Lean on Me Series by Kathryn Shay

NEW YORK TIMES bestselling author Kathryn Shay combines her extensive research on the Secret Service with her vast experience in the high school classroom to create this powerhouse of a novel! “A wonderful work of contemporary romance, with a plot ripped straight from the headlines. Kathryn Shay never disappoints... moreNEW YORK TIMES bestselling author Kathryn Shay combines her extensive research on the Secret Service with her vast experience in the high school classroom to create this powerhouse of a novel! “A wonderful work of contemporary romance, with a plot ripped straight from the headlines. Kathryn Shay never disappoints.” NEW YORK TIMES bestselling author Lisa Gardner By-the-book Secret Service Agent Joe Stonehouse and unpredictable Agent Luke Ludzecky go under cover in a high school which has been flagged by their School Threat Assessment Team as having the potential for violence. They expect their differences will cause them conflict. What they don’t expect are the two women who blow their careful plan apart. Suzanna Quinn is the principal and hates being attracted to the new school psychologist. Worse, thirty year old Social Studies teacher Kelsey Cunningham is horrified by her feelings for Luke, her new “student.” But the very real threat of school violence from more than one student forces them to work together and face their feelings for each other. Suicide, gang warfare and bullying all play a part as this stunning drama unfolds. If you like romance novels about teacher student relationships, teacher romance, as well as single parent romance and opposites attract romance, read more of Kathryn Shay books with an educational theme: A PRICE WORTH PAYING, THE FATHER FACTOR, THE EDUCATORS series and THE BAYVIEW HEIGHTS series. Special Note: Luke Ludzecky’s seven amazing sisters have their own stories: the second O’Neil book, CLOSE TO YOU, and the new series that focuses on the other six: BEGIN AGAIN, PRIMARY COLORS, RISKY BUSINESS, THE WAY WE WERE, HANDLE WITH CARE and LOVE STORY. Praise for PROMISES TO KEEP: "Shay does an admirable job with a difficult subject, writing about school violence with sensitivity and realism and without shying away from any of the hard issues, such as the balance between the students' protection and their civil liberties." Shelley Mosley Booklist “Kathryn Shay’s storytelling grabbed me on page one and her characters held me until the very last word.” Barbara Bretton, USA TODAY bestselling author. “Kathryn Shay is a master of her craft. PROMISES TO KEEP will hold you on the edge of your seat with an ending you’ll remember long after you turn the last page.” USA TODAY bestselling author Catherine Anderson. "Kathryn Shay’s first mainstream romantic suspense is a gripping story that will haunt readers with its authenticity. And those who pick up a copy will find not one, but two absorbing romance threads, full of sensuality and fire. If ever the label of “sure thing” were deserved by a book, PROMISES TO KEEP is such a book.” The Romance Reader “These are all living breathing people you might meet anywhere at any time. The action and suspense balance well with the love, so that neither plot is skimped upon. I eagerly await her next release.” Huntress Reviews less

When his sixteen year old son Michael asks to meet his biological mother, Lucas Rayburn reluctantly agrees. Since his wife Sara's death three years ago, Lucas has developed a closer bond with his son--a bond he's terrified will be destroyed when Meredith Hunter enters their lives. Meredith is an assistant District Attorney with a bias against public defenders, something Lucas just happens to be. Despite their personal and professional clashes, Lucas is determined to make his son happy... moreWhen his sixteen year old son Michael asks to meet his biological mother, Lucas Rayburn reluctantly agrees. Since his wife Sara's death three years ago, Lucas has developed a closer bond with his son--a bond he's terrified will be destroyed when Meredith Hunter enters their lives. Meredith is an assistant District Attorney with a bias against public defenders, something Lucas just happens to be. Despite their personal and professional clashes, Lucas is determined to make his son happy. Meredith gave up her son but she never forgot him. The circumstances of his birth are a horrible memory for her, but getting to know Michael brings more joy than Meredith ever hoped. True, the growing attraction to Lucas could become a problem--but she lost her son once and nothing, not even a handsome public defender, is going to tear her away from Michael again. Once again, Kathryn Shay blends realism and romance to flawless perfection. Her strength lies in her ability to capture the voice of children with thoughtful insight into how they think and what they feel. In this case, Michael Rayburn is the catalyst that brings Lucas and Meredith together. The love story is passionate and bittersweet. Lucas is torn between his feelings for Meredith, his duty to his son and the guilt of betraying his dead wife's memory. Meredith has to reconcile her personal grudge against public defenders with the pull she feels toward Lucas while finding her place in her son's life. Michael's Family is a special story about love and what it means to be a family. Kathryn Shay's characters are memorable and special! She has a unique talent for crafting stories that are down-to-earth and still hopelessly romantic! Michael's Family is well written and delightfully realistic! There's no stopping this gifted author! The Literary Times, Inc. less

