To say the least. She calls Sweet Meadow, Georgia, home, where she works for her father doing auto repairs. She also drives the tow-truck, although Sweet Meadow's rather colorful denizens tend to treat Bertie more like the local, free taxi service. You know, someone has to get to a doctor's appointment or pick something up at the dry cleaners. Bertie's favorite day of the week is Friday, when she leaves the wrecker with her father for the whole weekend and joins her friends at the Dew Drop Inn for a night of dancing. Her best friend, Mary Lou, sometimes fixes her up with dubious dates, although Bertie has to remind her friend not to tease her hair too high for those occasions. Like the time when they went to Carrie Sue's open house, and a ceramic cow with angel wings hanging from a ceiling fan locked its hooves into Bertie's big hair and refused to let go. She had to wear it all night, dangling chain and all. Bertie's nearly perfect life is about to take a downhill turn, however. It starts when her landlord, Pete, currently a resident in a nearby nursing home, starts showing up at her house. In his birthday suit. A very badly wrinkled birthday suit. And then she goes to her mailbox, a rubber large mouth bass, and finds a notice from the zoning commission saying she can no longer park the wrecker in her driveway. The notice is signed by George Bigham. But when she goes to the courthouse to take care of her little problem, it is only to discover George Bigham is deceased. And Mary Lou's pregnancy test just came up positive. Can it get any worse? In a word... yes.

     (This is a short story of 6,000 words, previously published in the Cocktales anthology.)

    She finds herself falling for the attractive estate manager, who carries secrets of his own. As the tension grows more unbearable, Ellen will have to risk everything she holds dear to discover the secrets that lurk in the shadows of the Chateau D'Arc.

    She was on the run with a sheriff coming right at her and a handsome farmer close enough that she could touch him. She only wanted the sexy farmer’s help for a few minutes but that damned sheriff insisted on taking them to the court house himself. Get married… Ted Wellman didn’t go to town to get hitched but that sweet girl with her big green eyes looked desperate when she asked him to help her. Then suddenly he was married to the girl and he knew nothing about her. Rather than rushing to help him get ride of his bride for a day, his crazy family seemed determined to keep him and Cassie together. What were they thinking? That there was a chance of thawing Ted’s heart? If you liked Carolyn Brown’s Three Magic Words series: A Forever Thing, In Shining Whatever and Life After Wife or her stand alone romance books, A Falling Star, Lily’s White Lace or The PMS Club you'll be sure to love Bride for a Day.

    Especially anyone who may recognize him and remember what he did ten years before. So when he comes to the rescue of a strange woman deep in the forest that's been his home for so long, he wants her back where she came from as soon as possible. But there's a hitch.Waking up after a bump on the head is unpleasant, but especially terrifying when you wake up in a strange place with no recollection of how you got there. Thus, Diana Stilwell finds herself at Eastbend Lodge, deep in New Forest with only a foreboding man and his servants for company.Stranded by rains, Diana and Hugh are forced to find a middle ground for their tumultuous natures. But the more Diana sees of this strange and formidable man, the more she sees passed his façade of surliness and into the kind and hurting heart he carries. Can she convince him that forgiveness and love are possible?

    Now she hopes that the wedding won't be the only occasion worth remembering...Gwynne Forster's "Learning to Love"Working for the United Nations has given Sharon Braxton a passion for other cultures--and for a Nigerian prince. What can stand in the way of their love besides two vastly different worlds? The other bride his father has arranged for him to wed...Donna Hills' "Distant Lover"Can anything be more glamorous than a job that takes career-minded Mia to the Caribbean? Yes! A hot, sexy hunk from Barbados, who wants to sweep her to the altar, but his old-fashioned values keep driving them apart. And the intense passion is too irresistible to ignore...Francis Rays' "Southern Comfort"A bridesmaid for the eight time and not the bride, political fundraiser Adrienne Summers is fed up. Worse, she finds a major problem at this wedding--the Best Man. They're fighting about her clothes (too sexy), her behavior (too flirty), and his macho views (wives shouldn't work). it sounds like they just might be falling in love!

