Epitaph Series by Karla Brandenburg

Although she vowed never to go back, nurse Siobhan McCormick returns home after two family members have died and her brother’s life is threatened. Her new job introduces her to accident victim Jared Pierce, a man whose casual charm tempts her with the same bad decisions she made in high school. Haunted houses don’t sell, and Jared Pierce’s family sends him from Louisiana to Illinois to make sure there aren’t any ghosts lingering in his great-aunt’s house... moreAlthough she vowed never to go back, nurse Siobhan McCormick returns home after two family members have died and her brother’s life is threatened. Her new job introduces her to accident victim Jared Pierce, a man whose casual charm tempts her with the same bad decisions she made in high school. Haunted houses don’t sell, and Jared Pierce’s family sends him from Louisiana to Illinois to make sure there aren’t any ghosts lingering in his great-aunt’s house. An accident on an icy road extends his visit from a few days to a few months. Though the house is ghost-free when Jared arrives, a violent ice storm breaks apart a tree and releases the spirits of twin boys who were buried in the backyard. Temporarily disabled by his injuries, Jared needs his nurse’s help to give the ghosts peace. There’s only one problem. Siobhan doesn’t believe in ghosts. Will Jared earn her trust and affection or will Siobhan retreat into the safety of her job? less

When Sandra Meyer's violent ex-boyfriend returns to sleepy Edgarville, Illinois, she turns to the man who stood up to Nick Benedetto years ago. If brawny Garth Benson will pose as her boyfriend on social media, maybe Nick will leave her alone. Sandra adores Garth, but she doesn't want any more ties to Edgarville. Now finished with a decade of dedicated service as her mother's caregiver, Sandra is planning her exit from this one-stoplight town... moreWhen Sandra Meyer's violent ex-boyfriend returns to sleepy Edgarville, Illinois, she turns to the man who stood up to Nick Benedetto years ago. If brawny Garth Benson will pose as her boyfriend on social media, maybe Nick will leave her alone. Sandra adores Garth, but she doesn't want any more ties to Edgarville. Now finished with a decade of dedicated service as her mother's caregiver, Sandra is planning her exit from this one-stoplight town. Garth is firmly rooted in Edgarville with the family monument business and a trophy shop that will need a "mom" to his "pop." Garth has wanted Sandra ever since he slugged Nick more than ten years ago. Her secrets run deep, as do the strengths that he admires within her, but whenever he tries to move their casual flirtations from talk to dating, she backs away. Small town life has strangled Sandra as effectively as Nick tried to before he left town. Garth might be the one man who can protect her from Nick, but what he expects in return is too much. On top of that, her deceased father’s unexpected appearance in the mirror of her new home exposes long-held secrets that will change Sandra's view of her family and hometown forever. When the last tie holding her to Edgarville is cut, Sandra runs as fast as she can, but the world outside her small-town community isn’t all she expects less

A high-profile contract in the famed New Orleans Garden District can bring architect Kathleen McCormick’s dream of owning her own home that much closer, but she’ll have to stifle her fiery temper while she’s on location. The senior project manager is a notorious workaholic and the last associate to work with him got fired amid controversy. Still, Kathleen can’t resist the urge to push his buttons... moreA high-profile contract in the famed New Orleans Garden District can bring architect Kathleen McCormick’s dream of owning her own home that much closer, but she’ll have to stifle her fiery temper while she’s on location. The senior project manager is a notorious workaholic and the last associate to work with him got fired amid controversy. Still, Kathleen can’t resist the urge to push his buttons. Sebastian Brooks’ father likes to remind him that he founded his own firm by the time he was thirty. As Sebastian nears that same milestone, he's checking off the boxes for promotion at a more prestigious architectural firm, including contemplating an engagement with an acceptable socialite. The pursuit feels hollow, especially when his boss lobs an attractive, unpredictable new associate into his path to derail his promotion, a woman who reminds him of all the compromises he’s made in the interest of living up to expectations. A mischievous ghost in a NOLA hotel decides to play matchmaker, but with a strict non-fraternization policy at work, getting involved could get both Kathleen and Sebastian fired. Caught up in the city’s steamy atmosphere, their unexpected connection throws all their plans into a tailspin. less

