List of Main Characters by order of appearance and book:
Max and Ellen: Unexpected Homecoming (lawyer, mentioned in all the books)
Eric and Sarah: The Grumpy Mountain Man (ex-Army Ranger, military buddy with Tom and Zach, Eric's best friend, in all books)
Tom and Natalie: The Broken Billionaire (Sarah's Found Brother, Eric's Best Friend, in most of the books)
Beth and Chad: Best Friends' Unexpected Love (Sarah' mom and Tom's "Momtu" aka Mom2)
Zach, Grace, Harper: The Lonely Lumberjack (Military buddy and childhood friends of Eric, military connection with Tom)
Enrique and Leighann: Finding Love on the Slopes (Introduced in Tom's story, military connection to mountain men, second youngest of adopted boys)
Fernando and Sophie: Finding Love in the Clouds (Youngest of Enrique's adopted brother, introduced in Zach's story, connected to Sarah through Marie Lautner)
Gabriel and Mia: Finding Love at Sea ( second oldest adopted brother of Enrique and Fernando's, introduced in Tom's story)
Julio and Maria: Finding Love in the Caverns (third oldest adopted brother of above)
Anthony and Hannah: Finding Love Unexpectedly (oldest adopted brother of above)
Supporting Characters without books of their own, yet:
Hickory Falls & Mountain Men of Whispering Pines Connected Series:
Finn Sullivan: Zach and Eric's childhood friend, Harper's brother
Becky Davis: Harper's best friend, childhood friend of Eric, Zach, Finn
Gwen Pierce : Harper and Becky's roommate/soul sister
Anika Winters: Harper and Becky's roommate/soul sister
Liam Mitchell: ex-Army Ranger, in Eric and Zach's unit
Annette: Tom's biological mother
Charlotte: Tom's biological sister
Hunter and Dora: Zach's brother and sister
Caroline Harrington: Zach's mom
Teddy Harrington: Zach's grandfather
Seth and Jason Stoll: Eric's brothers
Bad Boys Club Series:
Curtis Parker: Sophie's brother, Enrique's best friend
Stella: Leighann/Curtis' grandmother
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
A Heart in Bloom
This is a Valentine's Sweethearts Multi-Author series novella that connects to Hickory Falls and the Mountain Men of Whispering Pines
When her life plans are uprooted, can a soldier's love help her heart bloom again?
Camillia Rodes never imagined she’d lose her flower shop just weeks before Valentine’s Day.
Desperate to rebuild her business, she finds a new location in the quaint town of Hickory Falls.
But as she works to revive her dream, she encounters Allen Calhoun—
a rugged, ex-military contractor who’s not just interested in renovating her shop, but in healing her heart.
With a past that has made her dread Valentine’s Day, Cammie is determined to focus on work.
But Allen has other ideas. Through thoughtful gestures and hidden messages,
he shows her that love can be found in the smallest details— even in a holiday she’s come to despise.
As Valentine’s Day approaches, Cammie must decide: will she let Allen’s kindness thaw her guarded heart, or will she miss her chance at a love that’s been secretly growing below the surface?
Deanna Lilly delivers heartwarming HEA stories that pull you in and make you feel like one of the family. If you like all the feels with only sweet kisses, this story is for you. Fans of Hallmark and Lifetime movies enjoy Deanna Lilly's books.
Book Note: A Heart in Bloom is a standalone novella in the Valentine's Sweethearts multi-author series, with connections to both the Mountain Men of Whispering Pines and Hickory Falls series. To explore Allen's military family further, dive into The Grumpy Mountain Man for his commanding officer Eric’s love story (set three years before Allen’s) or The Lonely Lumberjack to discover his buddy Zach’s parallel timeline romance.
Don't miss out on the rest of the Valentine's Sweethearts series.
Love is in the air, and romance blooms sweeter than candy hearts!
In charming towns across the country, love awaits those with open hearts this Valentine's Day. Fate brings together couples who discover that true connection goes beyond sweet nothings printed on candy. As they navigate the season of love and their own hesitations, they learn that sometimes, all it takes is one heartfelt message to change everything. Each story in 'Valentine's Sweethearts' celebrates the joy of finding love during the most romantic time of the year.
This sweet series will be filled with cozy small-town charm, heart-fluttering moments, and the magic of Valentine's Day. The books in this series will release from mid-January 2025 through February 2025.
Prequel to Hickory Falls and Mountian Men of Whispering Pines
He thought he had it all; until he met her.
Max was living his best life, focused on success.
Until a trip to a small town changes everything.
He is desperate to find his lost dog, Titan.
Instead, he finds the woman who awakens his cold, jaded heart.
Ellen never imagined herself with another man after her husband died.
Meeting Max reignites her heart.
Confusion and grief swirl as she tries to process her feelings.
A second chance at love has come if she is willing to love an older man.
Can a big-city millionaire find contentment in the small town he left behind?
Will fear and grief stand in the way of true love, or will two lonely souls claim their happily ever after?
This is a heartwarming tale of love, second chances, and the transformative power of coming home.
Book 1: Mountain Men of Whispering Pines
According to town gossip, I’m a grumpy mountain man.
They are right.
What I am not is a beach Barbie babysitter.
Yet, that is exactly what is going to happen.
After 10 years as an Army Ranger, all I want is the peace I find in my mountain cabin.
Winter is approaching.
I’m looking forward to long hours of reading in front of the fire.
What I am not expecting.
My best friend asking me to safeguard the woman who means the world to him.
All winter long.
She is gorgeous.
Fashionable.
Way too bubbly.
AND… from the city.
There are so many reasons why this woman is off-limits.
Yet, I can’t stop thinking about her.
I won’t lose my heart to the only woman who has ever made me want more.
She is heartbreak wrapped in a dark red bow.
I don’t believe in happily ever afters.
Do I?
This is a CLEAN heartwarming tale of love, healing, and the transformative power of embracing differences.
*Reader's Note: This is an ex-military story. There are several mentions of trauma and injuries the men endured. There are no gore or graphic descriptions, but the situations described could trigger some readers.
Book 2: Mountain Men of Whispering Pines
If only I weren’t her boss and trusted friend…
War taught me there are things worth fighting for, and Natalie is one of them.
I was drawn to her the day I hired her, and keeping my distance has been difficult.
We’re total opposites, but after spending days working on this conservation project together, I can’t get enough of her.
She’s a free-spirited nomad who fears being tied down, even by love.
I’m damaged in so many ways.
If she finds out my secrets, I will lose her forever.
What I should do is walk away before her life is ruined.
I can see my happily ever after in her eyes. But, do I deserve it?
This is a heartwarming HEA tale about the power of facing one’s fears and learning to love imperfections.
*Reader's Note: This is an ex-military story. There are several mentions of trauma and injuries the men endured. There are no gore or graphic descriptions, but the situations described could trigger some readers.
Hickory Falls
Cross over book to Hickory Falls and Mountain Men of Whispering PinesThanksgiving date and Valentine’s wedding. Too fast, or right on time.
I know, ten years is a long time to be in the friend zone.
In my defense, he is my boss, and everyone knows how well doctor/nurse relationships work out.
Falling in love with my best friend was unexpected.
This is my second chance at true love, and I want to take it.
But… I can’t go from best friend on Wednesday, to girlfriend on Thursday, fiancé by Friday, and wife on Saturday.
We are too old to waste another moment, but…
If I take this step, I risk another heartbreak and losing it all.
Can I trust my whole heart to the man all the nurses call Dr. Foxy?
This is a sweet friends to lovers, second chance, later in life, vacation romance.
*This book connects the Mountain Men of Whispering Pines and the Hickory Falls series.
Book 3: Mountain Men of Whispering Pines
My daughter’s first day of school is full of surprises.
Especially when her new teacher turns out to be my high school sweetheart, the one that got away.
When I joined the army sixteen years ago, Harper walked away.
Now I’m back, and my only priorities are rebuilding Hickory Falls and raising my little girl.
Being a single dad doesn’t mean I’m the lonely lumberjack everyone says I am.
But seeing my best friend’s sister for the first time in years has me wanting more.
The hurt of past betrayals feels too great to overcome.
Giving our love a second chance would mean trusting Harper with my heart, and my daughter’s.
Do I risk it all for a potential lifetime with the only woman I have ever loved,
or guard our hearts and lose her forever?
