Life for Randa in the Brewster household was hard because of an uppity aunt and a pair of cousins who considered the young girl beneath their standing. They labeled her the shame of the elite black Brewster family, a dark mark on the good Brewster name, and made her life miserable because of it. Unwanted and unloved in a house filled with strangers, things looked bleak for Randa, but her circumstances took a sudden and dramatic change when her grandfather was made aware of her plight. Vowing to her that things would be different from here on out, her grandfather took a shy, introverted little girl under his wing and over time molded her into a strong, intelligent young woman. After the death of her beloved grandfather, the now wealthy Randa, thanks to a deathbed blessing, moved to Tullahassee, Oklahoma with the desire to locate the mother she was taken away from, but what she found instead was a life she never imagined she would ever have.

    Irene Chavez, the lone female detective in a rural Washington State sherriff's department, is assigned to investigate the death of this privileged young psychiatrist.As Irene gets to know Anne's family, their houseguests and neighbors - and Anne herself, as the dead woman emerges in the accounts of the peopl who knew her - she comes to believe that it was not the boom of a sailboat that whacked Anne on the back of the head, but someone close to her.Irene's own past loss and unrealized ambitions, along with her awareness of the distinctions of social strata, compromise her objectivity and professionalism as she attempts to maintain composure in the face of the opaque and entitled enclave of summer people. Working with unusual autonom and urgency while her supervisor is on vacation, Irene resists the easy solution - and the family's wishes - to close the case as an accident and persists in a homicide investigation.Paralleling Irene's professional challenges, her fourteen-year-old-son is arrested, bringing home to Irene the perils of growing up in a small town or anywhere, and the inevitable parenting limitations of a working single mother. It is in the context of her son's arrest that Irene first become acquainted with the new Mason County prosecuting attorney, a potential ally or adversary, she isn't sure which.Carefully observed and psychologically authentic, this first Irene Chavez mystery blends rich character development and a strong sense of place with the intricate plotting of a traditional procedural.

    A thirty-year-old cold case. A kidnapper with nothing to lose.When a middle-aged man returns to a small town claiming to be a teenager abducted by a cult thirty years prior, a former detective steps out of retirement to uncover the truth. But picking at old wounds tends to make them bleed.

    Guided by the hand of fate, they become embroiled in a struggle for tribal dominance which soon escalates to a quest fueled by greed, revenge and desire.Meanwhile, in the lands of the Empire, the Romans continue their designing and incite the tribes to take up the sword against their fellow barbarians, drawing the Heruli into a conflict that could spell their demise.But for the tribes to prosper, Rome has to endure. Ragnar and his companions have to outwit and outfight the Heruli’s ancient enemies to keep the Empire from falling into the hands of the conniving Goths.Ragnar faces overwhelming odds, but the gods have ordained it long before. In the fires of destruction, a new power is being forged – one which is destined to conquer all.

    *Bonus in this collection only: Hawk Brothers Reunion* The Hawk Brothers aren't just famous, wealthy, or handsome. They're the face of the Hawk Family fortune, and practically their own high-end brand. Don't miss each of their stories as they find the right woman to humble, tease, and love them. The Determined Groom: A broken football star becomes the trainer to an elite female athlete who can’t decide if she should tell off the flirty billionaire or fall in love with him. Cambree Kinley is the toughest chick she knows, except when it comes to protecting her heart. Yet how can she resist the billionaire superstar Emmett Hawk? When he pursues her—treating her like gold and making her smile nonstop, only sheer grit can keep her from sprinting toward the Cinderella route again—loving a wealthy man who will dump her like moldy garbage when she offends his high-society friends and family. The Stealth Warrior: A Navy SEAL returned from the dead. The world-renowned dancer he left behind. Misunderstandings tear them apart. Can anything bring this wounded couple together again? Creed Hawk was imprisoned in Syria for three months. The only thing that kept him fighting to be free was knowing Kiera Richins would be waiting for him. When he’s finally released he finds her, in the arms of another man. Her Billionaire Boss Fake Fiancé: Farm girl sass takes on America's Most Eligible Bachelor in this fun fake fiance romance. Callum Hawk has it all--fame, money, and a family that loves him. He doesn't have time for romance but that's all right, his head of marketing does a great job scheduling dates with models and actresses for the necessary social events. When he almost hits Alexia Hall with his motorcycle, he's intrigued by the feisty blonde and offers to hire her to be his fake fiancé for his brother's wedding. When she not only turns him down but tells him to never come near her again, he has no clue what went wrong. Risking it All: A world-renowned extreme athlete. A motivational speaker and philanthropist. He thinks they're a match destined for heaven. She's convinced they're polar opposites. Bridger Hawk has been in love with Avalyn Shaman since childhood. He knows he'll never be worthy of her charitable heart so he throws himself into a life-threatening extreme sports career. When they reconnect at his brother's wedding, he can't resist kissing her at every opportunity. She demands he stay away from her and her heart. After multiple rejections, he gathers what's left of his pride and leaves. Avalyn has always loved Bridger but he shredded her heart in high school and she knows given a chance, he'll do it again. When she's kidnapped and forced to be the pawn and prize in dangerous events that risk her life and her virtue, Bridger is forced to compete in the deranged challenges and is the only hope she has to survive. Can Bridger win and prove to her that his love isn't just a show for his fans? Bridger knows he has to save Avalyn at all costs ... even if it means he can't have her.

