Behind the Façade examines the question of why authoritarian regimes in Southeast Asia bother holding elections. Using comprehensive case studies of Cambodia, Myanmar, and Singapore, Lee Morgenbesser argues that elections allow authoritarian regimes to collect information, pursue legitimacy, manage political elites, and sustain neopatrimonial domination. He demonstrates how these functions are employed to manage the complex strategic interaction that occurs between dictators, political elites, and citizens. Far from being mere window dressing or even a precursor to democracy, flawed elections, Morgenbesser concludes, are paramount to the maintenance of authoritarian rule.

In her new book, Behind the Façade: Exposing Female Sex Offenders and Helping Abuse Victims to Heal, Julie Brand, M.S., combines research data, professional insights and survivors’ shared histories to enlighten readers about the reality of female-perpetrated sexual abuse. The book consists of three separate, independent chapters: 1) Female Sex offenders: Unmasking the Perpetrators, 2) What About Our Boys? Understanding the Challenges Facing Male Victims of Sexual Abuse and Assault, and 3) A Path to Recovery and Resiliency. Each chapter includes information from her workshops but also adds riveting new cases and material.

Snapshots Behind the Façade is an absorbing collection of observations, many of them profound, on various facets of life on planet Earth. In essence, the author takes a broad look at the fabricated social environment that we humans have created for ourselves and he highlights the curious and nonsensical nature of much of our surroundings. The critique of the war on Iraq will be of special interest to those looking for a definitive explanation of what that war is all about. The author also offers conclusions about the fundamental nature of matters of the ultimate importance: life, death, religion, and the future. After reading this engaging and entertaining book, you may look at a lot of things a lot differently.

As a renowned traveling player—with a dangerous sideline career in political intrigue—no one understands better than Philip Hurst the masks that people wear. But the effort it takes to school his reactions when he comes face-to-face with Rebecca Clifton tests even his theatrical expertise! Becky has blossomed from innocent childhood friend into a beautiful and fiery widow. As Philip gets drawn into the tangled web of her family affairs, he can't help but wonder if he's met his match. Could Becky be the woman to tempt Philip to take on a new role, as her loving husband?

*** THE NUMBER ONE BESTSELLING AUTHOR *** Chris Wallace was a skunk of the highest order. But Ellen Munroe loved him passionately. He lied to her, cheated on her, broke her trust and broke her heart. He wasn't worth her love...or was he? Emma Munroe, Ellen's glamorous sister-in-law is related to Chris. She can't stand Ellen and the feeling is mutual. Sheila Munroe, Ellen's mother and a pillar of society in the town of Glenree is mortified that her daughter is the subject of common gossip. Promises, Promises covers a decade in the lives of the four Munroe women - and the charming womanizer who left a trail of emotional destruction in his wake. A tale of love and heartbreak, laughter and tears that will strike a chord with all women... especially those who have loved a rotter! Warmth, wisdom and love on every page - if you treasured Maeve Binchy, read Patricia Scanlan. Number 1 bestselling author Patricia Scanlan is set to capture the hearts and enchant the minds of a whole new generation of readers who will fall in love with her sublime storytelling. A trailblazing women’s fiction author, all of her novels have been #1 international bestsellers, most recently With All My Love, A Time for Friends, Orange Blossom Days and A Family Reunion. She writes multi-generational family dramas with compassion and authenticity, and a hint of comforting escapism. ‘If you love Maeve Binchy, you MUST try Patricia Scanlan' Woman & Home 'Utterly magical and wonderful... warmth and compassion shine through' MARIAN KEYES 'Like being enfolded in a hug from the great writer herself: warm, comforting and full of love' CATHY KELLY 'There can be little doubt that Patricia Scanlan is the prolific queen of contemporary Irish popular fiction' Sunday Times 'There is a heartbreaking authenticity in her observations' Irish Times 'The ultimate comfort read' Glamour ‘If you love Maeve Binchy, you will love Patricia Scanlan’ Mirror

A revolution is under way at a once sleepy New England bank. Forty-five-year-old Frances Fitzgibbons has gone from sweet-tempered loan officer to insatiable force of nature almost overnight. Suddenly she’s brazenly seducing the high-school drum major, taking over her boss’s office, firing anyone who crosses her, inspiring populist fervor, and publicly announcing plans to crush her local rivals en route to dominating the entire banking industry in the northeast. The terrifying new order instituted by Frankie and her offbeat goon squad (led by her devoted hairdresser and including her own son-in-law) is an awesome spectacle to behold. Brimming with snappy dialogue and gleeful obscenity, Ride a Cockhorse is a rollicking cautionary tale of small-town demagoguery that might be seen to prefigure both America’s current financial woes and the rise of Sarah Palin. Frances is in any case a beautiful monster of an antiheroine—resist her at your peril!