July 25, 2017 by jhines340

Cathryn Blankenship has no desire for a season in London! Why on earth would her father want her to leave her home in Charles Town? Upon Cathryn’s steadfast refusal, Governor Blankenship is forced to assign a young lieutenant to watch over Cathryn on the journey and ensure his daughter’s appearance in London. Cathryn finds Lieutenant Jake Pennington the most aggravating, maddening man she has ever met…a man Cathryn soon admits she is in no hurry to see leave.

But fate has other plans for her in a world she is ill prepared to enter. She descends into a place where love and betrayal go hand and hand, where greed and treachery are second nature, but moreover the threat her father believes he has sent her is awaiting her arrival. When fate tears her apart from her Lieutenant, Cathryn finds herself desolate and alone. Soon, Cathryn makes fateful decisions that will send her back to her home.

A home far different than the one she left. A war rages. Soon, she discovers her life is in danger and the only one that can save her is the one who left her heartbroken.

Creatus They Exist

Derrick is one of the creatus, created beings who have lived on the earth for more than four thousand years. Many questions surround the origin of these sentient beings who are stronger than humans, eat differently, and live longer. But they were created just as we were, maybe even before us. It is from them we obtain our fairy tales–and our nightmares. They are the reason we believe in superheroes–and monsters. Because…they exist.

In the past, they kept the human race safe from an anonymous distance. But now Derrick must come out of the darkness to save a woman he has no business loving, even if doing so may threaten his entire race.

The Creatus Series is not your normal paranormal story…it’s a realistic romantic mystery based on the myths you’ve heard your entire life. Prepare to believe…

Bonus Material! Creatus includes the prequel: Creatus (They Exist) and a sneak peek at Creatus Rogue.

ALL I WANT

A free short story, as a gift from the author to Dukes of War fans!

He taught her to trust. He taught her to love. And then he left her behind without a word. Tonight he’s back. Whether for a moment or forever depends on the turn of a card. Twenty-one to win—or to lose it all. Their future hinges on her dealing him the right card…

UNDER HIS COMMAND

A firefighter desperate to save his failing marriage earns the trust—and the sexual submission—of his controlling wife in the most pleasurable of ways.

After an explosive one-night stand results in pregnancy, Jamie Caldwell is thrilled to marry the perfect foil to his Dom side. But when his submissive wife starts cringing every time he gives a command, Jamie shackles his dark desires. A bout of rough, frenzied reunion sex makes him wonder if now he should free the Dom he’s kept in chains and teach Erica the joys of submission and sexual surrender.

Erica Caldwell secretly loved every sinful thing Jamie did to her on their first night together. However, terrified she’ll become a codependent doormat like her mother, she repeatedly rejects Jamie’s dominance, despite craving the kind of release only he can give her—the release that comes from yielding to Jamie’s every demand.

Hoping that the trust required by BDSM will help them rebuild their faith in each other, Jamie and Erica embark on a journey of sexual exploration. But is it too late to repair their crumbling marriage?

ROMANTIC PICKS #SUMMERREADS #SUMMERESCAPE

July 20, 2017 by jhines340

Thirty-nine-year-old struggling actress Alaina Ackerman isn’t just down on her luck today; lady luck has packed up and left town for heaven only knows where. Instead of ending up homeless on the streets of New York City in November, Alaina accepts her mother’s holiday invitation and heads home to Pittsburgh for a much-needed break. Maybe even to give up on acting altogether.

The last thing Alaina expects is to be happy returning home, especially when fate not only tosses an abandoned puppy into her lap, but also practically embeds Markus Klein into her life. That wouldn’t be so bad if she hadn’t spent the last twenty years trying to forget the night they crossed the “just friends” line. Now, torn between a love she thought she lost, and one she never knew existed, that vicious harpy some call fate dangles Alaina’s dream opportunity — a leading role — in front of her. Her only problem… Going after her dream could jeopardize her chance at love.

As if a new puppy, love, and career aren’t complicated enough, Alaina discovers that her mother and sister are keeping a secret from her. The revelation might be just enough to get Alaina’s life heading in the right direction … or send her over the edge.

WANTED: Single dad needs nanny–In more ways than one.

Martin “Brick” Bricker is living the good life. He’s playing the sport he loves, has all the women he can handle, and parties like a rock star. At twenty-six, he has no interest in slowing down or taking anything seriously–except hockey, of course.

Then a knock at his door changes everything.Suddenly he’s the single father to a five-year-old daughter he didn’t know he had, and he’s trading his playboy ways for Barbies.

