Determined to achieve her dream of a career in music, she strikes out on her own. Her new life away from her family is a reality check, and she soon finds her life on a downward slide.Two years on, her dream is still out of reach, and she's nearing rock bottom. With hope nearly gone and feeling no joy in the season that was once her favorite, Alessia wanders into a church in search of warmth and some quiet.He gave up his life in order to bring his brothers to justice.Gio Morgan (formerly known as Giovanni Moretti) was born into a mob family, but he'd never fit in. When he made the decision to testify against his mob boss brothers, he knew it meant the end to that life.He now lives in New Hope Falls in order to be close to his half-sister, Cara. He is trying to build a new life for himself, and part of that is participating in the church's 24 hour a day open door ministry for the month of December.Will a connection forged in the quiet of a church during the early morning hours be the start of something new? Or will it lead to heartbreak if the draw of a dream is to powerful to resist?

    Darcy, life is never going to be simple… Tess Barker is having a rough time. She enjoys giving tours of the Northland of New Zealand, but her endometriosis makes the long days a challenge, and now she’s gone and insulted one of her best friends by mistake. She’s secretly liked Finn Brennan – the gorgeous Mr. Darcy lookalike – for years, but he’s never made a move on her, and now not only has she hurt his feelings, but they’re both interviewing for the same job – #awkward. Finn likes his position in the Education Department at Waitangi, but recent events have made him restless, and he’s ready for a change. The move to Exhibitions Director at a museum in Christchurch might be just what he’s looking for, but he’s up against the younger, dynamic, beautiful Tess. When she apologizes for upsetting him, a kiss is a natural way to prove there’s no hard feelings. They agree to work together on their presentations for the interview and to let the best man – or woman – win. Time spent together soon reveals a sizzling attraction that turns into deep passion. Things come to a head on their return to the bay, when Finn realizes he can’t escape his past troubles if he stays. But it’s only when Tess falls ill that he has to make the ultimate decision to fight or fly.

    You’d know how much they deserve what’s coming to them. Next on my list is the politician. A prime example.But the bouncy intern throws a wrench in my plans.I don’t intend to fall, but if I do, all bets are off.She comes first. Protecting her is all that matters, but things get complicated when feelings run hot.

    I’m not getting myself entangled into another love situation.Not again.I’ve been hurt once.My marriage ended in the worst possible way.I moved into this new house to start afresh and focus only on my job.And the last thing I need is a distraction.Esme Smith, the girl next door seems to think otherwise.Her intoxicating smile is everything that a guy could ever want and more.Polite, as I was moving in.Angry and rude, when I tried to talk to her.Happy, as we drank and ate dinner.S$xy, as we fell into bed together.Vulnerable and afraid, as I rescued her from the fire.And now she wants answers.Maybe I want them too.Am I about to fall in love again?

    Will Iris's new year be happy ever after? When Iris Greene's boyfriend surprises her with a romantic dinner at their favourite restaurant, she's expecting a proposal, not a move to another country. But Amsterdam proves to be the change she never knew she needed, and a surprise encounter with a local actor leads Iris to new friends and the rediscovery of a long lost passion. While Iris thrives in a city filled with festivity, her boyfriend struggles, and her heart is torn in two. As snow falls and secrets are revealed, Iris must decide her future. Will she be brave enough to start over and take a chance on love?

    Infatuation, sure. Lust, absolutely. But true love? Please. That’s strictly fiction, folks.Unfortunately, I haven’t convinced my best friend and business partner of that. The guy’s still a believer in happily-ever-after, despite having met—and lost—“the one” more times than I can count. And that’s pretty damn high, since I’m the numbers guy behind our hot new startup.Tonight, I wish I had my buddy’s technical skillset. If I did, I’d be back at our twentieth-floor office, solving our system crash. Instead, I’m taking his place at yet another pointless speed-dating meetup, so he doesn’t tick off the organizer by bailing. I’m tempted to no-show and get him booted from the group, but he wouldn’t see it as the favor it is.So I’ll go and fake it for a couple hours. Maybe score a hookup. Probably rack up some good stories. One thing I won’t do at tonight’s “Desperates Anonymous” event…meet the woman of my dreams. Because she doesn’t exist. Dating is fun and games. Love is for suckers.* A love-at-first-sight, instalove romance novella *

