Callaghan Brothers Guide: The Official Guide to the Callaghan Brothers Series Read online

  The Official Callaghan Brothers Guide

  Abbie Zanders

  Published by Abbie Zanders, 2015.

  This is a work of fiction. Similarities to real people, places, or events are entirely coincidental.

  THE OFFICIAL CALLAGHAN BROTHERS GUIDE

  First edition. June 8, 2015.

  Copyright © 2015 Abbie Zanders.

  Written by Abbie Zanders.

  A Guide to the Callaghan Brothers Series

  Books 1 thru 8

  Table of Contents

  Welcome to Pine Ridge!

  The Books

  #1 Dangerous Secrets: Jake and Taryn’s Story

  #2 First and Only: Ian and Lexi’s Story

  #3 House Calls: Michael and Maggie’s Story

  #4 Seeking Vengeance: Sean and Nicki’s Story

  #5 Guardian Angel: Kane and Rebecca’s Story

  #6 Beyond Affection: Shane and Lacie’s Story

  #7 Having Faith: Kieran and Faith’s Story

  #8 Bottom Line: Aidan and Mary’s Story

  The Characters

  Overview

  The Callaghan Clan

  Supporting Characters

  The Connelly Branch

  The Callaghan Family Tree

  Timeline

  Year 0 (Dangerous Secrets)

  Year +1 (First and Only)

  Year +2 (First and Only)

  Year +3 (First and Only, House Calls, Seeking Vengeance)

  Year +4 (Seeking Vengeance, Guardian Angel)

  Year +5 (Guardian Angel)

  Year +6 (Beyond Affection, Having Faith, Bottom Line)

  Year +7 (Bottom Line)

  The Callaghan Crest

  The Callaghan Vehicles

  The Virgin Slayer

  An Interview with the Callaghans

  Thank You!

  About the Author

  Also by Abbie Zanders

  Welcome to Pine Ridge!

  If you’re looking at this Guide, then chances are you are familiar with my Callaghan Brothers series. First, let me say THANK YOU, from the bottom of my heart. Seriously. When I started jotting down ideas years ago, I had no intention of ever publishing them. And once I did finally gather enough courage to do so, I never, ever, dreamed they would be received so well.

  Why a Callaghan Brothers Guide?

  While each new book in the series was written as a stand-alone, it also included information from previous releases, as well as gave new insights into familiar characters. Over time, the family grew, new characters were introduced, and sometimes it was hard to keep everything straight, especially the timing of things. I found I had to keep notes so I wouldn’t contradict what I’d already written – what happened when, who did what, what they drove, etc. It proved very useful to me, so I thought it might be for readers as well.

  What’s in the Callaghan Brothers Guide?

  A list of the books (in order) with blurbs and excerpts

  The characters and super-short bios of each

  A family tree

  A timeline (no big spoilers if you haven’t read the whole series)

  Miscellaneous info on things like the Callaghan crest, their cars, stuff like that

  The super-secret recipe for Brian McCain’s Virgin Slayer

  A special interview with the boys

  The Books

  #1 Dangerous Secrets: Jake and Taryn’s Story

  Two secret pasts... one passionate love story.

  Taryn Malone is stranded, broke, and desperate for help. But even if the sexy bartender she's been eyeing offers her a job for the evening... even if he seduces her with his impossibly intense blue eyes... even if every fiber of her heart tells her to stay with him... she can't.

  Because Taryn Malone doesn't exist.

  Jake Callaghan has been running the family's Irish pub for years now. When he sees Taryn standing out alone in the rain, he does what he's been trained to do as a SEAL - he rescues her. It has nothing to do with her full, firm curves, or her loose, golden-blonde hair, or the way she brushes against him that sends lightning bolts through his body. It's just the right thing to do.

  Really.

  But both Taryn and Jake are hiding secrets from each other. Dangerous secrets. And neither one of them knows just how dangerous it can be to fall in love...

  Excerpt:

  The closer Jake got to her, the stranger he felt. He likened it to an electrical current flowing through his body, which, unfortunately, he had experienced. Comparatively speaking, this instance was much more pleasant.

  Who had eyes like that? Layered, like a custom paint job. If he had to guess, he’d say her eyes were purplish with a couple of clear coats of smoky gray on top, the exact hue of the sky moments before a summer thunderstorm. It had to be a trick of the lights, though, because no one could actually have eyes like that. Thankfully, there was no trace of the haunted look he’d seen earlier, making him think he might have imagined it.

  “What was that last order?” he asked, locking his blue gaze with hers.

  “Excuse me?”

  “The last order I took. What was it?” He fixed her with a level gaze.

  “Oh, come on, Jake,” began Ian, but Jake ignored him.

  The woman took a breath. He knew, because his eyes were drawn to the subtle rise and fall of the nicely-endowed chest peeking through that jacket.

  “Two pints of Killian, one Irish coffee, a Baileys and cream no ice, and two fingers of Grey Goose with a splash of lime.”

  The corners of Jake’s mouth twitched. “What’s the secret to pulling a good draft?”