Amelia Stacey struggles to make ends meet and juggles her day-care job with a full load of college classes. When she’s offered a temporary, two-week nanny position making more money than she imagines, she jumps at the chance. Before she knows it, she’s in over her head, not just with her five-year-old charge but with the girl’s hot single father.

Brick always goes after what he wants, and he wants Amelia. Only responsible Amelia doesn’t want anything to do with the party boy. Struggling with fatherhood and his unexplainable attraction to his nanny, Brick has to figure out where his daughter and Amelia fit into his life.If they fit at all.

But one thing’s for sure: Brick can’t block this shot straight to his heart.

A Montana Sky Series NOVELLA by Debra Holland, NY Times and USA Today bestselling author

Healer Alana O’Donnell travels to her uncle’s home on the prairie outside of Sweetwater Springs to nurse her ailing aunt, leaving her twin Bridget behind at the Thompson ranch.

After Bridget rejected his marriage proposal, horse rancher Patrick O’Brian visits Alana, thinking one twin would probably be as good as the other. But Alana’s already in love with another man. After a second rejection, Patrick retreats.

An attack by outlaws leads to a second chance at love. But only if they can overcome the hurts of the past and open their hearts again.

This book comes after A Valentine’s Choice, Bridget O’Donnell’s story.

Sumner Meador walked in a world of wealth and privilege as part of Charles Town’s elite, but that was years ago. Now he fights in the Southern backwoods driven by the passion he holds for the Patriot cause, shadowed by his past. Reeling from a devastating defeat at the hands of the British, Sumner seeks haven at his farm, only to find an interloper—an unwelcome and unwanted distraction. He has no time for the young woman or the complications she brings with her, but soon discovers he has no option but to give aid to the stubborn, courageous beauty whether she wants it or not.

Jane Kilmer has been violently thrust into the midst of the civil war ensuing in the backwoods. Hiding from one of the most dangerous vigilantes, Jane trusts no one. Suddenly, she has no choice but to put her life in Sumner’s hands. Both desire revenge, but neither wants what happens—to fall completely, undeniably in love with each other. As the war rages around them, their love is put to the ultimate test. The question becomes not whether their love will survive, but will they.

ROMANTIC PICKS #BeachReads #TakeMeAway

July 18, 2017 by jhines340

Need Help? Hire a Ghost. She Cooks. Lottie Roberts has been sitting on her bones since the Civil War, waiting for her ticket to heaven until Justine Hale moves into Lottie’s two-hundred-year-old house with three generations of emotional baggage: Her mother, her ex mother-in-law and two pesky children. Lottie senses in Justine a kindred spirit, one filled with heartache and in reduced circumstances, which mirrors Lottie’s situation exactly. Justine needs help. Lottie is of a mind to provide it, but before she can say squat, Tucker Highsmith arrives. His dark eyes, lazy grin, and sexy Alabama drawl coupled with the dern braggart’s Mr. Fix-it talents just might be the answer to all of Justine’s problems. Or maybe not…Because Lottie has her own agenda, one she has been waiting, hoping and praying for since she discovered her bones on a hidden staircase.

Readers who loved Mary Campisi’s bestselling Truth in Lies series also known as the “A Family Affair” books, won’t want to miss Strangers Like Us, Book One in Mary’s new Reunion Gap series.

Yes, there’s heartache, betrayal, forgiveness, redemption, and second chances. BUT, this small town doesn’t open its arms to strangers and wayward drifters. Why? Because years ago, many of the residents were swindled out of their life savings by the smooth-talking stranger they trusted.

So, what happens when a beautiful woman arrives in Reunion Gap, bent on helping the town and those in need? Well, a person can only fight the laws of attraction so long…and good deeds should not go unnoticed, should they?

When the son of the man who lost everything falls in love with the daughter of the man who stole it all, there can only be heartache ahead when she’s exposed. And she will be exposed. It’s only a matter of time, and no matter how good her intentions, heartache is coming.

Will forgiveness and redemption follow?

Stay tuned! It’s going to get very interesting.

And for Truth in Lies fans, remember the private investigator, Lester Conroy? He’s promised Mimi Pendergrass he’ll find out what happened to her daughter. Guess what? The trail leads him to Reunion Gap!

Nicole Lander has no choice but to contact Ryan Titan, the boy she had deeply loved when she was a teenager. Her sister was in desperate need of a heart operation, or she wouldn’t live more than six months. Nicole lied to Ryan when they were teen’s because she hadn’t wanted him to find out about the abuse she was going through from her father.

