Carl Weber

Before there was the family, there was just the business. From the minds of New York Times bestselling authors Carl Weber and Eric Pete comes the game-changing prequel to their blockbuster Family Business saga. Travel back to a small Southern town where, before there was Duncan Motors, there were the Duncan brothers: Louis, aka Sweet Lou, a lover of ladies and life . . . and a man you did not want to cross; Lawrence, aka Larry, a screw-up as attracted to trouble as it was to him; and Lavernius, better known as LC, the soft-spoken college boy who simply wanted to sell cars. But the Duncan brothers weren t alone at the crossroads. There was also the mysterious and seductive Chippy, a woman who saw a way out of her circumstances and dared to take it. Witness what changed the course of their lives when ambitions intersected with opportunity that came calling one day in the form of a man named Alejandro Zuniga. Welcome to the familiar, but as you ve never seen it before."

Meet the Duncans, a prominent family from Jamaica, Queens. They may be known for their big house, fancy cars, and lavish lifestyle, but that doesn't make them immune from some over-the-top drama. L. C. Duncan has run his successful car dealership in Jamaica, Queens, for more than 30 years, but when the recession hits and the competition gets a little rough, some say it's time for him to retire. Palm trees and golf sound like fun, but L.C. still has a few tricks up his sleeve. Which one of his kids can he trust to run the family business? Paris could give any supermodel a run for her money. When she walks in the room, all heads turn, but it's her anger issues and knack for getting into trouble that most people remember. She's much more dangerous than anyone gives her credit for . . . except, perhaps, her father. Orlando is the most obvious choice to lead the Duncans into the future. He has proven himself to be quite the businessman over the years; but sometimes, the most obvious choice isn't always the best choice. Harris Grant is married to L.C.'s oldest daughter. In Harris's opinion, he's the most qualified to run the family business. Now he just needs to convince L.C. . . . and make sure no one discovers the secret he's been keeping. Harris isn't the only one with skeletons in the closet. The Duncan family has been keeping a secret of their own: a deep, dark secret that, if revealed, will shock the entire community.

Things are heating up in the Black Hamptons, an affluent vacation community of African Americans nestled in Long Island, New York. The families are facing trials and tribulations both individually and collectively, and everyone has a lot at stake. The Brittons are shocked by the return of Moses, the patriarch of the family. While he's eager to reunite with his wife and sons, it may be difficult, especially since his wife, Carolyn, has found comfort in the arms of another man. There's no time to welcome him home, especially with grandson Jesse in the hospital after he is assaulted by Peter Lane. Anthony Johnson is trying his best to get back into his wife's good graces after nearly losing their company and everything they worked to build. His efforts may cost him more than he bargained for. Little does he know, Sydney has drama of her own to conceal when a secret from her past shows up in the backyard. Moses' return has Jeffrey Bowen busier than ever, leaving no time for his wife, Leslie. Luckily, Aries Cora has plenty of time to keep her company. Sgt. Lane's world is turned upside down, and his only goal is to keep his son out of jail. The choice in doing so may be accepting help from the one person he despises: Bobby "the Beast" Boyd, Middleweight Boxing Champion. Bobby is more than willing to come to the rescue, but Sgt. Lane knows it will come with a price he doesn't want to pay. The entire community must put aside their differences and come together to fight a common enemy that threatens to destroy the land and legacy of the Black Hamptons.

Keep up with the Duncan family down South as we travel to New Orleans in The Family Business 7. Operated by the same family for more than a century, Midnight Blues may be fun for the locals and the tourists, but as of late, the club hasn't been fun for its owner, Big Shirley Duncan, or her son Tyrese, descendants of the original proprietors. The pair finds themselves in the middle of a turf war between local politicians, developers, and a ruthless underworld boss, Jean LeBlanc, who is looking to make a name for himself. Afraid for the first time in her life that her family may lose control of The Blues, Big Shirley sends Tyrese to New York to see her brother-in-law, LC Duncan. In turn, LC enlists his nephew, bounty hunter Curtis Duncan, and his highly trained niece Lauryn Duncan, to help add some muscle and security to their family's struggling business.

Ripped from the pages of his New York Times bestselling novel To Paris with Love, Carl Weber brings you No More Mr. Nice Guy, the origin story of Niles Monroe, the super-bad hitman who will one day become Paris Duncan's one true love. Niles has just returned from eight years of serving his country as a Special Forces sniper. He's looking forward to a consulting job with DDD Defense Contracting and spending time with his family, including his bipolar mother, Lorna, and his hard-drinking uncle, Willie. What Niles doesn't know is that DDD is actually a front for a CIA-run hit squad. He's not interested in joining them, but they won't take no for an answer. Bridget St. John is one of the most beautiful women Niles has ever met, and she is also the most deadly. It is her job to recruit Niles to the DDD team by any means necessary. When Niles is arrested for a murder he does not commit, Bridget makes him an offer he can't refuse: working for DDD in exchange for his freedom. With Niles on board, Bridget begins to train him in ways he never imagined. Sometimes, however, the student becomes the teacher. Before she realizes what's happening, Bridget falls in love. Distracted by her feelings, Bridget becomes careless and is kidnapped by Majestic, a gangbanger who believes that Niles killed his little brother. Can Niles save Bridget before it's too late?

