Just how…committed…is he? There is nothing Cristina Roman loves more than being a mom. Although working as the chef at her family’s inn, Ladera by the Sea, is a close second. And a quickly rising third is her new – or actually old – love interest, Shane McCallister, the local contractor. After her soldier husband’s tragic death, Cris thought she would never be able to move on. But with the way Shane bonds with her five-year-old son, she might be persuaded. Except then her in-laws sue her for custody of Ricky. Now facing every mother’s worst nightmare, she’ll do anything not to lose her child, and Shane is determined to help. Could her sister’s Christmas wedding be their inspiration?

Fast Fiction Hot - short, sexy reads Ever since the Sundance ranch became a destination for city girls seeking a romp in the hay with a bona-fide cowboy, ranch hand Josh Evans has had one rule: don't date the guests. But when a beautiful, soft-spoken woman named Haley checks in, Josh knows he's going to have trouble keeping his promise. Only Haley's more interested in sketching Montana's mountains than snagging one of its men. And after a few days of putting up with snooty, boy-crazy guests, Haley is ready to hop the next flight back to New York. Can Josh convince her that there's one cowboy who's worth an extended vacation?

A Secret The Size Of Texas Veterinarian Lexi Lawson has her hands full – and not just when she’s delivering foals at the Langtry family’s ranch. Working there forces Lexi to confront Shane Langtry, the man who broke her heart. True, he seems different now – more generous, more grounded. But Lexi isn’t fooled: Shane lives for rodeo competition and nothing else. Besides, after what he did to her, there’s no way she’d take him back. Long ago, when they were in love, Lexi hid a terrible secret from Shane – one she planned to keep forever. But when he learns the truth, she’s forced to choose between the past she left behind ... and the future they might still find together.

Perfect for fans of Maeve Binchy' - Candis Welcome to Blossom Street – where dreams come true. Fall head over heels in Blossom Street with the first five books in Debbie Macomber’s bestselling series bundled together for perfect reading pleasure. Including: The Shop on Blossom Street, A Good Yarn, Susannah’s Garden, Christmas in Seattle and Back on Blossom Street. Make time for friends. Make time for Debbie Macomber.

Operating under covert presidential directive, the clandestine antiterrorist organization Stony Man doesn't officially exist. Unofficially, they fight the fires bureaucracy can't or won't touch. Off the grid, under the radar and 100 percent deniable, the commando and cyber specialists of Stony Man are the ultimate problem solvers–and the best defense the nation has…. Stony Man launch teams are rolling hot as convergent threats erupt across the globe. From South America to Somalia, Toronto and Kiev, the action is raging. Colombian narco-terrorists, Chinese Tongs, African warlords, a Russian kingpin, a cutthroat Saudi prince and a corrupt American lawyer are linked as agents of a shadow group called Seven. The ties and power of this nebulous organization go deep and dark–with the strength to leverage the ultimate power play against Stony Man itself.

How do you mend a broken heart? Nick and Adele’s marriage have been over for a year – but following his mother’s chemotherapy Nick hasn’t had the heart to tell his family. So when he invites Adele to Scotland for his mother’s birthday party, it’s impossible for her to say no. Stranded together in a picturesque cottage, as the twinkling firelight begins to work its magic, could the spark they always shared still be there? Standing at the altar, Damien is breathless as the woman he loves walks toward him ; to marry another man. Knowing bridesmaid Zoe’s watching him makes it harder still. The opposite of the bride, Zoe’s too loud, too vibrant, too everything! Zoe can’t resist provoking Damien - just once, she’d like to see Mr. Perfect lose his cool. But she never imagined where getting him to let go could lead… Two sparkling rom-com stories from the author of Make My Wish Come True & Kiss Me Under The Mistletoe

A true story of small-town apartheid Anelia Schutte grew up in Knysna – a beautiful town on the coast of South Africa, centred around a picturesque lagoon and popular with tourists. But there was another side to Knysna that those tourists never saw. In the hills surrounding the town with its exclusively white population lay the townships and squatter camps where the coloured and black people were forced to live. Most white children would never go to the other side of the hill, but Anelia did. Her earliest memories are of being the only white girl at a crèche for black children that her mother, Owéna, set up in the 1980s as a social worker serving the black community. Thirty years on, Anelia, now living in London, yearns to find out more about her mother’s work, and to understand the political unrest that clouded South Africa at the time. She returns to Knysna to find the truth about the town she grew up in, from the stories and memories of the people who were there. For the People is an exploration of apartheid South Africa through the eyes of Owéna – a white woman who worked tirelessly for the black people of Knysna and found herself swept up in their struggle. They called her Nobantu: ‘for the people'.

