First Books

My secret has been kept for ten years . . . my time is up. I’m in the small town of Ravish Oregon where nobody can hide. I’ve come here for a reason . . . and I’m not going to run anymore . . . Cassandra Montana has spent years running from a past too dark to confront, hiding behind a new name and a carefully constructed life in the quiet town of Ravish, Oregon. By day, she’s the owner of a cozy bookstore and coffee shop, a woman trying to blend into the fabric of small-town life. But by night, she’s someone else entirely—a dancer in an exclusive club, a woman who uses seduction as a weapon, taking back the power stolen from her long ago. For fourteen years, Cassandra has lived with the scars of a childhood torn apart by violence, pain, and secrets too dangerous to expose. She’s built walls around her heart, trusting no one, relying only on herself. But the past has a way of catching up, and when a mysterious, dangerously alluring man walks into the club and calls her by her real name, everything she’s worked so hard to bury threatens to rise to the surface. Greyson River is a man who always gets what he wants. With wealth, power, and a body sculpted to perfection, he’s used to women falling at his feet. But Cassandra is different—she’s a challenge, an enigma, and the key to something much bigger than either of them realizes. He’s determined to unravel her secrets, even as she fights to keep them hidden. As passion and danger intertwine, Cassandra is forced to confront the truth: some monsters never truly die, and the past she thought she escaped may be the one thing that destroys her. When the people she loves most become pawns in a deadly game, she must decide—run once more or finally stand and fight. He Saw Me First is a gripping tale of survival, redemption, and the undeniable pull of fate. With heart-stopping suspense, sizzling romance, and a heroine determined to reclaim her life, this first installment in Melody Anne’s First Series will keep readers on the edge of their seats until the very last page. This story contains discussions of domestic violence, murder, and suicide. If you or someone you know needs help, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 800-273-8255 or National Domestic Violence hotline 800-799-7233.

There are people in this world who take one look at others and think they know them. Those who look at me are wrong with every judgment they make. I’m big, I’ve got scars, and I scowl a heck of a lot, but that’s because of the hell I’ve lived through. The thing is, I’ve come out on the other side and I’m still here — that, in my book, makes me a survivor — which is more than can be said for a lot of men in my position. Haunted by a past he can’t escape, Dillan Scott has spent years burying his demons behind the walls of his bar, Eye of the Storm . He’s carved out a life of solitude in the small town of Ravish, Oregon, preferring the company of his own thoughts to the whispers of a town that doesn’t quite know what to make of him. A survivor of a brutal childhood, Dillan trusts few and loves even fewer—until she walks into his bar. Lexa Crix is on the run. With her fifteen-year-old son, Chance, in tow, she arrives in Ravish with nothing but a suitcase and the desperate hope of a fresh start. She’s determined to keep her past buried, but fear lingers in her every step. The last thing she expects is a job offer from the most intimidating man she’s ever met—a man whose rough exterior hides shadows as dark as her own. Dillan and Lexa collide in a world of unspoken pain and undeniable attraction. She sees through his gruff demeanor, and he sees the weight she carries behind her guarded smile. But some pasts refuse to stay buried. As Lexa’s past threatens to destroy the new life she’s built, Dillan is forced to confront the one thing he swore he’d never let in—love. Will their scars bring them together, or will the darkness of their pasts tear them apart? She Saw Me is a gripping tale of survival, redemption, and the unexpected healing power of love. For readers who crave emotional depth, heart-stopping tension, and the kind of romance that rises from the ashes, this book will stay with you long after the last page is turned.

I’m well aware I stand out in a crowd, not because of the way I look, but because of the way I carry myself. My athletic build is inviting instead of intimidating, and though I look as if nothing in this world can hurt me, I have more scars on the inside than anyone could ever imagine. My name is Derek McConnell and I own Mountain Fitness in Ravish, Oregon, and all I want to do is help heal others so I don’t have to focus on my own pain. Derek McConnell was a man with a future, a loving fiancée, and a career as a dedicated officer. But when a tragic accident stole the love of his life, his world shattered. Lost in grief and guilt, he abandoned everything—his job, his home, and his sense of purpose—until he found solace in building a gym, helping others regain their strength while silently struggling with his own brokenness. Enter Emmy—a free-spirited, resilient woman with a past of her own. Returning to her hometown after a painful divorce, she’s determined to rebuild her life and reclaim the confidence she once had. What she doesn’t expect is the undeniable connection she feels the moment she meets Derek. Sparks fly instantly, but Derek is a man who keeps his walls up high, afraid to let anyone in, terrified of betraying the love he lost. As Emmy and Derek’s paths continue to cross—at the gym, in their small town, and in unexpected moments of shared vulnerability—their chemistry becomes impossible to ignore. But love is never easy, especially when the past looms large. Can Derek learn to let go of the guilt that haunts him? Will Emmy be strong enough to stand by his side through his storm? Or will their fears and scars keep them apart, just when they’ve found something worth fighting for? A heart-wrenching, deeply emotional romance, At First Sight is a story about second chances, healing, and finding love when you least expect it. Melody Anne delivers a passionate and unforgettable tale that will tug at your heartstrings and leave you believing in love all over again.