Living on the Edge of the Gulf


Book Description

A new look at the West Florida and Alabama Gulf shoreline, in the context of burgeoning development and revised coastal regulations.




The Edge of the Gulf


Book Description

Laurel Beach is one of the last old-fashioned villages in the West Florida panhandle, one that has, so far, escaped commercial over-development. It presents both a haven and opportunity, and, this summer, it plays host to a varied cast. Grief has nearly destroyed Hudson DeForest. He’s barely been going through the motions, teaching in a Memphis girls school, writing about film, talking to the dog. He’s hanging on by a thread. It’s been two years since Kate died, two years of grappling with profound loss, with the impact of the marriage of a lifetime cut short. Hudson’s friend Charlie Brompton, the successful developer and restaurateur, is facing a different loss. He’s growing old. It’s time for him to let go of his most beloved enterprise, the mecca of fine dining known as the 26-A after the panhandle highway where it sits. And of its funky adjunct, The Blue Bar. With no immediate family as heirs, Charlie’s considering his choice of successors. And what he should do for his godson, Chaz? He also wonders if Hudson will return to Laurel Beach, to the cottage he occupied with Kate. Will Hudson ever forgive him? Meanwhile Chaz has met Sydney, a former actress. They’re living well in Atlanta, thinking about marriage. Thinking, too, that perhaps they should go to Laurel Beach, touch base with Charlie.... As Hudson settles in and doggedly takes up his summer project—he has a book contract for a collection of his film reviews—the undying past and a present struggling to be born exert their fierce, and sometimes indistinguishable, claims. So it is for Charlie, and for Sydney and Chaz. Gradually a bizarre maelstrom of deceit, betrayal, and murder evolves in Laurel Beach, ensnaring the wealthy and the beautiful, the misguided and the desperate. Will its force fill Hudson with newfound determination to celebrate life—or will it destroy those he still holds dear?







Living on the Edge


Book Description

The primary character "Jim Lacy" portrays a "Gung Ho" young man who volunteered for the "Army Airborne" where he spent time in Korea during the war. Immediately prior to his deployment to Korea, he married a beautiful young lady "Teena" Roberts, whose wealthy parents were killed in a plane crash during his deployment. Since she was an only child, it resulted in a large inheritance settlement to his spouse. That, combined with the large settlement from the air crash made her an extremely wealthy young lady. They elected to place the inheritance in a trust fund for the family children in future years... After returning from his tour of duty he and his wealthy young wife both volunteered for a newly formed "Special Forces Unit" to be deployed in undercover work throughout the world. The unit ultimately evolved into the highly sophisticated US Secret Services Agencies (Un-named) that operate in today's world. Their positions required extensive long term training prior to deployment on field assignments. The story includes the "Romance, Love & Passions" enjoyed by all young married couples. Parts of the story are based on lives of real people. Many of the names used for the characters in the book "are real names" of the people depicted. It is a story of "mystery and intrigue" as they were assigned to special projects in various parts of the world. It relates to the True Real Life Passions shared by all young married couples. Additionally it includes actions in a world of special agents and intrigue of life most people only read or dream about. If you enjoy a book filled with action, love and romance...you will enjoy the story. A sequel of the story is planned.




The Edge of the Earth


Book Description

From the author of Drowning Ruth, a haunting, atmospheric novel set at the closing of the frontier about a young wife who moves to a far-flung and forbidding lighthouse where she uncovers a life-changing secret. In 1898, a woman forsakes the comfort of home and family for a love that takes her to a remote lighthouse on the wild coast of California. What she finds at the edge of the earth, hidden between the sea and the fog, will change her life irrevocably. Trudy, who can argue Kant over dinner and play a respectable portion of Mozart’s Serenade in G major, has been raised to marry her childhood friend and assume a life of bourgeois comfort in Milwaukee. She knows she should be pleased, but she’s restless instead, yearning for something she lacks even the vocabulary to articulate. When she falls in love with enigmatic and ambitious Oskar, she believes she’s found her escape from the banality of her preordained life. But escape turns out to be more fraught than Trudy had imagined. Alienated from family and friends, the couple moves across the country to take a job at a lighthouse at Point Lucia, California—an unnervingly isolated outcropping, trapped between the ocean and hundreds of miles of inaccessible wilderness. There they meet the light station’s only inhabitants—the formidable and guarded Crawleys. In this unfamiliar place, Trudy will find that nothing is as she might have predicted, especially after she discovers what hides among the rocks. Gorgeously detailed, swiftly paced, and anchored in the dramatic geography of the remote and eternally mesmerizing Big Sur, The Edge of the Earth is a magical story of secrets and self-transformation, ruses and rebirths. Christina Schwarz, celebrated for her rich evocation of place and vivid, unpredictable characters, has spun another haunting and unforgettable tale.




