Blake believes in love at first sight; Stanley isn’t so sure. Their lifelong romance begins with a random meeting in a bar and ends in happily ever after. As the years pass, their resolve and relationship are tested. They must deal with frightening issues of infirmity and disability. Through it all, the two share a deep bond that strengthens their resolve to tackle all challenges together.Blake believes in love at first sight; Stanley isn’t so sure. Their lifelong romance begins with a random meeting in a bar and ends in happily ever after.As the years pass, Stanley’s struggling literary career takes off, and Blake finds fulfillment as a counselor at a local community college. When the AIDS epidemic strikes their small town in the 1980s, their resolve and relationship are tested. The only way to survive the crisis is to draw strength in the love they share.Later, as they enter their senior years, they must deal with frightening new issues of infirmity and disability. Yet through it all, the two men share a deep, emotional bond that survives and strengthens their resolve to tackle any and all challenges head on. Together.

We know Amery’s side of the story, now hear Lochie’s. When Lochie Mercury awoke and found his girlfriend had disappeared in the middle of the night, his world imploded. A short story to celebrate the Project Integrate series.Please note: This is a special release short story, not a full length novel.We know Amery’s side of the story, now hear Lochie’s.When Lochie Mercury awoke and found his girlfriend had disappeared in the middle of the night, his world imploded.Heartbroken, angry, and confused, Lochie needs to find her and get some answers. Find out what Lochie was up to during some of the most pivotal moments in the Project Integrate series.Broken takes place at the end of “Divide” and the beginning of “Conquer”. It should be read after Conquer to avoid spoilers.Also in the Project Integrate Series:Ignite (Short Prequel)UniteDivideConquerSoarRiseBroken

Bryn Thorner is a seventeen year old senior counting the days until graduation. Her steadfast determination to quietly endure the criticism of the all-powerful girl clique is starting to crack. Things change when a handsome and mysterious boy enrolls at Lockwood Prep. Even though he finds ways to help her out of trouble, there is still something about him that Bryn does not trust.Bryn Thorner is a seventeen year old senior counting the days until graduation. Her steadfast determination to quietly endure the criticism of the all-powerful girl clique is starting to crack. Things change when a handsome and mysterious boy enrolls at Lockwood Prep. Even though he finds ways to help her out of trouble, there is still something about him that Bryn does not trust. Dane Stormwood’s assignment is to protect Bryn from the murderous creature that has targeted her family. While he knows it is unwise to become entangled with someone so completely different, he cannot help but feel drawn to the beautiful and intelligent girl that he has vowed to protect. He wonders if she could ever fall in love with him despite all the reasons not to.

A fictional continuation of "Madame Tellier's Excursion" by Guy de Maupassant, recounting the eleven-year affair of a whorehouse madam with her brother's wife.Adrienne Tellier is the owner of a brothel in the French Quarter of New Orleans. Her brother Alphonse is a wealthy lawyer who’s married to a beautiful woman named Dora. Little does he know, however, that Dora and Adrienne have been in love since the first night they met – the eve of his and Dora’s wedding.“Madam Tellier’s Lover” is a serialized story divided into three novella-length installments. Part One focuses on Adrienne’s inheritance of the brothel, as well as on her estranged brother’s wedding, where she meets Dora Wakefield for the first time – and falls madly in love.This is a fictional continuation of the short story “Madame Tellier’s Excursion” by Guy de Maupassant.

Passion knows no bounds... Avery Ross is living a dream. After struggling all of her life to make ends meet, a chance encounter with a powerful, darkly handsome man has catapulted her into a dazzling new world of penthouse luxury, elegant parties, and a wild, consuming passion with her billionaire lover, Dominic Baine. Nothing is out of his reach in business or in pleasure, yet the only woman he wants is her. Nick sweeps her to sensual heights she has never dared explore, commanding her body the same way he commands her heart. Yet Avery knows the fantasy she’s living cannot last. With dark secrets and a dangerous enemy haunting her past, Avery must find a way to trust Nick with the truth before it destroys everything they share. But Nick is harboring secrets of his own as well. And when they come to light, Avery will be forced to decide if the love she feels for Nick is strong enough to endure a betrayal she may never be able to forgive.

Rhiannon Jenkins is an events planner on the rise. And her latest client, Shawn Emerson, could make her career. Too bad the gorgeous man insists on mixing a lot of pleasure with his business. In Rhiannon's books getting involved with a client is the fastest way to exit a job. So, no. She'll resist all his come-get-me looks and tempting offers. While his charm is easy to overlook, Shawn in the role of confidant and friend breaks down all her best defenses. Suddenly the tables turn and she wants to be close to him. That means opening up about the ugly events of her past--a risk she hasn't taken before now. Oh, but he could be so worth it!

