Stereotypical trailer trash. That’s how people saw me. I’m Karmen Butler, the girl everyone teased, tortured, pranked—bullied. After graduating high school, I left my shithole of a town behind with no intentions of ever returning. My dreams were within my grasp. Or so I thought… Luck. That’s what was on his side. Brayden Stephens was on top of the world and the biggest prick of all. At least that’s how I remember him. Then he lost it all. His vices took over and now he’s a washed-up has-been with a cocky smirk and arrogant attitude. Valued. That was how he made me feel. One night changed everything for us. In an instant I was lost to his touch, his voice. Everything about him captivated me. Against my better judgment, I let him in. I let him see the real me. Since he’d walked into my office, he’d been trying to redeem himself of his past mistakes. Glimpses of a love and life I’d never known before were all he had given me. Now he’s done it, the one thing he said he wouldn’t. He’s broken me. AGAIN. Excuses are what I was fed. The truth restrained him, bound him to his past, and now, I’m left to deal with the aftermath. Is there anything left to salvage? I don’t know… You tell me.

Money ~ power ~ fameKelsey Growing up in the arms of one of the wealthiest families in America, I lived a champagne lifestyle and never wanted for anything. That life came with stipulations… 1. Marry the man I don’t love. 2. Make my parents proud. Wrong. I left my Manolos and fancy apartment behind and fled that life to find out who I really was. Someone unexpected bulldozed my life. Riley Jackson He was the man everyone, including me, wanted, but his future was one I wasn’t sure I wanted to thrust myself back into. And when he chose a career over the family business, his family supported him instead of pushing him away. My past collided with my future. I didn’t see it coming. If I had, I would’ve ran far, far away. Now I’m stuck in the same position I started in two years ago, except this time, it’s not my decision to make. Loyalty to your family? Loyalty to your own happiness? Which would you choose?

WARNING: If you have not read Smoldering, I highly recommend that you do. This novella takes place while Riley is deployed to Afghanistan. Christmas is a time for family and friends. A time to be with those we love and cherish, the ones who make our heart beat. But when the love of your life is half way around the world, how do you let the spirit of the holidays lift you up and bring your cheer? Kelsey and Riley spent more time apart then together early on in their relationship and now that it's repaired he's away for a whole different reason. Feeling the absence of Riley while he's deployed is taking a toll on Kelsey. She finds herself crying more often than not and distancing herself from the people who are there for her the most. Riley has employed the help of some friends to make Kelsey's Christmas a special one. Leaving a series of notes and gifts behind to remind her of the good times they have shared so far, and the ones to come. Can Kelsey handle one of the happiest holidays being away from the man who completes her in every way? Will Kelsey scavenge for the strength she needs to take on the roll of a military girlfriend or will she crack under the pressure from the distance? Only she knows how much she can take….