I was forced into this marriage to save my father's life and our family's empire, but my husband has other plans.
He wants to sell Tate Media for parts and make himself billions in the process.

The only way I can stop him is to expose his not-so-secret life.

Franklin Parks is a monster. We have all heard the rumors, but anyone who has dared to stand up to him has been silenced. Now, it's my turn.

He is protected by all of the rich and powerful because he protects their secrets in return.

There's only person I can trust: Henry Asher, the love of my life.

I shouldn't get him involved. It's too dangerous, but we can't stay away from each other.

Can I escape my marriage and save my legacy or will I lose everything and everyone I love in the process?

Not long ago, there was nothing I couldn't have. Now, I don't even have the choice of whom to marry.

To save my father's life and our family's legacy, I have to marry a cruel man who wants me only as a trophy.

Henry Asher was just supposed to be a summer fling, but we fell in love. We thought we would be together forever, but life got in the way. After we broke up, I vowed to never tell Henry the truth about my engagement.

What happens when the lies that were supposed to save me start to drown me?

Henry Asher
I didn't always have wealth or power. There was even a time when I didn't want any of that.

Then I met her: Aurora Tate is an heiress to a billion-dollar fortune. She grew up on Park Avenue, had a house in the Hamptons and skied in Aspen. Our first summer together was magical. We were naive enough to think that love was going to be enough.

Now, she's forced to marry a man she hates to save her father's life.

To get her back and to make her my wife, I need to become the man she needs me to be.

Can I do it in time?

What readers are saying about Charlotte Byrd:

"This book/series is addictive Super hot and steamy, intense with twists and turns in the plot that you just won't see coming..." ★★★★★

"One-sitting read " ★★★★★

"How on earth did I survive that? My mind is blown, my hearts beating out of my chest and I'm on this cliff, shaking like a leaf in a windstorm waiting to do that all over again with the conclusion to one of the best reasons to get out of work and get lost for a while." ★★★★★

"This series is just so intense and delicious. The stunning twists, raw emotions and nerve wracking tension just keep increasing as each book in this enticing series unfolds. I am so invested in Nicholas and Olivia. These characters really worm their way into your heart, while also totally consuming your mind. The gripping story quickly captivates and pulls you back into this couple's world." ★★★★★

"If readers are looking for an author who is the perfect mix of Debbie Macomber and Nora Roberts, Lilly Mirren is it " - InD'tale Magazine

When a renowned book editor returns to her roots, she rediscovers her strength & her passion in this heartwarming novel from the author of The Waratah Inn.

Sarah Flannigan is moving home to the small, beachside hamlet of Emerald Cove. After years in the city building a career as an editor at one of the top publishing houses in the country, she's uprooting her life to help her mother run the family cafe after the divorce.

Cindy Flannigan never thought she'd find herself single and alone in her sixties, but when her husband runs off with a younger woman, she uncovers secret debts he's accumulated that will leave her in dire financial straits for the first time in her life. She calls on her eldest child to help and is delightfully surprised when her daughter moves home to the Cove. But concerns for her daughter's future happiness soon mar the reunion.

Take a trip to Emerald Cove, where no one's a stranger, in this heartwarming and uplifting tale for fans of Debbie Macomber, Danielle Steele, and Sheila Roberts.

Bestselling author Staci Hart brings you a smoldering enemies to lovers, gender flipped twist on the Bennets of Pride and Prejudice.

I hate Luke Bennet.

The Bennet brothers have come home to save the family’s flower shop where I work, and Luke is at the helm. Armed with an irresistible smile and unrivaled charm, he swoops in just like he always does, without a care in the world or a serious bone in his gorgeous body.

He’s so sincere in his determination to save Longbourne, I almost can’t be mad at him.

Almost.

He doesn’t remember the night I’ll never forget. That kiss, touched with whiskey and fire, branded me like a red-hot iron. But it meant nothing to him.

I hate Luke Bennet.

Because if I don’t, I’ll fall in love with him.

