When Lyn sets off on her supposedly uncomplicated and unromantic cruise, she never dreams it will include pirates. All the 25-year-old Colorado high school teacher wants is to forget that her dead fiancé was a cheating scumbag. What she plans is a vacation diversion; what fate provides is Braedon, an intriguing surgeon. She finds herself drawn to him: his gentle humor, his love of music, and even his willingness to let her take him down during morning karate practices. Against the backdrop of the ship’s make-believe world and its temporary friendships, her emotions come alive. However, fear is an emotion, too. Unaware of the sensitive waters he navigates, Braedon moves to take their relationship beyond friendship—on the very anniversary Lyn came on the cruise to forget. But Lyn's painful memories are too powerful, and she runs off in a panic. Things are bad enough when the pair finds themselves on one of the cruise’s snorkeling excursions in American Samoa. However, paradise turns to piracy when their party is kidnapped. Lyn’s fear of a fairytale turns grim. Now she must fight alongside the man she rejected, first for their freedom and then against storms, sharks, and shipwreck.

Elle Reinhardt loves people and has a gift for turning groups of strangers into friends. When she talks her best friend Lyn into taking a month-long Pacific cruise, Elle is in her element, gathering fellow passengers to her. But things go horribly wrong when a ship excursion ends in death and disaster at the hands of modern-day pirates. Filled with her own emotional wounds from the experience, Elle tries desperately to buoy up the grieving loved ones as they wait for news on those lost at sea. Malcolm Armstrong, friend of one of the missing men, arrives to act as family spokesman. Elle knows it’s unreasonable, but she resents his presence. When Mal offers the strength she so desperately needs, will she be able to let go of her animosity and accept his support? This ebook-exclusive short story includes excerpts from both A Change of Plans (Book 1) and Torn Canvas (Book 2) of the Safe Harbors Series.

Modern-day pirates took more than Jori Virtanen’s friends; they stole his face. Not only does the twenty-four-year-old former model have to confront months of reconstructive surgery, he discovers his previous life was as superficial as his looks. Jori struggles to make a new life for himself as an artist while evading the press. They expect a hero, but he knows the truth. His beauty masks a beast. Olivia Howard’s given up a normal life for her job, and the sacrifices are finally paying off. The twenty-six-year-old talk-show host’s ratings are heading to the top of the charts. Her dream is to make a difference in people’s lives, but the studio wants mind fluff—like interviewing hot model Jori Virtanen. When Olivia learns the guy helped rescue passengers on a cruise excursion from kidnappers, she knows this is the story she needs to make her case. The only problem is the hero was injured, and now he’s disappeared. The more Olivia learns about the man behind the scar, the more intrigued she becomes. But Jori is no girl’s happily ever after. Once she finds him, Olivia has to free his heart and help heal the beast.

It’s a time of change for Jori Virtanen. The former playboy model is about to be married. He juggles wedding arrangements, a bachelor party, and plans for keeping the ceremony secret from the press. But Jori has another problem. He has to figure out how to tell one of his best friends, Marc North, that his girlfriend may not be what she appears. This ebook-exclusive short story includes a special excerpt from Swing Vote, Safe Harbors #3.

An IED blew up more than Marc North's career as a Cobra pilot—it shattered his plans for marriage. After being dumped by his girlfriend and spending more than a year in rehab, all he wants is to fly again. He jumps at the chance to partner with a combat buddy in a helicopter sightseeing business. Now in a boomtown in southern Utah, Marc gets caught up with local politics. And the local election official. At work, McKenzie Terkildsen struggles to keep control of a dangerously contentious election. At home, she shares the challenge of raising younger half-brothers with her older step-brother. He complicates things by inviting a Marine buddy to stay with them while the two build a business together. As a council member takes liberty with facts and stirs the already caustic election brew, the last thing McKenzie needs is one more guy messing up her life—or her heart.

Thirty-seven-year-old Francie Davis is sure her luck has changed when she lands a job on campus that will pay her tuition. But when her handsome new boss yells at her on the first day of work, Francie learns that the last person you expect to fall in love with might be the one that’s the most perfect for you.

A Novella Ethan Walters has no time for distractions like romance. Not if he's going to have the brilliant medical career he's always dreamed of. But when he's given a trip to a theme park resort as a college graduation present, he can't exactly say no. Even if Samantha—the one girl with the power to dismantle his goals—is tagging along. Samantha Diederik has managed to avoid her high society mother’s manipulations since the woman moved to Europe. Now she’s back and pressuring Sam to move to New York with her. With that battle on the horizon, Sam proceeds to go on vacation with her brother and his roommate. She’s crushed on Ethan for years. They've only met online, but their hours-long conversations are the highlight of her week. Now she has a chance to find out if the cyber magic she's felt with him will translate to real life. And wow, does it ever—with sparks flying! Now all she has to do is find a way to fight off her mother's machinations while convincing Ethan she won’t destroy his dreams.

When the Professor meets his match, romance and risk may write the final test. With her only child off to Harvard, recent widow Francie Davis is finally going to college. But when a grumpy and undeniably attractive new boss and an unexpected visitor enter the picture, she realizes life still has a few surprises in store for her. Meanwhile, Professor Alex Diederik's life is spiraling out of control. His bitter ex-wife is trying to poison his relationship with their daughter, and his attractive new administrative assistant is a distraction at work. As he tries to navigate the complexities of his personal life, he finds himself drawn to Francie in ways he never thought possible. But when secrets are revealed and tensions mount, their budding romance—and their lives—are at stake. You won't be able to put down this gripping novel of love, loss, and the unexpected twists that life can throw our way. Books in the Safe Harbors Series A Change of Plans (#1)Torn Canvas (#2)Swing Vote (#3)The Widow and the Professor (#4)Kings Crossed Lovers (#5)\\\The Widow and the Orphan began its life as a novella, Second Chances 101. It is how double it's original size and includes a suspense subplot and more details than the original novella had. It still has characters who appear in three Ripple Effect Romance Novellas, Safe Harbors, and Billionaires of REKD\\\

Love's First When Virtual Sparks Ignite Samantha Diderik’s digital world is about to collide with reality. Ethan Walters, her brother's college roommate and best friend, has been more than just an online presence; for the last year, he's a whispered secret in her heart. From a simple online acquaintance, her crush has grown into a yearning for something far beyond pixels. Finally, she will meet him in person on a road trip with her brother. The journey will test if their powerful friendship can blossom into love. But the lingering threat of a stalker casts a shadow on it all. Ethan, whose life has been overshadowed by the brilliance of a remarkable stepbrother, has always fought insecurity. Determined to pursue a career as a surgeon—just like his brother—Ethan is confronted with an agonizing protect his aspirations or surrender to the intoxicating allure of a woman who has cracked the walls around his heart. He can’t have both. Prepare to embark on a journey, where courage meets vulnerability, and love flourishes in the face of adversity. A testament to the power of the human heart and the whispers of a love worth fighting for. Books in the Safe Harbors SeriesA Change of Plans (#1)Torn Canvas (#2)Swing Vote (#3)The Widow and the Professor (#4)Whispers of Forever (#5) _\\\*Note to readers This book was written by a human—me. I did, however, use the help of AI in the brainstorming, research, editing, and some of the images. AI is everywhere now in all kinds of programs we use on a regular basis.\\\*_