Mollie Mathews's Blog, page 6
October 30, 2024
Joy and Sorrow The Inspiration behind Stolen by The Sheikh
Recently I’ve been contemplating the following Japanese proverb:
Joy and sorrow are life’s companions
So many of my stories are inspired by sorrow—with the promise of a happily-ever-after. So I always love it when I receive a positive review!
Like so many of my stories, Stolen by The Sheikh explores many of the issues that are important to me.
Christmas is not always a happy time for many people. It stirs up old hurts and family dramas for many. It’s a very distressing truth that a significant number of beautiful, kind souls have suffered because of the hurtful behaviour of family members who are suffering from Narcissistic Disorder Syndrome.
One definition from The Mayo Clinic is as follows:
Narcissistic personality disorder is a mental health condition in which people have an unreasonably high sense of their own importance. They need and seek too much attention and want people to admire them. People with this disorder may lack the ability to understand or care about the feelings of others.
Some people have suggested that as many as 50 per cent of the Western population may be afflicted. We certainly seem to live in an era where the golden rule I grew up with, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you,” has been lost on so many. But then, when we look a little deeper, it seems that the people who are doing the hurting have been wounded in their childhoods. And so the trauma cycle repeats.
Unfortunately, people with all the hallmarks of Narcissistic Disorder Syndrome are rarely clinically diagnosed and rarely seek treatment, instead mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, husbands and wives—people from all walks of life. They operate from a lens of envy and take pleasure in stealing people’s happiness and making people feel sad.
I wanted to explore this issue in Stolen By The Sheikh and show how self-love, compassion, empowerment through education, and true unconditional love can and do work miracles on the journey to healing for those who have been mistreated so unfairly.
It’s heartbreaking not to be loved by your mother and to have hateful lies spread about you by envy —as you’ll discover in Lucy’s story. But art brings healing—as does faith and the love of Sheikh Anwar na Hassir.
Thanks for being so patient as I finish this story. So many of you have written to me to tell me how much you loved the early excerpts of this story.
Passionate, wounded, and hopelessly romantic, the na Hassirs are a family worth waiting for. Anwar’s (and Lucy’s) story is one you won’t forget.
If you haven’t read the first book in the series, Claimed by the Sheikh, you’ll find links at the end of this blog
Stolen by The Sheikh l a second-chances, secret baby, billionaire sheikh romance
Releases 26 Jan 2024
Preorder this book through the links below…
To enjoy your copy from Amazon:
US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CR8LGF73
CA:https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0CR8LGF73
UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0CR8LGF73
AU:https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B0CR8LGF73
Universal link: https://mybook.to/StolenByTheSheikh
WRITER’S ROOMS: MOLLIE MATHEWS
Find out where author Mollie Mathews writes her bestselling books in her sunroom overlooking the sea! With paintings and crystals around her, read now to discover her inspirations, from orchids to endangered species.
Enjoy the latest blog: https://www.molliemathews.com/writers-rooms-mollie-mathews/
Dear friends,
I thought you may enjoy a little excerpt
Stolen By The Sheikh, Book two in THE SHEIKHS UNTAMED BRIDESFall in love with Anwar as he strides into the magical art gallery looking like he owns it. Read an excerpt from Stolen by The Sheikh this Christmas!
The whole room looked magical, like a harem to love, Lucy muttered under her breath as Anwar strode into the art gallery, looking like he owned the place. Owned her, Lucy conceded to her dismay.His dark gaze fastened on her with such searing intensity it made her skin burn with self-awareness. All she wanted to do was run away, but she was left with no choice but to do his bidding.
“You’ve gone to a lot of trouble,” he purred.
Danger prickled down her spine, fracturing the reserve she had so carefully erected. “I didn’t,” she shot back, thrusting her arms over her chest.
What little protest she had initially offered when Maria had told her of Anwar’s demand for a private viewing had been quickly extinguished. They both needed the injection of cash Anwar’s purchase of Lucy’s collection had provided. Without Maria, there would have been no solo exhibition. She owed it to her. But to Anwar, she owed nothing, Lucy reminded herself. But here they were. Together. Alone. Nothing to keep them apart but memories she refused to rekindle.
“Why are you so defensive?” he challenged.
“The worst thing about being raised by a narcissist is that it makes it difficult to trust,” Lucy blurted, immediately regretting the strange confession that escaped her lips.
She had made the fatal error of confiding in him again, so she may as well finish what she had begun, she decided. If anything, hopefully, when Anwar realised that she was seriously damaged goods, he would run a mile. 7,354 miles, she corrected, mentally computing the distance from New York to his desert Kingdom.
“The worst thing is my mother believed she was an empath. She was always talking about the importance of kindness. But her actions were anything but kind. Not as far as I was concerned.”
“All words and no substance. Not unlike a few world leaders I can think of,” Anwar said. “Fakes and frauds. Dictators and despots masquerading as benevolent rulers.”
Lucy felt suddenly vividly alive in a way she hadn’t for years. He agreed with her. He understood. It shouldn’t matter, she told herself, but it did.
“Everyone thought my mother was perfect. It was all a facade.”
“At least the tyrants and bullies show their real faces,” Anwar said. “My father, for example.” His head jerked backwards sharply. “All kinds of atrocities are committed in the name of family and love. Which is why, like my brothers, I am forever turned off to marriage.”
“I heard Tariq had a change of heart,” Lucy said, noticing her stomach lurch as Anwar confirmed her worst fears. He would never marry her. He would never offer her unborn son the sanctuary of legitimacy.
There was a tense silence while Anwar lifted his gaze to Lucy’s painting, expertly spotlighted behind her. His eyes narrowed as he studied the giant falcon circling above the dunes rendered in abstract sweeps of gold ochres and rich umbers. “Tariq surrendered his freedom,” he growled.
“That’s not what I heard,” Lucy challenged.
“And what exactly did you hear?”
“Tariq fell in love.”
Anwar gritted his teeth, his jaw locking against the strain of suppressing his emotions. “He met a woman who loved that desolate, isolated piece of sand as much as he did, that’s all. Their mutual attraction was a distraction.”
“They got married,” she pressed.
“Love is a dangerous emotion.”
“I don’t want that kind of danger,” Lucy exclaimed, registering the feverish pumping of her heart.
He turned to her, his dark eyes pooling with feeling. “Love killed my brother.”
“I know. I heard about the car accident. I’m so sorry.” Of course, she knew. The whole world knew. A blaze of dramatic headlines and gruesome pictures of the crumpled wreckage that killed his beloved older brother and the Western wife he’d eloped with ensured no one missed the tragic news.
Anwar stepped towards her as though scenting the conflicting emotions lapping through her body. She shrunk back against the wall and sucked in a deep breath. “I guess we have both suffered,” she stammered. “Our families, our childhoods, our—”
“Trauma,” Anwar muttered, his gaze drifting forlornly along the neutrals and as-far-as-the-eye-can-see camel tones of the desert in Lucy’s painting. “No wonder Mother fled to London.”
His face came closer, his eyes commanding hers with relentless purpose. “Just as you fled,” he growled.
“You expelled me!”“At least we are agreed.”
“Agreed about what?”
“That we are closed to love.”
“It’s safer that way,” Lucy affirmed.
“Safer,” he murmured. He lifted an arm and rested his palm on the wall near her ear.
Her breath constricted in a throat so tight she could barely swallow. “My therapist told me that narcissists prey upon 50% of the population,” she whispered shakily. “They know how to spot empaths. They’re like vampires, sucking every ounce of goodness.”
“They failed,” Anwar said.
“What?” she gasped as his lips approached hers with a slow deliberation that taunted the pulse of need inside her.
“To suck every ounce of goodness from you.”
In a reckless moment, she dreamed how soft, supple, and sensuous his fingers would feel upon her skin.
He bent his face to the nape of her neck and inhaled her scent. “You look and smell ravishing.”
Her body exploded in a heated flood of anticipation. Anwar was teasing her. It would be reckless to trust him. Foolish to surrender. Dangerous to taste temptation. But her mind’s arguments didn’t appeal as much as the blazing need to kiss him.
“Your kindness, compassion, empathy, I won’t lie, they’re what attracted me to you,” he whispered. “And your expertise.”
“Expertise,” she mumbled. “Of course.”
All the frustrations of the day curdled the last bastion of common sense. She had wanted to sell her paintings on her merit. Not because Anwar wanted to buy her. She had wanted to showcase her memories and love to heal the hurt he had inflicted in the past, not rip the wounds open again. Now, against all common sense, she wanted… no, she craved to know whether her strong desire to taste his kiss one last time was a wild fantasy or a test. Could she surrender to the passion if it were her expertise he wanted to possess?
“You’re glowing,” he murmured as his hand moved from the wall and curled softly around her throat, caressing the tension that held her motionless. His thumb tilted her chin as his mouth took possession of hers. His kiss was merciless, smashing through every walled inhibition with an aggressive eroticism that had all Lucy’s senses reeling into chaos.
All thought of mounting a late resistance was driven from her mind, lost in a whirl of sensation that peaked into a wildfire of need. She collapsed against him, utterly helpless. Her whole being vibrated in a wild response to his touch, ruthlessly pressing the desire that tore through her belly and drained the strength from her legs.
A little cry of need dragged from her throat when his mouth abruptly withdrew from her lips. His kiss was addictive, and she didn’t want it to end. But now, the feast of sensation was taken from her. His harsh breathing fanned her ear with a tingling heat that whispered his triumph.
“You cannot deny what we have.”
The softly spoken words dropped into the sandstorm of her mind and formed ripples of sanity that lapped at the edges of her senses, forcing an acknowledgement of reality. No matter that this man was filling needs and desires that had lain dormant for too long, succumbing was dangerous. And he knew it. He relished it. He inflamed it.
Taunting her with slow, seductive sensuality, his mouth trailed kisses around her temples and cheek. Her head turned instinctively to the command of his lips. The shreds of her willpower were hopelessly weak. How she drew the necessary strength, Lucy never knew. Even as she tore herself out of his embrace, the shock of withdrawal left her shaking.
He caught her quickly. His hands encircled her wrists, pinning them effortlessly between them as he dragged her back to him.
STOLEN BY THE SHEIKH, BOOK TWO in THE SHEIKHS UNTAMED BRIDES
Buy this book through the links below…Buy this book through the links below…TAMAZON US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CR8LGF73AMAZON CA: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0CR8LGF73
AMAZON UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0CR8LGF73
AMAZON AU: https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B0CR8LGF73
UNIVERSAL LINK: https://mybook.to/StolenByTheSheikh
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AMAZON PAPERBACK:
The audio version of this book is also available from all online bookstores and also librariesSTOLEN BY THE SHEIKH is part of Mollie Mathews’ THE SHEIKHS UNTAMED BRIDES series starring Maverick Sheikh Billionaires. While it can easily be read as a standalone story, you’ll likely enjoy reading the other books, too.Claimed by the Sheikh (Tariq and Melanie)
Stolen By The Sheikh (Anwar and Lucy)
Bought By The Sheikh (Fazza and Grace)
Tamed By The Sheikh (Hamad and Nicky) Coming soon.
Freed by the Sheikh (Rashad and Haya) Coming soon
Destined For The Sheikh (Omar and Danielle) Coming Soon
Sheikhs Untamed Brides Box Set Books 1-3
Readers who love sheikdom stories will love this 3 book boxset with its familiar secret babies, enemies to lovers; opposites attract, later-in-life, the wrong side of the track and forced proximity tropes.
