Most Popular Books by Joanna Wayne

HE DISTURBED HER SENSES Her gruff neighbor unsettled Sara Murdoch with his mesmerizing stare. But when escalating threats proved Sara’s childhood nightmares were only too real, Nat Sanderson took action. Why a reclusive mountain man knew how to secure a perimeter and soothe a woman’s fears was a mystery Sara swore to solve once she and her daughter were safe. The past he’d thought buried should have kept him away from a woman and child in danger. But when Nat held a shaken Sara in his arms, he knew his own worst nightmare had returned. He could no more refuse to protect them than he could deny that he and Sara would be lovers. Not with evil poised to strike…just before dawn.

Coming to a woman''s rescue was all in a day''s work for the billionaire rancher. Little did Matt know that the woman in jeopardy he''d jumped off his horse to save was working undercover, investigating him. By way of his mother, no less! Trouble had never looked so good to "Shelly Lane." Exposing the Collingsworths was a golden opportunity to prove she had what it took to be a real agent. But she could not let Matt Collingsworth distract her. Even though the man could fi ll out a pair of jeans—oh my! What Shelly had to do involved the highest national security and would in the end devastate the Collingsworth empire…and surely destroy her chances for a date with Matt.

Alexis Beranger never could have anticipated the shock of being carjacked with her son still in the backseat. Or that Tague Lambert, part of the rich and famous Lamberts of Dallas, would be there to help. But most earthshattering of all was learning that the attack wasn''t random—only a prelude to the danger stalking her every move. While their chance meeting occurred under the gravest of circumstances, Tague felt an instant attraction with Alexis that he just couldn''t shake. Through with playing it safe, Tague vowed to protect this beautiful stranger and her vulnerable little boy, no matter how high the stakes. After all, a cowboy never ignored an innocent in distress—especially a cowboy who carried the Lambert name.

UNBREAKABLE VOWS A string of murders reunited homicide detective Dallas Mitchell with a woman he’d tried to forget. Years had passed, but the passion was still there. Only, this time it was fraught with danger. Because Nicole Lancaster was a married woman, and Dallas was a cop hunting for the worst serial killer Louisiana had ever seen—a man who just might be her new husband. Nicole had always been out of the lawman’s league, and she had every reason not to trust him, not to forgive him…. But Dallas had precious little time to convince Nicole that she needed to leave her house—before death parted them for good.

A DEDICATED DETECTIVE RISKS HIS LIFE TO SAVE A WOMAN AND HER SON IN THIS SPELLBINDING BIG "D" DADS: THE DALTONS NOVEL BY JOANNA WAYNE. A haunting beauty with mesmerizing brown eyes is in desperate need of Dallas homicide detective Travis Dalton''s help. Faith Ashburn''s troubled teenage son is missing...and may be hiding secrets that could get him--and his mother--killed. Faith will do whatever it takes to find her boy, even if it means turning to the rugged detective, a man shadowed by his own painful past. When the search reveals a shocking connection to the dangerous criminal Travis has sworn to bring down, Faith has to trust him with her life. And when passion flares, she has to trust him with something she vowed never again to give: her heart.

Mustang Run, Texas, was nothing but trouble… But still, Sean Ledger was coming home—to bad memories and an estranged father. And surprisingly, to a beautiful widow and her son in need of a haven. A loner, Sean didn''t do family or forever, but protecting women was his cowboy code. With a vengeful escaped convict on her tail, Eve Worthington had nowhere else to turn. Sean was fiercely loyal…but dangerously sexy. He''d guard her life, but he''d already stolen her heart. As the killer neared, Eve realized her fatal error in coming to the ranch. Now she either had to run again…or put her bodyguard lover in the line of fire.

THIS COWBOY WON''T BACK DOWN Houston homicide detective Brittany Garner just got hit with a one-two punch. The twin sister she never knew existed has been found dead, leaving behind a three-month-old daughter. Brittany''s vow to find her sister''s murderer, as well as the father of the orphaned infant, leads straight to Cannon Dalton. A bull rider who spends his life roaming from rodeo to rodeo, Cannon has only one mission now: protect the beautiful cop and the child who could be his. Caught in the crosshairs of escalating danger—and his powerful desire for Brittany—Cannon races to stop a desperate killer…and a revenge that''s been a long time coming.

