Most Popular Books by Loree Lough

In these heartwarming, faith-affirming stories, three Amish families face the joys, and challenges, of the holidays—with fruitful results . . . THE CHRISTMAS NOT-WISH New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author Shelley Shepard Gray When the foster parents they’ve cautiously grown to love discover they’re expecting, orphaned Roy and Jemima Fisher, ages six and seven, are secretly devastated by the certainty they’ll be given up. With Christmas around the corner, their only wish is for new foster parents as nice as Mr. and Mrs. Kurtz. Meanwhile, the Kurtzes have wishes of their own—and with faith, they all may be gifted with twice the blessings . . . NEW BEGINNINGS * Rachel J. Good Still grieving the loss of her husband and unborn baby in an accident several months ago, Elizabeth Yoder is oblivious to her neighbor Luke Bontrager’s deepening affection for her. But while she bleakly faces Christmas alone, it’s Luke who reminds her it’s the season for giving. And when Elizabeth donates her handmade baby clothes to New Beginnings, a home for teen moms, she soon finds her gifts repaid beyond measure, with Luke’s love—and new beginnings of their own . . . TWINS TIMES TWO * Loree Lough What happens when two secretive, stubborn people find themselves thrown together to help four rascally youngsters—twins times two!—create a Christmas surprise for their parents? Mischief and mayhem, and just maybe . . . love!

In the New Order Amish community of Pleasant Valley, a helping hand is never far away, and a baby’s smile can be reason enough to start over—and risk love again . . . Since losing his family in a tragic accident, building contractor Max Lambright can''t seem to find purpose in anything but hard work . . . until he meets feisty newcomer, Willa Richards. As she struggles to make a new life for herself and her baby girl, she challenges him in just about every possible way. Dare he hope that, alongside this spirited woman, he might rekindle his lost faith, and find the path to love and the family he craves? Poor choices and a difficult past have inspired Willa to make better decisions for her precious Frannie, even if it means leaving the familiar behind and starting over . . . among strangers. As she adapts to the Amish ways, she learns about Max’s generous and steadfast nature. The loneliness he tries so hard to mask can’t be hidden . . . not from a woman with something to prove: Together, they can build their friendship into something that will forever stand as the cornerstone of a happy family . . . Visit us www.kensingtonbooks.com

Highly skilled Search and Rescue (SAR) team leader, Honor Mackenzie, works almost as hard at guarding the dark secrets of her past as she does when training SAR dogs. As for widowed Sun reporter Matt Phillips, not even his former SAR work is as important as protecting his ten-year-old twin boys. When a jumbo jet crashes outside Baltimore one cold night, their respective jobs put them face-to-face at the grisly scene--and force Matt and Honor to reconsider the difficult decisions that resulted in their long-standing "single forever" status. As Matt tries to come to terms with his feelings for Honor, he gets word that she hasn’t reported in since starting the search for a missing child. Reverting to his SAR training, Matt leads the search team as a vicious winter storm bears down on the area. Will he find her in time? And if he does, will they find their way back to each other or go back to living life alone? "Honor Redeemed takes readers into the challenging--and often heartbreaking--world of emergency responders who enter disaster and find their lives and choices irrevocably changed by it. A timely novel about the power of love in all its aspects." --Susannah Charleson, author of Scent of the Missing: Love and Partnership with a Search and Rescue Dog

Ruby McCoy is haunted by her father''s sins.... When Ruby McCoy arrives in Fairplay, her ornate carriage is followed by an entourage who heft steamer trunks, hatboxes, and traveling bags into the hotel...where she has booked the entire second floor. Upon her notorious gangster father''s death, the now-wealthy Ruby, hiding under her mother''s maiden name, set out to right her father''s wrongs. Ruby is determined to spend every penny of her inherited "blood money" on those who paid the price for her father''s crimes. Sheriff Rex Truett doesn''t trust Ruby and doesn''t care who knows it. The keeper of Fairplay''s law and order makes it his business to find out why a stranger—especially a beautiful, spoiled, rich, female stranger—would set up businesses, donate to schools, hire workmen to rebuild houses, and provide access to the best medical care. But when a typhoid epidemic sweeps through the city, he is forced to reconsider. Will Rex blame Ruby for her father''s sins? Or will he accept the possibility that she is trying to create—and feel—the peace her father stole?

