Investment banker Carina Chen doesn’t need distractions—especially the sexy, guitar-playing barista she rooms with. But when her boss asks her to turn Dylan into a businessman, she can’t think of a reason not to take advantage of his hospitality. Their chemistry is white hot, and Carina risks all for a night of love. Will Carina find her true heart before she loses her job and her chance for love?

This is Book 2 of 4Research librarian Andie Wales is devastated to learn that the man she fell in love with is a professional athlete who plays on and off the field. When Cade's past mistakes catch up with him, Andie urges him to go back to California to do the right thing. Meanwhile, Andie's father's medical bills are mounting, and she needs to take on a second job. A lucrative offer to do research for a scriptwriter lands in her inbox. Andie flies to Los Angeles to take up the job and finds Cade at the airport. Andie needs to send every penny she makes home to her family, so she agrees to stay at Cade's to save money, as long as he promises their relationship is friends only. Can she negotiate a benefits package that'll keep her heart intact? Just when she thinks she's got everything under control, her past slams her with a shocking surprise. Warning: Cliffhanger. Cade and Andie's love story continues in Part 3. goo.gl/SZFxymReview"... a beautifully provoking and exquisitely touching journey of finding and keeping the type of love that breathes life and hope ..." - Amber McCallister."Even with the hurdles of life, true love prevails!!!" - Keli Morgan."A great second book to the series. I am in love with the characters as they piss me, make me hate them, then believe in happy ever after." - Lillian Maddox-Cummings."Sometimes in life we are given a second chance at love and must figure out if we are really being true to ourselves when judging the actions of others. True love is worth the fight and extra effort that it needs to overcome the hurdles that are placed in front of us." - Rebecca Austin."Just when I think Ms. Ayala can't top herself, she does it again. This book will take you on a wild ride so you better sit tight and hold on!" - Tope Awofeso."A great continuance of Cade and Andie's story. They are in the process of learning and loving each other all while facing hurdles from their past coming front and center. This is a definite must read." - Terri Merkel."... will fumble your heart, have your side aching with laughter, and leave you begging for more." - Racquel ReckFrom the Inside FlapExcerpt #1:He stepped toward the ornately carved double doors and pulled her body against his as he stumbled across the threshold.Andie grabbed onto him, arms over his shoulders. He took two heavy steps, then regained his balance, slamming her back against the wall.She lost her breath and her mouth opened in shock, only to encounter Cade's lips crashing into her. Everything exploded around her, the heat of the summer evening, being inside Cade's mansion, the lonely nights replaying him in her mind, and all Andie could do was gasp and allow him to plunder her mouth.His tongue moved wickedly, smooth as silk and rough with desire. His body was hot and hard, especially the rod pressing between her legs. Her open legs. Holy bratwurst. She'd promised herself to guard her heart. Must. Push. Away. Must. Clamp. Lips. Shut. Must not rub against him.She wiggled and squirmed, her hands wildly grabbing as she supposedly fended off his passion-filled kisses. His skillful tongue darted and flickered, probing and teasing, before he deepened the kiss, his entire head moving to massage her lips.Andie moaned in sheer bliss. He was rock hard against her, and his hands had crept to her breasts, smoothly and surely massaging her. Her clothes were too tight, too constraining. Even as he politely remained outside of her bra, she gave herself over, clamping her legs around his waist and moving her crotch over his hard-on.She might not have an idea about how men were in LA, or how Cade lived and behaved, but what better way to find out than to stay with him, as friends, of course. Maybe with benefits. Big benefits. Like Goliath sized benefits.Excerpt #2:"I told you I would never hurt you. I promised it.""You will hurt me, even if you don't try, and I'll hurt you too, if only accidentally.""Then what do we do?" He unclasped her hands and turned around to face her. "Are you saying we're both liars and cheats?"She couldn't help but nod, even as tears flooded her eyes. "Even the man after God's own heart lies and cheats. That's what I've been learning all week. It's because we're always lying to ourselves, Cade. The difference is whether we believe those lies or not."She could feel the anger diminishing, as his muscles softened. Admitting that she'd lied hadn't ended the world, but could he ever trust her again? She wanted more than anything for Cade to believe in her. But how could he, when she didn't even know what to believe about her own feelings?Cade gently stroked her hair, then cupped her face with both hands and lowered his head to hers. "What happens if we don't believe those lies?"She let out the breath she'd been holding. "We face our true selves, and it's ugly, real ugly.""No, Andie." He kissed her forehead. "It's when we face our true selves that we can love, and then it's all beautiful again."That sounded so deep and beautiful. Andie's throat tightened. She wanted to tell him how much he meant, and how much she'd suffered while he was gone, but would he believe her? "I won't say I love you, because I don't want to lie." She tried to sound casual, maybe even carefree. It was a teaser to lighten the mood. She wasn't ready yet to commit to her feelings. Not unless he felt the same way."Then I won't say I love you, either." A grin crinkled his eyes, and he rubbed his nose against her. "I un-love you, and that's a lie I don't believe.""I un-love you, too."

Maryanne Torres is a compassionate nurse who fails at relationships. After a string of losers, she swears off premarital sex, hoping to land a marrying type of man.Lucas Knight, a law-school dropout, moves to California to train for the Ironman Triathlon. He's smart, sweet, and everything Maryanne wants in a man, but their relationship suffers from his dedication to the sport. Seeking consolation in the arms of a handsome preacher's son, Maryanne attends a church party where she is raped.Maryanne is pregnant from the rape and plans to abort. But the identity of her rapist is hidden in her baby's DNA. Lucas asks Maryanne to seek alternatives and pledges to support her through the pregnancy. When Lucas becomes the prime suspect, Maryanne must clear his name and make a life changing decision.The rapist has other ideas. In order to destroy the evidence, he offers Maryanne an illegal offshore abortion. With Maryanne's life in danger, Lucas races to save her and her baby. However, Maryanne hides a secret that threatens to tear them apart forever.A 99,000-word women's fiction, HIDDEN UNDER HER HEART deals with the consequences of rape and abortion.About the AuthorRachelle Ayala was a software engineer until she discovered storytelling works better in fiction than real code. She has over thirty years of writing experience and has always lived in a multi-cultural environment. Rachelle is an active member of online critique group, Critique Circle, and a volunteer for the World Literary Cafe. She is a very happy woman and lives in California with her husband. She has three children and has taught violin and made mountain dulcimers.