New Releases by Helen Hardt

True love doesn’t knock twice…unless fate has other plans. After her divorce, Kathryn Abbott never imagined that moving back to her hometown would mean colliding with the one person she’s never been able to forget—Brett Falcone. She was the brainy girl who tutored him. He was the baseball star every girl wanted…and the boy who left an indelible mark on her heart. Twenty years have passed, and Brett is more magnetic than ever. He doesn’t see Kathryn as the shy intellectual from the past, but as the woman who slipped away before they had a chance to begin. Now he’s determined to seize the love they once denied themselves. But second chances come at a cost. Old choices cast long shadows, and Kathryn must face the truth about who she was, what she lost, and the decision that shattered her before she can embrace the future she’s always wanted.

Perhaps some memories are better left buried. Marjorie Steel and Bryce Simpson have finally declared their love for each other, but their chance for happiness is once again yanked out from under them. As Marjorie is forced to confront her demons and find an inner strength to save herself and another, Bryce rushes to solve the puzzles his dead father left behind. An ominous lawyer, twins with a secret, and a premature birth present new obstacles as the two lovers scramble to escape the conundrum and leave their families in peace, all while their desire for each other becomes more and more insatiable. When an unexpected figure from the past emerges, leaving them both thunderstruck, the mystery deepens even further. It’s a race for healing. It’s a race for love. And Marjorie and Bryce are determined to have their happy ending.

The Cowboy and the Cougar A hot time with a gorgeous young cowboy is just what the doctor ordered for forty-year-old Holly Taylor. But after a night of amazing passion, she leaves discreetly. Life has other plans for her at the moment. After the best sex of his life, single father Jack Sherwood isn’t ready to give up his mystery woman. When he runs into her several months later, he’s relentless in his pursuit, and he doesn’t care a whit about their eleven-year age difference. Holly’s life has taken a new course since her first meeting with Jack, and she’s convinced she’s not what he and his adorable son need. Can her new friends at The Cougar Club persuade her to stop running? Or will she lose the best thing to ever happen to her? Calendar Boy Forty-five- year-old erotic romance author Stacy Oppenheimer has always been an introvert, and her recent divorce has left her scared of her own shadow. But when her favorite cover model, Michael Moretti, corners her at a writers’ conference, she swallows her inhibitions for a moment and teases him a little. Michael Moretti, age thirty-six, knows his career as a cover model and exotic dancer is rapidly coming to an end due to his age. He has his own reasons for attending this conference—find an attractive older woman whom he can woo into keeping him in the lifestyle to which he’s become accustomed. Lovely Stacy fits his requirements nicely. With Michael’s help, Stacy begins to overcome her shyness and engages in some exciting activities both outside and inside the bedroom. But she’s nobody’s sugar mama, and she makes that clear to him when she finds out his ulterior motive. Too bad for Michael, who finds out he just might be in a little deeper than he thought.

Your Escape Into A World of Dark Mysteries & Spicy Romance. Marjorie Steel is still healing from the events of the past year, and she’s happy to put her plans to study culinary arts on hold to help her best friend deal with a difficult pregnancy and two recently adopted troubled boys. The fact that Bryce Simpson spends a lot of time at the Steel Ranch is a benefit, and she’s ready to see if her attraction to him might be something more. Bryce wants to do a hard day’s work on the ranch. Once his muscles give out and he collapses from exhaustion, maybe he’ll stop torturing himself over his late father’s horrific double life. The Steels have a different idea. They ask Bryce to take an executive position complete with a profit share. As he has a young son and widowed mother to support, it’s an offer he can’t refuse. The only catch is Marjorie. She’s beautiful, smart, feisty, and her kisses set him on fire. But he’s an empty shell with nothing to offer her, and she deserves the world. As the sins of his father continue to haunt him, Bryce learns the horrors of the past may not yet be buried.

Erin Hamilton follows Dante Gabriel back into hell—the underground compound where he was held for a decade—to confront the woman who held him captive. Finally unmasked, she seems to hold Dante under her influence. Erin has faith in Dante’s strength and determination, though, especially when the mysterious Vampyre Texts reveal their first secret. Dante struggles to regain his control, even as he grows stronger and the darkness rises within him. He’ll let his captor think she commands him as long as it serves his purpose, but if Erin or anyone else is threatened, all bets are off. He’ll use all his powers against her, whether or not he can master them.

