Hoosier Hearts Series
Each of these books are intertwined standalone romances. While reading them in the order they were published is recommended, you can also read them in any order you choose.
Jack & Diane
Her dreams are in the big city, but his are on the family farm. Is their love enough to make both of their dreams come true?
Synopsis
Diane is months away from a law degree, her dream job in Chicago, and a wedding to a doctor. Jack is on the verge of inheriting his family’s farm when his dad retires. Their worlds collide when Jack comes along on the deserted road where Diane’s car died after racing away from her philandering fiance.
The moment Jack sees Diane’s warm brown eyes he knows he met the woman of his dreams. Diane finds herself falling in love with Jack, but loving him would mean letting go of her dreams.
Someone to Love
She’s afraid of love and he doesn't believe in it. Can they get beyond their fears to find someone to love?
Synopsis
Magnolia Freeman travels the world trying to outrun the pain of her parents’ sudden deaths. As much as Magnolia dreads returning home she can’t deny her favorite cousin’s requests to help plan her wedding.
Cooper Smith believes no good can come from love. As far as he’s concerned a “relationship” shouldn’t last more than a night—or two nights if it’s a holiday weekend. Despite his skepticism about love, he volunteers his restaurant for his best friend's wedding.
Magnolia and Cooper give in to their attraction since neither is looking for anything serious. When their fling turns into something more Magnolia leaves but can’t get the heartbroken Cooper out of her mind or her heart, especially when there’s a permanent reminder of him growing inside her.
The Nearness of You
He put his career before their brand new marriage. Can he prove his love and win his bride's forgiveness?
synopsis
Newlywed Amara’s heart is shattered into dust when her groom destroys her career as a political advisor to advance his own as an investigative journalist. Despite loving him she leaves without a word.
Ryan has no choice but to break the news story about Amara’s senator boss on national TV without warning her, but he never gets the chance to explain. Amara is the only woman he’s ever loved. He is determined to make their marriage work.
He agrees to dissolve the marriage on the stipulation they live as husband and wife first. It is difficult for Amara to continue to deny her feelings for Ryan when he’s shirtless in the morning handing her a mug of life sustaining coffee. Just as their nearness puts their happily ever after in reach history repeats itself when Ryan discovers a secret about Amara’s new boss.
About the Cafe sonder anthology
Five talented cousins, Michele Kimbrough, Era Ephraim, Astrid Azul, Dan Elizabeth, and Logan Chandler, have come together to create a captivating anthology of short stories that will transport readers to a cozy cafe. The anthology is titled “Cafe Sonder” and features five thought-provoking short stories that will leave readers wanting more. Each cousin brings their singular style with unique twists to the story they wrote.
The concept of sonder, which is the realization that each passerby has a life as complex as one's own, is masterfully woven throughout the anthology. The term was coined by John Koenig in his Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows, and it has since become a part of the everyday lexicon. Readers will encounter tales of unexpected connections, fleeting moments of understanding, and glimpses into the lives of people who would otherwise remain anonymous.
"We wanted to create something that would give readers a glimpse into the people's lives," said one of the cousins. "The cafe provided the perfect backdrop for our stories. Working on the project together was as much fun as when we used our talents to put on Christmas shows for the family as kids." The cousins are already hard at work on their next solo and joint projects.
The anthology is a must-read for anyone who enjoys good stories. It is a testament to the power of collaborative creativity and the importance of family bonds. “Cafe Sonder” is available at online retailers now and promises to be a highlight of any reader's collection. Be sure to grab a copy and join them for a cup of coffee or tea in this delightful collection of short stories.
Synopsis
Cafe Sonder Drive Thru Troubles by Astrid Azure
Janice has been burned one too many times. When she watches her boyfriend flirt with every woman, and man, that comes through the drive-thru of Sonder Cafe, she’s at her wit’s end. James loves Janice but her jealous ways will be the end of the first real love he has felt in a very long time. As the rainy morning begins to pick up, Janice and James have a coming to Jesus conversation with Janice having to pick up the pieces of the relationship she may have single-handedly shattered.
The Professional by Lena Hampton
Ivy had made so many changes over the past few years but she could never have fathomed the changes her life would take after a stranger sits at her table in busy Cafe Sonder.
A Seat At the Table by Logan Chandler
Giselle Young is separated from her husband Malcolm who refuses to sign the divorce papers. She and her friend Sloane Piedmont were set to meet at Cafe Sonder on a rainy May 5th day. Sloane arrives first and notices the estranged Malcolm is actually sitting at a table with another woman! Eavesdrop on the private conversation the two friends have as they launch a social media investigation into what exactly Malcolm has been up to and comprise a plan to confront him. What will happen when Giselle takes a seat at the table with her not-so-ex-husband and the new love in his life?
Discovery eMotions of Trinity by Era Ephraim
Trinity must try the biggest case of her career the day after burying her grandfather. As if that weren't enough, her husband has news she's dreading to hear and the media circus on the courthouse steps has breaking news that may break her.
The Judgment by Michele Kimbrough
Magistrate Layla Winston’s carefully structured life is upended when she witnesses her husband’s affair. Although she and Don attempt marital counseling for months, Layla doesn’t believe it’s working. As her emotions spiral on a downward trajectory and she questions her own self worth, Layla takes drastic measures to resuscitate her dying marriage.
notes from Lena
I'm a writer that finds it incredibly difficult to write about myself. Instead of boring you with the facts of my life, I'll tell who I am with some of my favorite quotes.
“You can’t have roots and wings.”
— Jake, Sweet Home Alabama
I'm definitely a girl with roots. I was born, raised, and have lived my entire life in the state of Indiana. I'm a Hoosier through and through, except I didn't go to IU (the schools mascot are the Hoosiers). That is why I base most of my stories in Indiana— it's what I know. Though my roots have been growing for over three decades, I have wings too, in the form of my imagination. I especially use those wings during the cold winter months.
Lena “Live well, laugh often, love much”
— Bessie Anderson Stanley
This is how I try to live and how I write. My characters always live well in the end (I'm a happy ending kind of girl). Laughter is a necessary part of life, at least it is for me. I make myself laugh all the time, sometimes others find me funny too.
““What” and “If” are two words as non-threatening as words can be. But put them together, side-by-side and they have the power to haunt you for the rest of you life: What if? What if? What if? ”
— Claire, Letters to Juliet
What if often haunts me, but not the What Ifs of opportunities I've let pass me by. I am haunted by the What Ifs created by the possibilities of a moment. I'll see or hear something that sparks an idea. My stories and characters are born from the fire that spark ignited. The only way to put out the blaze is to put pen to paper (well more like fingers to keyboard) and tell the story that answers what if.
“I will never stop trying because when you find the one...you never give up.”
— Cal, Crazy Stupid Love
Storytelling is my "one". I've been making up stories since before I could write. Keeping my stories to myself is kind of like giving up on them, which is why I'm now sharing them. I've found the one and I'm not letting it go.
“But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all things will be given to you as well.”
— Matthew 6:33
I am a Christian. Not the shove Jesus down your throat and use Jesus to justify prejudices kind. I try to live my life to reflect God's goodness. Note that I said try because sometimes (usually) I come up short (not even in the ballpark). Under the pen name Lena Hampton I use my God granted talent for writing to thank Him by keeping Him in my writing.