it takes two

A single father discovers the true nature of unconditional love after his world his turned upside down, from the New York Times bestselling author of The Notebook . "A deeply moving tale not only about the love between a father and a daughter but also about the power of family and the courage we must find within ourselves as we face the unknown." - Booklist , starred review At 32, Russell Green has it all: a stunning wife, a lovable six year-old daughter, a successful career as an advertising executive, and an expansive home in Charlotte. He is living the dream, and his marriage to the bewitching Vivian is at the center of it. But underneath the shiny surface of this perfect existence, fault lines are beginning to appear ... In a matter of months, Russ finds himself without a job or a wife, caring for his young daughter while struggling to adapt to a new reality. Throwing himself into the wilderness of single parenting, Russ embarks on a journey at once terrifying and rewarding-one that will test his abilities and his emotional resources beyond anything he's ever imagined. When a chance encounter with an old flame tempts him to take a chance on love again, he navigates this new opportunity with trepidation and wonder. With the loyal support of his parents, the wisdom of his older sister, Marge, and the hard-won lessons of fatherhood, Russ will finally come to understand the true nature of unconditional love-that it is a treasure to be bestowed, not earned.

A single father discovers the true nature of unconditional love after his world his turned upside down, from the New York Times bestselling author of The Notebook . "A deeply moving tale not only about the love between a father and a daughter but also about the power of family and the courage we must find within ourselves as we face the unknown." - Booklist , starred review At 32, Russell Green has it all: a stunning wife, a lovable six year-old daughter, a successful career as an advertising executive, and an expansive home in Charlotte. He is living the dream, and his marriage to the bewitching Vivian is at the center of it. But underneath the shiny surface of this perfect existence, fault lines are beginning to appear ... In a matter of months, Russ finds himself without a job or a wife, caring for his young daughter while struggling to adapt to a new reality. Throwing himself into the wilderness of single parenting, Russ embarks on a journey at once terrifying and rewarding-one that will test his abilities and his emotional resources beyond anything he's ever imagined. When a chance encounter with an old flame tempts him to take a chance on love again, he navigates this new opportunity with trepidation and wonder. With the loyal support of his parents, the wisdom of his older sister, Marge, and the hard-won lessons of fatherhood, Russ will finally come to understand the true nature of unconditional love-that it is a treasure to be bestowed, not earned.

#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER The thrilling sequel to the beloved worldwide bestseller Ready Player One, the near-future adventure that inspired the blockbuster Steven Spielberg film.   NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY THE WASHINGTON POST The game is on again. . . . A great mix of exciting fantasy and threatening fact. The Wall Street Journal AN UNEXPECTED QUEST. TWO WORLDS AT STAKE. ARE YOU READY? Days after winning OASIS founder James Halliday s contest, Wade Watts makes a discovery that changes everything. Hidden within Halliday s vaults, waiting for his heir to find, lies a technological advancement that will once again change the world and make the OASIS a thousand times more wondrous and addictive than even Wade dreamed possible.   With it comes a new riddle, and a new quest a last Easter egg from Halliday, hinting at a mysterious prize.   And an unexpected, impossibly powerful, and dangerous new rival awaits, one who ll kill millions to get what he wants.   Wade s life and the future of the OASIS are again at stake, but this time the fate of humanity also hangs in the balance.   Lovingly nostalgic and wildly original as only Ernest Cline could conceive it, Ready Player Two takes us on another imaginative, fun, action-packed adventure through his beloved virtual universe, and jolts us thrillingly into the future once again.

Nathan: I've built my entire life around control. I do what's expected of me, keep my head down, and avoid anything that might drag me off course. Which is why, when Coach gives me the task of keeping Logan Gray in check, it feels like a cruel joke. He's too loud, parties too hard, takes nothing seriously, and has made an art out of getting under my skin. He doesn't try to hide how much fun he has pushing my buttons by walking around shirtless, tossing out flirty comments, and refusing to give me any space. I tell myself I can handle him, that it doesn't matter how many times I catch myself watching him when I shouldn't. I've spent too long being careful to let someone like Logan Gray knock me off balance, but it becomes hard to remember that when he doesn't play by the rules. I've avoided risk my entire life. But lately, I'm not sure I want to. Logan: I've always been good at getting under people's skin. It's kind of a talent-one that Nathan Hayes is immune to. He's disciplined to a fault, annoyingly focused, and has spent the last two years barely acknowledging my existence. But when Coach decides his son is the perfect guy to keep me in line, that all changes. Suddenly, he's watching me. Paying attention. Frowning every time I push his buttons. And I push. Obviously. Because he's straight, untouchable and completely unaffected. Or so I thought. Turns out, Nathan isn't quite as immune as he pretends to be. One touch and one unexpected confession is all it takes until we're sneaking around. I've never been one to turn down a little fun, and if my tightly-wound, rule-following roommate wants someone to help him figure things out? I'm more than willing to be of service. What can I say? I'm a very supportive teammate.