Exclusive to KU
AMAZON US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D37DY81N
AMAZON CA:https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0D37DY81N
AMAZON UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0D37DY81N
AMAZON AU: https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B0D37DY81N
Bride of Gold; Married by Christmas; Flight of Passion; Love All of Me; Sex With Strangers
Fall in love with these contemporary heroes and heroines trying to mend their hearts, overcome their fears and find true love—read the other standalone books my Mollie to discover the friends and family who tumble into a once-in-a-lifetime-happily-ever-after affair of the heart themselves. 5-star review
DID YOU ENJOY THIS POST?You may also like:
Claimed by the Sheikh How extraordinary love can change our lives
How Trauma Can Fuel Your Life Purpose
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October 21, 2024
Love All of Me Free Chapter | Romance Story | Authortube
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Dear friends,
I wanted to share a chapter from my Christmas romance book, Love All of Me, with you. This story was inspired by the tragic events of December 2019 when the volcano on Whakaari, commonly known as White Island, in New Zealand erupted. At the time of writing, the eruption took the lives of 16 people and injured 30, most were critically hurt with life-threatening burns.
I read about a young man (aged only nineteen) who not only was severely burned but awoke from his induced coma to learn that his entire family had died.
I wondered, what would it be like to be a survivor? What if you were wracked with survivor’s guilt? What if your scars weren’t just on the outside but buried deep within? What if you felt you had no right to live, let alone love again? What and who would it take to heal such traumatic scars?
And what would happen if a woman who hates Christmas agreed to be Red-Hot Santa’s helper and the spark they have is hotter than a Sicilian sunset?
Here’s a little more about the story:
After surviving a horrific accident Kate Miller is plagued by guilt. Hiding both her mental and physical scars, she shuns love and escapes into work—finding meaning and purpose in running her global manuka honey empire.
Beautiful and smart, when Gianni Romano demands she sell the business to him, her passions are inflamed. How dare he think he can buy the only thing that gives her a reason to live?
Gianni Romano has ventured to New Zealand by the one thing he’d love to escape: family The Romano fortune and name has followed him wherever he goes. But that only made the headstrong Italian more determined to strike out on his own. Now he’s on the cusp of achieving world acclaim.
Only one woman stands in his way—Kate Miller and her refusal to submit to his demands.
The spark they have flames hotter than a Sicilian sunset, but when emotions run deep and lives are on the line, will mixing business with pleasure be the bedrock for a lifelong love? Or will it all explode like an angry volcano?
Love All of Me is a true romance, brimming with the promise of a happily ever after.
If you love feel-good, sensual contemporary romances set in beautiful love-infused settings, then you’ll love Kate and Gianni’s story!
Inspired to read this sensuous love story. Grab your copy today!
To enjoy your audiobook from Audible:
US
https://www.audible.com/pd/Love-All-of-Me-Audiobook/B0B75KCRSR
UK
https://www.audible.co.uk/pd/Love-All-of-Me-Audiobook/B0B75P48T2
AU
https://www.audible.com.au/pd/Love-All-of-Me-Audiobook/B0B75NCPD8
KOBO
To enjoy your audiobook from Kobo:
https://www.kobo.com/us/en/audiobook/love-all-of-me-1
Audiobooks are also available from other online retailers and libraries for your listening pleasure
Love All of MeListen to your free excerpt here
P.S.
You might be interested to know that Ron Howard and Leonardo DiCaprio have produced a feature documentary about the 2019 tragedy. Netflix’s documentary about the White Island/Whakaari eruption titled The Volcano: Rescue from Whakaari. The Netflix documentary shows a number of survivors sharing their stories.
“I thought, ‘This is it. We’re going to die on our honeymoon’,” says one man.
Rescue workers also feature in the documentary, recounting their experiences of the tragic day. “I heard the call, ‘There’s people on the island and she’s erupting’,” says one man.
The Volcano: Rescue From Whakaari will be released on Netflix on 16 December 2022.
Buy this book through the links below…
AMAZON US: https://www.amazon.com/Love-All-Me-Mollie-Mathews-ebook/dp/B09NMTYMV4
AMAZON CA: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B09NMTYMV4
AMAZON UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B09NMTYMV4
AMAZON AU: https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B09NMTYMV4
Universal Link: https://mybook.to/LoveAllofMe
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The post Love All of Me Free Chapter | Romance Story | Authortube appeared first on Mollie Mathews.
October 17, 2024
Free Montana Romance
I love layering in real-life dramas that so many people face. We seldom get knocked flat by one thing but a series of events. Some people think this makes people victims, but very often, the setbacks in life are the things that lead us back to our true empowered selves. As one reviewer shared,
“When you said the other reviewer said it dragged at the beginning and that Lizzie was too much of a victim. I felt you needed to get her story out and about how she was feeling. I didn’t feel that it dragged. She really did everything she could to help herself, there really wasn’t more she could have done as the others had more power than she did and didn’t seem to be very nice people. She needed to hit bottom so she could go to the art retreat and meet Jack, learn from everything that happened, and make new life choices.”
Writing is a funny thing… some folk want to rush to the “good” parts, and others want to dive deep and savor more depth and character growth, leading to a true romance… Loreli’s comments were a good reminder for me to tell the story in the way that feels most honest. I hope you enjoy the excerpt and go on to read the rest of the book.
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CHAPTER ONE…
“It’s the worst day of my life,” 42-year-old Elizabeth Buckley muttered, fingers trembling as they gripped the bottle of New Zealand chardonnay. Her polished chignon was perfect, a mask of control that hid the storm brewing inside her. Everything about her was always neat, just as her father demanded—nothing out of place, no room for error, or criticism would follow. The apartment around her, however, was dim and chaotic, a reflection of her turmoil. She poured another glass, this one filled to the brim, before sinking back into the couch, her gaze distant as she glanced across Manhattan’s glittering skyline. “I can’t believe he did this to me.”
“What happened? Who did what?” Poppy Pac, Lizzie’s best friend, asked as she settled beside her. Poppy, with her vibrant green eyes wide with concern and her fiery auburn hair cascading over her shoulders, looked the picture of contrast next to Lizzie’s composed exterior. Her red beret was a playful splash against the gravity in the air. “You look awful. Tell me everything.”
“I’m Sol’s girlfriend… except I’m the last to know.” Lizzie’s voice trembled as the words escaped. The glass clinked against her teeth as she took a shaky sip. “He’s getting married, Poppy. And he didn’t even have the decency to tell me.”
“Sol Larson’s getting married? What the—? To who?”
“It’s the end of the world,” Lizzie whispered, her words barely audible. The city lights outside felt distant, like everything she had worked so hard to perfect had slipped through her fingers, just like when she was a child, trying to make her father love her, but never quite being enough. The perfection she so desperately clung to crumbled in the face of Sol’s betrayal. He’d promised her so much, called her his bride. And now… now it was all nothing.
“When did you last see him?” Poppy asked softly.
“Last night. We… we were together last night,” Lizzie admitted, her eyes flicking to the mantel, where a photo of her and Sol still stood, a relic of the lies she’d been living. “I thought we were building something real.”
Poppy’s eyes widened in disbelief. “I don’t even know what to say.”
“I woke up to an empty bed and… and a newsfeed blowing up with the story. Sol isn’t my forever man. He’s marrying Jacinda Solder. My boss. My supposed friend.” Lizzie’s voice was tight, barely holding back the tears that threatened to spill.
“No way,” Poppy breathed, horror crossing her face. “That snake. She’s always been jealous of you, Lizzie. I knew it. I knew she’d pull something like this.”
Lizzie nodded, the wine slipping past her lips as if it could drown the bitter truth. “He said we were just ‘friends with benefits,’ just ‘fun.’ All those times he called me his bride? He made me feel like I was perfect. And now? Now, I’m nothing. Just like I always was.”
“You’re not nothing,” Poppy’s voice rose, her green eyes blazing with anger. “That man’s a fool, Lizzie. He never deserved you, and Jacinda… she’s a piece of work. But you? You’ve always been enough, more than enough. Even when your father tried to make you feel like you weren’t.”
Lizzie winced. Poppy always knew how to strike at the heart of things. Her father’s voice still echoed in her head, the harsh critiques, the constant need to prove herself worthy of love that never seemed to come. Sol had been another version of that, hadn’t he? Making her think she had to be perfect, that love was something to be earned, something she had to deserve.
“He said it wasn’t personal, it was business.” Lizzie’s voice cracked as the walls around her perfection shattered. “And now they’re merging companies, merging lives. And I’m just… left here. Alone.”
“No, no,” Poppy whispered fiercely, wrapping her arms around Lizzie’s shoulders. “You are not alone. You’ve been trying to please everyone your whole life—first your dad, now Sol. But you don’t have to prove anything to anyone. Not anymore.”
Lizzie leaned into Poppy’s embrace, her voice small. “All I ever wanted was to be loved for me. Just me. Not who they wanted me to be. But I wasn’t enough for him… or for my father. No matter what I did, I was never enough.”
“You are enough,” Poppy said firmly. “Sol’s a narcissist. He was never going to give you what you needed because he doesn’t even know what love is. But you? You’re not broken because of him. You’re still standing, Lizzie. And now you get to find out who you are.”
Lizzie shook her head, her voice a whisper. “I don’t know who I am anymore.”
“You’ll figure it out,” Poppy said softly, giving her a squeeze. “You always do. And you’ll find someone who loves you for exactly who you are, not for the perfection you’ve been trying to live up to.”
“I hope you’re right,” Lizzie whispered, though deep down, the little girl inside her who had tried so hard to be perfect wasn’t sure if she believed it anymore.
“I’ve wanted to tell you for a long time that I’ve never liked Sol.”
“Why didn’t you?”
“You looked so happy.”
“I was happy. I was in love. I didn’t realize he was faking his feelings for me. Pretending to love me. What a fraud!”
“Honestly, I know it might not feel like it, but Sol’s done you a favor by hooking up with Jacinda. They’re both in love with their own reflections.”
“It doesn’t feel like a favor,” Lizzie swallowed her wine in one quick gulp. “Sol says he’d like to smooth things between us and do a conscious uncoupling.”
“A what?” Poppy said, pushing the wine bottle to the edge of the table away from Lizzie’s reach.
“You know, like Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris-what’s-his-name, that English singer from—?”
“Coldplay.”
Lizzie wrapped her arms around her chest. “Yeah, Coldplay. Except it’s me that got played, and now I’m left in the cold with no one to love.”
Lizzie let out a hollow laugh, the bitterness clinging to the edges of her words. “I wish I had. But I couldn’t. I was too stunned. Everything I thought I had—my life, my future—it was like watching it crumble into dust. I asked him, ‘Conscious uncoupling? What does that even mean? We’re not even married.’”
Poppy leaned in, her eyes narrowing. “And what did he say?”
“The line went dead. Like he ran out of lies to tell. And then he just… paused. When he finally spoke, he told me to ‘keep things quiet,’ to not ‘speak to the media.’” Lizzie’s voice dripped with disbelief. “Like I’d be out there, broadcasting my humiliation for the world to see. He’s taken care of that for me.”
Poppy’s jaw clenched. “What did you say?”
“I couldn’t think, Poppy. I couldn’t even breathe. The betrayal was… suffocating. The last thing on my mind was talking to anyone about it. And the worst part?” Lizzie’s voice cracked as she pressed her palms into her forehead. “He’s been screwing Jacinda for months. I was just a distraction.”
Poppy’s eyes darkened with anger. “That bastard.”
Lizzie buried her face in her hands. “God. It’s unbearable. I feel like crawling under a rock and never coming out. I’m going to die alone.”
“No, you won’t. You’ll find someone, Lizzie. Someone who’s worth it,” Poppy’s voice softened, but Lizzie couldn’t meet her gaze.
“How can I trust anyone again?” Lizzie’s words were thick with despair.
She reached for her phone, her thumb swiping through notifications with mechanical detachment—until her face twisted in horror. “Oh my God.”
Poppy leaned forward, her voice sharp with alarm. “What? What is it?”
Lizzie’s eyes were wide, her mouth hanging open as she stared at her screen. “It’s Jacinda. She just sent an email to every law firm in New York, accusing me of fraud.”
