COLORADO TRUST SERIES "Trust makes all the difference when love and danger collide." Evidence of Trust, Book 1, April 2014 Trust by Design, Book 2, May 2014 Trust in the Lawe, Book 3, May 2014 Shattered Trust, Book 4, May 2014 Dare to Trust, Book 5, May 2014 EVIDENCE OF TRUST Having grown up under the excessive expectations of her CEO father, Brittany Lucas is as resistant to authority as the mustang she's training for her boss. It's a fault that lands her in more danger than she bargains for while camping in the back-country of the Rocky Mountain National Park. Ranger Joel Morgan is used to having the upper hand in all his cases-until he runs into the headstrong blond while investigating disturbing incidents of poaching in the park. Brittany's imprudent lie of omission awakens ghosts in his past, making the sizzling attraction between them unwelcome. As he searches for evidence he can trust her, the monster mutilating wildlife turns his sights on Brittany, and Joel discovers he'll do whatever it takes to protect her-even give his own life. EXCERPT: Five minutes later, he rode back into Brittany Lucas's camp as she threw a couple pieces of wood on the campfire that'd been nothing but banked coals when he left. She brushed off her hands before bracing them on her hips. "Now what?" He dismounted to unpack his gear. "I'll be camping here with you tonight." "Ranger Morgan, let me assure you, I have every intention of leaving in the morning." "And until then, I'll make sure you stay safe." "I don't need you to babysit me," she insisted, irritation flooding her voice as she sat by the fire. Ignoring the fact she'd heard him earlier, he met her stare over the top of Nobel's saddle. "You got a gun?" Her gaze faltered. "No." "Well, the poacher does, so I'm staying." That shut her up, until he tossed his sleeping bag inside her tent.

COLORADO TRUST SERIES "Trust makes all the difference when love and danger collide." TRUST BY DESIGN, book 2 Cinderella and Prince Charming...brought together by chance, or design? Interior Designer Gina Allen is flat broke thanks to a shady assistant who didn't pay the taxes. Now she has no choice but to accept a job from the very rich, very handsome CEO Dean Daley-even though he's accused her of conspiring to steal his software designs. "Keep your friends close and your enemies closer"-that's why Dean hires his rival's ex-girlfriend. If he can use her to prove Jack is behind the spiraling downfall of his company, he might be able to turn things around before losing everything. Dean, however, doesn't count on Gina being everything he never expected, or his heart being in more danger than his business. Will the trust they've built be enough to keep them together-or will an unexpected betrayal tear them apart...and possibly cost them their lives? ""Sizzling, sensual, spicy, sweet-Ms. Netzel dazzles her readers with a perfect romance in the midst of danger."" Casey Clifford, award winning romantic suspense author EXCERPT: Caught up in the unexpected sensations pulsing through her, she opened to him with a soft sound of surprise and met the first intimate exploration of his tongue with her own, then the next, and the next. He slid a hand up into her hair and tilted her head to deepen their connection even further. His hard body against hers was so warm she'd swear flames licked her flesh from chest to mid thigh. Her senses were reeling when she gradually became aware of loud cheers and catcalls from the crowd around them. "What the hell am I doing?" She pushed against the stranger's chest, pulling back even as he leaned forward in an attempt to prolong the kiss. Then it seemed he also became aware of the encouragement from their audience and released her with obvious reluctance. Those brown eyes of his met hers, darker now than before. Shit. During the past ten minutes, she'd never once considered what would happen after the kiss. Now what? He opened his mouth, but before he could speak, she panicked and spun for the door. Showing Jackson she was moving on was one thing, losing all common sense in the process was another. As she pushed through the crowd, a hand grabbed at her arm. "Hey-wait " She jerked free and felt her sweater whisk across her skin while she moved faster through the swell of bodies threatening to cut off her escape. Once outside, she only spared a quick backward glance before sprinting for her car. Chapter 2 Dean Daley fisted the soft material in his hand and shoved through the club door to the parking lot. His gaze scanned the area, focusing on anyone leaving, but the woman who'd just kissed him senseless was nowhere to be seen. Disappeared without a trace. Damn. After a kiss like that, he wanted her name. COLORADO TRUST SERIES "Evidence of Trust," Book 1 "Trust by Design," Book 2 "Trust in the Lawe," Book 3 "Shattered Trust," Book 4 "Dare to Trust," Book 5 Other romantic suspense books by Stacey Joy Netzel: ITALY INTRIGUE SERIES "Lost in Italy," book 1 **$0.99 SALE April 28-May 4, 2014** "Run to Rome," book 2

