C. Ray Nagin was Mayor of New Orleans when Hurricane Katrina hit. He weighs in on the chaotic days leading up to and following the biggest natural and man-made disaster in America's history. He delivers exacting detail on the city's relief effort, and exposes secrets that have been glossed over or spun out.

The author's poems were constructed during the struggles following the biggest natural/man-made disaster the region has endured in recent history--Hurricane Katrina. One may use the poems to ponder, plan, and produce long-term strategies, in many of the areas discussed, planting seeds in your neighborhoods and throughout the world; also, to develop a positive mission statement to act as a guide for your family and local/national governments in attaining all goals and other endeavors. Your insight will be useful in eradicating the thoughts of the past and in ushering into existence new, positive thoughts to really make this democracy greater than we, the people of the twenty-first century, could ever imagine. It will help to create a civilization that would baffle the minds of past leaders and prophetic spirits, changing the path in which we are now heading, a feat that only God's people are capable to bring to pass through him--the Creator.

Agent Svetlana Simonov of the government’s top-secret Omega Force is sent to Florida to find out if a former secret agent killed his family, then himself, or if something more sinister has happened. In Florida she comes across the beautiful Katrina Luvesky, leader of the deadly Moscow Cartel. Svetlana must infiltrate Katrina’s network and stop it before the United States finds itself in an international drug war. Passion and violence erupt as Svetlana and Katrina do battle.

A stunning exploration of the subtle erosion of freedom in an age of concocted fear and de facto military authority. When we think of a military coup, the first image that comes to mind is a general, standing at a podium with a flag behind him, declaring the deposing of elected leaders and the institution of martial law. Think again. In American Coup, William Arkin reveals the desk-bound takeover of the highest reaches of government by a coterie of "grey men" of the national security establishment. Operating between the lines of the Constitution, this powerful and unelected group fights to save the nation from "terror" and weapons of mass destruction while at the same time modifying and undermining the very essence of the country. Many books are written about secrecy, surveillance, and government law-breaking; none so powerfully expose the truth of everyday life in this state of war.

Tag, Skyla, and Blaze need to find a way back home to Perodia, in this action-packed fantasy series! Pick a book. Grow a Reader! This series is part of Scholastic's early chapter book line, Branches, aimed at newly independent readers. With easy-to-read text, high-interest content, fast-paced plots, and illustrations on every page, these books will boost reading confidence and stamina. Branches books help readers grow! Tag and his friends have found Blaze's firehawk family! Now Tag and Skyla want to return home to Perodia. But they're trapped in the Land of the Firehawks! To get home, they must find their way through a mysterious underground maze. But the maze is full of confusing turns, and magical secrets. Will the friends be able to make it back to Perodia? And what dangers will they meet along the way? This fully illustrated series makes a great introduction to fantasy and quest stories for younger readers!

An investigative journalist revisits Hurricane Katrina's immediate damage, the city of New Orleans' efforts to rebuild itself, and the storm's lasting effects on the psychic, racial, and social fabric of the city.

The fourth book in this heart-warming series about the residents of Poppy’s Place cat caf�! Perfect for fans of Holly Webb, Helen Peters and Anne Booth. It’s the Easter holidays and Isla can’t wait to spend two whole weeks with the cats at Poppy’s Place, including the two new cats from Dolly’s farm - Sylvie, a friendly three-legged cat, and a timid ginger cat without a name. But she soon finds she’s got other things on her mind – the appearance of a thin black cat in the garden and Mum’s weird and secretive behaviour. Then Isla spots Mum outside a jeweller’s with Mr Black holding a small bag and puts two and two together - could the bag contain a ring? Amidst all of this, Isla’s cousin Seb is causing problems in the caf� with his constant practical jokes and Isla determines to get her own back with a special Easter egg surprise and a little help from Gran. As Isla’s suspicions escalate, things come to a head when Milo overhears her talking to Tilda about Mum and Mr Black and locks himself in his room. Mum has a lot of explaining to do – and Isla’s in for a surprise, but not quite the one she was expecting. And there’s a happy ending for the mystery cat, too, as Poppy’s Place works its magic in the most unusual way!

Return to New Orleans... On the outside, she is fire and ice. But cool, calm, and collected Katrina Smith isn't all that she seems. Like a rippling pool, waves from her past continue to shake her inside. Aubrey had always been the studious one, but Katrina finds that his depth of knowledge goes far deeper than just books. He knows how to set her body ablaze while calming the storms in her sea. But can their love survive the maelstrom of trouble that finds them?

**Finalist for the Washington State Book Award and the Lambda Award in Bisexual Fiction** "Sexy, fun, serious and unputdownable." —Bethanne Patrick, The Washington Post “Brazen, brawny, sexy . . . full of unforgettable characters and insatiable appetites. I was riveted. Painstakingly researched and pulsing with adrenaline, Carrasco’s debut will leave you thirsty for more.” —Lyndsay Faye, author of The Gods of Gotham A vivid, sexy barn burner of a historical crime novel, The Best Bad Things introduces readers to the fiery Alma Rosales—detective, smuggler, spy It is 1887, and Alma Rosales is on the hunt for stolen opium. Trained in espionage by the Pinkerton Detective Agency—but dismissed for bad behavior and a penchant for going undercover as a man—Alma now works for Delphine Beaumond, the seductive mastermind of a West Coast smuggling ring. When product goes missing at their Washington Territory outpost, Alma is tasked with tracking the thief and recovering the drugs. In disguise as the scrappy dockworker Jack Camp, this should be easy—once she muscles her way into the local organization, wins the trust of the magnetic local boss and his boys, discovers the turncoat, and keeps them all from uncovering her secrets. All this, while sending coded dispatches to the circling Pinkerton agents to keep them from closing in. Alma’s enjoying her dangerous game of shifting identities and double crosses as she fights for a promotion and an invitation back into Delphine’s bed. But it’s getting harder and harder to keep her cover stories straight and to know whom to trust. One wrong move and she could be unmasked: as a woman, as a traitor, or as a spy. A propulsive, sensual tour de force, The Best Bad Things introduces Katrina Carrasco, a bold new voice in crime fiction.

The Secret - Book 7: The Competition The exciting story of Tessa and her neighbor, Sam, a boy who possesses extraordinary powers, continues with more drama and suspense. As the two friends do their best to support each other, the school bully, Mason, fights for Tessa's attention and causes Sam's jealousy to spike. At the same time, Sam is put in a difficult position by his father and struggles to cope. When Tessa and Tahlia enter a competition, they are forced to battle against their arch enemies, Sienna and Marnie. Sam also finds himself involved in a contest, one that could lead to problems beyond his control. Excitement, fun, and romance combine to create another great story. A fabulous book for girls 9-12 and beyond.