    Maxine Moss arrived in Pacific City to start a brand new life complete with her first real job as a marketing assistant at Hedenby Holdings.Life was supposed to be simple until the unexpected happens.After a disastrous first meeting with her infuriatingly sexy boss, an unlikely friendship starts with the man she just can't quite figure out.The waters become turbulent and unpredictable as old flames and new sparks add fuel to an already slow-burning fire that Maxine fears might burn her if she lets herself get too close.As Maxine's world expands into unchartered territories for a small-town, big-dreams kind of girl, she finds herself caught in the spotlight and worse, in a love story with a man who was never looking for one.Will she run in the opposite direction or will she free-fall?

    They call her the "Widow Drake", because she is lonely and grieving, but there is much more around this mysterious widow. She carries secrets buried deep about her marriage that nobody should ever find out! For Susannah, the first glimpse of the tall, handsome master of horses will kindle something deep inside her, something that she never thought she would feel again. But with wounds from the past still bleeding, how can she ever hope to open her heart, and love again?When Jasper Stone arrives at The Willows, to tame the new colt the Widow Drake has purchased, he mistakenly thinks there is nothing exciting about his new assignment. He has been drifting through the country, trying to clear his mind from the painful events that forced him to leave home many months ago...But the Widow Drake is not the middle aged virago Jasper is anticipating. She is a young, beautiful woman; a passionate woman that might be dangerous. How can he hope to keep the fortress he has built around his heart intact?Jasper is not alone in trying to attract the beautiful Widow Drake. A man from her past holds the key to the painful secrets of her past, as well as threatens her very future. As Jasper and Susannah grow closer, she knows she is being drawn to him, as irresistibly as a moth to fire. Can she find the courage to open her heart, even if danger swirls all around her once again?"The Burning Passion of a Fiery Lady" is a historical romance novel of approximately 80,000 words. No cheating, no cliffhangers, and a guaranteed happily ever after.

    After a few weeks of exhilarating secret dates, Grace--forty-two and divorced--realizes she's pregnant.For Grace, whose estranged mother refers to her own teenage pregnancy as her biggest mistake, the prospect of parenthood is daunting. She's just been made vice president of a media relations company and is childfree by choice. Still, something deeper than her fear makes her want to keep the baby. She knows she can be a better, more capable parent than her mother was to her.As months pass and seasons change, Grace questions her decision to include Bradley in her plans. But they continue to navigate their complicated relationship, each struggling with what it means to make a commitment to someone. Most importantly, Grace begins trusting her instincts--maternal and otherwise--finding courage that will guide her through an uncertain future ripe with new possibilities . . .Praise for the novels of Susan Kietzman "Beautifully written and closely observed . . . captures the deep and complicated love of family. Reading this lovely novel, I felt the embrace of summer on the shoreline."--New York Times bestselling author Luanne Rice on The Summer Cottage "Readers will find themselves drawn into the tragedies and triumphs of this fictional family--distinct and yet utterly relatable." --Hartford Books Examiner on The Good Life

    Berry was the one who dazzled them - handsome, funny, sexy, he somehow symbolized that golden summer of the war when they all worked together on the farm. Then their world collapsed around them. Morag, the strongest and quietest of the three girls, lost everything she held dear in one savage bombing. Vallery's beloved brother was killed in the desert war, and Jannie - well, Jannie had never had much to start with anyway. With a father away at war and a succession of 'uncles' passing through her mother's bedroom, she grew up both insecure and promiscuous. But still, she had Morag and Vallery. When the Reid boys returned from the war it was Berry, the vibrant one, who had changed. Crippled, both in mind and body, he held the dream of Morag in his mind, even though it was Vallery he married. As they settled to a life in the remote cliff-side Abbey, away from everyone, so the old ties between the three girls and the Reid brothers grew more intense, more confused - and Morag, Vallery and Jannie discovered that Berry still had the power to draw them all to him.

    . . Truth Or DareSatisfy MeAsia Michaels and her friends find themselves tantalized by a quiet new arrival in their small town--and by its possibilities. One thing leads to another as truth leads to dare, and Asia's in the arms of a man who gives her answers to all of the questions she could never ask . . .Indulge MeShy Becky Harte has a private wild side. But she never thought she'd run into a secret crush like George Westin while buying some rather surprising items. George is more than intrigued at her purchases and would love to show the blushing Becky a thing or two. But it's George who becomes the student when Becky starts calling the shots . . .Drive Me WildAssertive Erica Lee is used to having the upper hand in business, her love life--everything. On a dare, she boldly approaches hunky, mischievous Ian Conrad with a scandalous proposal. Ian isn't intimidated in the least by Erica--and he's been hoping for just this opportunity. Seems like Erica might have finally met a man who can keep up with her . . .

    many secrets. But when they are unexpectedly attacked, she must fight her way to the only man her father says she can trust… Lord Harington. Edwin, the Earl of Harington, is one of the best spies the Crown has. When his partner’s infuriating daughter shows up injured on his doorstep, he's forced to ensure her protection while he searches for Lord Rawlings. As Marianne stumbles into his world of espionage, Edwin struggles with his growing attraction towards her, while still maintaining his own secrets. As traitors are revealed, can they learn to trust each other before it's too late?

