Böcker av Sandy Appleyard

An unforgiving past. A future on the chopping block. And a secret revealed days before Christmas, that can redeem or ruin everything they've been fighting for. The strike comes before I can stop it. Before I know it, my eyeball feels like it'll explode and Jovi is chasing the perpetrator out the door, not before the sheriff shows up and takes the dirtbag to jail. This is my life. I work in a bar with some great people. It's the drunks and juvenile delinquents that ruin it all. And it's Christmas. Y'all would think that my luck would change, but it hasn't. As if it couldn't get any worse, my car breaks down, and Jovi has to drive me home. The third strike of the night comes when the lock on my door is broken, and I have to get Jovi to help boost me up into my own bedroom window. You'd think my fate would change after that. But what I do next is something so stupid, so impulsive, but so life changing, that I don't know why I didn't do it sooner. *** Rickie is one of those women that is so strong and independent, I wouldn't dare tell her what I've been feeling for her, until she walks in on me doing something I was keeping secret from everyone. Somehow, I convince her to do the same and change her life, despite the mistake that led to the decision. But that's in the past now. She's got her own past, which makes it easier for us to find common ground. But as we hear the sleighbells ringing, the sonogram pulsing, and the future calling, I find that I'm the one standing on solid ground, enough for the both of us. That is, until a final test, just days before Christmas, that sends us both in a tailspin. And I don't know which one of us is strong enough to wait for that final call with the answer to our prayers...is it too late for a Christmas miracle? Holiday romanceChristmas romanceSecond chance romanceHappily ever after romanceSteamy romanceMedium heatMild foul language

A future almost shattered. A strange new friend. And a holiday party that does more than raise a glass to good cheer. Now, normally I don't go around asking strange women personal questions, you know, owning a bar and all, it's usually the other way around. But this girl, Venus, who's helping her sister, catering at my brother Liam's wedding, gives me an odd feeling. It's not what you're thinking, and shame on you for thinking that when it's Christmas. Dang, I almost tripped over a reindeer as I went over and talked to her, behind the food table. She's beautiful, no doubt about it at all, but she's got that look in her eye, man, there's no denying it. There's trouble, and in no small way, neither. And when she blurts out the truth, well gosh, you could hear a pin drop, and this is a wedding attended by more than a hundred people, ladies and gentlemen. *** Raine, my sister, points out the guy standing next to Liam, his brother, who's staring at me like I'm his next meal. His name is Darryl, and he owns a local bar, and somehow I figure he's caught wind of why I'm here. It's impossible, of course, because nobody knows except for Raine, but the feeling I get in my gut tells me that he knows I'm not just serving lasagna as a favor to my sister. But he's adamant, despite my claws coming out, amongst all the holly and mistletoe, and I ignore the fact that he's the most gorgeous man I've ever seen, no ma'am, but that's also because he's the last thing I need. But I soon find out that in the few days that I've been here I've learned to ignore my needs and stick to my wants. God strike me dead, but as much as I hate him the moment we exchange pleasantries, I'm also unapologetically attracted to the sumbitch. ...but can we get past this tug of war between us? Then again, it doesn't really matter, since the very reason why I'm hiding out here in Huttonville comes back...with a gun in hand...dressed up as, guess who... Holiday romanceChristmas romanceHate to love romanceHappily ever after romanceSteamy romanceHigh heatMild foul languageCliffhanger ending

An actress. A veterinarian. A deep and unexpected love. And a past that follows her to Hollywood, to try to take away the one thing she never knew she wanted...again. It feels like I've come back from the dead. After a long stint shooting a film in Spain, being back in Clarkstown feels foreign, like all eyes are on me. When I see a new set of eyes, my first instinct is to divert my gaze, but they're magnetized to Beau's. What's more, he's got those eyes that say there is more. When I find out the more, I learn all I need. But as the plane takes me back to the other side of the planet, I realize that my escape won't get me far, because the two people that stand to hurt me most, test my heart, and take me places, but only one ends up showing me what's inside his....and I taste betrayal. *** Emma means well but as I'm attending her son's wedding, I find I'm the next victim of her meddling. Meeting Kayla is not something I'm prepared for, but I meet her all the same, and now it's too late. Years ago, I made up my mind to focus on my career, because my heart can't take another loss. But as I get to know Kayla, it can't be avoided, and that's why when she runs, I'm so confused. It seems her past trumps my own, and now we're at a stalemate. Do we forgive and move on, or do we go our separate ways? And then someone tries to answer that question for us... HEA (Happily Ever After)Ranch romanceMedium heatCourse languageCliffhanger ending

