But the Circle Bar B ranch isn't the haven she expects it to be. Malicious rumors about Libby are circulating through the ranch, and worse, her lifelong opponent, rancher Jess Barlowe, believes them. The cowboy is as sexy and rugged as ever…but now he's promised to keep a very close eye on her… The more time Jess spends with Libby, the harder it is to resist her. He can't get her out of his mind, but his doubts linger. Are the rumors true? Is he the man she really wants? And in the end, can a proud cowboy like Jess love a woman he can't completely trust?  FREE BONUS STORY INCLUDED IN THIS VOLUME!  A Wife for a Westmoreland by New York Times bestselling author Brenda Jackson Derringer Westmoreland is haunted by memories of a woman whose face he cannot recall. When he finally traces his mystery woman, Lucia Conyers, she's less than impressed with his charms. For the first time in his life, if he wants to win a woman's heart, he'll have to risk his own.

    He’s irresistibly drawn to Leslie Walker, an architect who is helping him restore his family home. Marrying Leslie may be his last chance. Leslie is craving a family of her own, and their passion will create a destiny for them both. If only Zane survives his last mission.The Sooner the BetterIn the process of tracking down her father, Lorraine Dancy manages to get framed for theft and pursued by the real thief, the police and a local crime boss. Ex-mercenary Jack Keller agrees to help her, although Lorraine’s reluctant to depend on a man like him. But he’s the one person who can guide her to safety. There are stormy waters ahead, including an attraction neither of them wants to feel. It’s as risky as it is intense—for both of them. The sooner he can get Lorraine home, the better!

    Now, they are about to come face to face… The Cinderella Bride by Barbara Wallace Secretary Emma O'Rourke keeps her head down and works hard. But to bring back the heir of Kent Hotels, jaded Gideon Kent, she has to step out of the shadows… Secret History Of A Good Girl by Aimee Carson Miami hotel tycoon Paulo Domingues suspects that beneath his new events planner Alyssa Hunt's southern prissiness, she's all passion! He's determined to seduce the fire out from behind her good-girl exterior… Secrets And Speed Dating by Leah Ashton Sophie Morgan's dealt with life's curveballs by being logical. Her latest project is to reclaim her life now that her fiance's left her. Task one: speed dating. But Sophie takes a rather unconventional approach!

    But Renee Wilson, Sheldon's mysterious new administrative assistant, is about to show her enigmatic boss that it's time to look beyond past mistakes and think about the future.Renee has her priorities straight—a good job and a safe place to raise her unborn child. Blackstone Farms offers both, although the hot attraction she shares with Sheldon keeps cooler heads from prevailing. With so much at stake, can Renee afford to surrender to passion…or the man? A Younger Man When Kumi Walker finds Veronica Hamlin stranded on a deserted road, he offers to fix her flat tire in exchange for a home-cooked meal. It isn't long before the ex-marine realizes that his interest in the widowed Veronica is the real thing. Can he convince her that their age difference doesn't matter to him?Even though Veronica has turned down countless numbers of Atlanta's most eligible bachelors, she cannot resist this younger man. But letting down her defenses and giving in to the desire Kumi ignites would mean ignoring the scandal their affair would create, and risking everything for the promise of passionate love.

    He’s a man that’s never had to take no for an answer, who gets what he wants, when he wants it, no questions asked. Until he meets Celise Markam. In the midst of searching for the person responsible for sabotaging his hotel, in walks the first woman to tame Jason’s burning need.Celise Markam may be a spoiled and pampered heiress on the surface, but beneath that media created facade lies a passion desperate to break free. Her surge to independence comes when she breaks her engagement and moves to Monterey, California to venture into the restaurant business. She has a plan for her future, one she’s not willing to let anyone—fiancé or relative—change. Her life is her own and she’s ready to do whatever is necessary to make her dreams come true. Then she spends the night with Jason Carrington and everything Celise thought she knew about love disintegrates in the flames of their desire. Inexplicably drawn to each other, Celise and Jason ignite a fire bound to burn until someone gets hurt.

