This unique book provides you with a wealth of tips, tricks, best practices, and answers to the day-to-day questions that programmers face in their careers. It is split into three parts: Coder Skills, Freelancer Skills, and Career Skills, providing the knowledge you need to get ahead in programming. About This Book ? Over 50 essays with practical advice on improving your programming career ? Practical focus gives solutions to common problems, and methods to become a better coder ? Includes advice for existing programmers and those wanting to begin a career in programming Who This Book Is For This book is useful for programmers of any ability or discipline. It has advice for those thinking about beginning a career in programming, those already working as a fully employed programmer, and for those working as freelance developers. What You Will Learn ? Improve your soft skills to become a better and happier coder ? Learn to be a better developer ? Grow your freelance development business ? Improve your development career ? Learn the best approaches to breaking down complex topics ? Have the confidence to charge what you're worth as a freelancer ? Succeed in developer job interviews In Detail This is an all-purpose toolkit for your programming career. It has been built by Jordan Hudgens over a lifetime of coding and teaching coding. It helps you identify the key questions and stumbling blocks that programmers encounter, and gives you the answers to them! It is a comprehensive guide containing more than 50 insights that you can use to improve your work, and to give advice in your career. The book is split up into three topic areas: Coder Skills, Freelancer Skills, and Career Skills, each containing a wealth of practical advice. Coder Skills contains advice for people starting out, or those who are already working in a programming role but want to improve their skills. It includes such subjects as: how to study and understand complex topics, and getting past skill plateaus when learning new languages. Freelancer Skills contains advice for developers working as freelancers or with freelancers. It includes such subjects as: knowing when to fire a client, and tips for taking over legacy applications. Career Skills contains advice for building a successful career as a developer. It includes such subjects as: how to improve your programming techniques, and interview guides and developer salary negotiation strategies. Style and approach This unique book provides over 50 insightful essays full of practical advice for improving your programming career. The book is split into three broad sections covering different aspects of a developer's career. Each essay is self-contained and can be read individually, or in chunks.

C-17 copilot Darcy "Wren" Renshaw wanted a piece of the war-zone action like the rest of her air-force family. Instead, she was stuck hauling a brooding scientist to the calm waters of Guam. Darcy thought she was being shuffled far away from the action…until she met Max Keagan and embarked on the mission of her life. Undercover CIA agent Max needed a military airlift to a South Pacific island. He didn't need First Lieutenant Darcy Renshaw blowing his cover and bringing chaos to his top secret program. But Darcy and danger seemed destined to go hand in hand. And while trying to keep Darcy safe, Max realized he was soon in danger of losing his well-guarded heart.

Makima Gray has prayed for guidance in building her town's new medical clinic, and she's sure that Gabriel Bell's property is the perfect location. Gabe insists he's not at liberty to sell, but Makima won't give up… nor can she deny that she's flattered by Gabe's attentions. But past hurts and present complications lead to an error in judgment that may drive Gabe away forever. GABRIEL BELL was astonished to inherit his great-grandfather's land, along with clues to a mysterious treasure. But every second he spends with beautiful, determined Makima convinces him that winning her trust–and her heart–is the most important quest of all.

She's equally comfortable in silk and heels or khakis and boots–but it's Raine Ashaway's sheer nerve and gut instinct that have made her a name in the dinosaur hunting world. Her family's famous archaeological firm, Ashaway All, hasn't hurt, either. Until Raine is thrust into a mysterious contest for a priceless opal fossil and the competition seems as intent on destroying her family name as he does beating her to the bones. Raine's not about to let the sexy, deceptive man known as Kincade win this round. But when the game turns deadly, the two rivals might just have to work together or lose everything, including their lives….

Nova Blair–code name, Dove–is known as the ultimate, tough-as-nails agent who always gets her man. So when ten prominent American tourists are kidnapped in Brazil, Nova launches into a race against time to rescue the innocents and uncover the identity of their sociopathic captor–one whose true motive may be to instigate global warfare. But Nova's mission hits a snag when the CIA assigns a fellow agent to the case–Joseph Cardone. The man Nova loved but walked away from. Nova and Joe must put their fiery standoff aside if they are to save the tourists and possibly the world. And this time the cost of Nova's success may be Joe's life.

