Love inspired suspense

The prime suspect in her brother's murder: Max Pershing. He's the man Ava Renault has secretly loved since girlhood--against her controlling mother's wishes. The wealthy Pershings have a longstanding feud with the even wealthier Renaults. Still, Ava believes that Max is innocent...believes it strongly enough to give him her heart. But if he's not the killer, then who set him up? Who's the real murderer?

After a mysterious source tips him off to two headline-grabbing stories, local reporter Chris Turley is happy to be doing quality journalistic work, until he finds out the lengths to which the source went to help him.

Grace Brennan is a popular Branson entertainer and songwriter. But she begins to receive music boxes and gifts onstage that include messages with increasingly dire threats. The gift giver remains carefully anonymous, but leaves hints about Grace cheating eight years ago to win a music contest. And as her health also begins to fail, Grace doesn’t know who to trust. Every one around her seems to have a reason to bring her down. Even her closest friend, Michael, seems to have betrayed her. But Grace’s time is running out, and she needs to find the identity of her attacker before he gets the ultimate revenge…

"Pinned inside her wrecked car, Rachel Simon is powerless to stop her son's abduction. Unless she can come up with one million dollars, Joey won't survive until Christmas. With her son's life hanging in the balance, Rachel turns to the one lawman who can help her. His own painful past still shadowing him, Detective Nick Butler is determined not to fail. Racing against a ticking clock, Nick will have to put all his investigative skills to the test if mother and son are to be reunited--and then perhaps he might have a chance at the redeeming power of love."--Publisher.

"FBI agent Logan Quail puts his life and career in jeopardy when he blows his cover to save Kate Townsend from a mafia goon. He wasn't able to save his fiancée from Bernardo Salvatore's violent syndicate, but this time he'll make sure that Kate Townsend doesn't get herself killed trying to prove her father was murdered. Now Logan and Kate must work together, each overcoming their separate grief, to bring down a ruthless mob boss. And maybe find some peace through the healing power of love"--Publisher.

"The only witness when a single mother mysteriously vanishes? Her three-year-old daughter. FBI agent Sam Pierce needs to question little Sarah. Yet child psychologist Jocelyn Gold will barely let him near the girl. Or herself. The tragic conclusion to a kidnapping case broke Sam and Jocelyn apart years before, and their hearts still haven't healed. But for the child's sake--and her mother's--they must join forces to uncover just what Sarah saw"--Cover verso.

"When her beloved grandmother is almost killed during a home invasion, Piper Kennedy isn't surprised that she's a suspect--especially since Luke Ransom is on the case. The handsome detective she once loved thinks she knows more than she's telling about the attack. And given her crooked past and the heartbreaking way she'd been forced to betray Luke years ago, Piper understands why he doesn't trust her. But when attempts are made on her life, Luke insists on keeping her safe and finding out who wants her dead. And Piper and Luke soon realize a remorseless criminal will do anything to keep them from the truth ... or an unexpected second shot at a future"--Page 4 of cover.

"Minutes into FBI profiler Bryn Eastman's first case since a near-fatal shooting, a brazen serial killer sets his sights on her next. Now her life--and career--is in the hands of her her partner, Detective Eric Hale, the man she once loved and lost. Racked with nightmares of the shooting and regrets for the tragedy that tore her and Eric apart, Bryn doesn't want Eric to discover the secrets she carries--but she needs him. Seeing Bryn brings back memories Eric can't control. Memories of a once-in-a-ifetime love. But the tough detective knows their only path to a second chance goes straight through a relentless killer one who won't quit unitl he counts Bryn as his fifth victim"--Page 4 of cover.

Warren Detry killed his previous wife. Police officer Angie Delitano is convinced of it. She arrested the man herself, and testified against him in court. However, Angie's former fiancé, attorney Boone Walker, did too good a job with the defense. And now a murderer is free to marry Angie's sister. When Angie uncovers startling new evidence, she turns to the only person who can help before it's too late: Boone, the handsome, hardened man she once loved. But the deadly secrets they expose could lead Angie to her own early grave.

