“Arginteanu’s prose throughout is vivid and colorful, and he keeps his narrative bubbling with interest by filling it with a large cast of well-defined characters” “The author does a remarkably skillful job at mixing casual brutalities of life with the uplifting qualities of existence that stubbornly persist”“A grim but thoroughly enjoyable tale set amid urban horrors.” - Kirkus Reviews
Azazel’s Public House is a dive bar in Staten Island, the New York City borough best known for its mountainous garbage dump, and it's run by Pete, who happens to be a lot more than just the manager.
Pete’s ever-seeking spirit gallops on the foul stench that wafts from the Dump and torments the good people of Staten Island. But Pete's had his fill of outer-borough provincial life and is gunning for a promotion. To land the new gig, he’s got to impress the man downstairs. He needs a couple of big scores and lucky for him, Staten Island is oozing with potential for evil.
Carl and Anthony, two teenage buddies who share a bond that goes deeper than friendship, deeper even than blood, may be just the ticket. Pete descends upon them in a desolate lot. He orchestrates a depraved act of violence and betrayal, which sends him cruising towards his promotion.
The only person standing in Pete's way is a skinny teenage misfit (critter-chick) named Gina, who Pete laughs off as a pushover. But when Gina and Pete collide, all hell’s going to really break loose.
The concepts central to Azazel’s Public House, of physical and psychic violations of one’s brain, align with my professional training. I’m a neurosurgeon (one of the characters in Azazel’s is a fairly vile neurosurgeon) who grew up in Staten Island during the time in which the novel is set (1980s).
Unoffendable, now revised and updated with two new chapters, gives you a concrete, practical way to live life with less stress. In our easily offended, cancel-culture society, learn how to replace perpetual frustration and anger with refreshing humility and gratitude.
It turns out giving up your "right" to be offended can be one of the most freeing, healthy, simplifying, relaxing, refreshing, stress-relieving, encouraging things you can do. It's a radical, provocative idea: We're not entitled to get offended or stay angry. The idea of our own "righteous anger" is a myth. It is the number one problem in our societies today and, as Dallas Willard says, Christians have not been taught out of it. But what if Christians were the most unoffendable people on the planet?
In Unoffendable you will find concrete, practical ways to live life with less stress, including:
Adjusting your expectations to fit human nature Replacing perpetual anger with refreshing humility and gratitude Embracing forgiveness and beginning to love others in unexpected ways Newly revised with two brand-new chapters on forgiveness and what Hansen has learned since writing his original book, this updated edition of the bestselling book is a must-read for every Christian. In a humorous and conversational style, Unoffendable seeks to lift religious burdens from our backs and allow us to experience the joy of gratitude, perhaps for the first time, every single day of our lives—flourishing the way God intended.
Amid a mountain of rain-soaked donations to the Ohnita Harbor Public Library rummage sale, Gabriela Domenici finds a small box that contains an odd-looking cross. When the carved center turns out to be ivory and a clue links the cross to Catherine of Siena, a medieval saint, Gabriela turns to her expertise as an authenticator of historic documents to lead the quest to discover the truth about this mysterious object. But the cross isn’t the only secret in town: first, a beloved Ohnita Harbor resident is found floating in the harbor and then someone else is murdered on the library lawn. As Gabriela races to solve the mystery of the cross, she discerns between infatuation and what could be the start of true love. All the while, she must stay one step ahead of the danger that slowly encircles her.
Lies from the heart lead to a dangerously intimate case for Sheriff Bree Taggert in #1 Amazon Charts and Wall Street Journal bestselling author Melinda Leigh’s novel of revenge and fatal deceptions.
When a digital marketer is found murdered in his backyard—hands bound and face smothered by plastic wrap—Sheriff Bree Taggert and criminal investigator Matt Flynn respond to the call. Their investigation focuses on the man’s dating-app profile and the word liar carved into his forehead.
One day later, the killer strikes again.
Both victims are players in the internet dating scene. In their wake, they leave a trail of hurt—and angry—women. But Bree and Matt aren’t convinced the motive is as simple as it appears. Everyone they interview seems to be lying or hiding something.
As the list of suspects grows, the killer’s rage escalates, and he leaves a personal and deadly warning for Bree. They must act fast. Because someone Bree loves is targeted as the next to die.