Современные любовные романы — Janice Johnson

Every Christmas gift Will and Dinah exchange is a symbol of their love. The tradition begins on their very first date in 1968, when Will arrives with an exquisitely wrapped present that shows he, unlike everyone else in her life, believes in her dream of becoming a chef.It continues through every holiday season after that–whether they're together or apart. But the tradition ends when tragedy strikes. After that, only an unexpected gift can make things right.

His surprise family… Matt will do anything for his precious niece. Hanna’s his only relative, and he knows he can help her through the tragic loss of her parents. Getting custody of her, however, means challenging her aunt, Linnea – a woman far more enticing than he remembers. When their attraction threatens Matt’s guardianship, court seems like his only option.Joint custody is not the outcome Matt was expecting. Yet it could be the best thing that’s happened to him. Because being with Linnea...

Everyone says Kathleen Monroe is perfect–the perfect wife, the perfect hostess, the perfect mother.But after a lifetime of practice, Kathleen is beginning to wonder if perfectionism is a good thing. After all, it didn't help her marriage and might just have led to her daughter's illness. And if those aren't enough reasons for her to doubt her priorities, then meeting Logan Carr should be.Logan's great. He's kind, patient and nothing like her first husband. But to Kathleen, he's far from...

What would you think if one day your wife disappeared, and everyone believed you were responsible?How would you feel if the only thing that kept you from being arrested was your child's insistence that his mommy told him she was leaving?And what would you do if you suspected your son was lying?One day Craig Lofgren came home to discover that his wife was gone. He and his kids have been living in a nightmare ever since. The police think he killed her; the neighbors do, too. The only bright spot...

Carrie St. John: Wealthy, privileged and…adopted?The idea would be preposterous, except…Carrie has never truly felt she belonged. Now she has a sister who wants to meet her and a brother no one can find. Not to mention adoptive parents she doesn't seem to know anymore. With all the changes going on, it seems the only stable presence in her life is the P.I. who tracked her down.Mark Kinkaid has become a trusted confidant and counselor, a good friend. Could it be love she's feeling for him–or just...

For the sake of her daughters can she marry a stranger?Lynn Chanak is living the nightmare every mother fears. There was a mix-up at the hospital. Her baby isn't hers. And the only way she can have the baby she gave birth to and keep the child she loves is to marry Adam Landry–a man she doesn't even know.For the sake of his daughters can he marry a woman he'll never love?Adam was devastated when his Jenny died. And his only consolation was their daughter. But as much as he loves Rose, he can't...

It’s like coming home Finding his mother is the only reason Adrian Rutledge would set foot in this backward place. In fact, he can’t get out of town fast enough. At least, that’s his attitude before Lucy Peterson works her magic on him. The café owner is nothing like what he thought he needed, yet she’s all he wants.Then his job pulls him back to the city and Adrian slips into the life he once worked hard to achieve. And while it may not fit the way it did, he can’t simply abandon it. Or can he?...

Adopting one child is challenge enough for a single woman like Suzanne Chauvin. Now that she has the chance to adopt a brother and sister who shouldn't be separated, she has to keep her life as simple as possible.Which means she doesn't have time for an added complication in the form of her neighbor Tom Stefanec. Tom knows too much about Suzanne's past…and she knows nothing about his.

Laurel Woodall dreams of having a baby. But she can't let herself fall in love and will never again let a man in her life….Caleb Manes thinks Laurel is his future. When he hears she wants to have a baby on her own, he volunteers to be the father. Making a baby in this unconventional manner isn't the best way to further a relationship with Laurel, but it might lead to something more. Now he just has to convince her that this is what best friends are for….

Helen Schaefer isn't getting marriedThat's what she's decided, anyway–because she simply can't stand to think she could love and lose again. After the death of her husband, she let her daughter down terribly and she's not about to risk hurting Ginny a second time.Meeting widower Alec Fraser–who's still dealing with his own grief–isn't enough to change her mind…at first. But after Helen spends some time with him, she starts to realize how much they have in common. Is it possible that Alec might...

PATTON'S DAUGHTERSThe people of Elk Springs, Oregon, thought Ed Patton was a good man, a good cop, a good father. But his daughters know the truth….Abby's the third Patton sister. The baby. The one everyone said was privileged, spoiled. But a childhood with a harsh unapproachable father and only vague memories of a mother wasn't easy. Even if she did work hard to make it look that way.Now Abby's determined to live up to her image and have fun. Until she meets Detective Ben Shea, a man who's...

