Mirabelle Harbor

TAKE A CHANCE ON ME is a novella & it's Book 1 in Marilyn Brant's Mirabelle Harbor series. This book and ALL of the contemporary romances in this series can be enjoyed as stand-alone stories. Welcome to Mirabelle Harbor! In this scenic suburb on Chicago's North Shore, overlooking the sparkling waters of Lake Michigan, the Michaelsen family has made their home for generations. Although their parents and grandparents are now gone, siblings Derek, Blake, Sharlene, and the twins-Chandler and Chance-all have fond memories of growing up in town, and most still live there. Chance Michaelsen, the youngest member of the family (by two minutes) and the quietest (by far), is a dedicated twenty-eight-year-old personal trainer at the local gym. While he might not say much, Chance has made it clear that he's not a fan of toxic people, unhealthy habits, or sharing too many of his emotions. With anybody. Enter Antonia "Nia" Pappayiannis-the prettiest member of the loudest and most overly demonstrative family in town. They're also the owners of The Gala, a Greek restaurant and bakery known for its decadent pastries and located just a few steps from Chance's gym. He considers their entire family business to be the enemy of good health, but he can't quite shake his attraction to Nia, who doesn't seem nearly as impressed with him or his sculpted physique as most of the women around Mirabelle Harbor. Unfortunately, between her doctor's orders and the interfering ways of Chance's crazy-making ex-girlfriend, who just happens to be one of Nia's long-time friends, Chance gets assigned to be Nia's fitness coach for the month. Pure torture. And if his ex weren't already causing enough problems, he also has to deal with Nia's current boyfriend-some hotshot Chicago CEO who talks big but, in Chance's opinion, is as fake as a Styrofoam barbell. The road to romance is going to be a rocky one, and though Nia has her doubts about moving forward, Chance has a well-developed competitive streak and might just be willing to give it a shot...if he can convince her to do the same. In matters of the heart, would you risk it all? TAKE A CHANCE ON ME, a Mirabelle Harbor story. Books in the Series: TAKE A CHANCE ON ME (July 2015) THE ONE THAT I WANT (July 2015)YOU GIVE LOVE A BAD NAME (Coming Soon)STRANGER ON THE SHORE (Coming Soon)Story Excerpt: “Nia?" I extended my hand to her because I was a professional and that was what we did when we met a new client. It didn't have anything to do with my desire to touch her. Much. She looked at me oddly. Hesitant. Like she was afraid I'd try to out muscle her or something. So I added a slight smile. If anything, she looked even more worried then, but she finally took my hand and shook it. God, her skin was so soft. “Chance." She stated my name rather than asked. How insane was it that I was proud of this? That she knew who I was already? Then I looked down and realized I was wearing my trainer nametag. Oh. “Yes," I said. "Nice to meet you." This was such a freakin' understatement it was almost a lie. I was usually only attracted to very athletic women, but Nia had a different style and body type than the typical crowd of single 20-something ladies I ran into at the gym. She was all softness and curves, dressed in her conservative white t-shirt and blue yoga pants. Other women wouldn't look hot in such a plain outfit. Nia rocked the look."Likewise," she said. An awkward silence followed. I wasn't used to that either. Most of my clients talked my ear off from the second of introduction on. Not her.

THE ONE THAT I WANT is Book 2 in Marilyn Brant's Mirabelle Harbor series, but this story and all of the contemporary romances in this series can be enjoyed as stand-alone novels. The summer after her beloved husband died in a car accident, Julia Meriwether Crane is still picking up the pieces of her life in Mirabelle Harbor and trying to help her ten-year-old daughter adjust to this difficult new reality. After her best friend Sharlene-one of the well-connected Michaelsen siblings-talks her into finally going out on the town again, Julia finds herself stunned to be the object of interest of several different men: The boy who'd broken her heart back in high school. The college ex she'd left behind. And most surprising of all, the movie actor she'd always fantasized about but had never met in person...until now. Can one woman have more than one "great love" in the same lifetime? And, if so, how can she be sure which man that'll be? Sometimes the person you think will be best for you isn't the one you really want. THE ONE THAT I WANT, a Mirabelle Harbor story. Shar nudged me when he wasn't looking and whispered, "See? Not so hard, is it?" I made a face and shrugged. Finally, the party was beginning to break up. I was mentally congratulating myself on making it through the evening when Elsie wolf whistled. "Wait, people!" Everyone halted."I've been wanting to tell you this good news all night." She paused. "You know my friend Rosemary, who works at the Knightsbridge Theater in the city, right?" Most of the group nodded. "There's a dress rehearsal for their summer production, 'The Bachelor Pad,' this Thursday evening, in advance of next Friday's Opening Night," Elsie said. "Rosemary reserved a block of seats for us."Despite the noise in the wine bar, an audible spike in sound came on the heels of those words. A couple of the women actually squealed. I squinted at them. Tickets to a play were always nice, but wasn't this taking theatrical enthusiasm a bit far?"But that's not all," Elsie continued. "Rosemary also got us passes to meet the cast, just as she did for that steampunk musical last year-" "Steampunk musical?" I hissed in Shar's ear. She nodded. "It was bizarre. Tell you more later. "I grinned and brought my glass of wine to my lips, draining it of its final swallow."-including a special Q&A session," Elsie added, "with the star of the show, Dane Tyler." I choked on the last drops of Merlot. "Are you okay?" Elsie asked. I gulped down half the water. Oh, God. Of all the actors on the planet-Dane Tyler. Here? REALLY? My teen world had just materialized out of thin air. My gut twisted weirdly, and I could barely breathe. "P-Please go on," I managed to whisper.

