Educating them, encouraging them, reaching them--that was easy. It was the living that was hard. After the betrayal, the grief and the pain, there was a kind of peace in giving away her heart to her pupils.That was what made Todd Lewis so dangerous. With his dogged determination and rugged handsomeness, he had slowly staked his own claim on her heart and made her feel again. Made her want to hope and dream. But her hopes, her dreams, her heart--were so fragile. Could she entrust them to him? Or would he destroy them for good?

    A mysterious lump on her throat is making it hard. Handsome Dr. Jeremy Nelson is making it harder.

    But they need land, so when Martin Fulsom, iconic leader of the Fulsom Foundation, offers them Westfield, an uninhabited ranch in Chance Creek, Montana, they take it sight unseen—and agree to Fulsom’s condition that they document their progress on a reality television show. Building a working community will be hard enough, but Boone’s got another problem. Fulsom expects families—not single men—to make up the population of the new town. Now Boone’s got to find a wife, fast, before he loses his funding, and his dream. So when he arrives at Westfield to find it already occupied by Riley Eaton, the woman he thought he'd lost forever, he wonders if fate itself has provided him with an answer. Riley Eaton's played by the rules all her life, but it hasn't gotten her anywhere. Now she's out of work and no closer to being a full-time artist--or meeting a man and starting a family. Never happier than when she’s buried in a Jane Austen novel, she knows she’s not the only woman longing for a simpler, more beautiful life—one that allows time for art, literature and music. When she discovers her friends are in the same frame of mind, she throws caution to the wind and invites them to Westfield, the ranch her uncle inherited long ago, but has never lived in. Equipped with a key and a standing invitation to stay there whenever she likes, she heads to Chance Creek and gives up all things twenty-first century in order to take a six-month Jane-Austen style vacation. Westfield is perfect for Regency living with its wide lawns, extensive gardens and large ballroom. But when sexy, stubborn Boone shows up with plans to build a hyper-modern sustainable community on the ranch, it’s clear her Regency paradise is over before it even began. Now Boone has thirty days to marry Riley or lose the ranch to developers, and Riley has to decide whether to marry Boone or say good-bye to Westfield--and her Jane Austen life--forever. Can they overcome their prejudices to help each other? Or will their pride destroy both their futures?

    In some ways her high school sweetheart, Brady Tucker, hadn't changed much either - he was still lean, athletic, rugged...But the once reckless boy had become a solid, dependable man. He'd stood her up on the most important night of her life; could she ever trust him again?So Vanessa had finally come home, Brady thought. She could still turn him inside out with one of her sultry looks. He couldn't believe she hadn't forgiven him for that night twelve years ago--but he'd had his reasons for not showing up. He'd let her leave town then--but he wasn't going to let her get away this time. . . . .

    With her two faithful dogs, she fearlessly puts her life on the line to rescue missing people...but the rest of her life is a mystery. Ex-army ranger John North needs Melody's help--she knows the unforgiving mountains better than anyone. Melody sees John as an outsider, but this enigmatically beautiful woman calls to the man inside him. She needs to trust him, and, come what may, he'll break down her barriers--kiss by snowy kiss....

    Happily ever after? Not so much. Evan and Annie are deeply in love, but that hasn’t stopped tension from creating cracks in their relationship. Determined not to fail his wife, Evan takes action before those cracks become craters, damaging their marriage irreparably. Over the Fourth of July weekend, he’ll reignite Annie’s passion with his own brand of fireworks.Stand back and watch the sparks fly. *Break out the fireworks and get ready to kick off your summer with this HOT new collection of stories. Sparks Fly is part of the Red Hot and BOOM! multi-author series (stands alone for reading enjoyment) Sparks Fly is a 12K word short story.

     Nicola Hart grew up under the heels of her older brother and his sexy best friend, Cash Garrison. Years of ignoring her spark with Cash has transformed their friendship into a slow burning sizzle. One night with him could ruin everything. Or it could be more than she ever dreamed. They play. They flirt. But they haven't crossed the line because too much is at stake. Family. Friendship. And the deepest kind of love that she'd have to be crazy to walk away from. She's his best friend's little sister. The definition of hands off. Cash has tried to ignore her for years. Those innocent eyes and her smile that screams kiss-me-if-you-dare... Instead, he's looked at every pretty little thing who's crossed his path, all to ignore the girl he seems destined to want. But when his hard partying ways get old and everyone at school is interested in Nicola, it's time to stake a claim. To make Nicola his girl, no matter the risks, and hold the hand of the one he really loves.

