But Ian secretly longs for more. Luckily, 'tis the season for giving love a chance . . .Kristen Ashley, Every Year: Holidays don't come easy for Shy and his brother, Landon. But with the magic of Christmas, along with a little help from Tabby and her family, the Cage brothers are about to get the gift of a lifetime . . .Hope Ramsay, Silent Night: Down on her luck and evicted from her apartment, single mother Maryanne hopes to start over in Last Chance. When the snow begins to fall, it looks like her baby might literally spend Christmas Eve in a manger. And Maryanne might celebrate the holiday with a handsome stranger.Molly Cannon, Have Yourself a Messy Little Christmas: Lincoln is a bachelor who's set in his ways-until a professional organizer dressed up as Mrs. Claus changes his life, one tip at a time. . .Marilyn Pappano, A Family for Christmas: War widow Ilena doesn't mind spending Christmas alone. But when a new doctor blows into town with the winter wind, will she get her secret Christmas wish?Plus: Excerpts from upcoming novels!(40,000 words)

     Not my Carol. She said she'd always be country down to her cowgirl boots. She used to help out a bit around my ranch in exchange for a little walkin' around money and time with my horses. She worked harder than any ranch hand I ever had. And she took to ridin' my horses like a natural. But she's gone and turned into one of them uptown girls. A city slicker that only cares about fancy things and livin' the good life. Well the good life's with me down here on the ranch... enjoying the simple things. Most important thing of all being a family to call your own. And that's exactly what I want. But she don't even notice me anymore. She should be lyin' down by the creek with me listenin' to bullfrogs, but instead she's in the big city listenin' to them hot shot downtown douchebags spout a different kind of bull. I'm gonna show her what she left behind, and when I do I'll ride her bareback and make her mine forever. And there's another thing we're gonna make together. Our own little bronc riding baby. I'm gonna make hay while the sun shines, and make something else at night. A family... together with her. Forever. *Cowboy's Christmas Carol is an insta-everything standalone romance with an HEA, no cheating, and no cliffhanger.

    Could it be that after so many stormy years, "slick Mitch" Carradine wants to offer an olive branch? Maybe the old man is mellowing, settling down with the new lover he's bringing along. Then Alex realizes the acid truth. This is no warm family visit. His father's new conquest is none other than the woman of Alex's sexual fantasies, meant only to dangle tauntingly in front of his face. At least an unexpected blizzard has frozen his father out of the picture entirely.Angeline Kastakis was looking forward to taking the next step in her relationship with Mitch. Too late, she realizes she's been led into a familial battle zone. Now it's Christmas and she's marooned in a blizzard with an insolent, gorgeous hunk of man whose blazing blue eyes tell her loud and clear he wants her in his bed. Preferably tied to it with a bow. There's no escape in sight. But as Alex stirs her secret longing to be mastered by a man, escape is the last thing on her mind...Warning: This book contains scenes of sensual submission hot enough to make you sweat in a blizzard.

    The owner is tall, strong, and seems to only have eyes for me. But I’m not sure if I can stay here forever. A hidden danger lurks and I may be the reason the peace of this ranch spirals out of control... Thomas: Dana is a real woman— the most beautiful I’ve ever seen, and I must make her my wife. But first I have to convince her to stay and join my daughter and I in building a real family here— the family I’ve always wanted, but has always been out of my reach. Dana can make it all real. I will marry her & protect her till I take my dying breath. She’s the one for me.

    She’s been drooling over him for the past two years, yet knows he’ll always be the star in her fantasies, but nothing more.Max scented Lucy as his mate the second she walked through his office for her interview. The last two years have been torture as he’s struggled every second not to jump her. Defying his inner wolf is a challenge, nearly as trying as dating a new blonde Barbie every week, trying to distract himself. The problem? It isn’t working.When Lucy makes a daring choice, determined to move on from an endless dream that’ll never come true, Max takes the reigns, surprising everyone, most of all himself.Curvosity is a short story containing EXPLICIT SEXUAL CONTENT between a woman with excess sexiness and a hotter than a Florida summer werewolf; a bit of humor and the heroine rising above her insecurities is what dollops this book with charm.

