His scars are visible.Hers are hidden...

An Indiana Amish Brides match

​
After tragedy claimed her husband's life and her son's ability to walk, Hannah King doesn't want a new man. She has her family, a home and mounting debts.

Scarred Amish bachelor Jacob Schrock offers Hannah the job she desperately needs.

​But while Hannah helps Jacob resolve his accounting issues, can she and her little boy also heal his wounded heart?

Is the woman he once loved…

The traitor they’re searching for?

Former Special Forces soldier Jace Eakin must find the mole inside Omega who’s leaking intel to a terrorist mastermind.

Despite their complicated history and the fact that she is keeping a secret, he can’t believe it’s SWAT team leader Lillian Muir.

As they give in to long-denied passion, Jace vows to protect Lillian with his life.
But he’s been wrong about her before…

​What an amazing story that left me gasping for air! 
Armed Response is one of those books that had me hugging my Kindle after I finished reading it, with tears in my eyes, and I am not ashamed to admit it. 
Janie Crouch delivers another hair-raising, heart-pumping romantic suspense story that not only had me on the edge because of the growing intensity of the strain of the threats of the serial killer and the mole in Omega, but went so deep and wide on the emotional side that I could not help being moved by the beauty of it. 
SWAT team leader Lillian Muir and Former Special Forces soldier Jace Eakin has a connection and history parallel to none. Twelve years apart yet the deep bond of their souls is still strong, its still there to pull them towards each other like magnets. From their troubled teenage days, they know each other, they get each other, they respect each other and even trust each other in a unique level, despite the past hurt, misunderstandings, and broken loyalties. 
Lillian is one kickass woman, she can win her way in a close combat with a man twice her size. She is a respected and trusted member of the SWAT team, her team knows she will carry her weight, she will do her part, she is equal, capable, and able to perform the demanding job trusted upon her. Her soul might be broken in her past, her body might have endured all the abuse one can take, but she has risen from the despair, she is not letting the demons and monsters of her teenage years to rule her life now. I loved her guts, her strength, her self-discipline, her humbleness, her intensity, her fearless attitude. My heart broke for her and her past, it ached for the pain she had to endure, yet she came out of the nightmare as a stronger, capable person, who is able and willing to face the demons, even fight them again, if that what it takes. 
And Jace, he was just the perfect person to stand by Tiger Lily as she faces the world. I loved his dedication, his kind heart, his loyalty, his charm, leadership abilities, the take charge and the responsibility when needed. His fight and compassion for the suffering veterans left me in awe and his understanding of who Lillian is, and what she wanted, his patience, his tenderness, his gentleness, and passion was just what Lillian needed to help her heal, to help mend the wounds of the past, to have someone in her corner, and support each other through life's hurdles. 
The story has such an easy and smooth flow to it, it was a pleasure to read. The constantly intensifying fear and threats gave the tale a sharp and strong edge, with the flares of action feeding the sizzle of the tension. The love story between Lillian and Jace is heartbreakingly beautiful and fragile, while sensual, ardent, and tenderly loving. 
A powerful, poignant, and passion filled tale that took my breath away. 
~Five Spoons!