Two people bad at relationships. Two criminals at large. As authorities vie for peace, two hearts struggle to unite. It seems like it will take a miracle...and then one happens. My brother Will, as much as I love him, he's a thorn in my side. I feel like I'm spending more time visiting him at the jail house than I am at my own house. He's becoming more cocky, unappreciative, and then he grows a pair and becomes downright sneaky, right under my nose. But the man behind the counter at the courthouse is no fool. I soon find out that he's also Kate's brother, Clay, and if I thought my brother Will's life was a mess, Clay is no match. Until I learn something about him that I didn't think any other man could teach me. And then there's no turning back. There's something about this jailbird that rubs me the wrong way. He's got his sister wrapped around his scrawny little finger and it irks me to no end. Denice is not to be played with, and she's got nerves of steel. I only wish I did, too. Making matters worse, I find out that my estranged sister Kayla is coming home, and I'm suddenly cloaked with the burden of watching her. It's tough when adults behave worse than children, and it seems like Denice and I have common ground on that front. But no matter what they do, nothing can prepare me for the stunt that Will pulls next, and for what Denice tells me moments before that. ...am I ready to fight this time...or will I run away faster than Will? HEA (Happily Ever After)Ranch romanceCowboy romanceMedium heatCourse languageCliffhanger ending

The perfect lie. The deception that goes viral. The truth that should set them free...but instead, it threatens to kill. Rachel Lewis has it all. Being a business consultant, she has a long list of successes, but an even longer list of potential relationships that she's never had. Until she meets Drake, a man with the perfect match for everything: a drowning business, a rock-solid work ethic, and unheard of talent. But just when she's about to cross that line between business and pleasure, a life-or-death lie ruins it all...or so she thinks. Drake Hatcher left the nest years ago to start a business. This is what he tells people. Including his own family. But deep in the bowels of his childhood lies a painful memory that's been locked away for decades. His brothers hate him. His folks miss him. Town elders know the real story. But when he comes home with a failed business and a broken heart, he meets Rachel, and suddenly things aren't nearly as dire. Until he learns a secret, from Rachel's best friend Kiley, that throws everything into a tailspin. And it's all about to blow up in the town's face...at the hands of a madman who's been watching from behind the scenes...and knows the perfect time to strike. HEA (Happily Ever After)Small town romanceRanch romanceMedical romanceSecond chance romanceMedium heatCourse languageCliffhanger ending

The right girl. The wrong past. The mystery double life that catches up to her. The special gift that begs for blood... Well, that's just great. I've missed the cut-off to apply for a scholarship, so my folks are freaking out about two things now. As if going to school in another city isn't bad enough. As if me agreeing to countless asinine things to keep my parents happy isn't grating on me already. And then I meet Gunner and it all falls apart. He's the man of my dreams, and yet he's the man that tears my world apart...but he doesn't know it. And now I can never see him again. I can never hear his voice again. Most of all, I can never feel my heart beating against his ever again. It didn't occur to me until it was too late. How right my brothers are, that is. I ran from Clarkstown to Houston to get away. The great escape. Funny how leaving home for all the wrong reasons made everything else look right. Understand that it was just too much. But what I find out in Houston is that Ava's life pales in comparison. I thought I was doing the right thing. I thought everything would turn out okay. Until she vanishes off the campus floors and I don't see her again...for another year. And then I find out the truth, and it changes everything forever. Can we ever get back what we had? HEA (Happily Ever After)Ranch romanceCowboy romanceCollege romanceMedium heatCourse languageSmall town romanceCliffhanger ending

The accident that nearly destroys him. The team that miraculously pulls him back together. And the lie told that could change both of their lives forever. Kiley has a lot going for her. She's got the perfect man, the perfect career choice, a brain and a drive to succeed that surpasses anything she could have dreamed of. But just when she thinks she's got it all, an unexpected item found in a drawer while her boyfriend is out with friends makes a sudden change in her life that can never be undone. To make matters worse, when a new patient makes her uncomfortable after said discovery, she tells a lie that she can't un-tell, digging herself further into a hole.When Luke nearly dies after a fall, he finds himself in unwanted territory. First, he's in hospital, then he's stuck in a wheelchair, unable to do anything for himself. A man used to eighteen-hour workdays at the family ranch finds it difficult to be tied down, visiting doctor after doctor. Until he meets Kiley, a physiotherapist on the road to being a surgeon, and he begins to see light at the end of the tunnel. But when he finds out something about her, all bets are off, and he's forced back into his rut. Unsuspecting, they both have something in common. But when fast friends become something more, the truth comes out, and Luke goes running. Will Kiley go after him? And more important, eyes are watching the family ranch...just waiting for the right moment to make their move...which will be easier with one man down... HEA (Happily Ever After) Ranch romance Medical romanceSecond chance romanceMedium heat Course language Cliffhanger ending

