Cowboy For Every Mood Books

CATCHING HERSELF A COWBOY WAS THE LAST THING ON HER MIND...Until one moved in with her! Well, technically bull-rider Dustin Morgan was staying at her brother's house for the summer - but so was Jenna. Having her high-school crush under the same roof was not the way she'd planned on spending her holiday. Especially since Dustin had never, ever so much as flirted with her. But maybe it was time the plain-Jane changed all of that. On the verge of turning thirty, Jenna knew it was high time to go after what she wanted...and she wanted Dustin. Using a magazine article called

Mitch Hammond is a man of his word. And as far as Cora Beth Collins is concerned, that's a problem. The stubborn sheriff has vowed never to love again, for fear of wounding someone else. The most he can offer Cora Beth is marriage in name only. And with no other way to adopt two runaway orphans and keep her patchwork family together, she accepts. Mitch is doing the honorable thing. So why does it feel so wrong? Despite his intentions, Mitch is starting to want more from Cora Beth…and from himself. For in her trusting eyes he sees everything he hopes to be—as a lawman, a father and a husband.

Gruff rancher Luke Evans's new live-in housekeeper comes with an unexpected addition...a small son! Emily may be pretty--and even Luke has to grudgingly admit little Sam's quite cute--but a family is not on this die-hard bachelor's wish list!Luke's plan? To spend as much time away from the house as possible. But, slowly charmed by Emily's sunny smile and Sam's infectious giggle, Luke begins to wonder if there might be room on his ranch--and in his heart--for a family after all...

HE WAS A PRINCE WHO WAS USED TO GETTING ANSWERS—THROUGH ANY MEANS NECESSARY An expert at interrogation, Prince Antoine Cavanaugh had questioned some of the deadliest men in the world. But one beautiful businesswoman was challenging his legendary ability to ferret out the truth. Beth Taylor had secrets and Antoine wasn't about to let her off easy. After all, he'd caught her red–handed, uncovering evidence in an ongoing investigation, one that involved him directly. So, why she refused to tell him what he needed to know was something he couldn't—wouldn't—put up with, no matter how she stirred his blood when she looked at him with eyes as big and green as the Wyoming countryside. It was time Antoine utilized all the weapons in his arsenal. Even if that meant spending long, sleepless nights together, getting answers….

Duty is his world. And upon seeing Sadie Price with twin girls, marine Rick Pruitt realizes he has some proposing to do. He never would have left Royal, Texas, if he'd known Sadie was carrying his babies. Yet the feisty single mom has no intention of agreeing to a loveless marriage. True, she and Rick share a bond, as well as undeniable passion. But Sadie believes vows should last a lifetime, not be declared out of obligation. Making it Rick's new mission to change her mind….

When Cassie McMann first visited Brody's Crossing, she fell in love with all things Western, so left behind her prim-and-proper life, and moved to Texas. Dancing into the arms of rodeo champ and good-time cowboy Charlie Yates at a friend's wedding seems like a fine way to prove she's now a true-blue Texan…and pregnant! While the circumstances aren't ideal, Cassie is determined to raise her baby alone. But that's not going to sit well with her straitlaced family, and they're coming to visit. Charlie is happy to agree to a temporary arrangement, changing his status from bachelor to daddy and husband-to-be. It's only until Cassie's family leaves town. But Charlie's starting to think less about temporary, and more about forever. Because he can't get his mind off a cute little cowgirl he wants to call his own!

When Jeb McCabe gave Laramie, Texas, the scandal of the century by leaving his bride at the altar, he garnered the reputation of the most notorious bachelor in town. So what's the handsome heartbreaker doing playing nanny to Cady Keilor's young nephews? Cady desperately wants a baby of her own. But before she adopts, she's practicing for motherhood by babysitting her sister's rambunctious brood for two weeks. The cowboy she's always been sweet on is just along for the ride—after Cady bets him he can't last a week! It turns out Jeb's a natural at parenting, and Cady badly needs his help. The question is: Does playing house make Jeb yearn for the real thing? He is a McCabe, after all—and the name is synonymous with family!

