TESS WAKEFIELD

When a soldier with a troubled past and a struggling songwriter agree to a marriage of convenience for the military benefits, neither expects much after saying I do. Then tragedy strikes, and the line between whats real and whats pretend begins to blur in this smart and surprising romance perfect for fans of Nicholas Sparks and Jojo Moyes.Cassie Salazar and Luke Morrow couldnt be more different. Sharp-witted Cassie works nights at a bar in Austin, Texas to make ends meet while pursuing her dream of becoming a singer/songwriter. Luke is an Army trainee, about to ship out for duty, who finds comfort in the unswerving discipline of service. But a chance encounter at Cassies bar changes the course of both their lives.Cassie is drowning in medical bills after being diagnosed with diabetes. When she runs into her old friend Frankie, now enlisted in the Army, she proposes a deal: shell marry him in exchange for better medical insurance and they can split the increased paycheck that comes with having a family. When Frankie declines, his attractive but frustratingly intense friend Luke volunteers to marry Cassie instead. What she doesnt know is that he has desperate reasons of his own to get married. In this unforgettable love story, Cassie and Luke must set aside their differences to make it look like a real marriage...unless, somewhere along the way, it becomes one...

The crises of our present echo the shadows of the past. In the turbulence of the 1930s, democratic societies faced the rise of authoritarianism, the erosion of civil liberties, and the collapse of political dignity. Today, as democracies confront renewed pressures, the lessons of that era are more vital than ever.Lessons of Defiance offers a professional, deeply researched exploration of how historical memory shapes modern responses to political crisis. Through comparative analysis, it reveals how citizens, leaders, and institutions resisted authoritarian impulses thenand how those strategies can inform democratic resilience now.Designed for academics, professionals, and policymakers, this book provides a clear framework for understanding both the fragility and the strength of democracy in moments of upheaval. It is a timely guide for anyone committed to preserving dignity, liberty, and the rule of law in the twenty-first century.