What if the line between good and evil is blurred and the life you live is a lie?Justice defines Madison Kinlock’s world. When the people she trusts decide she’s an unnecessary liability Madison needs the help of a very dangerous man.Catch Xavier Moon controls the criminal underworld of Arizona. Safety has a price and when it comes to Madison, he has no interest in money.What if the line between good and evil is blurred and the life you live is a lie?Justice defines Madison Kinlock’s world. When the people she trusts decide she’s an unnecessary liability Madison needs the help of a very dangerous man.Catch Xavier Moon controls the criminal underworld of Arizona. Safety has a price and when it comes to Madison, he has no interest in money.This book is intended for mature readers. Contains adult situations and violence. Complete story, no cliffhanger.HEATSIZZLEBURNSTREET JUSTICE – A novella in the Cuffed & Claimed Anthology IGNITE – Coming soon Views: 676
When it comes to solving cold cases, nothing is ever cut and dried…Quilter Beatrice Coleman is enjoying the sleepy peace of a tranquil afternoon…until it’s interrupted by her friend, Miss Sissy. The elderly lady is making wild claims about narrowly escaping an intruder. And intruders are unusual in tiny Dappled Hills.Miss Sissy isn’t the most reliable of witnesses, and her claims are swiftly discounted—until her mysterious intruder is found dead.Beatrice won’t cut corners as she unravels the threads of both a murder and a puzzling disappearance from decades ago. Views: 676
Titus Porcinianus Pullus has settled into life as a Centurion of the 1st Legion, stationed on the Rhine, but a revolt in his home province of Pannonia changes everything, both for him and for Rome. When the aging Augustus sends the young, untested Germanicus Julius Caesar to Pannonia at the head of a hastily assembled force, Tiberius summons Titus to return to his home province. Ostensibly sent to both advise and protect the youngster in whom the Princeps has placed so much hope, Titus quickly learns that Tiberius' motives are, at best, suspect, when the Germanicus Legion is sent against the Maezei, the tribe that murdered Titus' brother Sextus, the first in a series of events that required Titus' transfer from his original Legion after he avenged Sextus' death.Consequently, once more, a member of the Pullus family finds himself embroiled in the machinations and maneuvering of the second most powerful man in Rome, as Tiberius tries to ensure that his... Views: 676
When an old acquaintance offers Aprestine a deal, one that could help her turn the tide in the approaching war between the city of Ezeth and the rest of the realm, she can’t help but accept. But that acceptance comes at a cost, one that she might not be willing to pay… Not if she loses her life in the process.Aprestine is losing her magic. On the run from the magic catchers that continuously chase her, she only has one option: to get hold of the black jewel that is being held inside the great castle of Ezeth. Getting hold of the jewel is going to be a problem in itself, a problem that she can’t solve on her own. When an old acquaintance offers her a deal, one that could help her turn the tide in the approaching war between Ezeth and the rest of the realm, she can’t help but accept. But that acceptance comes at a cost, one that she might not be willing to pay… Not if she loses her life in the process. Views: 676
Love or absolution? Which would you choose?
No one expected much of Gráinne Ní Riain. She was the daughter of the village’s most infamous drunk with no promising future ahead of her. Known for her luscious beauty and wickedly sharp tongue, most of the proposals she receives are the lascivious kind.
No one expected trouble from Kady Murphy. The daughter of a respectable, middle-class family, Kady is known for being shy and predictable. When she accepts a proposal from the village’s most influential and affluent bachelor, her family is overjoyed as their engagement solidifies their social status in the valley.
Tight as thieves, these two unlikely friends struggle to hide the truth from themselves and their families: their attachment goes well beyond a simple friendship.
After they are discovered in an illicit embrace, the young women are shunned and banished from their small village. Gráinne flees to Dublin where she witnesses the Easter Rising and commits to spy for the Irish Rebels. Kady escapes to Boston where she joins the Women’s Suffrage movement and accepts another proposal from a boring yet respectable man. They are separated by an ocean yet the women continue their clandestine relationship, keeping each other’s secrets while outwardly trying to regain their family’s approval.
But as they deepen their involvement in their respective movements, they risk much more than mere separation and heartache; they jeopardize their freedom, their families, and their lives.
Siúil A Rún is a coming-of-age story about suggestive glances, stifling decorum, and treasonous movements. Inspired by the traditional Irish folk song, Siúil A Rún is the first novel of the Irish Bard Series.
** Views: 676
Leo the Lion is running for class president. When Leo makes a mistake, his first instinct is to let someone else take the blame. After talking with George Washington, Leo the Lion realizes that everyone, even politicians, should tell the truth. Jolly Time Books are full of individually hand-drawn vivid and colorful illustrations that will spark the imagination of any child.Leo the Lion is running for class president. When Leo makes a mistake, his first instinct is to let someone else take the blame. After talking with George Washington, Leo the Lion realizes that everyone, even politicians, should tell the truth. Leo the Lion Politician is another outstanding presentation. Jolly Time Books tell whimsical stories the whole family can enjoy. Jolly Time Books are full of individually hand-drawn vivid and colorful illustrations that will spark the imagination of any child. Views: 676
Johanna,
better known as Joe, had been a day walker for her only friend, Noah, for
centuries. An immortal with eight hundred years under her belt, she had become
proficient in several languages and occupations. When her friend Noah talked
about meeting the sun, she had every intention of following in his path.