Fast Fiction Romantic - short stories with a Happy Ever After No one at Angel Mendez Children's Hospital understands why Brandon Bishop, the talented, charismatic head of neurosurgery, wants to give up his position—and life in New York—for a research job in California. But Brandon has his own, deeply personal reasons for pursuing brain injury research on the West Coast. And so, with a month left in Manhattan, Brandon's not looking to get attached. Yet when he meets Olivia Bowen at the local bar, neither can deny their attraction…or resist spending the night together. They both agree it's a one-time deal—no strings attached. Until Olivia reports for her first day of a nursing placement at Angel's. In Brandon's department. Suddenly, sticking to "one night" seems impossible, and "no strings" is a promise neither can keep…

Despite her new identity in the WitSec Program, FBI agent Jake Westmoreland found Anne Gardener. His betrayal hurt her deeply, but she is the only one who can help him locate her mob-boss father and put him away for good. Loving her was never part of Jake’s plan and losing her is a risk he won’t take!

Fast Fiction Suspense - short romantic stories with a twist of intrigue Just when Evie Cabrera thinks her blind date can't get any worse, her insipid dinner companion pulls out a gun. Suddenly Evie is drawn into the middle of a terrorist plot. Her only protection is Jude Curran, an agent with Tactical Executive Security. But Evie senses that Jude is keeping more secrets than he's revealing. With her life in chaos, can she trust the secret agent? Jude was supposed to gather intel on the potential terrorist—not get into a shootout with the man. Then again, he's also not supposed to let the beautiful, smart Evie get caught up in this conspiracy. Jude is determined to keep Evie safe, which means keeping her close and ignoring the sparks flying between them. After all, Evie deserves a man who can be completely honest with her, and as a TES agent, Jude must always protect his company's secrets, or risk the security of the entire nation….

For years, billionaire producer Max Ford believed Raine Monroe betrayed him. Now he wants answers. But Raine plans to keep far away from Hollywood’s hottest bachelor…until a snowstorm strands them together – with her baby. Soon Raine is falling fast and the dark secrets from their past are finally coming to light…

A Life for a Life The battle between Shadowed and Guard has brought destruction and terror to Gate Seven and now Maggie wants revenge. As the only after-life being who can save the souls from ultimate death Maggie comes face to face with her own human body, preserved for a century, waiting for just this moment to arrive. Yet, how far will Maggie go to exact her revenge on the Shadowed? And when she comes face to face with her past, how will she survive the onslaught of memories she thought long gone? For when the truth comes out all is not what it seems and Maggie has finally run out of time... She must choose her destiny or watch all she has perish in the fight for her life! Praise for Katlyn Duncan 'absolutely epic conclusion to this series... Katlyn Duncan has a fan in me and I can't wait to see what she has planned next!' - The Best Books Ever 'Soul Betrayed was a perfect ending to the series. ... I was lost in the story, from the first page to the last. I only wish that maybe there will be more from this world that Duncan created so magically.' - Polished Readers ' a wonderful conclusion to The Life After series. Fans of the series, you won't be disappointed. And, YA lovers, this is a series worth checking out.' - Imagine a World 'a great conclusion' - Moonlight Gleam Reviews The Life After series: 1. Soul Taken 2. Soul Possessed 3. Soul Betrayed

A WIFE’S HOMECOMING Blake Cooper thought he’d never see his daughter again. Then former wife Jana Cooper shows up on his doorstep with Lindsay asking for help. Blake can’t deny his ill child anything. But he’s struggling to sort out his feelings for the woman who abandoned him ten years ago. Jana’s back in Oklahoma for Lindsay’s sake, and a second chance with her first love. Somehow she must prove she’s no longer a confused young wife, but a woman willing to do anything to reunite her family forever. Cooper Creek: Home is where the heart is for this Oklahoma family

In a riveting exploration of the power the past wields over the present, critically acclaimed author Antoinette van Heugten writes the story of a woman whose child’s life hangs in the balance, forcing her to confront the roots of her family’s troubled history in the dark days of World War II… It’s the stuff of nightmares: Nora de Jong returns home from work one ordinary day to find her mother has been murdered. Her infant daughter is missing. And the only clue is the body of an unknown man on the living-room floor, clutching a Luger in his cold, dead hand. Frantic to find Rose, Nora puts aside her grief and frustration to start her own search. But the contents of a locked metal box she finds in her parents’ attic leave her with as many questions as answers—and suggest the killer was not a stranger. Saving her daughter means delving deeper into her family’s darkest history, leading Nora half a world away to Amsterdam, where her own unsettled past and memories of painful heartbreak rush back to haunt her. As Nora feverishly pieces together the truth from an old family diary, she’s drawn back to a city under Nazi occupation, where her mother’s alliances may have long ago sealed her own–and Rose’s—fate.

