Dying: 0 out of 5 stars. Would not recommend… Haven Hall died on the job one time, for two measly minutes, and no one will let her live it down. She should be out hunting paranormal threats to humanity with the rest of her family. Instead, she’s stuck at Section 8 headquarters like some kind of supernatural librarian. Solving a big case would get her off desk duty and finally prove to everyone that she’s a kickass hunter. All she needs is a partner. And she knows the perfect demon for the job. Roan Malek. It didn’t matter that he used to be her best friend (long story). Or that the last thing he wants to do is help her get her dangerous job back. What matters is that the stupidly hot, grumpy jerk owes her one. So now, all she has to do is track down a dimension-hopping bad guy, not let her bosses (aka: her parents) know she’s gone rogue, and work through her epically messy feelings for Roan. All without getting her heart broken or, you know, dying again. Hard, but not impossible…right? Semi-Reckless is the final book in the Harper Hall Investigations series. It can be read as a standalone, but works best if read as part of the series. Download today for all the laughs, snarky banter, and hilarious paranormal romance you can handle. Trope map: Friends to lovers Grumpy/sunshine Demon/human(ish) romance Spicy supernatural fun All the witty banter Series reading order: Semi-Charmed Semi-Human Semi-Twisted Semi-Broken Semi-Sane Semi-Obsessed Semi-Magical Semi-Fated Semi-Fallen Semi-Reckless
A Washington Post Notable Nonfiction Book for 2011 One of The Economist's 2011 Books of the Year In Reckless Endangerment, Gretchen Morgenson exposes how the watchdogs who were supposed to protect the country from financial harm were actually complicit in the actions that finally blew up the American economy. Drawing on previously untapped sources and building on original research from coauthor Joshua Rosner—who himself raised early warnings with the public and investors, and kept detailed records—Morgenson connects the dots that led to this fiasco. Morgenson and Rosner draw back the curtain on Fannie Mae, the mortgage-finance giant that grew, with the support of the Clinton administration, through the 1990s, becoming a major opponent of government oversight even as it was benefiting from public subsidies. They expose the role played not only by Fannie Mae executives but also by enablers at Countrywide Financial, Goldman Sachs, the Federal Reserve, HUD, Congress, and the biggest players on Wall Street, to show how greed, aggression, and fear led countless officials to ignore warning signs of an imminent disaster. Character-rich and definitive in its analysis, and with a new afterword that brings the story up to date, this is the one account of the financial crisis you must read.
**WINNER: WISHING SHELF PRIZE FOR NON-FICTION 2011** In the 1890s the fight game was changing. The prize-fighters and bare-knuckle brawlers were disappearing as the new “scientific” boxers emerged to fight under the Marquis of Queensberry rules. Irishman Tom Sharkey was the never-say-die fighter who bridged the gap between old and new. Within a short time of arriving in America he took on all the top boxers of his day: his hero John L Sullivan, Gentleman Jim Corbett, Bob Fitzsimmons and the man who would become not only his greatest foe but his best friend, Jim Jeffries. Their 25-round world title fight at Coney Island was one of the most gruelling and compelling encounters ever seen inside a ring. I Fought Them All prints the fact and the legend, and is chocked full of the rich characters who dominated the sport and politics of the period, from Wild West gunman Wyatt Earp to Tim “Dry Dollar” Sullivan of New York’s Tammany Hall. It is the story of an Irish immigrant, a sporting celebrity who won and lost a fortune, and of a man described by the New York Times as a “ring immortal”. REVIEWS: “Hugely entertaining and exquisitely researched, I Fought Them All shines a penetrating and long-overdue spotlight on one of the most fascinating figures in boxing history. Revelations about Sharkey’s private life are eye-popping, and the book is especially thorough in covering the Earp controversy. ‘Sailor’ Tom himself would growl his approval, and his massive chest would swell even larger. It’s a great contribution to ring history.” Pete Ehrmann, boxing writer, contributor to The Ring “I Fought Them All is an excellent read. It’s well-researched and is good news for boxing fans everywhere. ‘Sailor’ Tom Sharkey was an aggressive, relentless and powerful heavyweight who ranks among the greatest who ever entered the ring. He was an earlier version of the splendid fighter, Rocky Marciano. Tom had the misfortune of fighting when boxing legends Jim Jeffries and Bob Fitzsimmons were at their best. Had he fought at any other time in history, he very likely would have been heavyweight champion of the world.” Tracy Callis, boxing historian “The book features an array of characters including Wild West gunman Wyatt Earp and boxing legends such as John L. Sullivan, Gentleman Jim Corbett and Bob Fitzsimmons. At its heart is the astonishing 50-year rivalry and friendship between Sharkey and Jim Jeffries, which started after their 25-round world title fight at Coney Island and lasted until the two men died a few weeks apart in 1953.” Boxing Ireland “…it emits quality from the first opening crack of the hardcover until its final satisfying closing.” Marty Mulcahey, Max Boxing “…A fascinating story… Very well-researched piece of work with many anecdotal gems… I Fought Them All is a tale of one man who travelled from his homeland and ended up inAmericato swap blows with arguably the toughest pugilists to have ever fought in the ring. Along the way we are introduced to ‘injuns’, gun-slingers, shipwrecks, tragic love stories, gambling, acts of heroism and, of course, gruelling fights. I thoroughly recommend this book.” Glenn Wilson
The Country Music Reader provides an anthology of primary source readings encompassing the history of country music from circa 1900 to the present, offering firsthand insight into the changing role of country music within both the music industry and American culture.
Kaya is going to war! "An incredible adventure filled with ancient mythological references, lovable characters, and beautifully articulated imagery. A brilliant sequel to the first book..." -A. Mueller "Well, that was quite a rollercoaster..." -CJ Hutchison Kaya Chondra-Li has come home to Raeth! Barely a few weeks ago she was just another suburban teenager looking forward to a long summer vacation. Now she’s in another universe and discovered the truth about her royal lineage and the horrors surrounding the murder of her family. She has also found a brother she never knew existed, but the reunion will have to be short. The maniacal despot who killed her parents and older brother knows Kaya is back on Raeth. Now the last two survivors of the royal family must separate again, and Kaya will once more venture through the untamed wilds of Raeth. Only this time, it’s to draw the enemy away from her brother while she scours the towns and villages for any allies willing to join the fight against the self-proclaimed Imperator and his fanatical army. But on Raeth, monsters do exist. Her only hope is to find those still loyal to the Chondra-Li, and learn the importance of her family name and the awesome powers awakening within her. But can she master control of her new abilities in time to save everyone she loves, as well as the budding rebellion forming around her.