Colorado Trust Series "Trust makes all the difference when love and danger collide." Ad-exec Jordan Blake believed image was everything-until his parents were convicted of murder, the family company went bankrupt, and his excessive drinking and arrest fueled the tabloids. When lawyer David Barnes offers representation in exchange for assistance in reopening his Colorado mountain resort, Jordan has no choice. It's help or jail. Hollywood wild child Lexie Sinclair disappeared by changing her name, joining the army, and marrying a soldier. Then her husband wrapped their car around a tree, killing himself, and leaving her permanently injured. For the past few years, she's been content to live in peaceful obscurity as caretaker of David's defunct resort. Jordan's arrival exposes Lexie's true identity and brings her dead husband's 'friends' calling. Jordan offers to help, but the shadow of his drinking leaves Lexie reluctant to trust. Can they conquer their fears and find the courage to face the criminals-and the world-together? "Thoroughly entertaining...I lost track of the time because I was so engrossed in the story." Diana Coyle, Night Owl Reviews EXCERPT: "I'm here to see David Barnes," he said, his voice as stiff as his posture. No one ever came here for David. He set up client appointments at the Boulder office. Lexie tried to relax, but her shoulders remained tense, and her pulse refused to settle down. "Why?" "He hired me to do some work." "He hired you? You mean you're not a client?" "I don't need a lawyer," he ground out, sounding offended. She almost scoffed as she crossed her arms in front of her. "What work?" His expression told her his business with David was none of her business. "And you are?" "What work?" she demanded, dread beginning to creep in behind her bravado. They stared at each other until he backed down first, surprising her. "I'm here to inspect the cabins, see if any need major repairs before winter." He quit there, but Lexie knew there was more he wasn't telling her. She couldn't believe David was going ahead with the reopening after only one conversation about it Hurt followed on the heels of her indignation. She knew it was his decision, his resort, but didn't he know she wasn't ready for this yet? New people every week, the chance of being recognized. Even now, without her glasses on, nervousness clawed her insides. And then the- Jordan Blake leaned a hip against the railing of the stairs and crossed his arms over his chest, mimicking her posture. "You decide yet?" "Decide what?" she asked with a frown. "What excuse you're going to give instead of simply admitting David isn't here." Lexie straightened, annoyance shooting heat straight to her cheeks. Her right leg throbbed as she distributed her weight evenly on both feet for maximum height and caught his gaze. "He isn't here. And if he truly did hire you, that means I'm your boss until he gets back." "What do you got to say to that, hot shot?" COLORADO TRUST SERIES "Evidence of Trust," Book 1 "Trust by Design," Book 2 "Trust in the Lawe," Book 3 "Shattered Trust," Book 4 "Dare to Trust," Book 5

Sweet twenty-seven and never been kissed. Well...no one's ever accused Marley Wade of being sweet. Raised in the world of construction by a strict father, Marley knows what it takes to succeed as a general contractor in a man's world. The last thing she needs is an employee who makes her feel soft and feminine. A new co-owner of Hunter Construction, Justin Blake goes undercover on Marley's crew to discover the truth behind his grandfather's death. But he didn't count on an instant attraction to his boss-or for it to develop into deeper emotions. When a blackmailer threatens to expose the twenty-five-year-old secrets that link his family and Marley's, Justin realizes the truth could not only shatter a future with her, but his entire family as well. "Shattered Trust has everything a fantastic book should have, romance, suspense, betrayal, and humor in all the right places." Emily, Single Title Reviews EXCERPT: The door flew open and bare legs flashed as a woman in an-orange?