Showing results by author "Susan Mallery" in All Categories

After five years as a stay-at-home mom, Gabby Schaefer can't wait to return to work. Oh, to use the bathroom in peace! No twins clamoring at the door, no husband barging in, no stepdaughter throwing a tantrum. But when her plans are derailed by some shocking news and her husband's crushing expectations, Gabby must fight for the right to have a life of her own.

Zoe Saldivar is more than just single - she's alone. She recently broke up with her longtime boyfriend, she works from home, and her best friend, Jen, is so obsessed with her baby that she has practically abandoned their friendship. The day Zoe accidentally traps herself in her attic with her hungry-looking cat, she realizes that it's up to her to stop living in isolation. Her seemingly empty life takes a sudden turn for the complicated.

When Kari Asbury left Possum Landing, Texas, for New York City eight years ago, she was thinking only of the future—not of her ex-boyfriend, Gage, the one she left without saying goodbye. Gage Reynolds had planned to propose to Kari on the night of her prom but instead he finds himself jilted and abandoned without a word. Shocked and heartbroken, Gage does his best to move on, building a life in Possum Landing and working his way up to becoming the town sheriff. He’s all but forgotten Kari—until she comes back to sell her grandmother’s house and turns his carefully built world upside down.

Shelter - it was such a basic need and one that single mom Ashley Churchill had always been able to provide for her little girl. Until her luck turned, and the only protection she could find was in her stony and taciturn boss, security specialist Jeff Ritter. Jeff warned he was only offering to share his home, not his life, and that suited Ashley just fine. She would make it on her own.

Fayrene Hopkins may be only twenty-four years old, but she runs her own business and has big plans - plans that don't involve falling in love yet. She's determined to make her mark on the world before settling down. She thinks she's got life all figured out - until she meets Ryan Patterson on her latest job. Fayrene senses his interest in her, and she has to admit he gets her pulse racing. Luckily, starting a relationship with Ryan is safe - he's leaving Fool's Gold when his work contract is up.

Mr. December: Duncan Patrick, CEO Scrooge. A powerful businessman, Duncan didn't like ultimatums, unless he was making them. But the board demanded his public image change. When he encountered sweet kindergarten teacher Annie McCoy, he knew she'd make him look like a perfect angel, though it would take some devilish manipulation.

The Somerville sisters believe in love, but they’ve lost faith it will happen for them. Reggie hasn’t been home since the end of the world’s shortest engagement. When her parents decide to renew their vows, she buffs up her twinkle to help with the Christmas wedding. Unexpectedly, Toby, her first love, is back too, and the spark between them shines as brightly as ever. In the spirit of the season, will they let go of past hurts and greet the New Year together?

Cal Buchanan needs a top-flight chef to take over his failing Seattle restaurant, The Waterfront. He can afford to hire the best in town, the only problem is that the best happens to be his ex-wife, Penny Jackson.

Michelle Sanderson may appear to be a strong, independent woman, but on the inside, she’s still the wounded girl who fled home years ago. A young army vet, Michelle returns to the quaint Blackberry Island Inn to claim her inheritance and recover from the perils of war. Instead, she finds the owner’s suite occupied by the last person she wants to see. Carly Williams and Michelle were once inseparable, until a shocking betrayal destroyed their friendship. And now Carly is implicated in the financial disaster lurking behind the inn’s cheerful veneer.

After Andi Gordon is jilted at the altar, she makes the most impetuous decision of her life - buying one of the famed Three Sisters Queen Anne houses on Blackberry Island. Now the proud-ish owner of the ugly duckling of the trio, she plans to open her own pediatric office on the first floor, just as soon as her hunky contractor completes the work. Andi’s new future may be coming together, but the truth is she’s just as badly in need of a major renovation as her house.