    But that hasn't stopped her from dreaming about Noah Harper. Gorgeous, strong and darkly sexy, his rough edge beneath the polish promises no mercy in the bedroom. When Grace learns Noah's engagement has ended in scandal, she shyly offers him her support and her friendship. But Noah's looking for something extra...Noah wants Grace - badly. He wants to possess those curves that go on forever, to savor her sweet innocence, to take her to the limits of white-hot desire...again and again. What he doesn't want is anything more complicated than that, and he knows Grace is a woman who deserves better. Grace, however, knows exactly what she wants - the kind of ecstasy only Noah can give her. Brazenly, she accepts, and Noah promises to make all her secret fantasies come true...

    I've got a great kid, an amicable relationship with my ex, and a job working cattle on one of the largest ranches in Eden, Wyoming. Only problem is that "everyone" has no clue that I'm living a half-life.Because the other half is a closeted gay man who's got it bad for the young ranch hand he works with day in and day out.But the very straight Travis isn't an option. And even if he were, my sexy co-worker isn't exactly committed to commitment.So it's time for a change and since gay guys aren't exactly falling off trees in Eden, I'm going to need a little help...TravisIt was supposed to be a Friday night like any other. Me and my best friend heading into town to find some female company for a few hours. And even though Jackson usually goes home alone, he's still a great wingman.Unfortunately, between my impatience to get the night started and my bad habit of snooping, I've learned two things about Jackson in the space of five minutes that have left me all kinds of confused.Jackson's gay.And he's placed a classified ad to try and hook up with some guy he can't get his mind off after a brief run-in at a hardware store in the city.Now I can't get my mind off Jackson.Don't get me wrong, I like the ladies, but why can't I stop thinking about my good-looking best friend and the faceless stranger he's ready to start something new with? Jackson doesn't need some random guy right now. Not when he has me...Oh hell. Author's Note: Please note that this story was previously published as part of a charity anthology (Heart2Heart: A Charity Anthology, Volume 3) so it was intended to be a certain length. Although it is a complete story with an HEA, if you don’t care for short stories, Jackson and Travis’s tale may not be for you.

    So she ended up letting Cooper sweet talk her into a night of scorchingly hot sex…so what? She’d never betray her family. But Josephine is shocked when she finds Cooper pursuing her with increasing passion, acting jealous when other men hit on her, and shadowing her every move. Is he really falling for the feisty, plus sized beauty, or is it all part of a greater scheme – a scheme which could put her life in danger?

    Despite the scandalous nature of their relationship, the town has chosen to pretend Cassidy never happened - well, everyone except Cassidy of course.Cassidy becomes untethered as she faces the impending nuptials, losing her grandmother's home to her sister who will inherit it after the wedding, a mother who can't choose between her daughters, and a town of romantics dead set on embracing the wedding even as it destroys Cassidy's heart.Cass finds distraction from her anger in an unlikely place - the arms of her ex-fiance's older brother, Jason King. Home for a few weeks from his city-boy, New York investor life, he quiets her mind by satisfying her body. For Cass, he's the perfect salve to heal her wounds. He's temporary and insatiable and seems to want a plus-sized girl like Cassidy as much as she needs his strength. He can't hurt her if all she wants from him is sex.But as they grow closer, temporary may not prove long enough.

    Capturing her for his own quickly becomes a primary objective, but before he can claim his prize, he must liberate the enticing beauty imprisoned behind a wall of insecurities. Darcy is surrounded by physical perfection—the American standard versus the American ideal. When the ruggedly tempting Marcus Braddock breaches her defenses in a blatant frontal assault, she has no clue how to resist. Yielding could make her the butt of a practical joke, but his sensual blue eyes and tantalizing muscles promise such deliciously sweet surrender. Before Marc, Darcy understood how the world worked, had been told repeatedly, “Fat girls do not eat sweets in public, do not flaunt their oversized breasts, and certainly do not attract gorgeous men.” Fortunately, no one ever explained the rules to Marc.

