Fleeing Samuel Grayson's cult was a risky move for Olivia Conner. So risky that the single mom left one of her children behind. What she'd seen in Cold Plains had destroyed all she believed in one heart-stopping instant. And it could get her killed.Olivia's only option was a safe house she found with the help of ruggedly sexy mercenary Micah Grayson. But once she learned he was Samuel's twin, she dared not trust him...or the way her body reacted to his. Now the two—who'd both sworn off relationships—must embark on a deadly mission: rescue Olivia's son, take down Samuel and safeguard their hearts against love!Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.The Wyoming woods atop the tall mountains that cradled the town of Cold Plains were just beginning to take on a fall cast of color. This worked perfectly with the camouflage long-sleeved T-shirt and pants that Micah Grayson wore as he made his way through the thick brush and trees.Although a gun holster rode his shoulder, he held his gun tight in his hand. Despite the fact that he had only been hiding out in the mountainous woods for two days and nights, he'd quickly learned that danger could come in the blink of an eye, a danger that might require the quick tic of his index finger on the trigger.Twilight had long ago fallen but a nearfull moon overhead worked as an additional enemy when it came to using the shield of darkness for cover.As an ex-mercenary, Micah knew how to learn the terrain and use the weather to his advantage. He knew how to keep the reflection of the moonlight off his skin so as not to alert anyone to his presence. He could move through a bed of dry leaves and not make a sound. He could be wearing a black suit in a snowstorm and still figure out a way to become invisible.The first twenty-four hours that he'd been in the woods he'd learned natural landmarks, studied pitfalls and figured out places he thought would make good hidey-holes if needed. He'd also come face-to-face with a moose, heard the distant call of a wolf and seen several elk and deer.He now moved with the stealth of a big cat toward the rocky cliff he'd discovered the night before. As he crept low and light on his feet, he kept alert, his ears open for any alien sound that might not belong to the forest.Despite the relative coolness of the night, a trickle of sweat trekked down the center of his back. During his thirty-eight years of life, Micah had faced a thousand life-threatening situations, the latest of which had been a bullet to his head that had sent him into a coma for months.When he finally reached the rocky bluff he looked down at the lights dotting the little valley, the lights of the small town of Cold Plains, Wyoming. His brother Samuel's town. Micah reached up and touched the scar, now barely discernible through his thick dark hair on the left side of his head, the place where Samuel's henchman, Dax Roberts, had shot him while Micah had sat in his car. Dax had left him for dead.Fortunately for Micah he hadn't died, but had come out of a three-month coma with the fierce, driving need for revenge against the fraternal twin he'd always somehow known was a dangerous, narcissistic sociopath.Unfortunately, Samuel was also charming and slick and powerful, making him a natural leader that people wanted to follow.Five months ago Micah had been sitting in a smalltown Kansas coffee shop where he'd landed after his last mission for a little downtime when he'd seen a face almost identical to his own flash across the television mounted to the wall.Stunned, he'd watched a news story unfold that told him his brother Samuel was being questioned by the FBI and local police in connection with the murders of five women found all across Wyoming. All the women had one thing in common: Cold Plains, the town where his wealthy, motivational-speaker brother wielded unbelievable influence and power.Micah had immediately contacted the FBI and been put in touch with an agent named Hawk Bledsoe. The two had made arrangements to meet the next day but, before Micah could make that meeting, he'd caught the bullet to his head.He'd been in the coma for ninety-three long days and it had taken him another two months to feel up to the task he knew he had to do—take out Samuel before he could destroy any more people and lives.Which was why he'd spent these last two days and nights in the woods adjacent to Cold Plains.Minutes before he'd made his way to the bluff, he'd met with his FBI contact, Hawk. Hawk had grown up in Cold Plains and after years of being away from his hometown had returned to discover that the rough-around-the-edges place where he'd grown up as son of the town drunk had transformed into something eerily perfect. A town run by a group of people who others referred to under their breaths as the Devotees and their leader, the movie-star handsome, but frightening and dangerous Samuel Grayson.For the past two nights Micah and Hawk had met at dusk in the woods so Hawk could keep Micah apprised of what was going on in town and how the FBI investigation into Samuel's misdeeds was progressing.As he thought about everything Hawk had shared with him over