Best Selling Books by Beverly Barton

TRUSTING HER... They all loved her. That was their mistake. Two husbands, her college fiancé, an influential boss—every man who gets close to Jordan Price is made to pay in blood. And the list is growing . . . COULD BE . . . Hired by the Powell Agency to investigate Senator Dan Price’s death, Rick Carson can see at once why people would believe Jordan Price incapable of cold-blooded murder. Slender, pale, and elegant, she stands by her late husband’s graveside exuding sweet vulnerability. Only Rick notices that she never sheds a tear. And the deeper he delves into the string of deaths from which Jordan has profited handsomely, the more convinced Rick becomes that he is dealing with a callous, cunning, unstoppable killer . . . THE LAST THING YOU EVER DO . . . The closer Rick gets to the chilling truth, the more dangerous this game of cat-and-mouse becomes. The targets are changing, and suddenly, nothing and no one is safe. If Jordan is as innocent as she claims, Rick may have placed her in a killer’s cross hairs. And if she’s guilty, he’ll never live to regret it . . .

When a recent spate of horrific murders is linked to a long-ago series of brutal crimes she hoped would never resurface, Chattanooga grief counselor Audrey Sherrod, who moonlights for the local police, soon discovers that the worst is yet to come. Original.

Close Enough To Touch He''s their secret admirer wooing them with phone calls love letters and special gifts. From a distance he admires them. Desires them. Despises them. And when he gets close enough he kills them all. Close Enough To Kiss Adams County Alabama is a small friendly place where everyone knows each other--but not well enough it seems because Sheriff Bernie Granger has a serial killer on her hands a total psycho who stalks woos kidnaps and kills his victims. It''s Bernie''s first big case a chance for her to prove herself to her new boss former Memphis police detective Jim Norton but it won''t be easy. This killer is uncannily smart. It''s as if he knows what Bernie''s thinking. And his next move is more than shocking--it''s chillingly personal. Close Enough To Kill. A terrifying game is underway. A desperate hunt has begun. And a rookie sheriff is determined to stop a killer at all costs. But is she getting nearer to catching him or drawing far too close to his deadly flame

From the "USA Today" bestselling author comes this sizzling tale of a woman suspected of murdering her former lover who finds herself in deadly danger, and the only person to believe in her innocence is an enigmatic drifter. Original.

A thrilling novel of romantic suspense from the New York Times bestselling author of As Good as Dead. “She kept me guessing to the very end.”—Linda Howard Twenty years ago, Jolie Royale was critically wounded during a shooting that left her mother, her aunt, and her aunt’s suspected lover dead. The case was ruled a double homicide and suicide and quickly closed, though rumors abounded as to the murderer’s real identity . . . Jolie would never forget that day—but she could never recall the killer’s face. And now she is coming home to Mississippi for her father’s funeral. Her mixed feelings turn into dread when the investigation into the triple murder is reopened—and it becomes clear as day that a killer is still on the loose . . . Determined to put the past to rest, Jolie turns to Max Devereaux for help. Years ago, he made no secret of his resentment toward her family, but it seems many things have changed—including Jolie’s feelings for her unlikely ally. Now, as she and Max work together to put back the lost pieces of her memories, the striking distance between her and the killer closes. Someone can’t wait for Jolie to remember his face, because by then it will be too late . . . “With its sultry Southern setting and well-drawn characters, this richly textured tale ranks among the best the genre has to offer.”—Publishers Weekly “Fans of authors such as Lisa Jackson, Janelle Taylor, and Heather Graham will enjoy the shivers Barton . . . so deftly delivers.”—Booklist

To save his wife, a Southern detective is drawn into a final showdown with his sadistic nemesis in this romantic suspense series finale. Malcolm York is a sadistic murderer. And with his endless wealth he''s funded a series of depraved human hunts. The few who survived can never forget. They can only be thankful the terror is over. Until rumors start swirling . . . Griffin Powell knows the twisted depths of York''s madness. He''s also sure that York is dead. But then Griff''s wife, Nicole, disappears. And the phone calls begin—that familiar voice taunting him, promising to destroy everything Griff loves. Using all the resources of the Powell Agency, Griff searches for Nic, aware that every step propels him further into a madman''s web. Because the only way to keep Nic safe is to join one last perverse game where winner kills all, and the loser is dead by nightfall . . .

