The rhythm of loveLina Smith-Todd is a winning bid away from owning a piece of musical history. The auction heats up when she discovers that her chief competition for a piano owned by Thelonius Monk is the man who once shared her bed. The priceless baby grand isn’t all the seductive, supremely confident musician intends to possess. Rashad MacRae wants a second chance to be with Lina.Rashad’s passion for music was inspired by the legendary Monk. But if walking away with the prize means losing his shot at a future with Lina, he’s ready to concede defeat. To entice her back into his arms, Rashad has to find a way to regain the self-sufficient attorney’s trust. And now a family revelation could cost him everything. Can doubt be swept away by the promise of an everlasting love song they both know by heart?
Hearts in harmony?Instead of falling apart when her childhood sweetheart chose his music career over marriage, Elle Lauren fled to Paris to study fashion design. Her stunning wedding gowns now give other brides the happily-ever-after she didn’t have. Ignoring Braxton Chase’s long-distance apologies has been easy. But seeing him once more stirs the deep longings and desires that a decade has not erased.Braxton walked away from the pressure to marry at a young age, and he’s regretted breaking Elle’s heart ever since. From the moment he sees her again at his Atlanta jazz club, he knows he wants more than forgiveness—he wants a second chance at the heart-and-soul connection that they once had. Can he convince her to trust the sweet, seductive melody of their lost love?
Tricky curves aheadAfter three years of grieving, it's finally time for widow McKenna Wellington to take that long-awaited road trip…though her adventure isn't meant to include Parker Fordum. The stodgy, set-in-his-ways economics professor is the last person McKenna wants to accompany her across 2,400 miles of defunct highway. But her late husband's friend has his own reasons for signing on.And Parker's surprising McKenna in all sorts of good ways. Somewhere between Chicago and LA, an unlikely friendship blooms, turning a cross-country trip into something more. But what awaits them at journey's end?
The love that binds Former Nashville star Sam Etchason is slowly building a new life in peaceful Lake Mildred. But an unexpected inheritance makes him joint owner of a farmhouse with Kelly Sweet, a country singer driven by her own longtime ambitions.Kelly is only back in Michigan to settle her grandmother's estate. She hasn't expected such a powerful closeness between her and Sam. And now she's starting to reconnect with the sister she left behind. Everything's falling into place, until a stunning offer comes her way that threatens to destroy it all. The deal means instant stardom for Kelly, but would cost Sam what he holds most dear…
The sweetest merger of all…Triple chocolate cupcakes can help get a girl through the tough times— especially after Mariah Drayson’s dream marriage ends in heartbreak. Now the gifted baker has been handed an once-in-a-lifetime opportunity: running the Seattle branch of her family’s legendary Chicago patisserie. The competition is stiff. Until high-end coffee importer Everett Myers comes up with a sinfully tempting proposition.The finest ingredients. Limited distribution. Everett knows the secrets of success. Joining forces with the alluring pastry chef is making the millionaire widower believe in second chances. And when Mariah unveils her secret weapon—a decadent new dessert—he knows they’re a winning team. But the single father can’t coast on sugar-coated fantasies. Is Mariah prepared to reveal the secret that could cost her a future with Everett?
The Wyoming CowboyEx-Marine Carson Lundgren's Wyoming ranch is a place where families of fallen war heroes can find joy and healing. The wounded vet is eager to give back, while rebuilding his own life. The last thing he expected is to fall for his first guest and her young son.Widow Tracy Baretta and six-year-old Johnny have been struggling since losing their husband and father. When they meet Carson, his strength, patience and generosity – along with how great he looks on a horse – leads little Johnny to call him “king of the cowboys”. They’ve fallen in love with the place…and maybe with the man himself.But is she just looking for a surrogate father? Or could this incredible cowboy really be the one who’ll make her and her son believe in love again?A Family for the Rugged RancherInstant family…just add one father!Gruff rancher Luke Evans’s new live-in housekeeper comes with an unexpected addition…a small son. Emily may be pretty—and even Luke has to grudgingly admit little Sam’s quite cute—but a family is not on this die-hard bachelor’s wish list. Luke’s plan? To spend as much time away from the house as possible. But, slowly charmed by Emily’s sunny smile and Sam’s infectious giggle, Luke begins to wonder if there might be room on his ranch, and in his heart, for a family after all.The Man Who Had EverythingGrant Clifton is one of the most eligible bachelors in Thunder Canyon. This rancher turned business whiz makes women melt like Montana snow on a hot summer day! And Grant’s many charms definitely aren’t lost on Stephanie Julen—the beautiful young foreman of Grant’s family ranch.Grant and Steph have known each other forever, and the senseless tragedy that shattered both their lives years ago gave them a lasting bond. But the Canyon’s golden boy has always thought of shy Steph as a little sister. So what will happen when he realizes she’s all grown up!