    Seems the oldest son of one of South Carolina's most powerful families is engaged to someone...ordinary. Could this announcement--conveniently leaked to the press--have to do with Matthew's quick exit from Ms. Carson's home very early in the morning? One wonders what chance such a match made in media heaven could have....

    He's everything I ever wanted. And he doesn't know how I feel. I have three weeks left to tell him before he leaves this place forever… There’s only one way I know how to do that. I have to give him what I've never given anyone. I'm going to ask him to be my first… Matt Girard is the guy every girl wants. Rich, handsome, and popular, his future is brighter than the sun. Evie Baker comes from the wrong side of town. She loves Matt desperately, but he only sees her as his tomboy best friend instead of the young woman she's blossomed into. Until one fateful night when a reckless dare changes everything… This is the prequel story to Hot Pursuit, Book 1 in the Hostile Operations Team Series.

    She's dated so many great guys over the years, but hasn't fallen in love once. Not with any of them. It just isn't in the cards for her. So, when she approaches powerful, sexy Jack Sutton and proposes a temporary marriage-of-convenience, she's not one bit concerned that her heart will be on the line.Jack Sutton is used to having control over things, having things go his way. Things in his life aren't supposed to spin out of control. But Kelly Bradley flips his world upside-down and has him wanting more than he'd ever thought he would have. And, just when he realizes he wants a real marriage with Kelly, Jack finds himself racing to save the woman he loves.Before Jack and Kelly know it, not only are their hearts on the line, but Kelly's life is, too.Penalty Clause Andrew Weston and Jill Walsh had to be the two most unlikely people to fall in love. When Jill's first husband's love for her simply fizzled and died, Jill knew she'd never trust that love could last again. After Andrew's first love betrayed him in the most brutal way possible, he knew he might fall in love again someday, but there was no way he'd ever make himself vulnerable again by confessing those feelings if he did.Fate had a different ending in mind for these two, though, and when Andrew discovers his love for Jill, he knows the only way to get her to stay with him forever is to offer her an iron clad penalty clause in a prenuptial agreement. He stays with her forever or he loses everything he owns. The millions he's worked for, his property, his cars, everything. Now he just needs to hope that's enough to hold onto Jill forever.The Baker's BodyguardJesse Bradley never thought she'd need help going out into the world. But, after her sister was kidnapped, she began to have trouble going anyplace alone. An anxiety attack would start if a stranger asked her what time it was. Before she knew it, she as making up excuses to stay inside. Where things were safe.Zach Harris was going to change all that. The steamy, sexy bodyguard got her into counseling to help her overcome her fears. He went with her everywhere helping her learn to feel safe again.Jesse and Zach both feel the insane chemistry sparking between them. But will there be more than just chemistry for these two? Negotiation TacticsJennie and chad face love, adventure, and a lot more danger than they bargained for in this heart wrenching story of second chances. Jennie Evans' heart broke when she lost her high school sweetheart and husband just after college graduation and she has no interest in trying to heal it. She's built a good life with friends she loves and a job she can finally feel proud of. Chad Thompson couldn't be more different than Jennie. He wants love. He wants the whole deal: marriage, children, and forever with the woman he loves. It's just too bad that the woman he loves can't give her heart to him. When Jennie and Chad's friends scheme to bring them together, she lands in trouble and turns to the only man who's ever made her forget her husband, the one man she wants to avoid. Chad knows he can keep Jennie safe, but can he protect his heart in the process?

    First she got engaged, then she was jilted, and now she’s pregnant—via a sperm bank! She was so sure love had passed her by, she decided to have a baby on her own. Before Lily’s due date, Jake will have to woo her, win her, marry her, and convince her that he wants to be a dad to the baby she’s carrying…and maybe a few more. Originally published in 2004 in Mothers by Design.

