Elaine M DeGroot

Avocados vs Mangos - A slice of life disaster. A couple's Cinco de Mayo party is threatened with failure when the husband buys mangos for the guacamole!

 

Never Mess With a Grandpa - Crusty old men play dominoes in a zoo, and a clouded leopard escapes.

 

Safe Haven - The game of golf from the ball's perspective...it's not fun!

 

A Deathbed Request - A brother enlists his friend on an underwater task to fulfill his sister's last request. A buddy adventure with a mystical twist at the end.

 

The Box - A misdirected box creates unexpected events for the business owner, who received it, and a police detective, who responded to a call of violence connected to the box.

 

Race To Adoption - A young couple's attempts to adopt...a puppy. (Based on real life questions asked of me and my fears of rejection when adopting our first pup.)

 

True Treasure - A young couple learns a lesson of what matters most in this life as they race to help put an older relative's home back to order after it receives minor damage from a tornado.

 

The Challenge Seekers - An eclectic group of ladies in a writing group decide to participate in a writing challenge.

 

Beyond Puppy Love - A found puppy leads to a hunt for the owner and an unexpected discovery of love.

 

When life throws chaos your way, the answer may be found in the arms of someone totally unexpected. This is Bourbon Neat, a romantic suspense.

 

Maggie O'Hara is the strong-willed, highly spirited owner of The Grainery, a neighborhood bar.

 

Connor O'Donnell is the dark, brooding, new customer who drinks his bourbon neat.

 

Turns out, Connor is also a local detective who steps in to protect Maggie and her bar when danger erupts.

 

With their lives inexplicitly entangled, Connor and Maggie discover a blossoming love that binds them together.

 

Danger surrounds Connor every day, but when it touches Maggie and her bar again, he'll stop at nothing to protect her.

 

Their journey is as real as it is captivating, filled with struggles, victories, and undeniable chemistry.

 

This book is a collection of short stories by extremely talented authors. These six stories are included:

The Last Stop by Chera Thompson
This story takes you through the life of a woman trying to understand the way things work in the country she moved to. She was scared out of her mind the day her son's school bus was hours late. She didn't know what to do. What had happened? Where was her son?

 

A Christmas Toy by Glenn Berggoetz
This story is about a poor family doing the best they can to survive in 1948. Their seven-year-old little girl is diagnosed with Rhematic Fever a few days before Christmas. The family doesn't have much money and everything they had saved for Christmas will have to go towards their little girl's medical treatment and medication. The kids will have to do without any presents this year. Sadness would have taken over their entire hearts if it hadn't been for one small act of kindness. It changed everything.

 

Smuggled Heart by Karen E. Rigley
Lyndi Wells and Stone Black met literally by accident. After things out of their control happen, they have to pretend to be a couple in love planning their wedding. They had only just met and Lyndi hated that she had to go along with this act, but the men they were acting for were very bad and their lives were in danger if they didn't convince them that they were a couple. After spending time with Stone, Lyndi was starting to fall in love with him and didn't want it all to end. Did he feel the same way?

 

Never Mess With A Grandpa by Elaine M. DeGroot
Ellis and Clark played a very competitive game of dominos every week at the zoo. There was a nice park where they could sit and play for as long as they wanted. Ellis was driven by his granddaughter Petra and Clark was driven by his grandson Patrick. As they played their game both claiming to be the winner before they even started. They paid no attention to Petra and Clark running as fast as they could to tell them that they had to leave. A leopard had escaped it's habitat and was on the loose. It was getting closer to the grandpas. As Petra and Patrick got closer, they saw that the leopard was right beside their grandpas. Would the leopard attack them or would they be saved?

The Christmas Fairy by Paul Smith
Jac was in love with Emily and wanted to ask her to marry him, but he was too scared. He was so nervous that he could barely talk. He didn't know what to do when suddenly his Christmas fairy showed up to help him. Would he be able to get past his nerves and ask the woman he loved to be his wife? Would she say yes?

 

Karma Is A Bitch by Lizzy Stevens and Steve Miller
Karmas are immortals that kept the not so good people in line. They lived by the motto "Do bad things bad things will happen." Tessa Waters was one of the best Karmas of the Karma realm. However, she wasn't the fastest. She would watch over the realms, Earth, being her main realm. When she saw somebody not behaving she would send down a Karma punishment on that person. They were always funny and made the other Karmas laugh but she wasn't fast enough. The head Karma thought it would help Tessa if instead of watching from a far she went down to Earth and passed out the punishments up close. Maybe that would make her faster. She could not return until she hit 100 Karmas. Tessa thought that would be no problem. Until the trickster of all tricksters, Loki, got in her way. How was she supposed to pass out Karmas if Loki was right in the way playing pranks on everyone? Now Tessa had to deal with the trouble makers and Loki. How was she supposed to hit her goal of 100 and make it back home?

Can random meetings and fate lead strangers to romance and love?

 

Tracie Braun isn't looking for romance or love. She's back in her hometown for family.

 

Matt West focuses on advancing in his chosen career as a firefighter. Romance and love don't figure into his plans.

