by Lisa Harris
The water, still at its year-round seventy-two degrees, was almost the same temperature as the air. There was a slight breeze, carrying the scent of the seasons changing as the bank grasses and vegetation shifted into autumn mode, browning here and there, while rust-red leaves dressed the Florida maples set back from the water’s edge. The day was gorgeous, even though the sky was greyish-white and wispy with only the occasional peep of blue.
Quinn glanced over at Ian, her heart thumping harder as she eyed the man who had stolen it. He had taken up kayaking because it was her thing, but after just a few weeks he was hooked and now paddled as much or more than she did. She loved being with someone she could share this passion with.
He caught her watching him, grinned that grin that still made her heart skip—but in a good way—and dipped his paddle in again, pulling ahead of her with a wink, challenging her to keep up.
Ian’s heartbeats quickened as he looked to the side and caught Quinn smiling at him. Still, after six months, one smile was all it took to get his pulse racing. The autumn sunlight was low in the sky, its rays cutting across Quinn at an angle that made her red hair glisten ruby-gold, her skin nearly luminescent, and he almost laughed at the thought that this incredible creature wanted to be with him. Just then his phone buzzed, alerting him to a text coming through. He read it and smiled.
It was on.
He dipped his paddle in the water, digging with enough force to propel him forward, knowing the competitor in Quinn would be unable to fight the urge to best him. Just to seal the deal, he winked. Sure enough, playful determination scrunched her face as she dug in harder.
As they raced along against the sound of their paddles working to beat one another, he marveled at the turn his life had taken in the year since leaving Chicago. When he moved to Seaglass Cove, he told himself it was to get a fresh start. But if he was really honest, he had to admit he came there to erase himself and, hopefully, the pain of his past. Now he knew that wasn’t the answer, because doing so would mean letting go of all the good as well as the bad. He hadn’t realized that until she came along. Until Quinn, he hadn’t been open to trusting anyone with the truth. But now that he had, for the first time since the nightmare in Chicago he felt fully himself again—keeping the good parts, while retaining the lessons from his mistakes. He was even back in church again, attending Hope Community with Quinn. Running from his faith was one of the worst decisions he had made; coming back to it, one of the best.
His chest tightened as he saw the spot coming up on the right riverbank—the side she was on—exactly as planned. The lookout he had stationed there had seen them coming and texted he was leaving.
This is it.
His nerves lit up, sending currents of expectation through him as he pulled his paddle out of the water and pointed it at the riverbank.
I’ve got you, Quinn thought. Focusing, she plunged her paddle in again, a quarter-length from passing him, when he pulled his paddle out of the water and pointed it at the riverbank on her right.
“What is that?” he asked. Though his brow was furrowed in curiosity, his lips were contradictorily pulled up at the corners. Suspicion tingled in her belly.
“What is what?” she asked, dragging her paddle in the water to slow her progress.
He poked his paddle at the riverbank again. “That, right there, on the bank,” he replied, the corners of his mouth rising even higher as the concern lines disappeared altogether.
She followed his gaze to the edge of a small, sandy flat lined with masses of flowering pickerelweed, the plentiful, purplish-blue spikes showering the bank with color. In the midst of them, tied to one of those spikes was a giant bow made of wide white ribbon.
Quinn’s pulse quickened as she looked back at Ian. His charcoal eyes held her gaze with a twinkle, as he offered a roguish shrug that said, “Beats me.” But she knew him. And she knew better.
Grinning, she paddled hard over to the sand flat, beached her kayak, then waded through the clear shallow water to the edge of the pickerel weed. The bow was actually attached to the top of a stake driven into the riverbed. Behind the bow, affixed securely to the back side of the stake with heavy-duty elastic bands was a shiny gold box.
And inside the gold box, on a pillow of white satin, was the most beautiful diamond ring Quinn had ever seen.
Acknowledgments
I want to send a heartfelt thank-you to —
You, my readers, for choosing to spend some of your valuable time in my stories, and allowing me to continue doing what I love.
My incredible, hard-working beta readers: Kimberly Pugh, Kari Long, Tessa Hobbs, Laura Stratton, Kirsten Harbers and Gene Gettler.
My beta reader and technical advisor, Shaw Gookin. You make my books better.
My editor, Lenda Selph. Thank you for your selfless work and relentless attention to detail.
My friend and fellow author, Luana Ehrlich, whose constant encouragement and guidance I treasure.
The women of the Dangerous Deceptions Boxed Set, who have taught me much and become sweet friends.
My parents, Lynn and Bob Plummer, whose never-ending belief in me still is the fuel that feeds the engine.
And Ron, my husband, whose hard work and encouragement make it possible for me to live out my dream of being an author.