Reviewers say Kathryn Shay knows teenagers. As a high school teacher, she has dealt with troubled kids like those in this story. She also grew up in a small town, near a race car track. As kids, the stock car racing town of Glen Oaks called them The Outlaws, but no one knew the hoodlums on the streets would grow up to be upstanding citizens. Their leader, Linc, has become a minister, but never got over his first love, Margo, now an atheist because of her upbringing in a religious cult... moreReviewers say Kathryn Shay knows teenagers. As a high school teacher, she has dealt with troubled kids like those in this story. She also grew up in a small town, near a race car track. As kids, the stock car racing town of Glen Oaks called them The Outlaws, but no one knew the hoodlums on the streets would grow up to be upstanding citizens. Their leader, Linc, has become a minister, but never got over his first love, Margo, now an atheist because of her upbringing in a religious cult. Beth is lonely after the death of her young husband, Danny, until Tucker, the man who blames himself for Danny’s death, comes to town. And Annie has overcome emotional and physical scars from her youthful marriage to Joe, but will her progress be enough when he reenters her life five years after their divorce? Troubled young teen, Ronny, reunites all of them, and in trying to help the boy, the three couples uncover a passion for each other that can’t be denied. Praise for TRUST IN ME “An unusual and compelling tale. I don’t know when I’ve been more involved in a novel’s characters and story.” The Romance Reader “A master story teller…don’t miss this book or you’ll be sorry you did.” Reader to Reader Reviews “Talk about emotional, heart-wrenching stories…be prepared for an extraordinary reading experience that will linger in your thoughts for a long time.” Tanzey Cutter, Old Book Barn Gazette “I don't know how I missed this author before, but she's on my automatic-buy list now. What a great book. Controversial subjects handled in a sensitive and yet honest way--characters that just walked off the page, real and warm. The story just kept coming. A heart toucher, about problems that really happen with no easy solutions. Wonderful! Don't miss!” A Reader “This is definitely another hit for Kathryn Shay. The story is well written and easy to follow…it involves some very deep issues which some authors may not cover quite as well as Shay does. The characters are very real, likeable, compassionate and understanding even with the issues they are faced with.” A Reader less

"I can take care of my family!" To Amanda Carson, Nick MdMarco's words are beginning to wear thin. The single father of two seems determined to prove he can handle everything - his career, his home, his children. He wants no help from 'outsiders.' Particularly - as he keeps telling Amanda - outsiders who remind him of his ex-wife. Nick's prejudices are threatening to harm the very people he wants to protect. His children. Amanda is too good a counselor to allow that to happen... more"I can take care of my family!" To Amanda Carson, Nick MdMarco's words are beginning to wear thin. The single father of two seems determined to prove he can handle everything - his career, his home, his children. He wants no help from 'outsiders.' Particularly - as he keeps telling Amanda - outsiders who remind him of his ex-wife. Nick's prejudices are threatening to harm the very people he wants to protect. His children. Amanda is too good a counselor to allow that to happen. Besides, the DiMarco kids - and their stubborn father - have found a special place in Amanda's heart. Now all she has to do is convince Nick to let her into his... less

Welcome to one of Kathryn Shay's high school dramas. A teacher in a public school for years, she knows kids and the men and women who teach them! This major original novel is vintage Kathryn Shay. Tackling passion, romance, a sexual predator, infidelity and the enduring love of two characters whose marriage withstands the unthinkable, she proves again why reviewers say she has “earned a well deserved place among the top romance authors... moreWelcome to one of Kathryn Shay's high school dramas. A teacher in a public school for years, she knows kids and the men and women who teach them! This major original novel is vintage Kathryn Shay. Tackling passion, romance, a sexual predator, infidelity and the enduring love of two characters whose marriage withstands the unthinkable, she proves again why reviewers say she has “earned a well deserved place among the top romance authors.” Nick and Callie Muscato have been lovers since high school. They married at eighteen and Callie gave up Vassar to go on the road with Nick as he builds his major league baseball career. Once he becomes a superstar, their perfect life is marred by their inability to have children. And then a miracle happens and they adopt twin boys. Eventually Nick is forced to give up his baseball career, gets his college degree and when the story opens, both he and Callie are teaching at their Alma Mater. Then tragedy strikes them with two major blows: Callie confesses she’s pregnant with another man’s child and, only an hour later, Nick is accused of sexual misconduct with a female student; he is suspended from teaching until hearings can be held. Though this stress might split up a lesser couple, Nick and Callie fight the accusation and try to keep their marriage together. Reader Reviews: “I started the book well after midnight...almost didn't sleep... and woke only to continue reading and finished it out in one fell swoop.” “This book was well-written and nothing was overdone or sensationalized. I will definitely be looking for more from this author.” “It was so refreshing to read a book about an imperfect couple who have been married a long time with big problems in their relationship but a determination to save the marriage.” “Overall a good read. Subject matter was very serious, but done very well. It also had enough of a mystery going on that it keeps the reader engaged.” “This has been by far one of the best books I have read in a while!” less