Reckless Hearts

Melanie Benjamin introduces readers to the lavish, heady world of her novel The Swans of Fifth Avenue with this exclusive ebook short story! In this enchanting prequel, New York society and Hollywood royalty collide during the doomed and decadent life of Ernest Hemingway. Spain, 1959. Slim Hawks Hayward likes to think she doesn’t get jealous. But when her dear friend Lauren “Betty” Bacall learns that Papa Hemingway has come to watch the bullfights and insists that Slim make introductions, she can’t help feeling protective. Slim has known Papa for years. He always makes her feel like the most beautiful woman in the room—even when his wife is standing right beside him. Truth be told, Slim could have learned to love him all those years ago, in the streets of Havana or the mountains of the American West. Now, Slim is sure that Papa will fall for Betty. What she doesn’t anticipate is the feeling that Papa himself has changed—and their relationship will never be the same. Features a captivating preview of Melanie Benjamin’s highly anticipated novel The Swans of Fifth Avenue! Advance praise for Melanie Benjamin’s The Swans of Fifth Avenue “The strange and fascinating relationship between Truman Capote and his ‘swans’ is wonderfully reimagined in this engrossing novel. It’s a credit to Benjamin that we end up caring so much for these women of power, grace, and beauty—and for Capote, too.”—Sara Gruen, New York Times bestselling author of Water for Elephants “A delicious tale . . . Melanie Benjamin has turned Truman Capote’s greatest scandal into your next must-read book-club selection.”—Jamie Ford, New York Times bestselling author of Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet “Reading The Swans of Fifth Avenue is like being ushered into a party where you’re offered champagne and fed the sumptuous secrets of New York’s elite—without having to pay the price afterward. The swans are outmatched only by the elegance of Melanie Benjamin’s prose—captivatingly earnest and sophisticated.”—Vanessa Diffenbaugh, New York Times bestselling author of The Language of Flowers “Benjamin convincingly portrays a large cast of colorful historical figures while crafting a compelling, gossipy narrative with rich emotional depth.”—Library Journal

A cowhand teaches a Wyoming widow how to run her ranch—and how to love again—in this historical western romance by the author of Summer Rose. Owner of the Triple Cross Ranch, Abigail Fairchild is determined to keep the family business running despite her husband’s death. With the help of handsome Boyd Harris, she hopes to master the art of ranching, but soon discovers she’ll learn much more than just the lay of the land. As their teacher-student relationship blossoms into something more, Boyd and Abby must choose between their love and their livelihoods. But when the heat of desire that burns between them begins to melt away their doubts, will they be able to resist a love that can ruin them both? “A very moving story of forbidden passion. A wonderful blend of adventure, drama, and humor.”—Romantic Times

"N.M. Kelby writes beautifully. Her characters are unforgettable, and her use of oddball details adds to the particular flavor of the story, which has moments of melancholy and tenderness among the fireworks." -The Capital Times

When Jesse is about to lose his family ranch, he turns to Harvard graduate and childhood friend, Mia. She is one of New York City's smartest lawyers and is determined to help Jesse keep his land. Jesse knows her well and they grew up together. But something is different after all these years. There's a spark between them they both can't deny. This was the last thing Mia ever expected. Will she give love a shot? Or return to New York City?

Enjoy a small town Christian contemporary romance . . . Fiona Madison dropped out of college a few years ago, and ever since, her life has been hurling toward disaster. No matter how hard she works to get ahead, life keeps pushing her farther and farther behind. When she trips, dumping scalding hot coffee all over one of the town's rich golden boys, she will be lucky to find a job scrubbing toilets at the snowball stand. Langston Wade believes if you work hard, you will succeed. After all, his life is proof of this. But when Fiona Madison literally tumbles into his life, ruining his starched shirt and making him the laughingstock of the town, her propensity for chaos turns his perfectly organized world on its ear. As the two are thrown together, Langston finds that despite his best efforts, he is falling head over heels for this beautiful bundle of turmoil. Will Langston's love for Fiona be stronger than his desire to maintain his orderly life? Or will he clutch tightly to his controlled existence and let the love of his life slip through his fingers. This Christian contemporary romance set in the small fictional town of Carson's Bayou, Louisiana, is a funny, heartwarming opposites attract story of how love finds a way.

"Between boot camp and two TODs in Iraq, my buddies Max, Gavin, and me have been through some serious hell. So the last thing I ever expected was to find the biggest challenge of my life back home. My girlfriend died. I couldn't even attend her funeral, let alone tell her goodbye or that I'm sorry I wasn't there like I should've been. But she left me a gift. The best and scariest one I could've ever asked for. One I didn't think I could handle the day I saw her tiny blues looking up at me in that airport: Chloe"--Amazon.com.

Reckless Hearts is the second book in the sexy and suspenseful Wicked Games series, where lies, passion, and betrayal collide in the steamy beach town of Dream Point. What do you do if you find yourself fantasizing about kissing your best friend? Sensitive guitarist Jake has been asking himself that same question for a long time, and there's no easy answer. Telling his dream girl—talented anime artist Elena—about his feelings might lead to the ultimate rejection, but not telling her just might kill him. Before Jake can make his move, though, a new mysterious guy enters the picture in an unexpected way. In Elena's mind, Harlow is excitement personified: a rebellious yet kindred spirit who she instantly connected with online. Jake's gut is telling him that something about Harlow is off, and that Elena is in way over her head, but the more Jake pushes the issue, the more he pushes Elena right into Harlow's arms—and into a tragic situation that neither of them would ever see coming.

"Sweet, funny, romantic and oh so very sexy! Prepare to swoon mightily." -SAWYER BENNETT, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the Cold Fury Hockey series COLLIN MONTGOMERY Between boot camp and two TOD's in Iraq, my buddies Max, Gavin and me have been through some serious hell. So the last thing I ever expected was to find the biggest challenge of my life back home. My girlfriend died. I couldn't even attend her funeral, let alone tell her goodbye or that I'm sorry I wasn't there like I should've been. But she left me a gift. The best and scariest one I could've ever asked for. One I didn't think I could handle...until the day I saw her tiny blues looking up at me in that airport. Chloe. Now here I am, raising my baby girl-with the help of my two best friends. Things couldn't be better. Until she walked into my life. All I wanted was a nanny. Someone to take care of my girl when I couldn't. What I didn't count on was Addison, the brown-eyed temptress with a body of sin, and everything I didn't need, but suddenly wanted. Reckless Hearts series Reckless Hearts (Book 1) The Right Kind of Reckless (Book 2) Recklessly Ever After (Book 3) More praise for Reckless Hearts: "An emotional, heartfelt, and absolutely beautiful story. I wanted each character to be my best friend. Reckless Hearts was so real, with gorgeous writing that kept me hooked from first page to the last." -Jennifer Blackwood, USA Today bestselling author of The Rule Book "Beautifully written, sweet and sexy, with the perfect amount of banter. You'll fall in love with these rugged Marines and their Reckless Hearts!" -Kelly Gendron, USA Today bestselling author of the Breaking the Declan Brothers series "Van Fleet has mastered the alpha hero. With perfectly flawed characters and miles of scorching heat, Reckless Hearts is a must read!" -Kelly Siskind, author of A Fine Mess