The secret that everyone knows. The tragedy that pulls them apart. The shocking past that catches up and takes it all...except the most important thing. Sure, my divorce just finalized. But the moment I see Maverick, I know I'm in trouble. Sloane, my sister, says that I'm using him like a piece of meat. Truth is, we're both using each other. He's a rancher. I'm a stockbroker. We're both richer than a pound of Bavarian chocolate, but we're worlds different. Until something unites us unlike anything else. No money, no fame, nothing could match it. Problem is, I can't tell him how I feel. And then it happens...and we lose it all. Or do we? Ellie's a piece of work. Here I think I'm being a gentleman, helping her move out of her marital home, into another mansion. But then there's an accident and I see a side of her that I didn't know existed. She puts my gallantry to shame when she steps up. This successful woman is more than meets the eye, and as much as we're just fooling around, there's something more to her than that. But neither of us are ready for it, and then I'm blindsided, by the two things that I never thought I'd have and didn't know I wanted. ...until it's gone and we're left picking up the pieces...and Ellie's staring down the barrel of a gun. HEA (Happily Ever After)Ranch romanceCowboy romanceHate to love romanceMedium heatCourse languageSmall town romanceCliffhanger ending

She takes her secret to the grave. He can't live again until he knows. But will the person he trusts tell him before he loses everything...again? Nope, I won't do it. I've been offered many jobs over the years and stubbornly, I turn them down. But the what and when of this job offer may be too much to turn my cheek, especially when my boss is trying to sabotage me. And Jacob, damn, he's the reason I want to turn the job down, but he's also the reason I want to accept it. It's written all over his face. It's written in the contract. And the writing is all over the wall...in my guest bedroom. I've given her everything she could want. Sloane is the star employee, but Ruby warned me that she wouldn't cave for me. Not even for the tidy sum I'm offering her. A woman like that...I've only seen once before. Never thought I'd see that type again. But she's not for me, for so many reasons, and then something crazy happens, something that changes everything. And when Sloane is in my life, I have to stop myself. It's not what you think. I can't love anyone else. That part of me is dead. ...but what if it was all a lie?...and what if I ruin everything, when the truth is only a screen touch away? HEA (Happily Ever After)Ranch romanceCowboy romanceOffice romanceMedium heatCourse languageCliffhanger ending

Two lawyers; as unlikely a union as two Scorpios...the secret that could ruin their lives...and the miracle that saves them. Rachel Thomas is a coveted El Paso lawyer. Her prowess in the courtroom is enough to shun any criminal into retirement. But her partnership in the legal firm is sullied by the big cheese, who burdens his staff with large case loads while he basks on his yacht for sport. The ranch she grew up on seems a distant memory most weeks, while she prepares briefings and depositions for her clients, and her family slops horse manure and raises beasts, all while missing their beloved sister and daughter. Until Chad Hedger walks into the firm one day, dulling her focus and warming her bed, quicker than she could win a case.Chad Hedger lives a life most men would only dream of, with one exception. He's a successful attorney, single, painfully handsome, and has enough charm to win over any female. Trouble is, no female has ever caught his eye. And his family life is displaced so much that any woman would run the other way. When Chad is disowned by his father, he's forced to move from his beloved hometown in Dallas, to El Paso, and has been sworn to never look back. And when he begins working for the same law firm as Rachel Thomas, he begins missing Dallas more than ever. Rachel is the only salvation Chad has, but is that enough?When tragedy strikes back home in Dallas, Chad has to make a quick decision, and move back to his hometown, leaving behind a girl who has shown him more love than anyone else has his entire life. He has to choose between two things that matter more to him than anything, but he doesn't realize that there is a third thing. And neither does Rachel, until Chad's bags are packed. Is it too late?

