But her pleasure dies when she opens the box to find a dozen dead roses. And when the black roses keep coming, Jude begins to fear the only kiss she's going to get for Valentine's Day is the kiss of death....

    This story is about one of my most cherished childhood Christmases…in 1959 when I was nine years old. After my beloved musician/singer/songwriter brother Jim passed away in 2015 from cancer I felt an intense need to write this short story about that special Christmas Eve I shared with him, my other siblings, mother, father and grandparents, and put it out there for everyone to read as a tribute to him and my family. This is my story, part of my childhood, and some of my fondest memories. Note: in the late 1970’s I did a series of illustrated (by me, because I’m an artist, too) short stories for my local newspaper and I’ve used one of my old article drawings from that newspaper from 1977 for the first page of this short story.

    Sent to a parish in England, he makes a decision which has consequences as momentous as his initial mistake. A poignant story of how yielding to impulse can be as devastating as leaving things alone…

    This is just a little more…a little more Daniel and Bethany. This story although titled Never 1.5 I would suggest reading it after the Trilogy…not that it matters a great deal but the time line crosses over the end of Never and the beginning of Always…It was written after I had completed all the books so it doesn’t impact on the story, I just don’t want to confuse anyone…although now I have confused myself…You know what? Read it whenever and however you like…I just hope you enjoy…a little more Choice.

    She moved to the town of Orderville, Idaho, from Little to escape her stalking ex.Even though she would love to start a relationship with her two bosses, she doesn’t dare approach them and doesn’t think they like her in that way. When danger follows her to Orderville, Gary and Steve take her into their home, and much to her delight seduce her into their bed as well.She is surprised to find out the two men are bisexual and have been waiting to find the right woman to invite into their relationship. And they believe Selina is that woman. Selina must try to break down the walls the two men have surrounding their hearts.Will she succeed? And will they be able to save her in return?A Siren Erotic Romance

     A town under siege. Someone has Malvern County in a choke hold. Sheriff’s Deputy Ellie Maxwell knows something is wrong in her town. When her boss tells her to drop the case, she reaches out to the only resident who can help her. Drew Turner is a private investigator with more secrets than the town. But he’s the only one Ellie can trust. The only one who can find out the truth. Ellie and Drew have to figure out what’s going on before the fallout destroys an entire town, and loneliness ends both of them. This novel features characters from the Northwest Counter-Terrorism Taskforce, but isn't part of the series. *a Christian romantic suspense*

    An accidental meeting at a time when I least expect it, sparking an instant connection that neither of us could deny. Mavick has what it takes to ruin me... to shatter my heart into a million pieces and never look back. She’s a distraction. I’m supposed to be focused on my comeback, but when I meet Kinsley there’s no denying my attraction to her. I could remind myself how important it is to remove anything that consumes my time. I could look the other way and deny how my body reacts to her. But something tells me I’m not in control when it comes to this girl. This is the extended full version of the short story, Tap Out, which was showcased in the Pick Your Passion collection.

    When her grandma’s nemesis, Abigail Winegardner, plans a living nativity, complete with a camel, Tressa’s competitive grandma won’t be outdone. Gammy is determined to create her own living—and molting—“Twelve Days of Christmas” pageant, but her aviary extravaganza is in jeopardy when the stars go missing, turning this holiday into a wild goose chase that’s bound to ruffle more than a few feathers. Will the plucky Tressa track down the missing cast before the curtain rises?

    Her partner, Manny Williams, had joined the FBI, and she was on her own with one of the most unusual murders in Michigan history.Michigan State Senator, Simon Young, had been found brutally mutilated in his office and no one had seen a thing, until the senator’s wife appeared at the murderscene covered in blood, denying her guilt. Was it all a lie or were there other forces at work? The deeper Sophie digs, the more the facts unravel into the realm of the improbable.Can she solve the puzzle before it’s too late? Find out.Rick Murcer is a New York Times and USA Today best-selling author with the critically acclaimed Caribbean Moon series featuring Manny Williams and Sophie Lee.

     In this sequel to the USA Today Bestselling story, Storm Warnings, the Strike Force team rises from the ashes of defeat determined to finish the mission that started two years earlier with the deaths of Piper's entire team. Failure isn't an option. Because if they fail, the freedom of the entire world might be at stake.

    The Runaway Mommy imagines what life would be like if she ran away. She learns flamenco dancing in Barcelona, joins a tech startup in San Francisco and hits the campaign trail interning for a presidential candidate. All the while, her little one follows with a captivating eagerness that brings the runaway mommy back where she belongs.

