Atlanta Skyline

FEVERED FATES New to the U.S. soccer scene, not to mention the English language, compact yet explosive Chilean soccer legend Rio Vidal is driven to define a role on his new team, Atlanta Skyline. But he must also adapt to a new culture-and accept that he can't do it alone. His beautiful interpreter, Eva, has been his voice, his refuge. But she is becoming so much more. If only he could convince her he isn't like the other men she's worked with, players on-and off-the field. As a translator for pro athletes, Eva Torres is used to dealing with self-interested super stars. But Rio seems different, and she's blindsided when he locks eyes with her across a church pew. By now, after weeks of close contact with the endearing athlete with whom she shares a language, her thoughts are far from holy. She must remind herself flirtation is probably just his default style. Plus, she's the only one he can really talk to. But when his ambition threatens to derail his career-and their deepening connection-they'll both have to lay their hearts on the center line . . .

WHEN THE PITCH GETS PERSONAL Atlanta Skyline's star Swedish wingback Oz Terim-or as the fans call him, the Wizard-has an airtight plan for his life, his career, even his meticulously renovated house, but he barely gives a thought to the Islamic faith he inherited from his Turkish parents. So no one's more surprised than he is when he's the victim of anti-Muslim hate crime. Refusing to take the threat seriously, he resists the security detail Skyline insists on . . . until he meets Kate Mitchell. There's no room for her in his plan and she's the exact opposite of what he wants. Then why can't he keep his hands off her? After ten years in the military-and getting fired from her first post-Army job in Saudi Arabia-Kate Mitchell has slunk home to her Georgia roots. Private security isn't the career she dreamed of, nor is she thrilled to work with an uptight professional athlete who plays a sport she has no interest in. She never expected to be attracted to him-or for him to fall for her, too. As their opposite lives tangle up-and the threat against Oz grows more serious-Kate has to decide who she wants to be in life and in love.

LOVE'S A CALCULATED RISK Atlanta Skyline's benched goalkeeper Brendan Young would have been happy to ride out the end of his contract after his gambling addiction was splashed all over the news media. Instead, his teammates' injuries have unexpectedly put him back in the game. A new face in his weekly Gamblers Anonymous meeting provides another surprise spike-of pure attraction. Why is Erin Bailey, former world champion women's soccer player, at this meeting? And why can't he stop thinking about their red-hot one-night stand? Six months ago, one reckless night in Vegas ended with Erin in Brendan's bed. She's sworn off dating athletes, especially those whose reputations could destroy her new career as the Championship Soccer League's Director of Ethics and Advocacy. But the secret they share-and the crazy heat they generate-makes it impossible to keep her distance. Both have choices to make about the future, but no matter how steeply the odds are stacked against them, walking away could be the riskiest move of all . . .

Swapping her honeymoon trip for a singles cruise should've been the one upside to her canceled wedding, but disembarking to discover that a snowstorm has crippled the East Coast flings corporate lawyer Stella Schuster right back into the high-octane anxiety mode she'd been trying to escape. She was supposed to return from the Caribbean refreshed, relaxed, and ready to become the kind of carefree, spontaneous woman her ex-fiancé left her for. But stuck in Miami with urgent deadlines, no way to get home to Atlanta, and the tension headache from hell, Stella's facing a long night glued to her laptop in the airport lounge-until a sexy stranger slides into the empty seat at her table.Defensive midfielder Aaron Jackson may be one of the lesser lights in Atlanta Skyline's high-profile line-up-he definitely doesn't get paid like a star-but he gets to do what he loves, and that's all he cares about. As in, that's genuinely all he cares about. Aaron lives for the moment, thrives on uncertainty and adventure, fully embraces his commitment phobia and steers well clear of stress-heads too focused on planning every minute to enjoy the one they're in-stress-heads exactly like the stunning woman scowling at her laptop screen.Just as Stella decides that an airport quickie might be the perfect way to usher in her new self, their flight goes from delayed to canceled, stranding them in Miami along with hundreds of other passengers. The only way back to Atlanta is on a road trip that will force Stella to focus on today, tempt Aaron to consider tomorrow, and maybe even lead to the shared future neither of them ever imagined they wanted-if they're brave enough to follow the winding road of fate.