Cattle Valley Mistletoe

The Reverend Casey Sharp loves his church, his congregation and his community. He just wishes they loved him in return. Paying for the sins of his predecessor has left him feeling like an outcast. Contractor Halden Kuckleman, loves his quiet life. After a childhood trauma, Hal gave up on love and God. When hired by the church to finish work on a new meeting room, he tells himself it's just a job like any other. He's fine working on the addition as long as Reverend Sharp doesn't try to save him. With a tight deadline for getting the room finished, Hal begins to wonder how he's going to get the work done before the annual Christmas Eve party. When Casey offers to lend a hand however, he begins to wonder if the willowy minister will help or lead him straight into temptation.

&‘All Play & No Work' When a three man partnership becomes too much for their small Texas town, Ryan Blackfeather knows it's time to head for greener pastures. With a new job awaiting him in Cattle Valley, Wyoming, he convinces his men, Nate and Rio to make the move. A community built on tolerance, Cattle Valley's one of the few places in the country where the residents won't bat an eyelash at the threesomes' relationship. Nate, Rio and Ryan fit right in. However, with Ryan busy in his new job as town Sheriff, Rio and Nate are left to wonder how they're supposed to make a living. What use are a highly trained mercenary and a private detective in a peaceful community the size of Cattle Valley? &‘Cattle Valley Mistletoe' The Reverend Casey Sharp loves his church, his congregation and his community. He just wishes they loved him in return. Paying for the sins of his predecessor has left him feeling like an outcast. Contractor Halden Kuckleman loves his quiet life. After a childhood trauma, Hal gave up on love and God. When hired by the church to finish work on a new meeting room, he tells himself it's just a job like any other. He's fine working on the addition as long as Reverend Sharp doesn't try to save him. With a tight deadline for getting the room finished, Hal begins to wonder how he's going to get the work done before the annual Christmas Eve party. When Casey offers to lend a hand however, he begins to wonder if the willowy minister will help or lead him straight into temptation. &‘Sweet Topping' Wheelchair-bound Kyle Brynn loves his home above the bakery he owns and runs. He's proud of everything he's managed to accomplish since the accident six years ago that took the use of his legs. At the age of twenty-six he's an independent man living on his own, despite the protests from his family. However, with his independence comes loneliness. It's not the townspeople's fault that they see him as less of a man, it's his. Darshawn 'Gill' Gilling quit professional football at the height of his career without a word to the press as to why. Now settled in Cattle Valley, Gill's happy running his garage and gas station. His life is much easier since coming out of the closet to his friends and family. He just wishes he'd had someone to come out for. Most folks in town tend to be a little awestruck when Gill comes around, but if he wanted fans he'd have stayed in football. What he really wants is that cute little baker down the street. &‘Rough Ride' For rancher, Ezra James, life is pretty simple. He wakes before dawn and spends his day working with the cattle he loves. For twenty years, the EZ Does It ranch has been enough to drown out his loneliness and guilt. To the world, he appears impervious to everything. The only chink in his armour - the man who owns the clothing store in town. Palmer 'Wyn' Wynfield caught Ezra's eye the first time the rancher stepped foot in the store. Though Ezra knew his large size intimidated others, his little self-confidence was shattered when Palmer backed away in apparent fear. In a moment of self-preservation, he referred to Wyn as Mr. Fancy Pants. That was six years ago, and he's never been forgiven. An early morning phone call changes all that. Though the line is scratchy, Ezra definitely hears the words he's been waiting to hear for years. "I need you." &‘Physical Therapy' Doctors Sam Browning and Isaac Singer opened the Cattle Valley Medical Clinic when they were both fresh out of medical school. It was the best thing they ever did, other than loving each other for more than twenty-five years. They've enjoyed a thriving practice and an even better sex life, but lately routine has started to set in. With the growth of the town, t

