california, southern

The author shares his experience of being in the United States Marine Corps, discussing how he came to be a Marine, his three deployments to Iraq, and more.

Recent immigrants from China and desperate for work and money, ten-year-old Mia Tang's parents take a job managing a rundown motel in Southern California, even though the owner, Mr. Yao is a nasty skinflint who exploits them; while her mother (who was an engineer in China) does the cleaning, Mia works the front desk and tries to cope with demanding customers and other recent immigrants--not to mention being only one of two Chinese in her fifth grade class, the other being Mr. Yao's son, Jason.

Recent immigrants from China and desperate for work and money, ten-year-old Mia Tang's parents take a job managing a rundown motel in Southern California, even though the owner, Mr. Yao is a nasty skinflint who exploits them; while her mother (who was an engineer in China) does the cleaning, Mia works the front desk and tries to cope with demanding customers and other recent immigrants--not to mention being only one of two Chinese in her fifth grade class, the other being Mr. Yao's son, Jason.

"Eleven-year-old Zomorod, originally from Iran, tells her story of growing up Iranian in Southern California during the Iranian Revolution and hostage crisis of the late 1970s"--Provided by publisher.

Border patrolman James Reese is haunted by memories of his first family, despite the love of his adopted parents, and when he learns his birth mother has died, he feels compelled to learn about her life and the circumstances surrounding her death.

Brandon Webb discusses his life with a focus on his training to become a Navy SEAL.

"Generations after an unknown Change eliminated electricity and gave people unusual powers, the Southern Californian town of Las Anclas must deal with the consequences when a teenage prospector comes to stay"--Provided by publisher.

Patrick Davis, dealing with the collapse of his Hollywood dreams and an unhappy wife, is made aware by videos that are sent to his house and e-mails that his every move is being documented, and when he receives an offer to make all of his trouble go away, he takes it, but soon finds out that making problems disappear is not as easy as it seems and he has to outwit his unseen opponents if he is going to come out ahead.

On a trip to Southern California, Sierra has a rocky reunion with her love interest Paul, whom she has not seen in more than a year, and feels confusion yet again about their future.