Gracelyn Riley married a firefighter and knew that came with risks. But she never imagined herself widowed in her early 30s with two children to care for on her own. Even though her marriage to Chad Riley had its difficulties, dealing with the last year without him has not been easy. Her brother-in-law, Matt, has been the rock that has kept her from collapsing or imploding. As a Mason Ridge fireman, Matt Riley had been at the scene when his brother, Chad, was killed. For the last year, Matt has suffered from survivor’s guilt and drank himself into oblivion. Gracelyn's friendship has pulled him through time and time again until he finally sobered up.

Emma has crushed on her boss, Will, since her first day working at his bar. His boyfriend, Paul, is gorgeous too. Her dirty fantasies feature both Will and Paul. A ménage with the two hottest men she's ever met. However, she'd never have the nerve to act on her forbidden desires. All her inhibitions fade away when she accidentally walks in on the two men, but nothing prepares her for Paul's wicked invitation.

Cortez Alesini long ago accepted that his music career aided in the demise of his marriage. So he didn't expect that he and Nadine would spend passionate nights together while she's back in his country, causing them to question if they gave up too soon. But the reappearance of someone from his past immediately causes friction and may destroy any chance they have at a true reconciliation.

Alexis thought her life contained everything she wanted, until her partner of five years drops a bombshell on her. Catherine is an accomplished neurosurgeon looking for a fresh start in a new city. A chance meeting between the two imprints the doctor in Alexis's mind, with thoughts of Catherine pushing to the forefront months after they meet. When life places the pair in the same city, Alexis is unable to deny her attraction to Catherine. As the pair become closer, Alexis finds herself falling for Catherine, despite knowing that her feelings will never be reciprocated.

I have been immersed in criminal activity from the day I was born. I was bred for the sole purpose of carrying on my father's reign of terror. I was born into the Bratva, and I would die in the Bratva. It was my destiny. I learned how to spot a fighter from a very early age, and Kathleen had that fighting spirit inside her. I wasn't sure what her story was, but she piqued my curiosity. In my gut, I also knew I'd left my mark on her. She'll never be the same, never recover from unwittingly drawing my attention.

Did Mark mean what Alison Lind hoped? Was her boss declaring his passion for her? Did he really feel the same way she secretly felt for him? Apparently not. Instead of asking her to be his lover, he was asking her to be temporary nanny to his baby niece. Not an ounce of desire in sight. Or was there? Living together, spending time in intimate surroundings, created a sensual tension too powerful to ignore. How long before this strictly business relationship turned into a strictly passionate predicament?

In the aftermath of a shattering personal loss, Detective Kyle Bain buries her pain in the routine of fulfilling her professional and family obligations. When she meets Lane Connor, the owner of a popular restaurant on the shores of the Pacific Ocean who is struggling with a broken heart of her own, the chance for happiness suddenly seems possible. As Lane and Kyle take the first tentative steps toward rebuilding their lives and exploring the attraction between them, Kyle makes a shocking discovery about the woman she is coming to love.

In the aftermath of a major health scare, Pepper Holts makes the relief-inspired decision to seize the day. Unfortunately, most of her "seizing" involves a bit of merlot and her best friend's pants! After a shared night of passion, she realizes that her feelings for Jax are a lot more complicated than she ever thought.

Fynn: I caught the silhouette of a woman out of the corner of my eye when I was carrying out an execution. She could have been a spy, so I had no choice but to follow her. When I cornered her in an abandoned house, I knew I had to have her. Anya: I'm just trying to survive this bloody war. When I heard men's voices on the other side of the fence, I couldn't help but be curious. The sound of gunshots sent me scurrying back to my camp. I never expected to be followed.

Political strategist Rachel Stanton, jaded and disillusioned by the scratching, clawing, and mudslinging of a campaign, books a week at the Springdale Ranch for a much-needed vacation. Springdale sounds like just the place to exorcise unhappy childhood memories and straighten out her head. Shivley McCoy has spent the last four years casting out her own painful past, working and sweating to make her ranch a successful business venture. She has nothing in common with fast-living Rachel Stanton, and after their inauspicious first meeting, is quite certain she'll never see her again.