MUSTANG RUN, TEXAS—WHERE THE COWBOY CODE LIVED… AND DANGER LURKED Dakota Ledger was a bull rider at heart and a loner by choice…until fate put him in place to rescue Viviana Mancini. She'd never forgotten the delirious days of passion they'd once shared, but now she was in trouble and so was the baby she'd never told him they'd had. Dakota would do anything to guard Viviana and his new baby from the killer on their heels—even return to his estranged father's ranch. There he could protect them… but he couldn't protect himself. Because Dakota faced two deadly threats—the killer on their trail and the would-be family he'd fallen helplessly in love with

Brody Murphy lives one day—one ride—at a time. No home, no responsibility, no one depending on him. As long as the bull rider keeps moving, he can keep it that way. But when Brody meets Ricky Sovo and his mother, rancher Katarina, he finds himself lingering in one place for the first time in years. Kat's unlike any woman he's ever known—feisty, stubborn and determined to make it on her own. But that independent streak has gotten her in trouble with a couple of local ranch hands. She needs Brody's help. Only, helping means sticking around, and that's not something Brody can do. For Kat makes him want more from life, more than he feels he deserves. She may be his only chance at accepting his past…but he's not sure he can ever stop running from it.

After her fiancé calls off their wedding, Brooke Clayton has nowhere to go but home. If she can survive in the tiny Colorado town for a year, she'll fulfill the odd terms of her estranged grandfather's will. Turns out the wealthy businessman next door, handsome single father Gabe Wesson, needs a nanny for his sweet toddler—and Brooke needs a job. But Gabe sees Brooke as a reminder of the young wife he lost. Given their pasts, do they dare hope to fit together as a family…forever?

Safe, predictable Angel Falls, Montana, is Lila Lawson's home—but she secretly wishes it had adventures like the novels she loves to read. Then the new deputy stumbles into her father's mercantile, gravely injured, and Lila gets more excitement than she can handle! A harsh childhood left Burke Hannigan with two options— get tough or give in. Lila's compassion and tender care make him yearn for more. But how can he ask her to forgive his outlaw past when he can't forgive himself? Unless love and faith can transform him into a hero worthy of this calico bride.

The smell of cinnamon buns and apple pie remind widowed dad Chance Hawkins of the wife he lost five years ago. As does his sad-eyed little girl. So when his aunt hires a new pastry chef— whom she finds online—for their family-owned Texas café, the cowboy cook grumbles. What's more, fancy baker Phoebe Yates is boarding in their home. But soon enough, kind Phoebe is reminding Chance how nice it is to share a sweet roll with his daughter before school. And maybe opening his heart to becoming a groom again!

West Texas horse trainer Kitty Cartwright didn't expect a romantic proposal…especially from the New Mexico rancher who was her business rival. She didn't expect a proposal at all! But Kitty was having Liam Donovan's baby. And now the daddy-to-be was insisting they make it legal. No child of Liam's was going to be born without him around. The surprise was how quickly Kitty said "I do"—for the sake of the baby, of course. But with passion reigniting, this marriage of convenience was starting to feel an awful lot like the real thing. Was Liam ready to risk his heart? Because Kitty wasn't settling for anything less.

Her heart breaking, Bria Rafferty is about to hand-deliver divorce papers to her husband when he's knocked unconscious. Now he remembers nothing of the past six months. Not Bria's unhappiness. Not the harrowing event that made her walk out the door. Sam thinks they still live together at the Sugar Creek Ranch. That his money is all she needs. That everything is just fine. To help him heal, Bria moves back home. But once there, she can't resist a stolen embrace…a stolen night. Can she bear leaving him a second time? Or will she find the courage to stay?

The Antonio Banderas look-alike standing on the porch in Western gear wasn't at all what actress Catherine Loza had expected. But when the tall, dark and totally irresistible rancher asked her to play the role of his fiancée to get the local matchmakers off his back, well…it was an offer the actress couldn't refuse. Brighton Valley mayor Ray Mendez thought he'd come up with the perfect plan. But as his fake engagement awakened stirrings of real romance—and real passion—he soon found himself wondering if he could persuade his costar to make their arrangement of convenience permanent. A proposal from the heart—and a baby on the way!—might just convince her that he was for real….