“What?!”
“She’s not just taking Sol,” Lizzie whispered, her voice breaking. “She’s trying to ruin me. I thought losing him was the worst part. But now… she’s going after my career. She’s going to destroy everything.”
Get It Here!
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Enjoy your copy of Love In Montana
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CA:https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0DHQSZQTG
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AU:https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B0DHQSZQTG
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About this book★★★★★ “This book has it all—drama, heartbreak, and a swoon-worthy love story. I couldn’t put it down!”
Pretending to fall in love has never felt so real…
Billionaire rancher and ethical corporate raider Jack Archer would give anything to bring back his parents, who died in a tragic car crash when he was just four years old. Instead, he’s left with the legacy they built from scratch—a sprawling Montana ranch that he cherishes with every fiber of his being. But when his grandfather gives him an ultimatum—find a bride or lose the ranch—Jack is livid. Marriage is the last thing on his mind. Yet, to protect his family’s dream, he needs a fiancée, and he needs her now.
New York lawyer Elizabeth Buckley thought she had it all—until her world crumbled. Betrayed by her best friend, humiliated by her fiancé, and ousted from her job, she’s lost everything she once held dear. Seeking solace and a fresh start, she channels her inner Beth Dutton and escapes to the untamed beauty of Montana. There, a chance encounter with a ruggedly handsome cowboy reignites a spark she thought was extinguished forever.
When Jack proposes a marriage of convenience, Lizzie is torn. The offer could be her ticket to a new life, but it’s risky. Can she really trust a man who needs a wife for reasons that have nothing to do with love? As they navigate a whirlwind of fake dates and public appearances, they find themselves entangled in a connection that feels anything but pretend.
Ideal for readers who crave:
Sizzling romance and slow-burn chemistry with characters who challenge and captivate each other.Emotional depth and relatable characters overcoming loss, betrayal, and the struggle to find themselves again.Sweeping Montana landscapes and a touch of cowboy allure that transports you to a world where the wild spirit of the West meets the sophisticated charm of high-stakes romance.Reviews:
“An absolute page-turner! Jack and Lizzie’s chemistry leaps off the page, and the Montana setting is beautifully rendered. A must-read for romance lovers!”
“This book has it all—drama, heartbreak, and a swoon-worthy love story. I couldn’t put it down!”
“From heartbreak to hope, this story took me on an emotional rollercoaster. I felt every moment, and the ending was perfection!”
Three weeks. Two hearts. One fake engagement…one wedding?
Can two people who’ve lost everything find the courage to risk it all again—for each other? Perfect for fans of authors like Susan Mallery, Maisey Yates, and Kristan Higgins, Love in Montana is a heartfelt journey of healing, hope, and discovering the true meaning of home.
LOVE IN MONTANA is part of Mollie Mathews’ TRUE LOVE series starring Maverick Billionaires. While it can easily be read as a standalone story, you’ll likely enjoy reading the other books, too. All of Mollie’s series are linked. If you find a character you love, they could be in another novel!
THE TRUE LOVE SERIES
LOVE IN MONTANA is part of Mollie Mathews’ TRUE LOVE series starring Maverick Billionaires. While it can easily be read as a standalone story, you’ll likely enjoy reading the other books, too.
THE TRUE LOVE SERIES
Love In Venice (Mauro and Maggie) (3rd prize, Koru Excellence in Romance Award)
Love In Mexico (Ruby and Oliver)
Love In Sicily (Gianni and Kate)
You may also enjoyThe Inspiration Behind This Story
The Origins of My Story and Writing Process
The Heart Behind Love in Montana: How My Grandfather’s Pranks and Love Shaped My Writing
The post Free Montana Romance appeared first on Mollie Mathews.
October 14, 2024
Oh, I do love orchids
“Oh, I do love orchids… I dream of creating a house designed around the shape of orchids.” 
In **Claimed By The Sheikh**, my heroine architect brings this dream to life!
Join her journey of creativity, passion, and love. 
★★★★★ “I can’t articulate enough how compellingly page-turning this remarkable story was. If I could give it more than 5 stars, this would be it!”
Award-winning author Mollie Mathews returns with another heartfelt exploration of the power of love and second chances. Perfect for fans of love stories by Danielle Steel, Sarah Morgan, and Jojo Moyes
The secret she kept from the Sheikh…
A grief-stricken Sheikh Tariq na Hassir, the formidable ruler of the Kingdom of Avana, arrives in Paris to claim his brother’s child after a car crash killed his parents–unaware that the child isn’t their biological son. Salim is Tariq’s son, with his former lover, a renowned architect.
Three years ago, after being banished by Tariq from his desert kingdom, Melanie Jones secretly gave her baby to Tariq’s childless brother and his wife, in a swap the world was never supposed to know about.
The tragedy pulls her back to the world that rejected her and the man who abandoned her–the only man capable of turning her carefully controlled world upside down.
Tariq will do whatever it takes to protect his legacy, including claiming Melanie as his bride and his son as heir before scandals ensue.
But Melanie has other plans for her future—a westernized life where she’s free to operate her own business and control her own life.
If you love true romance and beautiful love, second chance, secret baby romances set against a sensuous backdrop of the desert, art, and architecture, you’ll love Claimed by The Sheikh.
.
This is a standalone, clean, and wholesome romance novel. It contains a guaranteed HEA and a tale of romance that will capture your heart.
BILLIONAIRE SHEIKH ROMANCE EXCERPTShe gazed at the orchids artfully arranged beside her bed, draped with little beaded pearl lights. Inspiration struck as she stared into their deep magenta center. Magenta, the colour of universal harmony and emotional balance.Magenta the symbol of universal love at its highest level. Magenta, the color that promotes compassion, kindness, and cooperation and encourages a sense of self-respect and contentment in those who use it.
Yes, the path was dazzlingly clear. She wanted this. She wanted to create architecture that was a piece of floral artistry. She wanted to make Tariq proud.
And Tariq would love it. She was sure of that. Magenta, the color of self-respect, told her that. If he loved it so much, when she finally found the perfect time to tell him the truth, he might even find it in his heart to forgive her.
She couldn’t turn back the time that had escaped them, but she could try to make up for those missing years in the only way she knew how.
CHAPTER 32
Melanie was too excited to sleep, so she decided to visit Salim and read him another story. A bedtime story. He still hadn’t woken from his coma, but the more she read to him, the more she felt she was making up for all those nights she hadn’t been there to read or kiss him to sleep.
She plucked two orchids from the stem, tucked one behind her ear, and carried the other to place by Salim’s bed.
Every day was like nighttime for Salim, she thought as she entered the hospital room. She watched the gentle rise and fall of his tiny chest. She placed the orchid by his head, hoping the sweet perfume would work some magic alchemy and stir him from his slumber.
And then did something she hadn’t done in years. She knelt on the prayer rug Tariq had placed in the room and prayed.
“Dear God, Please forgive me my sins. Please forgive me for my wrongs. Please forgive me for my pride. Please help me make right the wrongs of my past. Please heal my son. Please bring him back to life. Please help me use my gifts in a way I may serve this world. Please help me fulfill the purpose of life, to bring you joy.”
She didn’t know if Tariq would ever forgive her for her sins. She would never know how different things might have been had she given up working and raised her son.
She couldn’t undo time. She had done the best she could. Perhaps one day, Tariq and the people of Avana would understand. Maybe one day, she would forgive herself.
But for now, she just wanted to fill Salim’s life with memorable moments.
* * *
She told Tariq that she would accept his offer and filled the days as she waited for the things she needed to complete her work to arrive, visiting her son.
Sitting with Salim for hours every day, she began to read to him the stories which, as a child, she used to love.
Fun stories by Dr. Suess and other books her father had read to her as a child. She knew no matter how much she tried, those three years would always be missing. But she loved Salim more than he would ever understand. Perhaps when he woke and his memory returned, or maybe later, when he was a young man, he may not be as forgiving. But right now, she counted her blessings.
She knew that one day, what she would finally create would sustain Salim and Tariq for years to come and hopefully fill them with pride at her lasting legacy.
It was her gift for them. Her son had always inspired her architecture. She never would have tried so hard without the knowledge he was alive.
* * *
“You did this for me?”
Melanie drew a ragged breath. It was as though Tariq had transported her architecture studio and recreated it in the kingdom of Avana. At one end of the vast, light-filled room was her workstation. Everything she needed was there—a stand-up desk, Apple computers, several big drawing boards on stands made of round metal tubes with a hydraulic lift for height adjustment. Even her beloved pens and sketchbooks were there.
And in the corner of the room, where she could easily keep an eye on her son when he finally awoke, and her son could keep an eye on her, was the most adorable playpen. It was a fairytale fortress that would awaken and inspire any creativity Salim may hopefully have inherited from his mother.
“No,” he said gruffly, “I did it for me. Do not mistake my furnishing of your study for anything more than that—a place for you to work and care for the boy at the same time.”
He’d been cool with her since she had rebuked him, and while it hurt, it suited her perfectly for now. She needed to focus on the formidable challenge she had set herself.
Melanie carefully studied the placement of everything. He had made considerable effort to add an unexpected touch of homeliness for someone with his aloof coolness. Her paintings, drawings, sculptural pieces, and other handcrafts were everywhere, patiently waiting, dancing, embracing her—giving off pulses of visual energy.
Tears blurred her eyes, and she quickly turned to look at the library of books lining the far end of what was now her studio. She walked toward the ceiling-high bookcases and ran her fingers along the spine of several of the many hundreds of architecture and design books lining the walls.
Her eyes trailed over the large volumes of artists she esteemed. CY Twombly, Mark Rothko, Frank Lloyd Wright, John Lautner, and her most inspirational muse—Dame Zaha Hadid. Her eyes watered as she studied the spines and saw the names of the architects she had told Tariq that had so inspired and influenced her work.
“Gosh, I don’t know what to say,” she said, turning to him. “You’re a very resourceful man,” she said, looking at the display of architectural models on the shelves running along the inner wall. “Where did you get these? They’re iconic.”
His unreadable expression didn’t change. “I had them flown in.”
Despite his stiff facade, she noticed the lift of pleasure in his voice. He had enjoyed making her happy. And she knew it.
It made Melanie wonder how different all their lives might have been. She, Tariq, and their son, working and living together, enriching, not destroying, each other’s lives. Could she have successfully been a working wife and mother all this time? Had she been wrong to listen to her mother?
Discover the award-winning architecture Melanie creates inspired by orchids in Claimed by The Sheikh
ENJOY NOWAMAZON US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07YBN6JG7
AMAZON CA: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B07YBN6JG7
AMAZON UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07YBN6JG7
AMAZON AU: https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B07YBN6JG7
UNIVERSAL LINK: https://mybook.to/ClaimedByTheSheikh
iBOOK, BARNES AND NOBLE, AND OTHER GREAT BOOKSTORES: https://books2read.com/u/brVjdZ
#ClaimedByTheSheikh #OrchidInspired #ArchitectureDreams #BookLovers #RomanceReaders #DesignYourDream #InteriorDesign #Bookstagram #ReadingCommunity #LoveAndArchitecture
The post Oh, I do love orchids appeared first on Mollie Mathews.
christmas romance ebooks…
Like me, do you enjoy reading Christmas romance ebooks?
I’ve curated a few of my favourite Christmas romance books.
CHRISTMAS FOR ONEBook #1 in my new romantic comedy series is out now. Lose yourself in this feel-great romance with the all-important happily-ever-after!
Set in New York in December 2005 (before the world went mad), Christmas For One will ease your worries and have you laughing out loud as 44-year-old Ruby Evans navigates the perilous task of dating again in the search for lasting love after being dumped.
“Mollie delivers with this artfully compelling, skilfully enthralling rollercoaster. Divvying out some festive frolicking, seasonal cheer and holiday magic, whipping this sweet treat into shape perfectly.”
