http://marycrawfordauthor.com/books/hidden-beauty-five
Donda has seen more than her fair share of tragedy. Between the assaults she suffered as a child, her eating disorder, and addictions, she feels like she’s the last person who should get a second chance.
Jaxson has spent years trying to move past his own inner demons. His ex-wife was a junkie who let their young daughter die rather than miss a score. Though he has committed his career to saving lives, he can’t shake the feeling he should have done more back then. When the single mother and doctor finally meet, it seems like fate. A car accident turns a shared glance into a chance at happiness neither one expected or believes they deserve.
Becoming a teenaged matchmaker extraordinaire, Donda’s son, Gabriel, is convinced the two are perfect for each other, but they aren’t so sure.
Can the pair get past their troubled histories, self-doubt, and bad experiences to find love at last?
http://marycrawfordauthor.com/books/hidden-beauty-six/
Tasha Keely has just been offered the break of a lifetime —award-winning musician Aidan O’Brien has just offered her a spot in his band. It’s exactly what every aspiring rock star dreams of. Tasha has been in the limelight since she was old enough to hold the microphone and this should be enough to make her walk on clouds. So, why does she feel like her real dreams are even more unobtainable?
Jude Hernandez is both drawn to and repulsed by the newest star of Aidan’s band. He spends all day breaking his back moving gear for the band and writing songs in hopes that one day he’ll get a chance to catch the ear of Aidan O’Brien. What musician in their right mind would turn down the chance to live this dream?
Can they find the right notes between them to find a mutual love of music and each other and what happens if someone else threatens their dreams?
http://marycrawfordauthor.com/books/hidden-beauty-seven/
As a former motocross competitor and X Games television commentator, Cristiano Romero knows a little bit about competition and drama, but he hadn't ever seen anything like he did the day he went to buy a suit for a charity event. Although he encountered Jordan on what might've been the worst day of her life, he was impressed by her ability to hold it together under fire.
When Jordan Shepherd was hired by an up-and-coming designer in New York, she thought she was going to have a chance to make her mark as a fashion designer. An afternoon from hell made her dreams vanish and humiliated her in front of the most attractive man she'd seen in forever. To save her sanity, Jordan walked away from her career and returned home to face the music. Jordan is tired of everyone else deciding what her version of happily ever after should look like. Unfortunately, she doesn't have a good track record of finding happy endings either.
With the future of his show on the line, Cristiano chooses the path not taken and gambles on Jordan Sheppard. He didn't count on Jordan sewing up a lot more than just his suit.
http://marycrawfordauthor.com/books/hidden-beauty-eight/
Kendall Kordes is having a rotten day. First, an infant was abducted from a bathroom at a strip mall after his mother was assaulted. To complicate matters, her computer at Locate My Heart is under a ransom-ware attack. How can she help find a missing child when she can't even access the files on her computer? As if things couldn't get any worse, an information technology expert hired to make things better seems to hate her at first sight.
Jameson Payne knows computers inside and out. Unfortunately, when his little brother went missing, he also learned all about agencies like Locate My Heart. Con artists nearly destroyed his parents. He has no interest in helping Kendall, but as an employee of Identity Bank, he does what he's told -- even if it makes him uncomfortable.
After Kendall hears about Jameson's brother, she is determined to show him that not every organization is corrupt. Can Kendall help Jameson find his brother and recover from her own heartbreak?
Along the way, Jameson and Kendall discover a heart wish is a compelling thing.
http://marycrawfordauthor.com/books/hidden-beauty-nine/
After Marcus Brolen’s best friend, Rogue Bentancourt, swears that guys aren’t interested in trying to keep up with her busy schedule as an apprentice in his tattoo shop and art student with some modeling and waitressing thrown in on the side to make ends meet, he signs her up for an online dating service called BrainsRSexy.com.
After all, it won’t be all that weird…right? He’ll be there to play her wingman as always. Even though he and Rogue have never had chemistry, she deserves the absolute best and he’s going to help her find her perfect guy.
When Computer Security Expert Tristan Macklin is hired by Ivy Love Montclair, to figure out what’s happening to her dating profile, he quickly concludes that the problem goes much deeper than a simple computer glitch and has become an issue of the Identity of the Heart.
http://marycrawfordauthor.com/books/hidden-hearts-one/
For most of her life, Jessica Walker has felt like a bit of a stray no one wants. It’s no surprise that when she finds an injured dog she feels compelled to intervene. When she whimsically names the dog Hope, she has no idea how prophetic her decision will turn out to be.
When Mitch Campbell encounters Jessica and Hope, he jumps to all the wrong conclusions. Can he put his judgments aside and deal with his past and make a new future for all of them and will they find shelter in each other’s hearts?
http://marycrawfordauthor.com/books/hidden-hearts-two/
All her life, Jade Petros, has been known as the wild, edgy artist, who no one could rein in, but her brother Onyx knew a side of her few others ever saw. After her brother committed suicide, Jade felt as if the hole in her heart would never heal.