A pattern emerges in a string of "accidental deaths" involving criminals who''ve escaped the law. Police chief Max Zirinsky suspects that someone is doling out their own form of justice…murder. Police chief Max Zirinsky''s hunt for a serial killer leads him to the rareifed circles of Courage Bay''s social elite. He needs a way to infiltrate their ranks, and turns to socially prominent hospital chief of staff Callie Baker. Her solution: pretend their dating. But the attraction is all too real, and neither of them can "pretend" for long. Then the killer sees through their relationship. Callie is helping Max''s investigation. And for that, she''ll have to die….

As a former navy SEAL, Marcus Abbot relied on his instincts. And the moment he saw the shadows haunting Dani Baxter''s big brown eyes, the private investigator knew she was in trouble…and so was he. Even though she came to him with a crazy story about a murder she''d seen in a vision, he couldn''t stop the instantaneous attraction that sparked between them. Never one to ignore a woman in need, he accepted her case. But as they traveled down a sensual path of danger and desire, Marcus discovered Dani''s dreams may have been a bit too real. And the closer he got to the truth, the nearer she came to living her nightmare….

Amid a freak snowstorm, Texas rancher Damien Lambert made the unlikeliest find on his Bent Pine Ranch--a bloodied woman and her infant daughter in hiding. Though her story was transparent as ice, the heat he saw in her eyes made him offer her refuge. After a ruthless kidnapping and a harrowing escape, Emma Muran needed a hero...and the baby needed a home. She''d found both in Damien--the perfect man with a cowboy''s swagger and a lover''s touch--until he learned about the incredible danger they faced. After that, Emma knew it would take all the cowboy Damien had to keep her and the child alive.

ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS: A Daddy… Little Rebecca knew she and her baby brother were a handful for their new mom, Dr. Susan McKnight, especially with a bad man scaring her. She''d hoped Santa would bring Susan a husband, and when Detective Carter showed up at their door, Rebecca knew Santa wouldn''t let her down…. A Husband… Susan was at the mercy of a cunning stalker…but lucky for her, Jack Carter was the kind of cop who wouldn''t stop until he got his man—even if it meant hounding Susan for her confidential patient records. Going head-to-head, eye-to-eye, Susan could see Jack''s conviction and his passion for protection. But did she see something more…like love?

PROTECTING HIS OWN The last thing this hard-boiled Confidential operative wanted was to become entangled with junior prosecutor Georgette Delacroix, but he’d reached a dead end in his frantic search for his kidnapped daughter. So the clairvoyant Cajun beauty was Tanner Harrison’s only recourse. When Georgette’s disturbing visions of his daughter intensified, Tanner stumbled upon the key to finally shutting down the slimy crime network his topsecret agency had been pursuing for months. As Crescent City’s paralyzing heat wave unleashed Tanner and Georgette’s smoldering attraction, they breathlessly raced against time to triumph over evil!

Branson, Langley and Ryder: Randolph brothers, family men, larger-than-life Texans. Flesh and blood bind them to each other—and to a mystery baby girl. One is her father…all are her protectors. Sheriff Branson Randolph embodied all that the West was known for: cowboy grit and raw justic. Lacy Gilbraith had never known men like him existed. Even now she had a hard time believing the sheriff was for real. Branson was a man who told the truth and expected others to do the same no matter the consequences. But Lacy was a woman with a bellyful of secrets… She was the only link to the mystery baby, and someone wanted to silence her—forever. But that would never happen while in Branson''s protective custody. Lacy''s greatest danger lay in losing her heart to the Texas lawman.

Branson, Langley and Ryder: Randolph brothers, family men, larger-than-life Texans. Flesh and blood bind them to each other—and to a myster baby girl. One is her father…all are her protectors. A beautiful woman with dangerous secrets was about to become the Randolphs'' neighbour. She was a vulnerable stranger who''d make any red-blooded male take notice…and Langley Randolph was no exception. Dependable, solid and timeless, like the family ranch that had been passed down through generations, Langley couldn''t bear to see a desperate woman fighting tears. Danielle needed the strength of the stalwart rancher next door to unlock the mystery of her memories…before a killer caught up with her first.

Welcome to Twin Oaks—the new B and B in Cooper''s Corner. Some come for pleasure, others for passion—and one to set things straight… Check-in: Cooper''s Corner postmistress Alison Fairchild had the most fabulous little upturned nose ever—thanks to recent plastic surgery. After a lifetime of teasing and insecurity, she looked stunning as she made her entrance at the rehearsal for her friend''s wedding. All eyes were on her—except for the gorgeous stranger in the dark glasses. Then she realized he was blind. Checkout: Ethan Granger could see perfectly well that Alison was a knockout. He wasn''t the sightless high school teacher he claimed, but an undercover FBI agent. The attraction was instantaneous, and all too soon Ethan was thankful for those dark glasses. If Alison could see into his eyes, she''d know he was in love….