You Give Love A Bad Name is Book 3 in Marilyn Brant's Mirabelle Harbor series, but this story and all of the contemporary romances in this series can be enjoyed as stand-alone novels. "Nothing but love, 24/7" is the slogan of Mirabelle Harbor's only radio station, 102.5 "LOVE" FM. On the verge of turning thirty-five, local DJ Blake Michaelsen is well-known for several reasons: his very sexy on-air voice, his omnipresent family, his eligible bachelor status, and his reputation as one of the most impulsive men in Chicago's northern suburbs. High-school French teacher and lifelong romantic Vicky Bernier is not at all wild about people who exhibit reckless conduct. (Blake.) Or men who have gigantic egos. (Blake.) Or grownups who still act like teenagers. (Blake, again.) She deals with enough adolescent behavior during the school day. Unfortunately, she's the staff advisor to the Homecoming Committee, and they've chosen him as their DJ for the big fall dance. What happens when a man whose job it is to play love songs for a living is forced to admit his deepest secret, that he doesn't believe in true love, only to discover that the one woman who might capture his heart is the same woman who distrusts him the most? No matter what you call it, with love there's an exception to every rule. You Give Love A Bad Name, a Mirabelle Harbor story.

STRANGER ON THE SHORE is Book 4 in Marilyn Brant's Mirabelle Harbor series, but this story and all of the contemporary romances in this series can be enjoyed as stand-alone novels. On the verge of turning forty and having just lost her job, Marianna Gregory flees Mirabelle Harbor for the summer with little more than a suitcase, her beat-up car, and the blessings of her good friend Olivia Michaelsen. Her ex-husband is living a new life in California. Her college-aged daughter is spending her vacation with her boyfriend in Michigan. And the house Marianna once called her own finally sold, so she has nowhere to live in Illinois now anyway. However, her wealthy sister Ellen owns an empty bungalow on the beach in Sarasota, Florida, so Marianna turns to the sea for a chance to go shelling, regroup, and figure out what to do with this new chapter in her life. She doesn't bargain on having to face down several family crises while she's away, nor does she count on meeting a handsome beachcomber who bears a striking resemblance to Elvis. Just as surprising is the craft project she gets roped into volunteering for and the new group of friends who might just change the way she views the world and her future. The most unexpected gifts can be found where the land meets the sea. STRANGER ON THE SHORE, a Mirabelle Harbor story. Books in the Series: TAKE A CHANCE ON ME (July 2015) THE ONE THAT I WANT (July 2015) YOU GIVE LOVE A BAD NAME (January 2016) STRANGER ON THE SHORE (June 2016) Story Excerpt: “So-" he began. Then stopped. "Have you heard of the Sunday night drumming at the beach?" "No." He explained something about how a bunch of local folks got together and beat on their drums to an extemporaneous rhythm of their own making, while people of all ages danced on the sand. "It's fun," he assured me. "Sounds like it," I said, though, to be honest, I was having a hard time imagining myself at an event like that. Seemed a little hippyish. "So, after the Craft Festival is over tomorrow, would you like to go with me? Usually starts around six o'clock." "Sure. Are Joy, Abby, or Lorelei planning to come, too? "He shook his head and, just to torment me, licked both his top and bottom lips. "I don't, um, generally bring my sister on my dates...and definitely not her coworker or her married friend." He grinned, but there was an endearing look of nervous self-consciousness that he seemed unable to hide. "Still want to go, Marianna?" Then his words sank in. "On a date? With you?" I had to ask, just to make sure I wasn't misunderstanding his question. "Yeah." "Well, yes, Gil-of course." And I nodded for emphasis. Then, in a rare bolt of audacity, I even added, "What took you so long to ask?" He laughed loudly, the tension in the space between us dissolving. "That's what I was hoping you'd say." And then, ever so tenderly, he brought those wet, luscious lips of his down toward my face and brushed my mouth with a light kiss. A kiss that, after just a few seconds of our lips touching, turned deeper, harder, wilder. A passionate kiss that promised so much more...My breath caught at the surprising intensity of it, and the tension between us returned with a heat that spiked like a fever. Now I was the one trying to mask my own nervous self consciousness. "Um.""Goodnight, Marianna," Gil said, taking a deliberate step back from me and toward his own car. "Until tomorrow."

