Secret Ties

Nichelle Sampson is living the life she always dreamed of. She's a political-science professor like her father, is in her sorority's leadership like her mother, and has wonderful friends. The only thing missing is romance. But when a letter and mysterious ring arrive, Nichelle's perfect life is shattered. She's shocked to learn that she's adopted and biracial and that her origin story isn't what her parents claimed. Looking for the truth, Nichelle sets out to unlock the secrets behind her birth family through the heirloom ring. Geochemist Clark Lin-Lee prefers spending time alone in his lab, but when a beautiful professor visits his family jewelry store intent to solve a mystery, he agrees to accompany her. Clark should say no-he has his own unresolved family history and is secretly scheduled to testify against Nichelle's mother's company in his latest conservation case. But Nichelle is as persuasive as she is sexy, and for the first time in his life, Clark is ready for an adventure. Can Nichelle and Clark wade through the increasing questions together, or will secrets drive them apart?

Lauren Steele has always been grateful for her adoptive family's love and support. So much so that she takes over the family floral business when her parents retire, despite her dreams of working on political campaigns. Instead of crafting clever speeches, she spends her days writing out romantic messages on behalf of her clients, a bittersweet reminder that she's never been on the receiving end of one of these orders. She's accepted her simple life, until the sexiest man she's ever met walks into her shop looking for a job. Ben Specter fixes problems for a living, and he's been hired to investigate Lauren. His client is a wealthy, powerfully connected man running for governor, and Ben's research unearthed a massive skeleton in the man's closet, a secret older sister that his mother never mentioned. Getting closer to Lauren is strictly business, but the more time Ben spends with her, the more the lines between work and pleasure blur. But when his deception is revealed, will Lauren be able to trust Ben and believe that what they shared was real?

Tori Matheny comes from a family of strong women who are all close and happily single. She plans to live the same way-an occasional fling, but never settling down. What's the need? She is, however, curious about her birth family despite her adoptive mom and aunts strongly discouraging her search. Tori's always known she was adopted and has never been able to shake her lifelong curiosity. When she runs into a childhood friend with plenty of time on his hands, he seems like the ideal candidate to help with her search. After a nomadic lifestyle serving for years in the Veterinarians Without Borders program, Ethan Borden is permanently home and finally ready to settle down-buy a home, marry, and have children. He's always had a crush on Tori, so when she asks him for help, he's hopeful it's the beginning of so much more. Ethan is happy to help Tori find her birth family, but when Tori learns Ethan is hiding a deep family secret, can their budding relationship survive the generational betrayals?