&‘The O'Brien Way' As one of the premier dancers in the hottest all male strip show in Vegas, William 'Moby' Haines had it all, men, money and freedom. When he was called home to Sheridan, Wyoming to care for his ailing mother, Moby's life drastically changed. Gone were the nights of screaming fans and eager to please one night stands. His life became a series of low-paying jobs and escalating medical bills. Moby's luck turned the day he read an ad in the morning paper for a waiter and barback at O'Brien's Pub. Although a forty-five minute commute to Cattle Valley would mean spending less time with his mother, Moby decided it was his one and only shot at a tolerable life in Wyoming. Burned once by the love bug, Sean O'Brien had no interest in travelling down that road anytime soon. Although the customers seemed to love his newest hire, Sean was quickly on the verge of firing the sexy stud. The way Moby allowed customers to treat him was disrespectful. If his newest hire wouldn't do anything about it Sean would, even if that meant claiming Moby for himself. &‘Ghost from the Past' Happily settled in Cattle Valley with the men he loved, Rio Adega wasn't expecting the one call that could bring his world crashing down around him. "Rio, it's Chet. You'd better brace yourself, old friend. Ghost has been recovered, alive. He's asking for you." In less than a minute, Rio's loyalties are tested. Ghost. The one man Rio owed his entire life to was alive. Not only had he unknowingly left the African jungle thinking his mentor and lover was dead, but he'd managed to move on. How can Rio make amends to the man who gave him everything, while still holding onto the relationships he's worked so hard to build? &‘Hawk's Landing' Born a man, Kit always felt cheated out of the life he was meant to live. Growing up in Arkansas, Kit was forced to hide behind the masculine clothes and haircuts favoured by the other boys in the small community. The minute Kit graduated high school, he pushed away the male way of life then reached for her dream of living as a woman. With newly augmented breasts, Kit arrives in Cattle Valley in hopes of gaining acceptance. Gabe 'Hawk' Hawkins is in search of more than a place to lay his head when he too comes to Cattle Valley. He's on the hunt for his son. When he meets Kit at the local gym, he's knocked sideways by her incredible body and big smile. It soon becomes clear that there's more to Kit than meets the eye. Luckily for Hawk, he's an equal opportunity lover and won't let the sassy blonde push him away no matter what others say about him. People may not trust Hawk's motives for being in town, but he hopes Kit will look past his mistakes to see the man he longs to be. &‘Shooting Star' Fleeing Hollywood from damaging and false tabloid reports, Brac Riesling hides out with his friends Kit and Hawk in Cattle Valley. Although he believes he's simply evading intrusive paparazzi, danger lurks just around the corner. After years spent as a secret soldier for the United States government, new Cattle Valley deputy, Al Jessup believes shielding the television heartthrob from nosy reporters will be an easy assignment. Becoming infatuated with Brac isn't part of the plan, and Jessup struggles to remain professional despite the temptation Brac provides. When Jessup gives in to his desire and Brac nearly pays for the moment of passion with his life, Jessup vows not to make the same mistake twice. He calls in a favour from the only man he trusts with Brac's life, James "Priest" Evans. Priest agrees to guard Brac at a secret location while Jessup searches for the unknown gunman. Jessup's resolve to put a halt to the budding relationship with Brac is tested when he witnesses the easy-going relationship Brac and Priest have formed

