Lily's House Series by Rachel Branton

Her Dream Didn’t Include Falling in Love Lily dreams of a big house, a place of refuge for runaway girls. She knows what it’s like to grow up feeling unloved, and she now fills every space in her tiny apartment with endangered teens. They don’t have everything they need, but together they have enough. Or so she thinks—until she meets Jameson and glimpses the mysterious something between them that just might mean real love... moreHer Dream Didn’t Include Falling in Love Lily dreams of a big house, a place of refuge for runaway girls. She knows what it’s like to grow up feeling unloved, and she now fills every space in her tiny apartment with endangered teens. They don’t have everything they need, but together they have enough. Or so she thinks—until she meets Jameson and glimpses the mysterious something between them that just might mean real love. Jameson, who works as a teen counselor, believes the only way Lily can really help the girls is by certifying as a foster parent and going through the system. But becoming legitimate may mean losing some of the girls to the families who threw them away, and Lily hasn’t worked hard to save the teens only to abandon them now. It seems Jameson will be one more entry on the very long list of things Lily has given up for the girls. What other choice is there when she is all they have? When two of the teens’ fathers come looking for them, and another one’s mother plans to put her daughter in danger, Lily’s life spins out of control. They need a new home—and fast. A safe place. A house without lies. Editorial note: House Without Lies is a clean, contemporary romance with a satisfying ending (no cliffhanger). There are currently two sequels that tell the stories of other characters connected with Lily’s House: Tell Me No Lies and Your Eyes Don’t Lie. Another novel and several novellas are in the works. less

Some Secrets are Meant to be Shared Zoey’s Place Caring for the animals at Safe Haven Exotic Wildlife Sanctuary has filled the holes in Zoey Morgan’s life and soothed the memories that haunt her. It helps that she works with Stephen Carey, whose uncle owns the sanctuary, and Declan Walker, who is as wild and untouchable as the animals they help. When a storm hits, flattening buildings and flooding roads, the sanctuary goes into lockdown... moreSome Secrets are Meant to be Shared Zoey’s Place Caring for the animals at Safe Haven Exotic Wildlife Sanctuary has filled the holes in Zoey Morgan’s life and soothed the memories that haunt her. It helps that she works with Stephen Carey, whose uncle owns the sanctuary, and Declan Walker, who is as wild and untouchable as the animals they help. When a storm hits, flattening buildings and flooding roads, the sanctuary goes into lockdown. Zoey learns that her younger sister is lost in the storm, and she will risk anything to find her. So will the man who loves her—if she’d let him. Can he slip past the walls Zoey has built to hide her secrets? Ruth’s Choice All Ruth wanted was to open a little cafe and do what she does best, but the price tag is years out of reach. Then a not-so-chance meeting with a gorgeous photographer and help from her hodgepodge family might just put the goal in reach. Except now both her future and her heart are at risk—will the cost be too high? You loved them as teenagers in House Without Lies, now see some of the runaway girls from Lily's House all grown up. This sweet contemporary romance can be read alone or part of the series. REVIEW "Oh my goodness . . . How loved Zoey's place! What a wonderful read. The characters were vivid and real. Both Zoey and Declan had endured some of life's worst tragedies perpetrated upon them by other people. My heart ached for them! Rachel however wrote them with no self pity but mature having overcome their hard pasts. BRAVO Rachel! People write about too many self pitying characters, thank you for resisting the temptation. Oh, in addition, it was a wonderful, sweet love story! ENJOY!!!" –Rainwater less

Will Facing the Past Allow Her to Create a Future? Saffron Brenwood is a survivor. Having endured great tragedy at a young age, she's arisen from the flames stronger than ever. She's built her own business, her former foster sisters are her best friends, and she has a great boyfriend. That her relationships never last more than two months hasn’t really bothered her. There’s always the next attentive date—when keeping a man at arm’s length no longer works... moreWill Facing the Past Allow Her to Create a Future? Saffron Brenwood is a survivor. Having endured great tragedy at a young age, she's arisen from the flames stronger than ever. She's built her own business, her former foster sisters are her best friends, and she has a great boyfriend. That her relationships never last more than two months hasn’t really bothered her. There’s always the next attentive date—when keeping a man at arm’s length no longer works. But now her friends are getting married and her current boyfriend wants more. Only Saffron stands still in time, and she realizes the truth: deep inside, her heart is still broken. So she's going back to where it all began, to face those who hurt her and find a way to fix her life once and for all. What she discovers surprises everyone. Because true love, though always changing, never dies. Sometimes it just needs a nudge—and a willingness to take a risk. This fifth novel of the Lily’s House series, Saffron, the oldest and first runaway teen at Lily's House finally tells her story. Lily's House Series House Without Lies #1 Tell Me No Lies #2 Your Eyes Don't Lie #3 Hearts Never Lie #4 Broken Lies #5 less

A Search for Answers Reveals a Mystery Eleven years ago, Halla Jenkins climbed out a window at her parents' house, fell in a mangled heap to ground, and fled. Eventually, she found Lily's House and a real family. Now as a successful online reporter and a blogger with a quarter million followers, she doesn't think much about her roots... moreA Search for Answers Reveals a Mystery Eleven years ago, Halla Jenkins climbed out a window at her parents' house, fell in a mangled heap to ground, and fled. Eventually, she found Lily's House and a real family. Now as a successful online reporter and a blogger with a quarter million followers, she doesn't think much about her roots. But the man she's fallen for online and dreams of making a future with has questions, and how can she tell him the answers when she doesn't know them herself? She never planned to confront her parents, but she is desperate to know what really happened. The chance of meeting Oliver in person for first time makes it all worth the risk. Elsie Reynolds has had the same best guy friend for ten years. Sure there were a few times when he forgot they were only friends, but setting him up with one of her foster sisters always fixed that problem. For the most part, being friends was all either of them ever needed. But now Payden is moving on, and Elsie isn't quite sure how she feels about losing him. Especially if it's to the sweet-looking new teacher at the school where he works. Maybe kissing him is just what she needs to get them back into the friend zone. Kendall Brenwood was already an adult when she found Lily's House, but it changed the direction of her life, and she is finally living her dream, helping others as a nurse. Only sometimes does she grieve what she lost, even though she knows she made the right choice. When a new resident at the hospital catches her eye, she isn't sure she's ready to find love. Why won't he take no for an answer? Would he still want her if he knew her secret? She's about to find out. Join these three roommates from Lily's House as they take the road less traveled and find . . . love. less