But her dreams are cruelly shattered by a bomb blast that leaves her badly scarred. Suddenly her career’s in ruins and her long-term boyfriend is gone. Plagued by the paparazzi, she flees to Cornwall where she meets and falls in love with her handsome neighbour, blind crime novelist, Alan Murray. As a new life starts to fall into place, her former boss threatens to tell Alan about her past indiscretions unless Lynn agrees to become one of his porn stars. She refuses and is miraculously saved from exposure when her boss ends up taking a dive off a cliff. Relief doesn’t last long though as a series of unsettling incidents, leads Lynn to suspect that her novelist lover may not be all he claims to be … David Hodges’ latest crime thriller, Blast, again delivers the gritty realism that only an experienced ex-copper can provide. Praise for David Hodges… 'Extremely well-written and passionately described crime-scenes' - Mid Somerset Series 'Hodges uses the experience of 30-plus years in the job as an anvil of solid fact to beat out pacey tales of "canteen culture" cops' - Cheddar About the author: David Hodges is a former superintendent with Thames Valley Police, and is a prolific writer and the author of eight other crime novels, plus an autobiography on his life in the police service. He lives with his wife, Elizabeth, on the edge of the Somerset Levels where he can fully indulge his passion for thriller writing. He is a member of the Crime Writers’ Association, The Crime Readers’ Association, The Society of Authors and International Thriller Writers Inc.

    But as in many American cities, poverty and penury are booming along with wealth and material abundance in contemporary Austin. Rich and poor residents lead increasingly separate lives as growing socioeconomic inequality underscores residential, class, racial, and ethnic segregation.In Invisible in Austin, the award-winning sociologist Javier Auyero and a team of graduate students explore the lives of those working at the bottom of the social order: house cleaners, office-machine repairers, cab drivers, restaurant cooks and dishwashers, exotic dancers, musicians, and roofers, among others. Recounting their subjects’ life stories with empathy and sociological insight, the authors show us how these lives are driven by a complex mix of individual and social forces. These poignant stories compel us to see how poor people who provide indispensable services for all city residents struggle daily with substandard housing, inadequate public services and schools, and environmental risks. Timely and essential reading, Invisible in Austin makes visible the growing gap between rich and poor that is reconfiguring the cityscape of one of America’s most dynamic places, as low-wage workers are forced to the social and symbolic margins.

     Sweet Christmas Kisses 5 brings you contemporary romances that celebrate the joy of the season around the world, including snowy Maine and the sun-kissed skies of Florida, the mountains of Colorado to small-town Illinois and Virginia, New York to San Francisco, and even the glittering lights of Paris and the old-world charm of Florence. Sweet Christmas Kisses 5 features nine all-new, standalone novellas that will make you smile and warm your heart with the Christmas spirit.

    How could a loving God allow her to be widowed at such a young age? And how can true love ever cross her tragic path again? Resigned to remain a widow for the rest of her life, she has no idea what blessings the Lord is about to bring her way. The question is will she recognize them through her grief? Pastor Luke Albright is no stranger to pain. Typhoid stole his loving wife, but he knows that God has a plan to bring him through to brighter days. When he meets Molly White-Marsden of the Cozy Bridal Agency, a glimmer of hope begins to shine in Luke’s darkness, but he has no idea the lengths he is about to ride, and the challenges he’ll face to find honest love once again. A Love Stronger Than Death is the first book in the Widows of Wellness Creek series by bestselling historical romance author, Terri Grace. If you love faith-filled tales of the West, overcoming stories of resilient love, and characters that embody the pioneering spirit that celebrates the best of our humanity, you will be swept away with A Love Stronger Than Death. READ IT TODAY!

    A series of events soon prove she’s capable of standing on her own two feet. However, she’s not prepared to follow her heart and accept marriage from the one man who truly loves her. Many Feathers' chance encounter with a blue-eyed blonde woman sets him on a path that lands him between the white man's ways and the traditions of his people. Determined to protect his people and prove his worthiness as a suitable husband to a white woman, he stakes claim to land and establishes a ranch. But there's one outlaw focused on destroying Many Feathers and everything he's trying to accomplish.

