New Releases by Joann Ross

A new hope Caine O''Halloran had been a hero. A husband. A father. Now he was none of those things. His career as a baseball pitcher—all but over. His marriage to Nora Anderson—history. The son he loved—gone. And now, as he returns to his hometown to regroup, he finds instead that every familiar corner, every familiar face is a reminder of what he has lost. Except for Nora. Because with her he has a second chance. A chance at forgiveness, redemption and hope. But after all the golden opportunities Caine has squandered in his life, can he believe he deserves another chance? Bonus book included in this volume! Hard Choices by USA TODAY bestselling author Allison Leigh When the daughter she''d given up appears on her doorstep, Annie Hess knows it''s time to reconcile her past—with her daughter, and the one man she can''t forget.

From a childhood nurtured by unconditional family love to her stunning triumph as one of Hollywood’s leading fashion designers, Alexandra Lyons has always been spirited and independent. But everything she believes about herself is thrown into question when she meets Eleanor Lord. The powerful matriarch is convinced that Alexandra is Anna Lord, her long-lost granddaughter and heir to a family dynasty. Has Alexandra’s life been a lie? Is she really Anna Lord—or the victim of an even darker hoax? The truth lies buried in the past, in a dark explosion of jealousy, betrayal and murder, and remains as deadly now as it was nearly thirty years ago.

He was used to getting what he wanted. And what he wanted was her. As an Explosive Ordnance Disposal Specialist, Dillon Slater had one of the most dangerous jobs in the military. Now, he’s enjoying the pace of life in Shelter Bay, where he teaches high school physics. He still gets to blow things up, but as the school basketball coach he also gets to impart leadership skills. His latest minefield: fifteen-year-old Matt Templeton—and Matt’s irresistible mother… Claire Templeton moved her troubled teenage son to the small town of Shelter Bay to escape the bad influences at his school in L.A. But when his attitude earns her a visit from the handsome basketball coach, she wonders if this role model might be too much of a temptation—for her. Because though she isn’t looking for a relationship, she can’t seem to resist Dillon’s playful charm. But what she doesn’t realize is that Dillon isn’t playing games—he’s playing for keeps…

Whiskey River is a quiet Arizona mountain town—until it''s rocked by murder. The death of Laura Swann Fletcher, the beautiful wife of charismatic senator Alan Fletcher, makes headlines across the nation. Trace Callaghan''s job is to solve Laura''s murder, and solve it quickly. As the sheriff of Whiskey River, he has a reputation for unwavering logic and deliberate action. But this case is unlike any he''s ever handled before—because Laura''s sister, Mariah, insists on being fully involved, an involvement that extends beyond seeing her sister''s killer unmasked. In this twisted case packed with illicit desires and dark secrets, everyone is a suspect. And nothing is what it seems.…

Ross has created a rich, lyrical love story about land, community, family and the very special bond between a man who doesn''t believe in anything and a woman who believes in him. Reissue.

Once Married, Twice Shy For Lily Van Cortland, Bachelor Arms was a new beginning for her and her unborn baby. Because of the battle with her dead husband''s wealthy family—who wanted custody of her child—she needed her two best friends, Caitlin and Blythe, to help her start a new life. A life that would never again include a lying, cheating playboy. Mac Sullivan, the building''s temporary handyman, was the kind of man she could want. Hardworking. Honest. Ordinary. Except Mac was lying about who he really was….

Always a Bridesmaid Bachelor Arms resident Caitlin Carrigan liked being a bridesmaid, never a bride. She and Lily would help Blythe put on a spectacular wedding, worthy of a Hollywood star, even though Cait thought wedded bliss an impossibility. After a childhood spent with an endless array of new stepparents, Caitlin vowed never to marry. But lady-killer Sloan Wyndham was the toughest opponent she''d ever met. He knocked down all her defenses and seduced his way into her bed…and her heart. Her answer was still no, wasn''t it?

She Loved His Brother… Grief-stricken over the death of his brother, cynical, hard-nosed movie maverick Bram Fortune did the unthinkable—he sought comfort in the arms of his brother''s fiancée. The morning after, they both realized their mistake and left for their separate lives. Only, Bram couldn''t forget Dani Cantrell''s soft skin or beautiful eyes. Even as he was beginning to think he had to see her again, Dani came to him. She was pregnant with his child. His—not his brother''s. Bram knew he wanted Dani more than he''d ever wanted any other woman. First he had to marry her. Then he had to make her love him.

