Slocum Family Series by Ruth Logan Herne

Kayla Doherty has plans and dreams. Dreams that have nothing to do with staying in the crisp cold of elongated North Country winters. Plans that have everything to do with warmth and fresh air and sunshine and gardens. Pretty gardens, welcoming the warmth and joys of rebirth, but first she needs to finish out the final months of her North Country hospice nurse contract, and that means dealing with somewhat surly and antagonistic Marc DeHollander... moreKayla Doherty has plans and dreams. Dreams that have nothing to do with staying in the crisp cold of elongated North Country winters. Plans that have everything to do with warmth and fresh air and sunshine and gardens. Pretty gardens, welcoming the warmth and joys of rebirth, but first she needs to finish out the final months of her North Country hospice nurse contract, and that means dealing with somewhat surly and antagonistic Marc DeHollander. The young rancher is about to lose his father, he's got a fourteen-year-old sister to raise, their mother abandoned the family years ago and he's got cattle to tend, a farm store to oversee and no time to breathe. Of course he's surly...But Kayla's dealt with difficult people before. She understands that death and hospice can put enormous strain on people. Saying goodbye is never easy and her job is to make it less painful for the patient and the family. But Marc seems determined to put her to the test, a test she's mostly ready for...If she can bite her tongue.Kayla brings warmth, wisdom and wit to the farm and as Pete's condition worsens, she's a mainstay in their home and their hearts. What she doesn't expect is to find an unknown connection between her and the DeHollanders... and that Marc sees beyond the pretty smile and cute clothes to the fractured girl within the professional nurse's body. Two messed up lives and dysfunctional families can't bring happiness...Or can they? In a story filled with love, loss, faith, joy and emotion, Herne brings her characters to life in what was her debut novel for Love Inspired Books "Winter's End". She hopes you love it as much as she does. less

When family tragedy strikes, Sarah Slocum steps in as guardian to her two nieces and nephew. But raising children isn't like raising sheep, and the beautiful shepherd soon finds herself in over her head. Who'd have guessed that new neighbor Craig Macklin would jump in to lend a hand? Craig's always held a grudge against Slocums--Sarah included. Now the handsome local vet is helping with her livestock, giving her young nephew a job and smiling at her every chance he gets... moreWhen family tragedy strikes, Sarah Slocum steps in as guardian to her two nieces and nephew. But raising children isn't like raising sheep, and the beautiful shepherd soon finds herself in over her head. Who'd have guessed that new neighbor Craig Macklin would jump in to lend a hand? Craig's always held a grudge against Slocums--Sarah included. Now the handsome local vet is helping with her livestock, giving her young nephew a job and smiling at her every chance he gets. Sarah must decide whether she can trust Craig--and God's plan--and allow him into her family. less

Single mom Rita Slocum wants to get her life back on track. Taking things one day at a time seems doable--especially with Brooks Harriman at her side. Brooks has been there for her through good times and bad. But she's always been leery of getting too close to the broad-shouldered woodworker who keeps his past locked away. Now that Rita's opening her own bakery, she needs him more than ever. If only Brooks would open up his life--and his heart--to Rita.