Mariah Small-town Louisiana stifled her restless spirit; like the wind, she was destined to be free. Mariah is an enigma to the people of Calloway Corners, who could never comprehend her essence: both wanton and innocent, worldly and naive. Ford The maverick preacher was the one person in town who seemed to accept her, who recognized his own torment in her eyes. Somehow, his love taught Mariah the truth she'd roamed the world to discover: the only true path to freedom is commitment.

JO: Spirited defender of the rights of every man, woman and household pet in Galloway Corners; feisty rebel searching passionately for a cause worthy of her fiery nature. E.Z.: Rock and roll heartbreaker whose own heart is committed to America's homeless; electric poet with an idealistic vision so clear and true it transcends his own lyrics. Meeting E.Z. teaches Jo the most important lesson of her life and the hardest—changing the world means nothing unless you love the people in it.

Unforgettable...and as elusive as moonlight on water, Tess Calloway was afraid to risk, and afraid not to. She was torn by desire for a man who was both sinner and saint. Seth - He was born unwanted on the wrong side of the tracks, but, inspired by the memory of Tess' gentle love, he became the fearless man she needed. His triumph over past pain gave Tess the courage to face the future.

Eden: Keeper of the hearth, mother confessor to a thousand whispered secrets, solid as the good earth of Louisiana. Eden. Too much of a woman not to crave a man, and too proudly female not to wait a lifetime for the right one. Nick: Seeker of truth and refugee from it, weary vagabond held freedom's captive. In Eden he found a sanctuary from the past, a bridge to the future. In one another's arms they found the ever-present, everlasting home for each other's hearts.

JERICHO. The eldest of the notorious Calloway boys has come home to visit his father, who's fresh out of prison. Not much in Calloway Corners, Louisiana, has changed. The town still considers Jericho a fist-happy troublemaker—like his dad. Only one person's keeping Jericho from leaving.... SUSAN. As sheriff, she knows Jericho is trouble. Sure enough—in town for less than an hour, he's already in her jail. Some people never change. Or do they? Susan no longer trusts her judgement of men—an abusive ex-husband has seen to that. But Susan's beginning to see a whole new side to Jericho. A gentle, protective side...

Daniel. He'd never forgotten her. Eighteen years ago his father had killed a man—the town's preacher. Becca's father. Now his father's about to be released from prison and Daniel's come home. After all these years, Daniel still has feelings for Becca. But the last time they were together, one man ended up dead and another in jail. Becca. She'd never forgotten him. Becca Harris is in real trouble. Her marriage is over, her husband's run off with another woman and he wants custody of their two children. To top it all off, Daniel, the man she'd never stopped loving, is back in Calloway Corners. His return has both of them thinking about second chances and happy endings. Could things work out this time?

Gabe. Gabriel Butler is a successful rodeo clown. Out of costume, he's a confident, happy-go-lucky man - except when he thinks about the woman he left back home. Unfortunately, the minute he sets foot in Calloway Corners, Louisiana, he becomes nothing more than Jesse Calloway's bastard son. Gretchen. Gretchen West's life is worlds apart from Gabe's. But she's never forgotten the wonderful night she shared with Gabe. How could she? A month later her doctor confirmed what she'd already begun to suspect - she was pregnant. Now Gretchen has to convince Gabe that he can put his past behind him and become the father he always wished he'd have himself.