Karen Kirst – författare

When buried secrets surface, she’s caught in a criminal’s crosshairs.Aquarium employee Olivia Smith isn’t sure why someone wants her dead—but Marine Corps pilot Brady Johnson knows a secret that could explain it. Brady vowed he’d tell no one that Olivia’s husband had been on the run from his own mob family before he died, but he also promised he’d keep Olivia safe. With danger running deep, they’ll have to work fast to stay alive.

This is an Apple Books audiobook narrated by a digital voice based on a human narrator."I''m not leaving you."He made a promise to protect her.Back in her hometown, Tori James never expects to spend time with her ex-fiancé–until someone blows up her car. Now she has a target on her back, and accepting Staff Sergeant Cade McMann as her bodyguard is her only hope of staying alive. But even as Cade and Tori are drawn back together, a killer is determined to tear them apart for good.

This is an Apple Books audiobook narrated by a digital voice based on a human narrator.She uncovered a secret someone will kill for…But he''s determined she''ll surviveReporting missing narcotics lands nurse Audrey Harris and her patients in the crosshairs of a ruthless thief. But when marine sergeant Julian Tan is one of the patients in danger, the criminals unwittingly provide her with a strong–and handsome–protector. On the run, Julian and Audrey must stop a crime boss…or become the next to fall.

This is an Apple Books audiobook narrated by a digital voice based on a human narrator.When buried secrets surface,she''s caught in a criminal''s crosshairs.Aquarium employee Olivia Smith isn''t sure why someone wants her dead–but Marine Corps pilot Brady Johnson knows a secret that could explain it. Brady vowed he''d tell no one that Olivia''s husband had been on the run from his own mob family before he died, but he also promised he''d keep Olivia safe. With danger running deep, they''ll have to work fast to stay alive.

Surprise Christmas blessingsHer Holiday Family by Winnie Griggs Reserved widow Eileen Pierce never considered herself cut out to be a mother. But when handyman Simon Tucker is stranded in town with ten young orphans at Christmastime, she can't just turn them away. Though Simon’s easygoing demeanor clashes with Eileen’s buttoned-up propriety, his kindness melts her stern facade. Soon Simon and the children upend Eileen's quiet, orderly life. Will they do the same to her guarded heart?The Sheriff''s Christmas Twins by Karen Kirst Convinced that Allison Ashworth deserves better, Sheriff Shane Timmons has always tried to remain aloof. But with Allison in Gatlinburg for the holidays and caring for two motherless babies, Shane wants to help her. Allison has always been drawn to Shane, but he never seemed to look her way. Now, spending time with him and the twins gives her hope that her dreams of motherhood—and a life with Shane—may come true.

A Kidnapper—and a Gentleman? The ruthless criminal who took Juliana O'Malley hostage was a thief and an outlaw—or so she thinks. But on a perilous journey through the Smoky Mountains, he becomes her unlikely protector. And when he pledges to return her home safely, she somehow finds herself believing him.Evan Harrison has risked everything to find the men who killed his brother. Saving spirited, strong-willed Juliana could blow his cover with a deadly gang. Yet her courage and unwavering faith make him dream of the home and family he thought he could never have. And suddenly, that future is incomplete—without Juliana in it.

HERE COMES THE…BRIDE? The heiress Josh O’Malley has courted by mail is on her way to Gatlinburg, Tennessee, to become his wife. His dreams are coming true, and together, they’ll create the family he’s always wanted. But when the stagecoach arrives, it’s not his intended who exits, but her sister, Kate!She came to end her sister’s engagement, but with her duty completed, Kate Morgan is in no hurry to leave. She can’t help but like the beautiful mountain town…and her sister’s would-be groom. If only Josh would realize that his dream can still come true—and love can be found where least expected. Smoky Mountain Matches: Dreams of home and family come true in the Smoky Mountains

A Tennessee woman is swept off her feet by a mysterious outlaw in this exciting and uplifting historical Western romance.Tennessee, 1880. The ruthless stranger who takes Juliana O’Malley hostage is a thief and an outlaw—or so she thinks. But on a perilous journey through the Smoky Mountains, he becomes her unlikely protector. And when he pledges to return her home safely, she somehow finds herself believing him.Evan Harrison has risked everything to find the men who killed his brother. Saving spirited, strong-willed Juliana could blow his cover with a deadly gang. Yet her courage and unwavering faith make him dream of the home and family he thought he could never have. And suddenly, that future is incomplete . . . without Juliana in it.

