The beguiling jockey, whose voice could tame animals and whose touch could bewitch men, astonished Sane Marston with her beauty and fragility-and her strength. The American horse breeder who was known as the sleekest, sexiest Thoroughbred in racing circles felt he'd go out of his mind if he couldn't run his fingers through her flaming hair, and caress the velvet softness of her skin. Addie reveled in Shane's savage need, and echoed his demands with wild pleasure, but she ached at denying him what he desired most -- her promise to give up the danger of the track. Could he believe that giving his love kept her safe in his heart forever?

    badly. Challenging, seductive, sizzling in his arms, Krista mocked Logan for his caveman tactics, but she knew the sexy widower with three adorable children could sway her no matter how determined she was to resist. Neither believed what burned between them was the truth and nothing but the truth... yet when the jury was in, would the verdict be a life sentence of love?

    Shed fallen hard, in love for the first time, and something in him had shattered when he'd left her crying two long years ago. Now he'd returned to confess what he couldn't forget, to exorcise the memories of his betrayal--and to earn her trust by sharing a family secret that would set her free. Shavonne didn't want to want him back, to be rendered vulnerable by passion and need, but she was helpless under the sensual assault of Slade's hunger for her. She had to know his promises this time were truly vows of love, but would denying her desire bring him closer or push him away forever?

    Why, the ruggedly virile man wondered, had she chosen to seek solace in the half-finished house he was building? And how had her yearning seized his heart in an instant? Before either of them sensed it happening, their lips met in an embrace of tender need. It was stunning, and completely unexpected, as Penelope Chapman felt herself becoming the woman Cabe longed for -- Penny, the soft and passionate side of her she'd never allowed to surface before. In a few days' time the sweetest kind of love burned between them, but too soon they had to leave the private world their dreams had shaped. When Cabe fiercely pursued his love, Penny raced from his arms. Would he ever understand that his lady needed to be cherished, not possessed -- and could she learn to accept his loving all the women she was?

    She more than got her man-she got two men. Freddy, the felon, and Silence Walker, the sinfully handsome and thoroughly pessimistic cop, both wanted and needed the sunshine in Tricia's soul. Silence was too tough, too protective, and too cynical to go along with her efforts at reforming Freddy. But it was too important to Tricia, so she did it behind his back. Responding to Silence's potent kisses with wild abandon, she began to see Freddy looming as a bigger threat than she could have imagined... a threat that revealed the gulf between her cheerful nature and Silence's world-weariness. And the most urgent question was, could her tough guy the love of her life, learn to live on her sunny side of the street?

    — Embracing Todd reminded Amy that it was time to put her grief away, to risk letting a new man touch her heart. But fear made her pull away from the future his gaze beckoned her to share. Could a man with a stuffy, responsible job and a perfect bronzed body really find happiness with an impulsive imp like her?

    In all the Wednesdays she'd come to clean Blake's apartment as the chief of Leprechaun, Inc., she hadn't ever run into the man whose shorts she folded and whose bed she stripped - and she'd never imagined how devastating he'd be in the flesh! But when Blake asked her to dinner, she refused - he was out of her league...and out of the question. She was determined to show him they had nothing in common, but the sweet heat he sent racing through her whenever they touched filled her with wonder - and longing. Could Blake teach his doubting pixie that love could build a bridge from her world to his?

    Even if it wasn't her fault their quickie divorce had been a phony he wouldn't have put it past his impulsive ex-wife to do it on purpose! It wasn't easy escaping the woman who'd been his adorable obsession--but she'd turned his life upside down in a million and one ways--setting his office on fire, inviting the neighbors to his bathtub for a party--and he'd called it quits. Jenny told herself that even if she hadn't been able to make Nick happy in their marriage, at least she'd taught him, to grab the brass rings that whirled by Nobody loved as deeply and strongly as irrepressible Jenny--and finding he was still married to the willful wanton made Nick want her more than ever Loving each other hadn't worked at first try, but after sharing ''for worse," wasn't it time they got a chance at "for better?"

    Sure they were wrong for each other, they risked a momentary embrace -- and the rainbow colors of love exploded before their eyes. Would this mismatched pair take a chance on dreams coming true?

    But David Ortega wasn't the dragon she expected to face. Instead, she was swept up by a dashing knight who had the perfect muscles for rescuing damsels in distress! Captivated by the naked desire in David's deep blue eyes, Angela couldn't resist Liz's plea that she remain at camp. The talented creator of children's fairytales promised she'd try to weave enough magic to give some ailing kids a summer vacation they'd never forget, though David warned her that miracles weren't in season, that nothing was crueler than false hope--a lonely truth David had been forced to learn. Could Angela make him believe their dreams had a future, that forever could last as long as love?

    Now he was back, trying to reclaim his lost love--and with a fiery touch and a voice rough with emotion he breached the walls she'd built around her heart to help the healing. In the heat of passion they'd once vowed promises of forever, but months of pain and yearning had left Nicole afraid to give herself to any man. While Clay struggled to understand that a cherished love took time to grow, she fought her secret demons, wary of trusting Clay's words of love. Could he make her see the lonely road she'd walked so long led only in one direction--into his arms?

    Then disturbingly handsome Luke Hamilton appeared at her door -- and Courtney was astonished at her reaction! — Wooing her with golden flowers, dazzling her with the delectable sweetness of his lips, Luke vowed to protect her from the wolves who preyed on unsuspecting women -- before admitting he wanted her himself! But Courtney wondered, was it love she felt for this improper stranger?

    But living behind walls had its dangers--you had to worry that someone would scale them when you weren't looking! Her partner Charlie Sanderson-he of the sapphire blue eyes and wicked sense of humor--teased her outrageously, but the tickling fingers and casual touches barely disguised his true feelings for the woman who made flannel nightgowns seem sexier than skimpy silk! Afraid of complicating her life, Sara succumbed to Charlie's tempting caresses only in her fantasies... until the night her good-time Charlie declared a loving war--with no quarter given to the lady whose heart he longed to capture for keeps!

    She'd do just about anything to thwart Jason's plan to build new homes in her grandfather's historic town, but playing with fire had its risks -- and Jason was one man who could play her game, and play for keeps! When temptation beckoned, would she run for cover -- or straight into Jason's arms?

    A man whose brilliant singing career had left him feeling used and drained, John had retired - returning to the country place he loved to search for the dreams he'd somehow lost. Now Sam had filled his haven with laughter and provoked him outrageously, enticing him to kiss her, in the hay in the barn, by the tranquil river, in the shimmering glow of a late sunset...and he was powerless to deny her, or his own deep need. But Sam had secrets, too - and hurts that no one could share, not even the man whose music echoed in her heart and filled her soul. Would soothing John's pain with endless love heal the woman he'd sing to forever?