Men of Allegany County Series by Ruth Logan Herne

Two words jerked Trent Michaels out of his comfort zone, tunneling him back a dozen years, pre-West Point, pre-deployment, a young man searching for answers. For hope. "Alyssa. Hello."Heart pumping from a swift adrenaline punch, Trent stared straight ahead as his high school love leaned down to accept his new boss's hug, looking... Amazing. Beautiful. Wonderful. His heart ground to a stop, unwilling to believe what his eyes held true... moreTwo words jerked Trent Michaels out of his comfort zone, tunneling him back a dozen years, pre-West Point, pre-deployment, a young man searching for answers. For hope. "Alyssa. Hello."Heart pumping from a swift adrenaline punch, Trent stared straight ahead as his high school love leaned down to accept his new boss's hug, looking... Amazing. Beautiful. Wonderful. His heart ground to a stop, unwilling to believe what his eyes held true. Dark brown hair, clipped back, framed a face no less beautiful at thirty. Probably more so, the mature features offering a true version of what girlish looks had only hinted. Dark brows arched over hazel eyes, tiny spikes of gold lighting the color from within, her profile as dear and familiar now as it had been twelve years past. But what was she doing in Jamison, New York? He'd checked before accepting Helen Walker's offer of military liaison with Walker Electronics. A good soldier always appraised his front line, and Trent had a slew of battlefield commendations testifying to his thoroughness. As of last week, Alyssa had been living in a squirrel's hole-sized town in eastern Montana. "How's your father, dear? The surgery went well, I hear?" Lyssa nodded, her expression warm, a small smile curving soft, sweet lips he remembered like it was yesterday. "Yes, thank you, although he's already chomping at the bit. My mother has her hands full." Helen clucked womanly empathy. "I'll bet she does, but at least you were able to come back." She squeezed Lyssa's hand in a silent message, her look sympathetic. "That's a big help right there." "I hope so." Lyssa straightened, her gaze traveling the table full of men with a polite smile of welcome, right until she came to him. She stopped. Stared. So did he. One hand came to her throat in a convulsive movement. She didn't look happy to see him. Shoc less

Securing a location for his family's chain of sweet shops is big-city businessman Danny Graham's secret mission. But Grandma Mary's Candies will mean the end of Megan Russo's little shop—and the end of her dreams. How can Danny put a quaint, small-town candy shop out of business? Especially one owned by a kind young woman who's lost too much already? Still, here he is, trying to romance his sweet rival…although Megan doesn't know who he really is... moreSecuring a location for his family's chain of sweet shops is big-city businessman Danny Graham's secret mission. But Grandma Mary's Candies will mean the end of Megan Russo's little shop—and the end of her dreams. How can Danny put a quaint, small-town candy shop out of business? Especially one owned by a kind young woman who's lost too much already? Still, here he is, trying to romance his sweet rival…although Megan doesn't know who he really is. Seems like Danny needs to look into his own heart and discover what matters most. less

"Taking Charge...Of Her Heart"High-powered businessman Jeff Brennan can't figure out why he's so smitten with the town's new librarian. Hannah Moore is quiet, skittish--and wants nothing to do with him. Yet as they work together on a fundraiser, Jeff resolves to discover why she came to the small New York town. Is working two jobs and tutoring kids with special needs an escape for Hannah? If so, Jeff is determined to show her that love can be the most powerful healing force of all.

When Matt Cavanaugh returns to his Allegany County hometown, he's not as rough around the edges as he used to be. The former marine is a successful contractor, a man who now believes in the Lord and old-fashioned hard work. But when he buys a bankrupt subdivision, he discovers he's stepped on single mother Callie Burdick's dreams for her family. And when Matt learns about Callie's troubled past, he's determined to rebuild her trust—plus an entire community—in time for Christmas.

Wanting to do right by his impressionable daughters, widower Cam Calhoun knows they need a woman's touch. But when his high school sweetheart returns to town to open a beauty spa, Cam plans to keep his distance. Meredith Brennan left him without a word over a decade ago. Now talk of hairstyles and nail polish have his tomboy daughters way too excited. Yet when Meredith hires him to make her dream come true, Cam discovers he just might have what she needs most: the love of a family.

When two orphaned boys and their aunt arrive for Thanksgiving supper at church, retired army colonel Brett Stanton feels his heart tugged. Despite having her hands full, young businesswoman Haley Jennings handles her nephews with a smile. Still, Brett can't get too close to the needy trio. He lost his son and brother to the uniform, and isn't about to set himself up for loss again... moreWhen two orphaned boys and their aunt arrive for Thanksgiving supper at church, retired army colonel Brett Stanton feels his heart tugged. Despite having her hands full, young businesswoman Haley Jennings handles her nephews with a smile. Still, Brett can't get too close to the needy trio. He lost his son and brother to the uniform, and isn't about to set himself up for loss again. Soon sweet Haley and the boys remind him of old dreams—and teach him that new dreams provide the greatest hope for a perfect family Christmas. less