While being investigated for unbecoming behaviour on the job, Shannon descends into chaos as her sister prepares to marry a rich plastic surgeon, prompting her mother's latest matchmaking scheme, which forces her to take a stand and get her life back on track.

     Kirby Green didn't get to be a Vice President of Marketing by being nice. But when she fires her entire staff within a few weeks (they all deserved it, really), her new boss is hardly impressed. Wanting to prove his point, he issues a bet: If Kirby can get someone-anyone-to call her nice, she can take that long-awaited dream vacation to Italy with her best friend, Jules. If she can't, she can kiss the Coliseum goodbye. Oh, and her job too. Now Kirby has exactly thirty days to bully someone into saying she's nice-and to show her boss who's boss. If she doesn't fall hard for him first...

    Then her dad's business went bust, her mom ran off with a jetsetter, and her high school boyfriend, Spence, was stolen just before prom by her arch-nemesis, Pepper McClintock. Ten years later, the good girl routine is so tired. In debt up to her ears, dropped by all her rich friends, Alison is hovering in the vicinity of rock-bottom, living for free outdoor concerts and two-for-one hamburger coupons. What she needs is a change. Then she sees her chance for redemption: a job as a live-in nanny for a Mr. & Mrs. Smith in New York City. Goodbye to humiliation, failure, and poverty; hello to... Pepper McClintock? Conniving, fake, boyfriend-stealing Pepper McClintock? With the kind of horrifying clarity usually reserved for trying on bikinis under fluorescent lighting, it comes to Alison: her new boss is none other than Mrs. Spence Smith--That Spence--and Alison is going to be working for the enemy and her dreamy husband. Now, caught up in the rarefied world of Park avenue nannies, New York tabloids, Barney's bags, and delicious dish on the rich and famous, Alison is learning a few new rules of survival. Rule number one? It's very simple: Sometimes, you just have to take what you want.

    Sure, he’s been called away for a business trip on her birthday, and sure, this business trip also involves a gorgeous, perfect, voluptuous colleague, and sure, there’s a weird ring hiding in his underwear drawer that doesn’t fit Emma, in size or style. But that’s no reason to get worried, right?Right?!? Emma knows she should stop obsessing, but suddenly it seems that Jack is every bit the commitment-phobe she fears. And if that doesn’t keep her busy enough, she’s just inherited 9 ½ historic inches of the fence that her long-lost aunt chained herself to for women’s rights, leaving her hopelessly involved in the Hoboken United Sisters Suffragette Institution (HUSSI), and Jack is too buried in his work (but hopefully not his co-worker) to help her extricate herself. It’s starting to seem like the only way for Emma to get Jack’s attention is to chain herself to a fence and burn her bra. Not that Emma has any problem doing exactly that ...

    She can't cook, unless you count coffee as a meal (she does). She can't commit (just ask her ex-husband). She drinks too much (tequila for breakfast). Of course, she has guided her share of authors to the bestseller list for the literary publishing house where she works (when she makes it to the office). And now she must coax a sequel out of a Pulitzer Prize -- winning author-turned-recluse. Moving in with the recluse is one thing, but teaching him the hustle so he can win the heart of his Spanish housekeeper is way beyond the call of duty.Cassie slowly unravels, with no coffeehouses, no bagels and nothing but sand for nightlife. On top of that, she's having phone sex with her favorite author, the mysterious, London-based Michael Pearton, who has suddenly decided to ruin their perfect affair by insisting that after five years they meet in person. Add a tabloid reporter who is after the literary story of a lifetime, and Cassie's dance card is full.

    Original.

     When she moved to New York, Ryan Hadley imagined living the big-city-sitcom kind of life with all the trimmings -- great apartment, dream job, and a swept-off-your-feet, how-awesome-is-this-guy love. Of course, her real life is only so-so: not outstanding, nor bad enough to require medication. Ryan spends her days at a dreary data-entry job with wannabe-rocker Will, nights at her favorite dive bar with pals Audrey and Veronica, and her spare time daydreaming about the ideal -- but sadly, fictional -- man: if only Mark Darcy wasn't claimed by Bridget Jones. Some assembly required. But two promotions and a record deal later, Ryan's three closest friends are suddenly moving on up -- while Ryan seems to be treading water. Then Charlie, her college ex and super hottie, appears out of the blue with a success story of his own and more than a little baggage in tow. In a New York minute, Ryan realizes that one doesn't live off a maxed-out credit card and a year's supply of squashed Ho Ho's without learning a few important life lessons. She's ready to squeeze a five-year-plan for success into just a few crazy months. After all, why be a big-city girl if you're not going to dream big -- and reach for the stars?

