Rita Herron

Shock slammed into her as she spotted the two little girls lying on the cold hard ground, snow swirling round their fragile bodies. Twins with button noses and heart-shaped faces, their pretty green eyes closed forever... As the snow falls and a bitter wind blows, Detective Ellie Reeves is devastated to discover the bodies of two little girls, alone and frozen on an icy lake, in the isolated town of Cold Mountain. The girls are holding hands, with matching bows in their blonde curls, and when Ellie realizes they are twin sisters, her heart breaks for their mother, who must be desperately wondering where her little darlings are. But, back at the police station, she is horrified to discover that nobody has reported the sisters missing. Are their parents in danger too? When an abandoned car is found near the girls' bodies, and Ellie learns that the female driver is in hospital, she prays that the injured woman will know something about the twins. A DNA test shows that the woman in hospital is the twins' mother Barbara, and Ellie rushes to interview her. But when Ellie arrives at the hospital she is faced with an empty bed. Barbara has fled and her house is abandoned too. As Ellie searches the family home, she is chilled to see there is no sign of any children. If Barbara is the twins' mother, where are the toys and photos of her precious girls? When another little girl disappears, Ellie knows that finding Barbara might well be the key to saving an innocent child. But who is Barbara running from? Or does she have something to hide? And with the clock ticking and a fearsome winter storm brewing, can Ellie find the truth before another innocent life is lost? This pulse-pounding and utterly addictive crime thriller will have you staying up way past your bedtime and tearing through the pages Perfect for fans of Melinda Leigh, Lisa Regan and Kendra Elliot. What everyone is saying about The Ice Sisters: 'I think I read probably half this book with my heart in my mouth. I certainly didn't have any fingernails left by halfway through. As well as being and enticing and exciting thriller this is a very emotive story... So, as well as preparing the midnight oil you should arm yourself with a box of tissues. Trust me you are going to need them.' Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐'This was such a suspenseful mystery that just kept me guessing. I was telling myself this is what's going on, but I was totally wrong... I couldn't wait to finish this one to find out what the heck was happening. If you're up for a creepy spine-tingling story this is definitely it. And oh what an ending 'Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐'Highly suspenseful, literally unputdownable, a binge read, 5 stars.' Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐'Absolutely fantastic And where Ms. Herron ends this one, WOWZA.' Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'If you love thrillers with heart, this one is for you. I could not stop reading this. You will go through all the emotions in this book, so be ready. Twists and turns, danger and intrigue keep you on the edge of your seat.' Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

The young girl looked like a sleeping angel, golden hair fanned across the pillow, eyes closed, pale lips pressed together. A white teddy bear was tucked under her slender arm. "My baby, she's dead..." her distraught mother choked out. When the call comes in that fifteen-year-old Kelsey Tiller has gone missing from her bedroom in the middle of the night, Detective Ellie Reeves rushes to talk to her distraught parents. They insist that their daughter would have no reason to run away, but when neighbors report seeing Kelsey with a secret boyfriend, Ellie wonders how much Kelsey really told her parents. Ellie is determined to find Kelsey's boyfriend and interviews her friends and teachers at school. But just as she is making headway with the case, she receives some devastating news. Kelsey's parents have received a photo of their daughter lying on a bed with white sheets over her body, her precious life snuffed out. Desperate to find answers for those who loved Kelsey, Ellie studies the picture and realizes that her body has been posed in the same way as a teenage girl murdered ten years earlier. And when she learns Darnell, the killer in that case, has just been released from prison, fear crawls through her. Could Darnell have stolen another innocent life? But just as Ellie thinks she has cracked the case, Kelsey's best friend Ruby is snatched from her home, and Darnell has an unbreakable alibi. Haunted by Kelsey's ashen face, Ellie knows she must race against time to find Ruby alive. And when she discovers one of her team is hiding critical information, she realizes she needs to act alone. But is she dealing with a twisted copycat killer or is the danger far closer to home? What everyone is saying about The Sleeping Girls: 'Five amazing stars This book was so well written and had some great characters. Full of twists and turns and seriously creepy. This was a real page turner. It kept me up reading deep into the night. I had goosebumps, my goosebumps had goosebumps. This one keeps you guessing right till the end. Missing children, an overturned conviction from a past similar case and then deaths. There is so much fear and suspense just packed into this one. A must read.' NetGalley reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'Fast paced and thrilling as always Herron's books always start with a bang and suck you in right away' Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'This book bursts from the first page like a horse at the gate and never stops running. It's a wild ride. A page-turner from a stunning writer. I adored it ' Goodreads reviewer 'Truly an addictive crime thriller packed with pulse-pounding twists... A great addition to the Ellie Reeves series... The author skillfully unravels this gripping story with credible characters, a thrilling mystery, and heart-pounding scenes. Even if you think you know the outcome, the scenes are written in a way that you just aren't sure what really is going to happen... This book is exciting and full of gripping scenes and dark secrets. The ending When is the next book I really enjoy this series and cannot wait for more.' Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