She has allowed family friend, Declan Ailín a glimpse of her dreams, but will he allow his feelings for her to color his judgment and create a barrier between them? Can Declan settle his own issues with his past and become her biggest supporter or will he stand in the way of her dreams? Will the two of them together find the true Hearts of Jade?
http://marycrawfordauthor.com/books/hidden-hearts-three/
Shelby Lyons was thrilled to be starting her career as a teacher and impulsively stopped into her favorite shop to get a tattoo to mark the occasion. Little did she know that the decision would change her life.
Getting a tattoo is not something attorney Mark Littleson had ever considered, but after he discovered artwork from his late brother, it seemed like a perfect tribute. Mark is busy raising his daughter and he knows better than to be drawn to the ethereal blonde woman with the soothing laugh. Yet when he finds her withdrawn and crying, he can’t help but be drawn in.
Will he discover that love is more than skin deep?
http://marycrawfordauthor.com/books/hidden-hearts-four/
Savannah Lyons has her secrets. She buried them in the past long ago, and she’d like to leave them there. She never talks about her past with anyone—especially wickedly handsome restaurant owners like the guy next door.
Casey Moore has met women with moves and instincts like hers before but not since he was a teenage runaway. He lost his best friend to the streets, and for once, he hopes his razor-sharp intuition is dead wrong, because there’s just something about Savannah that turns him from a tough guy to a tender heart.
Authors note: This book contains descriptive memories of sexual abuse. It may be disturbing to some.
http://marycrawfordauthor.com/books/hidden-hearts-five/
Once upon a time, Tayanita Moya had what should have been a perfect life. She had a handsome, ambitious husband who was like her best friend, and an adorable daughter. Things should have been perfect — but they weren’t. So, she walked away.
Now, her teenage daughter wants her to be part of that life again. Tayanita isn’t so sure she can be strong enough to watch another woman live the life she should have had. In a moment of desperation, she reaches out to an unsuspecting, sexy, anonymous voice on the phone one night and unloads her whole dreadfu
l secret life.
John Ashford looks forward to his nightly call from his secret, sexy siren. He hears hundreds of voices on the phone every day, but few sound as broken and haunted as his secret caller. Since being injured in the line of duty, Lieutenant Commander Ashford has a few secrets of his own.
Can Tayanita and John rectify the past and build a future together?
http://marycrawfordauthor.com/books/hidden-hearts-six/
After Katelyn Ashford left her groom standing at the altar, she wondered if it was an isolated decision or a symptom of something much bigger. She thought she was going to love everything about being a police officer, but she didn’t expect to be leaving pieces of her heart and soul behind on every call.
As head of security for pop-star Aidan O’Brien, Logan Anthony was perfectly happy observing life from the sidelines. Having loved and lost once before, Logan was in no hurry to enter the game. Yet, when Katelyn has a medical crisis, his old instincts kick in.
Can Logan and Katie find the pieces that fit to make their lives whole?
http://marycrawfordauthor.com/books/hidden-hearts-seven/
For Stuart Eastwood, an earthquake was more than just a natural disaster; it changed his whole life. With Nora and his unborn child gone in a blink, Stuart has struggled to unlock the pain in his heart.
When Dr. Eastwood, DVM discovers that his longtime friend, police detective Darya Vick, has more in common with him than he ever imagined, he is intrigued by her ability to collect herself and move on in life.
Moving on in life is all Darya Vick has ever wanted to do since her husband was killed on the job. Yet, she has to be cautious to protect her daughter Maya. Still, Dr. Stuart lights up her world in a way she never thought possible.
Can Stuart and Darya find a way to move forward together and set their hearts free from the past?
http://marycrawfordauthor.com/books/hidden-hearts-eight/
BONUS MATERIAL
DEDICATION
Each person must
choose their own path
— for no single path goes
to all destinations.
This book is dedicated to
those who are brave enough
to forge their own
path without fear.
CHAPTER 1
JORDAN
“JORDAN!” MY BOSS, MISHKA, BELLOWS the second my pathetic egg salad sandwich hits my lips. It’s all I can do not to let a few cuss words fly. I haven’t even had a moment to eat, and it’s three thirty in the afternoon. If I don’t eat soon, I’m going to pass out. It’s as simple as that. When I don’t answer immediately, she yells again, “Jordan, are you even listening? I need you.”
I take a moment to draw in a deep breath and choke down a couple of quick bites of my sandwich. I grimace and wash it down with stale, cold coffee. For the four thousand three hundred and fifty-seventh time today, I wonder why I bothered to go to college.
I grab a steno pad and make my way to Mishka’s office. Before I enter the door, I try unsuccessfully to smooth out the wrinkles from my silk skirt. This fabric is stunning to look at, but it does have a downside or two. Schooling my face into a neutral expression, I inch into her office and sit on her designer couch. Mishka’s office is cold, white and astute like the entire studio. It’s as if she tries to intimidate clients with her artistic sensibility.
“Something I can do for you?” I ask as I cross my legs and balance my notebook on my knee. I try not to smirk as I take in Mishka’s ensemble. Today, she looks as if she wrapped herself in bed sheets and added a turban with artificial flowers woven into it.
She scowls. “Did you order the lanyards for our upcoming show? I haven’t heard anything from the printer.”
