Rochelle Alers

Set on breathtaking Coates Island, off the coast of North Carolina, bestselling author Rochelle Alers' new series debut brings together three book-loving women whose summer will offer a chance to rewrite their own stories . . . For three decades, the Seaside Caf has served delicious meals to locals and island tourists alike. Kayana Johnson has moved home to help her brother run the caf --and to nurse her wounds following a deep betrayal. Between cooking favorite recipes--creole chicken with buttermilk waffles, her grandmother's famous mac and cheese--and spending time reading, Kayana is trying to embrace a life free of entanglements, while staying open to new connections . . . After striking up conversation with two customers, Kayana suggests a summer book club. Each week, they'll meet on the patio to talk about their favorite novels. But there are plot twists awaiting them in real life too. For schoolteacher Leah, this two-month sojourn is the first taste of freedom she's had in her unhappy marriage. Cherie, filled with regret about her long-term affair with a married politician, discovers a powerful new passion. And Kayana finds a kindred spirit in a reclusive visitor who's ready to make his true identity known, and fill this summer with new possibilities . . . Praise for The Inheritance "The ambiance and flavor of New Orleans are on full display." --RT Book Reviews, 4 Stars "A novel that resembles female bonding romance series like The Bride Quartet by Nora Roberts. . . . Capitalizing on its assets: the sensuous Big Easy setting and the rarely encountered middle age romance." --Kirkus Reviews

Bestselling author Rochelle Alers' returns to romantic New Orleans in this uplifting series featuring four very different friends embarking on the dream of a lifetime . . . With her besties in the Big Easy, Nydia Santiago is second-guessing staying behind in New York City. So when Jasmine Washington calls with the exciting news that she's getting married, Nydia happily rushes to New Orleans to be her maid of honor. Once she visits the lovely Garden District estate her friends are transforming into a luxury inn, she's wistful to join them in their venture. Then she meets the sexy engineer in charge of the renovation. With his seductive Southern drawl, Lamar Pierce could make her believe in love again . . . Lamar is confident, responsible, and settled--everything her ex, an aspiring Latin music singer, wasn't. But Lamar is also a widowed father to a pre-teen girl in need of a mother, something Nydia's not ready to be. When her ex makes a very public proposal, suddenly Nydia is running from the paparazzi--straight into Lamar's arms. But is she ready to take the leap from singlehood to wife and mother?. . . Praise for The Inheritance "The ambiance and flavor of New Orleans are on full display." --RT Book Reviews, 4 Stars "A novel that resembles female bonding romance series like The Bride Quartet by Nora Roberts. . . . Capitalizing on its assets: the sensuous Big Easy setting and the rarely encountered middle age romance." --Kirkus Reviews

Bestselling author Rochelle Alers' heartwarming and seductive series follows four very different women risking second chances deep in the sultry heart of New Orleans . . . New Yorker Jasmine Washington had a successful interior design business, a high-powered marriage, and a chance at motherhood--until her perfect husband betrayed her big-time. Now starting from scratch, the Asian and African-American stunner is tackling a lifetime opportunity: co-managing her friend's new luxury inn about to open in the Garden District. The last thing Jasmine needs is romance. New Orleans' most eligible bachelor, investment banker Cameron Singleton, begs to differ. Cameron challenges Jasmine's cautious ways, teases her back into having real fun--and makes one sexy, utterly irresistible Mr. Right Now. But their passionate nights soon result in a surprise bonus. . . . Even though Cameron insists on being there for Jasmine, can she really believe his love is the real thing? Can she shake the past and design a completely new life? And is there really only one way to find out? Praise for The Inheritance "The ambiance and flavor of New Orleans are on full display." --RT Book Reviews, 4 Stars "A novel that resembles female bonding romance series like The Bride Quartet by Nora Roberts . . . Capitalizing on its assets: the sensuous Big Easy setting and the rarely encountered middle age romance." --Kirkus Reviews

