The Ultimate Romantic Suspense Set (8 romantic suspense novels from 8 bestselling authors for 99c)

by Lee Taylor

  He looked me over. “You always were the prettiest gal on the mountain.”

  “I ain’t any longer.”

  He shook his head. “Can’t prove it by me.”

  “Jacob, I’m the only gal on the mountain.”

  That brought a smile to his face. “I crossed many a mountain. Wherever I went, you were always with me, always talking to me and showing me your love in the little ways you do.”

  He shifted his weight from one leg to the other, sort of hesitant like. “You should see it out there, Abigail. The wind blowin’ off the water. It makes you feel alive.”

  “I like the mountains. And trees.”

  “There’s mountains. Higher than these. And the trees are so big it takes a day to walk around one. If you cut one down, you can build a whole town with the lumber.”

  “So?”

  “You were always doing something for someone. I wanted better for you—for us. I built us a place in California. Near that ocean. Hired a man to care for it while I come to fetch you and the boys. That is, if you’ll leave this here farm. We’ll have a fine living on my new place. Soil is good and black. And deep. We won’t have to plow around the boulders.”

  When Jacob had left, I’d refused to go with him. Our youngest, Razzel, was only twelve, and I had heard of the western lands and the wild Indians and the blizzards and wildfires. I’d wanted no part of it.

  Now, what was here for me? A farm that had taken the best years of my life and almost killed me a few times? And would certainly kill me this winter. I didn’t owe it anything. And if it had been the strongest house on the mountain, I wouldn’t have stayed. If Jacob was leaving, I was going with him. This time I wasn’t about to be left behind.

  “I know you’re attached to this place, but—”

  “Not attached. Not any longer. Oh, Jacob, I’ve missed you so much.” And I started to bawl, louder than Aggie when she wants milking bad.

  He stepped near and circled me with those long, strong arms of his. “And I missed you, too. You were too stubborn to go with me, while I was bound and determined to find us a better place than this.”

  “I wasn’t being stubborn, Jacob. I was afraid.” But too stubborn to admit it.

  “You? Afraid?”

  “I didn’t want to take my boys out in that wild land. This place was so secure.”

  “They went anyway,” he said, leading the way to the house. He slapped his hand on the side of his leg, and Barney shot out ahead of us, tail wagging.

  “Yes. First Gage, the week after you left. If you remember right, he was twenty. Then Daniel, then the rest of them, whenever they reached sixteen.”

  We went inside. I looked around. It was the only home my boys had known. “What if they come back and I’m not here?” I worried.

  “We’ll tell the Buchanans.”

  “They’re both dead.” I told him what had happened to them. “Only Mally is alive, and she went to Missouri to live with kin.”

  “Good for her.”

  “I don’t know how we could leave a message.”

  “We’ll tell people as we go along, mentioning California. If any of those boys do look for you, they’ll come. I ain’t waiting here for ‘em.”

  “Then I won’t either.”

  He drew me into the firelight, looked me up and down and kissed me soundly. I loved his kisses. It was how he’d wooed me away from that young flatlander who thought he’d get a chance with me.

  “I love you, Mrs. Courtney. I’ve been a long time waiting. I’d ‘ave been back a lot sooner, if I could’ve. Got swept up into that there war. Man with a gun said I either joined them or I was the enemy. So I became a Union soldier. Wasn’t particularly fighting for anything, except to stay alive and get back to you.”

  I believed him. “I love you, Jacob. Just don’t leave me again.”

  “Never.” He pulled off his boots and I shucked out of my dress, then stood there in my raggedy chemise, as he took off his shirt, then his britches.

  I was thinking hard. I knew I’d forgotten something.

  As he grabbed my hand to pull me into bed, I stopped him, saying, “Wait! Jacob, the goose!”

  THE END

  This is Abigail’s story. If you wish to find out what happened to young Mally, read THE HANDSOMEST MAN IN THE COUNTRY, a novella and #1 in The Traherns.