She Was Marrying the Wrong Groom Blythe Fielding realized she was making a terrible mistake marrying Alan Sturgess. Since her aborted walk down the aisle—because of an earthquake; was fate trying to tell her something?—she''d begun to have dreams about other men. Like Bachelor Arms resident Gage Remington. The private investigator Blythe had hired to help solve a decades-old mystery was everything she''d ever dreamed of in a man. Sexy, dangerous and compelling. His kisses sizzled, his eyes promised a passion she''d never known. He made it clear he wanted her. But in her dreams there was also another man….

He no longer believed in anything. But she believed in him. J.T. Douchett has returned home to shut out the world and escape the memories that haunt him from his final mission as a Marine. When he reluctantly agrees to provide security for a town event, the last thing he expects is to experience unbidden feelings for Irish movie star Mary Joyce. Mary has surprised everyone—including herself—by accepting an invitation to a film festival in Shelter Bay. The Oregon coastal town immediately charms her, and an even larger surprise is encountering the stoic man who could be everything she''s dreamed of. As J.T. struggles to keep Mary at arm’s length, she reminds herself that she’s never been attracted to the strong, silent type. And having known so much sorrow, he’s afraid to risk getting close to anyone. But in Shelter Bay, even the most strongly guarded heart is no match for love.

Set in steamy Blue Bayou, Louisiana, The Callahan Brothers features three sexy siblings and the fascinating women who fall in love with them. ?? Blue Bayou: Danielle Dupree and Jack Callahan both grew up in Blue Bayou, Louisiana; Danielle was the closest thing the community ever had to a princess, and Jack was the sexy bad-boy son of her wealthy father''s housekeeper. Dani and Jack had a steamy love affair as teenagers, until Dani’s father, Judge Dupree, sends Jack away. Thirteen years later Dani returns to Blue Bayou as a widow with a young son. Jack too, has returned, having purchased the former Dupree home, the grand and stately Beau Soleil with hopes of restoring it to its former glory. A former DEA agent, Jack is now a bestselling writer. But even as their passion reignites, Dani and Jack know that secrets hang in the air…and that the past may ruin their second chance at a once-in-a-lifetime love. River Road: Free-spirited actress Julia Summers has wanted to be a Bond Girl all her life, so landing the role of Carma Sutra in the newest James Bond movie is a dream come true. But before she can head off to Katmandu to start her new role, she has to wrap up the season of the nighttime soap opera on which she plays a vixen. The cast is on location in Blue Bayou, LA when Julia begins to receive potentially threatening fan letters. Not wanting to put his star (and the show) at risk, the director hires no-nonsense FBI Agent Finn Callahan to act as a bodyguard. Julia and Finn soon discover that despite their differences, there''s an undeniable attraction between them. Magnolia Moon: Detective Regan Hart’s life turns upside down when her dying mother confesses that Regan was adopted. Determined to learn the truth about her past, she travels to Blue Bayou to piece together her birth mother’s mysterious death and figure out the identity of her real father. The mayor of Blue Bayou, Nate Callahan, has always loved Southern belles. And they’ve always loved him right back. But when Regan comes to town, he finds himself drawn to the no-nonsense cop. And although she initially dismisses him as a rogue, Regan can’t help noticing a deeper side to Nate. With Nate’s help, Regan delves deep into her mysterious past—and ends up learning more about her family, her heart, and herself than she had ever expected.

Two classic stories from "New York Times"-bestselling author RossNplus a bonus Christmas novellaNare packaged together for the first time. Includes "Cajun Heat" and "Love Potion #9." Original.

Former Navy SEAL Lucas Chaffee and celebrity chef Madeline Durand rekindle their romance when they work together to turn an old farmhouse into a cooking school.

HIS FATAL FLAW His problem, Mitch Cudahy told himself yet again as he hung upside down in a tree rescuing a cat, was that he always had to be the hero. Which was fine on the job, but he had to learn to leave his work at the fire station. Maybe he needed to get little cards to hand out when the urge overtook him: Stop me before I help again! But it was too late. He''d married a perfect stranger. Temporarily. So she could stay in America. The only thing he knew about Sasha Mikhailova was not to let her into a kitchen or she''d burn it down. Playing with fire was dangerous, but too late Mitch realized he''d jumped out of the frying pan….

