Hey, Good Looking - A Novel

Chin up, Emily Thorn faces the pain and heartache of love lost and years wasted. At forty, all she has to show for twenty years of marriage is a Federal Express letter from her husband that begins "Dear Emily"--and ends their life together. She had put her own life on hold to pay Ian's way through medical school. She believed him when he told her that one day she'd have everything she ever wanted--children, an education, a career of her own. What she got was overweight, out of shape--and dumped.

Emily needs to reclaim her life. Slimming down and starting up a chain of fitness centers, she is soon skyrocketing toward entrepreneurial success. . .and into relationships with two exciting new men. One is kind and compassionate, the other unpredictable and alarmingly sensual. Now, to keep her hard-won independence and balance it with a truly fulfilling love, all she has to do is choose the right one . . .

When Samantha Rainford -- newly wed to Douglas Cosmo Rainford III -- returns home from her honeymoon to find divorce papers waiting, she's shocked and heartbroken. Then she discovers that she's not the first to be abandoned -- she's one of four (or maybe more) ex-Mrs. Rainfords -- and decides it's time to put into practice that old truism: Don't get mad, get even.

With the help of her longtime girlfriend Slick, a glamorous fashion model, Sam gathers together a highly unlikely team: Mrs. Kayla Rainford, an architect who moonlights as an exotic dancer; Mrs. Zoe Rainford, a plumber; and Mrs. Olivia Rainford, a former cheerleader and cartoon artist. Sam and Slick flunked out of FBI training school, but they still learned a few things there -- like how to plan a mission. And the fivesome is determined to do whatever it takes to bring down Douglas Rainford III.

Whatever it takes means attending a top-secret private special-ops training camp in the North Carolina mountains, where Sam meets fiercely disciplined ex-CIA operative Kollar Havapopulas. Six feet three and handsome as a Greek god, "Pappy" is the best at what he does -- transforming civilians into highly skilled fighting teams. What he's less adept at, however, is telling a woman how he feels, and before long he discovers he's developing some very warm feelings for Samantha Rainford -- an attraction that seems fated to be a total disaster. Two personalities as strong as Sam and Pappy are sure to strike sparks, but will the fire that burns between them consume everything in its way?

With her beloved mother gone, her twin sister about to be married, and no hint of Mr. Right on the horizon, Josie Dupré is lonesome. Luckily, she has her booming New Orleans catering business to keep her busy, and her fluffy white dog, Rosie, to keep her company...until an obnoxious Boxer brazenly captures Rosie's undying devotion. Even worse, the budding romance puts Josie in close proximity to the dog's owner--sexy, love 'em and leave 'em Cajun playboy, Paul Brouillette.

Paul's all for l'amour, but ever since he came into Josie's life, strange things have been happening. She hears music that isn't there, and she smells her mother's favorite cologne in an empty room. Maybe her mom's trying to send her a message...something about finding love where you least expect it...and listening to your heart.

Since she was a young girl, Chelsea Myles has performed with her uncle Cosmo's theater troupe, entertaining London's roughest crowds while Cosmo picks customers' pockets. Fate has given her no other means of surviving. Until one night, a robbery goes awry and Chelsea is left holding a fortune in gold--enough to buy her passage to Australia, and the chance of a new life.

On board the vessel bound for New South Wales, Chelsea meets charismatic Quaid Tanner, who's returning to his vineyard in Sydney. Their affair is as brief as it is blissful, for Quaid holds a secret that must keep them apart. But beneath the endless skies of this bold new land, two passionate hearts will defy the odds and overcome every obstacle to find a way back to each other. . .

If her abusive husband hadn't tried to kill her and her beloved dog Lucie, Helen Ward might never have left her million-dollar home and run far away. Now Helen's changed her identity and moved across the country, hopeful that she can be safe, happy, maybe even loved. And when she meets college professor Sam Tolliver, she begins to believe fairytales do come true.

But even with love blossoming and her new online business venture taking off, Helen knows that the past is catching up with her. . .and her fear is growing. Wanting to flee, desperate to get away for good, she'll soon face the biggest decision of her life, a decision that will determine her future and her very identity.

Thanks to a presidential pardon, the Sisterhood can put their fugitive days behind them and resume their lives in peace. Still, all the women admit that lately things are a little too calm and peaceful. Meeting up for the first time in months to celebrate Kathryn's birthday--in the City of Sin, no less--seems like the perfect antidote.

But before they can kick up their heels something too big to pass up is dropped into their laps. The time has come to deal with Enemy #1, a/k/a Hank Jellicoe. Wanted by the FBI, the CIA, and Homeland Security for starters, President Connor herself has run out of patience with their lack of results. Only the Sisterhood, with their special blend of guts, imagination, and friends in all places are capable of pulling off the impossible--of hunting down this monster and taking him out once and for all...

"Revenge is a dish best served with cloth napkins and floral centerpieces.  .  .fast-paced.  .  .puts poetic justice first."--Publishers Weekly on Payback

A brilliant movie career, two adoring husbands--none of it is enough to erase the memory of Ariel Hart's one true love. Back when she was plain, shy Aggie Bixby, a dark-eyed young man named Felix touched her heart. . .then vanished from her life.

Now, she's about to do something shocking and outrageous--sell her house and leave Hollywood behind. Making her new home in the quiet town of Chula Vista, she meets Lex Sanders, a wealthy rancher and breeder of Arabian horses. Ariel see something familiar in his smoldering eyes--something that triggers long-buried memories of a love so pure and so perfect, it couldn't possibly last. . .