Dante Cavallaro's wife died four years ago but her memory still haunts him. On the verge of becoming the youngest head in the history of the Chicago Outfit, Dante needs to remarry or risk appearing weak. Valentina is chosen for the role. She, too, lost her husband, but her first marriage has always been for show. Even after her husband's death, Valentina carries the weight of his secrets with her- to protect the honor of a dead man and herself. With her wedding to Dante, her castle of lies threatens to crash. Valentina fears the wedding night might reveal her secret, but her worries prove unfounded when Dante ignores her. Soon, her fear turns to confusion and anger. Valentina is tired of being ignored. She's determined to get Dante's attention and desire, even if she can't get his heart that still belongs to his dead wife.

Crown Agent Jev Dharrow’s good dwarf friend Cutter is missing, as is the city’s master gem cutter. Jev doesn’t know who would want them, but he’s determined to find out. He hopes his fellow agent, Zenia, can help him locate the missing dwarves. Even though she rejected his offer of a romantic relationship because of their status differences, they have become good friends, and she has years of experience finding criminals. But this kidnapping is anything but simple. Jev and Zenia find themselves entangled in a snarled plot that threatens the entire kingdom while making them realize their true feelings for each other. If they can’t rescue the dwarves, deter an invasion, and stop an explosive plot to destroy half the city, they may lose everything they love. Including each other.

A unique memoir of heroism, race, and humanity, By Duty Bound captures a crucial chapter in American history through the eyes of its most remarkable witnesses. of photos.

In this timely and enlightening new work, Mark Blitz explores the link between character and politics in liberal democracies, focusing on the importance of responsibility in American public and professional life. As the nation hotly debates the role of values and character, Duty Bound is a timely look at the importance of one of Americas classic civic virtues.

Caught in the crossfire . . . While investigating a multimillion-dollar armed robbery, and several apparently unconnected murders, the mismatched FBI team of sharp-tongued feminist Ashley Sutton, and her boss, chauvinistic and proud Eli Tanner, unintentionally walks into the kill zone of a deadly conflict between two formidable opponents. Sometime earlier, drug kingpin Carlos Mendez had ambushed and killed almost an entire Navy SEAL platoon off the coast of Honduras. Now a squad of former U.S. special-operations soldiers wants him to pay for his sins--in money and blood. But Mendez has political pull, a private army, a deadly arsenal, and a fortress compound in Miami. And he knows something neither the FBI nor the former spec-ops troopers do. . . . The odds don't look good for either group of good guys. From the backwoods of Georgia to the opulent crime palaces of Miami, DUTY BOUND propels Special Agents Sutton and Tanner on a wild, edge-of-the-seat ride through hot lead and cold blood.

As long as there is Light, there is hope! When young Lucia Sannon, High Maiden of Moz, receives a gift from her long lost father her whole world changes. Lucia and the other heirs of nobility are forced to face the Sins of their forefathers and bring their world from the brink of Darkness. With the help of the Light Wings and its power, Lucia must heed the call to assemble the Light's Virtues and lead them into battle against the very Sins that seek to destroy their world. But finding the four Virtues will not be easy, for much of the knowledge is lost and the understanding of one's own morality is the only key to unlocking the power each of them holds within. A story of faith and morality, Dutybound: Light Wings Volume 1 will lead you through a journey of self-discovery as our heroes face conflict from outside and within themselves. Duty, desire, envy, hope, hate, love, pride, and temperance all are challenged within this series in an epic tale that is sure to have you pondering your own true nature.

Amelia Bradbury is the last living Elder. She has power she can't control, a prophecy dictating her fate, a betrothal she can't stop and a heart lost to a human. When duty calls, will she choose her head or her heart?

Born into one of the leading Mob families in Chicago, Aria Scuderi struggles to find her own path in a world where no choices are given. Aria was only fifteen when her parents betrothed her to Luca - The Vice - Vitiello, the oldest son of the head of the New York Cosa Nostra to ensure peace between the two families. Now with eighteen, the day Aria has been dreading for years is looming dangerously: her wedding to Luca. Aria is terrified of marrying a man she hardly knows, especially someone like Luca who got his nickname 'the Vice' for crushing a man's throat with his bare hands. Luca might be one of the most sought after men in New York thanks to his good looks, wealth and predator-like charisma that radiates power, but the society girls throwing themselves at him don't know what Aria does: that the bad boy aura isn't just a game; blood and death lurk beneath Luca's striking gray eyes and arrogant smile.In her world a handsome exterior often hides the monster within; a monster who can just as easily kill as kiss you.The only way to escape the marriage to Luca would be to run away and leave everything she's ever known behind but Aria can't bear the thought of never seeing her family again. Despite her fear, she decides to go through with the marriage; Aria has grown up among predators like Luca and knows that even most cold-hearted bastards have a heart and she has every intention of working her way into Luca's.!Mature content!Books in the Born in Blood Mafia Chronicles:Bound By Honor Bound By DutyBound By Hatred

An exploration of state records and the forgotten people of Upper Canada.

Aidan Montgomery hadn't been prepared for Amelia Bradbury to walk in and then out of his life. He also hadn't expected to find the powerful magic hidden deep within him for the last nineteen years, but he's embracing it -- finding more control and more answers every day. Now, with the help of Amelia's best friend, Bethany, Aidan is on a quest to understand his destiny and find Amelia. Amelia decided to stand by her duty, which meant walking away from her first chance at love. Trapped in Cresthaven at the Queen's mercy, she spends her days with Micah -- an ally she still holds at arm's length -- struggling to manage her heartbreak while keeping her mind focused on the task at hand. As she continues to unlock the secrets of the Keeper power, Queen Julia's true motives reveal themselves, forcing Amelia to decide, yet again, how much she's willing to sacrifice. Will Aidan get to Amelia before it's too late, or will the very power that sustains them keep them apart?