The Safeguarded Heart Series by Melanie A. Smith

Young real estate entrepreneur Serafina Evans chances her guarded heart to be with a handsome and charming Italian client, but things take a turn when she finds out her company is being sabotaged and her paramour isn’t what he seems. Will her gamble on a mercurial relationship pay off, or will it leave her hurt and closed off from love forever? And will she find out who’s sabotaging her in time to save the company she’s worked so hard to build?

Fresh off a series of life-changing events, real estate mogul Serafina Evans has decided to pursue the man she loves – the stubborn, intelligent, charming, and devastatingly handsome Alessandro Giordano. And while Alessandro is finally free of the ties that bound him, that revelation was followed by his insistence that he must return to his home country of Italy. So, Sera must track him down and find out why he left … and if there’s any hope left for their love... moreFresh off a series of life-changing events, real estate mogul Serafina Evans has decided to pursue the man she loves – the stubborn, intelligent, charming, and devastatingly handsome Alessandro Giordano. And while Alessandro is finally free of the ties that bound him, that revelation was followed by his insistence that he must return to his home country of Italy. So, Sera must track him down and find out why he left … and if there’s any hope left for their love. But as much as her life has changed lately, nothing can prepare Sera for the challenges and lessons in love, loss, and tragedy that are yet to come. This will include her biggest lesson yet: how to persevere through it all and mend a repeatedly shattered heart to do the impossible – give all of herself to someone. But is it something she’s ready for? less

Just when Serafina Evans seems to have figured out how to make the relationships in her life work, the loose ends she knew might come back to haunt her threaten to unravel it all. But if she’s learned anything from her hardships, it’s how to let the people who care about her in, to trust them, and lean on them to ride out the storm. Until fate deals a hand that changes everything. Sera is smart and resourceful, but that won’t help her now... moreJust when Serafina Evans seems to have figured out how to make the relationships in her life work, the loose ends she knew might come back to haunt her threaten to unravel it all. But if she’s learned anything from her hardships, it’s how to let the people who care about her in, to trust them, and lean on them to ride out the storm. Until fate deals a hand that changes everything. Sera is smart and resourceful, but that won’t help her now. And she thought she was done safeguarding her heart, but is she? Is she doomed to return to protecting herself from harm or will she find a way to persevere without closing herself off forever? less

Warning: While this book can be read as a standalone, it is part of a series that is recommended to be read in order if you wish to avoid spoilers. The following also contains spoilers for the previous books in the series. Emily Hoyt is often referred to as a “free spirit,” but she knows that’s just a nice way to say “flake.” Thick-skinned and stubborn, she doesn’t let it bother her -- she simply does what makes her happy... moreWarning: While this book can be read as a standalone, it is part of a series that is recommended to be read in order if you wish to avoid spoilers. The following also contains spoilers for the previous books in the series. Emily Hoyt is often referred to as a “free spirit,” but she knows that’s just a nice way to say “flake.” Thick-skinned and stubborn, she doesn’t let it bother her -- she simply does what makes her happy. It’s a hard thing to pull off living in the shadow of her perfect big brother, who does everything right. So when big brother Bryce unexpectedly announces he’s married his perfect match, Emily once again feels the pressure to be more than the meandering musician she is. At exactly the moment she needs it, an opportunity presents itself in an unforeseen way. Alessandro Giordano is the lying, selfish bastard who once hurt her brother’s now-wife. Emily had him pegged as bad news. But when they meet at the engagement-turned-wedding celebration, they’re both looking to escape, and the instant chemistry they have pushes them together. Is their attraction just a diversion, or could it really be more? Is Alessandro truly capable of the selflessness committing to one woman requires? And will that really be the deal-breaker for Emily, or is it the idea of being tied down that will get in her way? The pursuit of love can devastate us, or it can liberate us -- if only we can get out of our own way. Note: This is a novella and the fourth book in a steamy contemporary romance series. This book includes mature content, and as such is not recommended for readers under 18 years of age, or those who might be offended by such material. less