The Hero Next Door Series by Rebecca King

They had been friends once before - until Tabitha's father had found them together and thrown Daniel out on his ear after giving him a brutal lesson that he should always remember his station in life. Years later, Daniel is no longer the impoverished young man who relies on the workhouse for shelter... moreThey had been friends once before - until Tabitha's father had found them together and thrown Daniel out on his ear after giving him a brutal lesson that he should always remember his station in life. Years later, Daniel is no longer the impoverished young man who relies on the workhouse for shelter. As a wealthy, successful man in his own right his life belongs to the Star Elite, but his past comes back to haunt him when reports are received that someone is stealing from the workhouse he used to live in, and Tabitha's father is the main suspect. Sent to investigate, Daniel faces one of the most difficult investigations of his life, made more complex by his unresolved feelings for Tabitha. less

Lavinia has adored Hamish from the second she set eyes on him. Unfortunately, the surly Star Elite investigator is less than enthusiastic about returning her feelings. Having made his lack of interest in her abundantly clear to everyone, Lavinia knows it is time to leave. But a chance encounter with a ghost from her past throws her carefully made plans into chaos, and turns the Star Elite's base into a seething mass of problems. Hamish is fed up with being teased about her by his colleagues... moreLavinia has adored Hamish from the second she set eyes on him. Unfortunately, the surly Star Elite investigator is less than enthusiastic about returning her feelings. Having made his lack of interest in her abundantly clear to everyone, Lavinia knows it is time to leave. But a chance encounter with a ghost from her past throws her carefully made plans into chaos, and turns the Star Elite's base into a seething mass of problems. Hamish is fed up with being teased about her by his colleagues. Desperate to put his feelings aside, he makes his lack of intentions clear to everyone, and expects to be left in peace! But when he learns that Lavinia is leaving, and has a suitor squiring her around the county, he has to investigate. His determination to find out everything about the stranger can't have anything to do with any hidden feelings for the persistent young woman he can't seem to ignore, can it? When her lack of interest in him suddenly starts to become clear, Hamish is more than a little piqued and is determined to find out why she has suddenly changed her mind. Can he let her go? Can a future ever be theirs, or will the new arrival in their lives bring all their carefully made plans crashing to a halt? One thing is for definite, Hamish and Lavinia must reassess their lives. But after so much doubt and confusion, can either of them be brave enough to admit to their feelings? Or will a deceptive stranger tear them apart forever? less

When Darius Audley is consigned to join the Leicestershire group of the Star Elite, he faces a different future than the one he had always expected to have. He has spent most of his life on the streets of London. Empty fields and miles of countryside belong in a world that is completely alien to him, but Darius knows that remaining in London will bring about his downfall... moreWhen Darius Audley is consigned to join the Leicestershire group of the Star Elite, he faces a different future than the one he had always expected to have. He has spent most of his life on the streets of London. Empty fields and miles of countryside belong in a world that is completely alien to him, but Darius knows that remaining in London will bring about his downfall. He has come too close to death on too many occasions to fail to understand that if he doesn’t want to die in the street like some pauper, he must make changes in his life and start again somewhere new. So, when Sir Hugo offers him the chance to relocate to Leicestershire, Darius is more than happy to accept. What he doesn’t expect is to find himself embroiled in his first Star Elite investigation before he has even unpacked his bag. But Darius isn’t a man to refuse to help a lady in distress. A good deed quickly turns sour, though, when Darius is plunged into a complex web of mysteries that make him doubt everyone in Badger's Wreake. Darius has to find out who is thieving from the elderly while trying to adapt to a completely alien environment in the country. But one thing is for definite, he is not the kind of man to back away from a challenge. He soon realises that his new future will be far happier than he ever imagined it could be so long as he can persuade Beatrix to take a chance on him. But will his past thwart his dreams for the future? less