“I can’t believe I struck out every single time,” Keaton says with a whine. “I tried all night and not one goddamn penis wanted me to touch it. God, my fucking feet hurt so bad.”
I loop my arm around her waist, partially to comfort her and partially to hold her up as we stagger down the sidewalk to her apartment. It’s almost two in the morning, and the streets are deserted. Only the predawn stars are watching over us.
“Don’t think of it as striking out. Think of it as . . .” I wave my hand, searching for a positive spin. “Being selective. You just didn’t meet a good match, and it’s better to go home alone than with the wrong guy.”
She growls loudly in frustration. “I’m not looking for a friggin’ husband; I’m just trying to get laid! There’s no point in being picky. Face it, Slate, it’s not me who has the high standards here. Guys just don’t like me. End of story.”
I stop in my tracks. “That’s not true.”
She sways in my arms to face me with tipsy defiance. “Really? Because literally everything that happened tonight says different.”
“So you had one bad night? Big deal. Plenty of guys like you.”
“Prove it,” she insists, her eyes brimming with need and wounded pride.
Her body is so warm, her scent so sweet, and it all feels perfectly natural to just lean in and . . .
Our lips meet. She squeaks in surprise, but before I can pull away and apologize, she kisses me back. Hard.
Her hot, soft mouth crushes against mine, opening with an intense hunger, her tongue demanding entrance, and I can’t help devouring her right back. I couldn’t stop, even if I wanted to.
Why the hell haven’t I done this before? What have I been missing out on all these years?
All my reservations and doubts are swept away in a wave of desire. No overthinking, no self-doubt, just chemistry. Pure, primal instinct. Our tongues touch and my heart rate triples because, holy fuck . . . I’m kissing my best friend.
And, fuck me, I really, really like it.
We break the kiss, both flushed and breathing a little harder, a powerful new tension buzzing between us. Goddamn . . . just that one moment of contact was enough to send every drop of blood traveling from my brain straight to my dick.
Keaton’s never given me wood, not even once. Okay, that’s a lie. There was this one time that she rubbed my shoulders and her boob brushed my arm by accident, but that was just biology. That’s all that was.
“That was . . .” I pause.
It should have felt weird, like kissing my sister. I’ve always had a strictly platonic relationship with Keaton. But I can’t lie. It was perfect. Like a textbook-perfect kiss, chemistry and attraction, and just the right amount of tongue. And I want to do it again as soon as possible.
“Yeah,” Keaton murmurs. Her gaze has darkened. She licks her lips and glances up at her apartment building. “Want to come inside?”

​

Danger brought them back together. Will a secret baby tear them apart? 

As the newest deputy in town, Henry Ward is hoping to escape painful memories.
Then a rain of bullets brings his history rising up again, throwing Cassie Gates directly into his path.

He hasn't forgotten their night together, seven months ago.

And now that he's seen her -- pregnant with his child -- Henry knows he's fighting more than his past.

He's fighting for his future.

​The Protectors of Riker County

The intense and unpredictable suspense keeps you on the edge while the ardent, growing attraction between the protagonists melts your heart... The Deputy's Baby has just the right balance between the potent and harsh action and the sweet and tender romance. 
Be prepared, once you start reading The Deputy's Baby, it will be very hard to put down until you get to the finishing line that will make you smile. I basically inhaled the story, finding it unputdownable with the constant twists and threats, the unknown factors, and the deadly up close and personal battles. 
Cassie Gates is an amazing heroine, so easy to like and admire with the spunk and determination she has. Fearless yet smart, she faces the danger, she is willing and able to protect those she loves, her extraordinarily big heart and caring attitude setting her apart. 
Henry Ward's desire to serve and protect has been put through a fire while working undercover. When Henry lost his partner, he nearly lost his focus and goals. Starting over is the only option for him to move on, and Riker County's sheriff's department seems like the perfect place to accomplish it. What he didn't expect is to run into the woman who has hunted his memories for the past seven months from their passion and joy-filled one night together. 
The sizzle between Henry and Cassie is palpable. Even with the misunderstandings and hurt feelings between them, they are drawn to each other, and not just because of the baby. The connection is real, it is tangible, they understand each other, they get each other, admire and respect the other, just perfect together despite the friction still lingering between them, that they have to work on. 
I adored Henry and Cassie, the timeline of their relationship is made to be believable, the romantic relationship is given time to develop, and they are given the time to start to get to know each other, let the feels and emotions grow. 
The furious, raging revenge creates powerful, potent suspense with deadly action. The delectable and delightful chemistry builts on the adorable, strong yet tender attraction between the hero and the heroine.
Tyler Anne Snell delivers yet another very satisfying romantic suspense story, a marvelous continues to the sharp and fierce series.
~ Five Spoons!

Five Dark Tales. Five Sensual Stories. Five Page Turners.

BLADE: A Bayou Heat Novella by Alexandra Ivy & Laura Wright
Blade was held captive by Benson Enterprises and abused for decades. When he’s finally rescued, he can’t return to the Wildlands. Not without the female he was forced to watch being impregnated. Valli just wants to run away and never look back. But with the shocking news of her pregnancy fresh in her mind, she wonders if that’s even possible. Told by her captors that one of the caged animals assaulted her, she knows she must do everything in her power to keep her unborn child safe.

DRAGON BURN: A Dark Kings Novella by Donna Grant
A promise made eons ago sends Sebastian to Italy on the hunt to find an enemy. His quarry proves difficult to locate, but there is someone who can point him in the right direction – a woman as frigid as the north. Using every seductive skill he’s acquired over his immortal life, his seduction begins. Until he discovers that the passion he stirs within her makes him burn for more… Gianna Santini has one love in her life – work. That is until a handsome Scot strolled into her life and literally swept her off her feet.

TRIPPED OUT: A Blacktop Cowboys® Novella by Lorelei James
Stirling Gradsky abandoned the corporate rat race for a more laidback lifestyle. So it’s ironic she’s stuck working with a hard-bodied, know-it-all scientist who treats her like a stoner instead of a stone cold business woman capable of running a large scale cannabis operation. Dr. Liam Argent’s doctorate isn’t in chemistry, but from the moment he meets his sexy new coworker, there’s enough heat between them to short out all the lights in the grow house. Sparks fly as their attraction blazes. But can they weed out their differences without getting burned?

STUD FINDER by Lauren Blakely
Man seeking woman: Hot, rich, smart, witty, self-made multimillionaire Internet genius seeks classy, intelligent, sexy, fun-loving woman who’s interested in settling down and sharing all the good things.
There. Best. Ad. Ever.
I will absolutely find the woman of my dreams, someone who’ll love me for me. Let me just hit the upload button right now…
* * * *
No. Just no. As a woman and a professional matchmaker, I can’t let Dylan Parker run this ad. He’s the catch of all catches. What woman in her right mind wouldn’t fall in love with Dylan?
I mean, besides me. It totally won’t be me.

#1 CRUSH by T. Gephart
Tia Monroe was smart, sassy and successful. Sure, she could get a little crazy at times, but that was part of her appeal. And while she didn’t see herself as ‘classically beautiful’, she had no shortage of options in the boyfriend department. She just hadn’t found one who held her interest. Until she laid eyes on Eric Larsson, and then it was lust at first sight. He packed the perfect mix of smoldering sexy and unapologetic cool into his blond-haired, blue-eyed, ridiculously hot six-foot-four frame. One smile from him was enough to twist her insides. But it wasn’t just his looks, he was smart and funny—charming in the most a-dork-able way. The only problem was…Tia had never actually met him.
​
Every Dark Nights tale is breathtakingly sexy and magically romantic.
​

Alexandra Ivy is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author. From Alexandra: “I’m not exactly sure when I fell in love with books. Probably on my mother’s knee listening to her read Dr. Seuss to me. I do remember that I was barely old enough to cross the street by myself when I discovered the delights of the local library.
Could anything be more wonderful than spending summer days surrounded by stacks of Nancy Drew mysteries? Over the years I fell in love with Victoria Holt, Jane Austen, Agatha Christie, and J.R.R. Tolkien just to name a few. I read poetry, essays, biographies, and plays. In fact, I read anything I could get my hands on.
Years later (no, I’m not admitting how many) I’m still an avid reader, and my tastes are still as varied as they were in my youth, which I suppose helps to explain why I enjoy writing regency historicals under the name of Deborah Raleigh, as well as my contemporary paranormals as Alexandra Ivy. For now that is enough to keep me busy, but who knows what the future might hold!
I do have a few other loves in my life besides reading and writing, the most important being my unbelievably patient husband, David, and my two sons, Chance and Alexander. Without their constant support and belief in me, I never could have been able to follow my dreams. They are truly my heroes.