Author Bio:

Staci Hart writes romance for that feeling you get at the end, like you’re standing on top of a mountain with a backpack full of hundred dollar bills. She writes romcoms because is there anything better than banter and grand gestures? She writes because she loves to create and she loves words. She loves books, and she loves stretching her imagination. She loves love, and if you do too, bring your coffee and have a seat. 

Christmas is a time for second chances...and for love.

Elizabeth Cranwell's children left home, her husband divorced her and dissolved their shared business, and she's set to spend Christmas alone.

Without her husband or the thriving business she spent years of her life building, Elizabeth doesn't know who she is or what to do with her days. She's dreading spending her first Christmas alone when her friends convince her to book a holiday at the Waratah Inn.

Robert Patch thought things couldn't get any worse when his only daughter married a controlling and angry man. That was until his grandchildren arrived. When his son-in-law won't allow Robert to stay with them over the holidays Robert does the next best thing and books into a nearby inn so he can see the children. He is pleasantly surprised when he meets a woman who reminds him of the love he lost so many years ago, in a way that reawakens a heart he'd long thought dormant.

Filled with memorable characters, from a cheeky possum to a cook who moonlights as an amateur counsellor, this sweet, small-town Christmas story celebrates the camaraderie of a life lived in community and second chances at life and love.

A stand-alone, heartwarming Christmas romance for fans of Sheila Roberts, Debbie Macomber, and Debbie Mason.

The touching fourth instalment in the Emerald Cove saga from a USA Today Bestselling Author.

At forty-four years of age, Ben Silver thought he'd never find love. When he moves to Emerald Cove, he does it to support his birth mother, Diana, after her husband's sudden death. But then he meets Vicky.

Vicky Hawkins is younger than Ben, much younger. But there's something about his earnest brown eyes, the sadness behind them, the depth to them, that draws her in. He becomes her friend, but it isn't long before she realises there's more to their relationship than that.

It's time for Cindy to get on with the rest of her life. She'll have to decide if the cafe she's spent her life nurturing will be a part of her retirement or if it's time for her to let it go.

Sarah finally finishes the book she's been working so hard to write. But will she be able to rejoin the industry she left behind? Even as she steps forward, she and Mick are considering the next phase of their relationship.

If you haven't begun this uplifting ongoing series yet, be sure to start at the beginning. Enjoy these moving stories of love, hope, loss and heartache for fans of Debbie Macomber.

Please note: This book is the fourth instalment in the Emerald Cove saga.





Two generations from one family face heartbreak and injustice in this poignant and emotional novel inspired by true events.

Married to her dream man, and with a baby on the way, Dr Mia Sato's life is in perfect order.

When her beloved grandmother has a fall, the photograph clutched in her hand prompts Mia to ask questions her grandmother isn't willing to answer. Then she cries out a confession that rocks Mia to her core and leads her to make a shocking discovery of a past filled with lies, broken families and forced child migration.

Mary Roberts is a poor gutter child living in a council house in 1950's London. When she and her sister are given away to an orphanage by their mother, they could hardly imagine the turn their lives were about to take.

Harry Evans is an orphan who finds himself with Mary and her sister on a ship bound for Australia. To a farm for children, where abuse and neglect are rife. A journey that will change their lives forever, and from which they'll never return.

Based on one of Britain most secret and shameful real-life scandals in which over 100,000 British children were forcibly deported to Canada, South Africa, and Australia over several decades. Lilly Mirren's heartbreaking, captivating and ultimately uplifting tale reminds us that no matter where the journey leads us, our heart will always find its way home to those we love.

For readers of Before We Were Yours and Where the Crawdad Sings.

Author Bio:

Lilly Mirren is a USA Today bestselling author. She lives in Brisbane, Australia with her husband and three children.

She always dreamed of being a writer​ and is now living that dream. When she's not writing, she's taxiing her children to various after school activities, visiting her parents at the beach, or drinking coffee with friends.

Her books combine heartwarming storylines with achingly realistic characters readers can't get enough of.

A marriage of convenience, an honorable gentleman, and the secrets of a mysterious young lady.