When Ryan gets the phone call from Nicole, needing his help, he’s ecstatic. He’d finally get to exact his revenge for her leaving him for not being good enough for her. He’ll help her sister but Nicole will also give him what he wants. The problem is that he’s never felt about any other woman the way he feels about Nicole, and his revenge quickly turns into him wanting to walk her down the aisle.

The Gravediggers aren’t exactly what they seem. They’re the most elite of the world’s fighting forces—and all they have in common is that they’ve been betrayed by the countries they’ve died for. Because they are dead. To their country, their military, and their families.

Sometimes the dead do rise….

Miller Darling is one of the most popular romance novelists of her time. Not bad for a woman who doesn’t believe in romance. She’s as logical as they come, and she doesn’t believe in happily-ever-afters. What she does believe in is family, so when her brother disappears, she doesn’t think twice about packing her bag and her laptop and heading out to find him.

Elias Cole lived and breathed the life of a Navy SEAL. Now he’s “dead” and his hero’s honor tarnished. The only thing keeping him sane are the men who are like him—The Gravediggers—and the woman who makes his head spin. He’s never met anyone like Miller Darling. Her smart mouth and quick wit keep him on his toes, and damned if he doesn’t find that appealing.

When Miller receives a package from the brother who abandoned her asking for help, it’s clear she’s in over her head with the mess he’s gotten himself into. She needs a professional, and Elias is just the man for the job. Only her brother is a former SEAL—the man who left his team to die—and Elias is more interested in vengeance than saving his life.

ROMANTIC PICKS #GIVEAWAY and Don’t Miss these #FREE ebooks!

July 11, 2017 by jhines340

I’m going to be making a few changes here on Romantic Picks. More than likely, I won’t be posting more than once or twice a week here on Romantic Picks. Since last September, I have been dealing with an issue with my hand. I had surgery in April, but I’m still having problems…a nerve issue among them. I, also, need to concentrate on my writing. So, I’m cutting back here on Romantic Picks.

But I will still be promoting…just not as much.

As for my writing, I have spent the last couple of years concentrating on my American historicals. Now, my attention turns back to Colleen Connally. To celebrate, I’m doing a Giveaway…Enter to win an Amazon Echo Dot here.

FREE! LIMITED TIME ONLY! FREE!

From the author of a #1 Amazon Historical Romance Kindle Bestseller, BROKEN LEGACY, comes Seductive Lies!

Only love can heal a heart betrayed...

Harriet Burke has long been haunted by a family scandal. Abandoned by her mother as an infant, she has grown up in the shadows of the events that led up to that scandal. But all changes when she meets the future Viscount of Daneford. The dashing young Lieutenant Arthur Hammett defies his grandfather. Professing his undying love, he proposes to Harriet. Harriet quickly learns that all is not what it seems. Secrets, lies, and betrayal shatters Harriet’s life, leaving Harriet little choice. She has to begin life anew…

They were destined to be together but fate had other plans…
Lord Arthur Daneford made a rash decision years ago that cost him greatly…his biggest regret. Now, though, his past has reemerged. Chilling information has been called to his attention that Harriet’s life is endangered. He will stop at nothing to ensure her safety, but will she accept his help before it’s too late?

ABOUT:

Family scandal…Forbidden love…Ghosts and Curses

Harriet Burke has been cursed or so says her grandfather. In her youth, a gypsy’s blessing gave Harriet the ability to disregard the boundaries of death. Lord Arthur believes it is total nonsense, but he cannot deny there is no explanation for her knowledge. Haunted by visions of wrongs once done, Harriet fears there will be no escape.

FREE!

The first book of the New York Times and USA Today bestselling series!

“Though much of the book is light-hearted and occasionally outright hilarious, the author sneaks in a few home truths along the way that will hit you where it counts, like how even someone’s best intentions can box you in.” –Everybody Needs a Little Romance

“This was one of those books that I kept telling myself one more page, then I need to put it down. Instead I found myself tearing through the book instead, needing to know the outcome.” –Just Jump Book Reviews

****
For Rose Gardner, working at the DMV on a Friday afternoon is bad even before she sees a vision of herself dead. She’s had plenty of visions, usually boring ones like someone’s toilet’s overflowed, but she’s never seen one of herself before. When her overbearing momma winds up murdered on her sofa instead, two things are certain: There isn’t enough hydrogen peroxide in the state of Arkansas to get that stain out, and Rose is the prime suspect.

Rose realizes she’s wasted twenty-four years of living and makes a list on the back of a Wal-Mart receipt: twenty-eight things she wants to accomplish before her vision comes true. She’s well on her way with the help of her next door neighbor Joe, who has no trouble teaching Rose the rules of drinking, but won’t help with number fifteen– do more with a man. Joe’s new to town, but it doesn’t take a vision for Rose to realize he’s got plenty secrets of his own.

