The Secret of the Journal Series by C.F. Dunn

Twenty-nine-year-old, independent, and self-assured Cambridge history professor Emma D'Eresby has one obsession in life: the curious journal of a seventeenth-century Englishman, a portion of which was left to her by her late grandfather.When an unexpected opportunity to study the journal in its entirety presents itself, Emma finds herself leaving Cambridge to take up a year-long position at a prestigious university in Maine... moreTwenty-nine-year-old, independent, and self-assured Cambridge history professor Emma D'Eresby has one obsession in life: the curious journal of a seventeenth-century Englishman, a portion of which was left to her by her late grandfather.When an unexpected opportunity to study the journal in its entirety presents itself, Emma finds herself leaving Cambridge to take up a year-long position at a prestigious university in Maine. Anticipating a quiet year of research, Emma quickly discovers her work impeded by a range of unforeseen complications. From the start, there is the well-intentioned matchmaking of her vivacious Russian colleague, Elena Smalova, and the unexpected jailing of one of her post-graduate students. More troublesome, however, are the unsolved, brutal night attacks on women near the university and Emma's suspicion that they might be linked to the sinister English professor, Kort Staahl. But, most diverting and disconcerting of all, is Emma's growing attraction to the strikingly handsome Dr. Matthew Lyons, whose kind but deliberately distant demeanor puzzles her.Suspense and dread mount when Kort begins to take a persistent and unsettling interest in Emma. What are Kort's intentions, and what is he capable of? And the mystery surrounding Matthew only deepens when Emma discovers a link between him and the journal. What is Matthew trying to hide? less

Following the vicious attack by a psychotic colleague, and reeling from the discovery that Matthew Lynes is not all that he seems, Professor Emma D’Eresby flees the university college in Maine to her home town in England. Broken physically and emotionally, Emma drifts until, fearing for their daughter’s sanity, her parents invite a family friend to assess her... moreFollowing the vicious attack by a psychotic colleague, and reeling from the discovery that Matthew Lynes is not all that he seems, Professor Emma D’Eresby flees the university college in Maine to her home town in England. Broken physically and emotionally, Emma drifts until, fearing for their daughter’s sanity, her parents invite a family friend to assess her. In the course of their conversation, Emma discovers that he spoke to Matthew over thirty years before, and she concludes that Matthew must be hiding a profound secret. Spurred into action, she traces Matthew’s family name back, making a startling discovery – that Matthew was betrayed during the English Civil War where a clash with his uncle left him fighting for his life. But instead of dying he not only lived, but persisted, growing steadily in strength and surviving events that would have killed any other man. But Matthew also has the memories, and baggage, that come with his longevity … less

Rope of Sand follows the developing relationship between British historian, Emma D’Eresby and American surgeon, Matthew Lynes. Emma unravels his alarming past, and begins to comprehend how very different her future might be with a man whose identity must never be revealed. Emma nervously meets Matthew’s family. She encounters his seventy-year-old son, Henry, and learns how unique the family really is... moreRope of Sand follows the developing relationship between British historian, Emma D’Eresby and American surgeon, Matthew Lynes. Emma unravels his alarming past, and begins to comprehend how very different her future might be with a man whose identity must never be revealed. Emma nervously meets Matthew’s family. She encounters his seventy-year-old son, Henry, and learns how unique the family really is. As Christmas approaches, it is clear that Emma is not welcomed by all: what does Matthew’s great-granddaughter, have against her, and what might his sinister psychiatrist granddaughter, Maggie, be prepared to do? Bound by their faith, Matthew and Emma have accepted that they must wait until his wife dies. Very reluctantly, Emma meets Ellen - an elderly woman with a core of steel - and learns how living with Matthew will be mean obfuscation, concealment, and lies. How can the lovers have a life together? less

Guy Hilliard is dead, but the legacy of his deceit remains. Emma—newly married to Matthew Lynes—is finding it difficult to shed the guilt she feels for her part in the accident that killed Guy. She has not only lost her position at Howard's Lake College, but her academic credentials have been called into question, threatening her career.As if that weren't enough, Ellie, Matthew's great-granddaughter, holds Emma responsible for Guy's death... moreGuy Hilliard is dead, but the legacy of his deceit remains. Emma—newly married to Matthew Lynes—is finding it difficult to shed the guilt she feels for her part in the accident that killed Guy. She has not only lost her position at Howard's Lake College, but her academic credentials have been called into question, threatening her career.As if that weren't enough, Ellie, Matthew's great-granddaughter, holds Emma responsible for Guy's death. Ellie also has a bombshell to drop that will leave the family reeling. less