A woman plays a game of cat and mouse with a copycat killer in this romantic suspense novel by the New York Times–bestselling author of Don’t Cry. He begins his work just before dawn, wielding a knife with the precision of a surgeon. Cunning and meticulous, he’s always in control. Mercy is not an option . . . Maleah Purdue is tough, outspoken, and completely dedicated to her work at the Powell Security Agency. But her fearless exterior shatters when a madman begins killing her colleagues one by one, mimicking a notorious serial killer already behind bars. Working alongside top profiler Derek Lawrence, Maleah will do anything to find the murderer, even if it means playing a psychopath’s twisted mind games. No one connected to the Agency is safe. No one is beyond suspicion. For as Maleah and Derek piece together the clues, they uncover a chilling legacy of lies and brutal vengeance—and a killer who has been hiding in plain sight all along . . . Praise for Dead by Morning “A great romantic suspense that grips the audience from the moment the protagonists begin to learn of the assault on Powell and never lets go as the climax diabolically leads to the next unpublished tale. The lead pair is a terrific coupling . . . However, what makes Dead by Morning super is the serial killer, who will be considered one of the vilest of the year.” —The Mystery Gazette “The popular and dependable Barton has again created an intricately plotted, thoroughly engrossing serial killer tale that satisfactorily resolves the current dilemmas but leaves a stunning cliff-hanger.” —Library Journal

When she has a one-night stand with her fiancé''s brother after her disastrous engagement party, Mary Beth Caine, who has always been the good girl in her small Mississippi town, finds herself torn between two very different brothers.

Romantic suspense.

A “Southern, sexy and sinful” romantic suspense thriller from the award-winning, New York Times–bestselling author (Lisa Jackson). Sleepy Southern Days As the pampered daughter of one of Spring Creek’s most prestigious southern families, Ella Porter has lived her entire life on the straight-and-narrow. And being “good” has kept Ella safe and sane—until now. Suggestive yet ominous letters have been arriving at her office with alarming frequency. Letters that remind her of the disturbing ones she used to get from Reed Conway—the hellraiser she knew from childhood—after her father prosecuted him for murder. Now Reed’s been released from prison, and though Ella finds herself wanting to believe his claims of innocence, she’s getting closer than a “good girl” ever should to a man with such a bad reputation . . . Dangerous Southern Nights Reed Conway is on a mission: to find out who really murdered his stepfather and put his past behind him. But someone wants to interfere—someone determined to send Reed right back to prison for a brand-new crime. They’ve made it look like he’s still a threat to Ella Porter and her family, when the truth is, the more he sees Ella, the more desperately he wants her. But his attempts to prove his innocence have put both their lives in jeopardy . . . because whoever is stalking Ella will stop at nothing—including murder . . . “Hot, steamy nights and dark family secrets abound . . . The novel’s sizzling sexual chemistry and high suspense will satisfy sunbathers longing for sultry poolside reading.” —Publishers Weekly

PASSIONATE SECRETS One sultry night many years ago, Sheila Vance became a woman in Caleb Bishop''s arms. And though he never knew it, Caleb became a father. Now the hard-hearted bachelor was back in town, and Sheila fought the fiery attraction between them. For this time, Caleb had the power to hurt not only her, but also her precious child. When Caleb saw Sheila again, he wanted her back in his life—and in his bed. But he suspected more than passion made her tremble beneath his touch—and Caleb was determined to discover the elusive beauty''s every secret…. 3 Babies for 3 Brothers: There''s nothing like a secret baby to bring a brooding bachelor home again!

The author of "Close Enough to Kill" pens the first novel in a new series set in a small Alabama town--a riveting tale of romantic suspense and serial murder. Original.