NEW ORLEANS KNIGHTS Michael O''Malley: Responsible, determined, loyal. As a private detective, Michael was used to taking care of people. No one needed his help more or wanted it less than… Lorelei Longstreet. Someone wanted to hurt the beautiful movie star whom Michael has been hired to guard day and night. For Lorelei, however, being with strong, sexy Michael recalled their bittersweet love affair from years ago. As did being back in sultry New Orleans. Michael might protect her from danger, but who was going to protect Lorelei from him? NEW ORLEANS KNIGHTS: Three brothers, three unforgettable heroes

BACHELOR OF THE MONTH: Lucky O''Neill—6 feet 2 inches of drop-dead gorgeous cowboy. This Wyoming old-fashioned rancher can lasso a girl''s heart faster than roping a runaway steer. The last thing in the world cowboy Lucky O''Neill wants to do is be on the cover of Hunk of the Month magazine. He''s used to herding cattle, not fighting off hordes of women. To help his sister, however, he''s willing to do almost anything. And once he meets gorgeous, sultry magazine editor Jude Lancaster, taking off his clothes has more and more appeal….

MEN OF WHISKEY RIVER Clint Garvey: The sexy rancher has had enough of heartbreak. His solution: no involvement. Sunny: The beautiful, blond and green-eyed housekeeper had a completely different plan. She was determined to fix Clint''s life, to save his ranch from financial ruin and to find him true love. Clint was pretty sure he hadn''t even advertised for a housekeeper, but here Sunny was, living in his house. Whiskey River had had its share of unusual visitors, but Sunny''s claim that she was his fairy godmother topped them all. Clint didn''t want to change his life, but Sunny was difficult to say no to. And when he looked into her captivating eyes he found himself wanting to say yes to Sunny forever…. Come and be spellbound….

NEW ORLEANS KNIGHTS Shayne O''Malley: Undercover operative. Handsome as sin, he plays the part of a jet-setting playboy, perfectly willing to use seduction to finish his assignment. No woman had ever been his match until… Suspected thief Bliss Fortune turned his world upside down. Shayne''s superiors were convinced Bliss was part of an international jewel-smuggling ring, but cynical, world-weary Shayne is suddenly having other ideas. He''s beginning to wonder if the trusting, beautiful, passionate woman might be innocent. But that meant someone was setting her up…. NEW ORLEANS KNIGHTS: Three brothers, three unforgettable heroes

NEW ORLEANS KNIGHTS Roarke O''Malley: loves danger and beautiful women. As a glove-trotting journalist, he lives on the edge using his wits, daring and sheer love of adventure. Home to recuperate from an attempt on his life, set up by a woman who claimed to love him, he falls into the greatest danger of all…. Beautiful and vulnerable Daria Shea runs to Roarke for help. Without her memory, she doesn''t know who is trying to hurt her or why. Roarke claims he''s no knight in shining armor, but with him Daria feels safe. And as they investigate together, the hot sultry days of New Orleans turn into steamy, loving nights…. But with his history—and the ring from another man on her finger—can Daria make Roarke believe in love? NEW ORLEANS KNIGHTS: Three brothers, three unforgettable heroes

ROGUES HALF-BREED Wolfe Longwalker: Proud of his heritage, he used words—as a writer—to battle the white man. His enemies used a more basic method: they were about to hang Wolfe for a crime he didn''t commit. So when Noel Giraudeau, a modern-day princess, found herself in 1896 Arizona, what else could she do except rescue Wolfe? But he was a man who didn''t trust anyone, least of all a woman. On the run from the law, their passionate adventure quickly turned into something much more real…but Noel''s destiny was back in her own time and Wolfe''s was in his…. ROGUES Dangerous to love, impossible to resist!

Temptation is delighted to bring you a fun new miniseries BACHELOR AUCTION And you''re invited… Fifty fabulous heroes are up for sale— Including Bachelor #23 Alec Mackenzie Rugged and sexy, this adventurer isn''t about to be easily captured and sold. But he hadn''t counted on Kate Campbell''s passion to get him on the block at any cost. Or her secret desire to have him for herself… Bachelor Auction: The man of your fantasies is up for sale!

WHO IS THAT HERO FOR HIRE? Lucas Kincaid: Loner, independent, Southern charmer. He''d quit the bodyguard business—except he''s pulled back for one last assignment. Grace Fairfield: Also known as Roberta Grace, bestselling romance author. Her steamy love scenes have no comparison to the sparks that fly between her and Lucas! Assignment: Somebody at the romance writers'' conference wants to hurt Grace, which means Lucas is guarding her day and night. He quickly realizes that he''s willing to risk anything to keep the lovely Grace safe—and willing to risk even more for a future together… Being a bodyguard means staying close as a lover

When former U.S. Marine photojournalist Gabriel St. James arrives in Shelter Bay to help out a fellow Marine, the last thing he expects is to meet a woman like Charity. A veterinarian with a past that would have defeated a less resilient woman, Charity still possesses a heart as generous as her name. She''s known men like Gabe before-but with a shared attraction impossible to deny, Charity and Gabe agree to a simple affair with no expectations. But as summer unfolds, and Gabe finds reasons to extend his stay in Shelter Bay, he and Charity realize that there''s nothing simple about falling in love, and nothing easy about the choices of the heart.