  She appeared to consider his question for a moment, then leaned forward. Jake mimicked the movement, putting his ear within inches of her lips. Even with all the noise, Jake had no trouble hearing her low, quiet-toned answer. “Giving it just the right amount of head.”

  The twitch became a full-fledged grin.

  It was a crazy idea. Jake didn’t tolerate just anybody behind his bar. But he was desperate. Plus, for some strange reason, he liked the idea of having her back with him instead of out in the rowdy crowd. Quite a few of the men were already looking at her as if she was a tasty snack. He rationalized the impulse by telling himself he wasn’t doing it for her or even him, for that matter; having someone like that behind the bar was simply good for business.

  “Right,” he said. “You’re hired. Get your ass back here.”

  #2 First and Only: Ian and Lexi’s Story

  You never forget your first love.

  Lexi O’Connell has secretly been in love with Ian Callaghan for more than ten years. So when he turns those sexy crystal blue eyes her way, she doesn’t have a hope of resisting, even if she knows it is only for one night.

  Even if it will break her heart. Because while she would know him anywhere, he doesn’t even recognize her.

  Ian Callaghan is mischievous, playful, and irresistible to women. When he sets his sights on the attractive young woman who has been staring at him, he doesn’t think twice about seducing her.

  It wasn’t supposed to be more than one night. And falling in love with her was definitely not part of the plan.

  A few days is all Ian needs to know that Lexi is The One. His croie. His soul mate. And he doesn’t understand how she can just walk away.

  But what Ian doesn’t understand might just kill her.

  Excerpt:

  Ian’s eyes burned a bright, glowing blue with an intensity that she felt all the way down to her toes. His unknotted tie hung loosely around his neck, the top fe
w buttons of his dress shirt already undone. She stifled a little whimper as he slid the belt from his slacks smoothly, running the leather through his hands suggestively.

  Oh, God. She knew what was coming. She had practically begged him for it.

  “Come here.”

  “No,” she squeaked, barely louder than a whisper. Ian walked slowly toward her, a massive wall of pure male, his eyes never wavering, his gait predatory. Lexi stepped backward until the wall prevented any further retreat. He stopped mere inches from her, pressing his hands to the wall, his much larger body becoming a cage around hers without physically touching her.

  But this was Ian. His very presence surrounded her, enveloped her, stroked her more masterfully than anyone else’s hands ever could. What the hell had she been thinking, believing that she could ever handle this and emerge unscathed? Each moment in his arms, each night spent sharing a bed with him only reinforced the fact that she was in way over her head.

  “Have a change of heart, did you?” he breathed, the delicious scent of his hot breath causing her to lick her lips.

  “Yes.”

  “Liar,” he scolded gently. “Don’t be afraid of me, Lexi.” He brushed a lock of hair away from her face. “I could never hurt you.”

  Lexi swallowed down the lump in her throat. Didn’t he know that he had already destroyed her?

  With infinite slowness, Ian lowered his head those scant few inches, hovering just above her lips. “Tell me no, Lexi, and I’ll find some way to stop, I swear it.”

  But she couldn’t tell him no. Not now, not ever. As terrified as she was, she would never deny him anything. When several long moments ticked by in silence, Ian groaned and touched his lips to hers. And she was forever lost. Her hands snaked up around his neck, and Ian lifted her to him, carrying her to the bed.

  #3 House Calls: Michael and Maggie’s Story

  Maggie Flynn has always been a good girl. She leads a simple life and believes in helping others. Under normal circumstances, she would never even consider performing the dance of the seven veils at a bachelor party. But when her best friend begs for help and waves the promise of much-needed cash in her face, Maggie reluctantly agrees to step outside of her comfort zone and relax her lofty standards a little.

  Most doctors don’t make house calls anymore, including Michael Callaghan. But he’s willing to make an exception when the pretty redhead with the jewel-like green eyes takes a header off the stage at his brother’s bachelor party. Something about her piques his masculine interest, and it’s not just her dancing.

  Lightning hits the Callaghan clan a third time when Michael and Maggie find themselves snowbound during a classic nor’easter, but their bond is soon tested when Michael is forced to choose between following his finely-honed instincts and respecting Maggie’s wishes.

  It’s a hell of a choice. Either way, he could lose her forever.

  Excerpt:

  “Are you feeling nauseous?” he asked.

  Maggie bit her lip. Was she? No, she thought, this was different. She was fairly certain her stomach was doing that funny flipping thing because of him, not because of her unfortunate tumble.

  “No, I don’t think so.”

  Michael raised an eyebrow. He pulled a small light out of his pocket and leaned over her in what was becoming a familiar move. Part of her was annoyed, but another part longed for the closeness it brought with it. At this range she could clearly see the dark shadow along his jaw and feel the heat radiating from his body. Also rather disorienting was the familiar peppermint scent of his breath, now infused with coffee, and, if she wasn’t mistaken, a few of her cookies as well.

  She shuddered. As gorgeous and intense as he was, it just wasn’t fair that he smelled like cookies now, too. How could she even hope to resist him for any length of time?