    His past is closing in quick. Can one little girl and a whole lot of love be the key to their happiness, or will his past bring everything crumbling to the ground?MichelleI’ve had my share of unsuccessful relationships in the past. The last thing I need in my life is another man with drama issues.So, I’m starting fresh with a new town, new job, and my first real home. I’m in charge of my destiny and this year I’m choosing self-care over romantic relationships.When a precocious little girl wanders into my backyard followed by her father, my priorities begin to shift, and seeds of love begin to sprout.Charlie is gorgeous, engaging, and comes with a side-helping of extra cuteness.But do I want to give my heart to a man with trouble brewing in the background and guaranteed drama on the horizon?CharlieI never expected to be a single dad, but life has a way of working out for the best sometimes. For now, it’s Emma and me against the world.I’m not looking for the picture perfect woman. What I’m waiting for is the perfect woman for my daughter and me.When my new neighbor turns out to be a head turner with maternal instincts, my daughter and I are both smitten.Michelle is an independent, down-to-earth, knockout gorgeous woman with curves for days.But will trouble from my past be a roadblock to the three of us becoming one happy family?Trading Favors with the Girl Dad is a short, steamy insta-love romance with no cheating or cliffhangers and a guaranteed happily ever after. I write sassy, strong, curvy women who don’t need a man to save the day but love the men who charm their hearts.

    He’s a widower. Will a chance encounter lead to true love?If you like sweet romance about second chances then you’ll love The Inn At Pelican Beach!At the Inn, life is filled with the unexpected.Payton is left to pick up the pieces after her divorce is finalized. Seeking a fresh start, she returns to her home town in Pelican Beach.Determined to move on with her life, she finds herself caught up in the family business at The Inn. It may not be her passion, but anything is better than what her broken marriage had to offer.Payton doesn't wallow in her sorrows long before her opportunity at a second chance shows up. Is there room in her heart to love again? She’ll soon find out!In this first book of the Pelican Beach series, passion, renewed strength, and even a little sibling rivalry are just a few of the emotions that come to mind. Visit The Inn and walk hand in hand with Payton as she heals and seeks to restore true love.Get your copy of this romantic beach read today!

    

    I don’t have time for anything but my bustling shop. Fate didn’t ask me though, and attraction turns into some much, much richer.This woman is mine from the moment she walks in. Deal or no deal, I’m playing for keeps.

    The rodeo is a tough life and this cowboy is ready to settle back home, buy the old family ranch, and live quietly without the wildness of his past. All he has to do is win the Pride River Christmas Rodeo, but to do that he’s got to stay out of trouble. Trouble he very nearly finds by getting into yet another bar fight, stopped just in time by Belle Manning, his childhood friend. She always kept him out of hot water when he was a kid, with her calm support and friendly smile, and though it’s been years since he’s seen her, Axel’s never forgotten the first girl he kissed. And never forgotten how her daddy warned him to stay away from her. Troublemakers like him just aren’t good enough for someone like her…
Belle never forgot the sexy cowboy who stole her heart when they were kids. So when he approaches her with a proposition, she’s ready to listen. Axel wants her by his side so she can keep him out of trouble until the Christmas rodeo. In exchange, he’ll give her a plot of land so she can build her occupational therapy clinic. It’s a stunning proposal and one Belle can’t refuse. Her dream of using horses to help people heal is finally coming true. And, bonus, running around town with Axel will keep her matchmaking mother off her back. She’ll think about a relationship after her practice is up and running. Once Axel wins the rodeo, they can go on their merry ways. But it doesn’t take long before their fake relationship takes an unexpected turn toward real, throwing Belle off kilter. Is it possible Axel could turn into the Christmas present she didn’t know she wanted all along?Mary Sue Jackson and USA Today Bestseller Leslie North invite you to indulge in a heart-warming small-town western romance with a smoking hot cowboy and the woman who tames him...

