The Maren Lofton Series by Phil Oleson

Left behind on the exotic Caribbean island of San Roussel when her cruise ship sails without her, Maren Lofton, must fend for herself with only her passport, and credit cards. The taxi to pick her up was delayed due to a Junkanoo, a big island celebration. She’s a smart girl, having just gotten her master’s degree, but this is the challenge of a lifetime.

Maren and Jon are late twenty-somethings who are madly in love. They are on their way to a new life in Australia, something Jon knew nothing about. She surprised Jon, by telling him only after they were already on their way there. At this point Maren also mentions that she has come into a great deal of money, ten million dollars. She asks him to trust her and says she will fill him in on the details of how she got the money soon... moreMaren and Jon are late twenty-somethings who are madly in love. They are on their way to a new life in Australia, something Jon knew nothing about. She surprised Jon, by telling him only after they were already on their way there. At this point Maren also mentions that she has come into a great deal of money, ten million dollars. She asks him to trust her and says she will fill him in on the details of how she got the money soon. There are so many questions Jon has, not the least of which is: Will his love be strong enough to stand this test? Shakespeare once wrote, “Love looks not with the eyes, but with the mind, and therefore is winged cupid painted blind.” Maren was hoping Jon's love for her was like that. She would soon find out. Almost everyone has, at one time or another, wanted to go to Australia. It's a continent, it's a country and its almost 24 million inhabitants seem to be universally friendly. Maybe it's because it has the fifth highest per capita income in the world, and the second highest human development index. Jon and Maren travel up the East Coast of Australia from Sydney up to the Whitsunday Islands. They feel good being in a land that speaks English. They also feel they have made a safe exit from the Island that was their home. How could anyone find us here? Jon Fitch believed he was completely in love with the woman of his dreams, Maren Lofton. She was smart, capable and savvy. More than that, she had always been worthy of his trust. He believed they were just going on a short ride in a commercial jet with her brother and a friend. She told him, after takeoff, that they are actually on their way to a new life in Australia; the Whitsunday Islands to be exact. After coming into a large sum of money, and unbeknownst to Jon, she had made arrangements for their travel and even signed a year lease on a condo there. Maren believed she had done her homework on their new destination and covered their tracks so they were not to be found. But most of all, she hoped that their love was strong be enough for Jon to stand this test. Jon couldn't help but wonder what she was running away from. They had a good life on San Roussel. They had lived together and he thought he knew her. His trust in her had always been complete. Now he had reason for doubt. Was this the same woman to whom he had given his heart? less

Maren Lofton and John Fitch are two likeable college graduates who have been live-in lovers for almost two years. Now, they feel somewhat trapped. They have been renting a beautiful high-rise condo on Hamilton Island in Australia, overlooking the Coral Sea. How they have been able to live in this lifestyle is a secret that few know. Being in Australia was exciting at first, but both feel homesick now, and long to go back home to the U.S. That is going to be a bit tricky... moreMaren Lofton and John Fitch are two likeable college graduates who have been live-in lovers for almost two years. Now, they feel somewhat trapped. They have been renting a beautiful high-rise condo on Hamilton Island in Australia, overlooking the Coral Sea. How they have been able to live in this lifestyle is a secret that few know. Being in Australia was exciting at first, but both feel homesick now, and long to go back home to the U.S. That is going to be a bit tricky. Candace McGraw, is a lithe, ginger-haired, blue-eyed, twenty-six year old. She has a gentle manner and seems too sweet to work in a gentlemen's club on the Caribbean island of San Roussel. Recently, she met a guy there who is finding his way into her life. They each have some skeletons in their closet, but, as he said, "Who doesn't?" Just when things between them are beginning to solidify, she has to leave to visit her parents. She cannot reveal the reason, or even if she will be able to return. He is so in love with her by now, he is crushed, but what can he do besides hope? . less

