Nobles County Historical Society

(Warning 18+) He can’t forgive. She can’t remember. But their past won’t stay buried. Atticus Roan is desperate for a fresh start. After two years of hardship, she’s ready to rebuild her life, even if it means facing rejection for the way her plus-size figure no longer fits society’s ideals. Applying for a secretary position at Royal Cruise Manufacturing Company is her last hope. But she never expected her potential boss to be Phoenix Everette — a man whose icy glare hides a storm of resentment and pain.Phoenix remembers everything Atticus forgot. Two years ago, her betrayal left him broken, both in heart and body. Now he walks with a cane, a daily reminder of the accident that shattered his life — and he blames her for it. Her return stirs old wounds and a fury he thought he’d buried. How dare she stand before him, unaware of the damage she caused?As their worlds collide, a tangled web of lost memories, buried secrets, and raw emotions threatens to destroy them both. Atticus must uncover the truth about their past, while Phoenix must decide if he can let go of his anger.Can they confront their painful history and find forgiveness, or are some wounds too deep to heal? In a battle between resentment and redemption, second chances don’t come easy — but they might be worth the fight.

**When society calls you worthless, but one man sees your true value...** Sonia Valencia thought she knew what rock bottom felt like—until she found herself homeless, penniless, and fighting for custody of her son after her husband's betrayal. With scars marring her once-beautiful face and deeper scars on her heart, she never expected salvation to come in the form of a marriage proposal from a stranger. Fabian Martinez, the country's most sought-after billionaire actor, needs a wife to secure custody of his own son. What he doesn't need are complications—but that's exactly what he gets when he meets the scarred woman the world calls ugly, who agrees to his business arrangement. --- *"I need a wife,"* Fabian said bluntly, his piercing blue eyes studying the scars on her face without flinching. *"And you need financial security and a father figure for your son. This could work for both of us."* Sonia stared at the contract in her trembling hands. Six months. A marriage of convenience to a man who could have any supermodel in the world—yet chose her, the woman her own husband called a monster. She should have known better than to trust a contract to contain her heart.

Deep in the heart of the Amazon, where ancient magic still pulses through the veins of the rainforest, two worlds collide in a primal dance of passion and peril. Isabel, a dedicated researcher, ventures into the jungle's emerald depths, unaware that her quest to preserve vanishing tribes will lead her into the arms of a predator unlike any she's ever encountered. Kai, the magnetic and fiercely protective leader of a secret jaguar shifter society, has guarded his people's existence for centuries. But when Isabel stumbles upon their hidden realm, she ignites a fire within him that threatens to consume everything he's sworn to protect. As greedy outsiders close in, seeking to strip the jungle of its riches, Isabel and Kai form an unlikely alliance. Their mission to save the rainforest becomes a crucible, forging a bond as untamed as the wilderness itself. Yet, even as they fight external threats, the greatest battle rages within their hearts. Isabel, drawn to Kai's raw power, must confront her own desires and the terrifying reality of a world beyond her wildest imagination. Kai, accustomed to unquestioned dominance, finds his resolve tested by a woman who challenges him in ways no enemy ever has. In the shadowy realm between man and beast, civilization and nature, Isabel and Kai must trust in a love powerful enough to bridge two worlds—or risk losing everything to the encroaching darkness that threatens to devour them all. "Jaguar's Shadow" is a searing tale of forbidden love, primal instincts, and the fight to preserve a magical world on the brink of extinction. Prepare to be transported to a realm where passion roars as loud as the jungle's fiercest predators, and love may be the only force wild enough to save us all.

*Synopsis* In a world where social hierarchy and class distinctions are rigidly enforced, a forbidden romance blossoms between Freye a young slave, and Angus, one of the sons of the plantation owner. Their relationship begins as a secret affair with Angus exercising his privilege and Freye being forced into a situation she can't escape. Freye would spend her days as a slave, working tirelessly under the scorching sun and the oppressive life, and her nights warming the bed of the arrogant young master. Freye could not describe their relationship nor could she refuse the very handsome man. Angus is as intimidating as he is calm, as devious as he is pompous. However, as they navigate the complexities of their feelings for each other, they begin to challenge the societal norms that govern their lives. Especially when threats arise against their secret affairs. When Freye becomes pregnant, Angus is torn between his passion for his unborn child and his deep-seated prejudice against the child's heritage. As the pregnancy advances, Freye finds her own strength and agency, refusing to be bound by the expectations of those around her. As they face the consequences of their actions, Freye and Angus must confront the harsh realities of their world and the secrets they've kept hidden. Will their love be enough to overcome the obstacles in their path, or will the societal norms and expectations tear them apart? This novel explores themes of love, power, and identity, delving into the complexities of human relationships and the ways in which society can suffocate us.

In the opulent world of 18th century England, Lady Victoria Windsor, Duchess of Sussex, is a force to be reckoned with. Beautiful, cunning, and determined, Victoria navigates the treacherous waters of high society, hiding secrets and scandals beneath her polished facade. When the mysterious and powerful Duke of Marlborough arrives on the scene, Victoria's world is turned upside down. As she becomes embroiled in the Duke's plans for revenge, Victoria must confront her own desires and the consequences of her actions. Will Victoria's secrets destroy her marriage, her reputation, and her future?

