After having her heart broken by the only man she’s ever loved, everything seemed to go downhill for Emerson Grace. It’s taken years, but Emmy is finally starting to pick up the pieces of her broken life. Until the man who destroyed her heart returns, bringing with him the pain of the past. Running from Emmy was the only way Lucas Allen knew he could protect her from the demons he carried with him. After spending one perfect night together, Luke took off, certain he couldn’t possibly give Emmy everything she deserved. Eight long years later, he’s returned to Cloverleaf to try and make up for his mistakes. He can only hope it isn’t too late. Loving Luke has always been easy. It’s forgiving him that seems impossible. Now it’s up to Emmy to decide whether to give him a second chance, or let him go for good.

Note: "Defying the Dust" from this compilation is part of "The Artists Trilogy" series. An anthology collection benefit for the fight against bullying by sixteen of today's bestselling authors in romance and young adult. All proceeds go to the Amanda Todd Legacy. @ amandatoddlegacy.org

People make mistakes when they're young, but how they choose to come back from those mistakes is what matters in the end. Savannah Morgan found true love at a very early age, but one rash decision—one that she would regret for the rest of her life—was all it took to end her relationship with the love of her life. For seven years, Jeremy Matthews has accepted being "just friends" with the only woman he's ever loved. Finally deciding that enough is enough, Jeremy relentlessly pursues Savannah until he forces her to see just how right they are for each other. When Savannah's past mistake is revealed, threatening the future she so desperately wants, the fate of their relationship lies in Jeremy’s hands. Will he be able to forgive Savannah, or is the relationship truly over? When struggles and obstacles threaten the foundation of Savannah and Jeremy's relationship, will they choose to let each other go, or rise from the ashes of the past to claim their happiness?

Living in the small town of Cloverleaf, watching her friends settle down one by one, all Lizzy wants is her own happily ever after. But with each failed date she starts to believe that finding the one man who will look at her like she’s his reason for living is practically impossible. Trevor has had feelings for Lizzy since stepping foot into Cloverleaf, but despite their intense chemistry when they first met, the feisty little redhead friend-zoned him before he ever had a chance to make his move. After watching her date every loser in town he’s finally decided enough is enough. Thanks to a drunken weekend in Vegas, he finally has the one thing he’s always wanted…Lizzy as his wife. But just because he caught her doesn’t mean he’ll get to keep her. Can Trevor and Lizzy push the boundaries of friendship and build a relationship that can truly last, or will they crash and burn before they ever get off the ground?

Cloverleaf was Mackenzie Webster's second chance. It was the place where she dreamed of starting over and creating a new life for her and her children. She had a carefully thought-out plan for what this new life would look like, and nowhere in it was their room for a relationship. But the one thing Kenzie never counted on was meeting Brett Halstead. Brett was all about fun and friends. "Long term" wasn't a phrase that fit his lifestyle. That was, until Kenzie walked into town and turned his laid-back world on its head. Now he wants serious. He wants long-term. And he wants it with Kenzie and her kids. But her past refuses to go away, threatening to tear the couple apart. Praying that the damage hasn't already been done, Brett decides to take on the task of breaking through Kenzie's walls to show her that love doesn't always hurt. She's a challenge he's determined to win, because a life with Kenzie is worth the wait. And he'll do whatever it takes to prove that to her.