Nicole Ellis

Dreams for the future and a secret that will change everything. Zoe Tisdale’s dream job as a wedding planner is within grasp, until it’s ripped away. Unsure of what to do next, Zoe focuses on helping her elderly landlord, Celia, save the Inn at Willa Bay, the seaside resort they both call home. Zoe’s friend Meg used to be a big city chef, but when her mother was diagnosed with cancer, Meg returned to Willa Bay to work at the lodge and be closer to family. Now that her mom is better, she’s wondering if she’s really cut out for small town life. Their co-worker Cassie, the lodge’s pastry chef, is struggling to find her way as a divorced mom of two, but it seems like it’s always one step forward, two steps back. When Zoe, mysterious newcomer Shawn, and the others uncover Celia’s decades-old secret, all of their lives will change forever. This heartwarming novel will renew your faith in love, friendship, and family.

The Inn at Willa Bay

A failing bookstore. A crumbling house. This inheritance was the not-so-promising reason for Dahlia's return to the small town of Candle Beach, Washington. With a nasty trustee who is determined to keep her from succeeding and Garrett, a handsome neighbor who challenges her at every step, she doesn't expect to have a future there. However, the town grows on her and she sees transformations in herself that she didn't expect. With her childhood friends wanting her to stay and a developing attraction to Garrett, could Aunt Ruth's bequest be the key to Dahlia's happily ever after?

A Candle Beach Sweet Romance

Sweet Beginnings

Natasha Cunningham

How 30 Women of Colour Achieved Greatness Against All Odds

We Go High

It was love at first sight. Will his arrival ruin it all? The first time Maura saw the historic Candle Beach Hotel, she knew it was the perfect future site for the local historical society's museum. Now that it's on the market, she just needs enough money to buy it before some greedy developer swoops in and demolishes the crumbling building. Experienced hotelier Aidan has been searching for his dream property for ages, so when his friend tells him about the old hotel for sale on the Washington coast, he's intrigued by the possibilities. After Aidan catches Maura trespassing on the hotel property, unaware that it's been sold, her dreams are shattered and she wants nothing to do with the new owner. He's instantly intrigued by his gutsy visitor, but winning over her mind and heart isn't easy to do. How can Aidan convince her that he's not the greedy developer she feared? Maura wants to believe he's there for the right reasons, but can she trust him? Candle Beach novels Sweet Beginnings #1 Sweet Success #2 Sweet Promises #3 Sweet Memories #4 Sweet History #5 Sweet Matchmaking #6 Sweet Surprises #7 Sweet Sacrifices #8 (coming soon)

Sweet Surprises: A Candle Beach novel #7

Follow the life lessons of 30 remarkable women of colour - past and present - who have made their mark on society and culture. "When you are struggling and you start thinking about giving up, I want you to remember something... and that is the power of hope." - Michelle Obama (White House speech, 2017) From activists to scientists, artists to sporting icons, each woman's story is different - but all have in common a deep-seated resilience to fight against the prejudices and barriers to success that women of colour face on a daily basis. The ebook features political powerhouses such as Kamala Harris and Stacey Abrams, as well as businesswomen like Arundhati Bhattacharya and Angelica Ross, and writers Michaela Coel and Amanda Gorman. With 30 stunning, specially commissioned portraits, We Go High not only celebrates their achievements but uncovers the personal beliefs, attitudes, and determination that drive them.

How 30 Women of Colour Achieved Greatness against all Odds

Ashley Reed

Lily Prasuethsut

Peter Corkey

A blood delivery ship takes on extra weight. Mysterious words appear across a young woman's body. The door in the forest is getting harder and harder to ignore. Find a safe spot to hide and enjoy 16 tales of weird fiction--the place where science, the supernatural and the uncanny collide. In these stories, reality is never certain and peril can take a hundred forms--like the friend swinging a knife at your throat or the objects hanging in your own closet. Partake in this collection of short tales tailor-made for science fiction, fantasy and horror fans, each told in seven pages or less. You can devour each of these delectable morsels in a sitting, but be careful: they hold ugly secrets, and you are what you eat. Down We Go & Other Strange Tales includes: Down We Go - There's a trap door in the forest with stairs that lead to nowhere. Something at the bottom is calling out. Fair Game - A poacher thinks he's scored an easy kill, but the guardians of the forest have different ideas. The Bog - He has to make it across the swamp to save his sister's life. The creatures trying to stop him are all too familiar. Watch the Teeth - A young girl is suspicious of her mother's new red purse. She Watches, She Waits - These walls have ears - Jim and Sally don't realize who's listening. And more . . .