"Help," a tiny voice cried out into the darkness. Little Betsy trembled, praying someone would hear her, save her. "Please," she whimpered. "I'm scared." On the hottest day of the year, as a heatwave takes hold of the Appalachian Mountains, a five-year-old girl goes missing. Just as the sun is setting, a family vacation becomes a worst nightmare-Betsy, with her green eyes, ponytail and rainbow t-shirt-disappears in the woods by Widow Lake. Detective Ellie Reeves is straight on the scene, promising Betsy's heartbroken parents that she will stop at nothing to find their precious daughter. Hours later, Ellie is called back to the lake. One of her team have discovered some remains near where Betsy disappeared. The bones belong to a local girl, Amy Dean, who vanished ten years ago to the day, along with her two-year-old baby girl Paisley. But why was Paisley never reported missing? And could she still be alive? Ellie is suddenly up against the toughest case of her career. Her instincts tell her that the two cases are somehow connected, and she works day and night to uncover the link. When she comes across some little graves beside the water's edge, she knows she needs to stop the evil lurking around this tranquil lake. When Ellie discovers a notebook scrawled with the handwriting of a little girl, it could be the breakthrough she needs. Can she unravel a decades-old mystery, and stop the monster claiming innocent lives? This totally addictive and jaw-dropping crime thriller will have your heart racing as you fly through the pages Perfect for fans of Melinda Leigh, Lisa Regan and Kendra Elliot. What everyone is saying about Widow Lake: 'Had me completely immersed in the storyline from the first chapter. This book's gripping plotline, intense dark mysteries and heart-pounding suspense had me eagerly turning pages to see what would happen next. Simply put it's unputdownable ' Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐'Wow wow wow Omg my heart What a book So many different emotions This book had it all It had suspense, intrigue, action, murder, multiple serial killers, great police work and so many crazy twists and turns It was really sad at times and some great heart-felt moments I can't wait to see what happens next The storyline was so very interesting and kept me glued to my Kindle I highly recommend reading this book and series They're well worth reading I would give this book ten stars if I could ' NetGalley reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐'Thrilling and utterly compulsive An incredible read, impossible to put down. Incredible storytelling Recommend you read this book A captivating story that I was drawn into from the first page, a propulsive read that never let me go from start to finish ' Goodreads reviewer'Another heart stopping, action filled thriller. Once again, the characters were extremely well developed and the plot flowed seamlessly from scene to scene. This thriller was a bit more sinister than some, with lots of twists and turns and surprises. There were many characters and the way they were all connected at the end was shocking. Could not put this book down, had to know how everything was going to end. Highly recommend.' Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

