Promote This! DIY Publicity For Authors by Jennifer Perry

$4.99

Smashwords

Tips and inside information on being your own book publicist from a professional publicist. People can't buy your book until they know about it. Now you can share your masterpiece with the world and find the audience that has been waiting for you!

PRAYERS & POETRY by Rashawn Johnson

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Prayers & Poetry is from God. It is a biblically based book designed to inspire, motivate and lead you into intimacy with God. You will learn how to go deeper and have more fulfilling prayers. You will also learn how to break strongholds. Prayers & Poetry is an excellent tool for inspiration and motivation. You will receive practical tips to increase your consistency.

Introducing Love: A New Corporate Paradigm by Rein Kansman

$3.99

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Although, this is a fictional story, set in fantasy, about a real world dilemma. I believe that no matter what kind of company you run or work for, you will find real people at its core. We have grown accustomed to treating people like objects instead of people.

I never did believe in entitlement. You don’t owe me a job or position just because I have been employed in a company for a long time. However, I do believe in respecting others; and that we do owe each other mutual respect as fellow human beings. Furthermore, I believe that the majority of the human race wants to succeed and will honor humanistic ground rules.

In the management arena, we tend to manage those whom we consider to be the less trustworthy minority. This often holds us back from reaching our potential. I also believe that Love will conquer all and this story is a right-on-target prescription for what ails not only Corporate America, but the international corporate community as well.

I look forward to hearing from you as the ideas presented in this fantasy manifest into reality in your organization through the absorbing and implementing of this virtual journey to the village of Paideia and the practical applications if holds.

Additionally, I have developed several expanded leadership workshops that provide deeper insight and applications for implementing company wide cooperation when incorporating the lessons in this book to real life scenarios for businesses and corporations of all sizes.

Weight Loss Struggles and How to Overcome Them by John Muglia - FREEBIE

FREE

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The battle of the bulge has been a long time predicament for many people through the years and losing weight is really not an easy thing. There have been many weight loss diets out in the market that claimed their diet strategies are better than any other else. However, that being said, your body is the only one that can answer which and what of type would work for you. There are many reasons why people struggle to lose weight and in this book you will learn what is most effective for YOU!

Freebies and Deals for March 26, 2017

The Chocolate Cure by Roxanne Snopek
FREE

No more chocolate! No more meddling! No more men!

New Year’s resolutions are great. Announcing them in a crowded bar, with a chocolate martini in her hand? Not Maddie Cash’s finest moment. It’s time this new realtor got serious about her life and this time, she means it.

But when hospital volunteering lands her at the bedside of bruised and battered Mick Meyer, who has no knowledge of Maddie’s reputation – and no memory of the kiss he begged from her during that long, pain-filled night, her best-laid plans are put in jeopardy. It’s not just his sweet tooth that’s tempting her.

The hunky bush pilot with the concussion has an old family property to unload. Making this sale could rejuvenate Maddie’s dying career. But when Mick turns on the charm, she’s in danger of forgetting all her best intentions... on chocolate... on meddling... and especially on men.

Costume Catastrophe by Kathi Daley
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It's Halloween in Ashton Falls and that means Haunted Hamlet and the annual haunted house. Zoe is determined not to have her plans for this annual event ruined this year especially since it is also the weekend of the big game and a lot of old friends are in town. Things look as if they are on track for a spooktacular good time, until Zoe receives a message from an anonymous source predicting a death. At first Zoe and the gang think the note is a prank until one of the friends Zoe went to high school with actually turns up dead. Once Zoe realizes the note might not be a prank, she sets out on a race against time before someone else dies.

Prince of Vampires by Ivy Wolf
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Lila

That summer night changed everything. I was on a camping trip with my friends and my boyfriend. It wasn’t supposed to end the way it did. None of us knew I would go missing.

I woke up in the middle of the ocean, in a world I never knew existed. I had no way to let anyone know I was alive.

That was the least of my worries. The Deadwood Sea had deadly mermaids lurking within its waters.

It wasn’t much safer on land.

I was captured. A vampire prince was keeping me as his slave.

Escaping from him is impossible – if I even wanted to escape. I didn’t want to fall in love with Sebastian Stark, but I did.

Sebastian

When Lila DeHaven showed up at my castle, I wanted to snap her neck. It’s what I should have done, because the name Lila DeHaven is just a myth. She doesn’t exist.

And yet, a part of me hopes she’s telling the truth. I thought my heart turned black years ago, but now I know different. I can’t let her go.

This isn’t good for anyone. If we fall in love, we’ll make the world crash down around us.

The problem is that I’ve already fallen for her.

Disclaimer: This YA paranormal romance novel contains mild language and sexual content. It is best suited for a mature audience (17+).

The Sorceress's Apprentice: Plan-B (Elder Codex Book 1) by JL Lahey

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Badger, an eight-year-old orphan, has spent his entire life hiding in books, reading of the heroic deeds performed by valiant knights and courageous adventurers.

While attempting to save the lives of his fellow orphans he manifests a magic like power. He soon learns that using this power comes with a great risk to his own life.

A beautiful sorceress, clad all in black, soon arrives with an offer to adopt him and teach him how to properly wield his powers.

Once they leave, he learns that the sorceress is really the leader of a group of adventurers, and they're not the type of heroes that he has ever read about in books. They’re the kind that steal, get drunk, rob graves, loot tombs, and shoot people in the back. They basically only do what they need to in order to have a really good time.

Badger is wondering what type of tale has he gotten into, because he has never read a story quite like this one!

Credit Repair Vegan Diet by Tanya Tankou

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Ready to purge your financial behaviors and adopt new ones that will allow to really live the lifestyle you desire?

No joke, scam or gimmick… just plain old truth and knowledge of benefits and advantages the law provide to consumers. Did you know your mortgage loan may have a clause that allows you to go on vacation and not pay your mortgage while you’re on vacation? This book is packed with valuable information, loopholes and knowledge to make your life a little easier.

Ever wondered how they did it? Why does it always seem like someone knows a secret or something that you don’t in order to do some of the things they're doing…Find out how in this new tell-all ebook! You don’t want to pass up this valuable information over one day’s cup of Starbuck’s coffee! $10 and you are in the in!

Experts with over 15 years of experience in the finance and credit repair industry reveals all! Packed with contact information to the right people and the organizations that will assist you with getting the job done! The loopholes in the law will give you a break from paying your bills (including your mortgage) without harming your credit. I'm talking about credit repair tips, secrets, attorney written demand letters, how to lower your mortgage payments, reverse mortgages, how to create a budget and stick to it, save money, get your student loans out of default and how to negotiate with collectors! Creditors will fear you with the knowledge you will gain from reading this book. YOU NAME IT...we're sharing it!

