In her remarkable Black Series, Laurie Sheck turns the ordinary world inside out and shows us its glittering seams. Her long, elegantly quizzical lines convey a haunted vision of human striving which is in part an elaboration on our daily reality, and in part a fantastic departure from it. “I can almost taste the glassy air,” she writes. “Where are the birds in it, / wings lifting as currents buffet them like echoes, bright / chaos of atomized instances . . . ?” Roaming freely in the shifting landscape of the imagination, Sheck delivers an inner life that is just as vivid as what we see around us; at the same time, she shows us what we see in a new light, bringing illumination even to darkness: It’s the black night that wakes in me, so dominant, so focused. And then a car goes by and I think, “I’m in the world,” tires kicking up gravel from the dust. What does the orange hawkweed do inside this dark–its radiance secretive but not extinguished? To read this collection is to discover at every turn that secretive but undeniable radiance, and a language that is both riveting and distinctive.

Television scholarship has substantially ignored programming aimed at Black audiences despite a few sweeping histories and critiques. In this volume, the first of its kind, contributors examine the televisual diversity, complexity, and cultural imperatives manifest in programming directed at a Black and marginalized audience. Watching While Black considers its subject from an entirely new angle in an attempt to understand the lives, motivations, distinctions, kindred lines, and individuality of various Black groups and suggest what television might be like if such diversity permeated beyond specialized enclaves. It looks at the macro structures of ownership, producing, casting, and advertising that all inform production, and then delves into television programming crafted to appeal to black audiences—historic and contemporary, domestic and worldwide. Chapters rethink such historically significant programs as Roots and Black Journal, such seemingly innocuous programs as Fat Albert and bro’Town, and such contemporary and culturally complicated programs as Noah’s Arc, Treme, and The Boondocks. The book makes a case for the centrality of these programs while always recognizing the racial dynamics that continue to shape Black representation on the small screen. Painting a decidedly introspective portrait across forty years of Black television, Watching While Black sheds much-needed light on under-examined demographics, broadens common audience considerations, and gives deference to the the preferences of audiences and producers of Black-targeted programming.

From a USA Today–bestselling author: Three “wild page-turning” thriller novels of covert operations around the globe (NPR on The Hunted). The Hunted: When a woman’s husband mysteriously disappears, her search uncovers his hidden past involving the FBI, international assassins, and government secrets that some will go to great lengths to keep hidden. As The Hunted hurtles toward a twisting conclusion, nothing is as it seems. “Impossible to put down” (Library Journal). Hard Target: The president-elect’s helicopter is sabotaged in this “terrific thriller” (Lee Child) that “explodes from the pages” (Vince Flynn) involving an enigmatic covert operative, an FBI agent with a mysterious past—and a terror plot unlike any in history. The Lost Codex: A stolen ancient Biblical scroll sits at the heart of a modern-day high-stakes geopolitical conflict in this “masterwork of international suspense” that ricochets from DC to Paris to Israel and beyond (Douglas Preston).

