He never had a place to call home. While camping out one night, hoping to find the next town, he had a feeling he was being watched. He ignored his instincts and went to sleep to wake up in the morning with a splitting headache from being hit on the head, and his horse, food, and saddlebags stolen. Following the footsteps left behind by the thieves, he found it led to a cabin and to a patchwork family in dire need of help. Sadie Carman lost her pa and took in two boys and a little girl that needed her to care for them. The boys were a trial, but she loved them like her own children. When Stryker Steele showed up at her door and told her that someone stole his horse and belongings, she was worried the boys had something to do with it. She agreed to let him stay until he could figure out what to do, but she never figured that he would give them a Christmas like they never had and forgive the boys for what they did. She worried Stryker would leave and she wished he'd stay forever.

    Although Nia was initially cautious about the pace at which their relationship was moving, she finally opened up her heart to love. Then she’s hit with what seems like the ultimate betrayal. Raffiel is certain that Nia was made for him. At every turn, he receives confirmation that she is the one. But there is something that he doesn’t know about Nia that could change how he feels about her. Is the omission of information the same as lying? If so, Nia and Raffiel are both guilty. In the finale, secrets are uncovered that will rock their world. Is this newfound love strong enough to see them through the hard times? People are going out of their way to ensure that these two don’t get their happily ever after. This couple will be tested and find themselves questioning if this could be love.

    Her goal was to become an accountant and work her way up to run her own company. Unfortunately, before her 21st birthday changes had to be made in her life that would cause her to leave everything she once knew behind; including her mother.Caleb was your average bachelor that ran through women like water. The problem was he wanted to settle down but never found anyone good enough to do that with.When Kharis and Caleb finally meet face to face, sparks fly and a flame is ignited in both of them that won't allow either one of them to walk away; no matter what obstacles are placed in front of them. The two of them will take a journey unlike any other showing everyone that it's ok to have that different kind of love.

    It is a new, never been told before story about Matt and Nicole.) AN EXCERT FROM THE BOOK (It’s Nicole in the middle school lunch line)— My stubborn eyes keep clinging to Matt. No matter where I try to make them look, they keep lingering back to him. He’s like a magnet to my eyes. A magnet that I want to strangle … yet hug. Both at the same time. Matt must feel my eyes on him, because he glances up at me and our eyes lock. I get this ache in my chest. This longing. Longing for us to be close again; best friends again. (Or maybe even MORE than friends—gulp!) Embarrassed that Matt caught me spying on him, I quickly turn away from his hypnotic stare. My mangled heart feels like it’s going to explode. SUMMARY OF THE BOOK: Best friends, Matt and Nicole, are in a fight. What’s that about? Can they make up and be friends again? Or maybe even become MORE than friends? Hmmm. NOTE: This book also contains a short story about Ally and Griffin in middle school. And now a free bonus story as well: MIDDLE SCHOOL POWERS (VOL. 4). It’s just an added story because readers have been asking for more to the Middle School Powers series—so here it is—a new story included in this book, free. (This book is 190 pages) Update: Now there is a another story about Matt and Nicole added to this book as well. Enjoy! Melanie Marks' newest book is: "Ally and Griffin (Middle School)" Also new: Beck Bait

    The pair are the envy of the Dublin social scene and it looks as if Sandy's future is bright. But when her mother's health declines and she has to be hospitalised, Sandy discovers a letter in her mother's personal belongings, which unleashes a long-hidden family secret that forces Sandy to question everything she once took for granted.As Sandy sets out on a voyage of discovery that takes her from Dublin to the Costa del Sol in search of her true identity, nothing can prepare her for what lies in store...