A prequel to Winter Is Past.

You can't go home again… But apparently Kimmer Reed had to. The government had hidden a young computer mastermind who held the key to the country's defense right in Kimmer's hometown. Now, if the Hunter Agency's top operative hoped to keep the government's secrets safe, she had to cozy up to the people she'd once left behind to discover just what the bad guys knew. And the good guys, too. Because mastermind Caroline Carlsen had a self-appointed bodyguard in her cousin Rio Carlsen. Ex-CIA Rio might have made a good ally–if Kimmer had been allowed to tell him they were on the same team. Instead, she had to shadow his every move, watching while he walked comfortably in a world that had been lost to her. A world of family and connection. A world Kimmer would do anything to regain.

Rookie agent Miranda Cutler had looked up to superspy Ray Ortega. Her thanks? He'd seduced her, then left her holding the bag for an ill-fated op that nearly ruined her career while he went into selfimposed exile. One year later, the CIA wanted Miranda to lure Ortega back for a mission so risky, they said only he could handle it. Miranda had a better idea. She would infiltrate the militant group suspected of creating a dangerous new weapon, salvaging her career and ridding herself of Ortega's ghost in one burst of glory. Her assignment to approach Ortega gave her a way in. But nothing could prepare Miranda for what would happen when it was time to get out….

Determined to stop a bitter man from decimating a mountain community, Special Ops agent Clay Senate pairs with FBI agent Vanessa Walker. Clay is a loner, but Vanessa's beauty and outgoing personality soon undermine his defenses. It's not long before her appreciation for their shared Native American heritage unleashes a long-denied need in him. Vanessa senses that Clay is hunting for more than just a killer. Accustomed to taming wild animals, she thinks she can tackle both his needs. But as the hunt grows deadly and passions flare, Vanessa faces her most challenging assignment–turning this temporary mission into a lifelong marriage.

UNDERCOVER LOVERS Detective Mac Granger was in trouble. The Colorado mountain-man-turned-city-cop had incensed a drug lord, and now someone was setting him up, making his peers doubt his loyalty and forcing him on the run from a mysterious killer. His only hope lay in FBI Special Agent Abby Nelson, the fed assigned to investigate him. Could he trust the woman who'd gone undercover in order to expose him? He couldn't deny his attraction to the beautiful blonde–or the opportunity to pose as her lover in order to fi nd the killer. But he'd be damned if he fell for a woman whose commitment to duty might make her his worst enemy….

HALF-BREED HUNTER As one of Big Sky's boldest bounty hunters, Trevor Blackhaw lived by his own rules. However, when he whisked a slain prisoner's scrappy exgirlfriend off for an intense interrogation to smoke out a band of fugitives, his inquisition had unexpected consequences. For this ironhearted warrior was shaken to the core by the fierce protectiveness that Sierra Collins stirred in him. Their slow-burning attraction boiled over when Trevor stood guard over the tempestuous beauty, who was caught in the crosshairs of the Montana Militia's reign of terror. After a sinister maneuver allowed the enemy to gain the upper hand, Trevor vowed to employ all his specialized skills to capture his prey…and rescue the lady he loved!

Tyler Davis comes from a long line of cops, and he's learned the hard way that police work and families don't mix. But his solitary life is about to be called into question with the return of Megan Garvey, the woman he once loved…and lost. Now, Megan is determined to keep her emotional distance–though it's clear that she and the rugged lawman still share something special. But a predator has come to Lake Hubbard for Christmas. And when Megan's young son disappears, there's only one cop to believe in. This holiday, Ty has been given a second chance to be the hero Megan needs…if he can bring her boy home alive.

Rio McClintock experienced a lot as a freelance CIA operative. But nothing prepared him for the smoldering attraction between him and a former princess. His mission was to destroy an empire built on smuggling drugs and weapons, and Tori Scott complicated everything–especially when all she wanted was to rescue her four-year-old son in time for a happy Christmas. The moment the little boy was back in his mother's arms, Rio knew bringing them to Silverhill, Colorado, would offer the best protection. Rio was surprised how easily strong-minded Tori went along with his plan…until she revealed a startling connection to the hometown he thought he'd left behind. For good.