&‘Shadow Soldier' Deacon McConnell spends his days as a woodcarver and his nights as head of one of the most secretive government agencies in the United States. When he meets a man troubled by his time spent in the Middle East, Deacon feels drawn to the pain in the handsome man's eyes. He makes the decision to help Aaron Ellis any way he can. Dishonourably discharged from the Army, it takes everything Aaron has to get out of bed each morning. He's become used to faking his way through life, putting on a happy face when the situation calls for it is a lot easier than dealing with his buried memories. The day Aaron wanders into Deacon's store for the first time, the last thing he expects is an immediate connection with the shop owner. For the first time since leaving the service, Aaron begins to believe there may be light at the end of the dark tunnel. The nights he spends in Deacon's arms slowly begin to drive the shadows from his heart. After years spent serving his country, Deacon yearns for a normal life. The move to Cattle Valley is the first step, opening up to Aaron the second. When duty calls Deacon out of town, he begins to wonder how much more he'll be forced to give up for his country. &‘Alone in a Crowd' For years, Ryan Blackfeather prided himself on maintaining his composure no matter the situation. He has built a life around his desire to be needed, to feel important to those around him. His job as sheriff and the love of his partners, Nate and Rio, not only fulfil him they give him purpose. So why when he receives a phone call with tragic news does their love and support not comfort him? The more Rio and Nate pressured him to talk about his sudden surly mood, the more Ryan began to resent them. The answer came at the height of a heated argument, it was time to return to the place and the people who first made him feel like he had nothing to offer. Only then would he figure out why he'd spent a lifetime searching for the acceptance of those around him. Insisting he tackle his past on his own terms, Ryan returns to Oklahoma to face the demon, the one man in the world he could never please. &‘Second Chances' With the new dormitory on the Second Chance Ranch nearing completion, Drake Smith butts heads once again with ranch owner, Robert "Oggie" Ogden. After a shotgun blast ends his career, ex-Chicago Police Officer, Robert "Oggie" Ogden, cashed in and headed for a new life in Cattle Valley. In search of a second chance, the last thing he wanted was pity, especially when it stared back at him through whisky-coloured eyes. Drake Smith learned at an early age to carry a bigger stick than the bullies who tormented him, and although he's grown into a highly skilled fighter, he still guards himself against those with the potential to hurt him. Compassion doesn't come easily to Drake, so when he reaches out to help Oggie, he finds his surprising efforts rebuffed, making him angry at himself and the object of his unwanted affections. When a showdown between them turns into a heated sexual encounter, Drake wonders if he'll ever feel safe again. &‘Finding Absolution' How can two men find common ground when one makes a living in the soil and the other in the surf? Pressured by his friends, Kai and Quade, Van Duggins makes the trip from Oahu to Wyoming for the annual Cattle Valley Days celebration. Used to surfing every day, Van expects to be bored out of his mind without an ocean in sight. What he didn't expect was to meet a man who would change his life forever. Raised by his grandparents, Jon Porter returned home after college to help his ailing grandpa take care of the family farm. He doesn't begrudge giving up his chosen career to help the man who raised him, but his situation has been hard on

&‘Eye of the Beholder' For a year, Bo Lawson has tried to get closer to his boss, Backbreaker Ranch foreman Rance Benning, but the stubborn ex-rodeo champion refuses to be swayed. Bo can't understand Rance's aversion to being alone with him. Could it be Bo's HIV status? Rance noticed Bo the first day he laid eyes on him at Brynn's Bakery. Since that time, he's done anything and everything to stay away from the dangerous-looking gardener with the chiselled six-pack and tight-fitting jeans. Rance has seen what pity in a lover's eyes looks like, and he doesn't plan on ever putting himself in that position again. When one of the ranch's prize bucking bulls breaks through the fence and disappears, Rance and Bo are thrust together to help find the one ton money-maker. Although Bo sees their forced time alone as an opportunity, Rance sees it as torture. Every minute with Bo threatens the secret Rance won't tell anyone, least of all this dangerously sexy man. &‘Cattle Valley Days' Saddle up, Cattle Valley residents. It's time for the annual Cattle Valley Days, which means one thing. Cowboys, lots and lots of chapped cowboy butts. We'll be checking in with some of your favourite couples from the past as well as meeting a few new residents. Our old friends from the Good-Time Boys will also be dropping by for the annual rodeo festivities. So slap your spurs in and get ready for a wild ride! &‘Bent—Not Broken' After the tragedy at Cattle Valley Days, Carol McGowan woke in the hospital to find George Manning hovering over her. George confessed he'd fallen in love with her, but Carol is skeptical. She knows George is bi-sexual and has been in an ongoing secret affair for years. She's been down that road before and ended up on the wrong side of lonely. Carol learned from her previous relationship and isn't in any hurry to jump back into another ménage. George Manning has spent the last nineteen years hiding his love for his closeted friend and country music legend, Trick Allen. After almost losing Carol, George decides to grab hold of the love in front of him, instead of the dream he's always chased. Trick Allen spent years building his career. With the reputation of being a typical love 'em and leave 'em superstar, Trick hid his love for George from the rest of the world. When presented with the choice of losing George forever, or stepping out of the glittered closet he'd become accustomed to, he is faced with the ultimate decision. Is a real life worth risking his career? Three people, with very strong personalities, try to blend love and home amidst a national outcry of vehemence. &‘Arm Candy' Asa Montgomery is a hard man to figure out. He's got millions of dollars in the bank, a host of men vying for his bed and he's still miserable. When a tragedy leaves him broken and battered, Asa quickly finds out who his real friends are. Left alone with only his household staff to nurse him back to health, Asa realises he wants more than just a pretty man to adorn his bedroom. Mario Benta was fooled by a rich man in the past. They may say you're the only one for them, but what they really mean is, you're the only one until something younger and sexier comes along. Despite Mario's growing attraction to Asa, he'll be damned if he'll allow himself to be another man's arm candy. When Asa sets out to change Mario's mind, he'll discover it takes more than money to gain the heart of the ex-Army Ranger. &‘Recipe for Love' After years of living in fear, Jay De Luca has finally found a safe haven in Cattle Valley. Although he's beginning to open up around his friends, he's far from ready to get involved in another relationship. When handsome Erico Morrelli tries to hire him away from

