Bücher veröffentlicht von Random House Publishing Group

"A totally captivating, hilarious, and clever look on the magical kingdom of Manhattan, where kissing frogs has never been this fun."-Melissa de la Cruz, author of The Au Pairs Katie Chandler had always heard that New York is a weird and wonderful place, but this small-town Texas gal had no idea how weird until she moved there. Everywhere she goes, she sees something worth gawking at and Katie is afraid she's a little too normal to make a splash in the big city. Working for an ogre of a boss doesn't help. Then, seemingly out of the blue, Katie gets a job offer from Magic, Spells, and Illusions, Inc., a company that tricks of the trade to the magic community. For MSI, Katie's ordinariness is an asset. Lacking any bit of magic, she can easily spot a fake spell, catch hidden clauses in competitor's contracts, and detect magically disguised intruders. Suddenly, average Katie is very special indeed. She quickly learns that office politics are even more complicated when your new boss is a real ogre, and you have a crush on the sexy, shy, ultra powerful head of the R&D department, who is so busy fighting an evil competitor threatening to sell black magic on the street that he seems barely to notice Katie. Now it's up to Katie to pull off the impossible: save the world and-hopefully-live happily ever after.

The lure of Richmond, VA's streets is too strong for Bambi, a good girl from the right side of the tracks, who fell in love with, Reggie, a young hustler. Her thug love not only corrupted her but blinded her with the bling and cash that come with living the glamorous life of a gangsta's girl-until Reggie hit her with a low blow, crumbling her heart. From that day forward, Bambi vowed that whoever crossed her or anyone she loved would pay-usually in large bills.With the street knowledge she gleaned from her ex as well as her own business savvy, Bambi builds a multimillion-dollar party planning empire. Along the way she runs across all kinds of dudes who try to run massive amounts of game, and ultimately she becomes a first-rate swindler and top-notch gamestress in her own right. Then she crosses paths with Lynx, a young drug dealer who sees more in Bambi than the gold digger she is rumored to be. He methodically penetrates her shield layer by layer until he captures her heart. But is she just setting herself up to be played once again?The #1 bestselling author of A Hustler's Wife and A Project Chick, Nikki Turner gives up the game that could never be sold, only told.

For many of us, the return of Zen conjures up images of rock gardens and gently flowing waterfalls. We think of mindfulness and meditation, immersion in a state of being where meaning is found through simplicity. Zen lore has been absorbed by Western practitioners and pop culture alike, yet there is a specific area of this ancient tradition that hasn't been fully explored in the West. Now, in The Zen of Creativity, American Zen master John Daido Loori presents a book that taps the principles of the Zen arts and aesthetic as a means to unlock creativity and find freedom in the various dimensions of our existence. Loori dissolves the barriers between art and spirituality, opening up the possibility of meeting life with spontaneity, grace, and peace.Zen Buddhism is steeped in the arts. In spiritual ways, calligraphy, poetry, painting, the tea ceremony, and flower arranging can point us toward our essential, boundless nature. Brilliantly interpreting the teachings of the artless arts, Loori illuminates various elements that awaken our creativity, among them still point, the center of each moment that focuses on the tranquility within; simplicity, in which the creative process is uncluttered and unlimited, like a cloudless sky; spontaneity, a way to navigate through life without preconceptions, with a freshness in which everything becomes new; mystery, a sense of trust in the unknown; creative feedback, the systematic use of an audience to receive noncritical input about our art; art koans, exercises based on paradoxical questions that can be resolved only through artistic expression. Loori shows how these elements interpenetrate and function not only in art, but in all our endeavors.Beautifully illustrated and punctuated with poems and reflections from Loori's own spiritual journey, The Zen of Creativity presents a multilayered, bottomless source of insight into our creativity. Appealing equally to spiritual seekers, artists, and veteran Buddhist practitioners, this book is perfect for those wishing to discover new means of self-awareness and expression—and to restore equanimity and freedom amid the vicissitudes of our lives.