-business suit sprinted the few feet to the trailer, her skirt hiked above her knees and shoeless feet. She lugged a duffle bag up the wooden steps, unlocked the door and disappeared inside. If she had a key, she could only be Marley Wade. Bare feet on a construction site? He frowned. What kind of operation was she running here? His gaze narrowed on the trailer bathed in bright light as the July sun rose over the city of Boulder, Colorado. Not only did he have to pose as a construction worker in his newly inherited company, but he'd have to take orders from a woman who obviously didn't know what she was doing. He wished he'd had more time for research before jumping in like this, but as his brother had pointed out, they had to act fast. Only a small window of opportunity existed in which to discover if the name Jordan found scratched on the paper clutched in Granddad's hand had anything to do with his death. It'd barely been legible, but the first three letters appeared to be Mar and the last spelled Wade. Jordan had found two possibilities: Mark Wade, who it turned out had died three months ago in a car accident, and his daughter, Marley Wade, who'd taken over her father's general contractor duties on this job site. Despite a measly three hours of sleep after his flight from Toronto had been delayed, Justin knew it was now or never. If this site held the key to Granddad's death, when everyone discovered his identity as the new co-owner of Hunter Construction, they'd clam up faster than a guilty murder suspect lawyers up. Especially Ms. Wade. He noticed other workers starting to arrive and grabbed the letter from headquarters Jordan had given him while opening his door. Time to introduce himself to the boss. He nodded to a few of the men who glanced his way with curiosity. At the trailer, he took the steps in two strides and gave the door a brisk rap. A muffled reply took a moment to decipher as permission to enter. Marley Wade pulled her jeans over her hips, frowning at the interruption of her precious minutes. She expected punctuality from the men; no way could she be late. The door creaked behind her and she spun around in surprise. Her hands froze on the button of her jeans when she saw a man pause in the doorway of her trailer. A tall, blond man who- Belatedly realizing he stared at her white cotton bra, she snatched a tee shirt out of her bag and stepped sideways so no one else could see inside from the job site. "I said 'Hold on a minute'," she snapped. "Sorry. I, ah, I misunderstood." For probably the first time in her life, Marley felt herself blush as she pulled her tee shirt over her head. The accompanying flutter in her stomach set her on edge. Men didn't embarrass her. She was just one of the guys; always had been. And he needed to stop looking at her like she was a new set of power tools on Christmas morning.

After escaping an abusive ex-husband, Jenny Clark focuses on making ends meet from one day to the next. Then she meets her new apartment building manager, and the passion in his kisses dare her to believe she could have a second chance at love. At a crossroads in his life, Grant Walker returns from New York to manage his apartment building in Redemption. He didn't expect to meet the woman of his dreams and find everything he never knew he wanted in small town Wisconsin. But someone doesn't want either of them to be happy, and even as menacing acts of vandalism pull Jenny and Grant closer together, a harbored secret could destroy all hope of their happily ever after. EXCERPT: He was just thinking about checking out Memorial Day sales to purchase a car or truck when the ring of his cell phone interrupted his thoughts. A glance at the caller ID didn't list a name or number, but he answered anyway while opening the car door. "Walker." "Grant Walker?" "Yes, it is." The female voice sounded vaguely familiar, but his memory had no success matching it with a name. "Any relation to Frank Walker?" "He's my uncle." Grant quickly checked the caller ID again as his stomach bottomed out. "Are you calling from the hospital? Is he okay?" "No. I mean, no I'm not from the hospital," the woman quickly clarified, sounding flustered. "I live at Wayside Apartments, and I'm calling because I'd really like to send him a card. Do you mind giving me the name of the hospital he's at?" That's why she sounds familiar. She must be the girl who woke me up this morning. "How'd you get this number?" "It's listed as a back-up contact in my apartment's welcome packet." "Ah." He'd been too tired and crabby to notice this morning, but now he found himself thinking she had a nice voice. Closing his eyes, he leaned on the open car door and tried to recall details of the rest of her. Hair in a ponytail. Shorter, maybe five-five. Casually dressed. Brown eyes or blue? That fact remained unclear in his memory. "Mr. Walker, are you still there?" "Yes." He opened his eyes again and slid behind the steering wheel of the rental. "Do you have the name of the hospital your uncle is at?" "Yes, sorry. He's at Saint Elizabeth's in Manhattan." "Thank you. And I'm glad to hear he's going to be okay. He's a very nice man." "May I ask your name?" "Jenny A-Clark. Jenny Clark. I live in apartment two-thirteen." Second floor studio above Uncle Frank's-well, his apartment now. He remembered that from the renovation blueprints. "Can I ask you something else?" Her voice held a note of hesitation that reminded him of her timid personality earlier. "Go ahead," he encouraged. "The new guy you hired to replace Frank..." Grant smiled, wondering where the question would lead. When the silence dragged, he prompted, "Yes?" "Um...I'm just wondering about his references. Did he...um...check out okay?" Not what he was expecting. A little jab of indignation had him straightening in the seat. "Do you think I'd have hired him if he hadn't?" "No," she said quickly. "I didn't mean to question your decision, I-" "And yet you did. But let me assure you, Ms. Clark, he's perfectly reliable and trustworthy." What the hell? He was talking about himself "I apologize," Jenny said, her voice soft. Before he could tell her the new guy and himself were one and the same, he heard an indrawn breath, muttering he couldn't make out, and then clear words in a stiff, formal tone. "Actually, no I don't. I had every right to ask about the man's references. He's rude, by the way. But thank you for answering me, thank you for the hospital name, and good bye." Grant's automatic, "Good bye," floated in dead air. If he wasn't a morning person, apparently she wasn't an afternoon person. "He's rude, by the way." Things would definitely be interesting next time they came face to face.

Italy Intrigue Series Lost In Italy Run to Rome Lost In Italy - WINNER 2012 Write Touch Readers' Award - Romantic Suspense The best laid plans... Halli Sanders spent two years planning the trip of a lifetime to Italy. Her itinerary did not include being stranded by her siblings, kidnapped by a sexy American movie star, dodging bullets, or fleeing criminals in a car chase around Lake Como. And that's just in the first three hours. ...often go awry. Trent Tomlin put his movie career on hold to investigate his brother's murder-ruled-suicide at his Italian villa. He's closing in on the suspects when an American tourist unwittingly films the murder of the retired cop helping him. The killers will stop at nothing to get the evidence-including holding Halli's family as collateral. Life's a little different unscripted. Thrust into the role of real-life hero, Trent finds himself falling for the Plain Jane whose beauty blossoms with every challenge they face. But how can he keep the evidence from falling into the wrong hands and get justice for his brother and friend without betraying Halli and her family? Excerpt: Trent cast his own quick glance in the rearview mirror, pressure squeezing his body like a starving boa constrictor as he searched for the men who'd spotted her and her camera across the bay. By his amateur calculations, he figured he had about three more minutes. If they were lucky. Pushing up to sit on the headrest, he prepared to turn on the superstar charm that had brought him such success at the box office. "I'm waiting for my brother and sister," she said before he could speak. So that's who'd driven off as he watched the scene unfold from one street above and behind her. He lifted a tense shoulder in a careless gesture. "Quick spin around town, and I'll bring you right back. They'll never know you were gone, sugar." Her eyebrows drew together above those deep blue eyes. Damn. He fought his own frown. Based on previous experience with star-struck women, she should've jumped in at the first invitation. Wasn't it just his luck, this one had common sense. Leaving the car running, he swung his legs over the door and rounded the front of the convertible. His heart thumped with each step as he tried to figure out the best way to get her out of this mess. It was one thing when he was following a script, but how the hell did one orchestrate a rescue in real life when the rescuee wouldn't cooperate and he had no time to explain the danger? It's not like he could play her the recording tucked in his pocket. The girl backed away from his approach. He fought back rising apprehension and forced an easy smile. "Look, I appreciate the offer, Shain, but-" "Trent." "Right." Her blush deepened. "I know. Trent. But I-" "I need you to get in the car." As an afterthought, he added, "Please." "Um..." He used her glance down the road as cover for his own. Still time, yet his control slipped. "Seriously. Get in." The sharp command widened her eyes. Suspicion darkened them to navy, and she took another step backward. Then her shoulders squared while her gaze narrowed with determination. "No." The right taillight on his Alfa Romeo exploded. Trent ducked reflexively as bits of plastic flew in all directions. Adrenaline spiked through him, but other than a sharp reactive jerk, the girl just stood there holding her camera. Trent lunged forward, grabbed her arm and hauled her toward the car. "Hey-let me go " She pulled back with surprising strength. He picked her up and shoved her head first into the passenger seat, then vaulted over her to slip behind the wheel. Heartbeat thundering in his ears, he gunned the gas with a sickening grinding of gears before the convertible shot out into traffic amidst screeching tires and blaring horns.

