His company was closing a deal that would cement his spot at the top. The last thing he needed was a distraction from the past. Lena Razzi had spent years trying to forget Brice Henderson. When offered the opportunity of a lifetime, would she take the risk even if the price would be another broken heart? Do you love reading from this world? Continue with Always Mine from my sister, Ruth Cardello, Her series will mirror my time line. It isn’t necessary to read hers to enjoy mine, but it sure will enhance the fun!

    She's not sure if the small town life is for her, but since part of her new mission in life is to adopt the free-spiritedness her mother had once embodied, she knows she has to give it a try. She needs her freedom, and she needs it now. Even if the fresh air might suffocate her. Rogan Douglas agrees to take on the job of getting Reed's property up-to-snuff so she can re-open the once grand-now dilapidated-cottage motel in town. Struggling to raise his five kids on his own after the accidental death of his wife, Rogan didn't realize the job would cost him so much. Like his sanity. And his heart. Reed and Rogan are venturing down different paths in life, but can they resist the powerful attraction that threatens the way they see themselves? Their futures? And is it possible for two people with such different personalities and values to find a way to call each other's heart their home?

    Only thing is, it also stipulates marriage. Down on her luck with more debt than she can manage after the death of her parents in a vehicle accident, she takes the plunge and commits for twelve months. Chance is sick of the high life he's led for years as a top International Bull Rider. The glitz and glamour aren't what he wants. After an accident leaves him unable to return to the tour, he decides now is the time to do what his heart has been yearning for - marry a down to earth country girl and raise bulls on his ranch, with the hope of bringing his brothers back together. Little did he know that an advertisement would bring him a sassy talking Australian bride to turn his world up side down... Will Callie return home after her contract is up, or can Chance convince her to say I do forever?

    PLAYING WITH FIRE: He may be the firefighter, but she’s the one playing with fire. Derek Severson walked away from his career as a Dallas firefighter after tragedy shook him to his soul. Running his uncle’s beachside bar on a south Texas island gives him the chance to heal, find peace, and avoid entanglements. That is, until Macey, his childhood friend, tracks him down. After spending two years abroad in a developing country, Macey Locke has come home ready to dive in to her Peace Corps-inspired foundation. But when she learns Derek is suffering, she can’t turn her back. Six weeks on a tropical island to help the guy she’s loved for years? No-brainer. Derek can’t help but notice she’s not the same girl he used to know. She’s more. More self-assured, more determined, more irresistible. But is she enough for him to let go of his newfound fragile peace and give in to the passion sparking between them? HEAT OF THE NIGHT A future with him would mean facing her biggest fear. Evan Drake may have had a challenging childhood, but he’s overcome it to build a life he loves—a career as a firefighter, with lots of friends and female attention, all on a tropical island. He couldn’t ask for anything more…until Selena waltzes into his world.Selena Jarboe was born into old money, lacking for nothing, except the one thing she aches for most—a stable, secure family. After playing by society’s “rules” her whole life, she throws them aside, walks away from her East Coast mansion, and pursues a life—and a sexy stranger—on San Amaro Island. She can’t regret the no-strings night with Evan…until she learns it has a major consequence.With an uncertain future, Selena is sure of only one thing—that Evan is the last man who could offer her any kind of security. Evan has a lot of experience fighting for what he wants, but will it be enough to win over Selena forever? FULLY INVOLVED This bad-girl drifter could be bad news for his custody case. Firefighter Clay Marlow might have a colorful past, but priorities became black and white fast when he learned he has a daughter. As the custody battle heats up, Clay’s focus is providing the stability his little girl has never known. His alluring temporary renter, Andie, could only jeopardize his case.Carrying everything she owns on her Harley, Andie Tyler is only on San Amaro Island to manage her friends’ bar for four weeks. A self-proclaimed drifter with more emotional baggage than a jumbo jet, Andie isn't interested in a forever relationship, even when she finds herself increasingly attached to an adorable girl and her sexier-than-hell father. She has secrets and a dark past, and Clay and his daughter deserve better.The more she pushes him away, the more intrigued he becomes. Andie’s tenderness and strength draw Clay in, and he realizes she’s the vibrant color and life he and his daughter need. Can he convince Andie to become a permanent part of their family before she rides off again?