The body lay in the river, arms outstretched. Long brown hair swirled in all directions, flowing with the current of the water. Her eyes were wide open in death, pale pink lips parted in a scream. Detective Ellie Reeves should be enjoying the wedding of her dear friend Mia Norman. But instead of celebrating, she is frantically searching for the missing bride. Something is terribly wrong-just hours ago, Mia was blissfully happy. Why would she suddenly vanish? Bursting through the dressing room, Ellie finds it in disarray-chairs overturned, a perfume bottle shattered. Hiding in the bathroom is Mia's six-year-old daughter Pixie, curled in a ball and sobbing her heart out. The little girl says she was locked inside when she heard a man's voice, and her mother crying. "I just want my mommy back," she pleads. Ellie vows to make that happen. Turning the venue upside down, Ellie's blood turns to ice when she reaches the riverbank. Someone is dead in the rippling water, floating beside a white veil. Ellie holds her breath as she turns the body over. It belongs to Tori, Mia's bridesmaid, a gunshot wound in her back. Near the murder scene, Ellie discovers a button from a man's shirt, and her friend's engagement ring. The race is on to find Mia-before it's too late. When forensics come back, the investigation takes a dark turn. DNA proves that Mia was actually Jesse Habersham, a woman who went missing five years ago. Ellie is certain that Mia was running from someone. Did her past finally catch up with her? Facing the most complex case of her career, Ellie is in a race against time. Can she uncover the truth before her friend is brutally killed? And when the murderer comes after innocent little Pixie, will Ellie save her from the clutches of death? This pulse-pounding and utterly addictive crime thriller will have you staying up way past your bedtime, and scared to turn the lights off Perfect for fans of Melinda Leigh, Lisa Regan and Kendra Elliot. Readers absolutely love Rita Herron: "WoW WoW WoW What an absolutely mind-spinning, gripping story ... I had a really hard time putting my e-reader down to do my adult responsibilities." NetGalley reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "Omg omg omg... Man oh man, this book gripped me... This is edge-of-your-seat stuff... You won't get anything else done throughout the day as you can't put this book down... Amazing." NetGalley reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "Wow An explosive page-turner filled with dark secrets and heartbreak A mesmerizing story filled with unforgettable characters I highly recommend this book " @CJthompsonjr, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "I was literally hooked ... So many twists and turns... I stayed up all night reading ... This book is unputdownable, giving you a rollercoaster ride with twists and turns you never would expect " Tropical Girl Reads, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "Wow ... I literally haven't been able to put this book down This has completely gripped me and has been utterly impossible to put down." Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

The girl trips over branches, losing her footing. The darkness swallows her and she grabs thin air as she falls, her scream piercing the night. When she slams into the bottom of the pit, her heart hammers. She can't believe what she's seeing-a pile of perfect white bones... In the small town of Crooked Creek, where the Appalachian Mountains climb into the clouds, nineteen-year-old Mandy's Spring Break takes a sinister turn. Detective Ellie Reeves races straight to the scene, driving through the winding roads to the abandoned orphanage. Ellie saves the teenage girl but discovers human remains that have been there for thirty years, ever since the home for children closed down. Her heart shatters at the thought that they might belong to the helpless orphans. Working day and night on the case, Ellie searches for the orphanage's files, but they have been stolen-somebody is clearly trying to cover their tracks. As she interviews the residents of the mountain community, Ellie finds out that almost everyone connected to the children's home has disappeared. Then a woman is found dead, her body marked with a strange symbol. When Ellie learns that the victim used to work at the orphanage, it's clear that a twisted killer is trying to stop the truth coming out. Ellie vows to solve this case that spans decades, and when her research into the meaning of the symbol leads her to a local business at the heart of recent controversy, she's on the right track. Can she bring the secrets to light before another innocent person is murdered? And when she gets too close to uncovering the truth, will she survive? A totally gripping and pulse-pounding crime-thriller that will have you holding your breath as you race through the pages Perfect for fans of Lisa Regan, Kendra Elliot and Melinda Leigh. Readers absolutely love Rita Herron: "WoW WoW WoW What an absolutely mind-spinning, gripping story ... I had a really hard time putting my e-reader down to do my adult responsibilities." NetGalley reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "Omg omg omg... Man oh man, this book gripped me... This is edge-of-your-seat stuff... You won't get anything else done throughout the day as you can't put this book down... Amazing." NetGalley reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "I was literally hooked ... So many twists and turns... I stayed up all night reading ... This book is unputdownable, giving you a rollercoaster ride with twists and turns you never would expect " Tropical Girl Reads, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "Wow ... I literally haven't been able to put this book down This has completely gripped me and has been utterly impossible to put down." Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "This book was so damn good I just couldn't put it down until I finished it ... Had me hooked right from the start... Amazing " Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "Such a rollercoaster ride ... I was literally hooked... An unputdownable thriller " @RubieReads, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

The Body in the Wall by Rita Herron This place had been her home, now it’s a crime scene The sooner Special Agent Macy can sell her childhood home, the sooner she can escape her small town and shameful past—until she discovers a body in the wall and her childhood nightmares return. Handsome local Sheriff Stone joins the cold case to help Macy locate her missing mother and uncover a dark web of secrets. But someone’s willing to kill to keep the past hidden…for good. Cavanaugh Justice: Serial Affairby Marie Ferrarella Using herself as bait to catch a killer! Small-town detective Liberty Lawrence is hot on the trail of a serial killer. And this case is as personal as they come. So, when the criminal’s body count moves to California, Liberty follows—and joins forces with Campbell Cavanaugh. They have chemistry as explosive as the danger surrounding them, but soon the killer turns on Liberty…