LAWMAN He held her captive—in more ways than one Ex-cop turned security expert Cagan Hall was some kind of man. The secretive type of a woman like Merissa Thomas should stay away from. But with a killer and the cops hard on her heels in the bayou, Cagan was her only protection. Until his embrace became her prison…. Only extreme measures would keep Merissa safe—alive. There was more than one bounty for the Cajun beauty''s head. But for Cagan, working undercover to hunt her down, a long, deep kiss from her lips would be the ultimate reward. LAWMAN—There''s nothing sexier than the strong arms of the law!

A Mother As Dillon''s bride, Ashley Randolph finally got the family she yearned for. But when a bullet nearly killed Dillon, she was forced into hiding—with her secrets and the best part of Dillon…his baby. A Father It had taken Dillon almost three years to find Ashley, to learn he was a father. Except the years hadn''t prepared him for the sight of his beautiful bride and his toddler son. Their Child Dillon had come to claim his boy and return him to the Texas ranch that was his birthright, but he hadn''t bargained on leading the gunman straight back to his family. Would a man bent on misguided revenge send Ashley and his child on the run again?

The French Kiss Killer has returnedand has his next target in sight… Detective Hunter Bergeron has two goals: find the French Kiss Killer and keep Helena Cosworth from becoming his next victim. Hunter and Helena share a past, and close proximity now only reignites their attraction. But with New Orleans on high alert, giving in to old feelings is a distraction neither can afford. Especially in the darkest corners of the Quarter.

A CASE GONE COLD…AND AN UNEXPECTED ROMANCE HEATING UP Jaci Matlock went to Cape Diablo to solve the thirty-year-old Santiago murders. And though the remote island had a haunting reputation, the forensics novice was determined to expose the reality behind the mysterious events that plagued her arrival. Now in order to uncover an age-old murderous conspiracy, Jaci had to team up with her only ally: Raoul Lazario. But trusting the ruggedly sensual adventure seeker proved to be a distraction she couldn’t afford…. Solving the cold case would secure Jaci’s lifelong dreams, but with Raoul she faced an even more confounding mystery…. Would falling in love have life threatening implications?

Isabella Trueblood made history reuniting people torn apart by war and an epidemic. Now, generations later, Lily and Dylan Garrett carry on her work with their agency, Finders Keepers. Circumstances may have changed, but the goal remains the same. Lost Any chance Kyle Blackstone might have of a relationship with his gorgeous neighbor Ashley Garrett. He kept flirting, but she just wasn''t buying. Found One baby girl. By Ashley Garrett. Outside Kyle''s apartment. He''d actually fathered a baby and didn''t know it? Or he''d unintentionally hit on a surefire plan to involve Ashley in his life? She had a career…standards…rules! But the baby was irresistible. Unfortunately, despite everything, so was Kyle! Finders Keepers: bringing families together

When a mother''s love meets a father''s instinct… Ex-marine Adam Dalton once dreamed of a life with Hadley O''Sullivan, but war and a near-fatal injury cost him dearly. Now he returns to Dallas to discover the unthinkable—Hadley is the prime suspect in the disappearance of her twin baby girls…the daughters he never knew he had. Beyond Hadley''s terror of having her children kidnapped is the shock of seeing Adam. Yes, she had kept him from his daughters, but now, when he insists they work together as a united front, she knows she is still in love with him. Despite their past, finding their children is their only hope to finally becoming a family—if time doesn''t run out first.

STEALTHY SEDUCTION Rumor had it that the secretive owner of the castle on the cliffs, Dr. David Bryson, had been hideously scarredin the accident that killed his fiancee. Now designer Becca Smith hadbeen summoned to work in his home. Though she received mysteriouswarnings to stay away, nothing could keep Becca from meeting the manwhose seductive voice made her burn for his touch.She was too young, too beautiful, too familiar. She awakened memoriesin David long buried…emotions that teetered on the edge of insanity.But he vowed to see Becca only from the shadows. Except when a killerattacked, David stepped from behind the veil of darkness to save thewoman who was his only hope of salvation.

Langston Collingsworth was a man to be reckoned with. Powerful and president of the family oil business, opportunists looked at him and saw money, but he saw the land as his life force. So when the Collingsworth empire was threatened--it was personal. It happened innocently enough--a young girl needing his help. But her mother was none other than Trish Edwards--Langston''s high school sweetheart. Trish and her daughter were trapped in a blackmail and murder investigation and had been on the run since the day Trish gave birth to a Collingsworth heir. Could Langston trust Trish after the years of deception? He had no choice if he wanted to protect her child--his child--and face down the trouble headed their way.

