Brenda Hasse – författare

Though few in the medieval kingdom of Wilkinshire have seen the legendary dragon known as Bogotah, many fear him. Stories passed down for generations tell of his capability to breathe fire, spread deadly disease, and consume livestock and people to appease his insatiable appetite. Even so, Bogotah upholds his duty to guard the kingdom and his treasured secret.

After the assassination of their lord, the residents of Wilkinshire line the muddy street to meet their new rulers. Appointed to reconstruct the battered kingdom, Lord Philip and his wife, Lady Rachelle, are in disbelief at the magnitude of their undertaking as poverty-stricken citizens greet them with rotted teeth, filthy clothing, and pathetic living conditions. As the lord and lady settle into their new residence, Lord Philip is confronted with the peasants belief that Bogotah is to blame for Wilkinshires misfortunes. In order to put the citizens superstitions to rest, he must discover who is responsible for the kingdoms bad luck.

Meanwhile, Lord Thaddeus of Lancaster, an evil soul consumed by greed, waits for the opportune moment to claim Wilkinshire for himself. Spurred on by a voracious desire to obtain the legendary Treasure of Wilkinshire, he will stop at nothing to obtain it.

Only time will reveal the fate of the kingdom and of the spectacular treasure hidden somewhere within its walls.

It has been more than a decade since he ran away from his abusive father and turned his back on Wildenham, the kingdom he was to inherit. Now over a score in age, Lord William has earned the reputation as a renowned mercenary. Despite rumors of a restless spirit haunting the kingdom, he accepts a contract to return to Wildenham to kill Lord Clayborn, the man who murdered his father.

Lord Clayborn’s only child, Lady Christine, is a beautiful, high-spirited seventeen-year-old, who prefers to spend her time practicing with a sword rather than fulfilling her role as the Lady of Wildenham. Many suitors have asked for her hand in marriage, but she has refused every offer. Against her father’s wishes, she vows only to marry for love.

Meanwhile, in the neighboring kingdom of Thornwick, a notorious thief, Harlan, hides among the kingdom’s defenders in order to escape prosecution for his crimes. His vindictive nature draws the attention of his lord, who orders Harlan to travel to Wildenham and assassinate Lord Clayborn. Aware of her rumored beauty, Harlan demands Lady Christine’s hand in marriage as payment for the deed.

As the race against time begins, who will kill Lord Clayborn first? Will Lady Christine be forced to marry a man she does not love? Will Lord William have the determination to fulfill his contract and return to his solitary lifestyle as a mercenary, or will he accept his destiny and become the Lord of Wildenham?

Marie Michaels had the perfect life; a happy marriage to her college sweetheart, mother to two beautiful teenage children, and the owner of a successful business. Her life was everything she had imagined, until the day she was diagnosed with terminal cancer.

After undergoing several medical treatments, she loses her ability to hear making communication with her family and friends challenging. After slipping into a coma, lingering for several weeks, and expelling her last breath, she finds herself in the spiritual afterlife where she is greeted by her spirit guide, whose purpose is to protect and escort her to the other side. Distraught over her inability to tell her loved ones good-bye, her spirit guide grants Marie additional time to say her final farewells before they cross over together.

Since she cannot be seen or heard by those in the physical world, how will she convey her heartfelt messages? Will her soul find the closure it seeks before her time runs out on the third day?

Lady Averly yearns for the day when she will receive the respect deserving of her royal title. At seventeen, she has spent nearly a decade as a servant working in the kitchen of Holbrook. After her hand in marriage is sold to the highest bidder, she risks her life for a chance at happiness by fleeing into the darkness of the night. She finds herself in the kingdom of Tildenham and is welcomed by its handsome lord to live amongst the few peasants who survived a devasting attack on their village.  

The peasants within the Great Hall of Tildenham do not recognize the woman who dresses like one of their own, yet wears a royal cloak. Drawn to her beauty, Lord Edwin suspects there is more to her than she is willing to reveal and is determined to discover the truth.

Unwilling to lose the large dowry in exchange for her stepdaughter’s hand in marriage, Lady Miriam is desperate to find Lady Averly. As the garrison searches Holbrook and adjoining kingdoms, she devises a plan to locate and return her to collect the dowry.

To protect her identity, Lady Averly must resist the ever-pursuing charm of Lord Edwin. As her heart softens to his affections, will she allow herself the happiness she has longed for, or will she be discovered and remain a pawn in her stepmother’s evil scheme?

