Years of relentless fighting have strained the country, and the December news of the Battle of the Bulge crushes the hope that war in Europe will soon be over. Lillian Drooms pushes ahead with her career as an artist while she anxiously awaits the arrival of her husband, Charles, for Christmas, and her friend Izzy finally gives Mr. Rockwell the old heave-ho—or does she?

And on the farm in Illinois, Ursula’s troubling situation reaches a climax and is intensified by the arrival of her brother Jimmy, home on furlough from the Pacific. Among pervasive loss and disappointment, is there room for Christmas hope and happiness?

Author Bio:

Linda Mahkovec is the author of World War II historical fiction, short stories, and contemporary novels.

Themes of love, family, and home dominate her stories, and though they may be set against the backdrop of war or deal with the disappointments in life, the overarching feel is uplifting and hopeful. Threads that run through her work are the search for beauty and meaning, and the artistic female character—whether she is a painter, a gardener, or simply someone who lives creatively and seeks connection.

Mahkovec was born and raised in a small town in Illinois. She then spent several years in the San Francisco Bay area and Seattle, and for the past thirty years has lived in New York City. She has a PhD in English, specializing in Victorian literature. She has previously published as Agnes Irene.

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Omaha's finest are baffled and the city is on edge following a rash of brutal murders of women, all killed in similar fashion. Local law enforcement believes a misogynistic killer is in their midst. With little to go on, the central police department requests assistance from the Serial Crimes Unit of the FBI. Agents Jade Monroe and J.T. Harper are tasked to fly to Omaha and lend a hand.Without any leads, the investigation stalls until a chance meeting between Jade and a stranger with memorable blue eyes turns the entire case on its ear. With the killer quickly losing patience, the investigation takes a turn for the worse. Not only are more of the city's ladies being targeted, but now Jade Monroe is on the killer's radar too.

About the Author
C.M. Sutter is a crime fiction writer who resides in Florida, although she is originally from California. She is a member of numerous writers' organizations, including Fiction for All, Fiction Factor, and Writers etc. In addition to writing, she enjoys spending time with her friends and family. She is an art enthusiast and loves to create gourd birdhouses, pebble art, and handmade soaps. Hiking, bicycling, fishing, and traveling are a few of her favorite pastimes. Be the first to be notified of new releases and promotions at http: //cmsutter.com.

Into each life some rain must fall.A woman crashes her car near the scenic Colorado ski resort town of Rocky Points and slips into a coma after suffering head trauma. The Sluice-Byron County first responders discover she's stolen her vehicle from central Washington and doctors find her body is riddled with wounds that have nothing to do with the collision. Chief Detective David Wolf of Rocky Points is two days from getting married when he learns the crash victim's identity as Special Agent Kristen Luke of the FBI-Wolf's colleague and former lover. As questions mount about her inauspicious arrival, Luke wakes up and provides no answers, because she can't remember. When the Feds drop in to take Special Agent Luke back home, Wolf can't shake the feeling more danger is at play than they're letting on. In this action-packed new installment of the David Wolf mystery-thriller series, Wolf must choose between two loyalties, risking his new life at home to travel to the Pacific Northwest. Among biblical rains and ruthless gangs, can Wolf find the truth? Or will all he holds dear drown in deception?

