It's change and how well you handle it which defines a person. Three times in my life, I have been faced with such changes. Once when I was fourteen. Again, at eighteen. And now again at twenty-eight. Twice, she was there. Ten years ago, I gave up everything, including her. At the time, it was the right thing to do, for both of our sakes. Walking away from her isn't what I wanted, it's what had to be done. Now, she's here. People like me don't always get second chances, this happens to be mine. That's if she'll have me. If she'll accept why I left and the fact, she'll always be second. You see, I have a secret. It could change everything when she learns the truth. She may be the one walking away this time. We're about to find out.

    He hides the darkness in his past, content to run an island adventure company in the Caribbean with members of his former SEAL team—until resort guest Emma Richardson targets him for a vacation fling. Her fresh innocence and insistence on seeing hero material in Dex where none exists makes him yearn to be the man she deserves. And that terrifies Dex more than any war zone he's ever faced, until he discovers Emma has demons of her own…

    Rebecca is in love too, although she prefers to think of it as being ‘in lust’. Oh, she wants him, badly in fact, but if it’s all the same to him she’ll just skip the church and rice bit and go straight to the blazing hot sex. Unfortunately for her, and for her sweet bottom, it isn’t all the same to him. Mason is a reasonable man most of the time, or at least that’s what he tells himself, but he is determined to change Rebecca’s mind about marriage by almost any means necessary. As his frustration level skyrockets he begins to realize he might be a little more traditional and a little less reasonable than he thought. He’s willing to give her something blazing hot alright, but until they tie the knot it won’t be blazing hot love she’ll get, it will be a blazing hot bottom.(Book Length: 12 chapters / 47,710 words)

    Gavin O’Leary. He made my high school days a nightmare. Not because he loved me. Not because he hated me. But because he had no idea who I was. He was the popular guy with the chiseled abs, dark tan and perfect hair. You know the type. The type that only dated the perfect-ten, cheerleader. I was the loner. The nerd who hated high school and couldn’t wait to say goodbye. And I did — to Freemont High and to Gavin. The last thing I expected was to see him again twelve years later. Yet here he is. Only this time — he notices me. This time — he kisses me. This time saying goodbye to Gavin O’Leary might destroy me. Novella introducing a brand new series. Instant lust that took twelve years to explore. Safe read with an Alpha who knows what he wants and goes after it — HARD.

    Living too many years loveless and abused has left him afraid to try to meet another woman, much less form a relationship. She's just too shy to even meet his eyes. In one instant left a childless widow, Nikki Wilkes couldn't imagine romance would ever be in her life again, much less passion and deep, never-ending love.Two mature adults sidestep each other for five years until fate brings them together in a sweet, passionate, erotic adventure of sexual exploration and self-discovery. A perfect mixture of Southern charm and hospitality and European sophistication, the tall Italian-American sweeps the funny, smart, kinky Kentucky girl off her feet and into his bed, and together the sparks they throw off ignite their world. The new home they build together draws them closer to his family and each other and into a new life filled with laughter and love, not to mention a big kitchen full of friends and fun as Nikki becomes the glue that holds the family together with her cooking, hugs, and mothering.But just as everything looks rosy, a secret-fueled mystery unfolds when an unknown threat attempts to ruin Tony's business and maybe even hurt him. As the criminal activity becomes more and more focused on destroying their happiness, it's obvious it's personal. And someone's going to get hurt - or worse. It's just a matter of time.Sex, humor, and secrets collide in this blistering start to the series to prove that they're not getting older - they're just getting started!Combo volume contains The Groundbreaking, a prequel that offers readers background on the nine main characters in the series.BONUS: Each book in the Love Under Construction series features the recipe of a dish mentioned in the books. It's like dessert meets drama!WARNING: Strong, graphic, kinky sexual scenes and graphic criminal violence. Not intended for readers under the age of 18.

