The moment everything changed didn't happen in that cliche rockets-red-glare kind of way, it happened in the form of a waking nightmare. I caught my husband, my high-school sweetheart, the father of my children, balls deep in a sordid affair. That was when I gave up on men and love. I didn't count on the NHL's golden boy, the beautiful, arrogant Cooper Stone turning my life and my hockey rink upside down. My kids are why I wake up in the morning. Hockey is what Cooper breathes for. We're from different worlds and places in our lives but when our hearts collided something so wrong and different turned into something so right."
After having her heart broken, Lily Carver ran north to manage an upscale resort—and back to her longtime friend Sam Denning. Though she's well aware of how hot Sam's become, she refuses to risk her heart again. No matter how incredible his kisses make her feel… Sam's been in love—and lust—with Lily since the summer they met. When he finally shows her how much he wants her, Lily can't resist his seduction. But Sam's a forever kind of guy and she's only interested in short, painless relationships. Lily thinks she can protect both their hearts with a short affair to let their passion run its course, something where they both know the rules and can explore the sparks between them without getting burned. But their best-laid plans are put to the test by their undeniable attraction—and by a secret Sam's been keeping from Lily that could ruin everything. 57,000 words
Matthew Drafted first round pick when I was seventeen, playing first line at eighteen, branded NHL's bad boy at nineteen. At twenty-three I was cut from the team and living back home with my parents. A knock on the door brought an opportunity I couldn't turn down. All I had to do was prove I learned from my mistakes, so no way would I fall for a chick with a pouty mouth even if I wanted to spend all day devouring it. Karrie When my father gave me a job, I had no idea it would be to babysit some washed up NHL player. He wanted me to be his chaperone, his overpaid babysitter. I thought it was a joke. Then I met him, Matthew Grant. I wasn't prepared for this particular bad boy. He's not only hot but he's arrogant and kinda sweet in a 'you make me crazy' kind of way. Basically now that he's finished screwing up his life, he's decided to turn mine upside down. She's the first thing I've ever wanted more than hockey. He's the guy I know I should stay away from. But what if this thing that started out so wrong turns into something so perfect?
"Am I the only one who sees this-am I just imagining things? Is something wrong with me ... or could this be abuse?" Maybe you don't know for sure: all you know is something feels off when you think about a certain relationship or interaction with an institution or organization. You feel alone and confused--but calling it "abuse" feels extreme and unsettling, a label for what happens to other people but not you. Yet you can't shake the feeling: something's not right. In his debut book, researcher and advocate Wade Mullen introduces us to the groundbreaking world of impression management--the strategies that individuals and organizations utilize to gain power and cover up their wrongdoings. Mullen reveals a pattern that accompanies many types of abuse, almost as if abusers are somehow reading from the same playbook. If we can learn to decode these evil methods--if we can learn the language of abuse--we can help stop the cycle and make abusers less effective at accomplishing destruction in our lives. Something's Not Right will help you to identify and describe tactics that were previously unidentifiable and indescribable, and give you the language you need to move toward freedom and create a safer future for yourself and others"--
Max Horton They call me an outcast like it's a bad thing. An asshole byproduct of a shitty upbringing. I don't care about anything except myself and my little sister. I will always protect what's mine. With one year left on my hockey contract I'm keeping my head down and my eyes on the goal. A collision, with her, changes my entire existence. Allison Grant Never fall in love with a sports star. That's what my stepfather always said. He told me athletes are complicated and moody-that the higher their paycheck, the lower their morals. As public relations for the New York Stingers I know exactly what he means, but I can't seem to say no to a friendship with one beautiful, damaged man. What started out as hate turned into something else. We tried to stay away, to keep our distance, but the pull was too strong. Something forbidden turned into something so irresistible.
Acclaimed music writer Robert Hilburn’s “epic” and “definitive” (Rolling Stone) biography of music icon Paul Simon, written with Simon’s full participation—but without his editorial control—that “reminds us how titanic this musician is” (The Washington Post). For more than fifty years, Paul Simon has spoken to us in songs about alienation, doubt, resilience, and empathy in ways that have established him as one of the most beloved artists in American pop music history. Songs like “The Sound of Silence,” “Bridge Over Troubled Water,” “Still Crazy After All These Years,” and “Graceland” have moved beyond the sales charts and into our cultural consciousness. But Simon is a deeply private person who has said he will not write an autobiography or talk to biographers. Finally, however, he has opened up for Robert Hilburn—for more than one hundred hours of interviews—in this “brilliant and entertaining portrait of Simon that will likely be the definitive biography” (Publishers Weekly, starred review). Over the course of three years, Hilburn conducted in-depth interviews with scores of Paul Simon’s friends, family, colleagues, and others—including ex-wives Carrie Fisher and Peggy Harper, who spoke for the first time—and even penetrated the inner circle of Simon’s long-reclusive muse, Kathy Chitty. The result is a deeply human account of the challenges and sacrifices of a life in music at the highest level. In the process, Hilburn documents Simon’s search for artistry and his constant struggle to protect that artistry against distractions—fame, marriage, divorce, drugs, record company interference, rejection, and insecurity—that have derailed so many great pop figures. “As engaging as a lively American tune” (People), Paul Simon is a “straight-shooting tour de force…that does thorough justice to this American prophet and pop star” (USA TODAY, four out of four stars). “Read it if you like Simon; read it if you want to discover how talent unfolds itself” (Stephen King).
