Showing results by author "Nicole Dykes" in All Categories

I’m a music manager. I’ve taken the smallest artists and made them soar into superstardom. I’m good at what I do, and I never fail. Except with him. I let him down, and that doesn’t sit right with me. No. I’ll track Justin St. James down and find a way to make him happy and settled. No matter what it takes.

Selfish. That's the only way Andrew will ever see me. An abused boy who grew up and became a defense attorney for the rich and famous. I'll never forget the look on his face when I told him. The hurt and disgust I saw in his eyes as I stomped all over his dreams. He left me behind, convincing me he'd hate me forever. Now, circumstances have brought me back into his life. I have one more chance to prove I'm not the man he thinks I am. I'll do anything to prove I'm worthy of him.

Best-selling novelist Karen Witemeyer joins award-winning authors Regina Jennings, Amanda Dykes, and Nicole Deese for this Texas-sized romance novella collection. Each of the authors' unique voices is on display in stories where courting couples leave a permanent mark of their love by carving their initials into the same oak's bark. 

All I’ve ever wanted is to go to college and get out of Kensley. That small town is all I’ve ever known. I want to be free to be myself, not stifled by small minds in the football-loving town where I grew up. Then I blew my one and only chance. Now, I’m just stuck. Stuck in small-town life with the same small-town people I’ve always known. Stuck where I don’t want to be. Constantly on the defense and hiding secrets about myself. To never be the real me.

Big Bend is my home. I love it here. I love everything about it. It's my senior year, and I'm determined to have the best one yet. Of course, that's when life gets confusing. I think I may have a little bit of a crush on my nemesis. Something I never saw coming. I just hope I can find a way to make him give me a chance because being together would make not only this year great but this life of ours—absolutely epic.

Here, it's different from my crazy, loud, glitzy life. It's quiet and peaceful. No one seems impressed with my celebrity. No one is less impressed than the sexy, aloof member of the cleaning crew. He couldn't care less who I am or why I'm here. He's convinced I'm one of the fortunate ones—and I suppose I am. I've had it all—big houses, the best care, money, fame, and shallow adoration... but I've never been loved. I've never known if people like me for who I am underneath it all or just for my money and fame. And to me... that seems awfully unfortunate.

I'm the Rookie. That's how they want to label me. The new guy. But I'm damn good at what I do. I don't have anything to prove—except maybe to him. I've watched his career for years. So yeah, maybe I want to impress him a tiny bit. But I also can't help riling him up and ruffling his feathers. He wants me to do things his way, but I don't work like that. I may be the Rookie, but I'm about to school the Ace.

I’ve always been a helper, someone who sees the world in a brighter light than others do, who tries to show everyone there’s good in this world. So when I meet Henry, I immediately make it my mission to show him how great the world can be if he’ll only accept a little help. Easier said than done. But I’ve always liked a challenge.

Coach. That's who I am. The strong, levelheaded, always-dependable coach. But then my wife left me. And my daughter—well, according to the town—she ran off and left me too. Now, I'm branded with scandal. My reputation is at stake, and I have to play by the rules if I want to keep my job. Then along comes Chance Leighton—a rule breaker with a scandal of his own. And worse, he's not from here. He's a Big Bend Bear. I need to keep my head down and follow the rules of this town. This town that's kept me in its perfect package since day one. But he makes me want to rebel.

When you’re young, everything seems brighter, more hopeful, and like anything is possible. Which is great. But it can also lead to so many mistakes. Mistakes you promise yourself you’ll never make again.

I’m a teacher who has only one thing missing from his life: a healthy relationship. I have a plan in place. This should be easy. No more toxic men. No more casual hookups. I want something real. A love that’s equal, not lopsided. I’m a fixer at heart, but I’m done with the hopeless and the selfish.

Grady: A preacher’s son. I’ve done everything I can to defy his rules. Reckless, destructive, immoral. But after all this, there’s only one thing I haven’t allowed myself to indulge in...him. Ryan: A welder's son. I’ve done everything I can to make him proud. Hardworking, loyal, strong. I’ve accomplished all his dreams while denying my own. But there was only one thing I’ve ever wanted...him.

I'm a fan—how could I not be? And not just a fan of racing. I can't help but be swept up by the lives of celebrities. Wondering if they really have it so much better or if something is missing. Now that Maverick isn't just that hot racer I've followed for years and is instead my friend, I'm starting to see the answer. We always want what we don't have.

Grief can hold us back. Sorrow can make us stop enjoying our lives for fear of being too happy when what we truly want is never possible. Lola Sterling has deprived herself of living for a long time. Remaining laser-focused on everyone and trying to fit their pieces back together. But can someone from the past repair her? Could he help her heart break free from the painful restraints put there from a devastating loss? Can the Sterling family ever come back from the tragedy? Time will only tell.

Loss. Guilt. Grief. Do you ever truly recover from it? How can you be happy when the person you once looked up to is gone? Sheltered. Ruled. Shamed. Do you ever grow after that? How can you break free from a lifetime of repression? Vivienne and Asher have been through a lot in their young lives. Can they use each other to heal and to find their true selves? They’re about to discover whether they can liberate each other or if their love is only more constricting.

Rhys: I’m an addict. I’ve been abused, and I’ve been the abuser. My entire life has been a blur, filled with misery and anguish. I’m trying my best to stay clean and lucid even when my world feels dark. Now, I have to stay away from the woman who makes everything murky and complicated. Blair: I’ve always been a toy for others to use. A spoiled, broken girl who’s never been seen because no one ever tried. He sees me though. Holding up a mirror and showing me exactly who I am with absolute clarity. Is that a good thing? I’m not sure.

I’m in trouble. Big trouble. Not that I should be surprised. My entire life has been one huge misfortune. I have nothing and no one. But then.... Finn comes along. Gorgeous, stubborn, and infuriating. And he can’t seem to leave me alone.

The Sterlings have been through hell. They’ve each made mistake after mistake while trying to climb out of their grief and guilt and recover from an unimaginable tragedy that had a ripple effect of consequences reaching far further than their own lives. It seems the youngest Sterling may never find peace after everything that’s happened. But the love he has for his nephew is more powerful than any amount of pride.

I’m the fun one. The loud one. The overly opinionated one with no filter. I’ve been unapologetically me since day one, and it hasn’t been easy. Kicked out of my home when I was sixteen, I chose to be alone rather than not be my true self. I found my family now and a job I love. I have everything, and yet I’m still an outcast in so many ways...

Healing after a tragedy is hard enough. Doing it when you’re haunted by past betrayal and so many things left unsaid? Feels nearly hopeless. Is it impossible to come back from so much anguish and all the regrets? Can you ever truly mend your heart and move on? Or are Penelope and Linc destined for a life of punishment and pain?