Gone Mia Deadly Deception A Psychological Thriller

Love can blind us to mortal danger...

Small town introvert Mia Agostini has long wondered if "the one" will ever find her. Then, one day, when her car breaks down, the handsome and handy Alex Bartlett comes to the rescue, offering more than a tire change. Mia is instantly smitten, and yet, what begins as a promising romance quickly takes a perilous turn.

Alex is teeming with dark secrets-and isn't anyone's savior.

Soon fleeing her home, Mia finds Alex in relentless pursuit, determined to prevent her escape. Trapped by a deep desire for love, one woman who's long been waiting for change must now step up and claim it.

Embracing her instincts will now be crucial. It's time for a total transformation-and a whole new game of deception...

Welcome to OCEAN SHORES in Oceanside, California where the ocean pounds the shore, surfers ride the early morning waves, and the local military base sends roaring jets into the sky. Steps from the sand sits a large apartment building filled with quirky tenants and possible love connections.

In HOPELESSLY ROMANTIC, Ava Campbell, a pragmatic and fiercely independent woman, is housesitting for her newlywed sister Serena, whom she practically raised. Struggling with the void left by her sister's departure and the feeling that life is passing her by, Ava's solitude is shattered by Liam Nash, a laid-back Australian surfer with a smile as captivating as the waves he rides.

Liam is clearly someone with absolutely no boundaries, and he insists he has the green light from Serena's hubby, Brad, to crash at the apartment. With no room for negotiation, these two opposites are forced into a shared living arrangement, further complicated by Miss Daisy, a feisty cat with a knack for mischief.

As Ava's grumpy, cynical attitude clashes with Liam's sunny optimism, sparks fly, and an unexpected connection blooms. Can Liam's infectious charm thaw Ava's very well-guarded heart? Will Ava discover the best things in life often arrive when you least expect them?

Get ready for a rollercoaster of emotions in this humorous and heartwarming tale that proves love can sneak up on you in the most unexpected places, leaving you breathless and yearning for more.

HOPELESSLY ROMANTIC is the first book in the utterly charming and irresistibly appealing Ocean Shores Series from #1 New York Times Bestselling Author Barbara Freethy.

PRAISE FOR BARBARA FREETHY NOVELS

A fabulous, page-turning combination of romance and intrigue. Fans of Nora Roberts and Elizabeth Lowell will love this book." NYT Bestselling Author Kristin Hannah on Golden Lies.

"Gifted author Barbara Freethy creates an irresistible tale of family secrets, riveting adventure and heart-touching romance." NYT Bestselling Author Susan Wiggs on Summer Secrets

"Freethy skillfully keeps the reader on the hook, and her tantalizing and believable tale has it all-romance, adventure and mystery." Booklist (Starred Review) on Summer Secrets

"Freethy has a gift for creating complex, appealing characters and emotionally involving, often suspenseful, sometimes magical stories." Library Journal on Suddenly One Summer

"Barbara Freethy is a master storyteller with a gift for spinning tales about ordinary people in extraordinary situations and drawing readers into their lives." Romance Reviews Today

"A warm, moving story of the power of love." NYT Bestselling Author Debbie Macomber on Daniel's Gift

"Ocean Shores is now my fictional happy place!" Goodreads Reviewer

In a vibrant southern California coastal town, sparks fly when Gabe Herrera, the charismatic owner of a beloved food truck, finds himself at odds with Madison Baldwin, the meticulous chef of a prestigious fine dining restaurant. Their rivalry escalates when they both set their sights on the same coveted restaurant space, setting the stage for a culinary showdown that sizzles as much as their signature dishes.

For Madison, food is a refined art, and each meal is a meticulously orchestrated symphony of flavors. She's determined to succeed in her first head chef position, but with Gabe's food truck parked across the street and stealing her potential customers, her dreams are at risk. Meanwhile, Gabe, a self-taught chef from an immigrant family, believes food is a celebration of life, meant to connect people and bring joy to everyday moments, but he needs more than a food truck to support his family.

As their rivalry intensifies, Madison and Gabe find themselves competing head-to-head in a cooking competition for a prize that could change both their lives. But as the competition heats up, so does the attraction between them. Can they set aside their differences and blend their flavors to create a recipe for love? Or will their conflicting styles and opinions prove to be insurmountable obstacles? Find out in Summer Loving, a heartwarming tale of love, food, and the power of a good meal to bring people together.

SUMMER LOVING is the second book in the OCEAN SHORES series by #1 New York Times Bestselling Author, Barbara Freethy. In the sun-soaked paradise of Oceanside, California where the ocean pounds the shore, surfers ride the early morning waves, and the local military base sends roaring jets into the sky, sits a large apartment building filled with interesting and quirky tenants, possible love connections, and more than a few secrets! Once you come to visit, you'll never want to leave!

PRAISE FOR THE OCEAN SHORES SERIES...

"Great start to a new series. Ocean Shores is the kind of apartment complex we'd all want to live in, where the neighbors are all friendly and look out for each other. Cautious financial planner Ava & laidback Australian surfer wouldn't seem to have much in common at first glance, other than physical attraction. But leave it to the talented Barbara Freethy to bring these two together in a way that is believable, entertaining and hopelessly romantic." Mary - Goodreads on Hopelessly Romantic

"The story grabbed me immediately and made me fall in love with it. The characters were well-developed and multi-faceted, not only the two main characters but all the minor ones as well. The location is a place I would want to visit, and the Ocean Shores community is where I would like to live. I am excited to read the next one as soon as it's ready." Bonnie - Goodreads on Hopelessly Romantic