Her inner fire burns brightly, even in the harsh conditions of turn of the century Birmingham. For behind Mercy's pale and haunting face, there is a mind of steel, as her harsh foster mother; Mrs Gaskin, soon discovers. Beatings, threats and poverty cannot halt Mercy's efforts to improve herself, or to create a new life for Susan, Mrs Gaskin's crippled daughter. Even in the worst times, it is as if someone is watching over Mercy. Willing her to succeed...Through the dark shadow of world war, Mercy continues her fight for survival. She will first earn her freedom and security. Then at long last she can give her love...

    

    Come find out how hot and sweet the nights can get today!CheyenneI pride myself on being a hard worker and I never let myself get distracted from my dreams. My next goal is to own and operate a bakery. But first I need to pay off my student debt.In the meantime, I’m one step closer to my dreams when a local restaurant hires me as a seasonal temporary pastry chef.When my best friend’s older brother visits me at work, I give him a tasty treat.Jordan is sexy, smooth, and works hard on me.But can I let him veer me toward love over my career?JordanAfter years of busy life in the city, I lost who I am and I’m done with the chaos. I couldn’t be happier to move back to my small hometown and take a job as a ranch foreman. But most of my old friends moved away and the holidays are a little lonelier than I imagined.Luckily, everyone at work is extremely welcoming and I’m sure I’ll find friends fast.When my sister’s best friend stands behind the counter, I’m sweet on her.Cheyenne is kind, curvy, and I want to butter her bread.But can I prove to her she’s the one and not just the next one?

    He has a secret that could drive any woman away. Can they find a love to overcome it all? A Sweet Western Romance from #1 Best Selling Author Emily Wood Kate is a widow who watched her whole life go up in flames. With nowhere else to turn, she heads west to live with her aunt and start a new life for herself and her daughter. As she struggles to provide a new life for her daughter, she finds herself attracted to man who has vowed to never love again. Can she overcome her lack of faith and trust someone enough to find love again? A Gentle Love is a clean western romance from #1 Best Selling author Emily Woods. If you like clean, historical fiction about women who must overcome tragedy in order to love again, you will love this sweet romance! Buy A Gentle Love and get lost in another sweet western romance today. Always FREE on Kindle Unlimited

    Instead she got an overbearing landlord, a booty-grabbing boss, and a repo man just waiting for her to park her car in the open. But Carrie's lifetakes a drastic turn for the worse when she's not only fired from her job at L.A. Mutual Bank, but also robbed by the sexiest bank robber alive and evicted from her apartment all in the same day. That's it. No more Miss Nice Chick. Carrie hatches a plan to take back her life - involving skimpy bikinis, semi-automatic weapons and one big bank heist. If Carrie can pull this one off, she just might realize her island dreams after all. That is, if Mr. Sexy doesn't beat her to the big score....AWARDS:Predators & Editors Readers' Poll Award - Best Mainstream Short StoryREVIEWS:"Gemma Halliday has a talent for blending humor with a sense of drama.'Confessions of a Bombshell Bandit' captures how far one will go whenthey are out of options...you will savor every word." - Zoë Knighton,Sensual Reads and Reviews"Gemma Halliday's story will leave the reader howling with laughter!This delightful tale is exceptionally clever as the reader is lulledinto accepting Carrie's viewpoint. Well done!" - Kwips and Kritiques"I also adore Gemma Halliday's 'Confessions Of A Bombshell Bandit',another short story that has me putting the author's name on the topof the list the next time I go bookshopping because I love thisauthor's voice! I love unrepetant Carrie in all her glory and I love this story." - Mrs. Giggles, Book Reviewer

    Each wilful and outspoken, Beth and Tristan are soon clashing whenever they cross paths.With the estate’s charity ball and Christmas fayre on the horizon, the two grudgingly put their differences aside and agree to work together. And as they spend more and more time in each other’s company, their uneasy truce blossoms into a strong mutual attraction.But with a young son, a fledgling business and a painful past to contend with, Beth needs someone she can rely on. And Tristan has demons of his own to face…Can Beth get her boutique up and running in time for Christmas? Will she and Tristan find happiness together?Or will the shadows of the past drive them apart…?MISTLETOE AT THE MANOR is a contemporary festive read you won’t be able to put down. Get lost among the snowy hills of Cornwall in this glittering Christmas romance, perfect for cosy winter nights.

    She's still living in Brighton with her Nan - who could give the Grinch lessons in how to be miserable - her acting career has been reduced to playing one of Santa's elves, and not even the prospect of a friend's winter wedding can cheer her up...That is until Olivier, the gorgeous French chef, reappears in her life. Or more accurately, next door.When they were teenagers, Olivier would spend every Christmas with his mother, who just happens to be Ash's neighbour and owner of the best chocolate shop in England.If anyone can bring a little sparkle back to Ash's life, it's Olivier. All she needs is one kiss before Christmas...

