M.E. Clayton

What happens when all your dreams finally come true? You go out and chase one last dream. Sebastian It wasn't always easy to stay positive, something that Sebastian Havoc struggled with. Having been raised by two parents that couldn't have cared less about him, his easygoing personality was a result of years of neglect. Nevertheless, he'd gotten through his childhood with his four best friends at his side, and after a lot of hard work and constant prayers, he had come out the other end better for it. Ten years later, Sebastian is a phenom in the MLB, being one of the best catchers in the league. His childhood nightmares now a thing of the past, he was living a life that others would kill for. He was no longer that little boy from Hammond, Illinois, wondering if there was a better life out there. His life was full of nothing but blessings, though he still had one more dream that he was chasing. Nova It wasn't always easy to stay positive, something that Nova Knight knew well. Though she'd been raised in abject poverty, her brother had always done his best to take care of her, despite being only one year older than her. She'd also been lucky enough to have grown up with more than just her brother at her side. As far as she was concerned, she had five brothers, and she loved them all dearly. Ten years later, Nova is the director of ỖSTAR, a charity organization founded by her brother and his friends, and she couldn't be happier. The organization made a difference in children's lives, and that's all that she could ever ask for. Yeah, it took up a lot of her time, but having been one of those children herself once, she wasn't confused about her priorities, something that all the guys supported. When friendship is no longer enough... After years of doing the right thing, Sebastian has to finally make a decision regarding his life, despite the possibility of a Pandora's Box happening. Nevertheless, having been in love with Nova Knight for almost fifteen years, he knew that it was time to let her know how he felt or finally move on. With her brother's permission and the deal of the century, he no longer has an excuse to keep quiet. After years of doing the right thing, Nova doesn't know how not to do the decent thing. Because her family was so famous, she was just as well-known, so she did her best to always present herself in the best light. So, as a result, her love life suffered greatly, her little crush on Sebastian Havoc something that she tried really hard to forget, though it was hard when the man was sexy as sin. When the truth finally comes out, it seems like everything couldn't be more perfect. However, jealousy and hate quickly rear their ugly heads, threatening to ruin everything that they hold dear. After all, it's not just their relationship that is threatened. Placed in a position where family will have to pick sides, there's more at risk than just your normal heartbreak. Note: This book contains adult situations, adult language, sexually explicit encounters, mention of abuse, mention of child abuse, and threats of violence. If sensitive to any of the aforementioned issues, please do not purchase.

Ghosts of the Past

Avgust Kotov was the Pakhan of the Russian Bratva, and his position was solidified as one of the deadliest men around. Still, Samara Andreev is the one weakness that he can't afford to have.

Samara Andreev's life was an uneventful one, and she preferred it that way since it was just her and her sister. Still, when Avgust Kotov reappears in her life, nothing will ever be the same again.

Demons of the Future

Maksim Barychev was an enforcer for the Russian Bratva, and he was as intelligent as he was lethal, his name legendary. So, used to getting his way, he's thrown for a loop when he meets Katja Volkov.

Katja Volkov's life is a complicated one, and when left with little to no choice, she does what she has to. So, when she meets Maksim Barychev, she's only doing what she has to do in order to survive.

Note: This book contains adult situations, adult language, sexually explicit encounters, violence, sexual assault, degradation, domestic violence, guns, graphic violence, mention of drugs and prostitution, sexual assault, murder, and cheating (not of main characters). If sensitive to any of the aforementioned issues, please do not purchase.

Facing the Enemy
Ramsey Reed feared no man. At only eighteen-years-old, the entire town danced to his malicious tune. So, when the new girl dares to defy his rules, he soon realizes that he's not the only who fears nothing.

Emerson Andrews has suffered greatly, from her father's emotional and physical abuse to the death of her mother by the hands of that same man. So, an elite prep school of the one percent? No sweat.

Engaging the Enemy
Roselyn Bell's new stepfather comes from a world of wealth. However, along with that money comes a loneliness that she had never expected, even if her nights are being occupied by two of Windsor's elite.

Liam McCellan's life is filled with more money and power than any one person needs. However, none of it compares to the sexy spitfire that unexpectedly lands in his bed and steals his heart.

Battling the Enemy
Deke Marlow's a sleeping lion that no one in their right mind wants to awaken. He's part of the top of the food chain in Sands Cove and anything is his for the taking, and what he wants is Delaney Martin.

