Shelby Creek County Series by Jean Marie

Steamy Small Town Romance, Enemies to Lovers, Family Secrets, Unrequited Love, Feisty Female & Protective Male My best friend shattered my heart when he turned into an enemy overnight.That was years ago...Joseph and I weren’t supposed to cross paths again.Until we did...And he saved me from my drunk ex.After we reconnected, things seemed to be going well.But it was clear that he hated seeing me with another man.A steamy night was inevitable but one that neither of us anticipated... moreSteamy Small Town Romance, Enemies to Lovers, Family Secrets, Unrequited Love, Feisty Female & Protective Male My best friend shattered my heart when he turned into an enemy overnight.That was years ago...Joseph and I weren’t supposed to cross paths again.Until we did...And he saved me from my drunk ex.After we reconnected, things seemed to be going well.But it was clear that he hated seeing me with another man.A steamy night was inevitable but one that neither of us anticipated.The memory of his hands on my waist took up permanent space in my heart.But I knew I had to stop.Especially since I was being forced to keep a big secret from him.One that would destroy the biggest thing that's keeping us together.Trust.After this disaster, a second chance would be impossible.I was in love with my best friend, and I was about to lose him once again. less

Fake dating my bully’s brother was supposed to solve all my problems.Instead, I fell in love .David proved that he was a great friend when he proposed the idea.The bully would get off my back if he pretended to be my boyfriend.But who were we kidding when we tried to ignore the chemistry ignited between us…David’s protection kept me sane.His strong arms around my waist remind me that nothing would harm me.Not even my bully that turned into a stalker... moreFake dating my bully’s brother was supposed to solve all my problems.Instead, I fell in love .David proved that he was a great friend when he proposed the idea.The bully would get off my back if he pretended to be my boyfriend.But who were we kidding when we tried to ignore the chemistry ignited between us…David’s protection kept me sane.His strong arms around my waist remind me that nothing would harm me.Not even my bully that turned into a stalker.My feelings for David barely even hit me when he’s forced to make a choice.My heart or my safety.The fake arrangement has turned into a disaster that would leave me either heartbroken or dead.Either way... I’m in deep trouble. less

My search for someone I could trust was over when I met my new neighbor.Andre and I chatted online for years and his move to my town was a complete coincidence.Feeling close to him wasn’t...He understood my troubled past... being abandoned by my parents followed by abuse in my foster home.I’ll never feel safe, even with my abuser in prison.But Andre’s presence calmed me.He was gentle with my heart and this was the first time I’ve felt at home.The thought of losing him terrified me... moreMy search for someone I could trust was over when I met my new neighbor.Andre and I chatted online for years and his move to my town was a complete coincidence.Feeling close to him wasn’t...He understood my troubled past... being abandoned by my parents followed by abuse in my foster home.I’ll never feel safe, even with my abuser in prison.But Andre’s presence calmed me.He was gentle with my heart and this was the first time I’ve felt at home.The thought of losing him terrified me.Deep down, I knew the happiness was short-lived.My past would eventually find me, shattering this illusion of peace.Andre needs me as much as I need him.Are we naïve to think that we have what it takes to save one another less

When my best friend Madison died, I found comfort in the most unexpected place.Her husband. James.At first, it was completely innocent.He was torn apart with grief.Struggling to navigate his new role as a single dad.I saw this and offered to help.Stepping in as their son’s daily babysitter.Plus, I could understand James' grief unlike anyone else.But as we spent more time together, there was this attraction that seemed to grow.I knew he was off-limits, but he’s getting so hard to resist... moreWhen my best friend Madison died, I found comfort in the most unexpected place.Her husband. James.At first, it was completely innocent.He was torn apart with grief.Struggling to navigate his new role as a single dad.I saw this and offered to help.Stepping in as their son’s daily babysitter.Plus, I could understand James' grief unlike anyone else.But as we spent more time together, there was this attraction that seemed to grow.I knew he was off-limits, but he’s getting so hard to resist.His touch. His kind eyes. His incredible body. All causing conflicting feelings.We tried to keep our relationship hidden from the small town's prying eyes but my own secret might cause it to end. Then the added complication of family disapproval and a threat to take away his son.Can this love survive the challenges that lay ahead? Or is it even worth the risk? less

What have I gotten myself into? A deadbeat boyfriend and now pregnant.Desperately seeking refuge at my parents house, I was out of luck when I found out their guest room is under construction.Marcus, my dad’s best friend, steps up though.Offering a safe haven in this uncertain time.Problem is though, he’s someone I’ve always secretly desired.While I’m working on controlling my lust filled eyes, my delusional ex decides to seek revenge.Claiming our child ruined his life... moreWhat have I gotten myself into? A deadbeat boyfriend and now pregnant.Desperately seeking refuge at my parents house, I was out of luck when I found out their guest room is under construction.Marcus, my dad’s best friend, steps up though.Offering a safe haven in this uncertain time.Problem is though, he’s someone I’ve always secretly desired.While I’m working on controlling my lust filled eyes, my delusional ex decides to seek revenge.Claiming our child ruined his life.Frozen in fear, Marcus’s arms are the only place I feel safe.But the more time we spend together, sparks start to fly.Are we playing with fire?Or is this the love I’ve been waiting for all along.No time to think about that though, because my vengeful ex is determined to not let this baby come earthside.Can I trust Marcus to keep us alive? More importantly, is this intense connection a blessing or a curse? Or have we found love amidst the chaos?NOTE: Crossroad to Forever is book 5 in the Shelby Creek County Series. All books in this Small Town Suspense series can be read as Standalones but for maximum pleasure, I recommend reading them in order. Hold on to your seats, because it’s going to be a STEAMY wild ride throughout this 10 book series. less