Jo Dubray doesn't think much of marriage, and she certainly doesn't plan to try it herself. But that doesn't mean she isn't interested in getting to know her new roommate's brother….After all, Ryan's recently divorced and has two children living in another state. He can't be thinking of anything as serious and confining as remarrying.But what will she do if he is? Especially once his kids reenter the picture.

As a high school vice principal, Molly Callahan is used to being the one with all the solutions. Not this time.Her teenage daughter's pregnancy has Molly questioning her own choices and unable to make the tough decisions. Figuring out what's right and wrong isn't so simple anymore, and now, more than ever, she needs someone to trust.Little does she expect that person to be Richard Ward. Their teenagers' dilemma has forced them to meet, but something much more powerful is pulling them together....

Beth Sommers isn't looking for love.She's concentrating on her daughters and her business–and on convincing her ex-husband that their marriage really is over. Even if she was looking, it wouldn't be at a man like Sheriff Jack Murray.She knows Jack's a good cop, a good man…one she can count on. She still figures she'll be better off with a quiet, gentle–maybe even slightly boring–guy. She's already had enough excitement to last her a lifetime.But before long, Jack has her thinking that his kind...

On an ordinary day, in an ordinary neighborhood, a knock on the door of an ordinary house leads to an extraordinary revelation.Detective Connor McLean is the man who came to call, carrying with him a child's accusation. Connor's visit ended Mariah Stavig's marriage and left her a struggling single mother. Three years later, the word of another child brings Connor back into Mariah's life.Connor knows his investigations can ruin as much as they fix, but he has no choice. He has sworn to speak for...

Ann Caldwell doesn't know who she is. She doesn't really know what she is, either.Growing up, she wanted just one thing–her father's approval. But she never got it. When she was little she was too much girl and later she wasn't enough woman. She even became a cop to please him. Now he's gone and she realizes how empty her life has become. She'd like to fall in love but doesn't know the first thing about getting a man. Even worse, the one man she wants is her partner, Juan Diaz–who has never...

More than anything, Officer Nell Granstrom wants to stop history from repeating itself. Born to a sixteen-year-old mother, Nell had her daughter, Kim, at the same age. Now Kim's sixteen and has a serious boyfriend.But how much weight can Nell's words have? Years of living a careful life are over, because she's made another mistake. After witnessing a terrible crime, Nell turns to her new partner for comfort–which leads to a second unplanned pregnancy.Despite his reputation, Hugh McLean will no...

All Teresa wants under her Christmas tree is Joe Hughes!Teresa has finally met her perfect man. Joe is gorgeous, strong and passionate…but he also has an intensely private quality that's a challenge to any self-respecting woman.And it's not as though Teresa really needs another challenge in her life. She's just moved to a small town in Washington, which her young son thinks is «cool» and her teenage daughter hates! And even worse, although Teresa's a darn good vet, the local farmers won't let...

On a beautiful spring night Mindy Fenton went to bed thinking all was right in her world. Before it was over everything had changed–and not for the better.Mindy was awakened by Brendan Quinn with the news that her husband had been shot and killed. Now Mindy is alone, nearly broke and pregnant…and Quinn–a man who never hid his contempt for her–is the only one she can turn to.

A cop's creed: If your partner dies, take care of his family.John McLean is a single father and a cop–and he takes all his duties seriously. A year ago, after her husband died, he added Natalie Reed to his list of responsibilities. At first, that just meant helping around the house. Then a body is found in her den….Once he learns the victim's identity–and his connection with Natalie's husband–John realizes the safest place for Natalie is with him. He knows it's the honorable thing to do. But...

A child is missing. The words chill Detective Mike Ryan and bring to mind memories of his own tragedy.He'll dedicate every resource he has until the girl Sicily is found, safe…and alive. His investigation hits a snag with Sicily's aunt and guardian, Beth Greenway. Beth's cool demeanor is at odds with the situation, making him suspicious. She's definitely hiding something. But the more time he spends with her, the less he believes that something is about the missing niece. And with all that...