Delaney Martin's a book nerd with one friend, an arranged marriage, and NO drama in her life. Life is pretty fantastic until she gets caught in Deke Marlow's crosshairs and becomes his newest game to play.

Provoking the Enemy
Ava Hill cares about only one person in her life, and that's her best friend. Her non-judgmental friend allows Ava to be as wild as they come. That is, until Ace McIntire shows up and changes the game.

Ace McIntire would rather be anywhere in the world than Sands Cove, but his options are limited. He already plans on being miserable for the entire summer, but what he hadn't counted on was Ava Hill.

Loving the Enemy
Ramsey Reed has been married and in love with his wife for twenty years. Unapologetically, he had drugged her to the courthouse right after graduating from high school and had married her.

Twenty years later, life, work, children, friends...none of it has made a dent in Ramsey's need for Emerson, and it's time she finally got the wedding she deserved.

NOTE: This book contains adult language, adult situations, explicit sexual encounters, violence, sexual assault, domestic violence, drug use, and sexual abuse. If sensitive to any of the aforementioned issues, please do not purchase.

What happens when all your dreams finally come true?

You remember that dreams don't come true for everyone.

Atlas
Things could always be worse, and that was a mantra that had gotten Atlas Braylon through his rough childhood. His parents had been abusive, and though he had the mental, emotional, and physical scars to prove it, he didn't have any sexual scars, so...yeah, things could always be a lot worse. However, thanks to his four best friends, he'd gotten free, and thank God for that miracle.

Ten years later, Atlas was a goalie in the NHL, and he was one of the best in the league. His stats were impressive as hell, his talent undeniable, and even though he'd rather pull his teeth out with rusty pliers than do post-game interviews, he knew how blessed he was to have the life that he had. There was also the fact that The Loyal Five were just as close as ever still, something that he valued greatly.

Waverly
Things could always be worse, and that was something that Waverly Stewart had always believed. Though she'd been raised by the best parents that a girl could ever have, her father's job as a police officer had taught her to be grateful for all that she'd been afforded growing up. She'd also been fortunate enough that her parents hadn't been the suffocating kind, that a blessing in itself.

Ten years later, Lux worked as a restaurant manager, and though not glamorous by any stretch of the imagination, she lived a life where all her choices were her own. Ready to see the world, her parents hadn't held her back from experiencing what was out there, and she wasn't afraid to pack up and leave when her feet began to feel restless beneath her. After all, life was the greatest adventure of all.

When your entire world changes in a blink of an eye...
When a night of celebrating turns into a public disaster, Atlas does his best to keep things from getting out of control, especially since his team is in the playoffs and can't afford to screw up. However, all his efforts are thwarted when Waverly Stewart and her fiery temper decide to go head-to-head with a hockey-obsessed town and the ice gods that rule everything around them.

When a night of celebrating turns into a public disaster, Waverly does her best to stick to her convictions, especially since she'd done the right thing to begin with. However, her righteousness ends up costing her more than she had bargained for, and even the gorgeousness of Atlas Braylon isn't enough for her to put down her shield and sword. After all, her parents hadn't raised her to be a wallflower.

Embroiled in a public spectacle that even the most popular reality television show would envy, there are no shortage of fireworks whenever they come across one another, and neither is willing to backdown, regardless of their audiences. Nevertheless, there's no denying that those fireworks aren't always the angry kind, and all that does is just make things worse.

Note: This book contains adult situations, adult language, sexually explicit encounters, mention of abuse, mention of child abuse, and bullying/cruelness. If sensitive to any of the aforementioned issues, please do not purchase.

What do you get when someone forgets just who it is that you are?

A dare that's issued just to see what you're made of.

Delaney
Delaney McIntire Jr. had no complaints in life. Her family was wealthy, powerful, ruthless, and untouchable. Having eight brothers, she'd been taught early on how to take care of herself, so she didn't fear much. Smart, cunning, strong, and beautiful, Delaney made her own rules, and God help anyone who was stupid enough to think otherwise.

Close to graduation, there's nothing stopping Delaney from the next phase of her life, and she's looking forward to it. However, things change when she finds herself in the middle of a serious situation that she can't just overlook. While she isn't the most noble person around, she still has her own code of honor, and she isn't afraid to stand up for what she believes in.