Minute Fiction Vol. 1

Down We Go & Other Strange Tales: An Anthology of Weird Flash Fiction

Brownies, bribes and a body on the beach. Suburban mom Jill Andrews has two young kids and a husband who travels more than he's home. Her biggest worry is the decision to re-enter the workforce, until she trips over the body of her neighbor, Samuel Westen, who'd been feuding with Jill's sister-in-law Desi. When the stress of being the police's top suspect lands Desi in the hospital with pregnancy complications, Jill must navigate her own mom-life crisis, sift through a tangled web of secrets and lies, and discover the identity of the real killer before it's too late. Jill Andrews Cozy Mysteries Brownie Points for Murder -- Book 1 Death to the Highest Bidder -- Book 2 -- Coming Soon A Deadly Pair O'Docks -- Book 3 -- Coming Soon Stuck With S'more Death -- Book 4 -- Coming Soon Murderous Mummy Wars -- Book 5 -- Coming Soon A Killer Christmas Party -- Book 6 -- Coming Soon

A Jill Andrews Cozy Mystery

Brownie Points for Murder

In the dark beneath the stairs, in the mist beyond the trees, in bubbling swamps and blackened deeps—this is where monsters lie in wait, eager to sink their teeth into the next fool who crosses their path. Or so we’re told. If you ask the monsters, huddled away from burning torches, they may see things a bit differently. Dig your claws into 24 bite-sized monster tales tailor-made for science fiction, fantasy and horror fans. From harpies to yetis, toxic terrors to red-eyed demons, each has their own story to tell—and they might not be the most frightening part of it. Where Darkness Lives & Other Monstrous Tales includes: Where Darkness Lives – A child learns what's been waiting for them in the dark for as long as they can remember. Siren Song – A life is cut tragically short by a raging beast, and the wrong person takes the blame. Harvest – The Worldbeast turned Earth into a paradise, and it only asks a small favor in return. The Spider Jar – Arachne decides there are perks to being cursed by an angry goddess. Deep Down – An explorer tries to escape his demons beneath the waves, and discovers something much worse. And many more . . .

An Anthology of Fantasy, Horror and Speculative Flash Fiction

Where Darkness Lives & Other Monstrous Tales

A family secret brought her to Candle Beach. The same secret might drive her away. It had always been just the two of them, mother and daughter. After her mother died, Angel Bennett found out it was all a lie. Discovering her mother’s secrets, she moves to Candle Beach to find out the truth. What she finds is so much more. Adam Rigg is unlucky in love. He’s the constant friend, never the boyfriend. He’s resigned himself to be the best journalist possible, keeping the local newspaper, the Candle Beach Weekly, afloat in an era where digital media reigns supreme. When Adam volunteers to help Angel discover the truth about her mother’s past, an unexpected romance blossoms between them. However, Adam is soon confronted with a dilemma—does he help Angel get the family she’s always wanted or save his relationship and never be alone again? If Adam helps Angel realize her dreams, will he ever get what he wants most—her? Candle Beach novels Book #1: Sweet Beginnings Book #2: Sweet Success Book #3: Sweet Promises Book #4: Sweet Memories Book #5: Sweet History Book #6: Sweet Matchmaking Book #7: Sweet Surprises Book #8: Sweet Sacrifices

Sweet Memories: A Candle Beach #4

Murder by marshmallow stick? After a long, stressful summer, Jill Andrews is looking forward to a relaxing vacation with her family at her old friend Leah’s lake cabin resort. That becomes difficult when she discovers a marshmallow roasting stick impaled in a man’s body near the campfire pit. With a string of costly acts of vandalism plaguing the resort and now a murder, things aren’t looking good for the resort’s future. Joined by her sister-in-law Desi, Jill tries to figure out who’s causing trouble before it’s too late for the resort and she has to kiss her family vacation goodbye – or worse. Jill Andrews Cozy Mysteries Book #1: Brownie Points for Murder Book #2: Death to the Highest Bidder Book #3: A Deadly Pair O'Docks Book #4: Stuck with S'More Death Book #5: Murderous Mummy Wars Book #6: A Killer Christmas Party

