Stinging from an unimaginable loss, he has withdrawn from life, wanting only to live out his existence with as little interference as possible. However, when his sister talks him into auditing an English Literature class at the local community college, he reluctantly accepts the invitation to abandon his lonely apartment. Intent upon making an appearance for his sister’s sake and then disappearing for his own, Jonathon sulks into class. But when he meets Elizabeth Forester, the professor, Jonathon learns there is more to life and to love than he ever could have imagined. "Staci Stallings' books are Christian romance at its best!" IF YOU BELIEVED IN LOVE is a fascinating mix of literature and faith. A Contemporary Christian romance, the novel explores life, love, death, and redemption. It will surely find its way into your romance novels and inspirational books collections. *~* EXCERPT *~* “Turn to Appearances, page 31.” Without more than a second’s time, she continued without reading her book. “And so you found that poor room dull,/Dark, hardly to your taste, my dear?/Its features seemed unbeautiful;/But this I know—‘twas there, not here,/You plighted troth to me, the word/Which—ask that poor room how it heard. “And this rich room obtains your praise/Unqualified—so bright, so fair,/So all whereat perfection stays?/Aye, but remember—here, not there,/The other word was spoken!—Ask/This rich room how you dropped the mask! “Browning uses the metaphor of a house again in this one, a structure of some kind with different rooms. And what’s the story with this house?” “The guy likes one room but not the other.” Quiet depth filled her eyes. “Why?” She turned, and her gaze caught a raised hand. “Mr. Hansen?” “Because in one room he was trying to be something he wasn’t, and in the other, he dropped the mask.” “And the first room, where he was wearing the mask was…?” “Unbeautiful,” Susana said. “Dull and dark.” Ms. Forester seemed lost in the thought. “And the second room? What was it like?” “Unqualified,” someone down front said, “so bright, so fair.” “He’s saying the same thing in both poems, is he not?” She turned on the toe of her boot and gazed at the whole of her students. “Be who you are. Drop the mask. Be brave enough to show the world, and far from losing yourself and being criticized like a finite clod, you may be immortalized like Shakespeare, or at the very least, the room you’re standing in might just seem a little brighter than the one where you were before.” Her attention jumped up to the clock. “Oh, look at the time. Be sure to read the last selections for Thursday’s class. See you then.” It was like snapping awake from a dream and not being at all able to shake it. Jonathon stood as the others did as well. His mind spun trying to think of something, some reason that could keep him here with her for one more minute. He checked his things, gathering them slowly, watching her down front the whole time. One of the other students stepped up to her, and she bent to listen. What could he ask her? What question would be good enough to go to the front?

    The Fourth Sunrise is such a book. It is a celebration of how love transcends time, a story that makes us believe in true love all over again.When the team bus breaks down in Delta, Colorado, minor league baseball player Joel Murphy sets eyes for the first time on Christine, a waitress. Instantly smitten, he will spend the rest of the night getting to know her...and falling helplessly in love. In fact, he's certain she's the one. But when morning comes, Joel must leave quicker than planned and, tragically, never gets to say goodbye. And when he returns after a grueling season on the road, he discovers that Christine has moved on...and has married someone else.That was thirty years ago...Now in the present day, as Joel Murphy waits at a coffee shop in Delta to meet Christine for the fourth time in his life, and an intriguing young woman joins him to wait for her date, too. As the hour grows late, Joel begins to tell his new friend about Christine, who he has seen only three times over a period of decades. There is one important secret that he has kept from Christine, one that could tear them apart forever. As the hour grows even later, Joel's heart needs a voice and he begins to spill all the secrets of his enduring and lifelong love for Christine.

    Betrayal. Denial. Sacrifice. Hope. One girl is escaping a world of abuse while another flees from her rapist. One girl slips away from slavery as another one runs away from a life of crime. One girl battles poverty while another one fights to win her life back. What ties them all together? At one time or another, they all worked at Mama’s nightclub, selling their bodies to make a living. And they all found a way out — a new life, new friendships, new chances, and new love. This is their story. Meet the RUNAWAY girls. While their lives may have started out in dire straits and their paths may twist and turn, they’re all looking for redemption and happiness. They’re all learning how to be stronger, braver, and wiser. And whether they know it or not, they’re all selfless and relentless, making sacrifices in the hopes of a better future, never stopping until they make it. WARNING: Not suitable for readers below 17yo.

    It was a short stopover to save money for her move to Paris – until she unexpectedly inherited the local pottery painting studio. In two years she's built the business into a soaring success. Unfortunately, her love life hasn't achieved the same stellar results. So when a break-up with her two-timing boyfriend comes on the heels of an offer to buy her shop, Emily decides it's finally time to make good on the move she's only dreamed about.Ben Nichols, a head-turningly handsome outdoor adventure guide, hasn't taken his eyes off Emily since the day she started work at the shop next to his apartment. But a disastrous date two years ago plunged him deep into the friend zone. Now that Emily is single again, Ben vows to use his second chance to win her over – but then her plan to move to Paris shifts into high gear. Can he charm his way into Emily's heart before she packs her bags?Dreaming of Forever is a standalone story in the Gold Creek series. If you like sweet, small town romances that feature strong, independent women and the ruggedly handsome men who love them, this series is perfect for you.Each book can be enjoyed on its own, but if you prefer to read the series in order:Book 1: Dreaming of Forever (Emily & Ben's story)Book 2: Flirting with Forever (Megan & Blake's story)Book 3: Promise Me Forever (Grace & Zach's story)Treat yourself to a visit to Gold Creek today!

