1792, Natchez Trace, MS Bitter since his eldest brother abandoned their family in Ireland, Quinn O’Shea travels to Natchez, Mississippi, ready to shuck the weight of his duty and set off on an adventure of his own. It’s time Connor, as head of the family, took responsibility for their younger siblings. While aboard ship, a run-in with three Irish sisters lands Quinn in the role of reluctant savior. Though it may delay his plans, he cannot abandon the Young sisters, especially the tenacious yet kind Kiera. Upon arriving in the colonies, Kiera Young prepares to meet her intended and begin her new life. But she soon discovers the marriage her brother-in-law arranged was never meant to be, and a far more sinister deal was negotiated for her and her sisters. Quinn offers to escort his charges safely to Breeze Hill Plantation and his brother’s care, fully intending to seek his freedom elsewhere. But the longer he remains, the greater his feelings toward Kiera grow and the more he comes to realize true freedom might be found in sacrifice. Includes discussion questions.

A ghost from her past could be the love of her future. On Christmas Eve, the last thing Pepper expects is a visit from a mysterious stranger. He's irresistibly charming, dangerously handsome, and he claims to be Christmas Past, here to unveil the true magic of the holiday season. As he pulls her into memories she's tried to forget, he reveals surprising truths about his own life as well, forging an undeniable connection that ignites a spark neither of them anticipated. With each shared secret and electric touch, Pepper finds herself longing for more than just a glimpse into her past; she yearns for a future in his arms. But embracing the magic of Christmas again means confronting her fears. Can she let go of her defenses and open her heart to the love he offers? Strap in for a whirlwind of attraction, playful banter, and tender moments in this enchanting holiday tale. It's a delightful blend of A Christmas Carol and It's a Wonderful Life, where spicy kisses and heartfelt revelations await around every corner.

Sailing and soldiering around the world has taken Caleb O'Shea far from his native Ireland, so he never imagined that a promise to see a fellow crewman safely home would practically land him on his brother's doorstep. After spending years away from his family, Caleb isn't certain what kind of reception he will receive when he steps foot in Natchez, Mississippi. The one thing he knows for sure is that he won't stay long. Since her sister was kidnapped by river pirates six months ago, Alanah Adams has taken special care to avoid drawing attention to herself. Those living in the rough-and-tumble settlement of Cypress Creek might even think she's addled. But when she stumbles into Caleb and his friends in Natchez, she appears to be the picture-perfect lady. Caleb only catches glimpses of the mysterious and beautiful Alanah before she disappears. But a chance encounter with her at his brother's logging camp near Cypress Creek leaves him uncomfortable at the thought of the young woman traversing the dangerous area alone. At a crossroads in his life, Caleb must decide whether he wants to give up the worldly adventures he's been seeking for one closer to home.

Many have dreamed of seeing Florida at a slower pace than through the windshield of a car whizzing along the interstate, and yet few have done so. Road Biking Florida provides an exquisite tour of the Sunshine State, offering bike routes for every taste and moment. Each ride—whether along highways or quiet rural lanes, from short 25-mile rambles to 100-mile classics—has been ridden and reviewed personally by local author Rick Sapp. He highlights not only the unique features of the road but also the people, the ecology, and the history of the areas covered. The author’s passion truly brings alive those halcyon rides under hammocks of oak draped with Spanish moss, past whitetail deer munching on acorns, along stretches of white sand beaches, and through wide expanses of the Everglades and swamp.

27 VIEWS of CHARLOTTE: The Queen City in Prose & Poetry is an anthology of the city known for banking, trees, diversity, and sports. Journalists, novelists, poets, and essayists offer a broad and varied picture of life, present and past, in the legendary Southern city—from a history of the city’s stint as capital of the Confederacy, to a deeply personal essay about integrating restaurants during the civil rights era, to reflections on contemporary Charlotte’s overwhelming growth and New South reputation. Authors appreciate Charlotte’s diversity and vitality, tout its vibrant arts and food scenes, and praise surging Uptown. Yet they don’t shy away from its ongoing struggles: cultural, political, and economic. The views create a literary montage of Charlotte, reflecting its social, historic, and creative fabric.

27 VIEWS of RALEIGH: The City of Oaks in Prose & Poetry features the work of twenty-seven (plus two) Raleighites who create a literary montage of North Carolina's capital city in fiction, essays, and poetry. Novelists, poets, essayists, journalists, and even a science fiction writer capture the city in a variety of genres—spanning neighborhoods, generations, cultural and racial experiences, historic eras—reflecting the social, historic, and creative fabric of Raleigh. As Wilton Barnhardt writes in the book's introduction, “We seem to have flourished not because we have solved all the problems of the New South, despite leading the way now and again, but because we the citizens of Raleigh decided to be erudite, cultured, enriched, and entertained . . ."

Natchez, MS; 1791 Anxious for his brothers to join him on the rugged frontier along the Mississippi River, Connor O’Shea has no choice but to indenture himself as a carpenter in exchange for their passage from Ireland. But when he’s sold to Isabella Bartholomew of Breeze Hill Plantation, Connor fears he’ll repeat past mistakes and vows not to be tempted by the lovely lady. The responsibilities of running Breeze Hill have fallen on Isabella’s shoulders after her brother was found dead in the swamps along the Natchez Trace and a suspicious fire devastated their crops, almost destroyed their home, and left her father seriously injured. Even with Connor’s help, Isabella fears she’ll lose her family’s plantation. Despite her growing feelings for the handsome Irish carpenter, she seriously considers accepting her wealthy and influential neighbor’s proposal of marriage. Soon, though, Connor realizes someone is out to eliminate the Bartholomew family. Can he set aside his own feelings to keep Isabella safe?