Nathan: I've built my entire life around control. I do what's expected of me, keep my head down, and avoid anything that might drag me off course. Which is why, when Coach gives me the task of keeping Logan Gray in check, it feels like a cruel joke. He's too loud, parties too hard, takes nothing seriously, and has made an art out of getting under my skin. He doesn't try to hide how much fun he has pushing my buttons by walking around shirtless, tossing out flirty comments, and refusing to give me any space. I tell myself I can handle him, that it doesn't matter how many times I catch myself watching him when I shouldn't. I've spent too long being careful to let someone like Logan Gray knock me off balance, but it becomes hard to remember that when he doesn't play by the rules. I've avoided risk my entire life. But lately, I'm not sure I want to. Logan: I've always been good at getting under people's skin. It's kind of a talent-one that Nathan Hayes is immune to. He's disciplined to a fault, annoyingly focused, and has spent the last two years barely acknowledging my existence. But when Coach decides his son is the perfect guy to keep me in line, that all changes. Suddenly, he's watching me. Paying attention. Frowning every time I push his buttons. And I push. Obviously. Because he's straight, untouchable and completely unaffected. Or so I thought. Turns out, Nathan isn't quite as immune as he pretends to be. One touch and one unexpected confession is all it takes until we're sneaking around. I've never been one to turn down a little fun, and if my tightly-wound, rule-following roommate wants someone to help him figure things out? I'm more than willing to be of service. What can I say? I'm a very supportive teammate.

#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER The thrilling sequel to the beloved worldwide bestseller Ready Player One, the near-future adventure that inspired the blockbuster Steven Spielberg film. NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY THE WASHINGTON POST The game is on again. . . . A great mix of exciting fantasy and threatening fact. The Wall Street Journal AN UNEXPECTED QUEST. TWO WORLDS AT STAKE. ARE YOU READY? Days after winning OASIS founder James Halliday s contest, Wade Watts makes a discovery that changes everything. Hidden within Halliday s vaults, waiting for his heir to find, lies a technological advancement that will once again change the world and make the OASIS a thousand times more wondrous and addictive than even Wade dreamed possible. With it comes a new riddle, and a new quest a last Easter egg from Halliday, hinting at a mysterious prize. And an unexpected, impossibly powerful, and dangerous new rival awaits, one who ll kill millions to get what he wants. Wade s life and the future of the OASIS are again at stake, but this time the fate of humanity also hangs in the balance. Lovingly nostalgic and wildly original as only Ernest Cline could conceive it, Ready Player Two takes us on another imaginative, fun, action-packed adventure through his beloved virtual universe, and jolts us thrillingly into the future once again.

They say that third time's a charm... It's been two years since mass murderer, Giacomo Riondino, disappeared after killing Greta Alfieri. Dr Claps, devastated and guilt-ridden by Greta's death, has been on a man-hunt for Riondino ever since. Meanwhile, an American girl disappears on the 382nd step of the Cerro trail in Guayaquil, Ecuador. No one saw her disappear. Who took her? And how? When the US authorities contact Claps, he is certain that it must be Riordino. But, unlike Riondino's other victims, the girl has disappeared into thin air... Will Claps solve the puzzle, or will he lose his mind in the process, blinded by his own obsession? The third book in the series and a gripping thriller full of twists you won't see coming, ´Taken´ is perfect for fans of ITV's ´Manhunt´ or M. Night Shyamalan's ´Split´. What people are saying about ´Taken´: "A good novel with plenty of twists and turns that follows the others in the series." - Reader review "A most engaging tale with lots of twists. Good character development and consistency." - Reader review

Take Me: Summer Solstice is the perfect spicy beach read – a burning-hot summer erotic romance. From Eden Bradley, the New York Times bestselling author – now in audio.This summer is going to be twice as hot…The view from Leigh's front porch was never this nice. In fact, her hunky new neighbor is sparking all kinds of naughty ideas about how to beat the heat. Much to her delight, the feeling is mutual — as long as they keep things light. Her divorce left her a little lonely, but far from needy.Jared doesn't plan to spend much time in his new place before jetting off on his next photojournalism assignment. Leigh's classic, California blonde looks are any man's fantasy. A little flirting and it isn't long until their summer fling is in full swing.Neither can imagine the sex being any hotter — until Jared's sometime roommate and lover, Matteo, comes to town. In the arms of two men, Leigh brings her ultimate fantasy into scorching reality.Jared revels in the chance to command his two lovers' every move, but when he gets the call for his next overseas gig, he's not so sure he's ready for the fireworks to end. And even as Leigh gives her two lovers the most precious gift — their freedom — she wonders how she'll find the strength to say goodbye.

