Redwood on California’s rural Mendocino coast. She swore she’d never go back. Not after what happened graduation night. When her estranged mother suffers a stroke, Clara has no choice but to return, coming face-to face with her traumatic past—including her best friend’s unsolved murder and Sean, the love she abandoned. When another young girl is found dead—her death identical to that of the eight-year-old cold case—Clara and Sean find themselves at the center of the investigation and wading through the trenches of their own psychological damage.★★★★★ “A brilliant mystery that had me at the edge of my seat!”★★★★★ "Fans of Gillian Flynn's Sharp Objects will love Shallow Water." ★★★★★ “Nail-biting and steamy. Clara and Sean are complex characters you really route for.” ★★★★★ "You will fall in love with Clara. She's raw, both tough and tender, and unapologetically bad ass."

    Lots of suspense, mystery, and romance. No cliffhangers! Book 1: When private investigator Oliver Covington meets mysterious, beautiful Nora Thomason at a party, they have an instant, undeniable connection. Though they part without getting each other’s names, neither one of them can stop thinking about what happened between them. Little does Oliver know that his next job will involve solving the puzzle that will unlock Nora’s painful, dark past. He is assigned the task of following her by her fiancé, and when she is attacked in an alley one day, Nora becomes curious of Oliver’s real identity and does some investigating herself. She flees when she finds out that he is an investigator, afraid that he has been sent to find her by the people who are after her from her past. Oliver follows, and together he and Nora are forced to face the man who is trying to destroy her life while they fight their growing attraction for each other. Book 2: Charlotte Covington doesn’t know exactly what to expect when she is hired by handsome artist Sam Kensington to investigate the murder of his socialite father, Roger. She is hesitant to take the job—Sam is much too charming for her, something that she knows is a dangerous trait in a man. She is drawn in by him and the undercover nature of the job, and poses as his fiancé for a week at an exclusive artists’ retreat in the countryside. Things grow heated between Charlotte and Sam as they investigate the death of his father, though she tries her best to resist his charms. When a tragedy strikes at the retreat, Sam’s innocence is thrown into question, and Charlotte is forced to confront her feelings for him despite the danger he might pose to her. Book 3: Aiden Covington enjoys a challenge, so when he is given the challenging case of tracking down the necklace of a former Hollywood starlet, Olivia Darling, he is more than willing to take on what he’s told will be a hard case to solve. What he isn’t willing to do is fall for Olivia, though from the moment he meets her he feels himself unraveling under her charms. Aiden tries his best to fight the simmering tension between himself and Olivia, especially when he finds out that she’s not exactly the person he thought she was. While Aiden and Olivia unwrap the mystery of a dangerous secret society known as the Celestials, Aiden tries to keep his distance from Olivia, who finds it hard to take no for an answer when it comes to the sexy private detective.

    Each book can be read as a stand-alone book, but they are best if read together.

    She lands a job in an art gallery in picturesque Carmel-by-the-Sea and begins a new life.After her ex’s body washes up on the beach, Laurel finds herself dragged into a scheme involving money-laundering Russians, a pair of amiable biker gang members, and a good-looking government number-cruncher who’s more comfortable in a T-shirt and shorts than a suit.As a forensic accountant for the FBI, Jake Carlson is used to nailing bad guys by following the money trail. His current investigation is floundering until he meets Laurel McDowell, a young woman with connections to an alarming number of his suspects. Is she a witness, an accomplice, or a victim? All he has to do is to keep her alive long enough to find out.

    Dating is a minefield, and the assholes in her special forces unit have put her off men for life.Assassin Nate Wood has two goals—kill drug lord Miguel Lozano and get the hell out of Mexico. He has a company to run as well as a house to finish renovating, and women are a distraction he doesn’t need right now.Too bad a puppy messes up all of their plans.Picky the ponySarah’s life has been a series of bad decisions, from dating an idiot to winning a dilapidated cottage in an online property auction. Then there’s Picky, the skinny pony she bought on impulse. So why did she think it would be a good idea to go riding on Dartmoor at dusk?Houdini the hamsterSchoolteacher Cara has Christmas all planned out. She’ll clear up the mess left by twenty-three eight-year-olds at their end-of-term party, cook dinner for one, then settle in for a TV marathon. But a tiny hamster has other ideas…For the Love of Animals is a collection of three romance stories showing how animals can bring people together. All proceeds from this book will be donated to Janet’s Wadi, an animal sanctuary in Dahab, Egypt.

     Six years ago she escaped from prison and lived on the run every since. Now her conviction has been overturned and she's returned home to try to rebuild her life. When a storm washes a school van into a raging river, Kimberly and private investigator Cooper Washington jump in and save the kids and driver...but one child is missing. Was she ever even on the school bus? If not, who took her? Kimberly's chance at a "real life" is jeopardized by the ghosts of the past and the suspicions of the present.

