But as she forms an unlikely connection with her abductor, Luke, her adventure takes a strange turn.There is nothing magical about growing up in a mountainside castle, when it’s your prison. Kaya’s ruthless and powerful father keeps her under lock and key, watched every second of the day–and Kaya’s not really sure why. She’s just a normal girl…no one special. She doesn’t understand her father’s obsession with her safety – until she is kidnapped. Dragged through a brutal wilderness, Kaya’s captor shows her the devastating truth, and even though he has dark secrets of his own, she is inexplicably drawn to him–when the stars are in your eyes, sometimes the line between right and wrong is blurred. Passion obliterates common sense. Love... makes you reckless. As Kaya's father’s men and her devoted bodyguard scour the woods to find her, she wonders if staying in the arms of her abductor is the safer place to be. At least, that’s what her heart is saying—her head is saying run… Dangerously passionate and darkly romantic, SERENADE is a page-turning thriller and seductive love story.

    The deceased is prominent businessman, Andrew Langan, and suicide is swiftly ruled out after Nick pursues the killers down twenty-seven flights--and loses them.To his superiors' frustrations, Nick doesn't believe Langan's soon-to-be ex-wife, Augusta, is guilty, even though she has motive, opportunity, no alibi and a shady past. The only reasons Nick has for going against logical dictates are the feeling in his gut and the constriction in his chest.Augusta is thrust back into an unwanted spotlight and her quiet life shattered. Then things go downhill. In between dodging the media, she confronts muggers, kidnappers and goons better dressed than she. With Nick Markov, who dredges up a past she'd rather forget and feelings she'd rather not acknowledge, Augusta must race to unravel her late husband's secrets before she finds herself skydiving without a parachute.This book was previously published in an altered form entitled Fall Dead by Cerridwen Press/Ellora's Cave Publishing, Inc. in 2005 and is revised.EXCERPT"Damn it, Ethan," Nick Markov muttered, trying to steady his drunken partner and keep him from falling flat on his face and doing permanent damage to it. "Your wife's going to have my ass for this."Ethan Murtagh's scowl bordered on a pout more suited to a two-year-old. "I can walk on my own two feet," he said, his words only slightly slurred. He stumbled, nearly taking them both down.Nick grunted and muttered, "Right."It was several frustrating moments before Nick managed to strap his partner into the passenger seat of the black SUV parked in front of the bar. Ethan had been, once again, trying to drink himself into a stupor. He didn't handle disagreements with his significant other well. The current dispute was over the photographer who had shot his wife's swimsuit spread the previous week in the Bahamas."You'd better hope Torie's asleep when I get you home," Nick said, getting behind the wheel.A disgruntled sound came from the sprawled figure beside him. Nick answered with a grunt of his own as he pulled out. At almost one in the morning on a Wednesday night, it was relatively quiet in the Sixties on the Upper East Side, so it was a few short minutes before he was turning onto Fifth Avenue. Deciding it wouldn't take long to get Ethan upstairs and into his nineteenth-floor condo, Nick stopped the SUV in front of the building, killed the engine and flipped down his visor to display his credentials. He released his seat belt buckle, then reached over for his partner's. Ethan mumbled a protest, swatted at Nick's helping hand and fumbled with the door handle. Suppressing the urge to roll his eyes, Nick grabbed a fistful of his partner's jacket."Stay put," Nick said. "You open that door, you'll land on your pretty face and Torie will never forgive me."Ethan fell back in his seat, head tilted back, eyes closed. Satisfied, Nick opened his door, got out and made his way to the passenger side door. Ethan didn't move when he pulled the door open. Nick silently groaned at the possibility of having to carry his less-than-petite partner upstairs.

