But that's exactly what she finds when she returns from being out of town. Worse, the bear has been deliberately trapped by the shop's owner, Will Parker.Will is starting a new life in the town of Reindeer Ridge. His shop, The Big Bear, sells novelty items while also providing guests the chance to see a live bear kept humanely upstairs. Unfortunately, the shop owner across the way seems to be determined to have his shop closed down.But Annaliese soon begins to realize that Will isn’t the bad guy she wants to make him out to be. As their feelings for each other start to grow, they both begin to realize the importance of compromise.This book was previously included in the December 2020 anthology, Small-Town Christmas. The rest of the series was not part of that anthology.The Reindeer Ridge series is a sweet, clean contemporary Christmas series filled with swoon-worthy heroes and a small-town setting.

    

     Avion has the weight of the world on her shoulders. Everyone relies on her to hold it together and keep the family moving. But when she seeks a much-needed break, she finds herself stumbling into something that isn't easy for her to get out of. Samson has the world at his fingertips and isn't looking for a soul to share it with. When his best friend drags him out for a night of relaxation, he spots his forever. But when Avion runs off to return to her reality he stops at nothing to find her. Relinquishing themselves to love is easy, staying in love is the hard part. Can Avion and Samson climb the mountain and let love have the final say so, or will they falter and give up on everything love has to offer? Find out in Because Love Said So.

    Young, widowed Clare Byrne, is escaping the famine in Ireland. On the coffin ship from Dublin, in the final hours of the journey to England, Clare goes into labour. Weakened and alone, the young, beleaguered mother gives birth near the quayside. Unable to look after the newborn, the child is bought for a single shilling by a curious gentleman, the industrialist Samuel Hudson. What will happen to the young girl? What plans does Mr Hudson have for her? Will the child thrive, or merely survive? Also by Emma Hardwick ----------------------------------- The Urchin of Walton Hall

    She’s in a serious relationship, her real-estate career is soaring, and she has a family who loved her. When she realizes her relationship was less than she wants, she isn’t sure how to handle things. After the death of her parents, she and her sisters decide to convert the lake house—a place filled with so many cherished childhood memories—into a bed and breakfast. As she becomes reacquainted with the town and all the people there, her dreams shift. With her sisters at her side, she forges her way into a new enterprise, rediscovering the woman she’d lost all those years ago—and finds love in the most unexpected place. Come and visit the Romriell sisters at Bear Lake and see how their beautiful B&B becomes the heart of their family.

    A few IPAs. Maybe some hummus.That was all until a careless mistake sent me hurtling into another dimension. I don't understand everything just yet. With elves, trolls, and some sort of ultimate bad-ass called the Lich King running around, how could I?But, what I do understand is this: I have a job to do.Because for the first time in a long time, people depend on me.And my actions could mean the difference between life and death not just for me, but for all of Zamina.Warning: This novel contains strong harem themes. If you're not a fan of elven warrior girls, orcs, sexy pirates, duels, sorcery, and arcane lore, well buddy, this ain't the book for you.Proceed at your own risk.

    If you like a good fixer-upper, fresh donuts and solid storytelling, jump on the ferry and make your way over to Sweetwater Island! After several stressful years, Virginia’s self-esteem is shot. So when she inherits her beloved Aunt’s house in the quaint, neighboring island town of Sweetwater, her longtime boyfriend Jason convinces her to sell it so that they can pocket the money. The only catch is, there are substantial fixes that need to be made before she can sell it. Fueled by HGTV shows, they decide that the house can be fixed up and flipped. On a recommendation, she hires Tristan, a cute, funny, church-going contractor, with a good heart and a dark secret. As Virginia puts more and more time into fixing up the old house, she rekindles her love of art and interior design, she reflects on all the wonderful times she had in the house growing up, and she spends time getting to re-know herself, and her new friend Tristan. Through their combined strengths, they renovate the old home into something gorgeous, and along the way they find that sometimes the most unsuspectingly beautiful things can be uncovered with a little sweat, proper attention, and some TLC. AUTHOR’S NOTE: This is a 42,000-word stand-alone story with an HEA ending! Story is a clean romance with no offensive language. I love this story so much, and I truly hope you enjoy it!