"For my baby's safety, I must give her up…" An old letter is all Kristin Perry has of her birth mother. When the Witness Protection Program couldn't keep mother or daughter safe, the woman fled "underground." With the help of private investigator Zane Black, Kristin tries to track her down. Instead, though, she finds herself the target of a series of deadly "accidents." Zane's still searching for her missing mother—but now Kristin's starting to wonder if her family reunion will be the death of them all….

Alive after New Year. An anonymous note demands millions of dollars--and in return Lynley Marshall can keep her life. Lynley turns to new police chief John Russell for protection. The handsome widower promises to keep her safe. But time is running out as the clock ticks closer to midnight--and to the deadline for the culprit's demands. New Year's target. When a sniper shoots at Cassidy Ferris on a ski slope, the wounded police detective is shocked by her rescuer's identity--her childhood nemesis, Tim Halstead. And as the threats esclate, they must join forces to uncover why a killer has targeted them both.

"Before he retired, J. P. Beaumont had looked forward to having his days all to himself. But too much free time doesn't suit a man used to brushing close to danger. When his longtime nemesis, retired Seattle crime reporter Maxwell Cole, dies in whats officially deemed to be an accidental fire, Beau is astonished to be dragged into the investigation at the request of none other than the deceased victim himself. In the process Beau learns that just because a long-ago case was solved doesn't mean it's over. Caught up in a situation where old actions and grudges can hold dangerous consequences in the present, Beau is forced to operate outside the familiar world of law enforcement. While seeking justice for his frenemy and healing for a long fractured family, he comes face to face with an implacable enemy who has spent decades hiding in plain sight." -- From publisher's description.

"Someone's after wealthy Texan Slade Caulder's daughter. Desperate to keep her safe while he determines the motive, the widowed father hires a bodyguard for Abbey. A female bodyguard, with the training to protect the girl--and an understanding of a willful teenager who keeps trying to outsmart her. Elizabeth Walker is the perfect combination of caring and toughness for her job. But as the holidays approach, the stalker's threats escalate. And Slade finds himself willing to risk everything to keep his Christmas bodyguard by his side ... forever."--P. of cover.

"Anchorage K-9 officer Jake Nichols returns home for Christmas to recover from the accident that almost killed him--and find a little peace and quiet. But those plans are shattered when his childhood friend Rachel Hart gets caught up in a drug-smuggling ring after her aunt is brutally murdered. Jake quickly discovers that Port Aurora is no longer the tranquil little fishing town he left behind. He promises Rachel that he'll stick around until he tracks down the killer-- and vows to protect her at all costs. Bot of their lives are in peril as he battles against the Alaskan winter, a ruthless criminal ... and his developing feelings for Rachel."--Back cover.

Maggie Slade's been on the run since witnessing her husband's murder, hiding from a killer who wants evidence he believes she has. A killer who was dressed as a LaMar Pond policeman. And she'd better run fast, because it's not just her life on the line--Maggie now has year-old twin babies. But then she's attacked again, and rescued...by a LaMar Pond cop. Trusting Lieutenant Dan Willis is frightening. Letting him take her back to LaMar Pond to find her husband's killer is terrifying. But to protect her babies, she'll risk anything. Even her life. And as she grows closer to Dan and learns to trust again...she may even risk her heart.

"I'll arrest you."So threatens the tribal chief of police if Kit Sinclair dares enter Desolation Canyon alone. Hawke Lonechief insists it's too dangerous. He lost his wife to the treacherous canyon. He knows the ancient ruins Kit seeks aren't worth her life. But Kit is sure all that hiking and searching will help put her traumatic past behind her. When she risks Hawke's wrath by going alone, he fi nally agrees to lead her. On his terms. Impossible. Because someone else is following their every move. Watching them grow closer to danger with every step...

"After four years in prison for a crime she didn't commit, Melanie Swanson's finally free. Yet starting over brings a heavy load of challenges. Nearly everyone believes she is guilty--including police lieutenant Jace Tucker. Jace's certainly cracks only when Melanie is repeatedly attacked, and when the people around her are picked off one by one. Melanie's clearly innocent--and terrified. Someone wants her dead to keep her shattered memories from recalling the crime she witnessed rather than caused. She lost her friends, her fiance and her freedom when she was found guilty--but proving her innocence could cost Melanie her life."--Page cover.