    Each story contains a brand new foreword by its author. THE STORIES: Open Minds, by Susan Kaye QuinnThe Moon Dwellers, by David EstesPrison Nation, by Jenni Merrittdaynight, by Megan ThomasonStitch, by Samantha DuranteThe Annihilation of Foreverland, by Tony BertauskiThe Girls from Alcyone, by Cary CaffreyThe Narrowing Path, by David NormoyleThe Rain, by Joseph TurkotVirulent: The Release, by Shelbi WescottExternal Forces (Bonus Chapters!), by Deborah Rix

    When the police start to catch up with Leroux, he panics and decides to escape to Canada on the Appalachian Trail, where thru-hikers use trail names and travel anonymously. Leroux, who is overweight and unhealthy, struggles at first on the trail but begins to relax as he gets stronger and can utilize the physical changes he gains from his intense hiking as a disguise. His urge to kill, however, is invigorated by the nearness of female hikers, and his intention to stay away from them on his trip begins to weaken. His life is further complicated when Desert Storm veteran Karl Bergman, who is also trying to escape his own failure, becomes suspicious of Leroux and begins to pay careful attention to his every move. Leroux becomes increasingly panicked as he realizes that both Bergman and the police are close on his tail as he races to the border hoping to find a haven with his Canadian family. In this cat-and-mouse thriller, Ray Anderson dives inside two men’s minds as they struggle to fight their identities and confront their fears and internal turmoil.

    Few questions are asked. When American criminal defense lawyer Glenn Murray Cohen took a bundle of cash from a murdered client and moved to Thailand and a new life, he thought his troubles were over forever. For seven years, Glenn enjoys the life of a wealthy expat, forms friendships and seeks love, spending much of his time at the mysterious NJA Club where he pursues the beautiful Noi. This pleasant life is turned upside down when American agents come calling, pressuring him to kidnap a Russian gangster, a dangerous task for which he is woefully unprepared. Glenn is drawn him into an underbelly of corruption, criminal activity and international intrigue hidden in the shadows of Bangkok. Glenn recruits his close friends from the NJA Club to help him, all of whom reveal useful talents previously unknown to Glenn. Sleepy Joe looks like an aging hippie, but he is full of surprises. The gregarious Oliver seems can find out anything for the right price. Rhode Island Joe comes across as an oaf until you get to know him. Glenn is never quite certain if a wily retired Thai general on his side, but has no choice but to trust him. Bangkok is a constant presence, creating a mood that is both exotic and noir. This novel shows you the Big Mango as it is rarely seen by foreigners.

    Until one intense night in the Jamaican Blue Mountains that allowed him to see himself in the mirror of grace, changing everything. The Secret Life of a Fool is Andrew Palau's unforgettable journey of running from God -- and the crushing, freeing experience of coming back to Him. It is a story of getting high, burning up cars, being stranded in Europe, surviving a near-fatal plane crash, and utter despair overcome by simple grace and a father's love, expressed in excerpted letters throughout this book.

