Showing results by narrator "Natalie Duke" in All Categories

From the lush feather boas that adorned early female impersonators to the sequined lip syncs of barroom queens to the drag kings that have us laughing in stitches, drag has played a vital role in the creative life of New York City. But the evolution of drag in the city—as an art form, a community and a mode of liberation—has never before been fully chronicled.

Thirty-three-year-old music therapist Kate Randolph is at the top of her professional game. Her life is happily on track, until she receives a phone call announcing the death of the man who abandoned her when she was eight years old. Kate has no interest in going to her father's funeral, but soon realizes she must confront the past to move forward. While in Oregon, Kate discovers why her scientist/father disappeared, and what she learns will set her on a path that will change her life forever.

Darcy Evans is getting married. In a week. To a man who is her childhood dream come true. But a late-night confession from her best friend changes everything and before she even has time to unpack it, she must endure a road trip to the ceremony with her estranged mother, Marja. It was always the two of them against the world…until Marja ghosted Darcy three years ago. No car in the world has enough room for all of their baggage.

Annie feels like she's at a good place in her life: happily married, expecting her first child, enjoying a vacation with her extended family at their beautiful coastal home. But then her sister, Sunday, suddenly goes missing. Annie is immediately concerned, but the rest of the family assure her that everything's fine, this is the kind of thing Sunday does, she'll be back… But Annie knows in her heart that something is very wrong, and she won't rest until she sees her sister safe and well. As Annie digs for the truth, she realizes that some of her family are not what they seem.

Since he first appeared on the American literary scene, Jerome Charyn has dazzled audiences. Yet Charyn, a beloved comedic novelist, also possesses an extraordinary knowledge of Golden Age Hollywood, having taught film history both in the United States and France. With Big Red, Charyn reimagines the life of one of America's most enduring icons, "Gilda" herself, Rita Hayworth, whose fiery red tresses and hypnotic dancing graced the silver screen over sixty times in her nearly forty-year career.

Cara is a devoted mother to two little girls. She loves her hectic life, but she looks forward to a relaxing weekend alone while her husband, Michael, takes the kids on a camping trip. But their dream trip turns into a nightmare when their daughters are taken, deep in the forest.

Sent to find a wedding party that disappeared during a hike, Alaska state trooper Hunter McCord and his K-9 partner, Juneau, discover bridesmaid Ariel Potter hanging from a cliff. But this was no accident—she was pushed—and her hiking companions are missing. Now it’s up to Hunter and Juneau to find them…and make sure whoever wants Ariel dead doesn’t finish the job.

On Compromise is an argument against contemporary liberal society’s tendency to view compromise as an unalloyed good - politically, ethically, and artistically. In a series of clear, convincing essays, Rachel Greenwald Smith discusses the dangers of thinking about compromise as an end, rather than as a means.

Hello again. It's me, your favorite reincarnated Norse trickster god, Loki. I still have boobs. I'm also suffering from a health issue that has a 99.43 percent chance of permanently ending me (assuming the Norns don't get to me first). And I can't find my immortality rune. And I've been cursed with an inability to lie. One by one, my new friends are turning out to be old foes. Oh, and did I mention I accidentally on purpose destroyed Odin's gazillion-dollar business investment, and now he's sharpening his spear for me, too? I hate Tuesdays.

When Martha Dodson hires McGill Investigators to look into an odd neighbor, Molly feels optimistic about the case - right up until Martha reveals her theory that Kent Kirkland, the neighbor, is holding two boys hostage in his papered-over upstairs bedroom. Martha’s husband thinks she needs a hobby. Detective Art Judd, who Molly visits on her client’s behalf, sees no evidence worthy of devoting police resources.

I believe in living my best life, and if surviving cancer taught me anything, it’s exactly that. I wake every day in the most beautiful city in the South, I’m a chef at my own restaurant, and everything is just the way I want it: easy, calm, and in perfect harmony - that is, until my best friend shows up with his wounded heart, smoldering gaze, and adorable dimples. Now, things are changing - we are changing - but with the promises I’ve made to myself, I don’t want them to.

Pie isn’t just a dessert, it’s a way of life. Pies, fillings, jams, jellies, honey, they’re all a part of my award-winning business, Firefly Kitchen. After being left behind, by everyone, I was determined to make it all on my own, and I have. I love what I do, I love what I’ve created, and I love who I’ve become. Yes, it’s small, but it’s mine, and nothing or no one can stop me now. Not even Bryan Brennen. He may have returned, but it won’t be long before he leaves. And regardless of how you slice it, some things can’t be forgotten, no matter how sweet the taste.

Luna dreamed of life outside her village but never imagined how different it would be out there. Facing intrigue and danger, she must navigate her way through a world she does not understand in order to save those she loves.

Caroline Chapman is reeling from a broken engagement. Determined to start again, she moves cross-country for her dream job of planning events in the historical mansions of Newport, Rhode Island. Just as her life is getting back on track, she gets an email that shakes her very foundations. Linda Riley's life looks picture perfect- a wonderful husband, two great kids, involved in church and the community. Then comes the diagnosis that shatters the facade. In order to save her son's life, she must reveal secrets that can rip everything apart.

The Gallaghers and Pruitts have dominated the American political landscape dating back to Revolutionary times. The Yale University class of 1996 had one of each, and as the 20-year reunion approaches, the families are on a collision course. Owen Gallagher is coasting to the Democratic nomination for president. Rock Pruitt - the brash maverick whose career was derailed two decades ago by his association to a tragic death - is back, ready to reclaim the mantle of clan leader. And fatefully in between lies Samantha Lessing.

How far could society fall without data? Account balances, property lines, government ID records - if it all vanished, if everyone’s scorecard reset to zero, how might the world look? The Blind Mice are going to show us. Molly McGill is fighting it. Her teenage son has come downstairs in a T-shirt from these “hacktivists” dominating the news. Her daughter’s bus is canceled - too many stoplights out - and school is in the opposite direction of the temp job she’s supposed to be starting this morning.

I thought I was a goner after my old frenemy Odin dropped a Ragnarok-sized truth bomb on me at an Asgard Awakening (terrible show - don't watch it) fan convention, but the situation is contained for now, and I'm heading west to search for the runes that make me immortal. Dying is counterproductive, and I, the great god Loki, enjoy living in the twenty-first century, even if I have to do it in a body that prefers men over women. What can I say? Gunnar Magnusson is, as the cool Midgardian kids say, hot AF. We all make sacrifices.

Captain Aero Wright leads a group of insurgents from the Second Continuum to overthrow his rival, Supreme General Vinick, and unite his space colony’s military forces while Seeker takes on a secret mission back to her home colony to reinforce Earth's defenses and protect the First Continuum against an even greater threat.

Each month, an estimated 500 million people are pitched a network marketing or multi-level marketing opportunity that offers them good money and flexible hours. But for every Avon or Amway, there are a hundred charlatan companies offering nothing but empty promises and outright lies. In this no-holds-barred book, Mark Davenport reveals the tricks and tactics of unscrupulous scammers who have perverted a once-viable enterprise.

Deb Bollinger has no time for corporate training. Her company’s top engineer at just 27, Deb has blocked off her day for the one project she truly cares about: the launch of Carebnb, an app that finds spare beds for the homeless. When she’s told all employees must drop everything for some busywork exercise called Blackquest 40, it’s an easy no.