Somebody thinks Rose has something they want and they’ll do anything to get it. Her house is broken into, someone else she knows is murdered, and suddenly, dying a virgin in the Fenton County jail isn’t her biggest worry after all.

FREE!

When Christine Blacksworth’s larger-than-life father is killed on an icy road in Magdalena, New York, a hundred miles from the ‘getaway’ cabin he visited every month, she discovers a secret that threatens everything she’s always held to be true. Her father has another family which includes a mistress and a daughter.

Determined to uncover the truth behind her father’s secret life, Christine heads to Magdalena, prepared to hate the people who have caused her to question everything she thought she knew about her father. But what she finds is a woman who understands her, a half sister who cherishes her, and a man who could love her if she’ll let him. The longer she’s around them, the more she questions which family is the real one. . .

Note: This book contains sexual content and profanity. While the author believes these situations are handled in good taste, she acknowledges some readers will choose to pass on this book.

FREE!

She thought she would be safe far away in Kentucky…

McKenna Mason’s perfect life in New York City has just been destroyed. She is now a witness to a horrific crime involving some of America’s most influential men. She knows she must get away and can think of only one outsider that might help her—Will Ashton. The flame of their brief romance during their teenage years never completely died out, and now it is about to explode.

Trouble at every turn, a feisty horse that refuses to race without a good luck kiss, and three old ladies hell-bent on playing match-maker turn this newly rekindled romance into a wild race to the finish. Can Will and McKenna cross the finish line together, and more importantly, alive?

This is the first book in Kathleen Brooks’s breakout Bluegrass and Bluegrass Brothers Series. Kathleen Brooks’s romantic suspense novels have earned her six New York Times Bestseller listings.

ROMANTIC PICKS #BEACHREADS (Bargain Books, Free Book, Great Reads)

June 19, 2017 by jhines340

BARGAIN! Four-Book Collection ~ $1.99!

WINDS OF BETRAYAL Four Book Collection
Winds of Betrayal
The Darkness of Deception
The Heavens Shall Fall
Set Fire to the Rain

A rousing family saga for the fight for America’s independence! Follow Hannah and Jonathan Corbett path to Freedom!

The winds of change brews over the colonies. Tension against the crown is mounting daily. In Williamsburg, the rebellion burns strong in the hearts of two siblings, Jonathan and Hannah Corbett. Spirited and headstrong, Hannah finds herself thrust in the middle of a conspiracy when her father receives a strange package from Philadelphia. Jonathan, a physician for the Continental Army, is torn between duty and family. With war looming on the horizon, the siblings soon discover there is a high price to be paid for the cry for freedom.

It’s a dangerous game you set to play, Miss Corbett. One that can have far worse than deadly consequences!

In the midst of the struggle of America’s bid for independence, Hannah Corbett makes a fateful decision, descending into a world of deceit. Spurred by revenge, she heads to New York, setting in motion a dangerous game for which there is no return. Searching desperately for the man who betrayed her family, she faces the cold and brutal reality of the life of a spy. Caught in a web of lies, living with betrayal, she is trapped. She has nowhere to turn except to a man it would be treasonous to love, setting duty and desire at war. Her heart is ripped apart when she must choose between the man who risks his career and life to protect her and the only thing that has remained constant in her life…her belief in her cause.

FREE!

She thought she would be safe far away in Kentucky…

This is the first book in Kathleen Brooks’s breakout Bluegrass and Bluegrass Brothers Series. Kathleen Brooks’s romantic suspense novels have earned her six New York Times Bestseller listings.

BARGAIN! BARGAIN!

When Catriona spots a plaid posterior passed out on the Hollywood movie lot where she works, she doesn’t know her life fixing problems for Hollywood’s spoiled elite is about to grow more complicated. She wants to write-off the ridiculously sexy, kilt-wearing Brochan as a con artist, but her adopted father seems strangely comfortable with a man claiming to have no memory of his past or knowledge of the modern world.
A red-bearded thug, an old picture and a three hundred year-old vendetta soon have Catriona worried she could lose everything – including her mysterious time traveling Scotsman.
A Highlander followed her home…Can she keep him?

BARGAIN! BARGAIN!

Although she has no memories before the quake that destroyed the kingdom of Augury, Cypher McCall holds a steadfast hatred of the repressive Cauldian regime now ruling the country. Because her magical gifts are deemed subversive, she does her best to avoid detection. Unfortunately for Cypher, however, she’s too beautiful to ignore. After a Cauldian contingent arrives in her hometown, a chance encounter leaves her repulsed by the arrogant Prince Ewan and attracted to his distant cousin, Lord Joss.