In this inspirational historical romance, a woman who must tell her sister’s fiancé that the wedding is off falls for the jilted groom.The heiress Josh O’Malley has courted by mail is on her way to Gatlinburg, Tennessee, to become his wife. His dreams are coming true, and together, they’ll create the family he’s always wanted. But when the stagecoach arrives, it’s not his intended who exits, but her sister, Kate!She came to end her sister’s engagement, but with her duty completed, Kate Morgan is in no hurry to leave. She can’t help but like the beautiful mountain town . . . and her sister’s would-be groom. If only Josh would realize that his dream can still come true—and love can be found where least expected.

When a Tennessee woman sets out to marry in under a month, her perfect match may be close to home in this charming historical romance.Sophie Tanner gave up hoping for Nathan O’Malley’s approval—and love—long ago. Getting married is the only way to protect her younger brother and keep her family’s Smoky Mountain farm. As much as she’d like Nathan to be the groom, he can’t seem to get past their friendship . . . or their differences. Since they were children, Nathan has known Sophie was too impulsive, too headstrong. She’s forever rushing into situations without thinking them through, like this scheme to snare a husband in under a month. Nathan always thought he’d fall in love with someone like himself—sensible, cautious, levelheaded. Sophie is his polar opposite. So why can’t he picture anyone else at his side?

A land dispute in nineteenth-century Oklahoma brings together a cowboy and a widowed mother in this inspirational historical romance.The cowboy meets his match . . . Everything Gideon Thornton has worked for is in jeopardy, all because of one stubborn woman. Evelyn Montgomery insists that Gideon’s new claim from the Oklahoma Land Rush legally belongs to her. Both refuse to budge—even when the law says that until their dispute is settled, they must share the land. Their family feud has taught Evelyn that Thortons can’t be trusted. Yet day by day Gideon’s thoughtfulness to Evelyn, and especially to her young son, shows the real truth. A truth that may mean the end of her claim . . . and the start of a future big enough to encompass both their dreams. Bridegroom Brothers: True love awaits three siblings in the Oklahoma Land Rush

Christmas brings redemption and renewal for an injured cowboy and the woman who refuses to turn him away in this uplifting historical Western romance.Tennessee, 1881. Wherever Caleb O’Malley goes, trouble follows. And trouble is the last thing Rebecca Thurston needs. But when Caleb appears—gravely wounded—at Rebecca’s Smoky Mountain cabin, she can’t turn him away. His life depends on her kindness, but she never anticipated it would lead to an unwanted proposal.Caleb never forgave himself for the accident that ended Rebecca’s engagement and destroyed her life. He doesn’t want to hurt her again. But after a week recuperating at her cabin, there is only one way for Caleb to protect both their reputations from scandal. Neither of them wants to tie the knot, but as Rebecca and Caleb spend time together, will they find there’s more to their marriage than convenience?

A suspected thief steals a merchant’s heart in this charming Christian historical romance from the author of Married by Christmas.Being tied up and delivered to the sheriff was not how Nicole O’Malley expected to meet her new boss. Quinn Darling had the audacity to mistake her for a burglar! Now she’s counting the days until she can leave small-town life behind to open her own boutique. But as long as she’s helping two runaways escape their vindictive stepdad, she can’t leave town.Quinn’s determined to triumph in his first business venture without the support of his wealthy family. He can’t succeed without assistant Nicole, a beauty as prickly as she is captivating. As Quinn adjusts to the tight-knit community, he’s soon set on another goal: breaking through Nicole’s reserve to capture the love hidden in her heart.Smoky Mountain Matches: Dreams of home and family come true in the Smoky Mountains.

A BATTLE OF WILLS New Orleans aristocrat Lucian Beaumont wants only to sell his estranged grandfather's property and escape the backwoods of Gatlinburg, Tennessee. But a stipulation in the will brings him head to head with a local beauty. Megan O'Malley and the town must have access to the house.For the first time in his life the commanding Lucian finds himself at an impasse. Clearly the worldly gentleman doesn't fit in Megan's quaint Smoky Mountain town. But as she glimpses the man beneath the hardened veneer, she believes Lucian is here for a purpose. To heal his soul. And maybe, with Megan's help, to heal his heart. Smoky Mountain Matches: Dreams of home and family come true in the Smoky Mountains.

WANTED: A HUSBAND. Sophie Tanner gave up hoping for Nathan O’Malley’s approval—and love—long ago. Getting married is the only way to protect her younger brother and keep her family’s Smoky Mountain farm. As much as she’d like Nathan to be the groom, he can't seem to get past their friendship…or their differences. Since they were children, Nathan has known Sophie was too impulsive, too headstrong. She’s forever rushing into situations without thinking them through, like this scheme to snare a husband in under a month. Nathan always thought he’d fall in love with someone like himself–sensible, cautious, levelheaded. Sophie is his polar opposite. So why can’t he picture anyone else at his side?

