by Lisa Jackson
“Seriously?” A smile stretched over Hale’s lips. Before she could answer, he swept her into his arms, pulling her against him and kissing her hard on the mouth.
“Hey!” she said, laughing and gasping for breath. Good Lord, she was the happiest woman on earth at this minute.
Hale placed a hand over her flat abdomen. “Another one?” Tears glistened in his eyes. “You know, you and Nathan and this new little one, you’re the only family I’ve ever known, all I’ve ever wanted. I . . . I—”
“You’re the best dad ever,” she said as her throat closed and she felt the sting of tears against her eyelids.
“God, I love you.”
“And I love you.”
“I never thought . . .” His voice trailed off.
“We’ll be together forever,” she promised.
He laughed. “I’m going to hold you to that.” He kissed her again, then swiped at his eyes. “From the first moment you walked into my office, I knew you were the one, but I had no idea that we would have all this and—”
“Daddy! You play trains with me!” Nate demanded, looking over his shoulder, impatience pulling his little features into a knot. Then, before he was prompted, he added a quick “Please?”
“You got it, bud!” Clearing his throat, Hale gave Valerie another quick kiss, then turned his attention to his son. “You got it.”
Dear Reader,
I hope you enjoyed His Bride to Be, my contribution to Summer Days. I had fun putting this together, and it’s always great to work with other authors.
I thought you’d want to know that I’ve got a couple of new books on the horizon. In August, look for Deserves to Die, the next book in the series set in Grizzly Falls, Montana. Once again Detectives Alvarez and Pescoli are investigating a series of bizarre murders in the area, but this time, along with personal crises, they have to deal with major changes in the Pinewood Sheriff’s Department as Sheriff Dan Grayson is recovering in the hospital and a new, gung-ho temporary sheriff as unlike the cool-headed Grayson as night to day has been appointed. I guess it’s not surprising that Detective Pescoli butts heads with the guy and isn’t all that happy about the situation. (Is she ever?) Grayson’s life hangs in the balance as the detectives try to solve the murder and put a deranged psychopath behind bars. Look for Deserves to Die, the sixth book in the popular series that includes Left to Die, Chosen to Die, Born to Die, Afraid to Die, and Ready to Die.
Around September my next hardcover will be in stores. Close to Home is set on the beautiful Columbia River, in the wilds of Oregon. Fleeing a bad relationship and worried about her rebellious teen daughter, Sarah McAdams returns to Stewart’s Crossing and the once-elegant old manor where she was raised. What she doesn’t expect to find is the home in horrid disrepair, a ghost that may or may not haunt the grounds, and the terrifying realization that girls about the age of her daughters are disappearing. Add to the mix her ex-boyfriend Clint Walsh, who is single, even better looking, and oh-so-jaded, at least where she’s concerned. Every dream she had about returning to her home becomes her worst nightmare as she and those she loves become a madman’s target.
For an excerpt or more information on Deserves to Die and Close to Home, visit my Web site at www.lisajackson.com. Also, connect with me via Twitter or Pinterest @ readlisajackson or the Lisa Jackson fan page on Facebook. Come on over and join the party! We have interesting conversations, games, prizes, and a whole lotta fun.
Meanwhile, as always . . .
Keep reading,
Lisa Jackson
KENSINGTON BOOKS are published by
Kensington Publishing Corp.
119 West 40th Street
New York, NY 10018
Compilation copyright © 2014 by Kensington Publishing Corp.
“You Again” © 2014 by Elizabeth Bass
“Summer Memories” © 2014 by Elise Smith
“Return to Hampton Beach” © 2014 by Mary Carter
“His Bride to Be” © 1990, 2014 by Lisa Jackson. Previously published
by Silhouette Books.
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means without the prior written consent of the Publisher, excepting brief quotes used in reviews.
Kensington and the K logo Reg. U.S. Pat. & TM Off.
ISBN: 978-0-7582-9224-7
eISBN-13: 978-0-7582-9225-4
eISBN-10: 978-0-7582-9225-2
First Kensington Electronic Edition: May 2014