Book 1 of The Five Kings series. (Can be read standalone) After witnessing the brutal murder of both her parents Nadia gets sent to live with a bodyguard after it becomes clear that Nadia could be next. This handsome bodyguard, sexy in every which way- Nadia can't help but develop feelings for him after living in such close quarters with him for her own safety. She can't help the thoughts that fill her mind, about those hands of his wrapped around her, those lips of his against hers, and that body of his... against hers. But what happens when Nadia learns her bodyguard is protecting her for the wrong reasons? What happens when she finds out her bodyguard is the leader of New York's Russian Mob? Should she have more fear in who she's sharing a house with?

This document is unique! It was written by the hand of a mob boss, on simple sheets of paper, between 2022 and 2023. For the first time, a Marseilles Tony Montana lifts the veil on the northern neighborhoods, the shootouts at the foot of the towers and the thousands of drug users who flock there every day. From his Algerian childhood to his run-ins with the law, via his career as a lookout, a drug dealer... and a dad, the man who calls himself Amin Kacem throws us into the world of Scarface. With his vivid, unvarnished pen, the mob boss tells of violence, danger, injustice, greed and the will to live. More than a story about a man and drugs, for the author, this book is a testament. Above all, it’s a terrible response to those who are surprised that entire neighborhoods are collapsing; it’s a thunderclap that will give pause to young people dreaming of a career as super-dealers; and it’s a merciless challenge to the politicians who, for a long time, could have, and therefore should have, prevented the current tragedies and imminent catastrophe. Amin Kacem is currently being held in a prison in the south of France. Daniel Barrionuevo, his lawyer, practices at the Aix-en-Provence bar.

Why is it that Maggie’s legit jobs are just as crazy as her illegal gigs? When Griswald asks for Maggie's help to investigate a burglary, she jumps at the chance to do something that won’t involve breaking any laws (spoiler alert: laws are broken). When Griswald is incapacitated it’s up to Maggie to figure out who stole the loot and retrieve it so that they can claim the finder’s fee. There’s just three problems: 1) Someone else is working the case and they are ruthless. 2) She's in danger of being caught breaking a law or two. 3) Her family. Can Maggie solve the case and collect the reward? Or will egg hunting make her life go splat?

Maggie Lee knows she should "just say no" to retired US Marshal Lawrence Griswald when he asks for her help. But when has Maggie ever NOT helped a family member? At Griswald's request she partners with Nat Hunting to figure out what the hold up is with Griswald getting his private investigator license. It doesn't sound that complicated or dangerous, but somehow Maggie ends up dancing with an octopus, breaking into a morgue, and facing off against a killer (armed only with a magnifying glass). She’ll need the help of her loyal pets, some psychic guidance and more than a smidge of luck to survive this investigation.

When her boyfriend mysteriously vanishes, Maggie Lee doesn’t know what to think. She wants to search for him, but her efforts are hampered by a friend needing her help and the fact that she’s supposed to be babysitting her nieces for the weekend. Little kids and sleuthing don’t exactly go hand-in-hand. Then Maggie receives an upsetting phone call that knocks her for a loop. Thankfully cooler heads prevail (namely that of a grammatically challenged Doberman pinscher – who woulda thunk it?!). Determined to figure out exactly what’s happened to her missing boyfriend, she sets off with an unexpected ally and some new friends to find him. Can Maggie get her man back? Or will they both fall victim to a rabbit-trapping, fire-setting psycho?

Maggie Lee has had a lot of jobs, but her current employment may be the worst of the bunch. It's a real grind. Recruited to work as a barista, Maggie contends with demanding customers, quirky co-workers and an overbearing teenage boss all while trying to surreptitiously gather the intel Ms. Whitehat needs. She inadvertently overhears another plot (that's what happens when you're eavesdropping) and this one endangers someone she loves. Can Maggie master latte heart art, help Ms. Whitehat, and protect her loved one; or will her undercover job end up with someone being six feet under?

Imagine a high-strung, comfort loving hitwoman at a rustic spiritual retreat. Things are finally looking up for Maggie Lee. Her almost-lover Patrick is taking steps (albeit deadly ones) to insure they’ll have a future together, her niece Katie is about to be released from the hospital, her sister Marlene has stopped turning tricks and started tossing pizzas, and Maggie has a chance to land a new (legal) job. If only God would stop hounding her to apologize to her mother, Maggie would be pretty close to content with her life. When Maggie agrees to take out a new target, using a spiritual retreat as her cover story, she ends up with a spoon (long story), an odd, selectively mute roommate, and a chance to save a life. As Maggie struggles to balance all the important people in her life and deliver on the deadly contract, she begins to believe that God may be right about the act of contrition he’s demanded…but will she live long enough to do it?

Key Selling Points New, enhanced features (dyslexia-friendly font, cream paper, larger trim size) to increase reading accessibility for dyslexic and other striving readers.

The gangster movie is one of the most popular genres in film. From the Italian, Irish, and Russian "families" in America to similarly sinister groups in Europe, Japan, and beyond, the cinema has never shied away from portraying the evil exploits of these brutal outfits. In this highly entertaining and informative book, two accomplished and apropos authors put the genre in perspective like no other author or documentarian has done before. The Ultimate Book of Gangster Movies provides extensive reviews of the Top 100 gangster films of all time, including sidebars like "Reality Check," "Hit and Miss," "I Know That Guy," "Body Count," and other fun and informative features. Also included are over a dozen stand-alone chapters such as Sleeper "Hits," "Fugazi" Flops, Guilty Pleasures, Lost Treasures, Q&A Interviews with top actors and directors (including Chazz Palinteri, Michael Madsen, Joe Mantagna, and more), plus over 50 compelling photographs. Foreword by Joe Pistone, the FBI agent and mob infiltrator who wrote the bestselling book and acclaimed movie, Donnie Brasco.

When Maggie Lee agrees to take her nieces to the traveling carnival, she anticipates cotton candy, rickety rides and games of chance. But when she's recruited by Templeton to take on the owner of the carnival, she ends up scrambling through her most madcap adventure yet! With the help of the menagerie and a couple of "semi-retired" criminals, Maggie heads up the team Templeton needs to exact his petty revenge. This hilarious, low-stakes misadventure is just what our harried heroine needs!