Abby Northrup finally has the quiet life she s dreamed of, living in Carmel at the former monastery she purchased and renovated. But The Prayer House is more than a peaceful home for Abby--unofficially it is an underground safe haven for abused women and children. And when an old friend and her daughter appear on Abby's front step looking for safe haven, Abby's tranquil life begins to dissolve.Alicia Gerard is the wife of a wealthy business tycoon with strong connections to the political world. Abby agrees to take Alicia and her daughter in, but when FBI agents swarm the building looking for them, Abby finds herself trapped in a world of murder, conspiracy and threats to national security. On the run from government agents who make their own rules, Abby must decide which of her beliefs are worth dying for--and which ones are not. Views: 25
Michel Wibert was raised by his grandmother. He's well off, stubborn, independent, and has strong ideas about what goes in his hometown of New York City. He can also see Gods. With little to no magical talent of his own, Michel instead treats with the Elders, bartering for favors and trinkets. He started out doing so because his Nana taught him to. As he gets older, though, he comes to realize that he might in fact have a reason, a role - one he himself doesn't understand. Yet. Views: 25
The higher your walls… Lexi Preston has gone from the courtroom to the barroom—as the world's worst waitress at Brevia's hot spot Riley's Bar. Lexi's back in town to right old wrongs, not to fall in love - but she's finding it awfully hard to avoid her impossibly gorgeous new boss. The harder you fall Former U.S. marshal Scott Callahan is still grieving his partner's death - and recovering from one drunken night when he bought himself a bar. Scott just can't deal with the way Lexi makes him feel. The ravishing redhead might get his heart racing, but she couldn't take an order if her life depended on it! Will Scott resist Lexi and all she has to offer, or will he find the love he's always craved?
The higher your walls… Lexi Preston has gone from the courtroom to the barroom–as the world's worst waitress at Brevia's hot spot Riley's Bar. Lexi's back in town to right old wrongs, not to fall in love—but she's finding it awfully hard to avoid her impossibly gorgeous new boss. The harder you fall Former U.S. marshal Scott Callahan is still grieving his partner's death—and recovering from one drunken night when he bought himself a bar. Scott just can't deal with the way Lexi makes him feel. The ravishing redhead might get his heart racing, but she couldn't take an order if her life depended on it! Will Scott resist Lexi and all she has to offer, or will he find the love he's always craved?**About the AuthorMichelle Major grew up in Ohio but dreamed of living in the mountains. Soon after graduating with a degree in Journalism, she pointed her car west and settled in Colorado. Her life and house are filled with one great husband, two beautiful kids, a few furry pets and several well-behaved reptiles. She’s grateful to have found her passion writing stories with happy endings. Michelle loves to hear from her readers at www.michellemajor.com. Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.The street was deserted in the early-morning hours. Sunlight slanted over the roofs of the brick buildings as Lexi Preston huddled on the front stoop of a dark storefront. She rested her head in her hands and watched the wind swirl a small pile of autumn leaves. The air held a chill, but it felt good after being stuck in her car for the last day and a half. Almost six months had passed since she'd set foot in Brevia, North Carolina. She couldn't imagine the reception she'd receive, but was desperate enough not to care. Her eyes drifted shut—just for a minute, she told herself—but she must have fallen asleep. When she blinked them open again it was to the bright sun shining and someone nudging a foot against hers. She scrambled to her feet, embarrassed to be caught so off guard. "What the hell do you want?" Julia Callahan's voice cut through the quiet. Lexi backed away a few steps. Yes, she was desperate, but Julia had every reason to hate her. Still, she whispered, "I need your help. I have nowhere else to go." Julia's delicate eyebrows rose. Lexi wished she had the ability to communicate so much without speaking. She could almost feel the anger radiating from the other woman. But Julia's furrowed brow and pinched lips did nothing to detract from her beauty. She was thin, blonde and several inches taller than Lexi. The epitome of the Southern prom queen grown up. Lexi knew there was more to her than that. After all, she'd spent months researching every detail of Julia Callahan's life. "You tried to take my son away from me." Julia shook her head. "Why would I have any inclination to help you?" "I made sure you kept him in the end," Lexi said, adjusting her round glasses. "Don't forget I was the one who gave you the information that made the Johnsons rescind their custody suit." "I haven't forgotten," Julia answered. "It doesn't explain why you're on the doorstep of my salon. Or what kind of help you need." Lexi crossed her arms over her chest as her stomach began to roll. She should have stopped for breakfast on the way into town. "They found out it was me," she continued. "Dennis and Maria Johnson fired my father's firm as their corporate attorneys. Several of their friends followed. We lost over half our business." Her voice faltered as memories of her father's rage and disappointment assaulted her. She cleared her throat. "In response, my dad made a big show of humiliating me in front of the entire firm. Then he officially fired and practically disowned me." Lexi had worked for her father's firm since she graduated from law school six years ago. Following in his footsteps, doing whatever he expected, had been her overriding goal in life. She still lived in the apartment he'd paid for since college. Her eviction notice had come two days ago. She drew a steadying breath. "He said he regretted the day I'd come into his life. That I'm nothing more than…" "Your father is an ass." Julia's clear assessment almost made Lexi smile. "True," she agreed, blinking against the sudden moisture in her eyes. "But he's all I have. Or had." "What about other family?" "I was adopted when I was six. I was in the foster-care system and barely remember my biological mother. My dad never married. He was an only child and my grandparents died years ago." "Friends?" "I have work acquaintances, country-club cliques and clients. I'm not very good at making friends." "It's probably hard to be a backstabbing, underhanded, slimy lawyer and a good friend at the same time." Although