A swoon-worthy sapphic romance following two women who are thrown together on a European adventure, from the Lambda Literary Award –winning author of the “sexy; insightful, and utterly charming” (BuzzFeed) Kiss Her Once for Me. Thirty-five-year-old Seattleite Sadie Wells needs an escape. She’s desperate to escape her monotonous routines, the family business that has consumed her entire life, and the unexpected gay panic that has her questioning everything she thought she knew about herself. So when her injured sister offers Sadie her place on a tour along Portugal’s Camino de Santiago, she decides this is the perfect chance to get away from it all. After three glasses of wine on the plane and some turbulence convince Sadie she won’t even survive the flight, she confesses all her secrets to her seatmate, Mal. The problem: the plane doesn’t crash, and it turns out Mal is on her Camino tour. Worst of all, Sadie learns that she is on a tour specifically for queer women, and that her two-hundred-mile trek will be a journey of self-discovery, whether she wants it to be or not. Fascinated by the woman who drunkenly came out to her on the plane, Mal offers to help Sadie relive the queer adolescence she missed out on as they walk the Camino. As Sadie develops her newfound confidence, Mal grapples with a complicated loss and unexpected inheritance. But as their relationship blurs the lines between reality and practice, they both must decide if they will forever part at the end of the tour or chart a new course together. With “funny; poignant” (Publishers Weekly, starred review) prose, Alison Cochrun explores the power of letting go of your past and realizing that it’s never too late to live as your authentic self.

A swoon-worthy sapphic romance following two women who are thrown together on a European adventure, from the Lambda Literary Award–winning author of the "sexy, insightful, and utterly charming" (BuzzFeed) Kiss Her Once for Me. Thirty-five-year-old Seattleite Sadie Wells needs an escape. She's desperate to escape her monotonous routines, the family business that has consumed her entire life, and the unexpected gay panic that has her questioning everything she thought she knew about herself. So when her injured sister offers Sadie her place on a tour along Portugal's Camino de Santiago, she decides this is the perfect chance to get away from it all. After three glasses of wine on the plane and some turbulence convince Sadie she won't even survive the flight, she confesses all her secrets to her seatmate, Mal. The problem: the plane doesn't crash, and it turns out Mal is on her Camino tour. Worst of all, Sadie learns that she is on a tour specifically for queer women, and that her two-hundred-mile trek will be a journey of self-discovery, whether she wants it to be or not. Fascinated by the woman who drunkenly came out to her on the plane, Mal offers to help Sadie relive the queer adolescence she missed out on as they walk the Camino. As Sadie develops her newfound confidence, Mal grapples with a complicated loss and unexpected inheritance. But as their relationship blurs the lines between reality and practice, they both must decide if they will forever part at the end of the tour or chart a new course together. With "funny, poignant" (Publishers Weekly, starred review) prose, Alison Cochrun explores the power of letting go of your past and realizing that it's never too late to live as your authentic self.

A swoon-worthy sapphic romance following two women who are thrown together on a European adventure, from the Lambda Literary Award –winning author of the “sexy; insightful, and utterly charming” (BuzzFeed) Kiss Her Once for Me. Thirty-five-year-old Seattleite Sadie Wells needs an escape. She’s desperate to escape her monotonous routines, the family business that has consumed her entire life, and the unexpected gay panic that has her questioning everything she thought she knew about herself. So when her injured sister offers Sadie her place on a tour along Portugal’s Camino de Santiago, she decides this is the perfect chance to get away from it all. After three glasses of wine on the plane and some turbulence convince Sadie she won’t even survive the flight, she confesses all her secrets to her seatmate, Mal. The problem: the plane doesn’t crash, and it turns out Mal is on her Camino tour. Worst of all, Sadie learns that she is on a tour specifically for queer women, and that her two-hundred-mile trek will be a journey of self-discovery, whether she wants it to be or not. Fascinated by the woman who drunkenly came out to her on the plane, Mal offers to help Sadie relive the queer adolescence she missed out on as they walk the Camino. As Sadie develops her newfound confidence, Mal grapples with a complicated loss and unexpected inheritance. But as their relationship blurs the lines between reality and practice, they both must decide if they will forever part at the end of the tour or chart a new course together. With “funny; poignant” (Publishers Weekly, starred review) prose, Alison Cochrun explores the power of letting go of your past and realizing that it’s never too late to live as your authentic self.

