Cochran/Deveraux Series by Melanie Schuster

A woman escaping the pressures of her family, and a man wary of love, struggle to put their pain behind them -- and claim the future together. Lucky in Love is the book that started it all. It's the first in a series of compelling contemporary romances about the Cochran family from Detroit and the Deveraux family from Atlanta. Benita Cochran of Cochran Communications and Clayton Deveraux of The Deveraux Group met for business only, but it was clear that they were destined for more... moreA woman escaping the pressures of her family, and a man wary of love, struggle to put their pain behind them -- and claim the future together. Lucky in Love is the book that started it all. It's the first in a series of compelling contemporary romances about the Cochran family from Detroit and the Deveraux family from Atlanta. Benita Cochran of Cochran Communications and Clayton Deveraux of The Deveraux Group met for business only, but it was clear that they were destined for more. Clay tried to resist the powerful attraction he felt to Benita, but in a very short time, they went from the boardroom to the bedroom and right to the altar. They were so well-matched in so many ways that even her domineering father's opposition to their union couldn't stand in their way. After their romantic wedding and passionate honeymoon Benita eagerly embraces her new life in Atlanta. She loves everything about being Mrs. Clay Deveraux, especially the baby she was carrying. Everything is golden until a tragedy rips them apart. Only the love they have for each other enables them to fight through their grief and pain to recapture the passion and joy that brought them together. Lucky in Love is an award-winning national best-seller that began the series of passionate, intelligent and warmhearted romances that have won fans worldwide. less

After seeing her childhood tormentor in a new light, a woman discovers that facing the past is the only way to free herself for a love that will last until the end of time. This is the second book in the Cochran/Deveraux series. It answers the question a lot of readers had after reading Lucky in Love; why are Andrew Cochran and Renee Kemo always fighting? Andrew is Benita Cochran's twin brother and Renee is her best friend and they've been getting on each other's nerves since the day they met... moreAfter seeing her childhood tormentor in a new light, a woman discovers that facing the past is the only way to free herself for a love that will last until the end of time. This is the second book in the Cochran/Deveraux series. It answers the question a lot of readers had after reading Lucky in Love; why are Andrew Cochran and Renee Kemo always fighting? Andrew is Benita Cochran's twin brother and Renee is her best friend and they've been getting on each other's nerves since the day they met. Andrew accidentally saw Renee naked and she hates the fact that he won't apologize because he denies it happened. He's been in love with her for years, but she'll never let her guard down around him long enough for them to have a decent conversation. But the tables are turned when she catches him without a stitch on, also by accident. Now that she feels like she's got the upper hand, they finally call a truce. Then they admit their mutual attraction and start dating. Andrew is ready to make it a lifetime commitment but Renee is harboring a dark secret that could destroy her whole world if it gets out. When the man responsible for her trauma appears in her life again everything she's hoped for seems to be doomed but Andrew is not about to let his one true love slip away, not while he has a breath left in his body. He'll do anything to protect her, but will he go too far? Andrew doesn't think so; he's willing to do whatever it takes to make sure their love lasts until the end of time. less

