Darlene Gardner

Every moment counts

When Connor Smith has to unexpectedly care for his nine–year–old niece, he isn't prepared. In fact, he's overwhelmed. Blending their lives poses one problem after another until Jaye's violin teacher throws them a lifeline.

Abby Reed not only knows how to get through to his niece, she also makes an impression on him. Soon their time together means everything to Connor and the tragedy his family faced a decade ago begins to have less power over him. Then he discovers Abby's family's connection to his own

Can their love survive Connor's bitterness and Abby's insistence that her brother isn't the awful person he's been branded?

The bond Keri Cassidy shares with her adopted kids couldn't be stronger if they were her own flesh and blood. So when coach Grady Quinlan suspends her teenage son from the basketball team, the fiercely protective single mother is fit to be tied. Until she uncovers the scandal in Grady's past.

Grady claims he's innocent of any wrongdoing. In spite of evidence against him, Keri finds herself believing Grady when no one else does. But how can she trust a man who threatens her son's future? She doesn't want to have to choose sides. But she may have already made a choice. If she has the courage to follow what her heart is telling her

When your life changes in the blink of an eye

Kaylee Carter may have just found her birth mother and the sense of belonging that's been missing all her life. But Sofia Donatelli's stepson, Tony, is suspicious. He thinks Kaylee's just another parasite who's come to sponge off his stepmother since she struck it rich in the state lottery.

Still, whether or not Sofia is related by blood, Kaylee and her son form a bond with her that is stronger than biology. Now, if only Kaylee could convince Tony she's not after money but love a love that has grown to include him.

But the odds are stacked against them .

For Jill Jacobi, who's on the run with her younger brother, Indigo Springs is the perfect place to hide. So no matter how powerfully attracted she is to the kind veterinarian, Dan Maguire is a risk she can't afford to take.

Except every instinct is telling her he's a man she can count on. And Dan seems so sure that they'd be right together. It's tempting to lose herself in her own growing feelings for this tender, handsome man. If she could only trust him with her secret

Lies brought her here. Will lies keep them apart?

Krista Novak knows you can't go home again. Yet here she is, touching down in the place she left for good eight years ago. Even though it's only for the holidays, being back means facing Alex Costas.

It also means dealing with the fallout from his decision to stay and her decision to move her life thousands of miles away. To make the situation more interesting, she still wants Alex. And he wants her. How do they find common ground?

A little Christmas magic must be in the air. Because when a snowstorm changes her travel plans, they're blessed with the most life–changing gift of all.

Murderer. That's what they call him. That's what he calls himself. It's nine years since Michael Donahue set foot in his Pennsylvania hometown, but they're all still pointing fingers. Even after he risks his life to save a young boy from drowning, everyone's ready to think the worst of him.

Except attorney Sara Brenneman. The outspoken Indigo Springs newcomer doesn't judge, doesn't listen to rumours. Like the town, she's also made up her mind about Michael only, she thinks he's a hero. Not even Michael himself can shake her unswerving faith.

But when the accusations begin again, will she still believe in him? And when she realizes the truth, will he be able to let her go?

Clay Dillon is everyone's hero especially to his family. So when his kid sister needs a kidney, he tracks down Jenna Wright. Jenna's the only one who can help, but to gain her trust he has to lie.

Jenna believes Clay can be everything to her until she finds out who he really is the son of the woman who ruined her life. In that instant Jenna's dreams for a future with Clay dissolve.

Jenna is in so deep, she actually considers doing what Clay asks. But how can she help his family at the expense of her own?

The Rancher's Dance by Allison Leigh

Coming home to her family's Wyoming ranch was supposed to help injured ballerina Lucy Buchanan to heal. Instead, she was getting romantic ideas about the sexy rancher next door, Beckett Ventura. Not even Beck's gruff personality could stop her from being neighbourlyespecially when she met the widower's young daughter.

Soon, Lucy had changed the single father's life. Even before he swept her into his arms on the dance floor, Beck knew Lucy was special. Was it time to move on and stake a claim to a brand new future with the woman who'd danced her way straight into his heart?

Twice The Chance by Darlene Gardner

Jazz Lenox had her reasons for giving up her babies for adoption, so she can't just burst into their lives after eight years. Yet there's no doubt these kids are hers. No one could mistake that unique hair.

She knows she should walk away. Especially when she meets the twins' uncle sexy, Matt Caminetti. But how does she leave a man who's so persistentand so ruggedly appealing? Most surprising of all, Matt believes in her! But a future together means coming clean about her past all of it.

Annie Sublinski was sixteen when a brief encounter with Ryan Whitmore left her pregnant. Ryan stood by her decision to give up their baby for adoption. Now that child is here in Indigo Springs, forcing Annie to confront the man she's been avoiding all these years....

It seems she underestimated Ryan. He wants to get to know the daughter he thought he'd never see. And her mother. As old feelings resurface, Ryan surprises Annie with the intensity of his passion. He refuses to give up on her...on all of them. But Annie has to forgive herself for the past if she has any hope of building a future.

Accused of a crime she didn't commit, Kelly Carmichael skips bail and heads to Indigo Springs. It's a shot in the dark, but with her freedom at stake she has no choice if she wants answers. When forest ranger Chase Bradford starts asking questions, Kelly tells him she's a stranger passing through.

That's the first lie.

Now she has to keep lying. She's walking a dangerous tightrope especially when she starts falling for the single father. How will Chase react when he finds out who she really is? Will the honourable guy feel duty–bound to bring her in? Or will he stand by her? If only she had the courage to trust him with the truth.

Jazz Lenox had her reasons for giving up her babies for adoption. So she can't burst into their lives after eight years. Yet there's no doubt these kids are hers. No one could mistake that unique hair.

She knows she should walk away. Especially when she meets the twins' uncle sexy, shoot–from–the–hip Matt Caminetti. But how does she leave a man who's so persistent and so ruggedly appealing? Most surprising of all, Matt believes in her. Believes in them. A future together means coming clean about her past. All of it. It's the only way to find out if she really has a second shot at the life she's always wanted .