Bøger af Violet Rae

A heartwarming modern retelling of Cinderella.ElliOnce upon a time ...That's how these things are supposed to go, right? Except, my life is no fairy tale. I don't have pumpkins or mice, but I do have an evil stepfather and stepbrothers. Those lazy good-for-nothings spend all day living in my house on my dime, sweeping up what small pay-checks I earn from my job as a maid at the Mountain Ridge Resort. Then I meet Noah, the sexiest man I've ever laid eyes on. When he invites me back to his cabin, I throw caution to the wind and escape the reality that is my life for one amazing night in his arms. But when the morning comes, will my impulsive decision leave me yearning for a man I can never have?NoahI work too much, according to, well, everyone. So, when the opportunity to combine a wedding invitation with a vacation presents itself, I take it. When I find a beautiful woman dancing around the cabin I've hired, her stunning eyes and swift reflexes bring me to my knees. It's safe to say I've never met anyone like Elli, and within minutes, I know she's it for me. My life in the city will be incomplete unless I can convince the maiden who's cast a spell on me-and my heart-that we can have a happily ever after all of our own.

Can the bubbly PA convince the grumpy hockey enforcer that love heals all wounds?HarrisonI'm not gonna lie. As a professional hockey enforcer, I've never backed down from a good fight. But while my bad boy reputation on the ice is warranted, when it comes to women, nothing could be further from the truth. Then I crash into Jessica Solomon, the curvy, goddess who lights my lamp with one look from those baby blues. I hope she's ready to be claimed now she's melted the ice around my heart because I plan on keeping my blonde angel ... forever.JessicaI don't know the first thing about hockey, but when I'm tasked to obtain complimentary tickets for one of the Ice Giants biggest games of the season, I need to learn ... fast. And where better to start than at a game? I never expect to run head first into one of the players, a mountain of a man who steals my breath and my sanity. Harrison Tensly is a triple whammy of manly goodness - big, bossy, and breathtakingly masculine. Just like that, I'm in way over my head, and hockey is the last thing on my mind...

Can the curvy redhead with a dark past teach the growly ogre with a broken soul that even "monsters" deserve to be loved?GregorI've been alone for a long time, living a solitary existence in my cabin in the woods. My dream of falling in love and raising a family turned to ashes following the accident that turned me into a monster. What woman would want a future with a hideous beast?But when I rescue a beautiful redhead in peril, my heart and soul scream mine. Arya's emerald-green eyes and delectable curves spark desires I thought were long dead. She doesn't look at me with fear or disgust, and her soft touch makes me believe we're the only two beings in the world.Arya is my salvation, but I know we can never be together. A woman as loving and innocent as Arya deserves far better than a monster like me.AryaEscaping the "prison" where I grew up, I flee into Screaming Woods. But I never expected to escape one monster only to run head-first into another. I'm alone, injured, and desperate, and I've heard the terrifying rumors of the beastly beings living in these woods. Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine my rescuer would be ... an ogre?Despite his growly demeanor, Gregor carries me protectively to his cabin in the woods and gently tends to my injuries. Our bond extends beyond physical appearances, but can I convince my possessive ogre that his heart is pure and the real monsters are those still hunting me down?

Can the jaded rock star convince the shy girl with the voice of an angel that he wants her as more than his singing partner... he wants her as his partner for life?MackI've been a solo artist for years, but lately, something's out of tune. I've given the industry my all but I'm ready to hang up my guitar. Then I meet her. Harmony is beautiful with the voice of an angel. The second I hear her, I know I've found my missing note. She's the music to my soul that hasn't played in years.HarmonySinging is my secret passion. I've daydreamed about performing on stage to an audience ever since I was a little girl. But crippling anxiety prevents my daydream from becoming a reality. Then a chance "meeting" with Mack changes everything. He's all I've ever wanted in a man. Not only is he a talented musician, but he also calms my demons and silences my negative thoughts, allowing my voice to become my perfect instrument. But when he asks me to form a singing duet with him, will we write a broken melody or compose the Perfect Harmony?