THE PROTECTORS Her bodyguard… BLACKWOOD TERRITORY J.T. was a Blackwood, all right. Six feet four inches of whipcord-lean man, a Stetson shading those amber eyes, a glare that burned hotter than the New Mexico sun. A bodyguard, the handsome half-breed was the one man who could help Joanna Beaumont. But as a Blackwood, he was dangerous in his own right. At first J.T. thought Joanna was just some spoiled socialite roughing it on Blackwood Ranch. But then he discovered what she''d fled from, why she needed him. And suddenly, all that mattered was seeing her safely through the long, hot nights…. THE PROTECTORS. Ready to lay their lives on the line, but unprepared for the power of love.

Play To Win. . . It''s the ultimate game--the adrenaline surge of the hunt, the thrill of victory, the agony of defeat. For in this game, the rules are simple: To win, you only have to kill. To lose, you will have to die. . . Play To Scream. . . The victims are former beauty queens found with a single rose beside their bodies. Lindsay McAllister has seen this signature before, when she was a rookie detective with the Chattanooga PD investigating the death of Judd Walker''s wife, a murder that sent the handsome lawyer off the deep end. Now, Lindsay has the brutal task of telling Judd that his wife''s killer has struck again, and she''s going to need his help to outplay their opponent--because the killer is getting bolder, faster, and more ruthless. The game is escalating, and no one is safe. Play To Die. . . Now as the body count rises, the rules are changing. A killer will do anything to win. And the only way for Lindsay to stop a madman''s twisted game is to play it herself. . .

Patty was the daughter of the prestigious Rand family’s housekeeper when she fell in love with their son, Spence. But the two were forced apart after his parents found out. Only after their separation did she realize she was pregnant. Fourteen years later, Spence suddenly shows up in front of Patty with his niece, whose parents died in an accident a month earlier. He says he and the little girl both need her help. Patty was rattled by their unexpected reunion. It took her a long time to forget about him. How can he say he needs her now?

A minister’s young widow is targeted by a small-town serial killer in the New York Times bestselling author’s Southern romantic thriller. To most people, respected clergymen like Mark Cantrell are pillars of the community, and completely beyond reproach. But their killer knows better. They are sinners of the worst kind, and they must burn on earth before they burn in hell . . . Eighteen months after her husband''s unsolved murder, Cathy Cantrell has returned to her Alabama home, eager to build a new life for herself and her son. But reminders of her past, like Deputy Sheriff Jackson Perdue, are everywhere. And a spate of recent deaths—each victim burned in the same horrifying manner as her husband—leave Jack and Cathy in no doubt that a serial killer is at work . . . Now as a twisted killer moves in for a final, brutal act of vengeance, buried crimes are coming to light once more. And this time, justice will be swift, merciless, and as silent as the grave . . .

Sometimes love is stronger than death… Security agent Dante Moran can''t afford the luxury of love—in his line of work, emotions can get you killed. Besides, he''s never recovered from the pain of losing his high school sweetheart to a serial rapist and killer. As far as Dante is concerned, his heart died the day her body was discovered. But when he''s hired to find Tessa Westbrook''s missing daughter, Dante is shocked to feel his long-buried emotions rise to the surface. Tessa stirs something in him that he hasn''t felt since he was a kid…something that makes him think she could become more than a client. But Tessa''s past is full of secrets, and with a killer still on the loose, Dante must decide if she''s worth dying for….

A woman seeks justice for her murdered cousin—but can''t resist a seductive suspect—in this romantic thriller by the New York Times bestselling author. In the courtroom, defense lawyer Quinn Cortez has a reputation as a ruthless predator who always gets what he wants. In the bedroom, it''s no different. Quinn is an accomplished seducer with a long list of conquests. But now, someone has brutally slaughtered one of them, and Quinn has no memory of the night he was found in her home . . . Annabelle Vanderley wants justice for her murdered cousin. If Quinn Cortez swears he can find the true killer, she''s willing to give him the benefit of a doubt. But then another body is discovered. Then another. And each victim is an ex-lover of Quinn''s. Now, consumed by dread, Annabelle wonders just how close she may be to a twisted psychopath for whom her pain would be the ultimate pleasure . . .