DISCOVER MORE HERE

APEX LOST: Volume 1 Max Velocity by Jesse Rubio

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Dejected and left to die on a desolate planet, by a heartless filthy rich ex-employer Star-Bright; an unlikely trio consisting of, a skillful re-programed humanoid sexbot, a gung-ho, trigger-happy deranged nurse, and a strong-willed refinery grunt who is learning to tackle his fears, must ally to survive against all odds. Not only do they have to worry about the poisonous atmospheric conditions, but they also have to face corporate conspiracies, renegade mercenaries and worst of all giant insect monsters!

The Adventures of Four Friends by Kelly Swanson

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This book features audio read along, interactive games and sounds. The awesome first book in a series, the Adventures of 4 Friends is an interactive adventure of four colorful balloons that find each other and travel around the world. Along the way they teach reading, and play games. Your child will have hours of interactive fun and exciting adventure. Our “4 Friends” will take your child to a birthday party, a baseball game, and a circus where they will discover the true meaning of friendship and have fun along the way. Debut author Kelly Swanson, writes and narrates the adventure series that every child will love and cherish for many years to come. Let your child’s imagination come alive as they discover four incredible friends. This book is a great way for parents to read to children before bedtime or just sit and listen with your child.

This book has audio narration and an interactive drawing pad. Almost every element on the pages are sound enabled.

RESNOVIK by Erin Zerbe

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Set in turbulent, early twentieth century Imperial Russia; Alexander (Alex) Resnovik, an officer in His Majesty's Imperial Army, is thrown into Russia's bitter war with Japan, on the eve of his engagement to Mathilde Gendelevich. Having met Mathilde at an officers ball, a bitter rivalry develops between Alex and officer Boris Kreshenkov, after Kreshenkov's grotesque advances were rejected by Mathilde, in favour of the more refined and handsome Alex. Kreshenkov's jealousy towards Alex, sets him on a path of deceit, deception and revenge, aimed at both Alex and Mathilde.

Following the heavy defeat of Russia in 1905 at Port Arthur on the Korean Peninsular by the Japanese, in which both Alex and Kreshenkov were wounded; Kreshenkov out of spite, deceitfully and skillfully falsifies the casualty lists to show that Alex was killed in action. Emotionally broken when Mathilde sees the listings posted in Moscow's town centre; she disappears. Upon his return from Port Arthur and with the help of his family who also thought he was dead because of Kreshenkov's despicable actions, Alex tries to find Mathilde but to no avail.

The years pass and Alex eventually moves on with his life; is promoted up through the ranks and resumes his military duties at a camp in St. Petersburg. There at an official function attended by the Tsar, he meets and falls in love with Grand Duchess Irina; a cousin of the Imperial Romanov family. Following a brief courtship, they are married in St. Petersburg. Their marriage however, is interrupted by the outbreak of war in 1914, which sees Alex transferred to the front, against the might of the Kaisers German Army. At the front, the war goes disastrously for Russia; discipline and morale collapses, sparking a revolution throughout Russia and pressure on the government to resign and the Tsar to abdicate.

Boris Kreshenkov commits himself to the Bolshevik revolutionary cause, with a continual personal vendetta against Alex, who remains loyal to the Imperial way and still unforgiving towards Kreshenkov for deceiving Mathilde and his family. Unawares to Alex, Mathilde who had been working as a nurse at a military hospital in St. Petersburg, discovers that Alex is alive when she by chance, meets Irina there. The two become close friends and Mathilde helps Irina to hide from the Bolsheviks, who are intent on arresting and persecuting all those loyal to the Tsar.

Kreshenkov however, now being a senior Bolshevik party leader, has had Mathilde and Irina under surveillance for some time and orders their arrest, in the hope of luring and trapping Alex, whom he knows will come looking for Irina. Outraged that Irina is in Kreshenkov's hands, Alex, with the help of a colleague, implements a skilful plan to rescue Irina; and it is here that Alex is stunned when he and Mathilde re-unite after so many years apart.

With the revolution taking hold, the hopes of survival and freedom for Alex, Irina and Mathilde, lie in their attempts to escape across the border into Finland. Kreshenkov's blatant determination to pursue and detain Alex before he can reach freedom, culminates in an explosive confrontation at a fishing village just short of the border. It is here that both tragedy and freedom eventuate.

Rule 12: A Short Story Collection by Geoffrey Lyons

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What is the mysterious Rule 12? This collection features stories of the supernatural and sometimes bizarre, with a healthy mix of science fiction thrown in.

Ruby in the Water by J.P. Sterling - FREE!

FREE

Amazon

A musical prodigy's search for his true identity . . . And the mystery woman who holds the life-saving key.

When Peter Arnold, a teen-age musical prodigy, collapses on the biggest night of his career, he receives crippling news and the prognosis is grim.

While in a coma, Peter experiences dream-like flashbacks revealing his journey to piano stardom, the people who have impacted his life and that of his family’s, including Peter’s strange connection to a mysterious woman who lives behind his church. Peter’s life changes forever when the mystery woman steps forward with a secret that could be the key to his recovery.

Read an Excerpt From Discipline Down Under by Patricia Green

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When her mother tires of supporting her during one halfhearted career pursuit after another, twenty-year-old Peggy Fisk is left with only one choice… to seek support from her father instead. He lives in Australia, but that fits just fine with her brand new plan for a career in nature photography. After running off two guides in her first month, however, Peggy is left with one last hope for a trip to the outback—a rancher-turned-bush-guide named Tripp Ruf.

Within seconds of laying eyes on Peggy, Tripp finds himself acting in the nick of time to prevent a snake bite. He is pretty sure things will only go downhill from there unless he puts his foot down and puts it down fast, and Tripp lets Peggy know that he will be the only boss on this trip. He also warns the beautiful, sassy American that careless behavior will earn her a sound spanking, but if her cute little behind ends up bared over his lap, Tripp fears that his biggest problem won’t be the dangers of the outback, it will be keeping his desire for her in check.

It isn’t long before Peggy puts Tripp’s word to the test and learns that a hard spanking delivered by a work-roughened hand is nothing to be taken lightly, but in spite of his strict discipline and his brash arrogance, Peggy grows more and more attracted to her rugged, handsome protector as the days pass. Can she dare to hope that her time with Tripp will leave her with more than just memories, or will it all end in heartbreak for the feisty American and the firm-handed Aussie?

Excerpt:

The Gouldian finch was hopping from branchlet to branchlet on the big green plum tree, and Peg very nearly had her shot ready. Just an adjustment here, a twist there. She shimmied carefully along the gum tree branch she was observing from, getting farther out toward the leafy edges. Slow movement was necessary; scaring the finch off would be awful after she’d spent so much time following him through the bush. But he was a beauty, with gorgeous color block patches and bright black eyes. The perfect specimen of one of the last Gouldian finches in the wild.

