wedding night stories arranged marriage Audiobooks

Who said a one-night-stand can’t last forever… Self-appointed hall-monitor of life, Milly Smartt is ready to take some chances and live life balls-to-the-wall. After all, it was her sister’s dying wish for Milly to chase happy, which is the only reason she accepts a dare to kiss a random stranger in a bar. Only the stranger isn’t a stranger at all—in fact, she’s pretty sure it’s her childhood crush, Lucas Macintyre. And when one kiss turns into apassion filled night, Milly couldn’t be happier—until she discovers she slept with Jaxon Macintyre—Luca’s playboy of a twin brother. Professional snowboarder and self-proclaimed bachelor, Jax Macintyre has a gold medal in one-night-stands. No fake promises, no morning after, and definitely no meeting the family. Only when Milly’s parents stage a surprise visit, he’s caught with his pants down—literally. He’s ready to climb out the window if necessary, when Milly introduces him as his twin brother, Lucas. Even worse, she panics and, rather than come clean about their no-strings fling, she tells her parents that he’s her boyfriend. Jax isn’t looking for a plus-one in life, especially a too peppy, too sunshiny, hopeless romantic who wears Mr. Darcy lingerie. But when he finds himself in a logistical nightmare heading up a snowboarding competition for his family’s lodge, he approaches her with a proposition. He’ll go along with this faux-mance until her parents leave town and, in exchange, she’ll help him plan the perfect competition. How hard can it be? A few appearances, maybe a date or two, easy-pesy. Only once word gets around that they’re dating, everyone has an opinion. Will they abide by the original agreement, or will they chase happy?

An enthralling, atmospheric new novel from the author of acclaimed debut Inherit the Bones , featuring Colorado police officer Gemma Monroe. It’s Halloween night in Cedar Valley. During the town’s annual festival, Detective Gemma Monroe takes a break from trick or treating with her family to visit an old family friend, retired Judge Caleb Montgomery, at his law office. To Gemma’s surprise, Caleb seems worried―haunted, even―and confides in her that he’s been receiving anonymous threats. Shortly after, as Gemma strolls back to her car, an explosion at Caleb’s office shatters the night. Reeling from the shock, Gemma and her team begin eliminating suspects and motives, but more keep appearing in their place, and soon another man is killed. Her investigation takes her from a chilling encounter with a convicted murderer at the Belle Vista Penitentiary, to the gilded rooms of the renovated Shotgun Playhouse, where Shakespeare’s cursed play Macbeth is set to open in a few weeks. Yet most disturbing of all is when Gemma realizes that similar murders have happened before. There is a copycat killer at play, and if Gemma can’t stop him, he’ll carry out his final, deadly act.

California wedding planner, Kate Ludlow, moves back home to New England after her marriage implodes. In tow is her teen daughter Ellis, unhappy and nervous about the move. Suddenly, Kate's responsible for turning her part-time wedding planner gig into a full-time business. Kate's off to a good start, too, when she books the society wedding of the year. The prosperity of her business is dependent on the success of Marcy Simpson's wedding. The joy of an unlimited wedding business is intoxicating. But when Kate's best florist is murdered, her focus changes from pulling off the year's most glamourous wedding to saving her own skin-for Kate's suspect number one for the murder. Further complicating her life, Kate's old high school flame, Brian McAllister, is the police detective assigned to the murder case. The spark is definitely not gone from their connection, as they have unfinished feelings. Throw in a scavenger hunt for an antique missing family ring, the job transfer of Kate's ex to New England, and quirky and endearing townsfolk, Kate has more than she can handle-almost.

Erotic Love and Marriage is written for couples who are searching to establish or restore a fulfilling sexual relationship and a meaningful and gratifying connection. Using history, everyday life situations, and careful analysis, Frederick Mondin makes the case for liberation from the fear, guilt, and shame that mark so much of human sexuality. He offers insight on sexual issues almost everyone struggles with in their relationships and promotes a healthier approach that highlights connection, communication, and exploration. Including an exploration of the role of religion and culture in shaping sexual attitudes and behaviors, he offers guidelines for establishing a healthier outlook on and understanding of sexual choices and desires. Intended to help the many couples struggling to break free of negative scripts, inhibition, fear, guilt, and shame surrounding intimacy and sexual connection, he offers real life examples and solutions that will help readers enjoy a closer more meaningful sexual and emotional relationship with their partners. Couples will learn how to improve their sexual experience by understanding male sexual functioning and female orgasm. Erotic Love and Marriage also explores what role pornography, infidelity, masturbation, sexual addiction, erotica, romance, and emotional connections play in a couple’s affairs. Mondin’s insights provide a positive and nurturing perspective that inspires and instructs in a way that leaves couples feeling more secure, grounded, and connected.

