Renewal After Dark — Marie Force

The storm has passed, but the hard work is just beginning... Gansett Island has withstood the fury of Hurricane Ethel, and now the cleanup is underway for many islanders, including McKenzie Martin, who barely escaped the storm with her life and that of her son, Jax. After Police Chief Blaine Taylor rescued them and brought them to his home, her island neighbor, Duke Sullivan, showed up with belongings he collected from the collapsed cottage she recently inherited from her grandmother. When Duke invites McKenzie to use his empty garage apartment while she figures out her next moves, McKenzie is thankful for his offer-and his friendship-as she navigates the complexities of rebuilding on an island. Duke is smitten by his old friend Rosemary's granddaughter, the loveliest woman he's ever met. But what would she want with a long-haired, tattooed dude like him who's nine years older than her and more than a little rough around the edges? Turns out, she's quite enchanted by the man she refers to as a unicorn. Not only is he sexy, thoughtful and funny, he's also kind, which is the most important quality to her after encountering too many selfish men who disappointed her, especially Jax's father, who's about to hear from McKenzie's new lawyer, Kendall James, sister to Jared, Quinn and Cooper. As the friendship between Duke and McKenzie deepens, other islanders are caught up in the search for two missing men, one of whom has deep ties to several longtime residents. Others are dealing with the emotional fallout from their close calls during the storm.In good times and in bad, island residents come together to support each other and to rebuild their beloved community. Bonus! Attend the wedding of two island favorites in a special short story at the end of RENEWAL AFTER DARK!