Drawing on evidence from both sides of the Atlantic, Simon Harding explores the culture of the status dog in Unleashed. In housing projects in the United States and United Kingdom, certain dog breeds convey status—authority, respect, power, and control—on their owners, while urban street gangs have developed the dangerous practice of training dogs to be weapons. Combining perspectives from sociology, criminology, and public policy, Harding contextualizes these related phenomena and considers the complex mix of factors motivating them, including urban deprivation, social control of public space, and the influence of media imagery.
This is the first book in the UK or US to set on record the recent cultural phenomenon of the use of certain dog breeds - both legal and illegal - to 'convey status' upon their owners. Such dogs are easily visible on social housing estates throughout the UK and in projects in the USA and provide acquired authority, respect, power and control. However they are increasingly linked to urban street gangs as 'Weapon Dogs' and present a danger to the ordinary public especially those using parks and open spaces with increased injuries being presented at UK hospitals. Though initially slow to react, local and statutory authorities are now seeking to address the issue through action plans and interventions. Written in a fresh, engaging and accessible style, this unique book contextualizes the phenomenon in terms of sociology, criminology and public policy. It considers a complex mix of urban and social deprivation, social control of public space and the influence of contemporary media imagery and 'gangsta' culture. It will make essential reading for academics and policy makers in criminology and criminal justice and those working with animal rights/animal welfare groups.
A proven guide for nightclub owners, Bar managers and security personnel. Going far beyond the title, this book is a culmination of philosophy, best practices, strategy, communication, relationships and reality. While the old definition used to create the vision of a huge dude manhandling "bad" clients, this unique perspective uses Gabe's successes as the new industry standard. His unorthodox background and his devotion as an internationally recognized Krav Maga instructor sets him a world apart from the studio trained hobby martial artist. Gabe's proven consummate skills and keen intellect at both conflict prevention and resolution makes this guide a professional's approach to managing people, use of force and violence from the perspective of someone who has walked the walk. The subject matter expertise goes beyond merely working the doors and racking up war stories. This invaluable tool should be considered as an industry standard and a 101 for anyone thinking about getting into this business.
One night in a Parisian nightclub and the aftermath of a marriage provide the stories for these two novels by Frederic Beigbeder, award-winning author of 'Windows on the World'.
His life was never easy. Hers wasn’t supposed to be this hard. They come from different worlds, but fate lures them together in a way neither expected in Cecy Robson’s raw, steamy series debut—perfect for fans of Monica Murphy and J. Lynn. Evelyn Preston’s future once looked perfect—until her wealthy father was caught in an embezzlement scandal and took his own life. Alone and struggling to pay her college tuition and bills, Evelyn finds a job as a waitress at the ultra-hip nightclub Excess, where she used to have more in common with the privileged private-school clientele than her fellow staff members. But something attracts her to the sexy six-foot-four bouncer and ex-army MMA fighter Mateo Tres Santos. Although they’ve led different lives, their troubled pasts bonds them in both survival and love. Mateo wound up in prison for assaulting the man who harmed his sister. Now he’s feeling the same protective impulse for this petite blond waitress. When Evelyn experiences a panic attack at the club, Mateo comes to her rescue. And when Mateo is wounded shielding her from a brawl, Evelyn returns the favor and comes to his aid. As their attraction intensifies, Mateo is determined to find out what nightmares are lurking in Evelyn’s past—even if that means tackling his own to save her. Praise for Once Perfect “Once Perfect is exactly that: perfect for fans of sweetly sexy New Adult with a to-die-for protective hero.”—New York Times bestselling author Marquita Valentine “Sweet and sexy, a perfect combination . . . Cecy Robson delivers pure reading bliss.”—USA Today bestselling author Sawyer Bennett “This book was amazingly fantastic! I loved it from beginning to end and read it in one sitting. Mateo has made my list of top ten favorite alpha heroes! I highly recommend this one!”—Wendy S. Marcus, author of Loving You Is Easy “This is another series that I will be fangirling. Once Perfect was a reading highlight of the year. . . . [I] fell in love with the characters and the writing. I can’t wait for the next book, Once Loved.”—Books Like Breathing “Exciting and sexy . . . Robson excelled in her debut to the New Adult genre. . . . I was engaged from beginning to end.”—Under the Covers “Once Perfect is not your normal NA book. . . . It’s a very emotional book that touches very difficult topics like abuse. It’s also a book with a lot of messages; the most important is never judge others by mere appearances.”—The Bookaholic Cat “A love story with depth and feeling and emotion. In short, a story worthy of the genius that is Robson’s writing. I didn't expect anything less from her.”—My Guilty Obsession “Rec it? Absolutely. I adore New Adult stories, and if you do too, Once Perfect is a great addition to your TBR!”—The Book Hookup “I couldn’t imagine two people more perfect for each other [building] a real loving relationship.”—Books-n-Kisses “This book was awesome! Mateo is the ultimate bad boy, sexy hunk of love. Evelyn is the poor little rich girl who has to learn to survive on her own. Together they are the most amazing couple. . . . [Once Perfect] is a must read!”—BB’s Book Reviews Includes a special message from the editor, as well as an excerpt from another Loveswept title.
