Port Serenity

Series · 5 books · 2005-2017

By Ann DeFee

Books in series

A Texas State of Mind

2005

Police Chief Lolly LaTullipe’s professional life runs amuck when dead drug dealers start floating up on the beach. Port Serenity, Texas is known for bird watchers and bikini clad co-eds–not murder and mayhem. Lolly’s situation becomes even more complicated when a sexy undercover narcotics cop shows up eliciting thoughts of rumpled sheets and hot summer nights. This single mom of two is afraid she’s in way over her head. Christian Delacroix is jaded from years in drug enforcement and the appealing police chief has him reassessing his priorities and future. Is he ready for this small town with its cast of eccentric characters. And is he prepared for Lolly LaTulippe with her white-picket-fence life complete with a close-knit family and circle of friends? Not to mention her big shaggy dog and all the complications of life with a teenager. Are diapers, PTA meetings and football games in this cop’s future?

Texas Born

2006

Dr. Olivia Alvarado, town vet and sometime coroner of Port Serenity, Texas, is nobody's fool. So when Sheriff C. J. Baker charged into her life, the last thing Livy expected was a broken heart. She should've known better. Because he seemed absolutely perfect for her—and nothing's ever perfect. Finding out that C.J. was already married just about killed Olivia. But there's a lot she doesn't know about C.J.'s marriage—like the fact that it was for Selena's protection. Now that Selena's safe and he's safely divorced, C.J. wants Olivia back. When they're thrown together on a bizarre case, Livy can't avoid spending time with C.J. — or falling for him all over again. But then Selena shows up in Port Serenity. So what's a girl to think?

Somewhere Down in Texas

2007

The Barbecue isn't The Only Thing Heating Up Marci Hamilton loves her hometown of Port Serenity, but life's been a little dull lately. So she enters a barbecue-sauce cook-off with her flamboyant sister, Sissy Aguirre. The events are held all over Texas and sponsored by country music superstar J. W. Watson. Marci's heard of J.W. but she sure wouldn't recognize him, so when their car breaks down on the way to the first cook-off and Marci gets some unexpected help from a handsome cowboy, she has no idea that 'Johnny Walker' is none other than J.W. himself After a previous relationship disaster—with a guy featured on America's Most Wanted—Marci is understandably cautious. But the battle against falling in love with Johnny is a losing one. This time around, Marci isn't sure if she's going to get burned or if she's cooking up a Texas-size happy ending along with that award-winning barbecue sauce

Texas Double Date

2016

Landry Valliere—New Orleans defense attorney—never thought that an innocent bet with his law partner would turn his life upside down. All he has to do is survive in Port Serenity, Texas, for a month without credit cards or cash. Much to his dismay he discovers that getting a job with his limited life skills is going to be a challenge. It takes a couple of nights in a flea-bag hotel, and a dollop of desperation, for Landry to apply for the shampoo girl job at Sunny McAllister’s salon and dog grooming spa, Double Date. Sunny’s new employee is definitely eye candy, but there’s something off kilter about him. Her first thought was that he was running from the law. He’s too smart, too charming, too everything to be doing a menial job in her salon. And speaking of charming, add sexy to that description, and she’s hooked. The truth about Landry comes out when Sunny’s good friend is accused of murder and needs a hot-shot lawyer. Will Sunny kick him to the curb for his duplicity? And can a big city attorney and a small town girl have a chance at love? Of course, romances always have a happy ending.

A Texas Second Chance

2017

Evil is lurking in Port Serenity, Texas. This idyllic town is known as a beach playground for sun worshippers and bird watchers—not murder and mayhem in the real estate development community. Zack Maynard is a California homicide cop on administrative leave who arrives to investigate the vandalism occurring on a project owned by his family business. His first meeting with Liza Henderson—the project manager in charge of the Blackwater Lake development—is more like a Monty Python comedy skit than a business meeting. She’s a widow with an extended family of eccentric characters and definitely not a typical Texas Rose. In spite of the wacky situation, she’s the first woman in years to jump-start his libido. Can love blossom in this small town with its underground of nefarious characters? And will the good guys win? Absolutely!

Author

Ann DeFee

Author · 18 books

As a "feel good" author Ann DeFee infuses humor into her romantic comedy, mystery, magic realism (where the surreal becomes reality), humor/satire and action/adventure stories. A multi-award winner, Ann has written twelve novels for Harlequin and an additional three for Bellastoria Press. She has won, or was a finalist in ten national and international book award contests. Believe in the Magic leads the way with a Reader’s Favorite Gold Medal, a Chanticleer Somerset Fiction Award winner and is now a Grand Prize Finalist in the Eric Hoffer Book Award. As a business woman, Ann is a managing-partner of Bellastoria Press LLP, an independent hybrid publishing company that specializes in shepherding authors through the book publishing process. On a personal note, Ann loves living in her stories (both writing and reading) and research. She lives in Williamsburg, VA, the epicenter of American history, a perfect place to be actively involved in a national organization that focuses on history, patriotism and genealogy. Her guilty pleasure is that she’s addicted to hot chocolate (regardless of the season) and she loves all things that glitter.