A Note From D.L. Wood
Thank you for reading Liar Like Her, the second stand-alone book of the Secrets and Lies Suspense Novels. I hope you enjoyed it. If you did, please rate and/or review it (a simple sentence or two would be great—no summary needed) on Amazon, Goodreads, Bookbub, and whatever other social media platforms you enjoy. Reviews and word of mouth are what keep a novelist’s work alive, and I would be extremely grateful for yours. To learn more about all my books, please visit my website, www.dlwoodonline.com, where you can download a free gift.
If you haven’t read all the books in this set, I want to encourage you to go back and do that! I promise, you do not want to miss out on a single suspense-filled story by these incredible authors, starting with the first one, Lethal Outbreak. This is the third book in the Carol Award-finalist Agents of Mercy Thriller Series, by award-winning authors Lisa Harris and Lynne Gentry. Here’s a quick introduction:
Virus hunter Aiden Ballinger believes the source of the lethal outbreak that decimated a remote Tibetan village came from disturbing the permafrost. Desperate to rebury the ancient pathogen before it buries the world, Aiden enlists the help of Rachel Allen, a beautiful epidemiologist. But while Aiden and Rachel pursue the cure—and their feelings for each other—someone is hunting them. Whoever wants them dead will not stop until they are silenced.
A Note From the Authors
Dear Reader,
Thank you for reading Dangerous Deceptions. We hope you enjoyed this collection of Christian Romantic Suspense novels.
We’d love for you to rate and/or review Dangerous Deceptions, whether you’ve read just one book or all eight books. Rating or posting a review at your favorite retailer helps readers find the books they want to read and provides a way for you to thank an author for the time, effort, and prayers that went into writing the book.
To rate the boxed set or post a review—which doesn’t have to be more than a one or two-sentence statement of why you liked the book—choose your favorite retailer’s site on our Dangerous Deceptions website.
On the following pages, you’ll find a short bio of each of us, along with a list of the other books we’ve written. All of us love to hear from our readers, so please don’t hesitate to contact us.
Thank you so much!
Lynnette Bonner
Luana Ehrlich
Lynne Gentry
Elizabeth Goddard
Lisa Harris
Robin Patchen
Lisa Phillips
Jan Thompson
D.L. Wood
About D.L. Wood
D.L. Wood is an award-winning, best-selling Christian Mystery & Suspense author who loves to curl up with
a cup of Earl Grey tea and her Westies—Frodo and Dobby—while bingeing on the latest BBC detective series. She loves the art of storytelling and tries to give readers the same thing she wants: a “can’t-put-it-down-stay-up-till-3am” character-driven story, full of heart, believability, and adrenaline.
D.L. writes her clean captivating fiction from her home in North Alabama where she lives with her husband and twin daughters. She loves to hear from her readers and you can email her at [email protected]. You can also follow her on the platforms below to keep up with all her latest news!
Also by D.L. Wood
THE UNINTENDED SERIES
Unintended Target
Unintended Witness
BOOK THREE: COMING 2021
* * *
THE CRIMINAL COLLECTION
A Criminal Game
BOOK TWO: COMING SOON
* * *
THE SECRETS AND LIES SUSPENSE NOVELS
Secrets She Knew
Liar Like Her
About Luana Ehrlich
Luana developed her passion for spy thrillers and mystery novels at an early age, but she didn’t begin writing her series of Titus Ray Thrillers until her husband retired from the ministry. Now, she writes from an undisclosed location, trying to avoid the torture of mundane housework, grocery shopping, and golf stories. However, she occasionally comes out of hiding to visit with her two grandsons or to enjoy a Starbucks caramel macchiato.
Besides being an award-winning author and an avid reader, Luana is a freelance writer, minister's wife, and former missionary to Costa Rica and Venezuela. Luana is also a news fanatic, following events around the world on a daily basis, particularly the Middle East. She and her husband are long-time residents of Norman, Oklahoma. She loves to hear from her readers! Email her at [email protected].
Also by Luana Ehrlich
The Titus Ray Thriller Series:
* * *
One Step Back, the prequel to One Night in Tehran
One Night in Tehran, Book I
Two Days in Caracas, Book II
Three Weeks in Washington, Book III
Four Months in Cuba, Book IV
Five Years in Yemen, Book V
Two Steps Forward, Book VI
Three Steps Away, Book VII
Four Steps Missed, Book VIII (Coming Summer 2021)
* * *
The Mylas Grey Mystery Series:
* * *
One Day Gone, Book I
Two Days Taken, Book II (Coming November 2020)
* * *
The Ben Mitchell/Titus Ray Thriller Series
* * *
Ben in Love, A Ben Mitchell/Titus Ray Thriller
Ben in Charge, A Ben Mitchell/Titus Ray Thriller (Coming February 2021)
About Jan Thompson
USA Today bestselling author Jan Thompson writes in multiple Christian fiction genres, including clean and wholesome contemporary Christian romance with elements of women’s fiction, Christian romantic suspense with an air of mystery, and inspirational international thrillers with threads of sweet Christian romance. Jan’s books are for readers who enjoy stories of faith, family, and friends.
