S L Sterling

I kept my nose clean. Bad publicity was the last thing you wanted, and I'd had my share since my last breakup went public. We'd also just lost our last five games.The boys and I decided to head to the islands for a little R&R. I'd never been so happy for a break. That was where I saw her. She didn't seem to recognize me, which made it better, so I made my move. We didn't exchange names or numbers. We shared one carefree night, that was all I wanted and that was all it was supposed to be.A few months later, regret from that night had almost eaten away at me. I hadn't been able to get her out of my mind. I wouldn't say I fell in love with her, or maybe I did. All I knew was that night was the closest I'd ever come to insta-love and I wanted more but we'd had our fun. Yet, I was still mentally kicking myself for at least not getting her name.We're about to head into the playoffs when I return home and that is when the universe decides to bring us back together in one of the worst places ever. Only this time won't be like the last, I decide I won't let her slip through my fingers. This time, I've promised myself nothing, and all bets are off.

I kept my nose clean. Bad publicity was the last thing you wanted, and I'd had my share since my last breakup went public. We'd also just lost our last five games.The boys and I decided to head to the islands for a little R&R. I'd never been so happy for a break. That was where I saw her. She didn't seem to recognize me, which made it better, so I made my move. We didn't exchange names or numbers. We shared one carefree night, that was all I wanted and that was all it was supposed to be.A few months later, regret from that night had almost eaten away at me. I hadn't been able to get her out of my mind. I wouldn't say I fell in love with her, or maybe I did. All I knew was that night was the closest I'd ever come to insta-love and I wanted more but we'd had our fun. Yet, I was still mentally kicking myself for at least not getting her name.We're about to head into the playoffs when I return home and that is when the universe decides to bring us back together in one of the worst places ever. Only this time won't be like the last, I decide I won't let her slip through my fingers. This time, I've promised myself nothing, and all bets are off.

Willow Valley had become like home to me and my two boys, Dylan and Noah. Everyone knew everyone in this small town, and they helped us heal from our devastating loss.Once I knew my kids would be okay, I started looking for work. Bluebird Books hired me almost right away. I was to run the new kids program that Trinity was starting. That was where I met Zach and his daughter, Grace.Zach was the new owner of the Willow Valley Inn. He'd come in to return a book his daughter had borrowed from the program. We exchanged pleasantries and that was when the computer had gone down. Zach lost his patience, and that was when our pleasant conversation turned sour. I wasn't worried about it because I figured I'd never see him again.I was wrong. It turns out in a small town, everyone sees everyone almost daily, if not twice a day. At the grocery store, the gas station, the elementary school and as luck would have it, the bookstore. Soon, our conversations turn pleasant again, and without even trying, I find myself drawn to him. Then he asks me out on a date.Despite my reservations, I decided to take a chance on love again. But just when things start to look up, Zach's ex-wife suddenly reappears, causing chaos in his life once more. Which somehow causes chaos in mine when my children begin acting out.Leaning on one another for support, we navigate obstacles that life throws at us. As time passes I begin to wonder if another chance at love will bring us closer together or make each one of us run the other way?

Bailey Scott had been my world from the time I was fifteen. I had always thought we could make it through whatever life threw at us. But I was wrong.Five years ago, everything changed in an instant one weekend in December. Her brother had been shot and killed in the line of duty, and his killer had gotten away. I spent my days buried in work trying to track down his killer, while she sat at home not only blaming herself but everyone else for what had happened. Included in that everyone else, was me, her fianc e, and his partner. Unfortunately, that blame drove a rift between us that neither of us knew how to fix.I was always told that time healed everything. It's been five years. In that time, I spent my days at work, and my nights with women trying to release the hold Bailey still had on me. I've also been trying to release the guilt I've felt from that night.I was doing pretty good until my best friend and partner tells me that he is getting married and he wants me to be his best man. Problem is, Bailey Scott, the girl who'd ripped my heart out is the brides to be maid of honor. She was finally returning, and I knew the moment I would lay eyes on her, I would do whatever it took to win her back.S.L. Sterling's, Letting You Go is a sexy, emotionally charged, slow burn second chance romance that will leave you swooning.