"Only one thing matters to Caleb O'Malley: his daughter. Framed for his wife's murder, Caleb's only wish is to see his little girl. But Noelle Whitman, his daughter's foster mother, isn't buying his plea of innocence until bullets start flying and they're running for their lives. Staying one step ahead of the real killer proves nearly impossible, but former SWAT cop Caleb will risk everything to keep them safe. Because now there is nothing more important than Noelle and his daughter-not his freedom, not even his life"--Back cover.

"If I die, it won't be an accident." At the time, Lilly Burkstrom brushed aside her ex-husband's words. Then he dies--"accidentally"--in a convenience store robbery, and she starts to wonder. Turning to the police doesn't help. They don't see the danger closing in on her, not even when someone breaks into her house and her ex-husband's apartment. Only Detective Jonathan Littledeer understands her fears, having lost his own family. He's determined to keep the single mom safe. He's not going to let another "accident" claim Lilly or her daughter before he can bring the killer's guarded secrets to light.

"Former crime-scene investigator Megan O'Ryan helped convict the St. Patrick's Strangler, who killed Megan's sister. Now she's trying to heal in a small Wisconsin town. But a copycat killer is at work in Crystal Lake, and Sheriff Luke Torretti needs Megan's help ... on the case and at home, where the widower's troubled teenage son has become a suspect. The boy claims he's innocent--and Megan believes him. Because the more she and Luke investigate, the more Megan becomes convinced that her own past has brought the killer to Crystal Lake. And without Luke's help, the next victim will be her"--P. of cover.

"Brody 'Wick' Wickham is a former Green Beret turned security agent--with a 100 percent mission success rate. No way is his new assignment changing that. Even if it's protecting a diva American rock star while she's on tour in Europe. Except Veronica 'Vonya' Wagner isn't just a beautiful celebrity used to having her way--she's the daughter of a U.S. Senator. And she's hiding a dangerous secret. When Wick discovers what's at stake, how far over the line will he go to keep them both alive?"--P. of cover.

"'I need your help.' Bodyguarding is Kyra Morgan's business--but this was supposed to be a vacation. Still, she can't refuse the request from childhood friend and neighbor Michael Hunt. Michael's sister Amy ran away after witnessing a murder. Michael needs Kyra's help to find her and keep her safe. Yet as Kyra and Michael follow the trail along the Florida coast, their search grows more dangerous by the day. Terrorists are at work, and the stakes are perilously high. It will take everything they have--including trust they're both reluctant to give--to escape the Everglades alive"--Publisher.

Maggie Ridgeway has spent years searching for her birth mother. And now, thanks to an anonymous tip, she's finally found her. Taking the apartment across the hall from her mother's family, Maggie is determined not to leave until she gets some questions answered. Who is her father? Why did her parents abandon her? And what item in her new apartment is provoking multiple burglaries? After an interrupted break-in leaves Maggie unconscious, the building's owner, Kane McDowell, promises to protect her. But then he learns who she really is. When the past is unveiled, the shocking disclosures could tear Maggie and Kane apart.

To rescue an abducted infant from a baby-smuggling ring, U.S. marshal Colton Phillips has to work with FBI agent Lisette Sutton. But their tactics couldn't be more different. The too-pretty agent goes by the book, whereas Colton breaks rules to get the job done. Colton vows to keep his heart out of the job, but his unwanted attraction to Lisette lowers his guard. Now Lisette--and an innocent child--are in grave danger, and Colton will stop at nothing to save them.

When Dr. Bree Mathison's plane plummets into the Alaskan wilderness at Christmastime, she is torn between grief and panic. With the pilot--her dear friend--dead and wolves circling, she struggles to survive. Search and Rescue leader David Stone fights his way through the elements to save her. David suspects the plane crash might not have been an accident, spurring Bree's sense that she's being watched. But why is someone after her? Suddenly Bree finds herself caught in the middle of a whirlwind of secrets during the holiday season. With everyone she cares about most in peril, Bree and her promised protector must battle the Alaskan tundra and vengeful criminals to make it to the New Year.

