Computer security specialist Jonathan Davis's daily routine includes monitoring firewall and intrusion detection logs for a large financial services company in Palm Springs, California. The job is mind-numbing until, like some of his fellow employees, he begins compromising the privacy of others--the very thing he was hired to protect--for his own amusement. It isn't long before Davis comes upon a scandalous e-mail from one of Hollywood's hottest stars. A recovering gambling addict swimming in debt, Davis believes his prayers are answered when he sells the star's e-mail to a gossip magazine for a hefty sum. With his debts paid off, he intends to put the indiscretion behind him--but the magazine wants more and will go to any lengths to get it. As if that isn't enough to keep him up at night, Davis becomes privy to a sinister plot to murder the very celebrity whose secrets he has been selling. With his love life in turmoil, his career in the balance, and his very life on the line, Davis must summon more than his technical expertise to save his girlfriend, her daughter, and Hollywood s elite. Mark Stone's Behind the Screen is a technological thriller that will make anyone think twice before hitting Send.

Behind the Screen: Hacking Hollywood

Literature & Fiction

Mark Stone

Contemporary

Emerald Book Company

Twenty-one-year-old narcoleptic Angel Duet knows her father harbors secrets. He loves and protects her, but his suspicious refusal to discuss her mother s death drives Angel to worship an image created from the little history she does have: her father's sketchy stories and her mother's treasured photography, studies of clouds that have hung in the their foyer for more than twenty years. 
When her father's girlfriend moves in, the photographs come down, and Angel's search for truth becomes an obsession. As she struggles to uncover the past and gain control over the narcolepsy that often fogs her world, Angel descends into a dizzying realm of drugs, adultery, and confused desire that further obscures reality. As Angel begins to expose a history she could never have imagined, she discovers her entire life has been anchored around lies. Accepting the truth, once found, is the key to understanding herself, her family, and her life. To truly awaken, Angel must realize that sometimes the gifts we receive are not what we want--and only in time do we see their worth. At first glance, Aberrations is the story of a young woman who learns to live with her narcolepsy, and who struggles immensely to understand how her mom died when she was born and to discover who her mother really was. But the debut novel of Penelope Przekop moves insightfully into a whole other dimension, showing the reader how each of us lives a life of aberration, that we each have some kind of stigma or conflict or handicap to overcome. We also discover that having the strength to first seek out the truth and then to live with it can be quite challenging.

Aberrations

Penelope Przekop

Genre Fiction

When Jake Lorenz retreats to his family's cabin in the North Minnesota woods for the winter, he s looking for peace, quiet, and time to reflect on the loss of his wife and his job. But instead, he finds destruction and death--a gruesome murder scene on his very doorstep. The more he discovers about the death, the deeper he is drawn into a shadowy struggle for land, wealth, and power. There are forceful men who don t want him to search any further: the corrupt tribal council that controls the nearby Ojibwe casino, the secretive and antisocial plutocrat who owns half the peninsula, and the ruthless Indian Mafia, to name a few. But to save the community he loves, which is set in this harsh and lovely wilderness, Jake must battle personal demons and the deadly forces of man and nature to learn the truth. 
 With origins dating back 200 years and outcomes that could appear in tomorrow's newspaper, In the Absence of Honor whisks readers through a tale of conspiracy, fraud, deception, and betrayal--that reverberate from a small northern community and Indian reservation to powerful forces in Washington, D.C.

In the Absence of Honor

Mystery, Thriller & Suspense

Jim Proebstle

Mystery

Award-Winner in the Fiction category of the 2009 National Indie Excellence Awards Webs of Power is a raw, unsentimental portrayal of greed, manipulation, and relationships set in the excessive, insatiable retail industry of the 1980s. 
 When a hostile takeover of the retail giant Consolidated is announced, the lives of three determined women, each linked to the corporate upheaval, are unexpectedly thrown off course: Paige Toddman's marriage to Consolidated's West Coast Division CEO is threatened when she decides to step out of her fast-paced lifestyle to raise the unwanted child she is carrying, a choice driven by her secret past. The fabric of Ashleigh McDowell's life begins to fray when her fiance, the president of Consolidated's West Coast Division, moves away and her father figure faces a lawsuit that could wipe out his controlling shares of the company s stock. Vain and power hungry, Viviana De Mornay will stop at nothing to become the wife of the man leading the takeover. 
 Webs of Power is a thrilling real-world drama with dynamic characters who find the courage to drastically reshape their lives in the face of crises and the twists of fate.
 Read the entire Webs standalone series! Webs of Fate Webs of Power Twisted Webs Unpredictable Webs Conflicting Webs