    He broke her heart to save his own.As an elite police diver tormented by her father's fatal drowning accident, Piper Harland is forced back to the one place she'd sworn never to return. Her tiny hometown on New Zealand’s isolated Stewart Island hasn’t much changed in the nine years she’s been gone. But she soon comes face to face with everything she ran from — grief, regret, and the scalding pain of a love lost.The one place Ryan "West" Westlake belongs is a hundred feet below Stewart Island’s dangerous waters with one breath of air and only a line to guide him to the surface. Down deep he can forget his mentor’s death. Down deep he can forget the one woman who seared his heart when she left. Only now she’s back, and as it turns out, he hasn’t forgotten a thing.Desire and tempers flare when West and Piper cross paths again. Can they face their past and be together? Two hearts. A second chance. Everything on the line...IN TOO DEEP is the first story in Tracey Alvarez's best-selling Stewart Island books set against the stunning backdrop of Aotearoa, New Zealand. If you like heartwarming, sexy and sweet small town romances with a touch of comedy, you'll love sharing the journey with these authentic men and women struggling to find their special someone.Intended for mature 18+ aged readers who enjoy their feel good romance on the steamier side.

    Now she can finally start a new life and figure out just who she really is. When her brother Matt dies suddenly, she takes a big risk and moves cross country to live in his house and take over his new business. This could be the chance she’s needed. There’s only one problem now. She can’t seem to escape the irresistible charm of her departed brother’s best friend. Todd Jordan just lost his best friend and business partner. Watching Matt’s sister move into town, his attraction to her is instant. Can he prove to her that all men are not the same, and resist his own desires as she learns to trust again? Overcoming the odds is just part of their journey. The two must first survive a fateful visit from Megan’s ex to have any chance at happiness.

    But time is money, and when the owner of a farm refuses to sell the land crucial to making his latest project a success, he’ll do what it takes to convince the sultry, stubborn woman to sign on the dotted line. Kayla Phillips is holding on by a thread, on the verge of losing the farm she inherited from her grandfather. It’s only a matter of time before she’s forced into foreclosure, but there’s no way she’s selling to Falco. His good looks and sex appeal might work on some women—okay, it works on her too—but she’s not about to sell to a man intent on bulldozing her family’s legacy. A war of words turns into a wager—and Kayla’s only chance to save the farm. All she has to do is prove to the billionaire that he can’t handle two weeks of living the life of a farmer. She never expected the burning desire she feels whenever Mason’s around. But are his feelings for her genuine, or just a ploy to get what he wants? With her heart and the family business on the line, will she risk it all for love?

    So when a baby lands on the doorstep of the Texas Brand, his first question is which younger brother is in for a butt-kicking? But the little fellow isn't named after Ben, or Wes, or Adam, or Elliot. The little feller is named after him – Garrett Ethan Brand–according to the note his mama left behind.He’s still racking his brain to figure it all out, when a woman shows up at the ranch in the dead of night, spitting, fighting mad, and accusing Garrett of murdering her sister and stealing the baby!Chelsea is confused, heartbroken, and too mad to think straight, and the same trouble that found her poor sister is right on her tail. But of all the places she and the baby could've wound up, Garrett thinks this ranch is the best one.Because this is one family that knows how to pull together and trouble doesn't stand a chance against The Brands of Texas.

    Stranded in a snowstorm. Rescued by a tall, dark, and handsome man already snagged by another girl. Due to her pregnancy, Darcy Rhodes' is forced to remain in Garret Tulane's hometown and their growing friendship brings nothing but scandal. Is it possible to fall for one man while carrying another man's baby? The answer is yes. But what will Garret choose with everything he holds dear at risk?

    It's the ideal size and location, right on the waterfront in Doubtless Bay, New Zealand. The only fly in the melted chocolate is Maisey's brother, Kole. He wants the shop for his photography business, and he's about to sign the lease.Tasha and Kole Graham have trod the wafer-thin line between friends and enemies since they were teenagers. Privately, she acknowledges Kole has grown up into a fine figure of a man. Okay, to be honest, he's so sexy he often dismantles the speech center of her brain. But he's still the most irritating guy on Earth.Kole tries to think of Tasha as just his sister's best friend, but it's getting harder and harder. Literally. And he's having trouble hiding it. So when their friends suggest a bet with the shop as the prize, and it means he can get his hands on Tasha, he's quick to agree. The Shakespearean-style scheme? To get the other person to fall in love with them. In eight days.Both are confident their attraction is only physical. Both are going to get into trouble. But who will win the bet on Midsummer night?Warning: Sultry and steamy, with rising temperatures. And the sub-tropical weather's pretty hot too. Adults only.

