A fish-out-of-water story about a New York City chef who inherits a ranch, discovers a family he never knew, and finds unexpected love with a fiercely loyal woman. For fans of western romance superstars like Lyla Sage and Elise Silver. New York City chef Jake West had it all, but a few strokes of a pen meant no more marriage. No more restaurant. No more big city lifestyle. Then he receives a call explaining that his long-estranged father, Brett, has died, and he needs to return to the Canadian ranch he left as a child. Jake expects to go, sign more papers, and return to the city and rebuild his future. Instead Jake learns that Brett's left the ranch to him-and only him. Things might have been hot in his restaurant's kitchen, but that's nothing compared to what he faces now: a family he didn't know existed, and a property he doesn't want. Tanner and Brady, his half-brothers, don't want him around. And while his stepmother, Peony, welcomes him, there's Liz, Peony's daughter. She's not a West, but her loyalties lie with the family, not an outsider. However, as Jake settles into the rhythms of the ranch, he wonders if he's finally found something that's been missing in his life-especially as he and Liz grow closer. At first, it's just attraction, but when a sudden kiss ignites a heat in both of them, they can't ignore this raging inferno. Maybe Brett West knew what he was doing when he summoned his eldest son back home-and gave him a chance to change his life forever. This is Book 1 of the West Line Ranch Series. Book 2 - Western Connection and Book 3 - Western Flame, are currently available to read on Wattpad In bookstores January 20th, 2026! Pre-order here: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/790665/western-heat-by-caroline-richardson/9781998341375/ Watty's Shortlist - 2021 Cover designed by Nora Inla

A long life of bounty hunting, gambling, and solitude was all Clayton Hardin looked forward to. He's a hard man, stubborn to the bone, and often rude. Though a handsome man, his attitude is rather off-putting. Clayton is one of the best bounty hunters in the west. From his well known adept tracking, he's earned the sobriquet 'The Hound'. Few men have ever successfully evaded Clayton. His current targets are the infamous Bo Clancy and Boone Holliday. Two ruthless bandits charged with rape, robbery, assault, and murder. The bounty on their heads is heavy and Clayton is determined to collect. However, when honing in on his targets he finds himself in a bit of a tough situation. There is promise for a great deal of money, but at the price of a burden he will have to carry. The burden? A young woman whose family was murdered in cold blood buy the half-brothers Bo Clancy and Boone Holliday. The same men he intends to bring in dead or alive. Clayton had no aspiration to become a heroin nor did he have any intention in falling in love. Follow the journey of Clayton as he hunts murderous bandits while simultaneously falling in love. Mature Content

Stolen from the Georgian plantation just ahead of being sold down the river, Phoebe faces the high seas to be reunited with her brother and sister, and the master's son she once loved. Why then, are her dreams filled with the handsome, masked pirate who captains her rescue ship?

"They may see you as how you try to be, but what I see is what you try not to be." SHE IS A BASTARD... Maxine Theobald hid from the rest of society to protect her father's name. But as she grows tired of her role-playing games every year during the famous Theobald weekend parties, she starts to question how she has been living her life. She starts to wonder about the other part of her that she was deprived of--her mother and why she left her. A DISGUISE... Having finally found the courage to search for the one thing that she believes can help her understand her true nature, Maxine cuts her hair, puts on her breeches, and runs away from the only home she has ever known. She travels to the affluent town of Wickhurst and found herself employed as the valet of the famous rake Nicholas Everard, a game she will later find to be quite dangerous. SOMETHING DIFFERENT... Maxine set out into an adventure with none but one goal, yet found herself stumbling upon an unlikely find for the search of something else--romance. Still set in the fictional place of the Town, this fifth book in the Everard Family series follows one heroine who has chosen to defy the norm and her own fears in an attempt to understand her own nature, the first step to a discovery of not just about her lineage, but of love so unexpectedly, irritatingly and undeniably powerful. (This story is a standalone title in the Everard Family series.)