Can the ex-con and his adorable Corgi convince their wary, love-shy soulmate that love is worth the risk?JonasI'm not a bad guy. My police record would have you think I am, but only Missy, the furry love of my life, knows what's really in my heart. After getting out of prison, I'm looking to leave the past behind and move forward into the future with my cute, loyal corgi at my side. I have a new job, a new place, and a new life. With my head on straight, nothing is going to up-end my life again-until I meet Megan.It's love at first sight - for me, and for Megan and Missy. My two girls have a shared past of abuse, and I'm just the man to help them overcome it. But getting into a new relationship is tricky, especially when things take a dangerously familiar turn with the return of Megan's unstable ex. I won't stand by and watch Megan get hurt but protecting her means putting myself in a position I never wanted to face again.Can I risk everything, including my freedom, for love?

A handy collection of the first four books in the Possessive Hearts series:The Possessive CowboyThe Possessive VetThe Possessive HusbandThe Possessive GardenerEach story comes with a healthy dollop of steam and satisfaction guaranteed!

Can the growly ex-veteran convince his feisty soulmate that she's beautiful inside and out? Or will a misunderstanding keep them apart?SuziWhen a client offers me her beach house for the summer in exchange for my decorating skills, I jump at the chance. After all, giving the tired interior a lick of paint is a small price to pay for a month of sun, sea, and sand. But when a big, tattooed, mountain of a man tries to climb into bed with me one night, things take a decidedly unexpected turn.A mix up with the rental company means that Frank Russo has also hired the beach house for the summer. Frank and I have history, and I didn't come here looking for a holiday romance, but the sinfully sexy biker gets my engine throbbing and my spark plugs exploding. The way his dark gaze lingers on me sends my heart into overdrive - which is why I should say no when Frank suggests we share the beach house for the summer. I mean, how hard can it be? Him on his side and me on mine. No problem. Easy peasy...

MaggieNo one is more surprised than me to hear Triple Threat - the hottest band in Country Western music - playing my song at their concert.A song I wrote four years ago.A song they stole from me.In a spur-of-the-moment decision, I leave my hometown for the bright lights of NYC to claim what's rightfully mine. But when I meet Tanner, Theo, and Noah, I soon discover that all the sinfully sexy musicians want is to claim me.It's wrong to want all three of them - isn't it?I went to the city that never sleeps to claim the rights and royalties to my song. I never expected to find myself giving away the rights and royalties to my heart.One night at Club Sin, and Triple Threat is about to become triple pleasure.

One innocent interior designer + one growly TV star + one sheet-gripping night of passion = 2 pink lines.OliviaWhen I inherit my late grandpa's house, the last thing I expect to find is a sexy stranger already in residence.Dalton is tall, rugged, and charming ...but we're world's apart.Still, It's only a matter of time before the chemistry between us blazes out of control, and one blissful, sheet-gripping night leads to two blue lines and a sudden change of priorities.DaltonMy new landlady is breathtakingly tempting...and completely off-limits.Keeping my hands to myself is going to be tough, especially now that we're both sleeping under the same roof.Trouble is, I don't want to keep my hands to myself...I want to put them all over Olivia's delectable body.I know one night will never be enough with the woman who's unexpectedly claimed my heart.But when the threat that's been lurking catches up with me, I stand to lose everything I've ever loved...

Four books from the Possessive Hearts series in one handy collection.The Possessive DoctorThe Possessive DaddyThe Possessive BikerThe Possessive ConvictEach story promises a healthy dollop of steam and satisfaction guaranteed.

AdamI promised the woman who practically raised me that I'd take care of her property following her death. More importantly, I swore to protect her granddaughter from the man trying to take control of the estate. Marrying Belle is a small price to pay to give Cora peace of mind in her final days. After all, it'll be a marriage on paper only, just until Belle turns twenty-one and inherits her grandmother's estate. Then we'll go our separate ways. Simple.Until our wedding day, when I see Belle for the first time in years. Gone is the skinny girl with frizzy hair and retainers. In her place is a blue-eyed, blonde temptress. Suddenly, things don't feel quite so...simple.This marriage is supposed to be platonic. A means to an end. But one look at Belle and I know keeping my hands off my new bride will be the toughest challenge of my life.Belle has no idea how beautiful and effortlessly sexy she is. Controlling my ever-growing desire for her proves harder with each passing day. I want her-not just on paper, or in name only. I want her as my wife...in every sense of the word.

