It was thrust on him, but he couldn't argue that the change was needed. He'd turned into someone even he couldn't like anymore. Unfortunately, he didn't know how to fix it. He was truly lost, and it wasn't the first time he'd felt that way. He'd been lost since he was ten-years-old. Since the day his sister died.Laken Sky didn't need the distraction of the bad boy baseball player staying in the next room over at her B and B. She'd come to Hope Falls to search for her past, to find a link to family she desperately needed in her life.Somehow, though, that bad boy next door finds his way into her heart, and she's not sure what she'll do when she has to give him up.

    Twenty years ago it was her home, but that was when her family was still together. Now she’s returning to take over her father’s beloved book store – Read Between the Lines – while he deals with a health crisis. For years Alesha longed for the town, the people, the sense of belonging she once felt and she’s ready for her fresh start amidst the familiar. He’s seeing an important part of his past as a key to his future… Reece Brooks has called Hope Falls home for most of his life, but when the opportunity arose to give him a little breathing room from the close-knit community, he took it. It’s normally business-as-usual when he comes home for a visit, so imagine his surprise when this visit home brings him face to face with the first girl to ever break his heart. Granted, they were only seven years old at the time, but still. Fate has brought the girl he’s never forgotten back into his life. Unfortunately, Reece is only in Hope Falls for a limited time and Alesha’s ready to lay down roots there. Can you really find your soulmate at the age of seven or walk away when you find them again? In their wildest dreams, Reece and Alesha never imagined that their first love would be their greatest love.

    Jason Gilmore is back in Hope Falls, California, for the reading of the will of his mentor, David Hansen. Jason expects a small memento from the man he considered a father figure. He gets far more—including the task of sorting through David’s belongings with the help of his beautiful, sassy daughter, Tara. Who just happens to be the woman with whom Jason had a hot, spontaneous encounter in a bar storeroom the night before. Awkward. And amazing. Like all the residents of Hope Falls, Tara grew up adoring Dr. David Hansen, which made learning he was her dad—just days before his death—feel like the ultimate betrayal. She wants nothing from the man who cheated her out of having a father, and even less from his adoring ex-student. Too bad she can’t get Jason’s kisses out of her head. Forced to work in close quarters, Tara and Jason succumb to their scorching chemistry as they sift through David’s life, learning things about him neither knew—both good and bad. As Tara’s bitterness toward her father fades, Jason’s admiration for the man also dims. Discovering his role model was a flawed human after all has Jason questioning his judgment in other areas…like his feelings for the man’s daughter. Is his attraction to Tara the real deal? Or is Jason just getting his hopes up?

    And who better to give it to him than his girlfriend, manager, and muse, Christina Olsen. But when his New Year’s Eve marriage proposal hits a sour note, Christina flees his limo in the middle of Manhattan, leaving Griffin fearing the worst. Christina has been burned in marriage before and knows marrying Griffin would be the kiss of death in their relationship. Just look at the disaster with his first wife. But when Griffin is spotted in the press with not one but two beautiful women in Hope Falls, California, Christina has a few choice words to say. To his face. Can two people with scarred hearts leave their pasts behind? Or will Griffin and Christina find the spark of hope they need in a small town called Hope Falls?