Editorial Reviews "An electric, often tantalizing installment enhances this vampire series." -Kirkus Reviews "An intense and sexy series." -Two Darlin'' Dolls and a Book Review "This installment was packed full of everything mystery, twists, turns, passion and more questions that I need answering." -Reading is our Satisfaction Synopsis... Vampires are real. That fact has Erin Hamilton thinking she’s headed for crazy town. Still, she can’t deny the intense emotion she experiences when Dante Gabriel sinks his teeth into her neck to take her blood. She’s in love, and her body responds to his bite in a way she never could have imagined. Once Dante tastes Erin’s blood, he’s addicted forever and cannot live without it. He’s heartbroken when she demands that he leave and never return. But neither can live without the other now, which puts them both at risk. As they struggle to understand the mysterious bond between them and decipher the secrets of the ancient Vampyre Texts, more patients disappear from the hospital. To complicate matters, a gang of vampire thugs chasing Erin, flashbacks increasing in number and clarity, and an ominous dark energy leave Dante on the brink of becoming unhinged.

Editorial Reviews "Once again, Helen delivers an incredible, hot and intense installment." -Goodreads Reviewer "A must read vampire series." -Amazon Reviewer Synopsis Breaking into a cemetery isn’t anything Dante Gabriel ever thought he’d do, but he has no choice. He must recover his father’s body so he can claim his estate. Help arrives from two unexpected sources, but their plan is interrupted. Erin Hamilton’s best friend is a wolf shifter. The man she loves is a vampire. His father is a ghost. She can deal with all of that, but new worries have surfaced. The missing doctor has returned to the hospital, and his strange actions are disturbing…but not as disturbing as the odd dreams that begin to plague her. She finds comfort and love in Dante’s arms, even as he slowly begins to change.

Dante Gabriel needs Erin Hamilton’s blood. The hunger is all-consuming, but flashbacks of his time in captivity, as well as his quest for answers, leave him questioning everything. With the help of his cousin, his father’s ghost, and a Shakespeare-quoting voodoo priestess, he’s determined to decode the book his grandfather claims will lead him only to darkness. Erin loves Dante and has finally accepted him for what he is, but she feels like she’s been transported into another world. Ghosts, werewolves, and vampires are all real? Even her best friend might not be what she seems. In addition, the mystery at the hospital deepens—a doctor is now missing—and Erin fears there may be a connection to Dante.

Editorial Reviews "This story is amazing and, as usual, Ms Hardt ends it on one almighty cliff hanger." -Reading is our Satisfaction Synopsis Vampires are real. That fact has Erin Hamilton thinking she’s headed for crazy town. Still, she can’t deny the intense emotion she experiences when Dante Gabriel sinks his teeth into her neck to take her blood. She’s in love, and her body responds to his bite in a way she never could have imagined. Once Dante tastes Erin’s blood, he’s addicted forever and cannot live without it. He’s heartbroken when she demands that he leave and never return. But neither can live without the other now, which puts them both at risk.

Once bonded, never broken. The words give Dante Gabriel hope…until he remembers where he first heard them. The information he needs is hidden in the ancient Vampyre Texts, but he encounters obstacle after obstacle while trying to decipher them, even when someone from his past returns to help. Though she tries, Erin Hamilton can’t resist Dante. When he comes for her, she always submits willingly, despite her best intentions. She loves him but still can’t bring herself to accept him as vampire…even as other vampires, lured by her arousing scent, begin to close in on her.

Now that Dante Gabriel recognizes the blood bond Erin Hamilton has formed with him, he has to convince her that she must complete the bond for both their sakes. Vampires are rapidly dying out, and humans have long considered them nothing more than a myth. How can he make her understand? Erin has fallen in love with Dante, but she’s still confused and angered by his behavior. To keep her mind occupied, she immerses herself in a mystery that has evolved at work. Patients have been disappearing from the hospital, and Erin finds a clue regarding their blood.

Dante Gabriel craves human blood. He vandalizes a hospital blood bank and runs into ER nurse Erin Hamilton, with whom he feels a strong connection.

Your Escape Into A World of Dark Mysteries & Spicy Romance. Ryan Steel, his world recently upended by an earth-shattering secret, now faces yet another potential revelation surrounding the Steel family mystery. He no longer fully trusts his siblings or the woman he loves. He’s alone—alone and terrified and immersed in a conundrum that becomes more twisted each day. Ruby Lee loves Ryan and desperately wants to help him. She’ll do whatever she must to see him through this troubling time, but her own shrouded past still haunts her, and she’s determined to put an end to both of their mysteries once and for all. But the more she uncovers, the more danger she’s in…and she may lose Ryan forever.

Your Escape Into A World of Dark Mysteries & Spicy Romance. Jonah Steel is intelligent, rich, and hard-working. As the oldest of his siblings, he was charged by his father to protect them. He failed in the worst way. Dr. Melanie Carmichael has her own baggage. Although the renowned therapist was able to help Jonah’s brother, she is struggling with feelings of inadequacy. When the oldest Steel walks into her office seeking solace, she can’t turn her back. As Melanie and Jonah attempt to work through their issues together, desperately trying to ignore the desire brewing between them, ghosts from both their pasts surface…and danger draws near.