Three Claiming Series stories in one handy collection...Claiming PoppyJensenEveryone thinks I have the perfect life, but they couldn't be more wrong. I've sacrificed a lot to salvage the family business and I need a solution. Fast. When help comes in the shape of delectable financial consultant Poppy Parsons, I'm amazed to discover that the curvy beauty is the same woman who literally fell into my arms weeks ago. Her soft curves and emerald-green eyes tipped my world off its axis, but she was gone before I could even catch my breath, taking my heart with her. Now, fate has thrown her into my path once more, and this time I'm not letting her go until I've claimed her - body and soul.PoppyWhen I'm assigned to help a client in financial crisis, I'm shocked to discover that Jensen Lockhart is none other than the gorgeous stranger I've been obsessing about for weeks. Jensen is handsome, funny... and sexy as hell. He says he wants me, that I'm his perfect woman, but I've been burned in love before and promised myself I'd never give a man that kind of power again. I'm here to save Jensen's business, but he might just end up saving me.Claiming ShelbyShelbyWhen I get the call that my beloved Grandpa is on his deathbed, I leave Houston and head to New York to be with him, knowing every moment is precious. Losing my mentor to cancer shatters me, and my grief threatens to overwhelm me. When a random stranger notices my distress and buys me coffee as his good deed for the day, I push him away. He may be the most handsome man I've ever seen, but love and romance are the last things on my mind.TonyOffering to buy the beautiful angel a coffee is an impulsive move. I saw her leave the hospital and the grief in her blue eyes tells me she's just lost a loved one. I know all about grief, and I also know my soulmate when I see her. But my mysterious angel wants no part of me or my coffee, and she's gone before I get her name. Fate, however, has other plans and throws her in my path again - and this time, I'm never letting her go.Claiming ChristmasConnorWhen I took the position of deputy sheriff in the small town of Garland, Colorado, I just wanted to forget the horror I left behind in Houston, and fulfil the oath I took as an officer of the law to protect and serve. The last thing I expected was to find my perfect woman in the shape of beautiful sheriff's assistant, Jessica Monroe. Now all I need to do is convince her that she's all I want - not just for Christmas, but for life.JessicaConnor Banks is kind, generous, and strong. He's also the most gorgeous man I've ever laid eyes on, but I know he'd never look twice at a woman like me - a woman with too many curves and a crippling lack of confidence due to my ex-boyfriend's cruel comments. But when the weather outside turns frightful, Connor and I find ourselves snowed in together at the station. With just our body heat to keep us warm, it's beginning to look a lot like ... love.

Can the vivacious, big-hearted salesgirl teach the lonely billionaire that there's one thing money can't buy?EvaI'm no stranger to hardship, but I refuse to allow life to drag me down. I love my job as a sales assistant at the prestigious Sutherland's Department Store, even if it will never make me rich. There's something to be said for earning an honest living and bringing a little joy to the customers I meet.However, when I'm tasked with training the new guy, I begin to wonder what I've let myself in for. He's big, burly, and all kinds of irresistible. He's my work colleague and years older than me, but my racing heart and quivering body haven't got the "don't mix business with pleasure" memo.Can I risk my hard-won independence for a man who should be off-limits?MaxAs the sole owner of Sutherland's, the weight of continuing my family legacy falls squarely on my hefty shoulders. I've taken my eye off the ball since the death of my father, and it's clear from the millions in dwindling profits that I'm out of touch. I need to make some changes, and the only way to do that is from within.When I go undercover as a sales associate in the London store, I'm shocked at what I discover. But the biggest revelation of all is Eva Starling, the curvy bundle of energy assigned to "train" me. She's a ball of sunshine I never saw coming and warms the cold, empty spaces in my heart. The second I see Eva, everything in me screams mine.But will the very circumstances that brought us together tear us apart when she learns my true identity?

