Showing results by narrator "Alexander Cendese" in All Categories

Perry Mason had no hesitation in defending Albert Brogan, a broke ex-salesman against a charge of robbery. He's counting on the testimony of the nightclub hostess Martha Lavina to clear him. She had most of the requirements for a good professional hostess, and one was an innocent face. That, plus various other attractions, made her a formidable challenge as she faced Perry Mason on the witness stand.

After catching his shady son-in-law, Jack Hardisty, in the act of embezzling, wealthy banker Vincente Blane plans to hang him out to dry. Then murder turns Blane's restful mountain retreat into Hardisty's final resting place. When the evidence points to wronged wife Millicent, her father makes a point of calling in Perry Mason. And it's up to the legendary legal eagle to unravel the case's most baffling mystery: a buried clock at the murder scene.

Never make a bet with a man who plays to win. Especially not a man like handsome, arrogant Connor Pratt. A.k.a. the huge PITA who's currently crashing in my spare room. A.k.a. my brother's best friend since they were about six. A.k.a. the one guy who still makes me feel like an awkward tongue-tied loser. But when Connor moved in, I got a glimpse of another side of him. Because, like me, Connor's going through a nasty break-up. And, like me, he's just doing whatever he can to get through it.

Athletes are notoriously superstitious. Some don't wash their gear. Others sleep with it. I've even heard of a guy who peed on the field to ward off evil spirits. But as far as I'm aware, my teammate Luca is the only guy whose ritual requires a more intimate activity. I wouldn't know that if I hadn't stumbled into it by accident, and even then, I wouldn't have thought my presence had any effect. But the next day he got on the ice and had one of the most spectacular games I've seen him play. One of his best ever. And it gives me an idea.

I'm Toni Capella and I'm a bad-man-o-holic. (Hi, Toni!). But it's a new year and for the first time in my twenty-nine years I'm determined to attract Mr. Right. So when super-hot contractor Cooper Flint walks into my office, I immediately put him on my "no way" list. Besides, my eye is on another new coworker, Sumner Livingston. Handsome, well-heeled, and professional, Sumner is nothing like my usual type, which I assume makes him perfect for me. I insist Sumner and I keep our relationship separate from work. I even suggest we do our courting via text while we get to know each other better.

I never thought I'd miss being a janitor, but at least I knew what I was doing in that job. Now I'm a great and mighty war mage trying to help a team of college wizards win a magic competition, and I'm desperately afraid of screwing up. To make matters worse, my four gorgeous, powerful teammates totally believe in me, none more so than dangerously sexy, unnervingly intense Marcus Winter. Marcus knows he can make me stronger...but only if I'm willing to let him unlock my deepest desires.

Eli Strong got out of the military and all he wanted to do was get better. He never expected that the officer he was living with would have a daughter who tested his honor. Maggie Drummond has been moved around more times than she can count, and starting at a new high school sucks. But when a wounded Marine comes to live with her and her dad, suddenly Maggie figures out what home is. She's forbidden fruit, and he's trying to not to taste… But desire can only be denied for so long. Circumstances keep pulling them back together, and something truly unforeseen happens.

Greyson Keller didn't intend to lie; it just came out that way. So when the object of that lie shows up on her doorstep, she is confused, shocked, and embarrassed. Calvin Thompson is an Ivy Leaguer, attending a university over an hour away, playing rugby and basically not giving a crap. So imagine his surprise when some guy named Greyson begins rumors online that they're dating - the only logical solution is to drive an hour and confront him.

Austin Rogers's dreams of domestic bliss involved watching Netflix and eating hot dogs with the love of her life. But then he cheated on her. And dumped her - as if the whole thing was her fault. To maintain her pride and restore her sanity, she decides to get revenge. It feels immensely satisfying to plot her ex's downfall - but so does kissing him.

I turn weird and awkward around attractive men. I'm a nervous sweater, and when Archer walked into my art cafe that night, he was making me soaking wet. He was stupidly attractive - which caused me to go into excruciating detail about my sweating problem, insult what he had under his fig leaf, and imply I was running a brothel. My career as an artist was a joke. I was desperately trying to live the #bossbabe life after I couldn't hack it as an artist in New York City and moved back to my small hometown. Now my business is failing. But hey, suffering is inspirational, right?

Destiny Fisher is ready to move past the guilt and shame of losing a fiancé to the war in Afghanistan 12 years ago. She never should’ve said yes to his proposal in the first place, and she's been plagued by her choices for more than a decade. She was his biggest regret. Trent Dawkins has been married to the army ever since he walked away from his brother's funeral...and from the woman he loved. Delta Team Three is his family. Destiny has avoided him for all these years. Does seeing him remind her of his brother? Can the two of them face their demons and move forward?

Nothing burns like love. And I've been through the flames once already, so that's been there, done that situation. Not looking to fall in love means I want one thing only—a gorgeous woman in my arms, and an empty bed by sunrise. Until I meet Hannah Everson at a virginity auction, and buy her to be my wife. Because that's how this ends. Gorgeous, innocent Hannah never stood a chance against a kingpin like me.

Fall. Autumn. It doesn't matter what you call it, I hate it. I despise pumpkins, Halloween, and the overwhelming sense of dread as the cold and damp move in. But when my new chauffeur drives up in a hearse, Halloween carols blaring, I realize there will be no escape from the holiday.

Devon Pratt loves many things in life. The beauty of flowers. The yin and yang of energy. The power of positivity in people. And everything to do with the Christmas season. As a floral shop owner in the beach town of Cape May, she looks forward to decorating both the town and running the annual holiday party to benefit the local animal shelter. Too bad the new owner of her favorite venue is more like the Grinch than Santa. Working with him will be a challenge, but she’s too full of seasonal cheer to let him annoy her, right?

All I want is to finish college, live life as a musician, and love the man of my dreams. That man, however, is Simon Manos, nephew of crime boss Christopher Manos, and there's a war brewing on the streets of Haven Hart. Achieving my dreams has to be done while ducking bullets, trying not to get blown up, and hoping enemies don't kill me.

Grace Halfpenny has devoted her entire life to her career as a social worker. Always playing by the rules. Always going all in. Falling in love is the last thing Grace had time for. Eugene "Judge" Grant is the president of the Black Hoods MC. Love is the last thing Judge believed in. Two people on two very different paths. Until two kids, orphaned and alone with a past that mirrored Judge's own, come along, not only needing him, but Grace too. And when the kids' dark past comes looking for them, Grace and Judge must put their differences aside in order to save them.

A collection of celebrated columns from The Rumpus with new material and never-before-told tales, OG Dad finds Jerry Stahl fighting a terminal disease - not to mention mortality, sleeplessness, and the soul-crushing weirdness of preschool drop-offs with parents half his age. Square is the last frontier.

I never meant to fall for my brother's best friend. It started with just a few letters, each one revealing more of the man behind the words. We were building something real until his last letter demolished the illusion.

One man is trying to get tenure in the job of his dreams; the other is set to graduate and begin law school. Life brought them together under random circumstances, and their path isn’t an easy one. How can they make a relationship work without sacrificing everything?

I fell for him in the heat of the summer. I fell for the stars in his eyes. The way he said my name. I'll never love anyone the same. But our story ended when it was just beginning. Fame gave me more than I could ever imagine, but I'll forever suffer the cost. The summer of love and loss would forever be a stain on my heart.