Showing results by author "Josie A." in All Categories

I’ve never seen anyone at a public pool with a memorable enough body, good or bad, that I think about it ever again. If this line sounds familiar, it’s because you’ve heard it in the background of thousands of videos on social media—a humbling reminder from poet and radio personality Josie Balka that what’s important in our lives now isn’t necessarily what’s important to us in the long run. I Hope You Remember, Josie’s first book of poetry, includes this poem and over eighty others, some previously published and others never shared before.

Eleanor, the charming manager of a cozy tea shop, enjoys the transportive ritual of making a cup of Masala Chai tea, reminisces about the tea's origins, and delights in the beauty of her quaint English village during the holidays. Bedtime stories are narrated by the world's most celebrated voices and written with no beginning, middle, or end so you don't stay up to hear what happens next. They're interesting enough to give your mind something to focus on, but delivered in a way that encourages sleep.

Laurie is sure love at first sight doesn't exist anywhere but the movies. But then, through a misted-up bus window one snowy December day, she sees a man who she knows instantly is the one. Their eyes meet, there's a moment of pure magic...and then her bus drives away. Certain they're fated to find each other again, Laurie spends a year scanning every bus stop and cafe in London for him. But she doesn't find him, not when it matters anyway. Instead they "reunite" at a Christmas party, when her best friend, Sarah, giddily introduces her new boyfriend: the man from the bus.

Gavin Wilkes is rugby’s biggest star and my older brother’s best friend. He’s tall, dark, handsome… and a notorious player—not just in the sportsball way. For years he’s teased me—flirted with me as a joke—and I’m tired of it. So the night of my parents’ annual Christmas party, I call his bluff, never expecting him to take me up on it.

Spending her thirtieth birthday alone is not what dating columnist Cleo Wilder wanted, but she plans a solo retreat―at the insistence of her boss―in the name of re-energizing herself and adding a new perspective to her column. The remote Irish island she’s booked is a far cry from London, but at least it’s a chance to hunker down in a luxury cabin and indulge in some self-care while she figures out the next steps in her love life and her career.

Hard-boiled detective series author Hugh Hudson has been at the top of his game for over a decade. But when his luminous wife dies suddenly, he finds himself channeling his grief into writing a beautiful romance novel, an ode to his late love never intended for publication. Until, that is, his long-time editor sneaks a peek at the manuscript and knows it's the unicorn story she's been waiting for. He’s eighteen months late delivering his next detective novel, so she throws him a lifeline—if he lets her publish the love story, she can get him an extension.

Sometimes the worst wounds can’t be seen. Lucas Everett knows that firsthand. It's why he and his former Navy SEAL brothers created the Resting Warrior Ranch. Usually, soldiers show up at their door. But this time, it's Evelyn Taylor—a soldier in a very different kind of war.

Lydia and Freddie. Freddie and Lydia. They’d been together for more than a decade and Lydia thought their love was indestructible. But she was wrong. On Lydia’s 28th birthday, Freddie died in a car accident. So now it’s just Lydia, and all she wants is to hide indoors and sob until her eyes fall out. But Lydia knows that Freddie would want her to try to live fully, happily, even without him. So, enlisting the help of his best friend, Jonah, and her sister, Elle, she takes her first tentative steps into the world, open to life - and perhaps even love - again.

He was supposed to break my bed, not my heart. Mr. Hottie-with-a-Body ghosted me a year ago, and now he's my new boss. Still cocky. Still hot AF. Still thinks he can take whatever he wants. And he wants me to be his fake wife. He'll get his promotion and I'll get my debt erased. At first, he drives me crazy pushing all my buttons. But the way he stares at me gives me goosebumps, And soon his rock-hard body is all that fills my thoughts. Now, I love pretending to be husband and wife. Except we pretend a little too perfectly, Because I'm staring at a big, fat plus sign. He's promoted, And ...

In this sequel to Dream of Me, Josie Litton pursues the romantic and political affiliations between the Saxons and Norse at the end of the ninth century. When the Saxon lord Hawk agrees to take a Norse bride, he finds an unexpected affection for his enigmatic and fiery fiancee, Lady Krysta. But Lady Krysta arrives bearing many secrets, including her gift for seeing what others cannot.