CallumI've built my IT business from the ground up with equal amounts of hard work and dedication, making me one of the youngest billionaires in San Antonio at thirty years of age. I have everything money can buy... except the one thing it can't - the love of a good woman. But when a brunette goddess with striking hazel-green eyes and curves I want to lose myself in walks into my office to interview for the position as my new personal assistant, it takes me a split second to realize that she's the missing piece of my heart. All I need to do now is convince her that I'm the missing piece of hers.LilyNo one is more surprised than me when IT genius, Callum Rogen, hires me as his personal assistant on the spot. There's just one problem... Callum is everything I've ever wanted in a man. Tall, hot, and far too sexy for his own good, I want to do things with him that are definitely not part of my job description. I have more reason than most to make sure things stay on a purely professional level but it's only a matter of time before the chemistry between us explodes into something less like business and far more like pleasure.

JensenEveryone thinks I have the perfect life, but they couldn't be more wrong. I've sacrificed a lot to salvage the family business and I need a solution. Fast. When help comes in the shape of delectable financial consultant Poppy Parsons, I'm amazed to discover that the curvy beauty is the same woman who literally fell into my arms weeks ago. Her soft curves and emerald-green eyes tipped my world off its axis, but she was gone before I could even catch my breath, taking my heart with her. Now, fate has thrown her into my path once more, and this time I'm not letting her go until I've claimed her - body and soul.PoppyWhen I'm assigned to help a client in financial crisis, I'm shocked to discover that Jensen Lockhart is none other than the gorgeous stranger I've been obsessing about for weeks. Jensen is handsome, funny... and sexy as hell. He says he wants me, that I'm his perfect woman, but I've been burned in love before and promised myself I'd never give a man that kind of power again. I'm here to save Jensen's business, but he might just end up saving me.For Richer, For Poorer?JensenEveryone thinks I have the perfect life, but they couldn't be more wrong. I've sacrificed a lot to salvage the family business and I need a solution. Fast. When help comes in the shape of delectable financial consultant Poppy Parsons, I'm amazed to discover that the curvy beauty is the same woman who literally fell into my arms weeks ago. Her soft curves and emerald-green eyes tipped my world off its axis, but she was gone before I could even catch my breath, taking my heart with her. Now, fate has thrown her into my path once more, and this time I'm not letting her go until I've claimed her - body and soul.PoppyWhen I'm assigned to help a client in financial crisis, I'm shocked to discover that Jensen Lockhart is none other than the gorgeous stranger I've been obsessing about for weeks. Jensen is handsome, funny... and sexy as hell. He says he wants me, that I'm his perfect woman, but I've been burned in love before and promised myself I'd never give a man that kind of power again. I'm here to save Jensen's business, but he might just end up saving me.

KurtBeing a firefighter isn't just a vocation, it's who I am - until an injury on the job sets me on an unfamiliar path. Suddenly, my life has no direction, and my whole future becomes an unfamiliar landscape.Seeking solace in the mountains of Colorado, I try to put my past behind me and start over. There, I rediscover myself between the pages of the steamy romance novels I write. Stories of men finding the women who complete them fuel my soul, but my empty heart still craves its own happy ending.So when a blonde-haired angel in need of my help literally tumbles into my path, I know it's no coincidence, and my future suddenly becomes crystal clear...KatLosing my hearing as a kid left me feeling more disconnected from the world than ever. I've spent my life looking for something, someone who makes me feel whole again - but I never expected to find it in the mountains of Colorado.During a road trip to visit my brother, I take a nasty tumble and end up in the arms of mountain man, Kurt, who rushes me back to his cabin, single-minded in his mission to save me. His nurturing spirit, attentive touch, and intense gaze makes me feel seen and heard in a way I haven't experienced in a long time - if ever.He thinks he's just healing my wounds, when in reality, he's healing his own...and stealing my heart in the process.

