Most Popular Books by Mary Burton

Convinced that the wrong man is in prison, public defender Rachel Wainwright reopens a decades-old case and finds herself targeted by a killer who is ready to show her just how brutal the truth can be.

A beautiful newscaster teams up with a Virginia detective to stop a serial killer in this romantic thriller by the New York Times bestselling author. Beside each body, he leaves a simple charm bearing a woman’s name: Ruth, Judith, Rachel. The victims were strangers to each other, but they have been chosen with care. Each bears a striking resemblance to Kendall Shaw, a local anchorwoman. And each is brutally strangled by a madman whose obsession will never end . . . In front of the cameras, Kendall is the picture of stylish confidence. But at night she’s haunted by nightmares in which she is young, alone, and filled with fear. Are these memories—or omens? Despite warnings from Richmond Detective Jacob Warwick, Kendall can’t stop investigating the recent string of murders. She knows she holds the key to catching an obsessed psychopath—ss long as he doesn’t catch her first . . . As Kendall and Jacob dig deep into the victims’ backgrounds, a legacy of evil begins to resurface. Every moment—and every murder—has been leading to Kendall. And nothing will stop the killer making her the final victim . . . “With a gift for artful obfuscation, Burton juggles a budding romance and two very plausible might-be perpetrators right up to the tense conclusion.”—Publishers Weekly

The Fear Is Terrifying When police rescue five-year-old Jenna Thompson from the dark closet where she''s been held captive for days, they tell her she''s a lucky girl. Compared to the rest of her family, it''s true. But even with their killer dead of an overdose, Jenna is still trying to find peace twenty-five years later. But The Truth On leave from her forensic artist job, Jenna returns to Nashville, the city where she lost so much. Instead of closure, she finds a new horror. Detective Rick Morgan needs Jenna''s expertise in identifying the skeletal remains of a young child. The case jogs hazy half-buried memories--and a nagging dread that Jenna''s ordeal hasn''t ended. Is Even Worse Now other women are dying. And as the links between these brutal killings and Jenna''s past becomes clear, she knows this time, a madman will leave no survivors. . .

A Texas Rangers thriller from the New York Times bestselling author. “Burton once again demonstrates her romantic suspense chops with this taut novel.”—Publishers Weekly He Will Never Forget The broken body hanging from a tree in Texas Hill Country . . . the frozen figure huddled in a meat locker . . . only at second glance does the truth become apparent. What seems like suicide is far more sinister, and the terror is only beginning . . . Never Forgive One devastating moment changed Greer Templeton’s life and ended two others. Now, with a body found on her property and Texas Ranger Tec Bragg on her doorstep, Greer’s nightmare has returned. With each new victim, her link to Tec’s case grows, and soon it will be too late to run. And Never Let Them Live . . . Greer hoped the past was behind her, but an obsessed killer has never forgotten the bond that unites them. One by one, he will track down his victims, finish what was started—and make Greer’s dying wish come true . . . “Murder with unsettling, eerie elements grabs the reader’s attention from the get-go. Mary Burton weaves a tale of mystery and suspense that made me shudder at times.”—Long and Short Reviews “Burton plays cat-and-mouse with the reader through a tight plot, with credible suspects and romantic spice keeping it real.”—Publishers Weekly “Kept me engaged and guessing from beginning to end . . . chilling.”—Smart Bitches Trashy Books “The story is intense and fast paced and the characters are well written.”—Dive Under the Cover

An urgent call brings FBI agent Kate Hayden back to San Antonio, the scene of her violent past. A brutal new murder shows hallmarks of a serial killer nicknamed the Samaritan. Tricky part is, Kate already caught him. Did she make an error, or is it a copycat? Paired with homicide detective Theo Mazur, Kate faces an enemy who knows her intimately. When a second body is found, the mode of death is identical to a different case that Kate had worked on. The closer they come to the killer there is only one rule: don''t believe everything you see.