After her first marriage ended in a divorce that left her heart in tiny shreds, Sharlene Michaelsen Boyd vowed to keep her distance from men, at least emotionally. An occasional one-night stand wasn't out of the question, though, and with her closest friends hooking up with new loves, she finds herself in the mood for a little male company... Being the only sister with four brothers, not to mention the glue holding the Michaelsen family together after the death of their parents, Shar is used to being strong and in control. She's a junior high English teacher who's persuasive, personable, and who knows just about everyone in the center of Mirabelle Harbor society, including her brother Blake's super-sexy buddy, Declan Night.As a former pro hockey player turned sportswriter and businessman, Dec has had his share of relationships, mostly meaningless, short-term flings. He always thought Blake's little sister was a hottie, but he knew she was off limits-until one Friday night when the stars aligned and the opportunity to hook up presented itself. Shar's intentions couldn't have been clearer: This was for One Night Only. But, for the first time in his life, Dec wonders if, maybe, there isn't something to be said for sticking with just one woman. Especially if that woman knows how to fulfill his every sensual fantasy. Could one sizzling night turn into a love that has a shot at lasting forever?

Coming Home: A Mirabelle Harbor Duet is Book 6 in Marilyn Brant's Mirabelle Harbor series, and it features two novellas-Rocket Man and Someone Like You-but these books and all of the contemporary romances in this series can be enjoyed as standalone stories. There's double the trouble in this romantic story pairing when ex-lovers, Abby Solinski and Chandler Michaelsen, both return to their hometown of Mirabelle Harbor, only to find that the happily ever after they thought they'd given up may, in fact, still be a possibility...just not with the person they'd expected! Rocket ManAbby had a crush on "Rocket Rick" Zimmerman way back in high school, but he was her brother's best friend and graduated a couple of years ahead of her, leaving town for an international life of top-secret, science-nerd intrigue. She didn't understand a fraction of what he did professionally, and he wasn't allowed to tell her anyway. Abby, meanwhile, meandered around the country with her then-boyfriend, Chandler, eventually winding up alone and working at a couple of part-time jobs in Florida. She'd resigned herself to being single forever and living on the sunny Gulf Coast, a thousand miles away from her Midwestern origins. But when her parents need her help back in Mirabelle Harbor, she flies home for a week and runs into Rick again, who's back in the Chicago area for a big physics convention. Immediately, she's caught up in a surprising game of "Booster Ignition and Liftoff," where the object seems to be an answer to this scientific question: Just how fast can things heat up between them without somebody getting burned? Someone Like You. As for Chandler, he had no intention whatsoever of coming back to Mirabelle Harbor. When he and Abby broke up, he headed north on his motorcycle from Sarasota to Atlanta, and a life on the road was how he wanted to roll. But then his twin brother, Chance, goes and gets himself engaged, and the groom insists that Chandler needs to be the best man. Fine. He'll drive back for a few days, for the sake of his twin, but no one had better expect him to stay in town. Of course, that's before he knows his dream woman-beautiful bookstore owner, Jaleina Longoria-is going to be at the wedding. Jaleina is not only eight and a half years his senior, she's also the ex-fiancée of his eldest brother, who'd broken up with her to marry someone else years earlier. That never stopped Chandler from considering Jaleina to be his Ultimate Fantasy. Getting her to stop thinking of him as the restless teen boy he'd once been, however, is going to prove quite a challenge. Especially since the restlessness is still there, even though he's now a very passionate-and very determined-full-grown man. Sometimes what you think you're returning to isn't what you'd really left behind. Coming Home, a pair of Mirabelle Harbor stories.**Note: The Mirabelle Harbor series is complete! All of the romances take place over roughly a two-year time frame, and each book listed below can be read as a standalone story. Year 1:Take a Chance on Me (Chance & Nia) — April/May. The One That I Want (Julia & Dane) — June/July/August. Stranger on the Shore (Marianna & Gil) — June/July/August. You Give Love a Bad Name (Blake & Vicky) — September/October. Year 2:Going for It - KW Bonus Story (Trevor & Tina Marie) — June. One Night Love Affair (Sharlene & Declan) — July. Rocket Man - Coming Home (Abby & Rick) — October. Someone Like You - Coming Home (Chandler & Jaleina) — December.