I swallow a sigh. “No, I have not heard from them. Then again, I wouldn’t expect to since we just turned the job in yesterday. Like I tried to tell you the other day, it’s Niko’s job to monitor all that stuff for you. You hired me to be a clothing designer.”
Mishka looks down her nose at me and glares. “You will be a designer when I say you are a designer. Otherwise, you just work for me and you’ll do whatever I tell you to do.”
I stiffen and bite my lip before I ask, “Exactly how long do I need to pay my dues? I have been serving as your lackey for more years than I’d like to admit. It seems you’ve forgotten, I’m qualified to do more.”
Mishka waves me away as she says, “I decide who is promoted and who is not. You may go now. Obviously, you are no help to me. Go do whatever it is you do at your desk.”
Gritting my teeth, I nod. “Sorry I couldn’t help you,” I reply stiffly. I bite the inside of my cheek to avoid saying more.
Slamming the tablet of paper down on my desk, I stalk off to the break room in search of hot coffee. The coffee isn’t even done brewing yet when the bell at my desk rings. Dammit! I wonder what she wants now?
Rolling my shoulders and shaking out my fingers in an effort to calm down, I try to shed my anger before I have to face her again. Today has already been hellaciously long, and it’s not close to over yet.
When I walk out of the break room, I come to an abrupt halt, my way barred by a tall, wide-shouldered man who looks as surprised as I am. Of course, that could be because I ran straight into the middle of his chest. My mouth starts to water a little. We often work with the very definition of handsome around here, but the professional models have nothing on this guy.
When I look up into his eyes, he asks me in a tired voice, “Are you someone who can make some decisions around here?”
His question was benign and probably not meant to be loaded. Yet, his simple question gets at the crux of my problem working for Mishka. When I first started working for Mishka, I had a certain degree of autonomy, but over the past few months, she’s started to micromanage everything I do. Her actions have effectively stripped me of all my decision-making power.
Slinking back to my desk, I pull out the sign-in sheet as I say, “I am just a minion, but I can get you to someone who makes decisions. Can you tell me why you’re here?”
“That’s an excellent question. I mean, do I look like the kind of guy who belongs in a foo-foo designer place?”
I have to bite my tongue because there are so many things I could say about this man’s appearance and how beautifully clothes would hang on him. If I were to verbalize what’s happening in my overactive imagination at the moment, things could get awkward in a hurry.
“I think it’s loco, but my promotion team wanted me to do it to gain fans across multiple platforms, so here I am.”
“Okay, we’ve established you actually intend to be at Mishka Unlimited. That’s a good start. Can I get your name?”
“I knew it. I figured I’d be the only guy who has ever set foot in a place like this. Randall must be punking me,” the guy says, looking around the store as if he’s searching for hidden cameras.
I probably should be offended by the inherent disdain for my whole occupation, but he looks so uncomfortable I don’t have the heart to be mad at him. “Take a deep breath.” I can’t keep my bemused smile tamed. “This isn’t a torture chamber; we just make clothes for people.”
“I think I would prefer torture. There isn’t anything I hate more than clothes shopping.”
I study him for a moment. “With your height and shoulder width, I bet it’s a pain. Have you considered having your clothes made custom?”
“I don’t care enough about my clothes to do anything like that. Whatever fits, works for me.”
I click my tongue at him. “More’s the pity. Your body is designed to wear clothes — great clothes.”
The guy checks his watch impatiently as he runs his hand through his artfully shaggy hair. “If it’s all the same to you, can you round up the decision-maker? I’m running late for another appointment.”
I bite the inside of my cheek before I say, “I’d be happy to Mr. —”
He huffs at me. “I’m not sure why you need to know this, but my
name is Cristiano Romero.”
“I’m sure Mishka would like to know who she’s meeting with. It’s just common courtesy.”
He reaches up and rubs his shoulder. “I apologize, I’m a little short on courtesy today.”
I arch my eyebrow at him. “Isn’t everyone? It’s been one of those days.”
He stops surveying the room and pins his gaze on me. “I’m sorry, I don’t want your day to be going as crappy as mine.”
I turn back to my desk and hit my intercom button to announce his arrival. “Let me see what I can do to expedite this for you,” I comment as I wait for an answer.
Without warning, Mishka’s voice comes through the intercom. Much to my mortification, the intercom is set on speaker. Our guest can hear every word.
“Are you incompetent or just plain stupid, Jordan Shepherd?” I’m completely frozen with my hand hovering over the intercom button. As soon as I hear Mishka’s condescending tone. I know this won't go well. “You know I’m working on my latest collection. Oh wait, you’re not a real designer so you couldn’t possibly know what it’s like.”
I roll my eyes and try to ignore the fact that my boss just ripped me to shreds in front of a stranger. Suddenly I reach my limit. It’s been months in the making, but once I start speaking words erupt like volcanic debris. “With all due respect, Mishka, there would be no coattails without the things I’ve done — work which you’ll be doing yourself because I’m done. I’ve worked too hard to get an education and experience to be treated worse than dirt. Go find yourself another victim because I’m finished.”
Jude’s Song Page 23