The branch under her began to bow and one of the ever-present flies buzzed under her nose, but Peg steadied her equipment again, and had her finger poised when there was a loud crack and she and the tree limb went tumbling toward the ground six feet below. Landing with a resounding thud on her back, Peg felt her camera thump solidly on her chest, its pointy little edges and corners leaving bruises, no doubt.

Her breath was lost, but after a moment, she gasped. There was a tall shadow between her and the afternoon sunshine. Tall and mobile; tall and wearing a hat. She couldn’t see the man’s face because of the lighting, but she knew it would be dangerous. What was a man doing out here in the bush with her, miles from civilization?

After a moment of looking at her, he bent, reaching down his hand. It was a broad-palmed, tanned hand, work roughened, the nails short and slightly dirty. “Help up?” His Australian accent was common enough, here in Australia, but the timbre of his voice, low, dark, and maybe even a little sexy, gave Peg shivers. She stared at the hand.

“Ya all right, lady?” He could have invited her for tea and she wouldn’t have understood him. He spoke with a thick accent, and the words were clear enough, but his baritone voice and sudden appearance were about all Peg could comprehend at the moment.

Finally, after taking a deep breath, she shook her head, a tendril of blond hair poking her in the eye. She went to reach for the wavy strand, but suddenly the man spoke again, from all the way up there at his full height.

“Don’t move.”

“What?” It was the first she’d spoken to him and her voice came out almost a squeak.

“Don’t bloody move. Don’t even breathe.”

He was reaching for something.

“I don’t understand,” she whispered, fear growing with each passing second. And then she saw the knife. It was a long knife, wide-bladed, and it looked extremely dangerous, with a single sunbeam glinting off the metal blade. “Oh, God. Don’t kill me.”

“Hush, sheila.”

Peg was aware that ‘sheila’ was a common term for woman here, so she didn’t think he’d gotten her name wrong. How could he know her name, after all? They hadn’t set eyes on each other before. And that reminded her that she still hadn’t set eyes on him. She had no idea how to describe her attacker, if he let her live.

Secrets by A. D. Herrick

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Amazon

What's a little Bondage between strangers?

When life gets you down you just pack up and leave right?

Well, that's what I did.

Now I work at Secrets.

Some would call it prostitution. I call it opportunity, freedom, and a damn good time.

When given the opportunity of a lifetime is thrown in your lap, what do you do? I was offered big money to spend 3 months in an undisclosed location with virtual strangers, I couldn't pass it up. Trust me, I tried. Five Million is a hard deal to say no to. Again, I tried.

But what happens when it all becomes too much? When enemies you didn't even know existed attack you and your life has been in peril more times than any human's life should be?

Is it all worth it for a little, okay, a lot of cash?

Or should I stay because the men are beyond dreamy and they know exactly how to treat a lady in between the sheets?

This book is intended for Mature audiences only.

The Philosophy and Art of Reading Random Books by Mary Kne

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Amazon

Like to read? Most of us read what is popular or what someone has recommended. Try the random reading system and open up a whole new world of books. Broaden your horizons. Open your mind. Expose yourself to books you would never, ever select, but could be very interesting. You may find a new passion or hobby.

Slay the Fame Game | Break into Hollywood & Social Media Without it Breaking You by Rachel McCord

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From celebrity model, Rachel McCord comes the 2017 Summer Must Read: Slay the Fame Game. Your guide to breaking into Hollywood and social media without it breaking you.

In this embarrassing tell-all, McCord shares the stuff she should never admit to that landed her over 1 billion media impressions in Vogue, OK! Magazine, Forbes, E! Online, CNN, Glamour Magazine, to brag about a few.

This one-of-a-kind guide is required reading if you (or someone you don’t want to become narcissistic) dreams of a celebrity lifestyle and career in the public eye. Get inspired, laugh, learn and fall in love with this Georgia girl who shares how she went from trailer parks to red carpets in press around the world!


Rachel McCord pulls back the curtain on her crazy journey to fame!

In this easy read, McCord shares topics like:

• Developing your personal brand
• Slaying red carpet fashion
• Collaborating and networking
• Killing it in interviews
• Dealing with #haters, and more!

What began as a vent session in Rachel’s journal is the must have book that literally guides you through IT ALL. Avoid the pitfalls as you learn from her mistakes, favorite tips, hacks and tricks. There are a couple books you need to read to stay sane, successful and sexy in Hollywood and on social media, and this is definitely one of them!

This is the book for you if you want to live a celeb lifestyle full of free makeup, fans who love you and the ability to hair flip your way past the haters … and to the bank.

How can you get your photos in the Dailymail? What does it take to get invited to every event in town? And hey, while we’re at it, does bigger hair get you closer to God—really? All will be revealed, within the pages of Slayy The Fame Game.

Buy now, and receive—as a special bonus— the entire book that you ordered! Just kidding! Pre-order now and Rachel will autograph the first copy for YOU!!  **Please allow until May 2017 for pre-orders to ship

Wedding Dreams: 20 Delicious Nuptial Romances - $0.99!!

$0.99 - Preorder Price

Amazon

**You are invited to the weddings of your dreams**

Twenty award-winning, USA Today and International best-selling authors have come together to bring you over 3,000 pages of love, lust, and lusciously sexy men.

From sweet second chance romances to bad boys, BBWs, and brides looking for revenge, this is a perfect read for anyone who enjoys Romance or Women’s Fiction. These pages are packed with cozy romances, thrilling international and holiday adventures, and sweet heart-melting stories. Our authors bring you everything from hot cowboys to rockstar romances, elegant weddings to nuptial disasters, and blushing brides to bold women, all in a delightful celebration of love.

You’re in for a wild, passionate ride on a breathtaking voyage to make your heart soar. This box set will leave you craving all things marital and wishing the honeymoon would never end.

Heat level: sweet to sensual

Whole Happy and Healthy by Jessica R. Dreistadt

$8.99

Amazon

Mental illness is greatly misunderstood. It is distorted, feared, and hidden — often leading to shame, guilt, and exacerbated mental health symptoms. Whole Happy and Healthy: A Revolutionary Approach to Understanding and Thriving with Mental Illness challenges this stigma and opens up new possibilities by exploring how people who experience mental illness can create a full, purposeful, and vibrant life by connecting with and continually expanding their perceptions — the intersection and interaction of emotions, intellect, intuition, and the senses — in twelve areas. Author Jessica R. Dreistadt reframes mental illness as a gift, rather than a deficit, to help readers discover and develop a holistic, integrative process that leads to more inner peace, emotional freedom, and joy. Whole Happy and Healthy changes the conversation about mental illness and emotional well-being, resulting in increased empathy, compassion, and resilience.

The Wolven by Meredith Allen Conner Excerpt

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A dominant king

Taken captive and on her own, Rea must find a way to escape the Order. With the help of her newly discovered sister, she is able to regain her freedom, but her sister stays behind. Rea can’t lose her again. She’ll do anything to find her, accepting help from the king of werewolves should be easy. But he wants more, much more than her acceptance of his help. He wants her.