the words hurt, Lexi couldn't help but hear the truth in them. "I guess." "Sheesh. That was a joke." Julia stepped past her and turned a key in the front door. "Lighten up, Lex." Lexi followed her into the empty salon, the emotional roller coaster of the past week finally sending her off the rails. "Are you kidding?" she yelled. "I just told you that my life is destroyed because I saved you and your son. I have nothing. No job. No home. No friends. No family. And you want me to lighten up?" Julia flipped on a bank of lights and turned. "Actually, I want you to tell me how I'm supposed to help. Other than playing the tiniest violin in the world in your honor. I appreciate what you did for me. But we both know you put me through hell trying to give custody of Charlie to my ex-boyfriend's family. That doesn't exactly make us long-lost besties." "I want a fresh start." "So make one." "It's not that easy. As ridiculous as it sounds, I'm twenty-seven years old and my father has controlled every aspect of my life. Hell, he even handpicked a personal shopper to make sure I always projected the right image. The image he chose for me. Since the moment I came to live with him, I've wanted to make him happy, make him believe I was worthy of his love and the money he spent on me." She ran her hands through her hair and began to pace between the rows of styling chairs. "I'd never done anything without his approval until I gave you that file. I don't regret it. You're a great mother and I feel awful about my part in the custody suit." "You should," Julia agreed. Lexi sighed. "If I could take it all back, I would. I know it was wrong. But helping you cost my father a lot. I thought he'd understand and forgive me." "He still might." "I don't know if I want him to. At least not on his terms. I don't want to be the same kind of attorney my dad is. I don't even know if I still want to be a lawyer. I need time to breathe. To figure out my next move. To make a choice in life for me, not because it's what's expected." She paused and took a breath. "I thought maybe you could understand that." Julia studied her for a few moments. "Maybe I can." Lexi swallowed her embarrassment and continued, "If I stay in Brevia for a few weeks, I could figure out my options. I don't want my father to find me. I don't think he's going to forgive me, but I do expect him to come looking. He likes the control and he's not going to give that up so easily." She patted her purse. "I have five hundred dollars in cash. I don't want to use credit cards or anything to help him track me. Not yet." "You're kind of freaking me out. Is he dangerous?" Lexi ran her hand along the edge of a shelf of styling products. "Not physically. But I'm not strong enough yet to stand on my own. Who knows if I'll ever be. But I want to try. I liked Brevia when I was here. I admire you, Julia. Your fierceness and determination. I know you have no reason to help me, but I'm asking you to, anyway." "And you couldn't have called on your way?" "I'm sorry," Lexi said quickly. "I wasn't thinking. I just got in my car and started driving. This was the only place I could think of to go. But if you—" Julia held up a hand. "This is probably more of my typical bad judgment, but I'll help you." Lexi felt her knees go weak with relief. Julia Callahan was her first, last and only hope. She knew her father well enough to know he was punishing her. That when he felt as if she'd been gone long enough to learn her lesson, he'd pull her back. In the past, Lexi would have been scrambling to find a way to return to his good graces. Something had changed in her when she'd chosen her act of rebellion. From the start, she'd known he'd find out, and she'd understood there would be hell to pay. She also believed it couldn't be worse than the hell she called a life. "Thank you," she whispered with a shaky breath. "I promise I won't be an imposition on your life. I could answer phones or sweep up hair—whatever you need." "A job?" Julia looked confused. "I thought you needed moral support. You're an attorney, for Pete's sake. Why do you want to sweep the floors of a hair salon?" "I'm licensed in North Carolina to practice, but if I register with the state's bar association, my father will find me. I told you, I need time." "I'm going to make coffee. I need the caffeine." The stylist looked over her shoulder at Lexi. "Have you had breakfast? We keep a stash of granola bars in the break room." Lexi followed her to the back of the building. "A granola bar would be great. And I really will help out with anything you need." Julia poured grounds into the coffee filter and filled the machine with water. She turned back to Lexi, shaking her head. "We start renovations next week on the salon's expansion. I can't hire anyone right now." "I get it. I appreciate the moral support. I guess." "No wonder your father can manipulate you so easily. Your emotions are written all over your face. You need to work on a tough exterior if you want to do okay on your own. Fake it till you make it, right? I thought lawyers were supposed to be excellent bluffers." Lexi slid into one of the folding chairs at the small table. "I'm not much of a bluffer. That's why I was usually behind the scenes. I'm good at details and digging up dirt." "Yes, I remember," Julia answered drily. "Do you know anyone who's hiring in Brevia? Just temporarily." A slow smile spread across Julia's porcelain features. "Now that you mention it, I do know about an available job. One of the waitresses at the local bar had twins last night.... Views: 25
Hunters of the supernatural, the Execution Underground are an elite group tasked with protecting humanity...but what happens when danger collides with desire? Jace McCannon has one loyalty: the Execution Underground. Despite his mixed blood, his hatred for the werewolves he hunts is legendary. But in his search for a sadistic killer, Jace finds himself face-to-face with a stunningly seductive packmaster and longing for a night with his mortal enemy. Nothing can stop Frankie Amato from defending her kind - or catching the rogue responsible for killing women in her territory. For that, this alpha female needs Jace’s skills more than she wants to admit. But as their investigation exposes evil truths, need burns into a passion that dare not be fulfilled. For to do so will have deadly consequences for them both. Views: 25
Alesia is one of the last surviving humans living on a post apocalyptic Earth where love is a commodity reserved for the elite and a common woman's only value is her ability to produce offspring. On the eve of her first forced union, she discovers a scientist named Gil on an Earth in another universe, but an impenetrable barrier stands between them.