Webs of Power: Book 2 of the Webs Series

Darlene Quinn

United States

The #1 problem in our world today is effective energy management--the energy that fuels our buildings and propels our vehicles as well as our human energy. But if individuals, governments, and corporations take action now, we can have 
In Beyond Light Bulbs, Susan Meredith helps readers move beyond the gloom, doom, and overwhelm of global warming and the energy crisis. She offers hopeful and helpful advice for actions we can all take to improve our future. Straightforward and clear, the book offers a complete an comprehensive overview of energy in layman's terms, while giving concrete examples of how you can contribute and benefit. 
 You don't have to be an engineer to understand the simple framework for a comprehensive solution presented here: 
<ul>
<li>Six key components of a global solution</li> <li>Three crucial areas of support for the solution</li> <li>Improvements of 20 percent in four key areas to achieve a 41 percent reduction in emissions</li> <li>Measuring the economy in ways that support smart energy management</li> <li>Change without struggle and suffering</li>
</ul>
 The reality is that there is no scarcity or overabundance of energy. We have long known that the current energy management structures in our world don't work for a large portion of our planet. The solution to our problem lies in matching the supply with the demand in an affordable, timely, and ecologically sustainable way. Working together, we can turn from survivability to thrive-ability for all on planet Earth. 
 Praise for Beyond Light Bulbs:
 'Beyond Light Bulbs is an easy, enjoyable read on a complex topic.' --Don Brown, former Dell Director of Environmental Affairs and current CEO of Ecovelocity 
 'In Beyond Light Bulbs, Susan Meredith has created a compelling story about how we might face the energy question head-on. In clear and entertaining language, she writes about the truth of the upcoming energy crisis and what we can all do about it. This is a fine book that should be read by everyone who has an even passing interest in the topic' --R. Britt Freund, Assistant Dean and former Director, Texas Evening MBA, McCombs School of Business, the University of Texas at Austin 
 ''ForeWord Reviews Book of the Year Awards Finalist''

Beyond Light Bulbs: Lighting the Way to Smarter Energy Management

Science & Math

Susan Meredith

Nature & Ecology

At age thirty-four, Richard Gunther had achieved the American Dream. But even after rising above the emotional hardship of childhood abandonment to serve in World War II and make a small fortune in real estate, Gunther's insatiable appetite for extreme experiences and meaningful connections with his fellow human beings drove him to a whole new adventure in the second half of life--one involving spiritual, scientific, pseudoscientific, and even hallucinogenic experimentation. 
 In what was originally meant as a private memoir for his sons, Gunther--now an octogenarian--does more than simply recount a life of thrill-seeking; his journey is a blueprint for progression from isolation, limitation, and shallow everyday experience to self-knowledge, self-expression, and deeper engagement with life. How High Is Up? is about the risks, the passion, and the emotional self-awareness that lead to real fulfillment. 
 Brimming with its author's contagious enthusiasm, this life story recounts everything from treks to Kilimanjaro and rehabilitation work in the slums of Israel to grueling marathons and extraterrestrial research. Gunther's tale proves that anything is possible in the lives of those who never cease to ask, "How high is up?" 
 Praise for How High Is Up?: 'In How High Is Up?, Dick Gunther tells his story of self-discovery, high adventure, business success, and successful efforts to achieve peace and justice on a worldwide scale. Dick's commitment to ''repair the world'' comes through on every page. His exciting life, generosity of spirit, and gift for story-telling make this an important and compelling book that has lessons for us all.' --Professor Muhammad Yunus, founder and managing director, Grameen Bank, and co-recipient, 2006 Nobel Peace Prize 
 'Dick Gunther has lived with extraordinary gusto and goodness, and this memoir tells his store with great joy. What courage! What resilience! What capacity for learning and new life! I love this book. I love this guy.' --Michael Murphy, founder, Esalen Institute 
'I have known Dick Gunther as a close personal friend for over fifty years. In his book, How High Is Up?, he tells a moving, sensitive narrative from which we can all learn valuable lessons to guide us in our daily lives. Bravo Dick!' --Judge Joseph A. Wapner, formerly of The People's Court '''Is that all there is?'' Dick Gunther shares that haunting question in his penetrating self-interrogations. His struggles for meaning and identification call to mind the biblical legend in which Jacob confronts a mysterious man and wrestles with him befre the setting of the dawn. The struggle is not easy, and Jacob leaves limping. But he has become a different man, and earned a different name: ''For you have struggled with God and with man, and you have prevailed.'' Gunther's memoir is a candid flesh-and-blood account that offers inspiration and admiration for the powers of resilience. His unflinching self-revelation offers tough optimism.' --Rabbi Harold M. Schulweis, Valley Beth Shalom, founder of Jewish World Watch

How High Is Up?: The Tale of a Restless Spirit

Biographies & Memoirs

Richard S. Gunther

Memoirs

How do you deal with the possible layoff of 10,000 employees in 85 countries? How can you use inductive reasoning to assess difficult business situations? Why is an executive team so often an oxymoron? With more than sixty years of combined experience in global consulting and financial advising, Mike Policano and Gail Steinel are time-tested problem solvers who answer these and other challenging questions in the instructive and entertaining Excuse Me, Aren't You In Charge? Insightful Snippets to Recharge Your Leadership Batteries. 
 From "Fine Wine the Bottom Line" to "Cheap Is Expensive," the dozens of fast-paced stories included in this book offer unique insights that take the reader far beyond conventional business wisdom. These true-life tales provide a fresh perspective on key leadership issues and will help you improve your own performance and nurture the potential leaders you meet in your professional and personal life. Written with the casual grace of old friends swapping stories around the kitchen table, Excuse Me, Aren't You In Charge delivers energizing information in a breezy style. Read this book. Energize your batteries. And get ready to take charge.

