Something Maybe Magnificent

"Thirteen-year-old aspiring writer Victoria Reeves [is] coming to terms with her relationship with her estranged father, and grappling with her ever-evolving views of terms with her relationship with her estranged father, and grappling with her ever-evolving views of womanhood. But the summer brings unexpected bumps along the way when Victoria develops complicated feelings about the cute boy next door and decidedly uncomplicated ones about her mom's new boyfriend."--Provided by publisher.

Cat Montgomery is a natural-born thief with a special talent for stealth—or at least she thought so. Years ago, she stole from the diamond-hoarding businessman Albert Faulkner III, but he somehow figured out she was responsible. Now he wants revenge, and dares her to swipe the elusive Hope Diamond. If she fails the mission, he'll wreak bloody havoc on her loved ones. But the stakes are raised even higher when Cat discovers that stealing the Hope is not only an impossible task, it's a cursed one. . . Meanwhile, Cat's boyfriend, FBI agent Jack Barlow, is tracking a fierce criminal known as the Gargoyle, running into Interpol and resistance among his agency. As he follows the trail to Paris, where Cat is, their missions entwine in ways neither of them would have suspected. . . 115,500 Words

#1 New York Times bestseller Iris Johansen blends romance, suspense, and a touch of the paranormal as only she can in this classic love story of a woman who unexpectedly meets the man of her dreams—only to discover the shocking bond that has already linked them forever. After a tragic turn of events, Lily Deslin learned the hard way that people are not always what they seem. Now she’s rebuilt her life from scratch, returning to school and nurturing her beloved and talented daughter, Cassie. What she doesn’t know is that her quiet but satisfying life is about to change. At the beach cottage she’s rented for a well-earned vacation, Lily is being watched. Andrew Ramsey has been waiting for years, and now is the moment to make himself known. If he confesses the truth—a truth that will be all but impossible for Lily to believe—it will shake the foundations of her life and Cassie’s. As Andrew and Lily’s relationship heats up and danger threatens close at hand, how can Andrew admit that he’s been keeping from Lily an even bigger secret—a secret he must reveal to prove himself to be the real-life romantic hero she needs.

There’s a new man in her mom’s life, and Victoria is determined to get rid of him—no matter what. Both a standalone novel and a follow up to The First Magnificent Summer, this pitch-perfect middle grade story is destined to become a classic. Thirteen-year-old aspiring writer Victoria Reeves remains dedicated to writing in her diary as her reading tastes evolve from Virginia Woolf to Sylvia Plath. She’s growing up—getting the hang of her monthly “visitor,” coming to terms with her relationship with her estranged father, and grappling with her ever-evolving views of womanhood. But the summer brings unexpected bumps along the way when Victoria develops complicated feelings about the cute boy next door and decidedly uncomplicated ones about her mom’s new boyfriend. To protect her mom—and the family dynamic she’s used to—from this unwanted interloper, Victoria will do what it takes to send him packing. But when she goes too far, Victoria realizes all she’s done is ruin a good thing for her mom. Is it too late to set things right?

The Best of the Rest presents the work of 77 of America's most talented local newspaper columnists from 41 states. They represent the rest because editor Sam G. Riley has excluded nationally syndicated columnists in order to expose to a wider audience many equally talented columnists whose fame generally is localized. The columnists chosen for inclusion were nominated by a nationwide panel of 100 journalism professors--two from each state. Those writers who agreed to participate either self-selected their two favorite columns or sent a larger sampling for the editor's choice. For this first such book on local columnists, Riley has concentrated on news columnists, personal or general interest columnists, and humor columnists, exempting those who write more or less exclusively on topical areas, such as sports, business and finance, fashion, or travel. In his lively and insightful introduction, Riley identifies three main characteristics of newspaper column writing much in evidence in these selections: humanity or people-centeredness, wit, and freedom of approach. He also sketches a brief history of newspaper column writing and provides a sense of what local columnists do, offering his opinion that being a columnist is the most fun a person can legally have at a newspaper. The selection of columns makes for delightful reading and will be instructive and inspiring to journalism major students and other students of writing. A selective bibliography is included.

But Wait! There's More! (maybe) is the story of how the great and glamorous American Advertising Magic Show became a $500 billion global business, doomed itself in an ocean of corporate funny money and now struggles amid mounting chaos to be born anew in the Internet-driven media revolution of the 21st Century. The authors, both veterans of Adland's Golden Age, describe and illuminate this important business evolution through the colorful history of the creation, growth and destruction of the world's seventh largest advertising agency from its amusing on-the-cuff founding through the mega-agency pig-out of the last 20 years. But Wait!, populated with a wide swath of habitués of the advertising and corporate world, tells through a fast moving narrative and a series of contemporary Conversations in famous and not-so famous Adland watering holes about what went well (great advertising), what went wrong (business judgment), and what went (advertising competence); addresses a major business upheaval that is profoundly affecting business, government and the core nature of mass communication; makes clear the need for a new business model, and explores eight possibilities (some good, some not). There are also "Lessons for the Model Ad Agency CEO" should any survive. Conclusion: Madison Avenue can be great again. (maybe)

"Palimony Blue Larue, a mixblood growing up in a small California town, suffers from a painful shyness and wants more than anything to be liked. That's why Mary Blue, his Nez Perce mother, has dreamed the weyekin, the spirit guide, to help her bring into the world the one lasting love her son needs to overcome the diffidence that runs so deep in his blood."--Jacket.