Nari Collette finds herself on the brink of homelessness after a crushing betrayal. Desperate for stability, she reluctantly agrees to an unconventional proposal from the attractive and enigmatic Kincaid Akel.

Determined to reclaim his seat as heir of a dangerous criminal enterprise, Kincaid needs a wife to solidify his position, but he never expected his carefully selected bride to ignite such fierce desire. As Nari awakens feelings he long thought dead, Kincaid struggles to maintain control.

Their entangled marriage of convenience quickly becomes a battleground of wills as Nari fights to protect her heart, even as she's irresistibly drawn to her dangerous new husband.

As enemies close in from all sides, and with both their hearts and lives on the line, Nari and Kincaid must decide if they can trust each other with their deepest secrets . . . or if the very passion that binds them will ultimately be their downfall.

A funny, sexy, and memorable read! K.C. Mills gifts us with the forced proximity holiday romance we never knew we needed. --Farrah Rochon, New York Times bestselling author of Pardon My Frenchie

Grumpy-meets-sunshine sexiness is inevitable and as welcome as snow on Christmas morning. --People Magazine

A fun spin on the Scrooge archetype . . . --FORBES

• Oprah Daily's Best Holiday Romance Books of 2024
• New York Post's 2024 Best Holiday Romance Novels
• BookBub's Perfectly Cheery Christmas Books for Hallmark Movie Fans
• Woman's World Bookclub Holiday Picks

Kanton Joseph is on the cusp of securing a lucrative business deal. In order to get a one-up on his competition, he rents an Airbnb in the same apartment complex where his potential client resides. He's surprised when he shows up, and the owner of the Airbnb not only wants to cancel the reservation but is still occupying the space.

With great reluctance, Noel and Kanton agree to cohabitate for one week. Noel attempts to stay out of Kanton's way, but they undoubtedly cross paths, causing friction between them. They immediately clash on everything, most notably with their views on the holidays. Noel is determined to have a very Merry Christmas despite her temporary housemate, which is the source of Kanton's irritation. Eventually, the two begin to soften toward each other and Kanton learns to view things through Noel's eyes.

Will the holiday magic fizzle, or will these two spark a connection they didn't realize they needed?

When a wife becomes the prime suspect in her husband's murder, this criminal psychologist must forget everything she thought she knew in order to clear her name in this debut romantic thriller from USA Today bestselling author K.C. Mills.

K. C. Mills once again proves why she's a powerhouse in the publishing world. Her new romantic thriller begins with an emotional punch to the gut and the roller coaster doesn't end until the last page. With twists that leave the reader on the edge of their seat, Mills' newest novel packs in mystery, relatable and amazing characters, an intricate plot, and stunning reveals that define a truly amazing thriller. Innocent Intent is a must read! --NAIMA SIMONE, USA TODAY BESTSELLING AUTHOR

Cassidy Evans is the blueprint. As a criminal psychologist, Cassidy is a savant. She spent years solving groundbreaking cases by shifting through the minds and behaviors of those driven by the darkness that controls them. After years of dedicated field work, Cassidy decides to retire and share her expertise on killers' mentalities as a novelist.

As a published author, she's now happily married and spends most of her time traveling the world and sharing with others how to understand the twisted minds that drive destructive behaviors. Unfortunately, with all of the knowledge that Cassidy is armed with, she somehow overlooks the lies of the person closest to her. When she tags along to a crime scene with an old colleague, Cassidy is shocked to discover that the victim is her husband. If that's not enough to send her world spiraling, she also finds out that the identity of the murdered victim doesn't match the name on their marriage license!

Things quickly escalate when Cassidy becomes the main suspect. Not knowing the man she is married to is the least of her problems. Everyone believes she is a murderer, and none more than the lead detective on the case--Nathanial Davis. He is determined to find the truth while proving that Cassidy isn't who she claims to be. In doing so, he decides to keep Cassidy close while digging through her past to uncover her untold truths.

While she's hiding secrets that could destroy the world she spent years building, Cassidy learns that things are never what they seem. With such an intricate familiarity of seeing through lies, how is it that Cassidy is happily married to a man she loves and adores but doesn't truly know? Suddenly, losing her career and reputation is far less important than maintaining her freedom. In the end . . . she may lose both.

Elias Omari exist in the darkness that clouds his mind.

Cress Devereaux exist in the light that inspires her soul.

Together they create beautiful shades of gray.

An arranged marriage forces two families to smooth the edges of their jagged past with the hopes of a new beginning.

Can a union tainted with secrets and uncertainty promise an unbreakable alliance?

The one thing that Elias and Cress share in common is family over everything but should they continue to fight for family when that same family has never truly fought for them?

Shadows and Whispers is a standalone novel

*Please see trigger warnings in the author note*

Carter Reed is an assassin with a heart that only beats for one person, McKenna Smith. In a perfect world she would be the light to his darkness. Carter's world, however, is far from perfect. Which means McKenna cannot exist in it without a target on her back.

While he's away, Carter's enemies get close and McKenna's life is threatened. In his quest to keep McKenna safe, Carter's world expands with revelations from his past coming forth into the present. Soon he realizes time and place no longer matter because he's the only person who can keep McKenna safe... and she's the only one who can make him feel worthy.

If love is complicated, then theirs is an intricate web of complexity.

Yonas Nas Kadir is a man of few words. He has learned the art of never showing his hand, which is a valued asset for a man who balances his life between dark and light. There's not much he desires that isn't as good as promised to him, which is why Dae Richardson can fight the attraction but will ultimately fall for his good looks and undeniable charm, or so he hopes.

