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Matthew
One wrong delivery. One ruthless enemy. One explosive connection they can’t fight.
She’s built her life from the ground up.
He’s trained to face down danger.
Neither expected a deadly threat to dig in right at their feet.
Callie Morgan has spent years pouring her heart into Cedar Hollow Nursery, determined to honor her family’s legacy and keep her roots firmly planted in Harland County. Hard work, stubborn grit, and the occasional dry sense of humor are all she needs—until a wrong delivery drops something far more dangerous than garden supplies at her door.
Reporting the suspicious shipment should have been simple.
Instead, the evidence vanishes before the sheriff can see it, and Callie’s quiet life turns into a nightmare of threats, sabotage, and strangers lurking where they don’t belong.
Former Navy SEAL Matthew Walker thought small-town life would be easy after years of chaos overseas. He didn’t expect to find himself rescuing a fierce, sun-kissed nursery owner with stubbornness to match his own—or falling headfirst into a criminal mess that hits far too close to home.
Protecting Callie wasn’t in his plan.
Neither was falling for her.
But in Harland County, roots run deep...
and some dangers refuse to stay buried.
He’ll fight for her future.
She’ll fight to keep her heart.
Together, they’ll face a threat that wants to destroy them both.
About This
A growly, gruff former Navy SEAL who falls hard—and fights even harder
A fierce, stubborn heroine who’s not afraid to get dirty—or call him out
A fiery, fast-burn romance that ignites the second they collide
Sharp banter, heated looks, and stolen kisses in the middle of chaos
A deadly threat that forces them closer—and pushes them past their limits
Protecting her wasn’t the plan. Falling for her was inevitable.
Perfect for fans of steamy small-town romantic suspense with protective heroes and smart, stubborn heroines
She’s built her life from the ground up.
He’s trained to face down danger.
Neither expected a deadly threat to dig in right at their feet.
Callie Morgan has spent years pouring her heart into Cedar Hollow Nursery, determined to honor her family’s legacy and keep her roots firmly planted in Harland County. Hard work, stubborn grit, and the occasional dry sense of humor are all she needs—until a wrong delivery drops something far more dangerous than garden supplies at her door.
Reporting the suspicious shipment should have been simple.
Instead, the evidence vanishes before the sheriff can see it, and Callie’s quiet life turns into a nightmare of threats, sabotage, and strangers lurking where they don’t belong.
Former Navy SEAL Matthew Walker thought small-town life would be easy after years of chaos overseas. He didn’t expect to find himself rescuing a fierce, sun-kissed nursery owner with stubbornness to match his own—or falling headfirst into a criminal mess that hits far too close to home.
Protecting Callie wasn’t in his plan.
Neither was falling for her.
But in Harland County, roots run deep...
and some dangers refuse to stay buried.
He’ll fight for her future.
She’ll fight to keep her heart.
Together, they’ll face a threat that wants to destroy them both.
About This
A growly, gruff former Navy SEAL who falls hard—and fights even harder
A fierce, stubborn heroine who’s not afraid to get dirty—or call him out
A fiery, fast-burn romance that ignites the second they collide
Sharp banter, heated looks, and stolen kisses in the middle of chaos
A deadly threat that forces them closer—and pushes them past their limits
Protecting her wasn’t the plan. Falling for her was inevitable.
Perfect for fans of steamy small-town romantic suspense with protective heroes and smart, stubborn heroines
231 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 5, 2025
9 people are currently reading
6 people want to read
About the author
Donna Michaels
85 books549 followersHi there. Thank you for checking out my profile.
It’s all my mother’s fault. She read to me when I was little and sparked my imagination. Now, my mind is the limit, and believe me, there’s no limit to my mind.
Hello, I’m Donna Michaels, NYT & USA Today Bestselling Award winning author of Romaginative fiction. I write romance through the H’s—Hot, Humorous, Heartwarming, with strong alpha cowboys and military men who are equally matched by their heroines.
With a husband retired from the military and now working at a brewery, four children, 2 granddaughters, 2 grandsons, several rescued cats, and my parents living with us, I never run out of material. From short to epic, my books entertain readers across a variety of sub-genres, and one has even been hand drawn into a Japanese Translation. Now, if only I could read it…
It’s all my mother’s fault. She read to me when I was little and sparked my imagination. Now, my mind is the limit, and believe me, there’s no limit to my mind.
Hello, I’m Donna Michaels, NYT & USA Today Bestselling Award winning author of Romaginative fiction. I write romance through the H’s—Hot, Humorous, Heartwarming, with strong alpha cowboys and military men who are equally matched by their heroines.
