'You're a politician, a public figure. What on earth were you thinking?'Up-and-coming junior minister Gregory Buchanan has had a portrait painted of himself by the acclaimed artist Sophie White — a painting she intends to enter in this year's Archibald Prize. Until then, Gregory has hung it in pride of place on his dining-room wall. It's a life-sized standing portrait, practically photographic in nature. And it's a nude.His wife will be home soon and he thinks the painting will be a pleasant surprise. Even more surprising will be an unexpected accumulation of guests: his sardonic mother, his fundamentalist mother-in-law, his lycra-clad cycling-enthusiast sister, and the state premier, Louisa Wetherly — a senior minister has just resigned in scandalous circumstances, and she needs Gregory to step into the spotlight ahead of the coming election.It's going to be a wild afternoon, and an even wilder campaign — to do...

Happy Endings author Thien-Kim Lam is back—with a rom-com set during the divine madness of Mardi Gras as two lovers ask: Can a Big Easy fling become the real thing?Boudoir photographer Josie Parks never ever takes a vacation. But when a client cancels a New Orleans shoot at the last minute, she decides to fly out from her Washington, D.C., studio anyway. Maybe the trip will reawaken her recently stagnant muse. After all, it's Mardi Gras season...Spencer Pham has come home after twelve soul-sucking years in corporate hell to pursue his passion: making a docu-film on his family's history as the first Vietnamese Mardi Gras krewe. The last thing he expects is getting whacked in the head by a beautiful woman trying to snag some parade beads.Over some beignets and coffee, Spencer and Josie connect over their artistic pursuits. He offers to show her the real New Orleans, if she'll help him with the camerawork for his film. Despite Josie's...

Destiny claims they are mortal enemies, but their hearts say otherwise. When Rowena MacLeod falls in love with the son of her family's greatest enemy, her laird brother refuses to grant her hand in marriage until Marcus MacDonald can provide for his sister. Marcus, now penniless after being disowned by his clan, sets sail to seek his fortune as a privateer. Rowena waits faithfully for her beloved, but on the day Marcus returns, she's kidnapped by a vengeful MacDonald. Marcus lost many men while seeking his fortune, and he's determined to make amends by sharing his wealth with their families. Believing he can now no longer marry, Marcus refuses to pay Rowena's ransom, instead offering to take his cousin to Uamh Oir, the Cave of Gold, and relinquish any treasure found. When Rowena escapes, she insists Marcus marry her and take her aboard his ship. With their plunder, she'll make a new life for herself far from him and her family—provided they...

Two teens striving to secure their futures. Another world in crisis. A clash is inevitable.Cassandra just wants to live and enjoy her peaceful, backcountry life. Brendon is a bright student with high aspirations and an equal amount of determination. When uprooted from everything they know and deposited in another realm, they must find a way to protect their dreams.However, they aren't the only ones with ambitions. The locals they encounter have their own concerns and motivations. It will take all of Cassandra and Brendon's wits and courage if they are to make it back home. Or even to merely survive./ppemA Clash of Domains/emis a portal fantasy set in a unique, late-Medieval era world. It is approximately 520 pages./p

Magic was dormant – never deadTo some, Emri – the adopted heir and daughter of two queens – is a living reminder that her birth father tried to usurp the Edaran throne. But as she grapples with a diplomatic visit from her estranged cousin, Melisande, the two girls are attacked by a magical force and spirited away. They must put their differences aside when Emri comes face to face with a goddess she's always considered a myth: Lady Winter.Trapped deep within a mountain temple alongside other young royals, they face a race against time to complete Lady Winter's trials ... or die.Sequel to 2020's exciting YA debut - Queen of Coin and Whispers

ARCHITECT YOUR EXIT STRATEGY... ON DAY ONEThis easy-to-follow planner is designed to help entrepreneurs build a strong foundation for exiting their businesses on their terms. With this fast-paced guide, you'll learn how to: Anticipate and minimize risk of unexpected exits (such as death, disability, or sudden losses) Identify and navigate rough patches to successfully exit your businessAssemble a superior team to maximize your exit strategyUnderstand what buyers and investors want and what they fear most.Save thousands (if not millions) of dollars through advantageous tax planning techniquesUncover the legal and business secrets lawyers and investment bankers use to gain the upper hand in...

Solar Subway Systems invented a way to stretch a wormhole between two points, allowing near-instantaneous travel not only between any two locations on Earth, but also between the planets and satellites of the solar system. SSS VP of Engineering Charles (Scotty) Hays and Chief Scientist Robert (Bobby) Taylor, along with field service genius Carol (Kaley) Sellers, have built SSS into a major multi-billion-dollar corporation.Unfortunately, the SSS portal system allowed a relentlessly hostile alien race to "dial in" to the portal system and launch an invasion. The attack was driven off, but the "Bugs" are still doin their best to forge an entry back to Earth. The invaders are now taking over pirate (unauthorized) portals built to take advantage of the solar-system-wide portal network, and have managed to sneak into hidden locations on Earth.Suddenly humanity's solar system is faced with a Bug invasion already spreading over Earth and also to Mars. Again called into service...