Born into a large, close-knit family in Nicaragua, Prisca Dorcas Mojica Rodríguez grew up surrounded by strong, kind, funny, sensitive, resilient, judgmental, messy, beautiful women. Whether blood relatives or chosen family, these tías and primas fundamentally shaped her view of the world—and so did the labels that were used to talk about them. The tía loca who is shunned for defying gender roles. The pretty prima put on a pedestal for her European features. The matriarch who is the core of her community but hides all her pain.

Maggie Gerber - one of the founding members of the Good Buy Girls - loves her quiet life in St. Stanley, Virginia. But all that changes when Sam Collins, her old flame, moves back to town as the new sheriff. On top of that, Claire Freemont, a librarian and the newest member of the Good Buy Girls, starts acting utterly strange. When Maggie goes to visit her the next day at the library, she finds the body of a very dead man. Turns out the man is someone from Claire's past.

I like my men how I like my wine, Tasty, full-bodied, and twice my age… like my best friend’s dad. I'm a dedicated nurse, and the responsible one (usually). So catching a ride after a night of drinking makes good sense. Except when that ride is loaded silver fox Landon Leggatt. And OH, did I ride. But afterward, the jerk acted like nothing happened between us, And left me wondering if the sparks were only in my head. I thought I’d gotten over him, until he hurts his ankle, And my best friend calls in a favor for my professional help. Now I'm stuck looking after this brooding grump, ...

Between spending Valentine’s Day with her sweetheart Sam and shopping upcoming Presidents’ Day sales with the Good Buy Girls, everything is coming up roses and bargains for Maggie Gerber. But then the mother of Maggie’s nemesis comes to town, hoping to set her spoiled daughter up with Sam. When Maggie heads to her romantic rival’s house to put a stop to the scheming, she discovers Summer standing over a dead body - holding a weapon. As much as Maggie would love to see Summer get her just desserts, she can’t shake the feeling that the meddling menace is, in fact, innocent.

After centuries of conflict, a peace treaty has finally been drawn between the warring Saxons and Norse—largely due to the wisdom and bravery of the legendary Viking leader Wolf Hakonson and the noble warrior Lord Hawk. Hawk and Wolf each married women from warring clans to unite the Saxons and Norse. But for all its blessings, the promise of peace will remain fragile—unless it can be sealed forever by a third and final marriage between these two proud clans.

Never rent an apartment over the internet. I learned that lesson the hard way. Turns out the sweet two bedroom I was thrilled to make mine is actually smack dab in the middle of a retirement community. Now instead of enjoying Florida’s night life, I’m helping Mrs. Hill find her missing hearing aids and showing Mr. Frazier how to use his television remote for the millionth time. But it’s fine. They look out for me and I look out for them. Which is how I end up wedged in a broom closet with Mr. Frazier’s sexy as sin nephew.

Lisette lives in East Berlin but brings her new-born baby to a hospital in West Berlin. Under doctor's orders, she goes home to rest, leaving the baby in the care of the hospital. But overnight the border between East and West closes, slicing the city - and the world - in two. With a city in chaos and armed guards ordered to shoot anyone who tries to cross, her situation is desperate.

He thought he could destroy me. Threatened me. Murdered the people around me. Then trapped me with no way out. What he didn't realize was I had the devil on my side. He played the long game. Longer than anyone thought. He thought he was smart with an entire town on his side. He tried to destroy my life and everything I loved. But I grew up in a different part of town. And where I was from, we protected our own. It may not be pretty, but watching him break into nothing may be the happiest moment of my life. I just hope the devil doesn't trick me again.

Who’s the stunning blonde with legs for days? Oh h*ll… My best friend’s daughter is my new assistant. She’s sassy, sun-kissed, and way too young for me. From the moment she walks into my office, My d*ck comes to life in a heartbeat. My best friend entrusted me to give her good working experience, Not bend her over my desk. She thinks I hate her. I’m just trying not to cross a line. Stolen moments, tangled sheets, her perfect body underneath mine… Her southern drawl and smart mouth push all my buttons, Unearthing feelings I’d buried for a decade. I’m too old and jaded for ...

Set in ninth-century England and Norway, Dream of Me tells the story of Wolf Hakonson, a fierce Norse chief who falls in love when he kidnaps the sister of his rival, Hawk, a prominent Saxon lord. Wolf marries the lovely Cymbra but their wedded bliss is short-lived. First the women of the settlement refuse to accept their Saxon mistress who turns out to have emphatic abilities, and then Wolf must face the wrath of his brother-in-law.