Showing results by author "Maria Barnett" in All Categories

Billionaires should not mess with the hired help. Coming back to Arkansas for a family staycation at Diadem-Hedge should be routine. Manage the Fitzgerald image, smile for the press, and keep the family drama to a minimum. Easy, right? Then I meet her. Marriott is the hotel staffer who turns my week upside down. She’s messy where I’m meticulous, defiant where I’m reserved, and completely unwilling to treat me like the heir I’m supposed to be. She storms into my life with a stack of linens, a sharp tongue, and a knack for challenging me in ways no one else dares. I should stay away. ...

When Grayson Holt stormed into my life, I knew everything was about to change. He’s the gruff, no-nonsense bodyguard my father hired to keep me in line. Too cold, too guarded—too infuriating. But one heated moment and a shared secret shifts everything. Now, I’m caught between the man I shouldn’t want and the family name I can’t escape. The DuPont legacy is a gilded cage, and Grayson is the only one who makes me feel free. But the deeper we fall, the tighter the chains become. With danger closing in and my father pulling the strings, the lines between duty and desire blur. I’ll ...

Life as a soldier has not been good to me. Now in my fifties, I am constantly plagued by guilt and have accepted that I will live the rest of my life alone. I did not count on Liv derailing my plans. In my dark and desolate world, she was the light that showed me the potential of a happy life … with her. She is mine from the moment I laid eyes on her. And no one can take her away from me. Not even her cheating artist ex-boyfriend who is crawling to get her back. But a figure from my past threatens to destroy my chance of happiness. I must find a way to save Liv before it’s too late.

An arsonist on the loose and an even hotter single dad fireman setting my heart ablaze. When a serial arsonist resurfaces in Ashwood, I'm sent to investigate. Moving here with my introverted daughter, Lily, I’m determined to uncover the truth. On my first day, I meet Ryan, a widowed Assistant Captain firefighter equally committed to solving the arson cases. Flames, the arsonist, started terrorizing the town years ago, killing an entire family. Now, he's back, and fear grips Ashwood. Ryan's instant attraction to me is undeniable, but he's still grieving his wife, living alone with his ...

In the quiet aftermath of loss, my world was confined to the boundaries of raising Ethan, my son, whose unique perspective on life challenges me daily. I have accepted that I will grow old alone, and that my focus will be on him. But then came Emily. Her smile is enough to make my days brighter. And the unexpected catalyst, brought close by the simple friendship between her dog and Ethan has ignited a spark I thought long extinguished, making me yearn for a connection I believed was forever lost to me. After one night that blurred the lines between companionship and a deeper longing, fear ...

In the line of duty, the only thing more dangerous than betrayal is falling for each other. Working with Michael is like running through a minefield. He's a seasoned veteran who wears his bitterness like armor, and I can feel the weight of his judgment pressing down on me. To him, I'm just another naïve rookie with too much to prove, but I refuse to back down. I can't ignore the gnawing suspicion that something isn't right, especially when rumors of corruption taint the precinct. He despises my idealism and questions my every move, but I have my own doubts about his past and what he’s ...

Under the relentless sun of Iraq, I navigate the complexities of a secret relationship with Alex, a captain whose intensity matches my own. We're careful to keep our growing love hidden, but he doesn't know the full truth. Not only am I the military medic, I am also on a recon mission to keep tabs on Alex, suspecting he's connected to an insurgent camp. As I juggle my duty and my heart, the weight of my secret threatens to crush me. How can I protect the man I love when my orders might lead to his downfall? Can our love survive the ultimate betrayal when Alex learns the truth? In a world ...

Living in a small town has quite a few perks - everyone is looking out for you... but everyone knows everything about you, too. Putting my studies on hold is a no-brainer when Grandma was diagnosed with dementia. She raised me alone and this is the least I can do for her. Finding Mr. Right was the last thing on my mind. Until I met Dr. Ethan Carter - our small town's most eligible bachelor. I am at a loss on how to get closer to Ethan. Thank God for my furbaby Max. Everyone at the hospital adores him, Ethan included. What we have is worth pursuing. The connection we have is unlike anything ...

Hard pass on the grumpy billionaire who nearly cost Whiskers one of her nine lives. Never mind that he is the most gorgeous man I have ever laid eyes on. Reeling from my longtime boyfriend's betrayal, I have sworn off men. Until Leonard. Leonard who has everything going for him - handsome and with billions to his name, he is definitely way out of my league. I am after all, just a librarian with no family. But Leonard is proving hard to ignore. His eyes promise me the world, and I am helpless to say no. And Whiskers seem to approve.

Learning to swim in just a few hours is a challenging task, as swimming requires practice, confidence, and a level of comfort in the water. However, this guide can provide you with some guidelines to help you make progress in a short amount of time. This guide is based on real life experience teachings. I have proven time after time that a person with the right disposition may learn to swim, propelling oneself through the water with one's own momentum, in few hours. To get confidence in the water may take more than few hours. Keep in mind that individual results may vary, and it's always ...

