Search results for ""Author Doug Cooper""

Silver Medalist for Best West-Mountain Regional Novel 2017Winner of the 2017 International Book Award for Best Literary FictionFinalist for Best New Fiction at the Best Book AwardsFinalist for the Red City Review Best Literary Fiction AwardForty million people visit Vegas every year but most never get past the strip. What about the people who live there? What brought them there? What keeps them there?Told from the perspective of a seasoned blackjack dealer, The Investment Club tells the stories of a self-destructive, dwarf entrepreneur, a drug-addicted musical performer-turned-stripper, a retired, widowed New Jersey policeman, a bereaved, divorced female sportscaster, and a card-counting, former Catholic priest before and after their fateful meeting at the El Cortez Casino in downtown Vegas.As the five learn the greatest return comes from investing in one another, their lives stabilize and take on new, positive directions. But their love and support for each other can take them only so far before they must determine the meaning and value of their own lives.

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From Memorial Day until the student workers and tourists leave in the fall, the island community of Put-in-Bay, Ohio, thrives on alcohol, drugs, sexual experimentation, and any other means of forgetting responsibilities. To Brad Shepherd—recently forced out of his job as a junior high math teacher after the overdose death of a student—it's exactly the kind of place he's looking for.Allured by the comfort and acceptance of the hedonistic atmosphere, Brad trades his academic responsibilities and sense of obligation for a bouncer's flashlight and a pursuit of the endless summer. With Cinch Stevens, his new best friend and local drug dealer, at his side, Brad becomes lost in a haze of excess and instant gratification filled with romantic conquests, late-night excursions to special island hideaways, and a growing drug habit. Not even the hope from a blossoming relationship with Astrid, a bold and radiant Norwegian waitress, nor the mentoring from a mysterious mandolin player named Caldwell is enough to pull him out of his downward spiral. But as Labor Day approaches, the grim reality of his empty quest consumes him. Brad must accept that identity cannot be fabricated, but emerges from within when one has the courage to let go.

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The line between passion and obsession runs through us all.Levi Combs never planned to rocket to stardom.Eva Florez knew he would the moment she saw him.Gabe Adams didn’t want anything to do with celebrities.But after Gabe’s sister sells his photos of Levi with a young starlet to a tabloid website, their lives become intertwined forever, bound by rage and retribution. Blending the nuance and insight of literary fiction with the big-screen magic of a Hollywood thriller, Focus Lost whisks readers into a world of temptation, indulgence, and revenge, daring them to take a bite of the forbidden fruit.

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"The north west of Scotland is quite simply the best place to paddle a sea kayak in the world." - Gordon Brown.On the north west coast of Scotland and around Skye there are islands galore, hidden beaches, tide races, great places to enjoy the local seafood and amazing people to meet. All of this set within a fantastic, variable culture of Norse and Gaelic influence that go to make this an area you will return to time and again. Ardnamurchan Point to Cape Wrath, the names of the headlands at either end of the area contained within these pages, even have their own section in the weather forecast.Fifty great voyages are described in a way that is both inspirational and informative. Details of launching and landing sites, tides and potential hazards are provided and the coast is described in exquisite detail. This means that it can also be used as a kayaker's 'pilot' for any journey they might wish to undertake in this area. It follows the successful format of other Pesda Press sea kayaking guides, presenting the information in a user-friendly fashion and making good use of maps and colour photographs.

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A selected guide to the finest coastal paddling trips around Scotland. This completely revised and updated 2nd edition is packed with great photography and detailed route maps, alongside descriptions and anecdotes revealing Scotland's rich tapestry of maritime scenery, wildlife, history, geology and culture. Although primarily written for kayakers, the detailed tidal information contained within the book would also serve as a valuable inshore pilot for other water users such as anglers, windsurfers, sailors and SUP enthusiasts. New in this edition: * 12 additional routes (62 in total) * Selected routes in the Orkneys and Shetlands * New photos throughout * Improved maps * Sat nav coordinates for access points