    Wanting a chance at a new life, away from the pitying stares and loneliness of her life in England, she answers an ad as a mail order bride in America. Brooks is a gambling man, who wants revenge against his father's killer. His plans are complicated when Fiona lands in his lap after a winning hand. He doesn’t have time to be looking after a woman, especially one who should have known better than to come to a strange country on her own. But, somehow, she has become his problem. Will the final wager cost him his heart? BOOK 2: A Drifter’s Fortune - She needs to escape the brutality of the life she’s living, and he needs a wife to win a fortune… Patience has been raised by family who treat her as little more than a servant. After years of pain and abuse, she knows it’s time to get her and her younger brother to safety before it’s too late. She answers an ad looking for a mail order bride, knowing that whatever the future holds with a complete stranger, it could never be worse than what it is now. An eccentric man has left his beloved Last Chance Ranch to the first man who can find a woman to marry him. Problem is, it has to be a woman they’ve never met, and they have to get her to agree to come to the desolate ranch full of surprises, in the middle of nowhere, and stay for at least six months. The race is on to win the fortune. Harrison is determined to send the woman away after the term is up, paying her dearly for her time. He’s lived in the shadow of his family name long enough, and wants to create his own mark in the world. He doesn’t have time for anything else. But, when Patience shows up, his plans change as he realizes there might be more to life than earning a fortune. And, maybe the fortune he has in front of him is already worth more than he could have dreamed. BOOK 3: A Lawman’s Reward - Can he prove she’s worthy of the love he has to give? Lydia is ready for her fresh start as the teacher in the growing cowtown of Abilene, KS. Her brother isn’t happy about her living in town on her own, so only agrees if his friend—the local sheriff—is willing to keep an eye on her. Lewis Kinkaide has left a life behind, following his dreams of working as a lawman in the wildest town in the west. He agrees to keep his eye on Lydia, knowing it’s no hardship since he’s already had his eye on her for a long time. Can Lewis prove to her that her disability, which she believes leaves her with nothing to offer a man, is in her eyes only? And, what will happen when secrets from his past come forward, threatening to ruin the hope and trust they've started to build? BOOK 4: Jessie's Bargain (This book crosses over and continues into this series featuring the same characters you will meet in the first 3 books). Cora left England for a new life in America as a mail order bride - only to find the man she’s come to marry has been killed in a gunfight. She has a sister in Kansas, but how can she get there? Jesse needs this job driving cattle to Kansas so he can marry the woman who’s given him an ultimatum - buy land and settle down, or she’ll marry someone who will.

    

    But with an American film crew in town intent on uncovering buried secrets from WWII, and a disgruntled relative amongst other problems, life is neither simple nor quiet. When Patrick, her ex-boss, unexpectedly offers Katie her dream media job, she must decide whether it is worth turning her back on everything and everyone in Dartmouth - including Leo, a friend from the past, who wants to be a part of her future. Will Katie make the right decision?

    

    Ellie Greene wants a quiet life with Grams on the Wyoming farm, and quiet could happen if someone would stop sabotaging them. Each week something more dangerous happens and Ellie doesn't know how much more she can stand. Forced to seek help, Ellie would prefer anyone else other than the tall, dark, sexy-as-sin cowboy with the knight-in-shining-armor complex she gets stuck with. While the chemistry between them flares brighter than fireworks, Ellie knows they want different things from life. She wants an easy-going farm boy, and nothing about Shane is easy. Besides, soon he’ll be moving on. He’s not meant to be a civilian… Shane Hannigan doesn’t know how to be anything but a Marine sniper. Honestly, he’s not sure he’s good at anything else. Since the IED explosion took his leg—and most likely his career—he’s not sure where he belongs. As a man whose job is to protect others, coming across the blonde-curly haired beauty with a flat tire is a nice distraction, that is until he finds out the flat was no accident. Someone is out to get Ellie, and even though she’s the most stubbornly competent woman he’s ever met—and damn if that’s not a sexy trait—he knows she's in danger and he’s going to help her, despite her obstinate objections. Can they work together to find who is determined to destroy Ellie before it’s too late? Or will Ellie lose her heart and her farm?

