TWO SEEMINGLY UNRELATED MURDERS PUT TAMPA HOMICIDE DETECTIVE KAREN SWEENEY IN THE CROSSHAIRS... Both victims were women - but what could connect an elderly nanny and a young exotic dancer? As Karen discovers, the answer is Senator Grant Lawrence, presidential contender...and a man with secrets. As she is drawn deeper into a world of lies and hidden motives, the one person Karen is half ready to trust is the senator himself, a man torn by grief and guilt, trying to protect his children. Could he have committed such crimes? And if not, then someone is trying to ruin him, and everyone around him is at risk - his children...and even Karen herself.

The return... Vanessa Welling never planned to leave home...until her family fled in shame in the wake of the financial catastrophe that shattered their town—and her father's will to live. If it weren't for the wreck of a house she just inherited, Vanessa wouldn't have come back, either. And attractive contractor Tim Dawson and his young son are making it even harder to put the Wyoming town behind her once and for all. Tim has heard the stories. But Vanessa did nothing wrong and shouldn't spend the rest of her life paying the price. Can't she see the positive effect she's having on the single father and his son? That they have the right stuff to build a future? And Conard County is the perfect place to start over!

When popular Father Quinlan is accused of murdering a young parishioner and nailing him to a cross inside the church, private investigator Chloe Ryan knows he's innocent. Soon, Chloe is butting heads--and hearts--with police detective Matthew Diel. Original.

New York Times bestselling author Rachel Lee's sizzling Conard County series continues! Hunted by an anonymous killer, rogue CIA agent Trace Archer seeks out a trusted buddy in Wyoming. With danger stalking him, the last thing he expects is innocent civilian Julie Ardlow to offer him help. But when the beautiful kindergarten teacher with a brave heart gives him a cover he can't refuse—pretending to be an old flame—sparks begin to fly! Brave heart? Try crazy. Because though Julie will do anything to save the sexy spy's life, he's eventually going to leave, right? But she can't resist emotionally withdrawn Trace and his soulful eyes. And the deeper they dig into his past to suss out a murderer, the closer danger creeps toward them both...

MAN'S—AND WOMAN'S?—BEST FRIEND Conard County's returning war hero is a world away from the popular high school athlete Ashley Granger remembers. Zane McLaren doesn't want any fanfare—he doesn't want any human contact at all. But it seems Zane's affectionate golden retriever has other ideas about the decorated soldier and the teacher next door! Wounded in battle, Zane wants only to be left alone. He doesn't need anyone's pity, especially his outgoing, dog-loving neighbor's. Because it isn't just Ashley's legendary apple pie that's tempting Zane to quit hiding from life. Suddenly the Purple Heart recipient is having a hard time keeping his own heart under wraps. Has he found the woman who can help him heal the past and build a loving future together?

In New York Times bestselling author Rachel Lee's latest Conard County romance, passion blazes between a fire chief and a beautiful arson investigator The cunning arsonist targeting Conard County has fire chief Wayne Camden stymied. Teaming up with investigator Charity Atkins seems like a no-brainer. She has the expertise to track down the firebug before he kills someone. But Wayne never anticipated making Charity a target. Since his wife left, Wayne's had little interest in relationships. The single dad is unsettled by the electrifying attraction Charity ignites. Wayne is rooted in the community, and Charity's a nomad. But with danger stalking them, irresistible desire forces them both to reevaluate their lives.

Conard County, where a killer lies in wait The note wasn't a threat, exactly. But for Corey Donahue, who'd witnessed her mother's murder as a child, it felt very menacing. Surprisingly, the one person she trusted to show the note to was a man merely renting a room from her--Austin Mendez. Traumatized since childhood, Corey had never trusted men...until Austin moved in. Six years undercover had caused Austin to shut everyone out...until Corey. The vulnerability she hid from others made him yearn to break down the walls she'd erected around her heart. And with a killer closing in, two lost souls were discovering the trust they'd lost--and much more--in each other's arms.