    This special boxed set offers the first three full-length novels in the series. Each book is filled with Barbara Freethy's unique blend of page-turning romance, family and mystery—unforgettable stories that will touch your heart. ON A NIGHT LIKE THIS: The second oldest of the Callaway clan, Aiden Callaway veered from the family tradition of urban firefighting and became a smokejumper, never questioning his choice until the job took the life of his friend, Kyle, and left Aiden with injuries and fractured memories. Everyone blames Aiden for what happened, but he doesn't remember, nor is he sure he wants to remember. The truth may clear Aiden of blame but destroy Kyle's reputation and hurt the people he left behind. 
 Aiden seeks help from an unlikely ally. Sara had always been untouchable, sweet, innocent, his sister's best friend, and the girl next door. But one reckless night in their youth took their relationship to a new level. Sara has never forgiven or forgotten the way Aiden brought it crashing down, but she's no longer that girl with the crazy crush. She's a woman in search of her own truth. The sparks between Aiden and Sara have been smoldering for a very long time. Sara is afraid to take another chance on a man who broke her heart, and Aiden knows better than anyone how dangerous an intense fire can be. As teenagers they weren't ready for each other. Are they ready now? SO THIS IS LOVE: Emma Callaway, a hot fire investigator clashes with Max Harrison, a cool homicide detective in SO THIS IS LOVE, the second book in the Callaway Series. For Max Harrison, love seduces and then destroys. His brother went to prison for love. His father left his family for love. And Max is determined not to follow in their footsteps, until he meets Emma… Emma runs into burning buildings without an ounce of fear and embraces life as if every day is a new adventure. But while she's fearless on the job, Emma is a coward when it comes to love. Betrayed by an ex-boyfriend, Emma has no intention of putting her heart on the line again, until she meets Max… As the fires around the city rage, the heat between them ignites in a blaze of passion that's far more dangerous. Will it destroy them or will they finally get everything they ever wanted… FALLING FOR A STRANGER Ria is as sexy and sultry as a warm tropical night and as beautifully dangerous as the island drinks she serves at the beachside bar on Isla de los Suenos -- The Island of Dreams. But Ria is not as carefree as she appears, and the pretense is wearing her down. One night she risks everything to escape from reality. Drew Callaway is a former Navy pilot looking for his own escape from a life that has seen too much tragedy. Meeting Ria is like embracing the sun, and their single night together is life-changing. But the dream quickly fades when Ria is killed in a tragic accident at sea. Months later, thousands of miles away from where they first met, Drew sees a woman who looks just like Ria. She claims her name is Tory, and that they've never met before, but he can see that she's in trouble, and he can't walk away. He's going to save her whether she wants it or not. Drew isn't afraid of a little danger, but can he risk losing his heart to a beautiful stranger? Also Available in the Callaway Series: Between Now and Forever (#4) Nobody But You (A Callaway Wedding Novella) All A Heart Needs (#5) That Summer Night (#6) W

    Just when she thinks the nightmare can’t get any worse, her father is charged with the crime. Rachel will do anything to prove his innocence, but her loyalty is tested to the limits when she crosses paths with Nicholas Hunter, the ruthless prosecutor bent on sending her father to prison… Nick Hunter is thirsty for justice, a man made cynical by the horrors he experienced in childhood. He shows mercy to no one…until he encounters Rachel Calloway, the first woman ever to make him question his convictions. From the moment they meet, a forbidden attraction sizzles between them that neither can ignore.As danger lurks in the shadows, Rachel soon finds herself in the biggest fight for her heart…and her life.Ghosts of Fire is a 97,000 word romantic suspense novel that was originally published in 2002.Praise for the Romantic Suspense Novels of Maureen Smith“…a haunting, suspenseful story that documents Maureen Smith as a writer of considerable promise and ability” — Midwest Book Review on Ghosts of Fire “Few authors pen work that is so thoroughly engrossing the characters leave a lasting impression” — Romantic Times on With Every Breath“…keeps you guessing and hoping that these two will get together and find the perpetrators responsible…one of the best romantic suspense stories I’ve read in a long time” — The Romance Readers Connection on A Heartbeat Away“With a deft touch and solid cast of characters, Smith gives equal credence to spicy romance and nail-biting suspense on her way to an explosive conclusion” — Publishers Weekly on Whisper My Name“Smith weaves a captivating tale of mayhem and murder…a romantic suspense thriller that will stay with you long after you turn the final page” — San Antonio Express-News on Whisper My Name“…a tense page-turner that will further enhance Smith’s reputation in the romantic suspense genre—a reputation that is well deserved” — Romantic Times on Like No One Else

    Escape and savor these three scintillating stories set against the beautiful backdrop of Brazil…. Risky Business by Donna Hill Two weeks in Rio—surely enough time for marketing VP Sydni Lawson to forge a lucrative merger. But instead of sweet-talking real estate mogul Gabriel St. James…she's being swept away by their sizzling and unexpected attraction. Beats of My Heart by Grace Octavia Sunshine Embry has been pushing her own dreams aside as the assistant to a spoiled R & B diva. Then an invitation to record in Rio brings her back in contact with music sensation Marlo Simmons, who is also her boss's sexy brother! Is this their chance to make sweet, sweet music together? Heartbreak in Rio by Delaney Diamond Sidney Altman and Rodrigo Serrano once shared a scorching affair, before he returned to Brazil to take over his family's fashion empire. Now she's in Rio on business—and Rodrigo intends to win her back and prove that his biggest regret was ever letting her go….