A Nashville woman’s violent husband is presumed dead—until he makes a terrifying return in this thriller by the New York Times bestselling author. Leah Carson’s husband Phillip made a promise to her once—that he would kill her. Four years ago, he nearly succeeded, stabbing her twenty-three times before fleeing. Now the police are sure Phillip is dead. But that doesn’t stop Leah from checking and rechecking her locks. Especially when she can sense his attention closing in again. It starts with little things. Missing keys. A flat tire. Mysterious flowers. All easily explained away if the pattern wasn''t so unnervingly familiar. Leah has a new life in Nashville with no ties to her nightmarish past. But when another woman''s body is found, stabbed twenty-three times, Leah knows her past has found her. Alex Morgan of the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation knows there’s more to Leah’s story than mere paranoia. But as they untangle the horrifying truth, a killer is watching close, waiting for the perfect moment to make good on his promise… As Leah and Alex untangle the horrifying truth, he watches her, ready for the perfect moment. Until death—that was the vow they made. And a killer always keeps his word…

Psychologist Jolene Granger must team with her ex-husband, Texas Ranger Brody Winchester, to take down the deadly protégé of a dying, incarcerated serial killer. Original.

A Virginia attorney’s deadly past returns with a travelling carnival in this thriller that “will have readers sleeping with the lights on” (Publishers Weekly, starred review). In death, they are purified. Holding his victims under water, he washes away their sins as they struggle for their last breath. Then he exposes them for what they really are: witches, sent to tempt and to corrupt… Virginia defense attorney Charlotte Wellington doesn’t talk about her childhood—not how she was put to work as a carnival fortuneteller, or her sister’s brutal murder. But now the carnival she escaped all those years ago has come to town. For Charlotte, what’s past is past. But others don’t agree. And as a serial killer terrorizes the area, Charlotte and Detective Daniel Rokov are drawn into a case that becomes terrifyingly personal. The killer has waited many years for Charlotte to be within his reach. All his victims deserve their fate, but her guilt is greatest. And he is determined to make her suffer and repent—before she dies.

A Virginia homicide detective must save a young widow from an obsessed serial killer in the New York Times bestselling author’s romantic suspense novel. An aspiring artist. A high-school senior. A stripper. Three missing women with only one thing in common—wealthy Craig Thornton knew them all. For that, they paid the ultimate price. Then Craig comes to his own untimely end, and his wife Adrianna is left to face the shocking truth of his life . . . When Adrianna starts receiving cards and flowers from her late husband, she assumes it’s someone’s cruel joke. Then grisly remains are found on the Thornton estate. Detective Gage Hudson believes the bodies are linked to Craig. But the biggest shocks are yet to come. A psychopath has resumed his work, each death a prelude to his most cherished target. The only way to stop him is to uncover a family’s dark past—and a twisted love someone will kill for, again and again . . .

A Virginia detective’s estranged wife is targeted by an obsessive killer in this psychological thriller by the New York Times bestselling author. The first kill was easy. The second much easier. No guilt, no remorse, just a rush of adrenaline surging through him as each life drains away, and the pleasure of knowing their deaths help his beloved Lindsay. And there are so many more who deserve to die . . . Lindsay O’Neil’s secret past is suddenly coming back with a vengeance. When she receives a twisted gift hidden in a bouquet of flowers, the detective assigned to the case is also her estranged husband. Only Zack knows the dark secret she lives with—or so she thinks. Now nothing can prepare her for the nightmare to come. Because everything Lindsay’s stalker does is for her. And spurning his gifts will only unleash the rage of a madman who’s far closer than she imagines . . . “Creepy and terrifying, it will give you chills.” —RT Book Reviews

He sought justice—with a lie Nick Baron knows it was wrong to buy trust with a falsehood, but there was no other way. His reputation as the most dangerous bounty hunter west of the Rockies terrified even decent folks, not just the outlaws he hunted. So he sure as hell wasn''t about to let a spitfire fugitive from a sporting house know he wasn''t the US Marshal he claimed to be—no matter how appealing she was. Especially when she holds the key to his best friend''s murder. And particularly when she''d not only shot him—but saved his life right after! Things with Ellie Watson could get complicated.

