When Annabel felt the building shake without warning that crisp, sunny morning in New York City, she had no idea her life was about to change forever. Alone in her office, on the 46th floor, she step, step, jump, down the stairs to solid ground and into a taxi where her internal journey begins that will shape her life in ways she could never imagine. Bringing together riveting storytelling, cultural history, and a spiritual awakening.

Table of contents

I live on an island, far out in the sea, but I don't live alone - my puppy's with me. There's just one of him and there's just one of me, and that's just the way that we like it to be.

The penultimate step is the second to last step prior to takeoff, particularly in the long jump event. It sets the jumper up for the correct trajectory and is critical in launching the athlete into the jump with purpose and conviction. As in sports, without having the preparation and focus in the penultimate step, one cannot channel forward movement into a successful launch in life. Raised in rural Montana, Vanessa Bucklin graduated from UNLV and began her business career in Las Vegas. She married her college sweetheart, moved back to Montana to start a family, and was a vice president of a bank by the time she was twenty-five. She was successful, but she wasn't fulfilled. Despite numerous obstacles, she decided to open an insurance agency from scratch. Her thriving business has since become a cornerstone of her small community, generating jobs, creating partnerships and alliances, serving neighbors, and giving back. She took up running as a way to heal following a tragedy, and has completed eleven marathons and three ultramarathons. In this memoir Bucklin discusses the many penultimate steps in her life--seizing opportunities, searching and driving for answers, and reacting and responding positively to the circumstances. She recognizes that as in running, there are twists and turns in life, but they all come together to define her as a person. Most importantly, she finds that the greatest treasures are not found just at the finish line but rather all along the way. She shares the many lessons she learned as she sought her truth: I am a simple girl raised as a farmer's daughter in rural Montana. I am not rich, famous, or extraordinary in any way, but I have worked hard, been brave and determined, and have had a positive perspective along the way. These same qualities are free and available to anyone who desires success. And if I can achieve success as a mother, runner, and business owner, I believe you can effectively penultimate step into your dreams as well.

One of the most successful Black businessmen in the country, who has led Nike’s Jordan Brand from a $200M sneaker company to a $4B global apparel juggernaut, tells the remarkable story of his rise from gangland violence to the pinnacles of international business. Jump tells Larry Miller’s journey from the violent streets of West Philly in the 1960s to the highest echelons of American sports and industry. Miller wound up in jail more than once, especially as a teenager. But he immersed himself in the educational opportunities, eventually took advantage of a Pennsylvania state education-release program offered to incarcerated people, and was able to graduate with honors from Temple University. When revealing his gangland past caused him to lose his first major job opportunity, Miller vowed to keep it a secret. He climbed the corporate ladder with a number of companies such as Kraft Foods, Campbell’s Soup, and Jantzen, until Nike hired him to run its domestic apparel operations. Around the time of Michael Jordan’s basketball retirement, Nike Chairman Phil Knight made Larry Miller president of the newly formed Jordan Brand. In 2007 Paul Allen convinced Miller to jump to the NBA to become president of the Portland Trailblazers, one of the first African-Americans to lead a professional sports team, before returning to Jordan Brand in 2012. All along, Miller lived two lives: the secret of his violent past haunted him, invading his days with migraines and his sleep with nightmares of getting hauled back to jail. More than a rags-to-riches story, Jump is also a passionate appeal for criminal justice reform and expanded educational opportunities for incarcerated and formerly incarcerated people across the United States. Drawing on his powerful personal story, as well as his vast and well-connected network, Miller plans to use Jump as a launching point to help expand such opportunities and to provide an aspirational journey for those who need hope.

Illus. in full color. "Kangaroo child Norma Jean loves to jump. The problem is that her jumping gets out of hand, causing accidents and some ruffled feelings among her friends, and Norma stops her jumping entirely. But when the school's field-day games come up, Norma Jean is coaxed back into action long enough to win ribbons. Light, popular fare for beginning readers."--Booklist.

A young girl's world is turned upside-down when her mother decides to remarry. Along with the ring comes a few more, Step One, Step Two, Step Three and Four. The girl will do whatever it takes to keep step siblings out of her life. She eventually realizes there are some benefits to having a blended family.This lighthearted story will reassure children that in spite of change, the outcome is worth the transition. It delights in the possibilities with having a blended family.

Learn the approach that made serial-entrepreneur Kim Perell a multi-millionaire—and it could make you one too. Discover the simple, successful formula for facing fear head on, ditching the excuses that hold you back, and finding the courage to Jump into the next chapter of your life. Bestselling author and award-winning entrepreneur Kim Perrell shares her powerful personal story about hitting rock bottom and summoning the courage required to take a life-changing leap into the unknown. Broke, bankrupt, and afraid of change, she trusted her instincts, closed her eyes, and “jumped”. Kim’s self-belief, know-how, and ultimate triumph is an inspiration. Whether you’re jumping from a place of greatness or uncertainty, Jump will: Encourage you to get out of your comfort zones, overcome self-doubt, and take proactive steps to change your life. Empower you with invaluable insights and business tools necessary to move beyond fear, rejection, and failure. Teach you how to make a career change with a calculated risk that can pay off, and do it with confidence. Jump shows you how to overcome fear of the unknown and manifest success. Based on Kim’s twenty years of personal experiences alongside thousands of entrepreneurs, business professionals, and investors she’s worked with, she arms you with the knowledge, tools, and mindset necessary to reach unmatched levels of success. Every great story starts with a jump and Kim’s book will prepare you to take the leap!

As he faces a devastating personal loss, Detective Michael Bennett is about to take on the most sinister challenge of his career: a kidnapping crisis that could destroy the most powerful people in America. The nation has fallen into mourning after the unexpected death of a beloved former First Lady, and the most powerful people in the world gather in New York for her funeral. Then the inconceivable occurs: Billionaires, politicians, and superstars of every kind are suddenly trapped within one man's brilliant and ruthless scenario. Bennett, father of ten, is pulled into the fray. As the danger escalates, Michael is hit with devastating news: After fighting for many years, his wife has succumbed to a terrible disease. As New York descends into chaos, Bennett has lost the great love of his life and faces raising his ten devastated children alone-and rescuing 34 hostages. Day after day, Bennett confronts the most ruthless man he has ever dealt with, a man who kills without hesitation and counters everything the NYPD and FBI throw at him with impunity. As the entire world watches and the tension boils to a searing heat, Bennett has to find a way out-or face responsibility for the greatest debacle in history.