The Walk Of Shame

The term walk of shame is deeply rooted in the idea that shame is a difficult emotion stemming from a feeling of inferiority or social discomfort, which causes a person to wish to disappear, become invisible, be swallowed up by the earth. However, sometimes exactly at such a moment of disgrace, individuals are publicly exposed to the full extent of their misery and must walk the walk of shame witnessed by family, friends and acquaintances. Shame, considered by some to have genetic origins, is an integral part of social circumstances and settings in accordance with a set of values, patterns of thought and the individuals physiological make-up. Shame is the result of familial, social and media processes. Thus the walk of shame does not take place privately behind closed doors, but on city sidewalks, in the workplace, in newspaper columns and on television and computer screens. It is not surprising, then, to discover that the tremendous power of shame has expropriated it from the individuals control in the private sphere to the public sector, creating a collective punishing mechanism whose goal is to warn against undesirable behaviour. Indeed, a persons public humiliation is a form of punishment, a negative sanction leading to disgrace, debasement and mortification. This book discusses the walk of shame from a cultural perspective, focusing on contexts, strategies, images etc., that reveals the many facets of a controversial concept.

A 2017 Quick Pick for Reluctant Young Adult Readers, this witty and entertaining contemporary debut deftly combines high school drama with pitch-perfect flirty banter. Taylor Simmons is screwed. Things were hard enough when her dedication to her studies earned her the title of Ice Queen, but after she got drunk at a party and woke up next to bad boy surfer Evan McKinley, the entire school seems intent on tearing Taylor down with mockery and gossip. Desperate to salvage her reputation, Taylor persuades Evan to pretend they're in a serious romantic relationship. After all, it's better to be the girl who tames the wild surfer than just another notch on his surfboard. Readers will be ready to sign their own love contract after reading The Way to Game the Walk of Shame, a fun and addicting contemporary YA romance by Jenn P. Nguyen and chosen by readers like you for Macmillan's young adult imprint Swoon Reads. Praise for The Way to Game the Walk of Shame: "The Way to Game the Walk of Shame is the cutest heart-swelling romance to hit the shelves in ages." —Pooled Ink "A feel good romance with tons of laughs and flirty banter." —Young Adult Book Madness “I love that it's so funny, yet at the same time the characters have a lot of depth and emotional growth.” —Ashley Maker, reader on SwoonReads.com

USA TODAY BESTSELLER • Sparks fly between a misunderstood New York socialite and a cynical divorce lawyer in this lively standalone rom-com from the author of Blurred Lines and Love Story. Pampered heiress Georgianna Watkins has a party-girl image to maintain, but all the shopping and clubbing is starting to feel a little bit hollow—and a whole lot lonely. Though Georgie would never admit it, the highlights of her week are the mornings when she comes home at the same time as her uptight, workaholic neighbor is leaving to hit the gym and put in a long day at the office. Teasing him is the most fun Georgie’s had in years—and the fuel for all her naughtiest daydreams. Celebrity divorce attorney Andrew Mulroney doesn’t have much time for women, especially spoiled tabloid princesses who spend more time on Page Six than at an actual job. Although Georgie’s drop-dead gorgeous, she’s also everything Andrew resents: the type of girl who inherited her penthouse instead of earning it. But after Andrew caps one of their predawn sparring sessions with a surprise kiss—a kiss that’s caught on camera—all of Manhattan is gossiping about whether they’re a real couple. And nobody’s more surprised than Andrew to find that the answer just might be yes. Praise for Walk of Shame “Walk of Shame is everything we have grown to love about Lauren Layne. It’s fast-paced, the characters are layered, and the chemistry always smolders.”—Heroes and Heartbreakers “I have three words to describe Walk of Shame: fun, fun, fun! . . . There’s nothing sexier than seeing Andrew lose control.”—Harlequin Junkie (top pick) Lauren Layne’s New York Times bestselling Oxford Novel series can be read in any order: IRRESISTIBLY YOURS I WISH YOU WERE MINE SOMEONE LIKE YOU I KNEW YOU WERE TROUBLE I THINK I LOVE YOU Don’t miss any of Lauren Layne’s hot reads: The Love Unexpectedly series: BLURRED LINES | GOOD GIRL | LOVE STORY | WALK OF SHAME | AN EX FOR CHRISTMAS The Sex, Love & Stiletto series: AFTER THE KISS | LOVE THE ONE YOU’RE WITH | JUST ONE NIGHT | THE TROUBLE WITH LOVE The Redemption series: ISN’T SHE LOVELY | BROKEN | CRUSHED The I Do, I Don’t series: READY TO RUN | RUNAWAY GROOM

