Seasonal Short Stories Series

From the second Lorna opened her eyes, she knew it would be a bad day. It wasn't anything new, Valentine's Day always was for her. Of course, choosing to board the train alone, late at night, in search of a story wasn't her smartest move. When she is approached by two unsavoury characters, the arrival of a familiar face, Brandon, couldn't be more welcome.     As a security guard, Brandon prefers to be alone. Even more so around Valentine's Day. He gave up on love a long time ago, so doesn't give it much time anymore. But running into Lorna, a journalist from his building, being cornered on the train, ignites something in him. Something he ignored for a long time.     Adrenaline, attraction and chemistry pull them together. But, can they get out of their own way, long enough to see what is right in front of them?

After quitting her job and leaving her ex and his debt behind, returning home seemed like the only option left for Imogen. Of course, she never intends to break down on her way and need to be rescued! How embarrassing! Being back home amongst her family and her childhood home feels good. Only, her brothers best friend and childhood crush, Collin is everywhere; the man she always wanted, but could never have. Finding him naked in her father's field rekindles that desire...   For Collin, being known as the town womaniser isn't a good thing. He's given up even trying to change peoples opinions of him. The town made up their mind about him years ago. Why try and convince them otherwise? Besides, who cares what people think of him? Certainly not him. Until Imogen, his best mates sister returns to his life. She is off-limits. A no-go. He couldn't. Could he?   As the attraction grows, they are unable to resist the pull. The arrival of Imogen's debt-ridden ex-boyfriend, threatens everything. Can Collin show who he really is? Will Imogen choose to stay or leave?

Caitlin started baking as a way to forget her high school sweetheart, James moved away and would never come back. She never expected years down the line, to be running her own bakery and as a single mum to boot. When they are reunited at a party, she is unprepared for the rush of emotions for the man she could never forget. All the feelings she thought buried, resurface.   Returning home after fifteen years, James only wanted to see one person, his high school sweetheart, Caitlin. She may have moved on, she may have changed. But his feelings never did, he loved her still. He knows he has no rights. He gave up his rights a long time ago when he left her. But try telling his heart that.   She already lost him once. He already hurt her before. She wasn't likely to survive a second time. He couldn't put her through that again.   With their emotions heightened, and memories fuelling the fire, will they be able to pick up where they left off? Or is it too late?

Being a photographer, Kristin has explored the world. She loves her job and has seen lots of beauty. Yet she has never found true love. She knows love is real. Insta-love? Not so much. Love at first is just a myth. Her trip to the Lakes is meant to be all work and no play. But she gets more than she bargained for when Luke, the sexy local, volunteers as her personal tour guide.   After watching paramedics save his father's life, as a child, Luke wanted to pay it forward. He wanted to save people, so he became a paramedic too. But his job leaves little time for love. He wants love. He just hasn't found the woman for him, yet. On a rare night off, a rain-soaked stranger, Kristin, tumbles into his life and changes everything.   The attraction is instant. The pull to be close is strong. With the locals celebrating the Queen's birthday and a guided tour, sparks fly.   Could two strangers be meant to be? Or is it no more than a weekend dalliance?

Running Alliescapes doesn't give Allie much time for love. Being a successful businesswoman always scares off any potential dates. Of course, all her life boys failed to notice her. Being the invisible one in school and then college, alienated her. Men like Devlin never notice her, he didn't in college and he doesn't now. She cannot stand the man and hates the serial player he is. Yet, now he works for her and she can't stop thinking about him, Why did she hire him again?   Growing up an orphan and raised by his aunt, Devlin learnt to bury his emotions. He protected his heart with his charm and played the field. He enjoyed his youth and ignored any and all real feelings for anyone. When he applied for a job at Alliescapes, he had no idea his boss would be Allie, the sexy nerd he secretly crushed on for years. The animosity is strong. He fears she hates him for the way he teased her in college. When one of her gardeners quits, leaving her a man down, he jumps at the chance to help. He vows to prove to her he is different. What has he got to lose?   Working together brings them closer than ever before. Both are forced to face their deepest fears. They will need to look past their own preconceived conceptions of one another, in order to be together. But can they do it?