The terrible twos are nothing compared to the traumatic teens.David Whitcomb is a good father and once upon a time, his thirteen-year-old daughter Claire adored him. But times have changed and Claire seems intent on running away to live with her mother–a woman who's unable to look after her.In desperation, David turns to Grace Blanchet, the mother of Claire's best friend. Grace agrees to foster Claire while father and daughter work things out. She knows this is what's best for Claire. She's just...

Gary Lindstrom doesn't remember ever being a child named Lucien. So when his long-lost sister calls to remind him of who he was, he tells her he's not interested. But even he can't resist the pull of the past, and he goes to meet the only family he has left. Little does he know that he's also going to meet Rebecca Wilson….Rebecca has never met anyone like Gary. He's attractive and successful, but determined to go through life alone. His first attempt at marriage was a bust and he doesn't want...

Where does she belong?Now that the «real» daughter of her adoptive parents has returned, Eve Lawson can't help feeling edged out. It's a familiar isolation she sees all too often in her social work caseload. And her unstoppable attraction to divorced cop Ben Kemper only complicates things further.They're on opposite sides of a murder case, but their connection is still stronger than their doubts and fears. Eve is too close to the sexy single dad to walk away without a shattered heart. It's up to...

Tomorrow's a new beginning… When a digitally aged photo of a girl named Hope Lawson is posted online, Bailey Smith can't deny the similarity to herself. But could she really be the same woman who was abducted as a child twenty-three years ago?When she meets Detective Seth Chandler, who opened the cold case of Hope's disappearance, suddenly everything changes. Not only does Bailey have a family she barely remembers–and a sister she's never met–she's connecting with a man for the first time. A man...

Big risks hold no appeal for Julia Raynor after losing her husband to his high-danger career. And his vice cop brother, Alec, doesn’t seem much different—although he is there for her and the kids. So when her son is headed for big-city trouble, Alec voluntarily becomes police chief in Angle Butte, Oregon, to remove him from temptation.But temptation stalks more than her son. Living in proximity to Alec, that long-denied attraction Julia harbors won’t be denied. And Alec’s actions say it’s not...

Does she put her trust in him…again?Lieutenant Jane Vahalik is done with Sergeant Clay Renner. He messed up their romance when he dished out too much male swagger. She gets enough of that on the job to put up with it in her personal life–regardless of how hot Clay may be.Then her niece is kidnapped, and suddenly he is the only cop Jane trusts to lead the search. The rush of attraction sizzling between them surprises her. So does his determination to prove she's wrong about him. It could be just...

SHE'S SWORN TO PROTECT HER HEARTAfter what Laura Vennetti and her son have been through, she’s avoided all contact with the police. Then her son brings detective Ethan Winter into their lives. Despite how appealing—and gorgeous—he is, it’s safe to say Ethan isn’t her dream man.Immediately, though, Laura can see how different he is from her late husband. Ethan is thoughtful, considerate and a good influence on her son. Add in the intense attraction between her and Ethan… The temptation to give in...

When gratitude becomes friendship…and something more.Cole Meacham has only been out of prison a couple of weeks after a ten-year term for a murder he didn't commit. A silent, guarded man, he doesn’t know how to start over again now that he’s free. Destitute and alone, he’s been sleeping in a park. Then Erin Parrish offers him a job plus room and board. The woman with the haunted eyes seems to be the only person on earth who isn’t afraid of him. But she clearly has her own demons, and Cole...

No emotional connection means zero risk of being hurt. DEA agent Conall MacLachlan has learned that the hard way. And it's been the key to his survival. So why is his latest assignment getting to him? Could be that he's back in the town he rejected years ago. But he suspects the real reason is Lia Woods.He's instantly and powerfully attracted to Lia–something that's never happened to him. And running a surveillance operation from her house has them too close–he can't catch his breath. Between...

There's a right way, then there's the wrong wayNobody knows that better than police captain Duncan MacLachlan. He has served and protected for years without bending to a middle ground he doesn't believe in. And he's not about to change. Certainly not for stubborn–and sexy–court advocate Jane Brooks. Her shades-of-gray view of the world clashes with his black-and-white one.Then a mission to save an at-risk teen has Jane's life on the line. Now she and Duncan must join forces despite their...

The moment Captain Colin McAllister sees her on TV he knows. She may call herself Nell Smith, but she is Maddie Dubeau—the girl who went missing from Angel Butte, Oregon, years ago.She’s haunted Colin, and now the adult version of her is so captivating, he needs distance. He wants to help her recover her memories—even solve her case—without crossing a professional line.But distance becomes impossible when the threats against her escalate. It’s clear someone is determined that Nell never...

