Josephine Cox

The dollhouse collection was spectacular, antique dealer Victoria Blair admitted -- worth every mile of her trip from San Francisco to Sunshine, New Mexico -- but she never expected the hostile reception rancher Sage Lawson gave her. Suspicious of her sudden appearance at his grandmother's request, Sage decided this city girl was just like the ex-wife who'd abandoned him and their young son for the bright lights. But Victoria breathed a fresh vitality into the sleepy little town -- and Sage was hopelessly seduced by her warmth and sweet energy. Victoria, who'd grown up all alone, adored her new surroundings and blossomed in the heat of Sage's passionate caresses. Could life at the Lazy L restore the childhood dreams she'd put away forever -- dreams of belonging, of being loved by a man who'd never let her go?

When Nell becomes pregnant, she is forced to leave behind her life, and travel across the Bedfordshire countryside of 1890. On her journey she meets Kit, a ten-year-old orphan. She takes him under her wing, both of them aware there must be a reckoning.

Despite her beloved mother's deathbed warning, Phoebe Mulligan has no choice but to throw herself on the mercy of her uncle, Edward. The tragic young girl makes her way to Blackburn, but there is no warm welcome awaiting her there. Banished to a bare attic, faced with hostility from her cousin, Margaret, Phoebe cannot understand why she is treated so harshly by Edward Dickens. She is not to know the guilty secret that casts its sinister shadow over his feelings for his lovely niece.

'I can take him away from you any time I want.' Her mistress's cruel taunt is deeply disturbing to Jenny. But why should Claudia be interested in a servant's sweetheart? Jenny reckons without Claudia's vicious nature; using a wily trick she seduces Frank, who, overcome with shame, departs for a new life in Blackburn. Losing her sweetheart is just the first of many disasters that leave Jenny struggling to cope alone. When Claudia gives birth to Frank's baby girl she cruelly disowns the helpless infant and relies on Jenny to care for little Katie and love her as her own. Always afraid for the beloved child who has come to depend on her, Jenny is constantly called upon to show courage and fortitude to fight for all she holds dear. In her heart she yearns for Frank, believing that one day they must be reunited. When Fate takes a hand, it seems as though Jenny may see her dreams come true.

The new girl in school has a secret, and when the truth comes out, what are the chances of anyone wanting her for a friend?