Книги автора: Judy Duarte

HE WASN'T THE «RIDE OFF INTO THE SUNSET» TYPE…T. J. «Cowboy» Whittaker wasn't looking to be anyone's hero, but when vulnerable Priscilla Richards turned her tear-filled blue eyes on him and asked, «Can you help me uncover the secrets in my past?»…well, how could the sexy P.I. say no?His job was simple: escort the sheltered city girl to Texas to meet the mom she'd never known, then hightail it out of there as fast as his boots could carry him. Temptation wasn't on the agenda&#151especially with a prim New Yorker who most definitely was not his type. But Prissy made him hotter than Dallas in July…and made him want things he'd given up on long ago….

Best friends for life…and loveAfter five years, Jeff Forsythe was finally back in Rumor, Montana–just when Jilly Davis needed him most. But she had no intention of clipping the wings of the footloose pilot just because she was having a baby. Even if her childhood pal was arousing feelings that had nothing to do with friendship.…Freedom at all costs–those were the rules Jeff lived by. Until he came home to find his best buddy all grown up, pregnant–and sexier than he'd ever remembered. Suddenly this irresistible mom-to-be tempted him to trim his wings and put down roots in Rumor. Wasn't that what friends were for?

THE BABY GIRL NEEDED A HOME…And Clay Callaghan was ready to provide one for her. The Texas cattle rancher knew next to nothing about caring for infants, but he' d never turn his back on his own flesh and blood.As guardian of her younger siblings, attorney Daniella de la Cruz offered both legal and child-rearing expertise. Yet it was clear this handsome cowboy needed–and wanted–more from her. Well, Daniella could never turn down a child in need.A handsome, single father-in-training was another story–wasn' t it?

HERE COMES THE BRIDE…MATCHMAKING DOWN THE AISLE!When private investigator Rico Garcia arrived to visit his recently engaged mother, becoming involved with her wedding planner was the last thing on his mind. But his matchmaker of a mom had other ideas–and an assignment to find the starry-eyed Molly Townsend's long-lost sister.Molly had dreamed of her Prince Charming for years–and the cynical, down-with-love Rico was the stuff of her nightmares! But as she and Rico worked together to plan a wedding, and a reunion with her sister, Molly's chance at true love seemed within reach. It was just up to Rico to close the book on a perfect fairy-tale ending….

WHEN HE HELD HER, HE HELD EVERYTHING HE WANTED…AND COULD NEVER HAVE.He'd done his time, for a crime he hadn't committed, and now Zack Henderson was ready for a fresh start. With a good job, some savings and weekends with his little girl, his prospects were bright. But this rugged ex-con's plan for a new life hadn't included falling for two adorable neighborhood girls–or their beautiful mother. Diana Lynch was the kind of woman he knew he couldn't have–a good girl, a true lady. And in her arms he almost felt like some kind of hero. Problem was, he knew she was better off without a man like him…no matter what his heart–or Diana's two little matchmakers–had to say.

Solemn rancher Alex Connor was looking for a good woman. To be more precise, he was looking for a surrogate to bear his babies. He had it all figured out: he'd be a single dad completely devoted to his children. But after his first meeting with obstetrician Dr. Selena Ramirez, all his carefully made plans flew out the window.Selena knew she'd be able to help Alex, though not in the way he might imagine. Common sense told her to run when the sexy green-eyed cowboy admitted he wanted her. What kind of crazy fate had brought a man yearning for offspring to a woman who couldn't have any? What kind of crazy girl would gamble on a man whose heart was already taken?

FROM MIDWIFE TO MOTHER-TO-BE…One night of heart-stealing passion left Milla Johnson wanting much more from Dr. Kyle Bingham. But settling down wasn't in the gorgeous resident's game plan. And the practical-minded midwife had her own future to think of…now that a baby was on the way. Kyle's baby.Growing up on the black-sheep side of the town's most prominent clan left Kyle feeling out in the cold when it came to family. Until Milla. She had him yearning to shed his solitary ways–even after she'd told him they were expecting! Could imminent fatherhood–and love–make a family man out of Merlyn County's most marriage-shy bachelor?