It's the most wonderful time of the year...ConnorWhen I took the position of deputy sheriff in the small town of Garland, Colorado, I just wanted to forget the horror I left behind in Houston, and fulfil the oath I took as an officer of the law to protect and serve. The last thing I expected was to find my perfect woman in the shape of beautiful sheriff's assistant, Jessica Monroe. Now all I need to do is convince her that she's all I want - not just for Christmas, but for life.JessicaConnor Banks is kind, generous, and strong. He's also the most gorgeous man I've ever laid eyes on, but I know he'd never look twice at a woman like me - a woman with too many curves and a crippling lack of confidence due to my ex-boyfriend's cruel comments. But when the weather outside turns frightful, Connor and I find ourselves snowed in together at the station. With just our body heat to keep us warm, it's beginning to look a lot like ... love.

JaredFostering the orphaned baby girl I rescued from a burning building isn't part of my plan, but one look at Lola's adorable face and there's no way I can leave her to the mercy of the care system. I know what it's like to be alone, how it feels to lose a loved one, and I won't turn my back on her. But taking care of a six-month-old baby is tough, and it's not long before I'm in over my head. I need help. Fast.The new nanny I hire is supposed to ease my mind, not fill it with lustful thoughts. But Amaya is my idea of perfection, and her loving nature and pure heart set my soul on fire. I want to erase the sadness I see in her eyes, to have her to stay with us forever, not as the nanny, but as Lola's mommy and my wife.AmayaJared's job offer as live-in nanny for his baby daughter seems like a gift from heaven. The only problem is, Lola's dark-eyed daddy is a whole lot of heavenly, too. The sinfully hot firefighter ignites a spark in me that threatens to become an inferno, but I need to keep things professional. Falling in love with Jared would be all too easy but if he ever discovers my secret, any dreams I have of the three of us becoming a real family will be shattered, along with my heart.

The first 3 books of Violet Rae's popular Claiming Series.Claiming IvyIvyI've been in love with Ashton, my father's best friend, since I was eighteen, but I know I don't even register on his radar - until one night when he steps in to deal with my bitter ex-boyfriend hellbent on teaching me a lesson.AshtonI've hidden my feelings from Ivy for years - after all, she's forbidden fruit. Right? Taking her home with me may not be my best decision ever because once she's in my bed...all bets are off.Claiming LilyCallumI've built my IT business from the ground up with equal amounts of hard work and dedication. I have everything money can buy... except the one thing it can't - the love of a good woman. When a brunette goddess walks into my office to interview for the position as my new personal assistant, it only takes a split second to realize that she's the missing piece of my heart. All I need to do now is convince her that I'm the missing piece of hers.LilyNo one is more surprised than me when IT genius, Callum Rogen, hires me as his personal assistant on the spot. There's just one problem... Callum is everything I've ever wanted in a man. Tall, hot, and far too sexy for his own good, I want to do things with him that are definitely not part of my job description but it's only a matter of time before the chemistry between us explodes into something less like business and a lot more like pleasure.Claiming DaisyDaisyThe last thing I expect when I return to my hometown in Colorado is to be accused of stealing by the new sheriff. Drayton Saunders is big, blunt - and totally beddable! But I'm back to take care of my sick mom, not get all hot and bothered over the local sheriff, no matter how unexpectedly sweet and sexy he turns out to be. There's a reason I left Garland three years ago, vowing never to return - but can the love of my sexy sheriff convince me to stay - for good?DraytonMy only priority is ensuring the safety of my residents, which leaves no time for love. Besides, an horrific tour in Yemen has left me with too much baggage and too many scars for most women. My heart has been flatlining for years - until five-and-a-half feet of curvy perfection by the name of Daisy Jenkins breathes new life into the dormant muscle in my chest. But Daisy has scars of her own - scars that sent her running from Garland three years ago. I just hope my love will be enough to persuade her to stay this time, and build a new life here - with me.

