High Conflict: Why We Get Trapped and How We Get Out by Amanda Ripley

When we are baffled by the insanity of the “other side”—in our politics, at work, or at home—it’s because we aren’t seeing how the conflict itself has taken over.

That’s what “high conflict” does. It’s the invisible hand of our time. And it’s different from the useful friction of healthy conflict. That’s good conflict, and it’s a necessary force that pushes us to be better people.

High conflict is what happens when discord distills into a good-versus-evil kind of feud, the kind with an us and a them. In this state, the brain behaves differently. We feel increasingly certain of our own superiority, and everything we do to try to end the conflict, usually makes it worse. Eventually, we can start to mimic the behavior of our adversaries, harming what we hold most dear.

In this “compulsively readable” (Evan Osnos, National Book Award-winning author) book, New York Times bestselling author and award-winning journalist Amanda Ripley investigates how good people get captured by high conflict—and how they break free.

Our journey begins in California, where a world-renowned conflict expert struggles to extract himself from a political feud. Then we meet a Chicago gang leader who dedicates his life to a vendetta—only to realize, years later, that the story he’d told himself about the conflict was not quite true. Next, we travel to Colombia, to find out whether thousands of people can be nudged out of high conflict at scale. Finally, we return to America to see what happens when a group of liberal Manhattan Jews and conservative Michigan corrections officers choose to stay in each other’s homes in order to understand one another better, even as they continue to disagree.

All these people, in dramatically different situations, were drawn into high conflict by similar forces, including conflict entrepreneurs, humiliation, and false binaries. But ultimately, all of them found ways to transform high conflict into good conflict, the kind that made them better people. They rehumanized and recatego­rized their opponents, and they revived curiosity and wonder, even as they continued to fight for what they knew was right.

People do escape high conflict. Individuals—even entire communities—can short-circuit the feedback loops of outrage and blame, if they want to. This is an “insightful and enthralling” (The New York Times Book Review) book—and a mind-opening new way to think about conflict that will transform how we move through the world.

The Peculiars by Maureen Doyle McQuerry

A young girl sets off on a journey of self-discovery in this “richly atmospheric” tale blending steampunk, adventure, and gothic romance (Kirkus Reviews).

With her noticeably large hands and feet, Lena Mattacascar is undoubtedly different. Secretly, she’s wondered if she might actually be Peculiar, and if her father—who left when she was only five years old—may have been Peculiar too.

On her eighteenth birthday, Lena receives a letter that inspires her to leave the safety of the City and search for her father in the northern wilderness of Scree—a place inhabited by people whose own unusual characteristics make them unacceptable to modern society. Her journey leads to romance, danger, and a darkness she’s never imagined. For in the wilds of Scree, she must confront her deepest fears . . .

“Readers graduating from the stories of C.S. Lewis and Edward Eager will be right at home—and cat lovers will adore Jimson’s employer’s pet, Mrs. Mumbles. McQuerry’s extensive world-building leaves open the possibility of future installments.” —Publishers Weekly

Scotch Soulmateby Jessica Mills & Ali Parker

I’m falling for my enemy, and things are getting hot fast.

They say a man can’t fight City Hall, but they haven’t met me yet.

When the land the ranch needs to expand is sold to build a new prison instead, there’s no way I’m going to let that ride.

The only problem is, my nemesis is the one in charge.

She’s a ball-busting bureaucrat who just happens to be the hottest woman I’ve ever seen.

She’s also a single mother whose pre-teen son is just hitting his rebellious phase.

Some time on the ranch can help the boy, but nothing can help the way I’m starting to feel about his mother.

Will she keep putting her career first, or will the ranch get in our way?

We might face more action than a rodeo, but this time I refuse to be bucked off.

I’m holding on to her for dear life…

Made for the Marquessby Alexa Aston

First sons inherit all. Third sons are promised to the church. Second sons do their duty and serve in the military—unless fate intervenes and turns their lives upside down.

Welcome to Second Sons of London, a new Regency Historical Romance series by bestselling author Alexa Aston, where seven men who are second sons lay claim to fabulous wealth and lofty titles and fulfill their destinies when they find their soulmates.

A reticent army officer who loses a beloved brother. A personable beauty eager to make up for lost time. And one magical kiss that changes everything . . .

Lieutenant-Colonel Percival Perry maybe be reserved, but he is an outstanding army officer. When Percy receives news of his brother’s accidental drowning, he is forced to sell his commission and take up his title as Marquess of Kingston. Nightmares of the war plague Percy even as he longs for a wife and family. When he meets an attractive, spirited woman, he can barely speak and knows he made a poor impression upon her.

Araminta Nicholls is two and twenty and missed making her come-out, thanks to the pesky Americans who started a war that kept her stuck in Canada for several years. Minta is ready to make up for lost time and find a husband so she can have the children she longs for. When she is introduced to a solemn marquess, Minta believes him to be much like her own shy twin and comes to have feelings for Lord Kingston.

But Percy’s nightmares continue and he fears he might plunge into madness, taking Minta with him. Knowing he loves her, he makes the decision to give her up, believing he is damaged goods. But Minta is a fighter—and she isn’t going anywhere.

Can Minta convince Percy that opposites can make for a wonderful marriage—and that love can conquer any problem if they face it together?

Find the answer in bestselling author Alexa Aston’s Made for the Marquess, the fourth book in Second Sons of London.