Twisting her hands together, she bites back a sob. She only turned her back for a second, and then her daughter was gone. Every mother in town would be hugging their children tighter tonight. Lara is baking cupcakes when her daughter Ava runs to catch the school bus just one block away. Chasing after her, Lara sees the bus tumbling past, and waves. But Ava never turns up at school. Detective Ellie Reeves is in a race against time to find her--in missing child cases, every second counts. Searching the small town of Crooked Creek, she finds the child's bunny in the local park, the toy Ava carried around everywhere. Did Ava ever get on the bus? While Ellie works around the clock, a local reporter gets a message: There are others missing girls out there. Digging into previous cases, Ellie discovers that another girl went missing on the same day the previous year. How many more children could there be? Ellie is certain that the date means something--and that the person who sent the message is the key. But the community is up in arms, with everyone worried that their daughter will be next and blaming Ellie. The pressure is mounting, and time is running out to bring Ava home. Can Ellie solve the toughest case of her career--and save Ava--before it's too late? An utterly addictive and twist-packed thriller guaranteed to get your heart racing Perfect for fans of Lisa Regan, Melinda Leigh and Kendra Elliot. Readers absolutely love Rita Herron: "Wow ... I literally haven't been able to put this book down This has completely gripped me and been utterly impossible to put down." Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "Oh my word ... What a great storyteller Rita Herron is From the fabulous plot which quite frankly had me on the edge of my seat throughout to the amazing character development, I am overwhelmed by this book It was so good ... Oh my goodness The twists They kept coming The final two though were shockers ... An astoundingly well-written novel " NetGalley reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "Loved this book Action packed and with so many twists, had me hooked from start to the end The ending was amazing I cannot wait to read the next book in the series " Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "Wow, what a brilliant book... Rollercoaster of emotions... I found it very jumpy as I was so engrossed. Don't read when on your own " NetGalley reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "This book was so damn good I just couldn't put it down until I finished it ... Had me hooked right from the start... Amazing " Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "Truly brilliant... Right from the first chapter I was hooked and I needed to keep turning the pages... I felt I was on edge and my heart was bumping. You know a story is good when you start getting physical reactions." Chells and Books, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

The Heroes in Hot Pursuit Collection from Mills and Boon

When the past won't stay buried... In Their Footsteps by New York Times Bestselling Author Tess Gerritsen The quiet scandal surrounding her parents' death has always haunted Beryl Tavistock. Now she's asking dangerous questions, and the answers are proving that the past does not die easily. Pulled into a world of espionage, Beryl quickly discovers that she needs help, and former CIA agent Richard Wolf is her only hope. But in a world where trust is a double-edged sword, friends become enemies, and enemies are killers. FREE BONUS STORY INCLUDED IN THIS VOLUME Justice for a Ranger by USA TODAY Bestselling Author Rita Herron Texas Ranger Cole McKinney's half brothers have called him back to Justice, Texas, to help solve two murder cases--with their father as the prime suspect. Joey Hendricks came to Justice as the governor's special investigator. Together, she and Cole team up to find answers, unleashing a passion that's impossible to resist. But Joey's own secrets could blow her one chance for love--and solving these murders--sky-high.