When Margaret Everard is asked to investigate the man she once loved for the murder of the Prime Minister, she knows he's innocent, until clues start to prove otherwise. ***** Years ago, Margaret Everard was engaged to be married to Cole Devitt, but a series of tragic events ruined it all. Now, ten years later, she's forced to infiltrate his life for reasons other than romance. Cole Devitt is the prime suspect to the murder of the Prime Minister and Margaret can hardly believe it. But as a member of a secret elite group of spies, she's given one difficult task: spy on him. Taking on the challege, Margaret has to fight old feelings buried in layers of pain of the past. But when she stumbles upon more clues, she realizes that the case she's working on is more complicated that it seems. As secrets of the past and their feelings start to unravel, Cole and Margaret have to learn how to trust again. However, one of them is bound to betray the other. Trigger warnings: abuse, violence, mental trauma, sexual assault, mental health illness

THE BANDIT She merely meant to steal and get away with it. She did not mean to find a dying woman and be chased for it. She merely meant to help. She did not mean to be dressed in a gown and be a target for murder. THE GUARD He was tasked to chase them. He was not expected to work with them. He merely meant to pay for an oddly professional service. He was not expecting it to be complicated and sexually dangerous. (This story is a title in the Everard Family series.)

Banished for five years, Lady Belinda Carrington returns to Willowfair, claiming to know things one would find impossible to believe. With her tainted reputation, can Belinda make Town Guard McKenzie Haverston help her in her pursuit of the truth? *** After her banishment five years ago, Belinda Carrington returns with secrets and tales too impossible to believe. But something in her lies makes McKenzie Haverston desperate for the truth... When Belinda shows up in McKenzie's home asking for protection in return for important information on a case he's working on, he rejects her. But when he learns where she had been banished after her great scandal five years ago, he finds himself striking a deal with the woman-he protects her, she gives him answers. The question now is: how true is her tale? She was once considered the fairest of them all, but one scandal later, she has become the most reviled. And she is also being hunted. If Belinda wants to stay alive, she has to start trusting McKenzie Haverston, a task she finds to be surprisingly easy to do. However, as the truth of the past begins to resurface, and the secrets of her scandal is revealed, Belinda is confronted by her own demons, causing her to doubt her own reality. Trigger warnings: abuse, violence, mental trauma, sexual assault, mental health illness

Miss Annette Baldwin, a twenty-eight-year-old spinster wants to play matchmaker, so she starts a column in her father's newspaper in order to share her expertise on love. She writes under the pseudonym, The Lovelorn, not daring to give away her identity. Suddenly, she's the talk of the town, and now everyone wants her help in finding their match made in heaven, especially the man she begins to have feelings for.

Amelie Grace A woman whose idea of freedom means making her own life choices and being independent. She thirsts for true love, but is a knows that true love is not for everyone so she has contented herself with her art and dreams of seeing the world in with her own senses. Alexander James Embittered with his mother's ambition for more power, Alexander is motivated to disappoint the woman who 'dies' each time he's reported to be seen with a woman who does not hold a royal title. He plans to strike a marriage bargain with a woman of his choosing just to get his mother off his back. Both drawn to each other for different reasons. Only to endure trials that love alone can solve. Will his Grace be able to overcome the walls he had erected around his heart so he can break down the shield the most priceless treasure known to man?

Aiden Hugh is the quiet sort. He listens with an intent ear and watches with curious eyes. Though he isn't one to talk his good looks and cheeky grin give him constant attention. Harmony takes care of herself. She fends for herself. She lives for herself and she follows her own set of rules. She is thief by trade and a con artist by occupation. She prides herself at being rather good at it...that is until she met Aiden. What happens when Aiden saves her after she is caught trying to steal? She finds herself stuck in the clutches of an annoyingly attractive man who hardly speaks and when he does, everything he says infuriates her! Aiden can't seem to find the strength to let her go, especially after she's managed to steal his heart! Highest Ranking #171