Anna J.: More Than A Lawman

A journalist and a sexy detective team up to catch a serial killer in USA TODAY bestselling author Anna J. Stewart’s new romance!

Haunted by the death of her childhood friend, journalist Eden St. Claire has dedicated her life to catching serial killers—and she’s always done so alone. But when the lethal murderer Eden is tracking puts her in danger’s crosshairs, she agrees to accept protection from longtime friend Detective Cole Delaney.

Cole has secretly carried a torch for Eden for years. She might not want to let anybody in, but the thought of losing her is unbearable. Passions flare as the threats intensify. Can Cole convince Eden to break her own rule to never fall in love...before the killer snuffs out their happily-ever-after?

Now here she was, standing in front of him, defiance personified, licking her full lips and meeting his gaze as he took one more step closer.

“Cole.” Eden pressed a hand against his chest, the warmth of her touch seeping through his shirt and reminding him that she, that he, was still very much alive. “What’re you doing?”

“Not sure I know.” But he wanted to find out. He’d almost lost her, almost lost this chance... He skimmed his fingers over the bandage on her wrist, unable to erase the image of the chains that had been there.

Cole lifted his hand, cupped her chin in his palm and leaned down, his eyes scanning her face as she searched his, confusion marring her brow as he dipped his head, and after he heard a soft sigh escape her mouth, he kissed her.

* * *

Be sure to check out the next stories

in this exciting miniseries!

Honor Bound—Seeking justice...and falling in love

* * *

If you’re on Twitter, tell us what you think of Harlequin Romantic Suspense! #harlequinromsuspense

Dear Reader Dear Reader Title Page About the Author Dedication Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Chapter 9 Chapter 10 Chapter 11 Chapter 12 Chapter 13 Chapter 14 Chapter 15 Chapter 16 Epilogue Extract Copyright ,

Years ago, my local RWA chapter, The Sacramento Valley Rose, held its annual Three-Page Read, an exercise in catching a reader’s attention within the first three pages of a story. This particular year, after having submitted numerous paranormal stories (and one historical), I wanted to do something different. So I wrote about a woman who wakes up and finds herself hanging in a meat locker. It was a hit but I put the story aside and almost...almost forgot about it.

Since then, I couldn’t shake the idea or the character. Eden St. Claire was one of those creations who took up residence in my brain, occasionally knocking, demanding her story be told. One of the questions I found myself asking was, what type of man would take this woman on? She’s angry, she’s determined, and when it comes to setting her mind on something, nothing’s going to deter her. But there might be one man, her late brother’s best friend, Detective Cole Delaney, who’s more than up for the challenge. Oh, yeah...now I was definitely onto something.

Cole scares her. She’s had enough to deal with in her life, enough loss. She doesn’t need any more changes, except maybe there is something beyond her need for seeking justice. Add in Eden’s two best friends, who share a childhood tragedy (each has her own hero waiting in the wings), and, well...this job doesn’t get much better than that. And it all began with three pages.

I hope you enjoy Eden and Cole’s journey as they fall for each other...and overcome a far darker danger from their past that’s lurking in the shadows.

Anna J.

More Than a Lawman

Anna J. Stewart

www.millsandboon.co.uk

ANNA J. STEWART, a USA TODAY and national bestselling author, loves to spend a free weekend curled up in her favorite chair with Snickers, her cat, remote in hand, flipping through whatever streaming service her Wi-Fi will connect to. A geek at heart, she loves blow-’em-up action and sci-fi movies and has rarely met a superhero she didn’t like. Anna writes both sweet contemporary and romantic suspense for Harlequin and believes that, when all is said and done, there’s nothing better than writing about falling in love, with a little action thrown in for good measure.

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Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text A journalist and a sexy detective team up to catch a serial killer in USA TODAY bestselling author Anna J. Stewart’s new romance! Haunted by the death of her childhood friend, journalist Eden St. Claire has dedicated her life to catching serial killers—and she’s always done so alone. But when the lethal murderer Eden is tracking puts her in danger’s crosshairs, she agrees to accept protection from longtime friend Detective Cole Delaney. Cole has secretly carried a torch for Eden for years. She might not want to let anybody in, but the thought of losing her is unbearable. Passions flare as the threats intensify. Can Cole convince Eden to break her own rule to never fall in love...before the killer snuffs out their happily-ever-after?

Introduction Now here she was, standing in front of him, defiance personified, licking her full lips and meeting his gaze as he took one more step closer. “Cole.” Eden pressed a hand against his chest, the warmth of her touch seeping through his shirt and reminding him that she, that he, was still very much alive. “What’re you doing?” “Not sure I know.” But he wanted to find out. He’d almost lost her, almost lost this chance... He skimmed his fingers over the bandage on her wrist, unable to erase the image of the chains that had been there. Cole lifted his hand, cupped her chin in his palm and leaned down, his eyes scanning her face as she searched his, confusion marring her brow as he dipped his head, and after he heard a soft sigh escape her mouth, he kissed her. * * * Be sure to check out the next stories in this exciting miniseries! Honor Bound—Seeking justice...and falling in love * * * If you’re on Twitter, tell us what you think of Harlequin Romantic Suspense! #harlequinromsuspense

Dear Reader Dear Reader Dear Reader Title Page About the Author Dedication Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Chapter 9 Chapter 10 Chapter 11 Chapter 12 Chapter 13 Chapter 14 Chapter 15 Chapter 16 Epilogue Extract Copyright , Years ago, my local RWA chapter, The Sacramento Valley Rose, held its annual Three-Page Read, an exercise in catching a reader’s attention within the first three pages of a story. This particular year, after having submitted numerous paranormal stories (and one historical), I wanted to do something different. So I wrote about a woman who wakes up and finds herself hanging in a meat locker. It was a hit but I put the story aside and almost...almost forgot about it. Since then, I couldn’t shake the idea or the character. Eden St. Claire was one of those creations who took up residence in my brain, occasionally knocking, demanding her story be told. One of the questions I found myself asking was, what type of man would take this woman on? She’s angry, she’s determined, and when it comes to setting her mind on something, nothing’s going to deter her. But there might be one man, her late brother’s best friend, Detective Cole Delaney, who’s more than up for the challenge. Oh, yeah...now I was definitely onto something. Cole scares her. She’s had enough to deal with in her life, enough loss. She doesn’t need any more changes, except maybe there is something beyond her need for seeking justice. Add in Eden’s two best friends, who share a childhood tragedy (each has her own hero waiting in the wings), and, well...this job doesn’t get much better than that. And it all began with three pages. I hope you enjoy Eden and Cole’s journey as they fall for each other...and overcome a far darker danger from their past that’s lurking in the shadows. Anna J.