The Diamondback Ranch Series Series by Anne Marie Novark

Jessie Kincaid was fifteen and innocent when Cameron asked her to the prom. She lost her heart that night, but his plans didn't change. He left their small town to pursue his dreams. Seventeen years later, a trip home leads Cameron McCade back to Salt Fork, Texas and the newly widowed Jessie Devine. Since his return, the fire between them burns as hot as ever. Can they take up where they left off? Can Jessie risk her heart again?

Copper River Oil Company is drilling for oil on the Diamondback Ranch. Dallas McCade can't do a thing to stop them, because he doesn't own the mineral rights. To add insult to injury, they've sent a woman to oversee the operation. Dallas has good reason to distrust women. As soon as he sets eyes on Gillian Bankston, he loses his temper . . . and his heart. That makes him spitting mad and frustrated as hell. Gillian has never met a man quite like Dallas... moreCopper River Oil Company is drilling for oil on the Diamondback Ranch. Dallas McCade can't do a thing to stop them, because he doesn't own the mineral rights. To add insult to injury, they've sent a woman to oversee the operation. Dallas has good reason to distrust women. As soon as he sets eyes on Gillian Bankston, he loses his temper . . . and his heart. That makes him spitting mad and frustrated as hell. Gillian has never met a man quite like Dallas. He's as prickly as a cactus, but his kisses are hot enough to ignite a West Texas wildfire. Gillian's been burned before and wants nothing to do with love . . . or lust. Battle lines are drawn and it's war between the sexes. Will they surrender to the powerful attraction neither can deny? Who will be the first to wave the white flag? Excerpt: "I know this is only a job to you," Dallas said softly, trying to control his temper. "But to me, it's much more. I would do anything in my power to get Copper River Oil off my land. Anything." Something flared in the brown eyes. Dallas saw the glimmer of outrage in the velvety depths. He wished he could see Gillian's eyes darken with passion. His body tensed when she leaned her fists on the opposite side of the desk and faced him almost nose to nose. The lady wasn't a coward. Didn't back down, he had to give her that. "I understand perfectly. And if you're trying to intimidate or threaten me--I'd think better of it, if I were you." Dallas suddenly became aware of just how close Gillian was to him. Creamy white skin stretched across delicate cheekbones, dusted with the barest hint of pink. Dark, lush lashes framed her chocolate-colored eyes. Her lips were full and inviting, even if her words were not. For weeks, he had been tormented by this woman. Now he wanted to taste her. He needed to taste her. "I don't want to intimidate or threaten you," Dallas said, glancing from her eyes to her mouth. He almost came unglued when her breath caught and she quickly moistened her lips with the tip of her pink tongue. "And I've just thought of something much better." He moved forward and captured her mouth in a kiss. less

When Austin McCade’s wife dies, a vital part of him dies, too. The sexy single dad devotes himself to his motherless daughter and his work on the Diamondback Ranch. For twelve years, he ignores life and women . . . until a sassy schoolteacher moves to town. From the moment Theresa Rogers arrives in Salt Fork, Texas, people warn her about the lonely widower. He’s a hopeless case, a lost cause. But Theresa sees beneath the crusty exterior of the man to the deep emotions and his enduring loyalty... moreWhen Austin McCade’s wife dies, a vital part of him dies, too. The sexy single dad devotes himself to his motherless daughter and his work on the Diamondback Ranch. For twelve years, he ignores life and women . . . until a sassy schoolteacher moves to town. From the moment Theresa Rogers arrives in Salt Fork, Texas, people warn her about the lonely widower. He’s a hopeless case, a lost cause. But Theresa sees beneath the crusty exterior of the man to the deep emotions and his enduring loyalty. Can she pierce the impenetrable wall surrounding his broken heart? Will she be able to vanquish the ghost who keeps him from loving again? Excerpt: Theresa cleared her throat. "Um, would you like to come in? There's coffee. It's fresh." He shouldn't stay. He should get the hell out of Dodge. "Sure, why not." Removing his Stetson, Austin stepped across the threshold, brushing against her as he passed. The heat from her body nearly scorched him. She closed the door and stood with her hand on the knob, facing him. She bit her bottom lip, worrying it with her teeth. Austin wondered if she regretted inviting him in. Had it been on impulse? Did she realize how attractive and appealing he found her? Did she know she was playing with fire? He was fast losing the battle raging inside of himself. He wanted this woman. He didn't want to think of the reasons he should keep his hands off her. He was a man. She was a desirable woman. Very desirable. Moving closer, he stared down at her and tipped her chin up. "I don't think either of us really wants coffee." "What do you want?" Her voice sounded husky. Reminding him of darkened rooms, fluffy pillows. Austin pulled her into his arms. "Only this." He took her mouth in a searing kiss . . . less

