Fast Fiction Romantic – short stories with a Happy Ever AfterCallie Anderson knows all too well the heartbreak and pain that come from loving a cowboy. Then her editor assigns her a make-or-break article on why women are so gaga over ranchers. Jason Dowcett is mysterious and guarded, yet he might just be the man to show Callie happiness comes in not loving a cowboy, but in loving the right cowboy.
A Change Of HartAfter years of tearing up the rodeo circuit—and shirking his family duties—Colton Hart shouldn’t be surprised that his return to Thunder Ranch has been a bit thorny. His plan to put the Harts' prize stallion, Midnight, back into dangerous rodeo competition doesn’t help.Colt’s stirring up trouble off the ranch as well, especially in Leah Stockton’s heart. Recently divorced, Leah is determined to make a new life for her two kids. The last thing she needs is a man who acts like a child himself. And Leah doesn’t even know about the biggest mistake of Colt’s life.When his shameful secret is revealed, she'll never look at him the same way again. But Colt also realizes it’s past time he acts like the man Leah deserves…whether she wants him or not.
He's back!Two years ago, almost everyone in Canmore, Alberta, thought Dylan McLean was responsible for the death of a teenage girl on his father's ranch. Only Cathleen Shannon believed he was innocent.Then he left her at the altar and fled town. Now Dylan has returned, and he wants a second chance–from the townspeople and Cathleen!Having been jilted on her wedding day, Cathleen is furious when Dylan shows up asking for assistance. But that doesn't mean she wants him paying for a crime he didn't commit. So maybe she will help him clear his name.A second chance at love, though? That's out of the question….Or is it?
He made her an offer she couldn't refuse–but did she ever try!Jake Hartman's heli-skiing operation in the foothills of the Canadian Rockies has been hugely successful. But because of the major outlays he now wants to make, he needs a capital infusion. A bank loan is a nonissue–Jake's not keen on debt. But a silent partner would do the trick.Widowed Maureen Shannon, eldest of the Shannon sisters, has just moved back to the sleepy town of Canmore, hoping that slow-paced living will help mend her deteriorating relationship with her twelve-year-old daughter. Jake's proposal sounds good.But then Jake makes Maureen a second offer–a lasting proposal she's much more reluctant to accept….
Nolan McKinnon is shocked when he's named his niece's guardian. He knows nothing about taking care of a little girl–especially an orphan–but he still would have bet he knew more than Kim Sherman.Kim's a newcomer to Enchantment–one who seems a little too determined not to get involved with anyone. But Nolan can't refuse help, even if it comes from a woman with secrets in her past….
Lindsay Fox and Nathan Fisher couldn't be more different. In fact, she knew after her one-year stint with the NYPD, she'd driven her former partner as crazy as he'd driven her. He was even part of the reason she left the force, although she'd never admit that to him! So she's more than a little surprised when Nathan answers her ad for a new investigator.Working together now they discover a delicious chemistry beneath their differences. Could they actually become more than partners? Then they take on the challenge of an unusual case–one that reminds Lindsay of her own painful past. Her instinct is to push Nathan away. But can she take a bigger risk and let him in?
Jackson Stone will always be grateful to the Lamberts, who took him in when he was just a kid. But since the accident that killed his foster brother, Brock, he stays away from the family at Coffee Creek Ranch.Especially now that Brock’s former fiancée, Winnie Hays, is back in town with her little boy. The simmering attraction between them may surprise Winnie, but Jackson fell for her at first sight years ago. Loyalty and guilt requires he keep his distance…even as their feelings blossom into love. In the end, it’s his own conscience Jackson must master. But with the help of the Lamberts, can this Christmas be a time of healing and a new beginning?
Going Home Shouldn't Be This Hard…Cassidy Lambert traded in Montana's big sky country for the big city lights—forever. Until a potentially devastating equine illness threatens her family's ranch, and Cassidy is needed at home to help. She thinks she knows what she wants from life, but the more she's around sexy veterinarian Dan Farley, the more confused she gets.When Cassidy comes back to the open western landscape Dan loves, she's nothing but a beautiful burr under his saddle. She stomped on his heart once before, and he's not eager for another go-around. But he just can't keep himself away from those green eyes and sweet curves. It's a good thing she'll soon be gone again. Because he can't trust her–or himself–when she's around!