EVERY SERIAL KILLER KNOWS . . . The vicious burns scarring the victims’ flesh reveal the agony of their last moments. Each woman was branded with a star, then stabbed through the heart. With every death, a vengeful killer finds a brief, blissful moment of calm. But soon it’s time for the bloodshed to start again . . . THE PERFECT TIME . . . Ten years ago, Eva Rayburn and her sorority sisters were celebrating the end of the school year. That party turned into a nightmare Eva can’t forget. Now she’s trying to start over in her Virginia hometown, but a new nightmare has begun. Every victim is linked to her. And Detective Deacon Garrison isn’t sure whether this mysterious woman needs investigating—or protecting . . . TO MAKE HIS MARK Only Eva’s death will bring peace. Only her tortured screams will silence the rage that has been building for ten long years. Because what started that night at the sorority can never be stopped—not until the last victim has been marked for death . . . “With hard-edged, imperfect but memorable characters, a complex plot and no-nonsense dialog, this excellent novel will appeal to fans of Lisa Gardner and Lisa Jackson.” —Library Journal “This is a story to read with the lights on.” —BookPage

In the first sequel, Rebecca contemplates how to end her twenty year loveless marriage to her greedy, controlling, abusive, womanizing, but extremely wealthy husband, Marcus. Marcus, also desiring to free himself from his marriage contract, decides killing his estranged wife instead of divorcing her is a more lucrative option. Therefore, he hires a hit man, Big Al, to murder Rebecca however his attempt is unsuccessful and Marcus refuses to pay him. Consequently, Big Al, determined to collect his money, breaks into Marcus mansion and robs, mutilates, brutally assaults him, and then dumps his lifeless body in the Mexican desert. After an extensive search by the Mexican Federal Police, remains of an American male matching Marcus description are found and he is presumed dead. During an unexpected confrontation between Rebecca, Big Al, and Big Als younger crack head brother, David, Rebecca is forced to shoot and kill Big Al. David, determined to atone for his brothers death, becomes Rebeccas constant tormentor. As the saga continues in this novel, Rebecca, believing Marcus is now deceased and she and her two children are finally free from his abuse, attempts to settle his estate and move on with her life. After putting Marcus lavish mansion up for sale, via an estate auction, she moves into a new home and while unpacking her belongings, remembers a key she found hidden in Marcus bedroom at the mansion. Rebecca discovers that the key is to a storage unit and what she finds stashed in Marcus secret storage unit is a shocking surprise. In the final sequel, Rebeccas world comes crashing down when she discovers that the remains found in the Mexican desert were not Marcus and that he has returned toAtlantato reclaim his fortune and seek revenge. Follow the adventures of the returning cast of characters, particularly the villains, Marcus and David, in this unforgettable shock and awe climax.

Even a cold case can heat up One year ago a wealthy socialite disappeared. No body was found, and the case was never solved. Lead detective Alex Kirkland knows all they had were dead ends. But when sexy, sassy reporter Tara Mackey decides to ask more questions, he respects her intuition enough to reopen the case. Professionally, they''re a perfect match. Personally, Tara is wary of the sparks between them. Alex plays in a different league, one with money, power… things she''s learned not to trust. And every step they take toward the truth—and each other—brings them closer to danger….

