Showing results by author "Marcia Lynn McClure" in All Categories

Civil War. No one could flee from the nightmare of battle and the countless lives it devoured. Everyone had sacrificed—suffered profound misery and unimaginable loss. Vivianna Bartholomew was no exception. The war had torn her from her home, orphaned her. The merciless war seemed to take everything—even the man she loved. Still, Vivianna yet knew gratitude, for a kind friend had taken her in upon the death of her parents. Thus, she was cared for—even loved. Yet as General Lee surrendered, signaling the war’s imminent end, as Vivianna remained with the remnants of the Turner family, ...

Excerpt: Mayvee couldn’t keep from giggling. The fact that this tall, dark, and handsome Christmas tree shopper was at the lot to buy a Christmas tree for his grandparents was endearing enough on its own. But add to it the fact that he’d paid enough attention to his grandma’s Christmas ornaments to know she liked Radko ornaments was just too adorable! When Craig had called her over to help a new customer, Mayvee hadn’t expected to see a guy so classically handsome that he looked like he’d stepped straight out of Hollywood’s Silver Screen era. But at the same time, he was more ...

She took two more steps and paused - squeezed her eyes tightly shut - and Ember gasped as she looked forward up the shore to see a man struggling in the water. He was coughing - spitting water from his mouth as he crawled from the water and onto the sand. As he collapsed face-down on the shore, Ember lifted her skirt and ran toward the man, dropping to her knees beside him.

Violet Fynne was haunted—haunted by memory. It had been nearly ten years since her father had moved the family from the tiny town of Rattler Rock to the city of Albany , New York . Yet the pain and guilt in Violet’s heart was as fresh and as haunting as ever it had been. It was true Violet had been only a child when her family moved. Still—though she had been unwillingly pulled away from Rattler Rock—pulled away from him she held most dear—her heart had never left—and her mind had never forgotten the promise she had made—a promise to a boy—to a boy she had loved—a boy she ...

However, in an instant - in less than a breath or the bat of an eyelid - the elusive pepper spray hiding somewhere in her purse was all but forgotten. For standing before her, not three feet away, was the best-looking, most gorgeous, handsomest man she had ever seen in all her life!

Excerpt: Evangeline startled a little as a somewhat quiet bark drew her attention from the autumn vista before her and to a medium-sized brown dog that had suddenly appeared at her side. The dog stood panting happily, as if he’d known her all her life, and it quite warmed Evangeline’s heart. “Well, aren’t you a friendly little fellow?” she giggled as the dog—who she quickly noticed was missing one hind leg—sat at her feet, wagging its tail and panting in joyous anticipation of attention. Again Evangeline giggled. “Aren’t you just a handsome man? Yes, you are,” she said ...

Excerpt: The stranger gasped, released her hand, and demanded angrily, “Who are you? What kind of trick is this?” “Sir, I assure you...I’m only here to help. My name is Lauryn Kensington. I’m bound for my home in Franklin, and I only—” she stammered. “Kensington? Franklin?” he mumbled, seeming confused. Then much to her dismay, he began tugging at the lighter patch that protected one eye. “Sir, please! I meant you no harm! I only wanted...” Lauryn began, tears unexpectedly filling her eyes and threatening to spill. He took her chin firmly in one hand, his thumb ...

Excerpt: But when she saw him take his own seat next to her—carefully eyeing him peripherally—she was wildly disconcerted when she felt goose bumps breaking over her arms. Although she had not had a good, solid look at him, she could sense he was very handsome. His voice alone revealed he was—the deep, rich nature of it. In truth, his voice made her feel—well, it somehow whisked her back—whisked her back four years, bathing her in memories of another supper and a voice she’d heard that night—a voice as deep and rich, as warm and wonderful as molasses taffy. “It seems we ...

Excerpt: Stavos Voronin was not as blind-eyed as many nobles and royals. Evony’s physical gestures—even the simplest movement of her hands—revealed that she had not always been destitute. The same was true of the children—of their polished manners and the boy’s knowledge of horses and tendency to be bold and fearless of strangers. Ah yes, Stavos enjoyed a good mystery. After all, interest in the inexplicable circumstances surrounding the royals of Abawyth was the very thing that had lured him to the kingdom—the enigma of Abawyth’s twelve sleepy princesses. And yet now—now ...

Aspen Falls was happy. Her life was good. Blessed with a wonderful family and a loyal best friend—Aspen did know a measure of contentment. Still, to Aspen it seemed something was missing—something hovering just beyond her reach—something entirely satisfying that would ensure her happiness. Yet, she couldn’t consciously determine what the “something” was. And so, Aspen sailed through life—not quite perfectly content perhaps—but grateful for her measure of contentment. Grateful that is, until he appeared—the man in the park—the stranger who jogged passed the bench where ...