Take Me With You by bestselling author Catherine Ryan Hyde is a moving, thought-provoking story that fans of Jodi Picoult, Susan Lewis, Mitch Albom and Alice Sebold will love - the perfect read for those looking for something special to curl up with. 'Hyde gives her characters great internal depth, and the book's scope gives readers time to savour this memorable, moving journey.' -- Publishers Weekly 'Incomparable writing by this most gifted woman!' -- ***** Reader review 'Started this book thinking maybe it wasn't for me, but soon couldn't put it down' -- ***** Reader review 'Intoxicating read' -- ***** Reader review 'I can really recommend this book thoroughly great from the beginning to end. Couldn't put it down' -- ***** Reader review 'One of the best stories I have ever read' -- ***** Reader review ********************************************************************************* ONE SUMMER...ONE LIFE CHANGING JOURNEY Seth and his little brother Henry haven't had the most stable of upbringings. Their father has been in and out of jail; their mother took off years ago and hasn't been seen since. Life is constantly uncertain - but a twist of fate could be just what they need. August stopped drinking the day his son died. While on a journey that's very close to his heart, a breakdown leaves him stranded in a small town and at the mercy of the local mechanic - Seth and Henry's father. But then August is presented with an offer he doesn't expect: take the two boys with him for the summer, and pay no charge for the repairs. As the unlikely trio set out on their road trip, the most unlikely, unforgettable friendship begins to take shape.

** USAToday Bestseller ** The founder of Scott's Cheap Flights explains why we're searching for airfare all wrong, shares the strategies that have saved his two million newsletter subscribers a collective $500 million on airfare, and presents a bold new approach for how to see the world while never overpaying for flights again. When Scott Keyes booked flights to Italy for $130 roundtrip and Japan for $169 roundtrip, he didn't just uncover amazing fares; it was the beginning of a new approach that makes travel possible for anyone who has dreamed of seeing the world. What's stopping us all from traveling more? The confusion of buying airfare-not knowing when to book, where to buy, or what to pay. Take More Vacations is the guidebook for anyone hoping to turn one annual vacation into three. Readers will discover why the traditional way of planning vacations undercuts our ability to enjoy them, and how a new strategy can lead to cheaper fares and more trips. Why cheap flights never have to be inconvenient flights, and all the steps you can take to get a good fare even when you don't have flexibility. The surprising best week for international travel, and how small airports actually get the best deals. Keyes challenges the conventional wisdom that it costs thousands of dollars to fly overseas and shows readers how to make previously unthinkable trips possible.

Rain rattles through the trees as she leans into the car, careful not to touch anything. Two pretty blue eyes stare back through the dark, wide with relief, or maybe fear. A baby girl, wrapped up in a pink snowsuit, reaches out a tiny hand. Her mother is nowhere to be found... An abandoned baby is the last thing Detective Madison Harper expects to find as she drives to her first day back at work since the case that ripped her life apart. But as she cradles the shivering child close, all her instincts tell her there's something more sinister at play. Then she finds a lone sneaker down a muddy trail nearby, the laces spattered with blood... In a town as small as Lost Creek, Colorado, the baby and the shoe are quickly identified as belonging to Kacie Larson, a waitress at the local diner who quietly stashed away her tips to make a better life for her daughter. A mother herself, Madison can't believe that Kacie would just abandon her child, but she also can't convince her new team. Not for the first time, Madison feels she must go it alone to get the job done. But when a body is pulled from a nearby lake, and it's not Kacie, the case takes an agonizing turn. Is this missing mother really who she says she is? Is there a chance she's still alive? Madison barely has time to think before the sweet little girl she rescued is snatched on a crowded street. Gone, in the blink of an eye. To break this case and earn her place back on the force, Madison must learn to trust her team, and herself again-and fast. If she doesn't find this twisted individual in time, a little girl could die... A pulse-pounding, absolutely gripping and totally addictive page-turner that will have you racing through the pages and reeling at the twists. Perfect for fans of Melinda Leigh, Lisa Regan and Kendra Elliot, you'll be sleeping with the lights on! Readers love Little Girl Taken: 'Oh-mah-gawd... absolutely brilliant... just amazing... I have whiplash. Sheesh... I need more!' Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars 'Will keep you up past bedtime - and it's SO worth it' NetGalley reviewer, 5 stars 'Oh my goodness... a guaranteed page-turner... kept me on the edge of my seat... what a brilliant ending. Five plus stars from me.' Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars 'Took my breath away. I could not put this gem down! I finished it in one go, there simply was no other option!' Tovereads, 5 stars Everyone is talking about Wendy Dranfield: 'Woohoo!... I was totally blown away... so shockingly, incredibly, amazingly good... OMG!... I never saw that coming... I barely had the time to pick up my jaw from the floor... Great, great book!' B for Bookreview, 5 stars 'Oh man, what a rollercoaster of a ride... jaw-dropping and edge-of-the-seat... couldn't put it down till it was finished!' Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars 'Wow, wow, wow! I loved this book...' Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars

Love's compass is never wrong-even when it points in two different directions. After pleading his case to his wolf clan's Elders, Levi is granted the right to bond with Ian, his male human lover, on one condition: they must spend one year apart. Then Levi must use only their spiritual connection to find Ian, or the deal is off. Tracking down his lover is easy, but Levi isn't prepared for the changed man he finds. The agony of separation was too much for Ian. In a moment of weakness, he reached out-to a vampire. Now he's a vampire himself, and Levi's devastation-and rejection-is like a stake to his heart. But it's nothing compared to the fury of the clan that wants Ian brought to justice for desecrating their most sacred ritual. Afraid for Ian's safety, Levi puts the pain aside and races to get to Ian first, but he faces unexpected competition: Darius, Ian's maker. When they come together, all hell breaks loose, Ian is on the runand the only way Levi and Darius can save the man they love is work together. If they don't kill each other first. Warning: Contains two vampires and a werewolf who really, really, really want to hate each other. Except when they want each other. And have violent, sweaty, angry sex with each other. But they still hate each other. Mostly.

(I was there when it happened, Hey Porter, Rock Island line, Don’t take your guns to town u.a.).

One book. Two players. 24 days to crown a champion. December always sounds cozy until it turns into a blur of to-do lists. This year, turn it into a game. Advent Calendar for Two gives you one head-to-head challenge every day from December 1st to 24th. Open the day's page, play, score it, and mark the winner on the Main Scoreboard. By Christmas Eve, one of you is champion. The other one demands a rematch. Every day is a new duel: Day 1: Doodle Duel, a drawing battle Day 7: Bluff Battle, can you spot the lie? Day 13: Blind Description Duel Day 14: Codebreaker Battle Day 19: Pitch-Off, sell it like you mean it Day 24: Championship Clash, the grand finale ...and 18 more, from Maze Duel to Speed Fold Showdown. Simple to play, dangerously easy to get competitive about: Most challenges take just 5 to 10 minutes Played with things you already have: pens, paper, a timer, a coin Clear scoring on every page: winner takes 10 points, Special Rounds are worth double Built-in Tie-Breaker Menu for when it gets too close Scorecards, answer pages, and fun punishments and rewards for winners and losers An official Certificate of Victory for the Champion of 24 Days The game does not end on December 24th. A Bonus Game Pack for Two is included: 30 new head-to-head games, printable game grids like Dots & Boxes and Sea Battle, a reusable Season Scoreboard, and a printable Champion Certificate. Print it once and reuse it year after year. No prep. No downloads needed to play. Just two players, one book, and 24 days of friendly rivalry. May the best of two win.

One book. Two players. 24 days to crown a champion. December always sounds cozy until it turns into a blur of to-do lists. This year, turn it into a game. Advent Calendar for Two gives you one head-to-head challenge every day from December 1st to 24th. Open the day's page, play, score it, and mark the winner on the Main Scoreboard. By Christmas Eve, one of you is champion. The other one demands a rematch. Every day is a new duel: Day 1: Doodle Duel, a drawing battle Day 7: Bluff Battle, can you spot the lie? Day 13: Blind Description Duel Day 14: Codebreaker Battle Day 19: Pitch-Off, sell it like you mean it Day 24: Championship Clash, the grand finale ...and 18 more, from Maze Duel to Speed Fold Showdown. Simple to play, dangerously easy to get competitive about: Most challenges take just 5 to 10 minutes Played with things you already have: pens, paper, a timer, a coin Clear scoring on every page: winner takes 10 points, Special Rounds are worth double Built-in Tie-Breaker Menu for when it gets too close Scorecards, answer pages, and fun punishments and rewards for winners and losers An official Certificate of Victory for the Champion of 24 Days The game does not end on December 24th. A Bonus Game Pack for Two is included: 30 new head-to-head games, printable game grids like Dots & Boxes and Sea Battle, a reusable Season Scoreboard, and a printable Champion Certificate. Print it once and reuse it year after year. No prep. No downloads needed to play. Just two players, one book, and 24 days of friendly rivalry. May the best of two win.

Discover the most gripping crime thriller this year. EDGE-OF-YOUR-SEAT SUSPENSE WITH ONE TWIST AFTER ANOTHER. Two-year-old Abigail is fast asleep in the back of the car, clutching her little red lion. Tony, her father, steps out onto the pavement. The man he's meeting punches him in the face, knocking him to the ground. Before it all goes black, Tony sees his car speed away - with his little girl inside. When he finally gets home after the worst day of his life, the house is empty. His wife is gone too. The place is ransacked and the kitchen is streaked with blood. Someone out there has Tony's little girl. And his wife may already be dead. Detective April Fisher must race against time to find little Abi alive. This brand-new, electrifying crime thriller packed with twist after shocking twist is perfect for fans of Charlie Gallagher, Angela Marsons, Rachel Abbott, D.S. Butler or Mark Billingham.