Eleanor Claridge had it all. A family that loved her, a secret romance with a handsome soldier, and a beautiful home in the seaside town of Brighton. Although her father did not approve of her suitor, she found no fault in him. With respect to her father's wishes, she paused to examine his character.

But it was too late.

Abducted and taken to Scotland under the ruse of a happy elopement, Eleanor was forced to marry the wicked man she had once loved.

And now she has a chance to escape.

Widowed and alone, she flees on the first coach back to Brighton with her young son, vowing never to marry or trust another man again. But when her reputation and the safety of her child are questioned, she has no choice but to enter into a marriage of convenience with Mr. Henry Beaumont, whose kindness and inviting blue eyes leave her questioning if love is such a dreadful notion after all...

Don't miss the conclusion to Brides of Brighton, a sweet regency romance series. Each story stands alone, but are best enjoyed when read in the order below:

A Convenient Engagement

Marrying Miss Milton

Romancing Lord Ramsbury

Miss Weston's Wager

An Unexpected Bride

The USA Today Bestselling author of The Waratah Inn series, Lilly Mirren, proves there's no place like Emerald Cove for the holidays.

Adele Flannigan wants a fresh start. She's moved back to the Cove to escape a failed affair and to repair her broken heart. When a handsome new resident in the small beachside village helps load a Christmas tree into her car, she realises there may be a chance for a Merry Christmas, after all.

Cindy's hosting Christmas, but the Flannigan family has changed in recent years and she's nervous about how things will go. There's been a divorce, new members added, stray dogs adopted, heartbreak, romance and even a brand new bouncing baby. Christmas at Cindy's has the potential to be a delightful family feast, or to set off fireworks that could ruin the entire holiday.

Can this blended family learn to love one another during the Christmas season or will their family be torn apart?

A big family Christmas may be just what the doctor ordered for these residents of Emerald Cove.

This is the fifth book in the Emerald Cove series.

To save my job, I have to get an interview with a reclusive bestselling author who is impossible to find.

It's an insurmountable task until I get a lead. It's probably a joke but given what just happened in my personal life, it's an excuse to get away.

The last person I expect to see there is him, the dashing and mysterious stranger who was the only man who knew the truth that night.

He invites me inside under one condition: everything he says is off the record. He'll answer my questions but I can't write about him.

Then things get even more complicated.

Something happens between us.

His touch ignites a spark. His eyes make me weak at the knees.

We can't do this.

But then he looks at me in a way that no one has ever looked at me and I can't say no...

“I loved this collection of thoughts…I would recommend this story for those who enjoy an emotional heartwarming story.” —Linda’s Book Obsession Blog

These six interrelated pieces tell the story of Maggie, a vibrant individual who is also Everywoman: daughter, dreamer, nurse, friend, wife, mother. Spanning over eighty-five years, they follow her from her youth in Depression-era Illinois to the time when she ventures forth to 1940's Hollywood and coastal California, and her return to the rural Midwest. Bittersweet and poignant, celebratory and inspiring, these stories portray the exuberance of youth, the delight of friendship, the adventure of going forth into the world, and the disappointment and heartache that are a part of life.

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.

 Shop all Linda Mahkovec books

Three New York Times Bestselling standalone novels in one special collection: Summer Secrets, Golden Lies and Don't Say A Word

Summer Secrets:

Eight years ago, the three McKenna sisters-Kate, Ashley, and Caroline-had their fifteen minutes of fame. Driven by their ambitious father, they won an around-the-world sailing race as teenagers. But something happened out on the turbulent sea during a fierce storm they could never forget.

Now Tyler Jamison has come to Castleton, a picturesque island off the coast of Washington State, asking questions about the famous McKennas. But even as the sisters close ranks against the tenacious reporter, the past threatens to drown them in its wake. It will take Caroline's willingness to right a wrong, Ashley's struggle to face her greatest fears, and Kate's attempt to embrace life-and love-again to finally calm the winds and stop the rain.

Golden Lies:

Every family has secrets -- some too intriguing to resist ... some too dangerous to ignore...

