Carolina Magnolia Books

“...both a love story and a story of personal growth.” —Jill M. Smith, Romantic Times, 41/2, TOP PICK Cleo Alyssum's plan is simple: stay sober, stay out of trouble, and bite her tongue until Social Services sees she’s pretty close to perfect and returns her little boy. But when an accident on her isolated property forces her to rent a cottage to celebrated cartoonist Jared McCloud, her carefully constructed comfort zone develops cracks. Jared has a deadline to meet or he’ll forfeit still another lucrative career and be branded for life as the loser in the family. Only, he wasn’t meant to be a hermit, and his cartoon characters aren’t nearly as fascinating as his quirky, enigmatic landlady. When Jared discovers his island hideaway contains a drug-dealing neighbor’s two neglected, abused teens, he shoves Cleo into the real world that she fears in his effort to save the children. Risking everything, the pair join forces to find a home for the kids and have their mother’s dangerous boyfriend locked up. In the process, they face a new realization that there’s more to life and love than either of them ever planned or dreamed. Previously titled Almost Perfect, Ballantine 2001 CAROLINA MAGNOLIA series in order: Dixie Rebel Imperfect Rebel Rebel Charm Carolina Rebel Rebel Girl Home Town Rebel “Superb, superb, superb!...You must read this excellent, excellent book.” —Heather Heath, The Old Book Barn Gazette “...This book is not ALMOST PERFECT, it is perfect.” —Jaclyn Reding, Rendezvous

From the remarkably talented Patricia Rice comes a new novel about passion and dreams, old insecurities and new outlooks, and finally finding the truth of one’s heart. . . . A lot has happened to Mara Simon since she was a teenager. And although on the inside she’s still the sweet, sensitive girl she was back then, the face she shows the world is that of a beautiful, high-powered Hollywood producer with a movie to make and a schedule to keep. She can’t let the fact that Tim McCloud, her first and only love, has turned up on her set rattle her. With so much riding on the success of this film, all she can do is ignore the way his presence makes her rethink everything she thought she wanted out of life and turns her steely façade to jelly. Tim McCloud didn’t even recognize her when she walked into his office. The girl he knew had been replaced with a sizzling bombshell. Underneath the paint and glitter Tim sees that the girl he used to love has become a woman with an incredible mind and a loving heart. Their goals are wildly different but he can’t ignore the fact that her presence makes him rethink everything he thought he wanted out of life. Now, to win her back, he must show her the difference between Hollywood artifice and real happiness. . . .

“... full of the warmth, humor and poignancy that make Rice's books very special.”— Jill M. Smith, RT Book Reviews An ambitious MBA with a genius for opening her mouth when she shouldn't, Aurora Jenkins wants nothing more than to leave her suffocating rural hometown and run back to the big city where she belongs. Clay McCloud loves rural anonymity. After giving up his million-dollar lifestyle to pay back investors ruined by his MBA-wielding ex-fiancée, the last thing he needs is another woman with a fancy degree and rebellious plans. But a real estate scam threatening both their families forces these two brilliantly stubborn people to recognize what's really important and re-evaluate their dreams. . . and each other. Previously titled Carolina Girl Carolina Magnolias series in order: Rebel Dreams Imperfect Rebel Rebel Charm Carolina Rebel Rebel Girl Home Town Rebel “..Rice does such a good job of weaving the reader through each character, making them personable and the ending all the more romantic.” —ReaderToReader.com

“The sexual tension between Jo and Flint is palpable, and the small-town community provides a warm, often humorous setting for their burgeoning romance” — Romantic Times Ex-country musician Flynn Clinton retires from the road to raise his two boys in his old hometown. Only the sexy waitress who thinks she runs his new coffee shop has the means to carve what remains of his future into coffee grounds. Former beauty queen Joella Sanderson claims her first boyfriend ruined her taste for the stage, and the last ruined her taste for lying, cheating music men. She now serves coffee in the Stardust Café, singing funny ditties and looking for ways to save her mama’s health and her sister’s marriage. Fully believing talented Joella belongs in the music world he’s just left, Flint throws all of his powerful connections—and the heart he doesn’t dare touch again—into developing her music, until the day the town’s only industry closes. Now, irresistible Joella and immovable Flint must join together in letting music back into both of their lives to save the town and the café. (previously titled Small Town Girl ) Carolina Magnolias series in order: Dixie Rebel Imperfect Rebel Rebel Charm Carolina Rebel Rebel Girl Home Town Rebel REVIEWS: “These two (characters) sizzled with sexual tension, and their snappy dialogue keeps you entertained. Secondary characters tie all this together creating a wonderful story you do not want to miss.” — Coffee Time Romance Reviews

The much-awaited sixth book in the Carolina Magnolia series by NYT-bestselling author Patricia Rice: Determined to undo the damage her ex has caused in the small Carolina town she calls home, Amy Warren wants to save the local mill. Her plan shatters when Jean-Jacques St. Etienne arrives with loads of cash, charisma, and expertise, with every intention of buying the mill for its designs and then abandoning the community. A European playboy who lives a charmed life, Jacques has no interest in mills, communities, or anything except the designs that will keep him occupied so he needn’t recall the tragedy of the one moment in his life when his luck deserted him. As mild-mannered Amy and dashing Jacques play a cat-and-mouse game that can only end in heartbreak, their affair affects the existence of an entire town. Previously titled Sweet Home Carolina Carolina Magnolias series in order: Dixie Rebel Imperfect Rebel Rebel Charm Carolina Rebel Rebel Girl Home Town Rebel Reviews: ". . . a terrific romp through gorgeous scenery with smart, witty, and quirky characters. This story has such a warm and loving feel to it... Author Patricia Rice has done a beautiful job...a touching story... 5 Angels and a Recommended Read."—Tammy, Fallen Angel Reviews

NY Times bestselling author brings “Hours of reading delight.” RT Reviews A ditzy dreamer with a well-hidden practical streak, Maya Alyssum has an impossible dream of opening a school where kids can find unconditional acceptance—acceptance she and her sister had never experienced while growing up in foster homes. But Axell Holm, the town council’s representative, holds Maya’s unconventional dream in his hands. Axell is the kind of uptight authority figure Maya loves to hate. So how is it that he’s ringing all her chimes, even as her rebellious plans turn his ordered life upside down? Previous title: Impossible Dreams Reviews: “Patricia Rice shows her diverse talent as a writer…[it] will leave readers with a smile on their faces.” Murray Ledger and Times (KY) Carolina Magnolias series in order: Dixie Rebel Imperfect Rebel Rebel Charm Carolina Rebel Rebel Girl Home Town Rebel

From NYT bestselling author Patricia Rice: “Intriguing and passionate…”— Booklist Mara Simon, trophy wife turned high-powered Hollywood producer, isn’t about to let TJ McCloud, the love who left her behind, shut down her movie set. There are too many livelihoods at stake. A forensic anthropologist more accustomed to studying bones than sizzling bombshells, TJ doesn’t recognize Mara at first. But even the girl he used to love can’t stop him from cordoning off her movie set while he investigates a possible murder site. Despite their conflicting lifestyles, Mara and TJ must work together to solve the mystery so both can move forward. In the process, they are forced to rethink everything they thought they wanted out of life. Previously titled McClouds Woman Carolina Magnolias series in order: Dixie Rebel Imperfect Rebel Rebel Charm Carolina Rebel Rebel Girl Home Town Rebel Reviews: “...engaging and compelling.”— Jill M. Smith, RT Book Reviews “Ms. Rice is a wonderful storyteller....” Angela Johnson, Old Book Barn Gazette