    Dealing with her return to Western civilization, her long-divorced parents dating again and the feelings she is trying not to develop for the dashing doctor may just drive her crazy. Then again, if he reciprocates . . .Robin relishes her job as an executive sous-chef in a trendy restaurant almost as much as she savors her friendship with its owner, Michael. But Robin knows she wants much more. So how do you make someone who knows you so well look at you with fresh eyes? Then, artsy Lilith. When she and her boyfriend realize they've been getting more sleep than sex, they agree to "see other people," which turns into quite a nightmare. Lastly there are sisters Riv and Anne. Between them, they've got enough secrets to keep anyone awake at night. Part Sex and the City, part Little Women Stacey Ballis's Sleeping Over examines relationships both romantic and platonic (and platonic wanting to be romantic), and looks at the various configurations of what it means to spend the night together. Stacey Ballis is the Director of Education and Community Programs at The Goodman Theater in Chicago. In addition to writing, she throws a heck of a dinner party. You can find out more about her at www.staceyballis.com.

    It is a place know to most as Savannah. It is a place know to me as home. I wish I could tell you it was my love for this city that precipitated my return. But I did not return out of a mere longing for home. I returned because I have something to prove to home. I am Savannah...from Savannah. Savannah Comes Undone Seeing my mother as the lead story on the six o'clock news was no great cause for alarm...until the camera revealed her chained to a downtown monument! I thought I knew my mother—but right now I'm not sure I even know myself. I'm currently a journalist for the Savannah Chronicle. And I don't need drama. Really. I can create my own. Who needs extra? But in spite of the mind-boggling events in Savannah this week, the truth is going to be revealed by one of its very own. I am Savannah...from Savannah.

    Packing up her broken heart—along with her dog—she impulsively joins her older brother's best friend in a two-thousand-mile trip cross-country.Will Tremere always had a soft spot for Tess when they were growing up—and now she's become a beautiful, intriguing woman. He also knows that Tess is hurting, and he's determined to help her get back on her feet, no strings attached.But by the time the pair rolls into Las Vegas, all bets are off. Because neither Tess nor Will ever counted on finding their perfect match on the road...

    David Anderson takes one look at Jacey Wilder and knows she's no femme fatale. The red-headed smart-aleck in his office couldn't be more different from the tight-skirted dames he creates in pulp fiction novels. But Jacey is a paying customer and he's encountered precious few of those lately. All he has to do is track down her old boyfriend. How hard could it be?With her thirtieth birthday fast approaching, Jacey is determined to get her life on track. Locating Albert- a suave, normal guy who romanced her one weekend-seems like the logical first step. But when she enlists the services of P.I. Anderson, logic is suddenly in short supply: Albert's not as normal as he seemed, and Jacey's starting to wonder if the man she's really searching for isn't right under her nose...

    . . . In a family of jet-setters and lovable eccentrics, Cydney Parrish is the stable, sensible one, always with her feet firmly planted on the ground. Maybe that’s why she ended up raising her sister’s daughter Bebe. Now Bebe is all grown up and about to marry the nephew of the handsome and reclusive author Angus Munroe. Between planning the wedding, dealing with her high maintenance kin, and facing a future with only a cat for company, Cydney has her hands full. But she isn’t too busy to notice that aside from being pushy and generally infuriating, Gus Munroe may just be the man of her dreams.Angus Munroe is not about to let his only nephew throw his future away on some ditzy debutante. He flies into town determined to “speak now and never hold his peace”–but ends up instead with a broken nose, a slight limp, and his mountainside home invaded by the bride-to-be’s family. He’s pretty certain it is all the wedding planner’s fault. Aunts aren’t supposed to be sexy, but someone obviously forgot to tell the irresistible Cydney Parrish. . . .

     Alissa Lindley didn't mean to take it out on the fax machine. But when your not-yet-ex-husband knocks up his girlfriend and your divorce is going worse than the next World War -- well, something's got to give. Unfortunately, Alissa's employers at the L.A. Public Defender's office take a dim view of the destruction of office equipment. Funny how that anti-workplace violence policy used to seem like a good idea, before she got fired. And the networking thing just isn't happening at her Anger Management class. He was arrestingly handsome. San Jose is the place for a fresh start -- it's home, and family and friends are eagerly waiting to welcome her. But her first job as a lawyer there has Alissa walking a high wire of complicated emotions. Her client is from the Butterfly Brigade, a group of justice-seeking (and interestingly tattooed) ladies who right wrongs as they see fit even if that means bending the law. The arresting officer, Detective Rodriguez, is so hot he should be illegal. But can Alissa trust her instincts again when it comes to love? Or will one wrong step send her new life crashing down?

    Her friends know it, her parents know it—even Laura acknowledges she lives either with her head in the clouds or buried in a romance novel. It’s proved harmless enough, even if it hasn’t delivered her a real-life dashing hero yet. But when her latest relationship ends in a disaster that costs her friendships, her job, and nearly her sanity, Laura swears off men and hopeless romantic fantasies for good. With her life in tatters around her, Laura agrees to go on vacation with her parents. After a few days of visiting craft shops and touring the stately homes of England, Laura is ready to tear her hair out. And then, while visiting grand Chartley Hall, she crosses paths with Nick, the sexy, rugged estate manager. She finds she shares more than a sense of humor with him—in fact, she starts to think she could fall for him. But is Nick all he seems? Or has Laura got it wrong again? Will she open her heart only to have it broken again?

    But payback - in the shape of a man - will be hers.