Marmalade Uncapped

Freshmen year over, Marmalade’s ready for some summertime peace and quiet along with her favorite pastime, getting lost in good books and cozy cups of tea with Granny Blue. When the object of her affection, Luke, the all-star quarterback, notices her walking out of school and invites her to a party, Marmalade is shocked and starstruck. She barely recovers from this unexpected overture when she meets Bon-Hwa, the mysterious UFC fighter who inserts himself into her life as her new downstairs neighbor, taking over her second home in Granny Blue's Kitchen, forcing Marmalade out of her comfort zone. Marmalade is soon bouncing between broody, coffee shop Bon-Hwa and fun, flirty summer camp Luke, caught in a delicious tug-of-war. As Marmalade struggles in the deep end with new love and longing, will her emotions get the better of her, or will she find the courage to choose the path that leads to her dreams? Will she flounder, tread water, or gracefully glide as a girlfriend, a friend, a novice poet, and a summer camp counselor, as she searches for her place in the universe.

When blonde-haired hazel-eyed Jeri White walks into a no-name bar on a Friday night, the last thing she wants is to meet someone. She’s had a long work week at her job as a bail bondswoman. All she wants to do is go home, but her friend and co-worker Charmaine chases TikTok fame. Caden Brown sits on a stool sipping a beer and watching the game when his night is interrupted by a nosy little blonde slapping her business card in his face, demanding to be heard. If that wasn’t annoying enough, she has the nerve to tell him the only way he’ll be calling her is from behind bars. Sparks fly between them as fast and furious as her judgy hazel eyes flash in his general direction. Jeri assures him he’s the criminal type. All Caden knows is he’ll be seeing her again one way or another.

Isolde returns to the one place she swore to leave in the past, her hometown. Secrets and lies about her father plague her, and she vows to uncover the truth. She goes straight to the source, Tristan Mountain, who is four years her senior, the man responsible for incriminating her father with his accusations. Isolde demands he employ her as an accountant at his firm. Much to her surprise, he relents. Tristan tells himself she needs answers and experience, as she’s fresh out of college, but he can’t help but notice the attraction between them. The longer they work together, the stronger it grows. Will Isolde uncover the answers she’s so desperate to find? Can Tristan bear to work with a woman who’s determined to bury him financially and professionally? How long can they tolerate each other’s presence as sparks fly between them? When Isolde is threatened and Tristan is her safe haven, she’s torn between abandoning the search for her father and feelings for her boss that she can’t ignore.

Amy Smith is a second-year online college student, and mostly happily in love with her step-brother/online classmate/boyfriend, Austin Martinez. There’s only one problem; Austin goes missing at inopportune times with no explanation. It isn’t long and their younger brother, Simon, goes completely M.I.A. Just because Amy is a sophomore in college doesn’t mean she has any independence. She still lives at home. However, the fact that she is an online student does not guarantee Amy’s life is as boring as it sounds. She’s trying to focus on getting through gen eds, but she’s interrupted by Simon, her younger brother, aka preteen cyber-hacking technology whiz with an unknown enemy, and a strange fascination with keys in closets. When Simon goes missing, Amy discovers he’s not the only one in her house keeping secrets. Her boyfriend Austin has a past who shows up in the form of Riv, a mysterious hottie who’s got his eye on Amy. Riv holds her attention more than Amy would like to admit. The mysteries continue when the KGB, interpol, CIA, and the FBI show up at Amy’s door asking too many questions. Can Amy keep her cool long enough to discover what’s going on with Simon, save her relationship with Austin, uncover Simon’s hidden keys, and keep the wolves away, or will it all come crashing down on her? There’s only so much one book-loving college sophomore can handle, but Amy has always been a little too curious for her own good.

