He did not plan to make a new friend. He certainly did not plan to fall in love.He resisted all of Amy’s attempts to draw him out− at the hotel, at the airport, on the airplane− giving hurried responses and burying his face in a pile of papers. It was only when the flight attendant offered coffee, and a muscle in Amy’s back twitched as she reached for it, and the cup tipped, and the hot liquid puddled in Drew’s lap that they began to talk. Earlier in the year, each had lost a spouse of over thirty years. Drew’s wife had died of a brain tumor, Amy’s husband when his small airplane nose-dived to earth, the engine at full throttle − an accident, it was ruled.They live in the same city. Both have grandchildren. They are about the same age. Consciously, or not, they both are looking to love again. But relationships do not exist in vacuums. Drew is wealthy, and Amy is middle class. Amy is “new” in town – she and her husband moved to Charleston twenty-five years ago – while Drew’s family has lived there for three centuries. Drew lives below Broad, a code word for high society, old families, power, and money. Amy’s home is across the river.Class warfare may be less violent than it was in the past, but when Drew invites Amy to the St Cecelia Ball, battle lines are drawn. In a city in which ancestry is important, the ball’s membership is passed from father to son, and only those from the oldest families attend.Family, friends, co-workers all weigh in on their relationship and choose sides. Allies are found in unexpected places. Opposition comes from among those who were thought to be friends. Though they are gone, even their spouses − through things they have done and things they have said − wield influence in the conflict that follows.Amy begins to suspect that Drew is one of them, the rich snobs who despise her, while Drew concludes that Amy neither trusts him nor cares for him. As each questions the other’s motives, their feelings for each other are tested, and Drew and Amy are challenged to consider if they truly want to fall in love again.

    It springs spontaneously from the lofty hearts and makes its own way to unite with its generous reciprocators. At times, it becomes dry and seeks the abundance of a big-hearted lover. In other scenarios, the river gets frozen and looks for the warmth of a passionate soul. And in some cases, it may just be ready and waiting to leap forth from its humble abode. All it takes is just a little stroke of fate for that river to unleash itself and flow in its full glory.'Unleash That River' is an anthology of six short stories of love and contemporary romance.1) Keys: When Dhyey returns home to meet his mother after several months, he discovers that she has started sharing the house with a beautiful tenant, Nishita who not only holds the key to his house, but to his locked heart as well.2) Dot Every 'i' And Cross Every 't':Varun and Puja met for the first time through an arranged marriage proposal. However, in order to make sure that they are the ones who can really complement each other for the rest of their lives, they must take a step out of their comfort zones, and do something unprecedented and outright crazy.3) Why Not:Neel and Rashi both have miserably failed at their first romantic endeavor. Will they keep cursing their rotten luck and ask why? Or will they reclaim the charge of their lives to embrace the second chance and say why not?4) Immeasurable Nouns:Aditi and Kartik are the academic stars of their class and each other’s arch rivals. Aditi hates boys. But Kartik secretly loves her. To win her heart, he must wait for the right moment and make every move cautiously. One day, during an English class, that moment presents itself in its full bloom.5) Madly In Marriage:Swayam and Soniya have not left any stone unturned to avoid marrying each other. But their families see this union as a match made in heaven and are hellbent to see it through. 6) Hearts And Ice-creams:Tushar is obsessed with finding his childhood crush who disappeared out of his life without a clue. Fifteen years later, will he be able to move on or destiny has yet to play its last trick?