Fate brought Texas rancher Durk Lambert face-to-face with his ex-lover, Meghan Sinclair. The reckless but gorgeous P.I. had been beaten and left for dead, with no memory of her attacker, of Durk…or herself. Years ago she'd broken his heart, but no cowboy walked away from a woman in need. While Durk kept her safe on his Bent Pine Ranch, his own memories threatened him–laughing with Meghan, making love. He still wanted her, but he feared Meghan was the one woman he could never have–and the one he'd lay down his life to protect. Because while Durk wanted her to remember, a killer needed her to forget.…

After seven years of agony, Linc Reece was certain he'd found his dead wife– alive and living in a tiny Tennessee town. He was sure Mia Grant was Lori, the wife he'd lost in an undercover case gone bad. Now the operative for the elite team of Equalizers had to prove it…even if he had to kidnap her. Mia Grant saw the hope in Linc's eyes… but just because she liked vanilla, blues and old houses didn't make her his long-lost wife. Nothing about him was familiar, except the sizzle she felt when they touched. But when they discovered Lori's records destroyed and her photos stolen, even Mia knew someone had gone to great lengths to make her forget. And he'd do anything to ensure she never remembered….

When he was recruited by the Recovery Project, Caleb Mattern found a new lease on life. Tracking missing persons. Protecting witnesses. But even after stretching his muscles and becoming one of the company's elite agents, he couldn't leave his past behind. Avery Walters wouldn't let him.

Threatened by masked men making an impossible demand of her, Abby Chandler runs to Luke Cooper for help. She knows it's been three years since he vanished after their blazing one-night stand…and that she might be forced to reveal the secret that he's her little boy's father. Abby has no idea that the former marine has also been keeping a painful secret–that his disappearance was the only way to keep her alive. Luke knows Abby came to him for protection, but earning her trust isn't going to be easy. Nor will keeping his hands off her. But admitting their once-forbidden attraction still exists could be risky. And deadly.

The house wasn't ready to give up its secrets... The mysterious blue-eyed stranger who showed up in the middle of the night wasn't just looking for work. No, when "John Samuels" signed on with Maggie Harper to restore the decrepit old house, he was hoping for answers and a chance to face the demons of his past. But then strange happenings started threatening his beautiful new boss-and disrupting the passion that sparked between them. Someone didn't want them in that house. Someone who knew the truth about what had happened there thirty years before, about the brutal murder that destroyed John's family. John never expected redemption. But danger waited in the old house, haunting them both....

The moment Rod McClintock spots the disheveled bride on the side of the road, he knows life is about to become a lot more complicated. Callie Price is on the run and in need of his protection. She's also the answer to his financial woes, if they're both willing to say "I do." A marriage of convenience is Callie's sole shot at inheriting the ranch that'll help her rebuild her life. All she needs is a husband in name only. Her smoldering cowboy rescuer fits the role perfectly. Too perfectly. As they struggle to escape a killer's obsession, peril and passion tie them together. And before long, someone is putting "till death do us part" to the ultimate test….

Detective Caleb Walker had taken on some tough cases for Guardian Angel Investigations, but when Madelyn Andrews came to him, claiming that her five-year-old daughter was able to "communicate" with her twin sister who'd never made it home from the hospital, Caleb was skeptical. One glimpse at the beautiful single mother, though, and he couldn't walk away. Now, as he looked into what had really happened when Madelyn went into labor, suspicious details were uncovered. Details that prompted Madelyn to cling to him as pain consumed her. And the deeper he dug, the more invested Caleb became in their tiny family, in their safety when danger penetrated their lives–and in their salvation when he promised to bring a little girl home….

She called him an arrogant, overconfident ram hiding inside the trappings of civilized clothing. And Mitch would not have his startlingly beautiful new assistant believe otherwise. Yet their fierce passion knew no such falsehoods. Dynamic Maggie was destined to be the Dakota man's lover… he was made to set her soul on fire. And suddenly Mitch's carefully constructed world was rocked. The woman in his arms was a prize the bullish bachelor had never expected…but could he break his number one rule and allow sweet Maggie to tame him?