The Cowboy Meets His Match Everything Gideon Thornton has worked for is in jeopardy, all because of one stubborn woman. Evelyn Montgomery insists that Gideon's new claim from the Oklahoma Land Rush legally belongs to her. Both refuse to budge–even when the law says that until their dispute is settled, they must share the land.Their family feud has taught Evelyn that Thortons can't be trusted. Yet day by day Gideon's thoughtfulness to Evelyn, and especially to her young son, shows the real truth. A truth that may mean the end of her claim…and the start of a future big enough to encompass both their dreams. Bridegroom Brothers: True love awaits three siblings in the Oklahoma Land Rush

The time has come for Italian tycoon Marco De Luca to avenge Claudia's betrayal of four years ago. He'll bed her once more, then coolly cast her aside as she did him!What Marco's not prepared for is the powerful effect Claudia still has on him. One night with her isn't enough to satisfy the demanding Italian's needs. How many nights will it take to get her out of his system? Especially now that Claudia may be innocent after all… .

Falling for the Boss Being tied up and delivered to the sheriff was not how Nicole O'Malley expected to meet her new boss. Quinn Darling had the audacity to mistake her for a burglar! Now she's counting the days until she can leave small-town life behind to open her own boutique. But as long as she's helping two runaways escape their vindictive stepdad, she can't leave town.Quinn's determined to triumph in his first business venture without the support of his wealthy family. He can't succeed without assistant Nicole, a beauty as prickly as she is captivating. As Quinn adjusts to the tight-knit community, he's soon set on another goal: breaking through Nicole's reserve to capture the love hidden in her heart. Smoky Mountain Matches: Dreams of home and family come true in the Smoky Mountains

No Possessions, No Memories, Not Even A Name! The wounded stranger found on Jessica O’Malley’s property has no idea who he is. And Jessica would be foolish to trust him after being proven so wrong about a former suitor who turned out to be a criminal. But Jessica’s wariness toward the newcomer is soon turning to interest…and hope.Until he knows his true identity, “Grant” can’t make a life in this quaint Tennessee town. He certainly shouldn’t be thinking so much about the feisty redhead with beautiful, guarded eyes. But even as he fights to keep a distance from Jessica, his feelings for her grow. And he can’t help but wonder if he’ll want to return to his old life when his past is revealed. Smoky Mountain Matches: Dreams of home and family come true in the Smoky Mountains

Mail-Order Matchmaking Newly minted Cowboy Creek sheriff Noah Burgess doesn’t want a wife—despite his friends insisting that he needs one. So when they send for a big-city single mother to be his mail-order bride, he’s fit to be tied. Even if vivacious Grace Longstreet might just be the only person who can see past Noah's scars…and help him heal.Grace needs a husband to keep her and her twin daughters out of her brother-in-law’s grasp. And she’ll do anything—including taking on her cousin’s identity—to find one. But as the attraction between Grace and the lawman sparks higher, she begins hoping for a real marriage. So she needs to tell the truth…or a mail-order match that’s meant to be could crumble. Cowboy Creek: Bringing mail-order brides, and new beginnings, to a Kansas boom town

Holiday Baby Blessings Convinced that Allison Ashworth deserves better, Sheriff Shane Timmons has always tried to remain aloof around his childhood companion. But with Allison in Gatlinburg for the holidays, insisting on caring for two motherless babies, Shane feels obliged to help her. How can he keep his distance when she and the children are quickly becoming the family he never dared to wish for?As a girl, Allison was drawn to the wary yet handsome Shane, who never seemed to look her way. But in spending time with him and two sweet babies, she might yet find a chink in the confirmed bachelor's armor. Every shared moment gives Allison hope that this Christmas, her dreams of motherhood—and a life with Shane—may finally be coming true.

Her Inconvenient HusbandWhen a riding accident strands socialite Caroline Turner overnight with the new stable manager, she gets the one thing she never wanted—a husband! Marrying the infuriatingly stubborn Duncan McKenna wouldn’t have been her first choice, but with her reputation damaged, it’s her only option.Still, there’s something about the brash, rugged Scotsman that fascinates Caroline. If Duncan wanted to wed a society girl, he would have stayed in Boston with his family and his fortune. He expects Caroline to balk at her new modest lifestyle, but instead the strong-willed beauty seems determined to prove him wrong, making her all the more irksome…and irresistible. The marriage of convenience isn’t what Caroline and Duncan planned, but could they be a perfect match?