Bailey Scott had been my world from the time I was fifteen. I had always thought we could make it through whatever life threw at us. But I was wrong. Five years ago, everything changed in an instant one weekend in December. Her brother had been shot and killed in the line of duty, and his killer had gotten away. I spent my days buried in work trying to track down his killer, while she sat at home not only blaming herself but everyone else for what had happened. Included in that everyone else, was me, her fianc e, and his partner. Unfortunately, that blame drove a rift between us that neither of us knew how to fix.I was always told that time healed everything. It's been five years. In that time, I spent my days at work, and my nights with women trying to release the hold Bailey still had on me. I've also been trying to release the guilt I've felt from that night.I was doing pretty good until my best friend and partner tells me that he is getting married and he wants me to be his best man. Problem is, Bailey Scott, the girl who'd ripped my heart out is the brides to be maid of honor. She was finally returning, and I knew the moment I would lay eyes on her, I would do whatever it took to win her back. S.L. Sterling's, Letting You Go is a sexy, emotionally charged, slow burn second chance romance that will leave you swooning.

PeggyAfter the death of my husband, I drowned myself in flowers, a bittersweet memory of the good times we'd shared. I'd had the good fortune to fall in love with a man who wasn't great with words but understood the language of flowers. There had been flowers for every occasion, which culminated into the biggest flower delivery of all, my own shop in the small town of Willow Valley, Peggy's Petals. So I spent all my time and energy building my small flower shop.Eight years later, my friends are trying to encourage me to move on, but how does a person do that and leave behind the guilt they hold? Instead, I tried something safer. My best friend, Trinity, suggested I join the Army pen pal program. It seemed the safest way to test out the waters with someone new, and the best part, we'd never meet, or so I thought.EthanI'd now been widowed longer than I'd been married and thanks to countless deployments, I knew the men under my command better than I knew my own daughter. As I neared retirement, I wanted to change that. I started talking to my daughter. She explained that she had been doing some volunteer work for a non - profit. She was starting a pen pal program for military men and women and she wanted me to get involved.Apparently, all I needed to do was write a pen pal provided by the non-profit. So, I signed up, and began exchanging letters. This went on for a few months. The more I knew about her, the more I wanted to know. Then kismet played its hand. Melinda, my daughter, and Peggy, my pen pal lived in the same small town.As I prepared for retirement, I finally knew where I wanted to settle down. The military had given mean amazing life, now I wanted the job of being a family man, which meant being with my family. I planned to move to Willow Valley, build a relationship with my daughter, and if I had my way, build one with Peggy too.

PeggyAfter the death of my husband, I drowned myself in flowers, a bittersweet memory of the good times we'd shared. I'd had the good fortune to fall in love with a man who wasn't great with words but understood the language of flowers. There had been flowers for every occasion, which culminated into the biggest flower delivery of all, my own shop in the small town of Willow Valley, Peggy's Petals. So I spent all my time and energy building my small flower shop.Eight years later, my friends are trying to encourage me to move on, but how does a person do that and leave behind the guilt they hold? Instead, I tried something safer. My best friend, Trinity, suggested I join the Army pen pal program. It seemed the safest way to test out the waters with someone new, and the best part, we'd never meet, or so I thought.EthanI'd now been widowed longer than I'd been married and thanks to countless deployments, I knew the men under my command better than I knew my own daughter. As I neared retirement, I wanted to change that. I started talking to my daughter. She explained that she had been doing some volunteer work for a non - profit. She was starting a pen pal program for military men and women and she wanted me to get involved.Apparently, all I needed to do was write a pen pal provided by the non-profit. So, I signed up, and began exchanging letters. This went on for a few months. The more I knew about her, the more I wanted to know. Then kismet played its hand. Melinda, my daughter, and Peggy, my pen pal lived in the same small town.As I prepared for retirement, I finally knew where I wanted to settle down. The military had given mean amazing life, now I wanted the job of being a family man, which meant being with my family. I planned to move to Willow Valley, build a relationship with my daughter, and if I had my way, build one with Peggy too.

Ainsley Matthews was my everything. Not only was she twenty years younger than me, she was the woman I fell in love with and was soon going to be the mother of my child.The second she told me about the baby, I had a ring on her finger. I didn't want to risk losing her. We'd gotten engaged and soon started planning our wedding. Engaged, we began planning our wedding.The night of our engagement party I heard her best friend exclaim, 'wrinkled old balls' and suddenly doubts crept up in my mind. Was this how Ainsley felt? Was the age difference really too much? Then we found everyone thought I had only put a ring on her finger because of the baby. Suddenly it felt as if everything were against us, friends, family, my ex, hell, even the venues and caterers we'd called couldn't commit to the dates we wanted.Stress piled on and soon I found myself at Ainsley's side in the emergency room and everything came crashing down.From USA Today Bestselling Author S.L. Sterling comes the final chapter in this steamy age gap romance.

After the worst breakup of my life, I'd needed a change. I needed to get my focus back on my life and my career. That was how I ended up in Eastport, Rhode Island. I was in the beginning stages of purchasing a large OB/GYN practice from a local doctor who was retiring. It was also where I met Bella.She was working at the local bakery I frequented, The Cooling Rack. Being with Bella was unexpectedly liberating. There were no rules, no expectations beyond the current moment, no demands. She was loving, and so gentle with my broken heart.That summer became all about recovery, not only for me, but for her as well. I'd told myself that was all it was. We weren't supposed to get serious, and at the end of summer we would go our separate ways.Months passed, summer ended, and Bella left Eastport.Thoughts of her consumed me, and I realized that there was no getting over Bella. Then one morning, I walked into my next patient appointment and was shocked to find Bella standing in front of me.It started by accident. Then it became more intentional. Know what wasn't intentional? The resulting pregnancy.S.L. Sterling's Doctor Right is a surprise pregnancy romance in the Doctors of Eastport General Series.

Derrick destroyed Tess's heart only weeks before their Christmas-themed wedding. He'd been cheating on her with his secretary, I knew I should have said something, but didn't because I didn't want to be the one to break her heart. After all, I'd crushed on her since he'd introduced us, so instead, I decided to step in and clean up his mess.One night she came to me, telling me how the honeymoon she'd booked was non-refundable and how she wished she had someone to travel with. Since I believed no one should be alone for Christmas I agreed to go with her.We had 10 days in Paris and when we arrived it felt as if we'd been transported into another world. She was finally laughing and smiling until we arrived at the hotel to find everything had been prepared for the newlyweds, which we weren't. One look at her and I knew the tears were going to come rushing back if I didn't step up and take control of the situation.Afterward, I pulled her in for an innocent hug. The problem was she fit perfectly as if she'd been made for me. It was then that I realized this trip wasn't going to be easy and that the next 10 days were going to be filled with cold showers, especially if she didn't feel the connection too.From USA Today Bestselling Author S.L. Sterling comes this heartfelt holiday romance that proves time heals everything, if you let it.

Derrick destroyed Tess's heart only weeks before their Christmas-themed wedding. He'd been cheating on her with his secretary, I knew I should have said something, but didn't because I didn't want to be the one to break her heart. After all, I'd crushed on her since he'd introduced us, so instead, I decided to step in and clean up his mess.One night she came to me, telling me how the honeymoon she'd booked was non-refundable and how she wished she had someone to travel with. Since I believed no one should be alone for Christmas I agreed to go with her.We had 10 days in Paris and when we arrived it felt as if we'd been transported into another world. She was finally laughing and smiling until we arrived at the hotel to find everything had been prepared for the newlyweds, which we weren't. One look at her and I knew the tears were going to come rushing back if I didn't step up and take control of the situation.Afterward, I pulled her in for an innocent hug. The problem was she fit perfectly as if she'd been made for me. It was then that I realized this trip wasn't going to be easy and that the next 10 days were going to be filled with cold showers, especially if she didn't feel the connection too.From USA Today Bestselling Author S.L. Sterling comes this heartfelt holiday romance that proves time heals everything, if you let it.

Last Christmas, I gave you my heart...Brody: Five years ago, I lost my best friend. The last words he ever spoke to me were a plea to look out for his wife. I never meant to fall in love with her. I even ran from my feelings. Not that it did any good. Three years later, I still can't get her out of my mind. Now, I'm going to try to win her back.Hopefully, I'm not on Santa's naughty list because it will take a Christmas miracle to win her back.Cass: After Jackson died, I didn't expect to find love again. Still, things with Brody just felt... right. Which made it that much more confusing when he left with no explanation. Since then, I've worked on rebuilding my life. I started fresh in a new town, and even have a new man in my life. All of which complicates things when Brody shows up in search of a second chance.Hang the mistletoe and string the lights, he's going to need more than a jolly ole elf for me to consider re-gifting him my heart.From USA Today's Bestselling author S.L. Sterling comes this heartfelt holiday second chance romance you do not want to miss.

Last Christmas, I gave you my heart...Brody: Five years ago, I lost my best friend. The last words he ever spoke to me were a plea to look out for his wife. I never meant to fall in love with her. I even ran from my feelings. Not that it did any good. Three years later, I still can't get her out of my mind. Now, I'm going to try to win her back.Hopefully, I'm not on Santa's naughty list because it will take a Christmas miracle to win her back.Cass: After Jackson died, I didn't expect to find love again. Still, things with Brody just felt... right. Which made it that much more confusing when he left with no explanation. Since then, I've worked on rebuilding my life. I started fresh in a new town, and even have a new man in my life. All of which complicates things when Brody shows up in search of a second chance.Hang the mistletoe and string the lights, he's going to need more than a jolly ole elf for me to consider re-gifting him my heart.From USA Today's Bestselling author S.L. Sterling comes this heartfelt holiday second chance romance you do not want to miss.

Bah-humbug This Christmas, all I wanted was to wallow in self-pity until the woman I thought was the love of my life could explain why she left me at the altar. Instead, my buddy, Zach forced holiday merriment on me. I thought it was going to be a tinsel-laced nightmare... until his sister, Alexa, showed up. Turns out, she grew up into a gorgeous present I was insanely tempted to unwrap. Lucky for me, she shared my desire to meet under the metaphorical mistletoe... and let things heat up from there.For the first time in months, Laura, my ex, wasn't haunting my thoughts like the Ghost of Christmas Past. Which, of course, is exactly why she had to pick that moment to call and say she wanted to talk. I could only hope St. Nick had a playbook in his sleigh because things were about to get complicated.From author S.L. Sterling comes a sizzling holiday romance hot enough to roast your chestnuts

Bah-humbug This Christmas, all I wanted was to wallow in self-pity until the woman I thought was the love of my life could explain why she left me at the altar. Instead, my buddy, Zach forced holiday merriment on me. I thought it was going to be a tinsel-laced nightmare... until his sister, Alexa, showed up. Turns out, she grew up into a gorgeous present I was insanely tempted to unwrap. Lucky for me, she shared my desire to meet under the metaphorical mistletoe... and let things heat up from there.For the first time in months, Laura, my ex, wasn't haunting my thoughts like the Ghost of Christmas Past. Which, of course, is exactly why she had to pick that moment to call and say she wanted to talk. I could only hope St. Nick had a playbook in his sleigh because things were about to get complicated.From author S.L. Sterling comes a sizzling holiday romance hot enough to roast your chestnuts

Kristy I hated my job. I had no social life. Somehow I had become so predictable after my last relationship ended, that the cashier at the local food mart already had my favorite wine bagged and waiting for me behind the counter when I walked in on Friday afternoon. I needed to get away, from everything. So when my best friend, Addie, called up and offered me a FREE weekend getaway, how could I say no. Promises of a quiet weekend with a good book, warm fires, and flannel pajamas? Yes, please AustinIt had been eighteen months. Eighteen months, since I had lost my wife in a car accident and learned that our marriage had been nothing but one big lie. I'd done nothing but work and mope around my sister's house, so when she told me to take her cabin for the weekend. Time alone, surrounded by nature and the fresh cold mountain air was exactly what I'd been needing. However, my plans of being alone in the wilderness quickly vanished when I walked through the doors of the cabin and found my sister's best friend drunk and half-naked on the floor of the very same cabin. I'd hidden my crush on her for years. Perhaps, not well enough. After all, Addie must have set this up. The weekend was about to get a lot more interesting. From USA Today Bestselling Author S.L. Sterling comes this friends to lovers romance that will warm your heart on a cold winters night.

Kristy I hated my job. I had no social life. Somehow I had become so predictable after my last relationship ended, that the cashier at the local food mart already had my favorite wine bagged and waiting for me behind the counter when I walked in on Friday afternoon. I needed to get away, from everything. So when my best friend, Addie, called up and offered me a FREE weekend getaway, how could I say no. Promises of a quiet weekend with a good book, warm fires, and flannel pajamas? Yes, please AustinIt had been eighteen months. Eighteen months, since I had lost my wife in a car accident and learned that our marriage had been nothing but one big lie. I'd done nothing but work and mope around my sister's house, so when she told me to take her cabin for the weekend. Time alone, surrounded by nature and the fresh cold mountain air was exactly what I'd been needing.However, my plans of being alone in the wilderness quickly vanished when I walked through the doors of the cabin and found my sister's best friend drunk and half-naked on the floor of the very same cabin. I'd hidden my crush on her for years. Perhaps, not well enough. After all, Addie must have set this up. The weekend was about to get a lot more interesting. From USA Today Bestselling Author S.L. Sterling comes this friends to lovers romance that will warm your heart on a cold winters night.

Thomas was the love of my life, or he was supposed to be. Instead, he became the guy who broke my heart, crushed my spirit, the last guy I ever dated, and the reason I never wanted to date again.All this, I decided at seventeen, right after we graduated, which coincided with the day he left. He had his truck packed. We'd talked about running off together, eloping. Instead, Thomas explained he was leaving, joining the rodeo, and I could come if I wanted.If I wanted I thought we shared a dream, but it didn't include running off to join the western equivalent of a circus. Not with him. Not with anyone. I knew better.So, he left, and I decided to make a life on my own.I spent the next few months learning all I could about the small bookstore my aunt owned. I gradually took over as she aged, until one morning she woke and announced that she was ready to retire. She had picked a retirement community nearby, she wanted to relax, sleep in and hang out with the old people, like herself.I'd begun to clean up the place, sorting through boxes of books she'd packed away and began setting them out. I'd let people make me an offer since I was short on space. That was when Thomas appeared. His father had passed, and the community was buzzing with rumors that he had returned to sell the property.He'd come in looking for a good read or so he claimed. Instead I shoved a book at him and told him to take it. I hoped I'd never see him again, but I was wrong. He returned, with the book, his note told me to read the book and I'd understand. So, I read it, and I understood nothing.It was Aunt Vi's diary. She too had never stopped pining for a cowboy who left her behind.Maybe he thought he was saving me. Perhaps I missed what I was supposed to understand all together. All I knew was that I didn't want to face him. One look at him told me it would be all to easy to fall into those strong arms again and I knew I still loved him, even if he didn't love me in return.

Thomas was the love of my life, or he was supposed to be. Instead, he became the guy who broke my heart, crushed my spirit, the last guy I ever dated, and the reason I never wanted to date again.All this, I decided at seventeen, right after we graduated, which coincided with the day he left. He had his truck packed. We'd talked about running off together, eloping. Instead, Thomas explained he was leaving, joining the rodeo, and I could come if I wanted.If I wanted I thought we shared a dream, but it didn't include running off to join the western equivalent of a circus. Not with him. Not with anyone. I knew better.So, he left, and I decided to make a life on my own.I spent the next few months learning all I could about the small bookstore my aunt owned. I gradually took over as she aged, until one morning she woke and announced that she was ready to retire. She had picked a retirement community nearby, she wanted to relax, sleep in and hang out with the old people, like herself.I'd begun to clean up the place, sorting through boxes of books she'd packed away and began setting them out. I'd let people make me an offer since I was short on space. That was when Thomas appeared. His father had passed, and the community was buzzing with rumors that he had returned to sell the property.He'd come in looking for a good read or so he claimed. Instead I shoved a book at him and told him to take it. I hoped I'd never see him again, but I was wrong. He returned, with the book, his note told me to read the book and I'd understand. So, I read it, and I understood nothing.It was Aunt Vi's diary. She too had never stopped pining for a cowboy who left her behind.Maybe he thought he was saving me. Perhaps I missed what I was supposed to understand all together. All I knew was that I didn't want to face him. One look at him told me it would be all to easy to fall into those strong arms again and I knew I still loved him, even if he didn't love me in return.