When she learns Prince Ewan plans to tear down the ruins of nearby Castle Augur, Cypher vows to stop him. Although handsome Lord Joss tries to protect her from his vindictive cousin, Cypher can’t bring herself to trust the enemy. At the same time, nightmares and dreams nudge her toward reclaiming childhood memories. She stumbles on a silver key that she hopes will unlock her past, but first she must confront a long repressed horror at the Castle Augur ruins.

Will the knowledge of Cypher’s true identity tear her apart or will it empower her to restore everything she ever loved?

ROMANTIC PICKS #TAKEMEAWAY #LAZYDAYREADS (Sports Romance, Cozy Mystery, Billonaire Loves)

June 14, 2017 by jhines340

When horse racing and football collide, Hunter McCoy, star tight end of the Seattle Steelheads and neophyte horse owner, finds himself in a battle of wills with a sexy horsewoman and a stubborn, opinionated race horse.

Kate Vanderhof-Carrigan’s family has raised champion Thoroughbreds on their Kentucky bluegrass farm for over a century. Lately the farm has fallen on hard times, but Kate is determined to return Oak Brook to its former glory. First, she must satisfy an odd clause in her grandfather’s will. She’s been given five years to produce a winner of horse racing’s biggest prize of all, the Derby, or lose the farm to her siblings and their development plans. Time has run out, and Hunter’s talented horse stands between Kate and her last shot at the Derby. Only Kate never counted on her heart entering the race.

Hunter is juggling his responsibilities to his two-dozen investors, his blind sister, his football career, and his commitment to his tribe. The last thing he needs is an unwanted attraction to a spoiled rich girl who doesn’t fit into his carefully crafted plans. Not only are they rivals on the race track, but she doesn’t understand or appreciate his dedication to his Native American heritage. Yet despite the odds, all bets are off when Hunter and Kate find themselves in a relationship they can’t resist.

With the stakes much higher than the Derby purse, can these two longshots win the biggest race of their lifetime or will their hearts finish out of the money?

BARGAIN $0.99!

“Very Fun Read. Reminds me of Janet Evanovich. Quirky old ladies mentoring whacky younger woman, wrapped in a mystery.” ~ Saraguin Harperon
“Laugh out loud funny; woke my husband out of a sound sleep once…” – S. Bollinger

Growing up in one of Florida’s fifty-five plus communities, Charlotte never expected life to be wild. Golf cart racing with her surrogate mothers Mariska and Darla was about as nutty as life got…until she found the hot pawnbroker’s mom buried in her backyard.
Talk about making a lousy first impression.
Armed with nothing but her wits, Pineapple Port’s questionable cast of characters and a growingcrush, Charlotte is determined to solve the mystery of Declan’s mother’s murder.
Hey, at least this guy’s skeletons aren’t in his closet.

Keywords: cozy mystery, female protagonist, comedy, amateur sleuth, romance, small towns.

A daring historical romance set at the beginning of the Victorian Era.
She returned to Jamaica to claim her land, her freedom–and the forbidden love that could not be denied.
A child when her father’s death left her the sole heir to a vast plantation on the lush island of Jamaica, and great estates in England, Elyse was raised in England by scheming relatives ready to claim her wealth by any means. When they announced her engagement to a broken earl, Elyse makes a daring escape, fleeing to her beloved home in the Caribbean.
Then she saw Brace Denham, the handsome convict’s son she had once adored as a brother. Now, to her surprise, she desired him as a man. Brace, the son of a debtor, fought against his love for her. Elyse, impassioned, fought for the love his pride would deny.

New longer edition as of 7/25/2013

Joseph Anderson has been successful in finding brides for his two eldest sons. In this book he finds the perfect bride for his youngest son Mark.

Mark has a billion dollar ranch operation that takes many employees to run successfully. He loses his cook and leaves it to his father to find a new one. Little does Mark know that Joseph is far more interested in her marriage potential than her cooking skills. Luckily he finds a woman who can cook and will make the perfect bride for his son.

Emily Jackson is on the run from people who want to take her five year old son from her. She ends up in a small town in Washington and is excited to find an ad in the paper for a live in cook. When she starts work at the beautiful ranch, sparks fly with her new boss who is sexier than any cowboy has the right to be. She does not want to risk having an affair with her boss and losing her job so she will fight the attraction until passion overcomes them both.

Take the journey with Mark and his family as the youngest Anderson finds his bride.