When a mafia princess's life is threatened, she is forced to accept the help of a bodyguard-the emotionally damaged underboss of a crime family, her ex-boyfriend. Standalone in the Sons of Sin series *** Eva and Reaper were once in love and full of hope. Their relationship came to a dramatic end when the pressure of Eva's political engagement to Reaper's best friend-Torin-became too much. Upon miscarrying their unborn child, Eva turned to Reaper for support, only to be let down when he used alcohol as a coping mechanism. A year later, the two cannot be in the same room as each other without hurling abuse. But when an unknown threat attempts to take Eva's life, Reaper is assigned as her bodyguard. Eva is determined to make him quit and he is just as determined to hang on. But beneath the hostility are unresolved feelings and profound wounds that they'll have to move past to figure out who's trying to kill Eva and why. Content warnings: The story contains references to and depictions of alcoholism and miscarriage that may be upsetting for some readers. Reader discretion is advised.

*WATTYS WINNER 2024* Mateo Casparij is masquerading as an aloof mountain man on a self-imposed quest to avoid anything likened to sex or a relationship and he's come to love his quiet Coloradan life in the snowy ski town of Crested Butte. There's just one problem with his new life. Maia Jefferies. The painfully beautiful novelist that lives in the cottage next door. And he has a terrible, awful crush on her. Her infectious smile, witty banter and voluptuous curves make him want to break his vow of impotence and be whatever she needs. Maia is on deadline for her next novel and after a nasty breakup with her former muse and the man she thought was her Prince Charming, she's been struggling to craft a romance worthy of her best-selling author status. Yet, spending time with her neighbor, Mateo, appears to be doing the trick to help her overcome her writer's block and against her better judgement to never work with a muse again, she hires him to be her inspiration. And as her story flows, so do Maia and Mateo's feelings for each other. But when Maia's ex comes crawling back and Mateo's past rears its head, the two will have to face the feelings they've been trying to ignore or risk losing the love they've been looking for all along.

*2024 Watty Awards WINNER* All Vivienne Clarke wanted was to plan the best wedding of the season -- but of course, her libido gets in the way. ***** Socialite Violet Levine's *dream wedding in St. Tropez* must go off without a hitch, and Vivienne is the wedding planner behind the scenes to ensure that. She has every detail nailed down, has visited the castle-like venue dozens of times, met with vendors, and prepared everything to a T. But then Vivienne realizes the hot, filthy rich man she slept with the night before the wedding events begin is none other than Violet's older brother, the hotel mogul Axel Levine, who is paying for the whole shebang -- meaning her attraction to this man might risk her career. And when an out-of-the-blue storm threatens to flood the area where the Villa des Tropiques is located, she finds herself juggling problems beyond her control, and constantly teased by Axel's ever appealing -- and forbidden -- body. The more issues pile up on her plate, the more she becomes absolutely infatuated with Axel -- though he's the one signing her checks, and she most definitely cannot be seen frolicking with him. Between their sexual tension, and the looming storm about to literally rain on Violet's perfect day, how can Vivienne protect her reputation without losing her sanity -- and her underwear?

After a nasty breakup, romance writer Joanna Wilson travels to a beach house for a much-needed escape. But when she runs into her best friend's older brother and longtime crush, the summer takes an unexpected turn. As old flames spark and secrets come to light, Joanna and Gabriel must decide if they're willing to risk it all. ***** When romance writer Joanna Wilson catches her boyfriend cheating, she sees her own happily ever after going down the drain. However, what should've been one of the worst moments of her life turns out to be a blessing in disguise when her best friend suggests she travels to her parents' beach house for a much-needed escape and an opportunity to write a new book. Without thinking twice, she jumps at the chance to get her life back on track, not expecting to find rock star Gabriel Morales - aka her best friend's older brother and lifelong crush - only wrapped in a towel the moment she opens the door. They've known each other their whole lives so they decide there's no harm in spending summer together-especially when they both need a break from the world. But when the sizzling attraction they've been nurturing for each other over the years comes out to play, they'll need to decide if they're ready to play with fire and confront the dark secrets that hover over their heads. *** [best friend's brother/rockstar]

In a family of dark-haired children, blonde Ivy has always felt like the odd duck out. Always finding herself in trouble, she sees her potential redemption when the village's new visitor asks her to show him around. Everyone is sure to take notice when she's on the arm of a handsome man. But her new friend is more charming than she expected, and she soon hopes for a lot more than sightseeing. If only she could shake the feeling that he is hiding something from her... Sam Hemsworth is an agent working for the Rose Agency. A new case brings him to a picturesque village where any visitor is the latest news. The constant attention from the residents is not ideal when you need to discover someone's darkest secrets. Being attracted to the daughter of the family he's sent to investigate isn't overly helpful, either. He had better complete his mission as quickly as possible before Ivy's dog steals his wooden leg again... or the dog's owner steals his heart.

[FREE STORY w/ bonus paid chapters] When a scandal hits perfect seventeen-year-old Rose in the run-up to an election, she starts to believe that her dreams of becoming Class President are over. But in the shreds of her reputation is where she meets Blake - Archbury High's favorite troublemaker. As morally corrupt as he is handsome, Rose knows that asking for his help is a risk, but it could help to claw back her dignity. What starts off as a mutual arrangement soon begins to unravel, and as the pair grow closer and secrets are spilled in the run-up to the election, Rose starts to learn that maybe perfect isn't everything.

[Wattys 2023 Grand Prize Winner] After an eight-hour flight sitting next to her high school nemesis Jackson Carter, fashion designer and barista Isabelle Curtis thought that would finally be the last she would see of him. But as the saying goes, famous last words. * * * Isabelle Curtis and Jackson Carter were fierce academic rivals in high school, up until Jackson moved to the UK in junior year for boarding school. Eight years later, Jackson has returned from abroad to take on the role of CEO at his late father's company. When Isabelle and Jackson meet again, there's a war of words, banter and a passionate dislike towards each other. Throw in a high school reunion, some more chaos, and a 'deal' in the mix-one that might just involve a little faking and pretending. It's all fun and games and tit for tat, almost just like in high school, until real feelings become involved...