In New York Times bestselling author Rachel Lee's newest Conard County romance, a killer stalks a wounded warrior and the woman he's vowed to protect I found you. The game begins. The note wasn't a threat exactly. But Jess McGregor senses danger. The wounded ex-soldier offers Lacy Devane a place to feel safe after her stint in witness protection. But someone is after her... Or is Jess the intended target? Jess and Lacy are practically strangers. And the powerful attraction stirring between them may feel like a betrayal to Jess's late wife--Lacy's closest friend. But as a big freeze envelops Conard County, the warmth and healing they find in their growing friendship will be put to the ultimate test by a deranged killer.

From New York Times bestselling author Rachel Lee—a riveting new Conard County romance! Healing from bullet wounds and fleeing the bomber who shot her, FBI agent Erin Sanders refuses to play it safe. Driving west, she'll stay off the grid—until deputy sheriff Lance Conroe spoils her secret getaway. Taking her to his remote Wyoming home, the hunky lawman only hopes to protect her. Just what headstrong, untrusting Erin doesn't want. But when another showdown with the bomber looms and a shocking betrayal surfaces, Erin wants Lance...badly. It's time to get over her control and intimacy issues to indulge their dangerous attraction. Because her plan to catch the killer could cost them both their lives.

New York Times bestselling author Rachel Lee returns to Conard County--where a stranger has moved to town... With a scar on his cheek and wounds on his soul, the only thing Allison McMann's new neighbor reveals is his name. But when a toxin kills some cattle and Allison is charged with finding its source, Jerrod Marquette appoints himself her protector. The ex-military man has the skills to keep her safe, yet Allison doesn't need--or wantt--his help. His midnight eyes see too much, his powerful body ignites feelings long buried. Even when she learns of the danger lurking in the mountains she tracks, Allison can't help feeling the greatest danger lies within her...in her white-hot lust for the mysterious outsider.

Nighthawk by Rachel LeeEsther Jackson needed Craig Nighthawk's protection—the father she'd helped put away for murder was now seeking her out. So against her reclusive nature, she welcomed the darkly handsome Nighthawk into her home, hoping he could keep her safe. Craig knew all about fear and isolation. After all, he was still being tried and convicted by the people of Conard County for a crime he hadn't committed. All he wanted was to be left alone. Until he met Esther and discovered in her loving arms a peace he would safeguard at any cost….The Return of Luke McGuire by Justine DavisLuke McGuire was everything shy Amelia Blair had been fascinated by as a girl but too terrified to go near. And now here she was, the only person in the whole town decent enough to give him the time of day, caring enough to stand up for him…. For his part, Luke didn't need the town's nasty stares to know that Amelia was off-limits. But then, reformed or not, he'd never been one to abide by the rules. He only hoped that the quiet beauty would fall for the man he had become instead of the one he used to be.

