From a writer Steve Almond calls "the master of the down and out that just got worse" comes a collection of stories that live vividly in the reader's memory long after the final page has been turned. Taking place in a world of desperate people who cling to hope, but have few expectations, Roberge introduces us to a motley crew of cripples, drug addicts, former child actors, chimpanzee boxers, exterminators, and assorted criminals. These desperate, boldly original stories are distinguished by a stark prose reminiscent of Denis Johnson or Lorrie Moore, but are, ultimately, all their own--powerful, riveting, deeply felt, and darkly funny.

You may be disturbed—or possibly titillated—to discover what can happen once you cross the Orange Curtain . . . “‘There’s a dark side to most places,’ even California’s sunny Orange County, Edgar-winner T. Jefferson Parker observes in his foreword to this outstanding entry in Akashic’s noir series, one of the stronger of the all-original anthologies. The crisp, often seductive prose of the 14 contributors, most of them relatively unknown, is a tribute to the critical judgment of the editor.” —Publishers Weekly, Starred Review Akashic Books continues its groundbreaking series of original noir anthologies, launched in 2004 with Brooklyn Noir. Each story is set in a distinct neighborhood or location within the city of the book. Brand-new stories by: Susan Straight, Robert S. Levinson, Rob Roberge, Nathan Walpow, Barbara DeMarco-Barrett, Dan Duling, Mary Castillo, Lawrence Maddox, Dick Lochte, Robert Ward, Gary Phillips, Gordon McAlpine, Martin J. Smith, and Patricia McFall, with a foreword by T. Jefferson Parker.

The child he loves. The idea of a child, he's beginning to understand, is where everything will go wrong. William works as a human remains removal specialist, removing stains left by the dead. Whether by a bloody crime scene or a quiet domestic death, William is reminded each day of the frailty of human life. As his fiancée, Julie, nears term with their first child William becomes increasingly desperate for a way to overcome his belief that to birth is to kill. But Mrs. Rose, an elementary school principal and messenger pigeon hobbyist, nurtures William’s depressive outlook and claims to have a way to prove that William’s hesitancy to accept fatherhood is not only natural but necessary. In this novel of impending parenthood, an idealistic teacher recruits a pliant protégé to join her group of Strangers – a devout collection of kindred minds who have dedicated their lives to cultivating a unique idea of perfection. But joining is easier than leaving. ,

WORKING BACKWARDS Homeless, Broke, Divorced, Alone, Reclusive, Humiliated, Embarrassed and very very unhappy. That should be a reasonable snapshot of someone who really hasn't a lot to live for. Not this little black duck. Brendan Lauritz is no ordinary deperate dot. He is a man on a mission. He's on his way back, bigtime. In this story of success that hasn't happened.........yet, Brendan takes us on a journey, an emotional rollercoaster often with hilarious consequences and outcomes. This book thingie is about working backwards from his dream and final destination. From the town of Destin-ee back to his pathetic existence in Miser-ee, Brendan has been crying out for someone to show how to make it to the town of Happy-Me, his personal nirvana. But there is no help so he has worked out the escape route himself. Brendan has created a few new strategies to help him get out of his living hell hole. NEEDSEARCH, DOTS and VIPER POISON are the new weapons he will use to fight off the ee-vil NEGOBS which are trying to block his road to happiness. See, Brendan is just like you. He wants to be happy again. With only one life and time running out Brendan has started his journey to Happy-Me. If you want easy or "just ask and you will receive" then this book thingie isn't for you. But if you want to walk with someone hand in hand, from the hell hole of hopelessness to the heaven of happiness, then start reading. Your new life has begun.....

Something's about to break, and if we don't change direction soon, it's going to be us. It doesn't matter in which industry or where, too many of us are overworked, disengaged and apprehensive about the future of work. In his life-affirming new book, best-selling author and entrepreneur Tim Duggan argues that we approach work and life the wrong way around. Fuelled by a powerful realignment that's questioning the way we traditionally think about and interact with our workplaces, Work Backwards takes us on a journey around the world from America's top universities to the streets of Helsinki, from museums in Mexico to Sydney's golden beaches to explore how and why we work. You'll discover: Why reversing your thinking can have such an oversized impact The three things you need to live a full life right now How to easily reset your life-work balance How to use tools like remote, hybrid and flexible work properly Why this is right moment to experiment with work Expert guidance from the world's leading work and happiness researchers A new army of people who are rethinking their relationship with work Learn valuable, practical tools to work better and live a fulfilled and meaningful life that takes advantage of this once-in-a-generations opportunity to reverse your thinking and reclaim your life back from work.

Four brothers seek one woman. Mission: revenge. Soldier Renee Paulson and her best friend witnessed a murder. When her friend dies in suspicious circumstances, Renee flees to a secluded town. A helicopter pilot, she flies tourists over the tundra and delivers supplies while keeping a low profile. Like most werewolves, the Taktuq brothers are family oriented. Their younger sister is adamant Renee had an affair with her soldier husband, and they promise to investigate. Exhaustive research leads them to the Arctic town of Churchill. Renee Paulson or Renee James, the name she goes by now, is a sexy surprise. She’s solitary and wary, and it seems she is their mate. Perturbed, the brothers push on with wooing and romance while conflicted by their obligation to their sister. Peeling away Renee’s protective layers reveals a desirable, intelligent woman—one they wish to keep in their lives. When an assassin catches up with Renee, the Taktuq brothers embrace their wolves to save her. They’ll do anything to guard their mate, even protect her from their sister. Contains a strong, plain-Jane heroine, four werewolf heroes with attitude, lots of secret sexy times, a pissed younger sister and an assassin with a big gun.