The company had been a fixture on the national opera scene--as the populist antithesis of the grand Metropolitan Opera, a nurturing home for young American talent, and a place where new, lively ideas shook up a venerable art form. But NYCO's demise represented more than the loss of a cherished organization: it was a harbinger of massive upheaval in the performing arts--and a warning about how cultural institutions would need to change in order to survive.Drawing on extensive research and reporting, Heidi Waleson, one of the foremost American opera critics, recounts the history of this scrappy company and reveals how, from the beginning, it precariously balanced an ambitious artistic program on fragile financial supports. Waleson also looks forward and considers some better-managed, more visionary opera companies that have taken City Opera's lessons to heart.Above all, Mad Scenes and Exit Arias is a story of money, ego, changes in institutional identity, competing forces of populism and elitism, and the ongoing debate about the role of the arts in society. It serves as a detailed case study not only for an American arts organization, but also for the sustainability and management of nonprofit organizations across the country.

    What has this pop culture phenomenon shown us — by placing a few hundred people on islands around the world — about the psychological make-up of the average American? In Psychology of Survivor, the third installment of BenBella Books's Psychology of Popular Culture series, leading psychologists — and fans of Survivor — unite to offer up their expertise on the show that started the reality show craze. From why macho alpha males rarely win to stress and body image, from situational ethics to the dreaded Rob Cestaries factor, Psychology of Survivor is a broad look at cutting-edge psychological issues through the lens of Survivor. The tribe has spoken — Psychology of Survivor is the best book for Survivor fans and psychology enthusiasts alike!

     The "If We Make It Through November expanded edition" augments the original book with twice as much content. This version includes both a lengthy "manifesto" about the nature of Donald Trump's appeal and a prequel chapter chronicling the curious day when Rabin and his long-lost brother were reunited under a scalding sun, setting the stage for their unlikely but glorious Gathering adventure. Rabin's best book to date chronicles a surreal week the veteran pop culture writer spent covering, in rapid succession, the Republican National Convention where Donald Trump was nominated for President, possibly setting into motion a series of events leading to mankind's end, and the 17th annual Gathering of the Juggalos, Insane Clown Posse's notorious yearly festival of arts and culture. Rabin's companion throughout this crazy adventure, Raoul Duke to his Dr. Gonzo, is the author's long-lost half brother Vincent, a street-fighting welder from the mean streets of Saint Louis with a roughneck past filled with knife fights, horrific violence and almost unimaginable darkness. 7 Days in Ohio is a hilarious and surprisingly moving exploration of a unique moment in American life. It's also a story of brotherhood and family, about two very different men who find common ground in their shared affection for Insane Clown Posse. In the tradition of Fear and Loathing In Las Vegas and Rabin's previous memoirs comes the book Donald Trump doesn't want you to read (in part because he hates literacy) and the most soulful, moving and even tear-jerking text about men who pretend to be wicked clowns ever written. Praise for Nathan Rabin: "Smart and funny"-Mindy Kaling, The New Yorker "Brilliant"-John Green The Big Rewind: "I'm not as interested in anything as much as Nathan Rabin is interested in everything."-- Chuck Klosterman “With his uncanny grasp of cultural zeitgeist, Rabin could unseat Chuck Klosterman as the slacker generation’s vital critical voice.” —Heeb Magazine "Nathan Rabin's life reads like a fanboy's collision with Dostoyevsky. Hilarious, sad, truthful memoir is compulsively readable."-- Roger Ebert "[Rabin] has packed [The Big Rewind], like a cannon, full of caustic wit and bruised feelings. The result is a lo-fi, sometimes crude book that is nonetheless more effective (and affecting) than it has any right to be."-- The New York Times My World Of Flops: "Nathan Rabin's My Year of Flops is like watching a genius nurse a score of frightened, wounded baby birds back to life--a superhuman level of care and compassion lavished on That Which Never Had A Right To Exist. Truly brilliant." —Patton Oswalt You Don't Know Me But You Don't Like Me "An extremely funny and engaging book about how fandom provides people with surrogate families and a way to escape day-to-day banality." (Rolling Stone (four-star review) "I Love This Book"-Harris Wittels

    

    . ." "The Black Madonna" transports readers to a world centered around the bustling corner of Spring and Thompson streets in New York City's Little Italy, where Teresa, Magdelena, and Antoinette form a God-fearing, vibrant, and dark-souled trio of mothers whose lives are forever transformed by the power of the Black Madonna, the most powerful of Catholic icons.