An unexpected union. A mystery intruder. A miracle. And a wedding that threatens the family.After an abrupt departure from her previous career, Presley never expects to be so well received at the rival company, despite the null and void NDA and questionable, discreet reason why she parted ways. But Presley was not raised to mosey her way through life, having been raised by her aunt after her parent's death, she's bumped uglies with many things, some of which she's dealt with accordingly, and some she has not.Will is fed up with his deadbeat IT manager, and so he praises Presley's headstrong and intelligent ways when she takes over that department. Just five minutes with this woman has him hooked, and soon he realizes just how much her heart is in the job. It's unprecedented to him, and he finds himself jumping through hoops to happily show her his accolades, including promoting her to COO before her probationary period is up.When the holidays arrive, it comes to light that Presley will be flying solo for Christmas, and Will is having none of it. After a simple horse-riding lesson, a new Stetson, and a bottle of wine, Will starts to see Presley in a whole new light, and the feeling is mutual. A night of sheer terror, not passion, ensues, and the bond between Will and Presley is tightened, but not in a way that they expect. Between Will's sister Laura being hospitalized and a mystery guest trying to break into the company on Christmas Day, Will and Presley find themselves pressing through and finding strength and comfort in each other.But Presley's secret is part of what fuels the hunt for the mystery intruder, along with a laundry list of potential suspects who have both threatened and who have actually harmed family members in the past. Problem is, most of those lowlifes are already serving time. Just when the family is about to welcome another member into their already blissfully happy family, the perpetrator strikes at the right time, and at the wrong time. Will this person live to tell, or will the Kelsey family band together and crush them in the way that only the Kelsey family can?A tale of two alike people who have lived very different lives but find common ground and strength in each other. A combination best friends to lovers and office romance that will lift your spirits and make you believe in miracles. This has a special Christmas twist, but it can be enjoyed all year round. Read all about Will. Readers have been dying to have him pair up, and he finally meets the love of his life that he meets in an unexpected way. Pick up your copy today!

The right man. The wrong time. The lie that can't outrun the past. Clint plays a balancing act; he runs his medical practice in Huttonville while helping his sister Laura with the family ranch. He has one major flaw with women: he falls too hard too fast, ultimately driving them away before the real flame actually starts. He's smart, sexy, hard-working, he's the perfect eligible bachelor, except for one thing: his heart lives in the past. Cassie and her daddy collectively run the family business. She's a genuine hard-core success story, without the silver spoon in her mouth since birth. Her entire life, everything has been put on hold to support her father and his business in Dallas, until he falls ill. His illness could be kept in check, except for one thing: in his mind, he's not sick. When Cassie takes her nephew for a week while her sister goes on vacation, she brings him to Kelsey Ranch for riding lessons. The sexy Clint gives him his first lesson, while Cassie watches, swooning from the sidelines. After a brief dating interlude, Clint and Cassie both fall hard and fast for each other. But during her stay in Huttonville, there is double trouble back in Dallas: her daddy collapses and the business ends up on the chopping block. To help save her daddy and the business, Cassie has to make a very difficult decision, making a deal with the devil himself. Cassie has to give up Clint forever, or lose the business, essentially putting the final nail in her daddy's coffin. What is a girl to do? A heartwarming and heartbreaking story about choices and the implications of them. It's also an important lesson on forgiveness and letting go. This has a wicked cliffhanger ending, so be warned! Pick up your copy today and get addicted to this fun and romantic series!

Men are Lisa's magnets. Kurt is her Kryptonite. Until he discovers the true woman behind the act. After a failed engagement, Lisa resigns herself to never fall under the spell of another man again. From then on, the ball is always in her court and Lisa calls all the shots. She's independent, strong-willed, and gets a personal high out of marathoning her way through men. Until one man walks into her life...and for the first time ever, Lisa is speechless.Kurt relocates to Huttonville to help his brother Grayson out on Kelsey Ranch. After obtaining a college degree in a similar field, Kurt realizes that horses are, in fact, his life. But the other important thing to Kurt is family, which is why he drops everything to help Grayson in his time of need. Kurt, like the other Thomas boys, is a no-nonsense, 'let's get the job done' kind of guy. When he hears about Lisa, his boss's way too forward best friend, he admittedly distances himself when she comes around the ranch. But he soon realizes that that isn't necessary, since Kurt is the only man whom she does not try to sink her teeth into.Until one day when Kurt just can't stand to watch her scurry away, and he confronts her. What he finds out, within days, changes his life. Lisa is unlike any other woman Kurt has ever known. But she leaves out one very important detail. That secret is what nearly kills her days later. Once Kurt learns the truth about Lisa, will he stand by her side, or will he bolt like the man who once left her for the same reason, nearly a decade ago...A heartbreaking yet heartwarming tale about lost love and finding it again. It's also about taking the good with the bad in life and in love. Pick up your copy today!"Sandy Appleyard has done it again. Wonderful book with highs and lows. Leaving us with again another cliffhanger. Can't wait for the next book to come out and find out what happens." -5 Stars from Ellen Hogan, Amazon reviewer"Sandy has written a wonderful, engaging and sweet western romance. The story pulls you in and holds your attention as you continue to turn the pages. Wonderful characters you'll love getting to know as you read their story."-5 Stars from buzymomof3, Amazon reviewer"Lisa had been engaged and it was broken off. Now she is alone and she likes being independent. Then Kurt comes to help his brother Grayson. Lisa keeps her distance. Lisa is keeping a secret that ended her first engagement. I liked the story and the characters. I loved the way she spun the tale. Great story."-5 Stars from Cathylynn, Goodreads reviewer"No More Lies is a beautiful story of an independent, strong yet damaged woman, finding her true love and acceptance."-5 Stars from Belinda, Goodreads reviewer"Lisa had been engaged and it was broken off. Now she is alone and she like being independent. Then Kurt comes to help his brother Grayson. Lisa keeps her distance. Lisa is keeping a secret that ended her first engagement. I liked the story and the characters. I loved the way she spun the tale. Great story."-5 Stars from Avidbooker62, Bookbub reviewer