All Play & No Work When a three man partnership becomes too much for their small Texas town, Ryan Blackfeather knows it's time to head for greener pastures. With a new job awaiting him in Cattle Valley, Wyoming, he convinces his men, Nate and Rio to make the move. A community built on tolerance, Cattle Valley's one of the few places in the country where the residents won't bat an eyelash at the threesomes relationship. Nate, Rio and Ryan fit right in. However, with Ryan busy in his new job as town Sheriff, Rio and Nate are left to wonder how they're supposed to make a living. What use are a highly trained mercenary and a private detective in a peaceful community the size of Cattle Valley? Mistletoe The Reverend Casey Sharp loves his church, his congregation and his community. He just wishes they loved him in return. Paying for the sins of his predecessor has left him feeling like an outcast. Contractor Halden Kuckleman, loves his quiet life. After a childhood trauma, Hal gave up on love and God. When hired by the church to finish work on a new meeting room, he tells himself it's just a job like any other. He's fine working on the addition as long as Reverend Sharp doesn't try to save him. With a tight deadline for getting the room finished, Hal begins to wonder how he's going to get the work done before the annual Christmas Eve party. When Casey offers to lend a hand however, he begins to wonder if the willowy minister will help or lead him straight into temptation.

After unjustly losing his job, ex-Sheriff Rawley Good turns to the one person he has long denied himself, rancher Jeb Greeley. But Rawley soon learns he can't always be the boss when it comes to love. Relationships aren't like running a town and a man like Jeb is not about to be dominated—even in the name of love. Though he is no longer the Sheriff of Summerville, Rawley won't back down from his investigation into his brother's shooting. Something's not right. There is a murderer to catch, corruption to fight and his job to get back. More importantly, Rawley isn't about to walk away from the greatest love of his life. Sheriff or not, Jeb Greeley is the man for him... Now he just needs to convince him of that fact.

&‘Fate's Bridge' by Carol Lynne Is it possible for a soul to be reborn inside another? What would you do if you discovered someone harboring a soul you recognized as one from a deceased loved one? For vampire Roman Gschwind, the scenario becomes a reality when he meets Bodi Rain. Unfortunately, it soon becomes clear that Roman must share Bodi with another vampire if he has any chance of rekindling the love that he'd lost so long ago. &‘Coming in Third' by Amber Kell Love sometimes comes in threes. With his mother plotting to have him wed, Niall decides to sneak out of the fae palace and fulfill one of his greatest fantasies. At the Unconventional bar, he finds a pair of lion shifters looking to spice up their love life. Unable to resist the strong attraction between them, Niall lets the persuasive pair take him home. Jovan and Luka have been searching for their third for years. When Niall stumbles into the bar, their shifter instincts tell them the innocent fae could be their long sought mate. After a sensual night together, they're certain the beautiful man was fated to be theirs. His guards fetch him from the shifters' bed and Niall is taken away from the pair. Upset about Niall's return to the palace and a possible arranged marriage, the lion shifters battle to decide their future—should they go and fetch their mate or let it only be the one-night stand Niall promised them?