Cedar Island Tales Series by Kate Vale

Single mom Amanda Gardner’s first academic appointmentat private Buckley College in northwest Washington state is the start of a new life. Her goal? Become established in her career as an English professor. The last thing she wants is a romantic entanglement, but then she meets Marcus Dunbar, a journalism professor, who befriends her and captivates her nine-year-old daughter Cecelia, and Carlton Winslow, with whom Amanda must share an office... moreSingle mom Amanda Gardner’s first academic appointmentat private Buckley College in northwest Washington state is the start of a new life. Her goal? Become established in her career as an English professor. The last thing she wants is a romantic entanglement, but then she meets Marcus Dunbar, a journalism professor, who befriends her and captivates her nine-year-old daughter Cecelia, and Carlton Winslow, with whom Amanda must share an office. He’s unpleasant to her but seems genuinely fond of Cecelia. When the girl runs into the road, is hit by a car and badly injured, Marcus suspects that Carlton may have had something to do with the accident. Amanda is no longer sure who she can or should trust. Is Marcus even beyond suspicion? Is it possible one of them, or someone else Cecelia is too frightened to name, preys upon children? Amanda must get to the truth before she can give her heart to a man who claims he loves her and will cherish and protect her child. less

Gretchen Martindale, a former foster child herself, steps up when Laine, 12, and Nettie, 5, need a home after they run away from their foster home to stop the foster dad from molesting Nettie. Gretchen’s heart becomes entwined with the girls and she decides to adopt them, creating the family she thought she’d never have. But Laine aches to find her birth mother. When school counselor, Craig, offers to pay for a DNA search, no one is more surprised than he with the results... moreGretchen Martindale, a former foster child herself, steps up when Laine, 12, and Nettie, 5, need a home after they run away from their foster home to stop the foster dad from molesting Nettie. Gretchen’s heart becomes entwined with the girls and she decides to adopt them, creating the family she thought she’d never have. But Laine aches to find her birth mother. When school counselor, Craig, offers to pay for a DNA search, no one is more surprised than he with the results. Laine is Craig’s daughter, the result of a long-ago hook-up. Since Gretchen is already falling for the handsome counselor, and he for her, things might work out well. Or maybe not … Laine says she doesn’t want a dad, just a mom. And Craig? He’s a dedicated commitment-phobe. Does this family stand a chance of getting together? less

Single father Owen Haskins is worried about his emotionally troubled 7-year-old son, Ian. The brilliant little boy is placed in Faith Russell’s second-grade class after they move to East Shore on Cedar Island. Although Owen is attracted to her, he isn’t sure Faith is the right teacher for his son. Faith’s lack of trust in men slowly recedes when, against her better judgment, she begins to date Owen... moreSingle father Owen Haskins is worried about his emotionally troubled 7-year-old son, Ian. The brilliant little boy is placed in Faith Russell’s second-grade class after they move to East Shore on Cedar Island. Although Owen is attracted to her, he isn’t sure Faith is the right teacher for his son. Faith’s lack of trust in men slowly recedes when, against her better judgment, she begins to date Owen. Over the coming weeks, their relationship deepens, although they agree that it can’t become serious. Too bad Faith’s heart refuses to listen. Owen proposes marriage, but instead of telling her he loves her, he explains that he wants Ian to have a mother. Deeply hurt, Faith breaks off their relationship. She regrets that she’s allowed herself to fall for both Ian and his handsome father. Too late, Owen realizes his mistake. But how can he change Faith’s mind about him and prove that he’s more than a cold-hearted lawyer who doesn’t need love? less