The Nashville woods hold a killer’s deadly secrets in this cold case thriller by the New York Times bestselling author of You’re Not Safe. Years ago, three Nashville teenagers went into the woods for a hike—and only one came out. While her two friends disappeared without a trace, Amber Ryder was discovered at the bottom of a ravine with a broken arm, head trauma, and zero memory of the horror that put her there. With no leads, the investigation hit a dead end. Now another woman’s body is found it the woods. When the trail leads to the missing teens’ remains, the cold case becomes a fresh hell for forensic technician Georgia Morgan. But while Georgia works with Amber to try and reawaken her memories, her gut tells her the worst is yet to come. Homicide Detective Jake Bishop can’t be sure whether Amber is an expert manipulator or the killer’s next target. Either way, he’s determined to protect Georgia. Because the more she digs into the past, the more deadly secrets emerge. And a nightmare years in the making is about to come to a bloody, terrifying end.

"It''s that time of year when the world falls in love. . ." Join four of your favorite authors for tales of Christmas romance to remember forever. "Under the Mistletoe," Lisa Jackson Megan Johnson''s marriage is over—or so she thinks. When her husband Chris lands in the hospital, fighting for his life, she remembers the unexpected joy of their first Christmas together. . . "A Ranger for Christmas," Mary Burton The holidays bring painful memories for history professor Marissa Thompson. Agreeing to help Texas Ranger Lucas Cooper solve a case offers the perfect distraction. But as danger threatens, the joy of love has never been more tempting. "A Southern Christmas," Mary Carter Reporter Danielle Bright is heading home for the holidays to write up a feature story about Christmas down south—and possibly win back her ex. But Sawyer, the sexy photographer along for the ride, is determined to jingle her bells. . . "Christmas in Montana" Cathy Lamb Family is the ideal antidote to getting fired, but Laurel Kelly isn''t prepared for the changes at home in Montana—or the fact that her college boyfriend Josh Reed now owns the family land. But a blue Christmas could be the perfect surprise for a holiday to remember.

When Danger Took Root, Her Courage Grew Strong… And Rachel Emmons fled her violent marriage, seeking a safe haven. Her brave escape led her to the saving embrace of Ben Mitchell, the man who rescued her from the depths of the ocean and made her determined to heal…. The island locals claimed he’d drawn a mermaid from the sea, and light keeper Ben Mitchell agreed. Certainly Rachel possessed sirenlike beauty her widow’s weeds could not hide, and the bruises she bore testified to secrets as deep—and dark—as any hidden beneath the waves. But could he help her see that happiness—together—was on her horizon?

Chasing down a pyromaniac could burn a man out... Once he solved the Nero case, arson investigator Michael Gannon blasted out of town on his motorcycle. No way would he return to the job, but his nightmares persisted. Gannon found some relief in a small Virginia town...until the fires started again. Back in the public eye, he had to face his demons and the incomparable Darcy Sampson, a feisty reporter who urged him out of hiding. Gannon had to ask himself: What would it take to push him over the edge? More time spent in a fiery hell--or a surprising attraction to a woman he couldn''t resist?

He Could Never Love Again Of that, Matthias Barrington was certain, despite the well-intentioned meddling of his neighbors. But now they’d sent him a special delivery in the form of the very comely Miss Abigail Smyth, who’d stepped off the stagecoach and announced that he needed a wife—and she was just the woman! Mail-order bride Abby Smyth just wanted a place to belong—preferably at rancher Matthias Barrington’s side, making a home for his motherless boys. Ever practical, she knew love wasn’t necessary, really. Yet the more she learned of this decent, honorable man, the more she knew the only place she wanted was one securely in his heart!