A novel about three remarkable families-the fifty-year-old promise that once bound them together, the fiery betrayal that tore them apart, and the ancient bronze dragon that could destroy their future.

Riley McAllister, Paige Hathaway, and Alyssa Chen come from very different worlds. Tough guy Riley has overcome the hard knocks of a working-class upbringing. Paige struggles to define her place as the heir to a famous antiques emporium. And Alyssa feels trapped by the restrictions of her family's old world attitudes. Now this unlikely trio of strangers must come together to follow an elusive trail through the streets of San Francisco-from glittering Pacific Heights to colorful Chinatown to trendy south of Market. Each will have to make the impossible choice between romantic love and family loyalty, between sheltering lies and revealing truth. Once the door to the past is opened, there's no turning back...

Don't Say A Word:

Everything she's been told about her past is a lie...

Julie De Marco is planning a perfect San Francisco wedding when she comes face-to-face with a famous photograph, the startling image of a little girl behind the iron gate of a foreign orphanage-a girl who looks exactly like her. But Julia isn't an orphan. She isn't adopted. And she's never been out of the country. She knows who she is-or does she?

Haunted by uncertainty, Julia sets off on a dangerous search for her true identity-her only clues a swan necklace and an old Russian doll, her only ally daring, sexy photographer Alex Manning. Suddenly nothing is as it seems. The people Julia loved and trusted become suspicious strangers. The relationships she believed in-with her mother, her sister, and her fianc -are shaken by new revelations. The only person she can trust is Alex, but he has secrets of his own. Each step brings her closer to a mysterious past that began a world away-a past that still has the power to threaten her life ... and change her future forever.

From #1 New York Times Bestselling Author Barbara Freethy comes a romantic and emotional standalone novel... Take a romantic journey to Tucker's Landing, Oregon, where Sam and Alli Tucker have made a life together ... a life about to be tested by the return of the only woman who can break them up ... Alli's sister, Tessa.A baby brought them together -- and even though Alli has always loved her strong, sexy husband Sam and the life they've built together, she has decided to set him free to follow his youthful dreams. It is no longer enough for her to be wife and lover when she knows she holds so little of his heart.Sam has always dreamed of a life away from the close-knit world of Tucker's Landing, but marriage and fatherhood ended all that. Now Sam is torn between what was and what was meant to be. He must decide if it's time to rekindle the dreams of the past ... or accept Alli, and her love, just the way she is.Don't miss this heartwrenching tale of a man torn between two sisters, the one he loved, the one he married ...PRAISE FOR JUST THE WAY YOU ARE..."Barbara Freethy has crafted a beautiful and emotionally satisfying story in Just the Way You Are. I was immediately drawn into these people's lives and was unwilling to let them go until I had finished the story. The secondary characters are compelling and perfectly compliment the emotional attachment and age-old pain that Sam and Allie have to deal with in order to decide what to do with their future. I cannot recommend this book enough - it is a lovely story that will touch your heart." Barb's All Romance Bookstore"Freethy is a strong storyteller with an unerring ear for dialogue." The Romance Reader"JUST THE WAY YOU ARE is a romantic, emotional journey through dreams and choices to love. Contemporary romance readers will adore this poignant, heart-tugging tale " AOL Fiction Forum

"Golden Lies is an absolute treasure, a fabulous, page-turning combination of romance and intrigue. Fans of Nora Roberts and Elizabeth Lowell will love Golden Lies." —Kristin Hannah, New York Times bestselling author of The Nightingale

Every family has secrets—some too intriguing to resist… some too dangerous to ignore…

A novel about three remarkable families—the fifty-year-old promise that once bound them together, the fiery betrayal that tore them apart, and the ancient bronze dragon that could destroy their future...

