Summit County Series by Katherine Karrol

They had both declared themselves done with romance and love. God, however, had other plans. Her: “My marriage, career, and reputation just crashed around me and eliminated the little trust I had left in myself to make good decisions. I packed my bags, shook the dust off my feet, and started driving, begging God to tell me where to go. He brought me to a tiny, charming Northern Michigan town, where I’m recreating my life from scratch – without men... moreThey had both declared themselves done with romance and love. God, however, had other plans. Her: “My marriage, career, and reputation just crashed around me and eliminated the little trust I had left in myself to make good decisions. I packed my bags, shook the dust off my feet, and started driving, begging God to tell me where to go. He brought me to a tiny, charming Northern Michigan town, where I’m recreating my life from scratch – without men.” Him: “My whole world turned upside down when I lost the love of my life and had to start over as a single father. I am now both mother and father to my little girl and have built my life around taking care of her; and protecting my heart from ever being hurt like that again. Love is not a part of my life anymore.” God: “We’ll see about that.” Can two people who have sworn off love stop fighting their attraction long enough to see that God is doing something? Can they trust Him enough to risk giving happiness another try? less

Rachel has everything she needs in life: good friends, a job she loves in the hometown she loves, a man who doesn’t ask anything of her, and a box full of secrets in her closet. Derek has nothing he wants in life: he hates his job at the family company, hates living in his small hometown, and has to watch the love of his life go on without him... moreRachel has everything she needs in life: good friends, a job she loves in the hometown she loves, a man who doesn’t ask anything of her, and a box full of secrets in her closet. Derek has nothing he wants in life: he hates his job at the family company, hates living in his small hometown, and has to watch the love of his life go on without him. While Rachel works to maintain a controlled, if unsatisfying, existence that includes a hidden life, Derek makes plans to leave town and start a new life. God thwarts both of their plans and gives them a new opportunity to learn about forgiveness, trust, and taking chances. less

What do you do when you have to come face-to-face with the person who broke your heart and left you disillusioned? Twenty-six years ago, Rick had his heart broken when the woman he loved answered his marriage proposal with silence. Twenty-six years ago, Faith had her heart broken when the man she loved answered her pregnancy announcement with silence... moreWhat do you do when you have to come face-to-face with the person who broke your heart and left you disillusioned? Twenty-six years ago, Rick had his heart broken when the woman he loved answered his marriage proposal with silence. Twenty-six years ago, Faith had her heart broken when the man she loved answered her pregnancy announcement with silence. Rick has just found out that he is a father to a grown woman and is hopeful that he can form a relationship with the child whose existence was hidden from him. Faith has just gotten her life together after many years in a pain and narcotic-filled fog and is determined to start a new relationship with the daughter she couldn’t take care of. Rick is furious that his daughter was kept from him. Faith is furious that the man who deserted her and her daughter is trying to have a place in their daughter’s life. When the two are forced to come together for their daughter’s wedding, they must grapple with questions of truth, belief, and forgiveness – with each other and with God. less

When he looked across the room and saw the person he’d known for years in a whole new light, he knew she was off-limits and fought the feelings as hard as he had ever fought anything. She had known he was off-limits for years and had moved on from the feelings she once had for him, or so she thought. When their circumstances keep throwing them together, it gets harder and harder to hold on to the reasons they each have for staying away from each other... moreWhen he looked across the room and saw the person he’d known for years in a whole new light, he knew she was off-limits and fought the feelings as hard as he had ever fought anything. She had known he was off-limits for years and had moved on from the feelings she once had for him, or so she thought. When their circumstances keep throwing them together, it gets harder and harder to hold on to the reasons they each have for staying away from each other. They had each learned from painful experience that life didn’t go along with their carefully concocted plans, and when they stop fighting against their desires, the real fight begins as they decide what to do with life’s uncertainty. less

Can two people who have been burned badly let love in? Mitch led a quiet life filled with running his business, being active in his community, and helping his nephew adjust to life after combat. He had returned to Hideaway after suffering his own wounds in love and war and set about creating a very different life from the one he’d originally planned for himself. Bella came to Hideaway after the cold life she led was exposed for what it was by her cheating husband and unsupportive family... moreCan two people who have been burned badly let love in? Mitch led a quiet life filled with running his business, being active in his community, and helping his nephew adjust to life after combat. He had returned to Hideaway after suffering his own wounds in love and war and set about creating a very different life from the one he’d originally planned for himself. Bella came to Hideaway after the cold life she led was exposed for what it was by her cheating husband and unsupportive family. When her world imploded and she had nowhere to turn, she left it all behind to start a new life on her terms in the one place she remembered being happy. Neither was looking for any kind of romance, especially after meeting each other at their worst moments, but once they stopped fighting their feelings – and each other – they knew life would not be the same again. less

