Observed in Mexico and parts of the United States, El Día de Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is a celebratory holiday. Los Muertos is the first anthology of fiction relating to or inspired by this bicultural tradition. Each of the two dozen Mexican and Mexican American writers featured here has a unique affinity for the myriad ideas connected closely to the El Día de Muertos—some in less obvious ways. The stories connect to the metaphors and connotations related to memorializing the dead, some reflecting on the ritualized and religious aspects of what has become a commercialized holiday and others reacting to such cultural appropriations.In celebration and reconciliation, stories like Alessandra Narváez Varela's, told from the point of view of a Día de los Muertos wreath, and Marytza Rubio's, about a young woman trying to rewrite a young man's death through parallel dimensions, illustrate the ways Latino cultures process death. From...

The classic book of all time.

“What I want you to do is turn around now and walk back out again,” Harry Crews said, “because I don’t write science fiction. Don’t read it. Can’t bear it.”“We never said you did,” said the Gospel Singer.“But this is close. This is getting mighty close.”Anchoring this volume of Crews rarities, the novella Where Does One Go When There's No Place Left To Go? pits Crews himself against a handful of his most desperate creations. The Gospel Singer and Didymus; Fat Man (from Naked in Garden Hills); Belt (Karate is a Thing of the Spirit); Herman Mack & Margo (Car), and maniacal enthusiast Duffy Deeter (All We Need of Hell) have come calling on their creator, escaping their own fictions to settle up with the architect of their indvidual miseries. How do they go about this? Take him to Disney World, of course.Also included are the only four short stories Crews published in his lifetime - three formative and foundational entries from the early 1960s and a tale of erotic horror commissioned by editor Ellen Datlow in 1994 - as well as the novella The Enthusiast and Crews' only stage play, the semi-autobiographical Blood Issue.

Winner of the 2004 ReLit AwardShortlisted for the 2003 Pearson Canada Readers' Choice Book AwardNOW Magazine Top 10 for 2003Cameron Dodds has just turned thirty. A writer, he steals ideas from others' lives, often borrowing stories from the patients of his workplace, the Salvation Army Treatment Centre. When one of the patients, Darrel Greene, hangs himself, Cameron sees an opportunity for a story — maybe even a novel. He begins to research Darrel's past, and decides to visit his sister, June, a woman with Downs syndrome. As Cameron develops a relationship with June and delves further into Darrel's past, he makes many discoveries, none of which is more surprising than the one he makes about himself.

"A master of those embarrassing, gloppy, painful, and suddenly wonderful things that happen on the razor's edge between childhood and full-fledged adolescence" (The WashingtonPost), Newbery medalist Jerry Spinelli has penned his early autobiography with all the warmth, humor, and drama of his best-selling fiction. From first memories through high school, including first kiss, first punch, first trip to the principal's office, and first humiliating sports experience, this is not merely an account of a highly unusual childhood. Rather, like Spinelli's fiction, its appeal lies inthe accessibility and universality of his life. Entertaining and fast-paced, this is a highly readable memoir-- a must-have for Spinelli fans of allages. "From the Trade Paperback edition."

"The Threat" is a new Animorph named David. At first he's a valuable warrior. But as crucial battle plans unfold, the Animorphs realize they've made a terrible mistake.

On the Discworld's last continent, it's hot. It's dry. . . very dry. There was this thing once called the Wet, which no one now believes in. Practically everything that's not poisonous is venomous. But it's the best bloody place in the world, all right? And it'll die in a few days, except. . . Who is this hero striding across the red desert? Champion sheep shearer, horse rider, road warrior, beer drinker. A man in a hat, whose Luggage follows him on little legs, Yes . . . all this place has between itself and wind-blown doom is Rincewind, the inept wizard. He's the only hero left. Still . . . no worries, eh?

Since returning from the peninsular wars, Michael Waterstone has learned to live within restricted boundaries and taught himself not to yearn for what he can never have. Fortunately for him, ex-courtesan Angelique Delisle is no respecter of boundaries of any kind, and offers him a provocative Christmas wager that might change his life forever...