Stuck with S'More Death

Life is a series of decisions to make, but choosing the right one isn’t always cut and dry. Up until a few years ago, Cassie was living her dream life – happily married to her high school sweetheart Kyle and raising their two kids together in a house with a white picket fence. When she and Kyle grew apart and eventually divorced, she was devastated. Now, she’s picking herself up and building a new life. Her dream of owning a bakery seems out of reach, until a For Lease sign goes up in the window of the best bakery in town. It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity, but with a mortgage, young children and an almost-empty bank account, it feels impossible. Kyle offers to help her, but she wants to do it on her own. Besides, there are too many pesky feelings for him that she can’t seem to shake. With a beautiful co-worker asking him for a date and a possible promotion at work, Kyle should be on top of the world. If only he could stop thinking about his ex-wife and the life they used to share. Cassie’s friend Zoe has found her calling in life – turning the old Inn at Willa Bay into the premier wedding venue in the Pacific Northwest. However, she didn’t count on the challenge of working closely with her new boyfriend Shawn and her good friend Meg. All of the responsibility for the renovation has fallen on her shoulders and she doesn’t know how everything is going to get done before the Inn’s grand opening. Meg knows that Zoe needs more from her, but between working at the Inn part-time and her job as a sous chef at a local lodge, she’s burning the candle at both ends. Eventually, they’ll turn the old barn at the Inn into a restaurant for her to manage, but that’s at least six months away. In the meantime the Inn’s tight renovation budget can’t afford another full-time salary. For the time being, Meg’s life is at a standstill, looking on with envy at the lives of her friends and family. Her sister Libby leads the perfect life – except for the fact that she’s been hiding marital problems for a few months and is now at her breaking point. She’s watching her friends pursue their passions, but feeling stuck in her own life. If her husband doesn’t come clean about his secretive behavior and indifference to her, she’s going to need to make some serious changes. Although each of the friends is at a different point in their lives, they all must make decisions that will change the shape of their futures and the small town tapestry of Willa Bay. Willa Bay Novels Book 1: The Inn at Willa Bay Book 2: The Sea Star Bakery Book 3: A Haven on the Bay (Summer 2020) Book 4: The Sunset Cottages (Fall 2020)

The Sea Star Bakery

A life-changing inheritance...but not in the way she expects. Dahlia thought settling her aunt’s estate in the seaside town where she’d spent her childhood summers would be easy – a one- or two-day job at the most. Discovering that she’s inherited a crumbling house and a failing bookstore puts a wrench in that plan. With a nasty trustee who is determined to keep her from selling her inheritance, and Garrett, a handsome neighbor who challenges her at every step, Dahlia doesn’t expect to have a future there. However, Candle Beach grows on her and she sees transformations in herself that she didn’t expect. With happy memories everywhere she turns, her friends begging her to stay, and a developing attraction to Garrett, could Aunt Ruth’s bequest be the key to Dahlia’s happily-ever-after? To begin your vacation to the enchanting seaside town of Candle Beach, grab your copy of Sweet Beginnings now! After you’ve read Sweet Beginnings, you’ll probably want to stay in Candle Beach for a while. Continue the series to find out how each of the women in a circle of friends navigates life, relationships and their own dreams for the future. Book 1: Sweet Beginnings – Dahlia's story Book 2: Sweet Success – Gretchen's story Book 3: Sweet Promises – Maggie's story Book 4: Sweet Memories – Angel’s story Book 5: Sweet History – Charlotte's story Book 6: Sweet Matchmaking – Sarah's story Book 7: Sweet Surprises – Maura's story - coming soon

Sweet Beginnings: A Candle Beach Novel

Brandise Danesewich

Working mutts. Careerist canines. Heroes for hire. Purebred professionals. All kinds of dogs are out in the work force, serving humans and their fellow dogs. Working Like A Dog gives you a window into the world of working animals, reminding us that, first and foremost, a dog is truly man's best friend and co-worker.

Working Like a Dog

A preschool auction can lead to murder. At least that’s how Jill Andrews feels. After volunteering to coordinate her son’s preschool auction at the Boathouse Event Center, she’s about to kill her nemesis Nancy Davenport, the Queen Bee of Busy Bees Preschool. Nancy’s micromanagement of the event is making Jill crazy, but it isn’t Nancy who turns up dead. Local coffee roaster Louis Mahoney is supposed to have a basket to donate to the auction, but when Jill arrives to pick it up, all she finds in his office is his body lying on the floor. When Jill’s friend Brenda is suspected of his murder, Jill vows to find the real killer before Brenda loses custody of her twin preschool girls and worse – goes to jail for a crime she didn’t commit. With constant pressure from Nancy and parts of her personal life crumbling around her, how can Jill make good on her promise to help Brenda?

A Jill Andrews Cozy Mystery #2

Death to the Highest Bidder

A Merry Christmas with family, fun and foul play. Jill is deep into preparations for Christmas parties at the Boathouse Event Center when a trip to the local retirement home with her son's preschool class turns up a deadly surprise. For once, Jill has no tie to the murder victim, until a surprise connection to a family member is revealed. With the chaos of the Christmas season intensifying, will she be able to discover the real murderer in time to have a Merry Christmas with her family? Jill Andrews Cozy Mysteries Book #1: Brownie Points for Murder Book #2: Death to the Highest Bidder Book #3: A Deadly Pair O'Docks Book #4: Stuck with S'More Death Book #5: Murderous Mummy Wars Book #6: A Killer Christmas Party

A Killer Christmas Party

It’s the Christmas season, and romance, friendship, and family conflict abound in the small seaside town of Willa Bay. Tia should be ecstatic -- she’s moving into one of the sunset-colored cottages at the Inn at Willa Bay with her friend Meg, but she’s preoccupied with a surprise newcomer to town and the impending holiday visit of her overbearing parents. Cal has spent the last year forging a new life for himself in Willa Bay, seemingly worlds away from the rat race and trouble he’d been sucked into in Seattle. Cassie has finally found happiness with a rekindled romance with her ex-husband and her ownership of a popular bakery, but she’s always waiting for the other shoe to drop. Reeling from a recent job loss and the end of a long-term relationship, Samantha seeks refuge as a housemother at a local private school, although she isn’t quite sure she’s a good fit for the position. Debbie is deep into planning a fundraiser in honor of her good friend, but it’s more difficult than she’d expected.

