Back in the saddleHooves for Heroes is much more than a job for Special Forces veteran Colby Kotch, it's home. When his boss hires a spoiled rancher's daughter, he's less than thrilled. But Jayden Gillian is nothing like he expected. The gorgeous physical therapist is a single mom, struggling to raise a three-year-old daughter. Also unexpected—instant sparks.Jayden can't afford to risk her job for a quick fling. Neither can Colby. But they can still be friends, right? Only, working together makes Jayden long to know more about Colby—and the pain in his past. Pain he's trying to hide. She won't let Colby push her away, because two wounded hearts can become whole again...together.

Daring to loveCharlotte Bennett has one purpose in life—helping children in need. When Maverick Gillian arrives at her office, declaring he's not the father of a little girl in foster care, Charlotte doesn't know whether to believe him. Yet he takes little Olivia home. The handsome, kindhearted rancher is just the type of man Charlotte could fall for, if she were interested in a relationship.Maverick owes it to his childhood best friend to look after her orphaned daughter. He's also drawn to Charlotte. She's devoted to her social work career, but she deserves more. Maverick wants to show Charlotte she's worthy of love, but will she let him?

Is this friendship...or love?Abandoned by her jerk of an ex, wedding planner Amy Jensen is now alone, broke and pregnant. So much for fairy tales. Then strikingly gorgeous cowboy Flynn Gillian practically rides to Amy's rescue. It can't be hormones, can it? Because the moment Amy looks into those deep blue eyes, she knows she's in a whole lot of trouble...Horse trainer Flynn Gillian has always lived his life according to plan—and falling for pregnant Amy is definitely not in that plan. Yet he can't seem to stay away from her. To keep himself from wanting to kiss her. But can Flynn let himself fall for Amy...knowing that loving her means trading in his free-range cowboy life for a ready-made family?

Never get involved with a patient...Dr. Ava Moore knows the rule, but it's easier said than done when an injury brings rodeo superstar Carson Gillian into her operating room. He's gorgeous, kind, and when he agrees to give her horse-crazy nine-year-old daughter riding lessons, Ava's heart melts completely.Maintaining a professional boundary with Carson isn't easy, especially when her daughter is constantly pushing them together. Ava can't deny that he fits perfectly into their little family. However, when Carson enters the National Finals Rodeo despite his injury, Ava has to walk away before her and her daughter's hearts gets broken again...if it's not already too late.

LOST AND FOUND After serving in the Army, veterinarian Ethan McCall isn't sure where he belongs. So visiting Claire Reynolds's family ranch to help with her military dog rescue seems as good a place as any. Except that he can't stop thinking about the beautiful single mom. Ethan's happy to lend Claire a hand, but he can't offer his heart, as well. As far as he's concerned, it's damaged goods anyway. Claire recognizes the pain in Ethan's green eyes. With a son to raise, there's no room in her life for romance...or so she tells herself. But Claire and Ethan can't deny their attraction forever. Can two broken hearts come together to make a family whole? Or will Claire and Ethan continue to run from the thing that scares them most?

Not His First Rodeo Sheriff Brennan Connelly knows he should avoid anything that could hint at scandal while he's running for reelection, such as falling for a gorgeous young widow. But despite the age difference and the political risks, Bren and Lauren Danners share a remarkable connection. And as he coaches her young son in the rodeo, the former Green Beret is drawn ever closer to her. Lauren Danners may be young, but she's long past the age of swooning over devastatingly handsome men. And Bren Connelly may be handsome, but Lauren has had her fill of men in dangerous jobs. To protect her son—and her heart—she tries to keep Bren at arm's length. But whenever she's around him, all she wants is to be in his arms!

Uneasy Allies Mariah Stewart has a passion--to save racehorses from slaughter once they're done racing. Zach Johnson has a passion, too--raising winners. Mariah and her protests are one more annoyance on a list that may cost him his family stables. And when his best horse goes down, she pesters him about his plans for it. The thing is, Mariah is also a vet. Her crazy proposal to save Dasher might work, and what does Zach have to lose? Only his sanity! Maybe his determined bachelorhood, too. Because Mariah just...gets under his skin. Zach knows she feels it--she heats up every time he's near. But is the attraction between them enough to set aside everything they believe in?