Once Deborah Vaughn had loved Ashe McLaughlin with all of her heart. Then he''d disappeared, leaving Deborah with the son they''d created. Now Ashe was back, insisting she play the part of his lover. Ashe had never forgotten Deborah and the night of passion they''d shared, or the way her father had run him out of town. But as the star witness in a murder trial, Deborah needed Ashe, and he would do anything to keep her safe . . . and the safest place for her was in his arms.

A widow accused of her husband’s murder may be the next to die in the bestselling author’s “sexy and clever” Southern romantic thriller (New York Times bestselling author Linda Howard). As the blazing heat of summer gives way to sultry September, a shroud of suspicion settles over the sleepy Alabama town of Noble''s Crossing. Lane Noble Graham stands accused of murdering her ex-husband. And the one man who can help, Johnny Mack Cahill, vowed never to return to the town that scorned him—or the woman whose love he knew he didn''t deserve. From the rusted-out trailers on the wrong side of the river to the stately pillared mansions along Magnolia Avenue, everybody has something to hide. But one secret could make Lane and Johnny Mack the next targets of a twisted killer who''s determined to striking again . . . "A sizzling, sexy tale that grabs the reader by the throat and doesn''t let go." —New York Times bestselling author Lisa Jackson

THE WRONG KIND OF MAN This arrogant, ill-mannered American was hardly the sort of man Princess Adele of Orlantha was used to encountering in her world of wealth and privilege. And yet Matt O''Brien was all that stood between her and the deadly conspiracy that threatened everything she held dear. Her only hope was a marriage—in name only—to her self-appointed "protector." But to be so very…intimate with this infuriating yet dangerously compelling man was almost more than she could bear—because their masquerade was turning into a passion that was all too real.

A young detective’s first case in Tennessee puts her on the path of a gruesome serial killer in the New York Times bestselling author’s romantic thriller. One by one, they will die. He has waited patiently, envisioning their final moments. Their tortured screams, their pleas for mercy—all will be in vain as he executes his sadistic plan. Homicide detective Julia Cass has witnessed plenty of crime scenes. But the murder of a Chattanooga judge is shocking in its brutality. Teamed with FBI agent Will Brannock, Julia delves into an investigation that soon unearths more bodies—all mutilated in the same way, all left with a gruesome souvenir of a killer''s ruthless rage . . . The only way to stop the slaughter is to predict the next victim. But when you''re dealing with vengeance at its most ruthless, one wrong move can make you a target . . . and the next word you utter could be your last . . .

NINE MONTHS… Hank Bishop had given Susan Redman the greatest gift—the baby her husband hadn''t been able to give her. But soon after Hank became the sperm donor and fulfilled her family dreams, Susan was suddenly widowed. Now the rugged lawman felt duty-bound to protect the pregnant beauty. OR FOREVER? He was the man she''d always loved—the man she''d thought would never settle down. But when fate made Hank the father and protector of her unborn child, Susan soon dreamed of forever with the sexy sheriff…. There''s nothing like a secret baby to bring a brooding bachelor home again! 3 BABIES FOR 3 BROTHERS

A MAN OF HONOR And honor was the only reason well-muscled former mercenary Aloysius Murdock agreed to be Catherine Price''s bodyguard. For Murdock owed Catherine''s father his life. But once Murdock laid eyes on his best friend''s beautiful daughter, he realized he would do anything for her…. A WOMAN IN LOVE Catherine knew better than to succumb to the passion Murdock clearly offered, for she believed in love—and Murdock had given up on love long ago. Still, something in his heated gaze made her believe that the battle-worn bachelor needed her. Maybe just as much as she needed him….