Perfect for book lovers and foodies alike-a splendid cookbook featuring recipes inspired by classic works of literature and modern favorites Wake up to a perfect breakfast with Mrs. Dalby's Buttermilk Scones, courtesy of James Herriot's All Things Bright and Beautiful and Ichabod's Slapjacks, as featured in Washington Irving's The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. There's homey comfort food like Connie May's Tomato Pie, created with and inspired by Connie May Fowler (Remembering Blue); Thanksgiving Spinach Casserole (Elizabeth Berg's Open House); and Amish Chicken and Dumplings (Jodi Picoult's Plain Truth) . . . Sample salads, breads, and such soul-warming soups as Nearly-a-Meal Potato Soup (Terry Kay's Shadow Song); Mr. Casaubon's Chicken Noodle Soup (George Eliot's Middlemarch); and Mrs. Leibowitz's Lentil-Vegetable Soup (Frank McCourt's Angela's Ashes) . . . After relishing appetizers and entrees, there's a dazzling array of desserts, including Carrot Pudding (Charles Dickens's A Christmas Carol); Effie Belle's Coconut Cake (Olive Ann Burns's Cold Sassy Tree); and the kids will love C.S. Lewis's Turkish Delight from The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe.Sprinkled throughout with marvelous anecdotes about writers and writing, The Book Lover's Cookbook is a culinary and literary delight, a browser's cornucopia of reading pleasure, and a true inspiration in the kitchen. TASTY RECIPES AND THE BOOKS THAT INSPIRED THEM Jo's Best Omelette . . . Little Women by Louisa May Alcott No Dieter's Delight Chicken Neapolitan . . . Thinner by Stephen King Extra-Special Rhubarb Pie . . . The Persian Pickle Club by Sandra Dallas Grand Feast Crab Meat Casserole . . . At Home in Mitford by Jan Karon Persian Cucumber and Yogurt . . . House of Sand and Fog by Andre Dubus III Tamales . . . Like Water for Chocolate by Laura Esquivel Bev's No-Fuss Crab Cakes . . . Unnatural Exposure by Patricia Cornwell Macaroni and Cheese . . . The Accidental Tourist by Anne Tyler Veteran Split Pea Soup . . . The Red Badge of Courage by Stephen Crane Alternative Carrot-Raisin-Pineapple Salad . . . Midwives by Chris Bohjalian Summer's Day Cucumber-Tomato Sandwiches . . . Women in Love by D. H. Lawrence Refreshing Black Cows . . . The Book of Ruth by Jane Hamilton Dump Punch . . . Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen Not Violet, But Blueberry Pie . . . Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl Innocent Sweet Bread . . . The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison Daddy's Rich Chocolate Cake . . . Fatherhood by Bill Cosby . . . and many other delectable dishes for the literary palate!

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • When a pair of lowlife thieves cross the border into Tijuana, three tenacious cops cross the line.Fin Finnegan is a San Diego police detective and wannabe actor who's passing midlife crisis and heading straight for midlife meltdown. The last thing he wants when he's gearing up for a TV audition is a routine truck theft case. The last thing he needs after three messy divorces is a sexy female investigator assigned to the case. Fin's abysmal luck is holding out-he's got not only the theft investigation but an uneasy alliance with two strong-willed women, each working a separate angle of his once-simple case. Tough, sexy environmental cop Nell Salter is looking into a chemical spill that has set off a chain reaction of death in the barrios of Tijuana and across the border. She's also looking for a relationship that doesn't turn toxic. Young, fresh-faced navy detective Bobbie Ann Doggett is investigating the theft of two thousand pairs of navy flight-deck shoes-and swooning over the Olivier of the San Diego PD. Mix in a unpredictable speed-freak trucker and his sociopath boss, and the result is a toxic cocktail of drugs, corruption, sex, and murder. Praise for Finnegan's Week"A frolic, a joy, a hoot, a riot of a book."-The New York Times Book Review "Raunchy and often hilarious . . . [Joseph] Wambaugh is at the top of his form here."-Publishers Weekly