It is such a cliche to fall for your best friend, and it wasn't planned - but Dominic did. After years of watching Emily fall for others, he moved to the USA with his company. He hated leaving her behind, but his heart needed time to get over her. The problem is, now he's gone, he misses her more! It's true what they say, absence makes the heart grow fonder.   For years, Emily has loved her best friend, Dominic - but she won't risk losing him. He was always there for her, even after he moved to the USA. When her boss refuses to give her the chance to become a Chef she quits her job. With no idea what she will do, the need to get away is strong. There's only one person who she could lean on for support.   When Emily turns up on his doorstep it forces him to face everything he ran away from. Being reunited with Dominic once again opens up her eyes to what she cannot live without. Will they ignore what is right in front of them, or find everything they never knew they needed?

Jessica has always been a failure to her parents. Her family hates her, she's sure of it. Nothing is ever good enough for them. She could always rely on her friends, Stacey and Nina. Losing Nina is the hardest thing she's ever been through. When she attends a charity auction in her memory, she just wants a good time and possibly a date. One look at Elliot John changes all of that.   Being a surgeon takes its toll on Elliot's life, but he loves his job. After losing his sister to cancer when he was younger, he just wants to help. He wants to try and prevent others from experiencing that loss. He offers himself up for auction to raise money and awareness for the terrible disease. It is all for a good cause. Except, the second he sees Jessica, it becomes so much more.   Their shared grief draws them together. Neither one can resist the attraction. But, is it just a bit of fun, or could it be fate?

Noelle finds herself in unfamiliar territory, with Christmas fast approaching, along with the deadline for her new book. Writer's block and lack of inspiration have brought everything to a standstill, she needs something to get the juices flowing again. Lucky for her, she meets the sexy new tenant who sparks off delicious feelings she is eager to explore.   Gabriel had always been excellent at fixing things, good with his hands so, becoming a handyman had been natural for him. Fixing, upgrading and creating things was what he did best but it left a string of broken or unsuccessful relationships behind him. Bumping into his pretty new neighbour, in need of a helping hand, stirs up reactions he never considered possible.   Christmas magic, fun and sexual tension surround them both. Will they give into temptation? Or will they resist the pull of something new?

Now a divorced, single parent of two boys, Georgia hasn't got much time for herself. But she wouldn't have it any other way. After her marriage fell apart, she has no desire to meet anyone new. Her jewellery-making business and her sons are her life. Her focus is to keep them happy. Even if that means facing her fear of heights to rescue her youngest from a tree. She doesn't anticipate getting stranded. But when a handsome stranger, Kieran comes along and helps rescue her, he makes her question what she wants.   Being a teacher doesn't give Kieran much free time with his sons. It was made worse after the divorce from their mother. He hates missing their weekends together. The divorce was hard for them all. He has no intention of looking for love any time soon. His sons are his priority and he would do anything for them. Moving isn't a problem if it means being closer to them. Love is the last thing on his mind. Until he comes across a stunning redhead, Georgia, stuck in a tree and terrified.   Their meeting is fleeting, yet it leaves a lasting impression. Neither can forget the other. Fate brings them back together over and over. But will they give in to the attraction?  

Growing up, Chris battled feelings of abandonment despite the love from his adoptive parents. Art became his refuge, his safe haven, until he met Maggie. Their instant connection made him believe they were destined to be together.   Maggie, who had been friends with Chris in college, never expected him to be her soul mate. Though she sensed his longing for more, she held back. Over time, their friendship deepened, and she fell deeply in love with him, now unable to imagine life without her husband and rock.   However, unspoken fears of infertility cast a shadow over their marriage. When Chris goes away for his art project, they are forced to spend their Halloween anniversary apart. With tricks, treats, and unspoken anxieties, they must find their way back to each other, and the question remains: will their love endure or crumble?

Grace has never liked being the centre of attention. She is more than happy to keep to herself. Her life hasn't been bad, nor has it been thrilling. She likes her comfort zone. From experience, stepping out and taking a chance hurts. Why risk it? Dante has always enjoyed dancing. It is something he was born to do. His business is doing well, and life is good. But he can't escape the feeling something is missing. He just needs to figure out what it is. How hard could that be? The attraction between them is instant. The pull is natural. Dante knows what he wants. Grace doubts what she feels. With the New Year approaching, will they be ready for the fireworks?