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James J. Kaufman

In his award-winning debut novel, James J. Kaufman delivers a gripping and unforgettable story of two strong men from separate worlds—one touched by tragedy, the other by greed—brought together with unexpected results. In chronicling how their lives and those they touch are dramatically changed by their encounter, Kaufman reveals the power of relationships, the nature of love, and ultimately the meaning of life.

“Do what the other fella can’t. Be what the other fella ain’t. And then help the other fella.” Joe Hart has never let go of his uncle’s words. An orphan from the unspoiled Adirondack mountains, Joe leaves his humble beginnings and goes on to distinguish himself, first as a navy submarine commander, then as an attorney unequaled in his field. But Joe’s world crashes with an unexpected tragedy.

A child of wealth and privilege from New York’s Upper East Side, Preston Wilson harbors a fear of financial failure. When that fear threatens to become reality, Preston tracks down the one attorney who might be able to save him. Joe reluctantly decides to help—but only after extracting a promise that Preston will fulfill an unspecified condition when called upon. Preston, desperate, agrees.

Too soon, Joe calls in his unconventional IOU. The self-absorbed Preston balks when Joe tells him he must meet, earn the trust of, and care for several people. Each of Joe’s collectibles—none of whom Preston would ever want to know—has a serious personal challenge. Can Preston find the integrity to make good on his promise to Joe? Does he have a choice?

Joe Barrett

Blackstone Publishing

Collectibles Trilogy

The Collectibles

Katherine Kelly’s mentor says she has the makings of a good reporter, but to be great, she must learn to find the emotional core of a story and not hold back in its telling. Then he suggests one last graduate-school assignment: find someone who has influenced her family and tell that story.

 Katherine decides to pursue the only family story that has eluded her all her life: the identity of the father she never knew. Her mother, knowing her persistent daughter won’t stop until she gets the truth, breaks her years of silence and makes the call she always swore she would never make.

The reality of her father stands in stark contrast to the father of her dreams, and Katherine realizes she must decide for herself who her father really is: the guardian of a group of wounded souls he calls the Collectibles, the attentive father of a newly discovered daughter, the person of interest in a bank-fraud investigation, or a little of all three.

Blood is deeper than principle, or so she is told. And a great journalist follows a story wherever it leads. It’s Katherine’s call, and only she can make it.

The Concealers

It all started with a blind promise—now Preston Wilson faces a dilemma that will ultimately destroy him or define him.

In The Collectibles, book one of the Collectibles trilogy, James J. Kaufman delivers the gripping and unforgettable story of Joe Hart and Preston Wilson, two strong men from different worlds—one touched by tragedy, the other by greed—brought together by a promise that changes six lives forever.

In The Concealers, book two of the trilogy, Kaufman’s readers meet Katherine Kelly, a budding journalist driven to find the truth. As she investigates bank fraud in Long Island, she discovers the identity of her father, only to learn that he is being drawn into her investigation. Too soon, she learns the agony and price of the truth she seeks.

In The Conciliators, the conclusion of the Collectibles trilogy, Preston Wilson’s life is once again imploding—this time as headline news, bylined by Katherine Kelly. Under fire thanks to the financial shenanigans of a longtime friend, the CEO finds himself in trouble with the FBI, the Russian Mafia, and his creditors. If he doesn’t come up with a plan (and quickly) he could lose everything and find himself, his wife, and his shareholders in prison. Inspired by Joe Hart’s life lessons, Preston sets a new course, vowing to fight for what matters most: his family, his friends, and the Collectibles.

The Conciliators

Collectibles Trilogy - The book series

Collectibles Trilogy - The book series

Collectibles Trilogy books in order

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