Broken Cowboy...Trent Anderson's rodeo days are over. Thanks to the car accident that killed his best friend, he will never get on a horse again. But physical therapist Alana McClintock isn't listening to his protestations. She just won't let up--getting under his skin, waking parts of him he thought would sleep forever. He can sense she feels something for him, too.Alana knows Trent's injuries aren't as extensive as he thinks, and with some hard work she's convinced he will ride again. But the problem is convincing Trent. As Alana works with the wounded cowboy, she is drawn to him in a way that is anything but professional. She's determined to help him, though--even if it means he'll walk away from her.

TOUGH LOVE Colton Reynolds can tame the wildest of stallions, so how can working with Natalie Goodman be this hard? Colt tries to keep his distance while helping the former equestrian champion overcome a serious injury, but her feisty spirit and tender heart prove to be an irresistible combination. Natalie knows that beneath his surly demeanor, Colt is haunted by his past and his time serving as an Army Ranger. He believes he's too scarred to love…or be loved. But she won't give up easily. Just as Colt is determined to help her find her way back into the ring, Natalie is doing everything she can to find a way into his heart. ALSO INCLUDED IN THIS VOLUME A HOME FOR CHRISTMAS by Laura Marie Altom**

Special Agent Lea Blackwell is smart, savvy and knows her way around a race car.Heading up a team to investigate the murder of a NASCAR driver is right up her alley. The only problem is NASCAR star Blain Sanders, the man who requested her. Blain is well-heeled, well connected and drop-dead gorgeous-and he knew Lea when she was a drag-racing tomboy with grease under her nails. But Lea has grown up since then, in all the right places. And while catching the killer is her main objective, she's not above making the man who ignored her as a teenager squirm a little. Two people on a surefire collision course. But Lea and Blain are about to discover that the sweetest victory does not always come from winning...

Love On The Lazy Y?She'd sooner sleep with a snake! Yet Amanda Johnson had no choice but to do business with barracuda Scott Beringer. This millionaire wanted to go from computer wizard to prime cowboy material, and he had Amanda hanging by the ankles -- well, he had the deed to her beloved ranch. All he wanted were cowboy lessons, and he'd sell her back the family homestead.It seemed like a simple exchange, but teaching Scott "the ropes" had Amanda in a tizzy. For while he might not know how to lasso a steer, Scott was running circles around Amanda's carefully guarded emotions, stirring up her true passionate nature and making the cowgirl wish she could teach Scott some "groom" lessons...ASAP!

IT WAS ONE INCREDIBLE NIGHT...Crazier things had probably happened. But not to Kaitlin Cooper, sweetheart of the stock-car-racing world! First, there was her wild Vegas one-night stand with rodeo heartthrob Shane Gillian. And now she's pregnant with twins. Then there was the quickie wedding... Everything is out of control—her hormones, her life and suddenly her feelings. Feelings? For Shane? Wait, maybe that's the craziest part!Sure, they'd connected—and the sparks are still there—but that doesn't mean they are cut out for parenthood or happily-ever-after. With his rodeo circuit and her racing schedule, they'll never be in the same place, let alone on the same page. But they've got to try!

In July 2016 HARLEQUIN AMERICAN ROMANCE will become HARLEQUIN WESTERN ROMANCE. Same great stories, new name! A PROMISE TO PROTECT Under the guise of taking over the family's rodeo act, former Army Ranger Chance Reynolds is actually home to protect their star trick rider, Carolina Cruthers, from her ex. Keeping an eye on the spunky blonde isn't a problem. Keeping things professional? That's getting harder every day. Though Caro feels safe with Chance, she knows getting involved with her boss would be a bad idea, never mind dragging him into her messy past. But life on the rodeo trail draws them closer, and what started as a short-term arrangement suddenly feels anything but temporary. Can Chance convince Caro that they should team up forever?