He’s the last person she ever wants to see again… Zac Hartford swore he’d never return to sleepy Kurrajong Crossing, but after finally making it big in the music business there’s only one thing left on his mind—to ask for forgiveness from the only woman he’s ever loved. If that means stepping foot in the town that turned its back on him, so be it. He’s not there to cause trouble. He’ll simply find Cat, say his piece, and leave. The last person Catherine Van Alden expects to see in her tiny cupcake shop is Zac—a man she hasn’t seen or spoken to since he destroyed her family and vanished all those years ago. Her desire to think the best of him hasn’t changed a bit, but he’s obviously keeping secrets and she can’t let him into her life again. Not without opening up a world of hurt and feelings best left behind. When the truth is finally revealed, is Cat strong enough to go after the man she never stopped loving?

Moving to this small town might just be a huge mistake. City girl Emma Johnson moves to Kurrajong Crossing determined to escape her troubled past and forge a bright future filled with new friendships, experiences, and even a pet cow. When the town starts a bet to see which of the many eligible bachelors around town will take her out first, she plays along. They’ll figure out soon enough that she isn’t interested in romance or relationships. Not now, not ever. Country vet and cattleman Gabe Jameson knows the gossip surrounding pretty newcomer Emma will taper off eventually. In the meantime, he’s willing to lend a hand and help with emergency repairs to her rickety old house. It’s not as if it’s a date, or that he wants it to turn into something more. Pretty women are trouble, and Emma is stunning. Besides, he’s sworn off love forever. It seems they might have something in common after all… First published as Breathless

This time, he’ll need to play for keeps—or not at all. Xander Mac, now an internationally acclaimed country singer, has finally come home to Kurrajong Crossing. It’s been four years since his casual, no-strings-attached relationship with Bonnie Callaghan imploded under the pressures of distance and secrets held back. Xander’s return for a charity concert during the town’s winter festival is his opportunity to reconnect with Bonnie. Only this time, he might have to put his heart on the line. Bonnie left Kurrajong Crossing hoping distance would give her heart a chance to heal, but she owes Xander’s grandparents, so when they need her help she answers the call. The return of Xander brings back hurt, long-buried feelings, but Xander has always said he only wants fun from a relationship and that’s not something Bonnie can guarantee. Their attraction is still hot and their connection is deep. But to make it work, they’ll both need to be all in or say goodbye forever.

Anything that can go wrong will… Darby Jameson knows that spending the night with groomsman Ryan Thomas after her twin brother’s wedding is a big mistake. Darby’s not cut out for one-night stands and Ryan’s definitely not one for relationships—she knows this. Still, she falls hard for the sexy cowboy’s many charms, and it’s better than she ever imagined. Darby is in for a world of hurt when one night turns into a secret affair, but what’s she to do when his smile melts her heart? When Ryan finally gives in to his attraction to his best friend’s sister, he insists it’s only temporary and best kept to themselves. Darby can do so much better than to take up with him. He has nothing to give to a sweet woman like her, and everyone knows it. But when Darby drops a bombshell, suddenly a casual fling is no longer an option. With so much at stake, and so many factors keeping them apart, do Darby and Ryan have a chance at a happily ever after?

They’ve known each other for years… Born and raised on adjacent family vineyards, and inseparable since childhood, there’s not much Belle Davis and Dante Casellati don’t know about each other. That crush Belle had on him in her teens? Dante knows about it. Dante’s confirmed bachelor stance? Belle’s heard it all before. And each believes the other is happy with the status quo. Used to pushing aside her own dreams and desires out of duty to her ailing mother, Belle dismisses all hope of her and Dante ever being in the same place at the same time emotionally, until Dante’s prodigal brother returns to Kurrajong Crossing and makes a play for her. Dante’s jealousy finally prompts him to act on the attraction to Belle he’s been ignoring for years. Taking their relationship one step further, life is bliss…until tragedy strikes Belle’s family. As tensions rise and hope of a happy outcome fades fast, Belle’s guilt estranges her and Dante for the first time in their lives. Can they salvage their love, or will harsh words and the fear of truly letting one another in ruin everything?