Meredith Graham's job as a children's book acquisitions editor takes her to Glenbrooke, Oregon, where she meets the only man who has ever made her heart leap: Jacob Wilde. Trouble is, his heart doesn't seem to be leaping in response to hers. But then, Jake's a movie star. Out of her league. Still, she can't get him out of her mind. So when circumstances continue to throw the two of them together, Meri decides to pull out all the stops to win her "dream man" -- but all of her schemes can't prepare her for what happens when they meet again in this bestselling former Palisades release, now book six in the new Glenbrooke series by award-winning author Robin Jones Gunn. Fun-loving Meri Graham has never met her match… until now? Meredith’s trip to Glenbrooke , Oregon , takes a decidedly interesting turn when she finds herself sharing a picnic with a man who makes her heart beat in triple time. Pretty, spunky, Meri has never had a problem holding her own with attractive men. But when she discovers her picnic partner is movie star Jacob Wilde, she loses her characteristic cool, puts her foot in her mouth, and ruins everything! The next time she meets Jacob, the tables are turned. He’s written some children’s books and wants her company to publish them. As acquisitions editor, Meri’s the woman he needs to impress. She’s more than willing to let him work at it. When Meri lands an unexpected walk-on role in a film, Jacob finally begins to see her in a different light—and discovers what it feels like to be starstruck himself.

From Publishers WeeklyDetective-journalist Jim Qwilleran and his prescient Siamese cats Koko and Yum Yum (The Cat Who Sang for the Birds, 1997) star in their 21st novel here, and while not quite as spry as ever, they're still the cat's meow. Qwill and his cats move from Pickax, where he's a newspaper columnist, to his beach house in Mooseville, probably on Lake Superior. Qwill rehashes gossip with locals and old friends, and observes Koko's odd behavior, which always forecasts an important event, although Qwill usually interprets the cat's clues retrospectively. Mooseville is abuzz with talk of the upscale restaurant opened by Floridians Owen and Ernestine Bowen, speculation about UFOs (Moose County is a sightings mecca) and puzzlement over the whereabouts of a missing backpacker, whose body Koko quickly uncovers in a sand dune. While fishing with a pal, Qwill sees Owen's boat anchored next to another; Qwill, his twitching mustache alerting him to skullduggery, suspects drug traffic. Shortly thereafter, Owen drowns. The solution to the one mystery that is resolved?that of Owen's death? comes as an anticlimax, while the mystery that's not cleared up?the fate of the backpacker?is chalked up by the locals to alien abduction. A skeptical Qwill grudgingly admits the possibility of aliens, cracking that cats, with their enigmatic behavior, may be aliens. With his 60 whiskers and gifts of perception, Koko is, as always, by far the most intelligent creature in the book. This isn't Braun's best, but her fans will adore it and only spoilsports will accuse her of, well, dogging it. Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc. From Library JournalIn Braun's 25th "Cat" mystery, Quill is fighting rumors that aliens are visiting Moose County while feisty feline Koko keeps gazing at the stars. Very mysterious.Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

A policewoman in a small Florida community, Sloan Reynolds knows that her modest upbringing was a long way from the social whirl of Palm Beach, the world inhabited by her father and her sister, Paris. Total strangers to Sloan, they have never tried to contact her — until a sudden invitation arrives, to meet them and indulge in the Palm Beach social season. A woman who values her investigative work, Sloan is unmoved by the long-overdue parental gesture. But when FBI agent Paul Richardson informs her that her father and his associates are suspected of fraud, conspiracy, and murder, Sloan agrees to enter into her father's life — while hiding her true profession. Sloan's on top of her game until she meets Noah Maitland, a multinational corporate player and one of the FBI's prime suspects — and finds herself powerfully attracted to him, against her deepest instincts. When a shocking murder shatters the seductive facade of the wealth and glamour surrounding her, Sloan must maneuver through a maze of deceit and passion, to find someone to trust — and to decipher the truth behind those terrifying whispers in the dark.

A rollicking and unpredictable adventure through the world of spies and double agents, lovers and enemies (often one and same). It has been said that somewhere in the world you have an exact double. This rocket-ride of a novel ignites with the sudden cry of "Ai! Pedrito!", as Naval Lieutenant Tom Smith discovers that his exact look-alike is the notorious South American revolutionary and spy, Pedrito Miraflores. Inspired by a real incident in the life of L. Ron Hubbard, "Ai! Pedrito!" is a fun-to-read, compelling novel of what can sometimes happen when intelligence goes wrong. "All the fast pacing of James Bond and the adventure of Indiana Jones." —Mystery Scene **

This passionate historical romance featuring the second generation of the Sutherland family sweeps from the Scottish Highlands to colonial Maryland, where a struggling young woman makes a desperate bargain with a freedom fighter Minutes before being hanged for treason against the British crown, Ian Sutherland is suddenly spared . . . only to end up in chains again, this time in the hold of a ship bound for the colonies. In America, he becomes the indentured servant of a prosperous Maryland farm owner. But the noble freedom fighter vows to one day escape his servitude and sail back across the sea to his clan. Then he meets Fancy Marsh.   John Marsh rescued Fancy and her half sister Fortune from a terrible fate. Now Fancy shares a good life with her husband, their two children, and an ever-increasing menagerie of pets. But when John dies, Fancy is left at the mercy of his cruel, covetous brother. In desperation, she turns to her rugged,...