Riley McAllister, Paige Hathaway, and Alyssa Chen come from very different worlds. Tough guy Riley has overcome the hard knocks of a working-class upbringing. Paige struggles to define her place as the heir to a famous antiques emporium. And Alyssa feels trapped by the restrictions of her family's old world attitudes. Now this unlikely trio of strangers must come together to follow an elusive trail through the streets of San Francisco—from glittering Pacific Heights to colorful Chinatown to trendy south of Market. Each will have to make the impossible choice between romantic love and family loyalty, between sheltering lies and revealing truth. Once the door to the past is opened, there's no turning back…

 

More Reviews:
"Freethy's smooth prose, spirited storytelling and engaging characters are sure to send readers on a treasure hunt for the author's backlist books." —Publishers Weekly

"A priceless Chinese artifact, an ancient curse, and a decades-old betrayal set the stage for this gripping story, which unites the grandchildren from three diverse, yet strangely linked, families and sweeps them from the rarified world of high-priced antiques to the fragrant alleys of San Francisco's Chinatown on an urgent quest to unravel the past's secrets. Multidimensional characters at all levels (especially the strong-willed hero and heroine), realistic and sometimes funny dialog, and a well-constructed plot that Freethy unwraps with such consummate skill that the conclusion is at once surprising and totally logical result in a rich and compelling tale." —Library Journal

"The lives of three families collide and intersect in this wonderfully intriguing new drama by bestselling author Freethy." —Romantic Times Magazine

Author Bio:
Barbara Freethy is a #1 New York Times bestselling author of 41 novels ranging from contemporary romance to romantic suspense and women's fiction. Traditionally published for many years, Barbara opened her own publishing company in 2011 and has since sold over 4.8 million copies of her books. Nineteen of her titles have appeared on the New York Times and USA Today Bestseller Lists. In July of 2014, Barbara was named the Amazon KDP bestselling author of ALL TIME! She was also the first indie author to sell over 1 million copies at both Barnes and Noble and Amazon. An author known for writing emotional stories about ordinary people caught up in extraordinary situations, Barbara has received starred reviews from Publishers' Weekly and Library Journal and has also received six nominations for the RITA for Best Single Title Contemporary Romance from Romance Writers of America. She has won the honor twice for her novels Daniel's Gift and The Way Back Home. 

Shop all Barbara Freethy books 

 

From #1 New York Times Bestselling Author Barbara Freethy comes an emotionally compelling story of love, family and a little bit of magic. Former young lovers are reunited years later by tragedy. Will they get a second chance at the love of a lifetime?

About the Author

Barbara Freethy is a #1 New York Times Bestselling Author of 41 novels ranging from contemporary romance to romantic suspense and women's fiction. Traditionally published for many years, Barbara opened her own publishing company in 2011 and has since sold over 5 million copies of her books. Nineteen of her titles have appeared on the New York Times and USA Today Bestseller Lists. In July of 2014, Barbara was named the Amazon KDP (Kindle Direct Publishing) Bestselling Author of ALL TIME! She was also the first Indie Author to sell over 1 million copies at both Barnes and Noble and Amazon.

An author known for writing emotional stories about ordinary people caught up in extraordinary situations, Barbara has received starred reviews from Publishers' Weekly and Library Journal and has also received six nominations for the RITA for Best Single Title Contemporary Romance from Romance Writers of America. She has won the honor twice for her novels Daniel's Gift and The Way Back Home. Barbara recently launched a new contemporary series, The Callaways, featuring a family born to "serve and protect". For more information, visit Barbara's website at www.barbarafreethy.com

A #1 New York Times Bestseller

“Graced with sympathetic, well-defined characters and an intriguing multi-threaded plot, this is an emotionally involving story...sure to please Freethy's growing fan base, and like Kristin Hannah's novels, neatly bridges the gap between romance and traditional women's fiction." —Library Journal

Eight years ago, the three McKenna sisters—Kate, Ashley, and Caroline—had their fifteen minutes of fame. Driven by their ambitious father, they won an around-the-world sailing race as teenagers. But something happened out on the turbulent sea during a fierce storm they could never forget…

Now Tyler Jamison has come to Castleton, a picturesque island off the coast of Washington State, asking questions about the famous McKennas. But even as the sisters close ranks against the tenacious reporter, the past threatens to drown them in its wake. It will take Caroline's willingness to right a wrong, Ashley's struggle to face her greatest fears, and Kate's attempt to embrace life—and love—again to finally calm the winds and stop the rain.

