This seventh annual collection contains the most unbelievable facts, acts, and oddities ever recorded. Photos.

    The author of the enormously popular series featuring Baltimore P.I. Tess Monaghan as well as three critically lauded stand-alone novels, Lippman now turns her attention to short stories—and reveals another level of mastery.Lippman sets many of the stories in this sterling anthology, Hardly Knew Her, in familiar territory: her beloved Baltimore, from downtown to its affluent suburbs, where successful businessmen go to shocking lengths to protect what they have or ruthlessly expand their holdings, while dissatisfied wives find murderous ways to escape their lives. But Lippman is also unafraid to travel—to New Orleans, to an unnamed southwestern city, and even to Dublin, the backdrop for the lethal clash of two not-so-innocents abroad. Tess Monaghan is here, in two stories and a profile, aligning herself with various underdogs. And in her extraordinary, never-before-published novella, Scratch a Woman, Lippman takes us deep into the private world of a high-priced call girl/madam and devoted soccer mom, exploring the mystery of what may, in fact, be written in the blood.Each of these ingenious tales is a gem—sometimes poignant, sometimes humorous, always filled with delightfully unanticipated twists and reversals. For people who have yet to read Lippman, get ready to experience the spellbinding power of "one of today's most pleasing storytellers, hailed for her keen psychological insights and her compelling characterizations," (San Diego Union-Tribune), who has "invigorated the crime fiction arena with smart, innovative, and exciting work" (George Pelecanos). As for longtime devotees of her multiple award-winning novels, you'll discover that you hardly know her.

    He loves without condition.She loves with reckless abandon.With a kiss at midnight comes wedding bells for Naomi Singleton and Tareef Ali.This story is a bonus to the Brothers Ali Series and ends with a happily ever after.To read Naomi and Tareef's full story, read Tareef: Brothers Ali Book 4.

    But despite believing in her ponies and their potential, Sybil still fears she's failing, especially when everything seems to come so easily to her friends. India's life is too perfect to believe, and Freya looks like she takes her continuous success for granted. Sybil thinks she's struggling, but she may not be the only one...

    

    After being gunned down during the opening of the center honoring her daughter’s memory, Yvonne awakes alive and more determined than she’s ever been to have the persons responsible for her pain and suffering brought to justice. Relentless in her quest to help other girls that find themselves in situations similar to Sophia’s and to bring attention to her cause, she’s gains an enemy in the Cartel; who are just as determined to eliminate the threat she’s become. Willing to risk it all, Yvonne continues in her fight, regardless of the cost; but will she pay with her life?

    Does your dream man fight fires or catch bad guys as a cop or undercover? Maybe he's a doctor saving lives? Perhaps he's a military man, who's put his life on the line as a wounded warrior or working security? You'll find each of these stories simply...IRRESISTIBLE. Two Hearts Unlikely Heroes: Tamara Ferguson, USA Today Bestselling author: When wounded warrior Captain Samantha Caldwell is targeted by terrorists after killing their leader in Iraq, can AFOSI Agent Captain Ben Nash keep her safe? Simply Love: Natalie Ann, USA Today Bestselling author:Being strong doesn't make you a hero, but doing what is right does. She's Having A Baby: Suzanne Jenkins, USA Today Bestselling author:During the worst fire season in California history, a wildland fire changes life for Mike and Aisling Saint and their best friend. Johnny's Girl: Cynthia Cooke, USA Today Bestselling author:Will he choose the mission or the girl? Fire Me Up: Alicia Street, USA Today Bestselling author:After an FDNY fireman loses his fiancée to a rich Wall Streeter, he seeks a new start in a sleepy village on Long Island's North Fork, only to fall for a shy schoolteacher who shakes up his world like never. SEAL of Refuge: Alyssa Bailey, USA Today Bestselling author:Becoming vulnerable for a chance at true happiness takes a special kind of courage. Never Gone: Stephanie Queen, USA Today Bestselling author:Joe is a regular guy from Boston--except when he's called on by the Zero Go Team. So when he's sent to protect a sexy Hollywood costume designer, the last thing he expects is a crazy attraction that's anything but regular. Handle With Care: Patrice Wilton, New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author:An ER doctor and a wounded veteran find each other, but can their love survive?

    After working hard and achieving the American dream we had set out to build our dream home. We built our "Mcmansion", on what we thought was a prime piece of land in a rural town. Something in the earth was disturbed, and our beautiful home became a haunted dwelling, inhabited by an frightening ghost that infiltrated our lives and kept us terrified.

    All stories are packed with varied set of emotions across intrigue, drama, humor, heartache, charm and delight; and all stories written to guarantee an escape into a world of love, loss, hope and longing. A nice read in these gloomy times of a lockdown.

    These five stories will take the reader through a gauntlet of emotions and leave them sighing at the romance as they turn the last page. Sit back, relax, and get to know these gutsy heroines and swoon-worthy heroes.

    His little sister, Gabby, is in the car with him when he gets distracted and crashes into a tree at 2612 Cherryhill Lane. Gabby loses her life and Jonathan’s legs are amputated.After the accident, his father won’t speak to him, his girlfriend breaks up with him, he loses his scholarship, and all hope seems to be lost until, years later, he meets Samantha Reid. She accepts a job as his personal assistant and teaches him that God still loves him no matter his mistakes, that redemption can be found, and he needs to first forgive himself to find it.Thanks to Samantha, Jonathan turns from a despondent, dejected, and bitter man who no longer cares about football to someone capable of loving life, people, and football again. Much to their surprise, too, Jonathan and Samantha kindle a tasteful romance that takes them on a journey of triumph over tragedy.

    Meanwhile, a dark and blurry photograph puts the entire town on high alert, and the election recount goes Sinfully haywire. It's all fun and games until bodies start turning up... and Fortune might just be the next victim.Fan Fiction: works written by adoring fans of the original author, using the original author's characters and settings. Jana DeLeon has graciously allowed certain authors to write in her world and Aunt Tillie is proud to be one of them. Jumbalaya was Tillie's first effort, and she hopes you will enjoy this and other stories by fan fiction authors. The timelines for these stories may not coincide with current Jana DeLeon stories, but they should fit almost anywhere within the Miss Fortune series.

    No, boosting is a way of life for the four best friends, bringing money in to help them to survive. With three of the friends having children and one trying to get more studio time, extra money is always good, especially at Christmas time. When a joking idea turns into a formulated plan, the stakes rise to a higher level as the friends go from boosting corporations to robbing people. After selecting their targets, the quad put their plan into action. However, unbeknownst to them, they inadvertently rip off the wrong kingpin, putting all their lives in danger. Will the four friends get to enjoy the type of Christmas that they always imagined? Or will this Christmas be painted red instead of white? Get lost in the grind with Stasi, Celeste, Shad, and TRaw in this gritty African American Urban Fiction novella, Christmas in the Trap: The Bay Style.

    After the untimely deaths of her prominent parents her life is turned upside down. She's stripped of her life of privilege and finds herself in the Atlanta ghetto. The once prim and proper diva quickly learns to use what she has to get what she wants. Once the highly addictive and dangerous drug known as Molly is introduced things go from bad to worse. Will she be able shake the yolk of addiction or will she end up like her mother? One thing for sure, it ain't easy being a preachers' daughter.

    Join Nick as he leads a small group of Rangers on a support mission for a CIA operation. This short story gives a glimpse into the Nick’s early days and the defining moment that guided his decision to join the FBI. This prequel short story includes a sample of The Camel’s Back, the first full-length novel in the Nick Lawrence series.