Tyler McCade is the youngest McCade brother in Salt Fork, Texas, and the biggest heartbreaker of them all. Or he was--until a plane crash wrecks his body and sends his crop-dusting company into a tailspin. Needing time to heal and form a new business plan, he retreats to the Diamondback Ranch, where he spends too much time alone tormented by the possibility that the accident might have been his fault. Caitlyn Ross lives to fly planes... moreTyler McCade is the youngest McCade brother in Salt Fork, Texas, and the biggest heartbreaker of them all. Or he was--until a plane crash wrecks his body and sends his crop-dusting company into a tailspin. Needing time to heal and form a new business plan, he retreats to the Diamondback Ranch, where he spends too much time alone tormented by the possibility that the accident might have been his fault. Caitlyn Ross lives to fly planes. Accepting the job as pilot for Lone Star Wings seems like a dream come true. But when she packs up everything she owns and finds herself working for the brooding Tyler McCade, her defenses go on high alert. The sexual tension sizzles, but does she have what it takes to help him heal? And is she even brave enough to try? less

THE COWGIRL'S SECRETBook Five: The Diamondback Ranch SeriesContemporary Western Romance65,000 words/260 ppHeat Index: SpicyAn Independent Young Woman Tori McCade is bound and determined to earn her degree and return home to practice veterinary medicine in Salt Fork, Texas. Nothing and no one can stop her, not even the hottest man she's ever met in her life. A man who knows what he wants Sam Garza meets the much younger Tori McCade in a dance club in Dallas, Texas, and all bets are off... moreTHE COWGIRL'S SECRETBook Five: The Diamondback Ranch SeriesContemporary Western Romance65,000 words/260 ppHeat Index: SpicyAn Independent Young Woman Tori McCade is bound and determined to earn her degree and return home to practice veterinary medicine in Salt Fork, Texas. Nothing and no one can stop her, not even the hottest man she's ever met in her life. A man who knows what he wants Sam Garza meets the much younger Tori McCade in a dance club in Dallas, Texas, and all bets are off. He wants her, and he's going to have her . . . even if it means following her to Salt Fork. Both agree they need to keep things simple and uncomplicated. And he's okay with that  . . . for now. EXCERPT: Tori's breath stalled in her lungs as her back lay nestled against Sam's solid-muscled chest. She felt his lips on her hair, his kiss burning her scalp. Hot prickles of desire infused her blood, and she couldn't help tilting her head forward, wanting to feel his lips on her skin. He was quick to oblige, trailing kisses across the nape of her neck and collarbone. Suddenly, he twirled her around and Tori looked up at him. He really was a brutally handsome man, his features hard as granite. She fleetingly wondered how a man who looked so fierce, so feral, could scatter such gentle kisses across her sensitive skin. How a man who had uprooted his whole life so he could help his sick mother--how could such a man look at her with such intense yearning? Such hot passion? Sam's eyes dilated beneath heavy lids. He bent toward her, stopping only millimeters from her mouth. His breath was hot on her lips. Tori's stomach dipped in an alarming manner. "I'm going to kiss you." His voice was rough with desire. "I've been wanting to kiss you from the first moment I saw you at the bar." He yanked her into his strong arms and gathered her close. He was warm and hard and very aroused. Before Tori could say or do anything, his mouth crushed down on hers in a hungry savage kiss. less