How Can He Not Remember Her?Corb Lambert is ready to marry Laurel Sheridan. She’s pregnant with his baby—and Corb is the type of guy who will do the right thing. He just wishes that he could remember the passion they shared before a terrible accident wiped his memory clean. Laurel can’t decide whether to go or stay.Corb is willing to take on his responsibility, but Laurel can’t bear the thought that he doesn’t remember her, especially since she fell for him, hard. She’s got a life in New York—but her baby deserves a father. Could he love back all over again?Or is she just staying in Montana to give her child a name? Laurel has to know now, because one person can’t do all the loving….
Few people can say they're starring in a real-life version of Romeo and Juliet. And single mom Leigh certainly doesn't want to play the role of disapproving mother. But when her daughter runs off to New Hampshire for a boy she's met over the Internet, it's a discomfiting reminder of Leigh's own past….The problem is Sam Wallace, the boy's father, and his ridiculous notion that love conquers all. Worse still is that Sam could be a pretty darn good (not to mention attractive) distraction for Leigh. But how can Leigh think about herself when her daughter is about to make the worst mistake of her life?
First comes baby, then comes Christmas…and then comes love?Detective Nick Gray loves his baby daughter. But he’s used to police work – not babysitting! So when he suddenly gains custody of the baby, Nick’s life is thrown into chaos. Luckily his neighbour, Bridget, is there to help.As they care for Mandy together, it turns out she and Nick have a lot in common. But is this fun-loving bachelor a candidate for happy ever after? In the season of miracles, anything can happen!
For his children’s sake…Ever since his marriage ended, lawyer Matthew Gray has put his social life on hold to become a better father to his kids. But his gorgeous colleague, Jane Prentice, is difficult to ignore. And as they work together on a tough case, it becomes harder and harder for Matt to keep his distance.When she finds herself falling for him, Jane realises she has to tell Matt the real reason she’s been keeping her distance. And their relationship could be over before it truly begins once he learns her secret…
One missing person. One handsome adventurer.And one big case of mistaken identity: the detective's. Because Nadine Kimble isn't actually a private investigator–she's a receptionist. To prove herself, she's determined to solve her first case without everyone else at the Fox & Fisher Detective Agency or the distracting Patrick O'Neil–her client–finding out.Easier said than done, especially when it's clear she's going to have to traipse across the continent following clues. That's going to involve a lot of lying to her coworkers…and to Patrick, a man she's fast developing very unprofessional feelings for. But once she solves the case, she can come clean and finally act on those feelings. Well, if she solves the case…
In preparation for his new book, author Nick Lancaster has spent years researching the life of murdered jazz singer Simone DeRosier. But one mystery still haunts Nick–who was Simone's «one true friend»?Nick travels to Summer Island, convinced the answer lies with Jennifer March, a lovely and elusive figure in Simone's past. But in order to find the truth, Nick must hide his real purpose from Jennifer–earning her trust even as he betrays it. Now Nick is caught between his work and reputation–and the woman he's fast coming to love…
Heather Sweeney has always wanted a baby. Unfortunately, she's in love with a married man, so her chances don't look good. Then one lonely night she turns to T. J. Collins, who always seems to be there for her when life is at its lowest. A few weeks later Heather discovers that she's about to get her greatest wish–but with the wrong man.Heather and T. J. decide to marry, which makes perfect sense. Even if they're not in love, they've known each other forever. But it doesn't take long before Heather begins to feel as if she's married a stranger.Somehow–for the baby's sake–she has to find a way to make her marriage work. Especially once Heather discovers she may have married the right man after all.
On the rodeo circuit, B.J. Lambert had plenty of chances to forget about his first love.Back in Coffee Creek, it’s impossible. Savannah Moody is as irresistible to B.J. as when they were teens. He’d still do anything for her—except give up the secret he promised to keep. Sheriff Savannah Moody knows B.J. is hiding something. Not his feelings for her—it’s obvious to both of them that the attraction is as strong as ever.But she simply can’t afford to give in. She has her sister to care for, and the family land, and B.J. might be gone tomorrow. She also has a job to do: to pursue the truth and discover what really happened eighteen years ago when a barn burned and man died. Even if it costs her dearly. . . .