 

Random meetings generate interesting reactions in Tracie and Matt.

 

Tracie's consumed with thoughts and dreams of a man with green eyes and dimples—Matt.

 

Matt's fascination with Tracie spurs him to ask her out on a date.

 

Does fate have plans for these two beyond their immediate goals?

 

Follow the escapades of Tracie and Matt as they navigate challenges presented by random meetings and fate!

 

A tale of corruption and romance…

 

A playground project should be fun and safe. Right?

 

Beth Collins, the new city Special Projects Coordinator, is a dedicated professional navigating the dubious world of city politics.

 

Jace Sims, an Air Force veteran and owner of Falcon Construction, thought the city's playground project would be a fun way to support his hometown, so he submitted a bid.

 

Within this city, the mayor funnels contracts to his friend's construction company. In direct conflict with the mayor's expectations, Beth awards her first contract to Falcon Construction.

 

An unexpected attraction between Beth and Jace intensifies despite treachery and threats against them.

 

While they work on the high-stakes playground project, they must overcome obstacles and expose the truth behind the shady dealings of the mayor and his friend. Their relationship and justice depend on their success.

 

Turns out Playground Antics can be playful but dangerous.

When sparks fly, something is bound to ignite. Will it be fire or flames of passion?

 

Caleb Grant led a premier smokejumping team until severe injuries from an explosion ended his career.

 

A year later, he trains smokejumpers and battles personal demons from his pre-explosion life—fear of meeting his former team, an ex-girlfriend who wants him back, and nightmares of an explosion he doesn't remember.

 

Ivy Cole fears the man helping her grandma is a con man. When is a suspected con man not a con man? When he's Caleb Grant.

 

Avis Cole, a matchmaking grandma, recognizes a perfect match in Ivy and Caleb. Her maneuvering and encouragement lead the youngsters to discover a passionate attraction.

 

When Caleb's parents visit, they join Avis in manipulating the youngsters toward a permanent relationship. Will their efforts succeed?

 

What about Caleb's demons? Will they destroy the growing affection between Caleb and Ivy? Or will the two of them defeat his demons and free Caleb from their clutches?

 

Join Caleb and Ivy on a journey to their destiny.

 

She lost trust in love and affection.

He suffers from unrealized grief and difficult family relationships.

They're drawn together by a wetland restoration project. She considers enjoying a simple fling with him, but nothing is simple about him. Besides, he dreams of forever.

Can he breach her barriers? Is he capable of restoring her ability to trust and accept affection?

Can she aid in his grief for the loss of a beloved uncle? Will she help him restore connections with family?

She's Alex Lyon—biologist-engineer with a non-profit conservation organization.

He's Seth Tobias—passes as a farmer but is the co-owner of an architectural firm in the city.

Alex and Seth have a wondrous opportunity to grasp happiness and love through a restoration of their lives.

After all, a restoration is suitable for people as well as wetlands, wildlife, and old buildings.

A concussion is serious but so is accidental attraction.

 

Fate draws Zach and Emily together after her golf ball knocks him unconscious on the 18th green.

 

Her guilt from accidentally causing his concussion ends with them spending the night together.

 

A late-night wake-up check leads to yet another accident—she trips and lands on his prone body.

 

For Zach, it's an interesting way to wake up.

 

For Emily, it's an embarrassing yet pleasant accident.

 

Mutual attraction is achieved.

 

A first date of axe-throwing catapults their attraction into high gear.

 

A second date, featuring an Italian dinner with tiramisu to-go, speeds attraction past desire and straight into heated passion.

 

With questionable help from their friends, Ben and Julie, will they accept the inevitable?

 

Can an accidental concussion with complications from accidental attraction lead to romance and love?

 

Discover the answers with Zach and Emily as they meet accidental attraction head-on.

Consequential Love, is a series of three books. There is a touch of suspense in each book. The series features the unlikely meeting of two people in search of a new life, who unexpectantly find love. Introducing Air Force veteran, Garrett Dane, who returns to Minnesota for a career with the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, and Leigh Ramsey, who returns to Minnesota, after a four-year self-isolation in Chicago. Past experiences haunt them. After fate brings them together, their determination to help each other and have a life together demonstrates their resolute love for one another, their fortitude to overcome challenges thrown at them, and their strength as a couple to be victorious in the end.

 

Resolute Love - Book #1 

• Evading an escaped killer from his past, Air Force veteran, Garrett Dane, literally falls into Leigh Ramsey’s life.
• She’s been emotionally devastated in the past. Will she open herself to another man’s affection?
• Does love at first sight really happen? Of course, it does!
• But can love survive a killer, a blizzard, and a disapproving mother?
• Theirs is a bold love, a determined love—a Resolute Love.

 

Challenged Love – Book #2

• A dangerous undercover assignment, a new location, a new profession, and a new life together confront Leigh Ramsey and Garrett Dane.
• Teamed with a DEA agent, his assignment is to bust a meth operation. Will Garrett make it safely back to Leigh?
• Amid wedding planning and house hunting, Leigh's fragile new world is shattered by the appearance of her ex-boyfriend, courtesy of Mom. He intends to win her back, no matter what it takes.
• With all these obstacles, will their Challenged Love bind Leigh and Garrett closer or separate them forever?

