Funny and feisty true-crime writer Dakota Phillips has almost everything she wants. She's still looking for the perfect tall, very educated and very cultured—all wrapped up inrich chocolate brown. So far, her insecurities about her generouscurves and her independent streak have kept her searching. Nick is a self-made mogul who works hard, plays hard and loveslife's finer things. He's not perfect, but he makes Dakota feelbeautiful, desirable—and maybe a little too vulnerable. Dakotacan't surrender to a take-charge man, and Nick has worked toohard for everything to give up control. Moving on would beeasy—except for a little complication called love.

Billie Phillips' beauty has made her a household name, but she's ready to quit the world of modeling and pursue her real dream of flipping houses. All she needs is the help of one of Chicago's leading real estate moguls?a man who heats up her daydreams but vows never to surrender his heart.… Tall, rich and charismatic, Jason Wainwright is willing to play along with Billie?especially if it means getting her into his bed. But Billie is all business and won't even agree to a date. By the time Jason's persistence finally pays off, will he be able to convince her that no woman?except her?could ever win his heart?

Ayanna Walker's life was her job and raising her two nephews. She barely had time to remember she even had a passionate side…and didn't expect that workaholic attorney Johnny Phillips would unleash it. But when Johnny's kiss curled her toes, she knew they would enjoy a summer fling neither would forget. As soon as he met sweet, shapely Ayanna at his sister's wedding, Johnny knew she was the one. His game plan was shower her with his desires, his devotion, his dreams. But could a man planning forever and a woman still planning the moment find the right time for love?

The laws of attraction… Walking in on a beautiful woman taking a bath is a perk Todd Wainwright doesn't expect when he arrives at a friend's Hilton Head beach cottage. The dedicated Chicago surgeon is looking for some much-needed R & R. He gets that and more when he spends an unforgettable weekend with South Carolina biochemistry professor Emily Porter, who knows all about the laws of attraction… The chemistry of love Emily has desired Todd ever since she first saw him at her sister's wedding. Having the sexy surgeon all to herself in a romantic oceanfront setting is beyond her wildest fantasies. But once the vacation's over, she's hit with a cold dose of reality. Is the workaholic doc ready to commit? Is the chemistry between them strong enough to turn a passionate lovers' idyll into a true and lasting love?

After trying everything from blind dates to online matchmaking to speed dating, Alexis Sharp has given up finding Mr. Right. Or even Mr. Almost Right. Until the stormy night when the South Carolina spa owner gets a flat…and a hunky stranger comes to her rescue. Sexy, sensitive, supersuccessful Chicago chef Jared Van Buren is everything Alexis could want in a man. There's only one thing standing in the way of their budding romance—Jared isn't black. To her surprise, Alexis discovers she and Jared aren't as different as she thinks. As desire melts their barriers, Jared vows to prove to Alexis that they belong together. When it comes to affairs of the heart, what will it take to convince the woman who fills his life with passionate poetry that love is color-blind?

If you can't stand the heat… Sherry Stratton has kept her heart on ice for years. Between her pediatric practice and her seven-year-old daughter, the accomplished physician believes she has no time for romance. But every time she's around Lucas Van Buren, her temperature starts rising. So why does she keep resisting the sexy chef? stay out of the bedroom! From the moment they meet at his brother's wedding, Lucas has eyes only for Sherry. The polished restaurateur has tried everything he can think of to become more than a friend. Now, after months of effort, Lucas and Sherry are finally heating up between the sheets, and the lovemaking is oh-so-sweet. Lucas thinks they're solid, but when someone from Sherry's past suddenly resurfaces, their delicious relationship is put to the test.…

Love in the fast lane In the five years since Alana Sharp Dumond lost her husband, she has remodeled her life. Her vintage car company, Custom Classics, is raking in money. She owns her own home and she has top-of-the-line friends. If she misses the feel of a man's arms around her, she'd never admit it. The shadows from her past are nobody's business but her own. Worldly restaurateur Roland Casey has had his eye on Alana for months, but and now he wants to speed up put their relationship. With his tall, muscled build and cognac-brown eyes, he's never had any trouble romancing a woman—until now. Sultry Alana keeps putting the brakes on all his moves. Roland has no doubt that he can send her temperature racing, but can he mend her once-broken heart?

Some things are meant to be… When her surrogacy deal with a Hollywood power couple goes south, Adrienne Sharp heads home to South Carolina to deliver a child she never expected to keep. A passionate affair is the furthest thing from the costume designer's mind…until family law specialist Royce Griffin offers to safeguard her parental rights. But who's going to protect Adrienne from the irresistibly charming attorney? Royce's attraction to the free-spirited mother-to-be goes way beyond simple chemistry. He won't let anything keep them apart�including someone who's trying to take Adrienne's baby away. Empowered by their deepening bond, Royce vows to fight for their future, with all the love and desire in his heart….