Honor Donovan is a shrewd businesswoman, yet she has been shut out of Donovan International by her father and four brothers. When her favorite brother Kyle vanishes, along with a fortune in stolen amber, Honor's questions are ignored by the Donovan males. Defying them, she heads to the San Juan Islands of the Pacific Northwest in search of answers.Honor needs a guide because she knows nothing about running a boat -- and she knows nothing about Jake Mallory until he answers her ad. One of the things she doesn't know is that Jake is much more than a fishing guide. Until Kyle disappeared, Jake was brokering amber deals in the Baltic for Donovan International. Honor is completely unaware of the old wars, new politics, greed, and stolen amber that have lured ruthless, high-stakes players from around the globe.Jake wants no part of the intrigue, or of a Donovan woman in his life, but he suspects the Donovans have set him up to take the fall for Kyle's treachery. The way Jake sees it, some Donovan is going to pay for his troubles, and it just may turn out to be HonorJake and Honor cast off on a journeys moldering with distrust, betrayal, vengeance... and temptation. A hunger grows between them that is as dangerous as the secrets they keep. Alone at sea, they pursue the stubborn mystery of the Amber Room, flee from relentless enemies, and fight against trusting each other. Yet when Honor and Jake dare to confide in one another, they face a final truth: the penalty for betrayal is death; the reward is a lifetime...together.Amazon.com ReviewWhen her brother Kyle vanishes, along with a fortune in stolen amber, Honor Donovan settles into his cottage in the San Juan Islands of the Pacific Northwest and hires fishing guide Jake Mallory to help her search the surrounding islands for him. What Jake doesn't want Honor to know is that, until recently, he brokered amber deals for Donovan International, run by Honor's brothers, and is now suspected by them of having stolen the missing amber, along with a priceless Russian antiquity called the Amber Room. As Honor and Jake search the high seas for Kyle, dodging wily international operatives and mysterious intruders, their smoldering distrust eventually gives way to explosive passion. But there's no guarantee that they'll survive, or that they'll forgive their mutual deceptions and create a future together. Fascinating details about amber, and less fascinating descriptions of boating, lend authenticity to this contemporary romance marked by its edgy repartee, highly charged love scenes, and gorgeous geography. --Ellen EdwardsFrom Kirkus ReviewsA well-made, completely predictable and unchallenging second hardcover from Lowell (Winter Fire, 1996)--a romance that offers all the sexual tension, adventure, and squishy clich‚s that fans of the genre could possibly want. Tough Jake Mallory (Jake being this year's romance-novel nom de choice for soldiers of fortune and macho men) passes himself off as a fishing guide in order to keep tabs on Honor Donovan, a jewelry designer who's searching for her lost brother Kyle in the San Juan Islands. (Honor needs a boat to find Kyle, and she doesn't know how to pilot a boat; in fact, she hates boats, and she hates fishing.) Kyle, it seems, has disappeared from Russia with a million dollars' worth of Baltic amber and, perhaps, a priceless panel from the famous Amber Room, which had been disassembled and taken from a czar's palace by the Nazis. Jake (Been there . . . done that . . . got the T shirt'') is a former government agent who now manages his own international investment company. Like most heroes of his ilk, he comes complete with scars, black stubble, and the requisiteclean fingernails'' (which is typical for the genre: only villains have problems with personal hygiene). Jake believes that Kyle and the Donovans, a colorful family, have framed him for the crime; Kyle's family believes that Jake has set Kyle up; and the CIA is trailing Jake and Honor to get its hands on the Amber Room, as are the Russian mafiya, a Lithuanian freedom fighter, ex-employees of the former KGB, and the Coast Guard. While he strives to clear his name, Jake teaches Honor how to drive a speedboat, catch salmon, and have good sex, which heretofore she'd always found pretty ``boring.'' Some parts of his job are, obviously, more fun than others. Much livelier than Winter Fire, and perhaps the beginning of a series. -- Copyright ©1997, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.