Enjoy this book through the links below:
Amazon:
US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CMGSZ95G
UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0CMGSZ95G
Universal link:
https://mybook.to/ChristmasForOne
To enjoy your copy from Apple, Kobo, Barnes and Noble, and other great bookstores:
https://books2read.com/u/bQg2eP
AUDIO
AUDIBLE US: https://www.audible.com/pd/B0CVR2JHXP
AUDIBLE UK: https://www.audible.co.uk/pd/B0CVR3F811
AUDIBLE AU: https://www.audible.com.au/pd/B0CVR1YM23
KOBO: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/audiobook/christmas-for-one-7
Will Ruby find love this Christmas?44-year-old Ruby Evans doesn’t want to be a ‘leftover girl’ —especially at Christmas. But finding a ‘forever’ man is proving impossible.
A single mum after 20 years of marriage, her husband is the only man she has ever slept with. But the one bit of security she always thought she’d hold onto for the rest of her life is brutally ripped from her.
Living the worst cliche she is is humiliatingly and cruelly ex-ed when her husband trades her for a younger model. Chanel Zest, a long-time friend and unconventional, X-rated life coach, comes to her rescue. Together, they embark on a quest to reclaim and rebuild Ruby’s shattered life and find love again.
But, once in a pink moon, Ruby has to play dirty…
But then, a chance meeting with a stranger threatens to unravel all her secrets. Will Ruby be exposed or finally get everything she wished for? Will she find true love or be alone this Christmas after all?
Full of quirky humour and the promise of a happily ever after.
Christmas For One is a warm, festive romance with a few spicy bits.
You’ll love Christmas For One if you love Jojo Moyes and enjoy a romantic comedy.
festive frolicking, seasonal cheer and holiday magic
“Mollie delivers with this artfully compelling, skillfully enthralling rollercoaster. Divvying out some festive frolicking, seasonal cheer and holiday magic.”
~ Kaye Gunter
I was glued to the pages from start to finish with this feel-good story
“I absolutely loved this awesome book. Ruby’s life coach is an interesting character, I loved what she came up with to help Ruby out. Ruby turned it all into her own, and I loved what she did to help herself. This book has some laugh-out-loud moments, I loved every one of them. The characters are likeable and so full of life, even when things seem down, they turn it into their favor. I was glued to the pages from start to finish with this feel-good story.”
~ Loreli
I loved everything about this book, especially the humour
“I absolutely enjoyed this story. I loved the storyline, I loved the characters, I loved the humour. I couldn’t put it down. The descriptions were perfect.I loved everything about this book, especially the humour. It was funny, sad at times, and I loved it.”
~ Patricia Quinn
funny, laugh out loud, and a delight to read
“My second Mollie Mathews book and definitely not the last ….funny, laugh out loud, and a delight to read …..am looking out for the movie or maybe Netflix series ……felt like a letter from a close girlfriend.”
~ Jo Oxford
a one-of-a-kind full range of emotion book if you have ever gone through a divorce
“This is a one-of-a-kind full range of emotion book that if you have ever gone through a divorce and had a wonderfully supportive but definitely zany friend to get you through it all, you will relate to much of what Ms. Mathews has Ruby experience! There were times I laughed, times I cried, and other times I was cheerleader number one for Ruby to get her mojo on and take back her life! I absolutely loved all the in-her-head comments that Ruby would have whenever Chanel would throw out one of her wacky life-coach do’s and don’ts! Priceless!! A very good book.”
~ Anita Fuhrmann
Mollie is just such a good writer
“I really enjoy Mollie’s style of writing – it’s in the 21st century and relates to every woman who has been trashed by a bloke. The abandonment issues experienced by Max are also so relevant to our current world, so many have been emotionally stunted or abandoned. This is a story that resonates with me and I could not put it down. Mollie is just such a good writer with enormous appeal in her story – an excellent read on a rainy day.”
~ Rae Waterhouse
gives me hope that I will meet my Prince
“Beautiful. Resonated in my soul, gives me hope that I will meet my Prince one day and he will love me for who I am.”
~ Amazon Review
a gorgeous escapist read
“A gorgeous escapist read. I will definitely be looking out for other books by this author. Recommended.”
~ Amazon Review
MARRIED BY CHRISTMAS
What if the person who is so, so, so wrong for you is really so, so, so right, but you’re too afraid to give love a chance?The billionaire romance that defied the odds. Two opposites unite in a fun and frisky heart-warming sweet romance.
Last Christmas, art therapist Issy Riley was jilted by her fiancé. This Christmas she’s running away. A week with a client on his private Fijian island promises to save her from cheating men and the London festive season. But when the client turns out to be a gorgeous and magnetic Italian billionaire, he threatens her resolve to never again trust her heart to the wrong man.
The one thing Max and Issy agree on: they are as wrong for each other as wrong gets. He’s a workaholic playboy who believes emotion is a weakness. She’s a romantic who yearns for a happily ever after.
Milan fashion house leader and avowed bachelor Massimiliano Balforni has no intention of taking a vacation, despite his sister’s insistence that he subject himself to an art therapy retreat following a minor heart attack. With an important collection due, he intends to fire his therapist and work, instead. But the determined and striking Issy gives his heart palpitations of a far more dangerous kind.
As the tropical heat soars, they discover that in this battle between work and play, resistance only fuels attraction—and sometimes two wrongs make a very passionate right.
Set in two beautiful paradises—Milano, Italy and the tropical Pacific islands of Fiji.
PRAISE FOR MARRIED BY CHRISTMAS
an instantly gripping dynamic
“Mollie Mathews has created an instantly gripping dynamic between Issy and Massimilliano that beautifully blends their animosity and their undeniable attraction, making the tension soar.”
~ Laura, Harlequin Mills and Boon
Mollie is just such a good writer
“I really enjoy Mollie’s style of writing – it’s in the 21st century and relates to every woman who has been trashed by a bloke. The abandonment issues experienced by Max are also so relevant to our current world, so many have been emotionally stunted or abandoned. This is a story that resonates with me and I could not put it down. Mollie is just such a good writer with enormous appeal in her story – an excellent read on a rainy day.”
~ Rae Waterhouse
perfect holiday reading
“I couldn’t get away for a holiday this year but was lucky enough to stumble across Mollie Mathews book Married by Christmas. With inviting backdrops of Italy and Fiji to set the scene and passionate but angst-ridden leading characters, it makes the perfect holiday reading.” ~ Laura Virgo
gives me hope that I will meet my Prince
“Beautiful. Resonated in my soul, gives me hope that I will meet my Prince one day and he will love me for who I am.”
~ Amazon Review
a gorgeous escapist read
“A gorgeous escapist read. Loved the flirty spark between Max and Issy, and as for the location … sigh … I wanna be there. I will definitely be looking out for other books by this author. Recommended.”
~ Amazon Review
Buy this book through the links below…
To grab your copy from Amazon, click here>>getbook.at/MarriedByChristmas
Paperback, hardback, and audio from all good bookstores
LOVE IN SICILYWhat if you hate Christmas and along comes a red hot Italian Billionaire Santa?After surviving a horrific accident Kate Miller is plagued by guilt. Hiding both her mental and physical scars, she shuns love and escapes into work—finding meaning and purpose in running her global manuka honey empire.
Beautiful and smart, when Gianni Romano demands she sell the business to him, her passions are inflamed. How dare he think he can buy the only thing that gives her a reason to live?
Gianni Romano has ventured to New Zealand by the one thing he’d love to escape: family The Romano fortune and name has followed him wherever he goes. But that only made the headstrong Italian more determined to strike out on his own. Now he’s on the cusp of achieving world acclaim.
Only one woman stands in his way—Kate Miller and her refusal to submit to his demands. The spark they have is hotter than a Sicilian sunset, but when emotions run deep and lives are on the line, will mixing business with pleasure be the bedrock for a lifelong love? Or will it all explode like an angry volcano?
Love In Sicily is a beautiful romance brimming with the promise of a happily ever after. Set in The Bay of Islands, New Zealand, and Stromboli, Sicily—two of the most beautiful, unspoiled, sensuous places in the world.
If this is the first time you have read a Mollie Mathews love story, you can easily read each book as a standalone.
PRAISE FOR LOVE IN SICILYcaptivating romance!“I absolutely loved this romance book set in New Zealand’s Bay of Islands. Gianni has fled to New Zealand to flee from his family and Kate is in New Zealand running her global Manuka honey empire. Kate and Gianni are realistic, strong, independent, sexy, and confident. Kate is irate when Gianni demands she sell her business to him. Kate and Gianni are struggling with personal issues and just want to escape their lives. They end up having sparks that are hotter than an inferno. Their journey with each other is sensuous and in one of the most tranquil places in the world, their happily ever after came when they were at their most vulnerable. I recommend reading this phenomenal romance that will set you on fire, this author is extraordinary and knows how to captivate her reader’s hearts and attention with passion and hot, steamy romance.”
a great read“Love In Sicily is a great read. It has its share of angst and joy. Kate and Gianni have a lot of familial events that play into this story. Well-layered and the interaction, even when it comes to their need for a therapist, is really cool. Disaster and betrayal are balanced out with the realization that they have both dealt with the volcanic activity which leads to love. A quick and balanced read.”
another heart-wrenching yet heart healing story from this gifted author…“Loved the push & pull between the main protagonists. They both had horrific experiences & whilst she had physical scars & grieved the loss of her family with a heavy dose of self-blame, his were buried much deeper & yet he revealed everything. Loved her almost human mutt & the detailed well-written story that had a lot of angst but underpinning all the drama, the harsh words. they were so sexually connected that they could have put the stars to shame. Highly recommended.”
Buy this book through the links below…Amazon
US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CXRGFRC6
CA: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0CXRGFRC6
UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0CXRGFRC6
AU: https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B0CXRGFRC6
Universal Link:
https://mybook.to/LoveInSicilyBook
iBOOK, BARNES AND NOBLE, AND OTHER GREAT BOOKSTORES: https://books2read.com/u/49ajQp
ALSO IN AUDIOAudiobooks are also available from other online retailers and libraries for your listening pleasure
Enjoy other full-length contemporary romances by Mollie Mathews: Sex With Strangers; The Italian Billionaire’s Scandalous Marriage, The Italian Billionaire’s Christmas Bride, Flight of Passion and Claimed by The Sheikh
THE SWEET ROMANCE COLLECTION BOXED SETThe Sweet Christmas Romance Collection contains three of my most popular love stories set in captivatingly beautiful locations—including Fiji, and The Bay of Islands, New Zealand.
If you adore beautifully written stories and truly heartwarming sweet romances, you’ll love travelling along the road to love with these changing and evolving men and women as they open their heart’s again and find true love.
The books included in this bundle are:
What if the person who is so, so, so wrong for you is really so, so, so right, but you’re too afraid to give love a chance?
Last Christmas, art therapist Issy Riley was jilted by her fiancé. This Christmas, she’s running away. A week with a client on his private Fijian island promises to save her from cheating men and the London festive season. But when the client turns out to be a gorgeous and magnetic Italian billionaire, he threatens her resolve never again to trust her heart to the wrong man.
As the tropical heat soars, they discover that in this battle between work and play, resistance only fuels attraction—and sometimes, two wrongs make a very passionate right.
2. Love All of Me
Gianni Romano has ventured to New Zealand by the one thing he’d love to escape: family. The Romano fortune and name have followed him wherever he goes. But that only made the headstrong Italian more determined to strike out on his own. Now he’s on the cusp of achieving world acclaim.
Only one woman stands in his way—Kate Miller and her refusal to submit to his demands. The spark they have is more than a Sicilian sunset, but when emotions run deep, and lives are on the line, will mixing business with pleasure be the bedrock for a lifelong love? Or will it all explode like an angry volcano?
