Sealed With a Kiss Series by Carmen Richter

BrendanFor my whole life, I’d only ever loved one girl: Darla Jones, the pastor’s daughter. And the day I found out she felt the same was the day my life as I knew it changed forever. That was the day our lifelong friendship grew into something bigger, more intense, and more beautiful than either one of us could ever have imagined. Something we both knew was built to last a lifetime.It was also the day I learned the heartbreaking truth... moreBrendanFor my whole life, I’d only ever loved one girl: Darla Jones, the pastor’s daughter. And the day I found out she felt the same was the day my life as I knew it changed forever. That was the day our lifelong friendship grew into something bigger, more intense, and more beautiful than either one of us could ever have imagined. Something we both knew was built to last a lifetime.It was also the day I learned the heartbreaking truth. Her father called himself our spiritual leader, but behind closed doors, he was the devil incarnate. Darla was trapped in her own personal Hell on Earth, just waiting for the inevitable next time he would decide to hurt her.I knew from that day on that I was put on this Earth for one purpose: to keep the girl I loved safe. But how was I supposed to do that when her father would have killed us both if he knew I loved her? DarlaEver since I was a little girl, my father made sure I knew that what happened in our house stayed there. He drilled it into my head that I was never permitted to speak of the horrors he subjected me to.So I didn’t speak of them. I just kept my head down, grinned, and bore it like the dutiful daughter I was supposed to be.Until Brendan guessed the truth. Until he told me that I wasn’t alone anymore, and that he’d do anything to keep me safe. But when my happiness and hope was all wrapped up in one person, it was easy to forget that the real world was still there outside the safe bubble we’d created for ourselves. And just when we thought the worst of our troubles were behind us, Brendan and I found ourselves faced with something both beautiful and terrifying. Something that would change our lives forever…if we survived the fallout.Trigger Warning: This book contains graphic scenes depicting child abuse with heavy religious overtones, including one scene that borders on sexual abuse.Note: This book is a prequel story to the Sealed With a Kiss series about the parents of one of the characters. less

Five years after Zoe left everything and everyone she knew behind to attend NYU, it seemed like she’d gotten everything she ever wanted. She was acting on Broadway in her dream role and even booking solo concerts. When Elijah showed up at one of her concerts and their romance rekindled, she quickly realized that what she gave up to move to New York was worth more than any job, no matter how glamorous. She moved back to St... moreFive years after Zoe left everything and everyone she knew behind to attend NYU, it seemed like she’d gotten everything she ever wanted. She was acting on Broadway in her dream role and even booking solo concerts. When Elijah showed up at one of her concerts and their romance rekindled, she quickly realized that what she gave up to move to New York was worth more than any job, no matter how glamorous. She moved back to St. Augustine to marry the man she never stopped loving and it seemed like she was going to get the fairy tale ending and the happily ever after. But when someone starts threatening her anonymously and trying to expose all of the skeletons in her and her friends’ closets, will she and Elijah be able to handle a very different kind of pressure on their relationship? less

After receiving a threatening message at their wedding, Zoe and Elijah are more determined than ever to do two things. First, to enjoy their new life together as a married couple. And second, to find and stop their stalker once and for all. But the messages continue to get more and more threatening, and they and their family are still just as stumped as ever in their quest to find their tormentor... moreAfter receiving a threatening message at their wedding, Zoe and Elijah are more determined than ever to do two things. First, to enjoy their new life together as a married couple. And second, to find and stop their stalker once and for all. But the messages continue to get more and more threatening, and they and their family are still just as stumped as ever in their quest to find their tormentor. With the unexpected news that they are about to have their first child, their resolve to find and stop this person is even more firm. Who is doing this to them? And why? Find out in the third installment of their epic love story! less

Elijah hasn’t had the best luck in life. When his best friend committed suicide right before the end of their senior year of high school, he went to Florida in search of a fresh start. When his girlfriend betrayed him a year later, it seemed as though the universe was conspiring against him to make his life as miserable as possible. Until he met Zoe. In a matter of a few hours, she turned his world upside-down and gave him back his passion for life... moreElijah hasn’t had the best luck in life. When his best friend committed suicide right before the end of their senior year of high school, he went to Florida in search of a fresh start. When his girlfriend betrayed him a year later, it seemed as though the universe was conspiring against him to make his life as miserable as possible. Until he met Zoe. In a matter of a few hours, she turned his world upside-down and gave him back his passion for life. When he starts his first teaching job out of college the next morning and sees her sitting in his class as one of his high school students, will he retreat back into himself like he’s become accustomed to doing for so long? Or will he risk everything for the girl who reminded him that life is worth living to its fullest? less