A riches to rags cowboy. A hardened cowgirl. The gunshot that erases all doubt.Laura Warner knows nothing but horses. Her entire life has been lived on a ranch. It's her love, her dream, and aside from the love of her life, Quentin, it's the only thing that she ever thinks about. But when tragedy strikes at Kelsey Ranch, Laura is left to care for the horses and the land with the help of her siblings. Years later, Laura feels content with life, but when a gunshot blasts only days after she has to make a difficult decision, Laura learns that everything happens for a reason...and it doesn't always lead to more hardship...sometimes it leads to happiness. But can she convince herself that this is possible?Grayson Thomas is an out of work lowlife, who just happens to have world class siblings that drag him out of his rut days after he loses everything, or gives everything up, depending on one's perspective. When he makes the decision to flee from El Paso and move to Huttonville, just outside of Dallas, his brothers give him their thumbs up. Grayson has no idea that he's about to step into the world that he does, and when a gunshot blasts on his second day in Huttonville, he's left wondering if he should make tire tracks back to El Paso, or stay in Huttonville.When Laura's face becomes a staple in Grayson's life, what was once a demon craving becomes a distant memory. What he once worked hard for and lost soon becomes something that he may have again. Things that once brought him to the edges of demise, become obliterated and exist only in random nightmares. Grayson's tough exterior is softened through Laura's honest and thoughtful words, and Laura sees life in a new light, and learns to laugh and have fun again with someone that isn't family. But is this enough? Can two people who have been through so much, lost everything and worked hard to gain it back, learn to trust enough to let their guard down and see life and love for what it is? Short answer, yes. They both do. But just when they do, someone who has been watching from afar swoops in and threatens to take everything. Can they survive yet another tragedy...and more important, will they have to?This is a book about survival and love. In that order. This series is the start of a huge helping of feels. Each story has medium heat and a cliffhanger ending, so be sure to read the books in their proper sequence. Get addicted today!

The millionaire. The orphaned Texan woman. The deadly night that changes everything. The contract that nobody bargained for. This rich guy and his friend show up, one's drunk as a skunk, the other has an accent matching mine. I wonder why this stranger is here, dressed to kill, hanging with the usual vagrants that patronize my fifty-dollar-a-night motel. When he leaves his wallet here by mistake, I end up learning a whole lot more about this Terence Daniels fellow than I ever dreamed. Unfortunately, he doesn't shed all the light, but when Ruby, his former lover, does, I realize why he kept mum...but I'm not about to keep my mouth shut. I don't trust her to keep my wallet safe, or to send it via courier, so I drive, from Louisiana to Dallas, again, to get it. In the few minutes that I talk to her, this time sober, I wish like hell that I didn't make the mistakes that I did. Before I know it, I'm emotionally involved with this woman, who runs a dilapidated motel, but has so much more promise. And days later, her world falls apart. Kobie is guarded, rightfully so, although what I offer her makes her eyes twinkle. But can what I've given her be the glue that holds us together? Or will Ruby's fate darken Kobie's future... HEA (Happily Ever After)Ranch romanceCowboy romanceMedium heatCourse languageCliffhanger ending

