Chocolate-Box Series by Josie Riviera

Some recipes don’t turn out quite as you predicted… Julie Elliot, proprietress of The Pasta Junction, is stubborn about keeping her cooking methods old-school. The extra time and expense are worth it, but her bottom line is often stretched thin—much like herself—especially during the busy holiday season. When local weatherman Lorenzo Rossi asks for a special anniversary dinner and dessert, she mashes down hard on her reaction to his tall, blue-eyed, Italian-male charm... moreSome recipes don’t turn out quite as you predicted… Julie Elliot, proprietress of The Pasta Junction, is stubborn about keeping her cooking methods old-school. The extra time and expense are worth it, but her bottom line is often stretched thin—much like herself—especially during the busy holiday season. When local weatherman Lorenzo Rossi asks for a special anniversary dinner and dessert, she mashes down hard on her reaction to his tall, blue-eyed, Italian-male charm. She needs another relationship disaster like she needs another olive oil stain on her shirt. Lorenzo, with his sincere smile and dimpled chin, may be juicy as a flank steak and hot as a red pepper, but anniversary means married, and that means hands off. But as she and Lorenzo come up with the ingredients for a perfect celebration, something completely unexpected happens. And her heart may not withstand the storm of emotion she could never have predicted… Fresh pasta isn’t the only specialty that takes extra time… Don't miss Josie Riviera's other sweet chocolate-box romances! A Chocolate-Box Christmas A Chocolate-Box Valentine less

A disillusioned widow longing for a change. A hard-working truck driver looking for love. Will Emily and Joe find their happily-ever-after in a forgotten summer breeze?Widow Emily Varon doesn’t believe in love anymore, and she isn’t wasting her time trying to find it. At her age, she’s learned that life is a daily routine. Rinse and repeat. Safe and secure. And she’s not about to change her ways now... moreA disillusioned widow longing for a change. A hard-working truck driver looking for love. Will Emily and Joe find their happily-ever-after in a forgotten summer breeze?Widow Emily Varon doesn’t believe in love anymore, and she isn’t wasting her time trying to find it. At her age, she’s learned that life is a daily routine. Rinse and repeat. Safe and secure. And she’s not about to change her ways now. With her hard-won affluence, succumbing to a truck-driver’s invitation to spend a summer weekend together means only one thing. Friendship.Widower Joe Vertucci has never met any difficulties he couldn’t overcome, and work is all he’s ever known. But when the chance for romance with Emily beckons in a little seaside town, will a dilapidated cottage wind up becoming a refuge for their hearts?The waft of a summer breeze can bring summer rain. Or create new memories.Sometimes you have to leave what’s familiar in order to discover where home truly is. Because for love, anything is possible. less

He’s been all over the world. She’s a home-town girl. Can a holiday wish bridge the gap?In Cora Carpenter’s small California hometown, Christmas is tailor-made for couples. Unfortunately, Cora is a party of one, thanks to a con man who stole her heart, then bilked her out of thousands of dollars.What’s on her Christmas wish list this year? Nothing whimsical. She’ll take a new vacuum cleaner, thanks—and no dating for the foreseeable future... moreHe’s been all over the world. She’s a home-town girl. Can a holiday wish bridge the gap?In Cora Carpenter’s small California hometown, Christmas is tailor-made for couples. Unfortunately, Cora is a party of one, thanks to a con man who stole her heart, then bilked her out of thousands of dollars.What’s on her Christmas wish list this year? Nothing whimsical. She’ll take a new vacuum cleaner, thanks—and no dating for the foreseeable future. But when she meets a stranger with a broken-down car, his warm smile and perilously blue eyes almost make her want to tweak that list. If only she could get over the pain and humiliation of her past.A double whammy of betrayal and a broken heart sent anchorman Patrick Gervez thousands of miles west looking for a fresh start. But the pretty child care provider’s unforgettable amber eyes and deft hand with a set of jumper cables does funny things to his heart—and makes him wonder if she’s a forgotten dream come true.Except she’s as skittish as a piece of tinsel in a windstorm. And the only way to help her forget her heartbreak, is to convince her to forgive. Especially herself. less