A zookeeper always on the fringe learns to go after her wildest dreams—including a certain television star—in this charming and laugh-out-loud romantic comedy by Kerry Rea, author of The Wedding Ringer. Lucy Rourke has two great loves in her life: the gorilla troop she cares for as a primatologist and the laundry list of reality TV shows she watches to escape the fact that her actual love life doesn’t exist. And like a reality contestant gunning for the final rose, Lucy’s laser-focused on one thing: getting promoted to head keeper. So when a wildlife docuseries hosted by hotshot TV personality Kai Bridges chooses her zoo as its summer filming location, she sees an opportunity to showcase her beloved gorillas to the world and land a starring role in her department. When Kai and his film crew arrive, however, it's obvious to Lucy that Kai cares more about sky-high ratings than the gorillas, and he considers her a camera-averse know-it-all whose wardrobe consists entirely of khaki. But she’s surprised to discover there’s more to him than his rugged good looks and cheesy catchphrases...and that maybe a promotion isn’t the only thing she wants. But when secrets from their pasts threaten to complicate everything, Lucy discovers that happiness and success aren’t the same thing—and that finding joy just might mean getting a little wild.
A zookeeper always on the fringe learns to go after her wildest dreams—including a certain television star—in this charming and laugh-out-loud romantic comedy by Kerry Rea, author of The Wedding Ringer. Lucy Rourke has two great loves in her life: the gorilla troop she cares for as a primatologist and the laundry list of reality TV shows she watches to escape the fact that her actual love life doesn’t exist. And like a reality contestant gunning for the final rose, Lucy’s laser-focused on one thing: getting promoted to head keeper. So when a wildlife docuseries hosted by hotshot TV personality Kai Bridges chooses her zoo as its summer filming location, she sees an opportunity to showcase her beloved gorillas to the world and land a starring role in her department. When Kai and his film crew arrive, however, it's obvious to Lucy that Kai cares more about sky-high ratings than the gorillas, and he considers her a camera-averse know-it-all whose wardrobe consists entirely of khaki. But she’s surprised to discover there’s more to him than his rugged good looks and cheesy catchphrases...and that maybe a promotion isn’t the only thing she wants. But when secrets from their pasts threaten to complicate everything, Lucy discovers that happiness and success aren’t the same thing—and that finding joy just might mean getting a little wild.
One farm’s decades-long journey into regenerative agriculture—and how these methods enhance biodiversity, pollinators, and soil health Northern Vermont’s Nancy and John Hayden have spent the last 25 years transforming their draft horse–powered, organic vegetable and livestock operation into an agroecological, regenerative, biodiverse, organic fruit farm, fruit nursery, and pollinator sanctuary. In Farming on the Wild Side they explain the philosophical and scientific principles that influenced them as they phased out sheep and potatoes and embraced apples, pears, stone fruits, and a wide variety of uncommon berry crops; turned much of their property into a semi-wild state; and adapted their marketing and sales strategies to the new century. As the Haydens pursued their goals of enhancing biodiversity and regenerating their land, they incorporated agroforestry and permaculture principles into perennial fruit polycultures, a pollinator sanctuary, repurposed greenhouses for growing fruit, hügelkultur, and ecological “pest” management. Beyond the practical techniques and tips, this book also inspires readers to develop greater ecological literacy and respect for the mysteries of the global ecosystem. Farming on the Wild Side tells a story about new ways to manage small farms and homesteads, about nurturing land, about ecology, about economics, and about things that we can all do to heal both the land and ourselves.
Mary Roach meets Bill Bryson in this "surefire summer winner" (Janet Maslin, New York Times), an uproarious tour of the basest instincts and biggest mysteries of the animal world Humans have gone to the Moon and discovered the Higgs boson, but when it comes to understanding animals, we've still got a long way to go. Whether we're seeing a viral video of romping baby pandas or a picture of penguins "holding hands," it's hard for us not to project our own values -- innocence, fidelity, temperance, hard work -- onto animals. So you've probably never considered if moose get drunk, penguins cheat on their mates, or worker ants lay about. They do -- and that's just for starters. In The Truth About Animals, Lucy Cooke takes us on a worldwide journey to meet everyone from a Colombian hippo castrator to a Chinese panda porn peddler, all to lay bare the secret -- and often hilarious -- habits of the animal kingdom. Charming and at times downright weird, this modern bestiary is perfect for anyone who has ever suspected that virtue might be unnatural.
A woman who wants nothing to do with love or friendship finds both in the unlikeliest ways in this hilarious and heartwarming debut by Kerry Rea. Once upon a time, Willa Callister was a successful blogger with a good credit score, actual hobbies, and legs that she shaved more than once a month. But after finding her fiancé in bed with her best friend, she now spends her days performing at children's birthday parties in a ball gown that makes her look like a walking bottle of Pepto Bismol. Willa dreams of starting fresh, where no one knows who she used to be, but first she needs to save up enough money to make it happen. Maisie Mitchell needs something too: another bridesmaid for her wedding. After a chance encounter at a coffee shop, Maisie offers to pay Willa to be in her bridal party. Willa wants nothing to do with weddings—or Maisie—but the money will give her the freedom to start the new life she so badly desires. Willa's bridesmaid duties thrust her into Maisie's high-energy world and into the path of hotshot doctor Liam Rafferty. But as Willa and Maisie form a real friendship, and Liam's annoyingly irresistible smile makes her reconsider her mantra that all men are trash, Willa's exit strategy becomes way more complicated. And when a secret from Maisie's past threatens to derail the wedding, Willa must consider whether friendship—and romance—are worth sticking around for.