He’ll give the world to make his family completeHis daughter needs her mother. And Gavin Gray will do anything for Tory – even reunite with the woman who abandoned them. That’s the only reason they’ve moved to Squam Lake, his ex-wife’s last known address.Now it’s a waiting game. That game has suddenly become more complicated, because of Allison Bennett, the woman he’s falling in love with. But just as their future looks promising, his ex-wife returns – with a secret that will haunt them all.
Kate Cooper cut all ties to her NYPD precinct and dumped her cheating fiancé.Jay Savage has gained custody of his teenage nephew and needs a stable job yesterday.When both are offered the only available position at the Fox & Fisher Detective Agency, the obvious solution is to pit seasoned pro against amateur sleuth. And may the best investigator win. But what happens when this professional competition gets personal? There's no denying the attraction between these adversaries, but they have different dreams for the future. There's more on the line than a simple career change. In this contest, they're playing for the heart.
Candy was wary when Quinn Ellington suggested it would be mutually beneficial for them to marry. She knew her uncle had asked Quinn to look after her while she recovered from an accident. But wasn' t marriage taking it a bit far?Quinn claimed he needed a wife, but he didn' t strike Candy as a man who needed anyone! Many women had tried to get him to the alter… so what really lay behind his proposal?
A dozen roses…then you'll be mineGeorgia Lamont, host of a late-night radio show in Seattle, is used to secret admirers. Her sultry voice gets lonely hearts through the night–especially during the holiday season. But this note–stuck to a single rose–has her spooked. Then you'll be mine. Georgia doesn't like the sound of that.And neither does private investigator Pierce Harding, one of Georgia's fans. When she asks for his help, Pierce is amazed by his reaction to Georgia, who is more homespun innocent than sexy vixen. He's always been all business and kept his emotions under control, but as the letters get more threatening, Pierce has trouble maintaining his distance. His head is telling him to treat Georgia like a client. His heart is telling him something else….
BOTH SIDES NOW…LAUREN HOLLOWAY: The mother of twin daughters, this cashmere-and-pearls housewife has always been careful to do the «right» things in life.ERIN KARMELI: Clad in tight jeans and low-cut tops, she's a vodka-swilling, straight-shooting single mother who openly admits to making all the «wrong» choices.When her husband leaves her for his «hot» yoga instructor and her so-called perfect life does a 180, Lauren is fairly certain she's hit rock bottom. But then she develops an unlikely friendship with Erin (her new wise-talking neighbor) and Murphy Jones (whose neighborhood diner serves both friendship and fries). With their help, Lauren slowly realizes the only thing she's lost is the barrier to discovering her better half….
Will a small-town solution work for a big-city girl?After her son is seriously injured in a car accident, Julie Matthew wants two things: for him to regain his health and for her family to return to normal. What a shock when she learns that Russell, her husband, sees normal as a rut. His solution? To move their family from Vancouver back to the tiny rural town in Saskatchewan where he grew up.It's for the sake of their child, he claims, and a guilty conscience leads Julie, who loves big cities, to go along with his plan. But once in Chatsworth, she begins to suspect that Russell has his own interests at heart. Especially after she sees him and his former girlfriend together at the school where they'll both be teaching.And that's not the only surprise her husband has for her!
It happened one night…Aidan Wythe and Rae Cordell had one incredible night together–just before Aidan transferred Rae, his star VP, to Pittsburgh. Now, more than eight months later, Aidan arrives on Summer Island to spend his vacation. But instead of the empty house he' s expecting, Aidan finds Rae. He' s even more shocked to see that she' s pregnant–with his child!Rae never planned on children. She' s decided on adoption for her baby, but Aidan' s reappearance in her life makes her question that decision.And Aidan? He has to question his feelings about everything now–the woman, the baby, his future. Whatever happens, things won' t be the same when he and Rae leave the island….
TWINS: They're definitely not two of a kindShe needs answers: With uncanny accuracy Amalie knows the exact moment her identical twin is swept away by an avalanche in the Canadian Rockies. What she doesn't know is what her timid, unathletic sister was doing up in the mountains in the first place. For everyone's sake, Amalie is determined to find out.He's the man who can give them to her: Grant Thoriow, manager of the Avalanche Control Section at Rogers Pass, British Columbia, can help her. But he wishes Amalie had stayed put in Toronto. Her sister, it seems, caused nothing but troubie in the two months she iived at the Pass. The iast thing he wants is Amaiie here in town, kicking up a fuss.Especially once it becomes clear to both of them that he can give her more than just answers about her sister–and she wants more than that, too.