     Charlotte police officer Jordan Monroe is used to being in control. Ever since his father died, he has provided for his mother and sisters and even hired his two brothers-in-law to help run his successful construction company. On a chance business trip, however, he meets the one person who throws his life into a whirlwind--Jaynee.Jaynee has lived a tragic life and has sworn off all men. That is until a rugged southern gentleman lands in her seating area, refusing to take no for an answer. From the moment they meet, Jordan sweeps her off her feet, assuring her that happiness exists. But can she really escape her past?Five years later, Jordan finds Jaynee on their back porch with a gunshot wound to the head. While Jaynee lies in a coma, Jordan has to go back to their beginning and figure out what went wrong. Did he push his wife to the edge, or has her past come back to haunt them? ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "You'll be swept off your feet along with Jaynee as she discovers the man of her dreams. You'll be drawn into the drama. And you'll flip the pages fast as Jordan must desperately figure out the truth in time. I was and did!" -- New York Times bestselling author Jaime Rush⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "SHE BELONGS TO ME is definitely a good suspenseful read. Ms. DeSousa is a talented author and I had no problem in connecting with the characters. The story displayed a realistic relationship between Jordan and Jaynee." -- The Romance Reviews

    Alexis knows this first hand. Even though her memory of that day is hazy, she has spent ten years trying to put it behind her.Armed with the knowledge that her career will be her only legacy, Alexis works night and day to prove that she is more than just her last name. It’s not that she doesn’t have time for love. She doesn’t have the heart for it. After all, there’s no point in starting something you can’t finish. When she meets Adam, she is drawn to him in a way even she can't deny. The film student is dark and brooding and strangely charming. He is the perfect distraction from her mundane life. But Adam can recall every detail she's forgotten. What she doesn’t remember, he can’t forget.

    (This novella was previously published as Alexandre (Knight Security 0.5) in Royals and Rogues, a 5 bestselling author anthology.)Author’s Note: The stories in the Knight Security, Alpha, and Regency Unlaced Series, are more explicit in their language and sexual content than my other books.Billionaire ruler of a Mediterranean principality, Prince Alexandre of Androcco took one look at Anastazia Carmichael and knew he wanted her. A royal prince who is denied nothing, he’s now determined to have her.Stazzi doesn’t quite know what to make of the focused attention of Prince Alexandre of Androcco, a man known for his exploits in the bedroom as much as he is for his overwhelming good looks and wealth. She’s flattered, of course, and there’s no denying she feels the same thrill of attraction he does. But does he just want her as a plaything in his bed for the week he’s in England? Or is there more to the attraction? Either way, Stazzi is about to become engagement to another man, and as such should be totally immune to Alexandre’s hot pursuit. Except she isn’t…Someone doesn’t want these two passionate people to be together, and is determined to put a stop to their budding relationship. Even if one of them has to die…

    OVERVIEW• A rookie firefighter accused of setting the fire that kills her husband and his mistress.• “A bad-assed cop falls for the beautiful firefighter only to discover she is his #1 suspect in a double murder.• Can Nate find the real murderer before the murderer finds her?

    Not only was the Carlisle Ranch a target for sabotage just weeks before Christmas, but also her family had been threatened and danger lurked around every corner. Carolyn was used to being in charge, but incredibly sexy FBI agent J.D. Burke had other ideas. He was domineering, stubborn and vowed never to let an assignment turn personal. Still, with the enemy just as elusive as the agent's penetrating gaze, Carolyn secretly hoped Burke would let down his guard and act on their intense chemistry. Even if one amazing night ended up breaking her usually hardened heart.

    When she spots an ad for a surrogate mother, she impulsively responds. But it's the longing on the faces of Derek and Kelly Lang that puts her signature on the bottom line.Then tragedy strikes, leaving Derek a widower and Eve with a task she didn't expect: prove that she is the best mommy for the precious life growing beneath her heart, and convince Derek that he's the love of her life.

    But now she needs him more than ever...ABEKalista isn’t just another client, she’s the face that’s been haunting my dreams for the last three months. I can’t get the woman out of my head, not since we shared one of the hottest nights of my life. She’s under my skin, and I want her back underneath me. Keeping my head isn't going to be easy, she knows exactly how to push all my damn buttons. Stubborn doesn’t even begin to describe the woman. Infuriating, cold, and sexy as sin, they come close, it’s lucky I know how to warm her up. But I can’t think like that with her life on the line. I live to protect, as marine for over a decade and now as a bodyguard. No matter what it takes, I will keep Kalista safe. Whoever's behind the threat on her life had better be ready, because I'm coming for them.

