But when he suddenly dies of a heart attack his wife Annie refuses to have the words ‘beloved husband’ added to his gravestone. Their son, Billy, is exasperated with his mother and worries about how she will cope on her own. Unwilling to take time out of his own busy schedule to take care of her, he enlists the services of the local vicar, Andrew, to keep an eye on her.Before she knows what is happening, Annie finds herself telling the vicar things she has kept hidden for years. Dark secrets that had plagued her sixty-year marriage to Ernest.When Annie’s estranged granddaughter, Ophelia, turns up for a visit, the two bond over their mutual contempt for Billy and his controlling behaviour. But when Ophelia meets Andrew, the unhappily married vicar, things start to get very complicated…What is the truth about Ernest? Why is Annie behaving so strangely now that he is dead? And how can Andrew reconcile his growing feelings for Ophelia with his respect for his marriage and his religion?Spanning from the Second World War to the present day, Dead Ernest is a poignant, moving and, at times, very funny look at what really goes on behind closed doors in the ordinary lives of ordinary people."Beautifully written, deceptively simple, with convincingly drawn and endearing characters...a delightful read" Andrew Davies“Witty, original and engaging. A wonderful read from the classic opening line to the deeply moving conclusion” L C Tyler, author of the John Grey historical series and the Herring Mysteries."shot through with a sense of human sympathy transcending its situations; and that in itself is a considerable achievement" Church Times"Garrood's debut is assured and thought provoking" Kelly Salter, Big Issue Cymru"Remarkably well written and well constructed" Michael Allen, Grumpy Old Bookman

    Emotional entanglement is not on Georgie Martin's to do list. She has turned her back on her sophisticated Sydney lifestyle, determined to renovate her parents old flower farm and her shattered ego. However, the challenges prove more than she bargained for until a madcap scheme comes to fruition and the Protea Boys are born. The team of efficient, well-tapered six-packs solve her farming problems, but their leader presents a different kind of challenge - their first spark of attraction ignites a passion she cannot ignore. Tom Morgan likes his women "pretty and entertaining," not "efficient and driven," but the threat of being co-opted as a wine waiter or worse, chef in his brother's restaurant encourages him to take up what he sees as the highly amusing challenge of managing the Protea Boys. It is the perfect distraction while he waits for a new assignment - or so he thinks until he realizes he has found the one woman he cannot run away from.

    He's the one she's always wanted.From the moment, Justin Ellis reunites with his best friend's little sister in Las Vegas, his world is turned upside down. Angela is beautiful and smart and everything he wants. But they cannot have more than their week-long fling before they both go back to their lives in Seattle.Deciding to give her brother's best friend a Vegas experience was probably not Angela York's smartest move. Especially since she never really got over her school girl crush on him. And why, oh why, did the Vegas experience have to include a drunken night at a wedding chapel.Will they see that they are meant for one another? Or are they headed straight for divorce?

    A baby. It was supposed to be as simple as that. 
Ryan Gold always gets what he wants. And what he wants is a sibling for his son after his wife’s untimely death. The last thing that Ryan’s looking for is a relationship, especially with someone who isn’t remotely interested in him or in raising this baby. But there’s something about Lexi…she ignites a fire inside of him, one that’s not easy to put out. It has always been Lexi’s dream to go to college. But in her family, a Bachelor’s degree is a pipe dream. And then Ryan came along with his offer. It’s unusual, yes. But the money would make all of her dreams come true and give her a real shot at making something of herself. Besides, what could go wrong? 
 The Baby Contract is a standalone steamy romance with no cheating, no cliffhanger, and a happily ever after.

    Recently widowed, Darci Cunningham swims against popular current that she should take her time and heal after the sudden death of her husband. But in a bold turn, she decides to follow a dream set aside and moves to Mackinac Island to pursue her dream of writing.But as she prepares for her first winter on the island, she is unaware of the dangers that have washed ashore--one that may steal her heart, while the other may steal her life(*available in ebook and soon in paperback)