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"Rough Water Handling" by Doug Cooper is a practical guide that will help you to master the skills needed to manoeuvre a sea kayak efficiently in rough water and advanced conditions. For intermediate and advanced paddlers, Doug draws on his personal and coaching experience to help the reader master sea kayak handling skills and techniques. Accurate sequential photos and simple concise language make the descriptions easy to follow and understand. The technical, tactical, physiological and psychological aspects of these skills are covered in the areas of: high wind paddling, moving water, surf, rock hopping, tide races, open crossings and rolling. "Rough Water Handling" is recommended as support material for the British Canoe Union 4 and 5 Star (Sea) awards. (The 1 star is a novice 'encouragement' award, the 2 star covers basic generic kayak skills, the 3 star basic/intermediate sea specific skills and experience, and the 4 star covers intermediate sea specific skills and leadership in moderate conditions). Doug has spent a lifetime playing and working in the outdoors! He is at his happiest when exploring new parts of the world or challenging himself and others to improve their skills; this he has been doing for over twenty years. With a constant lust for adventure, Doug has sea kayaked all over the world including Greenland, Iceland, Norway's Lofoten Islands, Canada, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Corsica, Sardinia and Croatia. His whitewater kayaking and mountaineering has also taken him on adventures around the globe. At present Doug works as Head of Paddlesport at Glenmore Lodge, Scotland's National Outdoor Centre. Here his love of helping others learn and improve is put to good use every day, when he works as a BCU Level 5 Sea and Whitewater Coach, Level 4 Surf Coach and a Mountain and Ski Instructor. Doug is the author of "Sea Kayak Handling" and co-authored "Scottish Sea Kayaking" (Pesda Press), a selective guide to sea kayaking in Scotland.

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At last, a guidebook covering some of Scottish paddling's best kept secrets. Scotland is a world-class sea-kayaking destination, the Scottish Islands being rightly famous for the standard of paddling they offer. The North and East Coasts don't have as many sheltering islands as the West and there is always some sort of swell, but they will richly reward your efforts to explore their hidden nooks and crannies - stunning cliff and coastal scenery, numerous bird colonies, and fascinating fishing villages each with their own history and character. Forty-five journeys from Cape Wrath to Berwick upon Tweed are described in a way that is both inspirational and informative. Details of launching and landing sites, tides and potential hazards are provided and the coast is described in exquisite detail. This means that it can also be used as a kayaker's 'pilot' for any journey they might wish to undertake in this area. It follows the successful format of other Pesda Press sea kayaking guides, presenting the information in a user-friendly fashion and making good use of maps and colour photographs.

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This is a practical guide that will help the reader to master the skills needed to manoeuvre a sea kayak efficiently. For beginner and intermediate paddlers. Doug draws on his personal and coaching experience to help the reader master sea kayak handling skills and techniques. Accurate sequential photos and simple concise language make the descriptions easy to follow and understand. The foundation skills of posture, connectivity (how your body is connected to the kayak), power transfer and learning to 'feel' how the boat responds, are explored initially. The author then goes on to tackle forward paddling, keeping the kayak on course, reverse paddling, edging, turning on the spot, forward turns on the move, reverse turns on the move, stern rudders, moving sideways, support strokes, and the use of skegs and rudders. "Sea Kayak Handling" is recommended as support material for the British Canoe Union 3 and 4 Star (Sea) awards. (The 1 star is a novice 'encouragement' award, the 2 star covers basic generic kayak skills, the 3 star basic/intermediate sea specific skills and experience, and the 4 star covers intermediate sea specific skills and leadership in moderate conditions).

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Attention Mushroom Hunters And Aspiring Aviators Of All Ages!Have you ever wanted to do something great? Something no one else believed you could do? Well here is your chance to learn how. Meet a little snail who wanted to fly and an old butterfly who questioned why. Travel with the little snail as he crawls up a mushroom determined to soar from the top. But every time the same thing makes him stop: fear. Sound familiar?Filled with inspiration and motivation, this magical conversation between an ambitious snail and seasoned butterfly encourages us to pursue our dreams regardless of who we are or where we come from. With words by award-winning author Doug Cooper aka Dougie Coop and illustrations by acclaimed Australian artist CJ the Kid, the rhythmic verse and playful style reminds us all we can achieve the impossible as long as we believe, trust, and persevere.

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