  The second Trahern story is THE SMARTEST HORSE IN TEXAS, about Matthew Trahern.

  The third Trahern story is about Ruth Trahern and Gage, THE PRETTIEST GIRL IN THE LAND.

  OTHER WORKS BY NANCY RADKE...Sisters of Spirit Series

  Want a clean, funny, sweet romance? Grab TURNAGAIN LOVE, #1 Sisters of Spirit Sweet, Contemporary, Humorous. Stranded on a small island, Jennel is happy to see her handsome rescuer until she finds out he is taking her job. Affaire de Coeur gave it four stars. Scribes World said "Turnagain Love has some fascinating twists and turns, unexpected complications, and charming scenes."

  Can’t get enough of those Turnagain Love characters? Pick up CLOSED DOORS, #2 Sisters of Spirit Sweet, Contemporary. Ellen must help him keep the secret which could destroy his way of life. “All the characters from Turnagain Love are back, as unpredictable as ever.” Gail P.

  Looking for a little mystery sprinkled in with the romance? Investigate STOLEN SECRETS, #3 Sisters of Spirit Romantic Mystery Murder and robbery in a Seattle houseboat community. “An emotional roller coaster with a feel-good ending. Ms. Radke sprinkles in humor when you least expect it.” J. Rogers

  Can’t get enough of those sisters? Snatch up SONGS FOR PERRI, #5 Sisters of Spirit Romantic mystery, suspense, contemporary. Perri travels to Mexico to rescue her brother, and finds a man of many masks. “Charming and wonderful with a dramatic twist at the end.” AddyM

  Want more of the Stolen Secret characters trying to uncover a mystery? Try TENNESSEE TOUCH, #6 Sisters of Spirit Romantic mystery, contemporary. Alison hates football and distrusts men in general. Her brother was seriously injured in the game and the former jocks her mother married were unfaithful. So what makes an NFL quarterback think he has a chance with her? “A ‘Sleepless in Seattle’ type of romance.” Kay S.

  All sweet, all contemporary, and this one with mystery and suspense. The Sisters are in danger again. Pick up SPIRIT OF A CHAMPION, #7 Sisters of Spirit Romantic mystery, contemporary. Stormy is a veteran crusader, and when she discovers the danger her brother faces, she flies to the rescue. No one believes her. She gets help from Hugo and her cousin, Perri, whom you met in Songs for Perri.

  Boxed set of #1-4 of the Sisters of Spirit novels. This gives you four super reads, ranging from a simple love story in Turnagain Love to a life and death struggle in Courage Dares. All are sweet, contemporary romances with lots of action but without the language or sex offered by many other authors. These are safe to give to your teenagers, grandparents, and anyone wanting pure romance.

  Watch for Appaloosa Blues #8 coming in 2013.

  Works by Other Authors You Might Enjoy

  A Family for Christmas by Helen Scott Taylor

  Christmas Runaway by Mimi Barbour

  KILL TO INHERIT

  THE MAN IN GRAY SERIES (MYSTERIES)

  Prologue: Enter the Ghost

  Sam Riley pulled off the narrow dirt road and stopped the borrowed police cruiser on the edge of the ditch. Opening the door, he adjusted the small Colt .380 in the holster under his left arm and glanced at the badge clipped to his belt. The sun caught the window glass on the door of the new 1929 Durant, flashing the light across Riley’s face. He ducked his head slightly to let the Fedora block the glare and then stepped out onto the packed soil. Sucking in a breath of cold air, Riley scanned the tree line back to the driveway he had passed.

  From Washington to Washington was a long train trip. He’d borrowed the police cruiser in Seattle to drive out to the Fonck mansion in the foothills of nowhere. He wasn’t expected company, and he didn’t expect a warm welcome. Especially once he started asking his questions. He tugged
at the long gray overcoat he wore, straightening it out, allowing easy access to his gun, then started up the driveway.

