Sarah Flynn's dreams come true when she makes the varsity cheer squad at Stewart Falls Academy. And wonder of wonders, the guy she's obsessed with, Jason Phillips, the new football captain, finally has time for her. He claims to "love" her as much as she adores him. However, things aren't as perfect as they seem.No matter how hard she tries, she can't make him happy and when he's not happy, nobody is. As the days go by, it grows more and more difficult to explain her injuries. She knows she shouldn't be battered by someone who supposedly cares about her, but how can she change Jason? And more importantly, how will she get out of this relationship alive?

Remember, you have to be your own cheerleader!Nikki Tiernan is tired of being bounced around her dad's family, being sent from one relative's home to the next while her father is busy honeymooning with his new wife.Nikki wants to be in Stewart Falls, Washington for Christmas since her mom is still overseas with the U.S. Army, but nobody listens. Instead, her aunt plans to send Nikki to a weight-loss camp for the holidays.Enough is enough! Determined to find her own way home, all Nikki has to do is buy a bus ticket—or so she thinks. But when a mysterious stranger claims the seat next to her on that bus, Nikki fears her adventure may not go as planned.

She’s disposable...and she knows it.A survivor of too many foster homes, B.J. Larson is content living at the youth center where your status is determined by how long your arrest record is. And hers is lengthy. Then she’s placed in a home in the small town of Stewart Falls, Washington—with foster parents who will “love” her, not just the money the state pays for her care. Yeah, right!B.J.’s not stone stupid. She knows a scam when she sees one. Kids like her never get “real homes,” much less “real families.” She learned a long time ago that adults can’t be trusted. Besides, B.J.’s too smart to take chances. And isn’t love the biggest risk of all?

Sixteen-year-old Vicky Miller feels overloaded since her parents filed for divorce. Her mother got the house and a new job. Her step-dad has the new car and a new girlfriend. Vicky has the five kids, her younger half-brothers and sisters who range from 18 months to 10 years old to look after and her own life now comes second to their needs and wants.It's been six months of house-cleaning, baby-sitting, cooking, non-stop laundry and Vicky is through waiting for her life to improve. She has plans for her sophomore year at Lincoln High and they don't include being an unpaid servant. If it takes a constant battle to attend her riding classes and complete her internship at Shamrock Stable, she's ready to fight for her goal to be the best natural horse trainer around.Her parents may not have time for her to be with horses, but she has dreams no one can steal. Why should she give them away? But will keeping them mean she loses her family?

If the going gets tough, wannabe cowboys exit stage left, according to Sierra McElroy. Because her family owns the local riding stable, her old life was nothing but horses. Now, Sierra has a new car (new to her), a new puppy, a new school, a new coach, and a new basketball team.However, she's brought her same old patterns into this new life.She still doesn't have any patience for stupid people who are a waste of time, space and oxygen. In order to take over Shamrock Stable someday, does Sierra need to learn to tolerate these people who make her crazy?