A life-changing inheritance...but not in the way she expects.
Dahlia thought settling her aunt's estate in the seaside town where she'd spent her childhood summers would be easy - a one- or two-day job at the most. Discovering that she's inherited a crumbling house and a failing bookstore puts a wrench in that plan.
With a nasty trustee who is determined to keep her from selling her inheritance, and Garrett, a handsome neighbor who challenges her at every step, Dahlia doesn't expect to have a future there.
However, Candle Beach grows on her and she sees transformations in herself that she didn't expect. With happy memories everywhere she turns, her friends begging her to stay, and a developing attraction to Garrett, could Aunt Ruth's bequest be the key to Dahlia's happily-ever-after?
To begin your vacation to the enchanting seaside town of Candle Beach, grab your copy of Sweet Beginnings now
After you've read Sweet Beginnings, you'll probably want to stay in Candle Beach for a while. Continue the series to find out how each of the women in a circle of friends navigates life, relationships and their own dreams for the future.
Book 1: Sweet Beginnings - Dahlia's story
Book 2: Sweet Success - Gretchen's story
Book 3: Sweet Promises - Maggie's story
Book 4: Sweet Memories - Angel's story
Book 5: Sweet History - Charlotte's story
Book 6: Sweet Matchmaking - Sarah's story
Book 7: Sweet Surprises - Maura's story

Welcome to Candle Beach, where falling in love is easy...almost.

Join the women of Candle Beach as they navigate life, relationships, and their dreams for the future.

A promise between brothers. A secret that threatens to tear a budding romance apart.

Maggie Price is resilient. After her husband died, leaving her a young widow with an infant son, she returned home to Candle Beach to create a new future for them by purchasing the Bluebonnet Cafe.

She loves her life, but something feels like it's missing...

Jake Price promised his younger brother he'd take of his wife and child if something happened to him while deployed overseas. Now, five years after his brother's death, Jake vows to fulfill that promise and take care of Maggie and her son Alex.

Maggie tries to fight her attraction to Jake, but he knocks down her resistance and they fall in love. Will she still feel the same if she knows the real reason he's in Candle Beach?

The Candle Beach novels are "clean and sweet" contemporary romances that can be read as standalone novels and have happily-ever-after endings with no cliffhangers.

Book 1: Sweet Beginnings
Book 2: Sweet Success 
Book 3: Sweet Promises
Book 4: Sweet Memories
Book 5: Sweet History
Book 6: Sweet Matchmaking
Book 7: Sweet Surprises

 

Welcome to Candle Beach, where falling in love is easy...almost.

Join the women of Candle Beach as they navigate life, relationships, and their dreams for the future.

An instant connection that can weather any storm...until their dreams collide.

When Gretchen Roberts graduated from college, she planned a brief stay in her hometown of Candle Beach. Ten years later, she's still working for her parents and wondering how her life got so off track. Luckily, she's got a plan for the future, which hinges on being hired for the lead sales job at a luxury housing development south of town. With a referral from her best friend Maggie, she's a shoo-in for the job.

But there's one little snag...

Parker Gray grew up knowing he'd work for his parents' real estate firm in nearby Haven Shores. What he didn't expect was that he'd be in constant competition with his older brother. He's got to get out of there before he loses his mind, and the sales position at Oceanview Estates seems like a perfect way of reaching that goal.

Gretchen and Parker meet by chance and are instantly attracted to each other -- until they find out they're both after the same job. Who will win the coveted position? And when the dust settles, will they still want each other?

The Candle Beach novels are "clean and sweet" contemporary romances that can be read as standalone novels and have happily-ever-after endings with no cliffhangers.

Book 1: Sweet Beginnings 
Book 2: Sweet Success 
Book 3: Sweet Promises 
Book 4: Sweet Memories 
Book 5: Sweet History 
Book 6: Sweet Matchmaking 
Book 7: Sweet Surprises 

 

Are sea otters as cute and clever as they seem? Miranda Jones is as captivated by their sweet faces as she is spellbound by their antics. She can hardly wait to interact with them on her kayaking expedition off California's Central Coast. Yet nothing could be more surprising than the controversy they've caused in the sun-drenched Santa Barbara waters, nor more disturbing than the vehement hatred they seem to inspire among local fishermen. Are the otters really so adorable? Or is there more at stake . . . When Otters Play? Though the book stands alone, it also introduces Book 3 of the Milford-Haven Novels, the critically acclaimed, best-selling series, a multi-generational saga. Based on Purl's BBC Radio drama Milford-Haven U.S.A.