Clayton Family Series by Shirley Hailstock

Tough, rugged carpenter Digger Clayton was good at avoiding his past -- he stayed far away from kids and pretty women. Until nursery school teacher Erin Taylor offered him a job he couldn't refuse, in a sweet, sexy voice that took his breath away...and tempted him to fight for a future -- with her. Erin loved children, but she'd long ago given up on having a family of her own -- until she hired Digger to renovate her day-care center... moreTough, rugged carpenter Digger Clayton was good at avoiding his past -- he stayed far away from kids and pretty women. Until nursery school teacher Erin Taylor offered him a job he couldn't refuse, in a sweet, sexy voice that took his breath away...and tempted him to fight for a future -- with her. Erin loved children, but she'd long ago given up on having a family of her own -- until she hired Digger to renovate her day-care center. Now, one breathtaking smile at a time, this brawny builder was reshaping her heart. Could she convince him to try his hand at happily ever after? less

It wasn't a love bug Dr. Mallory Russell was looking to cure when she stepped into the Philadelphia General E.R. that day. But that's exactly what she was bitten by when the notoriously gifted-but-cold pediatric surgeon Bradley Clayton suddenly started to thaw. Seemed all it took was a life-and-death struggle with a drug-addicted patient for him to notice her... moreIt wasn't a love bug Dr. Mallory Russell was looking to cure when she stepped into the Philadelphia General E.R. that day. But that's exactly what she was bitten by when the notoriously gifted-but-cold pediatric surgeon Bradley Clayton suddenly started to thaw. Seemed all it took was a life-and-death struggle with a drug-addicted patient for him to notice her.... But both doctors had a closetful of secrets and hurts, and neither Mallory nor Brad wanted to reveal their closely guarded heart to the other. However, their paths crossed again and again. Both of them yearned for each other emotionally...and physically. This need was enough for now. But was it a strong enough basis for the future? less

A Twist Of Fate. . . At the age of three, Stephanie Hunter was kidnapped and adopted by her abductor. Now, thirty-four years later, Stephanie is an independent, creative woman, and the new founder of her own design firm. She's also on the verge of discovering her true birthright--one that will connect her with a powerful, charismatic man who is different than any she has known. Contentedly single, Stephanie has learned from experience that men don't really want strong women like her. . moreA Twist Of Fate. . . At the age of three, Stephanie Hunter was kidnapped and adopted by her abductor. Now, thirty-four years later, Stephanie is an independent, creative woman, and the new founder of her own design firm. She's also on the verge of discovering her true birthright--one that will connect her with a powerful, charismatic man who is different than any she has known. Contentedly single, Stephanie has learned from experience that men don't really want strong women like her. . .until she meets Owen Clayton. . . .A Test Of The Heart Owen is an architect by profession, and a ladies man by reputation. Abandoned as a child, he has trust issues when it comes to women--issues that even his loving, adoptive family couldn't heal. Now he's convinced that playing the field is the safest way to go. But when a secret of the Clayton family's past collides with Stephanie's search for her biological family, his convictions are fiercely tested. For when Stephanie and Owen meet, the heat generated between their two lost souls may just lead them home--if they can end a pricey power struggle, and surrender to passion. . . less

She'll Have To Return To Her Past... Theresa Ramsey has gone to great lengths to put her hometown of Lake Royce, New York, behind her. It was a place of bad memories. But her cousin's recent death and the young daughter she's left behind have brought Theresa back to the house she grew up in--a house that now belongs to her. But when she arrives on her property, she discovers a movie crew who has over-stayed its contract... moreShe'll Have To Return To Her Past... Theresa Ramsey has gone to great lengths to put her hometown of Lake Royce, New York, behind her. It was a place of bad memories. But her cousin's recent death and the young daughter she's left behind have brought Theresa back to the house she grew up in--a house that now belongs to her. But when she arrives on her property, she discovers a movie crew who has over-stayed its contract. Theresa has no intention of extending it no matter how earnest, caring, and handsome the director is... To Discover Her Future... Dean Clayton's career is riding on this film. His family has sunk a fortune into the project, and he's determined to prove himself to them, and to Hollywood. But something is missing from the plot, a puzzle piece Dean feels he can find in Lake Royce...and in Theresa, the intriguing woman he is compelled to be near. But with Theresa determined to keep their relationship all business, Dean's got to show her more than movie magic to open her heart .... less

The heart knows what it wants--accepting it is another story. . . Supermodel Rosa Clayton has the glamorous lifestyle most women envy. She's traveled the world modeling, and she's made a fortune doing it. But Rosa is always on the go, and she needs a break. So she's spending the summer in small-town Montana, with its fresh air, incredible sunrises, endless skies--and guaranteed heartbreaker Adam Osborne... moreThe heart knows what it wants--accepting it is another story. . . Supermodel Rosa Clayton has the glamorous lifestyle most women envy. She's traveled the world modeling, and she's made a fortune doing it. But Rosa is always on the go, and she needs a break. So she's spending the summer in small-town Montana, with its fresh air, incredible sunrises, endless skies--and guaranteed heartbreaker Adam Osborne. A former television news journalist, Adam has returned to Montana to settle down to a life of quiet simplicity, away from the harsh lights of the city. It's a plan with little room for a high-maintenance diva like Rosa, and he lets her know it in no uncertain terms. But Rosa finds his resolve only makes him more irresistible--and mysterious. . . Still, getting past Adam's barriers is easier said than done. Only a chance encounter with someone close to Adam could turn things around. Now, if the two could only get out of their own way, something interesting might happen in the sleepy town of Waymon Valley. . . Shirley Hailstock is a former adjunct professor of accounting at Rutgers University and is a past president of Romance Writers of America. She lives in Plainsboro, New Jersey, with her family. less