    

    To find each work in the anthology, you must go to the "Go To" section of your Nook, and then select "Chapter." It might get a blank screen--if it does, then hit the page forward button and the work will appear. Eight works by classic sci-fi author E.E. Smith collected in one book with an active table of contents.Works include:The Galaxy PrimesMasters of SpaceThe Skylark of SpaceSkylark ThreeSpacehounds of IPCSubspace SurvivorsTriplanetaryThe Vortex Blaster

    With the help of her former high school sweetheart, Laura searches for the truth. But will what they find destroy their rekindled feelings?

    There’s only one problem; no one seems to know who Monroe Lovett is, and to make matters worse, he hasn’t had a single client. His sole hope is that just one person will hire him.That hope is answered when in walks Ashley Butler. Monroe is so glad to see her, happy to have a someone in need of his service that he jumps at the opportunity to represent her. Little does he realize, Ashley’s case will pit him against forces wanting his client convicted. Her case will open the closest to the Butler family’s secrets.Ashley Butler’s problems started when adultery and accusations led to a single rash act that ended in murder. In a matter of seconds, an argument climaxed with Julie, Marcus Butler Jr.'s mistress, dead.The Lane County Sheriff’s Department receives a tip of hearing what sounded like gunshots coming from inside the Butler home. Minutes later, deputies arrived to find Julie's body lying on the bedroom floor. The ill-tempered Detective Carson investigates the crime scene and upon leaving gets a tip that Ashley is the killer. The detective attains an arrest warrant and puts out an all-points bulletin for the arrest of Ashley Butler.Ashley hears from a friend that deputies are looking for her. Knowing her husband’s family, she seeks the help of the only person she believes she can trust, Lane County's newest defense attorney, Monroe T. Lovett. Knowing that her husband’s father, Marcus Sr., holds power over most of Lane County, she's not even sure Monroe can help her. But he's her only hope.Speaking with Monroe in his office, Ashley explains that she is about to be arrested for murdering her husband's girlfriend. After she tells him of her predicament, and with only a few details, Monroe, in desperate need of a client, agrees to take her case. Soon, he learns Ashley isn't just any client, and he will have to fight to save her life.To make matters worse, Monroe will face Lane County’s District Attorney Robert Breaux. Breaux. Monroe will discover that Robert Breaux is a self-serving, egotistical district attorney, who is interested in one thing—winning. Justice is not Breaux's goal. Convictions translate into votes and those votes to lead to him gaining more political clout.Monroe soon finds himself in over his head. A godsend in the person of Herman (Herm) Edwards, a retired New Orleans detective and a native of Peregrine offers to help Monroe. Monroe is skeptical, knowing that Edwards is from the area. In need of help, Monroe, with the urging of his wife, Debbie, decides to hire Herm. But he still unsure of Herm’s allegiances. Trust issues arise between them as suspicions of a possible corrupt sheriff's department is trying to impede Ashley’s case.As Monroe’s case begins to unravel, Monroe is forced to seek a different approach to prove Ashley's innocence. This new tactic lands him right in the middle of the Butler family secret, a secret that even Ashley does not know about. No one in Lane County knows the truth the Butlers have been hiding for years, and Monroe is ready to rip the door off the closet. To stop him, Marcus Butler Sr., the family patriarch, will do whatever he must to keep the closet locked.To stop Monroe, Marcus Butler Sr. forms some new alliances to ensure his secrets stay buried. His new ties include a man named Félix Roche, a man who has many aliases and a sinister reputation with more than one agenda.Only the truth can free Ashley, but finding the truth will mean revealing her past, a past she would just as soon forget. However, Monroe encourages her, convincing her this is the only avenue to freedom. Monroe’s plan? Go after the patriarch, Marcus Butler Sr., and expose the man and the Butler family secrets. It is the only way Butler's justice will prevail.

    And for about fifteen years, she was right. Until her happy marriage goes down the drain and she's left with no one but herself to blame. On a quest to become the world's next best-selling author, to find her voice, Savannah makes a difficult choice.    She has to run—again.    She quits her job and packs a bag. And then she sets out to find the inspiration that she's never had. Only she finds herself in the one place she never expected to be. Home—in the South; reminded of pain and secrecy. A sin is still a sin, even if no one knows. And a secret is still a secret even if no one told. Bonds are broken, truths are spoken, and no one around her can be trusted.    Who killed her mother?     Who is her father?     Who knows the truth about the small-town barber?    Savannah discovers that 'Southern Charm' is just for show. What really matters in the South are the lies you tell and the secrets you know!

    He soon realises they are both in a dangerous position and may not get out alive.