 

Victorious Love – Book #3

• Recovering from injuries received during his undercover assignment, Garrett Dane must prove his love for Leigh Ramsey to her skeptical family.
• She will defy her family for the love of her life as they suffer through accusations of abuse and an engagement party from hell.
• Add in a shadowy threat of revenge from the brother of Garrett's former nemesis, and the barriers to their happiness seem insurmountable.
• Can they make it to the altar and enjoy a Victorious Love?

Holiday Stories Book One Valentines Day is a collection of short stories by a team of extremely talented authors.

 

Candy Hearts by Award Winning Author Chera Thompson is a heartwarming story of a child's Valentines Day. The little girl goes through her day at school making and passing out cards to her class. Later that night she spends an unexpected evening with her family.

 

Sliding into Love by Judi Getch Brodman shows you how, when you least expect it, things can change for the good. Allie suffered a horrible breakup two years prior. Valentine's Day was the last thing on her mind. Romance was not even something she thought about. She hadn't planned on meeting a great guy perfect for her but then she did.

 

Little Bakery Girl by Arthur Butt. Janice was a baker at the local bakery. She went to work the day before Valentines Day like she did every other day of the week. She decided to bake some cookies, put them in little gift bags, and pass them out to people she passed by on her way home that night. She had not intended this small gesture to change her life the way it did.

 

Secret Admirer by Karen E. Rigley is a Valentines Day mystery. Pete and Ted were working that night as they did every night. However, this night was different. Strange things were happening. Mysterious gifts kept showing up. At first, it felt nice to get gifts from a secret admirer but that all changed when the last gift was the opposite of nice and sweet. Things drastically changed.

 

True Treasure by Award Winning Author Elaine M. DeGroot is a story about true love. Instead of spending Valentines Day buying gifts for each other and doing all the usual romantic things, Sally and Mark spent their time helping a loved one in need. While Sally's Aunt Sophie was away on a vacation trip, her house was damaged by a tornado. Sally didn't want her aunt to come home to find things destroyed. She and Mark decided to repair the house and replace as many things as they could before Aunt Sophie arrived back home. They knew that it would either be greatly appreciated or her aunt would be upset that changes were made to her house and belongings without running it by her first. All they could do was hope that it was the right thing.

 

The Dropped Cake by Award Winning Authors Lizzy Stevens and Steve Miller. Alicia was marrying the love of her life Todd on Valentines Day of all days. She was finishing up all the last-minute details before meeting Todd for lunch. She wanted everything to be perfect. Alicia walked into the restaurant and sat down with Todd. She instantly started telling him all the details. He told her that she needed to not stress about everything being perfect that he was just happy to be marrying her. Alicia wasn't expecting to find out how important that statement truly was. The wedding went perfectly as planned, but the reception, not so much. The catering company had a huge accident while setting up everything. Alicia needed to come up with a quick solution before her guests arrived. She didn't have time to stress about it. She had to accept that things didn't always work out the way they were supposed to and that is okay. Alicia had to get things done as fast as she could and hope that it all worked out for them.

Race To Adoption by Elaine M. DeGroot
A young couple's attempts to adopt...a puppy. (Based on real life questions asked of me and my fears of rejection when adopting our first pup.)

The Summer in Madrid by Terez Peipins
A romantic story of a young gay male.
"Don't you want to be loved or just to love someone?" He didn't tell his mother just how sad love had made him. One more weight of sadness to what he already carried around with him.

 

Ouroboros by Gary Bolick
"The self-same material that rules the universe, haunts our dreams, distorts our visions; dark matter is the blind-eye of Man turned inward. This strange, wondrous mystery that rules any and all creatures who exist‒will and can be as Prometheus−unchained. "All matters of light, energy, and dare I say−purpose−are drawn from this dark matter," Gottlieb continued, his voice gaining more resonance and power.

 

Rainbow Escape by Karen E. Rigley
A tale inspired by missing socks in the dyer
"See the colors forming?" Shaylina turned sideways, calling out loud enough for the words to drift back to Kerbon. He always stayed behind and held his distance as required. How she hated that rule. Their positions mid-Clothesline, mandated their continuous separation which drove her crazy. She wanted to be close to that hot body and those liquid blue eyes. Ohh, her stomach tied into laundry knots at the thought. He was strong and handsome, and so sexy. Unfortunately, she knew he mostly saw the back view of her. She'd seen her image in the shimmerpool at Web Central and knew the rear was not her best angle.

 

Trial in Sporro by Richard Dalglish
Killandrio Bludd is defending a young man who was arrested while standing over a murder victim's grave holding a shovel. The only witness, the victim's wife, swears the defendant did it. Killandrio smells a rat, but as the trial approaches, he has only days to learn the truth—and hope it saves his client from the gallows.

 

Deep Dark Secrets by Lizzy Stevens and Steve Miller
She had no clue how powerful she was or why they were after her. Even had to protect her from the vampires. How could he focus on the battle and protect Cheyanne at the same time?