Aidan Mitchell puts the "adventure" in Mitchell Adventure Tours, the family business he runs. Adventure is what he's looking for in his love life, too… until he accidentally breaks a woman's heart. Shelby's friendship plan might be just what he needs to keep from becoming a total jerk. If he can resist the urge to seduce his new BFF…

Just after Thanksgiving, Nancee Smith's life in DC implodes, so she runs to her great-aunt Gladys's house in Fool's Gold, where she spent the idyllic summers of childhood. The last person she expected to find in her aunt's kitchen was Shep, the first man she ever loved. . . and the man who failed to show up when they were supposed to elope.

Jesse "Shep" Sheppard traveled the world with the Marines and with civilian search and rescue. There's only one reason he settled in Fool's Gold, and her name is Nancee. She's the woman he never forgot, and he's determined to win her back.

Nancee and Shep were created by readers at a Create-a-Character Workshop Susan hosted in May of 2014 in New Orleans!

Heading the new search and rescue squad is the perfect fit for Kipling Gilmore, who once dominated the slopes as G-Force, his Olympics nickname. In his heart, Kipling needs to be a hero to atone for leaving his sister with their volatile father while he took off to train. Maybe that's why he's so drawn to the beautiful newcomer with a fragile look about her. A summer fling could make Destiny smile again and allow him to feel like her rescuer without putting his heart on the line.

Phoebe Kitzke loves helping young families find a home, something she never had as an orphan. How lucky Zane is to live on a ranch with five generations of history! Although the taciturn cowboy doesn't show it, she can tell he, too, values family above all else. Now, if she could just get him to admit how good they are together, maybe they could make the next generation. And, for the first time in her life, Phoebe could feel like she finally belongs.

Rancher Zane Nicholson has his hands full raising his genius brother. He doesn't have the time or energy to deal with a brown-eyed city girl whose determined optimism makes him ache with yearning. Unfortunately, he's stuck with Phoebe - and a whole herd of city slickers - on a cattle drive meant to teach his brother a lesson. But Zane might be the one to learn a thing or two… about hope and forgiveness and the kind of love that lasts a lifetime.

Once, Del Mitchell thought he'd live in Fool's Gold forever, but after his first love said both he and the town were too boring, he took off to explore the world and make a fortune. Now he's back for his dad's birthday. Maya's back, too, as tempting as ever. Only this time she seems settled, while he feels… restless. His desire for Maya is anything but boring, but could he be happy living in this small town the rest of his life? Then again, could he leave, if it meant leaving behind the woman he still loves after all these years? (Del is the oldest of five brothers, all single!)

After lots of missteps along the way, Madeline Krug finally has a job she loves, managing Paper Moon Bridal. When Mayor Marsha asks her to help plan a Christmas wedding, it seems a natural fit, until Madeline finds out who’s getting married—the younger sister of Jonny Blaze, her movie star crush! How can she organize a wedding when she can’t even organize her thoughts?

Somehow, while cleaning pools in Hollywood, Jonny Blaze lucked into a career he loves—as an action movie superstar. But sometimes he misses the simple life, so he bought a ranch outside Fool’s Gold, hoping to bring a little “normal” into his crazy life. Little did Jonny know that there’s nothing normal about Fool’s Gold!

Dark, dangerous bodyguard trainer Angel Whittaker has been scarred by love and protects himself by sticking with women who know the score. Right now, he has his sights set on Taryn, but what will he do when he discovers that Taryn's tough talk masks a vulnerable heart?

Taryn Crawford likes to think of herself as a PR goddess, a take-the-world-by-storm city girl… so how on earth did she end up in Fool's Gold? Excitement comes knocking in the form of mysterious Angel, who is intent on claiming her for his own. Will she ever forgive herself if she surrenders to him, and to her own passion?

Dellina Hopkins' parents died when she was 17. After raising her younger sisters, she's done with the "mom" thing and wants to focus on her party planning business. She's not looking for a ring, she's looking for a fling... with Sam, a football hero and the sexiest man she's ever met. When Sam leaves her hanging after jumping to the wrong conclusion, Dellina determines to make him work his way back into her good graces – and her bed!

Larissa Owens is fully aware that Jack is her boss, not her boyfriend, no matter how much she wishes otherwise. She's made peace with her unrequited crush… but then her mom tells him the truth. How embarrassing! Will he fire her? Should she quit? Or maybe, just maybe, he'll start to see her as something more. A girl can hope!

Bailey Voss has a crush on a new guy in Fool's Gold, but she has zero chance with Kenny, a giant guy who couldn't be more gentle with her beloved daughter. He was a pro athlete - she's just a small town secretary! There's no way that she could be exactly what he's been looking for all his life.

Though he thinks of himself as an Iowa farm boy, former NFL receiver Kenny Scott comes from money, but all the riches in the world couldn't protect him from a devastating loss. Will Christmas in Fool's Gold convince him to risk his heart with Bailey, a shy single mom who makes visions of forever dance in Kenny's head?