Jen:Love and Marriage.I was finally getting everything I ever wanted…Until the night before our wedding, I found out my dream guy was more like someone from my nightmares.Overhearing my fiancé on the phone, the scary truth of who this man really was, almost paralyzed me in fear. I knew I didn’t have much time, so I snuck out of there as quickly as I could, leaving what’s left of my life behind.Racking my brain as I drove, I knew I needed to go somewhere Harvey would never find me... moreJen:Love and Marriage.I was finally getting everything I ever wanted…Until the night before our wedding, I found out my dream guy was more like someone from my nightmares.Overhearing my fiancé on the phone, the scary truth of who this man really was, almost paralyzed me in fear. I knew I didn’t have much time, so I snuck out of there as quickly as I could, leaving what’s left of my life behind.Racking my brain as I drove, I knew I needed to go somewhere Harvey would never find me. Then I remembered Small Town, I briefly visited years before I ever met this man I thought would be my forever husband.But I arrived and got settled, I still felt unsafe. So I searched for a way to protect myself, just in case the worst happened.Oliver:When she came in to buy a gun, I knew she was in trouble. My instincts never lie.I offered to give her lessons on how to operate her new weapon and she reluctantly agreed.Obviously untrusting, I took it slow. It seemed she had been through a lot, so I tried to be a friendly face to this woman new in town.At first, I thought she was just a quiet person and kept to herself, but when the rumor mill got cranked up about me and my ex, she became fiercely protective and wouldn’t put up with their nonsense.As we became closer, she started to open up and I realized she was running away from more than just a crazy ex like me.This woman is in real danger. And now that I found true love, is a future even possible? Or will this Harvey guy bury her like he did the rest…NOTE: Tangled Sanctuary is book 7 in the Shelby Creek County Series. All books in this Small Town Suspense series can be read as Standalones but for maximum pleasure, I recommend reading them in order. Hold on to your seats, because it’s going to be a STEAMY wild ride throughout this 10 book series. less

One moment of selfishness and I lost my Cecila forever. My urge to escape this one horse town was all consuming. Bigger and better things awaited us in the big city. But when she said she didn’t want to go, I angrily ended our relationship. Not even listening to her reasoning. The city wasn’t all it was cracked up to be though. Those were some hard, lonely years. So when my dad decided to retire, asking if I wanted to take over his hardware store... moreOne moment of selfishness and I lost my Cecila forever. My urge to escape this one horse town was all consuming. Bigger and better things awaited us in the big city. But when she said she didn’t want to go, I angrily ended our relationship. Not even listening to her reasoning. The city wasn’t all it was cracked up to be though. Those were some hard, lonely years. So when my dad decided to retire, asking if I wanted to take over his hardware store. I jumped on the opportunity to move back to my hometown. I knew I owed Cecila an apology after all these years. An explanation of why I was so awful.. But how do I express my regret of every harsh word of that last fight? So when I found a lost puppy wandering my property, I took it to her animal shelter hoping it would break the ice. Evidently this isn’t the only random dog found in our small town. I learned she and the sheriff are trying to find a hidden puppy mill. So I insist on helping take down this terrible person. She reluctantly agrees, saying we can try being friends. Our close proximity proves there is a sizzling hot chemistry still between us. But I’m determined to keep my hands to myself, unless she asks me otherwise… Only now I’m starting to see that familiar desire in her eyes. I would love nothing more than to have my happily ever after with my high school sweetheart, but I’m worried because this criminal proves to be more dangerous than we originally thought. He seems to be seeking revenge and we’re in his crosshairs… Threats coming from all around..I can’t lose my one true love after finally finding each other again... less

I always wondered what happened to the girl next door…So when I heard my childhood best friend was back in town, I decided to stop by for a neighborly visit.I knew she’d be surprised at the state of the house.So maybe I could lend a helping hand?Plus see if we still had that connection after all these years.Kimberley was panicked. The sole provider of her child sister, and at such a young age herself... moreI always wondered what happened to the girl next door…So when I heard my childhood best friend was back in town, I decided to stop by for a neighborly visit.I knew she’d be surprised at the state of the house.So maybe I could lend a helping hand?Plus see if we still had that connection after all these years.Kimberley was panicked. The sole provider of her child sister, and at such a young age herself. Now to find the home she inherited from her grandmother unlivable… it really threw a wrench in her plans.So I offered her work on my ranch as a cook, along with room and board for them both.She reluctantly agreed. Something was obviously off about their situation and she was unwilling to open up to me.Time passed and I could tell she was continuing to keep secrets from me, which drove me absolutely crazy. When I asked questions, she blew me off, calling me a grump. But when we were alone and close, the electricity between us ignited. So intense we couldn’t ignore.When she finally opened up, I realized what a controlling situation she ran away from and the danger she and her little sister escaped.But her parents won’t give up so easily. They’re determined to get what is rightfully theirs while seeking revenge in return. Can I protect them both or will I lose my Kimberley again? less

William & Beatrice's Story