This Christmas will bring the ultimate gift… One night with a stranger changed Moira O’Brien’s life forever. She’s always denied needing a family of her own, until she met Gio and discovered life could offer her something more, something special—before it was snatched away. Now Gio and his daughter are back in Moira’s life, and this time Gio seems determined to stay. After losing his wife a year ago, Gio Tsiarkas is ready for a fresh start with his daughter, Emilia. He’s in Kurrajong Crossing with a new home, new car, and the chance for a new life—maybe with the woman who’d been a much-needed bright spot in his life amid so much loss. All he has to do is convince his daughter that a new woman in his life won’t ruin hers. Oh, and hopefully find the woman. When love and attraction come up against parental responsibility, will Gio and Moira have to make all the sacrifices? Or will a reluctant twelve-year-old discover Christmas can be about creating new families as well as holding onto the old?

He left everything behind…including her. Doctor Saul MacDonald left Kurrajong Crossing as a teenager, fleeing impossible living conditions. He left behind his mother, younger brother Alexander, and the girl he’d loved all his life. On the far side of the world, Saul made himself into a different person—hopefully a better one—but now family ties force him home. Animals and plants are the only living things successful entrepreneur Trudie Weiss trusts unconditionally. Neglected as a child and forced into dangerous situations she couldn’t control, Trudie prefers to keep people at a distance. But the arrival of Saul “Sunny” MacDonald back in The Crossing tests the exposed armour around Trudie’s tender heart. Like it or not, they share a deep bond. And an attraction that glows white hot. Trudie knows a wounded animal when she sees one. And if she gets too close to Saul, he will lash out. But as he confronts old relationships and digs into his painful past, is there room for Saul and Trudie to move forward and forge a loving future…together?

Their timing has always been wrong, do they finally have it right? Well-respected Kurrajong Crossing local Max Jameson has run the popular inn, the Spotted Cow, for over a decade. After losing his wife, Lucy, six years ago, Max has kept to himself. Though the relationship wasn’t romantic, Max hasn’t so much as been on a date since then…despite being in love with Millie Stevens for longer than he’d like to admit. Millie wants a baby more than anything. At thirty-six, she feels her biological clock ticking and turns to her best friend, Max, to be the biological father of her child. He is everything she could want for her child’s father—kind, intelligent, loyal, and devastatingly handsome. And if he said yes, it could be completely anonymous, no strings attached. Max would love to build a family with Millie, though he wishes it was because she wanted him, not just his child. But not everything goes to plan, and when feelings grow and disaster strikes, will Max and Millie’s hopes for a future go up in flames?

They never dreamed of forever until their lives began falling apart. Connor O’Brien knew he didn’t deserve happiness. He had cost his family too much. When he fell into a relationship with Daisy Litton, he gave as much as he dared. Every day she was with him was a win, and as long as they had the same vision of the future, he believed he could hold on to her. And then it all changed. Daisy Litton fell for Connor the first time they met. He was everything she didn’t deserve, everything she needed. So long as she didn’t need too much. Starting a family was the last thing on her mind. Until everything changed and she knew she had to leave. Five years later, Connor still feels responsible for all they lost, so if he can help make Daisy’s return to The Crossing easier, he will. When they recklessly revisit how good they are together, the consequences could ruin everything they are building. Or will it give them a reason to put their hearts on the line, this time forever?

It takes more than time to mend a broken heart. Simon Jameson had once considered himself a lucky man. A job he loved, working alongside his oldest brother. His wife was his heart, and they had a family in the making. Then he lost it all. When his niece is born on Valentine’s Day—his first wedding anniversary without his wife—it’s too much too soon and he has to leave town for the night. Just one night, while his close-knit family celebrates a gift of life that should be celebrated, one that breaks his heart that little bit more. He never expected to meet her. Evangeline Adams, the architect behind the new build of his brother’s pub, The Spotted Cow, was a red-headed bombshell of a woman he didn’t see coming. It’s been months since Evangeline encountered the magnetic, desolate Simon at a bar, but she hasn’t forgotten him. When they meet again at her latest job site, she’s glad he seems happier but keeps her distance. Right up until her manipulative ex-husband unexpectedly returns and Simon steps in to protect her. Eva can’t afford to fall for an emotionally unavailable man who doesn’t like kids—not when she has a two-year-old son waiting for her at home. And that describes Simon perfectly. Doesn’t it?