KILLER COMPETITION A champion ski jumper, Nick Walsh wants one thing: to win the gold for his late brother. Nick has always blamed himself for his family’s tragic loss—and so does everyone else. To complicate things, sweet and shy reporter Julie Frost insists on doing a story about him. But as Nick gets closer to achieving his dream, someone will do anything to stop him. Somehow, Nick must keep Julie from getting too close as they confront a threat that can destroy them both. Julie and Nick are on the verge of discovering the truth about his brother’s death… unless an unknown murderer finds them first.

New York Times bestselling author Deanna Raybourn transports readers to a magical New Year’s Eve party in 1914, where two guests will discover the passion of a lifetime in this prequel novella… Notorious socialite Delilah Drummond won’t be deterred by the war. Instead, she decides to throw the event of the year, and she’s handing out invitations with an eye for wanton fun and wild abandon. There is the dashing explorer and archaeologist Gabriel Stark, a man at a crossroads in his life. Brilliant and restless, he’s just committed to a secret enterprise that forces him to play a public role very different from the man he truly is. And then there is the charming if flighty Evangeline Merriweather. Evie has dreamed her whole life of adventure. Little does she know, she’s about to get more than she bargained for. Especially after her vivacious Aunt Dove acts as fairy godmother, if a saucy one, providing a scandalous gown and a whisper of jasmine on her skin…. Evie will shake cool Gabriel to his core, but just how far are they willing to take love at first sight? One seductive night will change Evie forever. Watch for her next adventure, in the City of Jasmine.

36 Hours Serial As a devastating summer storm hits Grand Springs, Colorado, the next thirty-six hours will change the town and its residents forever…. Partners in Crime Part 2 Jack Stryker's investigation into Olivia Stuart's death leads straight to Josie. He'll have to do his job–even if it means arresting the woman he hasn't been able to get out of his mind since their night together. Josie can't believe Jack thinks she could murder her friend. If he were suspected of murder she would believe in him, no matter how damning the evidence. She'll trust her heart over her head any day. How can a relationship survive when two lovers are on opposite sides of the law? The story concludes in Partners in Crime Part 3.

One little girl, one missing child. One historical mystery colliding with the future. Sophie was afraid of the man in the shadows. He terrified her, but he would always disappear when someone else came. But one day in June 1984, she didn’t escape. He took her. When a young woman is found draped over a gravestone in a chilling murder, police officer Annie Graham experiences a familiar sense of dread. A new killer is out there, and her senses tell her there is something eerily different about this case. When she spots the little girl standing outside her window, she knows that the past is about to catch up with all of them. But can she help right the wrongs of thirty years ago, and stop the killer before it’s too late? Another chilling murder that Annie Graham must solve before the past destroys the future. Look out for more in the Annie Graham series: 1. The Ghost House 2. The Secrets of the Shadows 3. The Forgotten Cottage 4. The Lake House 5. The Girls in the Woods What readers are saying about the Annie Graham series 'an atmospheric, spooky read, ideal for the season.' – I Heart Reading 'The Ghost House is the most exciting book I have read in a very long time, and would make an absolutely perfect Halloween read! Amazing début from Helen Phifer and I eagerly await more from her!' – Judging Covers ‘It was an atmospheric, spooky read, ideal for the season.’ – I Heart Reading ‘I was really impressed by this book. … I was amazed how the author got inside of the mind of the serial killer and really showed you his psychotic thought processes.’ – Edler Park Book Reviews ‘the twists and turns are fascinating.’ – A J Book Review Club ‘The story constantly kept me on the edge of my seat. The Ghost House is a magnificent read and it's perfect for those who have a strong stomach and nerves of steel!’ – Librarian Lavender

Become an advanced practitioner with this progressive set of master classes on application-oriented machine learning About This Book ? Comprehensive coverage of key topics in machine learning with an emphasis on both the theoretical and practical aspects ? More than 15 open source Java tools in a wide range of techniques, with code and practical usage. ? More than 10 real-world case studies in machine learning highlighting techniques ranging from data ingestion up to analyzing the results of experiments, all preparing the user for the practical, real-world use of tools and data analysis. Who This Book Is For This book will appeal to anyone with a serious interest in topics in Data Science or those already working in related areas: ideally, intermediate-level data analysts and data scientists with experience in Java. Preferably, you will have experience with the fundamentals of machine learning and now have a desire to explore the area further, are up to grappling with the mathematical complexities of its algorithms, and you wish to learn the complete ins and outs of practical machine learning. What You Will Learn ? Master key Java machine learning libraries, and what kind of problem each can solve, with theory and practical guidance. ? Explore powerful techniques in each major category of machine learning such as classification, clustering, anomaly detection, graph modeling, and text mining. ? Apply machine learning to real-world data with methodologies, processes, applications, and analysis. ? Techniques and experiments developed around the latest specializations in machine learning, such as deep learning, stream data mining, and active and semi-supervised learning. ? Build high-performing, real-time, adaptive predictive models for batch- and stream-based big data learning using the latest tools and methodologies. ? Get a deeper understanding of technologies leading towards a more powerful AI applicable in various domains such as Security, Financial Crime, Internet of Things, social networking, and so on. In Detail Java is one of the main languages used by practicing data scientists; much of the Hadoop ecosystem is Java-based, and it is certainly the language that most production systems in Data Science are written in. If you know Java, Mastering Machine Learning with Java is your next step on the path to becoming an advanced practitioner in Data Science. This book aims to introduce you to an array of advanced techniques in machine learning, including classification, clustering, anomaly detection, stream learning, active learning, semi-supervised learning, probabilistic graph modeling, text mining, deep learning, and big data batch and stream machine learning. Accompanying each chapter are illustrative examples and real-world case studies that show how to apply the newly learned techniques using sound methodologies and the best Java-based tools available today. On completing this book, you will have an understanding of the tools and techniques for building powerful machine learning models to solve data science problems in just about any domain. Style and approach A practical guide to help you explore machine learning—and an array of Java-based tools and frameworks—with the help of practical examples and real-world use cases.