If what you see is what you get, Jules is in serious trouble. The suspenseful first of three books from the New York Times bestselling author of the Wake trilogy. Jules lives with her family above their restaurant, which means she smells like pizza most of the time and drives their double-meatball-shaped food truck to school. It’s not a recipe for popularity, but she can handle that. What she can’t handle is the recurring vision that haunts her. Over and over, Jules sees a careening truck hit a building and explode...and nine body bags in the snow. The vision is everywhere—on billboards, television screens, windows—and she’s the only one who sees it. And the more she sees it, the more she sees. The vision is giving her clues, and soon Jules knows what she has to do. Because now she can see the face in one of the body bags, and it’s someone she knows. Someone she has been in love with for as long as she can remember. In this riveting start to a gripping trilogy from New York Times bestselling author Lisa McMann, Jules has to act—and act fast—to keep her vision from becoming reality.

Dove Glitch is embarrassed about everything above her knees and below her belly button. When she has to fill a delicate, embarrassing prescription the last thing she needs is a sexy-as-hell (and brand spanking new) pharmacist behind the counter. Johnson Fitzwell’s first day of his dream career also happens to coincide with the exact moment Dove needs her feminine meds filled. His glorious voice is way too loud–as in, he should be counting down the hits with Ryan Seacrest kind of loud. Thanks to Johnson’s handsome face and gorgeous jaw line, Dove dives headlong into her waking nightmare and asks for a vagina-scented cream. How could she not fall for him? Dove's only active goal now is to get Johnson to kiss her right on the lips. Either set. However, his horrible girlfriend is one of many obstacles preventing her from making that fantasy a reality. When Dove defends Johnson in the most unhygienic, unconventionally gross way in the middle of a crowded restaurant, their tender, slightly tantric relationship is off to a galloping, farting start. Each print copy of this book will be dipped in holy water by my mom, and glared at by my father as he purses his lips. Neither will help. So, drop your pants and turn to the left and cough. I hope you're not allergic to latex, because it’s time to fill your prescription. Anally.

A short contemporary romance.Steamy but sweet. Savannah Kingsley wanted to marry Chad until she found him in the rose garden with the best man. Devastated, she didn't know what to do except run.Chad couldn't tell his folks he was gay and she couldn't tell anyone either. So rather than try to face them all, she ran, smack dab into the law!Running away can lead you in a circle until you realize you are running toward…After catching her husband-to-be in the arms of the best man, Savannah can't face it, and runs from the churchyard in Dallas, to a recluse aunt in West Texas.For years, Savannah has only wanted one thing, to be happily married like her sisters are.When Savannah flees the church she runs straight into the arms of the law. Ben Hogg to be exact. Ben's a handsome devil, but he is not interested in marriage, he's been there and done that. Still, looking into Savannah's innocent face, he decides quickly that she's going to be trouble, his trouble.Ben has to arrest Savannah for causing a disturbance in a bar, by flirting with two cowboys who aren't interested in her talents at the pool table, but rather the lady behind the cue. Actually she's in protective custody, but he didn't tell her that. Ben doesn't begin to understand Savannah and when she brings his ex-wife up, he's through with her.Judging from his kisses, Savannah is sure he has some feelings for her, but if he doesn't believe in marriage she might as well go back home with her parents and live her life without love.Ever since she ran from the church, she's been lying, except to her aunt, the one person she can confide in. What's a girl to do when she finds out the boy she grew up with and had planned to marry was gay and she had no idea? Run! It's all she could do, because he couldn't tell anyone his secret. Savannah risked everything to keep that secret, even loving Ben. Ben lacks the faith it takes to believe a woman would stay home, take care of his children, and be there for him, and he doesn't think Savannah can give up her rich life for him. Can they learn to trust each other and admit their feelings, or is Savannah destined to go home….Sometimes giving up and giving in can lead to a happily ever after….

SHORT STORY / 5800 WordsLea knew what the land folk were good for - very little. They stumbled around awkwardly on spindly legs and smelled of sweat and dung. She preferred the open freedom of the ocean. To be able to plunge hundreds of feet into its shadowy depths or to ride in exhilaration along a cascading wave.But today's waves were different.A torrential storm pounded the coastline ...SHORT STORY / 5800 WordsLea knew what the land folk were good for - very little. They stumbled around awkwardly on spindly legs and smelled of sweat and dung. She preferred the open freedom of the ocean. To be able to plunge hundreds of feet into its shadowy depths or to ride in exhilaration along a cascading wave.But today's waves were different.A torrential storm pounded the coastline as she desperately pushed north to reach her sisters. On her hip was an urgent message. And nothing could stop her from reaching her destination.Until she realized a young boy clung desperately to his currach, and a towering wave was about to shatter him into tiny pieces ...* * *Half of all proceeds of the Selkie Tales short stories benefit battered women's shelters.While this first book is non-explicit, due to the strong sexual content and adult situations in future books, this romantic suspense series is recommended for readers aged 17+. The series is structured for readers to read along as I write them to offer feedback and suggestions on the complex storyline. If you're the style of reader who would prefer to wait until the entire series is finished before you tackle it, that is fine! Simply wait until the series is complete and I'll offer the boxed set. I do that with all of my books.The reason I publish as I write is that I don't write full time and it can sometimes take months for me to finish up a storyline. There are readers who don't want to wait - who would rather read along as I go and stay engaged in the process. That way they can provide feedback and suggestions on the storyline. Whichever way works well for you, I provide an option.I'd love to hear from you at my website at OpheliaSikes.com.