Editorial Reviews "This is definitely the type of story that will have you alternating between smiling and crying. My heart broke at certain points. Hardt has a unique writing style that I have enjoyed across this series, a series I''m sad to see end." -Romance Readers Retreat "This is a deeply emotional story of love, betrayal, heartache, redemption, and second chances." -The Book Sirens "This series is a MUST READ. " -United Indie Book Blog "Helen masterfully tackled another story with heartbreaking consequences but a happy ending" -Tina at Bookalicious Babes Blog Synopsis Maria Gomez married her lover’s brother to give the baby she carried the name and future she deserved. Now she is widowed, and her oldest child’s father—the only man she ever loved—has returned. In prison for a crime he didn’t commit, Jefferson Bay never forgot the beautiful woman who betrayed him with his own brother. When DNA evidence proved Jeff’s innocence years later and he was released, he vowed to find Maria and seek his revenge. The passion between the two has never died, but can they learn to trust each other again?

Your Escape Into A World of Dark Mysteries & Spicy Romance. Jade Roberts is in love with Talon Steel but no longer welcome in his home. While she resolves to move on, she still longs for the passion she and Talon shared…and when her boss asks her to dig up information on the Steels, she’s only too happy to comply. Talon and his brothers are hiding something, and Jade is determined to find out what it is. The moment Talon saw Jade he wanted her, ached for her, craved her…and now his desire has become his obsession. He knows she deserves better than his broken soul, but he can’t stay away from her, and he finally confesses his love. If he and Jade are to have a future, he knows he must make peace with the dark shadows and horrors of his past. But as Talon begins his journey of healing, Jade uncovers some startling secrets…

Editorial Reviews "This book sizzled. The chemistry with this couple was explosive. It definitely is not for the faint of heart. There is a high volume of sexuality and it is very graphic. Often when that is the case, there is no storyline and the plot is underdeveloped. That was definitely not the case here. The book was highly emotional. This is not my first Helen Hardt book and it will certainly not be my last. " -Brenda Talley, The Romance Studio "I loved this book. The characters were wonderful. They each showed their vulnerable sides as well as their strengths. They are real people and have real problems but also some very loving solutions... I found myself daydreaming of my own cowboy after finishing this book. The warm feelings that I got from reading it just didn’t want to go away. I wonder where I can find me one of those young cowboys… Oh yeah, I’m married. But a girl can dream and this guy is definitely worth dreaming about. Lucky Holly." -Terrihawk, Night Owl Romance Reviews Synopsis A hot time with a gorgeous young cowboy is just what the doctor ordered for forty-year- old Holly Taylor. But after a night of amazing passion, she leaves discreetly. Life has other plans for her at the moment. After the best sex of his life, single father Jack Sherwood isn’t ready to give up his mystery woman.When he runs into her several months later, he’s relentless in his pursuit, and he doesn’t care a whit about their eleven-year age difference. Holly’s life has taken a new course since her first meeting with Jack, and she’s convinced she’s not what the and his adorable son need. Can her new friends at The Cougar Club persuade her to stop running? Or will she lose the best thing to ever happen to her?

Your Escape Into A World of Dark Mysteries & Spicy Romance. A jilted bride. A broken man. A craving that can’t be denied. After being left at the altar, Jade Roberts seeks solace at her best friend''s ranch on the Colorado western slope. Her humiliation still ripe, she doesn''t expect to be attracted to her friend''s reticent brother, but when the gorgeous cowboy kisses her, all bets are off. Talon Steel is broken. Having never fully healed from a horrific childhood trauma, he simply exists, taking from women what is offered and giving nothing in return...until Jade Roberts catapults into his life. She is beautiful, sweet, and giving, and his desire for her becomes a craving he fears he''ll never be able to satisfy. Passion sizzles between the two lovers...but long-buried secrets haunt them both and may eventually tear them apart.

Editorial Reviews The main characters had such dynamic, emotional personalities, it seemed as if they were destined to find each other. However, a happily-ever-after was not simply reached. The style of Hardt''s book grabbed my attention... Hardt is an author whom I expect to see more and more of in the future. –The Romance Studio This story is one of the best I''ve read... Stories like this one don''t come along very often. The writing is excellent, the flow is perfect, the characters are likable, loveable, even when there''s the chance these two won''t wind up together. –Long and Short Reviews Synopsis Spinster schoolteacher Ruth Blackburn has accepted her fate. She''s not meant for love, especially not with ill-mannered—though excruciatingly handsome—Garth Mackenzie, the widowed father of one of her students. She''ll just have to ignore the fact that he makes her skin heat. Garth Mackenzie is used to loss. The Civil War cost him his best friend and his ability to sleep through the night, and illness stole his wife and son. To avoid the pain of losing his daughter, he keeps her at arm''s length, much to her teacher''s dismay. Ruth Blackburn is independent and opinionated—just what Garth doesn''t need. But her vibrant beauty and energy awaken feelings in him he thought long dead.