She was the one who got away…“Action-packed tension…a compelling romantic thriller” from the New York Times-bestselling author (Publishers Weekly). If At First You Don''t Succeed It''s been seven years since the Seattle Strangler terrorized the city. His victims were all young, pretty, their lifeless bodies found wrapped in a home-sewn white dress. But there was one who miraculously escaped death, just before the Strangler disappeared. . . Kill Lara Church has only hazy memories of her long-ago attack. What she does have is a home in Austin, a job, and a chance at a normal life at last. Then Texas Ranger James Beck arrives on her doorstep with shattering news: The Strangler is back. And this time, he''s in Austin. . . And Kill Again. . . He''s always craved her, even as he killed the others. For so long he''s been waiting to unleash the beast within. And this time, he''ll prove he holds her life in his hands--right before he ends it forever… "Dark and disturbing, a well-written tale of obsession and murder." —Kat Martin Praise for the novels of Mary Burton "Will have readers sleeping with the lights on." --Publishers Weekly on Before She Dies (starred review) "Terrifying. . .this chilling thriller is an engrossing story." --Library Journal on Merciless

A DARK AND GRIPPING PSYCHOLOGICAL SUSPENSE THAT WILL KEEP YOU UP ALL NIGHT . . . FROM THE NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR ''Kept me enthralled from start to finish'' 5***** Reader Review ''Will have readers sleeping with the lights on'' Publishers Weekly ''A real page turner with twists and turns'' 5***** Reader Review ________ The one who got away - is the only one he wants. It''s been seven years since the Seattle Strangler terrorised the city. His victims were all young, pretty, with their lifeless bodies found wrapped in a white dress. But there was one who miraculously escaped death. . . Lara Church has only hazy memories of her long-ago attack, and she''s since managed to rebuild her life in a new city, Austin. But then she gets some shattering news: The Strangler is back. And this time, he''s in Austin. ________ ''A twisted tale . . . I couldn''t put it down'' Lisa Jackson ''Couldn''t stop reading this'' 5***** Reader Review ''Really enjoyed this book and was unable to put it down'' 5***** Reader Review

At the grisly murder scene of a teen prostitute, Virginia state trooper Riley Tatum’s past roars back to haunt her. When she was a teenage runaway, she was kidnapped, drugged, and left unconscious on the streets. She has no memories of what happened, only strange recurring dreams of two men playing cards. Former FBI agent Clay Bowman, Riley’s old flame, is Shield Security’s newest member. He’s plagued by the unsolved case of a serial killer nicknamed the Shark who murdered girls as part of a sadistic poker game. Only one girl survived. With the Shark now bent on evening that score, Clay has a chilling suspicion: Riley is the girl who escaped the Shark’s deadly amusement―and she is his next prey. As the Shark gets ready to play his hand, can Riley and Clay stop him―or will this killer finally claim the one who got away?

THAT''S RIGHT. KELSEY WARREN IS BACK! After globe-trotting as an underwater photographer, I''m ready to stir up trouble again in Grant''s Forge. I swore I''d never return, yet ten years later, here I am, back home to face the music...and the only man who ever broke my heart. Sheriff Mitch Garrett may be crucial in helping me uncover the mystery of my mother''s murder, but I''m not a love-struck teenager anymore. Once I know the truth about the past, I will leave this town in a trail of dust and embark on another underwater adventure. Then again, Mitch has a way of changing all my well-laid plans....

Keeping secrets is no way to start a marriage But what else, Jenna Winslow muses, can a woman running from scandal do? Who would ever want an unschooled virgin with a fatherless baby in tow? Certainly not rugged rancher Rowe Mercer, a man with demanding standards—and compelling charms! Ex-bounty hunter Rowe Mercer has spent a lifetime riding with danger. Now, when mail-order bride Jenna Winslow arrives, he wonders if his prayers for a quiet life have truly been answered. Could there possibly be a future for this polished Eastern angel and a man with a past he''d rather forget…?