     Sully, Special Agent James Sullivan, to give him his full title, is on his way to Hope Falls. He's going to visit an old friend, but he couldn't tell you why. If pushed, he'd say that he had some time off after his boss and friend died, and he didn't know what else to do with himself. He probably wouldn't tell you that Patrick's death has left him wondering if there shouldn't be more to life than his FBI career. She has no intention of falling for anyone - she's carefree. Jess Archer lives in her motorhome and travels the country as a freelance photographer. She can wander as she pleases and she loves that. There may be no one in the world who knows or cares where she is from one day to the next, but that's a good thing, not a sad thing. Or so she tells herself. Still, she's thrilled at the chance to visit someone who does care about her, her old friend Tessa. When Sully and Jess meet sparks fly, but will the magic of Hope Falls be enough to bring together two people who have no intention of falling in love? This book is intended for readers age 18 + ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ WARNING: This title was originally published in Melanie Shawn’s Hope Falls Kindle World. Elements of the world, including characters, are used with permission. It’s the only one of SJ’s books so far that isn’t part of one of her ongoing series. Summer Lake Series In the original Summer Lake Series each book can be read as a stand alone – no cliff hangers here! Each book contains one couple's story. However, they are best read in order to get full enjoyment of the underlying story and friendships. Book 1: Love Like You've Never Been Hurt - Emma and Jack Book 2: Work Like You Don't Need the Money - Pete and Holly Book 3: Dance Like Nobody's Watching - Missy and Dan Book 4: Fly Like You've Never Been Grounded - Smoke and Laura Book 5: Laugh Like You've Never Cried - Michael and Megan Book 6: Sing Like Nobody's Listening - Kenzie and Chase Book 7: Smile Like You Mean It - Gabe and Renée Book 8: The Wedding Dance - Missy and Dan's Wedding Book 9: Chasing Tomorrow - Ben's backstory with Charlotte Book 10: Dream Like Nothing's Impossible - April and Eddie Book 11: Ride Like You've Never Fallen - Nate and Lily Book 12: Live Like There's No Tomorrow - Ben's story Book 13: The Wedding Flight – Smoke and Laura’s Wedding Summer Lake Seasons The Summer Lake Seasons series is a return to the small town readers fell in love with. It features new couples as they meet and fall and love, and gives a chance to catch up with old friends. Take These Broken Wings Is the first in the series - there are several more to come. Remington Ranch series Meet the sexy brothers of Remington Ranch! Just like in SJ's Summer Lake Romance series you can expect a story that is both sweet and steamy! Mason Shane Carter Beau Four Weddings and a Vendetta A Chance and a Hope series These are NOT meant to be read as standalone stories and need to be read in order. Book 1: Chance Encounter Book 2: Finding Hope Book 3: Give Hope a Chance The Hamiltons Series This series follows the Hamilton family in California wine country. If you recognize the name Hamilton it’s because this is Smoke’s family who own one of the largest wine growing and distribution businesses in the country.

    He’s tall, dark, and as handsome as he is rich. With his rugged good looks and masculine presence, surely no one's going to catch on to us. There's no way you'd suspect our engagement is fake. And I'm starting not to suspect it either. The way he whispers in my ear when no one's looking. The way he puts his hand on the small of my back. The way his kisses go on just a little longer than we need in order to put on our little show. Is it just for show? He's enjoying this; this tormenting me. But I can dish it out just as well as I can take it. I can play hot and cold, making him wonder what's real and what's not... and just what he really wants out of this so-called relationship of ours. But when the sun goes down, my blood pressure rises. We're alone in our shared bedroom, keeping up the charade. But the way he looks at me with those bedroom eyes of his, I know this is more than a game. Can I risk losing everything if it means winning the man whose passion for me is suddenly feeling more and more real? Fireman's Fake Fiancée is an insta-everything standalone romance with an HEA, no cheating, and no cliffhanger.

    Losing her husband in a tragic motorcycle accident put her life in a tailspin. Moments before the accident, she learned that her beloved husband had a dangerous secret. Now someone is after her and Reya has no choice but to hightail it out of town. A chance encounter with a former Green Beret may be the only thing that keeps her alive. Former military man turned Montana ranch hand, Elias Covington knows what it means to put his life on the line for others. The second he meets Reya, he knows she’s in danger—and he’ll do anything to save her. Enlisting the Brotherhood Protectors is his best bet, but protecting a woman and falling for her should never go hand-in-hand.

    Things they preferred to keep in the past. Things that bring painful memories and nightmares. But the past won't stay there. It never does. Having been through hell and back, all survivors, they come together in Riverton to open a new rape crisis center. But little do they know that the grand opening will bring danger to their door. The past will come hurtling back with a vengeance. With their women in horrible trouble, will Victor, Patrick, and Hunter be able to save them? Or this time, will they be able to save themselves before it's too late? Only one thing is for certain . . . danger lurks when you try to protect your secrets.

    After the stalker continues to torment her from afar, he also takes charge of protecting her… soon their close proximity leads to more and Juliet’s starting to fall in love. But this cowboy’s keeping a secret. Former Army electronics expert Walker Grant has been hired by Juliet’s famous mother to guard her daughter. As part of the elite Brotherhood Protectors’ force, he’ll do whatever it takes to keep Juliet safe. He’s determined to keep his hands off her, but he can’t deny the attraction flaring between them though he’s hardly permanent relationship material. Juliet’s stalker shows up and threatens their lives and exposes Walker’s undercover mission. Now he’s got to fight to save her before he loses her forever…

