She's finally learned to say no?until fate sends her someone she can't refuse.

After a lifetime of abuse and disappointment, Sammy has built her world on independence. She runs a thriving restaurant, hires people who need second chances, and refuses to let anyone?especially a man?dictate her life again.

Then Storm Walsh calls out of the blue, claiming that Sammy is fated to be the mate of her son, Melbourne. Sammy laughs it off?until Melbourne himself shows up on her doorstep, handsome, patient, and entirely too sure that they belong together.

Melbourne isn't looking to control her?he's looking to protect her. As old wounds reopen and family secrets resurface, Sammy must decide whether to trust the dragon-blooded man who swears she's his destiny... or to walk away from the one love strong enough to melt her defenses.

I woke up one morning and decided to give play time to the people in my head who were keeping me awake. Little did I know that they would be so relentless and want their time right now! I wrote for the pure joy of it and to entertain my family and friends. But mostly it was to get more than an hour of sleep without a story playing out. Of course, the more I write, the more they want. So...well, as a result of sleepless days (I work through the night as a gun toting grandma ? nope not a vigilantly but an armed security guard) I have lots of stories written.

Hello! My name is Kathi Barton and I'm an author. I have been married to my very best friend Sonny for at times seems several lifetimes ? in a good way, honey. And together we have three wonderful children and then the ones we brought into the world - Paul and Dale Barton, Jason and Wendy Barton and Danielle and Ben Conklin. They have given us seven of the greatest treasures on Earth. They don't live at home seven days a week! No, seriously, seven grandchildren ? Gavin, Spring, Ben, Trinity, Sarah, Kelly and Kian.