She most definitely isn't afraid of him.

Kadon
Kadon Sharpe had no complaints in life. Born and bred into a life of riches, privileges, and luxuries, he has always had everything that he's ever needed or wanted. Even though his parents weren't the best around and his only brother was a jackass, Kadon still wasn't the worst that Regal Academy had to offer, though he could be considered close enough.

Close to graduation, there's nothing stopping Kadon from forgetting all about Regal Academy, and there's really nothing worth remembering about it. Then, one night, all that changes when Kadon finds himself in the middle of a situation that he should have known enough to avoid. With no choice but to see things to the end, he isn't about to back down now.

There's no way that he can back down from her.

When an unexpected situation begins to feel more like a dare...
After seeing the bigger picture, Delaney realizes there's more to Kadon Sharpe than she's ever given him credit for, and it puts everyone on edge. Still, Delaney's never been one to shy away from what needs to be done; something her family taught her well.

After seeing the bigger picture, Kadon realizes that he's way in over his head where Delaney McIntire Jr. is concerned, but he isn't in a hurry to save himself just yet. Though he's not blind to the obstacles that are sure to stand in his way, he's also not a coward.

Even though Delaney knows that Kadon is an uphill battle, and Kadon knows that Delaney is his worst idea ever, there's still something there that's worth exploring. However, being the first girl in the family to finally feel serious about a guy, those eight brothers of hers aren't so sure how they feel about it.

NOTE: This book contains adult language, adult situations, explicit sexual encounters, violence, drug use, drugging, and delicate topics of sexual abuse. If sensitive to any of the aforementioned issues, please do not purchase.

I'd done the unthinkable...

I cheated on my wife.

I cheated on my wife, and there was no undoing what'd been done. Life didn't have do-overs, and even if it did, this level of betrayal wouldn't fall into that category. I also didn't care that tainted marriage vows seemed to be the norm these days; I hadn't ever wanted to be that couple.

I hadn't ever wanted to be that husband.

Nevertheless, my good intentions meant nothing now. I had vowed to love and cherish my wife forever, and I'd fallen short of those promises. Not only had I not cherished her, but I had also allowed myself to fall out of love with her, making matters worse.

After five years of marriage, I stood in the rubble of all my bad decisions, and I knew that I deserved to be standing here. In the wishful fairytale that had been our marriage, I'd gone from the prince to the villain in my wife's love story, and the only thing left to do now was to make our divorce as easy as possible for her. I had no desire to hurt her any further, even if that meant that I'd be left with nothing.

Yet, despite my genuine regret, this isn't a story of how I redeemed myself in her eyes, begging her for forgiveness. This isn't a story of how she forgave me, allowing us to still have a happily-ever-after. This isn't a story of how love prevailed, or how I had learned my lesson through love and loss.

This isn't a story of redemption.

Yeah, this story isn't anything like that.

This story is one of what happens when you betray someone that you realize you never really knew. This story is one of a woman scorned and the repercussions that you never saw coming.

This story is a warning, one that I wished someone would have shared with me sooner.

NOTE: This book contains adult language, adult situations, and explicit sexual encounters. If sensitive to any of the aforementioned issues, please do not purchase.

What's worse than losing the only family that you've ever had?

Finding yourself in the crosshairs of the Irish Mob.

Declan

As the eldest son in a traditional Irish family, Declan O'Brien understood responsibility more than most. Not only did he have four younger brothers, but he was also the head of the O'Brien Crime Syndicate, a position that he'd taken over from his father at a very young age. Though reputed to be reasonable and methodical, only a fool would mistake him for being anything other than ruthless.

Comfortable in the life that he's carved out for himself, Declan has little to complain about, though his mother would disagree since he's still unmarried. However, with the kind of life that he leads, a wife is the least of his concerns. Of course, that all changes when a couple of his men wind up dead, and the truth is just too farfetched to imagine, much less deal with.

Keavy

As the only child of a man that'd been too pure for this world, Keavy Collins understood loyalty and unconditional love more than most people ever could. Though people would call her upbringing unconventional and even a bit strange, she wouldn't change her childhood for anything in the world. After all, she wouldn't be the person that she was today if not for that unconventional upbringing.