Is an independent cop the best family man?Niall MacLachlan's one priority is the law. He fought his way from the wrong side of the tracks to earn his badge and won't jeopardize it for anything. After all, trusting his family nearly cost him everything as a kid. So, no. This loner has no desire for a wife and children to call his own.So why is his entirely too attractive landlady, Rowan Staley, slipping past all his defenses?She and her young family–complete with noisy dog–are everything Niall...

Standing between her…and dangerReturning to her hometown is Cait McAllister’s chance to stand on her own. That means taking a break from men and relationships. Then she meets her new boss, the intriguing Noah Chandler. As the mayor he’s got bold plans for Angel Butte. As a man he’s so tempting Cait’s vow of independence is in jeopardy.The most persuasive part of him, however, could be the way he looks out for her. Because when a threat from her past puts her in danger, Noah is there to protect...

A man of integrity…or not? The moment Captain Reid Sawyer helps social worker Anna Grant with a sticky situation, she's hooked. He's gorgeous and clearly interested in her. Yet even as he pursues her, she senses he's holding back. For someone who prizes honesty and doing the right thing, how much of his evasion can Anna tolerate? Her trust in Reid is further shaken when he confesses what he's done to protect his newly discovered brother. Is Reid really one of the good guys?Then he's involved in...

It was supposed to just be a visit…Settling down in her hometown has never appealed to Charlotte. She’s got a good job and a great life in the city…until a crisis forces her return to the family farm. She’s not back long before the well-laid plans for her future fall apart, and send her straight into the arms of gorgeous Mayor Gray.Soon Charlotte’s wondering if she may be ready to abandon her urban life and see where the intense feelings between them could lead. And she’s starting to see the...

Love comes before duty… Faith refuses to be with a man who feels a sense of obligation towards her. She’s been through some traumatic events that have left her a little shaky. That doesn’t mean she needs Sheriff Ben hovering. She’ll be fine…on her own.Despite her protests, however, Ben won’t budge. He insists they share a romantic connection. She’ll admit she finds him attractive, but how can she be close to a man who might view her as a duty? It’s not until she catches a glimpse of herself...

One of Moira Cullen's few walks on the wild side has come back to haunt her. Now she has to tell the man who rescued her from a disastrous evening he's going to be a father. Not the best thank-you she can give Will Becker.He proves her instincts were sharp the night she took a chance on him. Not only does he commit to being involved with their baby, he also returns from his dream job in Africa to do it. He's a good man…perhaps too good. Moira has to wonder if he's here because he wants to be or...

Jakob Nilsson has tried to keep his distance from Amy. Like a forbidden temptation, he’s always known his weakness where she’s concerned. Then an unexpected weekend brings them together. Despite the torture of being so close to her, Jakob is glad he’s there…especially when the opening of a time capsule reveals a confession that upends Amy’s world.Nothing is the way it was. But that revelation also means the barriers between Jakob and Amy are gone.Finally, he’s free to pursue the woman who has...

Wren Fraser can think of better times to go into labor. Say, when she's not on the run, or when there's a hospital nearby. Better yet, when there's not a major flood trapping her in an abandoned house. She needs a rescue…now!It arrives in one Alec Harper. Strong, competent and good-looking, the detective keeps her safe and doesn't leave her side. He even takes in Wren and the baby when they have no place to go.For a woman wanting her independence, it's shocking how quickly she settles in with...

Temptation is so close! To protect her son, Mark, Ciara Malloy has moved to this rural area in Washington. The new beginning is off to a rocky start, however, when Mark gets too familiar with Gabe Tennert's horses. It's obvious their next-door neighbor prefers his solitude. Even so, he shows incredible patience with Mark. And when Gabe turns that intense gaze Ciara's way…how can she resist such a good, sexy man?But crossing the line between friends and something more is riskier than Ciara...

Unexpected Christmas plans Olivia Bowen would rather avoid this holiday season. Even her satisfaction at improving the family business doesn't make up for the loss of her beloved father and the sudden tension with her mother. Olivia questions how much longer she can live in her hometown. And her decision is further complicated by Ben Hovik.She should keep her distance–he broke her heart years ago. Yet his compassion and their still-sizzling attraction are seductive. Could she be falling for him...

