Return to Redemption Series by Laurie Kellogg

RWA Golden Heart Award Winner-- Lt. Matt Foster was taken as a POW and mistakenly declared dead. After six years of emotional and physical torture, he returns home with no memory and a face no one recognizes—not even his wife, Abby, who’s about to remarry. He could still walk away from the gorgeous stranger whose been starring in his X-rated dreams, but he could never abandon his sons.

A SHORT short story starring Steve, one of Matt's POW friends, from Laurie's award-winning novel, The Memory of You. This short story includes a sneak peek at the Prequel to The Return to Redemption Series, The Memory of You. Only two reasons could make Kathy Sullivan's usually responsible daughter elope to Vegas with a man Kathy has never met--insanity or pregnancy. Neither possibility is one Kathy cares to consider... moreA SHORT short story starring Steve, one of Matt's POW friends, from Laurie's award-winning novel, The Memory of You. This short story includes a sneak peek at the Prequel to The Return to Redemption Series, The Memory of You. Only two reasons could make Kathy Sullivan's usually responsible daughter elope to Vegas with a man Kathy has never met--insanity or pregnancy. Neither possibility is one Kathy cares to consider. Even though things turned out okay for her in the end, the last thing she wants is to see her child repeat her mistakes. Since her husband's death only ten months ago--the second time Kathy has lost a man she loved--she feels her life is over. While waiting to meet her daughter and new son-in-law for dinner, she discovers destiny still has a few wonderful surprises in store, and it's never too late for a second chance at love. Waiting Forever was first published by New Love Stories magazine in the May/June 2009 issue. less

Margie Bradford is picking up the pieces of her shattered life following her husband's death. When her cousin encourages her to make a fresh start with her teenage daughter, unsuspecting Margie takes a reading specialist job in the small town of Redemption, PA. The last person she expects to encounter is Rocket Manion, the ex-NFL quarterback and Dr. Phil wannabe who broke her heart nineteen years ago. Strangling her meddling cousin is now at the top of Margie's to-do list... moreMargie Bradford is picking up the pieces of her shattered life following her husband's death. When her cousin encourages her to make a fresh start with her teenage daughter, unsuspecting Margie takes a reading specialist job in the small town of Redemption, PA. The last person she expects to encounter is Rocket Manion, the ex-NFL quarterback and Dr. Phil wannabe who broke her heart nineteen years ago. Strangling her meddling cousin is now at the top of Margie's to-do list. Divorced teacher and head football coach Jake Manion experiences an eerie sense of déjà vu when his son announces he's gotten his girlfriend pregnant. The feeling simply grows stronger when Jake learns the girl's mother is Maggie, the same woman on whom he's wasted nearly two decades of bitterness. While planning their kids' wedding and helping them grow up too soon, Jake attempts to pick up right where he left off--in Margie's bed. But no matter how irresistible his kisses are, she isn't stupid enough to let him hurt her again. Or is she? less

She's trying to forget the pleasure in her ex's arms. He's doing his damnedest to remind her. Fledgling entrepreneur Samantha Riverà is in charge of her own life for the first time and determined to keep it that way. She's attempting to banish her call-all-the-shots ex-husband from her dreams, but it's kind of tough forgetting the Zorro look-alike who's willing to do anything for her, except give her the only two things she wants--another baby and his love... moreShe's trying to forget the pleasure in her ex's arms. He's doing his damnedest to remind her. Fledgling entrepreneur Samantha Riverà is in charge of her own life for the first time and determined to keep it that way. She's attempting to banish her call-all-the-shots ex-husband from her dreams, but it's kind of tough forgetting the Zorro look-alike who's willing to do anything for her, except give her the only two things she wants--another baby and his love. When their 14-year-old daughter Dani--who's maintaining a shaky remission from leukemia--rebels, Sam foolishly seeks advice from her Don Juan ex, who, incidentally, could charm the knickers off a nun. When Nicolàs Riverà returns to Redemption, PA, to help control his defiant daughter, he discovers he not only has serious competition for Sam's affection, but Dani has a crush on a boy who is the last kid Nick wants her interested in. The boy is a horn-dog rebel who reminds Nick way to much of his teen-aged self. Sam never understood that, to a second-generation Latino man, familial responsibility is número uno. She also has no concept of how terrified this reformed bad-boy and businessman is of losing her to another high-risk pregnancy. The death of their premature son devastated Nick, and his refusal to sire another child incited The Great Bedroom War that ultimately destroyed his marriage. Now, he'll stop at nothing to get his family back--even if it means blackmailing his way back into his ex-wife's home to become a greater presence in his sick child's life--and, with any luck, Samantha's bed and heart. Approximately 83,000 words less