Big-city girl Ali Post returns to her sleepy hometown to run mom’s café for a week, bringing her Vegas-girl touch with her; leaving her broken engagement behind. It isn’t long, and she’s shaking things up. She instantly clashes with Alex Cirillo, her mom’s upstairs renter and Ali’s temporary restaurant assistant. He’s unavoidable as she ducks and dodges, only to find him at every corner. Somewhere in the middle of their ongoing battle, Ali is legitimately shook, but she’s only in town for a week. Is seven days long enough to find true love? Ali's resistance is a challenge, but Alex knows he’s got what it takes to sweep her off her signature 4-inch stilettos. Ali’s not so sure. Meanwhile, Maggie Post flies off to the big city, leaving her smalltown life behind. She’s reeling from the loss of her best friend and confidant, Natalie, younger sister to Joshua Porter. Joshua was Maggie’s secret crush from her high school days, but that was years ago. Maggie has one goal in mind, pack up Natalie’s things, get closure on her feelings for Joshua, and return to work at her dream job, running the café. When Maggie and Joshua meet, sparks fly. They only have a few days, but Joshua is determined to make them memorable. Ali and Maggie are reluctant to trust in something so new; but one thing is certain, love is in the air.

Meet Katie Sapphire Albright, dedicated high school basketball star, destined for the WNBA, or is she?. With killer moves on the court, she leaves ‘em shakin’ and quakin’ beneath the basket while mad mojo flows through her blogs, her personal comfort zone where she channels her inner Emma Stone Fangirl persona and blogs with confidence on the world-wide web. Real life courtside is a struggle when her dad makes a fast break and starts a new life with homewrecker Debbie, the office girl. Katie plays defense, and she and her mom hit the road for a new beginning. Katie enters a whole new world when she meets up with her Instabestie, JuneBug in person, gets a job at the Cupcake Shoppe and embraces her feminine side, complete with princess dresses, tiaras, and shopping sprees. When Katie meets her scrumptious Mudpie Mojo, aka Oliver, aka first serious real-life crush, sparks fly. They share an electric attraction intensified by stolen kisses, heated collisions, special moments, and unforgettable public poetry reading. Katie’s falling hard and fast, and it’s scary. She turns to her security blanket, the Internet, where she finds a more distant and safe love interest online. Will Katie, the overly imaginative dreamer, step into the real world for handsome Oliver and face possible heartbreak, or will she hide out in La La Land with Emma Stone? Some habits are hard to break.

Ciara Onyx Yengst stumbles on incriminating evidence in her brother’s room and quickly buries it in the river. She soon discovers even the best intentions can lead to catastrophe, and that for every reckless action there’s an equally devastating reaction. When mysterious flashdrives show up in her school locker followed by a body in the river, Ciara discovers she’s in over her head, as she tries to outmaneuver the nameless, faceless dealer and his hidden Kingpin. Terrified and desperate, she turns to the one person she’d love to avoid, Denver Evans, her secret crush, who is somehow involved. As Ciara and Denver quickly become PIC, they discover there’s more heat between them than just the chase. Can Ciara survive the dangerous game, rescue her brother, and avoid a broken heart? Only time will tell.

It’s another snowy Valentine’s Day in the Love and Light Floral Shoppe. Nash didn’t plan on spending his 16th birthday delivering flowers by ten-speed bike in the snow, a nice distraction while he waits for a response from Alice Ito, social media queen extraordinaire. Nash sent her a Reels on the sly as a symbol of his love and devotion, despite the fact that she dates Joey the Jock. Alice opened Nash’s video, but she left him on red. Curie just dumped her sweetheart, Peter, who wanted more love than she was willing to give. She’s prepared to spend Valentine’s Day alone; but then she receives a SnapChat from Nash, her secret childhood crush. Nash’s father deserted him at the flower shop, and Nash is in desperate need of an assistant. Nash was Curie’s best friend until she kissed him four years ago. They haven’t spoken since. Curie accepts his offer. She has her own agenda, and it includes delivering more than flowers. Nash wants a chance with Alice. Curie wants a chance with Nash. When Nash’s personal video of love is leaked, Curie’s gloves come off. Old habits die hard. She’ll get her guy, one way or another. It’s Valentine’s Day, and all is fair in love and war.