From New York Times bestselling author Mary Burton comes a captivating tale of romantic suspense set in the heart of a rugged winter . . . Photographer Nicole Piper moved to Virginia hoping to put a troubled past behind her and start fresh with her baby daughter. But those hopes are dashed when she receives a very unwelcome Christmas gift—from her late husband. It’s a letter that holds clues to an elusive killer’s identity. The victim had helped save Nicole’s life—and paid with her own. Nicole owes it to her to follow the letter’s trail, and perhaps put to rest the fear that stalks her once and for all. But she can’t do it alone. When Homicide Detective David Ayden first met Nicole, he was looking for a fresh start too. Widowed and raising two teenage boys, Nicole was the only woman who’d stirred his interest—and the attraction was mutual. But that was months ago and she wasn’t ready to trust again. Maybe she still isn’t. All that matters now is that she needs his help—even if it means embarking on a road trip that will take them both into the heart of danger—and desire . . . Praise for the novels of Mary Burton “Will have readers sleeping with the lights on.” —Publishers Weekly on Before She Dies (starred review) “Terrifying . . . this chilling thriller is an engrossing story.” —Library Journal on Merciless

After witnessing her gangster brother''s treachery, Kristen Rodale lived in fear that he''d find her. The government failed to protect her before the trial against him, so her only chance at survival lay in running as fast as she could...and forgetting about having a normal life. Former FBI agent Dane Cambia wanted revenge, and he needed this special witness to get it. But he hadn''t counted on falling for Kristen, the bait to his trap. When the chips were down, would Cambia betray the woman he loved in order to carry out this all-important mission?

Senseless & Merciless Bundle Senseless Every Serial Killer Knows. . . The vicious burns scarring the victims'' flesh reveal the agony of their last moments. Each woman was branded with a star, then stabbed through the heart. With every death, a vengeful killer finds a brief, blissful moment of calm. But soon it''s time for the bloodshed to start again. . . The Perfect Time. . . Ten years ago, Eva Rayburn and her sorority sisters were celebrating the end of the school year. That party turned into a nightmare Eva can''t forget. Now she''s trying to start over in her Virginia hometown, but a new nightmare has begun. Every victim is linked to her. And Detective Deacon Garrison isn''t sure whether this mysterious woman needs investigating--or protecting. . . To Make His Mark Only Eva''s death will bring peace. Only her tortured screams will silence the rage that has been building for ten long years. Because what started that night at the sorority can never be stopped--not until the last victim has been marked for death. . . Merciless No Pity Each skeleton is flawless--gleaming white and perfectly preserved, a testament to his skill. Every scrap of flesh has been removed to reveal the glistening bone beneath. And the collection is growing. . . No Compassion When bleached human bones are identified as belonging to a former patient of Dr. James Dixon, Detective Malcolm Kier suspects the worst. Dixon was recently acquitted of attempted murder, thanks to defense attorney Angie Carlson. But as the body count rises, Kier is convinced that Angie is now the target of a brutal, brilliant psychopath. No Escape Angie is no stranger to the dark side of human nature. But nothing has prepared her for the decades-long legacy of madness and murder about to be revealed--or a killer ready to claim her as his ultimate trophy. . . Praise for the novels of Mary Burton "A twisted tale. . .I couldn''t put it down!" --Lisa Jackson on Dying Scream "Taut, compelling. . .delivers a page-turner." --Carla Neggers onI''m Watching You "A chilling thriller." --Beverly Barton on Dead Ringer "Mary Burton''s latest romantic suspense has it all--terrific plot, complex and engaging protagonists, a twisted villain, and enough crime scene detail to satisfy the most savvy suspense reader."--Erica Spindler, New York Times bestselling author of Blood Vines

The Son He Never Knew… When Cole McGuire learns that he had fathered a son, he returns to White Stone, Colorado, to claim what''s rightfully his. But it''s clear the town is hiding something, and he''s got a feeling he knows exactly who''s behind it all. The Widow''s Secret… Rebecca''s heart stops when Cole McGuire walks back into town, his green eyes blazing with passion. And the longer he stays, the more she wishes for the love she never had. But will Cole ever forgive her for hiding the truth—that the son she claimed as her own is the child he''s been searching for?