Build scalable, reliable, and cost-effective applications with a serverless architecture About This Book ? Design a real-world serverless application from scratch ? Learn about AWS Lambda function and how to use Lambda functions to glue other AWS Services ? Use the Java programming language and well-known design patterns. Although Java is used for the examples in this book, the concept is applicable across all languages ? Learn to migrate your JAX-RS application to AWS Lambda and API Gateway Who This Book Is For This book is for developers and software architects who are interested in designing on the back end. Since the book uses Java to teach concepts, knowledge of Java is required. What You Will Learn ? Learn to form microservices from bigger Softwares ? Orchestrate and scale microservices ? Design and set up the data flow between cloud services and custom business logic ? Get to grips with cloud provider’s APIs, limitations, and known issues ? Migrate existing Java applications to a serverless architecture ? Acquire deployment strategies ? Build a highly available and scalable data persistence layer ? Unravel cost optimization techniques In Detail Over the past years, all kind of companies from start-ups to giant enterprises started their move to public cloud providers in order to save their costs and reduce the operation effort needed to keep their shops open. Now it is even possible to craft a complex software system consisting of many independent micro-functions that will run only when they are needed without needing to maintain individual servers. The focus of this book is to design serverless architectures, and weigh the advantages and disadvantages of this approach, along with decision factors to consider. You will learn how to design a serverless application, get to know that key points of services that serverless applications are based on, and known issues and solutions. The book addresses key challenges such as how to slice out the core functionality of the software to be distributed in different cloud services and cloud functions. It covers basic and advanced usage of these services, testing and securing the serverless software, automating deployment, and more. By the end of the book, you will be equipped with knowledge of new tools and techniques to keep up with this evolution in the IT industry. Style and approach The book takes a pragmatic approach, showing you all the examples you need to build efficient serverless applications.

A practical guide to help you undertand the ability of Apache jMeter to load and performance test various server types in a more efficient way. About This Book ? Use jMeter to create and run tests to improve the performance of your webpages and applications ? Learn to build a test plan for your websites and analyze the results ? Unleash the power of various features and changes introduced in Apache jMeter 3.0 Who This Book Is For This book is for software professionals who want to understand and improve the performance of their applications with Apache jMeter. What You Will Learn ? See why performance testing is necessary and learn how to set up JMeter ? Record and test with JMeter ? Handle various form inputs in JMeter and parse results during testing ? Manage user sessions in web applications in the context of a JMeter test ? Monitor JMeter results in real time ? Perform distributed testing with JMeter ? Get acquainted with helpful tips and best practices for working with JMeter In Detail JMeter is a Java application designed to load and test performance for web application. JMeter extends to improve the functioning of various other static and dynamic resources. This book is a great starting point to learn about JMeter. It covers the new features introduced with JMeter 3 and enables you to dive deep into the new techniques needed for measuring your website performance. The book starts with the basics of performance testing and guides you through recording your first test scenario, before diving deeper into JMeter. You will also learn how to configure JMeter and browsers to help record test plans. Moving on, you will learn how to capture form submission in JMeter, dive into managing sessions with JMeter and see how to leverage some of the components provided by JMeter to handle web application HTTP sessions. You will also learn how JMeter can help monitor tests in real-time. Further, you will go in depth into distributed testing and see how to leverage the capabilities of JMeter to accomplish this. You will get acquainted with some tips and best practices with regard to performance testing. By the end of the book, you will have learned how to take full advantage of the real power behind Apache JMeter. Style and approach The book is a practical guide starting with introducing the readers to the importance of automated testing. It will then be a beginner’s journey from getting introduced to Apache jMeter to an in-detail discussion of more advanced features and possibilities with it.