    Merry Hearts features all your favorite couples coming together in one story to bring you joy,happiness, and a little Christmas hometown joy.Featuring:Sophie & Braxton (Rustic Hearts)Dallas & Myer (Stone Hearts)Elle & Walker (Wicked Hearts)Bellamy & Brandt (Fragile Hearts)A special surprise from Payne & Charlotte, and your favorite Aunts, Doreen & Ria!

    While he shows her the ropes, Harmony finds it difficult to resist his easy charisma. Just as she's getting to know the lay of the land, a mysterious, reclusive billionaire named Catch Hanson introduces himself. Jeremy warns her about Catch's questionable reputation. Little does Harmony know that both men may be hiding dark secrets. Cowboys of Fire Mountain - Five Part Western Erotic Romance / Billionaire Romance Series I. Cowboy Crush - Approx 15,500 words II. Cowboy Clash - http://amzn.to/1vmm48A III. Cowboy Covet - http://amzn.to/1A1FUGt IV. Cowboy Charisma - http://amzn.to/1yixP0y V. Cowboy Craving - http://amzn.to/1xU7JBc Scroll up and grab your copy today.

    Now, his Scrooge is melting away along with thoughts of if her sugar plums taste as good as they look. Penny Evergreen lives for Christmas. When her parents send her to New York for a month-long training to relieve the piano prodigy of her paralyzing stage fright, she takes one look at the elaborate Christmas Village at the prestigious Knight & Knight department store and she hatches a holiday plan of her own. Will these two star crossed opposites attract? Or will their deceptions be the end of this holiday fairy tale before it has a chance to take off? Author’s Note: Grab your candy canes and sit in front of the fire. This sugary sweet Christmas story will warm your heart and melt your panties. This May December quick holiday romance is sure to have you asking Santa for some Malcolm of your very own. Complete insta-everything, safe and always a happy ending. Or two. Or ten.

    Especially rugged architect-turned-rancher Tanner Quinn. Olivia's uncanny bond with his daughter Sophie's pony has him questioning her sanity, while she wonders if he's not just a drugstore cowboy. Then twelve-year-old Sophie conspires with Olivia to get Tanner into the spirit of Christmas. But will a holiday miracle transform the globe-trotting Tanner into a rancher—and family man—for all seasons?At Home In Stone CreekEveryone in Ashley O'Ballivan's life is marrying and starting families—except her. But why bother dating when no one can compare to Jack McCall, the man who left her heartbroken years ago? Now he's back in town —and maybe he isn't who she thinks he is.While recovering from a dangerous mission for the DEA, security expert Jack rents a room in Ashley's bed-and-breakfast. For both their sakes, he tries to keep his distance, though neither can deny the growing spark between them. But when his past catches up with him, he'll have to leave again…just as he realizes where he's always belonged—in Stone Creek.

    Her father, a rodeo cowboy, recently passed away after a long, expensive illness. The medical bills, combined with his habit of gambling and the fact that she had to quit her job to take care of him,has left her homeless and with no place to go but back to the rodeo. She tracks down Luke Delaney, one of her father’s proteges, and asks for help. Luke Delaney thought of Red Stacey as a father. Kennedy didn’t call him when Red was sick, so he didn’t get to say good-bye to the man he loved like a father. He can’t forgive her for that, and turns her away.But when she turns to his brother Liam for help instead,Luke steps forward, partly because of his concern of how his brother the player will treat her, and partly because he knows her father would want him to. Since she’s homeless, she has to stay in his tiny RV. At first close quarters lead to sparring as they fight their attraction--and she fights to have some kind of independence when she’s leaning so heavily on him. But nature can only hold out so long, and despite their better judgement, they give in to their desires. But Kennedy is afraid he’s taking her body in payment, and he’s afraid of the feelings he has for her as he gets to know her again, the feelings he hasn’t let himself feel since they were sixteen years old.