No one is going to tear down the farmland that's been in Crystal's family since the turn of the 20th century - especially not the multimillion dollar suits behind Welco Industries. And until Welco's president meets with her, Crystal wages a fiery one-woman protest to prove she means business. When he finally appears, Douglas Wellington III is far from the elderly curmudgeon she expected. Crystal issues a challenge: spend one week on the land he wants to destroy. He agrees, if only to be alone with her.
Make your heart merry and unwrap these delightful stories of seasonal romance.
A CHRISTMAS LAYOVER Rochelle Alers When Navy SEAL Captain Noah Crawford and elementary school teacher Sierra Nelson meet on a plane headed east from San Diego, they're glad to pass the time in friendly conversation. But when a freak storm grounds them, Sierra offers Noah a place to spend the night-with her extended family, all of whom assume they're a couple. And as the holiday spirit infuses every moment they spend together, they both begin to wonder if a relationship is a special gift they didn't expect.
THE CHRISTMAS LESSON Cheris Hodges Kayla Matthews isn't looking forward to heading home this Christmas. Divorced and struggling, nothing has turned out the way she expected-including her childhood friend, DeShawn Carter. Now the high school principal, he's also the kind of man she's always dreamed about. But before the holidays are over, Kayla has a chance to reclaim everything she once thought she wanted-or prove to DeShawn that they have a second chance worth celebrating.
CHRISTMAS WITH YOU Pamela Yaye Celebrity stylist Maya Malone can't find anything joyous about the season, not since her ex-fiance left her on Christmas Eve. But one look at suave, sexy sports agent Marc Cunningham is almost enough to change her mind. Their instant attraction feels like the best sort of present, except for one very large obstacle-Maya's NFL star big brother, Marc's new client. It will take more than holiday spirit to convince everyone involved that Marc and Maya's connection will make the angels sing.
For the three very different Richardson sisters, continuing their family's renowned bed-and-breakfast legacy is already a formidable job. But unexpected desire will challenge them in ways they never imagined . . . Sportswriter Nina Richardson had the perfect life away from her family's famous shadow. But a social media blowup and rejection by her boyfriend brought her back to their peaceful Charleston, South Carolina B&B to figure out what went wrong. So there's no way she's going to trust the crazy-hot sparks flying between her and handsome new employee Clinton Jefferson. It's just reckless, rip-his-clothes-off, one-night-and-forget-it lust-right? Fresh from working for the Richardsons' biggest rival, Clinton wants to show his modernization ideas aren't sabotage or a gimmick. Getting involved with the rebellious Nina means trouble for sure-but he can't resist showing this stubborn, fiery woman how she should be loved. But false accusations and Nina's returned ex shake their passion-and fragile trust-to the core. Now between cascading obstacles and conflicting loyalties, can Clinton and Nina untangle what they really want in time?
When club owner Adrian Bryant discovers his biological father is hotel magnate Elliot Crawford, his life unravels. Shunned by Crawford while he and his mother struggled, Adrian hatches a high-profile plan to destroy the Crawford name-and the reputations of his two half-brothers. But to shield the woman he loves from the hell he intends to unleash, Adrian has to let her go. Photographer Dana Singleton is heartbroken and confused by Adrian's behavior. But just when she's given up on their relationship, she begins to discover the truth-and a dark side of Adrian she never knew existed. As the stakes get higher, she will have to ask herself if she can love a man who is capable of such vengeance-or if he can learn to forgive ...
Celebrated author Cheris Hodges pens romantic tales that hit all the right notes. In Recipe for Desire, Marie Charles' party-girl days come to a screeching halt with a DWI arrest and a totaled Jaguar. Sentenced to 500 hours of community service at a local women's shelter, her only bright spot is a fellow volunteer, TV star Devon Harris. But Devon wants nothing to do with Marie and her selfish ways'until her work at the shelter has her turning over a new leaf.
Elite investigator Zoe Harrington isn't about to be fooled twice. She knows all the tempting by-any-means-necessary games FBI agent Carver Banks will use to close a case. So when he needs her help with a missing person case, she's happy to charge him double the fee-and keep his sizzling moves at arm's length. But when the search strikes too close to home, Zoe finds the passion between them reigniting past the danger point. Carver doesn't want to deceive Zoe again. He's never stopped wanting the sexy private detective who can match him play for passionate play. But she's at the top of a hit list. And he'll do whatever it takes to keep her out of harm's way-until Zoe uncovers his true agenda. Now, how can he prove his love for her is real? And with time running out, will their one chance to survive mean losing each other forever?
For hopeless romantic Sylvie Gates, there's nothing quite as magical as a New Year's Eve kiss. So as the clock nears midnight at her best friend's party, Sylvie makes a beeline for the sexiest guy in the room. A happily-ever-after would be nice of course, but Sylvie's trying to live in the moment. Plus, she's about to begin the biggest project of her interior design career, so she better just enjoy her last night of freedom . . .
Newly appointed CEO of troubled Jordan Industries, Erik Jordan expects New Year's Eve is the last night off he'll have all year-and the billionaire plans to make the most of it. Locking lips with gorgeous Sylvie is just the beginning of an unforgettably steamy night together. But the fact that she steals his signature move and slips away in the morning is only the first surprise. The second is running into her again-at her job remodeling his company. Is it coincidence-or the power of a perfectly-timed kiss? With the electricity still crackling between them, and some major challenges ahead of them, they'll find out before the year is through . . .
Contains mature themes.
A refuge in good times and bad, there's nothing the four very different Richardson sisters won't do to sustain their family's legacy-a historic bed-and-breakfast in Charleston, South Carolina. Now, as one sister celebrates new love, another's heart is sorely tested . . . One night only-that's all Robin Richardson-Baptiste will give the husband she once adored. She thought nothing could shatter their storybook marriage-not illness or a life-saving operation that left her unable to have children. For her husband, Dr. Logan Baptiste, told her in a thousand unspoken ways their love was all he needed. But now, in the face of overwhelming evidence, his co-worker, Kamrie, claims Logan fathered her son. Logan can't recall what happened with Kamrie-and DNA never lies. He does know he's never stopped loving his gentle, courageous wife. But doing whatever it takes to uncover the truth, and save his marriage, not to mention his career, will challenge them like never before. And one night of undivided attention and desire may be the only thing to heal their hearts, reveal all-or shatter things beyond repair . . . PRAISE FOR OWNER OF A BROKEN HEART 'A sexy romp with an undercurrent of emotion.' -Entertainment Weekly 'Sizzling love scenes and a strong sense of family will have readers returning for the next in the series.' -Publishers Weekly
