He owes his best friend a favor. Neither expected to end up in bed together… Reluctantly returning to her hometown, single mom Ava Pearson just wants a job to get her back on her feet and escape again. But when she asked her brother for help, the last place she thought she’d end up was in the office of his jaw-droppingly-hot best friend. Branson Beckett needs help, but if comes in the form of firecracker Ava, he’ll have to pass—he doesn't need that kind of distraction, especially now. He’s the owner of a ranch on the brink of expansion and is looking for a few good ranch hands to help him out. However, he wasn’t thinking of his best friend’s little sister when it came to hard labor. No, he’d thought of her in other hard situations, but they usually involved his great big bed. Dreams that had no place in reality. But her brother calls in a favour and he can’t not help a single mom out—his own mom raised him better than that. Plus Branson does need her help interviewing his ranch hands. It’s a win-win. He’ll fix his personnel problem, and she’ll get the cash she needs to move back out. Definitely no romance. Yet as personnel issues lead to personal pleasure between them, Ava’s big city dreams begin to drift away, replaced by visions of a family in the country with a hunky cowboy. Branson loves having Ava and her son on the ranch, but can he finally see her as the woman of his dreams, instead of off-limits? This novel contains sexual content and profanity.

    After her boss and ex, Devon Shepperton, ends up dead, Lake worries someone is trying to kill her too.When Devon’s Navy SEAL twin, Drake, shows up to settle his late brother’s estate, she reaches out for help. Drake offers to keep her safe in his condo until danger passes—especially as she’s pregnant with his brother’s child. But as the two spend more time together, Lake soon realizes that with the gruff and delicious SEAL around, keeping her heart intact might be her biggest challenge.Drake knows he’s returning to his SEAL team, so getting romantically entangled with the gorgeous Lake is definitely off the table. His role is protector, not lover. Then comes The Kiss. That one kiss from Lake is throwing him off his game, and making him feel things he’s never felt.But he needs to stay focused. The danger to Lake is very real, and he strongly suspects the Shepperton Foundation is at the heart of it. As the danger swirling around them becomes a tempest, Drake finds himself drawn closer to Lake, realizing he’ll do just about anything to keep her safe. And to win her heart…

    Now he has everything he needs right here in Oak Bluff, California—his job, his dog, and a quiet ranching town best explored on the back of a horse. Olivia Belle believes in fairy tales—just not for herself. So when her boyfriend drops to one knee at his sister's wedding with a proposal that is more business than romance, she hightails it out of San Francisco in search of the only evidence she knows that true love exists—her grandparents' lost love letters from fifty years ago. When Olivia speeds into his town like a modern-day Cinderella in her ball gown and glass slippers, Cash's careful existence is finally thrown for a loop. Maybe the answer Olivia's looking for is in Oak Bluff, but the life she ran from is more than 200 miles away. As for Cash . . . he knows a thing or two about being left on bended knee. Olivia Belle could be his happily ever after . . . if this runaway bridesmaid doesn't run off with his heart.

    He’s been in love with his best friend—saucy, smart-mouthed Aurelia Stark—forever. But Ben’s a planner, and timing has never been on his side. When he finally decides to make his move, Aurelia beats him to the punch with a move of her own—to a different town.Aurelia loves her new life in the charming town of Harmony Pointe. She has a great apartment and her very own bookstore, and best of all, the sinfully hot, commitment-phobic friend she’s crushed on for years is no longer just around the corner. Maybe she’ll finally be able to leave her unrequited love behind and move on.But when a baby is left on Ben’s front porch—a baby that is presumably his—Aurelia is there for him. Neither one knows the first thing about babies, but how hard can it be? Ben and Aurelia are catapulted into a world of love, laughter, and tracking down the baby mama, and it might even add up to a very happily ever after… just not one either of them expects.

    But now that Fritz Martin has asked him a favor, he’s back in Last Stand facing the one temptation he can’t ever give into: his mentor’s middle daughter. Sadie Martin doesn’t like Colt Vance, or so she’s told herself for years. He’s far too charming and has her father wrapped around his finger. But Sadie doesn’t have a choice except to work with Colt to save her beloved goat farm. Working together tests Colt’s resolve when it comes to his attraction to Sadie, and Sadie comes to realize she doesn’t just enjoy Colt’s company, she craves it. But Colt can’t break the promise he made to Fritz years ago. Can one tenacious farm girl convince this stubborn cowboy love is always the answer to any problem?

