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FBI agent Con Randolph's six-month-old son has been abandoned. The state has arranged an adoption - they just need Con's signature. Con knows they've made a mistake. He's never fathered a baby. But it turns out he's wrong. Horrified and guilty, he tries to claim his son. Yet, as far as the state is concerned, Con doesn't have much to offer a child. He has a risk-filled job; even his marital status is against him. Con doesn't know a single woman who would marry him - or whom he wants to marry. But he does have a best friend - Robyn Blair - who could benefit from a temporary marriage of convenience. Views: 44
Product DescriptionGirl trouble. Jacob's seven-year-old triplets are a handful. Allie is organizing her teacher to death. Jessie is crying in class. Meggie is becoming almost reclusive. Jacob is told what the triplets need is a woman in their lives. But the last thing Jacob needs is to exchange girl trouble for…Woman trouble. Jacob's gone that route before. All it did was get his daughters' hopes up—his hopes up—only to end in disappointment. Maybe the answer is to enlist the help of a friend, someone like his partner, Michelle.…Big trouble. Unfortunately, what Jacob begins to feel for Michelle is more than just friendship. And while Michelle's willing to be a surrogate mother to Jacob's children, it's going to take a lot of convincing for her to consider the idea of being a wife to him. Views: 40
It looked so good on camera... If it weren't for the money, Spencer Longfellow would happily drive Natasha Stevens and her TV crew right off his ranch. But his land, and his kids, mean the world to him—and he'll do anything to secure their future. Even cohost Natasha's cooking show, Family Secrets, in his barn. Even play the token hunky cowboy to her sophisticated city slicker and flirt with her on national television... It could never amount to anything real anyway. After all, he was fooled and left in the dust by a city girl once. And he will never let that happen to him—or his kids—again. Views: 35
There's something about Julie Hunter Rafferty is committed to two things: his bachelor lifestyle and his career as an event planner. But working with Julie Fairbanks on a fund-raising gala is quickly becoming the best part of his day. He can't stop thinking about the mysterious beauty—despite her refusals to have dinner with him. Everything changes when seven-year-old Joy comes to The Lemonade Stand, a shelter for victims of abuse. To help Joy overcome her trauma and the mystery surrounding it, Hunter and Julie push beyond their boundaries, confronting their own past pain...and feelings for each other. Views: 33
Starting over…again It seems a lifetime ago that Brett Ackerman wanted to share his life with Ella Wales. He really believed he could put his abusive family history behind him…until he realized it would always be part of him. Then he pushed her away. Hard. Now Ella's back as part of the High Risk Team at The Lemonade Stand, the unique women's shelter Brett founded. And she needs his help with a family crisis. But even now, Brett can't admit he still loves her. Until one night of passion with Ella turns Brett into the one thing he fears the most—a father.** Views: 33
Twenty-five years ago...a mysterious crime was committed in Comfort Cove, Massachusetts. Frank Whittier was accused--but never charged. And it ruined his life.Now...Cal Whittier, Frank's son, is determined to protect him, to safeguard his father's identity. After years on the run, they finally have their lives on an even keel, with Cal teaching at a college in Tennessee. Two things could change all that.First, a cop in Comfort Cove starts looking into the case again. And second, Cal gets involved with single mother Morgan Lowen. He has plenty of reasons to avoid her--not the least of which is that she's an adult student in one of his classes. And in Cal's situation, any relationship is risky. Still...it could be the best risk he's ever taken! Views: 32
The best things in life are those you don't expect... Dana Harris's world has turned upside down. So when she receives the unexpected opportunity to attend Montford University in Shelter Valley, Arizona, she sees it as the perfect time to start over. Especially when Josh Redmond adopts a puppy she's rescued. That's the beginning of an instant friendship between them, even though she senses that he's holding something back.... Still, their friendship culminates in romance--and a night together. A night that has consequences. But at Christmas, a surprise revelation and a baby-to-be bring them both comfort. And joy! Views: 31
A second chance for Joy While recovering at a remote cabin, Dr. Simon Walsh stumbles across Cara Amos. Injured and left for dead, Cara is harboring dark secrets. Yet Simon can't help falling for his mysterious patient. As her memory returns and her injuries fade under his gentle care, he vows to help her find her missing daughter. At The Lemonade Stand shelter, managing director Lila McDaniels is helping Cara's estranged father, Edward Mantle, bond with his traumatized granddaughter, Joy. And his feelings extend well beyond gratitude. Bringing this family together seems impossible... Luckily, Christmas is the season of miracles. Views: 30
9 Months LaterHer baby. His heartache.Her baby. His heartache.Marcus Cartwright is rich and handsome. What's more, he's in love with his wife. And Lisa Cartwright adores her husband. Their marriage, however, is falling apart.That's because Marcus can't give Lisa the baby they've always longed for.Now he's determined to give Lisa her freedom—to find and marry someone else. To have her own child. It's a freedom Lisa doesn't want, but she can't convince Marcus of that.So Lisa decides to take matters into her own hands. She decides to have a baby. And she's not going to tell Marcus until the artificial insemination procedure is over....But will Marcus be able to accept another man's child? Views: 29