Stacey Joy Netzel is at the top of her game with CHASIN' MASON. I was hooked at page one and stayed hooked until the end...you'll love it Becky Dark Angel Reviews 5 Stars When his father announced his engagement to a gold-digger with a lying, scheming fourteen-year old daughter, seventeen-year old Tripp Warner left Warner Ridge Ranch and never looked back. Until the day he got the phone call that his father had died unexpectedly. Reggie Reed lives with her guilt every day but can't quite work up the courage to track down the son of the man who raised her as his own. When Tripp shows up at his father's funeral eleven years later--and a hell of a man to be reckoned with--he has no interest in her too-late apology. Worse, they've inherited half shares of the family ranch-but only if they work together to catch Mason's Gold, the stallion a young Reggie let escape and made sure Tripp took the blame for. Tripp proposes a secret competition to the beautiful witch who stole his life: whoever catches the stallion first gets the ranch all to themselves. It sounds simple, but once they're out on the range, tempers and passions flare in the Texas heat and nothing goes as either of them expects. * First of all... Damn, he's tall. She didn't remember him being so tall eleven years ago. She took a step back. My name is not Princess. And second of all? Second of all, this is my room, so get out. Don't kick me out before we get to the good stuff. I have a proposition for you. Her heart skipped a beat and honest to God, she couldn't help it-her gaze went straight to the bed. Just as fast, she snapped her attention back up to his face. A what? He lifted one nicely muscled shoulder in a careless gesture that didn't fool her one bit when she considered the calculating gleam in his eyes. Maybe competition is the better word. And what exactly would we be competing for? she asked. The ranch. Reggie would've laughed, except he was dead serious. She crossed her arms. What have you got in mind? Whoever catches Mason wins everything, simple as that. Loser leaves. Her stomach heaved with a sickening lurch. So, this is why he agreed to the terms of the will. She knew he'd flipped to the other side too fast. But Ernesto hadn't lied when he said she'd been trying to catch the stallion for years, though how the older man knew about it, she'd love to know. Still, no way did she want to go up against Tripp like this, not with the ranch at stake. Mason was smarter than any horse she'd known. Tripp stepped closer, crowding her personal space as he leaned in and taunted, Afraid you can't catch him?