HE HAD THE ONE THING SHE WANTED…. Lori Lee Guy had always longed to be someone''s mommy—and she had never imagined wild and wicked Rick Warrick as anyone''s daddy. But here she was, childless. And here he was, still sinfully sexy…and single-handedly raising an adorable little girl. SHE WAS THE LAST THING HE NEEDED…. How could Rick have falled for Lori Lee—again? He''d learned the hard way that she was holding out for Mr. Perfect, and this bad boy had no intention of being tamed into becoming a model husband! But his daughter and Lori Lee had other ideas….

Its been ten years since a bullet left journalist Lexie Murrough paralyzed. Black Ops commando Deke Bronson is grateful Lexie has no memory of the incident, for hes never been able to forgive himself. After Lexie, whos now the head of an international charity, receives threats, Deke is assigned to keep her safe. Is this fates way of giving him a second chance? Original.

In Murder. . . The last sounds Dean Wilson hears are a clock striking twelve and a killer''s taunting words. And his death is just the first. One by one, victims are stalked and shot at close range. Only the killer knows their sins, and who will be the next to die at midnight. . . And In Life. . . In the ten years since her Hollywood career imploded, Lorie Hammonds has built a good life in her Alabama hometown. When the first death threat arrives, she assumes it''s a joke. Then she gets a second note. Sheriff Mike Birkett, her high-school sweetheart, has avoided Lorie since she returned to Dunmore, but when investigators uncover her connection to a string of recent murders, he''s drawn into a case that''s terrifyingly personal. Timing Is Everything The Darkest Sins He begins his work just before dawn, wielding a knife with the precision of a surgeon. Cunning and meticulous, he''s always in control. Mercy is not an option. . . Will Always Maleah Purdue is tough, outspoken, and completely dedicated to her work at the Powell Security Agency. But her fearless exterior shatters when a madman begins killing her colleagues one by one, mimicking a notorious serial killer already behind bars. Working alongside top profiler Derek Lawrence, Maleah will do anything to find the murderer, even if it means playing a psychopath''s twisted mind games. Come To Light No one connected to the Agency is safe. No one is beyond suspicion. For as Maleah and Derek piece together the clues, they uncover a chilling legacy of lies and brutal vengeance-and a killer who has been hiding in plain sight all along. . . The Fear. . . Malcolm York is a sadistic monster, guilty of unspeakable crimes. And with his endless wealth he''s funded a series of depraved hunts. The few who survived can never forget. They can only be thankful the terror is over. Until rumors start swirling. . . Only Stops. . . Griffin Powell knows the twisted depths of York''s madness. He''s also sure that York is dead. But then Griff''s wife, Nicole, disappears and the phone calls begin--that familiar voice taunting him, promising to destroy everything Griff loves. When You Die. . . Using all the resources of the Powell Agency, Griff searches for Nic, aware that every step propels him further into a madman''s web. Because the only way to keep Nic safe is to join one last perverse game where winner kills all, and the loser is dead by nightfall. . .

- The Last to Die was a selection of the Rhapsody Romance and Doubleday Book Clubs. - The Last to Die debuted on the New York Times Extended bestseller list at #28 - The Last to Die spent two weeks on the USA Today bestseller list. - The Fifth Victim and What She Doesn''t Know were both Featured Alternate Selections of the Rhapsody Romance and Doubleday Book Clubs - The Fifth Victim spent five weeks on the USA Today bestseller list. - Every Move She Makes was a Featured Alternate Selection of the Rhapsody Romance Book Club. - Beverly Barton is the national bestselling author of 29 Silhouette romances, with five more under contract. - Barton is currently under contract for four more romantic suspense novels with Kensington. - She is a two-time Maggie Award winner, a two-time National Reader''s Choice Award winner, and a recipient of a Romantic Times Career Achievement Award for Series Romantic Adventure.

‘Shocking and terrifying, it will chill you to the bone.’ Tess Gerritsen Prepare to lose sleep with the spine-tingling thriller from the Sunday Times and New York Times bestselling author.

