He’s haunted by one mistake... Kane Highwater has been on the run for over a dozen years, since he was sixteen. And every step of the way he's carried the weight of what happened the day he left Last Stand. He'd reacted in fear and anger, and it had cost him everything. He stirs her heart in a way she never imagined... Lark Leclair admires the Highwater clan for many things, including how they've never stopped searching for their missing brother. As a former Child Protective Services worker, she understands better than most why he'd run. But when she spots Kane in a crowd at a national reining competition where her friend — his sister — is competing, it will take all of her experience, compassion and instincts to convince him to stay. Their attraction is immediate, but Kane is certain he can never regain his place in his legendary family. Can Lark convince him that with her by his side, it's not too late for a fresh start?
"Colleen is a master storyteller." --Karen Kingsbury, New York Times bestselling author For most, it's the safest place on earth. For Gracie, it's the last place she wants to be . . . and the one place she must return. With nothing but five dollars and the wedding dress she's wearing, Gracie Lister flees with her daughter by train to West Texas, to the town she ran away from so long ago. There they find refuge in the home of Michael Wayne--devoted single father and seasoned soldier--who gives Gracie a job caring for his two children and the hiding place she needs from her former fiancé. Michael and Gracie aren't looking for love, but it finds them right away. And then trouble comes to call in the form of Gracie's ex-fiancé who is now on the FBI's most-wanted list. Together, Michael and Gracie must find the strength they need to protect their newly forged family. "Colleen weaves intrigue and God's love into a story full of carefully crafted characters. If you're looking for an awesome writer, I highly recommend her!" --Tracie Peterson, best-selling author of Dawn's Prelude, Song of Alaska Series Full-length romantic suspense Includes discussion questions for book clubs Part of the Lonestar series, but can be read as a standalone Book One: Lonestar Sanctuary Book Two: Lonestar Secrets Book Three: Lonestar Homecoming Book Four: Lonestar Angel
She’s no one’s second choice ... Slater Highwater had his own reasons for coming home to Last Stand, Texas. And if anyone wants to know why a guy with a philosophy degree from an Ivy League school was now running the historic Last Stand Saloon, he has a stack of ready answers, none of which are completely true. But Joey Douglas never asked that question. Perhaps because she and Slater are always carrying on conversations no one else can follow. Or perhaps because she suspects she knows why he came home – her glamorous and calculating older sister broke his heart. Joey has longed for Slater since she first laid eyes on him, but her sister will always be an insurmountable barrier between them. Sure she and Slater click intellectually and sparks ignite whenever they’re in the same room, but Joey will never, ever settle for being Slater’s consolation prize no matter how much she loves him. Can Joey step out of her sister's shadow? Can Slater convince Joey she's his true soul mate?
Lonestar Sanctuary Though tragedy has wrecked her life, Allie Siders holds on to the hope that her five-year-old daughter, Betsy, will speak again. But with a stalker out for revenge, all Allie can think about now is their safety. She heads to the peaceful Bluebird Ranch, nestled in Texas hill country. Ranch owner Elijah DeAngelo eagerly welcomes the duo. But Rick Bailey—the ranch foreman—hasn't decided to let his guard down. Promises made long ago soon force Rick and Allie to work together to escape danger. Lonestar Secrets Shannon Astor returns to southwest Texas to serve as the town's veterinarian—and to get her life back on track. Then she catches a glimpse of Jack MacGowan, the man who ruined her life years before. Even more shocking is the sight of Jack's five-year-old daughter Faith, who bears an uncanny resemblance to Shannon's own daughter Kylie. Could Faith be the daughter that Shannon has believed to be dead for all these years? Lonestar Homecoming Gracie Lister escapes with her daughter to the West Texas country where her family fell apart years ago. There, Lieutenant Michael Wayne gives Gracie the refuge she needs and a job caring for his two children. When Gracie’s ex-fiancé catches up to her, her impulse is to flee the danger—and the father she lacks the courage to confront. Together Gracie and Michael must find the strength they need in each other to protect their newly forged family. Lonestar Angel Five years ago Eden and Clay Larson’s baby was stolen and never found. The tragedy ended their young and rocky marriage. Now Eden’s moved to a new town to rebuild her life. But Clay arrives and delivers news: he never signed their divorce papers. And Clay has been searching for Brianna all this time. He believes he’s found her in Bluebird, Texas, at a youth ranch. All five little girls there are the right age. Eden and Clay sign on as counselors, but as danger closes in, Eden, Clay, and all their young charges are in jeopardy. As they fight to save their family, Eden realizes that God has been fighting for them all along. All is Calm The Bluebird Ranch is the perfect place for Lauren Everman to hide. As the witness to a murder, she needs protection and the ranch’s owners offer her sanctuary. She lends a hand with the foster kids who visit the ranch to learn how to ride horses. Little Carly is her first student. Brendan Waddell is recovering from a gunshot wound at Bluebird Ranch. His friends’ welcoming home is the perfect place for him to rest during the holiday season. Lauren intrigues him, even though she says she’s not interested in romance. When Lauren and Brendan conspire to give young Carly a happy Christmas, love blooms. But first the couple must race against time to find the killer before he strikes again.
