Fires of Cricket Bend Series by Marie Piper

High-button dresses aren’t made for hot Texas springs—or the burning desire Haven Anderson has for Deputy Matthew Frank… After a lifetime of friendship, Matthew and Haven are finally engaged, but he doesn’t seem to share Haven’s emerging passion. Feeling rejected and uncertain about her future, Haven finds herself attracted to the handsome new saloon owner, Hank Porter... moreHigh-button dresses aren’t made for hot Texas springs—or the burning desire Haven Anderson has for Deputy Matthew Frank… After a lifetime of friendship, Matthew and Haven are finally engaged, but he doesn’t seem to share Haven’s emerging passion. Feeling rejected and uncertain about her future, Haven finds herself attracted to the handsome new saloon owner, Hank Porter. Matthew holds Haven at arm’s length, despite the love smoldering inside him… Matthew’s father was run out of town years ago for nearly killing his mother, and Matthew fears the lack of control passion can cause. Having been taken in and raised by Haven’s family, he vows to always treat her with affection and respect. The season brings cattle drives and rowdy cowboys—and Haven can’t stay away from the saloon… As the doctor’s assistant, Haven tends Hank after a fight, and befriends a lively “upstairs girl,” Callie Lee, despite orders from the Cricket Bend Sheriff—her father—to have nothing to do with anyone at the saloon. Along with the cattle drive come the lawless McKenzie brothers, a rude bounty hunter, and rumors of a dangerous man, Walker, headed their way. Caught up in this whirlwind, Haven remains torn between her love for the romantically distant Matthew and the more earthy passion offered by Hank and his scandalous reputation. Should she follow her heart or the desire that puts everything she’s known at risk? Or even more importantly, will the people she loves still be standing in the aftermath of… Haven’s Flame less

Bill McKenzie’s yearly cattle drive brings more than the normal challenges… The oldest and most responsible of the rowdy McKenzie brothers, Bill is in charge of their biggest task of the season. But while wrangling cattle, he crosses paths with a beautiful red-haired woman in a tattered dress in desperate need of help. Is she as harmless as she is beautiful? Suspicions arise when the red-haired beauty—who calls herself Sparrow—withholds the story of how she came to be in the woods... moreBill McKenzie’s yearly cattle drive brings more than the normal challenges… The oldest and most responsible of the rowdy McKenzie brothers, Bill is in charge of their biggest task of the season. But while wrangling cattle, he crosses paths with a beautiful red-haired woman in a tattered dress in desperate need of help. Is she as harmless as she is beautiful? Suspicions arise when the red-haired beauty—who calls herself Sparrow—withholds the story of how she came to be in the woods. All Bill knows is she’s headed for Cricket Bend, where his brother was murdered a year earlier. Though he vowed to steer clear of that dusty town, he can’t let her run straight into bandit country with no protection. First, they have to make it through the cattle drive—and the mysterious woman is going with them. Women are bad luck on the trail… Though they’re strangers, the magic of the Wild West brings the pair together with a passion they can’t fight. But when her journal is stolen by Bill’s brother, Andrew, he discovers her true identity—and two scandalous secrets. One thing Bill learns is the open range is full of possibilities. Neither of them imagined their paths would cross, but once they had, there was no turning back. Is her tainted past enough to tear them apart? And if not, what will come of their blazing romance when that same past threatens their future? less

Deputy Jasper Tanner wants to show Callie Lee he’s a real man. Jasper has been in love with Callie since she was an upstairs girl, and he was one of her whiskey-swilling clients. But when Callie remade herself as the owner of a successful saloon—the saloon where she once sold her affections—Jasper became a better man in order to win her heart. He built himself a house and a new life, and he works hard to make Cricket Bend a peaceful and decent town... moreDeputy Jasper Tanner wants to show Callie Lee he’s a real man. Jasper has been in love with Callie since she was an upstairs girl, and he was one of her whiskey-swilling clients. But when Callie remade herself as the owner of a successful saloon—the saloon where she once sold her affections—Jasper became a better man in order to win her heart. He built himself a house and a new life, and he works hard to make Cricket Bend a peaceful and decent town. Callie Lee is determined to be her own woman… After a hard heartbreak, Callie figures men aren’t worth the trouble. She doesn’t have time for them, between managing her business and running for mayor of Cricket Bend. But she can’t keep her eye and heart from straying to the handsome, red-haired deputy. However, Hank Porter spells trouble for the budding relationship… Hank and Callie have a past…a past that doesn’t bear scrutiny when you’re running for mayor. To save her chances of being elected, and to save good friends from broken hearts, Callie has no choice but to pretend she’s back with Hank, or leave Cricket Bend forever. But Jasper won’t let anyone keep him from the woman he loves, and he’s willing to go down fighting to prove it. When passions are stirred up and old grudges surface, they might just set Cricket Bend aflame. less