A vivid history of America's biggest, baddest prison system and how it came to lead the nation's punitive revolution In the prison business, all roads lead to Texas. The most locked-down state in the nation has led the way in criminal justice severity, from assembly-line executions to isolation supermaxes, from prison privatization to sentencing juveniles as adults. Texas Tough, a sweeping history of American imprisonment from the days of slavery to the present, shows how a plantation-based penal system once dismissed as barbaric became the national template. Drawing on convict accounts, official records, and interviews with prisoners, guards, and lawmakers, historian Robert Perkinson reveals the Southern roots of our present-day prison colossus. While conventional histories emphasize the North's rehabilitative approach, he shows how the retributive and profit-driven regime of the South ultimately triumphed. Most provocatively, he argues that just as convict leasing and segregation emerged in response to Reconstruction, so today's mass incarceration, with its vast racial disparities, must be seen as a backlash against civil rights. Illuminating for the first time the origins of America's prison juggernaut, Texas Tough points toward a more just and humane future.

When a city girl meets a Lone Star lover, can she resist temptation? Find out in this Texas Cattleman’s Club: Heir Apparent novel by USA TODAY bestselling author Janice Maynard. He's the kind of cowboy even big-city women dream about… The only reason artsy Abby Carmichael is way out in Royal, Texas, is to shoot a documentary film. But to get it right, she needs a cowboy. And fifth-generation Texas Cattleman’s Club member Carter Crane is it. His slow drawl, blue eyes and swagger say he’s the real deal… Their sparks ignite like wildfire. But when her work reveals big-money secrets that could bring down Royal, Abby must choose between the film that could make her career or riding into the sunset with Carter… From Harlequin Desire: Luxury, scandal, desire—welcome to the lives of the American elite. Love triumphs in these uplifting romances, part of the Texas Cattleman's Club: Heir Apparent series: Book 1: Back in the Texan's Bed by Naima Simone Book 2: At the Rancher's Pleasure by Joss Wood Book 3: Blue Collar Billionaire by Karen Booth Book 4: The Trouble with Bad Boys by Katherine Garbera Book 5: Texas Tough by Janice Maynard Book 6: Trapped with the Texan by Joanne Rock Book 7: How to Catch a Bad Boy by Cat Schield Book 8: Bidding on a Texan by Barbara Dunlop

A rancher must fight to protect his family—and the heiress he loves—in this romance from the New York Times–bestselling author of the Calder Saga. He’s everything she doesn’t need. The quiet horse whisperer whose touch still ignites her dreams—and is everything wealthy Lauren Prescott is not. She can think of a million reasons why she should never ever fall into Sky Fletcher's sure embrace again. Until she clashes head-on with the dangerous complications of her privileged life and needs his protection like air to breathe… She's more than he can resist. The heiress Sky can't get out of his heart, no matter how much he tries. And being the secret third Tyler son doesn't change a thing. All he wants from his two brothers is help uncovering a dangerous conspiracy threatening his land, their ranch, and the spirited beauty he never should have touched…. Praise for the Tylers of Texas series "Big, bold, and sexy, Texas True is Janet Dailey at her best!”—Kat Martin “Dailey does the genre proud with plenty of intrigue, subplots, twists and, of course, love. Fans and newcomers alike will revel in the ride.”—Publishers Weekly on Texas Tall

Enjoy two classic Lone Star romances from New York Times bestselling author Diana Palmer! Connal For years, Penelope Mathews worshipped C.C. Tremayne from afar. But the gorgeous loner doesn’t want anything to do with her—or any woman—since his wife’s tragic death. Until one night, when trying to protect C.C. from landing in trouble, Pepi enters a wedding chapel and emerges as Mrs. Connal Cade Tremayne! When C.C. realizes what happened, he plans to end the marriage. Yet the more time he spends with Pepi, the more he realizes he doesn’t want to lose her… Harden Rancher Harden Tremayne was the toughest, loneliest man to come out of Texas. Until he met Miranda Warren… The lovely widow had an overwhelming passion for the long, lean cowboy. But after she discovered the tragic secret he harbored deep in his soul, would her love be enough to melt his heart? New York Times Bestselling Author 2 Heartlfelt Stories Connal and Harden

By reputation, Kansas isn't the funniest place on earth. But it has its share of humor. In this book Robert Haywood reveals the lighter side of a state that's too often pegged a collection of sober-minded moralists struggling to find Utopia among the stars. He explores what has passed for humor in good times and bad and divulges what makes Kansans laugh.

Summary: A collection of newspaper clippings, reports, and general news on Mexico and Mexican Americans from seven major Southwestern newspapers.

MR. ICE She'd painted notorious corporate raider Dominic Chakaris as she saw him hard, ruthless, predatory. The man had destroyed her family, and now he set his sights on her: the woman who'd dared capture the truth on canvas. Kelly MacLeod had prepared herself for anything where her nemesis was concerned except the unwelcome feelings of need and compassion, when what she wanted most was turnabout. And turnabout she got. This self–made survivor whom she'd hated for years initiated her to a passion she'd never known possible. But Nick was a man who detested deception, and Kelly was a woman who just discovered that her whole life had been a lie .

Henry finds out what it takes to run a Texas cafe when Cuisinie the Genie, a hot chili pepper, takes him on a whirlwind tour of food festivals all over the state.