From New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author Rachel Lee comes a sensual new series about mesmerizing vampire detectives and the love they discover, deep in the night… Jude Messenger felt the hunger deep inside him. From the moment he'd rescued Theresa Black from a late-night attack, he'd ached for things he knew he could never have. The touch of her skin. The taste of her blood. But if the vampire claimed her, one of them might not survive. So Jude did everything he could to make Terri stay away. But a demon stalked the sexy spitfire, and Jude had no choice but to protect a woman who created a longing inside him that could never be sated…. About the AuthorRachel Lee was hooked on writing by the age of twelve, and practiced her craft as she moved from place to place all over the United States. This New York Times bestselling author now resides in Florida and has the joy of writing full-time. Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.H e smelled her long before he saw her. A sweet, luscious smell wafted to him on the breeze, the kind of scent that raised his hunger to dangerous levels. He paused for a moment, invisible in the dark shadow of a building on a nighttime street dotted only infrequently with the yellow of street lamps.He gave himself some time to drink in the intoxicating scent, a few moments of masochistic torture because he knew he wouldn't heed the siren call to feed. He'd stopped heeding that call a long time ago, except for an occasional, harmless but necessary half-pint.Besides, he had found those willing to share, a few trustworthy humans who would allow him to feed in exchange for the sexual thrill.But this scent called to him, as only a few had over the centuries. He lifted his head, drinking it in, forgetting for a few seconds that he had work to do, a job to complete. For just a few seconds he allowed himself to remember how it had once been when he'd hunted freely, merely to satisfy himself.Then he shook himself out of the hunger, and closed off his needs. He had changed, times had changed, and practice made control easier, though no less painful.The job, he reminded himself. The address was only two blocks away. He moved freely, shadow to shadow, with a speed that would make him nearly invisible to all but the most perceptive. In this part of town there were no crowds to mingle with and thus hide among. The warehouse district was almost deserted and at night, only those with evil in mind dared to emerge after darkness claimed the street.Evil had brought him here.He was still half a block away from his target when he smelled the intoxicating scent again. But this time it was even more compelling because now it definitely held an overtone of fear.And fear was another siren call for his kind, a part he had come to loathe.He paused, torn. The evil he had come to deal with or the evil he sensed about to happen?A woman's cry pierced the night, making his decision for him. Forgetting the shadows for speed, he dashed toward the sound, the scent, moving now at a speed that rendered him invisible to human eyes.Three blocks to the east he found her. She stood surrounded by four punks, one of them holding a knife, every single one of them looking as if they enjoyed frightening her as much as one of his kind might. He could smell their evil intentions. And something else. Something he couldn't identify, but it disturbed him."Don't touch me," she demanded, taking an aggressive posture, as if she was willing to attack them. Little good it would do when she was outnumbered. "Don't. Take my money. Take my credit cards.""Hey, sweetie," said the guy with the knife, "what makes you think we want your money?"The others laughed. "Naw," one said, "she's got a better treasure than that."He could have, in less than a minute, killed all four of the thugs. Once he might have. But the sight of the frightened but feisty woman prevented him. While those four didn't deserve to live, neither did the woman they threatened deserve the nightmares he would leave her with if he savaged those men.He stepped forward so they could see him. "You don't want to do that." The Voice.They all hesitated, looking at him as if suddenly confused. The woman herself looked at him as if he were a savior. He knew better. She had no idea the kind of danger she might be in from him."Go," he said. "Go home now."Slowly, almost like zombies, the four men turned away from the woman and began to disperse."Go home now," he repeated with more force, and they began to run.The woman stood there, frozen, even though she should have responded to the Voice as well. Perplexing, but not the first time someone had been immune.She was dark-haired, petite. Even with his extraordinary night vision, however, he could not see the color of her eyes. Probably too dilated from adrenaline."How did you do that?" she asked, barely whispering. His acute hearing picked that up, too."Cowards are easy to intimidate," he answered, a half-truth.He walked toward her and she took a quick, stumbling step back. "Stay away."He stopped. "I'm not going to leave you here alone. Where do you live?""I'm not telling you that!"He almost sighed, but he could hardly blame her. "I am not leaving you here alone," he said again. He didn't want to use the Voice on her, didn't want to try it again even though it might not work. He avoided manipulating humans unless it was the only way."I'll get a cab.""Where?" A faint amusement curled his thin mouth. "Don't even suggest calling one. They won't come here at night."He saw her shoulders sag a bit. "How did you get here?" he asked, feeling his curiosity stir."None of your business!"Now he did sigh. "I have a car. I can take you home.""If you think I'm going to get into a car with you…"Not even centuries of practice could give him perfect patience. He had to get this piece of bait away from the predators that lurked for blocks around, and he couldn't go back to his investigation unless he made sure she was safe. Time was passing, dawn approaching steadily and inevitably. Limited time, limited patience, now two tasks instead of one for the short hours he had.He reached her so fast she gasped when he stood right in front of her. Then, utterly without compunction, he picked her up, hardly noticing her weight, certainly not slowed by it."I'm not leaving you here," he said yet again and began to stride toward his car, not as fast as he could because he didn't want to scare her any more, but fast enough."Let me go!"He should have just put her to sleep. "I can take you to your home, or take you to my office, but I am not leaving you here."Just a touch of the Voice. Just a hint, but it stilled her until they reached his car. So she wasn't completely impervious. Perhaps. Impossible to tell exactly what she was responding to.He had chosen his vehicle because it wouldn't attract attention in this neighborhood: a few years too old, dented, even rusted. Not a hood ornament or hubcap to steal."You can't do this," she said as he put her on her feet beside the car."I am doing it. My office or your home.""I don't want you to know where I live!""My office then. You'll like my assistant." He opened the passenger door for her.Still, she hesitated. "Your assistant?""Chloe Crandall," he said, seeking to create a sense of normalcy for her. "A bit strange for my taste, but a nice young lady all the same. Then you can argue with her about how you'll get safely home."Still stubborn, she glared at him. "Who are you?"He reached into his breast pocket, inside his long leather coat, and passed her his business card.Jude Messenger, Licensed Private Investigator, Messenger Investigations, Inc. Phone numbers, email, fax, but no website.She looked up from the card at him. "A private investigator?""Yes." Would she ever get into the car? At this rate he'd never get back here to check into his case. "Can I keep this?""Not only can you keep it, you can have a whole stack of them if you want. Leave them everywhere you go like breadcrumbs."At that, one corner of her mouth twitched upward. Some Rubicon had been crossed in her mind. At last she slid into the car. He closed the door behind her and forced himself to walk at human speed around to the driver's side.When he got behind the wheel, however, he gave her no further quarter. The tires squealed as he peeled away. As good as she smelled, he had to get her out of the confines of the car as quickly as possible. He couldn't afford a slip, even a minor one."Could you slow down, please?""No.""You'll get us killed!"He laughed. How could he not? "You're safer with me at any speed than you were back there with those guys. How did you get there?"Silence. Well, he had more important concerns. Let her keep her secrets.But then, hesitantly, she answered. "I was with a friend. She wanted to go to some clubs. I…ordinarily don't enjoy that, but she didn't want to go alone.""Wise.""Who was wise?" she asked. It almost sounded like a challenge."Both of you. Clubbing can be a bad scene. Going alone even worse. So let me guess. She met someone and there you were all alone."A sigh reached him in the darkness and with it the truly enticing scent of her breath. His hands tightened on the steering wheel."Yes," she said presently. "She met someone, and I decided to go home. This guy she introduced me to earlier seemed safe enough. She knew him.""I understand.""So when he offered to drive me, I said yes. But he came this way, and tried to.tried to." He didn't need her to finish. "You ran.""Yes.""That's a clear picture." He wondered if he should ask her who this guy was who tried to take advantage of her, then decided she'd probably get angry at him for interfering. People rarely appreciated offers of help they hadn't asked for.His hyperacute senses detected no heartbeats nearby at street level, at least none that weren't in the slow rhythm of sleep, so he ran a couple of red lights, certain no cops were near enough to see. He heard his passenger gasp, but he ignored it."Do you obey any laws?" she demanded."Not when they get in the way of saving lives.""My life isn't in danger anymore.""I'm not talking about you. I don't stroll that part of town without a reason.""Oh."He listened...