Forget the 10,000 hour rule— what if it’s possible to learn the basics of any new skill in 20 hours or less? Take a moment to consider how many things you want to learn to do. What’s on your list? What’s holding you back from getting started? Are you worried about the time and effort it takes to acquire new skills—time you don’t have and effort you can’t spare? Research suggests it takes 10,000 hours to develop a new skill. In this nonstop world when will you ever find that much time and energy? To make matters worse, the early hours of practicing something new are always the most frustrating. That’s why it’s difficult to learn how to speak a new language, play an instrument, hit a golf ball, or shoot great photos. It’s so much easier to watch TV or surf the web . . . In The First 20 Hours, Josh Kaufman offers a systematic approach to rapid skill acquisition— how to learn any new skill as quickly as possible. His method shows you how to deconstruct complex skills, maximize productive practice, and remove common learning barriers. By completing just 20 hours of focused, deliberate practice you’ll go from knowing absolutely nothing to performing noticeably well. Kaufman personally field-tested the methods in this book. You’ll have a front row seat as he develops a personal yoga practice, writes his own web-based computer programs, teaches himself to touch type on a nonstandard keyboard, explores the oldest and most complex board game in history, picks up the ukulele, and learns how to windsurf. Here are a few of the simple techniques he teaches: Define your target performance level: Figure out what your desired level of skill looks like, what you’re trying to achieve, and what you’ll be able to do when you’re done. The more specific, the better. Deconstruct the skill: Most of the things we think of as skills are actually bundles of smaller subskills. If you break down the subcomponents, it’s easier to figure out which ones are most important and practice those first. Eliminate barriers to practice: Removing common distractions and unnecessary effort makes it much easier to sit down and focus on deliberate practice. Create fast feedback loops: Getting accurate, real-time information about how well you’re performing during practice makes it much easier to improve. Whether you want to paint a portrait, launch a start-up, fly an airplane, or juggle flaming chainsaws, The First 20 Hours will help you pick up the basics of any skill in record time . . . and have more fun along the way.
Zack Finding my teammate in bed with my wife made the decision I had been fighting with for years easier. It's time to move on. A fresh start and a new NHL team in a big city. Most importantly, it's my son Jack's best shot. It would be both of our best shots. Denise After a bad childhood, I made sure I would succeed. The problem is I die a little with each patient I lose. It's part of my career at Hudson Children's Oncology Hospital, but it doesn't make the sting of loss any easier. Seeking anything other than a life saved isn't on my agenda until a NHL player walks into my hospital with his son. We're officially off script the moment we meet. If this love is anything, it's unscripted.
Adrienne prides herself for being smart, prim and proper. She doesn't go against the rules of society and refuse to even take a shot of Tequila. In other words: Conservative. Boring.Instead of having fun and letting her spirit run free, she spent almost all her life trying to gain her mother's approval, measuring up to her sister's greatness, and proving herself worthy of her boyfriend's love and attention. She's been lying to everybody, including herself, about who she really was.But no matter what she does, she just can't seem to live up to their expectations. And then she got fed up and decided to let loose. For just one night. She left her eyeglasses, flat shoes, long skirt and knitted sweater behind. In high heels and a dress that accented her long legs and curves, she went to a club by herself and decided to find out what it was like to have a good time.Her night couldn't even be more perfect when Justin Adams, the city's most sought after bachelor, a.k.a. most notorious playboy fell prey to the charms she didn't even know she possessed. Justin was every girl's dream boat, but he never committed to a woman. He didn't date and didn't do relationships. So, Adrienne thought after that night, she didn't have to deal with him again. He would forget about her and her secret night of fun was safe with him.But what she did not expect was that Justin wasn't about to let her go that easily. And what was supposed to be just a one-night stand with the City's most wanted playboy, became a full-blown secret affair. In the eyes of her friends and family, she had a boyfriend named Troy. But within the walls of her bedroom, she belonged to Justin.However, her new-found bliss would be threatened by the secrets that Justin keeps and the past that her parents kept from her.Soon, she will find out that she's been living her life with all the right intentions... but for all the wrong reasons.
The author, a computer science professor diagnosed with terminal cancer, explores his life, the lessons that he has learned, how he has worked to achieve his childhood dreams, and the effect of his diagnosis on him and his family.