    The first three books in New York Times bestseller Jill Shalvis's award-winning series are guaranteed to make you laugh and fall in love. In SIMPLY IRRESISTIBLE, Maddie's whole life needs a makeover. She's lost her boyfriend (her decision) and her job (so not her decision), so what better time to leave LA for Lucky Harbor - the little place she used to call home. Renovating the ramshackle inn left by her mother is the perfect opportunity for a fresh start. Facing a tall, dark hottie contractor, and a past she needs to overcome, will Maddie learn that there's no place like home?In THE SWEETEST THING, Tara has a million reasons not to return to Lucky Harbor. But anywhere away from her unfulfilled dreams and sexy ex-husband will do. So joining her sisters getting their newly renovated inn up and running is the perfect chance to get her life back on track. But with a sexy, green-eyed sailor on the scene, and her ex appearing out of the blue, three is most definitely a crowd. Can she face up to her past, and find her heart's desire?In HEAD OVER HEELS, Chloe likes living on the edge. A quiet life running the family inn just isn't for her. But it's not long before her misbehaviour draws the attention of the rugged, sexy sheriff - who'd love to tame her wild ways. Suddenly she can't put a foot wrong without him hot on her heels. And for the first time, she actually wants to get caught. Will Chloe's colourful past and rebellious ways stop her from find finding love in Lucky Harbor? Return to this heartwarming little town in the other exclusive Lucky Harbor collections. And don't miss Jill's Cedar Ridge books - the gorgeous series set in the Colorado mountains, that we promise will capture your heart.

    Nate Braden has loved his best friend's younger sister Jewel for as long as he can remember, but between their age difference and his respect for Rick, he's always kept his feelings at bay. Now he's back in Peaceful Harbor, and Jewel is no longer sixteen years old--but there's an even bigger obstacle standing in his way. Nate and Rick joined the military together eight years earlier. Nate came home a hero, but Rick didn't make it out alive. . All Braden novels may be enjoyed as stand-alone books or enjoyed as part of the series. THE BRADENS (Peaceful Harbor, MD) Healed by Love (Nate) Surrender My Love (Cole) River of Love (Sam) Crushing on Love (Shannon) Whisper of Love (Tempest) Thrill of Love (Ty)

    A touch of mysticism adds an extra layer to this story of love and family. Alone in the world, Faith Christopher had always yearned for love ... and a man who'd make her heart pound. But her dreams of a place to call home were getting harder to hold on to ... Alex Carrigan liked fast cars, fast women and fast deals - then a tough-talking teenager arrived on his doorstep claiming she was his long-lost daughter, and his meddling grandfather decided to move in. Suddenly, Alex has to face the family he never expected. Enter Faith. Little did the outspoken and beautiful baker know that deep inside Alex was a well of tenderness ... and that she might have the recipe to bring him true love - the sweetest thing life has to offer.

     Being the best means making sacrifices, but do vows made at 16 hold true at 24? Duty First, Duty Only… As a teenaged Sea Cadet, Sam Morelli joined the elite club his brother formed with other teens, focused on a single goal: to become Navy SEALs. Membership required a vow that once he became a SEAL, the team would be his only commitment. Distractions like relationships or dependents would be forbidden. Eight years later, on the cusp of achieving his goal, Sam has forgotten that vow. But Bryanna Spencer hasn’t. Sugar, shoes, and a sexy SEAL… Numbers whiz Bryanna Spencer loves chocolate, designer shoes, and Sam Morelli. She’s always dreamed of one thing: being Sam’s wife. Raised in a Navy family, she knows the rules: to be a great SEAL, a man can’t have a woman weighing down his thoughts. Bryanna’s been nibbling on sweet, sexy, better-than-chocolate-covered-caramel Sam for four years, but Sam’s dream of being a SEAL has been with him longer. His dream is her nightmare. Some vows are made to be broken… With Sam home on leave for Christmas, Bryanna has one last chance to prove to Sam that he wants her more than he wants his SEAL Trident. But time is running out. Once he finishes the last phase of his training, she may lose him forever. But Sam may have different kind of vow in mind…