After years of tearing up the rodeo circuit—and shirking his family duties—Colton Hart shouldn't be surprised that his return to Thunder Ranch has been a bit thorny. His plan to put the Harts' prize stallion, Midnight, back into dangerous rodeo competition doesn't help. Colt's stirring up trouble off the ranch as well, especially in Leah Stockton's heart. Recently divorced, Leah is determined to make a new life for her two kids. The last thing she needs is a man who acts like a child himself. And Leah doesn't even know about the biggest mistake of Colt's life. When his shameful secret is revealed, she'll never look at him the same again. But Colt also realizes it's past time he acts like the man Leah deserves…whether she wants him or not.

Former rodeo star Amanda Markette is prepared to deal with anything her new job as a family law attorney can dish up. Until she learns her childhood sweetheart, Mitch Goodwin, is her client's ex-husband and opposing counsel. Mitch wants nothing more than to win full custody of the daughter he's been raising on his own for the past four years. Until Amanda rides back into his life Amanda and Mitch know they shouldn't give in to the connection that still sparks between them after fifteen years, but can they resist? And will Mitch ever forgive her once he learns the secret she's been keeping—a secret that could change his life forever?

Nothing could stop small-town gal Reily Eckardt from heading to Nashville and living the dream…until her car and cash savings were stolen en route. Now she was high and dry in Paradise, Colorado, population 1,632, relying on the kindness of strangers—in particular, bar and grill owner Joe Miller. But why did the single dad have to be so gruff— and cute—while he was being kind? Her mission: save up and split before getting sidetracked by this sexy enigma. Sure, Joe could offer Reily a job at his bar. Renting her his garage apartment—no problem. But giving her a place in his heart—no way! Poor Joe—it wasn't long before the country crooner had him singing a different tune.

Sitting in the finest secondhand wedding dress she can find, Emma Parker watches the clock tick down. She needs the most willing cowboy in town to become her husband before the sun sets—or she'll lose her first ever real home. Then Matthew "Singing Trigger" Suede saunters in, and his cover as the "Robin Hood of the West" is almost blown as he escapes from a bank. So Emma offers the renegade an alibi to save him from the noose…if only he'll escort her down the aisle—immediately!

Top secret commando soldier Ryder McKay is shot and left for dead in South Texas. But when he comes to in a bedroom on Grace Cordero's remote ranch, he realizes the beautiful former army medic did more than save his life. She risked her own. Not that he can tell her the whole truth about his mission. Ryder is sure dangerous thugs are using Grace's vast property to smuggle drugs, weapons—and people—across the border. But to prove it without blowing his cover, he has to let her ride shotgun on the investigation. And keeping his heart guarded against sexy, off-limits Grace will be the hardest part of all.

The illegitimate daughter of a late Texas billionaire, Sophia Rivers stands to inherit a fortune. But the stubborn woman doesn't want a penny of it. As financial advisor to the wealthy Delaney family, Garrett Cantrell has to convince Sophia to accept her inheritance. If she doesn't, her half brothers will lose their billions. So he introduces himself as a local businessman and starts softening her up, talking to her about family, loyalty and love. But the proud beauty has no idea who he really is. And the truth may cost him his heart.

Colt Brannigan always does the right thing, so he hires vulnerable Geena Williams as his housekeeper. But is this beautiful stranger trouble with a capital T? Geena is overwhelmed—it takes a brave man to hire a woman with a past like hers. In return for the second chance, she'll make his house a home he'll want to come back to after a hard day's work. Colt can be gruff, but to Geena his hard-won smile is as tender as a caress. He's let her into his home; maybe one day he'll let her into his heart?

With one of Texas's most heinous serial killers still on the loose, it's Colby agent Joel Hayden's sworn duty to protect single mom Laney Seagers. Getting a job at Laney's High Noon bar is easy for Joel…but gaining the trust of the fiercely independent beauty is considerably harder. Amid escalating danger, Joel struggles to safeguard the shattering family secret that could destroy all Laney has ever known. As he witnesses her world starting to unravel, how can he protect her without revealing what he knows? A lifelong bachelor, Joel learns a new lesson on the job: protecting Laney from violence may be easier than protecting her heart.