Cinderella and Prince Charming never had to consider the welfare of their children. When widower Tyler Fitzpatrick meets Annie Barnes at his daughter’s school, his libido goes tilt. The sexy single mother is everything he and his grieving little girl need. Unfortunately, Annie flatly refuses his dinner invitation. She wants a husband and a father for her son—not just a boyfriend. And the last time she checked, wealthy, summa-cum-laude lawyers didn’t marry high-school-drop-out housekeepers... moreCinderella and Prince Charming never had to consider the welfare of their children. When widower Tyler Fitzpatrick meets Annie Barnes at his daughter’s school, his libido goes tilt. The sexy single mother is everything he and his grieving little girl need. Unfortunately, Annie flatly refuses his dinner invitation. She wants a husband and a father for her son—not just a boyfriend. And the last time she checked, wealthy, summa-cum-laude lawyers didn’t marry high-school-drop-out housekeepers. Tyler concedes there’s a vast difference between their experiences and lifestyles. Still, he’s inexplicably drawn to the impoverished young woman—even though her little boy reminds Tyler of an underprivileged past he’d rather forget. While becoming better acquainted, he offers Annie a job caring for his daughter and home in Redemption, PA. He also proposes a Parent Pact—an agreement to become role models to each other’s child and to fill one another’s needs as single parents while they continue to search for true love. Accepting Tyler’s offer would solve a lot of Annie’s problems. However, surrendering to her weak-in-the-knees attraction to the irresistible widower could very well leave her and her son heartbroken. Yet, when circumstances threaten her ability to feed her child, Annie reluctantly agrees to the pact, making it clear she has no desire for Tyler to fill her so-called needs in bed. It’s a bald-faced lie, but she knows the man’s desperation to give his daughter the nurturing she needs will compel him to accept a purely platonic relationship. Now, Annie’s only problem is resisting the overwhelming temptation to let sin-in-a-tailored-suit Tyler seduce her. less

A new twist on The Gift of the Magi story. There were never such devoted sisters… Dr. David Lambert and his wife, Brianna, received the ultimate Christmas gift from her fraternal twin. They gratefully accepted it, of course, because everyone knows you can’t return a baby like an itchy sweater... moreA new twist on The Gift of the Magi story. There were never such devoted sisters… Dr. David Lambert and his wife, Brianna, received the ultimate Christmas gift from her fraternal twin. They gratefully accepted it, of course, because everyone knows you can’t return a baby like an itchy sweater. Yet, that’s essentially what Brianna does when she has a meltdown and unexpectedly divorces David, running from their home in Redemption, Pennsylvania, and leaving their surrogate—her sister, Casey—pregnant with his little bundle. When David chose her beautiful twin over her, Casey MacIntyre hid her hurt behind a wall of sarcasm. Now that her sister has divorced her husband, it’s increasingly difficult to remember why the hunky pediatrician is supposed to be off limits—especially since Brianna doesn’t seem to want him or care if Casey and he get involved. David always liked and admired his selfless ex-sister-in-law—despite that the sassy preschool teacher is always busting his chops. Consequently, after his wife bails on marriage and motherhood, it’s only natural he turns to Casey for sympathy. Unfortunately, the exasperating pixie becomes more irresistible with each day she carries his child. He already mistook lust for love once and jumped way too fast into marriage. He’s not about to botch up his life that way again. Casey wants whatever happiness she can grab, whether it’s temporary or not. The only problem is, if she lets herself love her baby (or David), what will happen to her when her sister inevitably realizes her mistake and returns to Redemption? less

On her wedding night, Sabrina will share the bridal suite with one of her brother's best friends.Which one? She has no idea! Sabrina Fitzpatrick helped plan her dream wedding last year--for her brother and his wife. Now, she wants her own fairytale ceremony. She's tired of waiting for commitment-phobe, Detective Luke Marino, to realize she's been crazy about him since puberty... moreOn her wedding night, Sabrina will share the bridal suite with one of her brother's best friends.Which one? She has no idea! Sabrina Fitzpatrick helped plan her dream wedding last year--for her brother and his wife. Now, she wants her own fairytale ceremony. She's tired of waiting for commitment-phobe, Detective Luke Marino, to realize she's been crazy about him since puberty. Consequently, when Luke's billionaire friend asks her to marry him, she's compelled to accept BJ Elliott's proposal, especially after he suggests their impending marriage might induce his idiot pal to finally step forward. Unfortunately, a week later, adrenaline-junkie Luke risks his life again and ends up temporarily confined to a wheelchair. BJ would love to give Sabrina an unforgettable wedding night, but he fears she'll never be happy with him if she doesn't resolve her feelings for his buddy, first. Therefore, even knowing he could lose her, BJ persuades her to become Luke's live-in nurse--offering her one last chance to convince the man she loves to take BJ's place at the altar (which BJ doubts his friend will ever do). If nothing else, he hopes Love'em and Leave'em Luke can convince Sabrina he'll make a lousy husband. Luke has two secrets not even his best friends know. The first is he aches for Sabrina with every fiber of his being. The second is he loves her enough to spare her the heartbreak that being his wife would undoubtedly entail. Much to Luke's dismay, his resolve to resist his buddy's fiancée is tested after Sabrina steps in as his nurse and starts prancing around in nothing but his threadbare T-shirt. If he surrenders to her seduction, it may destroy his relationship with BJ. And, worse still, if he gets a taste of loving Sabrina, how can he ever stand by and let her marry his friend? less