    This edition is no longer available

    He also had the worst childhood I could imagine. All he needed was a chance and someone to love him. I gave him everything I could, but it wasn't enough.It took me a long time to accept that there was nothing else I could have done. That disappointment has followed me ever since. I built a career and a supportive network of friends, but kept love out of my life. I was on the rise and thought nothing could slow me down, until my greatest failure came back to haunt me. Jake came home, stronger and wiser. Whatever it was he needed to overcome his past, he'd found it. Somewhere, or with someone, else. I hated that it wasn't with me. His sudden reappearance has thrown my life into a tailspin. He's back to claim the life he wanted, to be the man he says I deserved, but I'm not the girl I used to be. Professionally I am powerful and moving up. Personally I'm broken and uncertain, but mainly...I'm angry. Falling in love with Jake was the easiest thing I'd ever done, losing him was the hardest, and giving him a second chance might just cost me everything.

    At least that's what she's told her sisters... But when Mason shows up at her best friend's wedding, talking sweet and looking even sweeter, Lark can't deny the man still gets to her in a major way.Mason Stewart was a messed up kid, but he's a man now, a man who knows what he wants and won't stop until he's convinced the only woman he's ever loved that they are meant to be. He persuades Lark to give him seven days to remind her why they belong together. At the week's end, Lark may tell him to get out of her life for good, but Mason's betting on true love for the win.But when old secrets come to light, Lark and Mason will find their rediscovered love tested, and happily ever after harder to hold on to than either of them wagered.Fans of Bella Andre, Kristan Higgins, and Susan Mallery will love the Always a Bridesmaid romance series, stories featuring sassy Southern women and the alpha males who love them.The complete Always A Bridesmaid series is available now!Book 1: Betting on YouBook 2: Keeping YouBook 3: Wild For YouBook 4: Catching You (A Summerville Short Story)Book 5: Taking You (A Summerville Novella)Jessie Evans gave up a career as an international woman of mystery to write the sexy, contemporary Southern romances she always wanted to read.A Southern girl, born and bred, Jessie loves writing Southern romances with just the right amount of sizzle, and hopes you'll enjoy her stories set in the fictional town of Summerville, Georgia. Especially the "Always a Bridesmaid" series!

    The bassist for a thriving rock band, complete with a world tour under their belts, Atlas has everything he’s ever dreamed of. Who knew getting everything you wanted would become… boring? After a chance encounter on a last minute solo trip to Las Vegas, he finds himself one of a select few men invited to dine in the dark with the hottest playmates of the past decade. Seeking a new diversion, he heads out for a mind-blowing night of debauchery in the city that invented the word. After years in the Vegas spotlight, Kayla Sanders is ready to hang up her sequins and stilettos, until she receives an invitation to one last epic gig. Unable to resist the opportunity to let her persona ‘Kincaid Summers’ go out with a bang, Kayla accepts the invitation, landing her in the lap of Atlas Reynolds--bassist of famous rock band, Banging Cade. When one last hurrah turns into a night of unbridled passion, Kay thinks she just might be the one to tame Atlas’ wild heart.But when the lights turn on, will Atlas want the real woman behind the façade?

    Her enemy is her passion, her passion is her enemy.Lindsey Paxton was once the number one defense attorney in New York. She fought for those who were innocent, but charged. Her instincts were her lifeline, never failing her, as they guided her in her choices of who to defend. Or so she thought. Until she won a case she would forever wish to have lost. Her client, an accused rapist, kills and rapes a woman only a day after being set free. Destroyed by her role in the woman's death, Lindsey blames her father's controlling ways for what she has become, and runs from her career and life. Years later - the past becomes the present . . . Her father has cancer, and Lindsey is forced to leave her career with the Washington branch of the FBI. She finds herself facing the responsibility of running her father's law firm with the reluctant help of hotshot attorney Mark Reeves, a man who sparks her temper while also managing to tempt her body, her mind, maybe even her heart. With his help she finds herself fighting the emotional battles of the past, tempted to trust both him and her instincts. Now, faced with a case inherited from her father so similar to her career-ending one, she now must decide if her instincts will lead her down the path to saving an innocent man or setting free another killer. But while she fights her own battles, someone watches, wanting from the past what he had failed to get the first time . . . Lindsey.NOTE: Previously released as Hidden Instincts. Title change to indicate prelude to the new TALL, DARK, AND DEADLY trilogy coming in late 2011. I wrote this in 2004 and it was published by a library publisher and is in hardback in many libraries. You will meet the first Walker Brother-- Royce

