Training My Heart to Love You — Monica Walters

Kortlynn Hebert has learned how to be positive in every situation. Growing up in a single-parent home, her mother taught her how to love herself and to have self-respect. That was an important lesson, especially for a plus-sized woman. Kortlynn realized early that the person that should love her the most was herself, however, that didn't keep her warm at night. It didn't softly kiss her lips. Loneliness is prevalent in her life, but that doesn't make her desperate. While there had been relationships with men, they just didn't measure up. Not wanting to be a notch on anyone's belt, Kortlynn chooses the path of celibacy and focuses even more on herself. Until one day, out of the blue, this angel drops right in front of her. While she is skeptical of his motives, she's in awe of his good looks and pleasant personality. She meets Zayson Ardoin in a professional atmosphere, but things soon turn personal.Zayson Ardoin, a country boy that possesses an urban swag, has been coasting through life, not knowing love. He lives day to day training horses for rodeo events and breaking somewhat wild horses so they can be ridden. Indulging in the single life for a while, he decides he's tired of random women and the drama that comes with them. He puts all his energy into his work and he's content being alone. He chooses celibacy versus dealing with a woman that he doesn't see himself developing a relationship with. Fate must be on his side when he ends up face to face with Kortlynn Hebert. He's always liked his women thick, and she fits the bill perfectly. While trying to keep things professional, he fails miserably, and begins a chase that he intends on winning.Kortlynn and Zayson have a lot in common, but the main thing they agree on is that they are both too old to play games. However, the people they find themselves surrounded by don't seem to follow the same mantra. Will the interferences of people they love keep them from developing the relationship they both long for? Do they have the strength and desire to persevere regardless of the games people play?