One look at the baby girl, and there was no question Kade Ryland was the father. For three months, Kade had posed as Bree Winston's husband at the Fulbright Fertility Clinic, while the two FBI agents investigated a trail of illegal adoptions and surrogates. Nine months later, a baby was dropped at his feet—and Bree was nowhere to be found. Now Kade had to reopen a case that had gotten way too personal and find Bree—fast. But if the two of them had never been a real couple, were they ready to be parents? Whatever the answer, Kade now had more than one reason to close this case once and for all.

Rude with a bad attitude—that's Ryan Clayborne, all right. From the moment she meets her new boss's son, Jorie Peters vows to spend as little time as possible with the surly rancher. That she has to plan his wedding? Well, that's just bad luck. The sparks shooting between them? Those are a Texas-size disaster. The last thing Ryan needs is some big-city wedding coordinator stomping her high heels all over his ranch. He has bigger things on his mind—mainly a temporary marriage to a friend he doesn't love. But one look at Jorie turns the cowboy's life, and heart, upside down. Heated thoughts lead to cold feet, but Ryan's still determined to do the honorable thing. Even if doing right has never felt so wrong

The shy, studious one among the royal Devereaux family of Chantaine, Pippa wasn't known for controversy. So her brief romance with Texas tycoon Nic Lafitte—of the detested-by-the-Devereaux Lafittes—had to end. Too bad Pippa couldn't get the darkly handsome, modern-day outlaw out of her mind! Given their generations-long family feud, Nic was stunned when the sweet princess secretly defied the Devereaux clan to fulfill a Lafitte's dying wish. But if Nic gave in to his attraction to Pippa, he'd break her heart—again. He tried to resist her…until a night of passion led to a little Devereaux-Lafitte! Now the royal and the Texan have to somehow bring two worlds, and two families, together.

Zach Torr's life changed the moment he saw Summer Wallace—and he's never forgotten the mockery she'd once made of their young love. The wealthy mogul has been waiting for the perfect opportunity to make his former lover pay for her long-ago betrayal. So when she's swept into scandal, he seizes his chance. His deal is simple: Summer will be his for every weekend…until he says it's over. His rules do not allow for emotional entanglement, nor the fantasy of a happy ending. But the revelation of Summer's decades-old secret may change everything.

Book 3 in KAREN ROSE SMITH's Reunion Brides series. Contemporary romance set in northern Arizona in the fictional town of Miners Bluff. COMING HOME...FOR KEEPS? After losing his wife in a tragic accident, successful businessman Dawson Barrett was determined to help his son, Luke, who was dealing with his pain by acting out at school and at home. Luckily, the devoted dad knew just who to call.... As talented as she was beautiful, music therapist Mikala Conti could work miracles. To her, the real miracle was that Dawson-the boy who'd once stirred her teenage heart, then vanished-was back in town. Still, Mikala wasn't sure Dawson was ready to move on. And she certainly didn't believe that one reckless moment of passion could change their lives forever. But it might just be the way to heal three troubled souls searching for a second chance at a forever family.

"If You're Selling Something, I'm Not Buying, Cowboy." They weren't the warmest words of welcome for Gage Phillips, who's just been named overseer of Dark Diablo ranch. On top of that, the Texas rover recently found out he's a father. The last thing he needs is a woman ordering him around, not to mention driving him crazy with desire…especially now that he's thinking about mending his footloose ways. Ireland seems a long way from Chelsea's new life on the Callahans' New Mexico spread—which now includes a teenage girl and her father: a raffish Texas cowboy with a slow, easy grin who's throwing temptation squarely in Chelsea's path! But a proposal? Gage surprises even himself with that one. It's strictly business—so Chelsea can get her citizenship. Or maybe not. Because as far as Gage is concerned she's already hooked one ready and willing renegade!

