Valentine Series by Curtiss Ann Matlock

Meet Rainey Valentine: thirty-five, twice divorced, a woman with broken dreams but irrepressible hope. When her mother dies she inherits a truck, an old barrel-racing mare, and a lifetime supply of Mary Kay cosmetics. Rainey packs it all up and heads off, leaving Valentine, Oklahoma in her rearview mirror. Then, somewhere outside Abilene, she finds him . . . a man as lost as she is.

Following her sister Rainey's story in Lost Highways, Charlene Darnell is a forty-something mother of three struggling to somehow put her life back together after her husband leaves her and the children for another woman. A man from her past who reappears in her life, a man who claims to have always loved her, ignites a journey of self-discovery. But can she possibly love again?

Marilee James has a complicated life caring for her special-needs son and playing mother to an abandoned niece in addition to running the local paper. She's a caregiver to everyone but herself. But all that changes when savvy newspapermean Tate Holloway speeds into town in his fancy sports car and begins a passionate and persistent campaign to win over the already engaged single mother.

Curtiss Ann Matlock delivers the story of a woman who just needs a push in the right direction to end up "At the Corner of Love and Heartache."When Marilee James announces her engagement to Tate Holloway, she doesn't expect to spend the next few weeks dealing with her ex-husband, Stuart, who suddenly returns to Valentine, Oklahoma... moreCurtiss Ann Matlock delivers the story of a woman who just needs a push in the right direction to end up "At the Corner of Love and Heartache."When Marilee James announces her engagement to Tate Holloway, she doesn't expect to spend the next few weeks dealing with her ex-husband, Stuart, who suddenly returns to Valentine, Oklahoma. Before long, she is caught in the middle of an expensive and lavish tug-of-war between her ex and her fiance -- all of which forces her to question her ability to choose a compatible mate. But sometimes a woman just needs a push in the right direction.... less

Looking for real life. The scrawled graffiti on the bathroom wall was innocent enough, cliched even. But for Claire Wilder, it was a wake-up call: start searching for your roots and find the happiness you lost long ago. Divorced from her high school sweetheart, Claire has wasted too much time waiting for Andrew to come back, and in the process has lost the flavor of her own life... moreLooking for real life. The scrawled graffiti on the bathroom wall was innocent enough, cliched even. But for Claire Wilder, it was a wake-up call: start searching for your roots and find the happiness you lost long ago. Divorced from her high school sweetheart, Claire has wasted too much time waiting for Andrew to come back, and in the process has lost the flavor of her own life. Leaving behind her fast-paced life, Claire ends up in her father's hometown of Valentine, Oklahoma, for a brief stay at the Goodnight Motel. But her arrival is like a pebble tossed into a pond, its ripples affecting the town's eccentric residents who like things just the way they are, thank you. Gradually the days turn into weeks, and before Claire knows it, she's discovered something she had almost forgotten existed: a place to call home. Just when it looks as if things might finally be falling into place for Claire, life throws her another curve:Andrew shows up unexpectedly in Valentine -- to woo her back! Now Claire must decide: return to the home and security she once knew, or stay in Valentine with the promise of a new life and the possibility of a new love.... less

It takes a lot of work to plan a wedding—and even more to save a marriage—but in Valentine, Oklahoma, there's always someone to help you keep your chin up.Emma Cole's son is getting married, and she's determined to make everything perfect—even if that means asking her estranged husband to come home and pretend they're still together. John may be an imperfect husband, but he's a devoted dad. He's happy to oblige Emma—especially since he didn't really much like living apart from her anyway... moreIt takes a lot of work to plan a wedding—and even more to save a marriage—but in Valentine, Oklahoma, there's always someone to help you keep your chin up.Emma Cole's son is getting married, and she's determined to make everything perfect—even if that means asking her estranged husband to come home and pretend they're still together. John may be an imperfect husband, but he's a devoted dad. He's happy to oblige Emma—especially since he didn't really much like living apart from her anyway. Now he wants a second chance.As Emma sorts through the mess of her own marriage, she puts her heart into planning Valentine's wedding of the century. But there's one big problem: the bride's ambitious mother wants more for her daughter than marriage to a small-town boy.As the wedding approaches, the many meanings of love, commitment and happiness capture the hearts of folks in town. And surrounded by the warmth and spirit of her neighbors, Emma starts to see new beginnings instead of endings. less

So what if Winston Valentine is ninety-two years old? He isn't dead yet! And he's out to prove it. His exuberant show of life—coming to you live from radio dial 1550—revitalizes Valentine, Oklahoma, for its centennial celebration. The townsfolk are determined to make this an anniversary to remember.Except Belinda Blaine, who, at thirty-eight, doesn't feel like celebrating. Suddenly she's carrying a child—and the guilt of an earlier pregnancy nearly twenty years ago... moreSo what if Winston Valentine is ninety-two years old? He isn't dead yet! And he's out to prove it. His exuberant show of life—coming to you live from radio dial 1550—revitalizes Valentine, Oklahoma, for its centennial celebration. The townsfolk are determined to make this an anniversary to remember.Except Belinda Blaine, who, at thirty-eight, doesn't feel like celebrating. Suddenly she's carrying a child—and the guilt of an earlier pregnancy nearly twenty years ago. No one in her close-knit community knows of either, including her sweet-mannered husband, Lyle. But disclosing this pregnancy will mean revealing her past and opening her heart. And Belinda's not quite ready for that.As Belinda struggles over what to do, she finds comfort in unexpected places. After all, in Valentine, neighbors are family and strangers are friends. And this small town holds secrets and mysteries, and takes care of its own. less