See author's note, below Pulling Home (That Second Chance #1) It's taken nine years and a cross-country move, but Audra Valentine Wheyton has kept her secrets safe. She's created the perfect life: a husband who loves her, a daughter she adores, and a position as head writer for an award-winning daytime soap. When her husband dies suddenly, Audra returns to her hometown for the funeral and faces a community that has not forgotten her meager beginnings and the man who has never forgiven her for marrying his brother. Jack Wheyton is a successful pediatric neurosurgeon who is about to become engaged when Audra walks back into his life with her daughter. He forgave his brother long ago for taking something that had been his, something he hadn't even realized he wanted until it was gone. But forgiving Audra is another story...and forgetting her? Near impossible. When a shattering illness strikes Audra's daughter, she turns to Jack to save her child and risks exposing a secret that will change their lives forever. A Family Affair: The Promise (Truth in Lies #7) Grant Richot sprinted through life, a boy wonder with talent, intelligence, confidence, and charm. He never doubted the world awaited him, just as he never doubted the right woman would come into his life—but only when he was ready for her. Anyone before that was simply preparation for the one. How wrong he was. Years and a tragedy later, Grant arrives in Maggie Finnegan’s hometown of Magdalena, New York—broken, uncertain, and searching for that second chance with the woman he cast aside. But Maggie’s no longer naïve and impressionable; she’s a confident, competent widow with a child, who has more at risk than another broken heart… Note from Mary: I love secondary characters: writing them, reading about them, even watching them on the big screen. Secondary characters support the “stars”; make them more vibrant and compelling. But when the story ends, I’m often left wondering what they’d do if they were in the “spotlight”. That’s why I’ve created special boxed sets that were part of That Second Chance series and the Truth in Lies series. These boxed sets let the reader follow the before and after of select characters as they first appear in That Second Chance series and later in the fictional town of my bestselling Truth in Lies series. Boxed Set One contains Pulling Home and A Family Affair: The Promise. I invite you to follow their journey!

    He needs the land the inn sits on to impress his boss. Neither one of them will give an inch. But will they give each other their hearts? Alissa Heartwood captains a fishing boat and is the pastry chef for her family owned and operated empire on the island of Carter's Cove. With the arrival of summer and all the festivities on the island, she feels lonely and left out. If only she had a boyfriend to waste her afternoons with... Shawn Newman used to be exactly that boyfriend. Sure, they were together in high school eighteen years ago, and he's only going to be on his hometown island for a few weeks anyway. He just needs to get the Heartwoods to sell their land...and maybe he needs to kiss Lissa under the bright South Carolina moon. But the Heartwoods aren't interested in selling, and Alissa is resistant to his reappearance in her life. As Shawn rediscovers the beauty of the island where he grew up, Lissa confesses that she isn't looking for long-term, and he agrees to a few weeks of "fun." Nothing serious. As they spend more time together, Alissa thinks she might have made a mistake... Can Shawn and Alissa take their relationship out of the fun zone and into something more serious? Find out in this new enemies to lovers romance series by USA Today Bestselling author Elana Johnson! Read all the Carter's Cove Beach Romance novels: 1. Boyfriend By Mistake 2. Accidental Sweetheart 3. Bodyguard, Not Boyfriend 4. Not Her Real Fiancé 5. She Loves Him...Not Clean Beach Club Billionaire Romance: 1. The Brainy Billionaire 2. The Brawny Billionaire 3. The Bashful Billionaire 4. The Brazen Billionaire 5. The Billionaire's Bodyguard 6. The Billionaire's Boyfriend 7. The Brave Billionaire 8. The Belated Billionaire Hawthorne Harbor Second Chance Romance: 1. The Paramedic's Second Chance 2. The Chief's Second Chance 3. The Firefighter's Second Chance 4. The Officer's Second Chance 5. The Soldier's Second Chance 6. The Captain's Second Chance Brides & Beaches Romance: 1. The Helicopter Pilot's Bride 2. The Billionaire's Bride 3. The Prince's Bride 4. The Doctor's Bride 5. The Rockstar's Bride 6. The Carpenter's Bride Forbidden Lake Romance: 1. The Professor's Secret Crush 2. The Lumberjack's Secret Guest 3. The Owner's Secret Client 4. The Billionaire's Secret Flame 5. The Rockstar's Secret Weakness 6. The Biker's Secret Girlfriend Stranded in Paradise Romance: 1. Stranded with the Hidden Billionaire 2. Stranded with the SEAL 3. Stranded with the Quarterback 4. Stranded with the Cowboy Billionaire

