Showing results by author "Judy Kentrus" in All Categories

It all starts with a simple favor. Julie Keaton is a widow who has spent the past few years focused solely on her kids and keeping life steady. Julie’s sister, a talented caterer, asks for help making her sweet 85-year-old neighbor’s birthday extra special. The plan? Julie is to pop out of a cake, do a playful little dance, toss a red garter, and give the birthday boy a quick kiss. Harmless fun, right? It's harmless until the banquet staff delivers the cake to the wrong party. Instead of an elderly gentleman, Julie finds herself face-to-face with a handsome mix-up, no older than 35. ...

Russell Long, a carefree and wealthy bachelor, takes his friend's three children to Disney World. Upon returning to work, he discovers a personal ad on his desk that reads: "Willing to pay $20,000 for a wife with little or no experience. Send all inquiries to R. Long, c/o this newspaper." A joke quickly turns into a disaster, thrusting Russell into Alexis Snow's scandalous past. Once a world-class fashion model, Alexis was falsely accused of smuggling stolen jewelry and has since kept a low profile, operating a professional cleaning service. The fake engagement brings unwanted publicity, ...

“All I want is my ship and the sea. No woman will ever run my life. I don’t need love.” Cadell Leighton No man is going to tell me how to run my life. All I want is my freedom. I’ll marry when I’m ready and only for love. Katherine Jameson “A name for a ship. That was the arrangement. Marriages were based on less.” Boston, 1849 Cadell Leighton’s dream is about to come true. He’s worked hard to gain the knowledge to captain a new design in sailing ships. Spirit of the Winds, the latest addition to Leighton Shipping, will prove his claim to deliver cargo in record time. ...

Lidia Cunningham has no memory of the first six years of her life. Her adoptive parents provided a loving home but hadn’t been forthcoming on information about her past. As a well-respected fire marshal, she’s made a personal commitment to investigate the cause of a fire and bring the ones responsible to justice. When Blackwell Industries has unexplained fires, she discovers the remains of a body that, by all rights, should have been undetectable. This case is like no other and hits too close to home. Eleven years ago, she had an affair with the President of Blackwell Industries. It was...

Guy Addison, a confirmed bachelor, believes in the old adage, “why buy a cow when you can get the milk for free.” Badly singed twice by cupid’s arrow, he’s learned his lesson. A well-respected college professor who teaches Marine Biology, he works hard on save-the-ocean projects. He just purchased his first home in Naples, Florida, an older house, that faces the blue-green waters of the Gulf. He plans to make major structural changes and decides to hire an interior designer to bring his vision to life. Heather Llewelyn is a successful interior designer in Naples, Florida. Having ...

Aurora Bailey jokingly referred to herself as a “seasoned” bridesmaid from being in so many weddings. As a professional wedding photographer she kept alive the happily-ever-after’s for many couples. Seeing the torment her mother suffered in her marriage, Aurora is hesitant to try and find the “one” she wants to spend her life with. When she’s asked to take special photos of antiquities from a recent treasure find, she sees it as an opportunity to broaden her professional boundaries. When the priceless bride’s chalice goes missing and she’s the only one who can identify the ...

Freja Sorenson is content running 2 Sisters Kringle and Fudge, their family business in Dickens. She decides to rent out the back apartment in her big Victorian home. She’s taken aback when the man who once held a special place in her heart wants to rent the space. Once a loving couple, she suffered his betrayal when he shared her secret ingredient with her biggest contender when she competed in her culinary school’s distinguished bake-off. Her grandmother always said, “Why cry over spilled milk? You can’t fix what already happened.” Can she forgive him for his betrayal? Axel ...

Karla Sorensen’s dream was to restore the bells in the former church in downtown Dickens. She feels a strong connection to the church since great, great, Grandfather Sorenson was the first pastor in 1870. After the church was deconsecrated, the town turned it into a library annex and the bells have been silent for seventy-five years. Time is running out on her two-year project. Karla assured the town council the work would be complete by Christmas Eve, but a vital part is missing and there’s an outstanding balance due to the company. To raise money Karla has been doing online visits as ...

Shane Wallace never considered himself a “hero.” He loved his country and served honorably in the U.S. Navy, retiring six month ago. His life is in a holding pattern, waiting to figure out which direction to take. Shane and his German Shepherd, Liberty, stay in a campground close to Mt. Rushmore, South Dakota, one of the most patriotic locations in the United States, the first week in July. When a cat from the neighboring campsite takes off after a squirrel, Liberty joins the free-for-all, chasing the cat up a tree. The owner is beside herself with worry, so Shane volunteers to save her...

How do you open your heart for a new love when it’s frozen? That’s the dilemma Margaret Taylor has faced since losing her beloved husband. Demands as a Judge and the Mayor of Laurel Heights has left very little time for being just Margaret. She signs up with a tour group to take the dream vacation she and her husband planned to go on, a land and sea tour of Alaska. Over the year’s she’s received threats and has recognized them as all part of the job. When she receives three life-threatening notes, her family urges her to cancel her vacation. She refuses. Her much needed vacation ...