    He broke her heart to save his own.As an elite police diver tormented by her father's fatal drowning accident, Piper Harland is forced back to the one place she'd sworn never to return. Her tiny hometown on New Zealand’s isolated Stewart Island hasn’t much changed in the nine years she’s been gone. But she soon comes face to face with everything she ran from — grief, regret, and the scalding pain of a love lost.The one place Ryan "West" Westlake belongs is a hundred feet below Stewart Island’s dangerous waters with one breath of air and only a line to guide him to the surface. Down deep he can forget his mentor’s death. Down deep he can forget the one woman who seared his heart when she left. Only now she’s back, and as it turns out, he hasn’t forgotten a thing.Desire and tempers flare when West and Piper cross paths again. Can they face their past and be together? Two hearts. A second chance. Everything on the line...IN TOO DEEP is the first story in Tracey Alvarez's best-selling Stewart Island books set against the stunning backdrop of Aotearoa, New Zealand. If you like heartwarming, sexy and sweet small town romances with a touch of comedy, you'll love sharing the journey with these authentic men and women struggling to find their special someone.Intended for mature 18+ aged readers who enjoy their feel good romance on the steamier side.

    Now 10 years later, Lena's dreams are haunted by x-rated fantasies starring the sexy hunk who has since become lead guitarist for the wildly popular band, Cold Fusion.Alex's world is turned upside down...When Lena reenters his life, she rocks his whole world. He'll do whatever it takes to hold onto her.Together...Their passions explode beyond their most wicked imaginings. But is that enough to overcome the many obstacles standing in their way?Warning: This book is for mature audiences only! It contains very explicit descriptions of sex and sexual acts.

    His hold was firm.The next day, he vanished. After seven years, he’s back with a sexy smile, flirty eyes, and jacked muscles.Not that I care.Let him slather on the charm.I won’t give in to The Tillman Crush. Not this time. BRITT Sadie Holland. Beautiful. Smart.The untouchable girl next door.Growing up, I wanted her.To keep her at a safe distance, I was mean to her.Then, the accident happened.With my mom gone, my father turned to the bottle.So I left town the first chance I got.Now, I’m back and not just for Sadie.The other thing I want.Well, the girl I came back for might not like it.Still, I won’t stop until I get what I want.Not this time.

    Slowly, she started putting the pieces back together of her life. Knowing that she may never open herself up to love again. That was until the day Derek came into the picture.Why does this gorgeous stranger seem to care so much, so suddenly?Derek Jordan's charm drew her in with an instant connection, and familiarity that helps her feel at ease. Her heart is falling at his feet, but as their relationship grows, so does a secret from both of their pasts that neither saw coming. One by one, the threads slowly start to unravel.Can their newly sought love stand up against the secrets that life is unlocking to their pasts? Or can they decide together that moving forward and forgetting the past is the only option for them to find true happiness?**Intended for Mature Audiences**

    Addison Duval has a secret. A delicious, broad-shouldered, six-foot-three secret with hot eyes, rough hands and a rougher past. Charming, handsome, and off-limits, Chase Montgomery is the only man she’s wanted since her father lured him out of a back alley Louisville chop shop to take a job in their tiny town of Decadence Creek. After Chase finally takes her up on her old proposition that they spend a night together, will Addison let him risk everything so they can be together more than JUST ONE NIGHT? Caution: This 10,000-word short story contains explicit sex scenes and second chances.