{WATTY'S 2020 WINNER & EDITOR'S PICK.} Hopeless romantic and aspiring writer Mare Atwood has fallen madly in love with her childhood correspondent. There's only one catch-she doesn't know who he is. When the beaus of Star's Crossing return from boarding school to begin the courting season, Mare is determined to uncover the identity of her writer, flout her family's intentions of orchestrating an advantageous marriage, and procure the life of writing and romance she's always sought. But as in the tales she so adores, it won't be easy. Galas, masquerades, picnics, and hunts-alongside an old friend, a former teacher, and an unlikely ally, Mare delves into an investigation that leaves her torn between three clever, deceptive, and wealthy young bachelors. If Mare can confirm which is her writer and claim his hand before the courting season ends, she'll have her wish: the love of her life, a valuable marriage, and a future of writing romance. But with the eyes of Star's Crossing upon her, a business plot forcing invisible hands, and the unwillingness of her writer to come forward-Mare's future may not end in triumph, but tragedy. Set against the gilded Victorian backdrop of coastal Connecticut and lush with pre-war luxury, fans of Jane Austen, Margaret Mitchell, and Louisa May Alcott are sure to enjoy this lighthearted, lyrical novel of young love, independence, and identity. #1 Literary #1 YA Romance #1 Victorian #1 Lyrical #8 General Fiction

I will be your heart, if you will be my shield. In a world where magic supposedly didn't exist, Serena has spent years struggling to conceal her unpredictable singing magic. While wishing for a peaceful life where she can sing without fear, she sees a man in handcuffs being forced into a shady research center. Their eyes meet, and the soulbond is forged. Darien is not from this world, and he's been held captive for years. With the soulbond amplifying his strength, he can fight his way through almost everything, but not every danger can be fought with fists. Their love draws them together even as power-hungry enemies try to pry them apart. They want to control Darien for their own purposes, but he's too strong to be controlled by force. Their love is their greatest strength-and their biggest vulnerability. But magic has its own rules, and no song can go unanswered. Excerpt: I pitied the man, although with so many cops around him, he was quite dangerous. Who needed 30 police officers to supervise one guy who in handcuffs and leg shackles? I watched him walk down the gauntlet between the rows of officers. It was as if I couldn't look away. He paused and looked around. His brilliant glowing blue eyes seemed to meet mine across the vast distance. I couldn't even blink as his eyes seemed to hold mine. The trees of a park broke our locked gaze as the bus kept on driving. I took a deep breath, suddenly realizing that I had stopped breathing the moment our eyes met. I had never seen such blue eyes before-and they glowed! A shiver ran through me. I had been too far away to make out the color of the man's eyes. My eyes watched the trees, hoping for a break in them so I could see the man again. I had no such luck. --- Fade-to-black action fantasy romance Copyright November 2017. Readers may not copy, alter, translate, or steal this story. Fanfictions may use my *world* and *magic rules* as long as credit is given.