Synopsis of The Last Straw of Love In the opulent world of high society, where power and wealth dominate every interaction, emotions are often a currency few can afford. Billionaire entrepreneur Alexander Cain is no stranger to calculated decisions. Cold, disciplined, and driven, he sees marriage as just another merger to secure his empire’s future. Enter Emilia Hart, a spirited but pragmatic artist from a struggling family, whose sense of duty outweighs her desire for freedom. Caught in the web of an arranged marriage orchestrated by their families, the two are into a relationship neither sought nor desired. At first, their worlds clash. Alexander’s demanding lifestyle and Emilia’s creative soul seem irreconcilable. He views her as a pawn in his greater plan; she sees him as the final chain in a life of obligations. But beneath their shared resentment lies an undeniable spark—a chemistry that defies logic. Slowly, as they navigate their shared existence, Alexander’s cold exterior begins to crack, revealing a man haunted by his past and desperate for connection. Meanwhile, Emilia discovers strength she never knew she had, standing firm against his control while uncovering the vulnerabilities he tries to hide. As love begins to bloom amidst the chaos, betrayal threatens to unravel everything. When secrets from Alexander’s ruthless business dealings come to light and Emilia’s trust is shattered, they must face the ultimate question: Is love worth the pain of risking it all? The Last Straw of Love is a rollercoaster of passion, heartbreak, and redemption—a journey through the complexities of love, where the final choice could mean everything or nothing at all. In a world where emotions are a luxury, can two souls from opposite worlds find a forever in each other?

In the glamorous world of Chicago's elite, Ava Reed, a shy bookworm on scholarship, finds herself entangled in a dangerous game of power and desire. When she crosses paths with Max Blackwood, the city's most eligible bachelor, their worlds collide in a whirlwind of secrets and deceit. Desperate to escape her hometown and protect herself from a menacing admirer, Ava strikes a precarious deal with Max, the billionaire CEO of America's newest investment firm. But their contract marriage is just the beginning of a tumultuous journey filled with passion, jealousy, and betrayal. As they navigate the treacherous waters of high society, Ava and Max must confront their demons and face the ultimate question: is their love worth risking everything for?

April Moore’s played by her family’s rules all her life. Now, she’s outlived most of her family and those rules she’s forced to live by have the world seeing her as worthless. April believed she loved David Moore, and she believed he loved her when they married. Soon after the wedding, his sweet compliments, and generous gifts disappeared. Two years later, April said goodbye to her deadbeat husband and enjoyed being challenged by an interesting billionaire. What’s a woman who’s claim to fame’s the yearbook’s ‘Ms. Plain Jane’ going to do with the football captain. Sure, it’s years after graduation but, the things he remembers! Damien Jones is busy pretending to maintain the image of a useless playboy. While he’s stepping in for his father at the new resort because his father wants to hide his slow death. Now corporate sabotage hits the resort during the wedding of a friend Damien is acting as best man for. It becomes complicated. The resort booked for the wedding for the week. The harm came from a guest or staff member. Competition is steep in this town and reputations can die if this leads back to someone. April’s full of talents and secrets. She always was. damien believes he has a chance with April. she’s lost the training wheels and she’s coming out swinging at life. to damien, April’s beautiful in everyway. But will society have something else to say about their relationship through the backdrop of their friends’ wedding and business gone awry? April and Damien will confront social climbing relatives, corporate saboteurs, steamy nights and more. After that, will they find love?

Carmen Wade thought she had it all—a perfect job, a loyal best friend, and a husband she adored. Everything was perfect! But her world shatters the night she discovers her husband's ultimate betrayal with her best friend, Millie. Fearing Carmen will expose their affair, the two decide to kill her, forcing her into an oncoming truck. She bleeds to death. But when Carmen opens her eyes, she’s no longer in her own world. She’s been reborn as Lady Daphne Vasquez—The infamous villainess from her favorite fantasy novel, destined to meet a brutal end in the hands of her fiancé. Determined to change her fate, Carmen (now Daphne) shocks the kingdom by first calling off her engagement with Lord Michael Ruiz, who bears an uncanny resemblance to her treacherous husband, Cody Wade. Her actions draw the attention of King Rafe Crowe, a powerful ruler from a neighboring land who becomes suspicious of Daphne’s sudden transformation. As Carmen navigates a world of greedy nobles and magic, she must use her knowledge of the story’s end to outsmart those who would see her fall, including her former fiancé and the heroine of the novel—who eerily mirrors Millie. But her greatest challenge may be resisting the charm of King Rafe, whose keen eyes seem to see right through her facade and changing the narrative of the story she once knew it’s end. In a world where allies and enemies blend together, Carmen’s second chance at life becomes a high-stakes game of survival, vengeance, unexpected romance and avoiding a dark prophecy.

Blurb "Sign the papers, Celeste." I wiped the blood from my nose, my hands trembling as I handed my husband the contract I had worked tirelessly to finalize for him. But instead of gratitude, he shoved divorce papers in my face. And beside him, smirking in triumph, was the woman he had replaced me with—the daughter of his boss. Five years of sacrifice, of love, of loyalty… all reduced to nothing. Ethan Carter had used me, discarded me, and now he was climbing higher on the back of another woman. I thought that was the end of my story. Until he appeared. Damien Sinclair—the youngest billionaire in the country, ruthless in business, feared by his enemies, and a man who never gave without taking something in return. And he wanted me. Overnight, I went from the forgotten ex-wife to the envy of high society, the woman draped in luxury, held in the arms of a man who commanded the world. But Damien’s interest in me wasn’t coincidence. He knew my past. He knew my pain. And when he whispered my childhood nickname in his sleep, I realized… he knew me. Now, I must uncover the truth before I lose myself in the passion, the power, and the dangerous game I never saw coming. Because in Damien’s world, love is just another negotiation—and I might be the one paying the ultimate price.