    From Medieval Scotland to Regency England and even America, see how are these dukes are tamed and the lovely ladies that discover A Duke's Desire.The Duke's Accidental Wife by Erica Ridley: Miss Katherine Ross keeps clashing with the insufferably emotionless Duke of Ravenwood. She's convinced his heart is ice — until she touches that chiseled chest for herself. One lapse in judgment is all it takes to turn both their lives topsy-turvy...The Forbidden Duke by Darcy Burke: A decade ago, Titus St. John’s idle roguery brought about the ruin of Eleanor Lockhart—and his self-imposed isolation. Now she’s back, and she needs his help. But by “saving” her, the Forbidden Duke may ruin her life all over again.The Dangerous Duke of Dinnisfree by Julie Johnstone: Justin Holleman, the Duke of Dinnisfree, protects his country, king, and heart with classic, cold calculation until the day he’s forced to seek help with a dangerous mission from the fiery Miss Arabella Cartwright who upends his ordered world and entices him at every turn. Arabella learned long ago to count only on herself, but when she becomes a pawn in a political intrigue, she must rely on Justin, but is he her enemy or her ally.Love with an Improper Stranger by Barbara Devlin: When notoriously hotheaded Nautionnier Knight Blake Elliott, fifth Duke of Rylan, volunteers for a mission, his magnanimous gesture does not include acting as nanny to a couple of blushing sisters. After Lenore suffers a wicked bout of seasickness, Blake nurses her back to health but loses his heart in the process. What happens when Blake alters his course and sets sail for an altogether delectable, more permanent destination?Taming a Duke's Reckless Heart by Tammy Andresen: Piper Baker must marry but the only man she wants, an English duke who has traveled to America to replenish his fortune, is the one she can't have.Rapunzelle by Caroline Lee: When a handsome stranger arrives in town trying to solve a fifteen-year-old mystery, even the most over-protected heroine knows how to let down her hair... An old-west fairy tale from the bestselling Everland Ever After series.Scandalous Endeavors by Amanda Mariel: Lady Amelia’s willing to create a scandal to stay in her beloved England. A Scottish duke ignites her passion, but will she abandon her endeavor for love?The Duke's Fiery Bride by Hildie McQueen: The last thing Gavin Mackinnon, the Duke of Selkirk expects is marriage to a rebellious wildling like her. Or is Beatrice Fingnon exactly what he needs?Never Dare a Duke by Meara Platt: Frances Cameron ought to be spending the month planning her wedding, but when a casual toast on the night of her betrothal escalates into a battle of the sexes, she finds herself obligated on a dare to spend the next thirty days working closely with the handsome and powerful Duke of Kintyre. In winning the dare, will she also lose her heart to the duke?

    Determined to let go of the past and start anew, she takes a position as a governess. But she can’t help but feel that she has seen her employer before.Fergus Collfield, the Earl of Summerhelm, can’t bring himself to mourn for his father. Remembering him as a cruel and abusive man, his death feels more like a blessing than a loss. A blessing that takes the form of the governess his mother hires for his younger siblings.Like a harbinger of death, the smell of gunpowder rises from the graveyard, and the sins of the father shall be visited upon the son.They know about Daphne and they intend to use her to drive Fergus into the pit of the snake. Racing against the countdown to their doomsday, Daphne and Fergus must face the monster of their story: a face they both know in their memories...

    Now, with her sisters safely married, she deems that her only option is a position as a governess.Nathaniel Burke has many responsibilities as the Duke of Wimsley. But he has neglected the most important one: in his attempt to overcome the grief of his wife’s death, he has become a stranger to his own daughter, Eva.Hiring Charlotte as Eva’s governess is exactly what Nathaniel needed. And not just because she helps mend what was broken between them…As his heart starts to heal and the possibility of happiness grows stronger, warnings of someone close to him wishing him harm will have him fearing that he will once again lose everything.Now he must protect his family, and that includes Charlotte, because losing her will be the fatal blow to his bruised soul…