     With Joy, Love and a Little Trepidation, Courtney, Sienna and Rachel Invite You to the Most Emotional Wedding of the Year… Their Mother's Courtney ~ The Misfit ~ As the awkward one, Courtney Watson may not be as together as her sisters, but she excels at one thing—keeping secrets, including her white-hot affair with a sexy music producer. Planning Mom's wedding exposes her startling hidden life, changing her family's view of her—and how she views herself—forever. Sienna ~ The Free Spirit ~ When Sienna's boyfriend proposes—in front of her mom and sisters, for crying out loud—he takes her by surprise. She already has two broken engagements under her belt. Should she say “I do” even if she's not sure she does? Rachel ~ The Cynic ~ Rachel thought love would last forever…right up until her divorce. As Mom's wedding day draws near and her ex begs for a second chance, she's forced to acknowledge some uncomfortable truths about why her marriage failed, and decide if she'll let pride stand in the way of her own happily-ever-after. A must-read for anyone who has survived the wedding of a sister, a mother, a daughter—as told by the master storyteller of the genre.

     THE SUMMER HIDEAWAY Private nurse and protected witness Claire Turner never gets attached, but her heart starts to soften when she begins caring for the elderly George Bellamy—and meets his grandson, Ross. In the face of wrenching loss, amid the enchantment of Willow Lake, Ross and Claire dare to risk everything for love. MARRYING DAISY BELLAMY Daisy Bellamy struggled for years to choose between two men—one honorable and steady, one wild and untethered. And then, one fateful day, the decision is made for her…until the man once lost to her reappears. Now the choice Daisy thought was behind her is the hardest one she'll ever face… The pressure is on for Sam to find Sinclair's killer, but a new lead in her father's unsolved shooting puts her in unexpected danger. When long-buried secrets threaten to derail her relationship with Nick, Sam realizes that while justice is blind, mixing romance with politics has the potential to be fatal… RETURN TO WILLOW LAKE Lieutenant Sam Holland is back on the job. A woman has been found brutally murdered and evidence points to Henry Lightfeather, a senator and close friend of Nick's. While Sam investigates, Nick stands by his friend—complicating his own bid for reelection, and causing tension between the couple. As Sam's investigation reveals a scandal that rocks the capital, Nick and Sam discover that the biggest threat to their future might be someone from her past…

    After receiving guardianship of Stacy, the biracial daughter of an old friend, Deanna comes to terms with her own goals and identity as an African-American woman as she and Patterson Temple join forces to protect the frightened child.

    Recently widowed, Darci Cunningham swims against popular current that she should take her time and heal after the sudden death of her husband. But in a bold turn, she decides to follow a dream set aside and moves to Mackinac Island to pursue her dream of writing.But as she prepares for her first winter on the island, she is unaware of the dangers that have washed ashore--one that may steal her heart, while the other may steal her life(*available in ebook and soon in paperback)

    Otherwise the feisty old lady will never allow her only grandchild to live alone in Sheraton Beach. Shannon begs her cheating ex-fiancé Laz Lewis to pretend for just one evening that the couple’s still together. Only the gorgeous police officer wants a favor in return—dinner at his house on Friday night. After sealing their agreement with a heart-throbbing kiss, Shannon has a sneaking suspicion the terms may end up being more than she can handle. Especially since now that she’s back in his life, Laz has every intention of making sure that this time he and the head-strong beauty make it to the altar.

     Within minutes of landing on his doorstep, Lanie Weatherford had succeeded in turning Reece Masardi's peaceful, well-ordered world topsy-turvy. Never had he met anyone like her! From her pet miniature horse to her pet causes, this outrageous, unpredictable community do-gooder was all heart -- and all woman... Lanie knew Reece's life had been bumpy lately, and he couldn't seem to bounce back on his own. It was up to lighthearted Lanie to teach him how to laugh again -- whether he was willing or not! But to her surprise, Reece had a thing or two to teach her...about romance. And soon they were sharing more than laughter -- they were sharing love.

    My novella is included right now in the paperback edition of her best-selling Christmas book, Mr Miracle. You can purchase the two combined stories now wherever books are sold.