Durango Street Theatre Series

EXES AND OHS The marriage was one of convenience. She had status and he had money. But... there was something there, and both of them felt it. After three years of him working long hours and her spending too much time at the Durango Street Theatre, Miguel Abonce and Vivienne Heiser called it quits. One year later, they are forced to work together to save or sell the theater. In the process they discover things they never knew about each other and they learn there's more between them than burning up the sheets. They might really love each other after all.

SUCH A GREAT ACTOR Everything in Wade Baxter's life is controlled and compartmentalized. To the world he's a laid-back, handsome, urban cowboy who's good at his job, is adored by his friends and family, and is the star of his city's community theater. But inside, a hideous dark lurks in the shadows of his psyche, and he cannot, will not let that ugliness show. When he meets Owen Aldrete, a man who's scars are visible – a former bomb squad cop who took a blast to the face - Wade is forced to confront his demons or he will lose the man he's fallen in love with, and he'll never get a lifetime to show Owen he's the most beautiful person Wade has ever known.

IT'S ALL ABOUT THE MONEY, HONEY Maggie Gutierrez's job is to keep the Durango Street Theatre afloat financially. In other words, she spends her days sticking her hand in people's pockets in the hopes of pulling out cash. Well, euphemistically. The Harrington Foundation grant would go a long way to ensuring the theater's continued survival, but the administrator of the grant is the guy she used to crush on in a big way, and the last time they saw each other…let's say things didn't go so well. As in, he blames her for his father's death. Soooo…what's a girl to do? Anything she can to get that grant, including spending time with him, which takes them down a road that might just lead to a forever neither envisioned.

                                                                                                          HAZARDOUS DUTY It took the Academy Director of the Durango Street Theatre, Jessica Clary years to get over her husband's death - a bomb squad officer who died in the line of duty. After growing up with a cop father, she knew all too well she was not meant to be waiting all night worrying, never mind being widowed again. She has a son who never knew his dad, and refuses to set him up for a lifetime of heartache. Then SWAT officer Brian Howard dances his way into her life, and she had to make a choice: be happy or be safe.  

RESISTING THE UNEXPECTED   Letti Aldrete's dreams fizzled some eighteen years ago, but that doesn't mean her daughter can't live the life Letti always wanted. Sure, some people think she's the stage mother from hell, but she won't be denied. Letti is happy enough acting in the community theater's productions, but increasingly, the leads are going to younger women, and Letti is pissed off. She looks good. Could play twenty-five with the right makeup, wigs, and costumes, and everyone agrees she's the powerhouse female talent at the Durango Street Theatre. When her daughter is cast in a minor role in the theater's newest production, Letti blows up, and does it in front of a one-night stand who is fifteen years her junior. Five years ago, delicious Kevin Summerset had been a wild, unforgettable night, but no way will there be a repeat performance, and no matter what he says, Letti's not going there again. Kevin has other ideas.

BONUS NOVELLA INCLUDED THE IMPOSSIBLE DREAM Subtle glances, suggestive smirks, passing comments laced with innuendo...Cameron Heiser and Josh Goldstein have been quietly flirting for years. Just when the time seems right to act on their desire, Josh's focus shifts when unexpectedly, he becomes father to his young niece and nephew.  Cam doesn't date men with kids. Too many complications. He likes his fun to flow with the pace of his life. He comes and goes as he pleases, and getting involved with someone else's family is more than he's willing to take on. Even for Josh. But the pull is too strong, and they strike a deal. What they have has to remain separate from Josh's family life. No kids involved. What starts out as the apparent perfect solution turns into everything Cam swore he wouldn't do. Josh's time is not his own, and Cam is not good with waiting on the sidelines. Miserable apart, Cam sees no way to make it work until fate's hand pushes him in a direction he never saw possible. No one is more surprised to learn, love really does conquer all.

THE BEST KEPT SECRETS   Durango's production manager, Miranda Jenks is straightforward and honest. She deals with life head-on no matter what it brings, and she's not afraid to speak her mind. But... she's been harboring a soul-destroying secret for years, and when Ross Ellis returns to town to try to clean up his mess, she can't tell him the truth.   Ross has made more mistakes than he can count, and all of them are worse than horrible. The only reason he's bothered to come back to his farm is for his teenage daughter, and he hopes like hell she'll let him make amends.   Miranda is the last person he'd thought would forgive him, and as they spend more time together he finds they fill each other's gaps. Until he uncovers the lies she's been keeping for years.   Two lonely people who understand each other better than most must find a way to heal the breach or they'll never get to the happy they're reaching for.

GET REAL Sasha Fontenot has seen hell in the dry sands of Afghanistan, and the aftermath of war has left her vacant and wary. There's no way she's looking to get involved with anyone, especially an opinionated, annoying, headache of a man. Mike Werner has endured his own version of misery, and the last thing he wants is to subject his young daughter to any more tragedy. Sure, Sasha is one stunning woman, but she's damaged goods. Getting involved with her will complicate his life, and Mike doesn't do complicated. Especially with a woman who's as difficult as it gets. Yet.. If they take the time to focus on how they truly feel, maybe they'll overcome their fears and accept they're good for each other.

LIFE IN SHADES OF GRAY Durango Street Theatre's Artistic Director, Rachel Castillo lives by a right and wrong code she sees no reason to change. When she learns an ex-con has been hired to be the theater's new set designer, she's livid. But she has to admit, Harlan Burke is talented, and annoyingly attractive. Forced to work with him, she does her best to keep their relationship cooly professional. Harlan will never get back the ten years he lost to being in prison. He's grateful good friends have supported him and helped him get a steady job. And everyone at the Durango Street Theatre treats him decently, except Rachel Castillo. He can't avoid her, and on some level, he doesn't want to. She's too gorgeous to ignore. Working closely together, Rachel does an about-face long enough for Harlan to taste what he's been missing. The reality of not being able to keep it...keep her, is crushing. Remaining on opposite sides of an issue that'll always stand between them makes being together impossible until Rachel has to face a situation she never expected.