    Beset by overbearing parents and surrounded by sycophantic socialites hoping to sink their claws into his wallet, he longs for someone who wants him for who he is, not what he has. Enter Charlie. She’s smart, beautiful, brave—and homeless. She’s all wrong for him, but Charlie crawls into Colts heart like no woman ever before. Having run from home to escape an abusive ex, Charlotte Ward just wants a new life…a quiet life…a safe life. She’s off to a bad start when she’s robbed of everything she owns, forcing her to sleep on the porch of an abandoned beach house. Enter the gorgeous next-door neighbor. Charlie doesn’t want to trust him, but Colt is kind, patient, persistent. Before long, she lets down her guard…and opens her heart. With his parents interfering and her past catching up fast, will Colt and Charlie find their different worlds are too far apart? Or is their love strong enough to prove home is where their hearts reside?

    especially men. After escaping an abusive relationship she attempts to start a new life in a new city. Living close to her childhood friend Chantal, she's finally starting to feel at home. Men are the last thing on her mind, that is until she meets her smoldering bad boy neighbor Nathaniel Jackson. Her hesitation is huge, but the attraction is even greater. Nathaniel doesn't do relationships, just can't see himself as being a one woman man. His instant attraction to Skylar makes him think that he could change. Their connection is explosive. Nothing has ever felt this good. Being together with Nate, Skylar feels like she can finally trust a man. That is until they are presented with an unexpected surprise. Exes reemerge and with them a falling out neither saw coming. With all their past troubles and demons ready to emerge, can they escape the undeniable pull they have to each other, or will the dark past they both possess prove to be too difficult and keep them apart?

    What could possibly go right? Noah I’m not daddy material. Anyone who knows me would say the same thing. I knew nothing about the baby until the girl I had a one-night stand with left it on my doorstep, and now I have no idea what to do. And suddenly, Kylie’s back in my life. We haven’t seen each for years, but she says she needs my help. Turns out I might be more in need of hers.KylieMy label, my manager, and even my makeup artist are ready to drop me. I’ve lost my mojo. Need to lose weight, write a song, and stop hiding under the baggy clothes and goth makeup. I panic because singing is all I’ve ever wanted to do. Mom suggests I go to stay with the one man that I’ve been avoiding for the last three years: my stepbrother, Noah. Staying on his ranch could be the break that I need. A falling star, a failing father, and a heap of post-sex embarrassment. What could possibly go right?*** Author's Note: It's short and steamy with enough sexiness for you to enjoy this novella. I've even included two little gifts for your pleasure in this edition! ***

    And he'd like to show me just how big it is. Mallory I came to Europe to go to graduate school--not to have a one night stand with an arrogant, rude, royal beast. But when I run into Matthias Albring in Amsterdam, he says he'll show me everything the city has to offer... including just how big a beast he is. It was all supposed to be fun. The train ride to Brussels, the toy shop, the lingerie, and the nights where Matthias pushed me to my limits. But his family wants him in an arranged marriage, and Matthias isn't the type to settle down. So I'm gone. Off to Paris, grad school... and a positive pregnancy test? Matthias My life revolves around three things--drinking, gambling, and taking home tourist girls at the end of the night. When I meet Mal, she's uptight, repressed, distant--and my next target. And when I finally get her in my bed, I make her mine. It turns out she's nothing like the royal ladies and princesses my parents would like me to marry. She's gorgeous, fierce, and wild--—and unlike any woman I've met before, until she leaves without saying goodbye. I know she's somewhere in Europe, but she's deleted her number from my phone. I'm determined to find her. And when I do, I'll show her she's mine. Forever. Royal Beast is a standalone romance novel with steamy scenes, sweet romance, overbearing royal parents, and a delicious Happily Ever After. Enjoy! For a limited time, Royal Beast (62,000 words) contains bad boy romance novel Ash (63,000) as a free bonus novel! Enjoy your free content!