Join the town of Redemption celebrating! Architect Justin Riverá doesn’t know a thing about raising a fifteen-year-old girl. Nor does he have the slightest clue how to cheer up his orphaned goddaughter, Haley, who’s facing her first Christmas without her parents... moreJoin the town of Redemption celebrating! Architect Justin Riverá doesn’t know a thing about raising a fifteen-year-old girl. Nor does he have the slightest clue how to cheer up his orphaned goddaughter, Haley, who’s facing her first Christmas without her parents. When his brother’s family (which includes Haley’s best friend), are invited to a Christmas Eve destination wedding—which involves a three-day vacation at a mountain ski resort—his brother insists they should join them for the holiday. For Haley’s sake, Justin agrees, never suspecting one of the other guests is his first and only love, who, for some mysterious reason, disappeared sixteen years ago, deserting her family and all of her friends—including him. When high school counselor Trisha Mason sees her unforgettable college boyfriend at a wedding, she’s tempted to run the other way. Much to her dismay, he’s hunkier than ever, and his goddaughter is a determined matchmaker. Consequently, when Justin attempts to resume their relationship by seducing Trisha, she can’t resist falling into bed and in love with him all over again. Trisha has always had a soft spot for troubled teens, and would love to be Justin’s wife and Haley’s stand-in mom. But despite being eager to spend more time with her in and out of bed, Justin still seems as anti-marriage as he was in college. Regrettably, Trisha has no choice but to end their fling after their vacation. Otherwise, she’ll be forced to confess her secret. less

A Reluctant Groom Just one kiss and he knew . . . he’d made a terrible mistake Growing up unwanted left contractor, Mike Danvers, unwilling to risk his heart. Despite wanting marriage less than an incurable disease, he yearns for the family he never had. At nearly thirty-eight, he feels time running out and reluctantly proposes to his uptight girlfriend, Tracy, fearing he may regret settling... moreA Reluctant Groom Just one kiss and he knew . . . he’d made a terrible mistake Growing up unwanted left contractor, Mike Danvers, unwilling to risk his heart. Despite wanting marriage less than an incurable disease, he yearns for the family he never had. At nearly thirty-eight, he feels time running out and reluctantly proposes to his uptight girlfriend, Tracy, fearing he may regret settling. When he meets his fiancée’s much younger sister, Jessie, he’s enchanted by her exuberance and wishes there weren’t thirteen years between him and the bubbly pixie. Twenty-four-year-old culinary school graduate, Jessie Perkins, is hesitant to accept Mike’s offer to turn the old Victorian she’s inherited in Redemption, PA, into a B&B. The heart-thumping attraction she feels for her sister’s hunky intended could become a big problem. The last thing she wants is to provoke Tracy’s perpetual jealousy. Unfortunately, with an extremely tight budget, she’d be a colossal idiot to turn down Mike’s help and expertise. Within weeks of starting the renovation, they forge a precious friendship. Mike is bummed when Tracy suddenly breaks their engagement, but he and Jess are both confident she’ll change her mind about wanting children. Then, one night, Jessie’s innate sensuality shatters his resistance. He kisses her and realizes he made a huge mistake proposing to her sister. Despite that he would never ask Jessie to give up her youth to become his wife, there’s no going back with Tracy—especially after his sizzling, unforgettable night with the girl who taught him to trust a woman’s love. Jessie couldn’t care less about their age difference. Even so, she refuses to destroy her relationship with her sister. Somehow, she must convince Tracy Mike isn’t right for her. Meanwhile, she won’t hesitate to use all the secrets he shared—about what men want and how to tempt them—to lure him back into her bed and persuade him to stay there for a lifetime. less