Can the younger, bubbly paramedic heal the battle scars of this older, gruff ex-soldier?FletcherWhen I'm honourably discharged from the British Army on medical grounds following a brutal tour in Afghanistan, I use my skills as a combat medic to continue to save lives as a paramedic. I'm confident there's no situation I can't handle ... until I'm teamed up with chirpy Grace Newton. She's everything I'm not - young, idealistic, and brimming with sunshine. Everything about her rubs me the right way, stirring wants and desires I thought were long dead. She should be off-limits - after all, I'm her mentor and work colleague. But one kiss has me wanting Grace's healing hands all to myself for the rest of our lives.GraceWhen I'm teamed up with Fletcher Hardy on my first day as a qualified paramedic, his gruff nature and abrupt manner almost have me rethinking my career choice. I'm no stranger to tortured veterans - my father is one - so I know better than most the mental and emotional toll war takes on a soldier. But as Fletch and I work together, I see a different side to him. His care and compassion draw me in, and I want to soothe the loneliness in his eyes. Before I know it, I'm falling for the tender man with the tough facade, but will my love be enough to heal the wounds I can't see?

LinkI visit Valentine's Kitchen every day, trying to work up the courage to ask Natasha Valentine on a date. Delicious as her bakery's treats are, they don't compare to her sweet curves, ebony hair, and deep-brown eyes. I'm hooked from the first day.When our first date ends disastrously, I'm left wondering where I went wrong. Walking away from her isn't an option because Tasha is unlike any woman I've ever known. I'm drawn to her in ways that go deeper than physical attraction.Tasha thinks her Asperger's is a problem to keep us apart. I see it as a gift, an opportunity to connect, communicate, and understand each other better than many couples have the chance to do. I'll do whatever it takes to be the man she deserves, and earn my place at her side for the rest of our lives.

Maisie's ChoiceCan the battle-scarred ranch foreman win the heart of the shy single mom, and protect her and her son from her dark past?LukeScarred by my past, life has carved a whole new man out of me. A brutal tour in Afghanistan has caused me to withdraw from those closest to me, but my vow to remain on the outskirts of life is suddenly challenged by single mom, Maisie Wilson. Maisie intrigues me. She's polite yet aloof, vulnerable yet fiercely independent. When I inadvertently stumble upon the secret she's been keeping - a secret that, if exposed, could put her and her young son in jeopardy - things suddenly get a whole lot more complicated.MaisieI've sworn off men, but something about Luke Callister draws me in. He makes me feel safe in a way I've never experienced. My vow to keep my distance suddenly fades into insignificance in the face of my growing feelings for him. Can I be the woman he needs, or will my past hold me in emotional shackles for the rest of my life? I may not get the chance to find out because my past is about to catch up with me in a way no one could have foreseen...Callie's ChoiceCan this cocky cowboy convince the prickly, accident-prone bakery assistant he's the man to mend her broken spirit?NateCallie "Calamity" Brookes caused mayhem wherever she went. I had no patience for the prickly, unapproachable woman who lived in a rundown cottage on the edge of town. But following her plea for help one night, I get an unexpected look into her life, forcing me to see her in a different light. There was a whole lot more to Callie than met the eye, and suddenly, I wanted to be the only man she trusted with those secrets... and with her heart.CallieNate Callister was the same as every other man I'd ever met - an arrogant, opinionated a**hole. But when I was faced with an emergency, I had no choice but to call on Nate for help. Suddenly, I was forced to re-evaluate my preconceived impressions of the cocky ranch foreman, and discovered we may have a lot more in common than I cared to admit. As the spark between us ignited into something that looked suspiciously like love, my traumatic past reared its ugly head. Could we still chase a future together? Or would my dark secrets threaten our chance at happiness?

