It's been eight years since Hope Warren had her heart broken on Christmas Eve, but she still detests the holiday, and celebrations in general. Wasting her time, and her art degree, at a job she clearly hates, the only thing she's longing for is a dream home way out of reach. So when outgoing Irishman Dylan Healy keeps getting in her face, she's sure there's a catch. He's kind, charismatic--and challenging her idle creativity. It may be her least favorite time of year, but suddenly she's willing to try everything and anything--especially Dylan himself. Dylan has enough on his plate between launching his online greeting card company at the height of the season and starting an art-themed daycare center. But he can't resist teasing Hope out of her holiday cynicism, turning her ideas into crazy profits--or wanting more of the vibrant, sensual woman she truly is. And with the days counting down to Christmas Eve, he's willing to put everything on the line to convince her...

There are worse places a saucy single gal could be stranded in the biggest winter storm to hit southwestern Virginia in years. Here at Luchesi's restaurant, Renee can fill up on hot breadsticks and spiked mocha cappuccino—and she can check out Giovanni Anthony Luchesi, the finest man this side of the Blue Ridge Mountains. But damn, if it doesn't stop snowing soon, she's gonna wind up in big trouble, what with all the amaretto and candlelight.Days later, the ice isn't all that's melting in Roanoke. Renee's gone and fallen for the whitest white boy she's ever met. Now she feels like she's living a Julia Roberts movie with an interracial twist and gentle Giovanni, with his slow, seductive hands and spicy kisses, as her leading man. Renee always was a sucker for happy endings. Now, with a make-do ring from Giovanni on her finger, her own seems guaranteed. What can possibly go wrong?Riotous, ardent, and packed with surprises, RENEE AND JAY is Romeo and Juliet for the...

When recently widowed Joe Murphy "meets" Shawna Mitchell in an online forum, all he's seeking is advice on keeping his home and his family together. Shawna's compassionate e-mails become his lifeline, and as months pass their correspondence grows deep and warm. Discovering that Shawna lives only blocks away. . .well, it feels like more than luck. It feels a lot like hope.With three children to raise, Shawna has no interest in getting close to another man, let alone one who's got three kids of his own. And the fact that Joe's white can only complicate matters more. But now, as they navigate family dates and vacations and their own doubts and fears, Joe and Shawna find themselves moving toward a future that's bright, new, and totally unexpected. . .

Peter Underhill was smitten by Ebony Mills the moment she joined his street hockey team--a coal-eyed, tomboy goddess, as dark and dazzling as he was pale and awkward. That she returned his affection was a boy's dream come true. But despite a bond that grew into their teens, Peter's intolerant father and Ebony's meddling family finally forced them apart. That was twenty years ago--and Peter has been trying to find his way back to his first and true love ever since. . . When she was a kid, Ebony feared no one, not even Peter's violent, bigoted father. Back then, Ebony said she'd love Peter forever, and she meant it. It didn't matter that they couldn't share milestones like the high school prom together--what they had was the real thing, and nobody could take it away. . .or could they? Even now, Ebony doesn't quite understand how she and Peter disappeared from each other's lives. Has the hatred that surrounded them finally won? Ebony doesn't want to believe that, but...

At Smith's Sweet Treats and Coffee, you'll find Brooklyn's best house blend and the freshest homemade pastries. It's more than a business to owner Angela Smith. It's her home and her refuge—one she stands to lose thanks to her gouging landlord. Then a new regular offers to cover her rent increase if Angela lets him meet his clients there. If Matthew McConnell weren't such a persuasive lawyer—and so sweet, funny, and sexy—she wouldn't dream of letting him in.Since he left a high-paying, soul-sucking legal firm to go solo, Matthew has been striking out, professionally and personally. The best part of his love life is regaling Angela with date-from-hell stories over steaming, fragrant coffee. Behind her captivating smile is a smart, sensual woman he'd love to get close to. And when a secret from her past is suddenly exposed, he gets a chance to prove he's the man she needs, in every way that matters. . .Praise For J.J. Murray's You Give Good...

Nurse Trina Woods never really expected to make the reality-show cut for Rich Man, Lucky Lady. She's used to losing in love, and past believing in fairy tales. So she's sure the handsome plain-talking man she encounters on her lunch break is just a shy eccentric...Until he turns out to be reclusive award-winning musician "Art E." Soon his unique sensitivity and gentle ways are inspiring her to stand up for herself, take risks, and try one last time for her happy ending. Tony Santangelo's special way of seeing the world helps him make connections others don't--and turn them into mega-hit songs. But he never realized how lonely he was until he got a glimpse of Trina's honesty and caring nature--and went way out of his comfort zone to find her. Suddenly they're the media's hottest new Cinderella story. And coping with his overprotective brother and overwhelming celebrity means he and Trina must face trouble head on, insist on their dreams, and write their own...

Sometimes A Girl Likes To Keep Her Options OpenIn her search for Mr. Right, Erlana Joy Cole has met lots of prospects, but she's never been able to narrow it down to just one. And why should she? After all, you can't ask a woman to have only one pair of shoes, right? So why settle for just one man?Instead, she's got herself her own "Earth, Wind, and Fire" of men. There's her "Earth," Roger, a white soul brother with a sweet mind and a wicked touch. There's "Wind," Karl, a tattooed entrepreneur who's straight out of Erlana's roots. And as for Juan, well, he's pure "Fire," fierce and passionate and hot as they come. Put them all together and a sister's got everything she could ever want—not that she would ever put them all together. Huh-uh, no way. That can NOT happen.But now, Erlana's juggling act is getting too hot to handle. And sooner or later, a girl's gotta make a choice while she's still got a choice to make. . .Praise...

Lauren Short dumped her cheating mega-star fiancé amid major viral media fallout. That was the easy part. Restarting her stalled career as a thirty-something actress. . .not so much. What she needs is advice from someone non-Hollywood. Someone like her surprising new online pen pal. He's a Brooklyn handyman who's understanding, honest--and daring Lauren to do one risky, sizzling reboot of her glamorous life. . .Lauren is the one woman Patrick Esposito has crushed on forever. He never dreamed they'd meet--much less that she could use his help. Or that she would be even more down-to-earth in person. But now their offline romance is making them the hot new celebrity couple. And between the secrets they didn't expect and the trouble they didn't see coming, Patrick and Lauren will need all the right moves to stay real, keep it together, and script their own happily-ever-after. . .