More Reviews:

"In the tradition of LaVyrle Spencer, gifted author Barbara Freethy creates an irresistible tale of family secrets, riveting adventure and heart-touching romance." —New York Times bestselling author, Susan Wiggs

"Barbara Freethy writes with bright assurance, exploring the bonds of sisterhood and the excitement of blue-water sailing." —New York Times bestselling author, Luanne Rice

"Freethy skillfully keeps the reader on the hook, and her tantalizing and believable tale has it all—romance, adventure and mystery." —Booklist

"Freethy's zesty storytelling will keep readers hooked, and the sisters' loving but prickly interactions will make anyone with a sibling smile." —Publishers Weekly

Author Bio:

Barbara Freethy is a #1 New York Times bestselling author of 41 novels ranging from contemporary romance to romantic suspense and women's fiction. Traditionally published for many years, Barbara opened her own publishing company in 2011 and has since sold over 4.8 million copies of her books. Nineteen of her titles have appeared on the New York Times and USA Today Bestseller Lists. In July of 2014, Barbara was named the Amazon KDP bestselling author of ALL TIME! She was also the first indie author to sell over 1 million copies at both Barnes and Noble and Amazon. An author known for writing emotional stories about ordinary people caught up in extraordinary situations, Barbara has received starred reviews from Publishers' Weekly and Library Journal and has also received six nominations for the RITA for Best Single Title Contemporary Romance from Romance Writers of America. She has won the honor twice for her novels Daniel's Gift and The Way Back Home. 

Shop all Barbara Freethy books

A country fighting to stay free.
A woman with an impossible decision.

In November of 1939, Sini Toivola is sure of two things: she loves Marko Linna, and she has a comfortable life in Helsinki. But when the massive Soviet army invades her beloved homeland and Marko spurns her affections, her life is turned upside down. Needing a fresh start, Sini decides to join the female volunteer corps-the Lotta Sv rd-and is sent to serve near the front lines. Service at a field hospital proves a good distraction-until Sini discovers a Russian soldier lost behind their camp.

Duty requires her to turn him in, but her heart begs to keep him safe and help him escape. Torn between love for her country and love for her enemy, Sini must choose-but no matter what choice she makes, heart-wrenching consequences await them all.

About the Author
Lyon, Annette: - Annette Lyon is a USA Today bestselling author, an 8-time Best of State medalist for fiction in Utah, and a Whitney Award winner. She's had success as a professional editor and in newspaper, magazine, and technical writing, but her first love has always been fiction. She's a cum laude graduate from BYU with a degree in English and is the author of over a dozen books, including the Whitney Award-winning Band of Sisters, a chocolate cookbook, and a grammar guide. She co-founded and was served as the original editor of the Timeless Romance Anthology series and continues to be a regular contributor to the collections. She has received six publication awards from the League of Utah Writers, including the Silver Quill, and she's one of the four coauthors of the Newport Ladies Book Club series.

When David approaches his New Hampshire cabin one cool October night to find it engulfed in flames, he knows his girlfriend Hope set the fire. At least, he’s pretty sure he knows.

David first decides to upend the creature comforts of his post-collegiate life and try roughing it for a year after he inherits two acres of land and a rustic cabin from his deceased grandfather. Life at the cabin proves to be more difficult than expected, however, and it all starts with the woman he loves—Hope—whose dark past is written in the twisting pink scars covering her body. Their relationship is challenged after his car slides through an intersection one dark night and, later, his realization that someone is out there, watching him through the trees.

Over the course of five seasons, David struggles to maintain his relationship with Hope. Ultimately, in an attempt to understand the sacrifices she has had to make, he decides to rewrite their story. In doing so, he explores the lessons he’s left with—after everything he thought mattered is gutted or burned away—and the surprising bits of wisdom he finds in the ashes.

 

Author Bio:
Christine Meade is a freelance writer, a book editor, and a writing teacher. She holds an MFA in creative writing from the California College of the Arts. A native New Englander, she currently lives and writes in Somerville, MA.