You can never go back to your first love – or can you? Brianna Callahan is known for her huge heart, unwavering dedication to those she loves, and tendency to dump great boyfriends without cause. Even while she encourages her friends and family to be vulnerable and accept love, she has impenetrable walls built around her own heart, thanks to a heartbreak from long ago. Garrett Ryan is thought to be a wanderer who doesn’t want to grow up and get his life together... moreYou can never go back to your first love – or can you? Brianna Callahan is known for her huge heart, unwavering dedication to those she loves, and tendency to dump great boyfriends without cause. Even while she encourages her friends and family to be vulnerable and accept love, she has impenetrable walls built around her own heart, thanks to a heartbreak from long ago. Garrett Ryan is thought to be a wanderer who doesn’t want to grow up and get his life together. He lets people think what they want and goes about his business serving God and helping people on the other side of the world. As for his own heartbreak from years gone by, he refuses to entertain either the questions or the answers he never understood. When a family emergency forces Garrett to come to the one place in the world he’s tried to avoid – the place he once called home – the two must come face to face with the youthful love that never died and the pain they still carry. But first, they must find a way to be in the same room without throttling each other. less

If one person doesn’t know a marriage ended, did it really happen?    Waking up alone in a hospital room, Quinn has no idea how he got there. When his beloved wife finally arrives, she looks different, even slightly older. Learning he had amnesia is unsettling, but what disturbs him is the fear on Claire’s face every time she walks into his room – and the gut sense that she’s hiding something.  Claire has no idea what to expect when Quinn wakes up... moreIf one person doesn’t know a marriage ended, did it really happen?    Waking up alone in a hospital room, Quinn has no idea how he got there. When his beloved wife finally arrives, she looks different, even slightly older. Learning he had amnesia is unsettling, but what disturbs him is the fear on Claire’s face every time she walks into his room – and the gut sense that she’s hiding something.  Claire has no idea what to expect when Quinn wakes up. She certainly didn’t think he would to look at her with eyes full of love and devotion, as if the past few years didn’t happen. Under doctor’s orders to allow Quinn to regain his memory on his own, Claire must hide their troubles as she nurses him back to health. Every moment with him chips at the walls protecting her heart. Can Quinn find out what is being kept from him before he loses everything he cherishes? Can Claire let God protect her heart and risk hope for her marriage? Will God bring a second chance to two people who once thought they had a love to last a lifetime? less

His dangerous job and her abusive past have kept these best friends out of relationships for years. When they can’t deny their feelings any longer, it’s decision time. Will fear win or will they trust God and give love a chance?Everyone knows Wyatt and Cynthia are in love and perfect for each other. Everyone except Wyatt and Cynthia. The best friends and neighbors share meals, celebrations, sorrows, and prayers with each other — everything but the feelings they both fight... moreHis dangerous job and her abusive past have kept these best friends out of relationships for years. When they can’t deny their feelings any longer, it’s decision time. Will fear win or will they trust God and give love a chance?Everyone knows Wyatt and Cynthia are in love and perfect for each other. Everyone except Wyatt and Cynthia. The best friends and neighbors share meals, celebrations, sorrows, and prayers with each other — everything but the feelings they both fight.He sacrificed marriage and family for a career on the police force. She prevented the risk of exposing herself and her son to another abuser by avoiding men and relationships entirely. Having each other as their permanent plus-one without the risk of love was a comfortable and convenient arrangement . . . until it wasn't.When they're confronted with the feelings they've refused to acknowledge for years, they can’t go back to what they had before. Will they rely on God and each other to face their fears and grasp love?If you enjoy standalone, faith-filled, small-town romances with witty and realistic characters, you’ll love the Summit County Series!Second Chance in Summit CountyTrusting Again in Summit CountyNew Beginnings in Summit CountyTaking Risk in Summit CountyRepairing Hearts in Summit CountyReturning Home in Summit CountyLove Remembered in Summit CountySurprise Love in Summit County less

Can two best friends convincingly fake a whirlwind courtship and marriage long enough to find a home for a baby in need of protection?Zack and Laci have been best friends since first grade. They’ve been there for each other through thick and thin, most recently through his war injuries and her exit from an abusive relationship. Neither has ever been willing to risk what they have by declaring their feelings for the other, so the friendship has remained just that... moreCan two best friends convincingly fake a whirlwind courtship and marriage long enough to find a home for a baby in need of protection?Zack and Laci have been best friends since first grade. They’ve been there for each other through thick and thin, most recently through his war injuries and her exit from an abusive relationship. Neither has ever been willing to risk what they have by declaring their feelings for the other, so the friendship has remained just that.Even after adjusting to life with his prosthetic leg and being treated for PTSD, Zack has declared himself unfit for relationships. He lost his chance with the only girl he ever loved because of his own cowardice, so his post-Army life will be focused on college classes and creating a new business, not the things he can’t have.Laci’s normal joy is returning after finally getting away from the man who spent two years beating her down mentally and physically. After going against her own convictions and standards, she’s certain that no good man — or even God — will want her, but she’s determined to build a new life from the rubble.When a positive pregnancy test leads to more threats, Laci needs someone to sign on the dotted line so that her baby can be adopted by safe and loving family. Best buddy Zack has always helped her, and this time is no different. They can hide a pregnancy and fake a marriage long enough to carry out their plan, right? less