Kendra Zelner has three brothers: Eight-year old Noah she's determined to protect, Joel has no clue she exists, and Robert wants her dead. With reason to be distrustful of cops, she takes Noah and flees their Manhattan home for Joel's ranch in Colorado. Under the pretense of needing a job, she plans to hide out until her twenty-fifth birthday, when she'll inherit her trust fund and legally gain custody of Noah away from Robert's greedy hands. Unfortunately, her new-found brother's sexy, infuriating ranch manager insists on demolishing her defenses and digging into her past. Colton Lawe has good reason to suspect Joel's beautiful, long-lost sister isn't what she seems-the little liar stole from him He silently vows to expose her secrets, but long hours together on the ranch fosters a friendship and attraction neither of them expects. Can Kendra trust Colton with the full truth before Robert tracks them down? "I have a great respect for Stacey Joy Netzel and the way she can write a romantic story with sizzle and spice that kept me absolutely addicted. To sum it all up, Outstanding book, not to be missed." Val, You Gotta Read Reviews EXCERPT: Once on the porch, he opened the door and stepped inside ahead of her. Then he waited. For the sound of her footsteps. For the thump of her bags hitting the floor. For the click of the door to assure privacy. "I wanted to-" When he turned, she halted mid-sentence. Her apologetic expression gave way to an alarmed squeak when he grasped her upper arms and pushed her up against the wall. The bulk of his body gave her no room to move. "Who the hell are you?" he demanded. Stark fear dilated her pupils until her brown eyes were nearly black. Her breathing grew shallow, and she gulped twice before stuttering, "Y-you know w-who I am." He tightened his grip on her shoulders, then became aware of how delicate they seemed under his large hands and forced himself to ease up. "I don't believe it. You're up to something, and you've got about five seconds to tell me what it is." "H-honestly, I'm n-not." Colton scoffed. "So, it's merely coincidence that you robbed me this morning and then show up here claiming to be some long lost relative?" "It's nothing more than cruel coincidence-I swear to God." "Don't you dare do that. I don't buy one word of it." He leaned closer, ignoring her trembling beneath his hands. "Who are you? What do you want with Joel?" "He told you, I'm his sister. Please...all I want is a place to stay until my...until we get back on our feet. We have nowhere else to go." He caught her hesitation, saw a brief flash of panic, and wondered what she'd been about to say. He searched her expression for any kernel of truth to her words. In the space of a heartbeat, he became aware of the heat of her vibrating body. If he leaned down a few inches, their lips would meet. His pulse thrummed. The urge to do just that was so great it left him shaken as he stared into her eyes. She was an untrustworthy, lying, thieving, scheming con artist. And he'd never felt an immediate attraction like this in his life. COLORADO TRUST SERIES Trust makes all the difference when love and danger collide. Evidence of Trust, Book 1 Trust by Design, Book 2 Trust in the Lawe, Book 3 Shattered Trust, Book 4 Dare to Trust, Book 5

Romancing Wisconsin Series Mistletoe Mischief, #1 Mistletoe Magic, #2 Mistletoe Match-Up, #3 Autumn Wish, #4 Nikki Rowen desires a family of her own-but first comes love, then comes marriage. She thought she had the former, until the moment she mentioned the latter and her boyfriend left her with nothing but a broken heart. Just as she's beginning to doubt she'll ever have a 'til death do us part Happily Ever After, she meets her new neighbor in the most unexpected way. In Sam Mallin's experience, the word family is synonymous with abandonment; he's more than content on his own. Yet, in less than a week, he finds himself caring for an infant dropped on his doorstep, and playing house with his beautiful next-door-neighbor. When his feelings for Nikki deepen, he fears he's nothing more than the ready-made family she so desperately wishes for. How can a self-proclaimed loner hold onto the two females most important to him without history repeating itself in a world of heartbreak? EXCERPT: He swung the door open and smiled his welcome at the pretty blond. His gaze dropped, then froze. Where he would've preferred a pie, she held a baby carrier-complete with baby. Damn, she had a kid. After what his mother put him and his sister through, he didn't do women with kids. "Samuel Mallin?" He lifted his gaze up from all that pink to a pair of guarded blue eyes. Forcing his lips to maintain their upward curve, he answered, "I prefer Sam. And you're Nicole, right?" "Nikki." She frowned. "How'd you-" "I had some of your mail in my box yesterday," he admitted. "Ah." Her wry smile was appealing enough to make him forget about the baby. But it faded fast as she took a breath, shifted her stance, then extended her arms, carrier and all. "Sam, this is yours." There was a crumpled envelope clutched between the fingers of her right hand. Tilting his head, he read his name in the crinkled address field and removed it from her grasp with a laugh. He liked that she'd chosen to bring his mail over personally. If he'd been thinking, he'd have done it first-and found out about the kid. "Thanks," he said as her baby began to fuss. "I just put your stuff in your mailbox." Nikki lifted the carrier higher with an exasperated huff. "You don't understand. She is yours." In the middle of stuffing the folded envelope into his back pocket, his gaze dropped to the baby. Blue eyes, just like her momma. It took his brain a moment to make the connection, and then his pulse jumped as his eyebrows shot skyward. "Uh...I don't think so." The baby sucked hard on a pacifier, her eyes shifting back and forth as she squirmed in the confined seat. Oh, hell no. He lifted his gaze once more, taking note of the woman's curves on the way up. Yeah, she was pretty, but not worth this level of crazy. He'd have much preferred another pie. "May I come in?" "No," he stated. "She's not mine." He fumbled for the edge of the door. The woman stepped forward as he began to shut her out. Her chin lifted and those blue eyes of hers glittered with determination. "Her name is Ella. She's three and a half months old." "I haven't-" He broke off as she shouldered her way past, into his living room. Sam closed the door and followed her to the couch where she set the carrier and an overflowing diaper bag. He glanced toward the kitchen, searching out his cell phone on the counter. Was he going to have to call the cops to get rid of her? The baby started to cry, so Nikki picked her up and rocked her while speaking in a soft, crooning voice. The gentle sound soothed his nerves until common sense returned with a vengeance. Denial shook his head as he moved to stand in front of her. "Listen, I don't know what you think you're going to get out of this, but we've never met before, much less done what we would've needed to do to create that baby."