A determined woman

Cam has known for weeks that Rea is his mate. Weeks of imagining her being tortured while he is powerless to help her. The moment she calls, he races to her rescue. Only to find she doesn’t need rescuing. Rea doesn’t seem to need anything from him. He’s determined to show her he was born to protect her. They have a bond between them. A bond he’s afraid he can’t live without.

They can fight each other, or join together for a love more powerful than they ever imagined

Excerpt:

"I've only heard sounds like that a couple of times recently. Why didn't Sela come?"

The husky, battered voice almost brought him to his knees.

He turned his head slowly, keeping the rest of his body still so he wouldn't scare her. He stood directly under the light from the store. He knew she'd be able to see his scar. He couldn't do anything to prevent it.

Amber eyes watched him warily from the shadows at the edge of the store. Dark hair stuck up in short, tousled spikes all over her head. Her pale skin glowed like moonlight.

Mine.

"I was closer." By maybe a half mile. It didn't matter. This was his mate. No one was going to touch her, but him.

He inhaled sharply.

His claws and fangs grew at her spicy scent. Sharp and slightly tangy with a hint of cinnamon. It reminded him of cookies baking.

He growled.

Rea froze. Her body tensed to flee.

Mate. Good. Take

Cam battled with his beast. He was the Wolven. He was in control.

He forced his claws and fangs back.

"Don't run." Bad idea. His wolf loved the chase. If she ran, he didn't know if he could keep his beast in check. And he sure as hell wasn't going to have their mating take place in the middle of some street.

He was in control.

So why did his heart race and his hands tremble at the thought of pulling her under him, ripping her pants off and taking her wherever he caught her?

She scowled at him. Rubbed her hand over her right wrist. "Then don't growl at me," she hissed. "I've already seen the fangs and claws and fur. I don't need the up close version."

That made it slightly easier. She knew about his beast. He didn't have to make the explanation.

"Come here."

She arched a brow, frowned briefly down at her wrist then tossed her head. "I don't take orders. Or follow them. How about you get in your truck and I'll hop in on the passenger side?"

She didn't take orders? He was the Wolven. He gave orders. And expected them to be obeyed.

Especially by his mate.

"How badly are you injured?" She didn't look injured, but he knew damn well how appearances could be deceiving. Besides he could smell the blood.

She straightened as if taking offense at his question. "I'm fine."

Bullshit. She'd been drugged and beaten before she'd been kidnapped in front of Livie and Sela. Who knew what she'd suffered after she'd been taken.

"Do you need a doctor?" He didn't smell a lot of blood, but he wouldn't if her injuries were a few days old and the wounds scabbed over.

She took a step towards him. Chin leading, hands fisted at her side. "I told you. I'm fine."

Interesting.

She didn't respond to orders or offers of help, but question her health, hint of an injury, and she challenged him. Faced off against him. Stepped closer.

Mine. Take. Keep.

He didn't want to frighten her and he sure as hell hadn't planned to make her mad, but if that's what it took . . .

Read an Excerpt From Broken & Beloved by Marly Andrews

$2.99

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Broken vows and broken dreams.

All Sara Parker ever wanted was to marry the love of her life. A love that completed her and would provide her with years of laughter and happy memories. That all changed the night she walked in on her spineless, cheating husband. As her dreams crumble before her eyes, she takes the last shred of hope and moves three states away. With nothing but her wounded past and the keys to her grandparents’ house on Lake St. James, she slowly begins the process of starting over.

Taking a waitressing job at Hooters is a short-term solution to her long list of financial needs. Just when she fears that her past failures will haunt her forever, she winds up drawing the short straw on an already long shift. But it’s the shift of a lifetime when Matt Hamilton looks her way.

Broken heart and broken hopes.

Growing up in a loving family, Lieutenant Matthew Hamilton knew the meaning of commitment. When he met that special someone, he recognized it and went all in, exposing every inch of his big heart. But that someone drove a nail in his chest when she walked out, shattering his hope and everything he believed about love.

Returning from Afghanistan should have been a time for healing instead of sorting through the wreckage of his life. When nothing softened the jagged edges of his heart, Matt turned to yet another meaningless hookup for the only relief he could trust. Then Sara stepped up to his table and everything changed.

Excerpt:

After a grueling weekend of emergency preparedness exercises, Matt was exhausted and hungry. Planning to grab some carry out, he drove by Hooters like a fool. She had made it clear that she wasn’t available for a relationship, but he couldn’t keep himself from fist pumping in the air when he spotted her truck.

Taking a step inside, Matt discretely scanned the room and found Sara in seconds. She was taking an order from an overly friendly pair of wannabe hipsters. He could see the intimidation in her stance as she leaned away from the table. Oh, hell no. Reacting on testosterone and possession, Matt stalked over to protect her. Friends look out for each other, right?

In a few long strides, he was standing behind her, reaching around her waist and pressing his body against hers. “Hey, baby.”

Startled, Sara gasped. Before she could say anything, Matt dipped his head to place his warm lips against her neck. Tilting her head slightly, Sara couldn’t stop the spontaneous response of pleasure escaping her throat.

Damn, was that a purr? Whatever it was, it felt like warm whiskey.

Without letting go, Matt reached one hand out, offering a handshake to the shocked customer. “You don’t mind if I borrow your waitress for a minute, do you?”

One long look at Matt’s uniform and his greedy hold on Sara and the man returned the handshake. “Not at all.”

As quickly as possible, Matt grabbed Sara’s hand before she could protest and guided her to the small hallway near the restrooms.

Breathless and shaken, Sara turned to face Matt with both hands on her hips in defiance. “What are you doing?”

Damn, she’s cute when she’s feisty. “I didn’t like the way he was looking at you. And it was quicker and easier than asking him to step outside.”

“But, why did you do that? Why would you make him think we’re together?”

“Sara, I like you. Okay? Surely you can tell by now.”

“No. No, Matt, you can’t. We can’t be more than friends.”

Taking a step closer, Matt refused to let her ignore the way she had melted against him moments ago. He placed one hand on her waist and watched her lips part as she pulled in a shallow breath. “Don’t tell me you don’t feel that, Sara. I’m over here trying to show you every well-bred manner I have, and all I can think about is how badly I need to taste your lips again.”

Refusing to meet his eyes, Sara lifted her hands to his chest, holding him away. “Matt, please don’t.” As she pushed lightly on his chest, he backed up. “I…. I have tables to wait on.”

Releasing his grip, Matt stepped back and looked at her with dark hooded eyes. “Fine. But this discussion isn’t over.”

After finishing her shift, Sara walked to her truck, unable to shake Matt, his touch, or his words from her mind. They did need to talk this out. He was clearly willing to pursue whatever it was they had, but she wasn’t ready to trust her heart again. They needed to find a middle ground.