Featuring more than 100 breathtaking images and stories by shark biologist Dr. Cartamil chronicling Baja California's Pacific coast region, this book examines a fragile paradise of remote landscapes, wildlife, and cultural treasures on the verge of being overtaken by modern civilization.
A former government agent is drawn back into the world of covert ops for a very unconventional mission in a thrilling, new, an action-packed novel from the beloved #1 New York Times bestselling author Fern Michaels. For Melanie Drake, school guidance counselor in a small Virginia town, the day’s challenges typically involve a playground scuffle or a student skipping school—worlds away from her former life in the Office of Special Investigations, where she devoted herself heart and soul to covert operations, the riskier the better. Since leaving, Melanie has cherished her peaceful, calm existence, with her two beloved retired service dogs for company. Then a call comes from her former supervisor, Rich Patterson. He needs her back for a highly specialized assignment. An international group of billionaires is known to meet regularly for decadent dinners, and they always hire high-class escorts for the occasion. Only the most elegant, well-educated, and sophisticated women will do. Infiltrating those meetings could yield information vital to national security. Melanie’s willing to go undercover to glean every scrap of intel that she can. But these men aren’t just wealthy and powerful, they’re also exceptionally ruthless. One slip, and they won’t hesitate to eliminate Melanie, by any means necessary . . .
Cozy up with adorable baby sloths in this irresistible photographic picture book. Hang around just like a sloth and get to know the delightful residents of the Avarios Sloth Sanctuary in Costa Rica, the world’s largest sloth orphanage. You’ll fall in love with bad-boy Mateo, ooh and ahh over baby Biscuit, and want to wrap your arms around champion cuddle buddy Ubu! From British filmmaker and sloth expert Lucy Cooke comes a hilarious, heart-melting photographic picture book starring the laziest—and one of the cutest—animals on the planet.
"A cool cast of secondary characters adds much to the story as clever Plumley, who is already known for her entertaining romantic comedies, presents another winner in this humorous and engaging tale about a man who literally loses his shirt, but finds his heart."—Booklist (starred review) Lucy, the quirky owner of a charity shop that gives designer clothes to those less fortunate, meets her match in Max Nolan, the owner of a pampered pets boutique, when he tries to buy back his "lucky suit," which had been accidentally donated to her store. Original. Sushi for pooches. Belly dancing. Men in their underwear.It's all in a day's work for Lucy Logan... ...and so is getting unemployed folks spruced up with designer duds at the charity shop Successfully Dressed. Anyone who knows Lucy knows her heart is always in the right place. But the guy who shows up wearing nothing but tighty-whities and a frown doesn't know Lucy—or understand why she won't just let him buy back his "lucky suit." Instead, she insists he earn it back through volunteer work. Of course, Max Nolan's killer abs and effortless charm have nothing whatsoever to do with Lucy's good intentions... From minute one, Max can't keep his eyes off the skimpy-skirted, boho-punk vision that is Lucy Logan. She's a woman of ideals, while he's a man of action—but that doesn't mean they can't collaborate on...any number of things. Beyond getting his suit back, Max figures he can make some great contacts with the shop's rich benefactors, exactly what he needs to get his pampered pets boutique off the ground. And if he gets a little—okay, a lot—closer to Lucy in the process, well, that's a sacrifice he's only too willing to make... "Lisa Plumley creates charming characters. Her books are a delight!" —Rachel Gibson REVIEWS:"Mad About Max kept me laughing from beginning to end. What great characters! Very highly recommended, especially for fans of romantic comedy." —Romance Junkies "Lisa Plumley gifts us with another delight in Mad About Max. Her characters come to life with color, verve and warmth. And her plots are as unique as they are fun to read. Mad About Max is a madcap adventure with a wonderful message. Don’t miss this grand, feel-good story sure to capture your heart!" —Fresh Fiction "Plumley offers us a plethora of entertaining secondary characters to enjoy at the periphery of the main action, along with a lot of funny one-liners. You’ll enjoy Mad About Max, too!" —Romance Reader at Heart (Four-Rose Read!) "Mad About Max is another vintage Plumley, a zippy, smart, well-written and often humorous story that’s a joy to read." —Bookloons "I was really enchanted by this book, the first of this author's that I've ever read. This is a fast-reading book, and one with a bonus—a charming secondary romance. I found myself grinning the entire time I was reading this book, and really rooted for the characters. This is a great beach read—fun, light, and sweet. I will be on the lookout for the author's next book." —All About Romance "I loved the comedic premise of Lisa Plumley's books! Humor is always on the forefront but just as prevalent is romance! A very fun read as usual from Lisa Plumley!" —Reader to Reader/New and Previously Owned Books "Author Lisa Plumley is one of the shining stars of romantic comedy, and her new title Mad About Max is sure to bring a chuckle to romance readers everywhere." —A Romance Review "Instead of one romance, readers are treated to two charming romance stories in one novel. Lisa Plumley's latest is a sure bet!" —Roundtable Romance Reviews
A desperate man decides to rewrite his wife’s entire life story after a suspected suicide attempt leaves her with no memory of her painful past. In the face of conflicting stories, she realizes that someone is lying to her. But who? When old memories begin to surface, will the feelings of loss and betrayal destroy her once and for all?