Italy Intrigue Series: Lost In Italy, Book 1 Run To Rome, Book 2 Love him and leave him. Nine months ago, undercover detective, Ispettore Evalina Gallo, protected her heart the only way she knew how, never expecting to see her savior-turned-one-night-stand again. When he returns to Italia--now a person of interest in an investigation of a local organized crime family--her personal connection to the rugged American gets her assigned to the case. A second chance to make things right. With his mother's pleas ringing in his ears, Ben Sanders plans to retrieve a stolen bible his father shipped to Italy thirteen years ago, and then get out as fast as he can. But with the arrival of the beautiful detective, he suspects his mother's desire to right past wrongs might not be the whole truth. Destiny will not be denied. Now, less than twenty-four hours after entering the country, he's getting shot at--again. In a race from Milan to Rome to find the precious book before anyone else, time is ticking for the one-time lovers. Attraction burns hotter than molten lava, but amid secrets and half-truths, they must learn to trust each other if they have any hope of a future together. **Romantic suspense for 18+, contains language and sexual content. EXCERPT: "What are you doing?" His voice directly behind her made her jump about a foot and sent her pulse racing. She hadn't heard him with the rustling of branches and snapping of twigs under her own feet. Hopefully he hadn't noticed her startle. That'd be great after her embarrassing incident with the lizard. "I'm looking for a way inside. Those are some dark clouds rolling in." "You said there were no doors down here." "I'm looking for loose stones." "You're going to break through the wall?" Surprise rang in his voice. "This thing has to be hundreds of years old, wouldn't that be destroying a national monument or something?" "I'm not planning to tear the whole thing down, just enough to get us inside," she retorted. "It can be repaired." She found a small indent in the space between the rock bricks and dug with her fingers. A shower of weathered, crumbled pieces of mortar cascaded down onto her feet. When she applied some force, one of the stones on the corner gave about an inch. "Right here. This one's loose." Suddenly, his warm, solid chest pressed up against her back. She sucked in a breath, and held it in her constricted lungs as his fingers brushed against hers on the wall. His palm swept the surface, searching in the wrong direction. She grabbed his hand and placed it on the loose stone as she dared to breathe once more. The enticing combination of warm male and the earthy smells of the forest went straight to her head. For a weak moment, she left her hand covering his and leaned back against his unyielding form, allowing the contact to freshen the memory of how his hard, naked body felt against her softer curves. It warmed her all the way through, and an anticipatory heaviness settled low in her belly. "I feel it too." He'd dipped his chin so the husky words were spoken right next to her ear. It took a moment to realize he was talking about the wall, not the heady sensations swirling through her body. His hand slid down to test another, and hers rode along. "This one, too," he added. "Do you think you can break through the wall?" she asked, her own voice now breathless. His breath stirred her hair and tickled her ear. "I'm going to give it one hell of a shot." Something had changed in his tone. His low voice carried a strange undercurrent that made her wonder if he was talking about more than the physical barrier in front of them.

