Time is running out for Bailey Keehan. The sleepy little town of Birch Falls has been lovely, but now her dark past is catching up to her. Living everyday looking over her shoulder, keeping herself separate from everyone she meets, and unwilling to endanger anyone by getting close to them weighs heavily on her.
Until Conlan O'Leary steps in to lend a guiding hand to the lovely, lonely, wary young waitress in his employ and his grandson Michael. Conlan has to intervene before the restlessness that's plagued the former Army Ranger leads him to wander away from Birch Falls again. Convinced that Bailey is in some kind of trouble, Mr. O'Leary asks Michael to find out what the trouble might be, and help her, if he can.
Michael suspects his grandfather has an ulterior motive; after all, the man has been known to play matchmaker. But Michael soon realizes there's a lot more to the pretty server than meets the eye. Not only is she on the run, she's also the one woman he's been waiting for his entire lifetime and never truly expected to find, his heart, his croie.
Contains mature themes.
Carpe Diem is more than just a catchy phrase to Stacey Mallory. At least it was, until the near-fatal accident that took the use of her legs and changed her life forever. Stacey would do anything to dive once again into cool blue waters from a towering cliff, or feel the wind in her face as she opens up the throttle of her sleek, sporty motorcycle. To dance under the moonlight in the arms of a strong, sexy man.
To escape her new reality, Stacey reinvents herself as Salienne Dulcette, the reclusive author of steamy erotic romances, and lives life vicariously through her characters. Writing about life isn't the same as living it, but until her miracle comes through, it's all she has.
Johnny Connelly is loving life. His construction business is booming, he's surrounded by family and friends, and there's plenty of women willing to keep him company. So why does he feel like something's missing?
When his sister's college roommate comes to town for a visit, Johnny thinks he may have found that answer. Stacey is smart, sassy, and sexy as hell. She manages to do what no other woman has-she not only lights a fire in his blood, but she touches his ragged soul in the process.
Contains mature themes.
Celina: When Celina Connelly meets Jamie McCullough, she knows right away that he's a great guy. He's handsome, intelligent, thoughtful, and treats her well . . . but it's not enough. Celina is saving herself for the all-inclusive, heart-pounding, breath-stealing kind of magic that comes with finding the right one-the kind she feels when she meets Jamie's brother, Kyle.
Jamie: Betrayed doesn't begin to describe what Jamie McCullough feels when he discovers the woman who declined his marriage proposal has accepted another's-his own brother's! Hurt and angry, Jamie finds himself in the warm and welcoming cafe of Amy's Book Shoppe.
Amy's been attracted to Jamie's All-American good looks and gentlemanly demeanor since the first time she laid eyes on him. She's all for lending a sympathetic ear from the friend zone, but Amy refuses to be a rebound. She admits she wants more-when and if he's ready.
After a bit of soul-searching (and some hilarious advice from a trio of middle-aged romance authors), Jamie finally realizes that sometimes, those lemons life gives you can make some pretty sweet lemonade.
Contains mature themes.
All his life, Jack Callaghan has been a fighter and a survivor. For his country-as a Navy SEAL in Vietnam. For his family-as the proud son of immigrants, a fierce friend, beloved husband, and father of seven strapping sons. For his life-in war, in covert ops, and now unexpectedly stricken by a shadow that's loomed over the Callaghan men for generations. Jack's most recent brush with death brings back a lifetime of memories in vivid, realistic detail. The best times of his life, as well as the worst. Through it all, he's always fought the good fight, because he's always had people depending on him. But now, his sons are grown with families of their own. They run the Pub, the Team, and the family, as well. After twenty-five years without his croie, he's tired . . . tired of fighting, tired of existing without her. Especially when he is so close to seeing his Kathleen again. Contains mature themes.
Control. Aidan Harrison likes it. Needs it. As CEO of the hugely successful Celtic Goddess franchise, he wields it as skillfully in the boardroom as he does the bedroom. It's made him millions and put him at the top of his game. He wants for nothing. Except a woman who is more interested in him than his bottom line. As a close friend of the Callaghan family, he's witnessed the croie phenomena seven times over in as many years. Dare he hope that by shedding his public persona, he might find a soul mate of his own? A woman capable of taking his inner beast and leaving his wealth, power, and prestige? Everything about Mary O'Rourke is average. Brown hair, brown eyes, average height and weight. There is absolutely nothing remarkable about her, except her compassion. She has spent her entire life taking care of others: her father, her husband, her man-crazy mother. She wishes that just once, someone would take care of her. When a gorgeous stranger suddenly appears New Year's Eve, she's not sure what to think. He's a walking contradiction. Aidan does things to her no man has ever done, and she likes it. But can she trust him with her heart? Contains mature themes.