    With their background, the two girls need a fresh start. In Colby, Montana opportunities are as thick as needles on a pine tree. Savvy and independent, Rosie decides to take a chance and start a business, earning her the respect of many town residents. She catches the eye of two men. One interested in exploiting her past and one interested in redeeming her heart. But Rosie’s secrets and who she really is shadow her hopes for happiness. Can a man love her most when her past refuses to leave? Riding for Redemption Desperate to find her place in the world, Sara Beth dreams of applying for the Miss Wrangler Montana competition that tours with the rodeo circuit. Riding horses has become her anchor until a near fatal accident takes more from her than she’d ever willingly sacrifice. Determined to prove his business training, Johnny seeks out the Rourke family to call in an old favor. When he embroils himself in Sara Beth’s life, he has to prove they’re nothing more than friends. Seeking independence, both Sara Beth and Johnny lean on each other more and more, until love threatens their friendship. Will they seek out each other or be confused by their dreams? Can either of them leave their past and embrace their future? Resisting Redemption With her heart at war with her mind, Lisa’s need to chase dangerous fun over boring responsibilities tugs at her emotions. Love is the last thing she expects to find, especially with her past revolting against her future. The only love Ryan’s heart has room for is for his motherless son. But, when he finds himself yearning for Lisa, Ryan has to convince himself and her that he’s all the thrill she’ll ever need. Will Lisa’s past destroy their future before either of them can accept the true meaning of love? Regretting Redemption Mary's never been completely honest with anyone--especially herself. The man she's supposed to marry reminds her of her father in ways she's suppressed for years--controlling, abusive, and manipulative. The sisters she's finally found don't understand her shame or confusion. When Ian enters the picture with his British accent and Montana tan, Mary starts to question the past and her loyalty to a father who took away all her chances at true happiness. Can Mary help her sisters break free from their father’s diabolical past? Or will his sins corrupt any chance at true happiness with Ian? And herself? Rewarding Redemption Jenny has memories of a happy childhood, of love and laughter. Then her mother’s death took everything away and created a monster in the man Jenny called dad. Her father turned out to be one of the worst outlaws Montana has ever seen. On the run for most of her life, Jenny comes full circle. Now there’s a treasure to be found and sisters she didn’t know about to save. And a man that’s hell-bent on getting to them all first. Alone, Jenny can’t survive. She’s taken on too much with very little payoff and she’s been running for years. Jason is suddenly there – the boy from her past, the good and bad.

    I spent ten years as a Navy SEAL, where I learned discipline, and now even in civilian life I apply that discipline to my job as an executive at Palladium Corp, a security company. But it’s hard to be professional when an auburn-haired goddess is your secretary. I didn’t hire Corin because she’s beautiful, but, damn, it didn’t hurt her chances. Feisty, smart, driven, she’s everything I want in a woman, but she’s my employee, not my lover. At least not yet. Still, there’s something there. Something she’s hiding from me, and considering my company is involved in some shady dealings I’m not supposed to know about, I can’t help but wonder if she’s a beautiful angel sent to help me, or a seductive demon sent to tempt me. I’m just going to have to enjoy finding out.

     Whiskey Ridge is a small town in the north Georgia mountains, and the characters you'll meet in these three books will make you smile, cheer, laugh and maybe even shed a tear or two. If you love Southern charm, chivalrous men and complex characters you can relate to, Whiskey Ridge is the series for you. Every book is set in the same town, but all are stand alone stories and can be read in any order. Plus, no pesky cliffhangers here! Here's what's included in this set: STARTING OVER They say opposites attract, but Kelly Cole spends most of her time dreaming of wringing one man's neck. When the calm and serenity of her life is threatened by a loud karate instructor upstairs, Kelly Cole goes on the offensive. With his sexy alpha hero personality, Quinn Maverick isn't budging either which makes working in the same small building difficult. A widower with a big secret, Quinn becomes Kelly's protector in a few situations, cementing the connection between them but when she finds out what he's hiding, can she forgive him? When the scars of the past bring out the guilt, can the wounds be healed? TAKING CHANCES Life can change on a dime. Piper Williams is poor. She's always been poor. Like seriously - dirt poor from a small town. But when one of her regular customers at The Greasy Spoon diner gives her the gift of a lifetime, her life changes overnight. But as with all gifts, there are potential obstacles and hers is named Cameron. The grandson of her now dearly departed customer is thrust upon her, and she's forced to work with a man who seems to despise her from day one. With only six weeks to make it work, Cameron and Piper try to exist in the same house but as with everything in life... things change. HOME AGAIN Can the choice to forgive lead to a whole new life? Emmy Moore is a physical therapist but is nursing wounds from her ex-husband's betrayal and their failed marriage after he stole her life savings. Alone, broke and called back to her small hometown in the north Georgia mountains because of her eccentric's mother's antics at the retirement home, she just wants to quickly rebuild her life and get the heck out of town before the memories overtake her. But then there he is. He wasn't supposed to be there. The one man she loved with her full heart. The one man who knew their secret. And the one man who shattered her heart into a million pieces when he drove away all those years ago, leaving her in a plume of orange Georgia clay dust. And now, she's being required to help him recover from a near fatal accident. Will she be able to get him back to health before all those old feelings and the secret they share resurface and drown them both? Get THREE Whiskey Ridge series books in one convenient boxed set! Sit down and start reading within minutes by clicking the BUY button!