  Her hopes that he hadn’t noticed were quickly dashed. “Are you cold? Do you have chills?” he asked, stepping back again. That move put her at eye-level with his hips. Her eyes widened as she caught a completely accidental glimpse of what his jeans held within. And that was unaroused. Oh my.

  “No.” She shivered again, her face pinkening even more as she averted her eyes.

  “Maybe we should get you back to bed.” Was it her imagination, or was his voice a bit lower than before? He moved in close again, his hand touched lightly upon her brow as if to check for a fever.

  “Um, no, not a good idea.”

  The words “we” and “bed” should not be coming out of his mouth as part of the same sentence, she decided. It made the butterflies in her stomach flutter even faster, not to mention send yet another rush of heat toward the center of her body. She squirmed uncomfortably.

  Michael raised an eyebrow, folding his arms in front of his chest. Odd how such a small gesture commanded such authority. Even odder was the fact that she felt the need to explain herself. As a general rule, she didn’t.

  “I mean, there’s no reason I should lay around in bed all day.”

  “Oh, I don’t know,” he said slowly. “I could think of a few.” One side of his mouth lifted, and she felt her face burn. Damn.

  “A concussion, for one,” he finished slyly.

  She finally saw the glint of amusement in his eyes. The sexy bastard was having a little fun with her! Maggie probably should have felt irritated, but she realized she had brought it all upon herself with her wicked imagination. She’d left the door wide open in blatant invitation; it was no wonder he had stepped right in.

  “I don’t have a concussion,” she said firmly.

  “Is that your professional opinion, doctor?” He made no effort to hide his amusement any longer.

  “As a matter of fact, it is,” she said, but even she was having trouble containing the grin that threatened to show itself.

  #4 Seeking Vengeance: Sean and Nicki’s Story

  Monsters do exist.

  Nicki Milligan knows all about monsters. She lives with them. Fights them every day.

  She doesn’t have time for distractions, especially not the incredibly hot alpha-male who seems to have taken an interest and knows just how to push her buttons. In coming to Pine Ridge, she hopes to finally fulfill a childhood vow she made to her twin brother years earlier.

  Because no child should have to endure what they did.

  Ex-SEAL Sean Callaghan always knew that no ordinary woman would do it for him.When he encounters Nicki Milligan in his garage, it is lust at first sight. She is his every dark fantasy wrapped up in one sexy package.

  It doesn’t take him long to figure out that she’s so much more than that. Or that there’s a lot more to Nicki than meets the eye.

  Sean knows he is tough, but Nicki might just be tougher. Now he just has to convince her that they were made for each other.

  Excerpt:

  “I’m done here.”

  Sean’s blue eyes bored into hers, searching. There! The silver flickered, softened for just a fraction of a second before hardening again. It was all he needed. Fine. If she wanted to play that game, he was in. He could do big and bad, too. And she wasn’t going anywhere.

  “Not quite,” he said, allowing a hungry look to seep into his features. It wasn’t difficult. Being anywhere in the vicinity of the woman made him hot and hard. Hell, physical proximity didn’t really matter at all. Just thinking about her did it for him.

  “Yeah?” she asked, tilting her chin with arrogance even as she took a step back. “Like what?”

  Sean crossed the room in two long strides. He cupped the back of her head with one hand and thrust the other between her legs while taking full and thorough possession of her mouth. She resisted, her nails like claws curling into his chest, drawing blood, but he persisted, his tongue insistently probing until she relented and opened for him. He dominated her, his grip like iron, demanding the very breath from her lungs and replacing it with his own.

  “I haven’t finished with you yet,” he said huskily several minutes later when her eyes were sufficiently daz
ed and her body suitably pliant. Hell, he would never be finished with her.

  “What did you have in mind?” Her voice was sex personified, a low throaty purr he could never get enough of.

  “I haven’t tasted you,” he breathed as his lips skimmed her jaw line. “And I need to taste you.”

  #5 Guardian Angel: Kane and Rebecca’s Story

  They call him the Iceman. The eldest of seven brothers, he is the biggest. The coldest. The meanest.

  No one has been able to break through the icy shield Kane Callaghan has built around himself. No one except the tiny, stubborn woman willing to sacrifice herself for him. She haunts his dreams, but he has no idea who she is. Where she is. Or if he’ll ever see her again.

  Rebecca Harrison spent the last twelve years with humanitarian relief organizations, travelling to some of the hardest hit areas of the world, but none has ever affected her as much as that tiny village in Africa. Because of him.

  Fierce and beautiful and terrible, she can’t get him out of her mind. Kane. The avenging archangel who appeared out of nowhere, saving her from a fate worse than death. The one she was forced to leave behind.

  Worlds apart, they are bound by the events of that one horrible night, though the chances of ever meeting again are too small to dare even hope. Of course, neither one realizes just how clever Fate can be...

  Excerpt:

  There were too many men hovering around her, vying for her attention. It certainly didn’t help that she looked beyond gorgeous in that silk sheath that passed for a dress, or that her hair had been expertly styled so that it draped in cascading waves around her pretty face. Kane was seriously beginning to question the sanity of any plan that had her looking like that and in the vicinity of any man still attached to his balls.