Laura Wright is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author. From Laura: “Unlike many of my peers in the writing world, I wasn’t a writer or a reader until I left high school. During my youth I was into theater, song and dance, commercials and boys. I loved romance surely, but I had never read a romance novel until my late teens. With that said, I remember the day I did like it was a moment ago – my aunt gave me the Jude Deveraux novel, Knight in Shining Armor and I couldn’t put it down until the very last word. Then I went straight to the library and got another – then another until I’d read everything she’d ever written. After that, it was McNaught, Howard, Schone, Kleypas, and the Silhouette line, Desire. I instantly loved those emotional, sexy reads, so much so that I began to carve out ideas for my own stories, themes that were unique to me and moved me. In 1997 I enrolled in UCLA extension writing classes, met my mentor and critique partners and since have never stopped writing. I was committed then and I still am now; the need to tell my own romantic stories a full on obsession. My first manuscript was rejected, and though the second one was as well the editor who’d rejected it wanted to see something else from me. I had something (note to authors; always keep working, even after you’ve sent in a proposal) and sent it right away. The day I got the call telling me Desire wanted to buy Cinderella and the Playboy was the best day of my life. That is until I married my husband, and had my two beautiful children. But I must say, writing is much like motherhood – tough, grueling, surprising, delicious and for me, a dream come true.”

Donna Grant is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of over forty-five novels. Her most popular series is the breathtaking Dark King (aka Dragon King) series featuring dragons, immortal Highlanders, and the Fae.
In addition to her novels, Donna has written over forty short stories, novellas, and novelettes for digital-first and print release. She has been dubbed as giving the “paranormal genre a burst of fresh air” by the San Francisco Book Review. Her work has been hailed as having “deft plotting and expert characterization” by Publisher’s Weekly and “sizzling” by RT Book Reviews.
She has been recognized with awards from both bookseller and reader contests including the National Reader’s Choice Award, Booksellers Best Award, as well as the coveted K.I.S.S. Award from RT Book Reviews. 
Donna travels often for various speaking engagements, conferences, and book signings. She is also a frequent workshop presenter at national conferences such as RT Book Lovers Convention and Thrillerfest, as well as local chapters.
Born and raised in Texas, she also has ties across the border in Louisiana. Growing up with two such vibrant cultures, her Cajun side of the family taught her the “spicy” side of life while her Texas roots gave her two-steppin’ and bareback riding. She is never far from her faithful 80 pound dog, Sisko, or her three cats. She can often be found at the movies or bookstore with her children. Or buying makeup. And shoes.

Lorelei James is the New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author of contemporary erotic western romances set in the modern day Wild West and also contemporary erotic romances. Lorelei’s books have been nominated for and won the Romantic Times Reviewer’s choice Award, as well as the CAPA Award. Lorelei lives in western South Dakota with her family…and a whole closet full of cow girl boots.
From Lorelei: “Why do I have a particular fondness for all things western? Well, I’m a fourth generation South Dakotan, living in the Black Hills, which is chock-full of interesting characters, including cowboys, Indians, ranchers, and bikers. The geographical diversity of the surrounding area showcases mountains, plains, and badlands. Living in and writing about rural settings gives me a unique perspective, especially since I’m not writing historical westerns. Through my fictional world, I can show the ideals and the cowboy way of life are still very much alive.”

A #1 New York Times Bestselling author, and #1 Wall Street Journal Bestselling author, Lauren Blakely is known for her contemporary romance style that's hot, sweet and sexy. She lives in California with her family and has plotted entire novels while walking her dogs. With fourteen New York Times bestsellers, her titles have appeared on the New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal Bestseller Lists more than 100 times, and she's sold more than 2.5 million books. In August she'll release UNBREAK MY HEART, an emotional second chance romance. To receive an email when Lauren releases a new book, sign up for her newsletter! http://laurenblakely.com/newsletter

T Gephart is an indie author from Melbourne, Australia.
T’s approach to life has been somewhat unconventional. Rather than going to University, she jumped on a plane to Los Angeles, USA in search of adventure. While this first trip left her somewhat underwhelmed and largely depleted of funds it fueled her appetite for travel and life experience.
With a rather eclectic resume, which reads more like the fiction she writes than an actual employment history, T struggled to find her niche in the world.
While on a subsequent trip the United States in 1999, T met and married her husband. Their whirlwind courtship and interesting impromptu convenience store wedding set the tone for their life together, which is anything but ordinary. They have lived in Louisiana, Guam and Australia and have travelled extensively throughout the US. T has two beautiful young children and one four legged child, Woodley the wonder dog.
An avid reader, T became increasingly frustrated by the lack of strong female characters in the books she was reading. She wanted to read about a woman she could identify with, someone strong, independent and confident who didn’t lack femininity. Out of this need, she decided to pen her first book, A Twist of Fate. She enjoyed the process so much that when it was over she couldn’t let it go.
T loves to travel, laugh and surround herself with colourful characters. This inevitably spills into her writing and makes for an interesting journey – she is well and truly enjoying the ride!
Based on her life experiences, T has plenty of material for her books and has a wealth of ideas to keep you all enthralled.

