Bliss: Book One of Managing Mayhem
“When River Connelly takes a job at Maddox Bliss’s bar, neither expects the spark that ignites between them. But Maddox is harboring a devastating secret about her brother’s death—one that could shatter the fragile connection they’re building and destroy any chance at love.”
River Connelly had learned to measure her life in the spaces between human contact—the blessed silence of an empty inbox, the relief of a grocery delivery left on the porch, the sanctuary of manuscripts that never talked back. For six years, she’d perfected the art of disappearing into other people’s stories, editing their words while her own life remained unwritten. She told herself it was a choice, this careful isolation. She told herself the panic attacks were manageable, the therapy sessions were working, and that one day she’d be ready to rejoin the world beyond her second-story window. But on that Tuesday morning in July, when the doorbell shattered the careful quiet she’d constructed, River would discover that the world doesn’t wait for you to be ready—it comes crashing through your door in dress blues, carrying news that will either break you completely or force you to finally live.
The thing about grief, River would learn in the moments to come, is that it doesn’t arrive alone. It brings with it a cascade of impossible choices and unbearable truths: a brother buried eight hundred miles away without her goodbye, a mother’s cruelty wrapped in military precision, and an inheritance that would demand she leave the safety of her self-imposed exile. Mathew had been her anchor, the only person who understood why she needed the world kept at arm’s length, who never pushed her to explain the night that changed everything. Now he was gone, and in his absence, he’d left her something far more terrifying than loneliness—he’d left her a reason to step back into the life she’d been hiding from. The insurance money, the house in California, the bills and paperwork and packing—all of it waiting like a gauntlet she’d have to walk through. And River, who couldn’t even answer her own door without a mantra and a racing heart, would have to decide: stay buried in the safety of her isolation, or honor her brother’s memory by finally learning to live again.
What Readers Are Saying
★★★★★
“I loved it. Definitely cried a bit. This is a completely unexpected rescue for both of them. Their lives and internal demons held them captive until they met each other due to bad circumstances.” -Diamond From Amazon
★★★★★
“This story brought me to tears…then warmth in my heart! Thanks, I needed this book…couldn’t stop til i reached the end.” -Sharon From Amazon
This Book Includes
Forbidden Attraction ✓
Guilt & Redemptionct ✓
High-Stakes Romance ✓
Emotional intensity ✓
Brother’s Sister Trope ✓
Tension & Conflict ✓
Get Your Copy
Apple Free
Barnes & Noble Free
Author R.E.S. Tidmore
She writes bold romance featuring feral heroines, broken heroes, and love stories that hurt before they heal.
Note from the Author
The Managing Mayhem series was inspired by my husband’s 20 years of service in the US Navy, an experience that shaped not only his life but ours as a family. Watching him dedicate himself to his country and seeing the camaraderie and loyalty he shared with his fellow sailors left a deep impression on me. The group he called friends was like a second family—loud, supportive, mischievous, and always ready to go to bat for each other. Their inside jokes, shared hardships, and unwavering commitment became the foundation for many of the dynamics in my stories.
Spending time with his boisterous horde of friends and comrades, I gained a new appreciation for the bonds formed through sweat, blood, and tears. These were relationships forged in challenging circumstances, where trust and teamwork were a matter of survival. I grew to admire the way his group worked together, facing adversity with both grit and humor. Their stories and personalities inspired characters and scenes in Managing Mayhem, pushing me to bring that same authenticity and heart to the LCAC community in my writing.
I wanted to capture not just the excitement of military life, but also the quieter moments—the friendships, the sacrifices, and the resilience it takes to keep moving forward. Through this series, I hoped to honor the strength and spirit of those who serve, and to offer readers a glimpse into the unique world my husband and his friends inhabit. Their legacy of loyalty and laughter is woven into every page, making Managing Mayhem one of my most personal projects.
Copyright by R.E.S. Tidmore