The pastor of St. Vincent Church in Akron, Ohio, shares fanciful conversations with the stray puppy, Vinnie, that he takes in. A quick learner, Vinnie soon learns the duties of a church dog, and enjoys all the attention given to him as such. (Practical Life)

Rev. Joseph Kraker is the pastor of St. Vincent Church in Akron, Ohio. He was ordained a priest in 1964 and served as an associate pastor at St. Jude Parish in Elyria, Ohio, Director of Communications for the Diocese of Cleveland, and pastor of St. Timothy Parish in Garfield Heights, Ohio before coming to St. Vincent in 1994. Vinnie came to St. Vincent Parish in 1998. His previous history is largely unknown, as is his precise pedigree. He arrived at the tender age of six weeks, and has since become an integral part of the parish household. A quick learner, Vinnie soon learned the duties of a church dog, and enjoys all the attention given to him as such.

Set within the netherworld of thoroughbred racing, this hair-raisingly funny new play by the Pulitzer Prize-winning author of True West explores the classical themes of memory, loyalty, and restitution. Simpatico launches readers into regions where high society meets the low life, and where, as one of the main characters observes, "someone is cutting someone else's throat."

Just then came: crump, CRUMP, CRUMP! Three bombs in quick succession, coming frighteningly close. With each explosion, the ground shook. Dust and chips fell from the ceiling. Everyone in the shelter gasped at the same time. Vinnie held his breath, waiting for the fourth bomb, but it didn't come.When Vinnie is sent away from the bombs in London, he has no idea what awaits him. All he has left of his old life is his harmonica.On the train, Vinnie meets fierce Kathleen, sweet Joey and gangly Dobbs. The evacuee children find themselves thrown together in the country town of Netterfold, which seems beautiful and peaceful - until they meet the locals.There is a war raging across Europe, but Vinnie and his friends soon find they have their own war to fight as they face up to terrifying teachers, bad billets, and hostile neighbourhood kids who set out to make their lives as 'vaccies' miserable. And when things start to go missing, they discover that there are mysteries lurking in Netterfold's shadows, just waiting to be solved...Through music and friendship, can Vinnie make peace and finally find a place where he belongs?

(Applause Books). Thirteen plays by the Oscar-winning author of Moonstruck . Includes: "The Big Funk," "Savage in Limbo," "Danny & The Deep Blue Sea," "Welcome to the Moon," "The Red Coat," "Down & Out," "Let Us Go Out Into the Starry Night," "Out West," "A Lonely Impulse of Delight," "Women of Manhattan," "The Dreamer Examines His Pillow," "Italian-American Reconciliation," and "Beggars in the House of Plenty." Also includes an introduction by the author.

'With a dress that red I should have seen the warning signs' What if Missy had never walked into his office and his life? And just what is that necklace she's after? Cynical Private Investigator Ham Spayde finds himself engulfed in a web of lies, psychos and Cisco's most wanted, as he does everything he can to stay one step ahead. Hard Talking, Hard drinking Spayde is the Anthropomorphic answer to Sam Spade and Philip Marlowe. And one more thing no one touches the fedora.

After becoming involved in a credit-card scam with his childhood friend, Vinnie McCloskey-Schmidt, small-time Long-Island crook Johnnie LoDuco receives an unpleasant surprise during a fishing expedition when he reels in Vinnie's head.

Vinnie Gallo's the hottest rookie in professional football. He's a smooth-talker, good with his hands, and knows how to score. Bianca Hernandez thinks she's immune to Vinnie's charms. She's not impressed by the glitz, glamour, or fame, but after a six month self-imposed break from men, she feels her resistance slipping. Nothing will stop Vinnie from trying to get the girl—not a crazy stalker, Bianca's two older brothers, or the fear he's falling in love. Hustle is the fourth book in the interconnected standalone Men of Inked: Southside series by USA Today & Wall Street Journal bestselling author Chelle Bliss. Book 1 - Maneuver Book 2 - Flow Book 3 - Hook Book 4 - Hustle Book 5 - Love Topics: romance writer, football romance, sports romance, new release romance, family saga romance, romantic suspense, contemporary romance, romance series, family romance series, men of inked, new release, men of inked: southside, usa today bestselling series, chicago romance, gallo romance, sexy romance, hot romance, sensual romance, steamy romance, hot romance series, friends to lovers romance Hustle is perfect for the fans of: Melanie Harlow, Corinne Michaels, Meghan March, Lauren Blakely, Julia Kent, Elle Kennedy, Tijan, CD Reiss, Kendall Ryan, Vi Keeland, Penelope Ward, Jana Aston, K Bromberg, Katy Evans, Jessica Hawkins, Kristen Proby, Penny Reid, Helena Hunting, Sally Thorne, Kristen Ashley, Helen Hoang, Kylie Scott, Christina Lauren, Jana Aston, Sawyer Bennett, Lexi Ryan, Karina Halle, Skye Warren, Kennedy Ryan, Jodi Ellen Mapas, Zoe York, Kristan Higgins, Jill Shalvis, Colleen Hoover, Sara Ney, Toni Aleo, Cambria Herbert, Sierra Simone, Tammara Webber, Colleen Hoover, Meredith Wild, Audrey Carlan, Skye Warren, Kennedy Fox and Sarina Bowen

The autobiography of a member of Charles “Lucky” Luciano’s Mafia family. “The reader gets a real sense of code, of honor, courage and commitment” (London TV). “I was born an outlaw in outlaw culture. I refused to be forced into the powerless class of the ordinary, law-abiding citizen. I always saw things from outside the box because I was born outside the box, so I was free to think for myself.” Born in 1942, Salvatore “Sal” Lucania was not only raised but educated by the streets of East Harlem. Dropping out of his Catholic high school at fifteen after punching out a priest, a formal education was not Sal’s future. As such, it would have been easy to fall into the trappings of “made man” status in the mafia, like his cousin Charles “Lucky” Luciano. But Sal had a different vision of the future, if he could just escape the confines of his neighborhood and defy the ways of the people in power: the bullies, the “ruling class,” local government corruption and his own mafia family culture—in order to create a different life than the one fate might have otherwise intended. The Gangster’s Cousin is a wonderfully different take on the usual Mafia story. Sal’s memoir takes the reader on a sometimes exciting, sometimes poignant, and often humorous adventure as he finds himself in unbelievable situations and meeting an array of unique and funny characters along the way. Follow Sal’s one-of-a-kind perspective and find out why he strives so hard to stay ahead of a different type of criminal class—the people who make the rules.