This is a sweet, heartwarming story of second chances and the transformative power of forgiveness and unconditional love.
*Note: This book contains references to emotional trauma resulting from the loss of children, abandonment, and a mentally abusive relationship. Nothing is graphically described, but the hurt is explained as the characters grow and heal. These topics may trigger some readers. Reader discretion is advised.
Mountain Men of Whispering Pines Complete Box Set
Three broken veterans find love and healing in this heartwarming ex-military, small-town romance series.
Book 1: The Grumpy Mountain Man
Eric has returned home after ten years in the Army Rangers to heal his scared body and find peace for his soul. He is looking forward to a long winter spent alone reading by the fire and woodworking. But when sunny Sarah, his best friend's sister, moves in next door unprepared for the cold, things heat up.
Book 2: The Broken Billionaire
Tom joins Eric in the mountains to heal after a traumatic mission nearly takes his life. Falling for Natalie, his employee and friend, feels right but complicated. He’s hiding from his past in more ways than one and worries that loving her could ruin her life.
Book 3: The Lonely Lumberjack
Zach is rebuilding his life and small town after leaving the army. Being a single dad is tough, but he's content until his old flame, his best friend's sister, unexpectedly returns to town. Is this his second chance at true love or just another heartbreak?
Indulge in a heartwarming small-town romance series where love conquers real-life challenges with the help of family and friends. If you enjoy drama with all the feels, nothing but sweet kisses, and minimal angst, this series is made for you. Fans of shows like Virgin River and Hart of Dixie will fall in love with Deanna Lilly's stories.
*Note to Readers/Trigger Warnings: These are ex-military stories about trauma brought back from war. There is no gore or graphic details, but scenarios are briefly described as they pertain to the men's brokenness. Book 2 deals with a parent's terminal illness, and Book 3 deals with the pain of losing a child. Please read with caution if you are sensitive to any of these topics.
Sweet Christmas Kisses Series
Connects to the Mountain Men of Whispering Pines and Hickory Falls seriesHe thought his holidays were ruined until he was rescued by… an elf in Santa’s sleigh. Christmas just got interesting.
Seth hasn’t been home for Christmas in over a decade, but now he has a niece and sister-in-law who demand his presence.
Last-minute complications at the factory mean driving 24 hours through a snowstorm.
One wrong turn, and he finds himself stranded on a farm in the middle of nowhere.
Mackenzie’s overwhelmed running Santa’s village, and this blizzard isn’t helping.
The last thing she needs is an unexpected guest.
With her family out of town, taking in a tall, handsome stranger may not be wise, but she can’t let him freeze to death.
Can Seth help Mackenzie save Christmas for the small town of Cloverdale before he loses his heart and unwraps a love he never thought he wanted?
Deanna Lilly delivers heartwarming HEA stories that pull you in and make you feel like one of the family. If you like all the feels with only sweet kisses, this story is for you. Fans of Hallmark and Lifetime movies enjoy Deanna Lilly's books.
Mistletoe Kisses Series
Connects to the Mountain Men of Whispering Pines, Hickory Falls, and Bad Boys Club seriesUnder the mistletoe, a shy librarian and a confident sheriff discover that love can happen when you least expect it.
Kate isn’t looking for romance when she trades city life for small-town charm—especially with her best friend’s brother. But when a Christmas mix-up leads to an unexpected kiss, her quiet life is turned upside down.
Tim, an ex-military pilot with a protective streak, never thought his cousins’ annual mistletoe bet would involve his heart. Yet, one kiss changes everything.
In this heartwarming holiday romance filled with mistaken identities, secrets, and a dash of Christmas spirit, Kate and Tim must decide if they’re ready to take a chance on love.
Sometimes, the best gifts are the ones you never saw coming.
Best-selling author Deanna Lilly delivers heartwarming happily-ever-after stories that pull you in and make you feel like one of the family. If you enjoy all the feels with only sweet kisses, this story is for you. Fans of Hallmark and Lifetime movies will love Deanna Lilly's books.
Book Note: "The Best Mistletoe Bet" is a crossover book between Deanna Lilly's Mountain Men of Whispering Pines series and the Bad Boys Club Series. If you want to learn more about Tim's Hickory Falls military buddies, start with "The Grumpy Mountain Man". Interested in his Braveheart Securities connections? Check out "Finding Love on the Slopes."
Series Note: The Mistletoe Kisses series is a clean/wholesome multi-author collaboration.
Christmas magic sparkles in small towns but can love bloom under the mistletoe?
The charm of quaint holiday towns is no match for these heartwarming romances. Fate brings together couples who discover the true meaning of Christmas, but first, they must navigate the festive season and their own hesitations. As they find themselves under the mistletoe, they learn that sometimes, all it takes is one kiss to change everything. Each standalone story in 'Mistletoe Kisses' celebrates the joy of finding love during the most wonderful time of the year.
COMING TO AMAZON KDP NOVEMBER 2024
Book 1: Bad Boys Club
Enrique is a billionaire bad boy—at least, that’s what the world believes. His playboy
reputation makes a good cover, but it could cost him the one thing he needs most: love.
Enrique has always been the baddest boy in the Bad Boys Club, and that hasn’t changed with age. A New Year's challenge between his brothers forces him to face his childhood fears once and for all. But when he’s paired up with his best friend’s sister for ski lessons, sparks fly, and danger spikes.
Leighann believes that no one’s past should define them forever, and she trusts her brother when he says Enrique is like a chocolate-covered cherry—hard on the outside and soft on the inside. But when their lives hang in the balance, Enrique is forced to confront the darkness that plagues him, and her strength is tested.
Will they overcome the odds and find happiness, or will Enrique's shadowy secrets shatter their chance at happily ever after?
Deanna Lilly delivers heartwarming stories that pull you in and make you feel like one of the family. If you like all the feels with only sweet kisses, this story is for you.
Book 2: Bad Boys Club
He’s a workaholic billionaire and the boss. She’s a woman with secrets who desperately loves him. When he proposes a fake relationship as part of his vacation disguise, she jumps at the chance to be his special lady, if only for a little while.
Abandoned at birth, Fernando knows the pain of being unwanted. Longing for a family, he collected and reformed the unloved "bad boys" from his orphanage. At their annual Bad Boys Club New Year’s Eve gathering, they challenge each other to face their biggest fears and find true love.
Sophie has secretly loved Fernando for years. When he admits he needs to fulfill a brotherhood pact, she plans an epic European adventure. Fake dating is genius but could break her heart. He may seem like a soft cinnamon roll, but love bounces off his hard edges.
Things get sticky when a rival author challenges Fernando's best-seller status, and he enacts an ill-advised scheme to get back on top. Buried scars and hidden secrets could rip them apart or push them together.
Can they accept each other’s baggage and embrace the love they both long for?
Deanna Lilly delivers heartwarming HEA stories that pull you in and make you feel like one of the family. If you like all the feels with only sweet kisses, this story is for you. Fans of Hallmark and Lifetime movies enjoy Deanna Lilly's books.
Book 3: Bad Boys Club
He’s a billionaire investment mogul with a playboy reputation. She’s his best friend’s little sister harboring a childhood crush. Things heat up as they set sail on a Caribbean cruise.
Gabriel, a mathematical genius with the brawn of a titan, rose to the top of the cutthroat financial world, focusing on building his empire and ensuring his BBC brothers' success. But this year’s Bad Boys Club pact to find love might be his ultimate challenge.
Mia, desperate for a break from her studies, is anticipating her annual summer sibling cruise despite dreading her brother’s overbearing attitude. Gabriel’s arrival could be a cruel twist of fate or the answer to her heart’s secret desire. But pursuing the only man to steal her heart could ruin their friendship and bring her brother's wrath.
As the hot sun beats down and close proximity intensifies emotions, will love find a way or be swept overboard by harsh winds and crashing waves?
Deanna Lilly delivers heartwarming HEA stories that pull you in and make you feel like one of the family. If you like all the feels with only sweet kisses, this story is for you. Fans of Hallmark and Lifetime movies enjoy Deanna Lilly's books.
We will be returning to Hickory Falls this spring. Stayed tuned for three more small-town love stories. Waiting for Book 4 in the Bad Boys Club series? Julio's story should drop this fall.
Come back and check it out, or follow me on one of the readings or social media sites for updates.