They were taken. They returned. They never aged. A family is abducted. There are no signs of a struggle. Their Italian holiday villa is untouched. There are no ransom demands. The parents and two little girls, Victoria and Elizabeth, have simply vanished. The daughters are returned. Four years later, the girls appear back at the family's holiday home. But they are the exact same ages they were at the time of their abduction. Their parents are still nowhere to be seen. Only one man can solve the mystery. Marcus Handler, a retired CIA officer, is hired to investigate. He wants Victoria and Elizabeth's disappearance explained. But his hunt for answers leads Marcus to a disturbing truth and a reckoning with his own troubled past... What everyone's saying about Glenn Cooper: 'As Cooper builds the layers of intrigue it becomes clear that he is no ordinary thriller writer, but one who asks big questions' SUNDAY TELEGRAPH 'Fast paced and original, Cooper delivers' SUN 'Outstanding style and tense, gripping storylines' EUROCRIME 'Dynamic, inspirational... You will not be disappointed' FRESH FICTION 'Incandescent and explosive' JAMES ROLLINS

A groundbreaking work that identifies the real culprit behind one of the great economic crimes of our time— the growing inequality of incomes between the vast majority of Americans and the richest of the rich. We all know that the very rich have gotten a lot richer these past few decades while most Americans haven't. In fact, the exorbitantly paid have continued to thrive during the current economic crisis, even as the rest of Americans have continued to fall behind. Why do the “haveit- alls” have so much more? And how have they managed to restructure the economy to reap the lion's share of the gains and shift the costs of their new economic playground downward, tearing new holes in the safety net and saddling all of us with increased debt and risk? Lots of so-called experts claim to have solved this great mystery, but no one has really gotten to the bottom of it—until now. In their lively and provocative Winner-Take-All Politics, renowned political scientists Jacob S. Hacker and Paul Pierson demonstrate convincingly that the usual suspects—foreign trade and financial globalization, technological changes in the workplace, increased education at the top—are largely innocent of the charges against them. Instead, they indict an unlikely suspect and take us on an entertaining tour of the mountain of evidence against the culprit. The guilty party is American politics. Runaway inequality and the present economic crisis reflect what government has done to aid the rich and what it has not done to safeguard the interests of the middle class. The winner-take-all economy is primarily a result of winner-take-all politics. In an innovative historical departure, Hacker and Pierson trace the rise of the winner-take-all economy back to the late 1970s when, under a Democratic president and a Democratic Congress, a major transformation of American politics occurred. With big business and conservative ideologues organizing themselves to undo the regulations and progressive tax policies that had helped ensure a fair distribution of economic rewards, deregulation got under way, taxes were cut for the wealthiest, and business decisively defeated labor in Washington. And this transformation continued under Reagan and the Bushes as well as under Clinton, with both parties catering to the interests of those at the very top. Hacker and Pierson's gripping narration of the epic battles waged during President Obama's first two years in office reveals an unpleasant but catalyzing truth: winner-take-all politics, while under challenge, is still very much with us. Winner-Take-All Politics—part revelatory history, part political analysis, part intellectual journey— shows how a political system that traditionally has been responsive to the interests of the middle class has been hijacked by the superrich. In doing so, it not only changes how we think about American politics, but also points the way to rebuilding a democracy that serves the interests of the many rather than just those of the wealthy few.

There's an inner strength buried somewhere inside of you, Lizzie. When you find it, it will change your life forever. I wish with all my heart that I was going to be here to see it, but of course here lies the irony: it's only when I've gone that you'll discover it.Just four days ahead of her wedding, Lizzie Lavender receives a letter her mother wrote for her, a year ago, just before she died.Shocked into realising life is passing her by, she runs away, heading for the West Country, where she plans to clear her head and reconsider her options.Fate, however has its own ideas and Lizzie has no idea that a tiny village, two guardian angels and a host of new friends are exactly what she needs. And then there's Tom - who she can't help but feel she's met before...As she rediscovers the magic in life, will she at last take a chance to find the happiness that has so far eluded her?Previously published as This is Your LifePraise for Debbie Howells:'A warm, uplifting story' Clare Swatman'A powerful, emotional, and life-affirming story of love and hope' Rachael Lucas'The writing was INCREDIBLE! I've never highlighted so many sections of a book before, but there were just so many beautifully written passages that I knew I indeed to save to come back to' Shan treatyoshelves'I do not think any other book touched me so much' itsallaboutbooksandmacarons'I really loved this book. It's one I'll never forget' coffee.break.book.reviews'That was absolutely beautiful' mrsbookburnee