When I first laid eyes on Isabella, I knew I was in trouble. She’s my best friend’s sister—and a threat to everything I’ve worked for. Too beautiful, too tempting—too impossible to resist. One night of surrender changes everything, and dark secrets rise to the surface. Now, I’m torn between the woman I can’t stay away from and the revenge I’ve lived for. Her father ordered my parents’ deaths, and nothing can ever be the same. The pull between us is dangerous, but the truth? It’s devastating. With every touch, every kiss, the line between love and betrayal blurs. The ...

Sam and I have our whole future planned—college, adventure, and a life filled with love. He’s my best friend, my high school sweetheart, and the boy I can’t imagine my life without. But I never saw Jake coming. Jake, my neighbor and childhood friend, has been watching me, loving me in secret for years. Now, he’s ready to act on his obsession, and he’s not asking for my love. He’s demanding it. When Jake’s obsession turns dangerous, my world unravels in an instant. Trapped, terrified, and far from the safety of Sam’s arms, I realize that Jake won’t let me go. He’ll stop ...

In the heart of a tight-knit small town, where whispers travel faster than the wind, young single mother Clara finds herself fighting to provide for her son, Lucas, after being disowned by her family. Life is a constant struggle until she meets Nathan, a silver fox doctor twice her age with a gentle heart and a charming smile.

Widowed and struggling to raise three kids, I have long accepted that I will live the rest of my life in solitude. In my darkest hours, I found a sanctuary in words, weaving stories that breathe life into my stagnant career. I draw inspiration from my life and my children and start writing Santa's Gift - a heartfelt story about a boy believing his father is Santa. The unexpected success of Santa's gift brought forth the arrival of Daniel in my life - a publisher with a keen eye for the hidden gems in my manuscripts, who ignited a spark I thought was forever extinguished. His belief in my ...

A love that defies death, a secret that spans lifetimes. Samuel, haunted by visions. Emily, drawn to the forbidden. Willowbrook's ancestral Mansion conceals a love story from the 1890s. Against society's constraints, Samuel and Emily ignite a passion that's both irresistible and perilous. But a sinister presence from the past threatens to unravel their chance at happiness, as secrets long buried resurface, weaving a tangled web of desire and danger. Together, they uncover the truth of their past lives, a love that transcends time, but their powerful families and a relentless force stand in ...

William. Retired marine biologist. Widower. Notorious silver fox. Scorching hot trouble wrapped up in a drool-worthy package. I moved to this town to escape heartbreak. Getting into a relationship with the town's most desirable widower is not in my plan. But he knows what he wants and won't stop until he gets it. And this time he wants me. Never mind that he is twice my age. The local town's rumor mill is going wild. His adult children are convinced I am the wicked witch bent on stealing their dad. I was supposed to start a new life. Alone. But that explosive kiss has started something I ...

In the beautiful island of Somilon, greed and treachery are hidden behind smiles. When Amara and Andrew met in paradise Somilon, it was love at first sight. What they did not count on is a surprise arranged marriage and the greed of people around them. As their feelings intensify, Andrew and Amara must learn to navigate the waters of life and love. Deciding on who they can trust and help them not only preserve the beauty of Sumilon, but pursue their love too.

Having a wild night with a silver fox is exactly what a jilted heartbroken girl like me needs. While being the daughter of a wealthy man has its perks, right now, the cons seem to outweigh all the advantages. My boyfriend of years is only with me for the money. If I did not walk in on him with his "real" girlfriend, I would still still be a poor rich oblivious girl. One wild night with a silver fox has woken up a fire in me. No more moping around, waiting for love. There's just one problem though. The silver fox works with my Dad. Oh, and I am pregnant.

I'm Sarah, a divorced swimming prodigy teaching children with special needs. I miss my son, Liam, who my ex-husband is hiding from me. When I meet Alex, one of my students, I can't help but see Liam in him. Then I meet Alex's father, Ethan, and sparks fly. Ethan and I have an undeniable attraction, but I'm wary after my traumatic divorce. Just as I start to open up, we discover a horrifying truth: Ethan's deceased wife was the one who ran over Liam. The accident put Liam in a coma for three months and led to my ex-husband, Mark, divorcing me and taking custody, blaming me for negligence. ...

Handsome and ruthless, Richard is every woman's dream - in and out of the courtroom. I'm Emily Mitchell, a seasoned attorney who finds sanctuary from the legal storm at my local animal shelter. It's here, amid wagging tails and furry smiles, where I try to forget the courtroom battles and recharge. That is until Richard Anderson, my courtroom rival, appears, challenging me in more ways than one. Now, we're thrust together as co-counsel on a high-profile case, tasked with proving our client's innocence. It's hard enough to maintain professionalism with the tension between us mounting, but it...