Big Ned died the way everyone assumed he would. Being a jerk. But no one ever guessed what sort of problem he would leave behind, that problem being... Big Ned’s Guest, a novella by Jake Wilhelm Left to handle Big Ned’s sins is his son. Little Ned is about to confront his father’s evils – the ones he knew about, and the horrors he didn’t know about. When he comes out of this, can he be a better man than Big Ned? Or does the apple simply not fall far from the tree?

New Year’s Eve, 1934. While Honolulu celebrates with champagne and fireworks, someone is making away with the Bishop Museum’s portrait of King Kalakaua and its curator. A series of brutal murders follows, and an unlikely pair, newspaper reporter Mina Beckwith and visiting playwright Ned Manusia, find themselves investigating a twisted trail of clues in an attempt to recover the painting and uncover the killer. Honolulu in the 1930s is a unique (and volatile) mix of the provincial and the urban, East and West, islander and mainlander. Mina and Ned, both of Polynesian descent, confront the complexities and contradictions of Island life as their investigation takes them into the heart of Honolulu society and close-knit local families, whose intricate histories and relationships will have a direct impact on future lives and events. A lively cast of characters aids Mina and Ned in their search for answers: Cecily Chang, an antiques and explosives expert, steers them through Chinatown’s back alleys; Hinano Kahana, a hula chanter and dancer, brings Ned closer to solving an ancient riddle; Mina’s grandmother, Hannah, helps them unlock a secret from the past. Prewar Honolulu comes to life in this thoroughly entertaining mystery that evokes a colorful bygone era. The Mina Beckwith and Ned Manusia series continues with Murder Leaves Its Mark, available September 2011.

After four years of training to become a Navy SEAL, Ned Marshall is finally ready to marry the woman of his dreams, Shae Johnson. And Shae’s been uber patient, waiting, building a life as a free-lance graphic artist, moving around the globe to be with him. So, when she said yes to his proposal in Geneva, he fully expected to live happily-ever-after. At the very least, he expected her to be waiting at the hotel for him three days after an emergency call-out. And maybe it was unreasonable to expect her to be sitting in the hotel, working on her watercolors—Shae, after all grew up in Montana, and she has adventure in her blood. So of course she’s going to go climb the beautiful Swiss mountains. Even make a friend. But Ned isn’t thrilled with her new friend, and something about him doesn’t feel safe… So she’s made some friends while waiting for Ned to return? Shae can’t believe that after years of sacrifice, Ned is actually angry at her—what did he expect, that she’d sit by the window? Dana and his friends are harmless, right? Not so much. Because when Shae finds herself kidnapped, and brought to Russia, she fears the worst—she’s been swept up in a human trafficking ring. And when she’s sent to, of all places, Siberia how will Ned ever find her? But Ned isn’t going to lose her—not after everything they’ve been through, and he’ll stop at nothing to rescue her. But when he discovers the real reason she’s been taken, he will have to become a traitor to his country if he wants her back. Join the epic race to rescue Shae in the high-adrenaline book three in the Minnesota Marshalls series. The Minnesota Marshalls Book 1: Fraser Book 2: Jonas Book 3: Ned Book 4: Iris (coming soon) Book 5: Creed (coming soon) More Marshall family romantic adventures The Epic Story of RJ and York Book 1: Out of the Night Book 2: I Will Find You Book 3: No Matter the Cost The Montana Marshalls Book 1: Knox Book 2: Tate Book 3: Ford Book 4: Wyatt Book 5: Ruby Jane

Is there anything holy in Springfield, the home to irascible Bart Simpson and his naive dad Homer, their enthusiastic evangelical neighbor Ned Flanders, the sourpuss minister Rev. Lovejoy, and the dozens of other unique characters who inhabit the phenomenally popular TV show? In this revision of the 2001 bestseller, author Mark Pinsky says yes! In this entertaining and enlightening book, Pinsky shows how The Simpsons engages issues of religion and morality in a thoughtful, provocative, and genuinely respectful way. With three new chapters and updates to reflect the 2001-2006 seasons, Pinsky has given a thorough facelift to the book that Publishers Weekly called "thoughtful and genuinely entertaining." The new material includes chapters on Buddhism and gay marriage and an extensive afterword that explores how religion is treated on the animated shows that have followed in the footsteps of The Simpsons: South Park, Family Guy, Futurama, American Dad, and King of the Hill.

Get ready for a sparkling adventure like no other with "Ned and Nancy and the Case of the Glittering Jewel Thief" - the fourth gem of a book in the series, designed especially for young readers aged 8-12! In this dazzling new tale, Ned and Nancy find themselves at the heart of an electrifying mystery. Riverton is buzzing with anticipation as the grand opening of a new exhibit featuring the priceless Starlight Sapphire draws near. However, the atmosphere soon turns somber when the dazzling gem is stolen right from under everyone's watchful eyes, leaving the city in shock. It's up to our favorite young detectives, Ned and Nancy, to unravel this perplexing case. Their investigation takes them on a glittering journey through Riverton, where they meticulously piece together clues involving mysterious fingerprints, cryptic messages, and puzzling power outages. The question looms large: who could have executed such a daring heist, and for what reason? Is it the anxious museum curator, the renowned jewelry designer, or perhaps the seemingly clumsy security guard? This thrilling story is enhanced by breathtaking, full-color illustrations that will captivate young readers, immersing them in the world of Ned and Nancy as they navigate this treacherous investigation. With Nancy's sharp eye for detail and Ned's inventive problem-solving skills (and, of course, a fair share of snacks), they tackle their most challenging case to date. "Ned and Nancy and the Case of the Glittering Jewel Thief" is a perfect blend of intrigue, humor, and the enduring warmth of friendship that makes this series a favorite among young readers who love a good mystery. Will our young detectives outshine the crafty thief and restore the Starlight Sapphire to its rightful place? Join Ned and Nancy on this dazzling adventure and uncover the secrets hidden beneath the glimmering surface. It's a journey that promises excitement, mystery, and a whole lot of sparkle - don't miss out!