Army brat Kaydee Wagner gets twitchy if she stays in one place for too long. But when her grandfather needs someone to stay with him for a bit and his home needs a lot of repairs, she steps up to the plate. 

Lucky for her, help arrives from their neighbor’s gorgeous grandson, former Army Ranger Leo Reed. 

Leo’s desperate to rise above his dark past and enjoy life again. He’s already made a lot of progress, so when the woman he can’t stop thinking about needs a handyman, he volunteers. But after a very...wet incident involving deadly dance moves and a wayward sink hose, their clothes hit the floor faster than a stack of tile. 

He doesn’t want forever—that would mean revealing his past, which he’s not ready to do. She only wants right now, because any other option would require sticking around. 

And then Kaydee discovers she’s pregnant.

“Kaydee,” he said again, but this time he reached out to lightly touch her shoulder.
Letting out a startled cry, she turned toward him with the sprayer still in her hand. Water immediately pelted his face and the side of his head with the force of a mini power washer, blasting his flesh with a shock of heat that ran down his neck and chest. Luckily, it was only hot and not scalding.
“Oh my God, Leo!” She dropped the sprayer, then shut off the water with one hand and yanked her earbuds out with the other. “Are you okay?
“Yeah. I needed a good soaking.” He slicked back his wet hair and grinned. “No harm done.”
But apparently, she chose not to listen, because she grabbed a nearby dish towel and started to mop the wetness from his face and chest. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t hear you come in.”
“I know.”
She stilled, and her gaze slowly rose to meet his. “Oh, crap. Exactly how long were you in here?”
Loving the flush of color that swept up into her cheeks, he decided to tease her a little more. “Long enough to know you’d be dangerous on the dance floor.”
“Yeah, to others.” Her blush increased. “Oh God, I can’t believe you saw that.”
Before he could reply, she dropped her forehead on his chest, and her whole body shook as she laughed.
The unexpected move and feel of her soft curves brushing his body removed all traces of teasing from his mind. He always wondered how she’d feel in his arms, and now he knew, even if—technically—he didn’t have his arms around her. Yet. Because he could. It’d be so easy. So damn easy. All he had to do was put his hands on her back.
But that would be playing with fire, and he didn’t want her to get burned.
“I can’t believe I got you soaking wet.” She drew back and started mopping his shirt with the towel again. “I’m so sorry.”
Thankful for the reprieve, he went back to teasing. “No harm done. I won’t melt.”
She snickered and continued to dry him off, but her nearness and press of her fingers weren’t doing his libido any good, so he placed his hand over hers to stop her movements.
Big mistake.
Before, at least a wet shirt had separated their skin. Not now. His palm covered her hand, and the feel of her soft, warm skin kicked his pulse into gear.
Once again, their gazes met, but this time mortification and teasing were no longer present, just a raw, untamed attraction. It posed a danger big enough to rival her lethal dance moves.
Her gaze dropped to his mouth, and Leo’s heart rocked in his chest. A sensation he hadn’t felt in years. Leave it to Kaydee to induce the movement. It was strange. He knew he should back away, but he didn’t. Couldn’t. It felt as if his whole body was coming alive, and until that moment, he hadn’t realized how truly out of touch with life he’d been the past few years. Perhaps always.