Omnibus Edition INKY RHAPSODIES, MAGENTA SYMPHONIES and WHITE WEDDING. the final three books in the series. Follow the lives of the owners of Red & Black record label as they navigate their way through the music industry. INKY RHAPSODIES Each member of the Red & Black record label is feeling the effects of Errol Thomas’ news. After an emotional morning, the key members congregate in the crèche, each of them struggling with a dilemma. Jude announces she’s quitting music, Erin decides that she wants to spend time in France. Seb is about to go on the road, and Tara is not happy, delaying the wedding once again. But, Bonnie Webster, the label’s accountant, carries the most significant weight on her shoulders after she overhears a conversation Quinn has with Valentino. Tom assures her she has his protection, but she must overcome her moral high ground to help the record label. The last thing Bonnie needs is Roger Wilmot, a cheeky, observant, tattoo artist to rock royalty, taking up residence in her office. Bonnie can’t believe the man she’s been fascinated with for years is now sitting opposite her. The battle of head over heart begins. The last thing she needs is to expose herself to the handsome man, she has vowed will be the next person to touch her skin. Just as Bonnie decides what she needs to do, her mother turns up, revealing all kinds of secrets. The exposure causes a rift at the label that looks irreparable, and Bonnie quits. Seb’s relationship is on the line, and Erin is heartbroken in France. MAGENTA SYMPHONIES What happens when the most despicable man in rock music is seeking redemption? If finding out his business partner, Valentino Armati, had been shot dead was the most shocking news of Quinn Saunders’ morning. The next piece of information just about floored him. He had a daughter called Amery, and she was eighteen. Amery was standing in front of him, with nothing but warmth in her eyes. His ex-wife, Gina Lawson, is standing in front of him too, wary as anything. He had been blindsided by Erin Devlin, and he didn’t know how to deal with any of it. But he needed to get his wits about him because Valentino wasn’t the only one with a target aimed at his head. His feelings for his ex-wife resurface, and he sees a spark of desire in Gina. An unlikely alliance between Tom Boone and Quinn Saunders forms as they come together to protect Quinn’s new family. And at the same time, Quinn gets reacquainted with his ex-wife. Gina made one big despicable decision two decades ago, and Quinn had made many small disgraceful decisions for twenty years. Tara and Seb are in therapy for their impending nuptials, with Erin spearheading the wedding plans. All is going smoothly at the Red & Black mansion. It’s just everywhere else had turned to chaos. Gina came back to Quinn for him to protect their daughter. Is he up to the task? WHITE WEDDING What happens when a woman so madly in love with a man cannot fathom why he wants to marry her? Sebastian Wild had wanted to marry Tara Adkins from the very first moment he saw her. But, unfortunately, Seb had just been observed being intimate with a stunning blonde on the side of the stage. As soon as their eyes locked, there was a connection. Tara gave him a hard time over it in more ways than one. She didn’t marry him when she fell pregnant with their first child, and now they have four together. Tara was intimidated by being a world-famous rock star’s fiancé. She couldn’t wrap her head around him wanting to spend the rest of his life with her. Therapy has helped both of them, but Tara is not sure she will make it to the altar. So she enlists some help, and when Sebastian finds out, he loses his mind. Will Tara and Seb make it to the ‘I do’ part of their vows?

Book Three of the Iphigenia Black Series. We are all slaves of one kind or another. It's just that, for most of us, it isn't written down in black and white, and that makes it easy to ignore. However, when you make a deal with the Devil, there really is no ignoring it - and no point in trying. Better to face it head on - the witch's way. And if, while you are doing it, you can make the rotten, devious, conniving νόθος wish he'd never been spawned - well then, so much the better. But when the darkness falls and the chaos erupts, suddenly revenge doesn't seem like such a good idea - as Iffie is about to find out... the hard way. Is it too late to change her mind? Well... maybe.