Nothing can stop the sizzling attraction within these three storiesNo Desire Denied by Cara SummersNell MacPherson is determined to write her next book and hoping that time alone with her childhood crush, secret service agent Reid Sutherland, will ignite her desires. He’s there to do a job – to protect Nell – but it’s proving difficult to resist the woman in need.One More Kiss by Katherine GarberaSince her divorce, cupcake queen Alysse Dresden prefers baking to boys…until a phone order from a sexy-voiced stranger melts her insides like butter – there’s only been one man whose voice had such an effect: her mysterious, gorgeous ex-husband…Second-Chance Seduction by Kate CarlisleConnor MacLaren’s former sweetheart has returned, desperate for help, and he knows just how to get her out of his system once and for all… He’ll make Maggie pose as his fake girlfriend. Soon they are both breathless with desire, but then Connor’s plan backfires – it leaves them both wanting more!
A COWBOY FOR CHRISTMASWith two kids and an active life, widow Faith Dustin only wants peace and quiet for Christmas. But her snowy Pine Gulch ranch is nothing but chaotic. All that keeps Faith going is her helpful neighbor, cowboy Chase Brannon. He's always been «good ol' Chase,» her faithful friend. Until he kisses her under the mistletoe…Years ago Chase blew his chance with the woman he's loved since childhood. Now he's determined to step out of the friend zone…and into the role of husband. But the scared and stubborn Faith won't let herself fall. With Christmas just days away, Chase will need all the magic of the season—and the help of her two matchmaking children—to unwrap a second chance at love.
Joan Johnston’s beloved Whitelaw boys have been branding hearts for over a decade.Celebrate the return of Hawk’s Way’s sexiest cowboys with these classic tales…Hawk's Way: FaronFaron Whitelaw had some nerve calling Belinda Prescott a princess. A nearly bankrupt ranch was hardly a castle, and Faron, an ill-tempered cowboy who’d inherited half her kingdom, was certainly no prince. Faron became spitting mad when Belinda informed him about the truth of his parentage: he wasn’t one of the Whitelaws of Texas. He wanted to believe that she was nothing more than a gold digger, but all she seemed to want was him…Hawk's Way: GarthGarth Whitelaw couldn’t understand why a rich Texas debutante like Candy Baylor would want to train horses. But she looked darn sexy in worn jeans with hay in her hair, so who was he to judge? Candy had no idea why Garth was suddenly so agreeable, but she wasn’t about to look a gift horse in the mouth. Besides, her instructors in school had never been so ruggedly handsome as this wrangler…and she wouldn’t mind engaging in some horseplay!
Preserving nature. Growing love. Can they do both?Grace Huber has no interest in taking over the reins of her father’s successful development company. Instead, she’s busy building a dream of her own: A “green” housing community in Wisconsin’s Sparrow Lake. Educator and conservationist Caleb Blackthorne is not only on the same page, the handsome single father tempts goal-oriented Grace to take time out to smell the flowers. But Caleb’s rebellious teenage daughter keeps throwing obstacles in their path. And when Caleb’s long-gone ex-wife shows up, along with rumors of ghostly sightings that threaten the future of Green Meadows, Grace fears she may lose all the things that matter most to her.