It was the job of her dreams. . . but it became her worst nightmare. . .

In a sweeping and vibrant novel set in the post-war South, New York Times bestselling author Beverly Barton follows one young woman''s journey to love and independence. . . 1885. All of Margaret Campbell''s hopes for the future lie in Tuscumbia, Alabama. Since the death of her sharecropper father, eighteen-year-old Maggie has no resources and few allies, aside from the relatives who''ve agreed to take her in. With luck, she might yet make an upright gentleman of her brother, and a real lady of her rebellious little sister. And perhaps, once her siblings are settled, she''ll find a decent, hardworking man to marry. But those plans are jeopardized the moment she meets Aaron Stone. Effortlessly charming, Aaron is building an empire in the South. Maggie knows he wants the right kind of wife to overcome the shadows surrounding his birth--someone like the well-connected widow he''s been courting. Someone a million miles from a penniless, outspoken sharecropper''s daughter. But neither jealousy, family secrets, nor long-held prejudices will keep Maggie from following her heart. . .

THE AGENT: Burke Lonigan, weapons expert and world-class charmer THE MISSION: To destroy a dangerous traitor, while defending his woman and child! Facing off with a deadly menace was easy for Burke Lonigan—until a beguiling beauty stepped in danger’s path. The only way Burke could protect Callie Severin was to make her his wife. Then Burke discovered his new bride was the beautiful stranger he had taken to his bed one passionate night long ago—and the mother of the child he’d never known! Now Burke was determined to defend his family—and damn the consequences to his heart! a year of loving dangerously Where passion rules and nothing is what it seems….

Five years ago Emily lost her husband and her unborn child in a fire caused by a construction company that was cutting corners. She has finally recovered and decided to start a new life, but the large scar on her back will always remind her of what happened. One day, a mysterious stranger named Mitch walks into her life. He melts her heart, but she’s afraid of what he’ll say when he sees the scar she keeps hidden. Little does she know that Mitch is hiding something, too… What will happen when she learns his true identity?

Deanna and Luke were in love, but their relationship came to an abrupt end when Deanna’s father was murdered. Luke, who fled the scene, was arrested as the prime suspect. On the day of the trial, Deanna’s statement as a witness got him convicted, even though she lost her memory of what actually happened on the night of the murder. Luke, who doesn’t believe her for even a second, deeply resents her. Eight years later, Deanna continues to suffer from nightmares about that night. In order to end the nightmares, Deanna must go back to her hometown to regain her lost memories!

War with their archrival, the evil Ansara clan, is unavoidable. For Mercy Raintree, a war means she must assume her position as guardian of the Sanctuary—the sacred Raintree home place deep in the Smoky Mountains. But doing so threatens to disclose her most prized secret—one Mercy has kept to herself for six years. As the solstice looms and the battle heats up, Dranir Judah Ansara gathers his forces, intending to wipe every Raintree from the face of the land. Including Mercy, whom he''s claimed as his to kill. Then he comes face-to-face with her—and with her daughter, Eve. Will Mercy''s closely guarded secret change not only the outcome of the battle—but also Judah''s own bitter heart?

Finding elusive ex-cop Quent Yerby wasn''t easy, but Beck Kendrick needed his permission to adopt the little boy in her care. Yet the sophisticated psychologist never expected to find an infuriatingly arrogant--and incredibly handsome--man who had a few demands ow his own ...

She had always been the good girl, putting herfamily first, never thinking of herself. But nowElsa Leone was a woman on a mission, and herwell-meaning attempt to put an end to crime inher town had earned her enemies. Deadlyenemies.Enter Rafe Devlin, top-notch bodyguard and justabout as bad as a man can be. Or so he said. Butthe moment Elsa saw the tender lover beneaththe hard-bodied protector, she knew the stakeshad just gotten higher. Because if letting Rafeinto her lonely life was trouble, loving him wasdownright dangerous….

Pray for mercy with this spine-tingling thriller, for fans of Karin Slaughter and Tess Gerritsen.