A bloody, worldwide anti-technology rebellion wiped out the scientific community on Gil's Earth, leaving him trapped and under attack in an ancient fortress, an alternate version of one that exists on Alesia's Earth. With time running out, they need to learn the secrets of a fortress that allows communication between people in different universes to have any hope of survival. But the truth leads them to a choice: risk everything on a desperate gamble with little chance of success or spend their remaining moments together, longing to touch one another from the other side of reality. Views: 25
When the Taliban took control of the Swat Valley in Pakistan, one girl spoke out. Malala Yousafzai refused to be silenced and fought for her right to an education. On Tuesday, October 9, 2012, when she was fifteen, she almost paid the ultimate price. She was shot in the head at point-blank range while riding the bus home from school, and few expected her to survive. Instead, Malala’s miraculous recovery has taken her on an extraordinary journey from a remote valley in northern Pakistan to the halls of the United Nations in New York. At sixteen, she has become a global symbol of peaceful protest and the youngest nominee ever for the Nobel Peace Prize. I AM MALALA is the remarkable tale of a family uprooted by global terrorism, of the fight for girls’ education, of a father who, himself a school owner, championed and encouraged his daughter to write and attend school, and of brave parents who have a fierce love for their daughter in a society that prizes sons. I AM MALALA will make you believe in the power of one person’s voice to inspire change in the world. Views: 25
The Volatile Amazon By Sandy James Book four of Alliance of the Amazons
Sarita Neeraj has never felt like a real Amazon. Compared to the obvious strengths of
her sisters, her Water powers seem as small as her stature. She’s determined to prove
herself—unfortunately, all that gets her is captured by an enemy. Ian serves a twisted
goddess, preferring this to an empty afterlife. He’s taken Sarita hostage to coax the
other Amazons from their safe haven. But in his ancient Scottish castle, the passion and
love Ian finds for Sarita resurrect his honor, until he chafes at the dark will of his
mistress. Sarita has finally found happiness—but before she can enjoy it, she’s
“rescued” by her furious sisters. To save Ian from destruction at the hands of the
Amazons, Sarita must risk wielding magick that could change her very nature. Only then
can she prove the Water Amazon is the strongest of the four—and save them all from
destruction. Meet Earth, Fire and Air in The Reluctant Amazon, The Impetuous Amazon and
The Brazen Amazon. 99,000 words Views: 25
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN LOVE CAN'T LEAD TO MARRIAGE? The last thing Phoebe Douglas ever expected when she came to the isolated dairy farm was that she'd learn to like it. Farms were dirty, and she wasn't the kind of woman who was interested in dirty. But before long, Mitch Hawkins, the strong, handsome dairy owner with a troubled past--and his family--taught her that some things were worth getting dirty for... Mitch always figured love and marriage went hand in hand. But that was before he met Phoebe. Sure, she wasn't the stuck-up city slicker he'd once thought she was. In fact, she was more than willing stay and take on his problems--and his family's. But he knew he couldn't let her. Because he was the kind of man who'd do anything to protect the woman he loved, even if that meant not marrying her. Views: 25
In Book VII of the My Son's Wife series by Shelia E. Bell, Dem McCoy boys are rocking Holy Rock! The young handsome, charming, debonair Khalil McCoy is the new senior pastor and his fresh out of the closet brother, Xavier, is Financial Administrator and Youth Director. The McCoy brothers have no limits or filters and set a new record for stirring up drama. Find out what's really next for the McCoys, for Holy Rock, but especially for Dem McCoy Boys! Views: 25
Hans Knust was a German citizen and had a dream to become a doctor and a surgeon when he was a young man, but that was in 1914 and Germany had declared war on Britain which halted his dreams when he was conscripted into the Germany Army, but Germany lost the war and Hans was taken prisoner by the British troops. This seemed to be the end of his dreams, but in effect, this period in his life gave him dreams that he never thought possible and a life that gave him a love that would have completely escaped him if the Kaiser had won the war. His life thereafter was a reality of love, through both the first war and the second. Views: 25
