But something went terribly wrong. By day's end, some would be alive. Others would not. A close-knit community would be devastated, forced to endure. This gripping true story centers on what happened to one courageous and flawed young man who survived, and how his life quickly spiraled out of control in the next two years. It is a story about love, unbreakable friendship, and "king" corn. “There are some forty-five thousand items in the average American supermarket and more than a quarter of them now contain corn,” writes Michael Pollan in The Omnivore’s Dilemma. But as international dependence on the highly subsidized crop for cattle feed, corn syrup and ethanol has surged—so have deaths by corn. Based on three years of reporting and interviews with the people involved and thousands of pages of court documents, transcripts, police reports, journalist Erika Hayasaki brings to life (in narrative nonfiction-style) this world of people who risk and sometimes lose their lives for this powerful commodity. Hayasaki, a former national correspondent for the Los Angeles Times, is the author of The Death Class: A True Story About Life (Simon & Schuster 2014), as well as the Kindle Single, Dead or Alive (2012). She is an assistant professor in the Literary Journalism Program at the University of California, Irvine, and a regular contributor to Newsweek and The Atlantic. *Cover design by Kristen RadtkePraise for DROWNED BY CORN:THE CHICAGO TRIBUNE: "The descriptions of the accident are chilling: a blow-by-blow account of the grain pulling the young men under and the dramatic rescue of Will, who survived after being buried past his chest. The piece follows Will as his grief sends him into a downward spiral. "Drowned by Corn" is a gripping narrative of tenderness and horror, friendship and loss." — Megan KirbySAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE: "Erika Hayasaki’s suspenseful account of the deaths of Paco and Wyatt and the harrowing rescue of Will is the stuff of nightmares. But what elevates this fine work of investigative journalism is her portrayal of Will in the aftermath: his survival guilt, his struggle with alcohol and drugs, his strained relationships and his eventual discovery of a way to endure his and his town’s unspeakable losses." — Porter Shreve

    I wanted to be a Marine, and as soon as I was 18, I was in – and so was Allison, right by my side. Always by my side until THAT mission: the one that took her from me. The one that tore out my heart… the one that made the ring I had ready to give nothing. I knew something had gone wrong with that mission, but my superiors wouldn’t give me any answers, so I left. I couldn’t take the pain, so I headed to the peacefulness of the mountains, to the small town of Adams. Sure, it’s a lot different than Boston, but that’s exactly what I need. It’s pure. It’s peaceful. Life’s quieter there. The locals are friendly. So, I built a bar, and they love it. There’s never been a bar like mine in the small town of Adams. Lots of beautiful women flirt with me, but none of them can reach me until one night, the only woman that could breach my defenses does: she sees my pain, puts a balm on my soul, begins to rescue my heart, gives me belief in love again, my angel... can she save me? Holly He blew into town – all rage and pain in his eyes. He thought no one could see, but I could. I think I fell for him right away, but knowing how the wounded respond, I just became part of the landscape in that bar he built. All of those other women flirting with him never bothered me, because I could see that it only bothered him. None of them stood a chance. But around me, he began to calm. We would exchange a few words here and there; and the longer I focused on him, the more I fell. I knew I was doomed to love and have not, until one night, the storm outside, matched the storm inside him. I saw his pain, and went to help … and he let me. But will he really let me in all the way? This is a standalone romance novel with a 2 BONUS standalone romance novels. Daddy’s Debt: A Bad Boy Billionaire Romance and Stolen: A Secret Mountain Man Romance These both include a powerful sexy woman - no cheating - no cliffhangers - hot passionate love - HEA and a Bad Boy who loves all the above xo, Anna

    Well, consider me burned. The first time I see Jason, he’s rescuing me from a gang of thugs outside a night club. My natural instincts tell me to resist him. I’ve always played by the rules, and men like him are bad news. But within the space of a few hours, he’s got me eating out of his hands. His world is one of danger and excitement, and to me it’s a drug I can’t get enough of. One taste of his delicious kiss and I’m hooked. One touch of his muscular body and I’m aching for more. One thrust of his body into mine, and I’m his forever. This story is a deep, dark fantasy with a HEA that will have you begging for more.

    Once there, Judy finds a place to stay with Audrey Nevins, founder of the Redbud Area Dog Rescue. Judy, who is not a dog person, is soon waking up with half a dozen dogs on her bed. She’s bathing dogs, mopping floors, writing about dogs, swimming with dogs and learning all about rescuing dogs and finding them new homes. She also soon meets the county historian, who is also the police chief. Then life in Redbud turns sinister after Judy stumbles onto a dead body and then learns of other mysterious deaths. As the danger increases, Audrey may know the name of the killer, but Judy believes she will find a clue to the motive in the distant lives of her ancestors. For that, she needs the help of a 110-year-old man. Rosebud is also a story of loss and recovery. Redbud has helped heal other broken souls. Will it now help Judy face her own past?

    My non-profit has been wildly successful with the kids, but now I'm forty mentors short for the Christmas season. It didn't look like we would be able to find enough help, until Jim Adelson got involved. He may have solved my mentor problem, but he's created another: I can't concentrate with this panty melting God around. Jim: The community has been good to me. I'd built my successful security business with hard work and determination, and when I got approached to help Kate Monroe's non-profit, it seemed a fitting way to give back. I'd offer to spend time with some kids, but it’s Kate that I find myself wanting to spend time with. With beauty obvious to everyone, and a compassionate heart she wears on her sleeve, she has me reevaluating my priorities. When the children's Christmas gifts go missing, Jim and Kate are forced together in the hunt. Can true love fight through the drama to find a happy ending? Gifted is the first book in the holiday series Clear Security Holidays. This is a standalone holiday romance suspense novel, but characters from the Venture Capital series and from Tech Billionaires can be known to make appearances.