Excerpt… “Boston ,” he mumbled. “I mean… Logan …he’s like the man of my dreams! Why would I blow it? What if…” Boston continued to babble. “ Boston ,” he said. The commanding sound of his voice caused Boston to cease in her prattling and look to him. “What?” she asked, somewhat grateful he’d interrupted her panic attack. He frowned and shook his head. “Shut up,” he said. “You’re all worked up about nothing.” He reached out, slipping one hand beneath her hair to the back of her neck. Boston was so startled by his touch, she couldn’t speak—she could ...

Seemingly overnight, Renee Millings found herself orphaned and married to the indescribably handsome but ever-frowning Roque Montan. His father, the General, was obsessively determined that his lineage would continue posthaste—with or without consent of his son’s new bride. But when Roque reveals the existence of a sworn oath that will obstruct his father’s ambition, will the villainous General conspire to ensure the future of his coveted progeny to be borne by Renee himself? Will Renee find the only means of escape from the odious General to be that of his late wife—death? Or will ...

Tierney’s smile broadened as she read the front of the card aloud. “A special day demands a special gift…a gift sent with loving intent. Therefore, for you on your special day, I present to you…” Tierney paused long enough to open the card and then read, “One Classic Latin Lover with a very special message. I love you, baby sister. Alec.” As fast as she could, Tierney tore the wrapping paper on the front of the tall package to reveal a plastic handle attached to the box with the words, Pull This, written nearby. Pulling on the handle, Tierney gasped as the front of the box ...

There was the muffled sound of audience members standing up, and Baylee and Candice turned to look behind them. “Holy smokes!” Baylee breathed. “It’s like a Navy SEAL convention or something,” Candice added. And it was! Baylee couldn’t believe that over twenty-five of the people in the orientation audience were tall, dark, handsome, buff guys dressed all in black. Each man stood with his feet apart and hands held at his back—similar if not exactly like a military “at ease” stance. “They’re all packing heat too,” Baylee whispered to Candice as she noted all the ...

Jacey Whittaker couldn’t remember a time when she hadn’t loved Scott Pendleton, the boy next door. She couldn’t remember a time when Scott hadn’t been in her life—in her heart. Yet Scott was every other girl’s dream too. How could Jacey possibly hope to win such a prize—the attention, the affections, the very heart of such a sought-after young man? Yet win him she did! He became the bliss of life—at least for a time. Still, some dreams live fulfilled—and some are lost. Loss changes the very soul of a person. Jacey wondered whether her soul would ever rebound. Certainly she...

Sharlamagne Dickens cherished her family, was intrigued by the past, adored antiques, and enjoyed working at the antique store owned by her parents. Her life, like most, had been touched by tragedy and loss, yet she was happy. Though her life was not void of romance, it was void of a certain emotional passion. Still, she was young and assumed that one day some man might manage to sweep her off her feet. Sharlamagne did not expect to be entirely bowled over, however. And the day she first set eyes on Maxim Tanner, she was! Elisaveta Tanner’s grandson, Maxim, was the dreamiest, most ...

“Sir, I am so sorry,” Valynn started to apologize as her intestines began to twist themselves into knots of anxiety. “I had no idea who you were. I thought you…well, that you were here to lock up the building or something. I don’t even know what I thought really…but I didn’t think you were, you know, you.” Valynn found herself uncharacteristically breathless as he smiled down at her and said, “It’s fine. Valynn? Is that right?” “Yeah,” she managed to answer. “It’s good to finally meet you,” he said. “And your work is…” He shook his head with admiration....

Excerpt: A very loud pounding on the door startled everyone then. “Well, who on earth could that be at this hour? And in this weather?” Lottie asked. “I swear, that knockin’ nearly startled me right out of my skin!” “Me too, Mama,” Savannah agreed. In fact, her heart was still racing. “We aren’t expectin’ anyone, are we, Lottie?” Bill asked. “No. Not at all,” Lottie said. Savannah watched as Bill quickly strode toward the door. He grabbed the rifle he’d set next to it when he’d entered earlier and then called, “Hello? Who’s that?” A deep, masculine voice ...

EXCERPT: All at once, Talli felt the ball of her right foot catch on the pavement. As she stumbled forward, she tried to steady her footing, but it was too late. The downward slope of the paved path down to the field was just too steep, and she squealed a bit as she felt herself fall forward. As her stomach and chest collided with the ground, she felt her chin graze the pavement—felt her legs whip up over her back for a moment before she came to rest sprawled out like a cartoon character who had just hit a brick wall. “Hey! Are you all right?” a deep voice asked. Still struggling to ...