A man of his word Dr. Bloom Freelander thought it was safe to breathe again when Detective Sam Larson put her abusive ex away for good. She's been moving on, running a private practice and providing psychiatry services to The Lemonade Stand women's shelter. But now that her ex is a free man, she's in danger once again. Forced into protective custody, Bloom can't help but fall for her protector. But she has every reason to doubt the handsome detective's word. Sam broke his promise to her once. Who says he won't break it again - along with her heart this time? Views: 25
Anyone could be hiding a secret...Marie Bustamante does not trust or love easily. Growing up with a philandering father and an overprotective mother, she comes by her reservations honestly. So after only three months, how can she be falling for her best friend's bodyguard? This isn't like her at all. But Elliott Tanner is strong, gorgeous and...trustworthy. At least he seems to be. Of course, some things about him remain a mystery. Protecting the privacy of his clients is Elliott's job. That doesn't mean he's hiding anything from her. Does it? Views: 24
The case is cold but the leads are hot…And so is the attraction between detectives Lucy Hayes and Ramsey Miller.Twenty-five years ago, there was a kidnapping in Comfort Cove, Massachusetts. Neither the child nor the kidnapper was ever found.Now there are fresh leads, including one in an Indiana town. Lucy is working that end of the case…She and Ramsey are two top-notch detectives. And two people who've learned to keep an emotional distance from others. But as they explore various confusing clues in the decades-old abduction, they grow closer. Especially when they discover what really happened in Comfort Cove. Because the truth is as shocking as it is unexpected!About the AuthorThe author of more than 50 original novels, in twenty languages, Tara Taylor Quinn is a USA Today bestseller with more than six million copies sold. Known for delivering deeply emotional and psychologically compelling novels, Ms. Quinn won the 2008 Reader’s Choice Award, is a four time finalist for the RWA Rita Award, a finalist for the Reviewer’s Choice Award, the Bookseller’s Best Award, and has appeared often on local and national TV including CBS Sunday Morning. Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.A bottle clinked.She knew the sound.Waking from a fitful sleep that Saturday morning in early November, Lucy jumped up from her mother's couch, pushing her short blond hair away from her face, before her eyes were fully focused."Mama…"Lucy moved toward the sound, her gun still on the coffee table where she'd set it when she'd finally dared to try and sleep.Standing in front of the closet by the front door, Sandy Hayes wore an all-too-familiar guilty look as she turned to her daughter."I wasn't going to drink it, Luce, I swear. I just.. you know how I get…and with the…thing…this morning…" Sandy continued to ramble as Lucy took the opened bottle from one of her mother's hands, and the top from the other."I… The panicky feeling was there and I just had to see that I had relief if I needed it," Sandy said, talking to Lucy's back as she followed her daughter into the old but clean kitchen.Lucy's own bungalow across the street was a bit newer than her mother's but equally clean."You promised me no more hidden stash, Mama." Lucy opened the cupboard over the sink and slid the bottle onto the lower shelf. "No more games," she said. "And no drinking until after we go down to the station this morning."Not only was Lucy tired from a night spent on her mother's rock-hard, faux-leather couch, she was angry. And a tad disappointed. "I get that you aren't going to stay sober for yourself," she said. Crankiness made her add, "Or for me. But this is for Allie, Mama. This man took Allie."Dressed in last night's dark slacks and a wrinkle-free pinstriped blouse—her daily detective attire—she faced her mother down. "This is important, Mama. Maybe more important than anything we've ever done. The prosecutor says that if you ID this guy, his case is open and shut. And once he knows he's going to prison for life, maybe he'll talk to us. Maybe he'll make a deal."Sandy stared straight at Lucy, who knew what was coming next. Yep, there they were. The big pools of tears that spoke of a pain so deep her mother couldn't find a way out of its grip."You said they have his DNA.""And the prosecutor is afraid that the defense might be able to lay some doubt regarding the sample they took from you twenty-eight years ago. Apparently there's some question about the collection process they used. You know this, Mama. I told you all about it.""You also said you thought you'd be able to get the guy to confess and I wouldn't ever have to appear.""He lawyered up before I got to him the second time. There was nothing I could do about that.""I can't face him in court, Luce. Not after what he did to me.""You promised you'd come through for me, Mama." Lucy stopped short of stamping her foot—not that the gesture would have had much impact coming from five foot two inches in stocking feet."I promised I'd stay sober and I am, Luce, I promise.""I know you are. Because I've been awake most of the night making certain that you would be sober this morning. I need you to keep it together until we get this done.""I will.""You'd better.""You're angry with me.""Yeah, I guess I am. It'll pass. How about you go get in the shower, put on those jeans with the embellished back pockets that you like and your new fleecy sweater, and I'll take you out to breakfast and for a drive down by the river as soon as we're finished