Bestselling author Rochelle Alers welcomes readers back to romantic New Orleans in her warm and sexy series about four very different women embarking on a new adventure . . . Sometimes you go in search of a new beginning. Other times, it finds you. Tonya Martin enjoys her job as a professional chef for a Wall Street bank, her East Harlem walk-up, and the freedom to live and love by her own rules--right up until the day she finds herself suddenly downsized. But a spontaneous trip to New Orleans opens up a new opportunity. With time on her hands and her daughter soon graduating college, Tonya has the chance to reach for her own long-cherished dream--opening a restaurant on her friend Hannah's beautiful Garden District estate. While Hannah and her new husband work on transforming the DuPont House into a luxury inn, Tonya explores local cuisine, taking an apprentice role at famed restaurant Chez Toussaints. Gage Toussaint's mix of Creole, Cajun, and African ancestry is deeply attractive, and the sexy chef clearly wants their friendship to become much more. Drawn to him yet hesitant given their previous unhappy marriages, Tonya wonders if it's too late to leap into love again. Could Gage be just the ingredient she needs to make this delicious new life complete? Includes New Orleans Cuisine Recipes

In New York City, attorney Devon Gilmore devoted all her time and energy to fast-track her career. She lost her boyfriend . . . but found herself with a surprise baby on the way. To begin a new life, Devon needs a place to settle down-a place like Cavanaugh Island, where the pace is slow, the weather is fine, and the men are even finer. From the moment David Sullivan meets Devon, he knows he can't fight the laws of attraction. Whether it's helping fix up the old cottage she just bought on Cherry Lane or working together on a pro bono legal case, he can't help feeling a little protective. But will the most eligible bachelor in town be ready for an instant family? Only if he can convince Devon to put her heart on the line one more time-for all time.

Sometimes love can take you by surprise. Kara Newell has a big-city life that needs a major shake-up. Her dedication as a social worker is unwavering, yet her heart tells her that there is more to life than just work. Kara gets the push she needs when she shockingly inherits a large estate on an island off the South Carolina coast. Now the charming town of Angels Landing awaits her . . . along with a secret family she never knew she had. After surviving war, loss, and heartbreak, ex-marine Jeffrey Hamilton takes his position as sheriff of idyllic Cavanaugh Island very seriously. So he is the perfect person to watch over the beautiful, confident woman who has turned her new family's expectations upside down-and stepped into the crosshairs of angry local residents. But soon Kara becomes more than just a job to him, and he begins to need her in ways he never expected. As Kara and Jeffrey confront the town gossips together, they'll learn to face their fears and forgive their pasts in order to find a future filled with happiness in Angels Landing.

A former college English instructor now bookstore owner, Deborah Robinson is trying to hold her life together following her husband's accidental death. Alone for the first time in years, Deborah returns to her childhood home, Sanctuary Cove on Cavanaugh Island with her teenaged children Whitney and Crystal. Deborah will open her grandmother's house and relocate The Parlor Bookstore to a vacant shop on Main Street. Grief-stricken over the loss of his wife and son in an automobile accident, Dr. Asa Monroe has closed his successful medical practice in Delaware and has begun a journey of healing and self-discovery as he drives from state to state, questioning his faith and awaiting approval of his application to join Doctors Without Borders. Deborah is shocked to find the older, attractive and mysterious Asa Monroe applying to the help-wanted ad she posted for the store. Asa accepts Deborah's minimal offer and decides to stay in Sanctuary Cove temporarily. Unprepared for what's to come, the two become better acquainted while working at the store and embark on a journey of trust, healing, friendship, and love.