She looked like an angel. She lay perfectly still, silky blonde hair falling to her pale shoulders. Icicles clung to her eyelashes as snowflakes fluttered to the frozen ground, burying her body. As a snowstorm wreaks havoc in the mountain town of Crooked Creek, a woman is found buried in ice. Detective Ellie Reeves is first on the scene. Examining the body, she finds frozen blonde hair, pink nail polish and a silver heart necklace engraved with Mine Forever. Ellie has first-hand experience of the monsters that lurk in the mountains--her childhood is testament to that. She vows to catch this one, but she's up against the brutal weather, with snow covering footprints and making forensics impossible. Frantically trawling through missing-person's reports, Ellie identifies the victim. Nadine Houser disappeared eleven years ago. Where has she been all this time? Why was she only murdered now? As storm clouds roll in, another girl is reported missing. Ellie retraces the steps of Ginger Weston who was renting a cabin in the mountains. She discovers a gold chain in the snow, spotted with blood. The killer is accelerating, and it's just a matter of time before more innocent lives are robbed. With the town blaming Ellie for the missing girl on her watch, and everyone fearing for the safety of their daughters, it's down to Ellie to solve the toughest case of her career. But when the killer comes after her, will she live to save Crooked Creek from its ruthless monster? A totally gripping read that will get your pulse pounding as you flip through the pages Perfect for fans of Lisa Regan, Melinda Leigh and Kendra Elliot who love a roller-coaster, twist-packed page-turner Readers absolutely love Rita Herron: "Wow ... I literally haven't been able to put this book down This has completely gripped me and been utterly impossible to put down." Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "Oh my word ... What a great storyteller Rita Herron is From the fabulous plot which quite frankly had me on the edge of my seat throughout to the amazing character development, I am overwhelmed by this book It was so good ... Oh my goodness The twists They kept coming The final two though were shockers ... An astoundingly well-written novel " NetGalley reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "Loved this book Action packed and with so many twists, had me hooked from start to the end The ending was amazing I cannot wait to read the next book in the series " Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "Wow, what a brilliant book... Rollercoaster of emotions... I found it very jumpy as I was so engrossed. Don't read when on your own " NetGalley reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "This book was so damn good I just couldn't put it down until I finished it ... Had me hooked right from the start... Amazing " Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "Truly brilliant... Right from the first chapter I was hooked and I needed to keep turning the pages... I felt I was on edge and my heart was bumping. You know a story is good when you start getting physical reactions." Chells and Books, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Silent tears trickle down her cheeks as she curls inside the tiny cave-like space. She lies on her side, darkness all around her, rubbing her fingers over the little wooden doll he'd carved. He told her to be quiet, not to cry or scream. Not to be a baby. Her throat was raw, her eyes swollen shut. She wanted her mommy and daddy. She wanted to go home. When Penny Matthews, a seven-year-old girl with blonde curls and a gap-toothed smile, goes missing in the Appalachian mountains, Detective Ellie Reeves is called straight to the scene. According to Penny's parents, their daughter vanished after a picnic by the creek. All that's left behind is a pink friendship bracelet etched with "Penny". Ellie knows all too well that the mountains' endless miles of dark forest and winding rivers are the perfect place for a criminal to hide. Racing against the rapidly setting sun and a brutal winter storm on the horizon, she searches desperately for Penny. Special Agent Derrick Fox is determined to join the hunt. His younger sister, Kim, disappeared in the same area twenty-five years ago--on the day he was meant to be watching her. He's certain the cases are linked and that over a dozen girls have vanished in the last decade. Ellie refuses to believe that their tight-knit mountain community could be home to a deadly criminal, but even she can't deny the similarities in the cases. And when they discover the remains of a small body buried with a carved wooden doll, it's clear they're up against a deadly serial killer preying on innocent little girls. As the temperature plunges, Penny's life hangs in the balance. Most people who get lost in the woods never make it out alive. Can Ellie and Derrick defy the odds and find out the truth about all the stolen girls? Or will the mountain, and its twisted killer, claim another victim? Readers absolutely love Rita Herron: "Too amazing for me to put into words Best book I've read EVER. I'm so overwhelmed with 100 different emotions, and even though it's now 4:00 a.m. and my 5 year old wakes up in 4 hours, I want to read this book again. I'm too filled with butterflies to sleep, this book JUST GOT BETTER and better with each PAGE I honestly can't put into words how incredible this book is I want to give everyone a copy for Christmas, NO one should miss out on this book I'm so grateful to the author for this gift." Goodreads Reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐"Wow, a breathtaking ride from start to finish Well written, with superb character development. The plot had many so many twists and turns, it kept me on my toes the entire time " Goodreads Reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

She'll never give up on finding her baby. And neither will the sheriff of Whistler. For five years, Cora Reeves has searched for her baby, who went missing in a fire--a baby she swears is still out there. When the private investigator sniffing out clues ends up dead, Sheriff Jacob Maverick's on the cold case. As old evidence takes on new meaning, Jacob is desperate to ensure Cora's safety. Especially once he realizes how far someone is willing to go to keep her from learning the truth behind what really happened that fateful day ...