The Sunset Cottages

All relationships take work, but is she ready to make a sacrifice this big? Interior designer Amelia O'Connor came to Candle Beach to renovate and manage a historic hotel with her brother. Now that the hotel is completed and on the brink of success, she's not sure being a hotel owner is a good fit for her. Unfortunately, when you're in business with your brother, you can't just quit. Jordan Rivers is at the peak of his career as a leading man in romantic comedies, but his personal life is spiraling out of control. His beloved wife died two years ago, leaving him a single father to a young daughter. Between a demanding job and his own grief, he hasn't been the father to her that he wants to be. He hopes that a relaxing week at the Candle Beach Hotel will be exactly what he needs to get his life back on track. A chance meeting on the beach turns into something neither of them could have predicted. But Jordan has a life back home in Los Angeles and Amelia isn't sure what her future holds. Can their new love survive the challenges of a long-distance relationship, family obligations and memories of the past? Candle Beach series Book #1: Sweet Beginnings Book #2: Sweet Success Book #3: Sweet Promises Book #4: Sweet Memories Book #5: Sweet History Book #6: Sweet Matchmaking Book #7: Sweet Surprises Book #8: Sweet Sacrifices

A Candle Beach Novel

Sweet Sacrifices

All relationships take work, but is she ready to make a sacrifice this big? Interior designer Amelia O’Connor came to Candle Beach to renovate and manage a historic hotel with her brother. Now that the hotel is completed and on the brink of success, she’s not sure being a hotel owner is a good fit for her. Unfortunately, when you’re in business with your brother, you can’t just quit. Jordan Rivers is at the peak of his career as a leading man in romantic comedies, but his personal life is spiraling out of control. His beloved wife died two years ago, leaving him a single father to a young daughter. Between a demanding job and his own grief, he hasn’t been the father to her that he wants to be. He hopes that a relaxing week at the Candle Beach Hotel will be exactly what he needs to get his life back on track. A chance meeting on the beach turns into something neither of them could have predicted. But Jordan has a life back home in Los Angeles and Amelia isn’t sure what her future holds. Can their new love survive the challenges of a long-distance relationship, family obligations and memories of the past? Candle Beach series Book #1: Sweet Beginnings Book #2: Sweet Success Book #3: Sweet Promises Book #4: Sweet Memories Book #5: Sweet History Book #6: Sweet Matchmaking Book #7: Sweet Surprises Book #8: Sweet Sacrifices

Sweet Sacrifices: A Candle Beach Novel #8

A whimsical gift shop, a BBQ food truck, and their feuding owners. Charlotte Gray grew up spoiled and privileged but gave it up to make her own way in the world. Years later, she’s fought to get where she is, the owner of a gift shop located in a vintage Airstream trailer in scenic Candle Beach. Everything is perfect until she finds a smelly BBQ food truck parked next to her gift shop one afternoon. The minute she sees it, she knows it’s got to go or her business will be down the tubes. Luke Tisdale was raised by hard-working grandparents in nearby Haven Shores. After attending college on a scholarship and joining the tech world, his company went public and he became a multi-millionaire overnight. Unfortunately, now he doesn’t know whether people like him or his money more. Buying a food truck and moving to Candle Beach seemed like the perfect plan to start over where no one knows about his wealth. What he didn’t expect was to find his best friend Parker’s spoiled little sister standing on the steps of his food truck demanding that he leave. How can Luke and Charlotte forget old history to broker a truce and find a friendship or more? Candle Beach Sweet Romances Book #1: Sweet Beginnings Book #2: Sweet Success Book #3: Sweet Promises Book #4: Sweet Memories Book #5: Sweet History Book #6: Sweet Matchmaking Book #7: Sweet Surprises Book #8: Sweet Sacrifices (coming soon)

Sweet History: A Candle Beach novel #5

The princess in our story has everything princesses need: a flowy gown, glittery shoes, and most important, her sparkly crown. Confident in her kingdom, she is ready for her first day away from the castle-until her mom says she can't wear her crown. Playing with the other kids doesn't go exactly right, and our little princess thinks if she were just prettier, maybe she would make friends. Her mom gives her wise advice that rings true for all princesses everywhere, no matter how old they may get.

Nicole Ellis

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