Still reeling following her malicious sacking, family therapist Lily Rose is feeling rejected and low in spirits. Even worse, she’s broke. Two weeks before Christmas, the last thing she needs is more money woes. This is exactly what happens when she collides with billionaire water magnate Leonardo Ermenegildo Bressolini’s mint-condition Lamborghini.
“Another heart-wrenching yet heart-healing story from this gifted author…Loved the push & pull between the main protagonists. They both had horrific experiences & whilst she had physical scars & grieved the loss of her family with a heavy dose of self-blame, his were buried much deeper & yet he revealed everything. Loved her almost human mutt & the detailed well-written story that had a lot of angst but underpinning all the drama, the harsh words. they were so sexually connected that they could have put the stars to shame. Highly recommended.”
“I recommend reading this phenomenal romance that will set you on fire; this author is extraordinary and knows how to captivate her reader’s hearts and attention with passion.”
The Sweet Christmas Romance Collection 3 Book-Bundle Box Set is a sensuous read with healthy doses of escapism
To enjoy your copy in ebook or paperback from Amazon and Apple, click here:
To enjoy your copy from Kobo, click here:
AUDIO
KOBO
https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/sweet-christmas-romance-collection-3-book-bundle-box-set
The audio version is also available from other online retailers and libraries for your listening pleasure.
AUDIBLE
Coming soon!
YOU MAY ALSO ENJOY ROMANCE BOOKS WITH ART-RELATED THEMESIf you’ve been following me for a while now, you’ll know that as well as writing award-winning love stories, I am an award-winning contemporary artist. Many of my stories have art-related themes… with the healing power and connectiveness of creativity at the core. I share a few of my favourites on my blog >>
love, Mollie
The post christmas romance ebooks… appeared first on Mollie Mathews.
Christmas Romance and The Italian Billionaire’s Christmas Bride—The Inspiration Behind the Story
Dear friends,
Uncover the inspirational story behind The Italian Billionaire’s Christmas Bride: from a fashion tycoon regretting life decisions to finding a second chance at love.
Readers sayReaders find the writing style beautiful, with beautiful descriptions. They describe the book as an enjoyable, fast-paced, and compelling read from start to finish. Readers also mention the story is wonderful, touching, and emotional.
The ideaThe idea for this Christmas romance novel was sparked when I read about a very successful Italian fashion-tycoon who said, ‘My biggest regret is that I gave my life to my job.’ It struck me as very, very sad.
I wondered why he had chosen to live his life this way. Despite all his wealth, all his mansions around the world, and all the ‘fans’ who adored him for the identity he had carefully cultivated, he loved no one and no one loved him back for who he truly was.
Although he never said it outright, he’d thrown himself into his work following the death of his life partner. His work was pure escapism—protecting him from feeling the pain of loss again.
He’d originally trained as a medic but after experiencing the horrors of war, he sought refuge in a fantasy world.
As a child, he’d loved the glitz and glamor Hollywood offered. After a brief stint in the war where he witnessed the deaths of friends, he found an escape from the harshness of reality returning to the fantasy of Hollywood
I wondered what sort of woman would be able to touch this frozen man at the deepest level. Everything in his life was controlled measured, predictably precise. I wondered what if the darkness of the past, his unhealed wounds began to impact his work, stifling his creativity and threatening to destroy everything he had fought so hard to achieve.
I wondered what if, as part of his recovery, he was forced to spend time with a woman so opposite in every way to the order he imposed in his life. And what if this woman was a children’s art therapist. A woman unimpressed by the fame and fortune he’d amassed, but who believed strongly in the power of play, fun, and spontaneity—things he considered reckless
What if this woman had the power to transform his life, and he hers—but they were both afraid. Hearts have been broken, love lost, trust betrayed. What if this woman had her own wounds? Don’t we all?
What would it take to make all the masks fall? To be vulnerable? To risk it all? What would it take, in spite of the fear, to believe you deserve, you want, you need to give love a second chance?
You’ll discover the answers in The Italian Billionaire’s Christmas Bride. I hope you love this story as much as I loved writing it.
“I received this book from the author and am happily reviewing it. Brilliant book which I absolutely loved and would thoroughly recommend hoping that others enjoy it as much as I did. Max is a CEO of his own fashion design company as well as a former model and goes to meet Issy an Art therapist due to his sister who is worried about his recent heart problems. What happens when a man who doesn’t want to really be in therapy and the woman who believes that everyone could be helped if they just let the past go? Can this man and woman work out all the problems and what about the spark that suddenly blooms between them.”
Scroll below for a free EXCERPT:
CHAPTER ONE
‘Che cavolo! No! No! No! This will not do. Only an anorexic model could wear something that resembles a straw,’ thundered Massimilliano Balforni, CEO of Emporio Balforni, Milan’s most prestigious fashion house. His coal-black brows knitted in a fierce line as he looked with disdain at the scatter of sketches the young designer splayed on Max’s 15th Century walnut desk.
His protégé began to protest but one piercing look from the maestro forced his lips shut. His body stiffened as if frozen to the floor, reminded that his employer’s wrath was more dangerous than black ice
‘Alexandria Gorbetz is a real woman, the world’s richest woman, and someone like me that demands perfection.’
Max’s mouth curved in a controlled smile. Was that fear he detected in the young man’s face as Max pierced him with his dark gaze? He had every reason to be afraid. Enemies and friends alike knew Max had destroyed promising careers for lesser transgressions. Infinitesimal precision, extraordinary control, unrivaled beauty—Max suffered nothing less.
Pressing his fingertips to the smooth, cool parchment, he paused momentarily as a childhood memory stirred in his consciousness. He sucked in a breath and swept his hands brusquely across the page. He was no longer the lonely child who furtively sketched movie stars in beautiful clothes and dreamed of a Hollywood life.
What was once an escape was now a thriving commercial enterprise with insatiable demands. Max flourished his gold fountain pen across the page, adding a sweep of curves to the hips and breasts of the bespoke wedding gown his fashion house had been commissioned to design.
Now at the helm of his multi-billion dollar empire, Max was no longer a hands-on designer, but nothing went out the door without his final veto. Some called him a control freak and this he took not as a criticism but as the highest compliment.
He waited to feel the rush of joy he used to feel when drawing as a child. He stopped to await the all-consuming love that arose from knowing that no one possessed his raw talent and genius. He paused to feel the pride that came years later from knowing he designed dresses perfectly, to satisfy only one client on her most important day. There was nothing.
It shouldn’t have surprised him. He had long ago accepted that he was unable to feel the joy that other people did. He’d turned off that part of himself years ago and had vowed never again to succumb to vulnerability. In its place, carefully groomed aloofness and instilling fear in others were traits he prized and relentlessly cultivated.
As his protégé braced for the consequences Max forced his thoughts back to the commission. While he felt nothing in his heart, what he did experience as he looked at the drawing of the wedding dress executed to his design was a coolly detached appreciation that satisfied the perfectionist in him.
The lines and structure now conformed absolutely to his definition of ideal. The controlled steel gray pallet reflected his personality and every detailed aspect had been meticulously executed as he had commanded. No randomness or chaos anywhere.
Having witnessed his parents’ brutal marriage and subsequent divorce, Max had no misguided notions of happily-ever-after, nor any desire to marry.
Perfection in relationships was simply unattainable. But the knowledge that he was at the helm of an empire that created exquisite, extraordinarily elegant gowns admired by the world’s most elite, at the same time preserving a historic tradition, filled him with a degree of pride.
But as for the rest of his life—the personal, emotional side—he felt nothing. And that suited him perfectly.
Max’s long supple fingers drummed an impatient rhythm on the armrest of his chair. ‘Allora?’ Well? People react to fear, not love, he reminded himself as he kept his voice soft, but somehow containing all the might of the towering spires of the Duomo looming beyond his window.
A slither of fear crept into the young designer’s hushed apology. ‘I should have thought more about the woman beneath the dress.’
‘Thinking is not enough,’ Max commanded, his voice a dark, stark thing in the quiet of his office. ‘You must apply.’ Taking the drawings in both hands he tore the pages down the middle. ‘Begin again, and this time bring me excellence.’
Ignoring the tiny pin like tremors piercing his chest Max pushed back from the desk and rose to his feet as the young man retrieved the torn fragments and scuttled quickly toward the door. Striding across the room Max willed his racing heart to cede to his control.
CHAPTER TWO
‘Calm yourself, please Maxie,’ Sophia Balforni said, sweeping into his office she cast the young man a sympathetic look as their paths crossed. ‘Have you thought about what I suggested?’ she asked, gesturing to the art therapy brochure peeking from beneath a pile of contracts.
‘I am surrounded by amateurs and now you want me to play like a child, mia sorella. I have never heard something so ridiculous.’
‘You’re my brother. The best brother in the world, but do you know what’s holding you back? You’re afraid of losing control. You’re afraid that without all of this, she said, sweeping her hand around the room, ‘you’re worthless.’
‘But all of this means nothing if you’re dead. And none of this means anything without someone to share your heart and soul. I hope one day you’re able to realize that you’re wonderful for who you are, not just for what you’ve accomplished. But most of all I hope you’re able to experience the unconditional love and support of someone who loves you for you.’
Max was neither given to excessive emotion nor impetuousness but his mood wrestled with his need for control. He threw open the shuttered windows of his office and inhaled the frigid Milano air with shallow, measured breaths.
He ran his hand over his broad chest, fingering momentarily the fine scar snaking across his heart. His mind had the endurance and stamina of one thousand oxen but two months ago his body had betrayed him.
His gaze swept down the Piazza then flew up the spires of the Duomo, dusted with snow and bejeweled in dazzling pre-Christmas lights as the cacophony of Vespas buzzed like irritated wasps through the open window.
Although he had always hated Christmas, he loved tradition and he loved the supreme elegance that the Milanese never failed to deliver, but it pained him to concede that never had his beloved city been so irritating. In fact, everything, and everyone was irritating. Even his designs bored him. He knew better than most that he must continually innovate or die. Grudgingly he accepted his sister was right. He needed to get away.
‘I admit it’s a little unconventional,’ Sophia said, taking an assortment of pills and vitamins from a gold embossed pillbox and, after pouring a glass of mineral water into a crystal tumbler, she passed the pills and water to Max.
‘Unconventional?’ Max tossed the pills into his mouth, took a gulp of water and threw back his head, grimacing as they slid down his throat. ‘What you are suggesting is childish.’ Childish, isn’t that exactly what his father had thrown in his face when, as a young boy, he’d first shown him his sketches. ‘If this got out to my competitors,’ he said, forcing his mind from a memory he vowed never to revisit, ‘can you imagine what it would do to my reputation?’
‘Not nearly as damaging as being paralyzed by a stroke and having to be spoon-fed, Sophia snapped. ‘And since when have you cared what others think? Besides, you have an island on the other side of the world.
‘One which you’ve been too busy to visit. Fiji is remote enough for you to step away from the constant flash of cameras and be virtually anonymous,’ she said, lowering her voice as Max’s new PA cat-walked into his office. ‘Call yourself Mr. Johnstone, or Mr. Smith, or whatever else you want, to protect your privacy.’
Beneath long-fringed lashes the PA gave Max a sultry look, trailing her gaze over his lean and muscled form, as she placed a collection of fashion magazines and media cuttings in a neat pile precisely as she’d been trained.
‘Thank you, that will be all,’ Sophia said, dismissing her.
‘A nudist camp would be vastly more appealing,’ Max’s gaze trailed after his PA as she left his office. While he had no time for relationships, that didn’t stop him from appreciating beauty. How much easier it would be to lie naked amongst a bevy of loveliness than expose his feelings to the spotlight.
Sophia rolled her eyes. ‘I can just imagine what that would do to your blood pressure. Art, unlike making a career of intimately studying the curves of women, my dear brother, is therapeutic.’