The mystery surrounding the disappearance of Kat Riley's husband has kept Grant Haller at a distance. Despite the strong attraction pulling him to her, as police chief with that open missing person case, he can't afford to get close to her. Not with everyone in this small town watching. Still, he waits for the day he can make his move. Then Kat finds a boneand others start to appear.Once the remains are identified as her husband's, Grant has to consider her a suspect. Deep inside he's convinced...

Who has the best claim on the child?It’s been more than ten years since exhausted new mother Dana Stewart took a nap while her baby was sleeping and woke up to find him gone. The loss devastated her—and her marriage—and she’s never given up hope of finding Gabriel. She never expected that when she finally did, he’d be almost a teen, his name would be Christian…and he and his uncle Nolan Gregor would want nothing to do with her.Nolan, a former army ranger, proves as possessive of her son as Dana...

Amish HideoutRebecca Holt thinks she's doing the right thing when she takes evidence proving her ex-husband is hiding a murder. But after two attempts on her life, she flees with her six-year-old son to her Amish family, dressing «plain.»But county sheriff Daniel Byler was raised Amish, and this background helps him to recognize Rebecca as someone who is out of place, in danger…and lying to him.Her Amish ProtectorsShe had wanted a simpler life in Missouri. Opening an Amish quilt shop was...

Having her own family is not too much to ask! Although it's been tough, sixteen-year-old Sierra Lind has assembled some good candidates. First there's the most perfect foster mom ever–Lucy Malone. And now Sierra has found her bio dad, Jonathan Brenner. With the way Lucy and her dad are making eyes at each other…Well, Sierra will have her family unit any day now.But things go south when her dad and Lucy take opposite sides on a deal-breaker issue. And guess who's in the middle? Yeah, that's so...

A FAMILY'S GIFTWhen they were young, cousins Ella, Rachel and Jo were always together at their family’s lake house. As they grew up, though, they grew apart… until now, as the three must band together to grant a beloved aunt's dying wish: to finish the quilt she began as a gift for her daughter's Christmas wedding.LET IT SNOWSearching for vintage quilting fabric, independent Jo is reunited with the man she thought she’d marry. And proves that sometimes the second time's the charm…YOU BETTER...

He’s her only defence…and a frightening temptation.Rebecca Holt thinks she's doing the right thing when she takes evidence proving her ex-husband is hiding a murder. But after two attempts on her life, she flees with her six-year-old son to rural Missouri, where the pair hide among Amish relatives, dressing «plain».County sheriff Daniel Byler was raised Amish, but his protective instincts put him in conflict with his family’s beliefs at an early age and he left the faith. Yet this background...

She can't save herself…but he canIt took the twenty-fifth anniversary of his kid sister’s death to bring Zach Carter home. Determined to solve her murder with his training as a homicide detective, he discovers that his estranged brother has beaten him to the punch and is already on the local force. The two, divided in their parental loyalties and their suspicions, struggle to make headway, until Zach is witness to a fatal beating where the guy left standing is a cop. And a second witness is a...

If they hadn't lost the girl, Meg wouldn't have found Jack…She hadn't hesitated to take in Sabra, her daughter's pregnant best friend. Yet maybe that was Meg Harper's first mistake. It was hard enough raising one teen, but two? And now the girl has disappeared. Because Meg’s the responsible adult, police suspicion falls on her. Which brings her entirely too close to Detective Jack Moore. The man's clearly attracted to her, but she hasn't been in a relationship in years and she doesn't even...

What she doesn't know could cost her her life…It’s upsetting enough to find a body walled up in the garage of her childhood home…but then for Detective Tony Navarro to suggest the remains might belong to her mother! Beth Marshall and her siblings thought their mom had abandoned the family years ago. If she hadn’t…if she was murdered… And now the sexy police detective believes their father is the killer. He enlists Beth to help him find clues he suspects are in her father’s garage. What neither...

It’s a dream come true…if only she’ll say yes.He doesn't believe in love, but Detective Bran Murphy does want a wife and family, which seem unattainable when his fiancée breaks it off. Drowning his sorrows the night before what was supposed to be the big day, he finds comfort in Lina Jurick, a woman with a sad story of her own. And then, inexplicably, she disappears without a word the next morning.It’s a good half a year before Bran runs into Lina again, during a murder investigation. Lina is...