She flees to Burlington, Vermont, home of Aunt May, her mother's only living relative. There she adopts Beulah, a Labrador puppy in training to become a companion dog for the blind. Not for a moment does Janey suspect that this "year of the dog" will change her life forever.Shelby Hearon is an acknowledged master at illuminating the nuances of relationships. In Year of the Dog, she explores the surprising ways that the heart heals after a betrayal. While Janey is training Beulah, Beulah leads Janey to a new love, James Maarten, a smart, "fidgety" teacher they meet at the dog park. As Janey soon discovers, James has suffered a betrayal of his own that makes it hard for him to open up and trust her with even the smallest details of his past. While Janey tries to help James, she also reaches out to her enigmatic Aunt May, a retired librarian reputed to be the friend, perhaps even the lover, of popular mystery writer Bert Greenwood. When Janey attempts to solve the twin mysteries of why her great aunt has distanced herself from the family—and what her true relationship is with Bert Greenwood—Beulah provides the clues that lead Janey to uncover the secrets of her aunt's life. By the time Beulah's stay with Janey comes to an end, the people whose lives she's linked will discover that healing and reconciliation can come in the most unexpected ways.

    Book 1 of 3. Elizabeth Lara built a perfect life as San Francisco’s top divorce attorney, but when she loses her great-aunt Mags, the woman who raised her, she boards a plane and leaves it all behind.The Irish shores welcome her as she learns a shocking truth, kept secret for thirty-five years. Devastated and now alone in the world, Beth tries to find peace in a beautiful cottage by Lough Rhiannon, but peace isn’t what fate had in mind. Almost as soon as she arrives, Beth’s solitary retreat into the magic wilds of Ireland is interrupted by Connor Bannon. A man with light brown hair, ice blue eyes and a secret of his own. He’s gorgeous, grieving, and completely unexpected. With the help of Mags’ letters, the colorful townspeople of Dingle, and Connor, Elizabeth might just find a way back to the girl she lost long ago and become the woman she always wanted to be.

    All her life she’s been torn between the two. But now that she’s been betrayed by both love and the mother she once idolized, her rational side is winning.So when her best friend from childhood proposes that they give up on romance and marry each other, Phronsie agrees. Who better to spend your life with than your best friend? Maybe the connection they already have is love. Maybe there’s no falling to be done. But immediately after they announce their engagement, she encounters someone who makes a very charming and compelling argument for revisiting romance.While her even-keeled stepmother argues for the safety that comes with her new engagement and her mother relays messages from the universe to hold out for true love, Phronsie must look to her own heart to find the answers that have been there all along.

    I love women, all different types. I love the way it feels when I’m pounding into them. I love hearing them scream my name but most of all I love when they go home.” Is how CEO of Maxwell Publishing, Charles Maxwell, thinks. He’s never had a woman turn him down. That’s until he meets Samantha Clarkson. Samantha Clarkson is a woman who's running from her past. She keeps running until she runs right into Charles Maxwell. She does everything she can to stick to the first lesson she learned; men can't be trusted. Unfortunately, Charles isn't your normal man.

    These five contemporary romances explore the not-so-simple joys of small-town living, where the heroes are hotter than temperatures in July and the heroines know just when not to mind their manners. Grab a glass of sweet tea and sit a spell: Sweet Gone South: Chocolatier Lanie Heaven has good friends, a booming business, and the adoration of the citizens of Merritt, Alabama - and a big secret. Then widower Judge Luke Avery moves upstairs and threatens to turn her life into a sticky mess. Scrimmage Gone South: Lawyer Tolly Lee is pearls, debutante balls, and polished silver on the breakfast table. High school football coach Nathan Scott holds her responsible for his aborted NFL career. Can these two ex-lovers find a way to co-exist in the same small town - without becoming fodder for every gossip in town? Slugger Gone South: When New York Yankee Marc MacNeal comes to Merritt, Alabama, for a charity golf tournament, he's shocked to be reunited with his ex-fiancée Bailey Watkins. It could be the perfect chance to get some long-awaited closure - or the start of a whole new ball game. Simple Gone South: The last time Brantley Kincaid had an argument with someone, a loved one ended up in Merritt Cemetery. He's high strung enough about moving back home to the memories without running into his childhood playmate, Lucy Mead, who's all grown up. Secrets Gone South: Will Garrett grew up on the wrong side of the tracks and never expected debutante Arabelle Avery to end up in his arms during an emotional moment. Now she's returned to Merritt, his son on her hip. Will he ever be good enough to raise his son and win Arabelle's heart? Sensuality Level: Sensual

