Karen Rose Smith

The town's abuzz about an unlikely new couple: everyone's favorite pediatrician, Dr. Raina Gibson, and mysterious rancher Shep McGraw. Anyone with eyes can see that they're mad about one another... and Raina's crazy about the three children Shep raises as a foster dad. But no one expected wedding bells to peal—until Raina discovered she was pregnant!A marriage of convenience? Maybe at first. But my spies tell me that their shared passion is enough to set a hundred Texan ranches ablaze. It's just up to Raina and Shep to open their hearts once and for all to an unexpected love....

Celeste Wells didn't think twice about becoming a surrogate mom for her twin sister. But when Zoie's marriage ended suddenly, heartbroken Celeste just couldn't let the little girl go.Clay Sullivan's world shattered once his wife walked out on him and their daughter, and Celeste was a reminder of the painful memories the tough survival guide had "barely" survived. Yet she was everything her sister wasn't--loyal, loving, committed to the child to whom she'd given birth. Not to mention the attraction that sizzled between them the moment they came face-to-face at their fifteen-year reunion! Would falling for Celeste be making the same mistake twice...or giving Abby the mother she was always meant to have?

A tragic accident had taken everything from Dane Cameron -- his wife, his child, even his skill as a surgeon -- so he'd come here to the New Mexico desert to practice a different kind of medicine. He was searching for a new beginning -- but he found something more.... He found Maria Youngbear, a dedicated doctor who awakened passions he had thought long dead. She -- and the beautiful daughter she was raising alone -- were a painful reminder of all he had lost, and a sweet glimpse of everything he stood to regain. And she was offering him a second chance at love -- if only he could find the courage to take it....

"I didn't know she was pregnant when I left " Dr. Gavin Bradley was back for one reason: Jessie Windsor. The bachelor had never forgotten his first love, or the night of passion they'd shared. But it seemed Jessie had forgotten to tell him about one important thing--his daughter....

"WILL YOU MARRY ME?"Those were the words Jenny Farber had always longed to hear Zack Decker say. But marrying him would have meant leaving the only home she'd ever really known. So instead of following her high school sweetheart to L.A., she stayed on at his family's ranch, training the horses she adored. Zack never knew about the secret she carried...or how much she still loved him. Until a near-tragedy brought him home again.... Fifteen years ago, Jenny broke Zack's heart. Seeing her again rekindles all the sweet passion they once shared. But Zack came home to Miners Bluff only to deal with a family crisis--then he's pulling up stakes again. So why is Jenny making him dream of settling down in the one place he'd vowed to leave forever?

DEAR JON... When a letter arrived informing Jonathan Wescott that he was a father, the bachelor set out to find his child. But his little girl had been given away. The only way to see his daughter was through her adoptive -- and widowed -- mother. And when Jon set eyes on Alicia Fallon, the plan seemed perfect. YOU'RE A DADDY! Jon's appearance had Alicia's safe world reeling. Her little girl loved him immediately, but Alicia wasn't about to fall for Jon's charms. For this man could destroy her family, and if she dared let him -- her heart as well.

She was a struggling single mom falling hard for her handsome, dynamic, unattainable boss. But working for Mac Nightwalker and seeing the honorable man behind the millionaire's cool facade made it difficult for Dina Corcoran to resist him. Yet she hid her feelings and vowed that Mac would never know.... Mac's millions and striking Cheyenne heritage made him a target for women's wiles. But Dina and her young son slipped past his defenses. Though he'd decided never to fall in love again, it didn't mean his heart would obey....

LOST: His Precious Daughters Adam Hobbs was desperate. His ex-wife had kidnapped his children, and a mysterious woman with special powers was his only hope. At least Jana Kellerhern wasn't the wild-eyed wacko Adam expected. Actually, she was a knockout ... a knockout who was reluctant to talk to him, let alone help him find his daughters. FOUND: Her Perfect Family Jana kept a low profile. So how had trouble tracked her down again? Adam Hobbs had melted her heart with a single look. Of course, she'd help him. But this time, things would be different. This time, Jana wouldn't get involved -- and she wouldn't fall in love.

Dr. Jared Madison would risk almost anything for his adorable twin girls. Problem was, what they really needed was a mother's loving touch--and the green-eyed Texan was still too wounded by the past to take a chance on romance. Until the curvaceous charms of his new nurse began to cast their spell on his heart!Emily Diaz became a lifeline to Jared during a crisis, and her warmth started to work magic on his small family. But she had secrets of her own, and no longer believed in fairy tales. Could Jared be the Prince Charming who would help Emily get over her troubled past--and find the happily-ever-after they both deserved?

Sent to America in search of multimillionaire Marcus Cordello, possible heir to the throne of Penwyck, Lady Amira Sierra Corbin found herself entranced by dashing Brent Carpenter. But unbeknownst to her, Brent was in reality Marcus, hiding his identity to steal a few clandestine moments with the violet-eyed beauty.He meant to reveal the truth...except the touch of her hand made his blood rush faster, and left him yearning to hold on forever. But when Amira uncovered Brent's secret, and fled home, would an ocean between them wash away the hurt or only leave the lovely lady longing for the man she left behind?

MEMO To: The Single Women in the Office From: Olivia McGovern, Expectant Mom-to-Be Re: Guess What Happened at the Company Christmas Party? Yes, I am pregnant! Thanks to a passionate encounter during the company Christmas party, I'm expecting jet-setting bachelor Lucas Hunter's child. And he doesn't even seem to remember our one night together. Nevertheless, Lucas insists on marriage--for the baby's sake! but how can I convince him to bring love into this relationship and make our family a true one?

"I want this marriage," Cody assured her. Her high-school heartthrob -- blue-eyed, broad-shouldered Cody Granger -- was back in Birch Creek, making Lauren MacMillan feel 16 again. That is, she felt like an awkward, overgrown virgin still smitten with the sexy star quarterback who'd left her longing for love that could never be hers. But this time Cody -- now a busy doctor and single dad desperately seeking a mom for his adorable daughter -- proposed! Lauren had waited an eternity for this moment, this man and motherhood. But if she became Cody's bride strictly for convenience, would she still ache endlessly for his love?

Rugged, hardworking Sheriff Tucker Malone is as upright as the weather vane on Gertie Anderson's roof! So who better to shelter sweet, virginal Emma -- the amnesiac who surfaced in Storkville without a nickel or last name -- while he investigates her past? Still, the broad-shouldered lawman seems mighty distracted since Emma started spending nights. And he gets downright testy when other males come near Emma and the angelic abandoned twins she's taken under her wing. For a man who's sworn off women and family, Tucker sure is protective of his little brood. And we townsfolk suspect the sheriff hasn't a clue...that Emma and her charges have stolen his heart!

After fourteen years, Gina Rigoletti had finally returned to Sagebrush, ready to start a new life as the town's first baby development specialist—and finally forget her haunted past.Then Logan Barnes walked back into her life....Desperate to help his baby, Logan had no choice but to turn to Gina and her expertise. The sexy widower wasn't sure he wanted to put his trust—or his son—in the hands of the woman who'd once broken his heart. But seeing little Daniel in Gina's capable arms slowly melted the barriers he'd put up, and made him wonder if her homecoming might be the second chance he'd always longed for....