    When hunky horseman Travis Brooks answers her ad, she knows he’s the man for the job. Will her husband's memory come between what could be the best thing to ever happen to her? The Bronco Boys: Blake by Deb Julienne~ Blake Bronco is an FBI agent shot in the line of duty and goes home to recuperate. Hannah Parks is a nurse who swaps physical therapy treatment with a real live cowboy willing to teach her to ride a horse. Murder and mayhem seal their fates. Coverall and Cornstalks by RaeAnne Hadley~ Madysen has a job to do, Nate sees a future between them. Can he convince her he's worth the time? Shot Through The Heart by D’Ann Lindun~ Laramie Porter has been left for dead by her drug-crazed brother in the Colorado wilderness. Derrick Garrison must get his cattle out of the way of a forest fire, or lose everything. Can they escape danger and fall in love along the way?

     Back To Me An Alpha Man and BBW Steamy Sweet Romance April Will was my best friend and we’ve been apart for ten years. When I run into him again, he’s the same but different. He wants me. Not just for one night, but forever. Will I let April get away from me ten years ago, but I won’t make that mistake again. Nothing is going to stand in the way of making her mine… not even a fiancé. She’s found her way back to me and I am keeping her. Forever An Alpha Older Man, Younger BBW, Steamy Sweet Romance Carrie I was raised by my Uncle… who is trying to sell my virginity to the highest bidders. He doesn’t let me work or have any friends. My only escape is when he lets me go to the gym. He wants me to lose some weight, so he can make some more money. Little does he know, I’m taking self-defense classes so I can protect myself. But my Self Defense instructor ends up teaching me more than just self-defense. Derek I got volunteered to teach a self defense class. I end up falling for the woman with secrets. She won’t open up to me. She’s hiding something… but all I want to do is protect her. And make her mine, forever. My Everything: An Older Man, Younger BBW Steamy Sweet Romance Mack I found the love of my life when I was twenty-eight and she was eighteen. I planned to spend the rest of my life with her until I got hurt in the army. I came back not knowing if I would ever walk again. I couldn’t put her through that, so I pushed her away. I went through therapy and she went through college. I went to her college graduation because I had to see her. She wants me back… but I still think she deserves better. She makes a proposition… I give her one night and she gives me her innocence. But will one night be enough? Can I push her away again once I have her in my arms? #1 bestselling short romance author Hope Ford writes short, steamy, sweet romances. There is always an alpha male (because who doesn’t love an alpha male) and a woman he makes his queen. Sit back, grab a glass of wine, and get lost in this happily ever after story – that’s also a little naughty.

     Jeremiah Scott was returning to Weatherton, Wyoming after a six-year absence While in Cheyenne, arranging business deals and outfitting his ranch, he decided to find an impromptu bride. But when the bride was more than he bargained for, will it destroy his plans for marriage?" TO LOVE AND TO HONOR By Heather Blanton Joel Chapman feels like a failure. Losing a leg in battle, he failed to fulfill his duty as a captain. According to his wife, without two good legs, he’s failed as a husband and provider. Along with his self-respect, his spirit is dying a slow, painful death. Angela Fairbanks is the daughter of a tyrant—a cattle baron known for his iron fist and cold heart. She has no doubt once he learns she is carrying an illegitimate child, he will banish her from the ranch. Compassion and honor overtaking his good sense, Joel offers a noble lie to protect Angela and secure a home for her and the baby: one day as her husband, and then he’ll “abandon” her. Will the noble lie become simple deceit? Or is he man enough to resist his heart and keep his vows? A GROOM FOR CHRISTMAS By Tina Dee Addie Langford is desperate. Christmas is just around the corner and she’d love nothing more than a holiday break from the constant meddling of her family and their determination to find her a husband. Just when she thinks she’d gotten rid of one poor fellow, she lands right on top of another—literally. When he looks past her physical imperfection, will she also learn to look past it and find love? Rhett Marshall just wants to make his way in the world. He’s looking for a job as a ranch hand, but after a shotgun wedding he finds he’s gained a wife instead. The problem is that Addie was so much more than what she seemed, like no girl he’d ever met. After getting to know her, the big question is whether he’ll stay or go when the choice finally arrives. THE COWBOY’S CHRISTMAS PRAYERS By Laura J. Marshall 1905, South Dakota Stone Tyler Wayne, the man with three first names is just a simple cowboy. He has little to show for his hard-working ways other than the calluses on his hands, yet he folds these hands in consistent prayer to the One who sees his heart. Nan Kinsey is the boss’ daughter. Her father plans to marry her off to the ranch owner’s son next door. The problem is, she is drawn instead to Stone. Will their Christmas prayers be answered? MISTLETOE MISTAKE By Lynette Sowell Matthew Thomas cooked up the idea of helping the crumbling town of Angel Vale, Wyoming by arranging for mail order brides from the East--including a bride for himself until his feet get colder than a Wyoming blizzard. Widowed Sophia Webster tries to make a new start in Wyoming by staying true to her word and helping Matthew establish his newspaper, but come spring, it’ll be back East for her--unless Matthew’s change of heart can convince her otherwise. HUSBAND OF THE BRIDE By USA TODAY BESTSELLING Susette Williams Widowed for years, Ma has been the matriarch of the family, facing the challenges of raising four boys who are now men. With the arrival of her first grandchild imminent, Ma finds herself face-to-face with the town doctor who has very differing views than her own.