Molly's ChoiceFlynnWhen an injury puts paid to my professional fighting career, I retreat to my hometown to lick my wounds. Angry and bitter at the loss of the only thing I've ever known, I withdraw from the world, becoming as cold and aloof as the Colorado mountains that surround my home. But then I discover the one thing I want more than fighting. I know I have to make some changes - and I'm going to need help from my prim and proper neighbor.MollyNo one is more surprised than me when Flynn Black - my grumpy, reclusive neighbor - comes to me with an unusual request. He's decided he needs help becoming more ... civilized, and that I'm is just the woman for the job. Flynn is coarse and foul-mouthed, yet there's something about the prickly ex-fighter that intrigues me. He's a challenge I can't resist. I think my privileged upbringing has prepared me for anything, but it never prepared me for my growing feelings for the surprisingly sensitive man who lurks beneath Flynn's hard exterior - a man I know can never be mine.Sophie's ChoiceSophieWhen rancher Travis Walker gave me a Colorado-sized brush off, I fled our hometown of Medicine Bow, my heart-broken and my dreams of happily-ever-after in his arms in tatters. Now, years later, I'm back, no longer the naïve sixteen-year-old who offered my heart and soul to Travis that fateful night, but an accomplished veterinary technician with a promising career. Sparks fly when Travis and I are thrown together again following the death of Travis's prize bull under suspicious circumstances, but I won't risk my heart on him again...TravisInheriting my ailing family ranch after the unexpected death of my father uncovered secrets that left me bitter and resentful. My new responsibilities weighed heavily on me, leaving me no option but to push Sophie away. She was the kind of woman who deserved the best in life - something I was in no position to offer her.Now Sophie's back, and I need her help. By the time I realize how much I stand to lose, I know it may take a miracle to win Sophie back. but it's a challenge I'm willing to accept for the woman I want more than my next breath...

JacobI've returned to London to be with my parents on the anniversary of my sister's death when my friends convince me to cut loose and have some fun at the Notting Hill Carnival in London. I should be with my family, but I can't turn down the chance to see my lifelong best friend, Maddie-the woman I've been in love with for as long as I can remember. I've accepted my place in "the friend zone" where she's concerned, but when an opportunity to show her my true feelings arises, I grab it with both hands, both lips, and my whole heart.MaddieAs a nurse, I work long hours. So, when my roommate persuades me to swap my scrubs for a glamorous gown and beautiful mask at the Notting Hill Carnival, I take the opportunity to relax and have fun. Sharing a hot kiss with another masked reveller is unexpected and exciting, but there's something about the sinfully sexy stranger that feels...oddly familiar.I'm pulled from his arms by the crowd just as I realize that my sexy stranger is none other than Jacob, my best friend I haven't seen in almost three years. Circumstances have kept us apart, but Jacob and I share a special bond. I held him while he grieved the loss of his sister. I've shared some of my innermost fears and secrets with him. And now that I've kissed him, I want to tell him another secret-my feelings for him are far from platonic. But can I risk losing the best friend I've ever had for a chance at forever?

Can this silver fox convince his younger soulmate that age is simply a number?BraydenLeilani ignites protective instincts I never knew I had. The second I gaze into her baby blues, I know I'm looking at my future. But she's twenty years younger than me and fighting our shared attraction. Can I convince her that love can overcome any obstacle, and age is only a number?LeilaniLusting after sexy surgeon, Dr. Brayden Manner, is a definite no-no, but my rebellious heart wants to throw caution to the wind. When a car accident lands me in the hospital, and in his capable hands, I'm forced to re-evaluate my priorities. Brayden says we're perfect for each other. I want to believe him, but experience has taught me age gaps in relationships only lead to sorrow. I trusted him with my broken body . . . can I trust him with my heart?

When the lines are blurred between the dead and the livingCan love find a way for a ghost and a griffin?GalinaWhen I drank the "harmless" punch at the Screaming Woods annual Halloween party, I never expected to wind up dead. Other townspeople grew tails and claws. Not me. Nope. I'm trapped in a realm between life and death. Doomed to wander in search of a cure for the curse. Which is pretty damn complicated when no one can see or hear me. No one except Xander, the town's grumpy reclusive carpenter.XanderTransforming into a griffin robbed me of a natural existence. Now I keep to myself in the woods, making my hand-carved furniture. My fragile peace shatters when an ethereal beauty manifests before my eyes in the abandoned guest house on the edge of town. Galina's innocent blue eyes and pure soul make a mockery of my vow never to love again. Her heart may not be beating, but she breathes new life into mine, and I'll move heaven and hell to keep my soulmate by my side.

