Young, beautiful and jaded, Julia's world revolves around school, work, and a desire to matter in a city where honesty is a myth and illusions can still hurt. But when a seemingly pointless college project unites her with Collette, an alluring French student she had always admired from afar, Julia begins to wonder if love really can happen in Hollywood -- a hope Collette might share, if only both would surrender.

US–Chinese strategic competition is a defining factor in world politics. The prevailing narrative on US–China relations predicts inevitable conflicts between these two giants, potentially leading to a self-fulfilling prophecy. While fully acknowledging the inherent dangers of potential wars or military conflicts between the two powers, this book shows that competition is not necessarily detrimental. By systematically examining US–China institutional balancing across security, economic and ...

Desert night shrouds the capital city in its heady warmth. Heath and Caio walk the winding alleyways, absorbing sights of unrestrained decadence. This is that infamous den of hedonism: the pleasure district of Sa’arre.Deep within the palace of desire, they feel an irresistible, charismatic pull. In a world of inhuman passion, no spell can protect against raw demonic charm.A search for allies takes an unexpected turn as the danger around them spirals out of control. The naïv...

This edited volume undertakes a systematic exploration of China's multifaceted interactions with five pivotal players situated in the Indo-Pacific: the United States, Japan, India, Australia, and ASEAN. By delving into both the theoretical underpinnings of state-to-state relationships and the empirical nuances of China's strategic engagements with these five critical actors, this book casts a clarifying light on the complexity of China's bilateral ties within the region.The strateg...

A thick ocean of vegetation, green as jade, the northern woodlands are as beautiful as they are unforgiving. Sprawling, gnarled branches tower above an untouched wilderness, hiding away forgotten secrets and ancient beasts.Isolated deep within the darkest recesses of nature, Heath and Caio seek the wisdom of a storied sorcerer, but lost knowledge has a price.Surrounded by endless natural splendor, the young couple feels their resistance slipping away as they succumb to the ...

The Surf City USA� lifeguards and marine safety officers protect and serve one of the busiest and most famous beaches in the world. World-class surfing events, volleyball tournaments, and other activities transform Huntington Beach�s waterfront into a sea of humanity regularly each summer. The lifeguards patrol three and a half miles of beautiful wide, sandy Orange County shores, which can draw more than 10 million annual visitors, necessitating as many as 3,000 rescues. The ultimate lifeg...

The Blueprint is the one book most authors wished they had before they took a bite of the publishing apple.USA Today bestselling author, publisher, and literary agent, Naleighna Kai, and award-winning, #1 bestselling author and graphic designer, J. L. Woodson, share their insight, wisdom, and publishing journeys—from self-publishing, to landing deals with a traditional publishing house, and achieving worldwide success.The experiences Kai and...

The beautiful county of Yorkshire is the largest in England, and yet still possesses a strong and cohesive regional identity. Built on centuries of shared tradition, a characteristic body of folklore has thrived and endured well into the present day.Folklore of Yorkshire chronicles such beliefs throughout the whole county, identifying distinctive common themes, placing them in their historical context and considering their social and psychological function...

Since the end of the Cold War, China has experienced several notable interstate crises: the 1999 'embassy bombing' incident, the 2001 EP-3 mid-air collision with a United States aircraft, and the Diaoyu/Senkaku dispute with Japan. China's response to each incident, however, has varied considerably. Drawing from a wealth of primary sources and interviews, this book offers a systematic analysis of China's crisis behavior in order to identify the factors which determine when Chinese leaders d...

This book examines the strategic interactions among China, the United States, Japan, and Southeast Asian States in the context of China’s rise and globalization after the cold war. Engaging the mainstream theoretical debates in international relations, the author introduces a new theoretical framework—institutional realism—to explain the institutionalization of world politics in the Asia-Pacific after the cold war.Institutional realism suggests that deepening economic interdependen...

The moment my college entrance exam results came out, my furious younger sister hurled a vase at my head.My stepfather gave me a cold, piercing stare and asked if I had cheated.And my biological mother, with a face full of disappointment, scolded me for pretending in front of her all this time.I pressed my bloodied forehead, but deep down, I felt a strange sense of relief. Finally, this day had come.

The strategic rivalry between the United States and China has heightened since COVID-19. Secondary states face increasing difficulties maintaining a 'hedging' strategy between the United States and China. This Element introduces a preference-for-change model to explain the policy variations of states during the order transition. It suggests that policymakers will perceive a potential change in the international order through a cost–benefit prism. The interplays between the perceived costs ...