James Bay Series by Kathleen Irene Paterka

Small towns, long memories. Everyone in the exclusive summer resort of James Bay, Michigan remembers FATTY PATTY, the chubby little girl with the round face and wild red curls. All grown up now, Patty Perreault teaches at the same elementary school where the painful playground memories still taunt her. She hasn’t forgotten the cruel nickname—plus she still hasn’t lost those extra pounds... moreSmall towns, long memories. Everyone in the exclusive summer resort of James Bay, Michigan remembers FATTY PATTY, the chubby little girl with the round face and wild red curls. All grown up now, Patty Perreault teaches at the same elementary school where the painful playground memories still taunt her. She hasn’t forgotten the cruel nickname—plus she still hasn’t lost those extra pounds. Convinced her weight is the biggest reason why she’s a four time loser in the semi-finals for Teacher of the Year, Patty resolves to make some changes in her body and her life. Sam Curtis, an overweight accountant she meets at the community pool, swims into Patty’s life with romance on his mind. But as their friendship grows, Patty finds it hard to see beyond his extra pounds. She’s torn as Sam refuses to deal with his own overweight issues. Her heart tells her one thing, but her eyes see another. She’s not interested in an overweight boyfriend. When it comes to winning the Grand Prize in life and love, Patty has some hard lessons to learn. Will she be able to confront her fears about the kind of woman she yearns to be? Will she be able to put down the fork and give her heart a try? less

When fire strikes too close to home… Attorney Rose Gallagher left her home and heart behind in James Bay years ago, dreaming of big city success... moreWhen fire strikes too close to home… Attorney Rose Gallagher left her home and heart behind in James Bay years ago, dreaming of big city success. When a family health crisis draws her back to the small resort community where she was born and raised, Rose settles in for a six-week-stay, only to find herself musing over two unexpected job offers and other things, too… such as the string of arson fires threatening James Bay and a handsome fireman named Mike Gallagher who sparks an unexpected fire in her heart. When the arson investigation blazes a trail which seems to lead directly to an old family friend, Rose sets out to prove her fireman wrong. Mike is determined to keep this pretty litigator from snooping around in his ongoing investigation, and Rose is equally determined not to give up on her quest to prove her friend’s innocence—even if it means giving up a possible future with Mike. Will these two find a way to resolve their differences, or will their dreams of romance go up in smoke? less

Winning the lottery: $70 million Mending family relationships: Priceless When James Bay journalist Lucy Carter wins the lottery, good fortune seems guaranteed. But even $70 million in cold hard cash can’t help Lucy when it comes to dealing with some cold hard facts. No amount of money will buy back Grandma's mind nor buy Lucy a reprieve from a strained mother/daughter relationship. After a twenty year absence, Lila’s suddenly back in town... moreWinning the lottery: $70 million Mending family relationships: Priceless When James Bay journalist Lucy Carter wins the lottery, good fortune seems guaranteed. But even $70 million in cold hard cash can’t help Lucy when it comes to dealing with some cold hard facts. No amount of money will buy back Grandma's mind nor buy Lucy a reprieve from a strained mother/daughter relationship. After a twenty year absence, Lila’s suddenly back in town. Lila says she’s moved to James Bay to keep an eye out for her daughter Lucy… or is it Lucy's money that Lila has her eye on instead? When an auto accident forces mother and daughter together to live under one roof, even a luxurious 4,000 square foot condo seems like a tiny bungalow, and Lucy suddenly has her hands full with a whole new set of problems she never expected. less

Cursed or Blessed? A Man of God Must Make a Choice… Father Greg, a Catholic priest and recovering alcoholic, took a vow of obedience at his ordination—but thirty years later, that Roman collar chafes his neck. His love for God is not in doubt, but the same can’t be said for his faith in the church. After a young interracial couple joins his parish in the small exclusive resort community of James Bay, Michigan, Father Greg finds himself waging a fierce battle fighting parishioners’ prejudices... moreCursed or Blessed? A Man of God Must Make a Choice… Father Greg, a Catholic priest and recovering alcoholic, took a vow of obedience at his ordination—but thirty years later, that Roman collar chafes his neck. His love for God is not in doubt, but the same can’t be said for his faith in the church. After a young interracial couple joins his parish in the small exclusive resort community of James Bay, Michigan, Father Greg finds himself waging a fierce battle fighting parishioners’ prejudices. When an attractive widow from the parish joins hands with him to befriend the young couple, the problems only escalate—and so do the rumors about a romance. Caught up in a war with church leaders and his own guilty conscience, Father Greg is trapped. He’s good at standing up for others, but now he needs to learn how to stand up for himself. It’s the only way he’ll become the man he was always meant to be—with or without the Roman collar. less