Comfortable in the life that she lives, Keavy isn't bothered by her solitary existence or the fact that she lives alone and has no real friends. Unlike most people, solitude brought a certain level of peace to her life, and she also wasn't the type of person that was afraid to be alone. Of course, that all changes when the wrong man asks her to go home with him and she says yes.

When you realize that some secrets can be deadly...

Once Declan finds out who is responsible for the new mayhem in his life, nothing stops him from learning all that he can about Keavy Collins. Though everything about her is a bad idea, she's like a puzzle that needs to be figured out, especially as more bodies start piling up.

Once Keavy realizes that there's no escaping the enemy, she's left with little choice but to go up against Declan O'Brien with everything that she has. Though she knows exactly who he is and what he's capable of, she'd been raised to fear no man, including the boss of the Irish Mob.

As Declan does his best to keep Keavy from killing him, and while Keavy does her best to keep Declan from capturing her, there's another enemy in the wind, and the stakes are raised when no one is sure who the intended target is anymore.

Note: This book contains adult situations, adult language, sexually explicit encounters, violence, guns, graphic violence, kidnapping, mention of drugs and prostitution, and murder. If sensitive to any of the aforementioned issues, please do not purchase.

What happens when all your dreams finally come true?

You do everything that you can to protect them.

Titan
Though life was harder than it needed to be for lots of children, Titan Miller hadn't let the circumstances of his childhood pull him under. Though his parents had been neglectful and abusive, he'd found salvation in the bond that he'd shared with his four best friends and the little sister that he'd never had. He had learned a lot of hard lessons in life, but he'd also learned what it meant to be loyal.

Ten years later, Titan was arguably the best forward in the MLS, and he also had a reputation for loving the ladies. Though his reputation was that of an out-of-control playboy, Titan wasn't stupid when it came to his fame, money, or talent. Determined never to be that poor, neglected, abused boy from his childhood again, he took life a lot more seriously than people gave him credit for.

Lux
Though life was harder than it needed to be for lots of children, Lux Leland hadn't had that problem growing up. Raised by great parents, the world had been her oyster, and she knew enough to be grateful for the family that she'd been born into. While hard work made a big difference, so did the support and dedication of your loved ones, and Lux had that in spades.

Ten years later, Lux worked in public relations, and she had no one to blame but herself. As a fan of taking on life's challenges, public relations had seemed like the ideal career move to ensure that she'd never get bored. However, it hadn't taken long for her to realize that public relations when dealing with celebrities was akin to the Ninth Circle of Hell. Still, she knew nothing else, so public relations it was.

When it's time to stop being afraid...
Having given his word, Titan has no problem keeping it in his pants, though the world still thinks otherwise. However, when lies about him start being splashed all over social media and the sports networks, he has no choice but to do something about it. Prepared to defend his good name, what he's not prepared for is Lux Leland, and just like that, things get a lot more complicated.

Having given her word, Lux has no problem doing her job to the best of her ability. Her work ethic is above reproach, and she's considered one of the best at her firm, something that she takes very seriously. However, when she gets assigned to Titan Miller and the mess that he's found himself in, she learns the hard way that not all men are the same, especially the soccer god she's now babysitting.

While the plan had been to say as little as possible against the false accusations circulating the media, a new plan is devised on live television, and it includes a fake relationship that is supposed to remain fake. As their phony relationship starts to become more personal between the two, being in the public eye invites more drama, and where there's smoke, there's usually a hot-as-fire soccer star to go with it.

Note: This book contains adult situations, adult language, sexually explicit encounters, mention of abuse, mention of child abuse, and social media toxicity. If sensitive to any of the aforementioned issues, please do not purchase.

Enticing the Enemy
Neo McCellan wasn't used to people getting up in his face. With a ruthless reputation preceding him, most people knew better. Nevertheless, he wasn't one to pass up an enticing challenge, either.

Seneca Cabot wasn't stupid. Granted, some people would argue that claim after what she'd done, but she'd always been a fighter. Nevertheless, this is one time when she might be in over her head.

Taunting the Enemy
Zane Marlow was a fighter, and he made no bones about it. He was also wealthy, powerful, and merciless, so not many people messed with him. Always eager to pick up the gauntlet, he does just that.

Scarlett Kramer wasn't afraid to stand up for herself. Very aware that the world wasn't fair, if she didn't fight the good fight, then who would? Always willing to go into battle, she eagerly does just that.

