Margins
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Sanctuary
Series · 7 books · 2017-2021

Books in series

Protecting Sam book cover
#1

Protecting Sam

2017

Former SEAL Steve "Smoke" Tannen is finding the transition back to civilian life more of a challenge than he'd expected. Not only is he dealing with the aftereffects of a horrific ordeal overseas, he doesn’t know what normal is anymore. When his former team leader enlists his help in a project to help other vets, Steve doesn't hesitate to sign on with a new team. Samantha Appelhoff dreams of owning her own coffee and bake shop, but a persistent stalker and dark rumors about her past aren't making things easy. When the sexy, chivalrous guy moves in next door, she plans to keep her distance, but that’s hard to do when he keeps showing up when least expected but always just when she needs him. Are they just nice neighbors or could they be something more than friends? The attraction is instant and their connection is real, but is that enough to convince Steve and Sam they can have their own happy ending?
Best Laid Plans book cover
#2

Best Laid Plans

2019

Former SEAL Hugh “Heff” Bradley has put aside his womanizing ways to focus on making the Sanctuary a place for veterans in need. He knows how difficult the transition back to civilian life at can be; he’s walked the razor’s edge himself a few times. His plan: Use his special skills to make the project a reality and stop those trying to sabotage it. That means keeping his head down and his hands to himself. Then he meets her. Sandy Summers knows exactly what she wants: to get out of Sumneyville for good. Fate seems to be conspiring against her, however, throwing up one obstacle after another. Her plan: Work two jobs, attend night school to earn a degree, accept that job offer in the city, and never look back. Impulsively hooking-up with the sexy, skilled SEAL before she leaves wasn’t part of the plan. Neither was her absentee father showing up on her doorstep after fifteen years with another game changer. But she’s worked too hard and too long not to stick to her plan, even if it means walking away from the only good thing that’s happened to her in years. Heff and Sandy know firsthand what can happen to the best laid plans. But when getting back on track means sacrificing a chance at true happiness, do they take it? Or do they make a new plan? Best Laid Plans is a contemporary love story with enough steam, suspense, and humor to give you all the feels and leave you smiling.
Shadow of Doubt book cover
#3

Shadow of Doubt

2020

Former SEAL Brian “Mad Dog” Sheppard might look like a gentle giant to some, but there's a very good reason for his call name. Threaten someone he cares about and he'll stop at nothing to protect them. That includes his new team of fellow SEALs. They’re all about creating a safe haven for vets trying to readjust to civilian life. Everyone agrees it’s a great idea, but there are those who would much rather they take their good deeds somewhere else—preferably far away from the sleepy mountain town of Sumneyville. Kate Handelmann is friendly and down-to-earth with very strong ties to the community. While she’s not a fan of gossip and firmly believes that actions speak louder than words, it’s impossible to ignore all the rumors surrounding the mysterious and potentially dangerous group of men settling in just outside of town. When Mad Dog shows up at her dad’s hardware store, the instant and powerful attraction is undeniable, but Kate’s family already has other ideas—and he is definitely not part of their plan. As tensions escalate between the men of Sanctuary and local residents, hard lines are drawn. With their chemistry off the charts, will Kate choose her family? Or will she sacrifice everything to be with the man she loves? Shadow of Doubt is a small town, contemporary romance featuring former military heroes and light suspense.
Nick UnCaged book cover
#4

