Showing results by author "Melina Druga" in All Categories

Cassandra "Cassie" Economos has a full plate: There's Kurt Cobain, for starters – a permanent fixture on her bedroom wall and in her teenage heart. Then there are her friends. Oh, and let's not forget her big, fat, gloriously dysfunctional Greek family. And simmering beneath it all is a burning desire to escape to Chicago. But hold on, because Cassie's about to add another item to her ever-growing list: sex. There's just one tiny, insignificant, Mount Everest-sized problem — Cassie is strictly forbidden from dating. Her family, bless their well-meaning, overbearing hearts, has a list of...

In the enchanting winter of 2000, prepare for a holiday season so chaotic, it makes Home Alone look like a silent night. Cassandra "Cassie" Economos finds herself at a crossroads as she returns home from the University of Illinois for a much-anticipated winter break. She ponders the unspoken words that hang between her and her boyfriend, Corey Fuchs. Corey, bless his heart, does love Cassie, he just can't seem to articulate it, mostly because their lives are diverging faster than a pair of figure skaters after a wardrobe malfunction. Meanwhile, Cassie's cousin Phil, a man whose romantic ...

Cassandra "Cassie" Economos, once a wild child with a penchant for disappointing her parents and making questionable dating decisions, is now Cassandra Hardwick, suburban mom extraordinaire. Yes, that Cassandra, the one who swore she'd never trade her dreams for a house in the suburbs. But here she is, folks, living the dream… or at least a dream. It involves more sippy cups than tequila shots, but hey, who's counting? (Cassie is, constantly.) Cassie's married to Nat Hardwick, the ridiculously talented frontman of (the equally ridiculously named) Dramatic Sneezer. Nat is off touring the ...

The COVID-19 pandemic brings chaos and cabin fever to the Hardwick household. Cassandra "Cassie" Hardwick faces the ultimate test: Will her family survive close quarters without losing its mind? Remember concerts? Music festivals? Yeah, Cassie’s husband Nat, frontman of Dramatic Sneezer, does, too. Now, instead of serenading screaming fans, Nat’s instituted a strict safety bubble. The kids are stuck inside, doing remote learning, and let’s not forget the great toilet paper shortage of 2020. Join the Hardwicks as they navigate the hilarious, heartwarming, and occasionally hair-pulling ...

Cassandra "Cassie" Hardwick, everyone's favorite rock star's wife, is back! And this time, be prepared for family drama of epic proportions! You see, Cassie's best friend since sixth grade, the ever-fabulous Shawna, embarks on a journey to uncover her birth family. And being the supportive BFF that she is, Cassie decides to spit in a tube, too. Thinking she'll maybe discover a distant cousin who knits sweaters for cats or something equally “thrilling,” Cassie's blindsided by results that will challenge everything she thought she knew about her own identity. Meanwhile, in the Hardwick ...

One year. No dates. Doctor's orders. (Okay, her orders, but still). After a spectacular heart implosion, Cassandra "Cassie" Economos needs time to focus on important things like adding to her iTunes playlist and mastering the art of ordering takeout without making eye contact. But when the mundane routine begins to gnaw at her spirit, an unexpected invitation to a Fourth of July cookout beckons her to step out of her comfort zone. Little does she know, it’s not just the sizzling burgers that will ignite her summer. Enter Nat Hardwick, the magnetic frontman and lead guitarist of up-and-...

Cassandra "Cassie" Economos is starting fresh at the University of Illinois. Navigating the waters of college can be tricky, especially with Kelly, her former majorette teammate from the dark ages of high school, pushing her to step into the dating scene. Cassie’s heart isn't ready — after all she’s still sporting a Jason-induced heartbreak (the jerk actually insulted her!), and perpetually wondering if Todd, the one who got away, was actually "the one." Cassie's dating life is flatter than a week-old soda, but Kelly is on a mission to drag Cassie out of her romantic funk and into the...

Step into the festive whirlwind of Holiday Homecoming, a heartwarming romantic comedy set during Thanksgiving and Christmas 2002. Cassandra "Cassie" Economos is braving Thanksgiving with her family, solo. That's right, folks, she's back at the familial nest without her rock-god boyfriend, Nat Hardwick of Dramatic Sneezer fame. Why? Because touring, that's why! Prepare for the third degree, Cassie, because "frontman for a band called Dramatic Sneezer" doesn't exactly scream "stable life partner" to the Economos clan. Meanwhile, Nat is on the road, crafting a heartfelt surprise to prove just ...

Cassandra "Cassie" Hardwick, erotica author extraordinaire and mother of two, thought she had it all figured out. Her husband, Nat Hardwick, the ridiculously talented (and sneeze-prone) frontman of Dramatic Sneezer, was finally coming home! Years of shrewd financial planning means fewer tours, more romance, and maybe even a chance to remember what each other looks like without the aid of a pixelated screen. Cassie envisions candlelit dinners, whispered sweet nothings, and maybe even a weekend getaway where they can rediscover their spark. But fate, as it often does, has other plans. Plans ...