The Civil War has destroyed everything Valerie Carter held dear. Struggling to come to terms with her emotional devastation, she accepts a teaching position in Freeland, Maryland, and her heart is gradually warmed by her students’ affection. She also finds herself attracted to Paul Collins, a young widower with three children who has a childlike faith in Jesus Christ. Will Paul be God’s instrument to free Valerie from the bonds of bitterness?

Family Fiction’s #1 author of Amish Fiction! Amid the New Order Amish community of Oakland, Maryland, an unexpected gift of comfort and tender caring can help spark a surprising dream of love . . . Between raising three grieving children and running a booming business, recent widower Aaron Bontrager desperately needs help—even if it means a marriage of convenience only. He couldn’t be more surprised by his new wife, ebullient Bethel Mast. With an unconventional, joyful sense of purpose, she''s starting to turn his house back into a home and bring stability and peace to his children’s lives. And somehow, her gentle understanding is reigniting impossible hope in Aaron''s guarded, lonely heart . . . Bethel never had a fair chance for a home and family of her own. She doesn''t want to replace Aaron’s first wife, but she’ll face any challenge to aid him and his children. And she soon finds Aaron’s formidable exterior hides a sensitivity and caring that she’s quietly drawn to. Can Bethel show him that their practical arrangement is blossoming into so much more—and can be the start of a wonderful future together for all of them?

As a boy, Adam Thorne participated in a prank that went horribly wrong. Having no adult in his life to teach him that, with a changed heart, no sin is unforgivable, he turned his guilt into a shield... ...until Kasey Delaney bounded into his world, bubbling with life and overflowing with enthusiasm for God''s love. Months into their whirlwind courtship, Adam still hadn''t revealed his shameful secret. But could he bear the loneliness if Kasey couldn''t set aside her pain and anger and see him for the man he had become, rather than the boy he had been? Or would God, in His infinite wisdom, give Adam the strength to unburden his heart and rejoice in the healing power of love?

Shaina Sterling hates the lie she’s living but feels she has no choice. Soon after the shocking death of her husband, the young widow learns how deeply entrenched in debt his lavish lifestyle has left her. To protect the legacy of his name, as well as her own reputation and her stately home at Sterling Hall, Shaina secretly sells off valuable possessions, piece by piece, and hopes that her wealthy Denver friends never discover the truth. Successful rancher Sloan Remington knows far more about Shaina than she realizes, but because of a promise he made to her husband as he lay dying, he guards her secrets as carefully as he looks after her safety. But soon, a series of additional misfortunes make Shaina beholden to him—and threaten to expose a truth about himself that he’s long worked hard to keep hidden. Will trials and tragedies bring these two together? Or will secrets—and the cost of exposing them—drive them apart forever?

SCIENCE VERSUS...FAITH? Dr. Wade Cameron was a man of science—it came with the territory. He knew there was nothing between him and Patrice McKenzie short of chemistry. Never mind that the petite auburn-haired beauty had a smile that would put the sun''s glow to shame, and a heart big enough to match. But as a man of science he also knew that family history counted...and his clan''s sordid past left too much to chance. The twice-voted "Bachelor of the Year" was determined to continue his no-commitment policy...until Patrice began making this nonbeliever think that maybe he''d taken a wrong turn. Maybe there was something permanent in God''s plan for him?

Jet-setting Ethan Burke had no plans of becoming a father--especially not to the eleven-year-old daughter of his best friends! After losing her parents, Ethan brings his godchild to Christian counselor Hope Majors.

Among the New-new Order Amish of Oakland, Maryland, children bring precious hope, joy—and sometimes an unexpected second chance at love . . . For Amish widower Phillip Baker, providing for his family in the wake of his wife''s death means back-breaking work and renewed dedication to his faith. Still, his strength can’t help him relate to his little son’s struggles. It seems a godsend when new doctor Emily White is able to treat Gabe’s shyness and fear even as she helps heal him. But no matter how strongly Phillip is drawn to the caring Englisher from the city, their differences may be too great to overcome . . . Reeling from her own tragic loss, Emily keeps loneliness at bay through her clinic work. Somehow, though, Gabe and his gentle, sad-eyed father are making her want to risk opening her heart again. But can she find acceptance in their Plain world—and a way to turn their separate lives into a family forever? . . .

Suddenly Mommy by Loree Lough released on Jun 24, 1998 is available now for purchase.

When a coincidental meeting brings together young widow Levee O''Reilly and rancher Dan Neville, a confirmed bachelor for reasons of his own, they''re awakened to a long-ignored desire for love by the realization that they might have finally found it. Can these two mavericks accept the plans God has for their lives?