As she sat in in her truck, waiting for it to warm up, Sara sent a text.

Sara: Can we talk? Grab a pizza?

Matt: Come to my place. I’ll order delivery.

Telling herself she could handle being in his space was harder than she thought. Pulling up to his complex, Sara could see lights spilling out of the apartment as well as the garage below. When she stepped inside the garage, Matt was head down, power sanding a piece of furniture just a few steps away. She walked closer and spoke his name to get his attention.

Glancing up, Matt took a moment to marshal his thoughts to keep his eyes from drinking her in from head to toe. She was still in her Hooters uniform, but thankfully, she was also wearing a long cardigan. As he stood, sawdust hung to his shirt and hair. “Hi. Pizza arrived a few minutes ago. I took it upstairs.”

Leading the way, he opened the door to his apartment. It was set up in the traditional shotgun style. Living and dining area, behind which were a kitchen, bath, and bedroom at the back. “I have beer or water. Sorry, no tea.”

“I’ll have a beer.” I might need it.

After opening two bottles, Matt looked down at his sawdust covered shirt. “Give me a minute to change.”

Sara removed her sweater and wandered over to the sliding door that opened to the balcony. In the reflection, she could see down the hallway. She watched as Matt’s strong back and shoulders came into view as he tugged his shirt off and tossed it to the floor. When he turned, her eyes were drawn to his chest and arm tattoo, wishing she were close enough to see the detail. He caught her eye just before pulling on a clean shirt. A moment later, he disappeared behind the wall and reappeared carrying a hooded Air Force sweatshirt.

Approaching her, he held it out. “Put this on. If you want to talk, I can’t concentrate with you in that tank top.”

Surprised by his honesty, Sara pulled the hoodie on and laughed at how it hung long enough to cover her shorts too. “Better?”

With a sweeping scan of her legs, Matt shook his head. No. “Are you hungry?”

Holding her beer, Sara took a step toward the couch. “Can we talk first?”

Cracking his neck from side to side, Matt sat down, careful to keep a respectful distance.

“You were right.”

Matt lifted an eyebrow in response. “About?”

“I do feel it. And I did like the way you kissed me. And held me. And everything else about you.”

Shit.

Standing up, Matt retreated to the kitchen where he quickly busied himself filling their plates and placing them on the counter separating him from the living room. Space. He just needed space and a few minutes for the semi in his jeans to remember the conversation about her being married.

Taking a long pull on his beer, Matt leveled his gaze on her as she followed his moves carefully. “I’m not going to lie to you, Sara. I don’t know if you being here and confessing that is a good idea. I’ve fantasized about you in my bed since the night I met you.”

Get The Chocolate Cure by Roxanne Snopek for FREE

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No more chocolate! No more meddling! No more men!

New Year’s resolutions are great. Announcing them in a crowded bar, with a chocolate martini in her hand? Not Maddie Cash’s finest moment. It’s time this new realtor got serious about her life and this time, she means it.

But when hospital volunteering lands her at the bedside of bruised and battered Mick Meyer, who has no knowledge of Maddie’s reputation – and no memory of the kiss he begged from her during that long, pain-filled night, her best-laid plans are put in jeopardy. It’s not just his sweet tooth that’s tempting her.

The hunky bush pilot with the concussion has an old family property to unload. Making this sale could be Maddie’s professional salvation. But when Mick turns on the charm, she’s in danger of forgetting all her best intentions... on chocolate... on meddling... and especially on men.

Love at the Chocolate Shop series
Book 1: Melt My Heart, Cowboy by CJ Carmichael
Book 2: A Thankful Heart by Melissa McClone
Book 3: Montana Secret Santa by Debra Salonen
Book 4: The Chocolate Cure by Roxanne Snopek
Book 5: The Valentine Quest by Melissa McClone
More books coming soon

CHAPTER ONE

"The usual, Maddie?" asked the bartender.

Madeleine Cash tossed her hair away from her face where it was endangering her false eyelashes, and blotted her damp forehead with the back of her hand. The cold from the snow swirling and drifting outside did nothing to cut the warmth of the busy pub.

"Not yet, Jason. Sparkling water with a slice of lime, please." If there was ever an occasion for her to enjoy a chocolate martini, it was New Year’s Eve, at Grey's Saloon, surrounded by friends and family. But she was the first of them to arrive, which was a bummer, and she wasn't yet in a celebratory mood.

In fact, she was in a bit of a funk.

Maddie wasn't accustomed to worrying. The mere fact of this funk... was worrying in itself.

Plus, she always got a little... glowy... when she indulged in alcohol. Funky plus glowy could only equal trouble.

"Give her a chocolate martini," said a voice at her elbow. "My treat."

"Forget it, Tod." She leaned sideways, nudging her coworker with her shoulder to soften her words. "I'm being a good girl tonight."

"I'm counting on it."

"Ick. I'm telling Elinor. She'll take away your allowance."

With his expensive haircuts and perfect clothes, Tod Styles was handsome enough, she supposed. But even she knew better than to dabble with her boss's son, especially now.

Elinor was implementing cost-cutting measures and, as she'd kindly but clearly pointed out, Maddie’s dramatic tearing up of Rosie Linn's contract had put a significant dent in the last quarter sales figures. It wasn’t her place to make magnanimous gestures, no matter how well-intentioned.

Plus, Tod's lips reminded her of watermelon gummy worms.

"Half the men here are counting on it." Jason Grey pushed a paper coaster in front of her and set her drink on it.

"And look at how responsible I'm being." She lifted the glass at Jason and Tod in turn, then took a delicate sip. "A mature, professional woman, here to ring in the new year with friends. In a mature, professional way. No flirting with the help."

"You could no more give up vodka and flirting than you could give up chocolate," said Jason.

"Why would I want to give up any of that? I embrace life. Chocolate and men are part of that."

"And vodka," said Tod.

"Nope." At least, not until her friends arrived.

"I'm not saying you should give up anything," said Jason. "I'm saying you couldn't if you tried."

"I could so!"

So she had a tab at Grey's. Who didn't? And of course Copper Mountain Chocolates had her credit card on file. Sage's chocolate was the best in the state. The world. The universe.

As for men, well. She was alive, wasn't she?

Jason moved away to fill another order and Tod turned to flirt with the girl on his other side.

Annoyed, Maddie took another sip, her lips leaving a pretty smudge of Candy Coral on the glass. Fizzy bubbles sparkled their zero-calorie dance on her tongue. This wasn't so bad. Who were they to imply she had no self-control?

She knew how to enjoy life. That was a good thing.

Moderation, however, wasn't her strong suit.

A sweet-smelling arm draped lightly over her shoulder, turning into a tight side-hug.