    Everything I’ve worked so hard for depends on her not screwing things up for me. I should run, not walk, away from her, but all I want to do is strip her layers until I get to the…heart—yeah, that’s what I was going to say—of who she really is. I may be smart, but love might be the most clever of us all.

    I’m about to get really pissed off. Maybe I should just go (in hindsight…even based on what happened next, I’d probably do it all the same!) As is, I hate blind dates! I usually create this “picture perfect” guy in my head and then reality generally walks in! Ohhh god, and reality can be REALLLLLY cruel at times (MOST of the time!!!).Anyway…I’ve just moved back to Seattle to work with my dad at his law firm. We haven’t always had the best relationship…I’m really hoping that this is him reaching out to me. Honestly, blind-dates are the last thing I need right now in my life!I’m about to give up on this night and leave when the most delicious looking specimen of a man comes up to me. I honestly thought I was hallucinating! This guy is ravishing…the type of “stop and stare” guy. Mr. I LITERALLY felt I wanted to get pregnant just by looking at him, says...“Please, tell me I’m the one you’ve been waiting for!” with a naughty smirk on his face.“Are you David Blake?” I ask.“No, but I can be anyone you want me to be.” He smiles, and my head…ohhh god…my head is filled with strong dose of naughty thoughts (a “bit” of an understatement actually!). It’s not my blind-date…and I think to myself (well, I’M TRYING to think!!!) What the hell should I do?I don’t know what the heck happened to me but I stare right into his eyes and say “Tell you what, I’m staying upstairs.” I pause. I could feel his eyes penetrating me. And then I drop the bomb… “Let’s skip the drinks and the preamble, you follow me to my room, and let's have one hell of a one-night stand. You don’t even have to tell me your name.”I couldn’t believe I just said that!He’s shocked. I’m shocked. I don’t normally do this kind of thing. But we do it. Oh, boy…do we do it. We have the most amazing, earth shattering night that I could ever dream of. And THAT was the gift…now comes the SLAP…When the weekend is over and I go in to work on Monday morning. The secretary shows me in to my dad’s office. What the heck is he doing in here? Mr. I LITERALLY felt I wanted to get pregnant just by looking at him turns and smiles.Guess what? My one-night stand is my dad’s billionaire best friend, Jared Hawthorne. He’s my new client. Things are about to get really complicated!Business or Pleasure? is a stand alone romance book with an amazing HEA!

    I'm ready to settle down and start a family.My new commission comes unexpectedly at Christmas time, but my parents are on a Caribbean cruise. Not wanting me to spend Christmas on my own, my mom contacts her best friend and makes arrangements for me to join them for their Christmas vacation New Orleans.Honestly, I'd have rather been on my own, at home, instead of travelling to yet another new city.And then I see Marian. My mom never said her friend's daughter grew up to be such a beauty, not to mention an ambitious teacher who's devoted to being the best educator she can be. Between her brains, her beauty, and her wicked curves, the only question is how fast can I get her under the mistletoe and give her the first of a lifetime of kisses?Beignets and Mistletoe is book 2 in the series A Cajun Christmas. This is a short and sizzling romance, perfect for a pick-me-up during your day or just before bed. Guaranteed HEA, no cheating, no past relationship drama -- just two people discovering their perfect match and starting a sizzling future together.A CAJUN CHRISTMAS is a series of short & steamy standalone romances! Make sure to check out all the books!Wild Jazz and Mistletoe by Beatrice BraeBeignets and Mistletoe by Lana LovePralines and Mistletoe by Kate HuntBourbon under Mistletoe by Alice May BallCaroling and Mistletoe by Lauren Milson

    I never expected this to be something that developed past the angry looks I’d given them growing up. I wasn’t ever supposed to be between Austin, Gavin, and Vaughn. But somehow that’s the way it ended up. Before I knew it was a new normal that I couldn’t really complain about, aside from demanding encounters with Vaughn.I was finding a good balance between two of the three men that had taken up residency in my life, and other places. It was all going good until Austin’s past decided to rear its polished, well manicured head. What am I supposed to do when this girl comes in the front door claiming to be his girlfriend?