HELP!Footloose cowboy Jake Meredith was perfect at rabble-rousing and rodeo riding. But when instant parenthood befell him, he was scared spitless of failing as a father for his tiny orphaned niece and nephew. Where to turn for help?YOU'VE GOT A FRIENDWhere else but to Maggie Templeton, the gangly, freckled best friend of his youth? Now a city pediatrician, his long-distance pal came to his temporary rescue, working wonders with his little wards. Unfortunately, Maggie's unexpected womanliness stoked Jake's senses, jeopardizing their precious friendship. Still, Jake ached to make Maggie a permanent part of his family–to touch her, to taste her…to turn her every which way but loose.

Turning his life around, Luke Wynter had worked hard to become a doctor, to give back to the community he'd taken from years ago.And he had been doing just fine…until Leilani Stephens snuck back into his life. Twelve years ago she had made it clear that she no longer considered him a friend, let alone a lover. And he'd never been one to plead or beg.Now he felt drawn to her all over again–yet felt that something was unsettled, unfinished. Unsaid. What had Leilani been hiding from him all these years?

I CAN'T LOSE MY CHILD!Single mother Caitlin Rogers lived for just one thing: her little girl, Emily. So when her rights as a parent were threatened, Caitlin singlemindedly prepared to fight for her daughter by any means necessary. She just didn't count on distraction from the new neighbor next door….Brett Tanner was a man who didn't like complications in his life. But his gruff military demeanor couldn't mask his feelings for Caitlin and Emily–the little girl who reminded him of the son he'd left behind long ago. Cobbling a family together wouldn't be easy…but it might be the only thing worth fighting for.

THE SECRET WAS OUTThe towheaded son of stunning socialite Kristin Reynolds had to be his child. Because once upon a time fireman Joe Davenport and Kristin had been lovers, pulled apart by her prestigious family. He hadn't wanted to give her up then, and he refused to give up his son now. Of course, this time, he and Kristin were both adults. They could handle the intimacies of parenthood, without wanting more. And though the heat of her gaze, of her touch, was almost more than he could bear, he'd be damned if he'd reignite their old flame–even if Kristin was the one woman who tempted him to want the family, and the wife, he could never have.

CARLY ALDERSON THOUGHT SHE HAD IT ALL…Until her divorce was finalized. She' d been trying to figure out how her carefully planned out life had gone off track–and then she met a wonderful man. Only, Bo Conway was everything wealthy Carly wasn' t looking for: A regular guy. A carpenter. And a smart, sexy man who took her breath away with a single glance.Bo had learned the hard way never to fall for a society woman, the type who wanted to mold him into something he was not. But sweet, beautiful Carly has him breaking all his rules….

UNDERCOVER BOSS…TO HOMETOWN DAD?When Megan Adams’ temporary boss bursts into her office, she fears it’s more than just her job at stake. Their instant chemistry makes the once-burned single mother long to risk her heart again. But something about this mysterious man isn’t adding up.Computer-geek-turned-billionaire Clay Jenkins came home to Brighton Valley to uncover a baffling mystery at his flagship store. But as ‘Peyton Johnson,’ he’s bonding with the alluring redhead and her children in a way that could blow his cover. Can he forge a future with Megan and her family before she uncovers his deception?

Dear Santa,It's me, Jillian Wilkes. I just did something totally out of character: I spent the most glorious night of my life with a stranger named Shane Hollister. Fast-forward three weeks. The sexy cowboy with the sweet smile left me with an incredible, life-changing gift….Hey, Santa,Houston ex-cop Shane Hollister here. I'm still reeling from the news: I'm going to be a father! Ever since Jillian delivered her bombshell, I've made up my mind to really get to know the Texas blonde. And what better place than my ranch in Brighton Valley? Now the top priority on my wish list is to let go of the past and make a future with the family I've always wanted!

HER CHALLENGE? TRANSFORMING FROM TOMBOY TO KNOCKOUT.HER PRIZE? THE COWBOY OF HER DREAMS.Outroping and outriding every man in Blossom was something Cindy Tucker could do with her eyes closed. But cooking, flirting and wearing high heels? Those were skills of a different kind–the kind she'd surely need to lasso a r husband. And the one person she trusted to teach her was Blake Gray Feather. He was the only man who'd ever made her lose her breath, who haunted her dreams, who hadn't yet figured out his childhood friend had grown up.But now, with their late-night sweet talk and soft kisses, she was seeing a different look in Blake's eyes…and that gave Cindy a newfound confidence in her womanly abilities. Because he fully intended to put Blake's «lessons» to use to win the heart of the only cowboy she'd ever loved…