Second Chances Series by Jean Brashear

Gabriela Navarro believed she and Eli Wolverton would always be together…until he abandoned her. Years later, Gaby has made a new life in the big city. Her future is bright, and Eli is her past. When she returns to bury her father and learns that Eli is accused of his murder, she is stunned, but she no longer knows the man who's replaced the boy she loved... moreGabriela Navarro believed she and Eli Wolverton would always be together…until he abandoned her. Years later, Gaby has made a new life in the big city. Her future is bright, and Eli is her past. When she returns to bury her father and learns that Eli is accused of his murder, she is stunned, but she no longer knows the man who's replaced the boy she loved. Then their paths cross again, and though the longing between them is more powerful than ever, Eli refuses to defend himself and pushes her to go. Does Gaby believe the charges against him, or the urgings of her heart? There is so much more at stake than Gaby can imagine. With his freedom and his life on the line, only one thing would draw Eli away from his search for the truth: Gaby's safety. Even if that means he'll lose her forever. "Jean Brashear's distinctive storytelling voice instantly draws in the reader. She writes with warmth and emotional truth.” ~ #1 NY Times bestselling author Debbie Macomber less

They had the perfect marriage…until he lost his way. Then he lost Bella. The blueblood and the bohemian married despite all the odds against them. They raised two children in a home that blossomed like the gardens Bella nurtured. But somewhere along the way, they lost who they'd been. At a crisis point, Bella sought time and space to think. Devastated by his role in her heartbreak, James had no choice but to let her leave. Only she never came home... moreThey had the perfect marriage…until he lost his way. Then he lost Bella. The blueblood and the bohemian married despite all the odds against them. They raised two children in a home that blossomed like the gardens Bella nurtured. But somewhere along the way, they lost who they'd been. At a crisis point, Bella sought time and space to think. Devastated by his role in her heartbreak, James had no choice but to let her leave. Only she never came home. Never answered even calls from their children. A frantic search. A woman with amnesia. A doctor half in love with his patient. When James finally locates the woman who owns his heart, learning that she remembers nothing of their life together is both a curse and a blessing. Can James remind her of all the joy they shared and make her fall in love with him again? Before her memory of his mistakes returns…and Bella stays away forever? "Jean Brashear's distinctive storytelling voice instantly draws in the reader. She writes with warmth and emotional truth.” ~ #1 NY Times bestselling author Debbie Macomber less

The golden boy and the rebel girl who cost him everything Tough prosecutor Callie Hunter left the small town and never planned to return, but an unexpected inheritance requires her to return to the scene of her life's greatest heartache. When she encounters the town's golden boy who once owned her young heart—only to learn he's fresh out of prison... moreThe golden boy and the rebel girl who cost him everything Tough prosecutor Callie Hunter left the small town and never planned to return, but an unexpected inheritance requires her to return to the scene of her life's greatest heartache. When she encounters the town's golden boy who once owned her young heart—only to learn he's fresh out of prison. All David Langley wants is to be left alone to scrape together a life unrecognizable to the boy who once carried the town's dreams on his shoulders. Until he let Callie Hunter derail him. The draw between them is still there, but having her see how far he's fallen is unbearable. The more she's with him, however, the more she knows that who he was didn't change. There has to be more to the story. But second chances don't happen for convicted murderers, and when old enemies conspire to send him back into the hell he barely survived, the only one who can help him is Callie. The last person on earth he's willing to ask for anything. less

Once they had it all: a home with a man who adored her, three children they cherished, a life filled with passion and promise. Until one troubled child cost them everything. After a childhood of constant upheaval, all Cleo Formby wanted was to put down roots, to fill a house with family and love... moreOnce they had it all: a home with a man who adored her, three children they cherished, a life filled with passion and promise. Until one troubled child cost them everything. After a childhood of constant upheaval, all Cleo Formby wanted was to put down roots, to fill a house with family and love. When Malcolm Channing swept into her life, she gained it all: the home, the children, the love of a good man who adored her— Until their firstborn daughter tore their family apart, and even the love between Cleo and Malcolm wasn't strong enough to survive the devastation. Five years later, that daughter returns, destitute—with a child in tow. Cleo and Malcolm are thrown together again…and realize that their love has never died. But both have ties to others now, and their daughter is no less troubled than before. Being in constant proximity yet unable to be together is a constant heartache, but the welfare of this little grandson has to take first place. When Malcolm's new life is shattered by treachery, can he and Cleo overcome the wounds of the past and find their way back to the magic that once filled the house that love built? (A companion story to The Road Back Home, a different perspective of the story seen through Ria's eyes and going beyond) less

Can her family forgive what she can't forgive herself? Ria Channing ran from a tragedy of her own making six years ago, a pariah in the family and home that were once perfect…until she destroyed them. But a deathbed promise to her only friend forces her to return for the sake of the grandson her parents have never met... moreCan her family forgive what she can't forgive herself? Ria Channing ran from a tragedy of her own making six years ago, a pariah in the family and home that were once perfect…until she destroyed them. But a deathbed promise to her only friend forces her to return for the sake of the grandson her parents have never met. Homeless, hungry and worn out from fighting for survival, she carries with her no expectation of forgiveness—only heartfelt hope that the house that love built will welcome and care for her child, if not his bad seed mother. Sculptor Sandor Wolfe owes his career and his future to Ria's mother. There is nothing he wouldn't do to protect Cleo from the thankless daughter who has hurt her so deeply and now threatens the life she has rebuilt from the ashes of the old. What he doesn't expect, however, is to find a vulnerability and a courage that touch him as Ria tries to make up for all she has cost the family she destroyed. The battle is one she seems destined to lose, and Sandor finds himself torn between love and loyalty, with the stakes being his friend's broken heart and a valiant, fragile woman's survival. (A companion to The House That Love Built, a different perspective of the story seen through Ria's eyes and going beyond) less

Her dream house is the scene of his darkest hours. With his own hands, artist Micah Smith built every inch of the cottage for the fragile wife he cherished and the child who cost her life. His dreams gone and his heart broken, he left everything familiar behind, including the cottage he'd built with such love. A foster child most of her life, bar owner Jezebel Hart has spent her life longing for family and home... moreHer dream house is the scene of his darkest hours. With his own hands, artist Micah Smith built every inch of the cottage for the fragile wife he cherished and the child who cost her life. His dreams gone and his heart broken, he left everything familiar behind, including the cottage he'd built with such love. A foster child most of her life, bar owner Jezebel Hart has spent her life longing for family and home. In this abandoned, neglected cottage she sees a chance to create her dream at last. That she cherishes what he can't bear to be near is bad enough, but that sparks fly between them adds insult to injury—yet their attraction will not be ignored. Discovering that her bombshell exterior wraps a generous heart, that her inner strength matches the power of her compassion, endangers the hard exterior that has been his only protection from the grief he cannot let go. For Jezebel, learning that his anger masks a heart in desperate need of healing only strengthens her attraction to him. Her capacity for joy draws Micah from his darkness and makes him want to hope. But a secret could shatter their fragile bond…before it ever has a chance to grow. less