Maryanne Torres is a compassionate nurse who fails at relationships. After a string of losers, she swears off premarital sex, hoping to land a marrying type of man.Lucas Knight, a law-school dropout, moves to California to train for the Ironman Triathlon. He's smart, sweet, and everything Maryanne wants in a man, but their relationship suffers from his dedication to the sport. Seeking consolation in the arms of a handsome preacher's son, Maryanne attends a church party where she is raped.Maryanne is pregnant from the rape and plans to abort. But the identity of her rapist is hidden in her baby's DNA. Lucas asks Maryanne to seek alternatives and pledges to support her through the pregnancy. When Lucas becomes the prime suspect, Maryanne must clear his name and make a life changing decision.The rapist has other ideas. In order to destroy the evidence, he offers Maryanne an illegal offshore abortion. With Maryanne's life in danger, Lucas races to save her and her baby. However, Maryanne hides a secret that threatens to tear them apart forever.A 99,000-word women's fiction, HIDDEN UNDER HER HEART deals with the consequences of rape and abortion.About the AuthorRachelle Ayala was a software engineer until she discovered storytelling works better in fiction than real code. She has over thirty years of writing experience and has always lived in a multi-cultural environment. Rachelle is an active member of online critique group, Critique Circle, and a volunteer for the World Literary Cafe. She is a very happy woman and lives in California with her husband. She has three children and has taught violin and made mountain dulcimers. Views: 18
Three bestselling authorsThree real-life heroinesEach of us can effect change. In our own unique ways, we can all make the world a better place. We need only to take that first step, do that first good deed and the ripple effect will be life- changing to so many. Three extraordinary women who were compelled to take that first leap and make a difference have been chosen as recipients of Harlequin's More Than Words award. To celebrate their accomplishments, three bestselling authors have written short stories inspired by these real-life heroines.Sherryl Woods captures the magic of pretty dresses and first dances in Black Tie and Promises.Christina Skye's Safely Home is the story of a woman determined to help the elderly in her newly adopted community.Pamela Morsi explores how literacy and the love of reading can enrich and indeed change ... Views: 18
Spartan do what they please when it comes to Helot girls and Chara curses the day that Nicias—effectively an enemy of her people—lays eyes on her and decides that he wants her for himself. His attention places her and her family in an awkward position, exasperated by her brother’s increasing where Chara needs to take decisive action to save her family. Views: 18
USA Today bestselling author Megan Erickson doubles the suspense when two intense and sexy heroes are drawn together in her thrilling Wired & Dangerous series.When his boyfriend is murdered, Erick Lee makes it his life's mission to hunt down the killer. The question is, how far is he willing to go to catch him? Erick has been asked to team up by a dangerously captivating hitman who has reasons of his own to want this man dead. But can he trust another killer? And do two wrongs ever make a right?Everett "Tarr" Hawk isn't just some lethal hitman. He has his own code of honor. With Erick and Tarr facing a common enemy, it's only by combining forces that they'll survive. But Tarr's code doesn't include a fierce attraction for someone he's sworn to defend with his life. Because in Tarr's world, every night presents a new danger . . . and listening to his own heart could get them both killed. Views: 18
The strange power: Kaitlyn is an artist, but not an ordinary one; everything she draws comes true. When she is invited by Dr Xetes, a scientist who is studying psychic abilities, to join his school of "talented individuals" in California, Kaitlyn is only too happy to go. There she meets Rob, a healer, and Gabriel, a dark lone wolf, who apparently wants nothing to do with her. But with so much supernatural energy going around, it's hardly surprising that the psychics soon develop a telepathic link that can't be broken.The Possessed: Having learned the dark secrets of the psychic institute, Kaitlyn and her new friends are on the run, not even daring to contact their parents or old friends. As the group hide-out together they grow closer and Kaitlyn finally discovers Gabriel's dark secret: he's a psychic vampire. In order to survive he needs to drain other people's life-force, but he's been holding back to keep others safe. Kaitlyn offers herself as a source - and finds the experience not entirely un-enjoyable.The Passion: Back at the lab, captured like animals, Kaitlyn and her friends are still in danger from the evil Dr Xetes. To escape they will need to face the true meaning of what their psychic link really means. But Kaitlyn is battling with an internal conflict too: Rob or Gabriel? Sunlight or darkness? She'll need to search her heart for the answer. Views: 18
Losing has never been easy for a Maddox, but death always wins.
Eleven years to the day after eloping with Abby in Vegas, Special Agent Travis Maddox delivers his own brand of vigilante justice to mob boss Benny Carlisi. Vegas’s oldest and most violent crime family is now preparing for vengeance, and the entire Maddox family is a target.
The secret Thomas and Travis have kept for a decade will be revealed to the rest of the family, and for the first time the Maddoxes will be at odds. While none of them are strangers to loss, the family has grown, and the risk is higher than ever. With brothers against brothers and wives taking sides, each member will make a choice—let the fear tear them apart, or make them stronger. Views: 18
Agatha is dreaming of a white Christmas–but who will be joining her under the mistletoe? During the dark, grey days of early December Agatha is obsessed by only two things–Christmas, and her ex, James Lacey.Although she says she feels nothing for James now, she feels sure that planning the perfect Dickensian Christmas for all her friends will somehow reanimate her love. Even the murder of a Mrs. Tamworthy, poisoned with hemlock at the local manor house, does little to distract Agatha from organising her perfect yuletide celebrations.And yet it should do, as Mrs. Tamworthy had written to Agatha, telling her that one of her family wanted to see her dead before the year was out. Slightly guiltily (and belatedly), Agatha sets out to solve the case with the help of her new recruit, young Toni Gilmour. Views: 18
Lingerie super model Victoria tires of men's usual advances and unimaginative courtship. Feeling something is definitely missing in her successful life, she is surprised to find out she is booked while in London by a billionaire Lord for a private lingerie show at his mansion. Giving the solitary show, Victoria finally gets to see him and is taken aback by his looks and bearing. But... Views: 18
Now her submission is complete, will her Master still be there when she needs him most, or will the ghosts of her past destroy their fragile future?
Ashley and Tom’s sensual journey continues as an old friend returns to Black Combe. As her business flourishes and her relationship with Tom deepens, Ashley is happy—truly happy—and looking forward to the future. Then, without warning, her world is shattered once more as her past comes crashing back, violence and malevolence crushing her new-found happiness and threatening all she now holds dear.
Shocked and horrified as she learns the terrifying truth, Ashley has to battle for her own survival and that of the tiny life just starting inside her. Can her Master protect her? Is there a future for them after all?
Sure mastery can only be met with absolute submission. As Ashley surrenders to the inevitable, relies on her Master to keep her safe, will it be enough?
Reader Advisory: This book contains scenes of dominance and submission, including spanking, flogging with a riding crop, restraints, sex toys, anal play and anal intercourse. It also contains mentions of domestic violence, miscarriage and rape. There is a scene that involves abduction and attempted sexual assault. Note some of the characters present also appear in The Dark Side serial by Ashe Barker. Views: 18