A Temporary BetrothalPregnant widow Ellie Jameson is hiding a secret: her betrothal is a sham to keep her safe from her interfering in-laws. It’s simple friendship that prompts her reclusive boss to pose as her fiancé. But can Ellie keep her feelings for Alexander Copeland from developing into something more?When he moved to Gatlinburg after losing his wife and child, Alexander had one rule: stay out of other people’s lives. Easier said than done with the café owner’s eternally optimistic cook interrupting his enforced solitude. He only intended to protect Ellie, not propose to her. But with a little trust, and a helping of forgiveness, this temporary arrangement could be a recipe for lasting happiness…Smoky Mountain Matches: Dreams of home and family come true in the Smoky Mountains

The Gift of FamilyCommitted to her spinsterhood, Isabel Flores isn't about to trust a man with her hard-won independence or her heart—especially not lawman Ben MacGregor. But when a little boy is abandoned on her property, the so-called “Debonair Deputy” of their small Tennessee town helps her care for the child. And Isabel begins to hope he might be more than just a handsome flirt.Ben is well aware of Isabel’s aversion to love and has his own secret reasons for avoiding relationships. But as he and Isabel do their best to make the holiday special for their young ward, Ben wonders if he could be a family man after all. Will this Christmas be the first of many for Isabel and Ben’s little instant family?Smoky Mountain Matches: Dreams of home and family come true in the Smoky Mountains

Second Chance Bride Though she came west in her wedding dress, Deborah Frazier isn’t looking for a groom. She fled St. Louis to escape marrying a man she didn’t love. In Cowboy Creek she’s found shelter, friends, and a job. All that’s now in jeopardy, thanks to a handsome newcomer.Undercover Pinkerton agent Adam Halloway is hunting for his family’s greatest enemy. The pretty baker at the boarding house is certainly hiding something—but is she accomplice to a criminal? As evidence against Deborah piles up, can Adam trust his heart and make Deborah a bride at last? Return to Cowboy Creek: A bride train delivers the promise of new love and family to a Kansas boom town.

“I’m not leaving you.” He made a promise to protect her Back in her hometown, Tori James never expects to spend time with her ex-fiancé—until someone blows up her car. Now she has a target on her back, and accepting Staff SergeantCade McMann as her bodyguard is her only hope of staying alive.But even as Cade and Tori are drawn back together, a killer is determined to tear them apart for good.

She uncovered a secret someone will kill for… But he’s determined she’ll surviveReporting missing narcotics lands nurse Audrey Harris and her patients in the crosshairs of a ruthless thief. But when marine sergeant Julian Tan is one of the patients in danger, the criminals unwittingly provide her with a strong—and handsome—protector. On the run, Julian and Audrey must stop a crime boss…or become the next to fall.

Scandal weds a socialite and a Scotsman in a most inconvenient marriage in this sweet historical romance from the author of The Sheriff’s Christmas Twins.When a riding accident strands socialite Caroline Turner overnight with the new stable manager, she gets the one thing she never wanted—a husband! Marrying the infuriatingly stubborn Duncan McKenna wouldn’t have been her first choice, but with her reputation damaged, it’s her only option. Still, there’s something about the brash, rugged Scotsman that fascinates Caroline.If Duncan wanted to wed a society girl, he would have stayed in Boston with his family and his fortune. He expects Caroline to balk at her new modest lifestyle, but instead the strong-willed beauty seems determined to prove him wrong, making her all the more irksome—and irresistible. The marriage of convenience isn’t what Caroline and Duncan planned, but could they be a perfect match?“This lively historical romance loses no time in introducing a young lady with trouble on her mind and a brawny Scots lad with dancing on his mind . . . romance with a suspenseful ending lies in store. This is a gently inspirational book suitable for any age from teen to adults.” —Fresh Fiction

A self-proclaimed spinster gets a holiday surprise—the gift of family—in this uplifting historical romance from the author of The Engagement Charade.Committed to her spinsterhood, Isabel Flores isn’t about to trust a man with her hard-won independence or her heart—especially not lawman Ben MacGregor. But when a little boy is abandoned on her property, the so-called “Debonair Deputy” of their small Tennessee town helps her care for the child. And Isabel begins to hope he might be more than just a handsome flirt.Ben is well aware of Isabel’s aversion to love and has his own secret reasons for avoiding relationships. But as he and Isabel do their best to make the holiday special for their young ward, Ben wonders if he could be a family man after all. Will this Christmas be the first of many for Isabel and Ben’s little instant family?