Pleasant Valley Series by Anna Brooks

When her life is threatened, keeping her safe is the most important job he’ll ever have. *** Smith: When my old partner calls in a favor, I agree to keep an eye on his baby sister while she’s in town. I owe him my life, so keeping her safe is the least I can do. But once I see her, I find I want to do way more than just protect her. Mellie: I’ve been living in fear, but I’m content with my secluded lifestyle and my cat… at least, that’s what I tell myself... moreWhen her life is threatened, keeping her safe is the most important job he’ll ever have. *** Smith: When my old partner calls in a favor, I agree to keep an eye on his baby sister while she’s in town. I owe him my life, so keeping her safe is the least I can do. But once I see her, I find I want to do way more than just protect her. Mellie: I’ve been living in fear, but I’m content with my secluded lifestyle and my cat… at least, that’s what I tell myself. So when a grandfather I’ve never met leaves me an abandoned house, I have no choice. I set out on a journey I never wanted to take and meet a man determined to tear down the walls around my heart, all while shielding me from danger. *** This romantic suspense is the first in a series of standalones and contains sensitive topics and adult situations. Series reading order: Fixing FateLove, MeSteady less

Vaughn Morris survives on denial and hope. He spends his days permanently marking other’s skin and his nights trying to forget the scars embedded in his soul. No longer the defenseless teenager he used to be, he returns to his home town, never expecting to fall for a woman who is just as complicated as he is. Rayne Garner hasn’t truly lived in years. When she was too young to know better, she made a promise to a man who didn’t deserve her loyalty... moreVaughn Morris survives on denial and hope. He spends his days permanently marking other’s skin and his nights trying to forget the scars embedded in his soul. No longer the defenseless teenager he used to be, he returns to his home town, never expecting to fall for a woman who is just as complicated as he is. Rayne Garner hasn’t truly lived in years. When she was too young to know better, she made a promise to a man who didn’t deserve her loyalty. Nobody has made her question that decision, until Vaughn—a man whose pain is well hidden beneath his cocky exterior and dark, mysterious eyes. But in order to heal him, Rayne must face the brutal reality she’s been trying to deny. A friendship they didn’t need turns into a love neither thought they wanted. Rayne and Vaughn not only have to fight for each other, they must survive threats from a past they’re both trying to overcome. less

Erik Anderson is paying for his mistakes and enduring every bit of pain that comes his way. After all, if it weren’t for him, the girl who gave him more than he deserved would still be alive. Even if he were to be put out of his misery, he’d never see her again. Considering angels go to heaven and sinners go to hell, Erik’s going to burn. Polly Madison has never had it easy. She wouldn’t even know what that looked like... moreErik Anderson is paying for his mistakes and enduring every bit of pain that comes his way. After all, if it weren’t for him, the girl who gave him more than he deserved would still be alive. Even if he were to be put out of his misery, he’d never see her again. Considering angels go to heaven and sinners go to hell, Erik’s going to burn. Polly Madison has never had it easy. She wouldn’t even know what that looked like. Young and naive, she learned the hard way how vindictive some men can truly be. She’s fought her whole life for stability and control, both of which she refuses to give up ever again since she’s older and wiser now. When Polly and Erik run into each other in the most clichéd way possible, it shouldn’t have meant anything. In his arms, Polly felt safer than she ever has before. Lost in her eyes, Erik sees a future he’d given up on. They try to fight it. Try to deny something neither is prepared for. But when his own insecurities put her in harm’s way, Erik knows protecting Polly’s life is more important than continuing to wreck his. less

Erik Anderson is paying for his mistakes and enduring every bit of pain that comes his way. After all, if it weren’t for him, the girl who gave him more than he deserved would still be alive. Even if he were to be put out of his misery, he’d never see her again. Considering angels go to heaven and sinners go to hell, Erik’s going to burn. Polly Madison has never had it easy. She wouldn’t even know what that looked like... moreErik Anderson is paying for his mistakes and enduring every bit of pain that comes his way. After all, if it weren’t for him, the girl who gave him more than he deserved would still be alive. Even if he were to be put out of his misery, he’d never see her again. Considering angels go to heaven and sinners go to hell, Erik’s going to burn. Polly Madison has never had it easy. She wouldn’t even know what that looked like. Young and naive, she learned the hard way how vindictive some men can truly be. She’s fought her whole life for stability and control, both of which she refuses to give up ever again since she’s older and wiser now.  When Polly and Erik run into each other in the most clichéd way possible, it shouldn’t have meant anything.  In his arms, Polly felt safer than she ever has before.  Lost in her eyes, Erik sees a future he’d given up on.  They try to fight it. Try to deny something neither is prepared for. But when his own insecurities put her in harm’s way, Erik knows protecting Polly’s life is more important than continuing to wreck his. *Contains adult content and sensitive situations. less