Okay, so you're not a gearhead, but like most folks, you want to keep your car in peak condition. For more than eighty years, the Pep Boys-Manny, Moe, and Jack-have been "the three best friends your car ever had.” And now, with The Pep Boys Auto Guide to Car Care and Maintenance, any Tom, Dick, or Harriet can learn how to keep his or her car running smoothly and looking its best.The ideal car care guide for do-it-yourselfers, this is your one-stop source for everything from the basics to the hard stuff (so you'll know what to tackle yourself and when to call in the experts). Inside you'll discover• a simple anatomy of your car and a handy glossary of terms• accident prevention measures and how to handle emergencies on the road, from jump-starting your engine to changing a flat tire• key seasonal and monthly maintenance tasks-including checking oil levels and battery life, tire rotation, and monitoring tread wear• tips for improving fuel mileage • how to diagnose major and minor problems-and how to fix themStraightforward and easy to use, The Pep Boys Auto Guide to Car Care and Maintenance will give you the knowledge and confidence you need to keep your car in top condition.

The memoir of a young American soldier who became the most powerful man in a remote rural district of Vietnam In the spring of 1969, First Lieutenant David Donovan arrived in the Mekong Delta of South Vietnam to work as military advisor with village chiefs and local militia to win the war. But as he was the highest-ranking person in the entire district, his life there was far more complex than anyone could have imagined. This is Donovan's gripping account of combat missions and night ambushes in the swamps and jungles of the Delta; his heartrending tale of personal involvement with the culture and families in his charge; his humane introspection on his awesome responsibility as both warrior and king; and his stark reflections on the changes he saw in himself and his country upon his return to the United States."Donovan's memoir . . . provides valuable documentation on a relatively obscure part of the American military effort-it describes how the war really worked on the front line of 'Vietnamization,' the training of local militia. His reflections on his own use of power raise serious and important questions about the American expierence in Vietnam."-The New York Times Book Review

Like a lot of young people in the 1970s, Mark Bittner took the path of the "dharma bum.” When the counterculture faded, Mark held on, seeking shelter in the nooks and crannies of San Francisco's fabled bohemian neighborhood, North Beach. While living on the eastern slope of Telegraph Hill, he made a magical discovery: a flock of wild parrots. In this unforgettable story, Bittner recounts how he became fascinated by the birds and patiently developed friendships with them that would last more than six years. When a documentary filmmaker comes along to capture the phenomenon on film, the story takes a surprising turn, and Bittner's life truly takes flight."A fascinating love story with wings.” —Boston Herald"[A] charming memoir. For devoted birders everywhere.” —Reader's Digest, Editor's Choice"[An] inspirational saga of one man finding his life's meaning in the most serendipitous way.” —San Jose Mercury News"Instructive, surprising, sweet.” —Gary Snyder, author of Turtle Island and Mountains and Rivers Without End

For the first time in paperback—all three of Jean Plaidy's Katharine of Aragon novels in one volume.Legendary historical novelist Jean Plaidy begins her tales of Henry VIII's queens with the story of his first wife, the Spanish princess Katharine of Aragon.As a teenager, Katharine leaves her beloved Spain, land of olive groves and soaring cathedrals, for the drab, rainy island of England. There she is married to the king's eldest son, Arthur, a sickly boy who dies six months after the wedding. Katharine is left a widow who was never truly a wife, lonely in a strange land, with a very bleak future. Her only hope of escape is to marry the king's second son, Prince Henry, now heir to the throne. Tall, athletic, handsome, a lover of poetry and music, Henry is all that Katharine could want in a husband. But their first son dies and, after many more pregnancies, only one child survives, a daughter. Disappointed by his lack of an heir, Henry's eye wanders, and he becomes enamored of another woman—a country nobleman's daughter named Anne Boleyn. When Henry begins searching for ways to put aside his loyal first wife, Katharine must fight to remain Queen of England and to keep the husband she once loved so dearly.

