. Although she seems distraught, everything is not what it seems. Jamari and Piper seem to be going pretty strong, besides crazy Trina who keeps popping up and causing problems in the couple’s new relationship. Jamari has never felt this way before over any woman. This is new to him but he is beginning to like it. He just needs to get Trina out of their life for good, but when she drops a bomb that could make Piper leave him for good, he’s torn as to what to do.

    Miami and Simone’s situationship is crumbling because she can’t be truthful about what she’s been doing behind closed doors. Miami puts some space between them so he can get his head back in the game but Simone pulls at his heartstrings to draw him back in. Miami is still in the blind about Simone and Teagan. Who knows what will happen when and if he finds out? Missy is making some noise to let Maniac and anyone else know that she’s the boss and she runs the city of Miami. Her love for him will have her making some dumb mistakes that could cost the family their whole empire. Missy has to step her game up to go against the man she once loved and birthed a child with. In the streets, there is only room for one boss. You either get eliminated or you dominate.

    Years after Hurricane Katrina took her parents she moved back to her city to find that nothing changed. With no job and money, her only option is to turn to the streets. When the streets take someone close to her Miracle takes heed and proceeds to turn her life around. Mystery Jones was respected throughout New Orleans and he was just as deadly as the guns he sold. Mystery is done with his womanizing ways and is ready to settle down. An unexpected shootout brings him in the presence of Miracle Anderson. He’s immediately captivated by her beauty and rude demeanor. After being in a physical and emotionless relationship Miracle had vowed that she would never get involved with someone like Mystery again. She couldn’t ignore the sexual tension that was brewing between the both of them. An unforeseen event takes place and Miracle finds herself riding shotgun with Mystery. Miracle finds out that Mystery is nothing like her ex and she let’s her guards down. Mystery is bursting the walls down to her heart but when bitter ex’s pop up and a chance of a lifetime is presented to Miracle will she pick the come up or a chance at love again?

    Trina is left in the dark about who has her baby, but everything isn’t always as it appears and now she has to deal with the aftermath of the accident and unsuspected delivery of her daughter. Nike is over the irrational decisions that Shonni makes and he’s trying to decide if their relationship is worth it or should they just stick to co-parenting. Duke is trying to keep it together for Trina, but he feels like he’s losing her. How will they make it work and deal with aftermath of the accident? Take one last ride with each couple and see if they overcome the obstacles thrown their way.

    It is 72,000 words long. The Thompson sisters are back and things seem to be going from bad to worse for them.Raven is still reeling from Mickey’s death, not knowing which direction to point her blade in order to exact her revenge. But luckily she has Jay at her side to comfort and support her and she is really going to need him right now, because she and her sister are being beset by enemies at every turn. And the worst part about the situation is that it’s someone they know who is trying to harm them but they don’t even know it. Will they figure out who is trying to kill them before it’s too late? Or will another one of the Thompson sisters become a tragic loss? Mel has opened her heart to love again. But someone has returned to the scene and wants to tear her and Nick apart. Add the fact that Ripper’s betrayals have created insecurities in her that are affecting her relationship, and can Mel and Nick’s love survive? Come take another ride with these characters as they go on one last journey and see what happens in the final showdown.

     Advance Reviewer's Thoughts "I loveeeee it! It’s beautiful and sexy af." "Everyone needs a Wolfe!"

    The past is bringing every deceit to the forefront, and it’s hard for Kolyon, Dortch, Ivy, and Gin to weed every snake from the grass. With Chris meeting his demise, their troubles seem over, but unfortunately, they have another threat right under their nose—mainly Ivy. When she’s taken by her own man, it’s up to Kolyon to get her and Legacy back safely. While Ivy is in danger, Gin and Dortch weave their own web of troubles that they may not live to tell. When Gin wakes up with a gun to her head, she’s certain that her secret affair has come full circle to bite her. With all their troubles brewing, no one has yet to figure out Chris’ killer. That one person is steady making moves without their knowledge, and just may be the match to ignite everyone’s lives up in flames. Will everyone make it through the fire unscathed? In this final installment, these two groups of friends will realize who is really for and against them... including each other.

