Aspiring journalist Maura Hall dreams of changing the world, but for now, she'll settle for Chicago.Uprooting her life and eight-year-old son from the quiet Sandhills of North Carolina, Maura plants new roots in bustling Chicago, Illinois, in hopes of building a better future. But after three years of struggling to publish even a single hope-filled article, her dreams are on the verge of collapsing—much like the crumbling tenement she calls home. Forced to juggle two jobs to make ends meet, Maura finds herself editing typos for plagiarizing co-workers instead of crafting stories of change.Enter Rick Figueroa—handsome, smart, and supportive of Maura’s vision for their media company. With his help, they launch a "Dear Santa" project, designed to restore hope and Christmas cheer to thousands of children. As Maura’s attraction to Rick deepens, so do her suspicions about his identity and intentions.Maura must decide between love, her career, and doing what’s right—all before Christmas!What readers are saying about Carmen’s books:????? "Definitely could be made into a Hallmark movie..." — AVP (Chicago Hope)????? "A charming little story that will make an excellent companion whether you're waiting in line, stuck in traffic, or cuddled up at home!" — AVP (Chicago Hope)????? "Great story and even greater message…" — Top 1000 Vine Voice (Some Lucky Woman)????? "You'll be swept off your feet along with Jaynee as she discovers the man of her dreams. You'll be drawn into the drama. And you'll flip the pages fast as Jordan must desperately figure out the truth in time. I was and did!" — New York Times bestselling author Jaime Rush (She Belongs to Me)

Coming home isn’t always easy… Three years ago, nurse Sindy Carruthers returned to Bunya Junction wounded, wary and shamed by a relationship gone wrong. Welcomed home by her family and supportive community, she now manages the local medical practice and enjoys her newfound confidence. She’s perfectly happy on her own, until a blast from the past in the form of Ryan Flanagan appears.
Dr. Ryan Flanagan—renowned plastic surgeon to the stars—heads to Bunya Junction to pay his last respects to the man who opened his heart and house to an abandoned boy. Ryan’s no fan of Bunya Junction or the harsh judgments of some of the townsfolk, so he’s stunned to discover that his old mentor has bequeathed him half a general medical practice—hoping he’ll stay on and serve the community. The other half of the practice now belongs to the beautiful Sindy Carruthers, his closest friend’s twin sister.
Sindy knows Ryan will never stay in Bunya Junction and become her business partner, and that’s a good thing. Otherwise she might just lose her heart to him.

Having a meltdown in the local hardware store isn’t the best way to find the man of your dreams. Or is it? Brennan Taylor is at the end of his rope, and the busted pipe under his kitchen sink was the last straw. He knows nothing about plumbing, or any of the other things his father says a grown man should know, but lucky for him he is about to lose it in front of the perfect man to help him. Ryder Davis didn’t go to the hardware store intending to play hero. He went after a new faucet for his bathroom. But when he saw the angel in the plumbing aisle, it was obvious Brennan needed someone to step in and fix things for him. No problem, saving a beautiful man in distress was something Ryder was happy to do. Fixing Brennan’s plumbing turns into fixing his employment situation, and then right on to fixing his single status. But will Brennan’s determination to be the kind of man he thinks he is supposed to be keep him from being the boy a Daddy like Ryder needs?

When an oddball billionaire sets his eye on the local songstress and single mom, they’re Almost Sure.I want Quinn Darling with an intensity I’ve never felt, but she won’t have me. So what do I do? I make a move she can’t ignore.Sure, it may seem like I hold the cards, but she has all the power. The reality is, I’ve fallen for the one woman I can’t charm with money or material things. The more I learn about her, the more I admire her. And the more I try to buy her affection, the faster I seem to fall from her grace.She says she wants to know the real me—the man behind the billions. But I know better. For a woman like her, I’ll never be enough.

What happens when the wedding singer and photographer have history? Sparks will fly! ? “I’m a sucker for a rockstar romance and Laura Carter has written a great one. The sweetest second chance romance” Bestselling author Portia MacIntosh ?A sweet second chances romantic comedy you won't be able to stop reading! Perfect for fans of B. K. Borison, Sarah Adams and Beth O'Leary!When fate crashes the wedding...Tropes: Second chance romance Wedding setting Forced proximity Workplace romance Will-they-won't-they Wedding photographer Lyra Clarkson has built a career capturing other people’s perfect moments. She loves her job – despite her family’s disapproval – but she’s never quite found her own path. Wedding singer Guy Walker, former rock star, has hit a new low. Desperately needing cash, he’s agreed to take any gig his manager can get him, even if this new form of entertainment isn’t just singing.As Lyra and Guy’s paths cross – in the most bizarre way possible – an unexpected kiss will change everything. But was it simply a chance encounter or is fate bringing them back together?Now forced into each other’s lives for the entire wedding season, the unlikely pair may just figure out together how to realise both their dreams…From the bestselling author of Fake It 'til You Make It'This rockstar romance tugged at all the right heartstrings. Swoon-worthy, sweet, and sexy!' Camilla IsleyPraise for Laura Carter:'Such a fun read - I loved it!' Sarah BennettA juicy second-chance romance with an added hurricane! I couldn't put it down!' Leonie Mack'What a breath of fresh air this book is! A perfect, playful escape. A fun, fast read that will have you rooting for main characters.' Samantha Tonge‘A brilliant rom-com you’ll fall in love with’ Mandy Baggot'This has been one of my favorite reads of 2024. So much that I devoured it in less than 24 hours.' ????? Reader Review'This book has everything you’d want in a romance. I couldn’t put it down. The chemistry & banter between the characters is perfect! Highly recommend.' ????? Reader Review

She invented Mr. Right...just in time for the holidays.Every tangled web starts with one tiny white lie. The kind you spin when you're desperate.One day I, Mia D'Angelo, third-year pediatric resident, was telling my mom that I'd finally met the perfect guy. Gushing about how amazing he was. And how happy I was.It was all true. Until my "perfect guy," Dr. Braxton Hughes, turned out to be my co-worker and my only competitor for a spot in the best practice in town...and then suddenly I was dumped...again. But I kept going with the stories, to get her through a very tough time.My mom's health crisis ended, and just when I thought things had settled down, my family wanted to meet my wonderful boyfriend for Christmas.So I asked (okay, begged) just about every male I knew under forty, except of course for Brax.  Don't get me wrong. I could always count on him in a pinch. At work, that is.Brax is an amazing pediatrician, but he would never fit the bill as a boyfriend. Maybe in looks. And charm. And his big heart. The problem is that he's the biggest commitment-phobe this side of the Mississippi.He's the kind of guy I would definitely never take home for Christmas. There'd be no kissin' under the mistletoe, no canoodling under the tree—because my heart could not survive falling for him again.My car is packed and I'm down to no one, when magically, there he is, duffle in hand, melt-me smile on his face.Oh, joy.Keeping it professional is going to be a whole lot harder than I thought. Especially when he charms my parents, my whole family, and even my dog.And Dr. Wrong...well, he's suddenly looking awfully right.NOTE FROM THE AUTHOR: This is a heartwarming, uplifting, and humorous romance, and I, the author, want you to enjoy it thoroughly. The heroine works with kids who have cancer, and cancer has impacted people she loves. Please take note if reading about these issues might be of concern to you.