After her parents died when she was young, Fayrene Hopkins only felt safe when she followed a very specific life plan. And the plan does not include love for another three years! Even if a certain sexy young man has been tempting her with late-night kisses.

Wind engineer Ryan Patterson was happy to come to Fool's Gold on a temporary assignment, but once he discovers the town's most precious natural resource - Fayrene - he may not be able to make himself leave.

Patience McGraw's first love disappeared overnight, without a trace, so she's thrilled when Justice reappears just as suddenly in Fool's Gold. But how can she ever trust that the handsome bodyguard won't leave her again? This time, her young daughter's heart could be broken, too.

Bodyguard Justice Garrett has never forgotten the sweet, sassy girl who stole his heart during his year in Fool's Gold, where witness protection hid him from his dangerous father. When Justice returns to town to open an elite defense academy, he can't resist seeing her again, even though he knows the last thing he should do is touch her with the darkness inside him.

Ana Raquel Hopkins's parents died when she was young, and she and her sisters were split up and sent away from Fool's Gold. Now, finally, she's back and ready to open the first street food trailer the town has ever seen. She's thrilled to be back in her beloved home town, but not nearly as thrilled when Mayor Marsha asks her to work with her childhood nemesis to put together a cookbook with the town's favorite recipes.

Restaurateur Greg Clary is happy when Mayor Marsha asks him to help Ana Raquel write the Fool's Gold cookbook. No one says no to Mayor Marsha, which means Ana Raquel will have to stop running away from him the way she has done since their senior prom six years ago. And maybe Greg will finally get the chance to tell Ana Raquel how he feels.

Noelle Perkins has good reasons for wanting to grab life with both hands, but she’s keeping those reasons to herself. On impulse one day, she spun around, put a pin in the map, and moved to Fool's Gold to open the Christmas store she'd always dreamed of. Next step, find love. Except… Gabriel, the only man to tempt her, thinks love is too dangerous. Why can't he see that the real risk is never loving at all?

Although she loves Fool’s Gold, yoga instructor Paige McLean longs to see the world. Until now, fear has kept her from hopping on the next plane overseas. When “the world” lands on her doorstep in the form of a sexy British doctor in need of some TLC – a viscount, no less – Paige thinks that maybe, just maybe, she simply didn’t want to fly alone.

Since the tragic loss of his wife, surgeon Alistair Woodbury hasn’t lingered long in any one place. When circumstances force him to stay in Paige’s house, her bright smile and caring nature make the good doctor wonder whether solitude is the prescription for what ails him, after all.

After a vagabond childhood, goat herder Heidi Simpson is living the life of her dreams. She finally has a home to call her own. At least, she thought she did, until she lands in court, facing off against sexy, angry Rafe Stryker, who is convinced that the Castle Ranch belongs to his family.

Librarian Annabelle Weiss longs for the kind of happy ending she reads about in books, but at 27, she’s starting to wonder whether she’ll ever meet The One. Her best friend Heidi recently got engaged – maybe there’s hope for her yet! Except… Shane Stryker, the only man who’s caught her eye in years, thinks that she’s too dangerous to date.

As a firefighter, Charlie Dixon has risked her life many times without a moment’s hesitation. But to risk her heart? That scares her to death. A trauma from her past is keeping her from moving forward with her life. When Clay St-ryker comes to her for help to make the squad, she wants to refuse… but Clay is being judged solely on his looks, and Charlie knows how much that hurts. Maybe Clay can help her in return. Because for some reason, this dangerously sexy guy is the only man who makes her feel safe.

As an underwear model and Hollywood butt double, Clay Stryker amassed a fortune, so it shouldn’t bother him that even in Fool’s Gold, everyone judges him for his looks. Everyone, that is, except strong and stubborn Charlie Dixon, the most genuine person he’s ever met. Now, if only he could convince her that inner beauty is what he’s been looking for all along.

The holiday spirit in Fool’s Gold is hard to resist, even for dancer Evie Stryker, who learned at an early age to protect her heart by keeping her distance. She was the family afterthought, and they made sure she knew it. She finds an ally in handsome Dante Jefferson, a fellow outsider in this too-perfect-to-be-real world. But is Dante – her brother’s best friend – really on her side? Or are his mistletoe kisses part of the conspiracy to convince her that Christmas miracles really do come true?

During his delinquent youth, Dante Jefferson learned that love can be deadly, and he’s been a lone wolf ever since.

Pet groomer Rina Fiore has a problem: she’s in love with her boss. Cameron is kind, loves animals and children, and he’s sexy, too. Unfortunately, he sees Rina as nothing more than an employee and part-time nanny to his precocious daughter. If Rina confesses her feelings, she could lose them both forever… but if she doesn’t, she might be doomed to spend another Christmas alone.