"Cynthia!" said Maddie, shifting to make room. "You're here! I'm so glad. We're going to have so much fun tonight."

Since the day they'd met, Maddie had adored her stepsister, she of the braces and the stutter and the low self-esteem just waiting for the encouragement of an older sister or two. Cynthia was preparing for a spring wedding with her fiancé, Chad, and happiness shone from every last bit of her.

Cynthia deserved it and Maddie was one hundred per cent thrilled for her.

"You look so nice," said Cynthia.

"Thanks." Maddie glanced down at her simple black dress. Too simple, at least, for her. But her boss had also suggested a more professional appearance.

That had stung. Elinor herself was so lovely and polished, her gentle critique of Maddie's flair came as a shock.

For someone whose last name was Styles, she was disappointingly narrow-minded in her appreciation of what that entailed.

"Are you meeting someone?" Cynthia asked.

"Nope. It's just me."

"And me." Tod leered hopefully at Maddie.

"Not at gunpoint, Toddler."

He glowered.

Maddie leaned over the bar. Where was Jason? "You're all sex-goddess gorgeous, yourself. Watch out, Tod's going to fall into your cleavage and then Chad's going to go all cave-man on him."

"I can take Chad," said Tod.

Cynthia caught Jason's eye, pointed to Maddie's drink and held up two fingers. "No worries, Chad's not coming tonight. He and the guys are away at his stag."

"Right, I forgot."

Chad was celebrating with a bunch of pals from Marietta, all of whom shared a love for restoring old houses. And all of whom were ridiculously fine-looking men. Watching them work gave new meaning to the term house porn. Especially when they took their shirts off.

Too bad they were all married, more or less.

"Four days at some run-down camp. Super rustic, which is like catnip to them." Cynthia shuddered. "One of Chad's friends just inherited it and wanted them to check it out with him. Mick Meyer. I met him. He's hot."

"Cowboy hot? Or hot-hot? Not that there's anything wrong with cowboys," Maddie added quickly. Chad was a cowboy. As was his brother Eric. As were ninety per cent of the men in Marietta. Eighty percent of whom she'd dated already.

A nice clean-cut, Armani-wearing hedge-fund manager, that's what she wanted. Ha.

"Bush pilot hot," said Cynthia. "They're ice-fishing. Can you imagine?"

"In this weather? Better them than me." A thought occurred to her. "That means it's just us girls. On New Year’s Eve. Best night ever!"

"Sorry, sis. Apparently, you have to take out a second mortgage to get a sitter on December 31."

"Not even Samara?"

Melinda and Leda each had preschoolers but Samara's daughter, Jade, was at least six now. Surely Sam had found someone to stay with her.

But Cynthia shook her head.

"Spawn." Maddie huffed. "They ruin everything."

It sucked being single when everyone around you was oozing domestic bliss and popping out adorable little spit factories every time you turned around.

Jason pushed two sweating glasses of sparkling water with lime toward them.

"Actually, we'll have a couple of white wine spritzers," called Maddie. But the bartender was already gone.

"It's okay," said Cynthia. "This is perfect."

"No way. We deserve a little something, being abandoned as we are."

Cynthia bit her lip and glanced away. Then met Maddie's eyes and took a deliberate sip of her fizzy water.

Maddie looked at the drink, then up at Cynthia's face. Her jaw dropped.

"Cynthia! Are you-" She clapped a hand over her mouth. She didn't want to jinx anything. She also needed to keep her heart from leaping straight out of her chest to flop onto the bar top.

A Cynthia-Chad baby would be the most adorable, sweetest, heaven-sent treasure in the entire world.

"Don't say it." Cynthia glared at her and then glanced meaningfully at the people surrounding them. "It's too early to talk about it. So, no."

"But maybe?" she whispered.

Cynthia bit her lip. Then she smiled. "Maybe."

Maddie shrieked and hollered. "Happy New Year! I'm going to be-"

"Kicked out," said Jason. "Cynthia, keep her in line, will you?"

"No problem." Cynthia dragged her off her seat by the arm and led her to a quieter corner. "You're impossible."

"Need some help?" said Tod, reappearing at her elbow with a glass of wine in each hand.

Maddie grabbed one. "Family stuff, Tod. Private family stuff."

Cynthia thanked Tod but declined the glass.

"Does DeeDee know?" Maddie whispered.

Deirdre, Maddie's twin sister, was a model in New York City and had been steadily and determinedly drifting away from the family, another thing on Maddie's list of things not to worry about tonight.

"No. Nor do Dad and Joanie. And don't you tell them. I'll make an announcement when the time is right." Cynthia twinkled. "Got that, Aunt Maddie?"

Aunt Maddie.

She liked the sound of that. A big, rollicking family full of laughter and love, all of them getting together at the farm, Mom and Norm putting all the leaves in the table to accommodate everyone at mealtime.

Assuming Norm would still be around to see it.

Don't think about that tonight. Don't think about anything tonight.

Darn, that list was tough to ignore.

Maddie gulped down her drink, tossed her hair over her shoulder and pulled Cynthia out of the corner. "Why isn't anyone dancing? We'll be the first. Someone's got to get this party started."

Jason turned up the music and Maddie gave herself over to the pure joy of sound and movement and the crush of people. So not everyone was here tonight. She had plenty of friends. She had a family she loved, and would soon see an addition. She had a good job, at the moment. And if that disappeared, she'd find another.

She tipped her head back and whirled in a circle, her hips moving in time to the beat of Keith Urban's The Fighter. She had so much to be grateful for. Marietta was the best place in the world and she had such a great life.

"I'd be your fighter, Cynthia," she yelled.

"I'm Tod," said Tod into her ear. "You can fight for me."

"Nope," she said. "Inappropriate fraternization."

She had a job she enjoyed. She'd fight for that, if she had to.

Elinor wouldn't really fire her.

"If you can say words like that, you need this." Tod pressed a chocolate-drizzled martini glass into her hand.

She sniffed it. Cocoa and vanilla. Divine. Maybe she did need it. Where was Cynthia, anyway? The bathroom, she supposed. Or maybe she left when Maddie started dancing.

She took the glass. Downed it.

"Don't get any ideas," she said, shoving the empty glass at him. "I don't need a man to have fun, especially not you."

There was nothing wrong with being single.

Nothing.

"Hear me roar!" she yelled.

Laughter surrounded her, enveloped her, embraced her. Cynthia might have ditched her, but that didn't mean Maddie was alone.

In fact, as the clock wound down to midnight, she found herself talking and dancing with so many generous and appreciative men who kept things interesting, and made sure to keep her drinks refreshed, that she couldn't remember why she'd ever imagined herself to be lonely.

"Ten... nine... eight..."

She wasn't lonely.

"Seven... six... five..."

She threw her arms around the nearest available man. She was celebrating New Year’s Eve and the fresh start of a new and better year.