AN INSTANT USA TODAY BESTSELLER "Only national treasure Steven Rowley could blur the otherworldly with the everyday and turn all of it into heartache-flavored comedy." —Catherine Newman, New York Times bestselling author of Sandwich and Wreck We are all alien, even to the people who know us best. College professor Jesse del Ruth has been abandoned. Thirty years into their relationship, Jesse witnesses his husband, Norman, get out of bed late one night, walk into their Joshua Tree backyard, step into a strange beam of light and . . . disappear. How could Norman desert him after a lifetime together? Where did he go? And, most confoundingly . . . will he ever return? Jesse knew they were both feeling stuck, longing for something they couldn’t quite name. But was their rut so deep that Norman’s only option was to leave Jesse behind? As Jesse struggles to understand Norman’s disappearance, he tries to piece together his new reality. Is he expected to wait patiently for a partner who may never come back? Or is this an opportunity for reinvention? He is, after all, alone for the first time in his adult life. Should he return to the classroom? Put in a pool? Get a dog? Call his estranged mother? What does it mean to be alone when you’ve always been one half of a whole? When Norman’s sister, Lally, lands on Jesse’s doorstep with an urgent request, Norman’s absence becomes even more profound. Add to Jesse’s grief and confusion a conspiracy-theorist neighbor, a strange man following him, and suspicions that he may have had a hand in Norman’s disappearance, and Jesse starts to crack under the pressure. With his husband missing and the world closing in, all eyes are on Jesse. Before he can understand how Norman could leave it all behind, Jesse must confront what it means to stay. In Take Me With You, Steven Rowley brings his resonant wit and emotional insight to an epic love story—an exploration of the forces that draw two people into the same orbit and the gravity that threatens to pull them apart.

Gorgeous, escapist...with a romance to make you swoon' Becky Hunter 'Heartwarming and heartwrenching' Beth Reekles 'Full of warmth and hope' Jo Lovett _________________ She likes to be in control. Olivia Jackson's life is one big to-do list. But after her sister tragically dies and leaves her a ticket to go travelling, Olivia has to leave her perfectly ordered world - albeit with a meticulously organised itinerary. He throws caution to the wind. Jacob Green couldn't be more different. He's been travelling the world for five years and lets destiny decide where he goes next with a roll of a dice. Do opposites really attract? When the two first meet, Olivia finds Jacob's laid-back attitude infuriating. Not to mention her unanswered question as to why he's been travelling for so long without going back home. But as they part ways, she can't help but wish her carefully laid plans involved him. Will fate bring them together again? And if it does, what secret is Jacob hiding? __________________ Readers LOVE Take a Chance on Me: ***** 'Another fantastic novel by Emily Houghton' ***** 'An absolute joy to read' ***** 'So much more than a holiday romance' ***** ' Such a good read . . . absolutely beautifully written

'Wow, wow - Brilliant!!! Full of brilliant twists and turns . . . Strap yourselves in, reschedule all you have planned for the day ahead.' Nessa Discover the most gripping crime thriller this year. EDGE-OF-YOUR-SEAT SUSPENSE WITH ONE TWIST AFTER ANOTHER. Two-year-old Abigail is fast asleep in the back of the car, clutching her little red lion. Tony, her father, steps out onto the pavement. The man he's meeting punches him in the face, knocking him to the ground. Before it all goes black, Tony sees his car speed away - with his little girl inside. When he finally gets home after the worst day of his life, the house is empty. His wife is gone too. The place is ransacked and the kitchen is streaked with blood. Someone out there has Tony's little girl. And his wife may already be dead. Detective April Fisher must race against time to find little Abi alive. This brand-new, electrifying crime thriller packed with twist after shocking twist is perfect for fans of Charlie Gallagher, Angela Marsons, Rachel Abbott, D.S. Butler or Mark Billingham. Readers are absolutely HOOKED by TAKEN WHILE SHE SLEPT: 'Wow what a book! Pulls you in from the very first page and the twists and turns will keep you guessing to the very last page. You won't regret picking up a copy!' A reader in the UK 'A pulse-pounding crime thriller. So breathtakingly good . . . I loved every single page.' Booklover B. 'Oh my goodness this is a rollercoaster of a read. Just when you think you have an idea what's going on, another twist hits you.' Amanda 'Stayed with me for ages after I'd read it. Especially as it had me hooked right away and I couldn't put it down.' A reader in the UK 'Whoa! What a book! It had suspense, intrigue, action, murder, mystery and some crazy twists and turns!' Debbie 'Goodness me, what a fantastic start to a new series. This is definitely every parent's worst nightmare. The story is dark and intense, and had so many twists.' Dee G. 'Brings you chills, a heart-racing story that C.J. is quickly becoming known for. Trust me, you won't be able to put this book down.' Laura S. MEET THE DETECTIVE Thirty-four-year-old Detective Sergeant April Fisher needs to be tough. She's seen too much out on the streets of Manchester to be any other way. And she's experienced more than her share of tragedy in her personal life too. But she takes this all in her stride and keeps her head high, ready to tackle whatever is thrown at her - and there's been a lot. She's hardworking, focused and intelligent, but she has a tendency to make rash decisions without thinking about the consequences, which often gets her in trouble.

