164 A.D. In the golden age of the Roman Empire, the young, penniless Esther finds herself in the company of the soft-spoken warrior Marius Libo, kin to the very emperor himself. Desperate after her mother's death, Marius catches Esther's eye in the marketplace, dressed in full centurion garb. With a careful eye, she finds his weakness to be the solution to her own plight. Together, they agree to sacrifice their freedom for the sake of what Romans value most: pride and family.

The Regency era, just after Napoleon's fall: four cheerful but clueless young men set out from England on the Grand Tour of Europe. Join George, Robert, Hugh, and Tobias along with a host of memorable characters as they travel through dozens of countries meeting kings, artists, and revolutionaries, while doing their best to escape misadventures with the police, secret societies, spies, and love.

NanoWrimo Young Writer's Program Fiction Excerpt Contest Official Finalist 2020 When the sun set over the bustling city of Chicago on one October evening in 1871, no one could have predicted that it would rise three days later on little more than a field of rubble. In the aftermath of the Great Chicago Fire, newly orphaned Caroline is determined to find a way to repair her childhood city, her beloved library, and her fractured heart. Could the brave yet mysterious young lady she meets along the way be the key to all three? Updates Tuesdays This story is still in drafting stage and will be re-written and re-uploaded after completion. Constructive criticism welcome :)

Brussels, 1815. The British high society flirt and frolic because soon Napoleon Bonaparte must be fought and destroyed. Officers are eager to do anything to wed the women they love before they must march out to conqueror the Corsican Ogre. All depends on the Duke of Wellington. All trust this great man with their lives and liberties but does he have a few fatal flaws? Is he maybe too merry? Has everyone got too carried away and now are to pay for their period of too pure pleasure? Clara Knight looks like she has much going for her as she holidays with her cousin the Marchioness of Ashton in Belgian's festive capital. Major Keegan, a fretful war veteran, and Lord Alvanley, an idiotic but intelligent leader of fashion, both appear to press their suit for her hand. Yet Clara's placid face conceals a painful past. Her heart has been broken many times. First by her philandering cousin Nicholas, then giving up any idea of marriage with the man to whom she has the deepest connection. Her father once betrayed her best friend's family. Now she dare not follow her heart and must pretend he isn't her parent in case the dreadful truth of what he did is ever known. Meanwhile, Nicholas Tilden is reclaiming the woman he once wooed for her fortune to save his family from debtor's prison but since her crying off from their engagement he has realized he won't be whole without her. Unfortunately, she has since got betrothed to a ruthless French Count who will do anything to keep her from escaping to tell the world what sort of man he really is. War is about to break over all their heads and bathe their bodies in blood.

Outlaw and ruffian Raven Halloway has spent her life running. When her past catches up with her and tries to rip away the little freedom she has left, she decides it's time to make a stand. Alongside new allies and against old enemies, can Raven find what she's looking for? Or will the pirate life she's always dreamed of elude her once again? It's time to fight for her fate or let it wash out to sea with the rest of her hopes and dreams... ---------- COMPLETED 11/02/20 2nd Place winner in Action/Adventure for The Talent Awards 2020 #10 in Pirate (06/20/20) #2 in Femme Fatale (12/06/20) #1 in Swashbuckler (12/26/20)