Yet the rugged Texan who suddenly appeared at Jane Gilliam's side was real enough...and so was the soul-scorching kiss they shared as the bells chimed on New Year's Eve. Only Jorge Mendoza wasn't the happily-ever-after type. Or was he?As the confirmed bachelor of the Mendoza clan, Jorge had a reputation to uphold. Until he tasted the sweet passion this far-from-plain Jane was offering. It started as an innocent dare. But was it blossoming into a love that was tempting the commitment-shy playboy to change his wandering ways forever?

    She has an adorable baby girl, Piper; supportive parents; good friends. Best of them all is Colton Foster, her longtime neighbor from the ranch next door. He always seems to be around when she needs him. Trouble is, she may be starting to need him a bit too much.She's off-limits, Colton keeps telling himself. The tall, muscular rancher turns to mush every time he sees Stacey. But falling for his little sister's best friend seems wrong on so many levels. She's on the rebound. She's got a baby. She's...complicated. What's a big-hearted cowboy to do?

    It's enough to make any red-blooded single girl start thinking wistful thoughts—especially about Wyatt Fortune. Still, Sarah-Jane Early doesn't bother to fantasize. There's no way that wealthy, charismatic hunk would date a plain Jane like her….They say New Year's is a time for new beginnings, and Wyatt Fortune is sorely in need of one. After some startling family news, he has vowed to sever all ties and start fresh in Red Rock. The beautiful young woman at the bar—Savannah, she tells him—is nothing more than a momentary diversion. But could this be a moment that leads to a lifetime?

    Settling down isn’t part of this wealthy bachelor’s game plan. So why are we hearing rumors that he’s starting to see Lizzie as something more than his devoted employee?Lizzie may be secretly in love with her heart-meltingly handsome boss, but she knows better than anyone that he’s not the marrying kind. Besides, she’s got her own dreams—to hightail it back to Texas to open her own bakery.But my sources tell me the oil baron won’t let her go so easily.Stay tuned, faithful readers, to find out if this is one deal Ethan will seal with a kiss!

    There she discovers country superstar Zane Williams still hunkering down after the devastating loss of his wife. These two wounded souls find their easy friendship healing. So Jess's sudden attraction to Zane comes as a complete shock. Even more shocking, Zane's acting like a jealous boyfriend, running interference with men who show interest. Is he just being overprotective? The answer becomes clear when Jess ends up in his bed…

    But his quiet life suddenly came under scrutiny when a young stranger came to town, claiming to be Sam's secret daughter...upsetting his very existence, not to mention his budding relationship with lovely nurse Maggie Whiteside.Maggie wasn't swayed by all the talk surrounding Sam. Because she believed that she and the rugged lawman shared something special. Maggie and her young son had always known that he was a man to count on.Now she had to show him that he could count on her....

    When she inherits half of a crumbling guest ranch in Crimson, Colorado, Sara figures she'll sell her portion to get back on her own two feet and be back in the black in no time at all. No harm, no foul…right? The one thing she didn't count on was her partner-in-property, hunky former bull rider and single dad Josh Travers. Sara is surprised at how quickly she bonds with the charming cowboy and his daughter. But she insists that she's definitely not looking for a forever family. Can the rancher and the starlet let down their guards to find their own Hollywood happy ending?

    He needs a housekeeper, but he's been burned before by gold-digging employees. Still, when fiery redhead Melinda Winslow shows up, his attraction is undeniable. Mellie has big plans for her small cleaning service. A powerful client like Case Baxter is a boon to her business. But falling for him could mess everything up. Mellie knows how to handle a mess…if Case isn't too hot to handle! Enjoy a special Texas Cattleman's Club: Lies and Lullabies bonus prequel short story from Janice Maynard

    Heiress Patricia Cargill was out to prove she was more than just a big bank account. Running Texas Rescue and Relief gives her the greatest satisfaction she could imagine. Until she meets volunteer Luke Waterson. He's a little younger, a little brasher and a lot more dangerous than anyone she's dated. He could be everything she needs.A STORM OF EMOTIONS COULD TEAR THEM APART. An unexpected change of fortune, however, has Patricia discovering Luke is more than just a nomadic cowboy. Falling for a millionaire rancher was not in her plans, especially one who keeps secrets. But committing to a man who sees her as a desirable woman, not dollar signs, could be worth making an exception to her rule.

    He's smart enough to stay far away from love -- he's learned it only brings heartache. But then he meets events planner Amy Burke-Sinclair, who has beauty and the brains to match -- and is just as cautious as he is. Despite that, she seduces him into a night of passion that leaves him stunned, and ready to admit that perhaps he doesn't have all the answers.When they have to work together on a function honoring patriarch Ryan Fortune, Steven finds himself falling even harder. He soon changes his mind about the benefits of love and commitment...but will Amy change hers?

    Prove he's ready for active duty.Obstacle: Hannah Hartwell. Fascinating. Tantalizing. His new neighbor.All Ransom wants is to get healthy enough to return to the field. But sexy Hannah is testing his composure. The woman is under his skin...but she's also fleeing a shady past. Damn Hasn't he learned not to play with fire?Still, Ransom can't help exposing her secrets...and a lot more Then it's on to his post-injury mission. The highly clandestine operation will involve delicate negotiations, complex maneuvers and fiery explosions.And that's just in Hannah's bed

    But Kayla James had always managed to keep her relationship with Mick Hanson strictly professional. And now that his kids were older, she had a choice—stay, and fess up…or get out of the line of fire.Firefighter Mick Hanson had enough responsibility. A working single dad, he didn't need another complication—but then he saw Kayla in a different light. Until now, he'd managed to look at her as nothing more than "the nanny." Now he wasn't sure he could resist the attraction that was too hot to extinguish….

    Single mother Valerie Sinclair seemed the ideal candidate. Until an evening out led to an unexpected kiss.Organizing the businessman's hectic life was one thing. Wanting to share his life wasn't part of the deal. But once Valerie got a taste of being David's girlfriend--even for just one night--how could she go back to being his stand-in spouse?

    But a hot fling could easily turn into a major mess for both of them.Then again, what's a little "mess" every now and then...

    But he was a few years older and her brothers' best friend, and her fantasies stayed exactly that. Now however, Kate's got seduction in mind and a point to prove: she won't miss out on Mitch a second time.Mitch can't believe the woman his "little Katie" has become. She's beautiful, has a body that gives him all kinds of naughty ideas and, best of all, she's lost none of her fiery spirit and take-no-prisoners sense of humor. So, when Kate comes a-calling--he can't resist--and won't! But will their luck be better the second time around?