USA Today Bestselling author Stacey Joy Netzel presents a collection of three haunting paranormal romance stories set in the beautiful Rocky Mountains of Colorado that will tantalize your imagination. IF TOMBSTONES COULD TALK: Andrew Lindeman is shocked when Melanie Sparks can see and hear him after more than a century of helplessly watching the world pass by. When she learns his tragic story, she vows to clear his tarnished name, not realizing theirs is a connection years in the making. BENEATH STILL WATERS (Part One): An old legend tells of a beautiful witch unjustly persecuted who became a ghost bent on revenge... The danger lies in not believing. On a sorority camping trip in the Colorado Rocky Mountain National Park, Becca scoffs at the story of the Ghost of Still Waters, despite the convictions of her fellow campers, Liz and Shane. When Liz challenges her to summon the witch's spirit, will Becca's disbelief seal her fate? RISING ABOVE (Still Waters Part Two): Imagine you've lived before, but don't remember or believe it's even possible. Therein lies the danger. For in not believing and learning from your pasts, the power shifts to the one who would see you dead. Again. Ryan James never gave much thought to ghosts or the idea of reincarnation-until the appearance of the beautiful Ali Whitman triggers terrifying visions that feel like real life. As he pieces together their past lives, he discovers they aren't the only players. Worse, if he can't convince Ali to believe before their past adversary makes the next move, he'll lose her all over again.

When a kiss... All reporter Sadie Barton wants is to be taken seriously and judged on her own merits, not her stepfather's money. She and her actress sister left Wisconsin to get out from under his controlling thumb and leave behind the malicious whispers that they're no better than their gold-digging mother. But California isn't all sun and fun, and paying the rent while trying to prove herself is harder than she ever imagined. ...is more than a kiss... Something about Sadie drew self-made millionaire Zach Robinson-and it wasn't just the amazing kiss they shared as impromptu actors in his company's commercial. He's used to women being interested in his wealth, and Sadie's fierce independence is an enticing breath of fresh air. He's falling fast-until his brother suggests acting runs in her family and Sadie might not be exactly what she seems... * "You should've iced this right away." The first touch of the cold cloth on his sore lip triggered a reflexive jerk away. He hissed air through his teeth before relaxing to let it out slow. She raised her other arm and laid her palm along his stubble covered jaw to hold him still. It seemed strange, her fussing over him like this when he could take care of himself. Warmth spread from her touch and started his heart thudding in his chest. As if someone smacked him upside the head, he realized this was the closest she'd gotten to him since they'd kissed on the set of the commercial. Voluntarily, anyway. With her concentration fixed on his mouth, Zach let his gaze wander over her long, down-swept lashes, smooth skin, and enticing lips. Discomfort shifted to center below the waistband of his shorts. Didn't help that she had the corner of that lush, lower lip caught between her teeth again. He wanted to nibble. When he raised his gaze to find her watching him, his pulse stuttered. Color stained her cheeks, but she didn't break the connection. "I didn't thank you yet," she said softly. "Sure you did." His grip tightened on the cold bottle in his hand. Shut up, idiot Let her thank you however she wants. "Not for taking me to get Gemma, I didn't. Or helping us get out of there and taking the hit for us." "Two," he reminded, throwing in a grimace for good measure. "I took two hits." A smile tugged the corners of her mouth upward. "Don't worry, I was counting." "Good." She lowered the hand with the ice pack to rest on his shoulder, bracing herself as she leaned closer. The minty freshness of her breath filled his nostrils and he swallowed hard at the thought of tasting it on his tongue. "So...anyway...thank you." "You're welcome." Zach held still, afraid to even breathe in case she changed her mind. Anticipation sizzled through his body and what had been a refreshing ocean breeze now became a teasing caress on his heated skin. Sadie's lashes lowered as she closed her eyes and pressed her lips to his. Stomach muscles tightened in his effort to lean into the kiss, but she pulled away. Well, damn. He had two chances here and one was already over? To hide his disappointment over the all too brief contact, he joked, "That's one." The thumb of her right hand whispered across his lips. "How does your mouth feel?" "Cold." He barely had a chance to draw a breath before she leaned in for take two.