The House on the Gulf


Book Description

[If only] Bran would stop acting weird....Probably he had a perfectly reasonable explanation for everything. I just couldn't imagine what it would be. When Britt's older brother, Bran, lands a summer job house-sitting for the Marquises, an elderly couple, it seems like a great opportunity. Britt and Bran have moved to Florida so their mother can finish college, and the house-sitting income will allow their mom to quit her job and take classes full-time. Having never lived in a real house before, Britt is thrilled. There's only one problem: Britt starts to suspect her family isn't supposed to be there. She's been noticing that Bran is acting weird and defensive -- he hides the Marquises' mail, won't let anyone touch the thermostat, and discourages Britt from meeting any of the neighbors. Determined to get to the bottom of things, Britt starts investigating and makes a startling discovery -- the Marquises aren't who Bran has led her and their mom to believe. So whose house are they staying in, and why has Bran brought them there? With unexpected twists and turns, award winner Margaret Peterson Haddix has again crafted a thriller that will grip readers until its stunning conclusion.




Texas Aquatic Science


Book Description

This classroom resource provides clear, concise scientific information in an understandable and enjoyable way about water and aquatic life. Spanning the hydrologic cycle from rain to watersheds, aquifers to springs, rivers to estuaries, ample illustrations promote understanding of important concepts and clarify major ideas. Aquatic science is covered comprehensively, with relevant principles of chemistry, physics, geology, geography, ecology, and biology included throughout the text. Emphasizing water sustainability and conservation, the book tells us what we can do personally to conserve for the future and presents job and volunteer opportunities in the hope that some students will pursue careers in aquatic science. Texas Aquatic Science, originally developed as part of a multi-faceted education project for middle and high school students, can also be used at the college level for non-science majors, in the home-school environment, and by anyone who educates kids about nature and water. To learn more about The Meadows Center for Water and the Environment, sponsors of this book's series, please click here.




Living on the Edge II


Book Description

Jim and Teena Lacy volunteered for SOG (Special Operation Group) after Jim returned from Korea, where he served in the 187th Airborne, a Regimental Combat Team. After extensive training, they completed assignments in various parts of the world. This story covers their mission to verify intelligence reports that Russia had covertly moved Nuclear weapons and troops into Cuba. Their mission objectives were to confirm those reports and obtain photos for presenting to the Kremlin...when President Kennedy demands their removal. Time was a crucial factor, since America must prepare to destroy the facilities, before nuclear missiles can be launched. Russia-Cuba started the process of increasing coastal defenses for an anticipated US invasion, while they were on their mission. Since their covert mission required strict radio silence, they were un-aware of the military buildup within the region...until they reached their rendezvous point, where Seal Teams were awaiting to extract them. On arrival at the rendezvous point...a fierce battle erupted that resulted in critically wounded. That required shifting their Plan for Seal Teams aboard high-speed surface craft to extract those ashore. On their arrival in Florida, a meeting had been arranged in Miami for Pentagon leaders to review the data collected, and prepare for destroying all military bases in Cuba IF Russia refused to remove their missiles and troops. It is an action packed story with extensive covert actions. Additionally, it conveys the love (and passions) shared by Jim & Teena...that will be enjoyed by all. The last three chapters include surprise events, with an ending that will surprise everyone. Prior to their Cuban mission, Jim & Teena were on other covert mission assignments in the Middle East, Colombia and Brazil, that was covered in a prior book named "Living on the Edge".




Along the Edge of America


Book Description

From America's favorite traveler, the sights, sounds, and people of America's Gulf Coast.




Living on the Edge


Book Description

'Living on the Edge' examines the function of the Sahel region of Africa as an important wintering area for long-distance migrant birds. It describes the challenges the birds have to cope with – climate change, of course, and rapid man-made habitat changes related to deforestation, irrigation and reclamation of wetlands. How have all these changes affected the birds, and have birds adapted to these changes? Can we explain the changing numbers of breeding birds in Europe by changes in the Sahel, or vice versa? Winner of the BB/BTO Best Bird Book Award 2010 The Jury commented: "It is a tremendous book in every department. It marks a step-change in our knowledge of the ecology of this critically important region in the European-African migration system and of the many species (familiar to us on their breeding grounds) that winter there. The authors combine the latest scientific information with vivid descriptions of landscapes and animals. Their book is richly illustrated with large numbers of drawings, maps and photographs by acclaimed experts. The wealth of coloured graphics has been particularly well thought out and encourages readers to delve into the figures and learn more about the region, rather than having the (all-too-common) opposite effect. Summing up, the jury praises not just the high quality of the texts, the information and the illustrations, but also the sheer pleasure of reading the book: "One of the key attributes of a good book is to be able to grip the reader's attention and transport him or her to another place. We feel confident that [Living on the edge] will have that effect."