Confined to a nunnery, Rhoslyn, a high-spirited seventeen-year-old, struggles to abide by the strict rules of the convent and yearns to return home to Bardenham. Her prayers are answered when Jayden, a young lord from Aldwinster, and his knight arrive with orders to escort her from the abbey. She ignores Jayden’s unwanted forwardness, his flirtatious stare, prying eyes, and arrogant demeanor throughout the journey to their destination.

Mesmerized by Rhoslyn’s aqua eyes, silky brunette hair, and feisty yet confident determination, Jayden finds the woman stunningly attractive. Accustomed to women swooning in his presence, he fails to understand her frigid behavior toward him.

A permanent guest of Aldwinster, Lady Carling, a widow, no longer has a home to call her own. She is determined to become Jayden’s bride and will undermine any woman who blocks her way, including Rhoslyn.

When Jayden and Rhoslyn learn of their betrothal, he vows to prove his loyalty and win her heart. Will she trust his change of character or continue to resist his affection and endure a loveless marriage?

Still grieving the loss of her mother, Elizabeth returns to college for her junior year knowing with each feather she finds in her pathway, her mother is nearby. With her boyfriend, Jasper, by her side, she receives the confirmation her father is ill. Even though her dad reassures her that all will be well, she is skeptical the severity of his illness is more than he is willing to reveal. She tries to focus on her classes, but as his condition worsens, she is fearful of losing yet another parent. Will she choose a path that pursues her dreams, or will her father''s illness impact her future and lead her on a path she least expects?

After her parents'' divorce, Jessica, age eleven, is responsible for overseeing the household and watching her younger siblings while her ever-absent mother manages her three businesses.

At sixteen, she is introduced to Jim, nearly a decade older than she. Their friendship blossoms into a summer romance, which results in her pregnancy. Confident she can raise the baby with Jim''s support, she sets a goal to graduate from high school at age seventeen before the baby''s birth. Now a new mother, she works two jobs and attends community college for a semester before facing the reality her relationship with Jim is intolerable.

Once obtaining an apartment of her own, Jessica works three jobs, yet she struggles to provide for herself and her daughter. Desperate and determined to succeed as a single mother, she answers an ad in the newspaper for a job that is too good to be true and is hired. Unable to meet the job''s daily sales quota, her boss insists additional training is needed. Reluctantly, Jessica concedes. She is driven far from home to an unknown location in Tennessee and forced to live in abhorrent conditions. Discovering she is trapped in a labor trafficking scheme, will she ever return home and see her sixteen-month-old daughter again?

Edinburgh, Scotland, 1828 -

Born the seventh daughter of the seventh daughter, Anna Stewart is cursed as a witch. Shunned by society, she is blamed for her family''s misfortunes. The night before Samhain, Anna, now eighteen years old, is sent on an errand. Hearing shuffling footsteps behind her, she turns, and her vision fades to black. She awakens to see the full moon in the cloudless night sky, grasps the freshly turned soil where she lay and watches as a fleeing pair of body snatchers disappear into the shadows of the kirkyard. Alone among the gravestones, she stares at the open end of a casket deep within her disturbed grave. As she begins to walk home, Anna encounters the town witch, who tells her she was murdered and buried. With the killer still at large, the old woman warns Anna to hide, or risk being killed, again.

Douglas MacEwan, the successful owner of a mercantile shipping company, is staying in the city while his ships unload and take on cargo before returning to Virginia. His happenstance encounter with Anna leaves him spellbound by her beauty. After learning of her plight, he offers to investigate and track down her murderer. Knowing he must soon depart with his ships, his affection for Anna grows, as does his determination to ensure she remains safe.

Will Douglas succeed in finding Anna''s assailant or will her killer discover her whereabouts and ensure she is dead?

Elise and Gabe planned to attend the same university together. However, when her father passes away shortly after their high school graduation, Elise forfeits her dream to stay behind and manage the family bookstore. Even with the distance separating them, their love flourishes. Once Gabe graduates and secures employment, they wed.

After celebrating their first wedding anniversary, tragedy strikes when Gabe succumbs to injuries sustained from a traffic accident. Saddened to leave Elise, his spirit watches over his wife like a guardian angel while constantly questioning why he has not crossed over into Heaven.

Grief-stricken, Elise vows to never love another for the remainder of her life. As if being a young widow was not enough, the reality of being financially destitute is compounded by the discovery of her pregnancy. Her once bright future is now shadowed by the fear of single parenthood.

Carson, a successful real estate investor, is tired of living a bachelor''s life. By happenchance, he enters the bookstore and admires Elise''s confidence and beauty. Can Carson successfully tear down the protective wall encasing her heart? Will Elise allow herself to fall in love with Carson or uphold her promise to her deceased husband?