An encyclopedia unlike any other, this work focuses on lobbying, corruption, and political influence in America to inspire readers to think critically about the U.S. government and to appreciate the opportunities of citizenship. Even before the founding of the Republic, James Madison expressed the concern that special interest influence could become "adverse to the rights of other citizens [as well as] the permanent and aggregate interests of the community." In modern times, examples of lobbying scandals and corruption associated with political campaign contributions abound—and yet our political system can and does further the larger goals of American democracy. Suited for advanced high school students, undergraduates, and general readers, this set examines the three powerful forces that affect every level of government but typically operate out of public view. This three-volume work exhaustively covers the evolution and impact of lobbying, political influence, and corruption from the Colonial era to today. Volume 1 contains detailed scholarly essays on various aspects of lobbying, corruption, and political influence. Volume 2 comprises informative A–Z entries on people, events, laws, organizations, and legal decisions. The entries demonstrate the linkages among the topics but give equal attention to each as an independent influence on U.S. government and politics. Developments since 1990 and the extensive proliferation of the Internet and social media receive additional emphasis. Volume 3 contains primary documents that include executive orders, court cases, state and federal lobbying forms, and codes of conduct related to lobbying, campaign finance reform, and anti-corruption measures.

Will a ghost from her past jeopardize her future? After years of psychological abuse at the hands of her ex, Jules Roberts has built herself a good life: successful career, close family and friends, a beautiful daughter. As CEO of Harbourview Casino, trying to recover from a money laundering scandal, she has her hands full, but she has it under control. Until the one man she never expected to see again walks back into her life, with the power to take everything away from her. Nik Costas is tired of the high flying life of a private equity partner in WYCK Capital. He has plenty of money but no time to enjoy it, constantly on the move closing deals for his firm. A chance to buy Harbourview means he has to cancel his first vacation in years, but finding out he’ll be working with Jules Roberts makes the deal a lot more interesting. But Jules has a secret. One who is about to turn four years old, and has her father’s eyes. Pregnant after their one night together, Jules never expected to see Nik again. When the truth comes out, this could wind up being one very dirty deal.

In the tempestuous world of the mafia, loyalty is everything and secrets are a dangerous currency. Riccardo, the enigmatic right-hand man to the formidable Don, has always kept his past shrouded in mystery. But when the dark shadows of his past start to intertwine with the present, the lethal streets of Russia become his battleground. As they delve deeper into a deadly game to find a killer, Riccardo's fiercely protected ward, the innocent and alluring Liat, becomes a target. The stakes are raised as an intense, fiery passion sparks between them. In a universe where love can be as lethal as betrayal, will their one-night stand lead to forever, or doom them both? Dive into this heart-pounding, OMYW romance for an epic conclusion that will leave you breathless.

I'm not exactly "Daddy" material... Fatherhood blindsided me. There I am, working to get a rise out of my cranky little rule-following, fun-wrecking, soon-to-be ex-neighbor when my one-night stand from last season shows up... in labor. Next thing, I'm a single-dad begging for a crash course in caring for this tiny miracle from the neighbor who loves to hate me. Turns out, Nora raised half her siblings. She knows things. And I know my son needs her. Unfortunately, she's not impressed by my NHL career, my legendary charm, or the rumors surrounding the size of my stick (all true btw). But I'm not trying to impress her. Not anymore. I can't. I'm asking her to help me out, because my son deserves better than some player who hasn't even had a chance to read the manual yet. Which means no matter how hot I find her spitfire mouth and those rules she doesn't break... Nora is off-limits.

Rusty-I'm the president of the Devil Kings Atlanta MC. With a fractious club to rebuild and a revolving door on my bedroom, the last thing I need is 5'4" of sex-on-a-stick trouble.When a mysterious beauty shows up with her playmate's body, dark soulful eyes and a bagful of cash, I'm willing to make an exception. I don't fully trust her, but she needs my help. Ashlynn-Things are finally good. I'm one of the best high-roller hostesses on the strip. But I've lived in Las Vegas two years and have yet to unpack my bags. Why? Because shit always goes sideways. I should have known this time would be no different.When I'm asked to hostess a private poker game at a mega exclusive hotel penthouse, I end up in the proverbial wrong place at the wrong time.I'm the sole witness to a double murder and I'm suddenly on the run again, but this time I'm running for my life.I get as far as Atlanta before my Porsche blows a tire. That's when he shows up. Dangerous. Drop-dead gorgeous. Scary badass biker. One I can't take my eyes off. Maybe this town is as good as any to lay low.When trouble tracks me down, I want to run again. But he has other plans.He'll protect me-for a price.My willing body in his big bed-all night, every night.That's the dirty deal he offers.Dare I accept?Where the President of the Devil Kings is involved, there are no rules. But I'll stand toe-to-toe with him and make it out of this bargain with my heart intact. Because in the end, running is what I do best.

The most violent places in the world today are not at war. More people have died in Mexico in recent years than in Iraq and Afghanistan combined. These parts of the world are instead buckling under a maelstrom of gangs, organized crime, political conflict, corruption, and state brutality. Such devastating violence can feel hopeless, yet some places—from Colombia to the Republic of Georgia—have been able to recover. In this powerfully argued and urgent book, Rachel Kleinfeld examines why some democracies, including our own, are crippled by extreme violence and how they can regain security. Drawing on fifteen years of study and firsthand field research—interviewing generals, former guerrillas, activists, politicians, mobsters, and law enforcement in countries around the world—Kleinfeld tells the stories of societies that successfully fought seemingly ingrained violence and offers penetrating conclusions about what must be done to build governments that are able to protect the lives of their citizens. Taking on existing literature and popular theories about war, crime, and foreign intervention, A Savage Order is a blistering yet inspiring investigation into what makes some countries peaceful and others war zones, and a blueprint for what we can do to help.

I'm a man of control, focused on the business of power and money, in whatever way I see an opportunity. What I never expected was one tiny little fireball of a woman, pulling the rug out from underneath me and setting my world on fire. It all started, or so I thought, when my sister talked me into a charity bachelor auction. A beautiful woman had eyes for only me and I was all in, and all about her finding her way to my hotel room that night. Imagine my pleasure when she didn't just bid on me, she bid a million dollars. But this woman had a surprise waiting on me and it was not what I expected. She can't deny the sparks between us anymore than I can, but she has an agenda, and that agenda is revenge. Which is where the handcuffs came into play. Only it's her who is my captive. Her family is indebted to my family and this game is about to get interesting... Previously published as the Dirty Rich Obsession duet