    Then he comes striding back into her life—bigger, badder, and sexier than before. Zack Hunter never thought his job as an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent would lead him back to his small hometown, and he never thought he’d set eyes on Sky again. Leaving her behind had been the stupidest thing he’d ever done, but this time he isn’t going to let her go. And as soon as Zack lays eyes on Sky, he makes it clear that he intends to make her his all over again. When Sky becomes entangled in the case he’s investigating, Zack can’t help but take the threat personally. As the danger mounts, their passion burns even hotter. **Please note: Zack was published in print only with St. Martin’s Griffin. Zack was originally published in eBook and print with Ellora’s Cave under the title "Wildfire". Character names were changed at St. Martin's request, and the Armed & Dangerous versions were expanded considerably from the original "Wild" series.

    Things are going according to planned until one day she gets the shock of her life. Jamie decides to confront her worst nightmare head on and live in the moment. A few weeks later Jamie finds herself aboard a luxury cruise ship deep on the Pacific Ocean. While on the journey Jamie discovers herself giving in to her inhibitions, as she longs to live, love and laugh again.

    The Royal Family is the lead story in every newspaper and on all television channels as the world watches with great anticipation, captivated by this terrible story. Will Prince James survive? American Jennifer Dressen, 28, is living in London working for a large British daily paper. One evening, her elderly neighbor insists on speaking to her. “I'm dying. And I have to tell the truth about something. Something that happened many years ago. Something so big, it will....” Her voice trailed off. Then she seemed to gather what strength she had left and announced, “I can't die like this. With no one knowing what I know. I have to share it. It is vitally important.” Jennifer's dream is to be an investigative reporter and, after hearing the old woman's story, she thinks this could be the one that gets her there. As she begins her research to find out if the woman's fantastic tale is true, she meets the man's of her dreams - a handsome solicitor who lives with his younger sister, a woman with special needs. In short order, Jennifer finds herself deeply in love. But fate deals her a challenging blow during her research when she is forced to take measure of herself and answer a simple question: is she willing to sacrifice happiness in her personal life for success in her professional one? Because the story she is about to break will rock the world with new revelations about the Royal Family. And forever change the life of the man she loves.

    Now, after surviving a burglary, Amy welcomes a new man into her life, the handsome police officer who attended the B and E at her home.Frightened by the intruder’s ugly threats, Amy adopts an abused rescue dog for companionship and protection while hoping to heal the animal’s damaged spirit. In turn, could her new pet help a depressed child recover from a devastating loss?The new additions to her life are stirring a renewed desire to fulfill her fondest wish: a family of her own. But Amy is torn between preserving her husband’s memory and pursuing a new love. Is her heart willing to risk the devastating pain of losing a loved one again?Or is she just one catastrophe away from losing it all?

    Whether you're diving into treacherous waters, racing the clock against global annihilation, or delving deep into an untamed wilderness, these thrilling tales of love and suspense will leave you breathless. Any Means Necessary by Katie Ruggle (Rocky Mountain Bounty Hunters, #0.5) Katie Ruggle brings trademark wit and warmth to her introduction of a family of five bounty hunter sisters making the Rocky Mountains a safer place—finding love and sowing chaos along the way. Deep Blue by Adriana Anders (Survival Instincts, #0.5) Adriana Anders plunges readers into a thrilling tale of survival (and steamy romance) as a deep sea diver and a former SEAL escape a derelict oil rig overrun with men who have a secret worth killing for. No Way Out by Juno Rushdan (Final Hour, #0.5) Juno Rushdan turns up the pressure in a high-octane, non-stop thriller where one woman's defiance—and her fierce love for the man she could never forget—may be all that's standing in the way of a new bioterror threat. Beyond Home by Connie Mann (Florida Wildlife Warriors #1.5) Connie Mann shows that in central Florida's untamed wilderness, paradise has a dark side, and the heroes of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) are trained to face the worst that man—and nature—can dish out.Turn the Tide is a pulse-pounding collection of novellas by some of the brightest names in the genre.

    THEY’RE WATCHING YOU...Christa has a secret so big that her husband John is using it as blackmail in their divorce. He is out for revenge because - although she won’t admit it - Christa is still in love with the man with whom she shares this secret; the man whose fiery girlfriend slams Christa at every opportunity. To protect her teenage daughter from a horrid truth, Christa must agree to John’s demands by the morning. But her world is about to rip wide open, and turn into life or death, when housemate Nicola discovers that John is the least of their problems; he’s not the only one wretched enough to exploit them.