Pitbull was born to Cuban parents who made him recite the works of poet José Martí. He encountered problems early in his career as a rapper because he was blue-eyed, white and Cuban American. He was also influenced by the Miami bass genre of hip hop music and has cited Celia Cruz and Willy Chirino as sources of inspiration for his music.
A bundle of books #13 (LEFT TO CRAVE) and #14 (LEFT TO LOATHE) in Blake Pierce’s Adele Sharp Mystery series! This bundle offers books thirteen and fourteen in one convenient file, with over 100,000 words of reading. In LEFT TO CRAVE (Book #13), after so many years on the force, FBI Special Agent Adele Sharp is pretty sure she’s seen it all—until bodies begin to appear, shipped in crates to Europe’s elite auction houses. With billionaires’ antiques compromised, and the case in the media’s crosshairs, the pressure couldn’t be higher. Who is the killer? Why are they shipping these bodies? And can Adele stop them before he strikes again? In LEFT TO LOATHE (Book #14), FBI Agent Adele Sharp is an invaluable asset in bringing criminals to justice as they cross American and European borders, and when bodies begin turning up at brothels around Amsterdam’s red-light district, Adele is called in to investigate. But the seemingly straightforward case soon spirals out of control, and Adele must use every trick at her disposal to piece together the mystery. An action-packed mystery series of international intrigue and riveting suspense, the ADELE SHARP mystery series will have you turning pages late into the night. Books #15-#16 are also available!
INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER An incredible, revolutionary true story and surprisingly simple guide to teaching your dog to talk from speech-language pathologist Christina Hunger, who has taught her dog, Stella, to communicate using simple paw-sized buttons associated with different words. When speech-language pathologist Christina Hunger first came home with her puppy, Stella, it didn’t take long for her to start drawing connections between her job and her new pet. During the day, she worked with toddlers with significant delays in language development and used Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) devices to help them communicate. At night, she wondered: If dogs can understand words we say to them, shouldn’t they be able to say words to us? Can dogs use AAC to communicate with humans? Christina decided to put her theory to the test with Stella and started using a paw-sized button programmed with her voice to say the word “outside” when clicked, whenever she took Stella out of the house. A few years later, Stella now has a bank of more than thirty word buttons, and uses them daily either individually or together to create near-complete sentences. How Stella Learned to Talk is part memoir and part how-to guide. It chronicles the journey Christina and Stella have taken together, from the day they met, to the day Stella “spoke” her first word, and the other breakthroughs they’ve had since. It also reveals the techniques Christina used to teach Stella, broken down into simple stages and actionable steps any dog owner can use to start communicating with their pets. Filled with conversations that Stella and Christina have had, as well as the attention to developmental detail that only a speech-language pathologist could know, How Stella Learned to Talk will be the indispensable dog book for the new decade.
A bundle of books #13 (LEFT TO CRAVE) and #14 (LEFT TO LOATHE) in Blake Pierce’s Adele Sharp Mystery series! This bundle offers books thirteen and fourteen in one convenient file, with over 100,000 words of reading. In LEFT TO CRAVE (Book #13), after so many years on the force, FBI Special Agent Adele Sharp is pretty sure she’s seen it all—until bodies begin to appear, shipped in crates to Europe’s elite auction houses. With billionaires’ antiques compromised, and the case in the media’s crosshairs, the pressure couldn’t be higher. Who is the killer? Why are they shipping these bodies? And can Adele stop them before he strikes again? In LEFT TO LOATHE (Book #14), FBI Agent Adele Sharp is an invaluable asset in bringing criminals to justice as they cross American and European borders, and when bodies begin turning up at brothels around Amsterdam’s red-light district, Adele is called in to investigate. But the seemingly straightforward case soon spirals out of control, and Adele must use every trick at her disposal to piece together the mystery. An action-packed mystery series of international intrigue and riveting suspense, the ADELE SHARP mystery series will have you turning pages late into the night. Books #15-#16 are also available!
