Lily Novak’s life in Crystal Cove, Maine is just about perfect. She has a
great group of friends, runs a successful day spa, and has managed to build her new life without anyone asking about her mysterious past. There’s nothing more she could want…except maybe to catch the eye of the gorgeous and introverted carpenter, who also happens to be her friend’s brother.
Ty Parker knew fear in the Army, but nothing like the panic of seeing smoke billow from Lily’s building. When a dryer fire brings him face to face with the heart-stopping Lily Novak—and her lacy black thong—he can’t deny the chemistry sparking between them.
As their feelings deepen, Lily’s evasiveness reignites the self-doubt Ty has been battling for years. Lily knows her secrets are putting her relationship with Ty at risk, but telling him the truth puts both their lives in danger. She’s just not sure she’s strong enough to sacrifice her heart to keep the man she loves safe from the secrets of her past.
Marianne Rice writes contemporary romantic fiction set in small New England towns. She loves high heels, reading romance, scarfing down dark chocolate, gulping wine, and Chris Hemsworth. Oh, and her husband and three children. You can follow her all over social media, and keep up to tabs with her latest releases on her website: www.mariannerice.com
The Gate to Eden and Christmas in Paradise Box Set
Historical Romance, Western Romance, Holiday Romance
Published: August 2018
Bringing back the old west — a box set for lovers of western historical romances. Two great, award-winning reads from NY Times bestselling author Cathy McDavid.
The Gate to Eden
STEALING HIS HEART. Crack shot Maddie Campbell isn't your ordinary thief. She'll do she'll do anything to insure the safety and survival of her young daughter and the three hundred other widows and orphans left homeless and penniless after a horrific mining accident—including convincing those responsible for the accident to "donate" to the cause. Maddie and her merry band have been getting cleanly away with their thefts until the day former sheriff Scott McSween arrives in town.
He's been hired by the mining company owner to bring an end to the crime spree. Despite her efforts to throw him off track, he's convinced Maddie is connected to the robberies. Determined to draw out all her secrets, he plies her with soft caresses, passionate kisses, and nights spent exploring her body in ways no man has previously dared. But when confronted with a truth that can't be denied, Scott must choose between the woman he loves and the law he's sworn to uphold.
Christmas in Paradise
The 1916 holiday season doesn't make everyone in the desert community of Paradise, Arizona happy. Millie Berinhard dreams of an impetuous suitor who will sweep her off her feet with grand gestures. Steady, dependable William Dunlap is nothing like Millie's ideal man. Or is there more to him than meets the eye?
Excerpt
Edenville, Arizona Territory
1887
THADDEUS NEWLIN DIDN'T LIKE prostitutes. He'd worked too hard and too long building his empire only to risk losing it by succumbing to some dreadful disease acquired from a barroom whore.
He did, however, like women and partook of their pleasure as often as his pressing schedule allowed. Young women with long hair, ample curves, and clear skin were his preference. And innocent — if only in looks. No soiled doves ever found their way beneath his blankets.
His secretary, Zachariah Forrester, had assumed the task of procuring this evening's entertainment, as he always did when the mood for companionship struck Thaddeus. Mr. Forrester recruited from the residences and ranches of whatever town they happened to be visiting. As times were tough and money tight, he seldom encountered any difficulty locating a willing female who fit his boss's exacting specifications. Then, like all good secretaries, he conveniently disappeared for several hours after escorting the young woman to the steps of Thaddeus's private railroad car. Neither did he ask any bothersome questions at the end of the night, regardless of the woman's disheveled condition.
“Very nice,” Thaddeus said as he watched the pretty little thing standing in front of him slip the narrow sleeves of her camisole off her pale shoulders. Mr. Forrester had done well tonight, and Thaddeus considered giving his secretary a bonus.
“I ain't never been with a man like this before,” the woman said shyly, lowering her eyes to the richly carpeted floor. “You're my first...you know.”
Thaddeus doubted the truth of her statement. She might not be a prostitute in the strictest sense of the word, but she'd certainly done this before. The large nipples visible through the material of her camisole and the roundness of her belly attested to previous childbirth. Not that Thaddeus cared. In fact, he preferred experienced women. Just not worldly.
“You don't have to be nervous, my dear.” He played along with her pretense. “I promise to be gentle.” And he would be gentle. Until the end.
She lifted one stocking clad foot and placed it on the edge of the pinstriped settee, near to his leg. Thaddeus felt himself stirring and smiled. He might be past his prime and have only half the hair atop his head he did at twenty, but he'd not yet lost his ability to perform.