With a husband retired from the military and now working at a brewery, four children, 2 granddaughters, 2 grandsons, several rescued cats, and my parents living with us, I never run out of material. From short to epic, my books entertain readers across a variety of sub-genres, and one has even been hand drawn into a Japanese Translation. Now, if only I could read it…
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
August 9, 2025
Thyme, lavender and crime
Both quite and reserved Callie and Matthew are put together when her nursery starts having troubles, little sparks, chatting together, learing more about each other, kinda instant chemistry that neither wants to admit to, ESI crew knows what the look is he has after being around Callie and Matthew tries to deny, they've been there done that, escalation of wrong shipments, suspicious people, wondering who she can trust, rain storm secrets, the slow burn between them, their mutual trust issues from their past, but knowing something special is on the horizon for them, Donna Michaels has done it again with the Harland Texas team, totally recommend this book and series, I absolutely loved Callie and Matthew, and the good guys won with the help of a feisty nursery owner, thank you, Dana Zamora
Both quite and reserved Callie and Matthew are put together when her nursery starts having troubles, little sparks, chatting together, learing more about each other, kinda instant chemistry that neither wants to admit to, ESI crew knows what the look is he has after being around Callie and Matthew tries to deny, they've been there done that, escalation of wrong shipments, suspicious people, wondering who she can trust, rain storm secrets, the slow burn between them, their mutual trust issues from their past, but knowing something special is on the horizon for them, Donna Michaels has done it again with the Harland Texas team, totally recommend this book and series, I absolutely loved Callie and Matthew, and the good guys won with the help of a feisty nursery owner, thank you, Dana Zamora
August 12, 2025
Callie, who runs the nursery handed down by her grandfather, is another strong female character, but when it comes to the suspense surrounding who is messing with her business, she is relieved when Matthew turns up to help figure things out along with his colleagues from the security company. They have an instant attraction although take things slowly.
There was a nice link in at the beginning from Book 15 with Matthew initially being sent to the nursery to collect some herbs that Annie wanted for her garden. Although if you hadn’t read the earlier book this wouldn’t detract from enjoying the story.
Another excellent book in this series with some steamy passion included along the way to their HEA.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
There was a nice link in at the beginning from Book 15 with Matthew initially being sent to the nursery to collect some herbs that Annie wanted for her garden. Although if you hadn’t read the earlier book this wouldn’t detract from enjoying the story.
Another excellent book in this series with some steamy passion included along the way to their HEA.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
August 21, 2025
This was my first book by Donna Michaels and I enjoyed it. The story is part of a series, but I didn’t feel as though I was missing anything. The titular character, Matthew, meets Callie when he visits her plant nursery. Callie has been having trouble at her business, with odd things happening, and she gets help from Matthew and his friends. I thought the writing style was good and liked the chemistry between Matthew and Callie. The added mystery and suspense kept me reading. Recommended.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
August 15, 2025
"Matthew" (HC Heroes Book 16) by Donna Michaels was a terrific read. I loved Matthew and Callie's story. This story had romance, passion, suspense, twists, entertaining characters, small-town life, military veterans, family, friends, humor, and more. This was a wonderful addition to this series. I'm looking forward to reading what happens next in Harland County. I highly recommend it to all fans of romance, military veterans, friends, family, small towns, and series.
October 19, 2025
Matthew meets Callie when Annie sends him to the nursery to pick up her delivery.
The more Matthew is around Callie, he is intrigued. She is very independent and takes very good care of her nursery.
A delivery shows up that she didn't order and that sets off warning flags. She refused it. Then extra items on another delivery that gets confiscated by ESI.
Matthew will do whatever he has to to protect Callie. Hopefully he makes it in time when she does need him.
The more Matthew is around Callie, he is intrigued. She is very independent and takes very good care of her nursery.
A delivery shows up that she didn't order and that sets off warning flags. She refused it. Then extra items on another delivery that gets confiscated by ESI.
Matthew will do whatever he has to to protect Callie. Hopefully he makes it in time when she does need him.
September 1, 2025
A great addition to the Harland County Heroes world and this is definitely a slow burn between Callie and Matthew Both are quite by nature and it takes a while for them to connect as they slowly build a friendship that becomes The other guys see it fa quicker than Matthew does All in all a fun read that kept me engaged
August 8, 2025
Absolutely loved Callum and Matthew. Both so committed and strong in this mystery surrounding Callie’s nursery. However, the subtle intimacy and calm insight that each brought to their relationship was beautiful. ❤️❤️❤️
August 13, 2025
Unusual Connection!
Matthew: He got labeled herb boy because he was sent on a mission to get a herb order for Annie from the nursery! When he first saw Callie he liked her take charge and how she ran the business. It was a great story and a wonderful addition.
Matthew: He got labeled herb boy because he was sent on a mission to get a herb order for Annie from the nursery! When he first saw Callie he liked her take charge and how she ran the business. It was a great story and a wonderful addition.
August 14, 2025
Callie and Matthew
Another great addition in Donna Michaels HC Heroes series. It’s so nice to meet new characters and hear about some characters from previous books.
Another great addition in Donna Michaels HC Heroes series. It’s so nice to meet new characters and hear about some characters from previous books.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews