Clementine Alexander gave her heart away at the young age of sixteen to a boy, turned man, that she knew was going to leave her. She thought she was mature enough to give him everything that she had, but what she didn't expect was the keepsake from that night that he would leave her with. After dealing with abandonment, a teenage pregnancy, and single motherhood, she's come out on the other side stronger than she could have ever imagined. She'll do anything to give her daughter, Vivienne, the life that she deserves. When the subject of her greatest heartache, but greatest joy comes back to town, how will she protect her daughter and her heart? Robbie Styles had one goal in mind, become a Navy SEAL like his dad. It was all he thought he wanted until he realized in order to do so he'd have to leave behind a part of his heart with his very first love. An unfortunate incident brings him back to his old stomping grounds, but the homecoming isn't as expected. Unknown to him, the girl he left behind all those years ago had turned into a woman, one that came with a secret that will change his entire life. He can't move forward with his future until he addresses his past though, including earning back the trust of the woman who sees him as the devil.

He was everything that she wanted, but that was exactly the problem. Stef Morales knew nothing except loss, hurt, and broken hearts. When she met the handsome cowboy at her new workplace, she thought he'd be a fun ride, but what she got was much more than that. What should have been the joy of falling in love, quickly turned into panic, so Stef did the only thing she knew how to do. Sabotage, push him away, save him and herself. Deacon Alexander thought he found the love of his life until she ripped his heart out and stomped all over it. As stubborn as his Daddy though, Deacon refuses to give up on her when he knows she feels the same way. His plan is simple, break down her walls, brick by brick. Show her that what she fears is the same thing he does too, but together they can handle whatever life hands them. Can he resist her attempts to push him away? Will she ever give in and believe that true love doesn't have to mean heartbreak?

Catarina Hutchinson knew how to put on a fake facade, she'd been doing it her entire life. The daughter of a lifelong politician, she was always expected to act a certain way. Look a certain way. Be friends with certain groups and force a smile on her face, regardless of the dark cloud that always lingered in her head. One week long bachelorette trip was just another expectation from her social circle. Little did she know her life would be changed by the end of the week. Jace Alexander was a rancher and a rough around the edges kind of person. He loved his family, the ranch, and a nice cold beer at the end of the day. When his ranch was invaded by a group of sorority sisters enjoying a bachelorette week away, the last thing he expected was to be blind sided by one of them. She's totally out of his league in every way possible, but that didn't stop him from throwing his proverbial hat in the race. They may seem like total opposites on paper, but there is always more than meets the eye.

Ember Nixon has always been a little different from the rest of her family. The youngest of five, she was the only one that didn't go into the family business. She couldn't do numbers and graphs and much preferred apple pie over pie charts. Nobody was surprised when she dropped out of college to become a pastry chef. Now she's been given the opportunity for her dream job and she'd be crazy not to say yes. Miles Lee was never meant for the ranch life. He's a man that loves his family, but he had an itch they could only be scratched by traveling around the country and experiencing life. Miles is ready to plant some roots, even if just temporarily, but his ex-girlfriend can't find it within herself to stay in one place for now than a few months. Now he's heading back to Port Ranch, but it's been years since his last visit there and so much has changed. He's not the same person who left, but his also prepared to give his family the shock of a lifetime.

Harlow Rose knew exactly who she was supposed to grow up to be until she didn't. Growing up in a super religious household, Harlow's life boiled down to a few main goals: Finish high school, find a husband, start a family. After break up with the "perfect Christian man," Harlow realizes that her parent's idea of her perfect life may not be hers. Lyle Copeland went through more in his pre-teen years than most people will deal with in a lifetime. He thought it was all behind him and that he was ready to move on. His days were filled with hard ranch work and helping to wrangle his ten-year-old twin siblings. When he hears that his estranged biological mother is being released early from jail, he feels his world crashing down around him.

Brooke Port didn't do relationships. She tried it once and it wasn't her thing so instead she focused on being the best sister, daughter, and fun auntie that she could. She loved men, but why settle for one? Variety is the spice of life, isn't it? There wasn't a man alive that could make her settle down or at least that's what she thought. Preston Copeland had finally moved on from his vicious ex-wife and was ready to start over again, even if that meant currently slumming it in his twin brother's basement while he regained his footing. He was focused on his career and being as present for his son, Lyle, as his custody arrangement allowed him. But a chance encounter with a sassy blonde had his head spinning. Could he be the dad Lyle deserved and also show Brooke that he could be the man she didn't realize she always needed?

Kylie Daniels is on the run from her past with the help from her best friend. Keeping a low profile for 18months wasn't easy, especially with an almost 2yr old. But she did. But when a cute 6yr old and her dad come into the bookstore will she stay happy with her life now or want something more? ‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾ ZANE SAVAGE cowboy at heart happy with his life. Running his ranch, raising his daughter, helping his brother with bronco riding. But when he comes back from a summer of riding and traveling to get cattle and horses. He didn't think he needed anymore on his plate. Until he takes his daughter to the new bookstore for her birthday. Meeting the sweet, shy, cute owner he realizes he could have something more in his life. ★**********************************★ EDITING IN PROGRESS ___________________________ Cover by @RyeGeoff

I couldn't permanently say goodbye to these characters, so I decided to peek into their lives from time to time. This is officially the 8th book in the Embers series, and I CAN'T believe we've come so far! This book is storyline free, but drama filled❤️

Rosemary Roland was stuck between a rock and a hard place. As much as she wanted to live the lavish life that she was accustomed to, she wasn't too sure how much longer she could suffer under the strict rules put in place by her father before his death. The only way to protect her mom and her younger sister was to say yes to a man that she despised every more than all the rules dear old daddy put into place. One business dinner, one misplaced wallet, and one unforgettable night were all it took to begin questioning everything she thought she really wanted. Tate Wilkins knew he was in the wrong. His mama would kill him if she knew the truth about what he did that night, but she was irresistible in her deep red dress and the matching lipstick. He told himself that it would be one night and they would go their separate ways, but one taste and he knew he could never get her out of his head. She was untouchable and really bad for business. She could destroy everything for him and his family, but what if she didn't?

Griffin "Gruff" Wilkins was a man of few words, a trait he learned at a young age. He was the oldest in his family and learned real quick that if he opened his mouth, it was often shut with a fist or a belt. Therefore, he became a quiet protector rather than the loud-mouth like some of his brothers. After a failed marriage, he decided to focus just on his shop and himself, even if that meant still dipping into his ex-wife from time to time when he needed to get his rocks off. He wasn't looking for anything else until he found himself face to face with a woman who needed his help, the silent protector was back in full force. The only problem was that this woman came with enough baggage to open an airport, including two children, one of whom reminded him a lot of his younger self. Camila Perez thought that she had found her chance at the high life when she met a man at sixteen who swore he'd take care of her. For many years, her life was almost magical, but when the charm wore off, she was left dealing with the devil himself. She dealt with the abuse of her husband for years, but once he began to take his anger out on her two children, she knew it was time to go. A flat tire and a friendly face would bring her into the home of a man who she should have been fearful of. His icy blue eyes were exactly the opposite of the black ones she had come to fear. Camila never thought she could feel safe and secure again, but Gruff Wilkins is about to show her what a real man could give her.