Lora Richardson

Once people find out my parents are in prison and I've spent half my life in foster care, they write me off. Moving from one place to another, living with strangers, and making friends only to move away has worn down my heart. It's easier to keep people at a distance than it is to feel the pain of another good-bye, so that's what I do. But I've never known anyone like Eddie. He's open and trusting and carefree. So, basically my opposite. He has these blue eyes that see right through me, and he makes me want to spill all my secrets and drop all my walls and let him in. The problem is, I'm sure it won't be long before I have to leave. Nothing ever lasts for me, and I don't imagine this will, either. My heart can't take leaving behind one more person I love, so I just won't love anyone. Trusting Winter is Book 3 in the Unexpected Love series, but can be enjoyed as a standalone.

I've set my heart on someone for the last time. Any guy interested in me is going to have to do all the daydreaming, all the yearning, and all the pursuing. I've never been the object of someone's desire, and that's fine. It's no big deal if I graduate high school without my first kiss, as long as I don't have to feel the sting of rejection again. The first order of business is to make sure I don't daydream about Owen Anderson. Owen, who finds me crying over my last crush. Owen, who seems to show up every time I'm at my most overwhelmed. Owen, who cannot possibly see me as anything other than a walking disaster. Just once I'd like him to see me strong and capable with decent hair. Not that it would matter if he did, because he's way out of my league, and I'm not going to let myself think of him in that way. Or think of him at all. Nope. No way. But he keeps showing up, and I keep wondering if maybe, just maybe, Owen sees something more in me than I think he sees. Awakening Autumn is book 2 in The Unexpected Love series, but can be enjoyed as a standalone.

I call it the vanishing summer. Everett, the first boy I ever kissed, the boy I loved, was kidnapped; taken from right beside me. Three months later my mom died. They were both just gone. The bright, fearless spark inside me was gone, too--blown clean out. I learned that the worst could happen at any moment and with no warning. I didn't want to go outside anymore. I avoided the woods where Everett and I had played as children. I hated to let my brother and my dad out of my sight. For four years, I lived with a pounding heart and shaking hands. But I'm sixteen now, and ready to find my way back to myself; to move forward. Just as that begins to seem possible, Everett walks through the trees and back into my life. Where has he been all these years? What happened to him? And will he even recognize who I've become?

Delphine's grandmother has finally agreed to stop traveling and buy a house in Juniper. Everything Delphine has always longed for is within reach--friends, a job, and maybe even a boy to kiss. On her first day in town, she sets out to make her dreams a reality, and meets a very moody, very gorgeous boy. Abe, hiding from the crowd at the Founder's Day Festival, notices a beautiful girl having an argument. With herself. She makes him smile even though he tries not to, and he can't deny that she intrigues him. But his life is too complicated to even think about dating. His father is getting out of prison, and Abe needs to make sure he doesn't return to Juniper and ruin things for his family. When Abe and Delphine apply for the same job at a hot air balloon company, their personalities clash as they fight for the position. When they're both hired, the quarreling intensifies. But Abe can't seem to keep himself from glancing her way. And Delphine can't stop thinking about him. Can Abe dare let Delphine into his heart, where she might find out about his past? Juniper Skies is a thrilling enemies-to-lovers YA romance that will make your heart race

Celia has spent her life waiting for the next crisis. When the tension at home begins to ease, she wonders if she'll finally be able to relax. Her father has stopped drinking, her cousin Fay has moved back to Juniper, and it seems like Paul might really care about her. But trust is an uphill battle for Celia, fighting against doubt the whole way. Paul has been drawn to Celia for as long as he can remember, and she is finally giving him a chance to show her how he feels. But when Celia can't stop worrying everything will fall apart, and when things in Paul's own life take a turn for the worse, can they learn to rely on each other? Juniper Limits is the Second book in The Juniper Series, a collection of contemporary YA romances that will make your heart race

Malcolm Dearing has wide, wide shoulders and messy brown hair, and he looks at me with fire in his eyes. But my uncle says I'm not allowed to talk to anyone from the Dearing Family. He won't tell me why, and neither will my cousin Celia. I've told Malcolm I can't spend time with him, but he keeps showing up everywhere I go, saying things that make me want to get to know him. Trying to stay away from him is only making me think of him more. I'm not sure how much longer I can hold out. But torn between my family's expectations and my heart, I'm not sure if the risk is worth it. The Edge of Juniper is the first book in The Juniper Series, a collection of contemporary romances that will make your heart race

Penny Beck keeps to herself, follows the rules, and does what she's told. After a disastrous experience with her boyfriend, she's determined to change from the spineless person she's always been into the strong woman she wants to become. All she needs is a little practice. On a cross-country trip to check on her grandpa, she strives to become bolder and more outspoken with the strangers she meets. Penny's plan is to practice saying and doing what she wants without worrying about what anyone else thinks. Then she meets Archer, an introspective loner to whom she finds herself drawn. She realizes she does care what he thinks, very much. Will Penny be able to stick to her plan, or will she revert back to her people-pleasing ways?