Joshua Neville is a quiet, even-keeled rancher who was just minding his own business when he witnessed a brazen bank robbery in San Antonio, Texas, that left three men dead. Even more shocking than the heist itself is that the ringleader looked like a woman! Having escaped a gang of robbers who forced her to participate in a bank heist, Kate Wellington adopts an alias and decides to flee to Mexico. Lost and hungry, she stumbles upon the camp of a man named Josh Neville who offers to escort her across the border. But when she injures her ankle, the kindly cowboy takes “Dinah” home to his ranch to heal, instead. As the two grow closer, Josh realizes he’s fallen in love, even as he learns the truth about Dinah. But does he know the whole story? And, after the truth comes out, will he put his life at risk to keep her with him?

Released from prison in 1840 for a crime he didn’t commit, Kent McCoy finds himself without friends, family, or a single reason to believe in a merciful God. Like a lone wolf, he leaves Dodge City, Kansas, and heads east in search of a place where his past won’t darken his future. His wandering path collides with that of Abby Nelson, who, through a series of tragic events, has come to believe that love and happiness are beyond her reach. Life is a matter of existing from day to day on her last thread of strength—her faith in God’s power. Despite their tendencies to live on the fringes of life, Abby and Kent are strangely drawn to one another. But will suspicion, self-righteousness, and lack of faith cost them this chance at happiness in one another’s arms? Or will they surrender to the love born from forgiveness?

Minutes before two jumbo jets changed U.S. history, New York police officer Austin Finley ignored the call from his brother, who''d been bugging him for days. Trying to live with his one regret causes hatred and bitterness to consume Austin, and when counselor Mercy Samara recommends desk duty, Austin resigns. Haunted by her own memories of 9/11, Mercy takes a job as a school counselor in Baltimore. When Austin, now an EMT, responds to an emergency at Mercy''s school, both are stunned and wary. Finally their common—and painful—memories turn suspicion into friendship, then romance. But hard questions linger: Can they truly move beyond their past harsh judgments and harsh words? Will their past finally bring them closer or—as the tenth anniversary of 9/11 draws near—drive them farther apart?

A kidnapping shattered their family… Rena and Grant VanMeter lived every parent’s worst nightmare when their preschool daughter was abducted. Riddled with guilt and hoping time apart would help them heal, Rena made the hardest decision of her life. But stunning news reunites her with Grant. Rosie has been found. Putting up a united front for their child’s sake isn’t as easy as they thought. Grant hasn’t forgiven Rena for taking her eyes off Rosie for a few critical seconds. And Rena has yet to forgive herself. But their little girl needs them more than ever…

Callie Roberts can''t shake her sense of guilt for the steamboat explosion that killed most of her family. Micah Neville can''t escape feeling obligated to protect the reputation of his cousin Dan. When he "inherits" a baby boy from a woman who claims Dan is the father, Callie steps in to help. Will their tragic pasts draw them closer or pull them apart?

Nell Holstrom wanted no part of her grandfather’s barren gold mine that had taken the lives of her mother, father, and younger brother—even if there may still be hidden wealth inside. Instead, she went to Denver and took a job as housekeeper at the old Stone Hill Inn. Asa Stone was barely more than a boy when his father dragged him and his brothers to fight with Colonel John Chivington. But Asa refused to participate in the raid on the peaceful Cheyenne and Arapahoe—and when the smoke cleared, his father and brother lay among the slaughtered. Besieged by guilt, Asa wandered the West for years before returning to Denver to rebuild the old inn he’d inherited. Together, Nell and Asa work hard to restore Stone Hill. But when disaster hits the inn, Asa retreats into despair and Nell is forced to return to her family’s mine. Asa faces the hard fact: He’ll never be the man Nell deserves. Can he overcome the dark secrets of his past? And will Nell still love him when she learns the truth?

Stage IV cancer patient Leah Jordan has only a short time to see her last wish fulfilled—she wants her two best friends from childhood to marry and become the adoptive parents of her beloved two-year-old daughter, Fiona. The three were inseparable throughout high school, but they’ve since gone their separate ways: Jade Nelson is a dedicated nurse who recently broke up with a longtime boyfriend, and Riley Steele is a veterinarian who has sworn off women and marriage alike. With time running out, will there be a wedding—and will little Fiona have a loving home?