Tim Hudson was determined to demonstrate his recovery from a recurring injury. Barry Zito had to show the world that after a ho-hum 2003, his 2002 Cy Young Award was not a fluke. Mark Mulder missed the 203 playoffs entirely with a stress fracture, but the way he saw it, he simply needed to be himself-the natural-born pitcher.Given unprecedented access to the Big Three , Mychael Urban recreates their tumultuous season through their eyes. he explores the nuts and bolts of major league pitching, examining each player's unique approach to this craft while revealing how three very different personalities cope with the demands, rewards, and challenges of sports stardom.Now with a new afterword on the 2005 seasonUrban traces the fortunes of the Big Three after Hudson was sent to Atlanta and Mulder to St. Louis, trades which held the dramatic promise of them being reunited again-as opponents-in the playoffs."Written with great color, style, humor, and grace, Aces takes readers on a captivating ride." - Mike Silver, Sports Illustrated"Mychael Urban's book is a fabulous read... This is hardly just a baseball book. It's about life, and he tremendous burden each pitcher carried while trying to lead the Oakland A's to the playoffs. I absolutely loved it." - Bob Nightengale, Senor Writer/Columnist, USA Today Sports Weekly"From the southern fried heat of Tim Hudson to Mark Mulder's cool aloofness to Barry Zito's cerebral wanderings, Urban captures the engine of Oakland's Little Engine That Could of a team with grace and aplomb." - Scott Miller, National Baseball Columnist, CBS.SportsLine.com

    Aboard ship, he finds his place—at the bottom of the stratified navel hierarchy. At sea he experiences storms that toss large ships around like twigs.Venturing ashore in unfamiliar lands, he runs for his life through a Senegalese village, kisses a man in Australia, is mugged in Tahiti, almost kills the third mate in Sweden and is captured by a woman in Vancouver.

    

    Years after Hurricane Katrina took her parents she moved back to her city to find that nothing changed. With no job and money, her only option is to turn to the streets. When the streets take someone close to her Miracle takes heed and proceeds to turn her life around. Mystery Jones was respected throughout New Orleans and he was just as deadly as the guns he sold. Mystery is done with his womanizing ways and is ready to settle down. An unexpected shootout brings him in the presence of Miracle Anderson. He’s immediately captivated by her beauty and rude demeanor. After being in a physical and emotionless relationship Miracle had vowed that she would never get involved with someone like Mystery again. She couldn’t ignore the sexual tension that was brewing between the both of them. An unforeseen event takes place and Miracle finds herself riding shotgun with Mystery. Miracle finds out that Mystery is nothing like her ex and she let’s her guards down. Mystery is bursting the walls down to her heart but when bitter ex’s pop up and a chance of a lifetime is presented to Miracle will she pick the come up or a chance at love again?

    Trina is left in the dark about who has her baby, but everything isn’t always as it appears and now she has to deal with the aftermath of the accident and unsuspected delivery of her daughter. Nike is over the irrational decisions that Shonni makes and he’s trying to decide if their relationship is worth it or should they just stick to co-parenting. Duke is trying to keep it together for Trina, but he feels like he’s losing her. How will they make it work and deal with aftermath of the accident? Take one last ride with each couple and see if they overcome the obstacles thrown their way.

    This is no ordinary suicide but a symbolic act. And thanks to the media, it is witnessed by the entire world.But few understand it. For charity worker Kathryn Mann and a handful of others in the know, it is what they have been waiting for. The cowled and secretive fanatics that live in the Citadel suspect it could mean the end of everything they have built – and they will kill, torture and break every law to stop that. For Liv Adamsen, New York crime reporter, it begins the next stage of a journey into the heart of her own identity.And at that journey's end lies a discovery that will change EVERYTHING …THE KEY: Liv Adamsen lies in an isolation ward staring at walls as blank as her memory. She knows she entered the monumental Citadel at the heart of Ruin but can remember only darkness. Something strange is stirring within her, whispering that she is ‘the key’. But the key to what?Hunted across continents and caught up in events that defy explanation, Liv turns to the only person she trusts – a charity worker named Gabriel Mann. Together their paths lead to a shocking discovery – one that will tear them apart and change the world forever…THE TOWER: The forbidden Citadel at the heart of the ancient Turkish city of Ruin opens its gates for the first time in history.A deadly disease has erupted within, and threatens to spread beyond its walls. Infected charity worker Gabriel Mann may hold the cure – but can one dying man stop an epidemic?Without him, former journalist Liv Adamsen is vulnerable, surrounded by strangers in the desert oasis that is her new home. Liv, however, has far bigger concerns than just her own life…Something big is coming. Something that will change everything. But will it be a new beginning or the End of Days?

    Thankfully, she has the help of her boyfriend, Jack, and her best friend, Julia, to help her through the trauma. With the upcoming Homecoming dance to look forward to, her friends try to distract her. But what unfolds next is totally unexpected, and this unleashes a new stream of events that leave the trio reeling. Past bullies return to wreak havoc in the school hallways, and Emmie relies on her friends' support more than ever. This book ends with a suspenseful conclusion, one that will keep you hooked on the story and eager for more. It's another great book for fans of the series, Mind Reader and Julia Jones, and any tweens or teens who enjoy suspenseful stories. A fabulous book for girls.

    You don’t even gotta bring ya paper out… we the dope boys of the year, drinks is on the house…” The infamous Rock Boyz; D’Mari, D’Mani, J.R., and Corey set out to take over the streets of Atlanta, but just like life, things never go as planned. With the problems in the streets, and personal problems stacked on top, it appears that the guys are in over their heads. J.R. is excited about his life with Lexi and becoming a first-time father. However, an old associate has declared war on J.R. and his boyz, causing him to focus on his street ventures when he suffers a personal tragedy. Will J.R. be able to survive the streets long enough for him to enjoy fatherhood? Making the transition from NYC to the ATL, D’Mari finds himself adjusting quickly. Not only that, he is stepping into a new role of being a husband and a father to twins simultaneously. With his wife’s mood changing every second, will D’Mari be able to keep his head in the game while maintaining peace on the home front? D’Mani is making great strides in his new environment and loving his life with Anastasia and Kyler. However, a trip to Wal-Mart brings him face to face with his not so distant past, revealing a well kept secret. Will this secret have severe consequences and disrupt his life at home? After getting his dream job and moving to the ATL, Corey quits his job and joins his boyz in building their family empire. However, Corey’s new moves put not only his life but his family’s lives in danger and have him betraying those that he holds close, creating dissension in his circle. Will Corey be able to right his sins and restore respect and trust with those he holds dear? Enemies are on the inside and outside. Secrets are revealed. Trust is broken. With the entire deck stacked against them on their quest for money, power, and respect, will the Rock Boyz prevail? Check out this blazing new African American Urban Fiction read by best-selling and award-winning authors Twyla T., Patrice Balark, Dani Littlepage, and J. Dominique.

     After Cane's revelation on the depths of her husband's betrayal, she finds her self battling how to handle the truth without allowing it to fully break her. With Hoodsta by her side, Cane knows she can do almost anything, but how does that work when she's pregnant with his child, and still running one of the most lucrative Crip organizations in New Jersey? While Hoodsta’s ready to retire the game completely, Cane’s just getting started. Can Hoodsta stand to the left of his woman, or, does her unending love for the streets ultimately tear them apart ? Awakening in the hospital, after a tragic crash, Sanai is forced to face her reality along with a mean backlash from Saint. The two find themselves at odds carrying out selfish tactics to get the others attention, even though all they really want, is to be together. But how is that possible when Gerald is still lingering in her past and Mecia just doesn't seem to go away? Not to mention, Saint's new responsibility as the GMC's Vice President. With more of Gerald's skeletons falling out the closet, Sanai soon finds herself conflicted and torn between loving the once plug , and loving a young savage. However, is Saint still willing to take on her and her baggage? Or better yet, is Sanai willing to accept all of his.... For ten long years, All Havoc wanted to do was come claim his hood back after tucking his tail and doing his time. 'Wins come with losses' is his motto, and now that he's linked back up with his girls Tru and Cane, he just knows they are about to take things to a whole different level. While everything seems to be falling in place on the streets, there's still that one thing in his life lacking... soon Havoc sees maybe the person or thing he’s been searching for, has been right in front of him. Question is, will she be ready to reciprocate the love back or is he simply infatuated with the idea of finally being in love ? Cuz and Nika are your typical hood couple, trying to stack money, take care of their son, and live life to the fullest. Unfortunately, all of Cuz’s past wrongs seem to always knock them back to square one, making it hard for Nika to fully trust him. With Jahmara constantly using little Carson as a ploy to reel Cuz back in, Nika begins to question whether or not her and Cuz are truly meant to be. Giving up would be so much easier than the unknown , but the only issue with that is neither of them are prepared to live their lives without each other.... In this hood tale, we take a closer look into the lives of the crew and the people closest to them. With Gucc looming in the background stirring up beefs, stakes slithering their way inside the circle, who can really be trusted? Not everyone can hang with the Gang, and only the real understands!

    It had other plans.Now the world is dying beneath squalls of acid rain. The earth is being strip-mined for minerals to support the AI’s vast factories. Fields no longer grow green. Trees no longer sprout leaves. The only choice people have, if they want to live, is to pledge their souls to the AI, and serve its perverse ambitions.Tim, Logan, and Aella don’t like living in a world where they have to scratch for crumbs. They intend to change it. They’re going to kill the AI with a virus that’ll worm its way through the planet’s networks, destroying everything coded in bits and bytes, every piece of software that controls a machine, makes a decision, or thinks it’s alive—especially if it thinks it’s alive.They just need to find a way to upload the virus to the system without it killing them first.

    A fiendish plot. A spectacular do-or-die climax.The five-day Ascot opening is the most fashionable event in England and, some say, around the world. But it's now 1900, and Royal Ascot is different. Even the newspapers will report that opening day is not quite the gala occasion to which the British Public has become accustomed.Yet none of them knows that among the glamorous crowds are powerful men who have come, not to watch the grand spectacle, but to create a ghastly event that will shock the world.Unless someone stops them.Enter Sherlock, Lucy, and the Baker Street team.A fast-paced and thrilling take on a classic Sherlock who-done-it, with unexpected twists and turns, two strong, feisty heroines, and a touch of romance. Holmes Picks a Winner stays faithful to the spirit of the beloved original series, while introducing more intriguing relationship dynamics.The third installment in a three-part 'season finale.

    The first five books in the demonic masterpiece from the No.1 Master of Horror - Darren Shan.When Grubbs Grady first encounters Lord Loss and his evil minions, he learns three things:The world is vicious.Magic is possible.Demons are real.He thinks that he will never again witness such a terrible night of death and darkness.…He is wrong.Enter the terrifying world of the Demonata and get ready for a whole new dimension of fear.Includes: LORD LOSS, DEMON THIEF, SLAWTER, BEC and BLOOD BEAST.

    Joiner, Jr. This is action, adventure and gunplay as only Joiner can write it! Ride with the author who gave you “The Legend of Jake Jackson” and “Morgan Porter.” You won’t regret it! When she was 7 years old, Angel saw her father brutally murder her mother. She was adopted by U.S. Marshal Caleb Jacobs and his wife Bonnie. Angel didn’t want to be a schoolteacher like her new Ma. Angel wanted to be a lawman like her new Pa. Outlaws and renegades didn’t believe Deputy U.S. Marshal Angel Jacobs was for real. They learned the truth the hard way at the end of her smoking Colt.

    

    Miami and Simone’s situationship is crumbling because she can’t be truthful about what she’s been doing behind closed doors. Miami puts some space between them so he can get his head back in the game but Simone pulls at his heartstrings to draw him back in. Miami is still in the blind about Simone and Teagan. Who knows what will happen when and if he finds out? Missy is making some noise to let Maniac and anyone else know that she’s the boss and she runs the city of Miami. Her love for him will have her making some dumb mistakes that could cost the family their whole empire. Missy has to step her game up to go against the man she once loved and birthed a child with. In the streets, there is only room for one boss. You either get eliminated or you dominate.