    When her friend, Melora, informs her of a work opportunity at the estate of a nobleman, Lavender sees this as a chance to finally move forward. She might be hired as a simple servant, but her father's legacy of medical knowledge is still within her. Therefore, when the Marquess needs her, she is willing to offer her help and ends up nursing his broken heart too... As their special connection starts growing, Lavender realises he might be her one true soulmate. With her heart beating faster whenever they are together, could this be the beginning of a powerful love?The Marquess Ronan Beckman has found himself injured in the midst of a robbery. He is therefore in desperate need of a maid who can offer medical support as well. When he meets the charming Miss Philips, he sees that there is something so unique about her, that it makes him abandon his usual arrogance and selfishness. However, when Lady Foster, a woman that had always been after Ronan's title, sees that he is recovering, she places herself back in his life. Unfortunately, Lady Foster also soon realises that Lavender is somewhat of a threat to the future she wants for herself and Ronan. Will Ronan manage to make the right choice and realise that Lavender is everything he's been looking for his entire life?As Ronan and Lavender grow significantly closer, it is Lady Foster who continues to come between them. As if this wasn't enough, when a sudden illness strikes, they must decide just how much they trust and love each other. Determined to win this battle, they will fiercely fight for their love until the end. Will the power of their feelings manage to conquer the threat of death and romantic antagonists? Or will the wounds of the past tear their blooming love apart?

    However, things turn dangerously complicated when she meets the lavish Philip, and she soon finds herself unable to resist him, and the fierce desire that burns between them. How long can she hide herself from her fiancé and her father, who are both desperately looking for her? When her secret is revealed, will this growing romance be doomed forever?Philip Hoskins, the Duke of Bambury, is a man with a tarnished past. No apologies, no excuses. Philip knows that he must marry soon and he must marry well, but fate may have other plans for him. Even though he believes marriage is nothing but a business arrangement, when he meets the gorgeous Emma, his world instantly turns upside down. But he quickly realises that, even though they might be a match made in heaven, her public outbursts, her wild temper and the rumours that she's run away from her fiancé, are enough to destroy every possibility of having a happily ever after. Will he take all of his courage to face a peril that could destroy everything he has ever achieved in the name of all- consuming love?In the midst of their passionate love affair, Emma struggles with telling the truth of who she is. As her life of deception grows ever more tangled, and her feelings for Philip ever deeper, Charles Gregory, her fiancé, the most dangerous man she's ever known, is coming for her. He'll do whatever it takes to possess her and make her pay, for what she has done to him... Will she manage to run away from him once again, and find happiness in a dashing Duke's arms? After all, with such a difficult beginning, can Emma and Philip ever hope to trust one another, let alone find everlasting love?"Temptations of a Mysterious Lady" is a historical romance novel of approximately 80,000 words. No cheating, no cliffhangers, and a guaranteed happily ever after.

    Mine begins with an underground cage fight and ends in a secret identity.By day I'm Willow Nguyen, not so mild-mannered teenager searching for her missing mother. By night...okay, I'm the same, but it's easier to break into banks under cover of darkness.My world is divided into the Academy and the Kings: the law and the thugs. At the centre of their power are the espers like me: the telepaths, psychics and illusionists.What I can do could change the balance of power in Melbourne. So it makes sense for me to keep a low profile. It's not my fault that I get drawn into an illegal cage fight. Yes, I did have to become a psychotic King's nemesis. No I won't stop fighting until one of us is dead.With great power comes great pain in the backside. I just have to make sure it hurts them more than me. Willow Nguyen might just be a girl, but Spectra will become a legend.Origin is the first novel in the Spectra Series. It is an Australian young adult urban fantasy series with slight Academy overtones. There are flavours of X-men and Dark Angel with a big helping of snark and a slow burn romance.