This is book four of the Maren Lofton series. Much of it takes place on the fictional Caribbean Island of San Roussel. The beauty of the Island was what attracted Maren Lofton. The beauty of Maren Loften was what attracted Jon Fitch. Jon Fitch, a thirty two year old unassuming geologist, and his somewhat younger fiancé Maren Lofton left the Island of San Roussel rather abruptly two years ago... moreThis is book four of the Maren Lofton series. Much of it takes place on the fictional Caribbean Island of San Roussel. The beauty of the Island was what attracted Maren Lofton. The beauty of Maren Loften was what attracted Jon Fitch. Jon Fitch, a thirty two year old unassuming geologist, and his somewhat younger fiancé Maren Lofton left the Island of San Roussel rather abruptly two years ago. Might you call it fled the Island? Well, Maren had just received something valuable that didn't really belong to her, and they were off. No one, not even her boss, James Robinson, a.k.a. J.R., would have believed Maren would pilfer even a postage stamp. Oh, it was much more than that. It would have been his ticket out of some serious gambling debts. Understandably, he was not happy. Maren Lofton is pretty much the girl next door you always wanted to have as a neighbor. She is friendly, outgoing, athletic and scary smart. Having gotten her Master's in Finance, she got a cruise as her graduation present. She took her BFF Hanna, and they were off. Maren, adventurous sole that she is, got left behind on the Caribbean Island of San Roussel. That started her adventures. Along the way, she found a guy, Jon Fitch; an adventure in Australia; a move back to the States; and a chance to become a professional golfer. Unfortunately for her, there seems to always be someone after her; well, not after her, so much as something she has: a large amount of money. How she came about this money is a long story, and you know, there are always two sides to a story. less

Maren Lofton, a late twenties sometime professional golfer is a strong, petite, amiable, and intelligent young lady with a butterscotch complexion and dark eyes, courtesy of her Philippine mom. She has recently gone through a traumatic episode, which included the death of someone who had been intent on changing her life. It would have been difficult enough for her to deal with this while having her fiancé at her side, but Jon Fitch is often gone... moreMaren Lofton, a late twenties sometime professional golfer is a strong, petite, amiable, and intelligent young lady with a butterscotch complexion and dark eyes, courtesy of her Philippine mom. She has recently gone through a traumatic episode, which included the death of someone who had been intent on changing her life. It would have been difficult enough for her to deal with this while having her fiancé at her side, but Jon Fitch is often gone. As a geologist, his company has had him investigating sites all over the world for minerals of which they are in need, sometimes at the most inopportune times! Jon Fitch, while trying to comfort his fiancé, wishes he could spend more time with his thirteen year old son Ken, who lives with his Mom, Candace McGraw, on the Caribbean Island of San Roussel. Ken seems happy in this Island paradise and he sails regularly with his Mom and her boyfriend James Robinson. Knowing that a marriage between them could be in the offing, Jon's concern is that the relationship with his son may drift away. That may not be the only problem this teen faces. This is the fifth book in the Maren Lofton series. less

Three twenty something ladies are laughing continuously enjoying each other’s company, all with very different hopes of how their summer, and life, will proceed. One, Maren Lofton, a professional golfer, already is engaged, but her guy is too often away with his job as a geologist. He has promised to be home for the summer as his son, who now lives with his mother on a Caribbean Island, is coming to stay with them for the first time this summer... moreThree twenty something ladies are laughing continuously enjoying each other’s company, all with very different hopes of how their summer, and life, will proceed. One, Maren Lofton, a professional golfer, already is engaged, but her guy is too often away with his job as a geologist. He has promised to be home for the summer as his son, who now lives with his mother on a Caribbean Island, is coming to stay with them for the first time this summer. At age 15, he is a great kid and a lot more grown up than they had realized. Good looking, somewhat shy and respectful, they had never before having thought about him having a girlfriend, but it didn’t take long for a young lady to spot him! Hanna Graham, Maren's BFF, is a twenty nine year old lanky brunette who keeps trying to stay in shape in order to attract a guy. The guy she really wants is Daman Chopra, Maren's half-brother, who right now is in India. Their long distance romance gets complicated when a business associate of his tries to entice Daman into an arranged marriage. Finding out that this is the daughter of the local Indian Mafia Don, Daman realizes he must find a way out of the arrangement. In an intimate phone call, Daman asks Hanna for her hand. She eagerly agrees. Hoping that his confession of having a fiancé will allow him to escape the arranged nuptial, it does not. Scarlet Burns, the third friend, is an Aussie in the States pursuing a career in broadcasting. She gets a break when Maren introduces her to a friend who is a very successful professional golfer, a surprisingly intelligent one with a Ph.D. in neurology. He agrees to allow her to follow him on the golf course as she writes a story about him as an assignment for her job. Twice divorced, he seems like a bad choice for a romance, but then, love rarely allows for perfection. Under that athletic facade is a guy who has made enough money to allow him to dream, and dream big! Scarlet, at age twenty three, is no push over to his overtures, but this hunky guy is almost too good to be true. less