A new and better life.

A new and better her.

Read an Excerpt From Secret Desires by J L Regen

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Margo Simmons is ecstatic when she inherits her uncle’s Manhattan apartment and a handsome sum of money. To her chagrin, there are strings attached. She must be gainfully employed in a job for a year. Everything in Margo’s life has complications. When she meets the man of her dreams, she anguishes over how to fulfill her secret desires for a loving relationship because he is still emotionally tied to his deceased wife and afraid to open his heart again. To replace her fractured childhood growing up with a distant stepfather, Margo becomes the guardian of an elementary student who longs for connection and closeness. As the story evolves, readers will see how these individuals unite. Secret Desires is a contemporary romance written from the heart and speaks to anyone who has suffered a loss and had to start over.

Excerpt:

Margo Simmons gripped the edges of the leather chair. Devastated after receiving a

letter about her Uncle Harry’s death, she didn’t know what to expect from Mr. Steinberg. Her

only other encounter with lawyers had been during the reading of her father’s will. Though she

was only five at the time, she remembered her mother’s anguish over losing her husband and

being a single parent.

An older gentleman clothed in pinstripes walked into the office as she reflected on the

past.

“I’m sorry your mother couldn’t be here for the reading,” the family lawyer said.

“You’ve grown into a lovely young woman.”

Margo blinked back tears at memories of good times shared with Uncle Harry. “Not so

young. I’m twenty-three.”

The portly man squeezed himself into a swivel chair and peered at her over wire-rimmed

bifocals.

Margo gripped her knees to steady her nerves.

Read an Excerpt From My Vacation in Rio by Patricia Green

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Romantek Corporation creates dreams for its customers--dreams of exotic, historic places and events more fabulous than a time machine. As part of their dreaming apparatus, they're releasing a new product on the market, Soma- gen. The Soma-gen process is part of the dreaming technology, helping cells regenerate and scrubbing out impurities and annoying genetic problems like receding hairlines. Romantek's Chairman of the Board is a perfect volunteer for a high-profile test. He's fit, old enough to have begun feeling the effects of age, and a person used to taking risks. Sergio Corvino is excited to experience his Romantek dream at Carnival in Rio de Janeiro in the year 2000. Everyone is eager to see how his real body fares as a result of Soma-gen. 

Amber Tachibara will also be experiencing the vacation in Rio with Sergio. He doesn't know it, but she's been sent as a bodyguard. There have been problems with cyber-terrorists in the past, and Romantek isn't taking any chances with their Chairman. Tachibara is tough on the job, but submissive in intimate situations. Her discovery of that side of her surprises both people concerned. 

When a cyber-terrorist shows up in Rio, can Amber keep Sergio safe? Things can get deadly fast in a dream. Will Amber and Sergio survive their vacation in Rio?

Excerpt:

The streets were teeming with revelers, some drunkenly weaving through the crowds, as loud, dissonant music blared nearby. Amber quickly got her bearings. It was night time. She was standing in an alleyway, off a main street, where some sort of parade was going on. She glanced down at herself, making sure all her parts were intact, and immediately commed Romantek's security room, using the implant in her skull. "Shit, guys. You couldn't give me clothes?"

There was some snickering, and then a junior team member spoke up. She recognized his voice. It was Davidson Smith. "We gave you clothes. It's a costume so you'll blend in."

Amber snorted. She was wearing a gold G-string, gold knee-high boots with red leather flames on the front and sides, and a gold push-up bra. Her boobs were huge in this costume, bigger than they were normally. In her opinion, they were excessive, weighing her down, but apparently, in the eyes of the Romantek programmers, a little enhancement wouldn't hurt. Gold bracelets, two dozen or more of them, jangled on her wrists. As she moved, she felt something on her back. Reaching behind her, she discovered wings, so she glanced back. They were white with gold flashing. On her head was some sort of headpiece, lightweight but awkward. She must look like an avenging angel. "You guys slay me," she said, disdainfully to her crew. "An angel? God damn."

"Go with it." This time it was Rex Boyd's voice. Her boss. 

"Yes, sir. Where is Corvino?"

Davidson spoke up again. "He's one hundred, two point five meters away, southwest of your location. Go to the big street—Avenida Presidente Vargas—and make a left. He's on the street. Sending you a homing signal right now. You should see an arrow on the sidewalk."

Amber stumbled out of the alley, cursing her high-heeled boots, and onto the giant avenue full of people dressed in wild, revealing costumes. All kinds of people took part in the festivities, apparently, including men, women, transvestites, and androgynous persons. Everyone was dancing, more or less, to the heavy samba rhythms being blared from rooftop speakers on the nearby buildings. There were clowns, devils, birds of paradise, and flowers. So many of them were beautiful, bright, sequined and extravagant, Amber was a little dazed. Willing herself to focus on her job, she looked down past her boots and saw the faint outline of a white arrow, pointing southwest up the street, against the flow of traffic. Of course against the flow of traffic. Frowning, Amber wiggled her way through the river like a salmon swimming upstream. Someone pinched her naked ass and she turned to smack the offender, but couldn't figure out which person it was, so, frowning, she went back to following the arrow. It continued up the street for a while, then turned red. It was her signal that Corvino was close by.

In the sea of laughing faces, many with heavy makeup, it wasn't too hard to spot him. He was laughing like the rest, but wasn't as showy. He wore a devil's costume with loose fitting black satin pants, and a red, sequined, long-sleeved shirt with billowy sleeves. The cuffs were black satin, like his pants. His forehead sported red glued-on horns and he had a plastic pitchfork, with blunted tines. He was a bit of a caricature devil, but recognizable, sambaing in the crowd as though it was ridiculous fun.

Amber sidled up, pressed against him with others, and shouted over the din. "Hey, devil! I'm an avenging angel. Beware!"

Get Rules of Engagement by Peggy Webb for 40% Off

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On sale now for 40% off! A laugh-aloud trio of romantic comedies from the award-winning, bestselling author reviewers call a “comic genius.” Review: “This may just be the Best Box Set of the Year! It starts with a hilarious scene in the first book and never lets up! Don’t miss it!”

The Goddess Trap: First, a MUCH younger woman steals Gloria’s role as reigning goddess of daytime TV. Then she wrecks her car in the backside of nowhere and is consigned to the role of house guest on a crutch without Godiva chocolates. What’s a goddess to do except get up to her neck in her hosts’ hilarious problems…and fall for the hunk whose teenaged son fixes up her Ferrari. But can their affair survive everybody’s raging hormones plus the sassy interference of Gloria’s publicist, Godzilla in high heels?

An Unlikely Affair: Newly divorced Kate, looking for a fresh start in a new town, lands up to her activist’s neck in controversy…and running for mayor. But what’s an independent woman to do when she falls for her opponent?