Four bestselling authors share captivating tales of Christmas romance to make your holidays merry and bright. “Silver Bells” by Fern Michaels For years, movie star Amy Lee wondered what it would be like to leave her shallow Hollywood life and go back home to Apple Valley, Pennsylvania. This Christmas, she plans to find out. And Hank Anders, her high-school boyfriend, is now ready to give her a welcome she’ll never forget . . . “Dear Santa . . . ” by JoAnn Ross Mystery author Holly Berry’s SUV has broken down in the little hamlet of Santa’s Village, Washington. Holly hates the holidays—that is until lodge owner Gabriel O’Halloran and his five-year-old daughter rekindle her belief in passion, magic, and Christmas wishes . . . “Christmas Past” by Mary Burton Photographer Nicole Piper just received a very unwelcome Christmas gift—a letter that holds clues to an elusive killer’s identity. Uncovering the truth means enlisting homicide detective David Ayden’s help, and embarking on a road trip that will take them both into the heart of danger and desire . . . “A Mulberry Park Christmas” by Judy Duarte Every Christmas, the folks living on Sugar Plum Lane pull out all the stops when decorating. After a bitter breakup, Alyssa Ridgeway’s heart just isn’t in it this year. But running into her first love, James “Mac” MacGregor, fills her with memories of the tender Christmas kiss they once shared . . . “A quartet of heartwarming Christmas romances . . . Each short story contains a full-fledged romance from first kiss to happy ending, both satisfying readers and encouraging them to seek out the authors’ long

An unsolved crime pits a desperate woman against a relentless killer in New York Times bestselling author Mary Burton''s heart-stopping novel of psychological suspense... Fourteen years ago, Kaitlin Roe was the lone witness to the abduction of her cousin Gina. She still remembers that lonely Virginia road. She can still see the masked stranger and hear Gina''s screams. And she still suffers the guilt of running away in fear and resents being interrogated as a suspect in the immediate aftermath. Now Kaitlin has only one way to assuage the pain and nightmares--by interviewing everyone associated with the unsolved crime for a podcast that could finally bring closure to a case gone cold. But when a woman Kaitlin questions is later found stabbed to death, she fears that she''s drawn a killer out of hiding. It''s Detective John Adler''s fear that the murders have only just begun. Now his job is to keep Kaitlin safe. As a bond between Kaitlin and Adler builds, the past closes in just as fast--and it''s darker than Kaitlin remembers. Soon, her wish will come true. She''s going to find out exactly what happened to Gina. Someone has been dying to tell her.

Revenge is his mission… No one had ever caused such fire in Travis Rafferty''s blood as Civil War nurse Meredith Carter. Yet when the prisoner of war attempted an escape, she''d betrayed him and his bedraggled men. Now, years later, he''s led west by vengeance, with nightmares of battle on his heels. This time, Meredith won''t get away… Love is his due… Meredith has to persuade Travis of her innocence. But how can she convince him of anything when she reacts so wildly just standing next to him? Nursing his wounds is the only way to show him how she feels, that she could no more betray him than her own soul….

Their Grand Passion Had Burned Too Brightly To Survive But faced with wedding another, Alanna Patterson was determined to reignite any smoldering embers of desire Caleb Pitt might still harbor for her. Would her brawny captain, now a solitary lighthouse keeper, rescue her from a sea of regrets? Or had tragedy both public and private sunk any hopes for a lasting love? Caleb Pitt had once believed love was eternal as the sea, for Alanna Patterson had promised him forever. But despite her vow, she’d left him to drown in disgrace. Now, years later, she’d reappeared on a storm-tossed wave, beautiful as a siren…and just as seductive!