Raised on a tropical island in the Eastern Hemisphere, Jan now lives and writes in the Western Hemisphere. Her international background gives her a unique multicultural and multiracial perspective to her novels and books.
Jan graduated from the University of Georgia with a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science and worked as a database programmer and information technology consultant for years before transitioning from writing software programs to her lifelong dream job of writing fiction books that she wants to read.
When she is not busy writing and publishing, Jan is a wife, mother, family scribe, avid reader, erstwhile sewing student and piano player, occasional artist, and chief of staff to the family cat.
Jan’s life verse is John 3:16.
For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
John 3:16
Author Website: JanThompson.com
Mailing List: JanThompson.com/newsletter
Also by Jan Thompson
Binary Hackers
Zero Sum
Zero Day
Zero Base (Coming Soon)
Protector Sweethearts
Once a Thief
Once a Hero
Once a Spy
Never a Traitor
(More Novels Coming Soon)
Savannah Sweethearts
Ask You Later (Prequel)
Know You More
Tell You Soon
Draw You Near
Cherish You So
Walk You There
Love You Always
Kiss You Now
Find You Again
Wish You Joy
Call You Home
Vacation Sweethearts
Smile for Me
Reach for Me
Wait for Me
Look for Me
Pray for Me
Cheer for Me
Care for Me
Seaside Chapel
Share with Me
In Step with Me
Sing with Me
For a complete book list, visit JanThompson.com
To be notified when a new book is released, sign up for Jan’s mailing list: JanThompson.com/newsletter
About Lynnette Bonner
About Lynnette Bonner
* * *
A former missionary kid who grew up on the sunny savannah and attended boarding school at Rift Valley Academy in Kenya, Lynnette currently writes from her home in the Pacific Northwest. You can find out more about her and her books on her website at: www.lynnettebonner.com.
If you enjoyed Ice, book one of the series is available here: https://www.lynnettebonner.com/books/contemporary-romance/san-juan-shadows/.
Also by Lynnette Bonner
THE PACIFIC SHORES SERIES
Contemporary Romance
Beyond the Waves - BOOK ONE
Caught in the Current - BOOK TWO
Song of the Surf - BOOK THREE
Written in the Sand - BOOK FOUR
* * *
THE ISLANDS OF INTRIGUE SERIES
Contemporary Romantic Suspense
The Unrelenting Tide - BOOK ONE
(There are more books in this series by other authors.)
* * *
THE RIVERSONG SERIES
Contemporary Romance
Angel Kisses and Riversong - BOOK ONE
Soft Kisses and Birdsong - BOOK TWO
* * *
SAN JUAN SHADOWS SERIES
Contemporary Romantic Suspense
Fire - BOOK ONE
* * *
Find all other books by Lynnette Bonner at:
www.lynnettebonner.com
About Lisa Phillips
A British ex-pat who grew up an hour outside of London, Lisa attended Calvary Chapel Bible College where she met her husband. He’s from California, but nobody’s perfect. It wasn’t until her Bible College graduation that she figured out she was a writer (someone told her). Since then she's discovered a penchant for high-stakes stories of mayhem and disaster where you can find made-for-each-other love that always ends in happily ever after.
Lisa can be found in Idaho wearing either flip-flops or cowgirl boots, depending on the season. She leads worship with her husband at their local church. Together they have two children and an all-black Airedale known as The Dark Lord Elevator.
Lisa is the author of the bestselling Sanctuary (WITSEC town series), the Double Down series, and more than a dozen Love Inspired Suspense novels. Her 2019 series of Northwest Counter-Terrorism agents was a big hit.
* * *
Find out more at www.authorlisaphillips.com
* * *
Lisa Phillips also writes Christian thriller supernatural novels under the name JL Terra.
You can find these at www.
jlterra.com
Also by Lisa Phillips
Love Inspired Suspense Books:
Double Agent
Star Witness
Manhunt
Easy Prey
Sudden Recall
Dead End
Security Detail
Homefront Defenders
Yuletide Suspect
Witness in Hiding
Defense Breach
Murder Mix-Up
Colorado Manhunt
Her Holiday Mountain Mission (a re-issue of Yuletide Suspect)
Desert Rescue (K9 Search and Rescue) – Jan 2021
* * *
Denver FBI Series:
Target
Bait
Prey
* * *
WITSEC Town Series:
Sanctuary Lost
Sanctuary Buried
Sanctuary Breached
Sanctuary Deceived
Sanctuary Forever