Keep up with the Duncan family down South as we travel to New Orleans in The Family Business 7. Operated by the same family for more than a century, Midnight Blues may be fun for the locals and the tourists, but as of late, the club hasn't been fun for its owner, Big Shirley Duncan, or her son Tyrese, descendants of the original proprietors. The pair finds themselves in the middle of a turf war between local politicians, developers, and a ruthless underworld boss, Jean LeBlanc, who is looking to make a name for himself. Afraid for the first time in her life that her family may lose control of The Blues, Big Shirley sends Tyrese to New York to see her brother-in-law, LC Duncan. In turn, LC enlists his nephew, bounty hunter Curtis Duncan, and his highly trained niece Lauryn Duncan, to help add some muscle and security to their family's struggling business.

Travel with Weber and Pete to Europe, to see how Paris and Rio became the dynamic duo of the Duncan clan. Ripped from the pages of the New York Times bestselling series The Family Business, Carl Weber and Eric Pete bring you To Paris with Love, a solo story about their two most popular characters to date--the bright, sexy, and deadly Paris Duncan and her flamboyant and cunning twin brother, Rio. It's Spring Break and Paris Duncan is on the verge of graduating at the top of her class from Chi's Finishing School, one of Europe's most exclusive private academies. At Chi's students not only learn the three Rs, but they also learn the deadly art of assassination. Like most of her classmates, Paris is looking forward to going back home. She can't wait to get back to the bright lights of New York City, where she plans on clubbing with her twin brother, Rio, scarfing down her mom's cooking, and wearing out her father's credit cards. A family crisis puts an end to her trip home in favor of a solo trip to the French Riviera. Rio Duncan has been accepted into one of the most prestigious law schools in the country and his father, LC Duncan, couldn't be more proud of him. Unfortunately for LC, Rio has plans of his own, and they don't include law school. If that weren't surprise enough, Rio's got a few more things to tell his dear old dad, one of which is that he is gay. Now that he's come out of the closet, Rio is in the wind. He's headed to Europe to live life by his own rules and hook up with his sister for some fun in the European sun. Together Rio and Paris will do what they do best--have fun, find trouble, and break men's hearts.

Hidden away near the end of Long Island, New York, is a community where affluent African Americans, their friends, and the wannabes have vacationed for more than 75 years. Unlike the bluffs of Martha's Vineyard, black folks here own five miles of prime beachfront. With a mix of legacy families, new money, hangers-on, and thirsty developers, drama can never be far behind in a place called . . . the BLACK HAMPTONS. The Brittons are the owners of Amistad Bank, the nation's largest minority-owned bank. They consider themselves the "First Family" of the Black Hamptons and have owned their estate home for three generations. Their matriarch, Carolyn Britton, and her two sons, Malcolm and Martin, are not to be played with. They truly embody the Black Hamptons' old guard and will do whatever they feel is necessary to maintain their place at the top. The Johnsons are relatively new to the Black Hamptons, having summered there only five years. Sometimes they still feel like outsiders, but that might be because Anthony Johnson is viewed as competition by the Brittons. He's the handsome CEO of Sydney Tech, a company he built from the ground up. Many people consider him the most powerful man in the Black Hamptons, but don't say that around the Britton boys. When a piece of land comes up for sale in this exclusive community, it sparks a war between the Brittons and the Johnsons. It's old money versus new money, and neither family seems willing to compromise. Will the tension between them shatter any hopes of a peaceful summer?

Ripped from the pages of the New York Times bestselling series The Family Business, Carl Weber and Eric Pete bring you To Paris with Love, a solo story about their two most popular characters to date--the bright, sexy, and deadly Paris Duncan and her flamboyant and cunning twin brother, Rio. It's Spring Break, and Paris Duncan is on the verge of graduating at the top of her class from Chi's Finishing School, one of Europe's most exclusive private academies. At Chi's, students not only learn the three Rs, but they also learn the deadly art of assassination. Like most of her classmates, Paris looks forward to going back home. She can't wait to get back to the bright lights of New York City, where she plans on clubbing with her twin brother, Rio, scarfing down her mom's cooking, and wearing out her father's credit cards. A family crisis puts an end to her trip home in favor of a solo trip to the French Riviera. Rio Duncan has been accepted into one of the most prestigious law schools in the country and his father, LC Duncan, couldn't be more proud of him. Unfortunately for LC, Rio has plans of his own, and they don't include law school. If that wasn't surprising enough, Rio's got a few more things to tell his dear old dad, one of which is that he is gay. Now that he's come out of the closet, Rio is in the wind. He's headed to Europe to live life by his own rules and hook up with his sister for some fun in the European sun. Together Rio and Paris will do what they do best--have fun, find trouble, and break men's hearts. Travel with Weber and Pete to Europe, to see how Paris and Rio became the dynamic duo of the Duncan clan.