Robert Rubin was sworn in as the seventieth U.S. Secretary of the Treasury in January 1995 in a brisk ceremony attended only by his wife and a few colleagues. As soon as the ceremony was over, he began an emergency meeting with President Bill Clinton on the financial crisis in Mexico. This was not only a harbinger of things to come during what would prove to be a rocky period in the global economy; it also captured the essence of Rubin himself--short on formality, quick to get into the nitty-gritty.From his early years in the storied arbitrage department at Goldman Sachs to his current position as chairman of the executive committee of Citigroup, Robert Rubin has been a major figure at the center of the American financial system. He was a key player in the longest economic expansion in U.S. history. With In an Uncertain World, Rubin offers a shrewd, keen analysis of some of the most important events in recent American history and presents a clear, consistent approach to thinking about markets and dealing with the new risks of the global economy.Rubin's fundamental philosophy is that nothing is provably certain. Probabilistic thinking has guided his career in both business and government. We see that discipline at work in meetings with President Clinton and Hillary Clinton, Chinese premier Zhu Rongji, Alan Greenspan, Lawrence Summers, Newt Gingrich, Sanford Weill, and the late Daniel Patrick Moynihan. We see Rubin apply it time and again while facing financial crises in Asia, Russia, and Brazil; the federal government shutdown; the rise and fall of the stock market; the challenges of the post-September 11 world; the ongoing struggle over fiscal policy; and many other momentous economic and political events.With a compelling and candid voice and a sharp eye for detail, Rubin portrays the daily life of the White House-confronting matters both mighty and mundane--as astutely as he examines the challenges that lie ahead for the nation. Part political memoir, part prescriptive economic analysis, and part personal look at business problems, In an Uncertain World is a deep examination of Washington and Wall Street by a figure who for three decades has been at the center of both worlds.

Hip music critic Dwayne Robinson has two main gigs: defending rap's rightful place in the music industry and scoring as many women as possible. But this smooth-talking b-boy has yet to try working love into his lingo--until "buppie" Danielle Embry slides into and rocks his world.A Connecticut suburbanite, Danielle is as far removed from Dwayne's Brooklyn ghetto upbringing as it gets. Yet despite this clash, these unlikely lovers are drawn together. While struggling to grind out a harmonious tune amid the grit and glamour of New York City, they soon find themselves confronted with issues that cut deeper than either of them bargained for. . . .

"Jake Page is one of the Southwest's most distinguished writers."-The Denver PostA bizarre murder leaves two teenagers dead in a desert arroyo, their naked bodies side by side, face up under the New Mexican sun. Near them, etched in stone, is a symbol unlike any Native American marking. What does it signify? The puzzle is made to order for Mo Bowdre's quirky and capacious intelligence. But Bowdre, a wildlife sculptor and occasional sleuth, may be in over his head, as he becomes embroiled in a possible case of ritual killing-and a certain malice. . . .Praise for A Certain Malice"In a long tradition of oddball amateur detectives, the flamboyant Bowdre is a welcome addition. He's certainly offbeat and larger than life."-L.A. Life"Page's mysteries are standouts."-The Houston Chronicle"Move over, Tony Hillerman"-The Seattle Times/Post-Intelligencer

The stories in this acclaimed debut all take place in the state of Maine—which quickly comes to stand for the state we're all in when we face the moments that change our lives forever. Two roughneck hockey players are kicked off the team and forced to join the drama club. A young bartender at a party of coastal aristocrats has to deal with the surreal request to put a rich old coot out of his misery. Can a father defend his family if the diver helping to free the tangled propeller of their boat turns out to be a real threat?With humor, a piercing eye, and a sense that danger often lies just around the corner, Robinson gives us a variety of vivid characters, wealthy and poor, delinquent and romantic, while illuminating the mythic, universal implications of so-called ordinary life. These stories are at once classic and modern; taken together, they bring the good news that an important, compassionate new voice in American fiction has arrived.

Eight men and eight women-the best writers in and out of the mystery field-render their very own, original take on love gone wrong in this collection of stories. Animosity and affection intermingle dangerously in these delightfully deadly works by: William J. Caunitz, Carol Higgins Clark, Mary Higgins Clark, James Crumley, John Gardner, Faye Kellerman, Jonathan Kellerman, Elmore Leonard, Ed McBain, Michael Malone, Bobbie Ann Mason, Joyce Carol Oates, Sara Paretsky, Anne Perry, Shel Silverstein, and Donna Tartt.An innovative anthology about men, women, and crimes of passion, Murder For Love brings to light the dark side of love.