The little white lie. The wasted years together. And the mistaken toe tag that ends up saving a life. Carson Thomas joins the military because of Hawk. Not leaving home on good terms puts a sour taste in his mouth and a world of resentment in his girlfriend's Missy's heart. But she's got him by the balls in more ways than one...and she knows it. When he meets Kerry-Ann, the sweet fellow soldier doing half time as a bartender, he starts seeing the world through her eyes. But will he remain faithful despite his misgivings about the girl he left behind? Kerry-Ann shares the same state with Carson, and even though they live in different cities, they find a camaraderie between them amongst the oceans that separate them from home. The girl smells a rat from what Carson tells her about his sweet, innocent hometown girl, but she can't bear to see the big-hearted guy suffer, especially when the girls he loves is so far away. Years pass while Carson stays away from home, avoiding Hawk and the chill in the air from his family, and effectively avoiding Missy and the ever-present pressure, but it won't last for long. When the truth finally sets Carson free, he retaliates, sending himself onto the battlefield, where he can forget about the betrayal and heartbreak, but also where he nearly ends his life. In an unexpected twist of fate, a face from Carson's past shows up in his hospital room, but will Carson make the right move? Is it too late for Carson Thomas to change his path and do the right thing? HEA (Happily Ever After)Ranch romanceCowboy romanceSecond chance romanceMilitary romanceMedical romanceMedium heatCourse languageCliffhanger ending

She returns home. He watches over her. Then they both find out the truth, amongst a killer...a day too late. Years ago, I left Clarkstown with a sour puss on my face and better hopes for the future. But what I ended up with was extra baggage, in more ways than one, and even more reasons to leave. Now that I'm home, I'm not sure if Austin Walters looks at me with pity, hatred...or something else, as most of the town folk do. But when he figures out the real reason why I left, he looks at me in a different light. Even more importantly, he realizes more of what I need now that I'm back. And now I seem to look at him and everyone else differently, thanks to him. Whinny has changed a lot. It's too bad that my family and my hometown can't see that. Never the thorn in anyone's side, as she thought she was, Whinny left. But now she's back, and she needs help. Mama always says that there's no point existing if we can't help each other. So, I do, regardless of the warnings and looks I get in the process. As I've told her many times before, Whinny is one of a kind. I just wish she'd believe it. With a new baby arriving in the family, another wedding, and a renewed hope for Whinny, none of us realizes that a stranger from Whinny's past is on his way to Clarkstown...with a gun in his hand and a score to settle. HEA (Happily Ever After) Ranch romance Cowboy romance Medium heat Course language Cliffhanger ending

A woman he hates. A man she hates more. An unwanted child. And a man who tries to take it all away with one signature. As soon as Zack Walters walked into that sticky bar, I knew he couldn't put a sentence together without effort. To my surprise, I've learned that he's not a man of many words. His actions speak much louder. He didn't know what he was getting into when he mixed with me. Truth is, I didn't know, either. That's been my life. A laundry list of troubles isn't what anyone wants, especially when it comes to one pint-sized person. It isn't what I signed up for. It isn't what Zack signed up for, either. But most important, it isn't what a child should have to go through alone. She's silver-tongued, audacious, and a huge pain in my ass. But I was raised to help when help's needed. It's what I do. She thinks I'm a fool, and sometimes I believe her, but falling in love twice in the same week doesn't prove anyone wrong, least of all me. Despite the alarm bells going off all over, I can't stay away from these girls, and one of them won't let me leave. I just wish there were more guarantees. My brothers think that he'll take her away, and if he doesn't, with Kate's troubles, something else might. It's like a Euchre game. I just hope that my heart can trump their spades. ...little do I know that the Euchre game is going to be trumped by a blast going off on the day that my brother says his vows. HEA (Happily Ever After)Hate to love romanceRanch romanceCowboy romanceMedium heatCourse languageCliffhanger ending

Some angels wear cowboy hats. Some villains wear poker faces. Home isn't always where the heart is...and sometimes it isn't only the good that die young. Luellen was raised by her uncle and aunt, in a God-fearing home, with little sentiment for life and love. So, the young girl grows up feeling like she's a freak for being emotional at the drop of a hat, and for her pronounced reticence. People stare at her and spread rumors about the orphan girl who doesn't grow up to be a regular Texan woman. What is wrong with Luellen is something only one person knows, but the why is the part that a dear friend figures out in time. Hawk is a grouchy, overworked, stubborn rancher, who has been left to tend to the ranch with his last two brothers, who, in his opinion, are about as useless as tits on a bull, as Texans put it. This, after his two best ranch hands leave; his older brother to move away and start a new career, and his younger brother to help at a ranch in the same town as the older brother. Hawk is hated by many for his fiery temper and loose cannon attitude, until the day someone leaves a secret treasure in his mailbox...shortly after he nearly attacks that someone. It takes days for Hawk to see what only her best friend has seen for years. But he can't do anything about it without betraying Luellen's trust. Chance takes over and the one thing that has haunted Luellen since her parents' death...disappears. But can she grow up to love and live life the way she deserves? And will a serendipitous gathering save the lives of others? Find out in 'No More Dice', a beautiful, heart-wrenching love story that brings together two characters from previous books, and ties in the story arc with two other couples who fell in love earlier in the series. Don't miss book seven! HEA (Happily Ever After)Ranch romanceCowboy romanceFriends to lovers romancePhysical abuse (non-descriptive)Mild violenceMedium heatCourse languageCliffhanger ending