Merry mayhem: "When single mom Annie Coleman unexpectedly arrives in Christmas, Oklahoma, police chief Caleb Jackson suspects she's hiding secrets. He'll be watching her closely. And his protection is just what Annie and her daughter need, as danger has followed them to their new home."--Page 4 of cover. Yule die: "It's hardly a happy holiday for medical researcher Callie Evans ... until she discovers her ailing patient is her long-lost brother. And he's being watched by undercover police officer Joe Petrecelli. When the trio is abducted by a cadre of bad guys, Joe and Callie will have to fight to keep her brother--and themselves--alive."--Page 4 of cover.

"Ten years ago while on rumspringa, Rebecca Miller and her friends were kidnapped and held captive...and now, living in the English world, she's nearly abducted again. One by one her friends who once helped send their abductor to jail are targeted, and she is next...unless police officer Miles Olsen can stop a killer. Deaf since birth, the only person on the force that Rebecca can communicate with is Miles, and he needs this case to redeem himself of past mistakes. When the relentless killer tracks them deep into the heart of Amish country, protecting Rebecca must be Miles's sole focus. Because a mistake this time will cost something worth more to him than his job--the woman he's falling for." -- Page cover.

"When Kayla Wilson finds a body in Lake Michigan, she shields her daughter's eyes and calls the police. But not before spotting a stranger lurking in the woods--watching her. And when her bed-and-breakfast is broken into, she knows the man is after her. Coast Guard officer Rafe DeSilva is sure the attacks are related to his current case--a crime ring operating in the Great Lakes. He will do whatever is necessary to keep Kayla and her daughter, Brianna, safe ... while holding them at arm's length. Until Brianna is kidnapped, and Rafe puts everything on the line for a Christmas rescue."--P. of cover.

Who poisoned British executive Dylan Owen during a Christmas getaway? Dylan knows whoever tried to kill him is also staying at The Scottish Captain in Glory, North Carolina. But to trap the culprit, he'll have to recover fi rst. Which means letting lovely nurse Sharon Picard closer than he'd like. The more they search the decked halls for clues, the more they realize they are falling for each other. But if they're to share a lifetime of love and holiday meals, they'd better unmask the murderer--fast.

Clarissa Jones is running for her life. Though she has no idea why her ex-boss wants her dead, the killers at her heels are very real. Deep in the Montana woods she finds what seems like the perfect hideout, in Ezra Jefferson's survival training school. The ex-military outdoorsman has the skills and training to keep her safe--but only if she will lower her defenses enough to let him help. When her attackers close in, Ezra's protection and Clarissa's fierce determination are all that will keep her alive--while the growing bond between them gives her a reason to fight to survive.

Foul play? Becca Baxter suspected her parents' fatal mishap was no accident -- especially since her estranged relatives profited handsomely. Taking a position as research assistant to her late cousin's husband, Max Duncan, enabled Becca to investigate secretly on the family island. Yet the mullioned windows of Windigo Manor hid more than just the broodingly handsome widower. Someone, or something, seemed eager to drive Becca away, raising fears that a creature known only through Ojibwa legends stalked the island. As events spiraled out of control, Becca's strong faith sustained her, but could she trust Max with her life…and her love?

Drawing on original interviews, oral histories and archival documents, the author traces the iconic children's program host's personal, professional, and artistic life through decades of work.

Who could want to hurt a little girl in a pink princess dress? Grayson Sinclair vows to find out who's after his widowed neighbor and her child. Without getting emotionally involved. Family life isn't for him, but he won't let some deranged person destroy the lovely home Honor Milone has made for her daughter. From strange "gifts" left on her doorstep to attempted murder, someone means deadly business. Grayson promises to protect Honor and the little girl who sneakily stole his heart. Just in time. For the threat is closer to home than anyone realizes.