Sometimes the biggest obstacle to overcome is yourself. Kieran Callaghan has it all. As the sole remaining single male of the Callaghan clan, he is drawing a lot of female attention. Not only is the former SEAL easy on the eyes and the poster boy for BodyWorks, the fitness center he owns/operates, but he is a genuinely nice guy with a white-knight complex. The only thing he doesn't have is the one thing he wants most: a croie with which to share his life. Faith O'Connell is a young, single mom hoping for a fresh start for her and her teenage son. Life hasn't been easy, but they've managed. Once forced to live off the charity of others, she is determined to make it on her own. When Kieran shows up on her doorstep, Faith is quite sure she's met the perfect man. He might just be the best friend she's ever had, and her son adores him. But they come from two vastly different worlds, and Faith knows it can't be anything more. She's already been down that road once, and has the scars to prove it. Kieran doesn't care about any of that. Faith is his. And he will convince her that when you find your croie, nothing else matters. Contains mature themes.
Shane Callaghan is used to drawing female attention, but this is the first time a woman actually drooled over him. From the moment he spotted the pretty blonde catching a few z's during his lecture, a spark ignited deep in his chest. And each minute he spends with the gentle-hearted kindergarten teacher only fans the flames. Lacie McCain is not the type of woman to be easily smitten, but as soon as the gorgeous lawyer turns those beautiful blues her way, she is a goner. His quiet intensity and gentlemanly charm are impossible to resist. Shane and Lacie are meant to be together. Everyone can see that. Everyone except the one who is determined to keep them apart. Contains mature themes.
They call him the Iceman. The eldest of seven brothers, he is the biggest. The coldest. The meanest. No one has been able to break through the icy shield Kane Callaghan has built around himself. No one except the tiny, stubborn woman willing to sacrifice herself for him. She haunts his dreams, but he has no idea who she is. Where she is. Or if he'll ever see her again. Rebecca Harrison spent the last twelve years with humanitarian relief organizations, travelling to some of the hardest hit areas of the world, but none has ever affected her as much as that tiny village in Africa. Because of him. Fierce and beautiful and terrible, she can't get him out of her mind. Kane. The avenging archangel who appeared out of nowhere, saving her from a fate worse than death. The one she was forced to leave behind. Worlds apart, they are bound by the events of that one horrible night, though the chances of ever meeting again are too small to dare even hope. Of course, neither one realizes just how clever Fate can be . . . Contains mature themes.
Monsters do exist. Nicki Milligan knows all about monsters. She lives with them. Fights them every day. She doesn't have time for distractions, especially not the incredibly hot alpha-male who seems to have taken an interest and knows just how to push her buttons. In coming to Pine Ridge, she hopes to finally fulfill a childhood vow she made to her twin brother years earlier-because no child should have to endure what they did. Ex-SEAL Sean Callaghan always knew that no ordinary woman would do it for him. When he encounters Nicki Milligan in his garage, it is lust at first sight. She is his every dark fantasy wrapped up in one sexy package. It doesn't take him long to figure out that she's so much more than that. Or that there's a lot more to Nicki than meets the eye. Sean knows he's tough, but Nicki might just be tougher. Now he just has to convince her that they were made for each other. Contains mature themes.
Maggie Flynn has always been a good girl. She leads a simple life and believes in helping others. Under normal circumstances, she would never even consider performing the dance of the seven veils at a bachelor party. But when her best friend begs for help and waves the promise of much-needed cash in her face, Maggie reluctantly agrees to step outside of her comfort zone and relax her lofty standards a little. Most doctors don't make house calls anymore, including Michael Callaghan. But he's willing to make an exception when the pretty redhead with the jewel-like green eyes takes a header off the stage at his brother's bachelor party. Something about her piques his masculine interest, and it's not just her dancing. Lightning hits the Callaghan clan a third time when Michael and Maggie find themselves snowbound during a classic nor'easter, but their bond is soon tested when Michael is forced to choose between following his finely-honed instincts and respecting Maggie's wishes. It's a hell of a choice. Either way, he could lose her forever. Contains mature themes.
Lexi O'Connell has secretly been in love with Ian Callaghan for more than ten years. So when she returns to Pine Ridge and he turns those sexy crystal blue eyes her way, she doesn't have a hope of resisting, even if she knows it can only be for one night. Even if it will break her heart. Because while she would know him anywhere, he doesn't even recognize her. Ian Callaghan is mischievous, playful, and irresistible to women. When he sets his sights on the attractive young woman who has been discreetly staring at him, he doesn't think twice about seducing her. It wasn't supposed to be more than one night. And falling in love with her was definitely not part of the plan. A few days is all Ian needs to know that Lexi is The One. His croie. His soul mate. And he doesn't understand how she can just walk away. But what Ian doesn't understand might just kill her. Contains mature themes.
Taryn Malone is stranded, broke, and desperate for help. But even if the sexy bartender she's been eyeing offers her a job for the evening . . . even if he seduces her with his impossibly intense blue eyes . . . even if every fiber of her heart tells her to stay with him, she can't. Because Taryn Malone doesn't exist. Jake Callaghan has been running the family's Irish pub for years now. When he sees Taryn standing out alone in the rain, he does what he's been trained to do as a SEAL-he rescues her. It has nothing to do with her full, firm curves, or her loose, golden-blonde hair, or the way she brushes against him that sends lightning bolts through his body. It's just the right thing to do. Really. But both Taryn and Jake are hiding secrets from each other. Dangerous secrets. And neither one of them knows just how dangerous it can be to fall in love . . . Contains mature themes.