Silencing the Enemy
Gideon McCellan made his own rules, always had. Never caring what anyone else said about him, it was only a problem if they said it to his face. When one female does just that, it's game on after that.

Piper Marshall lived by the rules, she had no choice. With too much responsibility on her shoulders, she didn't have time to entertain jackholes. When one man just won't go away, it's a fight to the finish.

Controlling the Enemy
Maggie McIntire knows her worth, and so does everyone else. With a reputation for violence and more money than God, the girl worries about little. It also takes more than a gorgeous face to impress her.

Logan Masters isn't afraid of going after what he wants. Good-looking, rich, smart, and athletic, making friends isn't a hard thing to do. It also takes more than eight brothers to scare him off from his goal.

Playing the Enemy
Lennon Marlow was a psychopath, and everybody knew it. Her reputation was a formidable one, and she came by it honestly. Still, not everyone sees the red flags for what they really are-a warning.

Camden Prince wasn't a follower, and he never would be. Determined to make his own way, he doesn't care what it takes to succeed. Still, for the first time in his life, a psychopath is standing in his way.

NOTE: This book contains adult language, adult situations, explicit sexual encounters, explicit violence, sexual impropriety, mention of sexual assault, drug use, rape, sexual assault, and contains a very explicit scene of torture. If sensitive to any of the aforementioned issues, please do not purchase.

What do you get when people don't really believe what you're capable of?

A dangerous challenge that you look forward to playing.

Lennon
Lennon Marlow could be called a lot of things, compassionate and understanding nowhere close to being on that list. As the youngest of all her siblings, she was a brutal combination of everyone in her family, and she was proud of it. Stunningly beautiful, wealthy, powerful, ruthless, and unapologetic, Lennon's tongue has flayed many people alive, and she just didn't understand why they never learned.

A freshman at Blaineview College, she's excited to start on her next chapter in life, but all of that's interrupted when the unthinkable happens, and all because she had chosen to help someone. With the will of a queen, the fearlessness of a warrior, and the heart of a demon, Lennon holds nothing back as she reveals what really lies beneath her stunning beauty.

She shows him exactly what she is underneath.

Camden
Camden Prince could be called a lot of things, cowardly and weak nowhere close to being on that list. Though people believed that he'd been raised in money and privilege, his family was good at keeping up pretenses, leaving him somewhere in the realm of being rich and poor. Still, Camden isn't afraid of hard work, and he's definitely not one to waste an opportunity when it came his way.

A freshman at Blainview College, he's excited to finally have an opportunity to get out from under his parents' thumb, but everything changes when an avenging angel comes to his rescue, though the last thing that he needs is to be rescued by a female. Still, there's no denying that he's now indebted to his savior, and he knows enough to know that no one would want to be indebted to this girl.

He definitely does not want to owe her.

When a no-good deed situation goes violently unpunished, the fallout is catastrophic...
Satisfied with having done the right thing, Lennon is more than prepared to forget all about imaginary debts, but Camden Prince keeps popping up in her life, refusing to let her forget about him. Eager to see what Camden is made of, Lennon has no problem inviting him into her lions' den.

Satisfied with having done the right thing, Camden is more than eager to find out what makes Lennon Marlow tick, even though it might bring the wrath of her eight brothers down on his head. Still, there's no denying that the beautiful girl is worth whatever beatings might come his way.

Just as everything clicks into place, Lennon and Camden are placed in a tragic situation where they'll be forced to face off against one another, and only one of them can win. As they square off, the fact that Lennon lacks a conscience gives her the upper hand, Camden having no idea what he's dealing with.

NOTE: This book contains no cheating, adult language, adult situations, explicit sexual encounters, explicit violence, drug use, rape, sexual assault, and contains a very explicit scene of torture. If sensitive to any of the aforementioned issues, please do not purchase.

What do you get when you have the power and freedom to do whatever you wish?

A psychopath who has no conscience where others are concerned.

Ramsey
Ramsey Reed wasn't blinded by money, power, or social standing, even though he had all three of those things in spades. He knew people with money were just as degenerate as people without it. The wealthy were just able to pay people to look the other way while the poor could not. At only eighteen-years-old, he was already sick and tired of the pretentious pricks around him and all their nonsense.

