Sugar Maple Series by Ciara Knight

Ex-Army sergeant, Drew Lancaster demands order, but when he’s thrust into small-town politics involving crazy elders and a manipulative mayor he finds himself submerged in chaos. His only hope to navigate the strange rules of the town comes from a distractingly beautiful, mess of a woman - Carissa Donahue. As a small town girl, Carissa lives her life on a whim and a prayer. Even in the kitchen she never uses a recipe, yet her sweets are known as the best throughout the South... moreEx-Army sergeant, Drew Lancaster demands order, but when he’s thrust into small-town politics involving crazy elders and a manipulative mayor he finds himself submerged in chaos. His only hope to navigate the strange rules of the town comes from a distractingly beautiful, mess of a woman - Carissa Donahue. As a small town girl, Carissa lives her life on a whim and a prayer. Even in the kitchen she never uses a recipe, yet her sweets are known as the best throughout the South. She has no desire to be a part of Drew’s show, but she knows it’s the town’s best option to increase tourism during a troubling economic time. If there wasn’t an upturn, she’d have to close her bakery. She can’t lose it. Owning a bakery has been her lifelong dream, and her focus since her best friend ran away with her fiancé. The icing on the project for Drew is that a colleague has promised him a spot working at a real film network if Drew can spend time with Carissa and not fall in love. Drew isn’t sure he can resist the one person he’d never date under different circumstances, nor is he sure he wants to. Can Drew convince Carissa she can trust him enough to open her heart? less

Raised by her abuelo after Stella Frasier’s parents abandoned her in search of fame, she struggles to keep her auto repair shop open in honor of the one man who kept her safe. Her only option to keep her business afloat is to embrace the life she despises when fame-monger Knox Brevard strolls into her town with the promise of endless customers. All she has to do is sell her soul to the internet producer, a price she vows never to pay until an eviction notice is posted on her garage door... moreRaised by her abuelo after Stella Frasier’s parents abandoned her in search of fame, she struggles to keep her auto repair shop open in honor of the one man who kept her safe. Her only option to keep her business afloat is to embrace the life she despises when fame-monger Knox Brevard strolls into her town with the promise of endless customers. All she has to do is sell her soul to the internet producer, a price she vows never to pay until an eviction notice is posted on her garage door.Knox Brevard hides from real emotional connections after he failed to protect the woman he loved from a suicide bomber in Iraqi. Becoming an internet sensation allows him the ability to maintain superficial relationships until he meets a strong, independent woman that refuses him. With a television producer offering to take his show to a new level, he has to convince Stella Frasier that the show is her only option. The problem is, she’ll only agree if he proves himself worthy by opening his heart and sharing his truth. A truth that leaves him hopeless and lost.Can two people heal from their pasts to achieve their dreams and open their hearts to each other? less

Rugged and selfless firefighter, Blaze Warren, works hard to keep the people of Sugar Maple safe, especially his two daughters that recently came to live with him. Unfortunately, when it comes to parenting girls he’s out of his element. His eldest even nicknamed him NeoRent (Neanderthal Parent). In an attempt to win her over, he promises to find the perfect dress for her winter formal even if it means taking her shopping... moreRugged and selfless firefighter, Blaze Warren, works hard to keep the people of Sugar Maple safe, especially his two daughters that recently came to live with him. Unfortunately, when it comes to parenting girls he’s out of his element. His eldest even nicknamed him NeoRent (Neanderthal Parent). In an attempt to win her over, he promises to find the perfect dress for her winter formal even if it means taking her shopping.New York fashion designer, Jacqueline Raynor, longs to return to the fame she’d left behind in the big city after her ex-husband stole her designs, her heart, and her trust. Shamed and ridiculed by the press and friends, she sought temporary refuge in her home town with a vow she’d return to win back her life again someday.Blaze is all wrong for Jacqueline. He’s unkempt, disorganized, frumpy, and hot. But for some reason, when he accuses her of being selfish like his ex-wife, it bothers her. Despite her loathing of parental responsibilities, she decides to prove him wrong by rescuing his daughter from a fashion disaster, a job that brings them all closer together. But when a challenge interrupts her newfound happiness by a proposal from her ex-husband to restore her to former fashion designer glory, she must choose between family or fashion success. less