    A Kindle Unlimited Series - all books in this series are free to read via Kindle Unlimited. Escape To Italy Series (can be read in any order) SUMMER IN SORRENTO SPRING IN SICILY AUTUMN IN VERONA WINTER IN VENICE Maia Connolly never expected to find herself widowed at forty-five. Her beloved husband died unexpectedly while restoring their nineteenth century Italian farmhouse on a secluded hillside in Sorrento. Since his death, money is tight which is why Maia decides to open the farmhouse to tourists as summer accommodation. Uncertain of her business capabilities and even more of her hospitality skills, she is thrown in at the deep end when her first bookings appear and her new guests all arrive over the same week. First there’s Jacob, an attractive New Yorker of obvious Italian origin who has returned to the area to visit his ailing father. Clearly they don’t get on, as he refuses to stay in the family home in Naples. But what has caused their rift? Amelia, a shy twenty-something London girl is in Sorrento for a friend’s wedding. But she seems hesitant about her connection to the bridal party. Cal and Lori have returned to Italy for their ten-year anniversary in the hope of recapturing some of the spark lost from their marriage. Will the beauty and romance of Sorrento help them rekindle their love for each other? Gradually each of Maia’s summer guests find their worries eased and hearts lightened by the beauty of this magical place….

    It begins with the story of Brenda Wagner’s tragic accident at a skating competition that nearly destroys her lifelong love of skating. Left with crushed hopes and a permanent disability, this story highlights Brenda’s journey of courage to find a new purpose in life, her hopes of returning to the ice, her struggles, and her achievements as she trusts God to help her grow. *This is a FREE Preview and not a stand-alone novel* In this first book, Brenda Wagner suffers a devastating accident during an ice skating competition. Her dreams of qualifying for the Olympic skating team are shattered when her doctor tells her she will never skate again, let alone walk like a normal person. Brenda refuses to accept her doctor’s diagnosis and struggles through physical therapy to regain the use of her legs. But progress is slow and Brenda fears she may never walk the same again. Almost a year later, to everyone’s surprise, Brenda has learned to walk by herself. Brenda has high hopes of returning to the ice. But Pamela, her skating coach, is skeptical and tells Brenda that she will coach Brenda only on one condition. That she skate with a partner who can work with her new disabilities. Brenda reluctantly agrees, knowing she has no other choice. But her new career in pairs skating takes on a new twist when she finds out Pamela has chosen her ex-fiancé Scott Nichols as her new partner. Scott Nichols is a skating instructor at the local ice rink. He loves Brenda with all his heart and even proposed to her years ago. But when he left her standing at the altar because of a personal emergency, Brenda never forgave him and broke off their relationship. While Scott still suffers the sting of being scorned by his ex-fiancé, he refuses to give up on love and hopes that Brenda will change her mind someday. To his surprise, Coach Pamela asks him to be Brenda’s new skating partner. Scott rejoices at the opportunity to win back Brenda’s trust and her love. But can he soften Brenda’s hardened heart, or will they only maintain a professional relationship? Other titles in The Colorado Spring Series by Kelsey MacBride -Heart of a Champion : Book 2 of The Colorado Springs Series

    NOT a cozy mystery series.Why run from your troubles when you can fly instead?When Caity Shaw is fired from her first job that doesn't require an elf uniform, her older sister, Rachel, an event planner, hires her to work a meeting in Dublin. Caity jumps at the opportunity to travel abroad and escape her pathetic life. However, even four thousand miles from home, there's no avoiding debt collectors, an overbearing mother, and haunting memories of a controlling ex.While in Dublin, Caity suffers a series of humiliating mishaps, causing her to lose even more faith in herself. Caity struggles to earn Rachel's respect--and to keep Declan, her hot Irish coworker, at arm's length. Declan repeatedly saves Caity's butt and helps boost her self-confidence, making it difficult to keep her distance from the charming womanizer. When Declan helps her research her Irish grandmother, Caity discovers the mysterious past of the courageous woman she barely knew might hold the answers to her future.