Freezing temperatures can kill... Winter storm Holly is the worst in eighty years bringing high winds, subzero temperatures and snowfall better measured in feet than in inches. The weather paralyzes everything in its path, but in this storm, weather isn't the only threat. A serial killer the press has dubbed the Christmas killer is taking lives...and he's not finished yet. All Special Agent Gia Franklin's sister Carly wanted was for Gia to come home for Christmas. But Gia avoids the holidays, using her job as an excuse to stay away. For weeks, she's been tracking The Christmas Killer, a cold-hearted monster who strangles his victims and poses them with one of the Twelve Days of Christmas ornaments. With nine women dead, and only four days until Christmas, she must stop him before he kills again. Then he makes the case personal by kidnapping Carly, and Gia must go home. Aware she may be walking into a trap, she teams up with sexy, local Sheriff Murphy Malone to stop the madness, and save the holiday for her sister and the town. But the clock is ticking. And the CK has his own holiday plans - ornaments eleven and twelve belong to the Franklin sisters, and he won't stop until they're dead...

BONUS LITTLE WHITE LIES, the 3rd book in The Keepers Series is included in this paperback For twenty-five years, the mystery of the missing Darling sisters has gone unsolved. Now it's time for answers... Traumatized as a child when she witnessed a grisly murder, Marilyn Ellis kept silent for fear she and her mother would become targets of a cold-blooded killer. But guilt and nightmares have plagued her ever since that stormy night. Her silence allowed a predator to go free, a predator who may have killed others. A predator who may be on the hunt again. As a topnotch investigative reporter, she will do anything to find the answers, including using her ruggedly sexy lover, Detective Ryker Brocket, for information. She and Ryker make a good team in and out of bed. But can she trust him with her darkest secrets? Detective Ryker Brocket has devoted his life to solving crimes and chasing killers. Sure, feisty reporter Marilyn Ellis inflames his passion, but he has no time for love. Then Marilyn becomes the main suspect in one of his high-profile murder cases, and their professional and personal lives collide. Clues lead them back to the cold case he's working and the disappearance of the Darling sisters. And even though he's suspicious of her, he feels compelled to keep her safe. Then Marilyn becomes the killer's prime target, and Ryker will risk his life--and his heart--to protect her. But can he save her from the crazed killer who wants her dead and win her love?

A woman scarred from the past, a killer out for revenge, a Texas Ranger who will protect her - or die trying... Lenora Lockhart survived a dangerous killer once, but she was traumatized by the brutal kidnapping and attack. Knowing the man is in prison has given her a chance to start a new life. As a bridal consultant, she helps other women plan the most special day of their lives - but she sees no love or marriage in her own future. Then the man who assaulted her escapes from prison and her nightmare begins all over again... Texas Ranger Sergeant Micah Hardin has seen the worst of the worst - and one of them is the man who brutalized Lenora. Micah rescued her once, then stood by her side while she put the maniac in prison, but he nearly lost his heart in the process. For Lenora not only stirred his admiration with her bravery but ignited feelings of passion inside him that made him want to be more to her than just her protector. Now the killer is out for revenge, Micah is determined to save her from the sadistic monster again. But this time he wants more. He wants to prove to Lenora that happy endings do exist - and that he can give her the love she desperately wants. If only she'll let him in her heart ...

A woman who witnessed a murder, a cold-blooded killer who wants her dead, a Texas Ranger who will stop at nothing to get justice... All Kaylie Whittaker wants is to protect her daughter from the madman who killed her husband. So she turns to the police for help. But when the officer assigned to protect her is murdered, she realizes she can't trust anyone, so she goes into hiding... All five-year-old CeCe Whittaker wants is a real Christmas. But her mother keeps moving her from town to town. Then they stumble on an abandoned ranch house and she hopes they've finally found a home... All Texas Ranger Sergeant Mitch Manning wants is to forget Christmas this year - and that his son will not be around to see it. Then he discovers that Kaylie and CeCe are squatting in his ranch house, and his detective instincts surge to life. His first thought is to run them off, but they immediately sneak past his defenses. Only Kaylie is lying about who she is, and as a Ranger, he must find out the truth. Then a killer comes looking for them, and Mitch will stop at nothing to keep them safe. But can he allow himself to love again and be a family with them?