A selfish birthday wish. An undeserved new life. A tragic lesson. An important final prayer.Is the grass ever greener on the other side? Raelynn asks herself that....and then spends months trying to figure out how to take it back. Raelynn is a successful dietician. She is a hard-working mother of two girls, and is married to Kevin, an equally hard-working man who is a loyal and devoted husband and father. On the surface, their fourteen-year marriage looks fine, until Kevin's father accidentally sets fire to his workshop, and the family is faced with unexpected trauma.Suddenly under a microscope, Raelynn sees Kevin as emotionally unavailable among other subpar labels, and in her eyes, her marriage becomes that which would be favorable only to a money-hungry therapist. What's worse is that her dearest friends seem to be reveling in above-average relationships, namely her best friend, whom Raelynn has envied for as long as she can remember. After Raelynn makes a birthday wish, seemingly tying a knot at the end of her rope, in a desperate plight to wish herself out of her misery and alienation, she realizes the next morning that she should have been more careful with what she wished for.In a heartbreaking and triumphant tale, 'It's Not the Flowers' is a unique look at long-term relationships, something that we all tend to do at one time or another when placed in one. Based on a true story, the author gives readers a very personal glance at a part of her life that had such an impact and was so pivotal, that it has changed the course of the author's marriage forever, and therefore it was worth telling in this original way. This book is a standalone novel and is the final instalment in the 'Magic at Cog Hill' series. All the books in this series can be read in any order. Pick up your copy today!"I'm reading this book on my 5 year anniversary while my two littles sleep. I love the look into marriage and life it gives. It also highlights, in real life, what many people face through social media about thinking everyone else's life is perfect or "greener on the other side." There was some magic involved, just like one of those movies such as 13 going on 30. I liked the characters and watching all they went through physically and emotionally. It was a very well put together book." - 5 Stars from Michaela, Amazon reviewer "This book contained a huge lesson on not wishing for a different life until you've literally walked in the other's shoes. I hadn't read anything about the book before I read it, and I just started reading, so I didn't know where it was going! Raelynn truly missed and appreciated what she'd had, but she made the most with what she was given. I loved everything about this story! I didn't see the end coming, and I loved it!" - 5 Stars from Anna, Amazon reviewer "This story made me feel so many emotions and had me in tears. There are twists and turns that have you turning the pages to see what happens next. "Be careful what you wish for because the grass may not greener on the other side". You will know what that means after reading this book. This book is so real to our normal lives and makes you stop and think what could happen and it was so well written and addictive and definitely worth reading." - 5 Stars from Jean, Goodreads reviewer "All of Ms. Appleyard's books are wonderful reads. All her plots really make you think. This is a book about be careful what you wish for." - 5 Stars from Ellen Hogan, Amazon reviewer "Another great read by this author. The story just seemed to flow for me throughout the book. I had a great connection with the characters and they really worked well in the story." - 5 Stars from Sheryl, Goodreads reviewer