    He doesn’t believe in much, other than his brothers, his God, and his country. He likes his life simple and hates complications. So running into the girl he let get away, Rebecca Draper, is one complication he can do without. Yet the flames of desire still burn hot and it’s not so easy to break ties a second time around. Makes a guy wonder… Can a man who’s made a lifetime of leaving find a reason to stay? You Drive Me Crazy Coming home to Crystal Lake should be a walk in the park for famous race car driver, Wyatt Blackwell. He’ll collect an honor, see some family, and get back to his fast-paced life before anyone notices he’s gone. But when a fender-bender lands him in the local ER, the doc who treats him is none other than the prickly, straight laced, student president he screwed over at prom. Her dislike is evident but so are the sparks. Good ones. Bad ones. Hot ones. Regan Thorne refuses to acknowledge any of them and that makes it personal. Makes it challenging. Because Wyatt Blackwell doesn’t lose on the track, and he sure as hell doesn’t lose in the bedroom. You Rock My World Crystal Lake was supposed to be a weekend pit-stop for NHL goalie, Travis Blackwell. But a run in with his ex-wife makes him think twice. And though it’s probably not a good idea considering their history—married way too young, he’d been gone before the ink had dried on the divorce papers—he decides to stick around for the summer. Things are different now. He’s older. Not as wild. Some would say, even settled. He knows she was the one that got away, so he’s willing to overlook a few things. Like the fact she hates his guts and has every reason to. Call him crazy, but this hot shot goalie has just begun the game of his life.  And losing isn’t an option.   You Own My Heart Honey Harrison has come to Crystal Lake for one reason only—to expose a secret and finally move on from a past that won’t let go. But ruining the Blackwells isn’t as satisfying as she wants it to be. And the heart she’d long buried is not so cold and black after all. Complicating matters is the most infuriating man on the planet. Nash Booker makes her crazy. And hot. And bothered. What’s a girl to do? Does this southern spitfire up and leave? Or does she face her fears and risk losing her heart… Nash Booker has no time for complications. He’s busy. Focused. He’s definitely not looking for a relationship. Which is why the new hire at his bar pushes every single button he owns. Honey Harrison is edgy, opinionated, prickly, and unfortunately for him, sexy as hell. She’s also hiding something. She’s the kind of woman he doesn’t need in his life. Yet he can’t deny the pull or his need to get her into his bed. For a guy who likes risks, she might be the biggest one of all-or she could be his biggest mistake. As winter gives way to spring, Nash Booker is about to find out.

    Miranda Fox has devoted much of her life to caring for her elderly father. After his tragic death, she starts to make plans for her future, funded by the inheritance she is sure will be coming her way, but it seems her arrogant and domineering half-brother has very different ideas . . . Then a chance encounter with a man who has been given months to live boosts Miranda’s confidence, and as their friendship grows she finally learns to stand up for herself and her dreams. Can Miranda find the happiness that she deserves?

    Two years after becoming a widow, Naomi Tisdale is determined to make a new life for herself in Oregon. She is not interested in marriage. In fact, she really just wants to be left alone. But when she meets her new neighbor, she is no longer interested in solitude, and she's determined to gain more than just his friendship.Aidan McKenzie knows immediately that Naomi is the woman he wants for a wife. With her beauty, charm, intelligence and willingness to work hard, she embodies everything he has been searching for. But scars from her first marriage remain, and Aidan wonders whether he can convince her to take a second chance on love.Publisher's Note: This historical western romance contains steamy, graphic scenes and a theme of power exchange.

    He wanted to claim my heart...---If you like hot, steamy, over-the-top romance with insta-love dripping off the pages, then the Midnight Reads series is for you! Suspend your disbelief and leave your panties at the door. You won't need either of them tonight.