Five years ago, Elijah Larson watched Zoe Hendricks, the love of his life, drive away, bound for New York to chase her dreams of being on Broadway. She landed her dream role, and he made a trip there to see what she'd made of herself. When they saw each other after a solo concert she put on, it was clear that the spark that had always existed between them was still there, and it only took one night for that spark to reignite into a flame that burned even brighter than it had all those years ago... moreFive years ago, Elijah Larson watched Zoe Hendricks, the love of his life, drive away, bound for New York to chase her dreams of being on Broadway. She landed her dream role, and he made a trip there to see what she'd made of herself. When they saw each other after a solo concert she put on, it was clear that the spark that had always existed between them was still there, and it only took one night for that spark to reignite into a flame that burned even brighter than it had all those years ago. A year later, Elijah finds himself down on one knee, asking the woman he'd never stopped loving to marry him. When she says yes and makes the decision to come back to Florida after her contract on Broadway expires, it seems like life is perfect. But Zoe and Elijah both have secrets from the five years they spent apart. Things they're ashamed of. When someone starts stalking and threatening Zoe, exposing her secrets as well as her friends', Elijah finds himself faced with memories of things he'd rather keep buried. Do those memories hold the key to what's happening to Zoe now or is it all a coincidence? Can he put together the pieces of this mystery in time, or will he lose the woman he loves all over again, this time for good? Trigger warning: Though they are not major parts of the plot of this book, the topics of domestic abuse and sexual assault are touched on in this book, and there is a suicide attempt. If you feel like these would be difficult subjects for you to read about, please tread with caution. In the front matter of the book, the chapter that includes the suicide attempt is mentioned, and it may be skipped if you wish without it detracting from your overall enjoyment of the book. Note: This book is Elijah's version of the events that took place in the book My Heart Is Sealed. While there are notable differences in the way this story is told, those who have read My Heart Is Sealed will notice similarities. less

After receiving the latest in what has seemed to be an unending string of threatening messages on their wedding night, Elijah and Zoe board their honeymoon cruise on high alert. Learning that the person who has been stalking Zoe since she moved back to St. Augustine has decided to take a vacation on the same cruise ship turns what should be a relaxing and romantic getaway into a nightmare... moreAfter receiving the latest in what has seemed to be an unending string of threatening messages on their wedding night, Elijah and Zoe board their honeymoon cruise on high alert. Learning that the person who has been stalking Zoe since she moved back to St. Augustine has decided to take a vacation on the same cruise ship turns what should be a relaxing and romantic getaway into a nightmare.Returning home with crushed spirits (and reputations), the newlywed couple vows to bring their stalker to justice. Six weeks later, the discovery that they’re expecting their first child gives them a newfound sense of urgency.As Elijah continues to piece their stalker’s behavior together, secrets that have been hidden for over a decade come to light, previously forgotten memories surface, and he starts to wonder if he might know who is doing this after all. When the culprit is revealed and he almost loses everything he holds dear, he’s forced to confront parts of his past that he would rather keep buried. Will the weight of the knowledge that has been forced on him crush him, or will he be able to overcome all of the challenges life has thrown at him and find his happily ever after with the woman of his dreams?Trigger Warning: This book touches on the subjects of sexual assault, abortion, and mental health. Further information can be found in the trigger warning at the beginning of the book. less

MaddieWhat happens when you realize you’re in love with your best friend? When I figured out that the person who had been making Zoe’s life a living hell for months was trying to use me to hurt her…well, let’s just say I ended up doing more harm than good in my attempts to stop it. But if you were hoping for a story about how Zoe and I’s friendship blossomed into a beautiful love despite what I did, you’ll be disappointed... moreMaddieWhat happens when you realize you’re in love with your best friend? When I figured out that the person who had been making Zoe’s life a living hell for months was trying to use me to hurt her…well, let’s just say I ended up doing more harm than good in my attempts to stop it. But if you were hoping for a story about how Zoe and I’s friendship blossomed into a beautiful love despite what I did, you’ll be disappointed. No, I stood up at the altar with Zoe and watched while she promised forever to the man she’d loved since we were teenagers.This is a story about how, when I was least expecting it, I met a woman who helped me embrace who I really was, and about how falling in love with Autumn helped me learn how to love myself.AutumnThe first time I met Maddie, I could see the pain lurking behind those gorgeous emerald eyes. And, for some reason I didn’t understand, I wanted to be the one to fix it.Crazy, right? I was still healing from my own heartache, yet for some unknown reason, I couldn’t stop myself from wanting to be the one to make Maddie’s pain go away.The more Maddie opened herself up to me and I saw the shy, vulnerable, sad girl underneath, the more determined I was to make her see how beautiful she was, inside and out. And the more confident she became, the deeper my feelings for her grew.But when my ex-girlfriend saw me moving on with my life, she suddenly realized what she’d lost and decided she was going to get it back. Whether or not I liked it.Trigger Warning: This book deals with the subject of female-on-female sexual assault and mild inappropriate touching of a minor.Note: This is the eighth book in the Sealed With a Kiss series, and while it may be read as a standalone, it contains major spoilers for Zoe and Elijah’s books. less

Ten seconds. Thirteen words. That was all it took to reveal the skeleton in my closet. A dark truth that would doom me to a lifetime of misery: I was hopelessly in love with my stepsister.When my mother and stepfather sent me packing the moment I turned eighteen, I should have taken the hint and backed away. But Sadie was fighting a battle that couldn’t be won alone. A battle against her father, the doctors trying to treat her epilepsy, and most of all, her own body... moreTen seconds. Thirteen words. That was all it took to reveal the skeleton in my closet. A dark truth that would doom me to a lifetime of misery: I was hopelessly in love with my stepsister.When my mother and stepfather sent me packing the moment I turned eighteen, I should have taken the hint and backed away. But Sadie was fighting a battle that couldn’t be won alone. A battle against her father, the doctors trying to treat her epilepsy, and most of all, her own body. And I loved her too much to abandon her when she needed me the most. Could I be what Sadie needed without giving in to my feelings, or would the pull between us end up being too strong to resist?Trigger Warning: This book deals with the subjects of physical and psychological manipulation and abuse and suicidal ideation.Note: My Voice Is Sealed is the ninth book in the Sealed With a Kiss series, but it may be read as a complete standalone. less