    A girl that I can stand to talk to for longer than it takes to get in her pants. A girl I want to keep around after I've gotten into her pants, one that I'd like to have stick around. Forever. Kimberly: All I ever wanted was to get married: Have a big party and be a princess for a day, but it turns out that happily ever after is a lot like team sports-- girls like me just don't get picked first. A professional match-maker can find me a man, but planning a wedding turns out to be a lot more stressful than I'd expected. Maybe I don't want to play princess after all. *** A Lucky Break is the 10th book in the Modern Match-Maker series by Rocklyn Ryder. It contains a complete story that follows one couple from their beginning to their happily ever after with no cheating, no cliffhangers, and just enough drama to keep it fun. All the books in the Modern Match-Maker series are individual stories that can be read in any order.

    She has to make things right with her nemesis, Hope Falls’ own Karina Black. And she has to do it without the paparazzi finding out. If only she didn’t have to leave behind the man she’s been secretly pining for—her sinfully hot bodyguard Hunter McGraw.Hunter just turned in his resignation. He desperately needs to get some distance from the distracting, enchanting Starly and get on with his life. But if she’s going to Hope Falls, he’s going after her. Who else is going to keep her out of trouble? And with two feuding pop stars in the same tiny town, trouble is inevitable. They can deal with the paparazzi. They can deal with the curious Hope Falls residents. But can they keep their feelings secret from each other? Is that even possible when every touch has them seeing stars?

    Or do they? Ryan Croft has three goals: enjoy his Tahoe vacation, figure out why the hell he’s so restless, and once and for all, forget the woman who broke his heart nine years ago.Rosemary Shaw has plans of her own: do the best job she can for her movie-star boss, settle in Sweetgrass as quickly as possible, and finally come to terms with the decisions of her past.Running into each other after all this time? Definitely not on the agenda for either of them. Experiencing the same sizzling chemistry from a decade earlier? Let's just say chemistry was never an issue.Can these two keep that rekindled flame alive, or is the past better left forgotten?

    Or so I think, until I meet hot, experienced firefighter Ewan McLelland. Just when I find myself falling for him hard, fast, and completely head over heels, he disappears. Just like my father. And now there’s no way back to the life I had before I fell in love with a fireman... Ewan: The single life is wearing thin, but there’s been no one to tempt me away from it until I meet fiercely independent Lara. She’s reluctant to get close, but there’s no way I can give up on her sweet face and soft curves. Then, just as the sizzling attraction between us catches fire, a nightmare from years ago resurfaces and threatens what we have. Can I put this right or have I lost Lara forever? ***This is a standalone romance novella with a wildly happy ever after -- a head over heels love story between a girl who was never loved enough and a fireman who will fight for her all the way. Gobble up this short and steamy story and set your heart on fire.***

    When she turns to a matchmaker to help her find the perfect man, she meets a smoking-hot stallion shifter who could run away with her heart. Hope knows he could be her true love, but he spooks her by jumping to marriage right out of the gate. Stallion shifter Josh Farris knows the instant he sees Hope that she's his mate. But when his attempt to sweep her off her feet falls flat, he worries that she isn't cut out for life on the ranch. What if introducing her to his huge family of horse shifters sends her running for the hills? Josh has to learn to take things slow and steady to have any chance of winning this race. But when acts of sabotage threaten the ranch, the alpha stallion has to defend his home and his mate. Can this relationship go the distance? Putting the Heart Before the Horse is a hot, heart-warming standalone horse shifter BBW paranormal romance. No cliffhangers!

    But when her best friend makes her a deal she can’t refuse, posing as a consultant is exactly what she does. Surely she should be able to fake her way through a meeting or two. How hard could it be?Max Grant isn’t blind. It’s easy to see that the super sexy, consultant put on his account doesn’t know a thing about adventure activities. He can see after only five minutes of meeting her in Hope Falls that she isn’t who she says she is. But there’s something about her and when the chance to take her back to Castle Mountain Lodge comes up, he can’t resist the opportunity.Lies have a way of building, and with her feelings for Max growing, Tess can’t keep it up for much longer. But telling the truth could mess everything up including the chance for love.Accidental Gifts is a standalone novella in Melanie Shawn’s Hope Falls Kindle World. It’s connected to Sweet Reunion by Melanie Shawn where you first meet Amanda and Justin with Mountain Ridge Outdoor Adventures. And is also connected to Elena Aitken’s Castle Mountain Lodge Series where you will find many of the characters familiar. It can be read and enjoyed on its own.