    She hates the gym, is nice to everybody, and shops at Ross Dress for Less. When she's not teaching preschool, she's wearing yoga pants... to nap in. So when she inherits her estranged grandfather's fitnesswear company in San Francisco, nobody expects her to keep it. Fite Fitness needs a heartless suit to save it from bankruptcy, not a thirty-year-old woman who cries when her students leave for kindergarten.Someone like Liam Johnson. A former Olympic swimmer, Liam is Fite's executive vice president. Unlike Bev, he's devoted his life to Fite's success. Managing one little preschool teacher — and his attraction to her — shouldn't be an issue. Right?But Bev's tired of being underpaid and underrated, and refuses to step aside as an obedient figurehead. To everyone's shock and horror, she moves up to San Francisco, sets up an office, and dives into the business. Nothing — not mockery, not exercise, not sabotage, not a disastrously hot night with her aggravating VP — is going to scare her away.As Liam realizes she's tougher than she looks, he discovers that losing Fite might not be nearly as bad as losing her...A story about the pursuit of love, happiness, and the perfect yoga pants, Love Handles will speak to anyone who's ever had to face the thing that scares her most.Warning: contains at least two loves scenes and a happy ending.

    Our USA Today and Bestselling authors have written brand new holidays stories just for you!A Furry Little Christmas - C.D. GorriStephanie needs a Santa Claus stat! What she doesn’t need is entanglements of any kind while she figures out what it is she really wants to do at this stage of her life.Tell that to the hunk her Pack’s Alpha sent to work for the almost fifty she-Wolf.What do you get when you mix two Wolves with a little holiday spirit? A furry little Christmas…Unwrapping Her Dragon - Julia MillsLiving without him for sixteen years sucked, but Everleigh survived. Now that blasted sexy Dragon is back with a tall tale and a basket load of apologies, and she can’t forget how bad it hurt to lose him the first time. Can she leave the past behind and trust Deacon to stand by her side for all eternity, or will she give up on the holidays forever? Only time will tell, but if Fate has anything to say about it that sweet Baker Bear will be unwrapping her Dragon sooner rather than later.Her Cowboy Warrior – Liv BrywoodTen years ago, bear shifter Gage Davis’ darkest secret ruined his relationship with his best friend. Now Raven’s back and she needs protection from her ex-husband. Gage has a second chance to make things right, but to win her heart, he’ll have to reveal the monster inside his soul and risk losing his fated mate forever.Tis the Season for Sass – Melanie JamesWhen a shadowy premonition forebodes the harshest winter in decades, Black Paw’s Alpha counts on the pack’s strongest wolves to help everyone pull through. But the Seer’s visions are swirling with majik and suggest an ancient legend will deliver more than just a blizzard to the wolves of Black Paw.A Fated Mate for Christmas – Selena BlakeWhen a fight between their packs sends Gabrielle Landrum to Alpha Garrett Kingsdale’s doorstep begging for a truce, she half expects to be thrown out into the snow. She is the rival’s daughter, after all. Garrett’s instinct is to not trust a word coming from the seductive beauty. But the more he listens and watches, the more he’s drawn to her. Especially those lips. The next thing he knows, he’s kissing her and he can’t even blame mistletoe. To keep her safe, he whisks her far away to work on a truce of their own.The Honeybear’s Xmas Curse – Jacqueline SweetThree years ago, Theresa Grimm had her Christmas ruined by an ex-boyfriend's curse. But Gauge Morrissey, bear shifter in exile, might have the solution to her problem. But breaking the curse will require facing down a warlock and risking it all.Her Cowboy's Christmas Surprise – J. K. HarperGarret Reeves and Callie Mayfield have been in love for several years. They are true mates, and wolf shifter Garret will always adore his very sexy human woman Callie. But when Callie starts to be a bit away from him, Garret is worried. He has no idea what is going on with her. His thought is that he must entice her back to him, for sure. Especially with the perfect wild Christmas night eve that they will spend together to reintroduce their perfect soul mates.Gracie’s Gift – V. VaughnGood things didn’t happen to Gracie, which is why when she meets Jack, the hot new employee at Sugar Mountain, she doesn’t dare to believe he’s interested in her. But he’s relentless in his pursuit of Gracie, and she lets herself fall for him when he tells her they’re forever. What she doesn’t know is what forever with Jack means.

     Angel, Jewel, and the rest of the Lords of Carnage family are getting ready to celebrate the holiday. But an unexpected visitor throws the club into turmoil, Dredging up secrets from the past. What will Christmas bring for the LOC? Catch up with Angel and Jewel, Jenna and Ghost, Brooke and Beast, and the rest of the LOC couples and find out! Note: This Lords of Carnage MC novella takes place after the events of Bullet, Book 9 in the series. It is recommended that you have read all the books up to that point before reading this one.