These rangers won my heart with the first story, and it has been one of those series that I have eagerly anticipated for each title to be published. The tales are a perfect mix of tight brotherhood, swoony romance, deep emotions that have brought me to tears, and humor that has made me laugh out loud with the comical moments. 
I knew Leo's story would be an emotional one, he has gone through so much since he returned from service. Leo has been a part of each story, more of a reason for the ranch to exist than maybe anyone else. His battle against the memories, the inner demons, has let to some drastic decisions in the past, but he has finally found his place in a world again, slowly coming to accept and leave behind the nightmares of his former times in the rangers. 
Kaydee Wagner is a spirited and kindhearted woman. She has a connection to Leo that is a tangible force in the tale. She turns out to be just so perfect for him, as suitable as Leo is for her, and her wanderlust and restless soul, the byproducts of an army brat moving around all her life. It is hard for her to open up and accept people into her life, knowing that they will never stay, the risk of giving her heart feels too big, because there are no guarantees of continues relationships and root in one place, when everything is temporary. 
Leo and Kaydee, they get each other. They understand and accept each other, and the passion and the harmony between them is a beautiful thing to be witnessed. The physical connection between them is scorching hot, the mental connection and the hearts finding their soulmates takes a bit more effort to be accepted. 
I was an emotional mess reading this story and not just from the ardent, adorable love story developing between Kaydee and Leo, and Leo finally finding himself again, but also from the tight friendships between the rangers, the way they looked after each other, had each others backs, and were there to encourage, support, and mess with each other whenever the moment arose.  There were heartfelt moments that brought me to tears and those moments that made me sigh with content. But there were also tears because the past hurt is so deep, the demons gerning inside so painful, and the doubts vivid and the old wounds aching. 
Leo's story was everything I expected, and then some. It is poignant, sensual, loving, and entertaining. It takes the reader from the darkest moments of a human soul to the most exhilarating joy and the jubilee of life and living. The whole series is such an eye-opening look into the lives of vets after they return to the civilian life, the challenges they face, the hurdles they have to overcome. There is heart, humor, passion, and feels in each tale, perfect for binge reading during the summer days. Absolutely a must read series in my eyes. 
And Leo and Kaydee, them finding the peace of mind, heart, and soul, and their forever-after happiness, that tale is just filled with fervor and adoration. 
~ Five Spoons

​I do enjoy a good Cavanaugh story, even if they are a bit predictable with how things will move forward, this one delivered few punches and twists as the suspenseful side of the tale unfolded. 
The fight against the cartel is tedious work with few big busts between the vigorous investigation and gathering of the leads.  I liked how the timeframe is spread out to be more realistic and at the same time giving a chance for the romance to develop and the feelings between the protagonists take root. 
I really enjoyed both of the main characters, Dugan Cavanaugh and Toni O’Keefe had an interesting energy between them. The connection from the roadside delivery to being partners of a sort was not smooth, yet the sparks were flying, the attraction is obvious, and they have the time to let the feelings simmer and grow. I loved how much Dugan cherished the baby Heather, they together provided a couple of heart-melting moments. 
Toni was a tough journalist who didn't seem to have a sense of fear, making her act even a bit foolhardy at times. But she is a caring, loving mother and friend, and her need to be like her fearless father is understandable, as her history is revealed and we get to know more about her. 
Dugan is a compassionate, smart, dedicated detective who loves babies and his family. I loved how while being so alpha and protective, he had this relaxed smoothness about him that set him apart. He was obviously comfortable just being himself, a very attractive quality in a person.
A good, entertaining, character-driven story with a solid balance of romance and suspense with few surprises and up close battles that turn deadly...
~ Three Spoons with a teaspoon on the side 

Cajun Persuasion by Sandra Hill
Series Cajun Series
Genre Adult Contemporary Romance
Publisher Avon Books
Publication Date June 26, 2018

Return to New York Times bestseller Sandra Hill’s Cajun country, where the Louisiana bayou is steamier than ever…

Alaskan pilot Aaron LeDeux came to Louisiana with his brother to discover his Cajun roots. But any hopes he had of returning home are extinguished when he agrees to help a crew of street monks and nuns rescue trafficked girls from strip clubs, pimps, and other horrors. For the work has become his new calling.

With her harrowing past, Fleur Gaudet only feels safe at the nunnery. But when she’s ordered out into the real world to decide where she truly belongs, Fleur goes to live with the LaDeux family. Suddenly, she’s in regular clothes, thinking irregular thoughts about Aaron. With his whiskey-colored eyes and fierce bravery, Aaron is like her own personal Cajun cowboy, re-introducing her to...everything.    As the dangerous missions brings them closer, Fleur must decide if she’ll continue her path—or if she’ll have a new future with the man she’s losing her heart to.