Joe had only
gone to the Calhoun’s office to catch a ride to the estate. When she entered,
it took her breath away to see the younger man on the floor and no one doing a
damn thing to help him.
Trent
Calhoun had forgotten how to have fun. Diving into his work was what kept him
happy. At 33 he had no life, so when he had a heart attack, his doctor said to
change his ways or else.
When the gorgeous woman stumbled into his hospital room,
Trent thought his dad was up to his old tricks again―that was until he caught
her scent…. Now, because of his wolf, he’s face to face with an angry vampire….
Views: 676
People often say, "I feel like I've been run over by a truck." Katie actually was. On a sunny morning bike ride in Brooklyn, twenty-four-year-old Katie McKenna was forever changed when she was run over by an eighteen-wheeler. Being crushed under a massive semi wasn't something Katie should have survived. After ten hours of emergency surgery, she woke to find herself in a body and a life that would never be the same. In this brutally honest and surprisingly funny memoir, Katie recalls the pivotal event and the long, confusing road to recovery that followed. Between the unprepared nudity in front of her parents post-surgery, hospital happy hours, and the persistent fear that she would never walk again, Katie details the struggles she's faced navigating her new reality. This inspiring memoir follows Katie's remarkable journey to let go of her old life and fall in love with her new one. Views: 676
Twenty Four WeeksEpisode 7"Eighteen"Judd stays the night… Judd’s upbringing is examined… “I’m glad you’re here,” she tells me when I’m done, breathless from fighting, sitting on the end.“Me too,” I say. “Can I ask you something?”She nods, sits next to me.“Are you okay after Saturday? I know it must have been tough.”She nods. “I feel better, I think. And thinking about our little boy..."Twenty Four WeeksEpisode 7"Eighteen"Judd stays the night… Judd’s upbringing is examined… “I’m glad you’re here,” she tells me when I’m done, breathless from fighting, sitting on the end.“Me too,” I say. “Can I ask you something?”She nods and sits next to me.“Are you okay after Saturday? I know it must have been tough.”She nods. “I feel better, I think. And thinking about our little boy was tough and I started grieving him again, but it’s different this time. I’m at peace with it.”Still reeling from the shock of discovering his wife's infidelity, Judd Altman learns that he has lost his father and will be one himself. His soon to be ex-wife, Quinn, is pregnant with his child.After almost losing the baby, Wade (Judd's old boss and Quinn's lover) realizes the truth about himself and his relationship with Quinn and leaves her. Judd, in the face of Quinn's situation, forgives her, but cannot reconcile their marriage.With nothing but a stolen Porsche, Judd drives to Maine with limitless possibilities. A man with nothing has nothing to lose, and a man with nothing to lose can do anything.Twenty Four Weeks begins with Judd's time of reflection in Maine and his eventual decision to return to New York City, to take back the life that has been so cruelly taken from him. Sometimes humorous, this bitter-sweet tale is full of hope, love and forgiveness.With characters and back story based on the novel "This is Where I Leave You" by Jonathan Tropper, Twenty Four Weeks is set after the events of the movie of the same name. Views: 676
Have sex with a stranger in a foreign country. It was on my list. It was something I’d never done before and I wasn’t sure if I could go through with it. But I did.
Don’t tell him anything about yourself. No names. No personal information. Nothing. It’s all about the thrill. The mystery man. Keep him a stranger.
That one night was the best night of my entire life. He was sexy, intense, and made me feel things I had never felt before. The next morning, the thrill was over and he was gone before I woke up. What happened in London should have stayed in London, but it didn’t. I was never supposed to see him again, but the universe had other plans and now my happy little world was turned upside down by a man named Sebastian Bennett.
She refused to tell me her name. Normally, I wouldn’t care. But something inside me needed to know who she was. She was stunningly beautiful and a name would complete her. It didn’t matter anyway. In the morning, I’d be gone before she woke up and I’d never see her again. It was probably for the best. I would hurt her and she would ultimately hate me. It’s what I did. It’s all I knew. I was never supposed to see her again, but I did, and my desire for her was stronger than before. I had money, looks, and a heart made of pure stone. She deserved better than me and I knew it, but I couldn’t stay away. Chloe Kane left an imprint on my soul and now my life would never be the same all because of One Night in London. Views: 675
The concept of quality is familiar. People make judgments about it every day. Yet articulating a clear definition of quality is challenging.