With his senior year at Windsor Academy underway, Ramsey finds himself bored out of his mind most days. Surrounded by sheep-albeit rich, beautiful, privileged sheep-he finds himself not being entertained by his pawns much these days. However, that all changes the weekend before school begins, when he's at a party and comes face-to-face with a wolf instead of another sheep.

A wolf with sharp teeth, at that.

Emerson

Emerson Andrews was no stranger to the darker side of life. Growing up in an abusive household, she had endured a life of violence that ultimately led to the death of her mother. However, she was only a couple of weeks away from turning eighteen, so she had it covered. At least, she thought she had until her guilt-ridden aunt came to take her in and move her to Sands Cove.

With no choice but to finish out her senior year at Windsor freakin' Academy, Emerson finds herself a long way from the trailer park she used to call home. Surrounded by opulence where money is worshipped like a deity, it's no secret that she doesn't belong. When she's invited to her first Sands Cove party, that fact is made abundantly clear when she meets Windsor Academy's reigning king.

A king with no idea who he's dealing with.

When there can only be one victor in the battle of survival...
After meeting Emerson Andrews and her vicious tongue, Ramsey knows he'll never be the same again. Determined to make her come to heel, Ramsey goes after her with everything he has, only to learn the hard way that it's still not enough. He learns the hard way that Emerson Andrews is no one's sheep.

After meeting Ramsey Reed and his sinister personality, Emerson knows she'll never be safe again. Determined to resist the unhealthy attraction that she has for him, she does her best to avoid him at all costs. She learns the hard way that her best isn't good enough with it comes to Ramsey Reed, though.

Even though Ramsey knows that Emerson is a danger to his sanity, and Emerson knows that Ramsey will do nothing but destroy her, their connection sparks a battle of the wills so formidable that neither one can simply walk away. If they're going to burn, they'll burn together.

NOTE: This book contains adult language, adult situations, explicit sexual encounters, violence, sexual assault, and domestic violence. If sensitive to any of the aforementioned issues, please do not purchase.

What do you get when you have the hots for a sexy accountant?

A whole lot of self-doubt.

Gypsy Banks

In a world full of ugly, Gypsy Banks does her best to remain kind and giving in any situation. Raised by the best parents ever, she'd been taught to believe in good, and she'd also been taught to understand that everyone had a story, many of them unhappy ones. So, despite overhearing her ex-boyfriend describe her as weird, she has enough dignity to move past it with grace.

All in all, even though her love life sucks, Gypsy has bigger fish to fry. Though her shop is a successful one, she's horrible when it comes to keeping the books, and the IRS doesn't care about her quest to make the world a better place. All they care about is their money, so left with little choice, she accepts a stranger's offer and can only pray that it's enough to keep the wolves at bay.

Roark Storm

In a world full of ugly, Roark Storm does his best to smoke it away, though cigarettes aren't the answer to everything. Granted, he had great parents, a loyal brother, and a best friend that he'd give his life for, but with lives of their own, they weren't always available to talk him off the ledge. There was also the fact that his love life was non-existent, something that he didn't have time to remedy anyway.

All in all, even though he couldn't recall the last time that he'd gone on a date, Roark had bigger issues to deal with. Being the sweetheart that she is, his best friend promises his professional services to a complete stranger, and he has no choice but to honor the offer. After all, his accounting firm was one of the most successful in the state, so if anyone could help, it was him.

When you finally understand the expression 'opposites attract'…

When Roark Storm shows up to help Gypsy sort out her shop's accounting mess, she all but swallows her tongue when they first meet. Though he's there just to help her with her finances and get her books in order, she can't help but wonder what else the man is good at.

When Gypsy Banks shows Roark her office, his left eye begins to twitch, and even her beautiful face and smokin' body aren't enough to keep him from pulling out his cigarettes at the six-year financial mess that she's got going on. However, things quickly change the more that he gets to know her.

Now, while Roark and Gypsy have nothing in common, that doesn't seem to affect the chemistry that's so obviously brewing between the two. Though things start out strong, old ghosts come back to interfere with what could be, and luckily-or unluckily-for Gypsy, Roark's not made to give up easily.

NOTE: This book contains adult language, adult situations, explicit sexual encounters, violence, a douchebag ex-boyfriend, a person that sells happiness for a living, and a freight-train-smoking sexy CPA. If sensitive to any of the aforementioned issues, please do not purchase.