 

Independently published with She Writes Press

A family secret brought her to Candle Beach. The same secret might drive her away.

It had always been just the two of them, mother and daughter. After her mother died, Angel Bennett found out it was all a lie. Discovering her mother's secrets, she moves to Candle Beach to find out the truth. What she finds is so much more.

Adam Rigg is unlucky in love. He's the constant friend, never the boyfriend. He's resigned himself to be the best journalist possible, keeping the local newspaper, the Candle Beach Weekly, afloat in an era where digital media reigns supreme.

When Adam volunteers to help Angel discover the truth about her mother's past, an unexpected romance blossoms between them. However, Adam is soon confronted with a dilemma-does he help Angel get the family she's always wanted or save his relationship and never be alone again?

If Adam helps Angel realize her dreams, will he ever get what he wants most-her?

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 

 

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

 

An island filled with the spirit of love and the joy of Christmas!

When Mike and Clara start a new holiday tradition to help save the island, all the characters of Solomons decide to join in. With holiday festivities in full swing, little does Mike know his business, Lighthouse Tours may need a little help from the town in return.

While beachside festivities are underway, love is in the air which might even spark an unexpected exchange of vows from characters you'd least expect.

If that isn't enough to get you in the holiday spirit, a surprise visitor will show up and offer Mackenzie, the manager at the local café, the surprise of a lifetime. The residents of Solomons and some of her closest friends will be there to show their support, and even share in a little yuletide caroling to celebrate.

Come join Clara, Mike, the employees of Lighthouse Tours, and the locals of Solomons Island for a sweet love story and a beachfront Christmas!

Mike's ready to pop the question to Clara...

But, when news of a secret baby surfaces, will it ruin his plans for engagement?

Clara is happy in her relationship with Mike, but there's a major shift in focus when her sister shows up with bad news.

Solomons Island is a small and peaceful place, with lots of love to go around. At the café, Clara's best friend, Mackenzie, is running the business as if it were her own, while balancing the busy life of a single mother. Her daughter is happy and so are her customers at work. If only she could translate that same level of happiness in her relationship with Bill. They've been dating for a while, but she's ready to take things to the next level. As they discuss their future, will she discover that Bill's heart is in a different place?

Mike's business, Lighthouse Tours, wouldn't be the same without Ms. Mae and Jonathan. These two prove that it's possible to work together and be married, and they do it very well. But at home, Jonathan and Mae still bump heads every now and again as they learn to merge households as Mr. and Mrs. Middleton.

There's nothing everyone wants more than a happily ever after. Join the characters of Solomons Island as they aim to fulfill their desire for love in the third book of the series, Beachfront Embrace.

About the Author
Gilcrest, Michele: - Michele Gilcrest is an author of women's fiction and family sagas with a touch of sweet romance. She was born in the north but spent many years living in Georgia. Traveling the world and finally settling in a small town community has given her so many fun experiences to write about in her books. Her favorite settings, often displayed in her books, are beach towns and small-town communities. Michele's biggest inspiration is faith and family. She has always been an avid reader of women's fiction. She's known for spending hours in the bookstore with a hot cup of coffee. There's nothing like reading a good book that takes you on an adventure. When she's not writing, she spends quality time with her husband and her little Yorkie.

In her latter years, she's feisty, a free spirit, and rebukes the idea of playing by the rules...

He's attracted to her fiery personality but hesitant to reveal his true feelings. He's younger, a traveling business owner, and until now only made time for work.
Will Jolene's admirer captivate her heart and spark a flame of love? If he does, will she even notice or will her desire to return to her hometown cloud her vision and cause her to miss out on love?

If Jolene's life wasn't filled with enough drama, then there's Payton. Payton is happily married, a mother to a lovely step-daughter with twins on the way, and the owner of a thriving photography shop. At forty-three years of age, she's accomplished more than she could ever dream of. But, even with all the bliss, there's still an unresolved matter that keeps lingering in the back of her mind. It's a letter she received from her ex-husband's fiancé. When the letter arrived, Payton was determined that it belonged in the trash and out of her life. But why was she struggling to forget the letter inquiring about her ex-husbands past? Does Payton secretly believe she can spare this woman from marrying a cheater and liar?

