She was promptly sent away by her philandering father, the colliery owner Robert Harvey, to become an educated and accomplished young woman - and to escape the beatings at the cruel hand of her vengeful stepmother, Hannah. As Bess finishes boarding school, a tragic accident strikes Robert Harvey, almost killing him, and the decline of the family's fortunes means Bess and her siblings must find spouses to provide for them. After a series of doomed arranged encounters with potential suitors, Bess's stepmother is forced to take drastic action against her to protect herself and her family. Who is the mystery fiancé Hannah Harvey has in mind? And how will Bess feel knowing the decision means she will never be free to marry her childhood sweetheart?

     Each Steamy, Sweet, Short Story has an alpha man, curvy woman, and a happily ever after.

    

    But her mother believes young women should do as they are told, and Nancy has to fight for every little freedom she enjoys. In desperation, she answers an advertisement in the Matrimonial Times, and begins corresponding with a man in the West. She decides to stake her entire life on him, in the hope that he is as perfect as his letters make him sound. Hudson Blake used to be a good man. His sister, Lucille, remembers him that way. But since tragedy struck their family he hasn’t been the same. Now the whole town avoids their General Store if they think he’s there. Lucille believes a bride from the East is exactly what Hudson needs. But he knows nothing about her plan. He knows nothing about the young woman who shows up at their Store. Experience life in the Old West with our two heroes, in the beautiful town of Lost Creek. Is their love a hopeless dream, or can it truly save Hudson’s life?

    He told her he would make her his wife and protect her. In her state of haze, she agreed.The stranger was her savior and she was thankful but was he really her husband? How did the handsome, charming man end up becoming Her Unexpected Husband?Note: This is a short and sweet romance with a happy ending.

    Buzz Central is The High Point of Beauty hair salon owned by Dixie Harper who happens to be the mother of Creighton’s ex sweetheart, Brandy. In order to forget Creighton, Brandy attended NYU, moved to Alaska, and then to Key West. Back in Gemini, Brandy’s cousin, Frangelico Reeves, and jet setter Fi Lipscomb are also faced with their own star crossed love affairs. As fate would have it, Brandy returns home to renovate her mother’s 1950’s era kitchen the same week as her ex-boyfriend Creighton’s engagement party at his family’s estate “Allegra”. The engagement party of the year is suddenly changed to the wedding of the year. The whole town is ensnared in the twists and tangles of old flames, late-night happenings at “Fran’s Booze and Bands” bar, and salon gossip. Throw in the president of the Magnolia Garden Club – Miss Evelyn Wellington, Bobbie Lee Whitt - “Miss Plains Peanut”, and “Lucky”, a homoSEKshul according to Miss Evelyn, who happens to be Gemini’s triple-threat cosmetologist, wedding director, and pageant coach, and you’ve got comedy, romance, suspense, and a southern novel to capture your heart. If you like the novels of Mary Kay Andrews, Jennifer Crusie, or Jill Connor Browne’s Sweet Potato Queens, you’ll love Going Home to Dixie!

     Young Nora is the heiress to the great champagne dynasty of the House of Tramont. Under the care of her kindly guardians, Gabrielle and Marc Auduron-Tramont, little Nora blossoms into a beautiful and confident woman. But like those family members who came before her, Nora will face challenges and heartbreak. The Last Heiress follow's Nora's journey from girl to woman as she lives through the excitement of the jazz age, the glamour of Coco Chanel's Paris, and the dangers of New York during the Prohibition. Nora will need the courage and determination typical of the women of the House of Tramont as she fights for all that she holds dear. Praise for Tessa Barclay: ‘Tessa Barclay always spins a fine yarn. Her novels are gripping and entertaining.’ Wendy Craig ‘Filled with fascinating historical detail and teeming with human passions.’ Marie Joseph ‘A red hot contender for the Romantic Novelist of the Year Award.’ Daily Mirror From the publishers of Hardacre and Hardacre’s Luck.

    

    A native of Houston, Texas, Zuriah now lives in Chicago and is in her third year of internship to become an anesthesiologist, and things are going perfect. Great loft, awesome career, and a doctor boyfriend, Zuriah has all she needs and falling for another man is not on her Christmas wish list. Jesiah Bowman is single and content with his lifestyle. He tries to be a family man but, when he finds out that the child he'd claimed isn't his, he has no desire to be in a committed relationship with anyone. Busy with work and maintaining his businesses is satisfying enough for Jesiah, until he sees his best friend Zachory’s baby sister, Zuriah, again after several years. Instantly, he is attracted to her and he doesn’t hesitate to let her know, but not only does she have a man, she lives in an entirely different state. They say love conquers all, but will that be enough to bring these two together, or will the distance and commitment to Zuriah’s doctor boyfriend be the reasons why these two lovers toss in the towel?

    

    With her parents traveling around the world, her break up from her long-time boyfriend along with her failing business, escaping from reality seemed impossible... until her best friend offered to take her home for Thanksgiving. Hesitant at first, Kendra eventually realizes that getting away from Virginia was something she desperately needed... until she locks eyes with a handsome beast that makes her world stop spinning and her honey instantly drip. DeAndre Yates is a southern gentleman with the beastly power to bend Kendra into submission. He knew from the moment he laid eyes on her that she was going to be his. Whether for one night or an eternity. Only having access to her for seven days, he makes sure to leave an imprint on her that's hard to be forgotten. So what will happen when impulse mixed with rare emotions causes the lines of lust and love to become blurry? Will Kendra and DeAndre be more than spine-tingling pleasure? Or will impulsive emotions morph into intentional love?

