Rose Payne is heartbroken when her secret betrothal to a duke's son results in public scandal and her dismissal from her position as a clerk in his noble household. Desperate for work, she signs up for a risky colonial venture and sails for the New World, vowing never again to fall for a wealthy gentleman. Sailing home after a diplomatic tour in London, Chief Manteo is bewitched by the intelligent, fiery-haired, working class girl and determined to overcome her distrust of men. A titled and powerful man on two continents, he is everything she thinks she isn't looking for. But a man in his position never backs down from a challenge. He contrives a daring plan to win her heart—a plan he prays will protect her from a conspiracy involving murder, blood money, and a terrifying betrayal aboard their fleet of ships. BREAKING TIES is based on the story of the Lost Colonists from Roanoke Island. Pure historical fiction with a delightful twist of romance!

Jane Mannering can shoot a rifle and handle a knife as well as any Englishman. However, she is no match for the red-painted warriors who ambush her section of a Colonial caravan the moment she and her comrades reach the shores of Virginia. Jane plots their escape during a forced march inland, leaving a trail of maltese crosses carved on the trees – their pre-agreed upon signal of distress. All the while, she fumes over what interest their captors could possibly have in a twenty-three-year-old spinster and a rugged band of brick masons, sawyers, and farmers. When the ruthless Chief Wanchese intercepts them at the crossroads of the Great Trading Path, Jane is shaken to discover their greatest enemy plans to keep her for himself. It’s a pity he’s the only man on two continents who’s ever stirred her heart. Alas, she has an entire colony to save, and capturing his attentions is not part of their escape plan.