He never lets anything get to him. Except her. Police Chief Shane Highwater has the respect of the entire town of Last Stand, Texas, and they all believe he was blameless when an accident several months ago ended one life and tore apart another. All except reporter Liliana Jones, who blames him for her fiancé’s death. There's more to the story than she knows, secrets that might change her mind. Secrets Shane can't tell her. But oh, does he want to, because Lily Jones is the first woman he's been undeniably drawn to in a very long time. When a tragedy in town throws them together, Lily is forced to admit Shane is everything everyone said he was and ignoring the growing attraction is near impossible, and she’s no longer sure she wants to. Has her change of heart come too late?
"After losing his mother, Annie Ridgeway's sweet six-year-old nephew thinks he's an orphan. Turns out the father he never knew is bull rider: Colt Holde-the boy's hero. Before bringing them together as father and son, Annie has to make sure Colt is as good a man as he is a cowboy. When she arrives in Mule Hollow, she finds the handsome, honorable man guarding his burdened heart against caring for anyone or anything. Will a little boy's devotion be the fighting chance they all need?"--P. [4] of cover.
HER GAME, HIS RULES Is Clint McCulloch really thinking of bulldozing one hundred acres of prime blackberries? Not if Rose McCabe has her way! The enterprising single mother's plan will benefit the rodeo-champion-turned-rancher and her natural-food co-op. Too bad the sexy six-foot-four Texan is more stubborn--and devastatingly attractive--than when they were kids growing up in Laramie. Clint just wants to restore his family ranch to its former glory, but the sassy entrepreneur can be awfully persuasive. Their mutual attraction is an added incentive. Until Rose lays down the ground rules: a no-strings affair because she's never, ever marrying again. Only now Clint wants the whole shebang--a future where he can be daddy to Rose's adorable preschool triplets and husband to his Lone Star cowgirl!
A Christmas in Last Stand brings unexpected gifts to two very different people... Detective Sean Highwater may be one of the famous Highwaters, but he has always felt a half-step off because of the way his agile mind works. Only learning to focus has enabled him to not just survive, but thrive. Elena de la Cova is from a respected and highly regarded founding family, brought up with rather stringent expectations, but right now she is a widow trying to raise a son she doesn't understand. If Last Stand had royalty, in Sean's book it would be elegant Elena. He's willing to help her son as he had been helped, but being that close to Elena scares him to death since he’s been in awe of her for years. Elena is impressed both with the way Sean gets through to her son, and with his appreciation for the Christmas customs of her culture as much as his own. Their perceptions of each other shift, but will the passion that strikes between them be enough to overcome their perceptions of themselves?
BEST FRIENDS WITH BENEFITS For two people who aren't in love—and don't plan to be—Poppy McCabe and Air Force Captain Trace Caulder have pretty amazing chemistry. And now the longtime buddies and sometime lovers are about to get their most passionate wish: becoming the adoptive parents of twin babies! The catch? They have to get married. For two people who prize their independence above all else, a pre-Christmas wedding with all the trimmings could be a major game changer. Suddenly, Trace wants to be there for Poppy 24/7. Except he's stationed overseas. So he only has a thirty-day leave to convince the woman who shares his complicated past that they can have it all: family and forever!
"With his harrowing childhood behind him, cowboy Jess Holden made some promises to himself. He'll remain a bachelor. Won't ever get involved with a certain kind of woman. But then he rescues a lovely newcomer-- and two scared calves-- from a flash flood in the middle of Texas Hill Country. Not only is veterinarian's assistant Gabi Newberry a reminder of his past, she's the granddaughter of a Mule Hollow matchmaker! But as sweet, spunky Gabi tends the ailing cattle on his ranch, Jess begins to discover that some promises were made to be broken."--P. [4] of cover.
