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“When a candidate for public office faces the voters he does not face men of sense; he faces a mob of men whose chief distinguishing mark is the fact that they are quite incapable of weighing ideas, or even of comprehending any save the most elemental â€� men whose whole thinking is done in terms of emotion, and whose dominant emotion is dread of what they cannot understand. So confronted, the candidate must either bark with the pack or be lost... All the odds are on the man who is, intrinsically, the most devious and mediocre â€� the man who can most adeptly disperse the notion that his mind is a virtual vacuum. The Presidency tends, year by year, to go to such men. As democracy is perfected, the office represents, more and more closely, the inner soul of the people. We move toward a lofty ideal. On some great and glorious day the plain folks of the land will reach their heart's desire at last, and the White House will be adorned by a downright moron.”
― H.L. Mencken

“I’m going to make you feel so good,â€� I swore to her, “that you’re going to not just scream my name, but forget yours.”
― Shay Savage, Uncockblockable

“Loners live among the mob, so the mob mistakes us for its own, presuming and assuming. When the mob gets too close, the truth is revealed. Running or walking away, chased or free, any which way, we tell the mob in effect I don't need you.”
― Anneli Rufus, Party of One: The Loner's Manifesto

“Hush. Don't ask any questions. It's always best on these occasions to do what the mob do."
"But suppose there are two mobs?" suggested Mr. Snodgrass.
"Shout with the largest," replied Mr. Pickwick.
Volumes could not have said more.”
― Charles Dickens, The Pickwick Papers

“I agree that sometimes it is difficult to choose between right and wrong, but not between right and stupid.”
― Amit Kalantri

“Remember, crowd doesn't care about common sense.”
― Amit Kalantri

“The mob loves those who amuse and serve it. But to amuse it you have to love it. I love no one, least of all the mob, because the mob, the multitude, are like women: they betray those who love them.”
― Pitigrilli, Cocaine

“The mob not only grabs hold of art without being entitled to do so, but it also enters the artist. It takes up residence inside the artist and smashes a few holes in the wall, windows to the outer world: The mob wants to be seen.”
― Elfriede Jelinek, The Piano Teacher

“His eyes widened. “Pain? Darling, you haven’t yet experienced the pain I can inflict when I’ve been played for a fool. I’m in awe at your gall to try and fool me.â€�
Bree went still as panic froze her. Oh, God. No.
“Ah, the light bulb finally goes off,� he purred against her face; his voice low and
cold.
Even knowing who he was, and the family he came from, Bree could say that deep inside, she’d never felt any real fear of him.
She did now. He knew. The look on his face told her he knew that she had lied about him being her baby’s father. Frantically, she grasped for any foothold she could find. “I don’t know what you’re talking-�
“DON’T!â€� he snapped, grabbing the sides of her face.”
― E. Jamie, The Vendetta

“I didn’t marry the mob; I was born into it.”
― Shay Savage, Uncockblockable

“Some people did business with me because they wanted to get close to me, others did business with me because they were afraid to say no.”
― Larry Formato, Connected

“She moved to get up, but the man held her down as her car exploded next.
Bree lifted her head and looked back at the wall of fire behind them. “Well. We’re well and truly screwed now.”
― E. Jamie, The Vendetta

“He’s lying to me, Bree thought. I don’t know how I know, but I do. And really, wasn’t it better if she didn’t know for sure? Bree moved closer to him and pressed her mouth to his, inhaling the strong, musky scent that seemed to be his alone. Like a mix of spiced wine, dark chocolate and warm leather. Bree eased her tongue in and ran it across his teeth as his fingers moved up her spine to cup her head and bring her closer.”
― E. Jamie, The Vendetta

“They stared at each other, and Alessandro seriously considered turning away from his father’s wishes and just taking this woman and running off somewhere with her. He could imagine being happy with her. He felt free, easy. The feeling was heady. But dangerously so. He could never just toss aside his father’s demands that way, even if he wanted to. There would be too much at stake.”
― E. Jamie, The Vendetta

“Alessandro gathered her into his arms and flipped her over so that she was on top of him, her blonde hair falling over him like a gold curtain. The strands tickled his face as she righted herself over him. She caught her lower lip between her teeth as he pushed up inside of her, and Alessandro reached up, bringing her mouth down, wanting to taste that swollen lip. Her breath wafted over his face, and he grabbed her hips, pulling her down as he pushed up deeper, wanting to fill her to her very soul.”
― E. Jamie, The Vendetta

“Last night, Bree had been taken. Thoroughly, utterly taken. Gently or roughly, it didn’t matter. This man had reached into the darkest part of her mind, had brought out and laid bare the desires she admitted to no one but herself in her most secret, quiet moments. Her hunger had been allowed to run free. There’d been no guilt, no remorse. Nothing was ‘wrongâ€�. And God, the feeling of freedom was damned addictive. What did that say about her? How could she love Michael, yet give a part of her she’d never felt comfortable sharing with Michael to this stranger.”
― E. Jamie, The Vendetta

“Okay, someone’s been smoking the wacky tobacky. And keep your hands to yourself!â€� She smacked at his roving fingers, fighting the shivers following his touch. "I agreed to let you accompany me because, well...maybe you're right. We should try and put the animosity between our families-stop that!" She gripped his fingers and tried to twist them, but he easily pulled out of her grip.
Alessandro laughed. “Darling, I haven’t laughed in ages like I do when I’m with you. I propose a clean slate, eh?â€� He sighed and sat back against the seat. “Brianna. I’m not going to give up until you are mine. You could make this so much easier if you just accept the inevitable.â€� He lifted his hand to cup the side of her face. “We belong to each other, and you know it.”
― E. Jamie, The Vendetta

“Father, perhaps you’ve forgotten the fact that when my child was conceived, neither Bree nor I knew who the other person was.â€�
“Ai, ai, ai� Alessandro, open your mind, please! It was fate, my boy.�
“Oh, good God, here we go again,� Arturo threw his hands up.
“Don’t you have a puppy to go kick?â€� Alessandro asked, his brother’s voice grating on his already stretched nerves.”
― E. Jamie, The Vendetta

“BARRY GIFFORD, Author of "Wild at Heart", on DANGEROUS ODDS by Marisa Lankester:

"Marisa Lankester's unique chronicle of high crimes and low company is as wild a ride as any reader is likely to be taken on.

