Read the Life is a Journey series by USA Today Best Selling author MaryAnn Clarke.
"A steamy, fast-paced romantic escape to Italy with a handsome hero that will make readers swoon!"
"A fabulous book for romance readers who want more than just sex or fluff in their reads. This book is expertly crafted. A step above your average romance novel"
Book 1: The Art of Enchantment
Clio is a shy art history student determined to do her family duty. Guillermo is a sexy, reckless architect with the power to tempt her to follow her heart.
Can these opposites fight their simmering attraction or will they answer the allure that will bring them bliss?
Ecstasy is the only thing on Clio's mind. Specifically, ecstasy as portrayed in the Renaissance art of Italy. She's clinging to her last chance at achieving the college degree of her father's dreams, when she meets fast-living, handsome-as-sin Italian architect Guillermo. They come from two different worlds, but share a deep passion for history and beauty.
Clio can't resist being drawn into Guillermo's problems when his family's beautiful ancestral villa is at risk of being sold to a rich celebrity who will carelessly destroy its rich history. She tries to keep it professional and fights the urge to surrender to Guillermo's smouldering seduction. Can Clio juggle her PhD thesis, a too-hot-to-handle romance, and rescue a priceless piece of history or will everything end in disaster?
Chatelaine Grand Prize winner.
Next Generation Indie Award finalist.
Steamy and romantic, the Art of Enchantment is a beautifully written, evocative love story of art, history and passion set in Romantic Tuscany, about having the courage to answer the call of your true nature and finding family and home where you truly belong.
Book 2: A Forged Affair
A giant with a heart of gold, a formidable talent, and crippling insecurity. A charming teacher who's comfortable in two cultures, yet yearning for home. And the firebrand of a high-risk adventurer who crashes into their world, upsetting their expectations. How complicated could it get?
She welcomes any risk, as long as it doesn't involve her own carefully guarded heart. Adrenaline junkie, Niki Ballantyne is a risk-taker at work and at play. Haunted by guilt over her brother's tragic death, she's devoted to saving others in trouble.While on an adventure holiday in the south of France, she meets handsome and charming traveller Luc and his shy friend, the gentle giant Didier. Helping the bullied blacksmith win the love of another woman is not a typical rescue project for Niki, but she's driven by compassion for her lonely new friend. Bittersweet memories of her brother's life compel Niki to stay and support the star-crossed giant.
Their forged affair is perfectly safe. There's no risk of getting emotionally involved, but teaching him about intimacy comes with consequences, and lessons to be learned.Particularly when it comes to Luc. On the cusp of a life-altering decision, Luc is drawn to daredevil Niki, though she upends his carefully laid plans for a perfect future. Despite instant chemistry and a powerful connection, Niki pushes him away. But when a sudden emergency brings Luc to her rescue, the way he sees her vulnerability scares her more than anything. Now she has to decide if the last thing she ever wanted might be exactly what she needs.