  Wind blew the branches and they rattled a little. Most of the leaves had fallen, yet so many trees were evergreens that he couldn’t see the house. When it finally came into view, it shocked him. It was bigger than anything back East. He shook his head, knowing that there wasn’t anyone around for many miles and that a lot of work would have gone into a home this size. Four cars were parked in front of the house, all Fords. The grass near the house had been cut short and a large barn could be seen out back.

  He was still taking in the big picture when the front door opened and a man stepped outside, a rifle cradled across his left arm. He stood in the shade of the porch and didn’t appear much more than a shadow.

  “Good evening.” Riley called out.

  The man nodded.

  “I’m looking for Mister Fonck.”

  “Which one?”

  Riley heard a window open and looked up. A rifle barrel parted the curtain and then steadied on him. “I’d like to talk to Pierre.”

  The man shifted a little and his rifle leveled off, pointing directly at him. “I’m Pierre.” He nodded at Riley. “Who are you?”

  Riley pushed his hat up a little as he thought of the best reply, and when he decided on one, he answered, “FBI.”

  He was staring at Pierre when he spoke and from the corner of his eye he saw a flash of light from the rifle protruding from the window. Instantly he was struck in the head with a sledgehammer-like force. Lights exploded in his vision, followed by darkness.

  Riley opened his eyes and blinked. He felt no pain, no discomfort. He looked around in the pitch blackness, but didn’t see anything. There weren’t any lights. Nothing. No sun, no moon, or stars. There were no sounds either. Not even the background noise of wind. He concluded that he must be in a cellar and reached out with his hand. He swung it gently around trying to find something. He touched his fedora, but other than his hat, there was nothing within his reach. He felt panic rise in his chest. Was he blind? Deaf? He sat up, reaching farther out and still not finding anything.

  He reached farther and farther into the darkness. Still nothing. He reached out with a foot, then moved upright. Suddenly he was seeing stars through the outlines of branches. He scanned the area around him. The bushes. Water dripping from branches. Soggy soil.

  Chest deep in the ground? Why was that?

  Riley lunged forward and rolled over, pulling the rest of his body from the earth. He scrambled to his feet and glanced back. There was no sign of a hole or disturbed dirt. His clothes were clean.

  He shivered, but not because he was cold. In fact, he couldn’t feel a thing. Habitually he reached for his gun and found it, then realized the badge was missing. For a long time he stood staring at the ground from where he had crawled. Then the rain came as if to answer a question that he was afraid to ask. The rain came and the droplets fell, but he didn’t feel them. They passed through him and hit the ground.

  The spot of soil that mesmerized him, hid his body. He was certain of that. There was one other thing he was certain of—he wouldn’t rest until he found his killer.

  Want the rest of Riley’s story? Grab Kill to Inherit by Nolan Radke

  A full length novel, first of a series, about the ghost detective and his allies.

  SISTERS OF SPIRIT

  The Sisters of Spirit are a group of girls who attended Virginia Tech around the same time and stayed in the same dorm. The group was started by Stormy and Jo, and included mainly western girls, although Jennel was an honorary member from Boston. Each has her own story which can be read separately from the others. Also, a couple of their friends, Mary and Alison, asked to be included in the series.

  SHOW & TELL BIBLE SERIES

  Don’t forget to pick up these wonderful Bible DVDs for your children.

  Vol. 1 The Books of Moses DVD * 650 pictures covering the first five books of the Bible, 2 hours long, narrated and subtitled in English and Spanish.

  Vol. 2 The Books of History DVD * 850 pictures from Joshua through Esther, 3 hours long, narrated and subtitled in English and Spanish.

  Parents love these detailed Bible stories and kids are fascinated with them. There is a new picture every 8-10 seconds. Also maps, charts and timelines when appropriate. Also available are Activity books and Coloring books.

  Vol. 3 (Poetry, Prophecy) is in production and Vol. 4 (Life of Christ) in the planning stage.