Each book in Second Sons of London is a standalone story that can be enjoyed out of order.

Second Sons of London
Educated by the Earl
Debating with the Duke
Empowered by the Earl
Made for the Marquess
Dubious about the Duke
Valued by the Viscount
Meant for the Marquess

Lady, No Moreby Cerise Deland

She’s through with love.

Lady Laurel Devereaux prided herself on her sterling reputation, even as she overlooked her two younger sisters’ foibles and their ailing grandfather’s little peccadilloes. She always adored frolicking in fountains and dancing before breakfast. But those were innocent delights compared to the one night she left a ballroom to play the piano alone—and a charming man joined her to play a duet that became a mad love affair.

He quickly proposed and just as quickly jilted her. Now she’ll marry only for friendship or security or children.

He’ll never give her up again.

Now Hadley, Viscount Grey, arrives in Brighton and vows to win Laurel back. But this time, his greatest problem is not overcoming his competition or challenging Laurel’s vow to remain a proper lady, but her decision to never love another man.

How can he convince her that she simply never stopped loving him?

Note: This series is part of Dragonblade’s Flame line, so this is a sexy, steamy, and scorching-hot read with multiple sex scenes. Be advised.

Read free in Kindle Unlimited!

Naughty Ladies
Lady, Be Wanton
Lady, Behave
Lady, No More

Escape to Osprey Coveby Luisa Marietta Gold

What Doug finds in the secret compartment of his new red Corvette will forever change his life. It will also change Catherine’s. Doug and Catherine come from two different worlds. Catherine’s world is one of privilege and wealth. Doug grew up dirt poor and full of envy of others who had the things that he wanted but could not have. His goal was to one day have all the things he coveted. Their worlds collide when Catherine, VP of a large New York City marketing firm, hires Doug. As soon as Doug learns of Catherine’s wealth, he sees Catherine as his ticket to all the things he covets. After a whirlwind courtship, they are married.

Poor boy meets rich girl should have resulted in happily ever after — not exactly. Doug quickly learns he also covets independence. Events begin to unfold in each of their lives. For Doug, it is his mysterious discovery in the secret compartment of the Corvette. For Catherine, it is a business meeting with Alex Droxell at the Osprey Cove Lodge. When Catherine enters the beautiful and serene lodge, it’s as though she is entering another place and time. The lodge is an escape from the nightmare she is living back home.

Authors Note: The Osprey Cove Lodge series is uniquely written, spanning seven geographic locations from the scenic Canadian region of the Rideau lakes to the beautiful shores of the Caribbean. An interesting web of mystery develops as the characters’ lives intertwine. The setting for The Osprey Cove Lodge series was born from my love of the beauty of this region in Canada. The description of the lodge is so beautiful and inviting that you will want to pack your bags and head there. The series is written in a continuing fashion; please be sure to read the books in the order written.

The Trust Formula: A Guide Book for Entrepreneurs by Dr. Dan Sullivan

“If you’re gonna move mountains, you must know how to move people.”

The Trust Formula will guide you through the research, stories, and specific strategies to move your leads, customers, and audience into action.

Creating greater influence, impact, sales and persuasion requires building trust. Trust, is at an all-time low in the marketplace today, but represents the key that unlocks your buyer’s brain has not. Dr Dan Sullivan will show you the simple strategies to influence the “decision-making” brain every time.

Learn the effortless approach to building trust and using authentic integrity to influence today’s market. Whether you are working online, in person, speaking on stages, or working in sales, building genuine trust in a short window of time will separate you from the pack.

Dr Sullivan’s simple, scientific approach helps entrepreneurs achieve reproducible results, even those who hate selling. So whether you are an introvert or extrovert, dealing with highly skeptical audiences, or simply trying to get your teenager to make better choices, The Trust Formula will give you the method, model and system to get repeatable results. Magical outcomes built on a foundation of science.

Success is a Mindstate: The Struggle, Hustle, and Evolution of Shiloh Jones by Shiloh Jones

Success is a Mindset is Shiloh Jones’s incredible tale of rising above his childhood in the Northside of Richmond, Virginia, the murder capital of America, during the crack epidemic. Saddled with a speech impediment, an untraditional family, and the wrong sneakers, he butted up against adversaries of all kinds. Ultimately, he thrived through using his smarts and employing street hustling tactics he acquired along the way to exceed expectations, support his family, build businesses, and amass considerable amounts of personal wealth.

Jones doesn’t shy away from looking hard at his own mistakes and recognizing the humanity of the pivotal players in his life, even those who caused him pain. His song lyrics add an emotional layer and poignancy to his authentic and humorous voice.

This book is for readers who want to grow beyond their current situation and alter their life’s path by transforming their own challenges into opportunities for growth.

Thriving with ADHD: A Guide to Naturally Reducing ADHD Symptoms in Your Child by Dana Kay

Thriving with ADHD gives parents of children with ADHD a proven step-by-step plan to naturally reduce ADHD symptoms and challenging ADHD behaviors.

No more guessing which strategies or remedies “might” help support kids with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. No more hoping that something “might” improve ADHD behaviors and then being disappointed when it doesn’t. Thriving with ADHD uses strategies that work!

For all caregivers who are on a mission to support kids with ADHD using food and other natural methods, Thriving with ADHD provides the blueprint to jumpstart the journey.