My name is Slade Merrick and I'm a sex addict . . . I've been told it's a problem. I see it as a passion... something I'm good at. And who stops something that they're good at? They want me to seek help. Don't judge my lifestyle. You're no better than me. Just admit it, you like to have sex too. Sex is what I do best; my own personal high, so I embrace it instead of being ashamed. When I'm not fu*king, I'm slinging drinks at Walk of Shame or stripping my way into your bed, another thing I'm good at. Every woman's darkest fantasy brought to life. So, am I stopping? Hell no. Sex is beautiful, raw and erotic and I get off knowing I can have it with anyone I want . . . with the exception of her. Aspen. She walks into the club swaying those hips, instantly drawing my dick to attention. She's pure perfection. That is, until she opens that mouth, drawing me in, and for the first time in forever, I want something more than sex. I want her, and she hates it. Things get dirty. Dirty is what I like... it's how I live. But she's playing a game she can never win. . .

My name is Hemy Knox and I'm a heartbreaker . . . I've hurt the one person that means the most to me in life; the only woman I have ever loved. I let the drugs, alcohol and wild lifestyle take over and consume me. I got her where I wanted her and ripped her heart out. Since then, I've spent countless nights having dirty, meaningless sex with a multitude of people; only leaving them wanting and begging for more with no regrets. Some may even call me the devil; soulless. They look and judge, but there is one thing they don't know; no one does. I want more than this life of stripping and sleeping around, the never-ending party. I want love and everything that comes with it; that high that never ends. The problem is . . . I only want it with her. Onyx. She refuses to be mine . . . again. She's smart, guarding her heart while ripping mine right out of my chest. I can't say that I blame her. I always was a dumb ass when it came to the emotions of a woman, especially her. She wants to see me suffer as much as I made her; watch me wither and die at her feet. She wants to crush me until I'm no longer breathing, and I will let her, because it hurts far less than not having her as mine. I will stop at nothing to make her mine again. The pain only drives me harder, feeding my fury and giving me a reason to live . . . her.

All six male strippers in one book. "You don't come to Walk of Shame unless you're looking to fulfill your darkest, wildest fantasies. This place is dirty. The boys are dirty and addictive..." Slade: The SEX ADDICT. I've been told it's a problem. I see it as a passion... something that I'm good at. And who stops something that they're good at? Hemy: The HEARTBREAKER. I've hurt the one person that means the most to me in life; the only woman I have ever loved. I let the drugs, alcohol and wildlife take over and consume me. I got her where I wanted her and ripped her heart out. Cale: The VIRGIN. With the exception of my tongue. The countless things I can do with my tongue are bound to leave you breathless and begging for more, but more... is something that I can't give. It's a choice. My choice. Stone: The GO GETTER. I set my sights on what I want and go after it. Not giving up easily is what I'm known for. Styx: The GIVER. Most would say of great orgasms and rough sex, but I have so much more to offer, and when I find the right one, I'm giving her everything that I have in me: my heart, my soul, and my life. Kash: The PROTECTOR. It runs deep in me. This need to dedicate myself to a woman and make her feel secure and cared for in every single way. Not just physically, but emotionally.

Two powerhouse authors bring you a hilarious tale of one woman’s journey to find herself again. Ever have one of those days where life just plain sucks? Welcome to my last three months—ever since I caught my can’t-be-soon-enough ex-husband cheating with his paralegal. I’m thirty-five years old, and I’ve lost my NYC apartment, my job, my money, and frankly, my dignity. But the final heartache in the suck sandwich of my life? My great-aunt Maggie died. The only family member who’s ever gotten me. Even after death, though, she’s helping me get back up. She’s willed me the keys to a house in the burbs, of all places, and dared me to grab life by the family jewels. Well, I’ve got the vise grips already in hand (my ex should take note) and I’m ready to fight for my life again. Too bad that bravado only lasts as long as it takes to drive into Huckleberry Hills. And see the house. There are forty-seven separate HOA violations, and I feel them all in my bones. Honestly, I’m surprised no one’s “accidentally” torched the house yet. I want to, and I’ve only been standing in front of it for five minutes. But then my hot, grumpy neighbor tells me to mow the lawn first and I’m just...done. Done with men too sexy for their own good and done with anyone telling me what to do. First rule of surviving the burbs? There is nothing that YouTube and a glass of wine can’t conquer.