Love By The Yard

by Gail Sattler

#ISBN is 978-1-59789-455-5

Love is blooming in Shanna's backyard. Struggling to rebuild her life after her husband's death, Shanna McPherson watches her landscaper transform her backyard into a work of art. Despite her attraction to this kind, handsome man, Shanna can't shake her fear of falling into another abusive relationship. Brendan Gafferty has his hands full on this landscaping job. Shanna's ornery dog keeps burying Brendan's tools and her two young children only add to the chaos. But somehow the mayhem that is the McPherson family works its way into Brendan's heart. When Shanna receives menacing threats from an angry relative, can she trust Brendan enough to turn to him for thelp - and maybe even another chance at love?

But Mitchell can only cook hot dogs....

When twenty-four-year-old Mitchell Farris signed up for an evening cooking class he wasn't expecting to meet the woman of his dreams. Now, if he can just convince the teacher he's the man of her dreams and that age doesn't matter, he'll be fine.

Carolyn Rutherford is quickly approaching her thirty-third birthday and knows that the time to settle down is fast approaching, but with whom? She has a mental image of her ideal mate - and it's not Mitchell Farris.

Would the Lord call her to marry someone nine years her junior? Or will everyone just wonder what's cooking?

SHANNON HAS A SECRET ADMIRER

   Shannon Andrews thought she'd never have to see her older brother's obnoxious best friend again. But out of the blue, Todd Sanders has come back into her life. It's too much to believe he's reformed himself, but somehow, he is different...

   Todd has loved Shannon for a long time. Knowing the pain his incessant teasing has caused, he's determined to win her heart through unconventional methods. But when the office playboy takes credit for Todd's work and feigns interest in a relationship with the Lord, Todd fears Shannon could be in over her head. How can he reveal his heart without appearing to be jealous?

Trouble is brewing...

... along with the coffee at Donnie's Donuts.

Sarah Cunningham is only working the graveyard shift to make her university classes. Of course, she enjoys seeing Constable Matt Walker, but she knows the extent of their relationship is coffee and pastries. That is, until she starts to notice some odd things happening around Donnie's Donuts.

Matt Walker is definitely attracted to Sarah. When she informs him of clandestine meetings between her boss and a known drug dealer, Matt has to put his feelings aside and help Sarah do the right thing.

click here to read an excerpt from A DONUT A DAY

Eat at Joe's...

Chantelle Dubois needs a job. So, when her uncle Joe needs her to fill in at his diner during an emergency, she comes running. She tries her best, despite the fact she has never worked in a restaurant. However, Chantelle and all those around her quickly agree-she can cross waitressing off her list of potential careers.

Mark Daniels is at the end of his rope. He's overworked, overtired, and overstressed at a job that, all his life, he thought he wanted. When a call for help to fix a crashed computer comes from his uncle’s business partner, Mark decides it is time to take some well-earned and much needed time off from his job. He travels to his hometown to help out at Joe’s.

click here to read an excerpt from Joe's Diner

Phillip McLean has been entrusted with the care of a family heirloom: a Christmas tree-topping angel ornament made by his grandmother. When disaster strikes - the poor angel is stained by coffee - Phillip calls upon Grace to help fix it before Granny finds out.

But that's not the end of it. Every time Phillip turns around, it seems, something else is happening to the angel. This ornament that was supposed to be a blessing has become a curse - except that it keeps sending him to Grace...

Meanwhile, Grace's emotions are surging. She's liked Phillip for years.

As Grace mends the crocheted angel, will her heart and Phillip's be knitted together? 

Trevor's best friend is marrying Janice's best friend.

And they have only four months to convince Frank and Laura -- who couldn't be less suited as mates -- to call off their wedding. In desperation, Trevor and Janice implement a plan. Pretending to be in love, they double-date with Frank and Laura as a means to help the pair discover how wrong they are for each other.

But nothing Trevor and Janice do seems to matter. Even after attending a twelve-week pre-marital course with their friends, Frank and Laura remain stubbornly committed to their wedding plans.

Another train arrived at the station

Hard times that began with the stock market crash of 1929 are only worsening for Elliott Endicott. With his dreams crumbling around him, Elliott has one last hope: a job on the West Coast. He'll be taking the train--but not as a paying passenger.
Louise Demchuck's father works for the railroad, and one of his duties is to remove hobos from the trains. Day after day, Louise's kind heart aches with compassion for the homeless men she sees. She always prays for them and does what little she can to feed them.
What will happen when a hobo named Elliott crosses the path of a railroader's daughter named Louise? Will the locomotive whistle announce love or simply another disappointment?

Boys and their toys. . .

Twenty-five-year-old Josh McMillian has become the legal guardian of his five active nephews, ages six to fifteen - and he's in way over his head. Josh struggles to find time for himself as he cares for the boys, cooks, cleans, and acts as referee, all while holding down a full-time job. He also hopes to get the boys involved in church - something his nephews have never done before.
Schoolteacher Melissa Klassen takes a special interest in young Bradley McMillian, especially after she saves him from a stray dog's attack. In return, Bradley has a special interest in her, too - not just for himself, but for sad, lonely Uncle Josh.

Life is full of surprises. . .

Cindy Martins is always willing to take on a challenge, such as administering first aid to the unidentified victim of a car accident. She assumes the relationship will end there - after all, she doesn't even know if he'll live.
Months later, she meets the man - who is very much alive and wanting to know her better. Cindy, however, satisfied with the knowledge that God put her in the right place at the right time, isn't interested in his gifts or gratitude. Despite his wishes - and because of the unusual circumstances of their meeting - Cindy must send him away.

Snowbound for Christmas!

When a car accident strands Dennis Bancroft in a snowstorm, he desperately needs help--fast. As the snow cover rises and the temperatures drop, a saving angel happens by on her way to her family's mountain cabin.
Adelle Wilson's plans for celebrating Christmas change quickly, as she finds herself entertaining unexpected houseguests for the holiday.
In a snowbound cabin, caring for two infants and making do with limited supplies, Adelle and Dennis experience a Christmas they will never forget. Under ordinary circumstances, they would never have met. Now, can they bear to part?

One day, Molly overhears an office rumor about their "tawdry affair" and confronts Ken. He assures Molly that such talk is nonsense and that she deserves to be courted properly. Mind reeling, Molly wonders, Could he really mean he is interested in me?

Will Roberta find the answers she’s looking for, or will she discover a different path to the peace she seeks?

Jillian Jefferson has been hurt too many times.

Jillian knows better than to risk being hurt again, and she's quite happy with her life the way it is - quiet, steady, and predictable.  Teaching piano keeps her busy and earns her a living, and except for church on Sunday, she feels no need for anything more in her life.
One day, though, a new piano student changes her life forever. She's expecting a kindergartner - but "little Jed" turns out to be a full-grown man. He is handsome and gentle, he makes her laugh, and he is committed to God. In short, he seems too good to be true.

Except for her Savior, no one has ever loved Jillian unconditionally, without wanting something in return. With a heart so scarred and cautious, can she ever bring herself to accept Jed's love?