Alone in a country she didn't know well, chased by men who were willing to kill to get what they wanted, Lakeview veterinarian Tori Riley would do anything to keep the daughter she gave up for adoption safe -- even depend on a man who might not be telling her the truth. Called out of early retirement for one final job, former DEA agent Noah Stone didn't trust Tori's motives -- what kind of vet gets herself tangled up with drug lords? But there was no time for questions, for every second brought an unscrupulous enemy closer to Tori's daughter....

"Merci Carson doesn't have a clue--but she knows she owes her life to the quiet man who roared to her rescue in his snowmobile. EMT Nathan McCormick is used to handling challenging situations, but between the unexpected blizzard that stranded the lovely student and the desperate men chasing her, he has his hands full. Yet for Nathan, failure is not an option. Merci's bravery and kindness challenge his guarded heart, bringing every protective instinct forward and making him start to hope for the future. Together, they could be something special--if they can solve the mystery in time"--Publisher.

After witnessing the murder of her child's father, Rochelle Miller flees. Ten years later, she and her son are still on the run. Now, the killer has tracked them to Montana and will do anything to silence Rochelle. When he gets too close, Rochelle is seriously injured, and EMT Matthew Stewart is the first responder on the scene. He vows to protect her, but it is not just her life on the line. Rochelle and her son have only ever counted on each other. Are they ready to rely on someone new when their future is at stake?

All that New York City cop Jude Sinclair wants is to get back on his feet, fighting crime. And as long as he's stuck recuperating in Virginia, he's going to make everyone as miserable as he is. But health aide Lacey Carmichael refuses to run away. Sweet, optimistic and beautiful, she's everything Jude won't allow himself to need. Because danger has followed Jude all the way from New York. And with everyone around him at risk, it'll take everything Jude's got to do his duty, and to keep Lacey safe.

"Her hometown of Loomis, Louisiana, holds no charm for Jodie Gilmore. Why be reminded of her mother's abandonment? Then the novice FBI agent is assigned to a missing person's case, and refusal isn't an option. Her coworkers are counting on her. Surely the tight-lipped locals will talk to one of their own. Or will they? A decades-old double homicide is discovered, and Harrison Cahill, the handsome forensic anthropologist on the case, thinks Jodie knows more than she's saying. But speaking freely can be deadly in Loomis...."--p. of cover.

"Ma'am, I'm not one of the bad guys." So says the handsome man Martha Gabler encounters near her isolated mountain cabin. Tristan Sinclair claims he's an ATF agent working undercover. And that if she doesn't play along as his unexpected girlfriend, they'll both end up dead. Nursing a broken heart, Martha knows a thing or two about love that isn't real. Still, she calls up all her faith and turns her shaky trust over to Tristan. Soon she's hoping he'll take on a new mission: guarding her for the rest of her life.

Miami attorney Gail Connor is drawn into a web of violence and conspiracy when she takes on a case of suspected forgery that could bring millions of dollars to her firm, and discovers the crime is masking a brutal murder.

Raven Stevenson was in Lakeview barely twenty-four hours when she heard those ominous words. She'd come to the small Virginie town to reconcile with her brother and forget the haunting memories of her past. She didn't expect to find friends, community - or a thirty-five-year-old mystery of tragic love. Nor did she expect to meet Shane Montgomery, whose love for his ailing aunt Abby breaks through Raven's carefully built defenses. When Abby unwittingly shares some of the secrets behind that long-buried mustery, she and Raven are targeted by someone who wants those secrets silenced - and who's willing to kill both of them to do it.

"Kidnapped and dragged into the Montana wilderness, Sarah Langston has no idea where her brother is or what her captors want with him. But when help arrives and removes her blindfold, she's shocked to see the father of the baby she gave up for adoption. Former policeofficer Bryan Keyes is convinced that Sarah's kidnapping is tied to a deadly human trafficking ring. Now with Sarah's brother in the line of fire, Bryan must join forces with the only woman he's ever loved. Will they have time to rekindle a love that happened too soon?"--Publisher.

Why is experienced FBI agent Sarah Roberts starting over as a small-town beat cop? She has to be working undercover. Stuck with the job of training her, police officer Nick Matthews knows exactly who Sarah is spying on: him. If he ever wants to live down his past, he'll train her well, but won't say one word beyond the manual. Yet it is Sarah's past that comes crashing down on them. And trusting his new partner becomes a matter of life and death--and love.