    If you haven’t read the other books, now’s a good time to go back and see what you missed. Start with SWITCHED AT MARRIAGE EPISODES 1 & 2. Am I really crazy for him? Or simply crazy? Who could resist a guy as sweet as Jus? But just as I start to fall for him, we’re about to be exposed as the fake spouses we are. Justin's a genius. But is he smart enough to get us out of this one? Scroll up and grab your copy today!

    With six mouths to feed, she realizes that a simple nine to five just wouldn't cut it, forcing her to look to the top dealer in Detroit for guidance. British, with a by any means necessary mentality, ultimately takes over, becoming the top drug distributor in Michigan. With great power comes jealously, and with jealousy comes the FEDS. On top of the opened investigation, a new dealer comes to town with cheaper prices, causing more problems for British and her cartel. British being a no nonsense type of woman, orders a hit out on him, careless to the fact that her best friend is in love with him. Abel took one look at British and thought: I've gotta have her. Little did he know, British wasn't the type of woman to be easily smitten. Unbeknownst to him, the stubborn pit bull in a shirt he's interested in is his connect. Tazia Barrett is in a dead end relationship with her boyfriend, Hustle, and is waiting for the perfect time to end things. Perfect timing comes in the form of a sexy out of towner named Threat. Tazia falls hard for the sexy thug and forgets all about Hustle, but Hustle feels that he's invested too much time and money into Taz and he's not willing to let her go so easily. Taz's newfound love brings drama into her life in more ways than one. Especially after she learns that her best friend isn't who she thought she was.

    When it comes to family they look after business and make their mother proud. Nothing and no one can bring the Butler’s down.But Vinny seems to have crossed the wrong person and his cards are marked. And with the brothers joined at the hip, Roy may just be in the firing line too… Will the Butlers emerge stronger than ever, or is the East End code of honour as good as dead?PAYBACKThe Butlers are back in this gripping, compulsive sequel to THE TRAP.The Butler brothers are the Kings of the East End, and their motto is ‘what goes around, comes around’.In their world, family counts; so when the truth about Vinny’s cousin’s death comes to light, it rocks the Butlers to the core. One by one, Vinny’s friends and family are turning against him…Then, the unimaginable happens – Vinny’s little daughter Molly goes missing. She’s the one chink of light in all their lives, and the one they’d commit murders to bring back.But is it already too late for that?THE WRONGEDThere are some families that welcome newcomers with open arms, then there are the Butlers. An East End family no good girl wants to marry into…Jo fell for Vinny Butler’s good looks, but she’s stood at one graveside too many and now she’s buried her heart as well.Michael Butler was always the nice one, until he started running the family business. Nancy is desperate to leave, and though she would never turn her back on her children, every step they take in their father’s footsteps destroys her a little more.

    Graduating high school two years early, she follows her heart and ambitions to DC to attend college while staying close to her first love. Two years in, she’s heartbroken when her boyfriend does everything but give her a faithful and honest love. Refusing to let his infidelities break her, she vows never to let another get close enough to break her heart. It’s a perfect plan that has her feeling strong, independent, and on top of her game, until she comes face to face with a temptation she can’t resist. Her mind tells her to run the other way, but her heart has her hooked on a vibe she can’t let go. Will she risk it all for another shot at love? Theophilus London, better known as Op, is determined to change the course of his life. Recently returning to school to finish a degree in business, he vows to stay as far away from the family business as possible because he wants so much more than the street life. When a family situation takes an unexpected turn for the worse, Op sees the opportunity to use book smarts to run his family’s street empire like no other. Turns out that school is kicking Op’s butt, and just when he’s ready to throw his hands up and go with plan B, a fine, tempting reinforcement falls right into his lap, making him want to major in the mastery of all things Sage. When their pasts refuse to let them go, they find themselves fighting for the freedom to explore their new love, fighting to shake the very people that broke their hearts in the first place. One wrong step traps Op in a lose-lose position that leaves Sage questioning everything she thought she knew about him. Meanwhile, Sage falls into a setup that she never saw coming until it was too late. Can two broken hearts mend each other? Will Op and Sage be able to put the pieces of one another back together without fumbling them? Will the complete truth resolve all their problems or make an unusual situation even worse? These questions and more will be answered in the first part of the Turned out by a Certified Boss trilogy.