    . .I’ll admit, fleeing the country after a Frenchman’s romantic proposal wasn’t one of my finest moments. Now that I’m back in Sydney, my girlfriends have announced that I’m a relationship junkie with commitment issues and want me to swear off men for six months. Ouch.Their extreme rehabilitation plan involves a weekly girls night so they can pick apart my colorful relationship history. And it gets worse—my best friend Maddy is including her older brother for a male opinion. I never noticed how gorgeous Max is before. When we were growing up, he was always kind of shy and nerdy, but now he seems to have no trouble speaking his mind. And did I mention he’s sweet, too? I don’t know what my girlfriends are so worried about, though. I can totally survive six months without a guy. And it’s not like I’d be tempted by Max—Maddy would kill me.Except I hadn’t counted on him being quite so irresistible. Or my past relationship history coming back to torment me. Please send help . . .

    Now he needs to prove to the watchful eyes that he’s changed for the better. But cozying up to Little-Miss-Perfect-Gone-Bad isn’t his idea of making amends.Agreeing to marry a hockey star to clear her “bad girl” reputation is the worst idea Oklahoma’s former sweetheart, Tallulah Belle Roth, has ever heard. With cameras constantly in their faces, Hunter and Tallie need to prove their sickeningly-sweet, do-good lives are the real deal—just to Bury the Hatchet once and for all.But when the cameras are off, desire burns hot. Can fake and just for show turn into something real and forever?

    But when Quinn Ryker, her landlord andbillionaire playboy, refuses to renew her lease, her entire world and all thosewho depend on her, are at risk.Quinn's spent months trying to stifle his curiosity for the gorgeous chef who runs thekitchen of his favorite bistro like she's a five-star general. He can't helpbut want her, especially when she comes marching into his office full of fireand passion, furious with him and demanding he renew her lease. Yet he now hassomething she wants, and he knows just what he'll do with that heat and angerof hers, especially once she's in his bed. A bargain is stuck that will save Emma's restaurant and give Quinn what he mostdesires-Emma. But it turns out there's a lot more on the line when negotiatingmatters involving one's body, heart, and soul.*** This novel contains a Happily Ever After ending for the couple, though some minor plot lines continue to the next book and are resolved completely during that story. Due to the adult language and explicit sex scenes, this book is for adults only.***

    She's on a hit television show and engaged to one of the most desired men in Hollywood. Her life is perfect. But then she gets a letter in the mail that changes everything. The past she has been trying to forget for so long has finally come back to haunt her. Gloria Star hasn't always been an A-list celebrity. She used to be just a regular Midwestern girl named Glory Stark. Now she is forced to reconcile her two lives because Johnny Carter, the only man she ever loved, has asked her to return to her hometown, and she can't say no. Ten years ago, one night changed everything for Gloria and Johnny. Not only did Gloria lose Johnny, but she also lost herself.Now she's headed back to Princeton, Missouri, to reconnect with her sister and make amends with Johnny. She quickly realizes that returning to Glory Stark's life isn't going to be easy. As she faces painful truths about her past and an uncertain future, Gloria learns that forgiveness is essential, family is everything and love is forever.

    Now, here she is—over thirty, out of a job and with little choice but to move back in with her father. Lexi knows it’s just a matter of time before she runs into Austin Taylor, her first boyfriend and her first heartbreak. She’s determined to show him she’s over him—until he steps out of a pickup truck and back into her life, looking sexy as hell in his mountain ranger uniform.As far as Austin is concerned, Lexi can turn her snazzy little convertible around and drive back to Chicago. After all, she ripped his teenage heart apart and turned her back on the town he loves. But from the moment he sees her again, he can’t get her out of his mind. Even her smile messes with his head. When an evening of conversation turns into something else, Lexi and Austin agree to be friends again—with benefits. But as Lexi starts making plans to return to the big city, Austin realizes he’ll lose her a second time unless he can show her that what she’s searching for has been right here all along.Note to readers: This is straight contemporary romance, not romantic suspense.