Tucker Stapleton emerged from a youth of trial and conflict as a fiercely determined young man endowed with special talents. These talents were clearly recognized by his early teens; they included extraordinary athletic prowess, high-level intelligence, and exceptional charm. After college, he realized a great deal of success in professional football, and with that success, he became famous. He was the recipient of professional footballs honors and accolades. When he was struck down by a career-ending injury, businesses sought his polished charm and name recognition. In his capacity as a Vice President in charge of Community Relations at a large and prestigious company, Tucker Stapleton would begin the second dynamic period of his life. He was not yet thirty years old, but he was wealthy, and to most who met him, he was handsome and completely irresistible. His arrival at Shamrock Hill marked his deepening involvement with the closely bonded families who lived there. The devastating impact and tragic suffering that his hedonistic and exploitative actions brought to those families served to put his life on a collision course with a life-crisis that culminates in a violent confrontation.

Written by a young human rights worker, "Silence on the Mountain" is a virtuoso work of reporting and a masterfully plotted narrative tracing the history of Guatemala's 36-year internal war, a conflict that claimed the lives of more than 200,000 people.

College professor Johanna Marshall swore she would never fall in love again. She especially did not want to become involved with someone who has a reputation as an extreme womanizer...someone like Kelly Sambino. But on a hot summer night, Jo finds herself unable to resist Kelly. What follows is something Jo would like very much to quickly forget. Embarrassed after their night of passion, Jo hopes she will never have to see Kelly again. Then when Fall classes begin, Jo finds herself face to face with the college's new Literature Professor - Kelly Sambino. Will Kelly's charms win Jo over? Will Jo listen to her friends or will she, in a moment of need, follow the stirrings in her heart...

Filled with local history, down-to-earth tips, and offbeat observations, this guide will lead you to the region's favorite spots to stay, eat, drink, and celebrate. Central Texas is an unpretentious, free-spirited region filled with treasured taquerias, hallowed music venues, juicy BBQ, and revered natural wonders. A non-stop schedule of cultural festivals makes for year-round revelry. Explore San Antonio's pedestrian-friendly River Walk, legendary Alamo and historic Mission Trail. Austin's internationally recognized music scene keeps feet tapping and its parks, trails, and swimming holes offer endless recreation. Take a carefree road trip through the Hill Country, past vineyards and wildflowers, to towns brimming with gourmet restaurants and relaxing B&Bs.

A second chance romance about a billionaire bull rider and the girl he left behind. Rumors and secrets can tear a relationship apart, but can the truth mend broken hearts or is it too late for love? Bull riding champion Bret Tanner is home to help with a family charity event, but when Ellie Seton shows up asking for an interview, he has no plans to open up to the woman who broke his heart years ago. Ellie is desperate for the interview and not thrilled about having to convince Bret to talk to her. He broke her heart when he chose bull riding and a tabloid worthy lifestyle over her. Now, she’s an entertainment columnist and needs this interview or she’ll lose her job. When her mother, the town florist, is injured, Ellie must step in to help fulfill the flower orders for the Tanner family’s charity event. Can Ellie use helping with the event to get the interview she needs? Or will working side by side with Bret be too much for her heart to bear?

The Slope of Kongwa Hill by Tony Edwards Kongwa, in central Tanganyika (now Tanzania) had been the central location for the post-World War II British government's, 30-million-acre Groundnut Scheme. With its failure, a village of tin roofed and white ant infested abandoned shacks, devoid of water-born sanitation, became available - suited, it was decided by the Tanganyika legislature - to temporarily locate a co-ed secondary school for European children. Kongwa School was unique in Africa: it catered to 400 students in an arid outback region, home to the Wagogo tribe, but otherwise essentially undeveloped. Based on the memoirs of Tony Edwards, this novel picks up his story when, at age 9, as a result of his parents moving to East Africa, Tony finds himself bound for Kongwa School in January of 1952. Located just south of the Maasai Steppe where was to be found every manner of game, exotic bird life, insects and reptiles, Kongwa provided a harsh if adventure-filled location in which to be educated and grow. The Slope of Kongwa Hill is a fascinating account of the journey of a sensitive young boy to a bolder young man. The story recalls the toughness, discipline, sometimes the brutality of British boarding school life, aggravated by the primitive location and its concurrence with the ever-present danger from living in East Africa's bundu. Fights and beatings contrast with the excitement of animal and reptile confrontations, torrential storms, locust infestation and other adventures. A terrifying encounter with a black mamba, running away into the bush, hunting for game for the school's meat supply, a narrow escape from lionesses, Boy Scout camp-outs, and a forbidden romance during the central character's coming-of-age, combine in a kaleidoscope of never-to-be-repeated experiences, recounted with passion and, at times, delightful humour. Advance reviews "...Evokes the feelings of young school kids in an absolutely unique situation at a time of great worldwide change. The happy and not-so-happy times are faithfully remembered and the setting of the great plains of central Tanganyika (Tanzania) -- in an era before television, cell phones, reliable electricity supply or decent transport -- makes for a book that one cannot put down." - Graeme Berry (an alumnus of that place and times), UK "I was fourteen when I read this book, around the age the kids were in this story of boarding school days in Africa. I was amazed at the experience, jealous of the freedoms kids had then but scared for some of the dangers and violence too. Boy, much of it would be totally illegal today. It's a cool book which I think was intended for grown-ups, but pretty exciting for teens who are interested in boys (and girls) adventures in wildest Africa. Wish I could have been there." - Callum O'Neill, Canada "Having been born and raised in East Africa, I related to the author's memories and descriptions of life. The songs of the birds and the sounds of the bush that are unique; the colours, the dryness, the vastness, the native people and their amazing history, all came flooding back. Once you have sampled living in Africa, you never really leave it behind. A good read and highly recommended for anyone with a taste for Africa." - Fiona Firth, Australia "A wonderful account of not just the author's life in Tanganyika but an excellent record of the children growing up in a country where they had to go to a boarding school, lost in the bush and far from home. So close to my own experience, it brings my memories flooding back." - Barbara Laing (an alumna of the place and times), UK "Feels like I am there, a young boy growing up all over again... I love this book!" - Ted Weir, Canada