"What I want you to do, Isabella, is find out what his real name is..." Those were the words spoken to me when I sat down to learn about my final grade in college. They not only shocked me, but changed the trajectory of my life. Shadows Sampson has always been bigger than life on the campus of our college. Most of the time it seems as if he's older than the rest of us. Like he carries the weight of the world on his shoulders. When I get close? I find out there's more to it than I ever bargained for. And when the truth comes out; against my will - I hope I can get the forgiveness I so desperately want. "You've gotta win this fight. We can't push rent back again..." Those words from my sister's mouth put an exclamation point on how bad our situation is. Especially after I lost the fight of my life. The one that was going to get us out of this apartment building, the one that was going to put us on a path we'd only dreamed about. But me? I'd lost the fight, my confidence, and the motivation for the life I'd always wanted. Until a baby I'd fathered was left at my doorstep, and a seriously hot girl from my college started paying attention to me. With that girl? I fall hard, only to find out I'm the subject of a story for her final grade. Turns out, that's my motivation. Quitting isn't an option. Not until my knuckles are bloody and not one person stands in the way of what I want.

A clinical psychologist specializing in behavioral medicine presents a dozen practical approaches to transforming loss, pain, and suffering into positive growth and hope. Just as some flowers only bloom in the dark, so too, some people only grow by experiencing tough times. Each chapter explains an empirically based principle for handling adversity, followed by writing prompts designed to help readers experience the axiom personally. Tools such as self-reflection, meaning-making, narrative creation, benefit-finding, and inspired value-based action help readers move through their trauma toward a new exuberance for life.

Roxanne's fiancé was suddenly snatched by her stepsister. Bound by familial obligations and in order to reclaim her late mother's shopping center, Roxanne agreed to replace her stepsister and marry the "Crippled" billionaire, Henry Ford. Little did she know that she had thrown a rock and picked a diamond instead. Henry Ford, the crippled billionaire, was more than meets the eye! For Roxanne, the grass was indeed greener on Henry Ford's side. … "Make me yours, Henry." Roxanne said, her eyes pleading. "Roxy, are you certain? Once I make you mine, there's no turning back." Henry's eyes darkened as he got closer to her. "Is this what you really want?" "You don't want me?" Henry grabbed her wrist and pulled her onto his lap, "I've wanted you from the very first day I laid my eyes on you." Roxanne's heart skipped a beat as she felt the intensity of his grip. She could sense the raw desire in his touch, and it sent delicious shivers down her spine. "Then prove it." she whispered breathlessly.

William Jones, a sheep farmer from the Brecon Beacons, had led a happy life, until his wife, Sarah, died young. It left him devastated and seemingly bent on self-destruction. His daughter, Becky tried to help, but even she was losing patience with her father. One evening, he is certain that he has died and been put out of his misery, but it was not to be. He recovered. However his life was never to be the same again. He had discovered Annwn where his wife lived, and his newly found vitality changed his life and that of all those with whom he came into contact.

Ten years ago, Lily Rose Wright gave her all to Lucas Thompson. He was her only love and childhood friend. One day, Lucas vanished without a trace. He shattered her heart and left her a part of him. Time passed, and Lily swore to have moved on with her life. Unexpectedly, Lucas returned and spared no means to force her into marrying him. With a marriage certificate, Lucas bound her relentlessly to his side and the son he left behind. Lucas promised to give Lily and their son everything their hearts desired, but will his doting ways mend the deep wounds inflicted by the past? Why did he leave in the first place? If Lily were to find out, would the truth bring them together, or would it tear them apart? *** "Come back to me, Lily. I'll give you everything you want," Lucas offered. "What I want is for you to leave me alone," Lily coldly said. Lucas chuckled. Then, he firmly replied, "Anything but that."

A Cornucopia of the Best New Mysteries If you're a fan of The Best American Mystery Stories series, Sleep No More: Six Murderous Tales by P. D. James or Her Body and Other Stories by Carmen Maria Machado, you’ll love The Book of Extraordinary Amateur Sleuths and Private Eye Stories . Collected by one of the genre's eminent editors, Maxim Jakubowski: One of the best mystery books of the 21st century, this volume features outstanding new stories of crime, derring-do, fast-paced adventures, and puzzles, featuring hardy amateur detectives ranging from young to old and grizzled private eyes whose patches cover the city streets, all in the hallowed tradition of Sherlock Holmes, Miss Marple, Hercule Poirot, and Philip Marlowe. Never-Before-Seen Stories from Your Favorite Mystery Authors: Jakubowski’s many anthologies, like The Book of Extraordinary Historical Mystery Stories , have attracted plenty of attention and awards. His newest collection, The Book of Extraordinary Amateur Sleuths and Private Eye Stores , features never-before-seen stories by some of the most renowned American and British crime and thriller authors of today. Whether the victim was done in at the party uptown or discovered in the other room of a particularly difficult woman or man, these mysteries will have you reading at the edge of your seat.