    

    I wanted adventure. What I got was two men, one giant town secret and enough passion to light me on fire- literally!I moved to Utah to find myself, to find my destiny.What I found was love.I fell in love with the town, the people and two unbelievably sexy men.Roger was sexy and sweet.From the moment we met, he swept me off my feet.He impressed me, seduced me, and melted my insides.If you could bottle romance, the label would say Roger.But something was missing.I didn’t know what, until Luke.Tall dark and handsome, he sizzled my blood with just one look.He showed me his world.Roger swept me off my feet, but Luke saved me from myself.So who do I ride off into the sunset with?Romance or Passion? They tell me I have to choose.But I have to wonder- Why can’t I have both?Adventure and Fire. Romance and Passion. Secrets and Lies. Who said small towns are boring?

     Cheryl is excited her sister Julie has asked for her help in organising her wedding but things aren't turning out the way Cheryl had hoped. There's going to be no little village church and no bridesmaids dress; the wedding is taking place on the Greek island of Holkamos. Vangelis has the perfect beach location for a wedding but his little beach cafe has never catered for weddings before. Will he be able to cope with all of Julie's demands? Andréas has moved back to Holkamos to help run the family gift shop after the death of his father. The business has to move with the times but will his mum allow things to change? Johnny is Cheryl's best friend. He doesn't like the way Julie treats her and has a plan to put things right but is it the right thing for Cheryl and what happens when they both arrive on the Greek island. Could it become more than just a weekend wedding for Cheryl and Johnny?

    This beautifully written book will keep you up all night. There are plenty of clues and there are a lot of hints, but even when you put them all together, it will be close to impossible to puzzle your way to the ending. If you are looking for a book, you can't put down, then Governor's Road is just right for you. Excitement, frisky loving, a mystery of epic proportions and traditional southern pathos make this book a fun and rewarding read. The terrorized children of Governor’s Road grew up without resolution or closure to the most devastating event of their young lives. Their friend, a child their age, disappeared one afternoon and somehow, they never seem to learn what happened. Saddened parents decide to protect their children and the obvious fear recedes in the face of the calm that settles back over the neighborhood. But, fear never really disappears until it's confronted. As adults, JoBeth and Billy set out to discover what happened to little Petey Shiner. The answer brings them to conclusion that there is no perfect childhood, even in a perfect town in a perfect decade. Every town hides its secrets and puts on a good face, even at the expense of its residents. Along the way, JoBeth and Billy discover love and romance. Their kindling of love takes you to places you can only want to return to…and their future makes you happy. It’s their past that is so hard to reconcile. As well as a lot of fun, a dark mystery and hot southern romance, JoBeth and her friends also encounter the harsh reality of Alzheimer’s and aging. Sometimes, a loved one can be lost more than once. The malevolent specter of mental illness surfaces when the reader meets Lucius Sifer and begins to understand the unusual existence the boy leads. The ending is grim but satisfies that need everyone has for justice. The most humble people can achieve heroism without fanfare or acknowledgment. As always, enjoy your adventure into the south...and remember, thoughtful book reviews are welcomed with open arms. Please see Observations of a Transplanted Southern Belle for more of Laurie Byrne Smith's work.

    However, she didn’t count on falling for the youngest of the clan, Hawk Pattel. Hawk is wealthy, handsome, intelligent and charming. Raven tries to resist him, but when a Pattel wants something, nothing will stand in his way. Just when Hawk is on the verge of convincing Raven that the two of them could have something special, something real, all of his skeletons start falling out of the closet, one ugly bone at a time. Self-preservation takes over for Raven, and the only thing she can do is run. But Hawk is determined not to give up. He’ll break down the walls she’s had time to rebuild one brick at a time if he has to. However, old hurts and secrets are revealed that will test Hawk and Raven beyond anything they’ve come up against. Will they be strong enough to withstand a storm a second time? The Pattels: Hawk and Raven II is the continuation of the first book in the hot new series by National Best Selling author S.K. Hardy. It’s sexy, thrilling, and intriguing, all of the elements that S.K. is known for. This exciting saga is a story that will engage every one of your emotions: anger, happiness, laughter, and fear. The Pattels is a spin off of S.K.’s previous bestseller, The Sin City Heat Series. However, it is not necessary to have read Sin City Heat in order to start this new series. **Warning: This book is an erotic romance novel. It contains strong sexual language and themes that is not appropriate for anyone under the age of 18.

     Wanted by his lover for rescue from a fiend. Robert has been sent a personal message by the Owl, a serial-rapist who has been torture-killing women in New York City for months: “Find me in 72 hours or I rape-kill Sharon in the most viral video ever.” The clock is ticking. The cops are breathing down his neck. Karma is the new vigilante in the final novel of the Dr. Vigilante trilogy.