USA Today bestselling author JoAnn Ross brings you a provocative story… Hunter St. John wants Gillian Cassidy. In his bed… fulfilling his fantasies. For thirty nights, that''s the deal. He''s going to make her scream with wild, wanton pleasure. Enjoy a little sweet revenge in the process. The perfect way to get her out of his system, right? Maybe. Gillian is shocked by his proposition— and aroused. She''s never forgotten Hunter and the way he can make her feel. But it''s emotional blackmail. It could also be the best sex of her life… Except what happens when the thirty days are over?

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Air Force Combat Controller Dallas O''Halloran is as tough as he is loyal. So he''s not pleased when he''s recruited into a new anti-terror unit and teamed up with Academy graduate Julianne Decatur-the icy blond JAG officer who nearly court-martialed his friends. Assigned to investigate a Navy flyer''s apparent suicide, they discover the trail of a ruthless killer-and an attraction between them that can''t be denied. And when their prey turns the tables on them, Julianne will have to depend on the one man daring and reckless enough to keep them both alive...

Explore the wilder side of New York Times bestselling authors Linda Lael Miller and JoAnn Ross in four steamy short stories . . . One Last Weekend College sweethearts Teague and Joanna Darby never imagined they’d end up on the brink of divorce. But when a ferry strike leaves them stranded together at their beloved beach cottage, the most awkward weekend ever becomes the perfect chance to fall for each other all over again . . . Batteries Not Required Rodeo star Tristan McCullough isn’t quite the boy Gayle Hayes left behind when she put her Montana home town in her rearview mirror. Now that she’s back, the spark still zinging between them might just light up the rest of their lives together . . . Cajun Heat Emma Quinlan has to stop thinking about her former Cajun crush, movie star Gabe Broussard, so she makes a list of all the things she wishes he would do to her and buries it in a graveyard at night. Except Gabe somehow gets hold of it—and he intends to make every blissful wish come true . . . Love Potion #9 It’s bad enough that Hollywood hotshot Sloan Hawthorne’s knowledge of Roxi Dupree’s witchcraft comes from comic books and fairytales. She’s also falling hard for the outrageously sexy hunk—and their natural ability to conjure up some mischievous magic for those steamy Savannah nights . . . Visit us at www.kensingtonbooks.com

More than a year after his red-hot affair in Baghdad with Army doctor Kirby Campbell, Army pilot Shane Garrett is trying to rebuild his life stateside. Kirby is also stateside, but when she learns a friend is being held hostage in Central America, she works with Phoenix Team to organize a rescue?and Shane isn?t about to let them leave him behind. Or let Kirby get away. But when Kirby and Shane stare danger in the face, they come to know each other in the way no civilian could ever understand. And they wonder: can they fight for their country, for their lives?and for love?

Four bestselling authors share captivating tales of Christmas romance to make your holidays merry and bright. “Silver Bells” by Fern Michaels For years, movie star Amy Lee wondered what it would be like to leave her shallow Hollywood life and go back home to Apple Valley, Pennsylvania. This Christmas, she plans to find out. And Hank Anders, her high-school boyfriend, is now ready to give her a welcome she’ll never forget . . . “Dear Santa . . . ” by JoAnn Ross Mystery author Holly Berry’s SUV has broken down in the little hamlet of Santa’s Village, Washington. Holly hates the holidays—that is until lodge owner Gabriel O’Halloran and his five-year-old daughter rekindle her belief in passion, magic, and Christmas wishes . . . “Christmas Past” by Mary Burton Photographer Nicole Piper just received a very unwelcome Christmas gift—a letter that holds clues to an elusive killer’s identity. Uncovering the truth means enlisting homicide detective David Ayden’s help, and embarking on a road trip that will take them both into the heart of danger and desire . . . “A Mulberry Park Christmas” by Judy Duarte Every Christmas, the folks living on Sugar Plum Lane pull out all the stops when decorating. After a bitter breakup, Alyssa Ridgeway’s heart just isn’t in it this year. But running into her first love, James “Mac” MacGregor, fills her with memories of the tender Christmas kiss they once shared . . . “A quartet of heartwarming Christmas romances . . . Each short story contains a full-fledged romance from first kiss to happy ending, both satisfying readers and encouraging them to seek out the authors’ long

Returning to the Southern island of her childhood to rebuild her life, Sabrina Swann encounters Zach Tremayne, a Navy SEAL who is haunted by the horrors of war, and they both learn to love again with danger lurking in the shadows.