A tragic accident or something more sinister? A woman''s buried memories put her life at risk in a novel of shattering psychological suspense by New York Times bestselling author Mary Burton. Lane McCord wakes up in a hospital having survived a near-fatal fall at a North Carolina beach cottage. Her boyfriend, Kyle, wasn''t so lucky. A senseless tragedy on their first romantic getaway. All Lane remembers is lying at the bottom of the stairs in Kyle''s pooling blood. Confused and grieving, Lane plans to return to the cottage, collect her personal belongings, and get out. Until a winter rainstorm leaves her stranded and vulnerable, but not alone. A concerned neighbor, who claims he heard a violent argument before the accident, has come out of the storm. So has a suspicious detective on the trail of a missing woman, whose diary deepens the mystery--and raises more questions that fill Lane with dread. How well did she know Kyle? How well does she know herself? What really happened at the cottage on the beach? And when the answers come, who can Lane trust to get out of this waking nightmare alive?

“Murder, mayhem, and mystery! Every story . . . is filled with suspense, sizzle and startling twists. I loved it!” ―Lisa Jackson, New York Times–bestselling author Crime comes to the capital of country music in these all-new stories by mystery and thriller stars including Jeffery Deaver, Anne Perry, Robert Dugoni, Donald Bain, Jefferson Bass, and many more. “Settings include backwoods hollows, late-night recording studios, seedy dives, quiet suburbs, sleek yachts, and tropical islands. Readers will meet Civil War re-enactors, college professors, song writers, spies, and the requisite lawyers and cops, as well as a being that just might be the devil. Among the highlights are Anne Perry’s ‘Shutter Speed,’ which takes the reader back in time to the fashionable haunts of 1930s British aristocracy, with Wallis Simpson and Edward, Prince of Wales, putting in an appearance. In ‘Regression,’ Jeffery Deaver offers a fresh and frightening look at the potential benefits and pitfalls of successful psychiatric treatment, and Mary Burton warms up a cold case in ‘The Keepsake.’ This is a book to keep by your bedside for those nighttime short story cravings.” —Publishers Weekly Includes stories by Jefferson Bass, Catriona McPherson, Baron R. Birtcher, Donald Bain, C. Hope Clark, Jonathan Stone, Maggie Toussaint, Jeffery Deaver, Blake Fontenay, Jon Jefferson, Anne Perry, Heywood Gould, Dana Chamblee Carpenter, Mary Burton, Jaden Terrell, Robert Dugoni & Paula Gail Benson, Eyre Price, Steven James, Daco, and Clay Stafford

Ross has his pride… Ross McCain is determined to bring a schoolteacher to town, even if he has to carry her all the way out West. But he''s not anticipated Miss Grimes being so hard to live with—or that he''d wind up proposing to her just to keep her from leaving! Jessica has a secret… Forced to flee Sacramento, posing as a schoolteacher, Jessica Tierney is out of her depth. She knows nothing of country living, let alone children! And now rancher Ross McCain is insisting that they marry. But how can she let their marriage be based on a lie—especially when she discovers she''s falling in love with him?

Now in mass market for the first time, USA Today bestselling author Mary Burton presents the heart-stopping next installment in her Forgotten Files Trilogy, where forensic pathologist Dr. Tessa McGowan and agent Dakota Sharp must work together to unravel the mysteries behind the macabre doll-like killings before Tessa becomes the next victim. Dr. Tessa McGowan had never seen anything quite like it. But the mutilated bodies on her exam table tell a stunningly macabre tale. Someone with a twisted mind is kidnapping women and altering their faces to resemble real, life-size dolls. As a forensic pathologist, it''s her job to aid the agent leading the case--even if that agent is her estranged husband. Twelve years ago, an unspeakable tragedy destroyed Dakota Sharp''s world. Haunted by the ghosts of his past, he''s devoted himself to capturing killers. His only regret is that it cost him Tessa. Now, as the Dollmaker case brings them together--and raises his suspicions that he''s crossed paths with this deranged psychopath before-- they may just have their second chance. But it seems Dakota''s not the only one who wants to make Tessa his own . . . She may be the Dollmaker''s next target, but Tessa has no intention of winding up as another toy on his shelf. Can she and Dakota stop this ghastly killer before his next deadly playdate?