"A decadent read packed with lovable characters, witty dialogue and a sigh-worthy happily-ever-after that leaves me craving more." —New York Times bestselling author Rhonda Russell on Sweet as Pie Hyacinth Dawson's life runs like clockwork—and she likes it that way. Spreadsheets, lists and plans have never failed her, and now they're going to help her get her bridal shop on the popular reality TV show All Dressed in White. But it won't happen unless she can land a celebrity client...maybe one of those new NHL players in town. Enter Robbie McTavish, a fly-by-the-seat-of-his-pants Scottish defenseman who can't help but meddle when he spies a bride in Hyacinth's shop wearing a completely wrong dress for her figure. Robbie's family just happens to own the Scottish Highlands' premier wedding venue, and he knows his way around bustled trains and buttercream frosting—even if his help seems to be less than welcome. When a video of his infuriating interference...

You can map out your future, but sometimes the heart has other plans... Don't miss this enchanting next installment in USA TODAY bestselling author Alicia Hunter Pace's Good Southern Women series. Ava Grace Fairchild never expected to find herself on the back of a hockey player's motorcycle. Until now, her life in Laurel Springs, Alabama, has been everything you'd expect for a Southern belle: old money, silver spoons and a perfectly planned future. But you can't plan for the kind of public humiliation that has her running away from her well-ordered life to spend one perfect night with a stranger. Russian enforcer Luka Zadorov is no fan of the South. Being traded to Alabama has meant swapping the glory of northern hockey for playing second fiddle to college football, but his plan to get traded back hits an interesting snag when he crosses paths with Ava Grace. Maybe the South has something to offer after...

From USA Today best-selling author Alicia Hunter Pace comes this emotional gem in the Beauford Bend series. Heath Beckett would have never moved his renowned stained glass business to the artisan boutique town of Beauford, Tennessee, if he'd thought there was any chance Hope MacKenzie would return there. Ambitious and career-minded Hope left him with a bleeding heart years ago when she couldn't fathom that his art would ever turn out to be more than a hobby. Now she's back because her family's bank needs her desperately. Although she reluctantly settles into a quiet life in her hometown, she's soon embraced by the knitting circle at a local shop, and Hope finally begins to understand the charms of small-town living: the neighbors who truly care for you and the slower pace that affords an appreciation of more simple joys. She steers clear of Heath, knowing she foolishly lost her chance with him long ago. But when she gives a personal loan to the women who own the local knitting shop without consulting Heath, who has helped them with their finances for years, the two must work together to ensure the ladies' business plan is in tip-top shape. Surely a man capable of creating such pure beauty has a heart that can forgive. But can he still love? Free knitting pattern inside! Sensuality Level: Sensual **About the Author USA Today best-selling author Alicia Hunter Pace is a writing team who live in North Alabama, where they share a love of football and old houses while having a lot of fun writing romances together. Find Alicia Hunter Pace at www. 

Two twentysomethings struggle to let go of their idea of a perfect world on and off the ice in this emotional third book in the Nashville Sound series.Ambitious, smart, and straightlaced, Nashville Sound forward Jarret MacPherson is determined to walk in the footsteps of his All-American hockey-playing grandfather. He prides himself on doing the right thing above all, with ethics so sharp they could cut the heart out of a saint. Hard-working Merry Sweet toils by day in a paper shop and coffee bar in Sound Town and at night at the arena, cleaning, selling concessions, and taking tickets. Jarret notices and admires Merry's determination and believes her when she says she needs money for law school, even offering to help solve her financial problems. When she refuses him, his esteem for her only grows. But when the public catches wind of their budding relationship, a surprising secret from Merry's past comes to light. Now, Jarret must decide if he'll let his image...

Put some "Ho, Ho, Ho!" in your holidays this season with these seven heartwarming romances. They're just the right size, so you'll find time for love and good cheer between trimming the tree and hanging the stockings. Tidings of Love is guaranteed to put you in the mood to ring in the holidays at any time of the year. Nickolai's Noel: A chance meeting and a snowy ice storm bring together an unlikely pair - Russian hockey player Nickolai Glaznov and artisan quilt maker Noel Verden - on the most enchanting day of the year. A special connection flares between them despite his lack of roots and her overly involved family. But when the ice melts, will the magic disappear too?Her Secret Santa: Neighbors and co-workers at Morgan Confectioners, Rebecca Sinclair and Ben Redding have been best friends since grad school. When their feelings turn more than friendly, will they be able to get past their fear of ruining their friendship? A holiday gift exchange might just bring...