Reaching out a large hand, he stroked her smooth, and surprisingly muscular, calf. “Why don't we see what we can do about removing this stocking?”
The woman — he couldn't quite remember her name — pressed a knuckle to her lips. “It were a long walk here from my place. Can I use the...the...chamber pot first?” It clearly pained her to have to ask for the convenience.
“Of course. It's in there.” He pointed toward a door leading to his sleeping quarters.
She ducked behind the door, quiet as a mouse. No sense wasting time, Thaddeus thought and kicked off his boots. Next, he stood, removed his pants, and tossed them aside. They landed haphazardly on the elegant cherry wood rocker he'd had shipped all the way from Boston last year. By the time he completed undressing, he'd begun to wonder what was detaining his lovely guest.
Wearing only his long underwear, he walked to the door of his sleeping quarters and knocked. “Are you all right, my dear?”
His only answer was a soft scuffling sound.
“Hello.” He knocked again, and the brass knob twisted. Thaddeus smiled and moved away from the opening door. “There you are.”
“So, I am.”
The door swung wide, and the smile on Thaddeus's face died as the end of a Colt revolver was jammed into his protruding gut.
About the Author
As a sophomore in high school, NY Times, USA Today, and Amazon bestselling author Cathy McDavid won a local writing competition with her self-illustrated children’s book. Who knew that small triumph would eventually lead to a career writing contemporary romances with over 1.3 million books sold? With forty-four titles to date, Cathy is also a member of the prestigious Romance Writers of America’s Honor Roll. This “almost” Arizona native and mother of grown twins is newly married to her own real-life sweetheart. After leaving the corporate world three years ago, she now spends her days penning stories about good looking men who ride the range or fight fires or wield hammers while sweeping the girl off her feet. It’s a tough job but she’s willing to make the sacrifice.
Music is his passion. It’s in his blood. Yet, Quinn James isn’t sure if stardom is right for him. His family wants him to join a band, and follow in his father’s footsteps but fear holds him back. He can’t explain it, and when he tries, no one understands what he’s afraid of or why he’s content playing coffee shop gigs where no one knows him.
Eleanora Boone wants to live her life, not the one her very southern parents planned for her, which is why she chose a college thousands of miles away. Now she’s faced with returning home or doing something that would defy her family. When an opportunity to visit Los Angeles falls in her lap, she uses it to become someone different.
California is everything Eleanora thought it would be, and even more so when she meets Quinn, the shy, reserved and brooding musician who’s the complete opposite of the guys she’s used to back home.
For the first time, Quinn’s smitten. The new, mysterious waitress has him wrapped around her finger, and he finds that he is finally able to open up and trust someone outside of his family circle.
But living a different life comes with its risks, and for Eleanora, that risk is a secret that has the power to destroy both of them.
I pull Elle’s ponytail as I pass her. She says something about music, band, and gigs. I should be interested, but I’m not. I still haven’t signed a representation deal with her, which is causing a bit of a family rift. My parents and Elle don’t understand why, probably because I haven’t told them what’s holding me back. Believe it or not, I’m content doing my coffee shop gigs. There’s no pressure to perform, I don’t have to go to rehearsals and if I want to jam, I call my dad and ask him when the band will be together next. This simple life is perfect for me.
Ben’s player is dead by the time I get back into the living room. “Didn’t take you long.”
“Picked the wrong village to pilfer.” He takes the bottle from me and twists the top off.
“I hate that.” I start the game, drawing the bad ass female avatar.
“Quinny,” Elle calls out. I ignore her. This nickname thing has started recently and can end anytime soon. I continue to play, even when she sits down between Ben and I. “Quinny,” she sings my name and starts pulling on my ear.
Heidi McLaughlin is a New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author of The Beaumont Series, The Boys of Summer, and The Archers. Originally, from the Pacific Northwest, she now lives in picturesque Vermont, with her husband and two daughters. Also renting space in their home is an over-hyper Beagle/Jack Russell, Buttercup and a Highland West/Mini Schnauzer, JiLL and her brother, Racicot. When she's isn't writing one of the many stories planned for release, you'll find her sitting court-side during either daughter's basketball games. Heidi's first novel, Forever My Girl, has been adapted into a motion picture with LD Entertainment and Roadside Attractions, starring Alex Roe and Jessica Roth, in theaters January 19, 2018. To stay connected with Heidi visit www.facebook.com/authorheidimclaughlin or heidimclaughlin.com
Lily Novak’s life in Crystal Cove, Maine is just about perfect. She has a