Like her journalism career, Liza Enders's sunny outlook has dimmed. A layoff, her move back home and a new low-paying teaching job have her thinking life couldn't be more unfair...or lonely. But when a sexy stranger turns up at the faculty tea, a spark of intrigue--and chemistry--reawakens Liza's investigative instincts...Special agent Max McKenny is not who he claims to be. While he testifies in a homegrown terrorism trial, it's safer that way. The last thing he needs is a nosy ex-reporter blowing his cover. But one look into Liza's inquisitive green eyes and Max can't help but wonder how much he's willing to risk just to hold her...or how he's going to protect her from a diabolical threat.

A one-night stand between a SEAL and an air force major results in a holiday baby in New York Times bestselling author Rachel Lee's new addition to the popular miniseries CONARD COUNTY: THE NEXT GENERATION! Honor, duty and loyalty drove Major Edith Clapton to risk her life flying Combat Search and Recovery in Afghanistan. Hunger, desire and lust drove her into the arms of Seth Hardin, a gorgeous navy SEAL she had airlifted to safety. Their epic one-night stand in the shadow of the Afghan mountains has left Edie facing the most important mission of her life: motherhood. After sharing her news, Edie is stunned by Seth's insistence on being a father to his child--and the bewildering feelings this practical stranger has stirred within her. This wasn't part of her life-in-the-navy plan! Should she flee back to military life for a desk job and single parenthood? Or give thanks for this unexpected family?