A reclusive attorney teams up with a vibrant actress to help her track down the brother who ruined her financially...and loses his heart. This is the third book of the series. Martin Deveraux, Clay's brother and Bennie's brother-in-law, was introduced in Lucky in Love and played a pivotal part in Until the End of Time. Now he's the hero, albeit a reluctant one. After a tragic accident left him scarred and ended his marriage to an unfaithful wife, Martin became a reclusive loner... moreA reclusive attorney teams up with a vibrant actress to help her track down the brother who ruined her financially...and loses his heart. This is the third book of the series. Martin Deveraux, Clay's brother and Bennie's brother-in-law, was introduced in Lucky in Love and played a pivotal part in Until the End of Time. Now he's the hero, albeit a reluctant one. After a tragic accident left him scarred and ended his marriage to an unfaithful wife, Martin became a reclusive loner. His romantic soul is hidden beneath layers of pain and bitterness and he made a vow to never get close to anyone ever again. Ceylon Simmons, the bubbly and beautiful singer, didn't get that memo, however. She saw him for the first time at Clay and Bennie's wedding and was smitten on the spot. Over the years she's made her interest in him plain, but he was always cool and controlled around her, even though he was equally attracted to her. They had a romantic moment in Unti the End of Time, but nothing came of it until Ceylon's life took a big turn in the wrong direction. Her manager mishandled her finances and stole every penny, leaving her with a huge tax lien. It was bad enough that she'd been deceived, but the man who robbed her blind was her own brother. Ceylon worked herself into a state of physical and emotional exhaustion to straighten out her finances but it took a tremendous toll on her. Bennie and Clay shipped her off to the family vacation home on St. Simon's Island, Georgia, so she could rest and recuperate. Martin had no idea she was there or he would've stayed far away because Ceylon was very hard for him to resist. But he did show up at the house while Ceylon there. She was polite but distant, which wasn't her normal demeanor at all. When he found out from Bennie why she was hiding out on St. Simon's and what she'd been through, Martin was furious on her behalf. She was way too sweet and caring for this to have happened to her. In the days that followed, they both let down their guards and what had been friendly flirtation turned into blazing passion. Even after a sneaky papparazzo found them and plastered pictures all over the media, they still managed to hold on to their love. But when Ceylon's brother is finally brought to justice, a dark secret from Ceylon's past threatens to shatter everything she's worked so hard to regain. It could wreck her career as well as the reputation of her mentor, who happens to be Martin's stepfather. Ceylon has to face down her worst enemy in order to keep the people she loves from being destroyed. less

Marcus Deveraux, the youngest of the dynamic Deveraux brothers, has everything he wants in life except the love of Vera Clark Jackson. When he met Vera she was a new employee of the Deveraux Group and a happily married woman. Now, twelve years later, Marcus if the CEO of the company, and Vera is a valued executive, although she is now widowed. Marcus has never understood the word 'no' when it comes to getting what he wants and he still wants Vera's heart... moreMarcus Deveraux, the youngest of the dynamic Deveraux brothers, has everything he wants in life except the love of Vera Clark Jackson. When he met Vera she was a new employee of the Deveraux Group and a happily married woman. Now, twelve years later, Marcus if the CEO of the company, and Vera is a valued executive, although she is now widowed. Marcus has never understood the word 'no' when it comes to getting what he wants and he still wants Vera's heart. When his cousin Paris drops a large hint that Vera has feelings for him, too, Marcus goes into action. He's going to move heaven and earth to prove to Vera that they were meant to be together. Vera's going to take a lot of convincing because she's so accustomed to them being best friends and colleagues, but Marcus isn't going to give up. He's been in love with her since he was eighteen and he's going to pull out all the stops until Vera realizes that he's the only man who can make all her dreams come true. less

Merry Little Christmas, A, by Schuster, Melanie

Alicia Fuentes is in love with her best friend, Adam Cochran. They have been best friends since graduate school and they also share a business. Their architectural firm is flourishing and things couldn't be better between the two of them. But the passion that Alicia's trying to hide is getting more and more difficult to conceal. She's hesitant to let him know how she feels because she doesn't want to ruin the closeness they share... moreAlicia Fuentes is in love with her best friend, Adam Cochran. They have been best friends since graduate school and they also share a business. Their architectural firm is flourishing and things couldn't be better between the two of them. But the passion that Alicia's trying to hide is getting more and more difficult to conceal. She's hesitant to let him know how she feels because she doesn't want to ruin the closeness they share. Friendship is more important than a love affair that may or may not work out, right? Adam Cochran's known for a long time that the feelings he has for Alicia are too deep to be called friendship. He hasn't approached her because of a pact they made while they were both graduate students. They were both crushed when they found his francee in bed with her boyfriend. To deal with their pain, Adam and Alicia spent a night of unbridled passion together, a night so profound it helped them hel the hurt, but they both agreed it could never happen again. The friendship remained, but the love has been kept at bay by a promise. As his love for Alicia grows, Adam is finding it more and more difficult to remember why a promise made in pain has any relevance. When a terrible Cochran family secret is revealed, only Alicia's love can ease Adam's soul, but will either one be able to find the courage to confess what's in their hearts? less

