Showing results by author "Christina C Jones" in All Categories

Sometimes, the best choice might be the one that leaves you vulnerable. The one that forces you to face a past that hurts or go through with something you never thought would come to fruition. The one that makes taking a risk your only option. Wilhelmina "Wil" Cunningham is no stranger to pressure. The child of an Olympian and a boxer, and a former Olympian herself, Wil has gained an "America’s sweetheart" reputation—a high pedestal to fall from when her world gets rocked by betrayal and deceit.

If there’s any one thing Pierre and Logan have in common, it’s their ability to invite snap judgements based on shallow views of who they are. Logan is the privileged only daughter of a respected family whose legacy runs long and deep. Pierre is the moody, orphaned son of big screen royalty who couldn’t possibly live up to the prestige of his pedigree. Or maybe not.

Dawn Oliver - daughter of theater royalty, talented in her own right, and, according to the internet...a complete and total fraud. All she wants is a fair chance to prove herself - no nepotism, no social media campaigns, no sponsors. Just pure talent, which she has in spades, if she can just get someone to believe in her. The way Patrick Bell does.

Nicole Richardson is a woman with a purpose—prove herself worthy of her place in a male-dominated field. Fiercely competitive, wielder of tough love and motivation, and terrible at dealing with things outside of her control. Between making sure the players are thriving, and coping with a changing family dynamic, a relationship isn't even on her radar.

Special Agent Renata Parker learns this the hard way, when the secret she's held close for many years is finally revealed, exposing her as traitor to the team of thieves, spies, hackers, and federal agents who thought they shared a common goal - take down Damien Wolfe. Her dedication to their cause doesn't quite stand up to scrutiny - especially for Quentin, a fellow hacker who was drawn to Renata's quiet energy before her true identity was exposed.

Asha's life is no fairytale, by any stretch of the imagination. There was no kind, generous father to care for and protect her from the Vegas that exists beyond the glitz and glamour of The Strip. No wise, doting mother to look over and guide her, passing down essential lessons and leading her to the right path. And certainly, no Prince Charming just around the corner, ready to rescue her from working late nights to cover steadily mounting bills.

For Naomi Prescott, it's not just a cute little saying. It's a critical mantra, words to live by if she wants to retain her freedom, and, more importantly, her life. Impeccable planning is the only way to ensure she sets off the small flutters that will trigger the big ripple she needs to pull off the score of a lifetime - no matter the stakes. FBI Agent Marcus Calloway is a straight-shooter...if you overlook his sometimes unconventional, law-skirting, expensive ways of solving a case. A big arrest would do wonders to restore his reputation, and he has one woman in mind: Jolie Voleuse.

For a long time, Terry King and Damien Wolfe have dodged those debts while the people around them paid - in loneliness, grief, constant fear, and the loss of innocent lives. But no more. It's time to settle up, and though the difference between victim and villain isn't always clear, this familiar band of hackers, spies, and federal agents are holding nothing back. Questions are answered, hidden motives are revealed, secrets are brought to light, and this dangerous adventure comes to a conclusion.

For Kora and Tariq, those lines have been blurred for a long time. Every time clarity seems to be within reach, something shifts, and in a single moment, focus is lost. Once again, they're in limbo. Between them, there is only one secret, with the power to alter their relationship....

Gabi isn't looking for love. At all. She's much more interested in starting a new life, in a new city, away from the overbearing demands of her parents. Terrence...is even less into the idea of a relationship than Gabi. He's in a good place in his career, focused on receiving a coveted promotion. Follow along with Gabi and Terrence as they navigate the stages of a relationship that was never meant to go further than a single night. Will they be able to overcome the challenges of family and career to build something that could last?

Alicia "Ace" Miller has always had a somewhat contentious, arms-length relationship with Las Vegas Detective Cree Bradley. She likes their level of engagement exactly where it is - non-existent, never any occasion to cross paths. Until she needs his help. Only the most powerful of emotions - paired with fractured memories and the unshakeable feeling that something is missing - can make Alicia seek assistance from a man whose very presence puts her on edge.

For Nalani Stark, legacy matters… maybe more than most things. Important enough that when that legacy — inextricably tied to her mother’s memory - is challenged, she’s forced to consider even the most undesirable options… Such as a match made in hell with Orion Sterling. The heir to the competitor she grew up being warned about. Orion is a man well-accustomed to getting exactly what he wants. Other than opportunities to grow the family business, he’s moved by very few things.

That's how blogger, Bianca Bailey begins the first post of what's supposed to be a new series on her website, in response to her readers curiosity about her feelings on love. That post never makes it to the public eye, but those three words perfectly sum up Bianca's outlook, and rule the way she interacts with the men around her — including Rashad. Rashad isn't interested in anything serious either, but for a different reason. Rashad loves women, and women love him, but he's avoiding trouble — the nickname his father uses for the kind of woman that makes you forget all others exist.

Love that says something, instead of just looking like it. Love you can always trust to feel like home. For both of them, it’s something that has always been just outside of their peripheral, something to be observed rather than experienced. A depth of feeling reserved for people who were “into” that, those with a different outlook, those more...deserving. Until their paths cross.

It all came down to me. The one who followed the rules, never went looking for trouble - I kept to myself. I just wanted to take care of my family. To not constantly look over my shoulder, worried about the things that went bump in the night. I just wanted to survive. But that wasn't meant to be. As luck - or fate, or something - would have it, the trouble found me. I followed a rabbit through the wreckage of a half-ruined world to get back what was mine, and wound up at the end of it. In Wonderland. But there's nothing magical about it.

Losing everything doesn't have to be the end. Sometimes, it's a chance to find something different.

Justin and Toni were friends. Besties, with a whole list of life rules developed over a friendship that started when they were kids. As long as they stuck to the rules, even when they blended a business relationship into the friendship, things went off without a hitch. But then one of them broke the rules - it was Justin. Justin broke the rules - and Toni has been mad about it ever since.

Murderer is a title she never expected to wear. Friend? Sure. Boss? Hell yes. But murderer? Never. If only she hadn’t threatened exactly that, just before someone winds up dead, and her fingerprints are all over the murder weapon. All he wanted was to live a quiet life, without all the danger and darkness of his past. Those plans are blown when he’s accused of a crime he has nothing to do with, leaving him with a hard decision…remain in the shadows, or do what he can to help a friend?

Sometimes, the worst lies are the ones we tell ourselves. They build and build into a façade of transparency and false truth that we present to the world...until it comes crashing down because of that one person who sees right into you. “Just one more time.” “It’s not even like that.” “I’m not tripping about it.” “I’m fine. Really.”

The chemistry between Stephen Foster and Nubia Perry is an undeniable fact. The handsome, dynamic former rugby star is used to getting who he wants with minimal effort, but Nubia's steadfast refusal to acquiesce - while also making it clear that she's equally interested in him - is compelling enough to keep his attention firmly planted on her. Even once it's clear that Nubia's polished façade is something she puts on for the public, to hide the scarred, vulnerable woman underneath, Stephen persists. He isn't intimated by the model-turned-mogul's aggressive personality.