    

    . . a perfect place for romance.Join us for three novellas in one collection:The New Countess by Josi S. KilpackDiane knows why the earl asked her to marry him; he needed a mother for his daughter, an heir for his title, and a hostess to assist with his position in Parliament. With two sons of her own, and no security to speak of, she never thought twice about accepting his proposal. Summering at his holiday cottage at the sea was meant to be reward for a busy first year as the new countess, and a time for her to rest before their baby is born. She is expecting lazy days on the beach with the children, simple meals, and keeping her own schedule. When the earl surprises her with a visit, she does her best not to resent the intrusion. When she learns that he came for the sole purpose of being with her and getting to know her better, she realizes that perhaps this marriage can be more than she expected. Is she ready for him to know her and love her and explore this new possibility together? She wants to be, but it is not an easy thing to let go of expectations and open up to an entirely new way of life.Mishaps and Memories by Martha KeyesJudith Jardine’s one chance at a brilliant match is doomed from the start when she is ignored and then mocked by the ton’s most sought-after gentleman. Under a gloomy cloud of failure, Judith is exiled to a seaside cottage to spend the summer helping her sister—and living a life far below the one she experienced for her week in Brighton. When she discovers the man responsible for her misfortune unconscious on the beach, she heeds her better impulses and has him brought to the cottage to be seen to. But James Carlisle has no recollection of who he is, what happened to him, or how he has wronged her, and Judith sees the opportunity to teach him a valuable lesson—unless the deception and her feelings get the best of her first.Moonlight Summer by Heather B. MooreOscar Rosewell’s life is not lacking in many things even though he lives on the fringes of society due to his father’s ruined reputation. He’s sworn off having any personal relationships with ton members—his only interest lies in keeping his business thriving. He’s content with his day-to-day anonymity, and business keeps his heart from getting exposed. It’s safer that way. Until Oscar meets Miss Dorothea Atkinson. A woman capturing his interest is a rare thing, but Miss Atkinson is nearly engaged to a man of her parents’ choosing. Would it be wrong to wish for something to go terribly wrong between the couple? Soon, Oscar learns that wishing can become a reality, but often, the price is an even heavier thing to pay.Timeless Regency Collections:AUTUMN MASQUERADEA MIDWINTER BALLSPRING IN HYDE PARKSUMMER HOUSE PARTYA COUNTRY CHRISTMASA HOLIDAY IN BATHFALLING FOR A DUKEA NIGHT IN GROSVENOR SQUAREROAD TO GRETNA GREENWEDDING WAGERSAN EVENING AT ALMACK'SA WEEK IN BRIGHTONTO LOVE A GOVERNESSWIDOWS OF SOMERSETA CHRISTMAS PROMISEA SEASIDE SUMMERFrom the publisher of the USA TODAY bestselling & #1 Amazon bestselling Timeless Romance Anthology series in Regency Romance: A Seaside Summer is a Timeless Romance Anthology® bookTimeless Romance Anthology® is a registered trademark of Mirror Press, LLC

    A recipe for Christmas romance!When Holly, a hardworking cafe owner, meets a handsome orchard farmer named Gabriel, their connection is immediate.As these two busy people get to know each other, Holly finds herself torn between the emotional importance of "keeping it real" and her heart's stubborn desire to give love a chance.When a surprise from the past threatens her dreams, can Holly dig deep to embrace a future filled with hope and happiness? The Heartsprings Valley Sweet Romance series celebrates love and romance during the most wonderful time of the year. Christmas to the Rescue! (Book 1)A Very Cookie Christmas (Book 2)Sweet Apple Christmas (Book 3)I Dream of Christmas (Book 4)It's always Christmas in Heartsprings Valley!