"This delightful book is a must for all new or old puppy owners. We can all learn from Elizabeth Randolph's sage advice."-William J. Kay, D.V.M., chief of staff, The Animal Medical Center Love is not enough if you want your puppy to grow up into a responsive, well-adjusted dog. Without the proper training and care, that sweet irresistible bundle of joy can quickly turn into an impossible burden. Thanks to pet care expert Elizabeth Randolph, you can happily raise your puppy without pain. More than a simple training book, How to Help Your Puppy Grow Up to Be a Wonderful Dog works with your puppy's natural stages of development. Month-by-month, you'll not only learn the specific physical and psychological changes your pet is going through, but you'll also discover the very best times to successfully train your puppy for: • housebreaking • obedience • leash walking • car manners Plus, learn all the ins and outs of puppy ownership-from choosing the best breed for you and your family to puppy-proofing your home to neutering. You'll also find special tips for stopping bad behavior-aggression and separation anxiety-right in its tracks.

"Outstanding...A fun-to-read mixture of homicide and humor."THE PITTSBURGH PRESSIn this, the seventh adventure in the Claire Malloy series, Claire discovers a lot about her late, unlamented husband. The viperish family matriarch, Miss Justicia, gives a preview of her latest will at the decaying family estate in Louisiana. From snobbish Cousin Maxie and timid, tippling Pauline to beautiful Ellie and her porky dad, the Malloys appear a poisonous lot--and appeareances in this case are not deceiving. When Miss Jusiticia and her wheelchair end up in the bayou, Claire is certain that one of them assisted the old lady to her death. And snakes, snipers, and tapeworms notwithstanding, she's prepared to prove it....

"GRIPPING."--BooklistA crane falls on a hapless mother of two, almost crushing her to death . . . A trauma victim of a helicopter crash desperately clings to life . . . A paralegal aide suffers a violent seizure from a cocaine overdose and gasps for breath . . . Welcome to the ER at Bellevue Hospital, the frontline trenches of medicine where doctors fight around-the-clock to save lives at a frenetic pace of quick decisions and real life-and-death drama.Some three hundred people slam through these hospital doors every day. Gunshot cops, battered kids, drug addicts, and suicides. Destitute drunks, bag ladies, AIDS sufferers, and accident victims. It's a bizarre parade of humanity looking for help in the one place they know they can find it: the ER."Gut-wrenching, heartwarming, and instructive about the exigencies of this branch of medicine as practiced at this legendary institution."--Publishers Weekly

Are you one of the millions of people searching for natural ways to improve yourself and eliminate bad habits? Hypnosis is a highly effective tool for behavior modification-and this practical and inspiring handbook will show you how to begin today to use hypnosis to change your life.Hypnosis For Change provides simple, step-by-step details to help you harness the power of your own mind. You'll learn about the different trance states, the effective use of treatment scripts for either self-hypnosis or the hypnosis of others, and the best use of these techniques to bring you success.

The compelling story of three black women who meet at a New England college in the late sixties and form a friendship that will guide them through the changes, the joys, and the tears of the coming years Faith, small-boned and delicate, the daughter of a strong-willed mother and a father she no longer remembers, longs for the one experience that will show her to herself. Serena, a passionate and outspoken radical, has an intense political commitment and pride in her African roots, which will lead her to find a life on a continent far away. And Crystal, a poet from girlhood, has a long love affair with words that will be put to the ultimate test when she must explain to her father her love for a man of another race.Praise for A Woman's Place "A radical new talent . . . The poignancy invites comparison to The Color Purple."-New Woman "A book that should be bought, read, and cherished, because it is a story of hope, a story of triumph and, above all, a testimony to resilience."-The Philadelphia Tribune

