Table of Contents
PRAISE FOR THE NOVELS OF JOANN ROSS
The Homecoming
Quintessential Ross with a terrific romance [and] mystery. Not to be missed.
The Romance Readers Connection
A charming story of family, old friendships, and new love... I eagerly await the next Shelter Bay novel.
Joyfully Reviewed
Ross has again hit a homer... an outstanding job.
Fallen Angel Reviews
One of the best books Ive read this summer.... Ms. Ross penned such emotion into her story line and created characters that you easily fall in love with.
Night Owl Romance
The Oregon coast has no better publicist than JoAnn Ross, and starting over can be as invigorating as a breeze coming off the ocean bringing the love of our life.
Bookreporter.com
It isnt often readers find characters theyre willing to spend a weekend with. However, thats exactly what Ross accomplishes... enveloping the reader in the lives of two endearing, albeit flawed, characters... an entertaining stay in Shelter Bay.
Romantic Times
Ross always delivers a wonderful story but this one delivers even more than expected. Masterfully plotted and executed, this book kept me engrossed from beginning to end.
Fresh Fiction
Breakpoint
This hot novel has everything a reader might want in romantic suspense, from sexy, complex characters, to a fascinating setting and intense intimacy.
The Romance Readers Connection
Fire and ice make for an incendiary mix.... Brava!
Romantic Times
An action-packed thriller that never decelerates until the finish... one of the better high-octane sagas on the market today.
Midwest Book Review
Crossfire
The plot is riveting, the characters sizzle, and the ending will blow you away. Trust me, you do not want to miss Crossfire. But keep in mind, once you pick it up, its impossible to put down.
Fresh Fiction
[A] cant-put-down-forget-the-housework-cereal-for-dinner book. The chemistry between Quinn and Cait screams off the page and practically singes your fingers.
Romance Junkies
Freefall
A page-turning mix of danger, suspense, and passion.
New York Times bestselling author Iris Johansen
A romantic thriller that sizzles with passion and danger... a page-turner leading up to an ending you must read to believe. What an incredible story!
Fresh Fiction
An intense thriller... the perfect edge-of-your-seat mystery. JoAnn Ross is one author who delivers and will most definitely blow you away.
Romance Reviews Today
All the patented Ross sizzle and drama!
Romantic Times
No Safe Place
Sizzles with the sensuality and danger fans of her romantic thrillers have come to expect.
Publishers Weekly
A page-turner.... Hop on the Ross Express for a lightning ride.
New York Times bestselling author Linda Howard
A spellbinding read... I was blown away. An amazing author, and this latest story proves it once again.
Fresh Fiction
Impulse
[A] great love story with all the thrills and chills that will have the readers coming back for more.
Fallen Angel Reviews
Spine-chilling... a good mix of suspense and romance.
Romance Reviews Today
Richly drawn characters, a powerful story, and a heart-stopping ending.
Fresh Fiction
Blaze
Seamlessly plotted.... Ross keeps the heat on right to the last page.
Publishers Weekly
Out of the Storm
Out of the Storm sizzles! A captivating and entertaining blend of romance, mystery, and suspense.
Romance Reviews Today
Out of the Blue
[An] adventurous, exhilarating story. Danger and intrigue are a constant presence. Highly passionate... outstanding.
Romance Junkies
The best kind of romantic suspense: heart-stopping terror and a heart-tugging romance.
Romance Reviews Today
River Road
Skillful and satisfying.... With its emotional depth, Rosss tale will appeal to Nora Roberts fans.
Booklist
The romance... crackles and the verbal sparring keeps the narrative moving along at an energetic clip... delightful.
Publishers Weekly
Confessions
[A] hot, steamy... page-turner.
A Little Romance
[T]ouches of humor nicely relieve the suspenseful nature of the intriguing and intricately plotted tale. Bravo!
The Paperback Forum
Also by JoAnn Ross
Shelter Bay Novels
The Homecoming
High Risk Novels
Freefall
Crossfire
Shattered
Breakpoint
Again, to all the men and women of the U.S. militaryand their familiesfor their service and sacrifice.
To Natasha Stowe Gebhardt for her friendship.
And, as always, to Jay, as we begin yet another new exciting adventure together.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
With heartfelt appreciation once again to the fabulous team at NAL, who makes writing such a joythis time, especially designer Mimi Bark for my beautiful cover!
With my enduring gratitude to the Empress of Lunchesmy agent and friend, Robin Rue. And her super assistant (and debut author!), Beth Miller.
Thanks to former Vanity Fair lingerie designer Jearlean Petrey Stowe for coming up with the perfect name for Shelter Bays lingerie boutique.
And finally, a huge shout-out to the members of the Portland, Oregon/Vancouver, Washington, chapter of Project Linus, along with the thousands of volunteers nationwide, for the very special work they do to comfort children by providing security through blankets. To learn more about the organization and how you can help, go to www.projectlinusoregon.org, or nationally, www.projectlinus.org.
After having spent more than a decade in war zones and other hot spots around the globe, Gabriel St. James was an expert at zeroing in on a shot.
Even when that target was in a bustling crowd of people, as this one was.
Unlike most people on the planet, Gabriel hated weddings. Although there were those in the military whod called his ability to nail the perfect shot preternatural, and he was more than capable of lowering his cone of silence to shut out the bedlam of merrymaking, weddings were just a screwup waiting to happen.
There were too many people. Too many variables. Too many chances for someone to stumble between him and his target.
But against his better judgment, hed signed on to this mission solely because of loyalty. When youd been in the trenches with a guy, when you had become even closer than blood brothers, you owed him.
Simple as that.
Semper Fi.
The bride and groom were dancing. Twirling around the floor like a couple on top of a wedding cake come to life. He was looking down at her in a besotted, goofy way that suggested if he dropped dead at that moment, hed die a happy man.
