Portland Devils Series by Rosalind James

No more wild rides. No more wild side. Blake Orbison’s pro football career with the Portland Devils may have come crashing to an end, but not calling the signals anymore just gives him more time to devote to his business enterprises, including the latest and greatest: the opening of the Wild Horse Resort in scenic north Idaho. And that other one, too. Blake’s on the marriage track now, and he’s got a game plan... moreNo more wild rides. No more wild side. Blake Orbison’s pro football career with the Portland Devils may have come crashing to an end, but not calling the signals anymore just gives him more time to devote to his business enterprises, including the latest and greatest: the opening of the Wild Horse Resort in scenic north Idaho. And that other one, too. Blake’s on the marriage track now, and he’s got a game plan. But when he runs into a trespasser leaping from his shoreline boulders into his lake, what’s a good ol’ boy to do but strip down and join her? Dakota Savage is nobody’s temporary diversion, least of all the man responsible for her family’s semi-desperate circumstances. Some people may think she has a piercing too many, but she’s had more than enough of being called trash in this town. She’s come home to Wild Horse to run her stepfather’s painting business, and any extra time she has goes into creating her stained glass. An overpaid, entitled, infuriating NFL quarterback is no part of her life plan, no matter how sweet he talks. No matter how slow he smiles. No matter what. less

Some men are hard to quit. Some heroes take you by surprise. Beth Schaefer isn't just on the partnership track at her Portland law firm, she's in the lead. Unfortunately, she's about to fall at the finish line. When she makes a list of Breakdown Destinations, she can't even manage to choose between them. Which means she has to come home to Wild Horse, Idaho, for her breakdown. She has exactly eighteen-point-five days of accumulated vacation time to devote to it... moreSome men are hard to quit. Some heroes take you by surprise. Beth Schaefer isn't just on the partnership track at her Portland law firm, she's in the lead. Unfortunately, she's about to fall at the finish line. When she makes a list of Breakdown Destinations, she can't even manage to choose between them. Which means she has to come home to Wild Horse, Idaho, for her breakdown. She has exactly eighteen-point-five days of accumulated vacation time to devote to it. Evan O'Donnell's girlfriend took off when their baby girl was a month old, and that's just fine by him. His daughter Gracie is all the female companionship he needs, thank you very much. Beth Schaefer's not even in the running. Eight years ago, her parents convinced her to give him up, and he's had enough of snobs and women who don't stick. Evan's a blue-collar guy from his too-broad shoulders to his scuffed work boots, and he's nobody's white knight and nobody's hero. Not anymore. But what if Beth isn't the only one who needs saving? less

The thing about Thor is, he’s great at swinging that hammer. But he doesn’t settle down.Harlan Kristiansen may not be good at many things, but he can sure catch a pass. He’s an All-Pro at charming a room, too, and then there’s that Norse God thing. He can even figure out how to tackle a woman and save her from a charging bison.On skis... moreThe thing about Thor is, he’s great at swinging that hammer. But he doesn’t settle down.Harlan Kristiansen may not be good at many things, but he can sure catch a pass. He’s an All-Pro at charming a room, too, and then there’s that Norse God thing. He can even figure out how to tackle a woman and save her from a charging bison.On skis.What happens when you drop that game-winning pass, though, and your house is too big, too weird, and too empty? When your dad’s a mean drunk, your mom took off a long time ago and stayed gone, and all your money can’t keep your little sister safe? You fall back on what you know, that’s what. Hey, somebody has to swim in the shallow end of the pool.Jennifer Cardello is good at lots of things. She knows how to get the most out of the cheapest cuts of meat, how long after the expiration date you can still use any food, and how to be indispensable to her employer. And as for faking an orgasm? She could win an Oscar. But surely a woman who’s been trying to fade into the background for more than half her life so she doesn’t have to hear the whispers, a woman who’s lost her mom, is losing her job, and is sending her baby girl off to college—and trying to figure out how to pay for it—is entitled to one unforgettable night.In thirty-four years.With a great guy she never has to see again.Until old secrets get dug up, and new ones are born.After that? It’s anybody’s guess. less

The devil doesn’t come with pointy horns and a tail. He comes as everything you’ve ever wished for. When discipline is your life, structure’s a good thing, and Owen Johnson’s got plenty of both. An All-Pro NFL center who’s also a cattle rancher? Yeah, that’s structure. His marriage didn’t work out, but then, he picked the wrong woman. A Wyoming ranch doesn’t look nearly as romantic up close. Not to a model, anyway. Next time, he’ll choose better... moreThe devil doesn’t come with pointy horns and a tail. He comes as everything you’ve ever wished for. When discipline is your life, structure’s a good thing, and Owen Johnson’s got plenty of both. An All-Pro NFL center who’s also a cattle rancher? Yeah, that’s structure. His marriage didn’t work out, but then, he picked the wrong woman. A Wyoming ranch doesn’t look nearly as romantic up close. Not to a model, anyway. Next time, he’ll choose better.Not, for example, a nineteen-year-old ball of fire like Dyma Cardello, who’s just starting on her own journey. To become an astronautical engineer. After about five years of schooling. Which she’s focused on like, well, a rocket. Did he mention that he owns a cattle ranch, and she’s a vegetarian? That he’s on the road half the time, and the other half, he’s in Wyoming? That she’s in no way interested in becoming a Good NFL Girlfriend? That it’s getting harder and harder to keep telling her no? Oh—and that his teammate and closest friend is marrying her mother?Wait until the press gets hold of that one. less