    Once I began reading, it was evident that the author’s experience in the occult and the paranormal would provide me with the most truthful and logical analysis of the band I would ever get concerning this topic.”“As a guitarist and lifelong fan of Led Zeppelin and a skeptic of the claims of occult influence on the band, I found this book to be an insightful look into the history of Page and Led Zeppelin.” “Brilliant book, couldn’t put it down....well worth a read.”“I believe the author proved his assumption regarding the Zeppelin curse...his words spoke loudly, and he was intellectually sound in his opinion on many levels. It was extremely well written and obviously the author knew enough about Crowley to write an accurate account of his influence on Page.”"If you have any interest in the band or the occult - this is a must read!” “A necessity for the magical, the mysterious, the musical, and the seriously creepy section of your bookshelf.” “Wow! What can I say? Just pick it up & read it! I promise you will not be able to put it down.”“Probably the most in-depth book that will ever be written on the Led Zeppelin occult/curse subject. The fact that the author has dabbled in rituals heightens the intensity." "I’ve always wondered about the claims of Jimmy and the magic. This book explains a lot of things."“Loved it! A great read for anyone curious about Jimmy Page's fascination with Aleister Crowley and the history of Boleskine House." "The Led Zeppelin Curse has everything that I would want in a read: rock n roll, magic(k) and new information about rock gods that I didn’t already know."“As a fan of Led Zeppelin, mother to a teenaged daughter who wants to be the next John Bonham and obsessive researcher of the occult and paranormal, I really enjoyed this book. It is written in a friendly tone that sounds like Lance Gilbert is chatting directly with you, which I liked.”“Aleister Crowley crops up in so many different group's rock songs and it is worth reading about the influence this man had directly and indirectly on the music of the time and specifically on Led Zeppelin.”Who or what is responsible for The Led Zeppelin Curse? Jimmy Page was known for his intense interest in the occult and in particular the notorious magician Aleister Crowley.

    Peter Freestone and David Evans tie up many loose ends and recall Freddie's last days in 1991 and recount details of the events which followed Queen's lead singer's death involving the people and places Freddie loved and favoured.

    Everybody wins! Old Christmas: When professional chef Casey Gray returns to the southeast Texas town where she grew up, she doesn't expect to feel anything for her former lover Kalin McBride. It will take every bit of determination Kalin has, plus a little help from the magical spirit of the holiday, to convince Casey that her future lies with him. Sutherland's Pride: Pride Donovan's former lover, Flynn Sutherland, does not recognize her little boy as his when she returns to the Texas Gulf Coast town of Anahuac. But he definitely wants his Pride back - can their second chance withstand the bombshell she's about to drop into his life? Georgie's Heart: Georgeanne Hartfield, author of the explosive nonfiction book Faking It, never counted on meeting a man like Zane Bryant, who makes her feel like a woman for the first time in her life. But if he ever discovers she's behind the infamous Fritzi Field pen name, how could he possibly believe that her response to him is the real thing? The Counterfeit Cowgirl: Felicity Clayton has carefully cultivated her fashion-house cowgirl image, so she's astonished to find the citizens of Foxe, Texas, dislike her almost before she steps out of her Dodge pickup. Aaron Whitaker, a local rancher, has no use for a flashy, fake cowgirl - so why is he beginning to feel an unwanted attraction to her? The Look-Alike Bride: Leonie Daniel leads a double life, often standing in for her glamorous older sister who works as a government agent. All Leonie has to do this time is spend a few weeks in Zara's lakeside cabin near Hot Springs, Arkansas, behave like Zara, and avoid Adam Silverthorne, the man her sister is interested in. But now Adam is falling for Leonie . . . or is he? Bride by the Book: Small-town Arkansas attorney Garner Holt badly needs an assistant to sort out his cluttered office, but he didn't expect a super-secretary like Miss Angelina Brownwood. She's perfect until an online search reveals a flaw: Angelina isn't a secretary. But does her secret mean she's also not the girl for him? Sensuality Level: Behind Closed Doors