The carefree lives of four sixteen-year-olds were changed forever when they witnessed a cold-blooded murder. Everett, Jackson, Mason, and Ryder, The Association, have shared dark this dark secret since high school. As teenagers, they suffered threats to themselves and their families. Blackmail was a reminder their lives were under close scrutiny while they achieved success in their chosen professions. As adults, they decide ‘no more.’ As they start their investigation into the murder, they have no idea how their unknown enemy manipulated their lives. Everett Troy returns to his hometown...

Cupid is on the hunt for a very special couple. Grayson Wolff and Jennie Reynolds are at the mercy of his arrow of love. This Valentine’s Day their lives will be changed forever. Grayson Wolff was currently enjoying the success of the microbreweries he’d added to his family’s chain of roadhouses. Working and taking care of his nine-year-old nephew didn’t leave time in his life for a woman. That all changes when Malibu Barbie comes and orders a Pina Colada, with extra fruit. With her California tan and white shorts she sticks out like a rose among a field of cacti. He didn’t do one...

Shannon Davis opened Tale of Forgotten Books, hoping Last Chance Beach lived up to its reputation, offering second chances. Abandoned as an infant, she’s always hoped to locate her family. She becomes the companion to a wonderful but eccentric patroness. Upon her death, Shannon inherits Pearl’s extensive library and the property in LCB. Needing extra help for the holidays, Shannon’s new hire is an expert in psychometry. When Daphne touches one of Pearl’s old journals, she warns Shannon to be careful what to believe and who to trust. Brett Aymes was abandoned by his mother when he ...

The carefree lives of four sixteen-year-olds were changed forever when they witnessed a cold-blooded murder. Everett, Jackson, Mason, and Ryder, The Association, have shared dark secrets since they were in high school. As teenagers, they suffered threats to themselves and their families. Blackmail was a reminder that their lives were under close scrutiny while they achieved success in their chosen professions. As adults, they decide ‘no more.’ As they start their investigation into the murder, they have no idea how their unknown enemy manipulated their lives. Ryder Wayne’s dream to ...

Daniel Thompson lived his life as a risk-taker and a rule-breaker. Surfing the challenging waves in Australia, racing at LeMans, and climbing the seven summits in the world…until he died climbing Mount Everest. Becoming an Angel hadn’t been all bad. He watched over his family in Eden Prairie, broke a few rules by interfering with their lives, and got called onto the cloud by St. Peter several times. He’s surprised when he receives a message from St. Peter since he hasn’t broken any rules in quite a while. When he meets with the Gate Keeper of Heaven, he’s shocked by St. Peter’s ...

What would the summer be without a barbecue cook off in Eden Prairie! Martina Lacatelli, owner of Martina’s Kitchen Magic, is overwhelmed with catering orders and personal chef accounts. She tapes a hastily written ‘Help Wanted” sign to the front window of her father’s Italian delicatessen. Fear of falling behind on her services, she hires a stranger, the only person who applies for the job. When her brother signs her up to be a contestant on a nationally televised barbecue cook off against the Masqued Chef, she’s torn with indecision. If secrets from her past were revealed, they ...

The carefree lives of four sixteen-year-olds were changed forever when they witnessed a cold-blooded murder. Everett, Jackson, Mason, and Ryder, The Association, have shared dark secrets since they were in high school. As teenagers, they suffered threats to themselves and their families. Blackmail was a reminder their lives were under close scrutiny while they achieved success in their chosen professions. As adults, they decide ‘no more.’ As they start their investigation into the murder, they have no idea how their lives have been manipulated by their unknown enemy. Jackson Vance is ...

The carefree lives of four sixteen-year-olds were changed forever when they witnessed a cold-blooded murder. Everett, Jackson, Mason, and Ryder, The Association, have shared dark secrets since they were in high school. As teenagers, they suffered threats to themselves and their families. Blackmail was a reminder that their lives were under close scrutiny while they achieved success in their chosen professions. As adults, they decide ‘no more.’ As they start their investigation into the murder, they have no idea how their unknown enemy manipulated their lives. As an investigative ...

Preston Reynolds, a former Army Ranger, left a part of himself in the desert from hell. Life as he knew it was over. No woman would ever want to look at or touch him. He never figured on Cindi Pearl Sullivan sashaying in and turning his world upside down. Cindi's personal motto had always been, "do a good deed, for a friend in need." In her sometimes klutzy way, she shows Preston life is to be lived, and he could enjoy the loving caress of a woman.

Ginger Hennypenny takes delight in running her music shop, Key to Heart and Soul and overseeing her piano rescue foundation. On her birthday, she’s given a key with a riddle from Margie, her eccentric grandmother. Her sisters received a key that would eventually lead them to a treasure, but Ginny’s key won’t open anything. You expected to find a regular key, but this is the key to everything you know and love. Your quest has two parts. The pen is mightier than the knife, which points to guilt. The story must be written. Doing the right thing isn’t always the right thing to do. The ...