Former navy SEAL Hawk Taylor never knew fear—until he met Alonsa Salatoya. Her young daughter had been kidnapped, and after two years the trail had grown cold. Hawk was certain he''d find the girl, but the sensual woman with a fragile heart scared him. She made the Texas loner yearn to belong where he never could—in her life and her bed. Exhuming long-buried clues led only to dead ends—until the kidnapper turned his sights on Alonsa. Now, with a taste of fear, Hawk knew what he had to do: find the child, keep Alonsa alive and then walk away from the one woman he''d never be able to forget….

This cowboy is a heartache waiting to happen in Joanna Wayne''s riveting Big "D" Dads: The Daltons miniseries. Protecting the innocent is second nature for Dallas defense attorney Leif Dalton. So when his teenage daughter insists on visiting the Dry Gulch Ranch—and forging a relationship with Leif''s estranged father—he''s ready to do what it takes to keep her safe. And although he doesn''t want another connection to the ranch, after sexy veterinarian Joni Griffin lands in a stalker''s crosshairs, staying close becomes his only option. With a serial killer in pursuit, Joni will take any measures to survive. But joining forces with Leif puts her heart at risk. As the danger rises, so does the passion flaring between them. Now trust may make the difference between life and death.

Tyler Ledger was as unsure of Julie Gillespie''s motives for being at his family''s Texas ranch as he was of the reception he''d receive when he came face-to-face with his estranged father. Still, he agreed to help the enticing reporter solve a murder if she agreed to stay out of trouble. Julie was on a mission, and she wasn''t going to be sidetracked by romantic entanglements—even if Tyler was proving more irresistible by the minute. But with his leave of absence over soon, the soldier''s time in Texas was coming to an end…and Julie''s would, too, if they didn''t find the killer before she became the next target….

IN THE GLOW OF THE CHANDELIERS, HER HAIR WAS THE COLOR OF MOLTEN GOLD. SHE HAD AN ETHEREAL QUALITY ABOUT HER THAT MADE IT SEEM AS IF SHE WERE MORE DREAM THAN REALITY… Bart Finnegan had come to the Fernhaven Hotel to investigate a murder. But from the moment the dedicated cop spied her across a crowded ballroom, he was a man obsessed. She is Katrina O’Malley, a woman whose past is cloaked in mystery. Like the mists that conceal a cunning killer, she must guard her secrets from this man who tempts her to a passion she must resist at all costs. Somehow he knew he’d see her again….

"Ex-lawman Wyatt Ledger came back home to find his mother''s killer--even if it was his father. The truth had haunted him nearly twenty years, but now nothing would come between them--except a damsel and her daughter in distress. Kelly Burger sought a fresh start in the Hill Country, but when her dangerous past followed, she turned to the safe arms of her cowboy protector. Though he now battled two killers by day, at night Wyatt was defenseless against her seductive touch. Secrets of their past lurked in town--unspeakable and deadly. Once he uncovered them, could Wyatt save himself, his family and the woman he loved?"--Cover verso.

She’s got a target on her back—but he’s got her covered . . . Riley Lawrence is an expert at moving on and not risking his heart. Helping pastry chef Dani Boatman is a onetime deal—she’s got her hands full giving her orphaned niece a stable home. But someone with a vicious grudge has a target on the curvaceous redhead’s back. And destroying her life is just the start . . . Dani doesn’t trust easy—a lesson she learned the hard way. This freewheeling cowboy with an irresistible grin insists on putting himself between her and harm’s way. But the desire getting hotter between them can’t promise anything more than heartbreak. And with an unsuspected danger also closing in, Dani and Riley’s one chance for love could prove forever lethal . . . Praise for the author “Wayne creates intricate relationships and compellingly plotted suspense.” —Romantic Times “Joanna Wayne weaves together a romance and suspense with pulse-pounding results!” —New York Times–bestselling author Tess Gerritsen

A pattern emerges in a string of "accidental deaths" involving criminals who''ve escaped the law. Police chief Max Zirinsky suspects that someone is doling out their own form of justice...murder.

One-hundred-degree temperatures have reached a crisis point in Southern California and there''s a new generation of heroes in Courage Bay who are ready to risk all. This prequel anthology introduces readers to the characters and setting of a new 12-book continuity series. Original.