     She looks like Tinkerbell and thinks like Wonder Woman. Her latest trip, a month in Italy, is coming to an end when she spots an old friend across the piazza. Fig Dragoni, heir to an iconic Italian tire company always lusted after the funny girl he went to high school with in Manhattan. But his shyness got in the way. Now years later a chance meeting ignites an old spark. He’s not going to blow his chance this time. When the two embark on an Italian adventure, all the walls come down and passion storms the castle. La Dolce Vita! *A Standalone Love In Italy Novella*

    Though that didn’t keep him from longing for the unattainable prom queen, Jennifer. The one person who did understand his out-of-the-box brain was Darcie, his best friend. After their high school graduation, Zeke and Darcie for one night jolted from friends to lovers. And then he left town, and she knew he couldn’t look back. What he didn’t know was the depth of Darcie’s feelings for him. Now it’s 17 years later, and Zeke’s a self-made billionaire founder of a tech security firm, Darcie’s a local cop and Jennifer’s a divorced mom of a tween girl. And their little town is flagging. At Darcie’s urging, Zeke returns to Drago to boost its economy. Will his new wealth attract the still-beautiful Jennifer? Or will Darcie, the one girl who always made him feel at ease, show him that true love knows no boundaries? * * * * * * * * What Are Friends For?, Book 1 of USA Today bestselling author Patricia McLinn's Seasons in a Small Town series, is a moving, passionate contemporary romance that will captivate fans of Bella Andre, Roxanne St. Clair and Jill Shalvis.

     Nick Steel is used to getting what he wants. Fronting a huge, international rock band? No problem. Buying his favorite dive bar? Sure thing. Getting back together with his first love? Hmmm… He broke her heart once before, and Lily Novak is not going to let Nick do it again. One thing has kept them in touch, but she won’t let him touch her heart. No way. A story about coming back home, and realizing you can’t always get what you want.

    On the eve of their divorce, however, Carly takes a stroll down memory lane and calls Chance.A passionate one night stand between the two is shattered by cruel light of morning. With reality having set back in, Carly admits to Chance she made a mistake, forcing him to come to grips that there is no hope left for their marriage. Fate has other plans for them. Carly’s fall down some stairs leaves her with amnesia…but that’s only the start of it. Can deception bring a second chance at love or will it forever destroy an already broken marriage?

    An innocent teacher trying to make the world a better place. He never expected her to become his best friend. But she fought her way into his life, one tongue-lashing at a time. Until one night, one mistake tore them apart. Losing her… that gutted him. But now, as one of the top fighters in the world, he’s back and determined to battle for his girl. But, from the sidelines, someone watches. Someone who’ll do just about anything to keep them apart. Their second chance might be over before it even begins…

    At least that’s what Callie’s neighbor promises when Callie moves into The Holiday apartment building. Devastated by her fiancé’s confession that he’s in love with another woman, Callie can’t imagine anything could heal her broken heart. Tragic love has brought Theo to his knees before, so he knows just how to repair Callie’s shattered confidence. After five nights in his arms, she’ll leave her heartache behind, give voice to her deepest desires, and be ready to forge a real, lasting love with someone new…it just won’t be him. Theo can give Callie back her voice and teach her to ask for what she wants from her new lover, but what if she asks for more than he can give? Will he break his only rule—no falling in love—for her?

    The next night, I fell madly in love. Then he shattered my world without speaking a word, leaving me with an empty heart and a hollow soul.Still, I tried to fix what was broken, only to be humiliated beyond repair. I couldn’t believe the same man who promised me heaven so ruthlessly put me through hell with lips that once worshipped me.I thought that was the end of us, but then a life-altering discovery threatened more than just me, and the least likely man to stand at my side was the one who refused to leave it.

    It was all encompassing. I thought our love could withstand time and anything thrown our way. I was wrong. So wrong.I used to be happy. I used to be Juliette Weston when Dylan Somers filled my life with promises of love and a happy ever after. But when he took my heart and broke it into a million pieces, I became someone else entirely. In one afternoon, I lost my soul mate. I lost everything I knew myself to be. Three years later, the man who destroyed me is back. To assuage his guilt? To finish the job? It doesn’t matter… I won’t let him this time. I’m stronger. I’ve moved on. He won’t affect me. This is a story of love and betrayal. Pain and loss. Happiness and fate. It’s about finding your true destiny.This is our story.And it’s not for the faint of heart.

    The old matchmakers had gone too far this time and now it was up to Wyatt to tell Hannah Richmond and her adorable son that they’d been had by four well-meaning old cowpokes. Except that when Hannah looked at him like he was the best thing since sliced bread and made him feel like a complete man, Wyatt began to think that maybe the old fellas were right — and that could be dangerous for the whole town!