A steamy, single dad romance…

Before we’d even met, Gretchen–the beautiful and newly divorced customer of my cabinet shop–called me the ‘Infuriating Jerk of the Year.’

Fair enough. When she called to cancel her custom cabinet order, I may have suggested I would allow it only if she rode my…appendage. But in my defense, I didn’t know my foreman hadn’t put her on hold.

When we crossed paths flirting at my brother’s bar later, she had no idea Mr. Infuriating and I were one and the same. 

Full disclosure: I came clean before things went too far.

Fuller disclosure: We put aside our differences for one night only, but we agreed it couldn’t go any further. 

But when her kitchen springs a leak during installation, I insist she and her son move in with me and my kids until I finish. Of course, the second I have her under my roof, she ends up back in my bed.

So, we make a deal–it’s only until her cabinets are installed, or she finds Mr. Right–whichever comes first.

But what if she wants me to be Mr. Right. Or worse yet, what if she doesn't?

A promise to a fallen brother-in-arms. A baby he never expected. The one woman he shouldn’t want. And a threat he can’t ignore.

When I stepped off the bus in Haven Springs, I was determined to keep a promise I’d made to my fellow Marine, Shawn O’Brien: deliver the engagement ring he’d bought for Lainey Beaumont.
The firefight that killed Shawn left me with permanent injuries and scars—and the guilt of surviving weighs heavy on me. Romance was the last thing on my mind. Then I met Lainey. She’s strong, beautiful, and determined to build a life for herself and her baby—Shawn’s baby he never even knew about. Every time I feel that spark of attraction, the guilt hits me like a punch to the gut—like I’m betraying my best friend.
As I help Lainey navigate the challenges of single motherhood, I realize there’s more to Haven Springs than meets the eye. A threatening letter hints at secrets someone wants to keep buried—and my protective instincts flare as danger creeps closer.
In a town where everyone knows your name—and your past—I find myself drawn to Lainey in ways I never expected. But can I overcome the guilt and embrace the future, or will the ghosts of the past keep us apart forever?

J’ai rencontré la femme de mes rêves, deux semaines avant la mission la plus périlleuse de ma vie.

Puis ma vie – tout comme le Humvee dans lequel je me trouvais – a volé en éclats.
Jusque-là, j’avais été marié aux Marines, sans le moindre regret. Vivre sans attache me permettait d’accomplir mon devoir sans distractions.
Je n’avais pas à m’inquiéter qu’une femme me quitte durant une de mes longues missions à l’étranger, ni à penser à la possibilité qu’elle devienne veuve à chaque mission un peu trop dangereuse.
Hélas, un cruel coup du sort s’est abattu sur moi à l’instant où j’ai décidé de renoncer au célibat – me laissant défiguré et amputé d’un membre.
Oui, Ashley et moi avions avoué nos sentiments l’un pour l’autre avant que je ne prenne l’avion, mais elle est tombée amoureuse d’un homme entier. Cet homme n’est plus.
J’ai mis un terme à notre idylle afin de la préserver.
Ainsi, quand on m’autorise enfin à revenir à San Diego pour débuter ma rééducation et ma nouvelle vie, Ashley est bien la dernière personne que j’ai envie de voir.
Mais la voilà, plus belle que jamais et avec un bébé aux yeux bleus dans les bras.
Des yeux qui ressemblent beaucoup trop aux miens. 

We hit the list, coming in at #69.... seems appropriate! Thank you so much for all your support!