Alice Hoffman's most magical novel to date-three generations of extraordinary women are driven to unite in crisis and discover the rewards of reconciliation and love. Women of the Sparrow family have unusual gifts. Elinor can detect falsehood. Her daughter, Jenny, can see people's dreams when they sleep. Granddaughter Stella has a mental window on the future-a future that she might not want to see. In The Probable Future this vivid and intriguing cast of characters confronts a haunting past-and a very current murder-against the evocative backdrop of small-town New England. By turns chilling and enchanting, The Probable Future chronicles the Sparrows's legacy as young Stella struggles to cope with her disturbing clairvoyance. Her potential to ruin or redeem becomes unbearable when one of her premonitions puts her father in jail, wrongly accused of homicide. Yet this ordeal also leads Stella to the grandmother she was forbidden to meet and to a historic family home full of talismans from her ancestors. Poignant, arresting, unsettling, The Probable Future showcases the lavish literary gifts that have made Alice Hoffman one of America's most treasured writers.Praise for The Probable Future"A thrilling adventure of literary alchemy . . . A magical, mystical tour de force of pure entertainment."-The Seattle Times"Delicious . . . Hoffman is an unapologetic optimist, and optimism is in short supply these days. It feels like a vacation to curl up with [The Probable Future]."-The New York Times Book Review"Instantly alluring . . . A mysterious, modern-day fairy tale . . . Hoffman is an amazingly talented writer with a beautiful sense of sentence construction, an intriguing imagination, and the ability to create compelling, complex characters that readers care about."-Fort Worth Star-Telegram "Hoffman's ethereal tale of a family of women with supernatural gifts is a magical escape, grounded in the complex relationships between mothers and daughters."-Marie Claire

Drawing from literature, history, animal behavioral research, and the wonderful true stories of cat experts and cat lovers around the world, Jeffrey Moussaieff Masson vividly explores the delights and mysteries of the feline heart. But at the core of this remarkable book are Masson's candid, often amusing observations of his own five cats. Their mischievous behavior, aloofness, and affection provide a way to examine emotions from contentment to jealousy, from anger to love. The Nine Emotional Lives of Cats will captivate readers with its surprises, offering a new perspective on the deep connection shared by humans and their feline friends.

According to ancient Black Forest legend, on the Night of the Seventh Moon, Loke, the God of Mischief, is at large in the world. It is a night for festivity and joyful celebration. It is a night for singing and dancing. And it is a night for love.Helena Trant was enchanted by everything she found in the Black Forest -- especially its legends. But then, on the Night of the Seventh Moon, she started to live one of them, and the enchantment turned suddenly into a terrifying nightmare . . .

In A World Beyond, Arthur Ford gave Ruth Montgomery six predictions. Every one has come true! Now he returns with secret lore of the past and startling glimpses of the future. Here is the extraordinary story of Creation and the fabulous lost worlds of Atlantis and Mu, the past lives of Winston Churchill, Franklin Roosevelt, Jackie Onassis, Richard Nixon, Elizabeth Taylor, Richard Burton, and other celebrities. The World Before forecasts things to come, among them:• A solution to the world's energy problem• A reduction in crime throughout America• The rise of a new national leader-in GermanyThe World Before is a dramatic and exciting book that will capture the imagination of everyone who seeks a deeper understanding of the mysteries of life.

Rose Fenemore is taking a break from her Cambridge teaching post in an isolated cottage on the island of Moila. One evening, she is shocked to discover an attractive stranger, Ewen Mackay, in her kitchen, who claims to have grown up in the cottage. She is tempted to believe him, when another man seeks shelter from the storm. John Parsons also rouses Rose's skepticism...and more tender feelings as well. And as the truth about the two men unfolds, the stormy petrels, fragile elusive birds who fly close to the waves, come to symbolize Rose's confusion and the mystery of her future....

She vowed to find a better world for her children. Even if she had to make it herself.A sweeping epic of contemporary history by Pulitzer Prize-winning author Alex Haley, this magnificent novel weaves an unforgettable story of one family, three generations, and their search for the American dream....She is the heart and soul of her family who, through faith and courage, drives herself, her children, and her grandchildren onward, determined to propel them to a better place. Mama Flora, born to poor sharecroppers in Tennessee, is forced to raise her children alone after the murder of her husband. But it will not be Willie, her son, who fulfills her ambitions, but Ruthana, the niece she raises as her own. Inspired by her love for the radical poet Ben, Ruthana seeks her soul in Africa even as Willie's son and daughter embrace Black Power and drugs in their embattled coming-of-age. Throughout all the seasons of their lives, it is Mama Flora who prevails, whose quiet determination and love bring them back, as she leads her own quest for justice in tumultuous times.