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 teen monster will stop at nothing to get power, even if that means eating the forbidden fruit that will forever bind her to the keeper of death itself. ***** After rejecting the Wolf King and refusing to be his docile, powerless bride, Korin escapes into the mountains in search of forbidden fruit. And while the legends say that anyone who eats the fruit will be enslaved to the keeper of death itself, Korin is confident she can become something more. Because the power that comes with being queen of the underworld is everything she craves, as she'll finally be able to destroy the society that ripped her werewolf identity from her soul. [[word count: 60,000-70,000 words]]

When a murder shakes her tiny village, Alera will discover a horrifying link between the scars on her arms and the werewolves and vampires that stalk her home. ***** Nineteen-year-old Alera has grown up in the village of Adaymos, listening to stories about the monsters that live in the forest that surround her home. Labelled an outcast because of the scars on her arm, she's an easy scapegoat after one of the villagers is found murdered, but when newcomer Will is framed instead she's forced to question everything she knows about the mysterious outsider. Could he really be the killer? Or is he hiding more about the werewolves and vampires that live in the forest -- and the truth behind Alera's scars -- than he lets on? [[word count: 100,000-150,000 words]]

The Bad Boy and The Tomboy is now published as a Wattpad Book! As a Wattpad reader, you can access both the Original Edition and Books Edition upon purchase. Nicknames, a love of soccer, and school rumors are all the bad boy and the tomboy have in common. But if they give each other a chance, will they find something more? ***** Seventeen-year-old Macy Anderson is a tomboy that plays soccer, hangs with the guys, can't stand girls (except her best friend Jasmine) and doesn't know who Sam Cahill is. But when the pair unexpectedly meet, everything goes downhill from there. Because Sam Cahill is the school's bad boy, known for skipping classes and getting into trouble. Not to mention his cocky attitude, British accent, and magnetic charm, which seems to work on all the girls -- except Macy, who has a rule not date in high school. But when Sam starts showing her his moves (on and off the soccer field), Macy begins to see a different guy under the leather-clad exterior. Will that be enough to convince her that he's the one guy worth breaking the rules for? [[Word count: 300,000 - 350,000 words]] [[2015 Watty Winner]] All Rights Reserved- ©nikki20038

When Ryan is assigned a male dorm by accident, she has no choice but to put up with infuriating(ly hot) college bad boys. But what will she do when things get out of control? ***** Ryan Knightley is just trying to make it through her freshman year of college without any issues, but she ends up being accidentally placed in a male dorm and is roomed with Nixon Hyze, the most notorious drug dealer on campus. She finds herself intertwined with Nixon after someone close to her dies, and quickly loses herself in the same substances her roommate sells. Nixon's playboy best friend, Seth Jameson, wants to save her...but the more boys she gets involved with, the more out of control Ryan's life seems to get. Content and/or trigger warning: This story contains scenes of sexual activity, violence, and drug use, which may be triggering for some readers. [[word count: 100,000-150,000 words]] Cover designed by Anastasia Wright