    A Secret Baby RomanceAfter my big city heartbreak,I moved home to middle-of-nowhere, Oklahoma to figure out my next steps.My big brother seems to have it all figured out for me,Including getting me a job with his best friend,Who also happens to be my teenage crush.It’s been ten years since we’ve seen one another,And he’s cold, dismissive, and borderline rude,A direct contradiction from way he looks at me.But even his infuriating behavior can’t quell the fire that burns between us,A fire that’s sure to burn our worlds downWhen everyone finds out what we’ve really been up to.And the baby that's developing from our naughty escapades...

    Who can blame him, when the small town is so thick with memories and everyone recalls that he let the love of his life slip away? However, his father’s summons for help on the family ranch can’t go unanswered much longer—and now he’s offering Cort a share. Returning to hard work is expected…but he never thought he’d see HER again.Joss Ellis hates returning to her hometown with her tail tucked, a failure in everyone’s eyes. Her aspirations of making a place for herself in the big city have left her defeated and more than a little depressed. But the minute she sees her rugged ex, her emotions take a detour to hot and bothered. It’s impossible not to run into each other. Even the secret fishing hole is a reminder of whispers and promises that never came true.She’s the same beauty with a big heart that he can’t keep his hands off. He’s sexier and more untamed than ever. To bring them even closer, they’re fighting similar battles in life. While Cort’s determined to show her that happiness is right here in Crossroads, Joss isn’t convinced. All she’s certain of is that sleeping with her ex is a really bad idea…and she definitely won’t fall for him this time around.

    A rodeo cowboy in his prime, all he wants out of life is something to straddle. That’s why James is feeling a little restless, spending his summer off working his family’s ranch. That is, until a spirited and gorgeous veterinarian-in-training shows up and puts the cocky wild boy—and his ego—in place. Though she’s a feisty one, James is always up for a challenge.Sophie Stone has to admit it: James Bennett is a checklist of cowboy hotness—ruggedly handsome with piercing blue eyes, a hard-muscled body, and just enough swagger to make her toes curl. She thought she was done with her bad-boy phase, but exceptions must be made.How can Sophie possibly say no to a man who makes her heart buck like a bronco? And when their summer fling comes to an end, how can she possibly say goodbye?

    But when her daughter threatens to drop out of college to become a rancher’s wife, Loretta refuses to let her baby make the same mistake she did. She returns to the ranch, determined to get her daughter back in school by the summer’s end…and resolute on ignoring her feelings for her ex-husband.A bullheaded but oh so sexy cowboy…A cowboy from his hat to his boots, ruggedly handsome rancher Jackson Bailey is none too pleased that his feisty—and gorgeous—ex-wife has suddenly shown up seventeen years after their divorce. But despite all their fighting and fussing, the two stubborn former lovers soon discover that old flames burn the hottest. Can they finally put aside their differences and find happiness together…forever?

    Bull riding. But life on the road means leaving his young son at home with his parents. They want him to give up his career and be a father to his child, but Brock needs the adrenaline to get through each day…or so he thinks.Lincoln Pratt needs a fresh start. As a top interior designer in Atlanta, she has everything she could ever want, but she’s always at her father’s mercy. Something’s missing, and Lincoln knows she’ll only find it somewhere far away—like the rolling pastures of Hamilton, Montana, where she meets the irresistibly mysterious Brock.In Brock Shaw, Lincoln sees the part of her that’s missing. In Lincoln Pratt, Brock sees the part of himself he thought he’d lost. But the pain of his past binds him. Can he let himself love again?