Omnibus Edition Cardinal Lyrics, Onyx Keys and Vermillion Chords Follow the lives of the owners of Red & Black record label as they navigate their way through the music industry. Cardinal Lyrics Jude North is no ordinary diva As the most celebrated solo female artist of the moment, Jude North has the world eating out of her hands. Beautiful, with a voice to rival Whitney Houston, she can command whatever she wants.The trouble with that level of fame in a short period of time, imposter syndrome can take hold like a hand wrapped around a throat. To the outside world she is polished, camera-ready but on the inside, she is looking for an anchor, desperately needing to be grounded.Her source of song lyrics is drying up, Erin Brodie who writes all her hit songs has writer’s block because she’s found happiness with her husband, Alex Devlin. So Jude looks for a new songwriter, unhappy with the pairings her record label match her up with. Strong, handsome, exotic Niles Stewart wants to know the real Jude North not the one who puts on show for her audience. If she doesn’t open up, he won’t write any songs for her. Is Jude prepared to bare all for the sake of her next hit record? And will Niles give the anchor she so craves? With the executives of Red & Black music label battling to stay one step ahead of Quinn Saunders and The Dark Side, events turn nasty as Quinn reduces himself to dirty, underhand tricks to ruin Erin and the label. Onyx Keys Tom Boone is not your ordinary protection detail. Tom Boone, for most people in his life, takes care of security at the Red & Black record label. It’s owners, artists and staff.That’s what most people believe.There are only two people in the world, who know who Tom Boone really is. Mickey, his current boss, and Erin Devlin. And MI6. There is about to be another. Will Tom regret letting Megan Moreland in on his secret? He will have to take the chance if she is to stay alive.What happens when he starts to have feelings for this woman. Tom has always believed in Queen and Country. He tried love once, many years ago but the two don’t mix. What will Tom chose this time around? Vermillion Chords Flynn Harding has fallen in love with a fire breathing entertainment lawyer, Payton McKay. She loathes all musicians, thinks they’re egotistical fame-hungry divas—a stark contradiction to her job.Every record label wants Flynn to get back on stage. Long since sober, he has no plans to go back into the limelight. He much prefers staying behind the scenes and getting a kick out of their fiery office argument for everyone to witness. Red & Black record label decided to go out to get drunk and forget about their legal battles with rival label The Dark Side. A night of karaoke is arranged and to everyone’s surprise, Payton and Flynn get up on stage and sing a duet.They are dynamite together. No one knew Payton McKay had a voice that could sell millions of records, least of all Erin Devlin. Once the song ended, Payton fled Devlin’s with embarrassment with Flynn closely behind. He reminds her of that one night they spent together years before, and this time she doesn’t creep out in the middle of the night.The feisty couple makes a go of a relationship, Red & Black get a handle on one of their legal battles, and Tom comes face to face with Valentino Armati. The world has righted itself in the lives of the Red & Black family.Until tragedy strikes.

Omnibus Edition Charcoal Notes, Crimson Melodies and Raven Acoustics Follow the lives of the owners of Red & Black record label as they navigate their way through the music industry. The nine-book series is now complete. Charcoal Notes: It starts with Sebastian Wild and Tara Adkins in Charcoal Notes. Their friendship turned to a business partnership, and now Seb wants more. So does Tara, but she is worried that he won’t see her as more than a friend. When Seb senses that all is not well at home with her flatmate, his protective side comes out. Sebastian and Tara embark on a passionate journey, attempting to prove to each other that it only matters what they think about their relationship, not the public or his parents. Sebastian thought he had won her heart until Valentino, the devious, handsome Italian man, tries to lure Tara away. Game on, may the best man win Tara’s heart forever. Crimson Melodies: Donovan Dreamboat Carter's ambition in life wasn't to become the lead singer of the band Maverick. His plan to move to Brighton to assist his aunt run a halfway house was to get away from his past. He'd finished his degree, had the skills to help his aunt. Life for him would be settled. When he saw Alex Devlin, lead singer of the globally successful rock band, Fragile, peeling carrots at his aunt’s kitchen sink, he faltered on the threshold. His knew with certainty that his life would change forever. Raven Acoustics: Errol is out of rehab and is set on world domination. His record label is only too happy to pull his puppet strings to get him to the top of the soul music charts. But it comes at a price, a price Errol doesn't find out until it is too late. He seeks solace in a local candle maker's shop where Jane, the owner listens to tales of woe. When Ivory walks into the shop that has been his home away from home for over ten years, he is knocked sideways. It's only when he meets Ivory that he vows to keep his sobriety promise.

The Second Book in the Iphigenia Black Series. A nice little town somewhere in America. A seafront funfair, a deserted ancestral home, a shoppe for "Things ye Neede", a Lovers' Lane and an ancient Indian burial ground. What could possibly go wrong? Iffie thought she had found the perfect place to go to ground and lick her wounds. After all, nothing ever happens in a place like that - at least not in "real life". But Iffie forgot that she doesn't exactly live a "real life." She's hardly knocked the dust off her boots when she has a visitor suffering from a nasty case of being dead. A long time dead. However Iffie gets straight on the case and soon sorts it all out ... Ooops! Eternity just got a whole lot longer.