The best companies often appear to be characterized by an ineffable something, much like that of people who seem graced by a lucky gene. Think about those of your peers who seem a lot like you but somehow always catch a break. They are not obviously smarter, smoother, richer, or better-looking than you, yet they are admitted to their university of choice, get their dream job, and earn considerable wealth. Try to discern what they have that you don’t, and you are stumped. Chalk it up to fate or plain dumb luck.
Businesses can be similar. For reasons that are not always evident, some end up doing the right things with better results than average. They may not appear to be savvier acquirers, more adept marketers, or bolder pioneers, yet they integrate new businesses better, launch products more successfully, and open new markets with fewer mishaps. Perhaps through some combination of vision, scale, or business philosophy, these companies uncannily come out ahead.
In our view, three characteristics indicate quality. These are strong, predictable cash generation; sustainably high returns on capital; and attractive growth opportunities.
**Review
"Investing is a continuous process of learning, and it will be a rare investor who does not glean substantive lessons from the notable AKO story of quality investing.";- Stephen Blyth, President and CEO, Harvard Management Company, Professor of the Practice of Statistics, Harvard University;
"Capturing both the science and the art that have driven AKO's success, Quality Investing is equal parts investing handbook and ode to the beauty of truly great businesses."; Peter H. Ammon, Chief Investment Officer, University of Pennsylvania;
"Quality Investing answers the riddle of what you get when you cross Peter Lynch's One Up on Wall Street with Seth Klarman's Margin of Safety. By combining a discerning eye for sustainable growth with a disciplined calculus to buy over horizons when the probabilities are favorable, the book articulates a profitable approach to the art of investing."- Jason Klein, Senior Vice President & Chief Investment Officer, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center;
"I recommend Quality Investing highly as a guide to harness the power of core investment principles. Shows why the best long-term 'margin of safety' comes not from an investment's price but from the value of a company's competitive advantage.";- Thomas A. Russo, Partner, Gardner, Russo & Gardner;
"Quality Investing, from a team of top quality investors, provides a clear and rigorous analysis of a highly successful, long-term investment strategy. In an increasingly short-term investment world, the book's insights are likely to remain hugely valuable.";- Neil Ostrer, Founder, Marathon Asset Management;
"Quality Investing describes a unique approach to evaluating investment opportunities based on real life examples and experience. Replete with interesting lessons and insights relevant not just for investors, but for any business leader seeking to build an enduring, high-quality company, Quality Investing is an outstanding book and should be required reading for business leaders and MBA students as well as for investors.";- Henrik Ehrnrooth, President & CEO, KONE;
"The book is a crisply-written mix of sound investment principles, insightful commercial patterns, and colorful business cases. A real pleasure to read.";- Hassan Elmasry, Founder and Lead Portfolio Manager, Independent Franchise Partners;
"AKO Capital were one of the first to recognise Ryanair's secret formula...An outstandingly handsome CEO, a brilliant strategy, all underpinned with our innate humility. These guys are geniuses. For a better life you must read this book...and fly Ryanair!!";- Michael O'Leary, Chief Executive, Ryanair;
"Quality counts. If you are a long term investor, it's hard to find a more important factor as to what will power your ultimate investment returns. That said, quality is impossible to measure with precision because it often embodies more subjective qualitative factors than easily quantifiable measurements. Quality is also dynamic and changes over time. This book attempts through case studies, descriptions, and quantifiable measurement to help investors think systematically about quality and its importance. Enjoy!";- Thomas S. Gayner, President and Chief Investment Officer, Markel Corporation;
"An indispensable addition to any value investing library, Quality Investing will appeal to novices and experts alike. Vivid real-life case studies make for an engaging read that shows the power of compounding that comes with owning high-quality businesses for the long term.";- John Mihaljevic,
"The Manual of Ideas";"An excellent read: clear and insightful. Quality Investing is an important aid to shareholders when evaluating any company.";- Albert Baehny, Chairman, Geberit;
"Quality Investing is an outstanding resource for all investors seeking to enhance their knowledge of the critical drivers for investment success. Several important concepts for discerning and evaluating outstanding companies are clearly explained and further elaborated upon through many specific company examples. I highly recommend Quality Investing to all prospective investors from beginners to experienced practitioners.";- Paul Lountzis, Lountzis Asset Management, LLC;
"Beating the market is possible but not easy. Buying great companies at good prices tilts the probability of success in your favour. Quality Investing is an excellent aid for professional investors and motivated amateurs in tackling this perennial challenge. Read it and help improve your chance of investment success.";- John Looby, Portfolio Manager, Kleinwort Benson Investors, founder and board member, Value Investment Institute;
About the Author
Lawrence A. Cunningham is the Henry St. George Tucker III Research Professor at the George Washington University Law School. He has been a professor of law and business for more than twenty years at Boston College, George Washington University and Yeshiva University. Cunningham is the author of many books, notably The Essays of Warren Buffett: Lessons for Corporate America, and editor from 1994 to 2001 of the leading treatise on contract law, Corbin on Contracts. His writing has appeared opposite the editorial page in The New York Times, The Financial Times and The National Law Journal. Views: 675