    Three stories of holiday romance. And three cowboys who are ready for love—whether they know it yet or not . . .   MISTLETOE COWBOY * Diana Palmer Horse whisperer Parker doesn't drink, smoke, or gamble, and he doesn't have much to do with women, either. Until he meets winsome widow Katy, and her sweet child. Could Christmas kisses under the mistletoe bring the handsome wrangler the gift of his very own family?   “No one beats this author for sensual anticipation.”—Rave Reviews BLAME IT ON THE MISTLETOE * Marina Adair To claim his slice of the family ranch, Texas Ranger Noah is forced back to Tucker’s Crossing. All he expects to find is a tractor load of painful memories—until a holiday storm, a power outage—and perhaps the magic of Christmas—deliver him to rescue an intriguing woman named Faith. But just who’s rescuing whom?   “Marina Adair is a breath of fresh air.” —New York Times bestselling author Darynda Jones   MISTLETOE DETOUR * Kate Pearce When Morgan Valley rancher Ted Baker gets out his tow truck to pick up a snowbound driver, he doesn’t expect to find his old school friend Veronica on the lam with her pet pig—much less true love—just in time for Christmas . . .  “Captures the spirit of the West.” —Booklist on The Maverick Cowboy

    The first in a brand-new series from New York Times bestselling author Vivian Arend. Caleb Stone is wearing too many hats and it’s making him crankier than usual. He’s a cowboy, a father, and the head of his large family—and has been since tragedy claimed his parents over ten years ago. The ranch is struggling, but it's the title of single dad that’s got him tangled up in knots. He needs a full-time, live-in nanny at the Silver Stone homestead in Heart Falls, Alberta, to help with his two little girls, but the woman about to arrive on his doorstep? Tantalizing, tempting, and trouble with capital T’s. Tamara Coleman doesn’t regret the choices that led to losing her job, but she definitely needs a fresh start. When a friend recommends her for a nanny position in a new town, she swears this time it’ll be different. No more acting on impulse—except sexy, gruff Caleb is exactly the kind of man who pushes all her buttons. And what’s more, it’s so much fun to push his in return. Sparks fly between Tamara and her gorgeous boss, but she can’t risk her position, and he doesn’t dare risk his heart. With two people fighting their true natures, something’s going to give. Luckily, there’s more than one way to capture a rancher’s heart.

    Once a month, Addison comes to New Orleans and then…It. Is. On. Until Addison returns to New York, it’s just hot, happily-no-strings-attached sex. And beignets. And jazz. But lately for Gabe, it isn’t nearly enough.Sure, maybe Addison’s gotten a bit hooked on Gabe. After all, who can resist a guy who’s so sexy, so charming, and so… available? But maybe he’s too available for her right now. Addison’s just moved to New Orleans, and relationships are definitely off the table. Besides, guys always bail when they learn her secret: she’s a single mom.Only Gabe’s not running. Worse, he’s thrilled. But Addison never signed up for ever-after romance, and Gabe won’t settle for anything less. Now it’s a battle of wills — and when it comes to the woman he’s falling for, Gabe isn’t above playing a little dirty.

    Nice and easy.Emerson Montgomery has secrets. No way is she going to tell anyone why she lefther job as a hotshot physical therapist for a pro football teamto come back to Millhaven.Especially not sexy, steady, still-pissed Hunter.Except then she spends time with him.Starts to trust him. Definitely remembers why she fell for him. But will her recent diagnosis of MS keep her world upside down?Or will she discover that second chancesreally are sweeter…*****From USA Today best-selling author Kimberly Kincaid comes a slow-drawl small-town second chance romance. Crossing Hearts contains a laid-back hero who works with his (ahem!) hands, a guarded heroine with a bruised heart, and a scorching standalone romance loaded with sexy, Southern HEA. Cross Creek series (in reading order):Crossing HeartsCrossing the LineCrossing PromisesCrossing Hope

    Finding out her former flame is running the ranch, on the other hand, was entirely unexpected. How can she put aside her memories of that whirlwind summer when she has to work beside the handsome cowboy every day?Jameson Ford was grateful to be offered the new foreman job at Wolf Creek Ranch. He's eager to prove himself, but quickly distracted by the reappearance of his first love, who also happens to be his boss's granddaughter. It’s been over ten years since they promised each other forever, and neither of them know how to pick up where they left off or if they should forget it ever happened.Allied by their love of the ranch, Jameson and Ava have to work together, despite the lingering feelings between them. When Ava unburies secrets about her family, she doesn’t know if she can trust anyone. Most of all, can she learn to trust her heart on her way to discovering the truth?Truth is a Whisper is the first book in the Christian romance Wolf Creek Ranch series.