(One year ago)
A girl’s gotta do what a girl’s gotta do . . .
Fleur Gaudet, whose name tag read Doris Jones,
stood in the dressing room of the Silver Stud Club in New Orleans, using a long-handled dustpan and broom to sweep along the edges of the tiled floor, all the while keeping an alert eye on her surroundings. Al- though she wore a blonde wig to hide her identity and a rather demure black nylon uniform with a white apron, as befitted her new job on the club’s cleaning staff, unlike the scantily clad women around her, she was still outside her comfort zone. Way outside!
She decided to offer up the discomfort as a penance for past—and future—sins. Mortifying the flesh, so to speak. Like that self-flagellating albino monk in The Da Vinci Code. You had to be Catholic to understand the logic of suffering in silence and offering it up as a heavenly gift.
But then, Fleur was a nun!
An honest-to-God, hope-and-pray nun. Like Mother Teresa.
Well, not really like that holier-than-holy nun, bless her heart, who had lived, by choice, in abject poverty in Calcutta. In the old days, Mother Teresa would probably have worked in a leper colony.
On the other hand, a strip club was somewhat like a leper colony, wasn’t it?
Truth to tell, Fleur wasn’t really a nun yet. More like a nun-in-training, with the Sisters of Magdalene religious order. The Magdas had originated in Spain, but expanded into satellite convents throughout the world. Like the one in Mexico, with which she was affiliated, that had in recent years joined forces with the rogue order, St. Jude’s Street Apostles, in Dallas. Their mission: to rescue girls kidnapped into the sex trade. Which was why she and some of her partners were in this sleazy club tonight.
There were other females in the dressing room, but mostly they kept to themselves as they lounged or touched up make-up. None of them were the young, frightened teens they hoped to rescue, though. Not that they were old, exactly. In fact, Peaches Galore, the girl in front of her, was no more than twenty-two years old, wearing a sheer black bustier and a G-string and heels high enough to give a person a nosebleed.
Peaches was on her cell phone, presumably talking to one of her three children, all under the age of eight, that she’d told Fleur about a short time ago. “No, you cannot make a frozen pizza, Henry. You know the stove is off-limits. The microwave, too. Did Jimmy say his prayers before you put him to bed? He skipped Auntie Priss?” Peaches laughed, and murmured something under her breath about how she would skip the old bat, too. “Did you change Elisa Mae’s diaper? I don’t care if it stinks, do as you’re told. I know, sweetie. I’m sorry I yelled. Be a good boy, and tomorrow we’ll go to the park with your remote control airplane.”
It was sad, really. But the Magdas couldn’t rescue everyone. And not everyone working in this club wanted or needed rescuing.
Just then, the door flew open as a group of strippers, waitresses, lap dancers, and bar maids trooped in, laugh- ing, cursing, talking, many of them pulling five-, ten-, and twenty-dollar bills from their G-strings or thigh- high fishnet stockings. The pounding beat of that old Mötley Crüe song “Girls, Girls, Girls” could be heard through the open door, coming from the DJ station.
Also, through the open doorway, she could see the raised circular stage with its spokes leading out into the crowd, up close and personal. At any one time, a dozen girls were dancing. Another dozen would be doing lap dances in semi-private alcoves.
A regular meat factory! Ironically, that’s just what this former warehouse had been . . . a huge meat packing plant.
And none of these activities included those upstairs, which was why Fleur and her “posse” of nuns were here tonight with the Rogues.
“Gentlemen, let’s give a warm—no, hot—welcome to the next round of ladies,” the DJ yelled out. The door hadn’t closed tightly. “Chocolate Cream. Bubble Icious. Fanny Bigguns. Ms. Demeanor. Moana Bigona.”
Yep, this was a high-class place, all right.
Fleur rolled her eyes as the air compressor door finally swooshed shut, muting the club noise. Just then, she noticed one of her religious cohorts, Sister Carlotta, leaning her forehead against the wall, muttering something. Lottie was working as a waitress, not a topless one in the bar, but a regularly dressed one in the coffee shop. Her uniform was similar to Fleur’s, except shorter, and she wore the proverbial high heels. She wore a wig, too, but hers was black and cut into a straight bob. Attractive, actually.
Fleur went up to her and whispered, “Lottie, are you all right?”
Lottie nodded, then turned to face her. “I was praying. This place just gets to me. How disgusting! And sad!”
“I know what you mean.”
Carlotta waved the ten-dollar bill in front of Fleur and said, “A man stuck this in my blouse, then had the nerve to ask if I had five dollars in change. This place feels like hell.”
Or a leper colony. Fleur barely stifled a laugh. Car- lotta wasn’t that old—about twenty-five—but she’d been in a conventional Spanish convent since she was thirteen. The philosopher John Milton’s “cloistered virtue” personified.
Carlotta, like many other humble nuns who cherished the insular life of prayer and meditation inside the walls of an abbey, was a victim of the upheaval in all the flagging religious orders, male and female, throughout the world. The old ways no longer worked.