    But what if it all falls together? With their young lady’s impending nuptials approaching fast, the atmosphere at Canterley Manor couldn’t be more festive. Then one day, their happiness turns to ashes in their mouths... When her sister Grace inexplicably disappears, Lady Amelia Dowding will do anything to find her. Determined to honor her promise to her late mother, she takes matters into her hands. For Tristan Knight, Earl of Aylesbury, loving Amelia unrequitedly comes as natural as breathing. When it becomes apparent that she is in grave danger, he will stop at nothing to ensure her safety. Even if it means his own heartbreak. When their trail leads them to the wilderness of Scotland, an unexpected ally points them in the right direction: the key to Grace's abduction hides in the vaults of Canterley Manor. *If you like powerful Dukes, loving Duchesses and a marvelous depiction of the majestic Regency and Victorian era, then The Haunted Knight of Lady Canterley is the novel for you. This is Patricia Haverton's debut novel, a historical Regency romance novel of 80,000 words (around 400 pages). No cheating, no cliffhangers, and a sweet happily ever after. Pick up "The Haunted Knight of Lady Canterley" today to discover Patricia's captivating story!

    Then that cold winter came and wiped them all away, leaving her alone against a monster… until he comes, and he is not afraid of her thorns... After losing her family in a terrible accident, Gwendoline Hathaway becomes a servant in her cruel aunt’s home. All hope seems lost… until she sings at a masquerade, and her voice unlocks a destiny she never imagined possible. Arthur Ainsworth, the Marquess of Highvale, seeks to fulfil his ailing father’s final wish: to see him married. One night, he will be enchanted by the song of a mysterious, masked woman whose voice tugs curiously at his memory… Now, their hearts will have to sail through an ocean of secrets and lies, in order to find each other and regain what they have lost. But a thunderous enemy is determined to keep them apart at any cost, and entrap this White Rose in a glass case forever…

    Working as a private investigator, her latest case takes her and her partner to Palm Springs, where a shifter is being harassed by a local businessman. But with pack politics and rivalries, this is far more than a property deal gone bad.Far worse, for Lexi, is that her local contact is her long-time nemesis, the gay vampire detective Dick. If the case doesn’t kill her, working with him again might!Note: This book was previously released as part of the Legacy of the Shadow’s Blood.

    And he wants her.Successful, handsome and too damn charming for his own good—he's perfect.The only problem? Letting him in could destroy everything she knows and loves.Samantha Burke loves her quiet close-knit community of Cedar Springs, just the way it is thank you very much.The addition of an upscale new resort as well as its arrogant owner, Trent Harrison, and the change they're both sure to bring to town, is certainly not welcome. As far as Sam's concerned, Trent can turn right around and go back to where he came from.That is, until one very hot—and completely unexpected—kiss changes everything.Now Trent is pushing his way into her town, and her life and it's getting harder and harder for Sam to deny the heat between them.Change is inevitable, but can either of them drop their guard long enough to accept it when there's so much on the line? Including the chance for love?

    Her business has been steadily dwindling. Her relationship prospects, too. But, her sister, Anna, has an idea that just might change Mary’s luck. Unfortunately, their own sisterhood might be working against them. Worst of all, it’s all coming to a head during the holidays, making Mary feel lonelier than ever.Meanwhile, Kurt Cutler is living the high life in the tech world. Fresh on the heels of wild success in the uncharted world of cryptocurrency, he looks for a way to ensure his young company doesn’t lose its grip. When his right-hand woman suggests a get-away at her sister’s snowy mountain retreat, he jumps on the opportunity to unplug and unwind.If Mary’s sister, Anna, can back off, Mary has every chance of enjoying the magic of the holidays. But when Mary and Kurt have to choose between love and their own priorities, what will win?Find out if a wintry weekend can become more for people from two opposite worlds in Elizabeth Bromke’s cozy romance, Christmas on Maplewood Mountain.