Dr John Flores and his ghostwriter/assistant Nina Whitney take center stage in A Fool For You and in Schuster's unique style you are taken on a sizzling romantic journey you don't want to end. Nina is not a woman waiting for the right man, although she loves John (but hates to admit it) she doesn't see herself becoming a "St Benita" of Deveraux/Cochran woman... moreDr John Flores and his ghostwriter/assistant Nina Whitney take center stage in A Fool For You and in Schuster's unique style you are taken on a sizzling romantic journey you don't want to end. Nina is not a woman waiting for the right man, although she loves John (but hates to admit it) she doesn't see herself becoming a "St Benita" of Deveraux/Cochran woman. She has had a hard life full of betrayal, abandonment, disappointments, shuffling through foster care then a life on the street fending for herself. less

This is a continuation of the Deveraux and Cochran series. Paris and Titus are meant to be but they have a lot of obstacles to face

The Deveraux clan is a powerful and imposing New Orleans family. So when Maya Simpson married the eldest son, Julian Deveraux, the union quickly succumbed to the social pressures surrounding the young couple. Convinced of her husband's infidelity, Maya filed for divorce and later learned that she was pregnant. Four years later, Maya, now a successful physician, runs into her former sister-in-law who insists on reuniting her and Julian, and the daughter he doesn't know exists... moreThe Deveraux clan is a powerful and imposing New Orleans family. So when Maya Simpson married the eldest son, Julian Deveraux, the union quickly succumbed to the social pressures surrounding the young couple. Convinced of her husband's infidelity, Maya filed for divorce and later learned that she was pregnant. Four years later, Maya, now a successful physician, runs into her former sister-in-law who insists on reuniting her and Julian, and the daughter he doesn't know exists. Set against the backdrop of Hurricane Katrina, will the reunion bring the family together or tear them apart? less

The men of the prominent Deveraux clan knew plenty about romance, and Lucien Deveraux was the biggest player of all. But that changed after Hurricane Katrina devastated his beloved city. Now Lucien's ready to dedicate himself to one woman: Nicole Argonne. Trouble is, Nicole has no time for what she calls "pretty men." If Lucien wants her, he needs to prove himself...and Nicole's not going to make it easy.Lucien is sexy, smart and charming--just like the man who broke Nicole's heart before... moreThe men of the prominent Deveraux clan knew plenty about romance, and Lucien Deveraux was the biggest player of all. But that changed after Hurricane Katrina devastated his beloved city. Now Lucien's ready to dedicate himself to one woman: Nicole Argonne. Trouble is, Nicole has no time for what she calls "pretty men." If Lucien wants her, he needs to prove himself...and Nicole's not going to make it easy.Lucien is sexy, smart and charming--just like the man who broke Nicole's heart before. But Lucien has his own plan to win her. And when his scheming ex arrives in town, Nicole must decide whether she has the courage to trust again.... less

Chastain Thibodaux is no longer the awkward, naive girl who had her heart smashed to pieces by Philippe Devereaux. Now the successful artist has included three oil paintings of Philippe in her prestigious gallery show--sensuous nudes painted entirely from her memory of their smoldering affair. But then her subject turns up at her opening night, in the flesh--every hard-muscled, smooth-skinned, delicious inch of him--demanding to know why she's put him on display... moreChastain Thibodaux is no longer the awkward, naive girl who had her heart smashed to pieces by Philippe Devereaux. Now the successful artist has included three oil paintings of Philippe in her prestigious gallery show--sensuous nudes painted entirely from her memory of their smoldering affair. But then her subject turns up at her opening night, in the flesh--every hard-muscled, smooth-skinned, delicious inch of him--demanding to know why she's put him on display.Philippe hasn't been in love with Chastain since she dumped him to study art in Paris. Or so he's been telling himself. But his anger over her erotic portraits is mixed with the kind of desire that heats even the coldest New York night. And he vows that by New Year's Eve he'll have the answers to all his questions and have Chastain back where she belongs--in his arms.... less