When fate brings three strangers to a charming space for lease on the California coast, the Boardwalk Bookshop is born. Part bookstore, part gift shop, part bakery, it's a dream come true for Bree, Mikki and Ashley. But while their business is thriving, their personal lives are…not. Bree, wounded by brilliant but cold parents and her late husband's ultimate betrayal, has sworn to protect her heart at all costs. Even from Ashley's brother, a writer and adventurer who has inspired millions.

Wedding coordinator Renee Grothen isn’t meant for marriage. Those who can, do. Those who can’t, plan. But she never could have planned on gorgeous, talented thriller writer Jasper Dembenski proposing - a fling, that is. Fun without a future. And the attraction between them is too strong for Renee to resist. Now, she can have her no-wedding cake...and eat it, too. After years in the military, Jasper is convinced he’s too damaged for relationships. So, a flirtation - and more - with fiery, determined Renee is way too good to pass up...until his flame becomes his muse.

Heather is happy . . . ish. She has a successful business, a cute but contemptuous cat, and best friends Daphne and Tori who know where she’s broken and love her anyway. So why does she feel crushed when her ex gets serious about someone new? No problem, she has a plan. More connections will hold her together while her world falls apart, so she finally reaches out to the stranger who might be her dad.

Dr. Kelly Hall had lost all hope of ever having a family - until single father Tanner Malone burst into her hospital, asking her how to raise his newborn daughter. What else could she do, so soon before Christmas, but lend her expertise to the gorgeous contractor? His charming smiles and come-hither glances draw her like a moth to a flame, but she's in no position to get involved with anyone. After a devastating heartbreak, Kelly has given up on happiness.

After three romantic flame-outs in a year and a restaurant career going nowhere, Dani Buchanan needs a fresh start. She goes looking for her biological father, but never expects to find a senator running for president. As his long-lost "love child", Dani could seriously derail the election - something his handsome campaign manager, Alex Canfield, isn't going to let happen.

When Pia O’Brian’s best friend dies, Pia expects to inherit her cherished cat. Instead, the woman leaves Pia three frozen embryos. With a disastrous track record in the romance department and the parenting skills of a hamster, Pia doesn’t think she’s meant for motherhood. But determined to do the right thing, Pia decides to become a single mother. Only to meet a gorgeous, sexy hunk the very same day. Raoul thought he was done with women and commitment, but he can't get sweet, sexy Pia out of his mind.

Single mom Ellen Fox couldn’t be more content - until she overhears her son saying he can’t go to his dream college because she needs him too much. If she wants him to live his best life, she has to convince him she’s living hers. So Unity Leandre, her best friend since forever, creates a list of challenges to push Ellen out of her comfort zone. Unity will complete the list, too, but not because she needs to change. What’s wrong with a 30-something widow still sleeping in her late husband’s childhood bed?

The ache of past loss reminds Kenny why he needs to avoid getting too close to anyone. Especially to a gorgeous redhead and her adorable little girl. Mess it up, and he'd lose them both. Yet Kenny can only resist Bailey for so long. And as festive spirit spreads throughout the town, he's all wrapped up in Bailey's sweet, sexy kisses and determined to make this the first of many Christmases together.

Noelle Perkins just got a second chance at life, and she intends to make the most of every minute. That's why she ditched a frustrating legal career to open her own store in Fool's Gold, California. The Christmas Attic celebrates everything that's magical about her favorite season. Business is booming, and as a bonus, gorgeous army doctor Gabriel Boylan has offered to help out during the holiday rush.

Besties Laurel and Paris are excited to welcome Cassie to the group. This year, the book club is all about fill-your-heart reads, an escape from the chaos of the everyday—running a business, raising a family, juggling a hundred to-dos. Even the dog is demanding. Since Laurel’s divorce, she feels like the Worst Mom Ever. Her skepticism of men may have scarred her vulnerable daughters. Cassie has a habit of falling for man-boys who dump her once she fixes them. Paris knows good men exist. She’s still reeling after chasing off the only one brave enough—and foolish enough—to marry her.