Masters Men Series by Sandra S. Kerns

Major Dos Masters deployed on counter drug operations more than he is on base or home in Colorado, prefers his no relationships, no broken hearts lifestyle. Then a mission went horribly wrong. Dos spent months in captivity and more in the hospital after his rescue. He has finally returned home to Colorado for some R&R. His time is spent getting back in shape, fighting attacks from a virus his captors pumped into him, and watching the redhead across the street from his brother's security office... moreMajor Dos Masters deployed on counter drug operations more than he is on base or home in Colorado, prefers his no relationships, no broken hearts lifestyle. Then a mission went horribly wrong. Dos spent months in captivity and more in the hospital after his rescue. He has finally returned home to Colorado for some R&R. His time is spent getting back in shape, fighting attacks from a virus his captors pumped into him, and watching the redhead across the street from his brother's security office. Not that he plans to do more than watch. Between his vow not to marry, and his now questionable life expectancy, a relationship is the last thing he wants or needs. Copper Kerrigan, ex-Navy nurse turned massage therapist, likes her quiet life in the Colorado Rockies. Living in the house she inherited from her grandparents is a nice change from the horror of Iraq. Coming home to watch her mother's decline from cancer, confirmed her decision to leave nursing. With massage, she is still able to help people heal without all the red tape of hospitals. Her life is full with work and friends. Growing up an Army brat and watching her mother's heartbreak every time her father deployed, she knows love is not for her, especially not with a military man. At least, she did until someone breaks into her place of business and a wounded soldier comes to her rescue. When Dos receives a call from his commanding officer, who turns out to be the redhead's father, his mission becomes making certain Copper remains safe. His plan is to do it from a distance, but when later that night someone tries to break into her house, Dos finds himself with a very pretty, very tempting houseguest. Copper wishes she could argue the command that she spend the night at his house, but since he was injured trying to protect her it seems a bit childish. Besides, her father asked her to help with his rehab. A stay at his house for the night will give her a clearer view into the severity of his condition. What she sees instead are shadows of guilt in his eyes. She fears she won't be able to resist the pull of his wounded heart. less

Izzy wants nothing more from life than to help her students. After a disastrous marriage to a mobster, she is happy just to be alive. Afraid to trust her judgment where men are concerned, she keeps all her relationships at arm's length. Until she finds herself the victim of a hit-and-run and the person who comes to her aid is her best friend's brother-in-law. His caring nature is in direct opposition to his public 'just the facts, ma'am,' attitude... moreIzzy wants nothing more from life than to help her students. After a disastrous marriage to a mobster, she is happy just to be alive. Afraid to trust her judgment where men are concerned, she keeps all her relationships at arm's length. Until she finds herself the victim of a hit-and-run and the person who comes to her aid is her best friend's brother-in-law. His caring nature is in direct opposition to his public 'just the facts, ma'am,' attitude. The shadows in his eyes tell her he knows, as she does, what true loss is. That combination makes denying her attraction to him nearly impossible. Even though her ex is in prison, she never forgets his last words to her. Does she dare risk Tres’ life if her ex finds her, by giving into their attraction? Tres Masters gave up on love years ago. He knows from firsthand experience that cops and softhearted women don't mesh. So why is he intrigued by his sister-in-law's beautiful but skittish friend? The way she avoids answering questions makes him suspicious as well as intrigued. When someone paints a target on her back, he wonders if it's because of his past or hers. While he's trying to keep her safe, can he standby his no relationship rule or is he destined to face the pain of heartache again? less

Detective Gina Desoto wants life to be like it used to be. She wants to go back. Back in time to before her aunt returned; before her usually stoic partner found love and became a bastion of cheer; before a good friend got murdered by a burglar; and before Ace got a target painted on his back. She may not be interested in a relationship with him anymore, but she certainly doesn’t want him dead. ADA Ace Masters isn’t certain of anything anymore... moreDetective Gina Desoto wants life to be like it used to be. She wants to go back. Back in time to before her aunt returned; before her usually stoic partner found love and became a bastion of cheer; before a good friend got murdered by a burglar; and before Ace got a target painted on his back. She may not be interested in a relationship with him anymore, but she certainly doesn’t want him dead. ADA Ace Masters isn’t certain of anything anymore. With both of his brothers happily married, he’s starting to wonder why he still wants to keep his distance when it comes to a relationship. After an attempt on his life, he remembers why. He may not be a cop or in the military, but some folks don’t take kindly to being put in prison. And Ace is very good at doing just that. He tries to renew his determination to remain unattached. Unfortunately, the only person he trusts to help him figure out who is targeting him is Gina, the one person who knows how to push his buttons. Having her close by all the time has him forgetting to keep his distance both physically and emotionally. And that has placed a target on Gina’s back as well. Can he stop the person aiming for her, or will he lose her because he’s afraid to take a chance? less