Cameron McKenzie doesn’t need romance. His veterinary practice in Fool’s Gold fulfills him at work, and his daughter keeps him from getting lonely at home. His life is very… okay. Why, then, has he suddenly begun to notice that Rina’s eyes are as blue as the December sky? And why does he keep thinking of new spots to hang mistletoe?

Dakota Hendrix should be happy. She has a job she loves in a hometown she adores. But Dakota has a secret that’s breaking her heart, a secret buried so deep that even her identical triplet sisters don’t know what’s causing the pain in her eyes. If screening contestants for a reality dating show doesn’t shake her out of the blues, maybe the arrival of stern and sexy Finn Anderson will.

After years of moving from one job to the next, Montana Hendrix has finally found the perfect career for her – training therapy dogs. Now she’s ready for life’s next step – marriage and kids. But the last man she would be intrigued by is dangerously sexy Dr. Simon Bradley. He may be brilliant, but Montana wants nothing to do with a man who can’t find humor in the antics of a clumsy mutt. Except… Simon is unbelievably gentle with his pediatric patients, and his nimble fingers, trained for surgery, can do amazing things to her body. Maybe, just maybe, a bad first impression can turn into a lifetime of romance.

Pediatric burn specialist Simon Bradley has traveled the world saving lives, but he’s never been anyplace like Fool’s Gold. The friendly town pulls out all the stops to convince him to stick around, including sending alluring Montana Hendrix to be his personal tour guide. Simon learned long ago that he could find safety in the number one, but Montana’s sweet kisses and caring nature might convince the vagabond surgeon that making a home is worth risking the heart.

With both of her triplet sisters happily engaged and no romantic prospects on the horizon, engineer Nevada Hendrix puts all of her attention on her career. She’s determined to prove herself away from the family business. Unfortunately for her, she discovers that her new boss is none other than the first man who ever saw her naked… and the first man who broke her heart. Could she survive losing Tucker a second time around?

In Fool’s Gold to build a fabulous casino resort, Tucker Janack will never again allow love to consume him. Instead, he intends to focus on expanding his multimillion dollar construction empire. That means hiring the best woman for the job, even if she inspires fantasies that have nothing to do with work.

Meet Charity Jones, an accomplished City Planner who’s not nearly as good at planning her own future. She bounced around from town to town during her childhood, a pattern she was determined not to repeat as an adult. And yet, since college she’s moved several times, always chasing the perfect job, the perfect life.

When the city of Fool’s Gold comes calling, Charity is thrilled. She’s convinced that Fool’s Gold is the perfect place for her to settle down… except for one pesky detail: In this small town, she can’t get through a single day without running into sexy athlete Josh Golden, a man who plays havoc with her peace of mind. Josh is all wrong for her. He dates movie stars and models, lives life in the fast lane. So why do his kisses feel so… perfect?

When bestselling mystery author Liz Sutton was a teenager growing up in Fool’s Gold, she fell in love with Ethan Hendrix, one of the hottest guys in town. And he loved her, even though her family was poor and not exactly respectable! At least, she thought he loved her, until she heard him deny their secret relationship to his friends. Wounded and pregnant, she ran away, with no intention of ever returning to her hometown. Until her phone rings years later, and a small voice on the other end of the line says, “Aunt Liz? We need you.”

Liz can’t resist the cry for help from her young nieces, even if it means seeing Ethan again and introducing him to the son she thought he never wanted to know.

Ethan Hendrix always regretted hurting Liz. He’d been young and weak and tried to protect his family’s strong ties in the community. Over the years, he has cheered Liz’s success as an author from afar, despite the fact that she keeps killing a character who looks suspiciously like him in every single book. So when Liz returns to Fool’s Gold, he’s thrilled to see her. Until she introduces him to the son he never knew, the son she kept from him for ten years.

Somewhere between graduating MIT and becoming a multimillionaire, software developer Jackson Kent left his nerd days far behind. He has no trouble getting his own dates and only agrees to escort Katie during the wedding weekend as a favor to his mother. But when he lays his eyes on Katie for the first time since they were kids, he has a feeling he’ll owe his mother a big thank you instead of the other way around.

As the Fool’s Gold event planner, Pia O’Brian is a pro at multi-tasking, but this is taking things a little too far. Pia’s best friend has left her with not one, not two, but three frozen embryos. Pia wants to honor her friend’s final wish but is overwhelmed at the thought of being a single mother to triplets. She can’t even keep a plant alive! This is no time to meet a man who makes her stomach do flips.

Former professional quarterback Raoul Moreno grew up in the inner city and has moved to Fool’s Gold to open a camp to give other city kids a taste of nature. Stung by love in the past, Raoul has no interest in settling down, now or ever. But how can he resist a woman like Pia, who’s so honorable that she’s willing to make the ultimate sacrifice for the sake of her late best friend? Loyalty like that doesn’t come along every day… especially not wrapped in a package as sexy as Pia!