JensenAlle denken, ich hätte das perfekte Leben, aber diese Leute könnten sich gar nicht heftiger irren. Ich habe eine Menge geopfert, um das Familienunternehmen zu retten, und ich brauche eine Lösung. Und das schnell. Als diese göttliche Finanzberaterin Poppy Parsons in mein Leben tritt, bin ich erstaunt, dass diese kurvenreiche Schönheit wirklich dieselbe Frau ist, die mir vor Wochen bereits buchstäblich in die Arme gefallen ist. Ihre drallen, weichen Rundungen und smaragdgrünen Augen hatten meine Welt total aus den Angeln gehoben, aber sie war bereits wieder verschwunden, bevor ich überhaupt wusste, wie mir geschehen war. Mein Herz hatte sie direkt mitgenommen ... Jetzt hat das Schicksal sie noch einmal meinen Weg kreuzen lassen und dieses Mal lasse ich sie nicht eher gehen, bis ich sie mit Leib und Seele erobert habe!PoppyJetzt, wo ich diesem neuen Kunden in einer finanziellen Krise helfen soll, bin ich schockiert, als ich feststelle, dass Jensen Lockhart niemand anderes ist als der umwerfende Fremde, von dem ich schon seit Wochen wie besessen bin. Jensen ist gutaussehend, witzig ... und verdammt sexy! Er sagt, dass er mich will, dass ich die Richtige sei, aber ich bin schon einmal bitter enttäuscht worden und habe mir geschworen, nie wieder einem Mann diese Art von Macht zu geben. Ich bin hier, um Jensens Geschäft zu retten, aber wer weiß? Vielleicht rettet er am Ende auch mich ...

GemmaI'm popping bonbons and riding the high of securing the lease on my jewelry boutique off Main Street when I make a Galentine's Day pact with my girlfriends. Fueled by a sugar high and bravado, I promise to step out of my comfort zone and book myself a life-drawing portrait. The thought of wearing nothing but my handmade jewelry and hanging the finished product on my bedroom wall makes me feel strong, sexy, and empowered. All my life, I've let other people define how I see myself but not anymore. Or so I tell myself. Because ... getting naked? In front of a stranger? It's a lot. Especially when the artist turns out to be Bentley Cormack, my one true love and the man who left me behind . . .BentleyI never thought I'd return to Garland, but when I'm offered a stupid amount of money for a short-term residency at the local university, I can't turn it down. Too many years in the city have drained me, and I need a change of scenery. It doesn't mean I'm home for good. It's temporary. One semester, max. I'll teach a class or two and use the rest of my time to reconnect with my art. But on my first night in the studio, my plans are rocked. The shapely woman undressing in my studio is none other than my best friend's not-so-little younger sister. In all the time I've been away, I never forgot Gemma. I've dreamed of the day when I'd be worthy enough to draw her in all her curvy glory. Can Gem and I overcome the past, or will the tragedy that drove me from Garland continue to keep us apart?

Can the innocent, bubbly pre-school teacher convince the older, sexy gardener that love blooms in the most unexpected places?IrisMy task over summer break is clear-tackle the overgrown jungle that is my backyard. But I'm a preschool teacher not a landscaping expert, so when my big sister suggests hiring a gardener from the local temp agency, I jump at the offer.Logan Castillo is temptation personified with his rock-hard body, gravelly voice, and sexy AF smile. The man is a green-fingered genius, and before I know it, he's pruned my bush, fertilized my pot plants, and watered my bulbs. I have no idea what Logan sees in this green-as-grass, near-sighted woman with too many curves, but there's no doubt that something powerful and potent is blooming between us.There's just one problem-Logan is fifteen years older than me, and if my over-protective big sister finds out he's been planting his seed in my flower bed, any chance we have at happily-ever-after will be nipped in the bud.

CaliAfter a failed marriage, finding love again is the last thing on my to-do list. But when I take an unexpected trip to Greece in search of my long-lost mother, the handsome young Grecian God sent to greet me at the airport has me reconsidering my vow of celibacy.Theo Galatis is ten kinds of sexy...and ten years too young for me. The spark between us is hotter than the scorching white sands, but I came to Greece to build a relationship with my mother, not fantasize about tossing Theo's Greek salad or eating his delicious Stifado. Besides, there's no way this gorgeous, dark-eyed Adonis is looking for happily-ever-after with a heart-shy older woman like me. Is there?This is a short, sweet instalove story featuring a renewal of faith, some super-hot sexy times...oh, and a baby goat or two.