    When that peace is threatened by a corrupt sheriff, and the ruthless drug dealers he’s protecting, they’ll have to stand together with their friends and some unlikely allies if they hope to survive. Jake Dillon has come to Misty Hill looking for answers about his missing brother; who’s been working undercover for the DEA. He finds the Sanders standing alone against the people connected to his brother’s disappearance. He also finds the family that he’s always wanted, and the love he’s never had. The odds are stacked against them surviving, but Laura and her family won’t back down, and Jake won’t back off, until he finds his brother and his new friends are safe. In the Great Smoky Mountains, people have their own brand of justice. It’s been passed down from generation to generation. It’s called a reckoning, and it’s coming to Misty Hill.

    This time, he wants me. He’s the kind of guy whose loyalty is only to himself. The kind of guy who keeps a notch on his bedpost for every new girl. The kind of guy who lives with a simple code: use or be used. To him, my opinion doesn’t matter. All he needs me to do is obey. To follow his every command, to submit to his every order. Total, absolute obedience. After all... My life may depend on it. This is a full length stand-alone romance novel with a H.E.A. ending and no cliffhanger.

    These stories have accumulated over 100+ reviews and have been boxed together for the first time!Missed ConnectionsHow far would you go for revenge? Veronica Bauer isn't above homicide. Twelve years after a ruthless attack killed her mother and put her father in prison, she embarks on a mission to bring the real culprits to justice. As bodies start to drop, Detective Sheila Arden is assigned to the gruesome case, but she soon discovers that the truth is more complicated than she thought. In a riveting game of cat and mouse, each woman challenges the other to reach new heights.The ProfessorFollowing the mysterious disappearance of her history professor, Nicole Costello discovers that her prestigious university is home to an elite secret society with questionable moral standards. Can Nicole crack the case of her missing professor and finish her thesis paper, or will Nicole herself crack under the pressure?

    Steamy, sexy, and 'to the point' stories that are available to you now, in one place and at one price. This boxed set is for the New and Original Xyla Turner fan. Most of these stories are no longer available and many were in other sets. This opportunity is not only a first of its kind, but available for a limited time only! If you want to catch up on how Xyla's newest characters came to be, you must read this! What is included: - Undertones - Forbidden Target - Hazard - Company Secrets - The Client - Diego - March - F Student - Judge Me - Strut Plus bonus materials that include samples of Xyla's latest releases and HINT, HINT: Duncan's Pride (2.5) Don't miss this opportunity. It will not last long! You can see more like this book with the following titles: Trent | Duncan | Carter | Declan | BOMBSHELL | Across the Tracks | Take A Knee | Always Right | Cole | 10-80: Line of Duty | 10-99: Line of Duty | Extraction | Power of the Pen | By Chance, No Choice | Undertones

    At least it does in my world. Looks like my world is changing for the better. That’s if I can convince her that the heat between us is more than just the aftereffects of the fire.BreeI’ve been alone and struggling for so long and I hoped my move to Mountain View would be a fresh start. Now my daughter and I have lost of everything we owned while finding a hero in the process. Things are starting to smolder between Huck and I but will the flames extinguish as fast as they took.

    Concealment. In the shadow of Dimmingwood, she finds temporary protection with a band of forest brigands led by the infamous outlaw Rideon the Red Hand.But as Ilan matures, learns the skills of survival, and struggles to master the inherent magic of her dying race, danger is always close behind. When old enemies reappear and new friendships lead to betrayal, will her discovery of an enchanted bow prove to be Ilan’s final salvation or her ultimate downfall?

    Like a fish out of water, she feels out of place and longs for an adventure away from the place she has long called home. When circumstances change for the worse, Christy decides it is her time to go on the adventure she has dreamed of. Through chance she meets a handsome cowboy who seems to sweep her off her feet. That is until his past comes back to haunt them, and Christy must decide if this love is worth fighting for. *This book is part of a 3 book continuing series.

     Born and raised in the slums of St. Giles, she knows how to take care of herself and doesn’t take kindly to help, even when it’s offered by Heath Mason, the handsome stranger who appears out of nowhere to save her life. On the run from men who want her dead for being in the wrong place at the wrong time, Ava reluctantly places herself in Heath’s care and, against all odds, begins to develop feelings for her brooding, mysterious rescuer. But Ava is in more danger than she ever realized, for the man she’s falling in love with is the same one who has been hired to hunt her down…

    Clues and taunts left by the killer along with the knowledge held by the teenager cause the three characters to intersect in a dangerous game of cat and mouse.

    Confident.His Viking blood made him a conqueror.He dominated my senses.He planned to rule my body as well.I didn’t have a chance at keeping my heart.AXELHer name said it all.Hope.She came to me in my darkness.The compass that would guide me out of the storm.The goddess, Freyja.She’s with me as I fight Hel, the enemy that took everything from me.I am at war now, but the moment the dust settles I’m taking Hope as my prize.She’s a challenge. Resistant.Catching her will be like catching the wind.But my people were sea wolves. We know how to tame the wind.And I’m a patient man.Victory is my only option.