The year 1917 witnessed harrowing events that reshaped nations and define identities. Canada's burgeoning national identity is forged during the Battle of Vimy Ridge, an event that later would be hailed as the nation’s coming-of-age. All four divisions of the Canadian Expeditionary Force fight together, achieving a resounding victory against formidable German defenses. Flush with a palpable sense of national pride and accomplishment, the Canadian press ensures the echoes of bravery and sacrifice reverberate across the Atlantic. Meanwhile, the United States grapples with the agonizing ...

Dive into the shadowy corners of a tumultuous decade where crime reigned supreme and sensationalism ruled the headlines: the dark and gritty world of the 1910s. In Heinous: Forgotten Murders From the 1910s, journey back to a time when forensics was in its infancy, police departments cast a wide net over “idiots and morons” and journalists played detective. It also was a decade when experts blamed crime on everything from immigration to lax parenting. This compelling true-crime collection unearths 17 chilling tales of murder and mysterious deaths that will haunt your thoughts long after ...

In the summer of 1914, the air is thick with anticipation as the Steward family prepares for the joyous union of Hettie Steward and Geoffrey Bartlett. The event will officially bond together two families that have interconnected for decades. Little does the family know it stands on the brink of upheaval. A bond that promised new beginnings is shattered as the ominous clouds of war begin to gather over Europe. Hettie and her spirited brother Freddie make the bold decision to join the Canadian Army Medical Corps, a choice that ignites conflict at home and fractures the family’s once-solid ...

In the harrowing summer of 1915, valor and horror dance a deadly ballet. Canadian troops, most unaccustomed the horrors of war, endure trial by fire at the Second Battle of Ypres, confronted with a terrifying new weapon. The yellow-green fog of chlorine gas drifts across the battlefield, its insidious tendrils reaching into trenches, choking and blinding unsuspecting soldiers. Despite heavy casualties, they hold their ground, earning the respect of allies and igniting newfound Canadian nationalism. Across the Atlantic, the tranquil lives of Americans are shattered as the Lusitania, renowned...

Are you a business owner? A freelancer? A stay-at-home mom? Are you still working a nine-to-five job, but dream of working for yourself? There is great joy and risk to becoming an entrepreneur. When Women Become Business Owners provides solid business and faith-based advice from 22 real female entrepreneurs. Find wisdom, inspiration, and encouragement for those times when you may find road blocks or fear trying to snatch your dream away.

By early 1919, the hopeful cheers of Armistice Day have faded into a quiet, uneasy silence. Hettie returns to Canada, married to Alfred — a stranger in many ways — and haunted by the memory of her first husband, Geoffrey, whose death she never fully mourned. Burdened by unresolved grief, Hettie struggles to adjust to civilian life. As she attempts to piece together the remnants of her shattered past, she finds herself facing the cruel judgments of her new family who are hell-bent on making her feel like an outsider in her own home. Facing heartache and Alfred’s family’s cold cruelty...

In the tumultuous landscape of 1859 North America, Rose Goodwin, a sharp-witted shopkeeper’s wife with a gift for sweet talking, finds herself thrust into an unexpected mission when she’s given the assignment to nurse Judith, a frail refugee fleeing to Canada in search of liberty. Initially skeptical and unprepared, Rose believes Judith will succumb to her illness, but a promise to her husband to simply try soon ignites a fierce determination within her. Rose's initial dread transforms into an obsession. She will do whatever it takes to nurse Judith back to health, to help her ...

As the relentless churn of the Battle of the Somme continues to stain Europe crimson, the tank emerges from the smoke and mud. This mechanical behemoth, a symbol of the evolving face of warfare, lumbers across the ravaged landscape, promising a potential shift in the agonizing stalemate. Yet, in Canada, the grim realities of the Somme receive only fragmented attention. The air is thick with tension and uncertainty as the nation grapples with a tapestry of home front problems that capture the collective consciousness and demand immediate solutions. From food rationing to labor strikes, ...

The year 1918 stands as a pivotal moment in history as both the culmination of unprecedented global conflict and the dawn of a new era. As the clock strikes 11 on November 11, 1918, a conflict that engulfed the globe for more than four years ceases hostilities. News of the armistice spreads like wildfire, igniting spontaneous and exuberant celebrations throughout the United States and Canada. The streets erupt in a cacophony of cheers, parades and impromptu gatherings as citizens rejoice at the prospect of peace. However, fervent joy is tempered by a stark and terrifying reality. The ...

Lucretia Goodwin, a teacher with strong opinions and unwavering resolve, has no intention of becoming just another wife. Having witnessed the unhappiness that marriage can bring, she's determined to remain independent and unattached. Her sister Rebecca's hasty marriage and subsequent relocation thousands of miles away only solidifies her resolve. And now, she watches with growing concern as her best friend, Amelia, is courted by a man of questionable character. But everything shifts when the new headmaster arrives. With visions of reform and a surprising belief in women's rights, he ...

North America stands at the crossroads between duty and detachment amidst the chaos of the Great War. Step into this tumultuous world in A Tale of Two Nations: Canada, U.S. and WWI. Experience history as it unfolded, unfiltered by hindsight, through the lens of contemporary newspapers. This meticulously researched work illuminates developments from 1914 to 1918, offering a dual perspective – one American, one Canadian – to reveal the stark contrasts and surprising parallels in their wartime experiences. Delve into the fevered headlines and heartfelt stories that depicted two pivotal ...