this morning.""Can we stop in at the Belterra?"A casino on the Ohio River. Another place an addict could find escape for a while."Yes, but only for a little while. I have to work today."Sandy turned toward the bedroom, and then stopped. "When are you going to shower?"So Sandy would have a chance to hit the bottle?"I showered and changed last night before I came over," she said drily. "I'll wash my face and do my makeup alongside you. My suit jacket will cover up any wrinkles the night brought."Sandy's shoulders slumped and contrition hit Lucy hard."I wouldn't put you through this if I didn't have to, Mama.""I just wish… I've spent almost thirty years trying to forget everything about that man, Luce. I'm scared." She shuddered and her eyes glazed. "I don't want to see his face again. The nightmares will come back and… His hands…oh, God, Luce."Sandy started to cry, buckling in on herself, and Lucy stepped forward, using her body to hold her mother upright as she wrapped her arms around Sandy's upper arms and back. "Shhh. I'm right here, Mama. And I'm always just across the street. If the dreams start again, I'll sit with you. Remember all the good times we had, sitting up watching movies and eating ice cream and popcorn in bed when I was little?"Sandy lifted her head, wiping her eyes as she tried to smile. "Yes, of course I do. You are the best thing that ever happened to me, Luce. I just wish I'd given you a better life.""You gave me a fine life. You were always there for me, too, Mama." Not always sober, but always there. "I had what I needed." Food, nice clean clothes, help with homework and projects. A parent sitting in the front row during the Christmas play. And on the sidelines the year she'd taken up cheer-leading. In the bleachers the year she'd gone out for volleyball. And at her police academy graduation, too."We have to do this for Allie, Mama. Try not to think about what this jerk did to you. Think of him as the man who can tell us where Allie is."Sandy's chin stiffened, her eyes hardening. "Yes. He will pay for taking Allie from us."Lucy was hoping he was eventually going to lead them to her older sister. Allison Elizabeth Hayes. A girl she'd never known. A baby who'd been abducted before Lucy was born."You have to hold it together this morning, Mama. If you exhibit signs of instability that the defense will be able to use to discredit your testimony, the prosecutor might choose not to use you. Then we'd be left taking our chances with the possibly contaminated sample of DNA. This guy could walk."Nodding, Sandy backed up a couple of steps. "I'll try."Lucy straightened to her full five-feet-two. "'I'll try' isn't good enough this time, Mama. I have to know I can depend on you.""I won't let you down."Lucy didn't relent, her gaze boring into her mother as if she could inject Sandy with the strength she didn't have. Lucy had lost count of the number of times she'd heard her mother's promises only to end up on the other side of another broken vow."Do you hate me, Luce?""No, Mama." Pulling the slightly taller woman back into her arms, Lucy held her tightly, held her in the cradle of her heart, just as Sandy had done for Lucy in years past—both sober and drunk. "I love you.""I love you, too, Luce. More than anything." Sandy clung to her, burying her face in Lucy's neck. "You know that you are the most important thing to me on earth. The only important thing."Because Allie was gone. "I know."She did know.Just as she knew she'd never be enough. They needed Allie."Ramsey, is that you?"Leaning back in the well-used rolling desk chair, Ramsey Miller looked around the vacant office of the Comfort Cove detective squad early Saturday morning. There were six full-time detectives, among the more than fifty officers who made up the Comfort Cove Police Department. Others would be filing in soon, but for now he had the partitioned detectives' office to himself. "Yeah, Dad, it's me.""How are you, son? It's great to hear from you! You getting enough rest?""Yeah.""And enough to eat, too? You know your mother's going to ask.""How is Mom?""She has her good days and her bad days, but overall we're doing just fine."He wanted to ask if she knew his father. If the dementia had robbed his mother of her memories of Earl yet. But he didn't. Just like he hadn't during last month's call. Or the calls before that. If his mother had worsened to that extent, his father would only lie to him about it.And to himself, too.Earl Miller was never going to admit that his wife was leaving him, slowly but surely, one day at a time. He wasn't going to give up on her.Or see that she didn't have enough love left in her heart to keep her with him. He had love enough for both of them.At least, that was Ramsey's take on the situation."What are you guy's doing today?" he asked now, avoiding the pile of paperwork on his desk—two cold-case records that had been his evening fun the night before."Mom's doing the dishes right now and then we'll be heading over to Louisville for their leaf festival. You know how she loves the colors.""And you like the fudge," Ramsey said, figuring his dad must have been right—his mother had to still be hanging in there if she was cognizant enough to do the dishes before seven in the morning."Yep. I get to sample all the flavors. Only thing that would make it better was if you were here to go with us, son.""I know, Dad. I'll try to get some time off soon."How long had it been since he'd been back to his Southern Kentucky home? One year? Two?"We'd love to have you here for Thanksgiving, Ramsey. Your mother's cooking.""Mom doesn't need me around giving her more work to do." Reminding her of the daughter she'd lost because of him."She needs you, son."Every time he'd been home in the thirteen years since his sister's death—a tragedy du... Views: 20
