When Lori James' father writes to her for the first time in years her life is literally turned upside down. Inheriting a rundown general store 17,000 kilometres away in Australia, her plan of getting in, selling up, and getting back out again seems simple enough. But accusing the local Police Sergeant, maddeningly sexy Zeb Turner, of shop lifting on her first day in Murfey's Beach, Lori quickly discovers the implications of being on the wrong side of the law. Moving on isn't going to be as easy a task as she first thought. Ironically, if Lori wants to get rid of the shop, she's going to have to fight to keep it first. Desperate to win over the colourfully eccentric locals who hold the keys to her freedom, Lori sets about breathing new life into the sleepy old community. Temperatures rise and desire sizzles as the residents of the tiny seaside village experience their hottest summer romance in decades.

Mac Stephens' last birthday was spectacular, for all the wrong reasons. Being unceremoniously dumped with no explanation and then fired from a job she actually enjoyed on the same day that she turned thirty, was enough to send her running straight back home and into the arms of her adoring father. But that was six months ago, and it's time she moved on. Mackinley River Downs has been in the Stephens family for generations, however, it's now also part of a government investigation and Felix Anderson, the broodingly handsome resident manager is forced to do the one thing he swore he'd never do, ask the owner for help. In a dodgy hotdog induced delirium Mac agrees she owes her father a favour and takes off to the other side of the world to help save a business she knows absolutely nothing about, in surroundings she's never seen anything like before. Sparks fly and frustrations burn on the search for common ground in unfamiliar territory.

Everett Holden had sworn to live the rest of his life a single man, but his plans are disrupted when he finds himself sharing an apartment with his best friend's ex--the one woman he detests with every fiber of his being yet simultaneously desires. Standalone in the My Brother's Best Friend. *** Twenty-two-year-old Everett Holden has always had his life figured out. Being the product of wealthy parents, he knows loneliness better than most. He's grown accustomed to being the broody, miserable man desperate for love with impenetrable walls. However, when his best friend requests a favor, he finds himself sharing an apartment with the one girl he both loathes and desires above all else, the one girl he can't have. Emery Clark isn't one to give up. She's persevered through every obstacle life has thrown her and refuses to accept defeat. That is, until, she's given an eviction notice from her apartment and is forced to live with none other than Everett Holden, her ex's crotchety, grumpy best friend with an attitude licensed to kill. As she spends more time in his company, she gradually comes to a realization. Perhaps his rude behavior towards her isn't due to her allegedly taking away his closest friend, but rather because his closest friend snatched her away from him. *** Weekly Updates on Fridays. Wait & read for free, or unlock with coins-the choice is yours!

Explicit Context... Successful, hard working, and no tolerance for non-sense attitude made Khloe Sparks the sophisticated, and cold hearted woman people feared. She never minded the loneliness her hard image brought and preferred the unattached life, that is until she blurts to her family that she in fact does have a boyfriend. Desperate she turns to her flirtatious neighbor Wes, a well known womanizer. Determined not to look like a fool in front of her family she makes a deal with Wes to pretend to be in a relationship with her, except this player doesn't want money, he only wants one thing. Her.  Too deep to back down Khloe plays along while keeping the icy walls around her heart up but can she keep Wes from capturing her heart? 

A jilted, curvy accountant joins a gym on a journey of self-love. The last thing she plans for is to fall for her grumpy trainer. ***** Who needs men, anyway? Certainly not Joanna Lozano. The youngest of five and the only girl, she has learned at a young age the importance of survival in a man's world. It's what drives her to be a successful accountant in the corporate world of Chicago. When her boyfriend of six years unceremoniously dumps her--though her pride is wounded--she accepts the rejection as an opportunity to rediscover herself, starting with a reluctant agreement to join an eight-week fitness boot camp. Sage Kingston is a straightforward gym owner who appreciates and lives by the monotony of his life. His only goals are to provide and care for his young son after his divorce left him jaded. He doesn't have the time or patience to play games that come with dating or relationships. Who needs that headache, anyway? Yet, with a new season of boot camp at his gym underway, he's instantly attracted to the curvy and feisty participant, Joanna. However, his work is cut out for him since she's not easily charmed or swayed by his bulging biceps or six-pack abs. But even Joanna can't deny the mounting tension after each draining and sweaty training session. As they grow to know each other, so does their affection and both must deal with overcoming their hurt pasts and decide if unexpected love is worth the risk. ©2022 LJ Rae

Rescued from a blind date from hell, a career woman's one night stand with her would be savior has unforeseen consequences. **** Up and coming New York apartment manager, Vanessa Torres' life is going perfectly according to her five year plan. Well, everything except in the love department, but that will come later. On cloud nine from her recent promotion, she agrees to go on a blind date arranged by her friend. Little does she know her squeaky clean life is about to turn upside down, following a one night stand with a handsome stranger, who saves her from the disastrous set-up. Reputable, lease up closer, Gabriel Tate, loves to live life by the game of chance, with no long term plans in mind. Blessed with Adonis-like looks and a charming personality he's used to getting what he wants when he wants until one flip of a coin changes his life forever. Their lives become entangled in a heated competition to fulfill rental contracts for their respective employers, not to mention running in the same social circles within the apartment industry. They soon realize change and compromise are necessary not only within their careers but also life and neither expected to find love during the chaotic and dysfunctional rivalry. Open Novella Contest 2023 Prompts: #5 Flip a coin and make a life choice with it. Two choices, one coin, and no turning back. Do you dare? #25 "If he smiled at you, he'll break your heart. If she winked at you, she'll rip you apart. #39 On a blind date with a complete mismatch, you're increasingly uncomfortable , but too polite to leave. Then an attractive stranger comes over and gives you an out. © 2023 LJRae

Heath and Teagan only agree on one thing: they don't want to be in a relationship. Teagan, who is busy finishing her law degree, needs a break from the stress of living up to her parents' expectations. Heath is following his passion and starting his career as a physical therapist, but his family's drama is tearing his life apart behind the scenes. As members of the same friend group, Heath and Teagan will be around each other plenty during wedding season, whether they like it or not. With no time or desire to date, the two come to an agreement: pre-scheduled hookups through the summer or until something real comes along. A situational relationship, otherwise known as a situationship. Their arrangement seems perfect. If their past doesn't come back to bite them.

Flirting with a patient is fine . . . as long as it doesn't go further. . . . Sabine is a talented nurse starting her dream job when she meets her newest, flirtatious patient, Ziggy. When Ziggy receives a life-changing diagnosis, he turns to Sabine for help to make it through. As their relationship turns to dependence, Sabine tries to maintain her professionalism enough to support him while he fights for his life. . . . Trigger warnings: This story contains uncomfortable depictions of a serious illness and contains mature content including language, sexual situations, and drug references. Intended for mature audiences only. ©2020 E.M. Wilson, All Rights Reserved