‘So you want me to go to kiddy school and make a fool of myself.’ Irritation coursed through his veins as he ran his fingers around the neck of his shirt and loosened the starched white collar.
‘You never had a childhood,’ Sophia said, her voice almost a whisper. ‘You grew up too fast. We both did. And now you’re a thirty-five-year-old man who may not see forty.’
‘I know you are trying to help but I told you I can handle it.’ And he would. He would never abandon his responsibility. Unlike his father who had tried to combine work with marriage and failed at both, Max had gladly sacrificed his personal life for his career.
Abandoned at birth by his biological parents, raised briefly by strangers, then dumped in a boarding school, he had turned what could have been a weakness into his biggest strength.
Self-reliance.
‘All this stress has engulfed you, Max. Only you can’t see it. And it scares me. You’ve become a shell of yourself—more than you were already. A man so cut off from his feelings that you are devoid of emotion. You’ve become a lighthouse of a man—lonely in a crowd, aloof and detached. Uncaring.’
The words bounced off Max’s chest like the final shards of Milan’s winter sun reflecting off the panoramic glass windows. It was true. He no longer cared.
‘What do you want from me, Sophia?’
She paused, concern pooling in her dark eyes. ‘I want what our mother wants. I want you to be happy.’
His lips curved into a tight mocking smile. When had his real mother ever cared about his happiness? He knew what she really wanted. After suddenly reappearing in his life, she wanted a daughter-in-law and she wanted a grandson. Max shook his head and gave a short exacerbated sigh. She wanted the impossible.
He plunged his hand through his hair, raking it back from his brow. He should have had it cut razor short last week. Instead, he’d thrown himself into the rollout of his retail network of 60 Massimilliano Balforni boutiques and jewelry stores throughout China, and the pending development of his luxury hotel in Dubai, with such single-minded, unrelenting focus there had been no time for indulgences.
‘I’ve done my research,’ he said, adding his signed consent to the final contracts, ‘and from every angle it all seems based on spurious psychology.’ His hand closed around the pen as he looked up sharply.
Sophia sucked her breath as though steeling herself to battle with his formidable will. ‘Unless you make some changes, and I mean massive changes,’ Sophia glanced momentarily in the direction of Cimitero Maggiore, Milan’s largest cemetery, then fixed Max with a penetrating gaze, ‘you’ll end up like our father. Morte.’
‘That will not happen to me,’ he said, balling his fingers into a fist. ‘I am nothing like our father.’
‘No, you’re not. You are loyal, honest and immensely generous to the people you care about—nothing like our father. But you are an unrelenting workaholic like he was. No better than an addict, because despite all your willpower, all your determination, all your talent, all your wealth you can’t stop working. My God, you even live above your office.’
‘Mia sorella, even if I wanted to go finger painting, which I do not, there is no way I can get away. People need me. I cannot just walk away without everything collapsing.’
‘Even geniuses need time out to replenish. Super-heroes too,’ she laughed. ‘You, Clark Kent, need a rest from being Superman, a week out of this world. Not eternity. I will take care of things until you’re back.’
The blood vessel in his temple pulsed, whether out of conviction or rebellion he didn’t know, but her suggestion was not without merit. His sister had proven herself capable in so many ways since her appointment to Director of Public Relations.
He leaned back in his chair, steepling his fingers against his lips as he savored a compelling idea. What if he could achieve several goals by leaving Italy? While he did not believe in fate, he did believe in destiny. Was it not destiny after all that had led him to this career, launching him from male model to CEO of a multi-billion dollar empire?
Max began to wonder if his recent conversation with some Fijian silk merchants was also pre-destined. Until that meeting he hadn’t known there was such a large population of Indians in Fiji, and he’d been intrigued by the innovative textile developments they had shared with him.
And he could maximize efficiencies by going undercover and checking out his hotel chain in the Pacific. Yes, he thought, warming to the idea, perhaps a change of scene, getting away from all things European might just revive his flagging spirits.
His creativity was blocked, young designers were licking at his heels. He needed to continually innovate, but nothing inspired him. The plan was worth considering after all. Nothing else had worked. Plus it would get Sophia off his case. And the art therapy gimmick she was so convinced he needed?
What could any dowdy art therapist do to him that he couldn’t control?
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The post Christmas Romance and The Italian Billionaire’s Christmas Bride—The Inspiration Behind the Story appeared first on Mollie Mathews.
October 7, 2024
The inspiration behind Love In Montana
Visiting Montana has always been on my wish list. I’ve always been fascinated by its rugged beauty. So when I saw an opportunity to write a love story in the heart of cowboy country, I jumped at the chance.
As a young child, I have fond memories of visiting my Welsh grandmother on her rural property. She was a horse breeder who loved to raise Shetland ponies. Shetlands, originally from Scotland, are the strongest of all horses and ponies, as they can pull twice their own weight! In comparison, other types of horses might only be able to pull half of their own weight. So, while they may be small, they are also mighty.
My grandmother also loved to breed and show her thoroughbreds and was very proud of them and together they won many awards. I was a big city girl and loved visiting her in the country. She taught me to ride and how to care for a horse. It was a magical time which sadly ended when I was around nine or ten and my parents divorced.
I’ve often thought of writing a story with horses in the background, set in Montana, inspired by the beauty of the landscape. I also have wonderful memories of a CD by rural folk pianist George Winston, gifted to me by a friend I met in New York. His beautiful music, inspired by Montana, also inspired me to write Love In Montana.
Discover the Magic of Love In Montana on Pinterest and Spotify!
Immerse yourself in the stunning imagery that captures the essence of the Montana wilderness, the charm of small-town life, and the tender romance that blossoms between the characters. From breathtaking sunsets over vast prairies to cozy cabins nestled in the mountains and luxury lodges, each pin will transport you to the world of “Love in Montana” and leave you yearning for more.
https://www.pinterest.nz/molliemathews/love-in-montana
Enjoy the Love In Montana playlist on Spotify
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0wXNWPO8urr9fFi9l4tXvn?si=VeM3luY3QkylniteqQDCUw&pi=a-SiG3lXVsQD-o. Listen to Lucky Star by Willie Nelson, the song that inspired the naming of the young orphaned foal rescued by Jack.
I hope you enjoy this excerpt from Love In MontanaChapter 5
What would she do if she couldn’t settle on purchasing her apartment in three months? She’d be homeless, Lizzie thought with rising horror as she opened the door and looked around at the life that now amounted to nothing.
A few weeks ago, she had everything. A man she loved and thought she’d marry, a career that more than paid the bills, and enough to put a deposit on her dream apartment.
She walked over to the fridge and took out the sourdough starter her best friend Poppy had given her, promising a new happy hobby would be a good distraction. Lizzie wasn’t convinced, thinking it sounded like a full-time job when Poppy told her everything the starter needed to bake the best bread.
Lizzie looked at the rubber band, marking the jar one-third full, and recalled Poppy had told her it would help her monitor the volume increase over time once Lizzie started the feeding regime. “Don’t forget to give him a name,” Poppy had instructed. “Every good sourdough starter has one.”
“I’m broke and all alone, except for you, Henry,” she told the sourdough starter, feeling grateful now she had someone other than herself to focus on. “I’ll be single for the rest of my life,” she said, fetching flour from the cupboard and mixing it with water. “I’m not saying that in a self-pitying way,” she said, feeding the flour mixture to the sourdough and stirring. “I’m simply facing facts. The only man I have in my life is you, Henry—and all you’ll ever be is a loaf of bread. Soon, I won’t be able to put a roof over your head.”
“Who are you talking to?” Poppy asked, pushing open the apartment door with a forceful shove. The sound of the latch clicking shut echoed through the space. Her eyes quickly scanned the room, taking in the familiar surroundings now tainted by an unsettling air of abandonment.
“Him,” Lizzie said, gesturing to the kitchen bench. “Henry, that dammed sourdough starter you gave me last week. He’s so needy—and greedy. He always wants to be fed.”
“You called it Henry? Really?” Poppy inquired, eyeing the bubbling jar.
“After Henry VIII and Henry Cavill.”
“Wait, what? The king and the actor who played Superman?” Poppy raised an eyebrow. “Explain that one to me.”
“Henry VIII was ambitious, larger than life, and unafraid to take risks. He could be quite vicious, too, cutting people out of his life without a second thought. I’m at a point where I need to let go of what no longer serves me, just like he did.”
“Not by cutting off Sol and Jacinda’s heads, I hope!”
“No, Poppy, of course not.”
Poppy nodded, a thoughtful expression crossing her face. “And what about Henry Cavill?”
“He’s the fun part! A bit of eye candy.” Lizzie said. “If I’m going to have to look after this breadman for the rest of my life, it won’t hurt to think of Superman every time I feed him,” she said. “Henry Cavill embodies strength and charm but also a bit of that vulnerability. I want to rise above my challenges. Every time I eat bread, I’ll be reminded to embrace my power and resilience.”
“So, you’re channeling both Henrys into your sourdough?”
“Exactly!” Lizzie exclaimed, “This sourdough is all about taking chances. Sometimes rising beautifully and other times falling flat. But like both Henrys, it has the potential for greatness!”
Lizzie and Poppy’s laughter filled the apartment, the warmth of their friendship pushing aside the shadows of her recent struggles.
“Henry looks happy,” Poppy said, staring at the glistening bubbles on the surface. “I think he loves you.”
“Great, I can keep my breadman happy, but I couldn’t make Sol happy.”
“Sol sold out on you.”
“Don’t you dare tell anyone I talk to a squishy pile of flour and water. I feel like the whole world is already looking at me, pointing and laughing. Imagine if they found out about Henry!”
“It’s a thing, Lizzie. People won’t think you’ve lost your mind.”
“A thing?”
“To make delicious bread, you have to keep your starter happy. Henry will die if he feels bored and lonely.”
“What about me, Poppy? Will I die, too?”
“Oh, Lizzie, I know what’s happened is unbearably awful. But every ending brings a new beginning. The sun will come again.”
“You sound like a Hallmark greeting card,” Lizzie said. “Right now, all I can see is Sol and Jacinda basking in the sunlight of their wedding. I can’t get them out of my thoughts, even if I wanted to. Have you seen the papers?”
Poppy pressed her lips together and nodded slowly. “It’s hard to miss.”
Lizzie nudged the front page of The New York Times lying on the kitchen bench toward Poppy. “Imagine police surrounding your wedding venue because people want to kill you.”
“Are you sure you want to look at all that?” Poppy asked, gesturing to the media spread of Jacinda and Sol’s wedding. “Isn’t it like grinding salt into your wounds?”
“It’s Exposure Therapy,” Lizzie said. “People overcome their fear of spiders by facing them big time.”
“And what fear are you overcoming, Lizzie?”
“The fear of forgiving what Sol and Jacinda did to me. The fear of my foolish, empathetic heart forgetting how they screwed me.”
The fear of falling in love with another two-faced, treacherous heart-breaker.
“I thought perhaps if I feel all the pain now, I’ll be better able to purge the toxic experience from my system, ” Lizzie opened the kitchen drawer, pulled out a red marker pen, and drew a big Pinocchio nose over Jacinda’s photo. With rigorous jagged lines, she drew horns on her head.
“Suits her,” Lizzie said as she placed the pen back on the bench. “She’s a liar. I hope one day she won’t be believed.”
It felt better to pour all her rage and hurt into hating Jacinda rather than accepting the man she had loved didn’t love her back. Lizzie thumbed through the paper again.
“I just wish it rained on her wedding day. But no, nothing but blue skies. A perfect day—the best day of the year. Did you know Lily Rose is doing her flowers? Nobody’s loyal anymore.”
“I’m loyal,” Poppy said.
“You’re an anomaly. I thought Lily was my friend. Am I really such a bad judge of character?”
“It’s the wedding of the year. Lily’s a businesswoman. Of course, she had to do the flowers. The publicity is huge.”