    She plans to use that money to escape her toxic relationship, but what she doesn’t know is the money she stole wasn’t his to keep. It was a loan from the Belmonte family, one of the most dangerous families in the heart of the Big Apple. Most children are taught not to play with their food, but Nevahn “Lourde” Belmonte was taught never to play with his money. He comes from a world of trappers and killers disguised as businessmen, so there are no college savings or 401K’s, only street money. As the only son of a street god, he’s next in line to inherit the million-dollar family “business” until his father throws a wrench in his plans. He must create a legacy, and he will not hand him the keys to the kingdom until he has a wife. With the lifestyle he lives, there’s no room for monogamy, let alone marriage. When Loyalty’s actions land her in Lourde’s presence, he’s immediately drawn to her fearlessness and beauty. She just may be the girl he needs to get what he wants. When given the chance, he makes her an offer she can’t refuse. Over time, what was supposed to be just a “business” deal turns into much more than just six zeros scribbled on a check. In A Ruthle$$ Love Story, she will find out what it’s like to fall in love with a man whose reputation is almost as ruthless as his smile, and he will learn what it means to love someone unconditionally.

    Growing up an only child with her mother and father prevalent in her life. In love with her first and only boyfriend and getting ready to leave for college, Cassidy feels like life is perfect. A chance encounter with the most respected and feared family in Columbia. She finds herself being thrown into a world wind romance with a man that is liable to turn her world upside down forever. Will she be able to navigate these foreign waters with ease or will she capsize in the dark depths of the unknown? Kentrell Banner is known for his screw ‘em and leave ‘em demeanor. Thinking he has it all, he never complains about missed opportunities because he has never experienced them. Until he meets the beautiful and feisty, Cassidy Warborough. Being the person that refuses to take no for an answer, he goes full throttle trying to get Cassidy on his roster. Unfortunately for him, Cassidy isn’t one of his usual feats, so she refuses his advances no matter how thick the attraction. Finally weighing her down, he gets her to give into his advances, but at what cost? Will Kentrell be willing to give up his playboy ways to court the unfamiliar or will his spoiled and entitled behavior cause him to lose possibly the best thing that has ever happened to him? Candace Harris is a female who knows what she wants and not so much what she needs. Experiencing the perils of relationships through the eyes of her best friend, she finds herself uninterested in what they have to offer. When a strong minded and handsome, Malachi Banner comes into her life. She finds herself experiencing the lure of being that girl that experiences a happy ever after. Will she chance her heart and sanity for a piece of the good thing or will she chose to stick to what she knows and spare herself from the possibility of being hurt? Malachi Banner is not the man behind the name. Strong, opinionated with a hint of crazy, he finds himself intrigued with the likes of Candace Harris. Used to the fast life like the rest of his cousins. He can’t escape the strong attraction that he has to prove to Candace that good men do still exist, but will his attempts be a bust. Using his personality and suaveness to bombard his way into her life, she immediately friend zones him. Will he be able to way her down and change her view on relationships or will he forever be the friend?

    She is beautiful, intelligent and has a bright future ahead. She should be enjoying her last semester of college, but she recently found out her boyfriend of three years, Eric Thomas, hasn’t been faithful. Kennedy is emotionally drained from dealing with Eric and thinks that she will never find the love she’s always dreamed of. When she meets the notorious Jaheim King, Kennedy feels like he is out of her league, but she is drawn to him immediately. Jaheim King is a boss in every sense. From a young age, he was groomed to be a killer. Jaheim worked alongside his father and uncle as paid assassins for some of the most powerful crime organizations in the country and he has more money than he could ever spend. The only thing that is missing from his life is someone special, but when he meets Kennedy his world is turned upside down. They are from different worlds but the chemistry between them is undeniable. He is everything she’s ever wanted and after one brief encounter she feels like has known him all her life, but will falling in love distract her from chasing her dreams? Will she be able to handle dating the boss she feels like she was created for? Join Kennedy and Jaheim as they embark on an unforgettable journey.