The Masters Men are decorating for Christmas. They have a lot to celebrate between the birth of Ace and Gina’s first child, Tres and Izzy's twins, and the upcoming birth of Dos and Copper’s fourth; not to mention no major family tragedies for a year. Then again, no one has heard from Smitty since he left the decorating party at Gina’s Aunt Camille’s house. After receiving a worried call from Smitty’s son, Camille sets out on the cold December night to look for him... moreThe Masters Men are decorating for Christmas. They have a lot to celebrate between the birth of Ace and Gina’s first child, Tres and Izzy's twins, and the upcoming birth of Dos and Copper’s fourth; not to mention no major family tragedies for a year. Then again, no one has heard from Smitty since he left the decorating party at Gina’s Aunt Camille’s house. After receiving a worried call from Smitty’s son, Camille sets out on the cold December night to look for him. She finds him near frozen to death on the side of the road several miles from her house. She calls Ace who immediately calls in the rest of the Masters cavalry. The search is on for the person who caused Smitty’s accident. When Tres finds evidence proving it wasn’t an accident, the Masters men kick it into high gear. Dos and Ace split their time between the hospital and playing bodyguard for Camille while Tres and Gina work the case. Camille buries her concern about Smitty’s prognosis and her love for him beneath concern for the Masters family. She knows how important he is to them. Besides, she blew any chance she had at a second dance with true love when she fell for that gigolo last year. All she needs now is to know the people she cares about are safe and happy, and that includes Smitty. When Smitty finally regains consciousness, he’s not happy. Everyone is rearranging their lives to make his easier. He’ll have none of it. Before the accident he had started to think there was a possibility he and Camille could possibly have a life together. Now, he doesn’t want Camille hanging around out of pity. Add to that the fact someone painted a target on his back and he doesn’t want her in harm’s way. Smitty may have faced down some difficult criminals in his time, but dealing with a determined DeSoto woman is an entirely different matter. When the brothers are stirred into the mix doing their best to track down the man responsible for messing up their holiday, things heat up fast in Braedon, Colorado. Can they work together to close the case and bring Smitty home before Christmas? Will there be a Christmas miracle for Camille and Smitty? less

The Masters Men are back and bringing their 'adopted' brother Jonathan Smitt back into the fold. Jonathan Smitt has sold his house hoping the money will get him and his kids through until he can find another job. His wife ran off with her lover eight months ago after delivering twins, leaving him with three children and two infants. When Ace Masters calls asking for help with his security company, Jonathan can’t believe his luck... moreThe Masters Men are back and bringing their 'adopted' brother Jonathan Smitt back into the fold. Jonathan Smitt has sold his house hoping the money will get him and his kids through until he can find another job. His wife ran off with her lover eight months ago after delivering twins, leaving him with three children and two infants. When Ace Masters calls asking for help with his security company, Jonathan can’t believe his luck. Unfortunately, his wife’s lover calls with a cryptic message, insinuating trouble if Jonathan doesn’t cooperate. Nikki Bradford is enjoying a vacation in Colorado with her best friend, Gina Masters. It’s not so much a vacation as taking time to figure out what to do since her last assignment as a nanny ended sooner than expected thanks to her meddling father. She hasn’t made any decisions yet when Ace’s friend Jonathan Smitt moves back to town and needs help with his kids. Despite a less than friendly meeting, Nikki agrees to help. Jonathan Smitt’s redeeming feature is his love for his children. His devotion to them is obvious, almost as obvious as his low opinion of women. Can the two of them come together to save the family when someone threatens to take the twins? Will Nikki finally overcome the self-esteem issues her father instilled in her and find the strength to help Jonathan fight? Jonathan must recover from the betrayal of his wife and allow Nikki close enough to help, but at what cost? less