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As a federal agent, spending a year running for his life felt like a nightmare from which Reed Monroe couldn’t wake. But with the notorious cartel on his tail for stealing their money as a DEA cybersecurity specialist, and his bosses believing he killed his partner to cover up his role as a mole, he didn’t have a choice. Running was the only option, at least until he proved he was innocent. Someone was willing to do anything to stop him from digging up the truth. And that someone worked for the DEA. He just had to live long enough to prove it. Skye Winters had buried her nose in mystery novels most of her life, desperate to escape the monotony of sleepy Cascade Creek, Washington. Her most exciting time of day is imagining the adventurous backstories of customers that sit in her station at the Rock Road Diner. Including one handsome stranger looking for a job as a short-order cook. Every adventurous story he regales her with is as unlikely as the next. Until one fateful and shocking day involving the arrival of cartel assassins reveals his stories aren’t at all fictional. The adventure she craves stares her in the face, far more vivid and dangerous than she imagined. For the first time ever, her fictional novels can’t possibly live up to reality. But is it more than she’s willing to handle?

Winner of the 2019 International Digital Awards *** She never trusted unconditional love. He never believed he'd be worthy. Almost-Olympian gymnast Jordan Beck has coordinated an emergency vacation getaway in Puerto Vallarta for her broken-hearted bestie. Nightly parties, exotic drinks, and sandy beaches are just what she has in mind for her and her friends. She strives for perfection in everything she does and believes she's found it in the emerald-eyed bartender who doesn't back down from her challenge. Zac Durant learned early on that life is a gift and he's determined to live his to the fullest. Scuba, surfing, tending bar by the ocean, his abuelita's tamales. He's content--until a Latina beauty struts across his pool patio and orders his best drink. Zac isn't the kind to hook up with the resort guests but Jordan changes his mind. Zac and Jordan know this sensual interlude in paradise is a vacation fling but when sparks turn to fireworks, they are tempted to believe in something real. The illusion of perfection vanishes and Jordan panics, erecting walls around her cautious heart, sabotaging their chance at happily ever after. It is up to Zac to prove that unconditional love is worth a shot at the gold. **Each book in this series can be read in order or as a standalone. Sweet Escape Series: Book 1: Dry Spell Book 2: Hot Spell Book 3: Cold Spell

Cascade Creek is the perfect home for Lynée Clark—the mountains, her friends, a cozy home, her dream job at the library. Life simply couldn’t be any more perfect. When a scruffy, tattooed man rides into town on his metallic stallion to arrest her best friend’s boyfriend, her perfect world is upturned into chaos. Everything goes wrong, her best friend is forced into hiding from a cartel assassin, and her predictable days are thrust into upheaval. But the only way to bring home her friend and return her turbulent life back to normal is to help the DEA Special Agent on his case to uncover the truth. Which means spending a lot of time up close and personal with this bearded troublemaker in leather with zero manners and an addiction to cursing. Jace Ivy has one mission: capture a rogue DEA agent that all others have failed to seize. After three months of tracking, Jace claims victory on his most difficult trace yet. Only to realize Reed Monroe might not be the double-agent his bosses claim. Thanks to a bloodthirsty cartel hitman, bumps in the road grow into massive roadblocks. Ones he can’t break down without the help of an unexpected research assistant, a local librarian who volunteers to help him so her best friend can return home. Lynée accomplishes much more than deciphering the mountains of evidence in his case, but also batters down his defensive walls and beastly façade. How can he resist turning Miss Prim-and-Proper into a seductive temptress with an equally dirty mouth?

Finalist of the 2019 International Digital Awards *** Samantha Callahan fights hard to succeed in a man’s world. At the top of her game with a promotion nearly in her grasp, nothing can stand in her way, not even greedy competitors or a crashed laptop. So, an overdue and well-deserved vacation to the beach with the girls shouldn’t put her on edge. But perhaps Sam’s head has been down in the trenches for so long, she’s forgotten how to enjoy life. Chase Bradshaw is the classic hottie next door—a nice man who happens to surf as well as he sizzles in the bedroom. He ditched corporate America for the stress-free salt life, and to follow his dreams. When Sam walks onto his beach, he can practically see the uptight personality oozing from her pores. The woman looks like she could use something other than work to keep her up at night. Lucky for her, Chase is just the man to coax the conservative right out of her.