    Six-year-old Birdie Adams wants to run away and join the circus but guesses she’ll have to go to the first grade and hang around with her new baby brother instead. Maybe her big sister needs a little help, too. The circus will have to wait.Twelve-year-old Melanie Adams wants her friend to stop bugging her to get her first kiss. Melanie’s already had her first kiss, but won’t spoil the special secret by talking about it. Norah Adams is a good mother and wife who wants to keep her family safe and happy, but tucking the order form for dogtags in her daughters’ lunch boxes is a big change from the everyday bologna sandwiches.Lola Carter wants the life her sister, Norah, has. Instead she has a factory job, an alcohol and prescription drug addiction, and an abusive boyfriend. Even if President Kennedy prevents World War III, these women’s lives will be changed forever.

    Now, as the holiday approaches, she is at a crossroads in her life; recently divorced and alone, she can’t summon the old enthusiasm for celebrating. So without telling anyone, she buys a ticket and boards a plane bound for the beautiful Pacific Northwest. When an unexpected detour takes her deep into the woods of the Olympic rainforest, Joy makes a bold decision to leave her ordinary life behind--to just walk away--and thus begins an adventure unlike any she could have imagined.In the small town of Rain Valley, six-year-old Bobby O’Shea is facing his first Christmas without a mother. Unable to handle the loss, Bobby has closed himself off from the world, talking only to his invisible best friend. His father Daniel is beside himself, desperate to help his son cope. Yet when the little boy meets Joy, these two unlikely souls form a deep and powerful bond. In helping Bobby and Daniel heal, Joy finds herself again.But not everything is as it seems in quiet Rain Valley, and in an instant, Joy’s world is ripped apart, and her heart is broken. On a magical Christmas Eve, a night of impossible dreams and unexpected chances, Joy must find the courage to believe in a love--and a family--that can’t possibly exist, and go in search of what she wants . . . and the new life only she can find.

    She left Queensbay, determined to leave her past behind. Now, after a mysterious inheritance she's back in town. And she's determined to make a new home for herself. Jake Owen's never forgotten his time with Colleen. It might have been ten years ago, but no one - no woman - has ever quite measured up. But he was - and is - a small town guy. And he wasn't good enough for her then. But can he show her that small town doesn't mean small time? Will he convince her that a small town guy holds the key to her heart - and her happiness? Find out if Jake Owen can win over Colleen McShane in book 6 of Drea Stein's Queensbay series.

    But when she finds herself whipped up in a whirl of activity at Glenduff Castle to neatly tie up the rest of her life for her, she begins to panic.With pressure coming at her from all sides, the easiest option is for Flora to go along with it all. But will the appearance of a handsome stranger at Glenduff provide her with a more attractive alternative?

    So when she runs into him in New York City on business, they both see this as an opportunity to explore their undeniable attraction. But can a whirlwind of passion turn into long-lasting love?

    Can she see what's been in front of her all this time? When city girl Taylor Jennings reluctantly visits a psychic one sunny San Francisco morning, she gets a whole lot more than she bargains for--like a prediction she will "lock eyes" with The One within the next two weeks. So, when she looks up into a pair of green eyes belonging to her best friend's big brother, Taylor's running scared. She can't fall for ladies' man, Jake, not if she wants to keep what she holds most dear. Jake Harrison is the successful head chef of the hottest new restaurant in San Francisco. He's got everything he could want: a great job, good friends, and women falling over themselves to be with him. Problem is, he's always had a "thing" for his kid sister's best friend--ever since that one incredible kiss they shared as teenagers. When the two are thrown together on a joint bachelor-bachelorette weekend in Cabo San Lucas, Taylor goes in search of The One, and Jake tries his best to deny what he's felt for Taylor for far too long. The Right Guy is a sweet and sexy friends to lovers contemporary romance for fans of Lauren Layne. This book is a little sexier than my other titles, but with my same light-hearted, feel-good tone, and that all important happily ever after. I hope you love it!

    His heart is two sizes too small. Will a kiss under the mistletoe bring them together?IvyIt’s the most wonderful time of the year.Unless you’re working a Mrs. Claus gig at the mall, and Santa doesn’t show up.When my boss’ boss fills in at the last minute, it’s like a Christmas miracle.Rudy is grumpy, sexy, makes me want to roast his chestnuts.But can we make this holiday magic last forever?RudyIt’s the most horrible time of the year.When you’re a guy named Rudolph, the holidays aren’t fun.Especially when your mall Santa unexpectedly bails.On the bright side, I get to spend all my time with the sexy Mrs. Claus.Ivy is curvy, merry, and makes me want to unwrap her presents.Now I have to convince her I’m not a grinch; I’m the man who loves her.The Sweater Series are fun, sweet and steamy short stories of holiday office romances with swagger-filled heroes and confident and sassy women.Find out if that kiss will happen today!

    Having lost faith in the most magical part of the year, her father, Jim, desperately tries to bring back the magic she has lost. When an unforeseen change of events takes over their little family on the morning of Christmas Eve, Jim's faith and spirits are really put to the test. Will the magic of Christmas be enough to bring back the joy to their family once more? Or will they really depend on a Christmas miracle?