As always Payton's sisters will advise and offer support, but what will her husband, Cole, think if she decides to get involved?

In book five, the Matthews are back with more drama and more sweet love. Pack your bags with this clean romance and get ready for another trip to Pelican Beach!

Author Bio:

Michele Gilcrest is an author of women's fiction and family sagas with a touch of sweet romance. She was born in the north but spent many years living in Georgia. Traveling the world and finally settling in a small town community has given her so many fun experiences to write about in her books. Her favorite settings, often displayed in her books, are beach towns and small-town communities. Michele's biggest inspiration is faith and family. She has always been an avid reader of women's fiction. She's known for spending hours in the bookstore with a hot cup of coffee. There's nothing like reading a good book that takes you on an adventure. When she's not writing, she spends quality time with her husband and her little yorkie.

She's forty-eight, single, and falling head over heels for Mike, her new boss.

He's equally intrigued, but will circumstances deem their love to be permissible or forbidden?

In book two of the Solomons Island series, Clara is ready to move forward from her year of loss and pain, and she's ready to ignite a new flame. However, she may find herself faced with a few stumbling blocks along the way.

As luck would have it, there's a secret from Clara's past that manages to resurface at the most inconvenient time. If not handled carefully this secret could cost her inheritance, and another chance at love.

Then, there's the question of maintaining a certain level of professionalism while falling completely, deeply, and hopelessly in love with her boss, Mike Sanders.

Will Clara overcome these significant challenges to finally experience her happily ever after?

The story wouldn't be complete without checking in with the other employees who work alongside Clara at the Lighthouse company. The continuation of Ms. Mae's love story is sure to give you butterflies as she turns up the heat with her longtime friend, and now lover, Jonathan.

Pull up a beach chair and enjoy book two of the Solomons Island series - a sweet, romantic beach read!

About the Author
Gilcrest, Michele: - Michele Gilcrest is an author of women's fiction and family sagas with a touch of sweet romance. She was born in the north but spent many years living in Georgia. Traveling the world and finally settling in a small town community has given her so many fun experiences to write about in her books. Her favorite settings, often displayed in her books, are beach towns and small-town communities. Michele's biggest inspiration is faith and family. She has always been an avid reader of women's fiction. She's known for spending hours in the bookstore with a hot cup of coffee. There's nothing like reading a good book that takes you on an adventure. When she's not writing, she spends quality time with her husband and her little Yorkie.

She's single, out of a job, and has a week to decide what to do with her life.

Clara's boss, Joan Russell, was a wealthy owner of a beachfront mansion, who recently passed away. Joan's estranged family members have stepped in, eager to collect their inheritance and dismiss Clara of her duties.

Clara dedicated the last ten years of her life to serving Mrs. Russell as her housekeeper and dear friend. Her services are terminated, and it's now time for her to start life over again. As she prepares to move out of her living quarters, there are many thoughts to consider. What will she do with her career? Where will she live? Clara knew she would have to face these questions eventually, but she didn't expect her time with Mrs. Russell to come to such an abrupt end.

With the clock winding down, will Clara find a job and make a new life for herself on Solomons Island? Will she ever settle down and have an opportunity at love again? Or will Clara have to do the unthinkable and return home to a family who barely cares for her existence?

Embark on a journey of new beginnings and pick up your copy today!

About the Author
Gilcrest, Michele: - Michele Gilcrest is an author of women's fiction and family sagas with a touch of sweet romance. She was born in the north but spent many years living in Georgia. Traveling the world and finally settling in a small town community has given her so many fun experiences to write about in her books. Her favorite settings, often displayed in her books, are beach towns and small-town communities. Michele's biggest inspiration is faith and family. She has always been an avid reader of women's fiction. She's known for spending hours in the bookstore with a hot cup of coffee. There's nothing like reading a good book that takes you on an adventure. When she's not writing, she spends quality time with her husband and her little yorkie.