Her own father had killed her mother. Afterward, Elena Segura Jackson had been adopted by a loving Santa Fe family. For years she'd tried to focus only on the present and future--not the past. But now another murder, in her family's antique shop, brings the old memories rushing back. Detective Daniel Stillwater, widowed father of a little girl, vows to find the killer. In Daniel's presence, Elena dares feel safe. Yet the killer keeps coming back, wreaking havoc in the shop, looking for...something. Like a moment when the good detective isn't by Elena's side.

Did he kill Josie Skerritt?Everyone--including the police--suspected Parker Buchanan of the ten-year-old murder. But Kate Brooks knew the brooding loner couldn't have done it. He was her young son's hero, and Kate had fallen hard for the reclusive author. Town gossips demanded Parker explain the incriminating evidence police found with his initials on it. But Parker couldn't. Kate knew proving his innocence would take all their faith--and fast thinking--combined. Because the real killer was setting them up for a double murder--their own.

"Erin Eagleton has been on the run for months after her ex-boyfriend was killed in front of her. She escaped from the killer once, but the police consider her a prime suspect. She is determined to prove her innocence and bring down the real criminal...before he finishes the job. Her high school sweetheart, Capitol K-9 officer Chase Zachary, has been searching for her with his trusty police dog. Now that he's found her, he vows to keep her safe at all costs. He'll stop at nothing to reveal the truth--and to protect the woman he's never forgotten." --

"His life as a U.S. marshal was something Pastor Ian McNeal had left behind...until he's asked to care for little Charlie Troop. The boy witnessed a terrible crime and hasn't spoken since--except to his Auntie Liz, the one adult he trusts. Ian just wants to find the truth, something only Charlie can reveal. But Charlie isn't talking, and Liz is determined to protect Charlie against anyone who'd hurt, frighten or pressure him--including Ian. Yet with a killer dead set on making sure Charlie never speaks again, a protector like Ian is just what Liz and Charlie need."--P. of cover.

Yuletide Sanctuary : "A cry for help shatters youth counselor Sean Matthews's quiet Christmas night. He saves Lauren Curtis from her attacker--for now. But the vengeful man on her trail won't be held at bay for long..." Christmas Target : "She hadn't wanted the contest 'prize' in the first place. But when police officer Maria Fuentes arrives for the holiday vacation she won, she finds much more than expected. Her 'date'--handsome weatherman Ben Storm--is in danger, and Maria is the only protector he'll trust."--P. of cover.

"Chloe Conrad suspects foul play in the plane crash that killed her sister--and she's determined to hire private investigator Hunter Lawson to prove it. But convincing the former Special Forces operative to help isn't easy, especially since he blames her family for his sister's death. Hunter sees something familiar in Chloe's hunt for justice--and he can't leave her unprotected when he realizes the killer's switched focus to her. As they search for clues, he's beginning to wonder if his enemy's daughter could be the person who helps him heal from his painful past. But neither of them will have a future unless they find a way to unravel the twisted conspiracy that threatens both their lives ..."--Page cover.

"Counseling is more than Laura Walton's job--it's her calling. So when Luke Martinez hangs up abruptly after calling the hotline where she works, Laura won't let it go. She tracks Luke to the Grand Canyon, little knowing she's walking into a heap of trouble. Laura's not the only one tracking Luke, and while she came to help him heal, his other pursuer has murder in mind. Luke thinks he has nothing left to lose until Laura makes him believe--and love--again. Just in time, too, since he'll need all his faith to face this last enemy."--P. of cover.

A killer tries to make the hurricane that blew through Glory, North Carolina, look like the bad guy. But Storm Channel cameraman Sean Miller knows the body buried under the rubble wasn't the victim of a fallen church steeple. Feisty secretary Ann Trask seems to be the only person who agrees with him. But the woman of Sean's dreams is busy being romanced by a phony celebrity weatherman, who cried on cue and hid during the fi rst strong gust of wind! Which means it's time for Sean to invite Ann for some serious off-the-air investigation....