Gorgeous, escapist...with a romance to make you swoon' Becky Hunter 'Heartwarming and heartwrenching' Beth Reekles 'Full of warmth and hope' Jo Lovett _________________ She likes to be in control. Olivia Jackson's life is one big to-do list. But after her sister tragically dies and leaves her a ticket to go travelling, Olivia has to leave her perfectly ordered world - albeit with a meticulously organised itinerary. He throws caution to the wind. Jacob Green couldn't be more different. He's been travelling the world for five years and lets destiny decide where he goes next with a roll of a dice. Do opposites really attract? When the two first meet, Olivia finds Jacob's laid-back attitude infuriating. Not to mention her unanswered question as to why he's been travelling for so long without going back home. But as they part ways, she can't help but wish her carefully laid plans involved him. Will fate bring them together again? And if it does, what secret is Jacob hiding? __________________ Readers LOVE Take a Chance on Me: ***** 'Another fantastic novel by Emily Houghton' ***** 'An absolute joy to read' ***** 'So much more than a holiday romance' ***** ' Such a good read . . . absolutely beautifully written

Embark on a reading adventure with the adorable and imaginative Clara and Clem! This Level 1 reader is ideal for ideal children who are beginning to read on their own. When Clara and Clem build a car out of blocks, they have no idea where it will take them. But with a little imagination, the two take the trip of a lifetime down winding roads, up tall mountains, and across the sky. This Level 1 reader is beautifully simple and sweet. Reader Level 1: Level 1 is for Emergent Readers who know simple vocabulary and can follow simple sentence structures. These books offer word repetition, picture clues, and predictable storylines for new readers.

One wrongful arrest ruined Kris Xappa's image—and made his NHL team look bad. Now, with orders to keep his head down, the last thing he needs is to develop feelings for his younger teammate—and best friend's brother. The fact that he can't stop thinking about their one illicit kiss doesn't mean anything. Rory Stanton is perfectly capable of taking care of himself and doesn't need his brother's best friend keeping an eye on him. Sure, he likes having Kris's attention, but he'd rather have it for entirely different reasons. Too bad that one kiss they shared wasn't enough to convince Kris to take a chance on him. When an injury lands Rory in Kris's care, will these teammates be able to see past the obstacles to become a two-man team?

Echo is thrilled to find a human object in this Mermaid Tales adventure, but will sibling rivalry keep her from appreciating her prize? Echo is dogfish tired of having to share everything with her bossy big sister, Crystal. So she’s extra excited when she stumbles upon a shiny human object near her shell. Finally, something of her very own! Echo is obsessed with people, so she’s very curious as to what her fin-tastic human find might be. Could it be something totally wavy, like a music-making machine? What if it’s something that could allow her to actually talk to humans? Before she can find out, Crystal swipes the object, claiming she found it first! Echo is steaming mad. After the mergirls duke it out in a messy tug of war, their mother takes the object away. “You’ll get this back when you can learn to get along;” she tells them. But that’s easier said than done. How far is Echo willing to go to get her precious human object back?

A sweet and sexy hockey romance about two ex-teammates and former best friends with benefits who are about to discover whether you can ever really have a second chance. From the New York Times bestselling author of the Heated Rivalry, Rachel Reid. After moving back to his hometown ten years ago, Riley Tuck thought he had left his major league hockey career-and his broken heart-far behind. But when an unexpected tragedy strikes, it brings ex-teammate and former best friend with benefits Adam Sheppard back into his life. Coming to the small town of Avery River, Nova Scotia, might have been a mistake. Adam's not sure he'll ever win back Riley's trust after the way they left things-and the attention he's getting as a huge hockey star isn't exactly helping. Yet the chemistry that crackles between them is undeniable, even now. As Adam helps Riley navigate his grief, long-buried feelings start to resurface. But they'll have to square off with their complicated past if they're going to have a real shot at a new beginning. Need more Rachel Reid?! Dive into her other hockey romance titles. . . Standalones Time to Shine The Shots You Take The Game Changers Series Book 1: Game Changer Book 2: Heated Rivalry Book 3: Tough Guy Book 4: Common Goal Book 5: Role Model Book 6: The Long Game Book 7: Unrivaled