There's nothing like a strong drink after a day of hard work. Calyssa is at her favorite bar, drinking, because things aren't going swimmingly. After landing a remunerative job at Shred Unread, Calyssa was able to afford a one-bedroom apartment to prove to her mom she's now an adult. However, there's Babette who wants Calyssa fired. Mr. Grunt-the founder and CEO of Shred Unread-wants to see Calyssa first thing Monday morning. To get her fired, for sure. What would her mom think? Calyssa must keep her job. Whatever it takes. The only person who can protect Calyssa is her boss Adam, who's in Hawaii. But, what if he declines to speak up for her? Calyssa decides to blackmail him, a task for which she'll go to Hawaii, find him and get him drunk, and take some provocative photos of him naked. This is how Calyssa ends up in Honolulu with a stolen fish, a black cat, a liar, a stripper, and a gambler-searching for Adam-to only learn that Hawaii is indeed a land of creation, but also a land of destruction.

Development and the State in the 21st Century provides a comprehensive analysis of the state's role in contemporary development. The book examines the challenges that states face in the developing world - from lasting poverty and political instability to disease and natural disasters - and explores the ways in which states can build capacity to surmount these challenges. It takes seriously the role that state institutions can play in development while also looking at what institutional reform entails and why this reform is critical for policy recommendations to work. This analysis is set in the context of the evolution of both development practice and development theory. Chapters are organized around the key issues in the field and deploy a wide range of examples from different countries. A range of case studies throughout the text demonstrate the variety of problems development practitioners face and the key theoretical debates surrounding the subject. This text will be particularly useful to students of development and politics who wish to understand how governance and state-building can improve countries' economic performance and end cycles of poverty.

Caspian Energy Politics analyses the role of oil and gas in the development of the three main petroleum exporters in the Caspian region - Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan - and how energy resources influence interactions with semi-authoritarian Russia and China. Due to volatile commodity prices and competition for the resources in and around the Caspian Sea, the governments of these petroleum-exporters face a series of difficult decisions. These governments have sought to balance short-term incentives to spend oil revenues as a means to maintain power against the need for a long-term strategy for managing these assets, choices which have further implications for how these countries align themselves internationally. By illuminating important linkages between domestic and international dynamics in these states, the book provides a fresh perspective on energy politics and the impact of petroleum on the development of the Caspian petroleum producers. Expert contributors from Central Asia and the South Caucasus and international scholars provide context-specific insights into the incentives affecting decision-makers that can provide a foundation for strategies to help the countries in the region overcome the negative effects of reliance on oil and gas. As such, the book will be a valuable tool for business actors seeking to understand the role of Chinese and Russian companies in the region, as well as local and international policymakers and non-governmental organisations.

Caspian Energy Politics analyses the role of oil and gas in the development of the three main petroleum exporters in the Caspian region - Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan - and how energy resources influence interactions with semi-authoritarian Russia and China.

Due to volatile commodity prices and competition for the resources in and around the Caspian Sea, the governments of these petroleum-exporters face a series of difficult decisions. These governments have sought to balance short-term incentives to spend oil revenues as a means to maintain power against the need for a long-term strategy for managing these assets, choices which have further implications for how these countries align themselves internationally. By illuminating important linkages between domestic and international dynamics in these states, the book provides a fresh perspective on energy politics and the impact of petroleum on the development of the Caspian petroleum producers.

Expert contributors from Central Asia and the South Caucasus and international scholars provide context-specific insights into the incentives affecting decision-makers that can provide a foundation for strategies to help the countries in the region overcome the negative effects of reliance on oil and gas. As such, the book will be a valuable tool for business actors seeking to understand the role of Chinese and Russian companies in the region, as well as local and international policymakers and non-governmental organisations.

Written by a multidisciplinary team of experts involved in the development of standards and guidelines for its management in the USA, UK, Europe and Asia, the book contains succinct and knowledgeable summaries of the management of thyroid cancer. Every chapter describes a different aspect of care, and provides clear and detailed information about caring for patients with this group of tumors.

This is an invaluable reference to health care professionals, from primary to tertiary care, involved in the management of thyroid cancer such as clinical nurse specialists, clinical psychologists, family medicine practitioners, specialists in palliative care (especially for anaplastic thyroid cancers), geneticists and surgeons, endocrinologists, oncologists, pathologists, and radiologists.

? Fantasia Taylor-American Idol, Grammy-winning vocalist, and chart-topping singer-and her husband businessman Kendall Taylor were both successful and living in their purpose when they met and married three weeks later. Their marriage has had its ups and downs, but the one thing that has sustained them through all of it is the practice of taking off their crowns-the accolades, their egos, the things the world tells you matter-and serving each other within the home. It doesn't matter who you are in the world-you need to humble yourself and serve your partner in order to put your marriage, your family, and your faith first. Seven years later, after facing a host of real-world challenges-from marital stress to professional and financial pressures, to their high-risk pregnancy and the premature birth of their daughter-Fantasia and Kendall's marriage has become a beacon of hope and love as they have opened up about their lives in their weekly 'Taylor Talks' broadcast. Now, in their first book together, Fantasia and Kendall dish about their shared experiences and struggles, opening up about the challenges and triumphs they've faced together and how they have come out stronger for them. They also share stories about how they've made their relationship work against all odds and why they try to always treat each other like royalty. In their trademark no-nonsense, real-talk style, they discuss topics that affect all relationships, including the importance of submitting to one another, handling conflict, clearing the lines of communication, keeping the romance alive, navigating the challenges of blended family, and how to maintain healthy relationships when you haven't seen them modeled before. Insightful, wise, and grounded in faith, Fantasia and Kendall's story offers hope and encouragement and gives straight-up advice about making your relationships last.

Democracies and Authoritarian Regimes provides a broad, accessible overview of the key institutions and political dynamics in democracies and dictatorships, enabling students to assess the benefits and risks associated with democracy, and the growing challenges to it. Comprehensive coverage of the full spectrum of political systems enhances students' understanding of the relevance of contemporary global trends, including the nature of democratic backsliding and authoritarian resurgence, the rise of populism and identity politics, and the impact of cultural and socio-economic drivers of democracy. Each chapter features a broad range of case studies complemented by boxes that illustrate key terms, ensuring relevant research is translated in a clear, engaging format for students. This text is supported by a range of online resources, to encourage deeper engagement with the subject matter. For students: Regular updates to supplement the text, ensuring students are fully informed of real-time developments in the field For lecturers: In-class assignments to reinforce key concepts and facilitate deeper, critical engagement with key topics