    Trying to escape the oppressive loss and hopelessness of a life without him, Janie sets off on the adventure she has dreamed about since she was a little girl. Exploring New York City, she secretly hopes that this landmark event will free her from her grief and unlock a future as wonderful as the life she had lost with Robert’s passing.After a series of embarrassing encounters with a man in a dark grey suit during the flight, Janie wonders if this trip might be more than she bargained for. At 42, she is much too young to spend the rest of her days as a lonely widow, but is resolved to the fact that, like lightning, a love like that of her first marriage rarely strikes twice.When she accepts his invitation to dinner that evening, Janie is terrified at the realization that she’s actually attracted to him. The handsome and wealthy Matt Lathem is sexy as hell, but, as Janie comes to realize, has baggage of his own. Can they help to heal each other in time to realize that a second chance at love is within their grasp?‘First Class to New York’ is a contemporary, adult romance novel

    A man struggling with a devastating betrayal. Love is a game they’re determined to win… Yasmin just wants to keep her family’s Las Vegas bookstore afloat. She doesn’t have time for anything other than trying to figure out how to pay the bills. When an incredibly hot guy with tattoos and piercings walks into her store, she’s relieved to discover what a jerk he is once he opens his mouth. His bad behavior makes it easier to try and ignore the way her body responds to him. Trying is all she can do once he sets his sights on her, determined to win her over. Computer genius Scott Griffin thought he was in love once, until he found out that it was all a lie. The crazy, pen loving bookworm he encounters sets him on fire like no one else ever has. When she stands up to him, he realizes that it’s more than just her body that he’s intrigued by. But, he can’t have her, can’t have anyone after what happened in Chicago. Or, can he? When she challenges him to woo her, he pulls out all the stops. They embark on a romance filled with sweet gestures and steamy nights. Until a shocking revelation causes Scott to feel the sting of betrayal again while Yasmin loses everything, including the man she loves. A loving family and a loyal group of friends will try to help them find a way back to each other, but will it be too late to save them both?

    It's addictive romance reading that gets more satisfying as you journey further into these characters experience. Book one of the LOVE in the USA series features Daisy Blanchard and Belmont (Jack) Lord. Don't be surprised by the hot and fast start, Daisy and Belmont have a lot to learn about love, and here is where their education begins. It was one intense week in late October. I probably should've slowed our pace but I wasn't thinking clearly. I had just learned my boyfriend and best friend were engaged via a Facebook post, which left me heartbroken and wrestling with ghosts from my past.But Belmont Lord was so convincing and uninhibited, unlike me. He also had demons of his own. We threw caution to the wind. Could fate had picked a more perfect time and place for two people to meet?Yes, it was one steamy and surprising week, but was it long enough to make us last forever?Find Her, Keep Her: A Martha's Vineyard Love Story is the first sexy, sensual and addictive contemporary romance in the LOVE in the USA series by author, Z.L. Arkadie.This manuscript has been updated as of 6/18/2017. Sex scenes are still frequent but they are no longer written in graphic detail. Also, some of the details that were hard to swallow have been made palatable. Although, do realize that I had chosen to write two imperfect human beings. In later books, as they choose to make their relationship work, they also choose to resolve their personal issues. After all that is the theme of the LOVE in the USA series--true love, real love is another catalyst in life which helps evolve two people for the better. So I write love stories more than romance, and from book one through twelve of this series, you will be able to read the difference. Visit zlarkadiebooks.com to learn more about the author.

    She's at the end of the line. A chance meeting will change everything. Kenna Mitchell grew up despised and mistreated by those who should've loved and protected her. Now homeless and alone, with pain too heavy to bear, she's ready to end it all. Enter Rogan Scott, an up-and-coming rock star with one focus—his band. Out in the woods, looking for song inspiration, he comes across a beautiful girl seconds from ending her life. Rogan saves Kenna, only to face her anger. Intrigued by her reactions and motivations, he devotes himself to getting to know the real Kenna Mitchell. Turns out, she doesn't even know herself. Soon their tenuous friendship blossoms into love, and Rogan pulls her into his world of rock and roll. But his social circle proves as cruel as the one she left behind. As everything spirals out of control, Kenna discovers a shocking secret about her past. With each new lie uncovered, she's gutted worse than before. She rallies every time—until she learns a painful detail she's certain she'll never recover from. Can Rogan show Kenna that life is worth living, or will the merciless truths of her life convince her to finally end it all? (This book contains sensitive subject matter.)