Alexis Beranger never could have anticipated the shock of being carjacked with her son still in the backseat. Or that Tague Lambert, part of the rich and famous Lamberts of Dallas, would be there to help. But most earthshattering of all was learning that the attack wasn't random—only a prelude to the danger stalking her every move. While their chance meeting occurred under the gravest of circumstances, Tague felt an instant attraction with Alexis that he just couldn't shake. Through with playing it safe, Tague vowed to protect this beautiful stranger and her vulnerable little boy, no matter how high the stakes. After all, a cowboy never ignored an innocent in distress—especially a cowboy who carried the Lambert name.

After knowing the woman for all of three hours, soldier Reese Cooper married waitress Cheyenne Jones. She was pregnant and scared, alone in Las Vegas—and he was about to ship out on a dangerous tour of duty. But months later, Reese comes home to Dawson, Oklahoma, no longer the strong cowboy who vowed to help Cheyenne. Shrapnel and a guarded heart changed everything. But with a wife and baby counting on him, Reese is about to learn what real courage is all about.

For small-town sheriff Boone Harrison, the investigation into a serial rapist turned killer is painfully personal. Boone's priority is to find the coward who murdered his sister. But to accomplish that, he'll have to work with Dr. Kate Kilpatrick, a secretive woman whose striking beauty and kind heart just may be the lawman's undoing…. Forensic psychologist Kate Kilpatrick was wrong about Sheriff Harrison. He's smarter and more resourceful than she'd given him credit for—and entirely too attractive. In their combined grief, Kate finds something she didn't even know she needed: protection. Because when the Rose Red Rapist sets his sights on Kate, she'll need more than the power of the badge to save her. She'll need her very own cowboy.

Never trust a man! That's what Dixie Cash learned from her mother. That and fathers don't stick around. She's pretty independent, and doesn't need help from her baby's daddy, sexy rodeo rider and ex-soldier Gavin Tucker. But he seems determined to do right by her. Just as Dixie starts to imagine that together they might be a family, tragedy strikes—and Gavin shows his true colors. She knew he wasn't honorable! After what Gavin went through in Afghanistan, he was more than happy to lose himself in the rodeo circuit—and in sweet Dixie's arms. But doing the right thing can be hard sometimes, and when Dixie—Gavin's lifeline—doesn't need him anymore, he's at a loss. His heart still longs for her, though he's not sure he deserves a second chance.

This cowboy will do anything she asks...except ride away. As soon as Matt Alvarez returns to his small Texas town, he knows the situation is worse than he thought. And yet the angry glares and muttered threats won't keep Elena Weston from proving she's innocent of murder. Matt isn't at all surprised. Elena is as stubborn as she was ten years ago, when their love seemed limitless--until circumstances tore them apart. Now that he's back, Matt has no intention of allowing Elena to face her troubles alone. But the passion that still burns between them is as tempting--and dangerous--as uncovering the truth. And their only chance at survival means baiting a killer lying in wait...a killer more than ready to bury his secrets with them.

The hero of Flagman's Folly has been gone more than a year. But he still stands between Ben Sawyer and what he desires most—Dana Wright, the love of Ben's life. When soldier Paul Wright left for the last time, he made his best friend promise to look after his wife and kids. Ben—good, steady Ben—is honoring that promise. And it's burning him up inside. Because Dana is shutting Ben out. She wants him—so much—but she can't afford to give in. If she does, she'll spill her secret, and the betrayal will hurt everyone she cares about—her children, who loved their daddy; her town, which loves its hero; and Ben, who loved his friend. She'll do anything to protect her secret—even give up her second chance at happiness.

He faked his death for good reason, but CIA operative Gage Ryland has a better reason to come back from the grave. Though they had a bitter breakup years ago, Gage wants to save his ex-wife—his very pregnant ex-wife—Lynette Herrington from a vengeful hit man. Obviously the baby proves she's gotten over Gage. Or has she? While on the run, Gage feels the attraction between them heating up and yet he knows he must undo a decade of hurt and separation before she'll put her trust in them again. But complicating his emotions is Lynette's pregnancy…and how, as she claims, her unborn child could be his.