A man bent over the intense heat of a forgeâ¦
The stranger appeared single-minded in his devotion to his craft, as if chained there by the fire and his work, pounding at some inner demon only he could see. Hayley found herself moving stealthily closer, drawn by the rhythmic force of his blows, awed by the beauty they were creating.
She was certain she hadnât made a sound, but without warning he turned. Hayley froze.
âWho the devil are you?â he demanded gruffly. The heat of his gaze was far hotter than his fire. His voice was deep and soft as crushed velvet. A tingle traveled up Hayleyâs spine.
âIâd be careful calling on the devil if I were you. You already look like youâre standing over the fires of hell.â
The man blinked in surprise. The corners of his lips darted upward for a second, but the hint of a smile disappeared before it could fully form.
âA good reason for you to run away, little girl.â
Dear Harlequin Intrigue Reader,
Beginning this October, Harlequin Intrigue has expanded its lineup to six books! Publishing two more titles each month enables us to bring you an extraordinary selection of breathtaking stories of romantic suspense filled with exciting editorial varietyâand we encourage you to try all that we have to offer.
Stock up on catnip! Caroline Burnes brings back your favorite feline sleuth to beckon you into a new mystery in the popular series FEAR FAMILIAR. This four-legged detective sticks his whiskers into the mix to help clear a stunning stuntwomanâs name in Familiar Double. Up next is Dani Sinclairâs new HEARTSKEEP trilogy starting with The Firstbornâa darkly sensual gothic romance that revolves around a sinister suspense plot. To lighten things up, bestselling Harlequin American Romance author Judy Christenberry crosses her beloved BRIDES FOR BROTHERS series into Harlequin Intrigue with Randall Renegadeâa riveting reunion romance that will keep you on the edge of your seat.
Keeping Baby Safe by Debra Webb could either passionately reunite a duty-bound COLBY AGENCY operative and his onetime loverâor tear them apart forever. Donât miss the continuation of this action-packed series. Then Amy J. Fetzer launches our BACHELORS AT LARGE promotion featuring fearless men in blue with Under His Protection. Finally, watch for Dr. Bodyguard by debut author Jessica Andersen. Will a hunky doctor help penetrate the emotional walls around a lady genius before a madman closes in?
Pick up all six for a complete reading experience you wonât forget!
Enjoy,
Denise OâSullivan
Senior Editor
Harlequin Intrigue
For Helen Pastis whose caring has no limits.
For Roger, Chip, Dan and Barb.
With heartfelt thanks to
Natashya Wilson and Judy Fitzwater. Youâre both terrific.
Special thanks to Judy Boone for answering my questions,
and to her husband, Daniel, whose family of blacksmiths traces back fifteen generations.
An avid reader, Dani Sinclair didnât discover romance novels until her mother lent her one when she had come for a visit. Daniâs been hooked on the genre ever since. But she didnât take up writing seriously until her two sons were grown. Since the premiere of Mystery Baby for Harlequin Intrigue in 1996, Dani has kept her computer busy. Her third novel, Better Watch Out, was a RITA>® Award finalist in 1998. Dani lives outside Washington, D.C., a place sheâs found to be a great source for both intrigue and humor!
You can write to her in care of the Harlequin Reader Service.
Dennison HartâHe made sure Heartskeep would stay in the family. It didnât occur to him he was setting them up to be victims.
Amy Hart ThomasâWhen her father died seven years ago, she disappeared without a traceâ¦.
Marcus ThomasâHe married his nurse as soon as he had his first wife declared legally dead.
Eden Voxx ThomasâShe doesnât care what the world thinks. She married Marcus and she intends to run Heartskeep as she sees fit.
Hayley Hart ThomasâAs the firstborn, she inherits. But only if she survives long enough to claim her inheritance.
Bram MyersâThe sexy blacksmith was hired to put bars on the windows and doors. But is he a safe haven or the source of the storm?
Leigh Hart ThomasâHayleyâs twin is in England visiting with friends. Isnât she?
Jacob VoxxâEveryone likes Edenâs son. Everyone except Bram.
Odette NorwhichâEdenâs newly hired cook has an attitude problemâand total access to Heartskeep.
Paula KerstairsâEdenâs newly hired housekeeper moves like a wraith through the mansion hearing more than she should.
George and Emily WalkenâThese neighbors and close friends of the family have taken in troubled youths for years.
Helen Pepperton MyersâDid her death in childbirth precipitate a plan for revenge?
Dear Harlequin Intrigue Reader,
HEARTSKEEP is a series Iâve been developing for several years. The idea grew from an actual home where the front parlor had been converted into a doctorâs office. The house fired my imagination. There was a sense of tiredness about the sprawling old building, as if it had seen too much of life over the years. What secrets might it hide?