    The tussle between the father and the son was the most poignant and pathetic stories of their lives. Gandhi,who was busy attending meetings and conferences where the fate of forty crore Indians was to be decided, would often find headlines in a newspaper screaming 'Police arrested drunk Harilal for creating a scene on the road'. And sometimes, Harilal himself from the dias of the fundamentalist Muslim organization's meeting - 'I shall continue fighting till Ba and Bapu embrace Islam.'In this book the author tries to make an ardent effort to understand yet another enigmatic facet of human life.

    S. Parker for your reading pleasure.Four complete series included plus Book 1 of the upcoming MS Parker series, Dom X. Only available for a limited time.Get lost in the sexy world of MS Parker tonight.The series include: Dom X - Book 1, Sinful Desires Book 1 - 5, Casual Encounter Book 1-5, Twisted Affair Book 1 - 5 and Exotic Desires Book 1-3

    

    But there he is, sexy as ever, sitting at her table. He’s even got a pretty impressive job; security guard to the stars. Wishing her writing career that she always dreamed of had ever taken off, Rachel concocts a plan. What if she can use some of Jayden’s insider information to write a bestselling book? She’ll only have to use him a little bit to get what she needs, what harm can there be? Except she never expected to begin to fall for him again…when she does can she still go through with her plan? Part 2 Max is the carefree younger brother of broken hearted Reid. He tries to keep his sarcasm in check and his jokes on point. Very little could ever get in the way of his jovial mood. Except the assignment Salvatore just gave him. Max’s new long term job is to work security for a pop-up fashion boutique series, which doesn’t sound all that bad if the pop-ups weren’t being opened by the one person he can’t stand - Reid’s ex-girlfriend Hannah. As he expects the two can’t seem to get along, there’s fireworks as usual when they’re around each other as they fight. But soon those fireworks turn from fighting into passion and something that could ruin his relationship with his brother forever. Part 3 Heartbroken after his breakup with Hannah, and confused by his brother’s new relationship with her, Reid has decided that romance isn’t in the cards. Not unless it's truly real. But does that even exist? He’s challenged by his new job from Spotlight, guarding the infamous and gorgeous Jennifer White from her wreck of an ex-boyfriend, also infamous Ian. How can Reid keep her protected from her ex when she is required to keep up appearances with Ian for publicity of their new movie? And what is he supposed to do when he believes that what he feels for her is real, but she’s too tied up with another man? Part 4 As the only female guard at Spotlight, Ireland has her work cut out for her among the boys, but this girl can hold her own. Her newest job is to help protect child star Kelly while she’s at school as there seems to be a stalker on the loose. Until she’s safe, Ireland will be reporting to elementary school every day to watch this spunky little girl. It seems like an easy task, though reliving the memories of her childhood feels haunting, Ireland tries to stay focused. But it’s hard to stay focused when Kelly’s newly single father is just so irresistible. Part 5 Salvatore has never recovered from the pain of his little sister’s unsolved murder when he was only a kid, and that’s why he began Spotlight to begin with. As new information comes to light for the police, her cold case is reopened, and with it all of Salvatore’s wounds. One misstep has landed him in court ordered counseling where he can’t stop fighting with his perky, perfect blonde counselor Ginny. Salvatore has a past he has to deal with and a future he needs to begin to make. If only he could stop fighting with, or kissing, his counselor, maybe he could find a way to work through his pain and see there’s more to the world.