Two reader-favorite cowboy romances from Joanna Wayne and Linda Warren. COWBOY FEVER Dakota Ledger is a bull rider at heart and a loner by choice…until fate has him rescuing Viviana Mancini. He''s never forgotten the passion they shared, but now she''s in trouble…and so is the baby she never told him they''d had. Dakota will do whatever necessary to protect the pair. But can he protect himself from the killer on their trail and the would-be family he''s fallen for? TOMAS: COWBOY HOMECOMING Marine staff sergeant Tomas "Tuf" Hart is still grappling with the mental scars of battle when he learns his family''s ranch is in trouble and they''re banking everything on him to win the National Finals Rodeo. So far the easiest part of Tuf''s homecoming is falling for his high school crush, Cheyenne Sundell. Maybe with a little hope and a lot of love they can find their way back to each other.

FAILURE ISN''T AN OPTION FOR THIS NAVY SEAL IN JOANNA WAYNE''S LATEST BIG "D" DADS: THE DALTONS NOVEL When Jade Dalton escapes a ruthless kidnapper on the trail of a multimillion-dollar necklace, she flees to the one place no one will find her: her estranged father''s Texas ranch. Booker Knox is also on his way to Dry Gulch. After a potentially dangerous situation thrusts her into his arms, the navy SEAL appoints himself Jade''s personal bodyguard. It isn''t every day Booker finds himself being kissed by a gorgeous stranger. Except Jade''s a fugitive from justice who''s also being hunted by a determined killer. Now Booker will do whatever it takes to protect the beautiful big-city event planner. Failure isn''t an option. Neither is walking away when this is all over.

HIGH-STAKES PROTECTION AT HIGH ALTITUDES AROUND THE CLOCK Prescott Personal Securities provided the best bodyguards money could buy. New client Kelly Warner had trouble she couldn’t escape. Trapped in controversy, Kelly and her young daughter had the whole world watching them. But only one man was hired to look out for their best interests: Jack Sanders. Kelly had secrets that people would kill for—and someone was trying real hard. But now she had Jack, and he would never take his eyes off her, no matter their past together. Caught under the gun, the all-American bodyguard had a message to send—Denver was under the protection of PPS, and there just wasn’t room for anyone else.

Travel with Joanna Wayne deep into the American South as she unlocks HIDDEN PASSIONS HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS…WITH A TALL, DARK, SEXY STRANGER Surrogate mother Megan Lancaster had been prepared for what pregnancy would bring—only, an FBI hunk stringing lights on her Christmas tree wasn''t one of those things! But her life was in danger, and agent Bart Cromwell, masquerading as her adoring lover, would protect her and her baby. Her baby.The child she carried no longer had parents…unless Megan and the sexy stranger who kept kissing her under the mistletoe were willing to put their hearts on the line and welcome the newborn as a family…for Christmas and forever.

On navy SEAL missions Cutter Martin had been a warrior. But when it came to Linney Kingston, he was just a red-blooded Texas cowboy with bad luck at love. Linney had walked out on him six years ago. Now she was back—with a motherless child and a crazy story. Linney''s theory of murder and scandal was as preposterous as her body''s traitorous response to Cutter. Still, when she was shot at, the cowboy came to her rescue. Cutter—her hero. And the only man who could break her heart again. Trusting him a second time was more frightening than the killers stalking her every move….

A cowboy must protect a widow from a dangerous killer with an axe to grind in this romantic suspense novel. Jake Dalton believes in worthy causes—like opening his Texas ranch to inner-city kids for the summer. But there’s a catch . . . that involves a woman. Dedicated do-gooder Carolina Lambert can hold her own against any man . . . Jake included. Except now someone with a nasty grudge who’s been waiting for the perfect moment to strike has the beautiful widow in his sights. R.J. Dalton’s estranged son is the last man on earth Carolina wants to trust with her life. But the rugged single father has sworn to keep her safe. As passion ignites—and a killer closes in—Carolina and Jake may lose their chance at a love neither expected to find again.

THE DARKNESS IS SAFER WHEN YOU’RE WITH A COP He might be irritating, and more intimidating than handsome, but rugged, brawny detective Sam Turner wasn’t the kind of man a woman could forget. He got in reporter Caroline Kimberly’s way at every turn. But when she became the obsession of a killer, it was Sam she wanted by her side as darkness fell. She made him ache for something elusive—something that could never be. The nosy, sexy reporter with the smart, kissable mouth was trouble, and Sam had to keep his distance. But he couldn’t once Caroline became his only link to the depraved killer who lured his prey into the unrelenting night….

Returning to Seattle after many years, Alexandra Webber meets Ben Jessup, who now lives in her childhood home. When recurring nightmares and memories of a long-ago night endanger Alex, Ben vows to protect her. Original.