When three generations of women are brought together by crisis, they learn over the course of one hot summer the power of family to support, nourish and surprise

Lauren has the perfect life…if she ignores the fact it’s a fragile house of cards, and that her daughter Mack has just had a teenage personality transplant.

Jenna is desperate to start a family with her husband, but it’s… Just. Not. Happening. Her heart is breaking, but she’s determined to keep her trademark smile on her face.

Nancy knows she hasn’t been the best mother, but how can she ever tell Lauren and Jenna the reason why?

Then life changes in an instant, and Lauren, Mack, Jenna and Nancy are thrown together for a summer on Martha’s Vineyard. Somehow, these very different women must relearn how to be a family. And while unraveling their secrets might be their biggest challege, the rewards could be infinite…

Heartwarming and fresh, Sarah Morgan’s brilliant new novel is a witty and deeply uplifting look at the power of a family of women.

WOW. I'm in awe with deep admiration towards Sarah Morgan's ability to tell a heartfelt story, even more so than before, if that is even possible. 
How To Keep A Secret was an emotional journey of four women of three generations through lives battles on stormy seas. 
From grief, anger, betrayal, and devastation, to joy, love, passion, and the sense of accomplishment  I took each step with the ladies, feeling the range of emotions, living through the heartbreak to finding peace and accepting the new normal while cheering them on and loving each moment of it. I was completely lost in the world the author had created, wanting to linger there as long as possible while needing to inhale the tale as fast as I could, to find that satisfying, gratifying, exhilarating point where the life for that one moment is as perfect as it can be, where the end departed me from the tale that had brought so much more to me than I dared to expect. 
While the story as a whole is a very entertaining and beautiful tale of women, family, sisters, mothers, and daughters, love, and the fragility of life, it also had me reflecting those relationships in my own life, seeing things from the different point of view, and suddenly growing and maturing right along the characters. What a beautiful, unexpected gift that turned out to be. 
Each of the four women in the tale gets their chance to tell part of the story from their own point of view. There is the turbulence of a teenager, the confusion, the anger, the need to be accepted while worried about being too much and abandoned. There is the love, and frustration, of that teenager's parents, how to survive the gusty waters. There are the sisters who have always been there for each other, yet seems to have kept some substantial secrets. There are the three marriages, their strengths, their weaknesses, and their fails, and jubilees. There are the mother-daughter relationships that never seemed to work yet suddenly gets a new point of view, new strength, when looked from the different angle, with honest eyes. And there is the romance, the tangible, palpable feelings between couples who truly are soulmates, who get each other, understand each other, and accept the shortcomings and cherish the endearing qualities. There are many characters, with different kinds of relationships, yet never for a minute was there any confusion or overwhelm to keep everything in order. 
How To Keep A Secret, while vastly entertaining, thought life-lessons and sorted out all possible kinds of relationships one can face through life. It brought me smiles and sighs of contentment, had me tear up, even broke my heart a bit, but it also brought lots of loving healing, new possibilities, and refreshingly realistic solutions to lives many problems. A book that makes you feel like you have learned valuable lessons and a new way to look at some things in life, that kind stories are rare gifts, priceless, precious stories, that you want to spread the word about, cherish them for days to come. 
A must-read, unputdownable story that will touch your heart and mind
~ Five Spoons