    All she's ever wanted was a man to call her own but when she meets and falls deeply in love with Tyriq she realizes it's easier said then done. What she thought was love, was nothing but lies, hurt and betrayal so she picks up the pieces to her heart, leaving Tyriq and taking a secret with her. On her journey to getting herself back together, she meets Jayden. Jayden becomes Caprice's confidant, lover and friend. They have nothing but love for each other but the only problem is Caprice is afraid of history repeating itself so now she has to decide if the fear of getting hurt again will cause her to become a savage and lose out one the love of her life or will she step out on faith and be happy again. Find out if love or fear conquers all in this new tale of love, lies and deceit.

    Pursued by a loan shark bent on retrieving gambling debts owed by her deadbeat ex-boyfriend, she finds the perfect hiding place at the remote Circle W Ranch in central Oregon. More at home with city life, cupcakes, and croissants than beef, beans, and bacon, she has to convince the ranch owner she’s up to the job of feeding his cowhands. Micah West’s ranch cook quit without notice. With his crew of hungry cowboys about to mutiny, he hires Cary on a temporary basis, just until he finds the right man to fill the job. But, maintaining a hands-off policy toward his sexy new cook becomes tougher than managing a herd of wild-eyed Herefords. Sweet Cowboy Kisses Kade Vaughn’s goal is to ride Swamp Fox. The rank bull has bucked him off twice and given him a severe concussion to boot. On a forced vacation at his friend’s ranch, he comes face to face with a temptress in a Cleopatra wig working in the local diner. She’s the girl he left behind, and who he’d give nearly anything to have back in his arms. To get through each day, Pansy Lark pretends to be famous, strong women who took what they wanted from life. Once a champion barrel racer with a bright future, and a cowboy she loved, she’s lost it all. When Kade walks back into her life, she must decide if real strength is in forgiveness. Cowboy’s Sweetheart Byron Garrett has discovered a passion for the land, his horses, and the cowboy way of life on the Circle W Ranch. Far from his controlling father’s demands, he found peace and created the lifestyle he always wanted. That life doesn’t include a woman--or the complications that come with love. After a long search, Vivi Beckett found home in the beautiful wilds of Oregon. With an inheritance left when she was orphaned, she plans to buy a studio and create her sculptures. Her dreams are put at risk when she discovers her inheritance is in jeopardy. To make matters worse, after meeting the quiet cowboy, Vivi suspects her art won’t be enough to bring her happiness. With Byron’s help, can she salvage her dreams and become a cowboy’s sweetheart? Do you love strong heroines and steadfast cowboys, you'll love the Sugar Coated Cowboys series. Join the men and women of the Circle W Ranch.

    Her parents refuse to talk about where she is, but Elizabeth is certain they know. When Elizabeth accidentally overhears a clue, she investigates and finds Kathryn. Elizabeth can help her sister, but only with the cooperation of Elizabeth's long-time beau Stephen. But Stephen refuses to help. Why? The answer only leads to heartache.Now reeling with uncertainty, Elizabeth seeks advice from her friend, Caleb Kurtz. But Caleb offers much more than just advice. Stunned by his generous heart, Elizabeth doesn't know what to do. Her response could lead her to a completely different life than what she'd always planned. Dare she take Caleb up on his offer?

    This storyline should be read after the third book, Shadow Guardian: An O’Brien Tale, to avoid spoilers.Timothy Daniels is an American hero. After surviving a catastrophic injury during a tour with the Marines in Iraq, he has spent the following years carving out a new life for himself. He’s successful, a stellar athlete, and an all around amazing man. He’s also lonely. A lot of women like to take a walk on the wild side with a wounded warrior, but it’s a whole other thing to make a life with him. When he met Fiona Reilly at a friends wedding in Ireland, he’d thought she might be the exception.Fiona Reilly wasn’t a nice girl. In fact, as the cheating ex-wife of Michael O’Brien, she was used to being persona non grata in her own home town. But she’d made a tentative peace with the people she’d hurt. Fiona was changing, doing better, working toward a fresh start. When she takes a job as the photographer for a local wedding, she meets an amazing American man. He’s had his own struggles, and he seems to accept Fiona’s past, warts and all. He’s disinterested in the town gossip, and seems to genuinely care for her.The two begin their journey as new acquaintances, but things quickly evolve into an intense, three-week love affair. When Tim goes home to Virginia, he invites her to visit him, both of them wanting to see where this relationship takes them. Then Fiona unexpectedly breaks it off, leaving Tim confused and devastated.Three years later, Tim’s best friend, Alanna O’Brien, and her sisters-in-law walk into a photography exhibit in a Dublin art gallery, and everything changes. The depth of Fiona’s betrayal is uncovered, and within hours, Tim is on a plane headed to Dublin. Some decisions can never be undone, but can they be forgiven?