    Was it suicide or was it something else?Spokane County Detective Shane McAfee must unravel the mystery.Discover The 509 Crime Stories with this free short story.Then check out the books The Side Hustle The Long Cold Winter The Blind Trust The Suit What readers are saying about The Side Hustle★★★★★ “… just looking for my next thriller fix, I discovered this gem.” – John Barksley★★★★★ “… a great read! A different kind of police procedural.” – Mickey★★★★★ “This book was hard to put down.” – Amazon Customer★★★★★ “…kept me reading.” – Mary Arnold★★★★★ “Loved my first foray into the 509 series… and Quinn!” – Cynthiareads★★★★★ “The story is well crafted and kept me quickly ‘turning the pages.’” – Sally★★★★★ “Great read.  Very enjoyable.” – Amy Dalton

    Who broke into the French's home? Was Robert French's murder the reason for the break-in, or a terrible, unexpected result?The people of this quaint coastal area in the Florida Panhandle are shocked by the crime, but one of them is the one who pulled the trigger, killing a man who only had a few months to live.Meanwhile, Maggie struggles to understand new mysteries in her own marriage. What is her husband and best friend really doing to earn a living? What other secrets is he keeping?This is a novellette, not one of the regular books in the bestselling series. It is intended as a short "extra" or "bonus" read, and is also a prequel; set four years before the first book, Low Tide. It is intended for those who have read the series, and the fun is in knowing what is in store for these now-beloved characters. As such, it's not a good introduction to the Forgotten Coast Florida Suspense series, and would not be the best entertainment value for your dollar. New readers are always welcome to the fold, but this isn't the book for them. For that, check out the boxed set of the first four books, which is available at the same price. Then come back...we'll leave a light on for ya.. The Forgotten Coast Florida Suspense series is clean suspense, with very little violence, very mild language and no sexual content. It is rich in coastal atmosphere, populated by textured, full-realized characters and liberally seasoned with dry humor.

    Nine USA Today or Internationally bestselling authors bring you their twist on the holidays using some of your favorite characters in A NIGHT OF ANGELS. This collection includes: Eleanor FitzHerbert’s Christmas Miracle by Maggi Andersen - Childless widow, Eleanor Fitzherbert has resigned herself to a life alone, because most unmarried gentlemen wish for an heir. But after a young sweep gets stuck in the Duke of Broadstairs’ chimney, and a handsome viscount comes to his rescue, surprising things begin to happen. Wicked Christmas by Mary Lancaster - Mystery, murder and the miracle of new love – it’s Christmas in Blackhaven! During a magical Christmas, Blackhaven welcomes a new birth and catches a murderer – and Dr. Lampton encounters the wonder and pain of an impossible new love A Midnight Clear by Chasity Bowlin - Stranded together by a freak winter storm, Sarah, the Dowager Viscountess Vale, must finally face her long buried feelings for Branson, the brother of her late husband. Can their secret feelings overcome years of animosity? If You Wished For Me by Meara Platt - Two hearts meant to be together, one secret keeping them apart. Is William Farthingale just the man to bring Meggie Cameron the Christmas miracle she needs? Season of Honor by Alexa Aston - In the midst of celebrating their first Christmas together, Geoffrey and Merryn de Montfort are summoned to their stables, where a young woman is about to give birth on the most holy of all nights. Will her baby be the Christmas miracle a couple at Kinwick longs for? The Viking’s Gift by Anna Markland - A heartwarming Yuletide story set in medieval England before the Norman Conquest. A Viking saves the woman he loves from the wrath of a vengeful king. Father’s Day by Elizabeth Ellen Carter - Privateer Captain Kit Hardacre is persuaded to learn more about his family. At the same time, Naval veteran and retired spy Adam Hardacre learns he has a son he never knew existed. Both reluctant, father and son must find mutual ground on which to come to terms with the past. A Joyful Song by Lynn Winchester - Seamus MacAdams needs a miracle--a woman who will love him as much as he'll love her. Joy Song is new in town and not looking for love, but it isn't long before love finds her in the form of a man in need of help, just in time for Christmas. A Sprig of White Heather by Avril Borthiry - A crusader knight, thousands of miles from his home in the Highlands, and the young wife he left behind, soon to give birth to his child. In this adaptation of an ancient legend, a token of eternal love gives hope and comfort to a family at Christmastide. From Dragonblade to you, we wish you a very happy holiday season!

    But it's not what you think. Okay, maybe it is. Being half-Mexican, half-white, Jewish and Catholic is hard enough. Being a closeted high school senior just makes things harder to handle. Only Eli, Gavin's best friend who lives next door--and who happens to be a white, straight, home-schooled son of a preacher--knows who Gavin really is inside and out. But that's not enough. Gavin decides to make a list. A checklist of "To Do" items to help him become an open, proud gay man before his high school career is over. Before he heads off to college and leaves behind his mother and father, hopefully with their love and support. However, what the checklist does is educate Gavin about life--not just as a gay man--but simply as a man. It teaches him about friendship, honesty, kindness, duty, responsibility, and family. Maybe...just maybe...it will teach him to not be miserable. Gavin's Big Gay Checklist starts out as the story of how a young gay man sets out to accomplish "gay" tasks on his path to coming out of the closet. But it ends up being about life, friendship, family, all of the misery and happiness along the way...and menudo.