Rio's personality and flair instantly gain him popularity in Baltimore, but violence erupts, and all eyes are on him. Now he's got a target on his back. Did he inherit any of the ruthless traits of the other Duncan men? Will the most colorful Duncan son get out of Baltimore and back home safe and sound now that he's on his own? Rio Duncan is one of the youngest children of the infamous Duncan clan. With no solid position in the family business like his other siblings, he has been feeling out of place and decides to disappear. His destination is Baltimore, and he's sure to find what he's looking for in the city with a community like no other. There, he finds new friends, a new love interest, and he also finds unexpected trouble. Corey Grant has his hands full with an inherited drug empire, a complicated relationship with his incarcerated father, and secret desires that could make him appear weak to his enemies. Someone has declared a street war, and he's at odds with his business partner, Dre, on how to handle it. Could it be Pierre, their client-turned-competition? Does this have anything to do with the sudden appearance of the mysterious newcomer named Rio? Diana Black is Corey's girlfriend-for-hire, and although she has a taste for bad boys, someone else has her attention. She is loyal to Corey's cause, but how long will that last?

New York Times bestselling author Carl Weber and Essence(R) bestseller La Jill Hunt return with a story of love, money, power, and respect in the next edition of the popular Family Business series. Five years ago, Orlando Duncan created the perfect drug in HEAT. It made the Duncans more than two hundred and fifty million dollars and was on its way to making them billionaires. However, they abruptly stopped manufacturing the drug when it was proven to cause cancer in rats. Yes, even as drug distributors, they still had a moral compass, placing lives over profit despite the overwhelming demand.When Orlando is awakened by an alarm in his old lab, he discovers that not only have all his computers, equipment, and notes been stolen, but the robbers have also taken over a million tabs of HEAT that he'd left behind for future experiments--tabs that he had sworn to his family he would destroy. Dr. Brandi Richardson is one of the most brilliant research chemists in the world, but her propensity for cutting corners led to her firing from both Dow Chemicals and Dupont. She's now working at CVS as a clerk, but things are about to change for her in a big way. Billionaire Alexander Cora is known as the Moor by business associates and enemies. His company, Cora International, is a publicly traded EU defense contractor. It is also a front for one of the largest weapons, drugs, and illegal contraband smuggling rings in the world. For some reason, he has set his sights on the Duncan family. That can't be good, because Alexander plays for keeps, and he has not been known to lose. Niles Monroe, the handsome hit man and Paris Duncan's one true love, is back from the dead, and it's only a matter of time before he comes looking for her. These rich and powerful people are on a collision course. When the dust settles, who will still be alive, and who will be on top?

When a piece of land comes up for sale in this exclusive community, it sparks a war between the Brittons and the Johnsons. It's old money versus new money, and neither family seems willing to compromise. Will the tension between them shatter any hopes of a peaceful summer? Hidden away near the end of Long Island, New York, is a community where affluent African Americans, their friends, and the wannabes have secretly vacationed for more than 75 years. Unlike the bluffs of Martha's Vineyard, black folks here own five miles of prime beachfront. With a mix of legacy families, new money, hangers-on, and thirsty developers, drama can never be far behind in a place called . . . the BLACK HAMPTONS. The Brittons are the owners of Amistad Bank, the nation's largest minority-owned bank. They consider themselves the "First Family" of the Black Hamptons and have owned their estate home for three generations. Their matriarch, Carolyn Britton, and her two sons, Malcolm and Martin, are not to be played with. They truly embody the Black Hamptons' old guard and will do whatever they feel is necessary to maintain their place at the top.The Johnsons are relatively new to the Black Hamptons, having summered there only five years. Sometimes they still feel like outsiders, but that might be because Anthony Johnson is viewed as competition by the Brittons. He's the handsome CEO of Sydney Tech, a company he built from the ground up. Many people consider him the most powerful man in the Black Hamptons, but don't say that around the Britton boys.

From the New York Times bestselling author of The Family Business crime series comes the next installment in his provocative legal thriller series about the Hudson family, owners of a powerful law firm in Harlem. Singing sensation Savannah Kirby has won thirteen Grammys and married the man of her dreams, superstar rapper/actor Kyle Kirby. Together they are of one of the most dynamic and powerful couples in entertainment--until Kyle is found murdered and Savannah is arrested for the crime. Things don't look good for the singer when she can't keep her stories straight and her bloody fingerprints are found on the murder weapon. Even with famed attorney Bradley Hudson and his family of lawyers handling her case, it looks like Savannah is headed to jail. However, this isn't Bradley's first rodeo, and he's always got an ace up his sleeve.