She was the lone woman in the eye of a predatory hurricane that blew across continents and devastated countless lives. That she survived is testament to her brains and bravery. The old-timers who invented violence as a second language contended that nothing is deadlier than the female, to cross her was to buck dangerous odds, and this book tells you why."

Film "Wild at Heart" won Palme D’Or at the Cannes Film Festival, Film by David Lynch”
― Barry Gifford

“If the Mob was after you, the last thing you felt was alive. If the Mob was after you, it was only a matter of time before you were as dead as a doorknob. But standing outside in the middle of winter, with the world in a coma, she felt alive.”
― Chrys Fey, 30 Seconds

“Forgetting himself for a moment, Francis brought his hand out from under his frock in order to bless the multitude. When the people saw his wound they bellowed madly. The women dashed forward with mantles outstretched to catch the drops; the men thrust in their hands and anointed their faces with blood. The villagers' expressions grew savage, and so did their souls. They longed to be able to tear the Saint limb from limb in order for each of them to claim a mouthful of his flesh, for they wanted to make him their own, to have him enter them so that they could become one with a saint—could be sanctified. Blind rage had overpowered them; their eyes were leaden, their lips ringed with froth.”
― Nikos Kazantzakis, Saint Francis

“Nicky turned and bolted. He’d only had about a thirty foot head start and a few were closing ground on him quickly. He cursed his hundred-dollar shoes and his vanity. The shoes looked great, but were definitely not made for running, nor was the suit he was wearing. He vowed that if he made it out of there alive, he’d only wear sneakers and track suits for the rest of his days. "Of course, I’ll probably be laughed out of the mob, but I don’t care at this point.”
― Ian McClellan, One Undead Step

“Mmmmmnobaconeggsgottagostore…â€� She slowly ran her hand down his forearm and gave him a sleepy smile as she sat up. Her eyes remained closed as she rested her hand on his shoulder and before he could realize her intention or even remember his manners and stop her, her mouth was on his in a kiss that was so soft and sweet Alessandro could do nothing but fall into it with her.”
― E. Jamie, The Vendetta

“I know. You’re a male escort, and you were on your way to your latest…what are female clients called? Not Johns…Jean’s?â€�
He choked on his cracker, and Bree reached over and patted his back until his coughing fit passed. “Afraid not, darling.� He wheezed.
“Male stripper?�
He snorted. “I don’t know if I should be flattered or insulted by that.�
“Some kind of business tycoon, right?� Bree asked. “A pretty Donald Trump?�
“Pretty? Oh dear.�
Bree raised her hands. “Handsome. Handsome. Better?”
― E. Jamie, The Vendetta

“Lies. All lies. Bree was shaking so hard she bit her tongue, but she didn’t even feel the blood in her mouth.
Kill her husband and seduce the widow. She thought she’d never felt as angry as when Michael died, but this, oh God, her entire body was a live wire of rage. She was so
furious, she was almost numb. So numb that she didn’t even feel herself reaching for the gun she had pulled out of the glove compartment and pocketed.
So numb that she didn’t feel herself lift the gun and aim.
So numb that she saw nothing, but his eyes, staring back at her in wide eyed surprise and confusion.
She felt so numb she didn’t even feel herself pull the trigger.”
― E. Jamie, The Vendetta

“We have nothing!â€� Bree reached out and slapped him with all her might. He couldn’t know the baby she carried was his. Not ever.
Alessandro’s dark eyes flashed angrily at her for a split second, making Bree’s insides tense in anticipation of his rage, but then he smiled at her, his hand going to her thigh. “Well, I was hoping we’d get to know each other a little better before delving into S & M, but I’m game if you are, sunshine.�
“I want you to get out,�
“And I want you naked screaming my name, now that you know it,â€� Alessandro growled, leaning in so that his breath brushed across her face in a tantalizing caress.”
― E. Jamie, The Vendetta

“My, my, and you accuse the Dardanos of trying to run the world. As you so succinctly put it, you have no desire to be a part of my life, which means you have no say in where I choose to live, sunshine. I, on the other hand, made no such declaration.â€�
“God, I hate you,� Bree seethed.
Alessandro smiled and tapped the end of her nose playfully, resisting the urge to tear her thick coat off of her and take her right against the wall. “You keep telling yourself that, love. We both know better.”
― E. Jamie, The Vendetta

“That’s our clue. I know where he is now.â€� Alessandro said, pulling her away from the dead fish.
“A dead fish means…what? The docks?� Bree asked.
Alessandro gave her a small smile. “You’re as smart as you are exquisite, my darling.�
“I’m sorry. A crazy man has my son. Could we get a move on now?� Bree pushed him towards the door.
“Forgive me, darling. Old habits.�
Bree rolled her eyes, but she was grateful for the brief, light moment. It allowed her to regroup and focus, to lift her head from the haze of panic that gripped her thus far.”
― E. Jamie, The Vendetta

“Crowd is just a bunch of heads, it is their leader who is the mind.”
― Amit Kalantri

“You’d better be sure about this because this,â€� he pointed at Nora, then at Tony, “will start a war.”
― Christian Ferreti -- Mafia Princess