Law professor Myles Eaton knows a lot can happen in ten years. A decade ago, Philadelphia's finest bachelor was a hotshot attorney engaged to a woman he swore he'd love forever--until she left him to marry a powerful politician. The only thing more difficult than forgiving her has been forgetting the searing heat they shared. And just when Myles is sure he's over her, Zabrina Cooper arrives back in his life. Nothing could stop Zabrina from loving Myles, not even when she was blackmailed into becoming wife--in name only--to another man. And as her secrets are revealed, Zabrina has one summer to convince Myles that beyond their incredible chemistry is a soul-deep bond that never faded.

Home is where the heart is. Architect Morgan Dane has always lived according to a plan, crossing off her achievements one by one. But when she's offered her dream job-the restoration of historic Angels Landing Plantation on beautiful Cavanaugh Island-Morgan's life takes an unexpected turn. Carpenter Nathaniel Shaw once took a big chance on commitment-and lost. Needing the healing comforts of home, he returns to Haven Creek to join the family business. Nothing in the small town has changed-except for Morgan Dane. The wallflower he knew in high school has grown into a beautiful woman . . . and stirs feelings Nate isn't sure he's ready for. Together Nate and Morgan find a happiness neither could have predicted. But when secrets from the past come to light, their budding relationship is threatened. Will they play it safe, or risk their hearts to build a life together?

The mercury is soaring, and it's the perfect time to dive into a pool of uninhibited sensuality—take a break from the heat with this collection of steamy summertime encounters featuring four of the most popular African American women writers. Going south for her summer break, a high school math teacher puts her assets to work as an exotic dancer in Maxed Out by Brenda L. Thomas. But when her secret double life follows her home to Philadelphia, things swing wildly out of control as she tries to walk the line between sexy woman and sex object. Worlds collide when a street-smart beauty scores with a multimillionaire during a summer that climaxes with the New York City blackout. Crystal Lacey Winslow captures the edgy thrills—and the dark side—of carnal pleasures in Sex, Sin & Brooklyn. In Rochelle Alers' Summer Madness, a sexy brother with a mysterious past turns a pretty librarian's play-it-safe Hamptons vacation into a torrent of sensual delights. But can she trust him without knowing his whole story? A jilted bride is on the Rebound in ReShonda Tate Billingsley's tale of passion in unexpected places. A Houston attorney goes solo on the Belize honeymoon she was supposed to share with her husband—and makes a sizzling connection with a handsome stranger in paradise.

From national bestselling author Rochelle Alers comes the unforgettable story of three strangers whose lives are forever changed on a sultry island off the South Carolina coast.... DR. HOPE SUTTON has everything she's always wanted: a winning career as an advice columnist and a hard-lovin' man who is not afraid to commit. But just when she's ready to settle down she finds out her man's been living a double life. Now she has to get a new one of her own -- starting with a soul-searching trip to McKinnon Island. REBECCA OWENS is a devoted wife and stay-at-home mother in desperate need of a vacation -- alone. But will spending the summer on McKinnon Island help her to get it together...or will she be tearing her family apart? THEODORE HOWELL has had a lot of success as a screenwriter. But his personal life? It's a mess. Suddenly the guardian of two half brothers and a half sister, how will this tried-and-true bachelor find room in his life for surrogate fatherhood and his demanding career? Their answers lie somewhere on sandy shores....

From national bestselling author Rochelle Alers comes the powerful story of one woman and the secrets that will forever alter her vision of her family, her marriage, and herself. In one night, Morgana Johnson-Wells takes two hard hits: first, news that her mother has died, then evidence that her husband is having an affair. Fleeing Baltimore to tend to her mother's estate in Salvation, Georgia, Morgana finds comfort in the company of her Uncle Julian and in the diaries her mother left hidden in the attic. Shocked by her mother's most private thoughts and confused about both her illusions of her own childhood and the fate of her marriage, Morgana is drawn to local artist Erick Wilson, with whom she shares the kind of intimacy she and her husband have lost along the way. The connection grows deep, and by the time all of her mother's secrets are revealed, Morgana has a few secrets of her own...secrets of the heart, mind, and body that need never be told.