Title: Treasure by Chance

Series: University Row, Book One

Author: Brenda Murphy

Publisher: NineStar Press

Release Date: 04/21/2026

Heat Level: 3 – Some Sex

Pairing: Female/Female

Length: 246

Genre: Contemporary, Romance, contemporary, family-drama, BDSM, romantic suspense, interracial, lesbian, firefighter, music teacher, blue-collar, dog, arson, dementia, Domme/sub relationship, butch/femme relationship

Add to Goodreads

Description

Fire investigator and legendary stud about town Mel Michaels is not looking for love. Raising her niece, Nicole, after her sister’s death is her full-time job. Who needs a potential heartbreak when Mel’s natural charm and swagger has opened every bedroom door she’s ever knocked on?

Music teacher Sofia Ortega has spent the last three years putting her life back together after a bitter breakup. Back in her hometown she is content with her life and has sworn off relationships. After their chance encounter ends in a torrid one-night stand, both women are forced to choose. Protect their hearts or take a chance?

Treasure by Chance
Brenda Murphy © 2026
All Rights Reserved

Sofia turned away from Mel’s intense gaze. In the before times, she would have entertained the idea of spending more time with this woman, whose eyes were so dark they appeared black. In her uniform she had been handsome. Dressed in a white T-shirt and jeans, her swagger was on full display, Mel was irresistible. Years ago, Sofia would have pressed her advantage, leaned into her flirt, asked Mel to coffee, then exploited Mel’s clear interest to entice her to spend a long evening getting to know each other.

But given how small Sikesville was, she had no desire to be the subject of the rumor mill, more than she was sure she already was since her return nine months ago. She saw no ring on Mel’s finger, but it meant nothing. As she had painfully learned. No. Mel could keep her broad hands with shoulders to match and charming smile to herself. She strode back to the door and yanked it open. The blessedly cool air washed over her.

The waiting room was empty now. Sofia rubbed her forehead. Damn the cute firefighter and her distracting self. Had she missed the veterinarian? Even the receptionist’s desk was vacant. Sofia lifted her eyes to the clock. Four forty-five. The office was open until six o’clock according to the sign over the desk. Sofia crossed the room and perched on the edge of a chair. She scanned the magazine rack for something to read while she waited. Nothing appealed and she settled back into the hard wooden seat.

The receptionist returned briefly, then left again, never making eye contact with Sofia before she hustled out of the room. After fifteen minutes of staring at the clock, Sofia plucked her phone from her purse. She tapped her reading app to open it and scrolled through her books looking for something lighthearted to distract her from her worry. What-ifs circulated in an unrelenting pattern in her mind. What if it was too late? What if the dog had been in the heat too long? What if there was no hope for him? Would she have to make a decision she didn’t want to make? Would they give her the choice? Or would they call the owner and let the heinous woman decide. She closed the app and opened her browser to search for animal cruelty laws in Ohio. Her phone vibrated in her hand, and she thumbed it on.

“Hi, Mom.”

“Are you okay? What did they say? Do you want me to come wait with you?”

Sofia leaned into the concern in Alejandra’s voice. The door to the waiting room opened. Sofia lifted her gaze. Mel stood in the doorway with two bottles of water and a brown paper bag. She lifted her chin in greeting.

Sofia locked gazes with Mel. “No, Mom. I’m okay. I’ll be home as soon as I know something.”

“I have a late class tonight and we’re going for drinks after. Don’t wait up.”

“Tchau, Mama. See you in the morning.” Sofia hung up.

Mel bent down and held out a water bottle. “I thought you might need one.”

Sofia stared at the water bottle a moment before she clasped it. Their fingers brushed. She ignored the frisson of heat from their casual touch. Trouble. Mel Michaels was trouble. And what was her problem? The last thing Sofia needed right now was the kind of temptation Mel appeared to be offering. “Thank you. Is your life so dull you don’t have anything better to do than wait here with me?”

Mel’s brows drew down. “If I say yes, will you stop being rude to me? It’s boring and stressful to wait. You seem alone. I thought you might like company. Excuse the fuck out of me for being concerned.” She straightened and cracked her water bottle open before she tipped it back.

Sofia watched the muscles of Mel’s throat work as she drank. Pissed-off Mel was even more interesting than sweet, concerned Mel. What would it be like to curl her fingers around her throat? To feel the crash of her pulse against her palm while she kissed her? To have her at her mercy? Sofia’s mouth went dry. What was she doing? Letting her body dictate to her again. She forced her gaze to Mel’s face.

 

Purchase

NineStar Press | Books2Read

Amazon

Brenda Murphy (she/her) writes erotic romance. Her most recent novel, Double Six, is the 2020 Golden Crown Literary Society winner for Erotic Novels, and Knotted Legacy, the third book in the Rowan House series, made the 2018 The Lesbian Review’s Top 100 Vacation Reads list. You can catch her musings on writing, books, and living with wicked ADHD on her blog Writing While Distracted. She loves sideshows and tattoos and yes, those are her monkeys. When she is not loitering at her local library, she wrangles twins, one dog, and an unrepentant parrot

I hope you enjoy reading this book as much as I enjoyed writing it. For a free short story, information on book signings, appearances, work in progress snippets, previews and sneak-peeks, sign up for my email list at:

Website: www.brendalmurphy.com

Facebook | Instagram