Ellie Washington lost her husband in a tragedy five years ago at Christmas. She wouldn’t have made it through her grief if not for her husband’s brother, Nick, who helped her pick up the pieces of her shattered life. And with every year, her feelings for Nick have grown. Now she realizes she might be in love with him, but that’s not fair, because Nick deserves a life that isn’t about his brother’s widow and son. Sharing his life with Ellie and her son has been the balm that soothed Nick’s soul after losing his brother. Now that friendship has turned into something deeper. Nick doesn’t want to upset the status quo, but someone has to make the first move, and it’s time they figure out if their feelings are real. Nick believes in what they have. He also believes in Christmas miracles, and he thinks they’re both long overdue for one.

Ms. Kane writes like no other, says Romantic Times of Andrea Kane's breath-catching, dramatic mixture of romance and danger. Now, in this dazzling sequel to The Gold Coin, she continues her suspenseful tale of two beautiful cousins, so alike even their own family mistakes them, so enmeshed in a web of deceit that their very lives are at risk.... All her life, Breanna Colby has lived on the precipice of fear, her only joy the recent reunion with her beloved cousin Anastasia. With her violent father now locked away in jail, the repressed young woman can emerge from her cocoon and pursue all the joys she's been denied. But she finds -- to her terror -- that not all the shadows have lifted, and an evil from the past stalks both her and Anastasia. When authorities are unable to help with this assassin lurking in the darkness, the Colbys turn to the brilliant, unconventional Royce Chadwick, England's foremost expert on finding people who don't want to be found. Hard, detached Royce has always been a loner who operates by his own set of rules. He has little patience for weakness. Delicate Breanna Colby is an eye-opener to him, for beneath her fragile exterior ties a core of steel. As the two face overwhelming danger side by side, Royce discovers a woman he never dreamed existed -- one who, despite his cynicism, he is losing his heart to. But their future together can never be -- not unless Royce kills the assassin before the assassin kills them.

Tess Gregory's brilliant career as a research scientist hides her longings for husband and child. Though deaf, she is a free spirit--a woman full of life and love. She is struck down all too soon But for Tess, a new life begins at her death, in post-Civil War America. She is now Amarylis Rafferty, wife and mother of three--and she can hear. Shocked and disoriented by her new surroundings, she is drawn into the savage heartache burdening the family, especially her husband, Jack, a man who fears himself capable of anything.

Stepping Up is back!This season is going to be hotter—and more scandalous—than ever! After the roaring success of the first season, the pressure is on America's most popular reality dance show. And no one is feeling it as much as guest judge and TV presenter Darla James. This opportunity could make her career soar…or sink. But when her nemesis, the very hot and infuriating Blake Nelson, is asked to join the show, too, Darla wonders exactly what she's signed up for! But the sparks—on camera and off—between Darla and Blake are brighter than a Georgia firecracker, and all the tension between them has turned into wicked, mind-blowing, melt-your-brain sex. If anyone finds out, it will be the end of both their reputations—and the scandal of the television season. Then again, with chemistry like theirs, it might be worth it!

"It was sometimes called the echo cave, and if you shouted your question loud enough in the right direction, you got an answer instead of an echo..." Clare and David--divided as children by a rigid social code that branded her as shanty Irish and him as gentry...brought together as adults by a desire that knew no class, no barriers, only the urgent hunger of two people destined to love--and ready to defy a world determined to keep them apart. Even at fifteen, David Power knew the echo would answer eleven-year-old Clare O'Brien's dearest wish, to win a school prize. But it was years before Dr. Power's cherished only son saw in the huckster's daughter the answer to his own heart's desire. Here in Castlebay, perched precariously on the seaside cliffs, the lines between them were clearly drawn. Clare's only hope is to leave the town where time stopped, propelled by scholarships to Dublin, fueled by her own drive and brilliance, far from the insular, gossipy world of Castlebay and those in its thrall... Angela O'Hara, beautiful, isolated, a teacher trapped in the convent school, who risks everything to help Clare escape... Gerry Doyle, the town charmer who finds in Clare the woman he vows to have at any price... Caroline Nolan, the beautiful, rich outsider who comes to plunder... For Clare, that was before the wild freedom of Dublin, and love. And David.  Before fate drove them back to Castlebay, and the past...