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  Nancy Radke has always invented stories in her mind, even "watching" stories in her dreams where she could control the characters and outcomes. She has turned this talent into writing traditional romances and romantic suspense, with plenty of plot twists. Born on a wheat and cattle ranch, she still surrounds herself with animals and plants. Her family lives close by, so she enjoys her grandchildren's sports and other accomplishments.

  Lately she has been working on the "Show & Tell Bible," a children's picture Bible on DVD that she wrote with her daughter. While waiting for the artists to finish drawing the thousands of pictures needed, she plans to write more romances, which help fund the Bible project. Also planned is The Traherns, a series of historical western novellas starting with “The Handsomest Man in the Country,” Nov. 2012.

  CONTACT INFORMATION

  email Nancy: romauthorn@yahoo.com Tweet: @Bible4Children

  COPYRIGHT INFORMATION

  Copyright © 2012 Nancy L Radke

  All Rights Reserved

  This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are all products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

  DEDICATION

  To my husband of 51 years, whom I loved completely.

  Knowing Vera

  Chance for Love #3

  Rachelle Ayala

  ~~~

  World Literary Press

  ~~~

  Table of Contents

  A Note to Readers

  Start Reading

  Vera's Recipes

  Acknowledgments

  About the Author

  Other Works by Rachelle Ayala

  Dedication

  To my darling daughter

  Praises for Knowing Vera

  Excellent and exciting read! - Cate Beauman

  The tension just ups and ups! Well, done. - H. Elliston

  An exciting, gripping read that I highly recommend. Great mystery and Zach and Vera's hot romance had me swooning! - Chantel Rhondeau

  Knowing Vera is chalk full of suspense and romance. Once I started reading it, I didn't want to put it down until I knew the ending! - Emerald Barnes

  Engaging read. Distinctive voice. - Michele Shriver

  A romantic novel with suspenseful twists and turns that will have you on the edge of your seat until the very last page! - Heather Pfingsten

  I felt as though I was driving through Australia with how the author described the setting. A perfect summer read. - F. L. Williams

  Great story, great characters a romantic mystery you must read. - Brandi Pletcher

  Deeply flawed characters who fight their inner demons and find themselves and each other. - Stefanie J. Pristavu

  Copyright (c) 2013 by Rachelle Ayala. All rights reserved.

  Visit Rachelle at blog: http://www.rachelleayala.com

  Or like Rachelle at her Facebook page.

  No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner without written permission from the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews.

  The characters and events portrayed in this book are fictitious. Any similarity to real events or real persons, living or dead, is coincidental and not intended by the author.

  All trademarks belong to their respective holders and are used without permission under trademark fair use.

  The named songs belong
to their rights holders and artists. No lyrics are quoted and no rights are infringed.

  "Nandito Ako (I'm Here)" sung by Lea Salonga

  "Bakit Labis Kitang Mahal (Why Do I Love You So Much)" sung by Lea Salonga

  "Paalam Na (Goodbye)" sung by Rachel Alejandro

  "I Do (Cherish You)" sung by 98 Degrees

  Cover design by Robin Ludwig, gobookcoverdesign.com

  Edited by Lauren McKellar

  World Literary Press

  PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

  A Note to Readers

  In 1991, there was no safety rail separating the roadway of the Golden Gate Bridge from the pedestrian walkway. Today, the bridge is closed to pedestrian traffic after dusk, but is open to bicycles twenty-four hours a day. Cyclists must present themselves at a gate and are buzzed through by a guard. There is no suicide barrier on the bridge at the time of this writing.

  Other than the Prologue and Epilogue, the main chapters in this book take place between the last chapter of Hidden Under Her Heart and the Epilogue of that book. Vera and Zach are best friends of Maryanne and Lucas. Vera also appeared in Broken Build as the sister of Jen Jones' blackmailer. The books do not have to be read in order, but plotlines of the earlier books will be spoiled by reading this one.