Dae Richardson is a self made success story. Her company has paired some of the most exclusive and elite professional around the world, however she can't seem to find the companionship she longs for to complement her luxurious lifestyle. That is, until Nas Kadir steps into her office and demands to become one of her clients for the weekend, only he doesn't want anyone from her impressive clientele list, he wants her.

When souls collide there's not much you can do but buckle down and prepare for the explosion, because there will definitely be fireworks!

I'll never ask for you to be with me, to love me, to appreciate me and what I have to offer. Everything I do will be for you. I will be unabashedly devoted to making you happy. The choice will always have to be yours. But if you continue to choose me? I promise to give you everything I am, everything I will ever be, everything you can even imagine. There will never be a moment of your life where you will ever question where I stand with you, how I feel, or whether I choose you. But I'll never ask, Jhorie. I can't. The choice will always have to be yours. - Ezekiel

You'll never have to ask because the decision has already been made. I've already chosen you, Ezekiel, and my choice is never changing. -Jhorie

This is our story...

*Dawning and Resurgence a standalone novel which can be read alone, however for a better reading experience, it's best to begin with Shadows and Whispers.*

A shot in the dark.

A mistaken identity.

A undeniable attraction.

An injured hitman finds himself depending on a stranger and for Carter Reed trust is not something he's willing to extend. Unfortunately when it comes to McKenna Smith, Carter can either allow her to be his saving grace or risk losing something more precious than trust...his life.

Stakes are high. A life is in danger and Carter's ultimate decision could be his last.

Caeli Webb and her sister Camilla are bringing a unique twist to the town's culinary scene with Sweet Reasons Cupcakes.

Brayden Young and his cousin Lennox are mainstays on the town's culinary scene who offer a distinct flavor with Smoked & Spiced BBQ.

When Brayden pulls the Smoked & Spiced truck into Food Alley and finds a bright pink, sugar explosion parked in their prime location, he's prepared for all-out war. What he finds instead is a beautiful, persistent, clever, and gorgeous woman who challenges his restraint.

Gray Jordan, former Chargers quarterback and franchise player, learned a lot of tough lessons throughout his career. However, the worst of all was that no amount of money and fame can protect your heart. After a very public scandal, he quietly walked away from the one thing he loved the most: football.

Skylar Addison is one of the best sports attorneys in the city, so when the firm she worked for reallocated her out of a job, she felt as if the rug had been snatched from up under her. Finding out that her ex had her terminated after she decided that she no longer wanted to be in a relationship, only made matters worse.

After a pity party at a local bar and grill, Skylar found herself falling for the type of man she swore she would never think twice about, because after years of cleaning up their careless mistakes, Skylar knew with certainty that pro-athletes and their philandering ways were a fast track to a broken heart.

Unfortunately, sometimes the universe has its own agenda and tests your resolve. There was no resisting Gray Jordan, and Skylar finds herself fighting a losing battle by trying to deny her heart. Gray has his hands full with a woman that proves to be his greatest challenge as of yet, but they both have to get out of their heads in order to prevent missing out on a good thing.

You can't love someone who doesn't know how to love. You can't heal someone who doesn't understand they're broken, You can't give more of yourself if their needs are never spoken. -Billion Dollar Cash

Cassius Avery's life is anything but simple. From his childhood to past relationships, nothing about his life is conventional. Music is his escape from reality and has earned him the name Billion Dollar Cash.

The void that exists in Cash's life is one that money can't fill and has been present for the majority of his life. Tru Bisset has experienced heartbreak and betrayal on unimaginable levels. Torn between the comfort of her past relationship and the need to be secure in her future, she struggles daily to remember her worth.

Both Tru and Cash, are aware that they need to leave the past in the past but it's easier said than done. Living in the past threatens to ruin their forming relationship. Cash and Tru will have to get out of their own way in order to grow together. Can two broken people heal each other? Will the past continue to damage them?

Indira Indi Turner has learned some harsh lessons in life but the most devastating of all was being loyal to the wrong person can leave you lost and empty. With a selfish ex who refuses to be the man she needed and more importantly the man she deserved, Indi decided to distance herself from the past with a fresh start and positive mind.

Torrance TJ Addison's very controlled world was jolted into a chaotic storm of indifference. He spent the last six years reevaluating who he was versus who everyone expected him to be. With a new found lease on life TJ discovers that a pint sized beauty with a crown full of hair and warm brown eyes just might be the missing piece to complete his life's puzzle.

After an embarrassing first encounter both Indi and TJ realize that life has a way of handing you what you never knew you wanted while providing exactly what you need.

Balor Allen's heart was damaged when his mother left.

Keiris Dorian's heart was made whole when Balor arrived.

Some believe only those who have been loved, can love. However, soul ties force emotions that most can't process or understand until their world shifts.

When two hearts connect in the depths of an emotional abyss, there's an understanding in a language that is meant only for lovers.

In a world where power and survival intertwine, Nari--a resilient former foster child--finds herself unexpectedly married to Kincaid Akel, a ruthless businessman with a complicated past.

What begins as a calculated arrangement transforms into a passionate and dangerous journey of love, loyalty, and survival. Kincaid's fierce devotion to Nari is matched only by his willingness to eliminate anyone who threatens her safety. But when the shadows of their past--including Nari's criminal father Eli Manchester--begin to close in, their marriage is tested in ways neither could have imagined.

Pregnant and caught between her husband's dark world and her own search for identity, Nari must decide how much she's willing to sacrifice to protect the life they're building together. With enemies lurking and secrets threatening to destroy everything, Kincaid and Nari must trust each other completely or risk losing everything they've fought so hard to create.