    Both at the top of their class, holding themselves to the highest standards; both captains of their volleyball teams, Logan as the girls captain, Noah as the boys; and both constantly playing seemingly harmless pranks to get back at one another. Or, at least, they're usually harmless...If one thing is true, Noah Locke and Logan Pierce are not friends.But does that mean they could never be friends? Or transcend their title as enemies?Logan might take things too far sometimes, but there's a reason behind the angry front she puts on, and in order to get behind it, someone needs to show her that there's more to life than being the best at everything.Cue Noah Locke.When the two volleyball teams are sent away to a team bonding camp for a week over Fall break, Logan and Noah must learn to get along for the sake of their teams. Partnered up and made to do activities together and bond, the goal is for Noah and Logan to stop this ongoing feud. And when something happens at the bonding camp that brings Logan's vulnerable side up to bat, Noah is the one who has to bring her back.While Logan and Noah explore something other than hatred for one another, there are secrets and people who could be working in toll to bring them apart. But will they be able to transcend those factors and stop fighting for once? Or were they destined to be enemies forever?"Better Than You" challenges the idea that enemies have to stay enemies forever, and proves that if you don't run away from love, you may just find where you were meant to be.

     Amy has officially put dating on the back burner after a string of noncommittal relationships. But when she accidentally brushes her hand against a handsome stranger's one night at a movie theater, her heart decides it has other plans—until she realizes her handsome prince brings a new girl to the theater almost every weekend. This doesn’t stop her from admiring him from afar, while she and her twin brother make up outlandish stories about him every time he comes to the theater. But when their worlds collide, she needs to decide if she will open her heart and take another chance on a man, or push him away after she’s done with his services. Steven has waited months to ask out a girl he’s only had a few brief interactions with. But every time he tries, she runs away from him. His coworkers step in with a plan to put his bachelor days behind him. But the fun and games come with a price tag, as his Cinderella stands to lose something much more valuable than a glass slipper. Other titles by this author: The Billionaire Club Series The Billionaires Secret The Billionaires Conflict Excerpt from this book: “She moved to the edge where the prince was still standing. His eyes were bright as she stepped next to him then her mind went blank as panic set in. This man was on a date with another woman. She was crazy. She stood awkwardly trying to form a coherent sentence. He smiled down at her and her heart skipped at the satisfaction in his eyes. “I left your hot sauce at home,” he said, breaking her awkward silence. She gasped at his unexpected words, shifting uncomfortably. She needed to pull it together. She felt like an awkward teenager. “Didn’t I see you with someone?” she asked, grasping at anything her brain could find in her muddied state. “She’ll be back in a minute.” He glanced back to the restroom and Amy followed his gaze. “I’m sorry about that,” Amy said the next thing her scattered mind thought of. He lifted an eyebrow at her, a smile playing at the edge of his lips. “That my date will be back.” She laughed out loud before cupping her hand to her mouth. She dropped her hands in embarrassment. “No, sorry. I’m sorry for throwing popcorn at you.” “That was definitely unexpected.” She bit her bottom lip, unsure of what she should ask next. If she ever needed saving, now would be perfect timing. Too bad she didn’t have twin telepathy.”

    Don't let on that he's making your heart beat twice as fast as normal!Above all, remember to be professional--you're not here for romance!

    They need to keep watch for the zoo's first litter of wild dogs. Will the patter of tiny paws bring them together... this time forever?The Soldier, The Puppy and Me - Myrna MackenzieChristmas is a difficult time for war hero Trey McFadden and it doesn't help that his neighbour, Ella Delancey, and her adorable puppy, Fizz, seem determined on spreading festive cheer.