Doctors can't diagnose her son. Until she finds one that follows his heart for the answer.Born in a small town in Arkansas, Stacey Bailey never dreams of falling in love with big, New York newscaster Larry Keenan. When their son Jet is born, they learn quickly that he isn't a cookie-cutter child. Suddenly, Larry begins working odd hours and there is palpable detachment in the marriage. When Larry is killed covering a dangerous news story, Stacey is left to raise Jet alone.After visiting various doctors, Stacey realizes that there is no clear answer as to why Jet has specific medical issues. While he responds in a way that points to Autism, his other responses are inconsistent with the predisposition. Doctors are stumped, yet Stacey is left dealing with a child who can't lead a normal life, which means that she can't, either.Jack, a colleague who once idolized Larry, is hungry for a story...and much more. With a type A personality, there are no lengths that Jack won't reach to garner more time in front of the camera. By stalking Stacey, Jack strives to probe into Jet's unnatural and, in his mind, newsworthy qualities. It seems Jack is looking to be Larry's replacement by exploiting his only surviving son.A family emergency forces Stacey to return to Arkansas. There is a small comfort in leaving her troubles in the Big Apple, until she realizes that one has followed her. When Jet's problems worsen, it leads to a tailspin of angst in the hospital. Days later, following tragedy in the town, Dr. Baker helps uncover the route of Jet's problems. Unknown sources witness the discovery, and suddenly the world becomes aware of the boy from Arkansas who has an ability that nobody else on Earth has.A unique, never-done-before story that will warm your heart and make you believe in miracles and magic. With a cross between 'The Sixth Sense' and 'A Beautiful Mind', Knowing will have you laughing, crying, and rooting for the main characters. This is the perfect complement to She Only Speaks to Butterflies, but the books in this series can be enjoyed in any order. Pick up your copy today!"This is the first book I have read by this author, it will not be my last. Great storyline with well rounded characters. I really enjoyed the story very much. It is a book worth reading. Honestly this book is well worth your time." - 5 Stars from Ellen Hogan, Amazon reviewer "What a fantastic story. Loved it from start to finish. Very well written by this author. I sure will be reading more from this author. The characters really jelled very well and I could really connect with them all." - 5 Stars from Sheryl, Goodreads reviewer "The characters are great and easy to fall in love with and you'll love getting to know them as you turn the pages. You'll love reading their story as they get to a HEA." - 5 Stars from Buzymomof2, BookSprout reviewer

The cowboy refusing to mourn. The city girl in a strange predicament. The scoundrel that thinks fiancés come with a price tag. Never, ever date a client. That's what I keep telling myself. Until Terence Daniels walks into my office. Fine. I caved. Biggest mistake of my life. Next thing I know I'm fleeing Louisiana, hunkering down with my best friend in Dallas. I'm starving, terrified, so confused, and I'm thinking...things just cannot get any worse. Until Kate's car breaks down outside this bar that looks like their patrons kill women with sticks. We have no choice but to go inside. What I find in there is nothing that I would expect. What unfolds in the coming weeks are more mistakes. Better ones. And then one that I'll forever call my favorite mistake. *** After the day I've had, I'd sooner eat my boot than cook something. My brother Zack agrees, so we go to this hillbilly bar, where we keep a tab. One cranky woman and her sidekick show up, looking like lawyers among us cowboys, and we ask if we can help. The cranky one thinks we're trying to steal her car, but the other one softens. All is fine and dandy until she hits us with something that would shock a groundhog back into his burrow until hell freezes over. The look in her eyes is what gets me. Fear. I can't stand that in a woman. Especially this one, with the tough exterior, making out like she's fine when inside she's a crumbling mess. Never figured she'd turn things around like she does. Never figured I'd be the one to help her put it all back together. Never figured she'd see right through me yet show me the way in a way that nobody else has. ...and for the life of me, I never figured that she'd inadvertently bring so much danger to the ranch. HEA (Happily Ever After)Ranch romanceCowboy romanceMedium heatCourse languageCliffhanger ending

A kidnapping gone wrong. A chronically ill child. And a union nobody sees coming...except the barrel of a gun. Quin Hedger is a rare breed. He's a doctor who grew up on a ranch, with four brothers, a pious mother and a father who left this earth not long ago. Quin is hard-working, has a heart of gold, and will do anything for any of his patients, namely one. Getting little Trinity a new kidney isn't any easy task, but he's been at it since she was a baby and he isn't giving up, not even when her corrupt Uncle arranges an ill-fated kidnapping that has a sudden twist. Whitney has raised Trinity all but on her own. Trinity's father left when he couldn't handle dealing with a sick child, but thankfully her brother Peter is there to sweep up the bits and fill the gaps...until he's more trouble than he's worth. Trinity's doctor, who insists on being called 'Dr. Quin' as a kind sentiment, has always put her daughter front and center, so it tugs at both their heartstrings when they have to watch her health start to deteriorate. When Trinity's father surprises Quin and Whitney, they're led down a path of hope, only to be let down once again, as Trinity lays in hospital, missing out on her young life. Although hopeful, Quin keeps hitting brick walls in his quest to find what the little girl needs, and in doing so, he also finds what he's always needed, but he can't have both until the one he loves can love again. It's a slippery slope and a tricky one at best. And when Quin finally sees the fog clear, he finds himself looking down the barrel of a gun.