    Their current demand? A prominent local winery-and the land it sits on. No doubt it would only take one visit for him to charm the owners into selling.But his plan hits a snag the second he lays eyes on the alluring woman, dead-set on maintaining her family legacy. For the first time, he can see a forever with a woman. A forever that’s threatened when she discovers who he really is.Then the unthinkable happens: Declan is arrested for a catastrophic attack, threatening both their livelihoods and futures. And even though he maintains he’s innocent, Brooke’s trust is stretched so thin she doesn’t know what to believe.Or who’s really to blame. Who do you trust when everyone lies?This is a steamy, stand-alone, HEA romantic suspense.

    During one of her days walking dogs in Central Park, Ronnie as she is known by her friends has a casual conversation with a handsome man. She never expects to see him again so she doesn’t even record his name in her memory bank. When her name comes up on the list to move into housing for single moms, Ronnie is overwhelmed with joy. She glances over to see the man from the park at the ribbon-cutting ceremony. Could this be fate or a mere coincidence? Gabe’s worried about crashing and burning—again, but Ronnie’s different. Can he risk his heart or should he walk away while he still can?

    I can live with that because I’m Maximillian Rochartè, Prince of Bellèno and I make royal problems go away.The monarchy borrowed millions from shady oligarchs and loans are coming due. I convince a billionaire to fork over a fortune in exchange for marrying his daughter, Lady Cici to my playboy brother. Cici needs a few weeks to clear up loose ends but by then someone will be murdered and dumped into the Black Sea as fish food. Probably me.I hire Vivian, an out of work American cocktail waitress -- who could be Cici’s sexier, funnier, smarter twin -- to impersonate her for a few weeks. Our chemistry’s crazy and I can’t help but proposition her relentlessly. In spite of my dirty, filthy, all consuming thoughts about what I’ll do to her once I get her in the sack -- I transform Vivian into a ‘lady.’Now we’re back in Bellèno, weeks have passed, and Cici’s a no-show. I know in the depths of my deceitful heart that I'm falling in love with Vivian. Unfortunately, my brother is too...

    She’s not about to let a little thing like gender get in her way. She’ll use every wile–feminine or otherwise–and her considerable strength of will to win this battle of the sexes. But the limits of her determination are tested by the only Navy SEAL capable of commanding her heart. Commander Marc Miller is equally determined to keep her out of his program. As the newly appointed CO of BUD/S, he’s been tasked with cleaning up SEAL Training. He doesn’t need a red-hot redhead compounding the problem. For him Hell Week begins when one well-connected junior officer walks into his office. The last thing he wants is to be her commanding officer when the only thing he wants is her. The only way to have her––and the surest way to lose her––is to see that she fails. Will love conquer all or tear them apart?

    She has everything she wants: a successful career, the ability to make sure she is as far away from her parents as possible, and an almost equally successful boyfriend. One phone call from a dear friend brings her back to the States, to her old neighborhood where she comes face to face with her childhood crush, Christopher Hunter. And one look into his eyes brings back all the memories and feelings she thought she had long forgotten. Feelings she shouldn’t have.

     When he sees something he likes, or more accurately, something his d**k likes, he gets it. His women are hot, successful and experienced in BDSM. Until, he meets Maggie. She’s not at all his usual type. She’s round, lush and a hot-mess of a woman. It’s obvious she doesn’t belong at La Petite Mort Club and he can’t help following her. She needs someone to look out for her. She’s a little rabbit in a club full of predators. When she gets herself into a situation, he has no choice but to rescue her. When he realizes that she’s a natural submissive and innocent of the kinkier side of sex, he’ll stop at nothing to have. He can’t wait to show her how good it’ll feel when she surrenders to his desires. Maggie had no idea that the club she was going to was a “sex” club. She tries not to look, but there are people doing it everywhere. She is not getting turned on by it. Not at all. Really, she isn’t. All she has to do, is find her friend and get out of there. Of course, that’s easier said than done. Not only has she bumped into just about every person in the club, but one of the men—a very handsome and extremely rude stranger—not only follows her, but suggests that they “do it” in the hallway. As if she’d ever do something like that. She’s a recently divorced, mother of three, not some wild, young woman. She tells him, in no uncertain terms, what she thinks of his suggestion but then, she finds herself in a dangerous situation. Will the rude stranger save her, or will he turn out to be even more dangerous than the others?

    An artist who's withdrawn from the world. A property battle that just might heal them both.When struggling caterer Tess Palmer inherits her great-aunt's home at Sunset Lake, Missouri, she thinks she's found the way to save her business. Selling the property can provide just the infusion of capital she needs to pay off her debts and move to a larger commercial kitchen.Wildlife painter Jack Hamlin, who lives across Sunset Lake, wants the area kept exactly as it is--a place where waterfowl can thrive and where he can find peace and solitude to ease his troubled heart. Although he's drawn to Tess's honesty and beauty, he's appalled to learn she would welcome a deal with a developer, and he vows to stop her.As Tess discovers the reasons why Jack is so passionate about protecting the lake, she finds him more and more attractive. She takes a tentative step past her own emotional pain to risk her heart again. But there seems to be no solution to the impasse over the property. As a sale becomes imminent, can Jack and Tess trust God--and each other--and finally find a love that will last?