Contemporary Romance

A chef digging her way out of debt. A doctor making a huge career move. Two dedicated professionals who think they are too busy for love . . . .

Viviana Romano leaves her small East Texas town after high school graduation and lives with relatives in Tuscany for three years, learning to cook the food of her ancestors. When she comes home from her years abroad, she lands a job at a steakhouse in Dallas, falling for a moody chef who winds up sinking Vivi into massive debt. Four years later—and finally debt-free—Vivi returns to her hometown and takes over Romano’s, her parents’ pizza parlor, with ambitious plans for the restaurant.

As a boy, emergency room physician Ford Carpenter spent summers in Sugar Springs with his aunt and uncle, who were childless and always treated Ford as if he were their son. Facing burnout from eighteen-hours days managing a busy Houston ER, he agrees to go into practice with his uncle, eager to practice a different kind of medicine.

While reclaiming his life and settling into Sugar Springs and a slower pace of life, Ford begins a romance with a reluctant Vivi, who is drawn to the handsome doctor and yet hesitant to commit to a relationship after being burned in the past.

Will Vivi be able to risk her heart and find a future with Ford—or will the demons of her past doom their relationship from the start?

A woman ready to make a fresh start in life after a double tragedy. A man returning to his hometown, eager to serve his community. Two people not looking for a relationship—much less love—and finding life is better when it’s shared . . .

Deb Busby’s life implodes when a stalker causes her to be fired from her job—and when she lets him know she has no interest in him—he murders her parents. Seeking to escape her past and her enormous grief and guilt, Deb changes her name to Hope Keller and moves to the small town of Sugar Springs, purchasing the practice of the local veterinarian.

Gideon Ross had hopes for playing in the NFL until a knee injury changed his career trajectory. Becoming a detective in Dallas, Gideon is eventually given the opportunity to return to his hometown and take over as its chief of police. Divorced for a decade, he has no plans for dating, much less marriage—until he meets Dr. Hope Keller.

But Gideon’s police instincts cause him to look into Hope’s background. As his relationship with Hope heats up, he hesitates to tell her he knows about her past because he worries that it might impact their future.

Can Hope find peace in a new place and heal emotionally—and is Gideon Ross the man for her?

A woman betrayed and cast adrift. A man ready to prove himself professionally. Opposites who don’t match up on paper—and yet they find they are a perfect match . . .

Nova Turner was tossed out by her fundamentalist parents when she turned up pregnant at fifteen. Taken in by her bohemian artist aunt, Nova gives birth to Leo, who becomes the light of her life. Hit by a double whammy—her live-in lover betrays her and her beloved Aunt Rain dies in a car accident—Nova finds herself inheriting Rain’s house in Sugar Springs, Texas.

Cole Johnson’s storied football career as a Texas Longhorn came to an end when he tore up a knee. He shifts his focus from playing to coaching. After a decade as an assistant, he’s offered the chance to become the head coach and athletic director at Sugar Springs High School.

Sparks fly when Nova meets the handsome coach, the man her son is itching to play football for. Cole teaches Nova about the game of football—and things heat up between them.

Can an unconventional artist and single parent find happiness with a workaholic coach who’s always played by the rules?

A woman smarting from the betrayal of her fiancé. A man changing directions in his career. A threat that will come between their new love . . . 

Former Olympic gold medalist Rory Addison suffers a career-ending injury when she is shot by a stalker while competing on the ice. After a long rehab, Rory earns her college degree and begins a new career in education. Her world comes crashing down again when her fiancé is disgraced by a huge scandal. Painted by the brush of his misdeeds, she resigns her position and is hired to teach high school history in the small East Texas town of Sugar Springs.

Walker Cox remained in Dallas after graduating from law school, eventually making partner at a high-profile firm. He walks away to return to his hometown, where he takes over his retiring father’s law practice.

When Rory is reluctant to begin a relationship with Walker, her grandmother tells Rory not to let her past color her future and encourages her granddaughter to give the handsome attorney a chance. Things heat up quickly between the pair, and they make plans for a wedding, even as Rory considers a career beyond teaching.

Will Walker and Rory begin their future together as man and wife—or will someone from Rory’s past spell doom for their relationship?

A woman with a secret occupation. A man ready for a new challenge. Work brings them together—and then love blossoms between them . . .

High school teacher Paige Laramie has been secretly writing screenplays under the name Laramie Fisher in her free time. She sells a couple for a moderate fee, but she strikes gold when Hollywood’s hottest superstar buys her latest effort and decides to shoot the film in her hometown of Sugar Springs.

Former stuntman and model Tanner Haddock jumped to roles on the big screen, but he’s always been someone who pushes himself creatively, seeking new challenges. Tanner’s ready to move into directing—and finds the perfect script to star in and make his directorial debut. 

He just didn’t count on falling in love with its beautiful, quirky writer.

Can two people from very different worlds find common ground—and find lasting love?