“It’s supposed to be my wedding of the year.”
“But it’s not. Sol didn’t ask you to marry him,” Poppy said sympathetically. “Maybe talking to a therapist would help.”
“I’ve got Henry,” Lizzie mumbled, staring into the jar.
“It’s not really about Jacinda, is it, Lizzie?” Poppy said.
“What do you mean?”
“It’s about everyone who lied, manipulated, and bullied you throughout your teenage years because of your far-out, hippy, psychedelic mom and your crazy drunk father.”
Lizzie shrugged and bent her attention to the live stream on her iPad. She didn’t want to think about her mom or her dad, and she didn’t want to feel sad. She wanted to stay mad.
“Look at the who’s-who of guests,” Lizzie ran her finger along the procession of celebrities arriving. “What a joke! You’d think she was the pope.”
“I wouldn’t worry. They’re probably all fake friends,” Poppy said. “They don’t necessarily like Jacinda or condone what she did.”
“I wish I could time travel,” Lizzie said. “I hate this century.”
“You need a change,” Poppy said.
“What do you mean?”
Poppy’s gaze traveled over Lizzie’s crisp, tailored suit and polished heels. “You still look like a lawyer and haven’t worked for weeks.”
“It’s who I am,” Lizzie said, smoothing her hands over her pinstripe pencil skirt.
“Was, Lizzie. It’s who you were. You said it yourself—no one will hire you after what Jacinda did. At least not right away. It might not feel like it now, but sometimes one door closes and another—”
“Don’t you dare say it,” Lizzie warned. “I’m not in the mood for cliches.”
“Are you still starching your shirts?” Poppy said, touching the stiff white collar of Lizzie’s shirt.
Jacinda can’t take my identity away from me.
“This is my power suit. It’s all curated to speak volumes about my attention to detail and the meticulous nature of my work ethic. I have to be work-ready in case some enlightened person wants to take a chance on me. I can’t be seen walking around Manhattan in my sweats! Besides, newsflash: I don’t have money to go out and buy a whole new wardrobe. I’ve sunk all my savings into my defense and this apartment.”
“I always remember how flamboyant your mom was. She had all the coolest hippy clothes,” Poppy said. “What happened to them?”
“My brother and sisters cleaned everything out of the house when she died—anything they could cash in. But I kept everything she wore. I wanted something that smelled of her.”
She glanced out the window, her mind drifting to the days and nights she nursed her mother after she was released from the cancer ward two years ago.
“Go home. There’s nothing more we can do for you. That’s what the doctors said, but they were saying was, ‘We need the bed.’ I’m glad I was able to nurse her at home. Home was her happy place. When I die, I want to die in my home, like Mom did. I wish she were still alive. I miss her every day.”
The words echoed in her mind, resonating deeply with her own fears. Home had been a refuge, a place where dreams were meant to come true. Now, with the reality of her boyfriend marrying her boss and the prospect of losing this apartment, she felt as though the very essence of home was slipping away. The idea of never again having a place to call her own, a sanctuary to create new memories, was almost too much to bear.
“She was beautiful, inside and out, just like you. She fought so hard to stay alive,” Poppy said. “She’d want you to be happy.”
“I am happy,” Lizzie lied.
Poppy frowned.
“OK, I’m miserable. I feel rudderless. I’ve got no purpose. If I’m not a lawyer—then what am I?”
“What or who?” Poppy challenged. “You’re not your job, Lizzie. You’re more than that.”
“They should have more integrity,” Lizzie said, returning her thoughts to the newspaper. “Did you know Elton, John, and Adele turned down Charles and Camilla? They didn’t want to sing at the two-timing cheats wedding.”
“Maybe they were busy.”
“Like that’s even believable. Adele and Elton loved Diana. Everyone knows what happened.”
“I don’t think anyone will ever know what happened that day in the Paris tunnel,” Poppy said.
“Just like no one will ever know what Jacinda did to me. Not really. She’s the queen of the con. My reputation will forever be tarnished by what she did. I’ll never live it down.”
“Your life is. . .” Poppy hesitated. “Wintering,” she said empathetically. “There’s a season for everything. You’ll see. Everyone will have moved on in a few months, including you.”
“Moved on where?”
Poppy shrugged.
“The betrayal will leave a scar forever. They weren’t random strangers I barely knew. If you can’t trust people you know, how do you trust anyone?”
“Have you thought, you know—” Poppy picked over her words. “Maybe you weren’t meant to marry Sol? Maybe there is someone else out there for you.”
“Like who?”
“I don’t know. Somebody.”
“You know how hard it is to meet someone in New York, Poppy. A forever guy. A keeper. I thought that’s what I had with Sol.”
“But he wasn’t your forever guy, was he? And it looks like the law isn’t your forever career.”
“We’re going around in circles.”
“That’s my point.”
“I don’t get you.”
“You said you wanted to time travel. Why don’t you have a rummage through your mom’s wardrobe and relive the seventies.”
Lizzie smiled. “My mom loved being a hippie. She was so happy.” Lizzie suddenly felt overwhelmed with grief. “I need to clear my head,” she said, walking toward the window as all the hurt, all the pain, all the love she felt for her mother and knowing she would never see her again came flooding back.
“All the good people die young,” Lizzie said.
“Why don’t you get away for a while.”
“Where? Besides, I don’t want to go on my own.”
Poppy reached into her bag and pulled out a brochure advertising an art retreat in Montana. She handed it to Lizzie. “You wouldn’t have to if you joined a bunch of like-minded others.”
“An artist retreat? Montana? Me? You’ve got to be joking.”
“You used to love to paint.”
“Used to—past tense.”
“Why did you stop?”
“I became a lawyer.”
“No, before that.”
“My art teacher gave me a D and told me I was crap.”
“When was that?”
“34 years ago.”
“And you’ve believed that all this time?”
“She was the art teacher. The expert.”
“How old were you?”
“Ten. She told me to draw a tap.”
“A tap! Do you even like taps?”
“Nope. It was supposed to take 15 minutes, and I did it in 5. My tap was pink with flowers and yellow hearts and had giant wings so it could fly in search of fresh water. The art teacher showed it to my mom and asked, ‘How long do you think it took your daughter to draw that?’ My mom said, ‘Five minutes. I think it’s excellent. Shame on you for criticizing her creativity.’ And that was that. I never went back, Just like I’m never going to fall back in love again. Never. Never, Never.”
“Never is a long, long time.”
“It’s not long enough. I’m done with love,” Lizzie said, wrenching the newspaper from the table. “Can you believe the headlines? ‘Jacinda saved the company at its darkest hour.‘ It makes me so angry. Jacinda’s the one that created all the division. She created all the fear. She silenced and scapegoated people with different views, just like a communist dictator. Because of her, the company went down the toilet, and I lost my job. Then she jumped ship. But not before stripping all the assets and bleeding the old company dry. We went from being one of the wealthiest, most profitable firms to the bottom of the barrel. She saved us at our darkest hour, my arse!”
‘You’re still angry.”
“Yes, I’m angry. But all the other muppets have fallen under the cult of Jacinda. What do they call it? Jacindamania. I can’t believe the journalists believe their spin. I mean, the lies are so obvious. And yet they get away with it.”
“Do you think she feels guilty or has any remorse?” Poppy asked.
“No, not at all. That’s what pisses me off. She doesn’t care one gram about the lives she’s ruined.”
“Don’t.”
“Don’t what?”
“Don’t look back in anger.”
“Are you quoting song lyrics to me? The Gallagher brothers—what that band of theirs?”
“Oasis.”
“Yeah, the brothers who bashed the crap out of each other and broke up the band. Honestly, humanity! And you wonder why I’m cynical.”
“Don’t let them do that to you. Don’t let them take your joy. Starve out the ugly. Love in the good. Go on that art retreat. Switch off. Take off. Leave New York for a while. Take your own advice.”
“What?”
“When James died. I never forgot how you helped me. ‘Rekindle your passions”, you told me. ‘Do something you love’. You changed my life. I wouldn’t be a lipstick designer if it weren’t for you.”
“Maybe you’re right. Nothing’s happening here. Is there internet at this art retreat?”
“What?”
“Maybe it will do me good to have a digital detox.”
“And the art?”
“It won’t hurt to give it another go.”
“You should channel your inner Beth Dutton to purge your anger. Who knows what might flow? You might meet a real live cowboy who looks like Superman and has the fortune of a king!”
Will Lizzy meet a cowboy who looks like Superman and has the fortune of a king?Enjoy your copy of Love In Montana
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About this book★★★★★ “This book has it all—drama, heartbreak, and a swoon-worthy love story. I couldn’t put it down!”
Pretending to fall in love has never felt so real…
Billionaire rancher and ethical corporate raider Jack Archer would give anything to bring back his parents, who died in a tragic car crash when he was just four years old. Instead, he’s left with the legacy they built from scratch—a sprawling Montana ranch that he cherishes with every fiber of his being. But when his grandfather gives him an ultimatum—find a bride or lose the ranch—Jack is livid. Marriage is the last thing on his mind. Yet, to protect his family’s dream, he needs a fiancée, and he needs her now.
New York lawyer Elizabeth Buckley thought she had it all—until her world crumbled. Betrayed by her best friend, humiliated by her fiancé, and ousted from her job, she’s lost everything she once held dear. Seeking solace and a fresh start, she channels her inner Beth Dutton and escapes to the untamed beauty of Montana. There, a chance encounter with a ruggedly handsome cowboy reignites a spark she thought was extinguished forever.
When Jack proposes a marriage of convenience, Lizzie is torn. The offer could be her ticket to a new life, but it’s risky. Can she really trust a man who needs a wife for reasons that have nothing to do with love? As they navigate a whirlwind of fake dates and public appearances, they find themselves entangled in a connection that feels anything but pretend.
Ideal for readers who crave:
Sizzling romance and slow-burn chemistry with characters who challenge and captivate each other.Emotional depth and relatable characters overcoming loss, betrayal, and the struggle to find themselves again.Sweeping Montana landscapes and a touch of cowboy allure that transports you to a world where the wild spirit of the West meets the sophisticated charm of high-stakes romance.Reviews:
“An absolute page-turner! Jack and Lizzie’s chemistry leaps off the page, and the Montana setting is beautifully rendered. A must-read for romance lovers!”
“This book has it all—drama, heartbreak, and a swoon-worthy love story. I couldn’t put it down!”
“From heartbreak to hope, this story took me on an emotional rollercoaster. I felt every moment, and the ending was perfection!”
Three weeks. Two hearts. One fake engagement…one wedding?
Can two people who’ve lost everything find the courage to risk it all again—for each other? Perfect for fans of authors like Susan Mallery, Maisey Yates, and Kristan Higgins, Love in Montana is a heartfelt journey of healing, hope, and discovering the true meaning of home.
LOVE IN MONTANA is part of Mollie Mathews’ TRUE LOVE series starring Maverick Billionaires. While it can easily be read as a standalone story, you’ll likely enjoy reading the other books, too. All of Mollie’s series are linked. If you find a character you love, they could be in another novel!
THE TRUE LOVE SERIES
LOVE IN MONTANA is part of Mollie Mathews’ TRUE LOVE series starring Maverick Billionaires. While it can easily be read as a standalone story, you’ll likely enjoy reading the other books, too.
THE TRUE LOVE SERIES
Love In Venice (Mauro and Maggie) (3rd prize, Koru Excellence in Romance Award)
Love In Mexico (Ruby and Oliver)
Love In Sicily (Gianni and Kate)
You may also enjoy
The Origins of My Story and Writing Process
The Heart Behind Love in Montana: How My Grandfather’s Pranks and Love Shaped My Writing
The post The inspiration behind Love In Montana appeared first on Mollie Mathews.