    But Ellie’s idyllic world is interrupted when she is contacted by a woman who knows her oldest and best-kept secret. Viewing her past in a different light, Ellie undergoes an uplifting change-of-heart. Will her relationship with her new acquaintance bring them a fairytale ending, or is that too much to hope for?

    

    The Smitten study guide includes the following sections: Plot Summary, Chapter Summaries & Analysis, Characters, Objects/Places, Themes, Style, Quotes, and Topics for Discussion.

    Caleb has searched for his one true love and come up dry – until he hires beautiful ranching consultant, Eve Owen. Following their glorious nights together, a bereft Caleb must say goodbye to Eve as she disregards the shocking result of their final loving and returns to her beloved Dallas-based business. Sent from the sweeping expanse of his isolated West Texas ranch, Caleb’s deeply romantic love notes keep Eve’s heart in turmoil. She loves her desert cowboy, and his sensual, heartfelt words tempt her to abandon everything she’s worked a lifetime for. It appears a straightforward choice until a newfound secret throws her life into turmoil. This sweet spicy love story will have you burning the midnight oil.

     Book 1: As Deep as the Ocean When Mac asks Fred to marry him, he tells her it’s strictly business, just a way to access her father’s inheritance so they can save the vineyard. But what happens when they fall in love? Book 2: As Beautiful as the Bay Sam has come home to Blue Penguin Bay to help his father in the family bakery. He longs to escape, and when a freak storm hits the bay, it gives him the perfect opportunity. If only he hadn’t fallen in love with sexy chef Ginger… Book 3: As Timeless as the Sea Sandi is certain that lawyer Jace is hiding something. The only way to keep her heart safe is to end their fling now. But when you share a love as timeless as the sea, there’s always hope for a happy ending.

    Her lonely boss who hates Christmas. As they rediscover the magic of the holiday, will they also find love?  Christmas hasn't been the same for Allison Voss since losing her husband, but she's determined to make it merry for her daughters' sake. She's between jobs and simply managing day to day is a struggle until she meets Ward Haysgard. His act of kindness and offer of employment just might turn her luck around.Ward is not a fan of Christmas. As a district manager for a large department store, he's seen plenty of greed and selfishness and not much good will toward men. But Allison's plight touches him. As he gets to know her and her girls, they work their way into his heart. A heart he thought had hardened long ago, when he lost the loving grandmother who raised him.As the holiday approaches, an old secret from Ward's past emerges and threatens his closeness to Allison. Will he leave her heartbroken? Or will she and Ward discover together what makes Christmas real? Read all the stories in the Holidays in Applewood series by Christie Logan: A Real Christmas (Holidays in Applewood 1)Dear Acquaintance (Holidays in Applewood 2)A Gentle Heart (Holidays in Applewood 3)

    But when she drops out of vet school to get her jockey’s license in New York, intent on coming back to Ontario to ride Chique in the Queen’s Plate in three years, he’s the obvious choice to keep an eye on the filly. Nate’s content to watch Liv go, even though he’s got similar aspirations – when he’s not talked out of them by voices from his past. His growing bond with Chique might earn him Liv’s approval and give him the fresh start he’s looking for, but that’s as involved as he’s getting with the boss’s daughter. Not that Liv’s been receptive to anything more. Liv’s determined to keep their relationship professional, no matter how much Chique draws them together. Because racetrack romances are messy…and nothing can interfere with getting Chique to the Plate.Set against the backdrop of North America’s greatest racetracks, Good Things Come is a story about the hearts of Thoroughbreds...thepeople who love them...and the allure of Canada’s most prestigious race.

    His horse had dropped from a jog to a walk as he neared the fence. His eyes could be seen now. They were summing up what he saw in front of him."He doesn't look the kind that takes orders easily," Gerry said. "What do you say, Bill? Do we offer him a job?"Something about the man stirred her. There was a personal magnetism that was hard to define. Perhaps it was his eyes. They were hard, clear and compelling."We'll offer him the courtesy of billy tea," Bill said quietly. "Then we'll see how he makes out."Looking at the stranger, Gerry had a queer feeling that it would be he who saw who was making out.

     Sweet Christmas Kisses 5 brings you contemporary romances that celebrate the joy of the season around the world, including snowy Maine and the sun-kissed skies of Florida, the mountains of Colorado to small-town Illinois and Virginia, New York to San Francisco, and even the glittering lights of Paris and the old-world charm of Florence. Sweet Christmas Kisses 5 features nine all-new, standalone novellas that will make you smile and warm your heart with the Christmas spirit.