Morgan Ranch

After a turbulent childhood, the Morgan brothers went their separate ways, leaving the family cattle ranch and their cowboy days far behind. But now, one by one, they're being called back home to California. Have they been summoned to save the land-or to start a new legacy? Chase Morgan high-tailed it away from ranching life as soon as possible. But running a successful technology company can't erase the memories, or secrets, of his youth. Coming home to help his Grandma Ruth may finally put some ghosts to rest-if he can just get a certain smart, beautiful houseguest out of his business. But getting her out of his head is proving even more difficult… Determined to save the Morgan ranch, historian January Mitchell has pinned her hopes on the surprisingly rugged, surprisingly likable, and exasperatingly stubborn Chase. Surely his love of this breathtaking, mysterious land runs deep enough that he'll once again embrace his inner cowboy. Or maybe, despite both of their skittish hearts, she'll have to find a way to get him back in the saddle…any which way she can.

The heartbreak of their childhood drove the Morgan brothers far from their family's California ranch-and one another. But as they face the wounds of the past, each feels the land calling him home... Blue Morgan never thought he'd crave long days on horseback, working the cattle ranch where he grew up. But after a decade of getting shouted and shot at in the Marines, fresh air and hard work are just what he needs to settle his restless energy. Except no matter how hard he tries to focus, his mind wanders to the pretty, prickly new veterinarian instead. There's no denying the spark between Jenna McDonald and Blue. But with her job at risk and her own family's expectations to wrangle, Jenna isn't looking for another sparring partner. Blue needs her expertise on horses. And if she can help solve his mother's disappearance, she's willing to pitch in. But she'll leave his ideas about how love should be scheduled to him. Jenna is tired of being told what she can't have-and ready to reach for what she wants...

The Morgan ranch has seen its share of bad times. But as the four Morgan brothers are drawn back to their childhood home, the nightmares of their past give way to the promise of a new beginning… Ry Morgan has always had a thing for Avery Hayes-one more hope his twin wrecked for him, pretending to be Ry to kiss her at the high school prom. Eight years later, Ry has had enough: he's quitting the pro rodeo circuit, moving home to California to mend fences, and letting his brother clean up his own messes for a change. Reclaiming Avery's stolen kiss is at the top of his agenda… But Avery has changed. Her rodeo career ended with a fall that left her lucky to be alive, let alone walking. She hasn't been on a horse since, and between surgeries and fighting off everybody's pity she hasn't done much else either. Ry is strong, confident, and sexy as hell-exactly what she thought she wanted at seventeen. Now, she'll have to protect the safe space she's made for herself-or risk it all for a dream she thought would never come again…

Love at first touch . . . Air Force pilot Shane Freemont will do anything for his foster sister, including taking a role as Man of Honor in her wedding. He has his misgivings about the hasty marriage, and so does the groom's "best woman," Meg Stoddard. It's about the only thing Shane and Meg, manager of a local dude ranch, do agree on. Until a tornado forces them to shelter in a cramped storm cellar together, and mutual attraction explodes. Love takes time-lots of it. Meg has always believed that. But something happened between her and Shane over the space of a few intimate, incredible hours. Her head says it's just spectacular chemistry. The rest of her is ready to take a chance on the deepest connection she's ever known. But if she does, will she be flying solo, or will her man of honor be by her side?

The Morgan men thought they left their troubled pasts in the dust. But one by one, they find themselves returning to the northern California ranch where the bad times began. Together, they have a chance to forge a new future based on brotherhood, hope, and love... Professional rodeo cowboy "HW" Morgan has finally achieved his dream of competing in the national rodeo finals-but his career has come at a price. His twin brother wants nothing to do with him and a string of hookups haven't warmed his bed. He's got to get his head on straight-and the only place to do that is at home, if his family will have him. Samantha Kelly isn't sure what she's doing at a new dude ranch. The army veteran is barely back on her feet again, still struggling to rehab an injury. But she's willing to give equine therapy a try, even though her riding instructor is bold, brash, and distractingly easy on the eyes. As she and HW warily try to work each other out, slowly and surely an unbreakable trust is built-one on which dreams can be built...