Editorial Reviews "This series is a MUST READ. " -United Indie Book Blog "A romance of explosive proportions!" -The Book Fairy Reviews Synopsis Learn to run the family estate? Angelina Bay would rather be caught wearing last season’s fashions. But if she doesn’t, her father says she can kiss her inheritance goodbye. Teach a spoiled heiress how to ride a horse? Not in this lifetime. Rafe Grayhawk is busy enough working and saving every extra penny to fund his chronically ill father’s move to Arizona—until beautiful Angelina makes him an offer he can’t refuse. Rafe’s rules are simple—show up on time for lessons and do everything he tells her. Angie balks at authority, but soon riding lessons with the handsome hand are the least of her problems. She may lose her inheritance anyway, and Rafe is the only person who can help her.

Editorial Reviews "This series is a MUST READ. " -United Indie Book Blog Synopsis Sam O’Donovan is bored with his stale life in Montana. When his brother-in-law offers him a great job and a cut of the McCray business in Colorado, he’s ecstatic. This is the change he needs. As for beautiful Sydney Buchanan resurfacing? That’s icing on the cake. Sydney’s back for one reason and one reason only. She needs to win as many purses as she can to help her parents run their struggling ranch in Nevada. She doesn’t bank on running into Sam O’Donovan. All the sparks they shared five years earlier are still there, but so much else has changed. If only Sam could understand the decisions she made during their time apart…and trust her.

Belly dancer Eve Costello has a problem. She''s in love with both her roommates. Satisfied to simply worship them from afar, she''s unprepared when they drop a bomb. Jon and Brian are in love with her, too, and they want her to choose between them. Their solution? She spends one evening with each of them, allowing them to woo her before she makes her decision. Will she be able to choose one over the other? Or will she be condemned to choosing neither, leaving all three of them miserable? Loving Eve is just one of the hot menage stories in this collection. Jill takes on two cowboys in Slow and Wet, Jane beds a musician and his best friend in Pianist Envy, and Erin is seduced by two lion shifters in Primal Instinct. "I know when I open a book by Helen Hardt, I''m in for a treat. This book was no exception. It''s steamy from the first page. I needed a cool shower after reading... If you want a story with an ending you won''t see coming and lots of white-hot sex, you need to read Primal Instinct." Whipped Cream Reviews "Slow and Wet is pure erotic thrills! Ms. Hardt creates magic with a scandalous book that is bubbling with passion, smoking hot lust and love... In this quick plot format the author doesn''t scrimp on her character development, plot or action demonstrating her ability to create a fantastic, titillating story that will leave the reader breathless!" The Romance Studio

"Congratulations Ms. Hardt, you dropped me into the middle of a scorching hot story and let me burn." ~Seriously Reviewed Wiltshire, England 1853 Lady Rose Jameson knows her place—respect authority and convention and marry a suitable member of the peerage. Lord Evan Xavier, the second son of the Earl of Brighton, possesses the necessary pedigree, but though Rose enjoys his company, the spark she craves is missing…the spark she feels with handsome commoner Cameron Price. Cameron has accepted his lot in life—to care for his widowed mother and two younger sisters. Instead of writing the music he loves, he’s destined to work the land his family leases from the Duke of Lybrook…and deal with his overwhelming feelings for the duke’s sister-in-law, Lady Rose. When Cam’s sister becomes ill, he needs money quickly, and his fate is further sealed. He must say goodbye to Rose forever. But circumstances and the appearance of an elderly stranger may change both their lives.

Wiltshire, England 1845 Lady Lily Jameson is thrilled to attend a house party given by Daniel Farnsworth, the Duke of Lybrook, but not because he’s the most eligible bachelor in the peerage. Her only interest is his famous art collection, which reputedly includes a painting by her favorite artist, Jan Vermeer. Daniel, duke only by virtue of the untimely deaths of his father and older brother, wants nothing to do with his new duties. He’d rather continue his rakish ways. When he finds the lovely Lily sneaking around the property in search of his art collection, sparks fly. Despite her father’s wishes, Lily has no intention of marrying. She wants to travel the world to gain real life inspiration for her painting and writing. And what could be better worldly experience than a passionate affair with the notorious Duke of Lybrook? But circumstances may change the game and the players…and danger lurks, as well.