Finalist of the 2019 International Digital Awards *** She can't stand him. He thinks she's never more adorable than when she's angry at him. Liddy Drake would rather gamble on double black diamond runs than take a chance on love. Escaping dreary San Francisco for a Colorado mountain resort with her besties is just what the doctor ordered. But an injury on the first day lands her in the lap of a loud-mouthed ski instructor who knows exactly how to get under her skin. She doesn't have time to waste on a playboy with a too-easy laugh and gorgeous blue eyes. Luke Sawyer left New York ten years ago for the ski runs of Colorado, concealing his identity as a Rothchild heir. He'd seen money change too many people, never for good. Scrappy, sassy, and oh-so-sexy Liddy doesn't fall for the mask of his over-the-top charm. He accepts the challenge to show her his true self. Their chemistry is enough to melt snow-capped mountains, until she finds out the truth. There's no way her humble background could compete with America's royalty. How can he melt the ice around her heart and convince her that Mr. Wrong is actually Mr. Right, who loves her just the way she is? Sweet Escape Series: Book 1: Dry Spell Book 2: Hot Spell Book 3: Cold Spell

Al poco tiempo de haberse declarado la pandemia que vino a trastocar la vida de todos a nivel mundial, el Concurso de Cuento Decamerón 2020 surgió del interés por abrir horizontes de creación en cada una de las niñas, niños y jóvenes de México que comenzaban a vivir la experiencia de verse obligados a permanecer confinados. Después de un arduo proceso de selección, el jurado eligió cien cuentos ganadores de los más de 600 que fueron enviados de 24 estados de la República e incluso del extranjero.Entre las obras recogidas hay cuentos de hadas y de ciencia ficción; mitos, leyendas y fabulas; crónicas, memorias y diarios; bestiarios, cómics, microrelatos y una que otra poesía, historias todas acompañadas de imágenes que a veces se presentan como dibujos o pinturas iluminadas con acuarelas, lápices y hasta gises, gráficos digitales o fotografías. La variedad es tan amplia como amplia es la imaginación.Los cien cuentos aquí reunidos representan un lugar de encuentro para la juventud mexicana, porque cada vez se vuelve más ne­cesario que los jóvenes se sientan comunicados e interesados en compartir la riqueza de la diversidad que caracteriza al mundo de hoy. Este libro quedará como un testimonio lite­rario e histórico de un momento en que las condiciones de vida cambiaron para todos…

GPU Mining Facts offers a comprehensive, fact-based guide to understanding and participating in cryptocurrency mining using graphics cards. It meticulously dissects the intricacies of GPU mining, revealing that success hinges on technical expertise, strategic planning, and a realistic grasp of market dynamics. Readers will discover how blockchain technology impacts mining profitability and explore various mining algorithms, balancing computational demands with GPU architecture compatibility. The book progresses from initial setup to advanced optimization techniques, such as overclocking and undervolting, to maximize hash rate while minimizing power consumption and heat generation. It emphasizes efficient heat management and preventative maintenance for hardware longevity, addressing financial aspects like profitability calculations and electricity cost management. Mining rig setup, software configuration, and joining mining pools are equally covered, providing a structured overview of necessary hardware and software. Distinguishing itself through a pragmatic and data-driven approach, GPU Mining Facts equips tech enthusiasts and cryptocurrency investors with the knowledge to navigate the complexities of this evolving field. By drawing upon hardware specifications, mining pool statistics, and cryptocurrency market analysis, the book empowers readers to make informed decisions and avoid common pitfalls in the cryptocurrency market.