A man haunted by the death of his fiancée. A woman whose athletic career was cut short. Two people adrift, seeking to find a place in their community—and finding one another—and love …

Assistant district attorney Sawyer Montgomery is overwhelmed with grief after losing his fiancée in an unsolved hit-and-run. He throws himself into his law career until he reaches his breaking point. Sawyer decides to return to his hometown of Hawthorne, Texas, where he has family and friends who can support him as he begins to seek a better balance between work and his personal life.

WNBA player Paisley Roberts has won basketball championships at every level, even playing for Team USA and earning Olympic gold medals three times. A cheap shot by a jealous player ends her playing days, and she finds a fresh start, landing a job as the head basketball coach of the Lady Hawks high school team.

When Sawyer and Paisley meet, she is closed off. As a former foster child who was never adopted, Paisley has never trusted—much less loved—anyone. Sawyer’s easygoing nature and ability to see the best in others breaks through her tough exterior, though, and she finds herself opening up to the handsome lawyer, even believing they may have a future together. 

Their relationship faces challenges along the way, however, as both begin to heal emotionally while trying to balance work obligations and career pressure, all under the watchful eyes of their small town.

Can Sawyer and Paisley let go of the ghosts from their pasts and realize that they are better together, thanks to the power of love?

 

A rancher ready to settle down. An editor making a career switch. Two people who return to their hometown in Texas—and find love …

Chance Blackstone sowed his fair share of wild oats during his twenties. With his father’s death, however, Chance takes over running his family’s ranch. His sister Kelby has recently married West Sutherland, Chance’s best friend since childhood, and Chance is a bit envious of their domestic bliss, wondering if it’s time for him to find a wife of his own and start a family.

After a decade of working for Liberty House, a New York publisher, Summer Sutherland is forced from her job as a senior editor. Her gut tells her she can write better romances than the ones she’s been editing, so she returns to Hawthorne and gives herself a year to see if she can make it as an author. Drawing from her roots, Summer begins writing a series about a small town in the Texas Panhandle and runs into her teenage crush, Chance Blackstone, the guy who always made her heart race.

Chance never gave Summer a second glance, mainly because she was a couple of years younger and West’s awkward little sister. Now, however, the ruggedly handsome ranch owner finds himself drawn to the talented, independent, grown-up Summer. Chance’s unexpected attention ignites feelings Summer thought she had long buried, and she agrees to kick their budding friendship up a notch and explore the feelings stirring within them both.

As they spend more time together, the spark between them ignites, leading to a deepening connection and undeniable attraction. But when a secret from Chance’s past comes to light, it threatens to ruin their chance at lasting happiness.

Can Summer come to terms with this sudden change and embrace a future with her cowboy—or will this explosive secret extinguish the flame of their love?

A successful sports agent searching for family. A woman at a crossroads in her career. Two people from very different worlds who meet—and find they need one another desperately …

Jace Tanner, who owns a top sports management agency in Dallas, longs to reconnect with the brother he was separated from when they were small children. He hires an investigator to locate Eli after his adopted parents pass on. Upon learning that Eli serves as the medical director of a hospital in the small town of Hawthorne, Texas, Jace decides to reach out, meeting Eli on his wedding day.

Darby Montgomery is the bride’s cousin, visiting her former hometown and ready to change careers after ten years. An opportunity to teach at her alma mater gives Darby the chance she’s been looking for, but crossing paths with Jace leaves her utterly confused. She believes they are too different from one another to pursue a romantic relationship—but Jace is ready to try and convince Darby that she’s wrong.

Drawn to Darby’s positive outlook and outgoing, friendly nature, Jace thinks he’s finally found a woman who can hold his interest—and his heart. As he sees his brother’s happiness, Jace begins to want the same for himself.

As Jace and Darby’s relationship blossoms, they must navigate the challenges of balancing their professional lives with their growing feelings for one another. Jace opens up about his past and tries to overcome his fears of setting down with one woman. Darby, on the other hand, thinks they ultimately want different things out of life, and she is reluctant to risk her heart, while desperate to ignore the chemistry between them. 

Will Jace and Darby set aside their differences and take a leap of faith, finding the courage to choose each other? 

A woman betrayed in the worst way by her husband. A man who has never fit in wherever he went. Together, they find a deep love which will heal and restore them …

Autumn Sutherland, a dedicated nurse, catches her doctor husband cheating on her with a colleague. Heartbroken, she divorces him and returns to her hometown for a fresh start. Once in Hawthorne, she accepts a position as Director of Nursing at the soon to open Hogan Health Hospital—Triple H—hoping to find new purpose in both her professional and personal life.

Former ER physician and new medical director Eli Carson grew up in foster care. While a brilliant doctor, Eli is shy and socially awkward, having skipped several grades throughout his education. Despite his reserved nature, Eli is deeply compassionate and dedicated to his patients, earning the respect and admiration of everyone at the new medical center.

As Autumn and Eli work together, they form a strong bond built on their shared passion for helping others. Autumn is drawn to Eli's kindness and humility, while Eli admires Autumn's strength and determination. Despite their initial hesitation of becoming involved, as they spend more time together, their friendship blossoms into something deeper.
 

Will Autumn and Eli learn to open their hearts to one another, or will their pasts keep them from finding a lasting future together?