I Do and so Does the Gorilla: Dr. Ellen Stanford is fearless with animal research, but when she decides to take a fake fiancé to the family reunion to fend off nosey personal questions, all bedlam breaks loose. First she hires a man so mysterious he won’t tell his real name, and then her research subject falls for him! Can a doctor, a hunk and a gorilla ever untangle a web of little white lies?

Love's Promise by Melissa Storm - $0.99!

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This special pre-order price of 99 cents is available for a limited time only!

She's waiting for her prince to come … but was he right beside her all the time?

Kristina Rose Maher wants to know why fairytales never happen for fat girls. Certain that diner cook Jeff, handsome and fit, will never want her as more than a friend, she stuffs down her attraction to him. But when she finds herself facing a life-altering weight loss surgery, she discovers she's willing to do whatever it takes to embrace life—and love—to the fullest.

Jeffrey Berkley can't bear the thought of losing the friend he’s only just beginning to realize matters so much to him… no matter what size she is. But he is also terrified that helping her reach for her dreams will also mean finally reaching for his own—and letting down his family’s legacy in the process.

Both Kristina Rose and Jeffrey must learn to love themselves before they can find a way to make a promise to each other. Will they finally be able to lay their heavy burdens at the Lord's feet, and trust him to bring the happily-ever-after they both crave?

Don't miss this sweet tale of faith, love, and gastric bypass--get your copy of Love's Promise today!

Journey of the Heart: A Collection of Western Romance Short Stories

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From the Texas plains to the Oregon wilderness, up Missouri’s Big Muddy to Montana Territory, and from the California mountains to Colorado’s cattle country... JOURNEY OF THE HEART is a collection of eight sigh-worthy romances, all revolving around modes of transportation in the Old West.

Award-winning and best-selling authors Melissa Lynne Blue, Anne Carrole, Stacey Coverstone, Debora Dennis, Tanya Hanson, Karen J. Hasley, Linda LaRoque, and Jacqui Nelson invite you to travel along on romantic adventures that will have you falling in love with the gamblers, marshals, ranchers, doctors, riverboat captains, rangers, preachermen, and warriors of the Wild West.

Whether on a paddleboat or train, stagecoach or horse, buggy or bicycle, the journey to love for these rugged men and their feisty, independent ladies will delight fans of historical western romance.

All stories are rated Sweet.

SAVING SUSANNA

By

DEBORA DENNIS

Can a buggy ride change their past or create their future?




CHAPTER ONE

Most families passed down noses, chin clefts, and even oddly shaped pinkie toes…but Susanna Martin hit the look-alike jackpot.

She’d often wondered if her parents thought it amusing to give her the name of a woman who, in 1870, went on a bank robbing spree using her cleavage and bare ankles as a distraction. In their defense, how could they have possibly known she’d also end up the spitting image of her notorious namesake?

Now, over a hundred years and thousands of miles from Prosperity Creek, California, the tale of her ancestor, Susanna Martin, aka Seductive Sue, lingered over the family like an uninvited house guest, wearing out her welcome every time, yet always showing up for the next holiday dinner. Over time, the embellished truths and lies intertwined and the legend was born, the family creating their own fifteen minutes of fame.

The official fate of Seductive Sue had been shrouded in mystery after her last heist at the Prosperity National Bank had gone awry. The local paper declared her dead in a hail of bullets, but the lack of a body left her death as more speculation than fact. Though she was never seen or heard from again, there were reports of her changing her disreputable ways for a man.

And not just any man, but one of Prosperity Creek’s most notorious gamblers, Jonah Pinkerton.

Susanna had spent the most of her twenty-five years soaking up family folklore, and too many of hours of internet searches in the last few years to count. It was finally time for a vacation, where she might be able to find answers to questions regarding her ancestor. Between her own anemic love life and landing a freelance writing assignment on the life of female bandits in the Old West, this trip west couldn’t have been more perfectly designed. If nothing else, the story of Seductive Sue would make an intriguing footnote.

Would she find anything new to add to the legend by visiting the town? She doubted it.

Could she resist the challenge? Absolutely not.

The day before the 145th anniversary of that fateful day, she finally arrived to see Prosperity Creek for herself. After weeks of planning, switching planes twice between New York and San Francisco, driving four hours and getting lost two times, Susanna pulled into a gravel lot outside of town, turned off the ignition of her rental car, and surveyed the town in the distance. No cars allowed; Prosperity Creek was a place that embraced its past and welcomed guests to become a part of their world as it used to be. A step back in time, with only a few modern conveniences, the Grand Hotel boasted air conditioning, modern showers and wifi. The only modernized hotel in town was the place she’d made reservations at.

She grabbed her suitcase from the backseat of the SUV and dropped it to the ground with a thud into the dry desert dirt. She dragged it toward the edge of the parking lot, the wheels kicking up dust even as clumps of the red-brown dirt prevented them from spinning evenly. Only one other car occupied a space between her car and the designated pick-up area, and it was covered in a sandy film. Pulling a chilled water bottle from her bag, she held it to her cheek, took a quick drink and waited for the shuttle to town.

A horse and buggy rounded the bend, the driver holding the reins loosely as the horse walked at a leisurely pace in her direction.

“Susanna Martin?” The driver tipped his hat as the buggy came to stop in front of her.

“Yes, that’s me.”

“Welcome to Prosperity.” He jumped to the ground, his leathered face and hands giving away his advanced age, but he surprised her by grabbing her suitcase and efficiently slinging it onto the floor of the buggy with barely a grunt. He reached out his hand. “The name’s Walter, but most people around here call me Ears. Now, watch that step there, it’s a little loose.”

Her foot securely on the step, Susanna grabbed the side of the buggy and hoisted herself up.

He hopped back onto the bench seat next to her, and with a soft snap of the reins, they jolted forward and were moving. He turned the horse around, the peaceful town now directly in front of them.

“So, you here on vacation or you plan on robbing the bank?” He laughed at his joke and she rolled her eyes.

“I assure you, I’m not here to rob the bank.”

“Yup. That’s what she said.”

“Excuse me?” Susanna tucked her hair behind her ears, not sure she’d heard correctly.

“She a relative of yours?” he asked.

Oh, yeah, he was a bright one.

“Did my name give it away, or was it the bare ankles?”

He stared at her feet with his gray eyebrows arched as his gaze traveled from her low-ankle boots to her face in one slow movement. He smiled, then leaned over and spit into the dirt. "Either one works."

She shifted on the dusty bench as it bumped along the road and cringed as he spit more chewing tobacco, his black smile repulsive.

Gross.

Turning her head, she took in the sparse landscape; trees and shrubs dotted the area and wildflowers of blue and yellow scattered the countryside. The hot sun beat down, the water bottle in her hand warming quickly.

It was August, a hundred miles from normal in the foothills of California’s Sierra Nevada mountain range.

Oh Susanna, what were you thinking?