    Baron's vast, isolated ranch is only one of his many attractions, but he's awfully domineering and she can't possibly give in to their growing attraction while she's virtually his prisoner, can she? Baron sees the situation differently. Forced to drop his geology career and take over the family ranch, he's frustrated by too many people saying no to him. Isn't he in charge? Why is Addie so mysterious about her past and her commitments to another man? Why won't she give in to Baron, when every time they touch, they catch fire? It's a battle of wills—with neither one backing down. Addie can tame the wildest stallion, but taming her own growing attraction to the high-handed rancher and keeping him from breaking through her defenses requires all her strength—and some help from unexpected sources. Praise for Captive of the Cattle Baron from the judges of the Touch of Magic Contest: "Full of life and real people with distinct, believable voices and personalities." "Love your voice! This was so easy to read. I love it when the author disappears and the story comes to life. Few are able to carry that off well—you have that talent." "Enjoyed the read! You have a great story!" From the judges of The Write Stuff Contest: "Addie’s likeable and she’s acting in a believable manner, so good job there." "The dialogue is quite natural and compelling. Great job!" "I loved the premise of the story." "Your opening scene was great! I love how it started with your two characters meeting each other in not the best circumstances." "I love your characters; both have something they need to redeem in different ways." "From your voice, to your characters, and plot you have an amazing story here." "Great western feel and classic fish out of water story." From the judges of the Emily Contest: "I think you’re a truly talented writer." "I like that you got right into the story, introducing the characters and giving the readers enough back story to pique their curiosity." "Great story. Congratulations!" "It was very clear that Baron and Addie would be an excellent match (beyond their initial physical attraction)." "Very good! Very intriguing and likeable characters. I would totally go horseback riding with Addie."

    In order to earn a spot on his Jarl’s voyage, he must compete against his fellow Northmen in games of strength and skill. But when he learns that the prize for winning the competition is the hand of the dark-haired beauty he met only days ago, will he be forced to choose between his dreams and his heart? Eyva wants nothing more than to train as a shieldmaiden, but her parents refuse, hoping to yoke her to their Northland farm forever. When they put her up as the bride prize for their village’s festivities, she fears she will never escape the fate of a grueling life on her parents’ farm. But Tarr’s longing gaze and soft kisses just might give her the courage to fight for herself—and for their budding love. *This is a novella in the Viking Lore series and features all the beloved characters from Enthralled, Shieldmaiden’s Revenge, and Desire’s Hostage. Although it is meant to take place between Shieldmaiden’s Revenge (Book 2) and Desire’s Hostage (Book 3), it can be read as a stand-alone novella. **This novella was originally published in the Sirens of the Northern Seas collection in January, 2016.

    After her best friend dies in childbirth, Mary decides to escape her painful memories and embark on an idyllic life on the Sea of Galilee. But she rethinks her plan when a strong, quiet stonecutter captures her interest. Cephas isn’t as shy as she first supposed. And he intrigues and challenges Mary in ways no man has before, forcing her to confront her fears or risk losing a lifetime of adventure and happiness with…The Stonecutter.The Stonecutter is a companion novella to The Herod Chronicles Series.

    The passing of her late father left a gap in her heart, and the appearance of an unwanted marriage only made matters worse. There was only one choice for her; she ought to escape any way she could.But being an English lady alone in the vast Highlands can only bring trouble, even if that is finding your soulmate.Calum MacLean was a laird on the brink of absolute catastrophe. He and his clan had been through havoc that couldn't be mended no matter the attempts he made. Only a miracle could save him…But sometimes, miracles can appear in the shape of a beautiful and mysterious English woman who seems to hold all the answers.Only that there is something amiss. Julia might be the loveliest woman he has ever set eyes upon, but she is keeping secrets.Secrets that can turn their life upside down in an instant...How will Julia save the MacLean clan? And how will Calum manage to protect her from her past?She was running for her life until he showed her how to live...*If you like brawny Highland warriors with a soft heart, and romantic stories depicting the majestic and mysterious Scottish Highlands, then Temptation in the Highlands is the perfect novel for you.Kenna Kendrick, lets us take part in a thrilling story with a gripping plot, all against the background of the hypnotic land called Scotland. Are you ready for it?"Temptation in the Highlands" is a Historical Scottish romance novel of more than 80,000 words (around 440 pages). STANDALONE, No cheating, no cliffhangers, and a guaranteed happily ever after.

     Diamonds of the Marquess Lady Emily Dove doesn’t know whom to trust. Her true identity must never be known. The Viscount’s Promise A mystery that surrounds Julianna’s family could lead her to the man that steals her heart. If you love clean and wholesome, Regency romances with strong heroines, mystery, and love, then the Ladies and their Secrets Regency Romance Collection will warm your heart.

    They live in the towns and hamlets of southern Appalachia. They are the women of the coal-mine camps and mill towns; they are members of a fiercely proud sisterhood. For in spite of enormous abuse from mine and mill operators, welfare agencies, corrupt union officials, and their gun thugs, these women remain undaunted.Hillbilly Women tells their stories in their own words--sometimes angry, sometimes tender, always compelling and direct. This is a vivid and moving picture of hillbilly life: its tragedies, its rewards, and its indomitable resiliency.

    You may find it for free on the web. Purchase of the Kindle edition includes wireless delivery.