Don’t mix pleasure with business… Pro Soccer player Liam McCormick doesn’t date fans or groupies. When his physical therapist makes a play for him after he blows out his ACL, he quits therapy to rehab himself. The coaches learn of their most valuable player’s walk-out and assign an athletic trainer to assess his condition before Liam’s return to the field, an exhibition game in Ireland. The fact the new trainer is a woman puts Liam on his guard... moreDon’t mix pleasure with business… Pro Soccer player Liam McCormick doesn’t date fans or groupies. When his physical therapist makes a play for him after he blows out his ACL, he quits therapy to rehab himself. The coaches learn of their most valuable player’s walk-out and assign an athletic trainer to assess his condition before Liam’s return to the field, an exhibition game in Ireland. The fact the new trainer is a woman puts Liam on his guard. He’s not interested in a replay of what happened with his physical therapist. Emma Parrish works 80 hours a week, but a free trip to Ireland to assess a player’s recovery is something she will make time for. Unfortunately, an excess of Irish stout and a local legend of seals rising from the ocean as loyal lovers has Emma making a fool of herself by mistaking the dark and attractive Liam for a Selkie. When Liam’s teammate makes a play for her, she drops him to the floor with practiced technique. Dating the athletes is unprofessional and she can take care of herself. Instead of being put off, Liam is attracted to her strength and independence. The more time they spend together, the more the temptation grows until neither can resist. But an unexpected visitor follows them home from Ireland. The ghost of Liam’s father—an alleged Selkie, according to Liam’s Kinsale relatives—has much to atone for, and when Liam refuses to listen to him, the ghost recruits Emma to help him make amends with his family. Is Emma in love with Liam, or is she under the spell of a Selkie? less

Book reviewer Maggie Grant has a romantic soul. When she happens on a tender moment in a cemetery, the man who places a fingertip kiss on a headstone provides inspiration for her popular magazine blog. ​ After inheriting the family monument shop, Thad Benson struggles with his new-found responsibilities. Teased by his sister as having a face only a mother could love, Thad is only comfortable sharing his thoughts with a dead woman. Until he meets Maggie... moreBook reviewer Maggie Grant has a romantic soul. When she happens on a tender moment in a cemetery, the man who places a fingertip kiss on a headstone provides inspiration for her popular magazine blog. ​ After inheriting the family monument shop, Thad Benson struggles with his new-found responsibilities. Teased by his sister as having a face only a mother could love, Thad is only comfortable sharing his thoughts with a dead woman. Until he meets Maggie. ​ The more Maggie learns about Thad, the worse she feels for exposing his private moment on her trending blog—except no one seems to recognize him, and that makes her angry. Does she, a stuttering stranger, dare to show Thad’s family and friends, the people closest to him, what they’re missing? And how does she compete with the ghost of a dead girl to win the heart of Edgarville’s confirmed bachelor? ​ less

Landscape designer Gwen Haley is due to inherit her grandparents’ garden estate, a well-known tourist destination. Then it will no longer matter that her parents think she’s unhinged for seeing the ghosts of her grandparents. As the trust term nears the end, accidents that seem to be aimed toward Gwen threaten her life, and her cousin, the estate manager, is intent on discrediting her. Weary of being patronized and belittled, Gwen finds an unlikely ally in the estate’s new horticulturist... moreLandscape designer Gwen Haley is due to inherit her grandparents’ garden estate, a well-known tourist destination. Then it will no longer matter that her parents think she’s unhinged for seeing the ghosts of her grandparents. As the trust term nears the end, accidents that seem to be aimed toward Gwen threaten her life, and her cousin, the estate manager, is intent on discrediting her. Weary of being patronized and belittled, Gwen finds an unlikely ally in the estate’s new horticulturist. With two older brothers, Brian Benson is no stranger to practical jokers. Taking on a horticulturist job for a fresh start, he had hoped to escape the perception of being the village idiot. Pranks are one thing, but if he can’t expose the guilty party behind the explosion in the greenhouse at Haley Gardens, he and his new boss, Gwen, might both end up dead. The struggling horticulturist must keep this trust fund baby safe long enough for her to gain her inheritance. But repeating past mistakes may mean losing his heart in the bargain. less