Is the blockchain revolution grinding to a halt under the weight of its own success? This book, "Layer Solutions," addresses the critical challenge of blockchain scalability, exploring how innovative technologies are paving the way for a future where decentralized applications can handle real-world transaction volumes. We delve into the core concepts of Layer 2 protocols, sidechains, and sharding, providing a comprehensive understanding of their potential to unlock the full potential of blockchain technology. The importance of these solutions lies in their ability to overcome the inherent limitations of first-generation blockchains, enabling faster transaction speeds, lower fees, and increased overall efficiency, essential for widespread adoption. Understanding the historical context is crucial. The initial promise of blockchain was hampered by scalability issues, resulting in slow transaction confirmation times and high costs, hindering many real-world use cases. This book assumes a basic understanding of blockchain technology, including concepts like distributed ledgers, consensus mechanisms, and smart contracts. Our central argument is that Layer 2 protocols, sidechains, and sharding represent viable and necessary solutions for achieving true blockchain scalability, not just incremental improvements. The book demonstrates that these technologies, while complex, are essential for building a blockchain infrastructure capable of supporting a decentralized future. The book is structured to provide a clear and progressive understanding. First, we introduce the fundamental limitations of existing blockchain architectures, highlighting the need for scalability solutions. Next, we explore Layer 2 protocols in depth, analyzing various implementations like payment channels, rollups (both optimistic and zero-knowledge), and state channels. The subsequent section focuses on sidechains, examining their architecture, security models, and interoperability with the main chain. We then dissect the complexities of sharding, explaining different sharding techniques and addressing the challenges of cross-shard communication and data availability. Finally, we conclude by examining the practical applications of these solutions across various industries, including finance, supply chain management, and identity management. Each chapter presents potential drawbacks and trade-offs for each solution. The analysis presented in this book is supported by research from academic papers, industry reports, and technical specifications from leading blockchain projects. We analyze data from existing Layer 2 implementations and sidechains, evaluating their performance in terms of transaction throughput, latency, and cost savings. "Layer Solutions" connects to several other fields. Cryptoeconomics is crucial in understanding the incentive mechanisms that secure these scaling solutions. Network engineering principles are essential for optimizing communication and data transfer within sharded blockchains. Game theory provides a framework for analyzing the behavior of participants in Layer 2 protocols and sidechains. This book takes a practical approach, focusing on the real-world implementations and trade-offs of each solution. We provide a balanced perspective, acknowledging both the potential benefits and the inherent challenges of each approach. The tone of the book is informative and analytical, aiming to provide a comprehensive overview of the subject matter without resorting to technical jargon or overly complex explanations. The target audience includes blockchain developers, architects, business professionals, and researchers seeking a deep understanding of blockchain scalability solutions. This book provides valuable knowledge for anyone interested in building or investing in decentralized applications. As a work in the Computers and Technology genre, this book adheres to standards of technical accuracy and objectivity. We delve into the technical aspects of each solution. The scope of the book is limited to Layer 2 protocols, sidechains, and sharding, focusing on the most promising and widely discussed solutions. We do not delve into other scalability techniques, such as directed acyclic graphs (DAGs). The information presented in this book can be applied directly to the design and implementation of scalable blockchain applications. Developers can leverage these insights to choose the appropriate scaling solution for their specific use case. While there is broad consensus on the need for blockchain scalability, there are ongoing debates about the relative merits of different approaches. This book addresses these debates, presenting a balanced perspective on the advantages and disadvantages of each solution.

Mia Doornaert doorprikt in haar columns al jaren de politieke correctheid en de emotionele oogkleppen van een kleine elite die het debat in onze media en onze samenleving domineert. Zogenaamde rationele intellectuelen aanbidden Fidel Castro, nadat ze ook Stalin en Mao verafgood hebben. Antiklerikalen spotten met het christendom, maar vragen respect voor de islam. Politici en commentatoren slaan Amerika en het Westen ongenadig om de oren voor elke fout, maar praten dictators goed die de eigen bevolking ongenadig onderdrukken. Linkse intellectuelen beweren van het volk te houden, en misprijzen dat volk dat klaagt over onveiligheid en slecht opgevangen immigratie. Dit boek verbindt haar spitse columns aan essays met thema's als de eventuele grenzen van vrije meningsuiting, het federalisme en het getaande imago van België in de wereld, en het Frankrijk van 'Sarko'.

Al poco tiempo de haberse declarado la pandemia que vino a trastocar la vida de todos a nivel mundial, el Concurso de Cuento Decamerón 2020 surgió del interés por abrir horizontes de creación en cada una de las niñas, niños y jóvenes de México que comenzaban a vivir la experiencia de verse obligados a permanecer confinados. Después de un arduo proceso de selección, el jurado eligió cien cuentos ganadores de los más de 600 que fueron enviados de 24 estados de la República e incluso del extranjero.Entre las obras recogidas hay cuentos de hadas y de ciencia ficción; mitos, leyendas y fabulas; crónicas, memorias y diarios; bestiarios, cómics, microrelatos y una que otra poesía, historias todas acompañadas de imágenes que a veces se presentan como dibujos o pinturas iluminadas con acuarelas, lápices y hasta gises, gráficos digitales o fotografías. La variedad es tan amplia como amplia es la imaginación.Los cien cuentos aquí reunidos representan un lugar de encuentro para la juventud mexicana, porque cada vez se vuelve más ne­cesario que los jóvenes se sientan comunicados e interesados en compartir la riqueza de la diversidad que caracteriza al mundo de hoy. Este libro quedará como un testimonio lite­rario e histórico de un momento en que las condiciones de vida cambiaron para todos…