    Years ago, her affair with Frank Anderson, the very handsome but very married lead news anchor, had taken her body, soul, and career to new heights. But Kai’s thrill ride with Frank ended in an unspeakable tragedy. Now, she avoids his advances, despite the deep feelings she still has for him. Anxious to move on, Kai initiates a summer fling with Deandre Grant, a sexy NBA player with mind-blowing bedroom skills. Soon, Kai finds herself hungering for more than a casual relationship, and she’s overjoyed when Deandre confesses that he feels the same way. Unfortunately, their beautiful beginning is tainted when their relationship hits two major roadblocks: Kai’s sister, LaNaya, a video vixen and exotic dancer, who gets caught up in a sexy webcam operation with dangerous consequences; and Janice, Deandre’s deranged baby-mama.On a business trip to Atlanta, Kai discovers something about Frank, her former flame, that changes her perspective on the past. Will this new information open the door for reconciliation with him, or will she go all the way with Deandre? Kai reports the news every day, but there is much more drama off the air, when it comes to her own life. This novel is a tale of fate, desire and the unexpected.EXCERPT:Although Deandre hadn’t popped the question yet, all signs point to us jumping the broom. He had been to three Sunday dinners in a row at Mama’s house, and we would be flying, first-class, to Atlanta together the following weekend. He’d even invited me to training camp to watch him work out. I sat in the bleachers, cheering him on, along with all the other basketball wives and girlfriends. Most of them were half a decade younger than me, with bodies sculpted by a plastic surgeon’s scalpel, but the passionate way Deandre kissed my lips at the end of practice made me feel like the most beautiful woman in the arena.Now, I sat on the couch next to him as he popped open a bottle of champagne and poured us each a glass.He handed one to me and said, “I’d like to make a toast…to the smartest, sexiest, most passionate woman I’ve ever known.”I smiled as we clinked glasses. “Wow! You’re gonna give me a big head talking like that.”“Reese’s, you’ve got everything a man needs. Plus, you make your own money. I’m always worried about gold-diggers, but I know that’s not something I have to worry about with you. That’s one of the reasons why I love you.”I blinked at him, wondering if I’d heard him right. I had waited for months to hear those three words. I was so excited I could scream.He stroked my face. “I’ve been waiting a long time to tell you how I feel, Reese’s. Yes, I love you. It’s been so hard to keep it inside.”Joyful tears filled my eyes. “Oh, Deandre! I love you too!”He kissed me with so much emotion that my whole body trembled. Minutes later, we were in his king-sized bed and I did something between the sheets that shocked us both...

    

    A heart-pounding and magical tapestry of romance, history, legend, and complex themes of inequality that resonated as deeply centuries ago as they do today. Perfect for fans of Susanna Kearsley, Nora Roberts, Mary Stewart, Maeve Binchy, and Susan Wiggs. After a disastrous relationship with her boss, Meg Cameron leaves her job with two bad options. Stay silent? Or speak up and ruin her career? A trip to an archeological dig gives her time to reflect on historical imbalances of power, but history refuses to stay quietly in the bloody past of Ireland's beautiful Beara Peninsula and the O'Sullivan massacre. Niall Sullivan has spent years chasing the truth of what happened to his family in 1602. But he never expected to have to bring his newly orphaned nephew, Adam, with him to excavate on Dursey Island--without internet or television or even reliable cell phone coverage. Still, time alone together in the abandoned village could be exactly what the two of them need to build the foundations of a family. Until Meg Cameron comes along. Meg and her developing relationship with Niall brings out both the best and the worst in Adam. And as danger comes from unexpected sources, they all have choices to make. Life and death choices none of them expected. ★★★★★  PRAISE FOR LAKE OF DESTINY ★★★★★  "Delightful, charming, and heartwarming!" -- New York Times bestselling author Wendy Higgins "I loved this!!! It reminds me of a Nora Roberts series, The Gallaghers of Ardmore . . . but a Scottish version with men in kilts!" -- Two Chicks on Books "Outlander-Lite Meets Gilmore Girls in Scotland. This is a story that sucked me in from the start and didn't let go until I'd laughed, shed a few tears and worked up an appetite. Fast. Fun. Romantic. Read it!" -- Jenuine Cupcakes "Endearing and alluring! Modern day mixed with history, truth, folklore, and just the right touch of the blarney! -- Thoughts on Your Words "So much charm it's magical!" --  BookGeek ★★★★★ PRAISE FOR COMPULSION ★★★★★  "Skillfully blends rich magic and folklore with adventure, sweeping romance, and hidden treasure . . . Impressive."  -- Publisher's Weekly "Eight Beaufort is so swoon-worthy that it s ridiculous."  RT Book Reviews , RT Editors Best Books of the Year "Darkly romantic and steeped in Southern Gothic charm, you ll be compelled to get lost in the Heirs of Watson Island series." -- #1 New York Times bestselling author Jennifer L. Armentrout "The perfect Southern family saga: charming and steamy on the surface, with cold-blooded secrets buried down deep." -- Kendare Blake, -- New York Times bestselling author "Haunting, atmospheric, and absorbing.