Nick UnCaged

2020

Former SEAL Nick “Cage” Fumanti likes where his life is at. A city boy at heart, he’s made peace with the fresh air, open skies, and satisfaction he gets from helping make Sanctuary a success. The best part is, he’s all but forgotten the shady past that prompted him to join the Navy right out of high school. The only thing missing is someone to share it with, but since he’s much better with tech than he is with women, he doesn’t hold out much hope that’s going to happen. Online journalist Gabriella De Rossi is tired of being passed over for the juicy assignments. She wants more than the puff pieces and human interest stories being tossed her way. She understands the seedy underworld better than most because she’s actually lived it. Sure, her personal experiences may have developed her empathetic tendencies, but that doesn’t mean she doesn’t have what it takes. When Bree is sent to Pennsylvania to do a story on a new program to assist returning veterans re-acclimate into civilian society, she’s understandably less than enthusiastic. However, fate might actually be on her side for once. Not only does the former SEAL tasked with showing her around rouse her non-professional interest, but she soon discovers that the sleepy little mountain town of Sumneyville has its share of secrets… and so does her SEAL. Revealing the truth could be the big break Bree’s been waiting for, but if doing so means losing Nick forever, is it worth it? This latest installment in the Sanctuary series is a contemporary love story with plenty of steam, small town suspense, and humor to give you all the feels and leave you smiling.
Organically Yours book cover
#5

Organically Yours

2021

NOW AVAILABLE! Have they found the secret recipe for happiness…or are they playing with fire? No one knows more about peaches than master orchardist Tina Obermacher. The only thing she lacks is time to cultivate a personal life. When the ladies of Sanctuary invite her for regular coffee and conversation, Tina jumps at the chance for some much-needed girl time—and the opportunity to cross paths with the hunk of laid-back hotness they call "Doc." Cole Watson has found a comfortable niche in the northern PA mountains, helping fellow former servicemen and women transition back to civilian life. He’s not looking for a relationship, at least not until he meets Tina. Her womanly curves and intelligent eyes give the former SEAL a new mission: make her his. It’s complicated, though. Not only do Tina’s brothers vehemently oppose Sanctuary, they’re into something far shadier than the family orchards, and Doc can’t warn Tina without jeopardizing years of undercover work. The best he can do is be there to catch her when everything crumbles. The question is, once she learns the truth, will she let him?
#5.5

The Proposal Plan

2021

Love is in the Air charity anthology Hugh “Heff” Bradley thinks he’s got the perfect plan for proposing to the woman who is his everything, but Heff should know by now what happens to the best laid plans.
Prodigal Son book cover
#6

Prodigal Son

Sanctuary, Book Six

2021

He lost everything once. He’s not going to let it happen again. Matt Winston led a charmed life. Great family, great friends, and a girl he’d do anything for. Then tragedy struck. He lost everything, including his way. He dealt with it the only way he knew how - by becoming the best damn SEAL team leader he could be. Now he’s out of the service, stronger, wiser, and with a new turning his burnt-out family legacy into a place where he can help fellow vets find their way back into civilian society. Nothing will bring back what he lost—except possibly the small town corruption that brings her back to into his life. When Hayley Freed left town suddenly all those years ago amidst rumors and scandal, the hardest part had been walking away from the only boy she’d ever loved. He’d been her knight in shining armor then. In her heart, he still was. Now she’s back, and she’s not alone. She’s bringing justice, vengeance, and karma with her. This US Deputy Marshal is on a mission, and it’s as personal as it gets. And maybe, just maybe, she’ll get a second chance to do right by her knight in the process. As Matt and Hayley work together to rid their sleepy little mountain town of the rampant greed and corruption threatening to destroy it, will they re-discover the magic that will give them the happily ever after they deserve? Prodigal Son is the exciting conclusion to Abbie Zanders' Sanctuary series, a contemporary romantic suspense series featuring former military heroes and the women who always have their six.

Author

Abbie Zanders
Abbie Zanders
Author · 59 books

Abbie Zanders is a USA Today Bestselling Author with more than 55 published romance novels to date. Her stories range from contemporary to paranormal and everything in between. She promises her readers two things: happily ever afters, always, and no cliffhangers, ever. Born and raised in the mountains of Northeastern Pennsylvania, where she sets most of her stories, she’s known for small town romance featuring golden-hearted alpha heroes and strong, relatable heroines. Besides being an avid reader and writer, she loves animals (especially big dogs), American muscle cars, and 80's hair bands.

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