His long and winding road has brought him to a legendary western ranch-to the brothers he calls friends... and a woman who could change his roving ways... Turning his back on his American father's business empire was the smartest decision Rio Martinez ever made. Now, after a high-flying career on the rodeo circuit, the world champion bull rider is ready for a change of pace. A summer hiatus working the Morgan brothers' California ranch turns into the hope of forever when Rio meets a beautiful French baker who makes him realize what's missing from his restless life. After her husband abandoned her, Yvonne Payet threw herself into running the café that was her dream. In the welcoming community of Morgantown, she found a place to call home. She cherishes her hard-won independence, and doesn't need another handsome heartbreaker calling the shots. But Rio isn't just the sexiest, most arrogant cowboy she ever met-he's got great ideas for expanding her business. With a reality TV show on the horizon and her ex demanding a second chance, Yvonne has to decide which sunset she wants to ride off into...

Make it a merry Christmas with four stories of the special way the holidays warm our hearts… CHRISTMAS HOMECOMING * Fern Michaels Former Air Force Pararescueman Kevin Matthews is back home in Texas, working at his family's Christmas tree farm while deciding his next move. Or maybe he won't move at all, if sparks keep flying with the town's new surgeon, Kate Stafford. . . AN UNEXPECTED GIFT * Kate Pearce Widower Billy Morgan wishes his grown children still needed him. Good thing his longtime friend, Bella, does. She's planning her son's Christmas wedding and Billy is happy to help. Along the way they just might discover their own occasion to celebrate. . . CHRISTMAS IN BLUE HOLLOW FALLS * Donna Kauffman Attorney Moira Brogan expects her brother's Christmas wedding to be a peaceful affair. She doesn't expect to be cornered by an unwanted lothario, rescued by a gorgeous Aussie chef-or be swept off her feet by said chef. Nursing a broken heart, the last thing she wants is a new romance. But Hudson Walker has other ideas. . . HOLIDAY HOMERUN * Priscilla Oliveras Event planner Julia Louisa Fernandez dreams of a life in Chicago. But her family in Puerto Rico expects her to take over the catering business. Former pro baseball player Ben Thomas knows what that's like-and when they meet, he might be the one to inspire a winning strategy, just in time for the holidays. . .

On the legendary ranch she can now call home, one woman searches for her place in her birth family-and finds so much more . . . Now that she's completed her engineering degree, Rachel Ford Morgan is trying to find her footing around her birth father and her four brothers. She gets a chance to prove herself when she discovers worrisome fault lines around an abandoned silver mine. But they're nothing compared to the cowboy who seems determined to shake up her world . . . Cauy Lymond doesn't take kindly to the woman nosing around his property-especially since she's a Morgan. He came home just to keep his father's failing ranch out of their super-wealthy hands. But he soon realizes that Rachel's skill-and admirable courage-may be the only things that can shore up the old mine that threatens both their futures. Still, it will take pouring all of their blood, sweat, and secrets into saving the land-and ultimately, themselves-to bring their true feelings for each other to the surface . . .

In Morgan Valley, two wary loners discover they're perfect together . . . Beth Baker can tell that her summer tenant wants to be left to himself, and that suits her more than fine. Conner O'Neil is a brooding, retired Navy SEAL whose only friend seems to be his pet half-wolf, Loki. But Beth becomes concerned when Loki turns up on her doorstep, demanding she follow him back to Conner's cabin . . . Ailing, Conner would rather stay holed up like a wounded animal than allow anyone to nurse him back to health. But he quickly learns that resisting Beth is futile. Another discovery: they have more in common than he expected. She's an irresistible blend of strength and gentleness, and soon enough, Conner wants to show her it's okay to trust him, because he'll never let trouble reach her side again . . . *Previously appeared in the anthology Lone Wolf