Excuse Me, Aren't You In Charge? Insightful Snippets to Recharge Your Leadership Batteries

Business & Money

Gail Steinel

Mike Policano

Management & Leadership

What is life's most important truth? 
 Kira Blakely receives a letter about a problem with her scholarship which leads to the discovery of a shocking truth about her past. Julia Edwards goes abroad to school to learn more about her Christian religion. She returns home, having lost her faith in God. Daniel Aiello makes a miraculous recovery after doctors pronounce him dead. Now, every year on the anniversary of his healing, God speaks to him and contradicts the teachings of all existing religions. Peter Grayson is involved in a medical research project that seeks to solve the mystery of the human memory which uncovers challenges the idea that death brings an end to life. 
 Three characters are connected by their need to find new truths about beliefs that were destroyed. Their search will bring them closer to the discovery of life's most important truth.

The Second Cycle

Alan Richards

Many people have a special bond with animals, but few have the ability to understand the innermost thoughts, feelings, and desires of different creatures. Author Tim Link is one such individual--a man blessed with the ability to communicate with animals telepathically.  In this book, the author details some of his most dramatic and moving encounters with the animal kingdom. From helping a lost cat find her way home to comforting a Catalan sheepdog after back surgery, Link shares stories that are both entertaining and heartfelt. A full-time animal communicator and a Reiki energy healer for animals, Link has never failed to reach an animal, even if that animal has transitioned to the next world. In these dramatic and moving stories, Link describes how he communicates with animals, not only in words, but also through feelings, smells, tastes, emotions, and images. By building powerful intuitive connections with other species, Link has transformed the lives of numerous animals and the people who care for them. His stories will transform the lives of readers as well, as they learn to open their minds and hearts to all creatures great and small.  Whether it's a story of joy, loneliness, or redemption, every animal has a tale, and Tim Link has brought magically resonant tales to life in this powerful collection of stories.  A portion of all proceeds from the sale of this book will be donated to animal rescue organizations.  Praise for Wagging Tales: 'In my long career of working with domestic animals, pets, and wild animals, they have never ceased to amaze me! Whether it is their impressive strength, adaptability to new circumstances, social skills, or their ability to communicate, they continue to re-define the term 'animal.' Perhaps what we don't know about animals will be the most incredible finding yet! Tim Link's accounts in Wagging Tales will make you start thinking . . .' --Jack Hanna, Director Emeritus of the Columbus Zoo, host of TV's Into the Wild  'Tim Link delights us with enlightening true stories that clearly illustrate the powerful process and results of telepathic communication with animals. The author is also refreshingly realistic about the limitations of his animal communication work. An entertaining and educational book!' --Penelope Smith, author of Animal Talk, When Animals Speak, Animals in Spirit, and editor of Species Link magazine  'Tim Link guides readers into the world of animal communication with his experiences, photos, and practical tips. He makes us aware of how human decisions affect pets--what kinds of candles cats don't like, how work schedules and changes upset pets, which pets don't want to share their toys. This is a delightful and helpful book that shows the utmost respect for the sentient beings with whom we share our homes. Read it and become wise to the ways of animals.' --Allen and Linda Anderson, authors of Angel Cats, Angel Dogs, Angel Horses, and other books

Wagging Tales: Every Animal Has a Tale

Crafts, Hobbies & Home

Tim Link

Pets & Animal Care

From school pranks to Plato, from yearbook to the gym, It Happened in School takes the reader on an entertaining and enlightening journey through the uniquely American institution, the public high school.
 After teaching English and journalism, and coaching for more than thirty-five years, author Bob Crosby has seen it all--and enjoyed most of it. With a keen eye for detail, and a sharp ear for language, Crosby has crafted fifty stories from the fun side of high school life. Readers will enjoy learning about Crosby's experiences almost as much as he enjoyed writing them. Anyone who has ever experienced high school, and that includes most of us, will appreciate the resounding truth and uplifting joy that Crosby captures on this page. Pink tennis shoes, jellyfish, and Bacigalupis--look for them all in this delightfully upbeat collection of stories, It Happened in School.

It Happened in School: 50 Stories of Actual Classroom/Athletic Field Happenings Bound to Put a Smile on Your Face

Bob Crosby

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Books by Emerald Book Company