Concealed Weapon

“I’m sure I’m capable of watching out for myself.”

“Of course you are, but the way you can help the most is by steering clear of the compound and keeping everyone else as far away as possible.”

Zach nodded, unable to keep the irony out of his voice. “Steer clear of you. I wonder why that has such a familiar ring to it?”

“You’re making this more personal than it has to be, Zach.”

“Probably because it is personal. Have you forgotten what you meant to me at one time?”

“What we felt for each other was a long time ago.” Teagan reached out and placed the palm of her hand against his chest. “I never meant to hurt you, Zach. At the time I thought leaving was the right thing to do.” She paused and then delivered the final blow. “And even now, I know it was.”

Zach leaned in, the weight of his body resting against her hand. “Well, you thought wrong.”

Dear Harlequin Intrigue Reader,

At Harlequin Intrigue we have much to look forward to as we ring in a brand-new year. Case in point—all of our romantic suspense selections this month are fraught with edge-of-your-seat danger, electrifying romance and thrilling excitement. So hang on!

Reader favorite Debra Webb spins the next installment in her popular series COLBY AGENCY. Cries in the Night spotlights a mother so desperate to track down her missing child that she joins forces with the unforgettable man from her past.

Unsanctioned Memories by Julie Miller—the next offering in THE TAYLOR CLAN—packs a powerful punch as a vengeance-seeking FBI agent opens his heart to the achingly vulnerable lone witness who can lead him to a cold-blooded killer…. Looking for a provocative mystery with a royal twist? Then expect to be seduced by Jacqueline Diamond in Sheikh Surrender.

We welcome two talented debut authors to Harlequin Intrigue this month. Tracy Montoya weaves a chilling mystery in Maximum Security, and the gripping Concealed Weapon by Susan Peterson is part of our BACHELORS AT LARGE promotion.

Finally this month, Kasi Blake returns to Harlequin Intrigue with Borrowed Identity. This gothic mystery will keep you guessing when a groggy bride stumbles upon a grisly murder on her wedding night. But are her eyes deceiving her when her “slain” groom appears alive and well in a flash of lightning?

It promises to be quite a year at Harlequin Intrigue….

Enjoy!

Denise O’Sullivan

Senior Editor

Harlequin Intrigue

www.millsandboon.co.uk

A devoted Star Trek fan, Susan Peterson wrote her first science fiction novel at the age of thirteen. But unlike other Star Trek fan writers, in Susan’s novel she made sure that Mr. Spock fell in love. Unfortunately, what she didn’t take into consideration was the fact that falling in love and pursuing a life of total logic didn’t exactly go hand in hand. In any case, it was then that she realized that she was a hopeless romantic, a person who needed the happily-ever-after ending. But it wasn’t until later in life, after pursuing careers in intensive care nursing and school psychology, that Susan finally found the time to pursue a career in writing. An ardent fan of psychological thrillers and suspense, Susan combined her love of romance and suspense into several manuscripts targeted to the Harlequin Intrigue line. Getting the go-ahead to write for this line was a dream come true for her.

Susan lives in a small town in northern New York with her son, Kevin, her nutball dog, Ozzie, Phoenix the cat and Lex the six-toed menace (a new kitten). Susan loves to hear from readers. E-mail her at [email protected] or visit her Web site at susanpeterson.net.

Sheriff Zachary McCoy—Zach McCoy must revisit the pain of the past when he finds his ex-love Teagan in deep cover inside a dangerous doomsday cult just a few miles outside his hometown.

Teagan Kennedy—Tough, dedicated ATF special agent Teagan Kennedy knew she’d have to take the chance she’d run into her former lover, Zach McCoy, when she took the undercover assignment inside the Disciples’ Temple. But someone had to bring the fanatical Reverend Daniel Mercy to justice.

Reverend Daniel Mercy—Charismatic and controlling, Daniel Mercy runs his breakaway religious cult with a deadly mix of charm and intimidation. His warped plan for bringing about the end starts the clock ticking for both Zach and Teagan.

Cyrus Mackie and Eddie Zelser—Ruthless henchmen totally dedicated to Reverend Mercy, they’ll do whatever it takes to keep the perks and privileges coming their way.

ATF Special Agent Miguel Lopez—A well-seasoned senior ATF agent who believes in taking calculated risks and covering his partner’s back.

Jenna Parker and Helen Wade, M.D.—Zach’s sisters are devoted to their brother and determined to see that he isn’t hurt again by the same woman.

Birdie—A lovable bluetick hound who has never forgotten the person who raised and nurtured her as a pup.