    In this new series, you will meet Richard Storm and his five children, and the circumstances that ripped him away from his brothers, Joseph and George Anderson. See how they finally meet. The bonds of an Anderson bloodline are too strong to keep their family apart forever. Get all books in The Lost Andersons Series for one low price. Included in the collection is a preview of the upcoming book Priceless Treasure! Unexpected Treasure (Book One): Richard Storm is saddened that his children are throwing away their lives, and offers them an ultimatum. They have two years to take a failing business and make it a success or they lose their trust funds, and are on their own. His stubborn children think he’s gone insane, but they don’t know the powerful secret that can knock them to their knees and tear their family apart. Will they come together as they should, or will self-centeredness consume their hearts, ripping their family apart forever? Crew Storm opens an exclusive resort in the Catalina Islands off the coast of California, and pride swells within him as he accomplishes the impossible. Everything is going on track until a blond steps into his life and begs him to teach her how to be the perfect seductress after she researches his technique of charming and luring women to his bedroom. Haley Sutherland is done with her fears, done being a wallflower and done being invisible. She comes up with a brilliant idea to find the perfect person to teach her how to seduce the man she truly wants. Though, the person she’s chosen to be her teacher is Crew Storm, soon she finds she’s forgetting her first love’s name. Hidden Treasure (Book Two): The second book in the Lost Anderson series is here, and it comes to you with a kicking and screaming heiress. Brielle Storm inherits a dilapidated ranch in the wilds of Montana and she isn’t happy about her situation in the least. She may be moving to her new home, and she may be planning on doing whatever it takes to make her billionaire father happy, but she certainly won’t be doing it with a smile on her face. No. Brielle plans on coming to Montana, hiring some ranch hand to do all the work, and then getting out of there before the first winter snow has a chance to hit. Montana isn’t a state that offers predictable weather and Brielle is going to find out that the land isn’t the only thing she has to fear. When her hotter than any city boy ever dreams of being, cowboy neighbor shows up on her doorstep, Brielle decides that maybe Montana isn’t so bad after-all. That is until he laughs openly at her city girl ways. Then, she has something to prove… Holiday Treasure (Book Three): Mega wealthy Tanner Storm has it all – great looks, wealth, and nothing holding him down. Then, his father decides to play games with him and his siblings, handing him an apartment complex in downtown Seattle that Tanner wants nothing to do with. When the conditions of his father’s terms ensure that he do something with this building or lose his inheritance, he at first thinks, so what. But, then it becomes a challenge that he has to accept, because he’s never before backed down. He decides to tear down the building and start fresh with something far more appealing that will add to his already fat wallet. The only problem is that the residents don’t want to leave, and under the contract with his father, he can’t force them out. When he ends up before Judge Kragle from all the complaints made against him, the judge decides the best punishment for him will be two weeks of living in the very apartment complex he despises and two weeks of community service, playing Santa Claus at the mall.

    She has a new life, but Rose is missing one thing – someone to share it with. An opportunity Adam can’t pass up… Adam Bryan has a plan for his life, but everything changes when he gains custody of his young sister Daisy. Still, he’s determined to advance his career, and the boss’s daughter could be the perfect person to help him reach his goals. A love worth finding… As Christmas nears, old memories and new attractions intertwine, making Adam doubt what he wants in his life. Perhaps his meddling sister, sugar cookies, and the magic of a holiday festival can convince him what he’s been looking has been under his nose all along. *previously published as Second Chance Rose in Christmas Roses anthology

    However, she discovers too late that etiquette is the last thing on devilishly handsome Will's mind....

    Normally cool under pressure, the situation has Chase hot under the collar, and he knows exactly who to blame: Lola Lombard, party organizer, queen of all things vintage, and absolute bombshell! But true love is timeless! Behind Lola's pin curls and red lipstick hides a girl who's never believed she amounts to much. It's up to Chase to convince her that he loves her just the way she is, whether dressed in old-style glamour or as his brand-new bride!

    So he wants her to answer emails with her shirt off. So what? She worked at Hooters for years to get herself through college and it's not that much different. But when his demands get more and more invasive and he begins toying with her in front of his business rival, Jackson Vale, the job that was just supposed to pay for the lawyer in her son's upcoming custody hearing starts becoming more than she ever bargained for. PLEASE ME: The conclusion to Crush Me. Callie's determined that no man will ever have the power to hurt her again. But the path to getting her life back on track is messier than she ever expected. Especially when the man she thought she'd left behind is ready to fight for her every step of the way. But can a woman like her, having gone through the things she's experienced in her life, ever truly expect a happily ever after? WOMAN NAMED RED: (in the Crush Me universe, interacting with the previous characters) Kennedy: Her name was Scarlet and she burst into my life as an explosion of color as bright as her name promised. But don’t get confused. This isn’t a love story. I don't do love. No, this is a story about a woman with a fiery temperament and passion for life to match her name. She and I were combustible together. Which means maybe we were always meant to burn to the f*@king ground. Warning: All three of these novels contain dark themes and potential triggers which may be distressing to some readers.

     All your favorite characters are back for a special holiday edition. This is a short story of approx 27,000 words that will surely touch your heart. Now that Harrison and Danielle finally have their happily ever after, join them for their first family Christmas, set in their idyllic newly remodeled country manor. With extended family and friends on their guest list, this holiday has all the makings to be full of love, happiness and new traditions. Despite all of her careful planning, Danielle finds that as the holiday rapidly approaches circumstances beyond their control threaten to keep them apart this holiday. The only way to salvage her plans is the faith that the yuletide spirit bringing them back together for their first Christmas as a family. Look for the next installment in this series coming Spring 2014. Marion Devereaux, Rantings of a Wicked Woman. This book is intended for mature audiences. Suggest 18+ due to some explicit language and sexual situations.