October 2, 2024
Nashville Hearts: Strong women finding themselves, their passion, and their heart in Nashville
I’ve started a new series just for fun! Ever since I’ve started learning guitar I’ve found myself drawn to Nashville! I’m calling my new series Nashville Hearts: Strong women finding themselves, their passion, and their heart in Nashville.
Each of these stories can be read as a standalone. If you find a character you love, they could be in another book!
These stories are quick to enjoy one hour or less reads…perfect when you need a quick fix of high-octane love. Exclusive to Amazon, FREE for KU subscribers. I’ll release the audiobook and paperback version to a wider audience.
Book One: One Step At A Time (Jolene and Beau)
Sometimes, the hardest step is the one back to the person you never stopped loving
Jolene Wyatt has spent years rebuilding her life, her career, and her heart after a devastating breakup with the only man she ever truly loved. As a country music superstar, she’s learned to rely on her own strength and independence, crafting hit songs that speak to the resilience she’s had to embody. But when Beau McAllister, her former flame, unexpectedly returns to Nashville, he threatens to unravel everything she’s worked so hard to achieve.
Beau left Jolene once before, driven by his own demons and a fear of commitment. Now, he’s back with a heartfelt apology and a promise to be the man she deserves. But Jolene isn’t so easily swayed. She knows the cost of falling for Beau again—and she’s not willing to risk her heart without a fight.
With a whirlwind of emotions and the pressures of her high-profile career weighing on her, Jolene must decide if she can trust Beau with her heart once more. Can they build something new from the ashes of their past, or will the ghosts of their history keep them apart forever?
Set against the vibrant backdrop of Nashville’s music scene, One Step at a Time is a story of second chances, forgiveness, and the courage to open your heart, even when you’re terrified of being hurt again. Perfect for fans of sweeping romances and heartfelt emotional journeys, this novel will take you on a ride through love, loss, and the power of taking things one step at a time.
EXCLUSIVE TO AMAZON:
US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DHV67BQ6
CA:https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0DHV67BQ6
UK:https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0DHV67BQ6
AU:https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B0DHV67BQ6
Book Two: Love Rising (Violet and Liam)
In the face of heartache, she dared to rise—and found a love that changed everything…
A Story of Love, Music, and Finding Yourself
From heartbreak to healing, Rising is an inspiring story about one woman’s journey to reclaim her voice, her passion, and her heart.
Violet Grace once dreamed of a life filled with music and love, but after a devastating betrayal, she lost both. Now, standing at a crossroads, she must find the courage to rise from the ashes of her past and embrace the person she was always meant to be. With the help of Liam, a musician who sees her for who she truly is, Violet rediscovers her passion for music—and something even more profound: the possibility of real love.
In a tale of second chances, Violet learns that true strength comes not from avoiding heartbreak but from finding the courage to love again. As she steps back into the spotlight with her album Rising, she embarks on a journey of self-discovery, where the music she creates becomes a testament to her resilience and the new love that has taken root in her heart.
For fans of emotional, character-driven romance and heartfelt stories of redemption, Rising is a tender, uplifting novel about finding hope in the unlikeliest places—and the beauty of learning to trust in love once more.
AMAZON:
US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DJBJJV2Z
CA: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0DJBJJV2Z
UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0DJBJJV2Z
AU: https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B0DJBJJV2Z
Book Three: Song for Love (Bonnie and Jesse) Coming soon…
Other Novels by Mollie Mathews
TRUE LOVE STORIES
Love In Venice (Mauro and Maggie) (3rd prize, Koru Excellence in Romance Award)
Love In Mexico (Ruby and Oliver)
Love In Sicily (Gianni and Kate)
Love In Montana (Lizzie and Jack)
The post Nashville Hearts: Strong women finding themselves, their passion, and their heart in Nashville appeared first on Mollie Mathews.
September 26, 2024
Discover the Heart of Love in Montana
Do you ever find yourself yearning for a story that makes you feel understood? A story that captures the beauty of love, the pain of loss, and the hope that comes with second chances?
That’s exactly what Love in Montana is all about. It’s more than just a love story; it’s a journey of healing, forgiveness, and finding the courage to be truly yourself.
Relatable Themes to Warm Your Heart 1. Finding Love After Loss Life often throws us unexpected curveballs, and it can feel impossible to move on. In Love in Montana, Lizzie and Jack both grapple with their pasts—Lizzie with the pain of a broken engagement and Jack with the tragic loss of his family. This story is a reminder that even in our darkest moments, love can find us and bring light back into our lives.
2. The Power of Forgiveness Have you ever held onto anger or guilt, wondering if you’d ever be able to let go? Forgiveness—both of others and ourselves—is a central theme in the book. It’s about acknowledging the hurt and choosing to move forward, stronger and more open-hearted.
3. Embracing Authenticity How often do we try to be someone we’re not to please others? Lizzie’s journey is about shedding expectations and finding the courage to be herself, even when it’s scary. Her story will resonate with anyone who has ever felt the weight of trying to live up to others’ standards instead of embracing their true self.
4. Family and Reconciliation Families can be complicated, right? Love in Montana delves into the tangled web of family relationships, secrets, and the longing to reconnect. Jack’s bond with his grandfather Reg is a testament to the healing power of love and understanding, even after years of silence and hidden truths.
5. Overcoming Fear and Taking Chances Do you ever feel paralyzed by fear, afraid to take that leap of faith? In the book, both Lizzie and Jack must confront their fears head-on. It’s a reminder that the greatest rewards often come from the risks we’re brave enough to take.
6. Rediscovering Joy Sometimes, life’s struggles can make us forget the simple joys that once brought us happiness. This is Lizzie’s story of rediscovering what makes her truly happy, from finding her passion again to experiencing the thrill of love in the most unexpected way.
If any of these themes resonate with you, I think you’ll fall in love with Love in Montana. I’ve poured my heart into this story, and I hope it brings a smile to your face and a warm glow to your heart.
Ready to Dive In?Grab Your Copy Here and join Lizzie and Jack on their heartfelt journey through love, loss, and everything in between.
US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DHQSZQTG
CA:https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0DHQSZQTG
UK:https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0DHQSZQTG
AU:https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B0DHQSZQTG
iBOOK, BARNES AND NOBLE, AND OTHER GREAT BOOKSTORES: https://books2read.com/u/3JGv9K
You may also enjoy learning more about the origins of this story and my writing process>>
I can’t wait to hear what you think of the book!
Warmest wishes,
Mollie
P.S. Have you ever experienced a theme from Love in Montana in your own life? Share your story—I’d love to hear from you!
The post Discover the Heart of Love in Montana appeared first on Mollie Mathews.
September 20, 2024
The Origins of My Story and Writing Process
I’ve always believed that stories have a life of their own. They weave themselves around you, thread by thread, until you’re wrapped up so tight you can’t help but give them a voice. And that’s how Love in Montana began—an idea that wouldn’t let me go.
Growing up in Wellington, the capital city of New Zealand, surrounded by the sea, I spent my childhood summers at my grandmother’s horse farm, Araby Lodge, in Levin. Those were magical days—learning to ride and care for horses and ponies. There was something about the quiet beauty of the farm, the gentle rhythm of the horses, and the endless, open fields that called to me. It was a place where I felt truly free—free to dream, to imagine, to be whoever I wanted to be. And it’s that sense of freedom I try to capture in my stories.
My writing process is like riding a spirited horseMy writing process, if you can call it that, is a bit like riding a spirited horse. Some days, it’s smooth and graceful, the words flowing effortlessly as if we’re dancing together. Other days, it’s all I can do to hold on, wrangling ideas that buck and twist, trying to find their shape. But that’s part of the magic, isn’t it? Letting go of control and trusting the story to take you where it wants to go.
A spark—a character, a moment, a feelingWhen I start a new book, I don’t have a detailed plot or a rigid outline. I have a spark—a character, a moment, a feeling—that ignites something in me. With Love in Montana, it was Lizzie and Jack’s story. I could see them so clearly, two people scarred by loss and betrayal, trying to find their way back to themselves and to each other. Their journey was messy, complicated, and achingly real, and I wanted to capture every bit of it.
I write to understand my characters and, through them, to understand myself. Lizzie, with her fierce independence and vulnerability, reminds me of the times I’ve been betrayed, afraid to let people in, to trust that I’m loved just as I am. Jack, with his gruff exterior and wounded heart, mirrors the struggle to heal from the past and open up to new possibilities. Their story is a reminder that love, real love, is worth fighting for—even when it scares us.
Writing isn’t always easyWriting isn’t always easy. There are days when the words don’t come, when doubt creeps in and whispers that I should give up. But then I remember why I started. I remember the spark, the story that demanded to be told, and I push through. Because for me, writing is more than just putting words on a page. It’s about connection—connecting with my characters, with my readers, and with the part of myself that needs to be heard.
So, if you’re reading this and you have a story inside you, my advice is simple: let it out. Don’t worry about whether it’s perfect or polished. Just start. Let the words tumble out, messy and raw. Trust that the story knows where it’s going, even if you don’t. Because in the end, it’s not about the destination, but the journey. And what a wild, beautiful ride it is.
With love,
Mollie
xxx
P.S. Love In Montana releases September 30—my birthday! Here’s the blurb
★★★★★ “This book has it all—drama, heartbreak, and a swoon-worthy love story. I couldn’t put it down!”
Award-winning author Mollie Mathews returns with another heartfelt journey of healing, hope, and discovering the true meaning of home.
Pretending to fall in love has never felt so real…
Billionaire rancher and ethical corporate raider Jack Archer would give anything to bring back his parents, who died in a tragic car crash when he was just four years old. Instead, he’s left with the legacy they built from scratch—a sprawling Montana ranch that he cherishes with every fiber of his being. But when his grandfather gives him an ultimatum—find a bride or lose the ranch—Jack is livid. Marriage is the last thing on his mind. Yet, to protect his family’s dream, he needs a fiancée, and he needs her now.
New York lawyer Elizabeth Buckley thought she had it all—until her world crumbled. Betrayed by her best friend, humiliated by her fiancé, and ousted from her job, she’s lost everything she once held dear. Seeking solace and a fresh start, she channels her inner Beth Dutton and escapes to the untamed beauty of Montana. There, a chance encounter with a ruggedly handsome cowboy reignites a spark she thought was extinguished forever.
When Jack proposes a marriage of convenience, Lizzie is torn. The offer could be her ticket to a new life, but it’s risky. Can she really trust a man who needs a wife for reasons that have nothing to do with love? As they navigate a whirlwind of fake dates and public appearances, they find themselves entangled in a connection that feels anything but pretend.
Ideal for readers who crave:
Sizzling romance and slow-burn chemistry with characters who challenge and captivate each other.Emotional depth and relatable characters overcoming loss, betrayal, and the struggle to find themselves again.Sweeping Montana landscapes and a touch of cowboy allure that transports you to a world where the wild spirit of the West meets the sophisticated charm of high-stakes romance.Reviews:
“An absolute page-turner! Jack and Lizzie’s chemistry leaps off the page, and the Montana setting is beautifully rendered. A must-read for romance lovers!”
“This book has it all—drama, heartbreak, and a swoon-worthy love story. I couldn’t put it down!” “From heartbreak to hope, this story took me on an emotional rollercoaster. I felt every moment, and the ending was perfection!”
Can two people who’ve lost everything find the courage to risk it all again—for each other? Perfect for fans of authors like Susan Mallery, Maisey Yates, and Kristan Higgins, Love in Montana is a heartfelt journey of healing, hope, and discovering the true meaning of home.
ENJOY THE LOVE IN MONTANA PLAYLIST
Listen to Lucky Star by Willie Nelson, the song that inspired the naming of the young orphaned foal rescued by Jack.
YOU MAY ALSO ENJOY:
The Heart Behind Love in Montana: How My Grandfather’s Pranks and Love Shaped My Writing
The post The Origins of My Story and Writing Process appeared first on Mollie Mathews.