A pro hockey player learns that home is where the heart is in the first novel of a delightful new series from USA TODAY bestselling author Alicia Hunter Pace Evans Pemberton has always had a problem saying no. To her overbearing Mississippi Delta family, to her business mentor's push to expand her thriving pie shop and to her lifelong crush, Jake Champagne. But Jake chose her beauty queen cousin three years ago and ghosted on their close friendship. When he comes to her small town in Alabama with a new pro hockey franchise, Evie fears she'll lose her heart all over again. Of course, she'll forgive him like the good Southern woman she is, but anything more than that is off the table. So why can't she stop baking for him? Jake is looking forward to a new team, a new town and a clean slate in Laurel Springs. After a disastrous year, the hockey hotshot is leaving his past behind—even betting his best friend that he can stay away from women....

Handsome and accomplished Ranger SGT Beau Beauford knows that deep down he's never been anything but a screw-up. He caused the deaths of his parents and sister, deceived his adoring brothers, and recklessly destroyed his career. With nothing left to lose, he retreats home to Beauford Bend . . . only to promptly impregnate his best and oldest friend. Christian Hambrick, owner of Firefly Hall Plantation B&B, is made of guts, steel, and plain good sense, except for that lifelong torch she's held for Beau. When he reached out to her, clearly in need, she gave him everything. Now Beau insists on marriage, but he's withholding his heart, insisting it's not worth much anyway. However, Christian isn't settling for second best - not for herself or Beau. If she has to take on the whole Beauford family and wage full-scale war on Beau's past to prove him wrong, so be it. Don't miss this satisfying and emotional conclusion to the Beauford Bend series! Sensuality Level: Sensual **About the Author Alicia Hunter Pace is the pen name for the author team Stephanie Jones and Jean Hovey. Stephanie teaches third grade and wishes for a bigger bookstore in her small town. She likes Civil War history, and people who follow the rules. She is happy to provide a list of said rules to anyone who needs them. Jean is a former public librarian who lives with her husband in a 100-year-old house that always wants something from her. She likes to cook but has discovered the joy of Mrs. Paul's fish fillets since becoming a writer. 

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The world loved Heisman trophy winner and two-time Super Bowl champion Gabe Beauford, until he blew it and cost San Antonio the chance to make history. Now his brother's wedding back in Beauford Bend offers the perfect hideout.Neyland MacKenzie has a passion for jewelry making and a hatred for football. Neither is working out very well. With sales down, it's getting harder to pay the rent or buy new materials, and she can't escape the notoriety of being the daughter of the beloved Beauford high school coach.Still, when Gabe walks into her shop looking like a cross between a GQ model and a Viking warrior and picks out the most expensive piece in her case, Neyland refuses to sell to him. Everybody knows he sends women jewelry as kiss-off gifts, and her art will not be part of that, even if Gabe does have the bluest eyes in Tennessee.Gabe has never been one to walk away from a challenge, especially when he needs a distractio, and most especially when that challenge has legs that would stop a locomotive. But if Neyland tackles his heart, could it cost him another ring?

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Hockey is all he has left. Until a one-night stand with the boss's daughter gives him something new to fight for…Nashville Sound enforcer Thor Eastrom has been married, divorced, engaged, and dumped. But the hardest thing he's ever done is bury his twin babies. The last thing he wants or needs in his life right now is a relationship. Over the past nineteen years he's hoisted the Stanley Cup seven times and won gold and silver Olympic medals. All he wants is one more year in the NHL so he can go out as a member of the twenty-year club. Then he'll decide what comes next. Tradd Davenport's dream is to succeed in the hardscrabble world of country music. Being daddy's little princess has its perks, but it's no longer enough to fulfill her—especially when she's lost more than she ever gained by it. She has the talent and the drive—and she's ready to work hard for something that her father's money can't buy her.But sometimes life doesn't...

Two deeply scarred souls struggle with forbidden feelings in this heartfelt second novel in the Nashville Sound series.Life has taught defenseman Bryant Taylor never to look back and never get serious about a woman. His ill, pregnant wife died while he was off playing an away game, leaving him—and both their families—heartbroken. Jokes and puck bunnies are his style now, and he's sticking to it. Gabriella Charbonnet has idolized her brother Emile since he rescued her from their violently abusive father when she was eleven—and he's supported her ever since. He even agreed to play for the Sound so that she could apprentice as a pastry chef in nearby Beauford, Tennessee. When Bryant and Gabriella find themselves thrown together at a society fundraiser, sparks fly. But Gabriella wants nothing to do with hockey players, aside from her brother, who just so happens to be Bryant's best friend. The first rule of the bro code? Don't mess with...