the last two days, a dull throb began at the scar in the side of his head. He drew in several deep, long breaths, attempting to will away one of the killer migraines that the bullet had left behind.He turned and started off the bluff, deciding to make his way down the mountain, closer to town. The only time he dared to do a little reconnaissance of the layout of the town was at night. He knew that if anyone caught sight of him it would be reported back to Samuel, and the last thing Micah wanted Samuel to know was that he was not only still alive but he was also here and working with the FBI to bring him down.As always, he moved silently, knowing that the woods held many secrets. Just the night before, he'd stumbled upon two women amid the brush and trees. Darcy Craven had fainted at the sight of him, assuming he was his brother, but the woman with her, June Farrow, had recognized that he wasn't Samuel and had taken him to the safe house located in an area called Hidden Valley.The safe house and surrounding land, only accessible by hiking or helicopter, had become an important haven for those trying to escape Samuel and his minions. The woods weren't just filled with those trying to escape the small town, but also dangerous hunters tracking them down.Samuel had to be stopped. The words had reverberated in his head the moment he'd awakened from his coma and that thought was the driving force that got him up each morning, his final thought before falling asleep at night.He froze as he thought he heard a sound someplace to his left. It sounded like a baby's cry; there for just a moment and then gone as if stolen from the gentle night breeze. He remained still, his index finger ready to fire the gun gripped tight in his hand if necessary.Micah wasn't given to flights of fantasy. He knew he'd heard something. It was possible that it had been some sort of animal, but there was no way he intended to leave this area until he found the source of the sound.There were hunters in the woods, but Micah was one, too, and if he managed to get to one of the men who worked for Samuel, he'd turn them over to the FBI to help them build a case against the man, hopefully a case that would avenge the deaths of the five women Micah knew in his heart his brother was responsible for killing.The noise came again...a quick cry that was just as quickly gone. The darkness of the night seemed to press in around him as he targeted in on the area where he thought the sound had originated.The moon slivered through the tree branches here and there, filtering down enough illumination to be both a little bit helpful and definitely dangerous. Micah kept to the dark shadows as he made his way toward the noise.Somebody was in the woods, of that he was certain. He wouldn't put it past Samuel to arrange for one of his minions to make the noises he'd heard, hoping to draw somebody out of the safe house, hoping that somebody could be taken into custody and then be forced to give up the location of the place of safety.His heart took on the slow, steady beat of a trained soldier as he advanced forward. He'd just stepped around a tree when he saw her. Despite the fact that she was backed into the brush, her white-blond hair served as a beacon calling to the moonlight.In an instant, he took in everything. Small and petite, her jeans and blouse appeared dirty and her hair was tangled with bits of leaves and brush caught in the curly length. She held a baby in a sling across her chest and a sharp, pointed stick raised in her hand.If she thought that puny stick might be used as a weapon against him, she was sadly mistaken. Micah could have that stick out of her hand and broken in half before she ever saw him coming.As he stepped close enough for her to see him, she looked up and gasped, her green eyes widening in abject terror."I won't tell," she exclaimed fervently. "Please don't hurt me. I swear I won't tell anyone what I saw. Just let me have my other son and we'll go far away from here. I'll never speak your name again." Her voice cracked as she focused on his gun and he realized she believed he was Samuel.Certainly it was dark enough that anyone could mistake him for his brother. When the brothers were together it was easy to see the subtle differences between them. Micah's face was slightly thinner, his features more chiseled than those of his brother.At the moment, Micah knew Samuel kept his hair cut neat and tidy while Micah's long hair was tied back. He reached up and pulled the rawhide strip, allowing his hair to fall from its binds.The woman gasped once again. "You aren't him...but you look like him. Who are you?" Her voice still held fear as she dropped the stick and protectively clutched the baby closer to her chest."Who are you?" he countered. He wasn't about to be taken in by a pale-haired angel with big green eyes in this evil place where angels probably couldn't exist."I'm Olivia Conner, and this is my son Sam." Tears filled her eyes. "I have another son, but he's still in town. I couldn't get to him before I ran away. I've heard rumors that there was a safe house somewhere, but I've been in the woods for two days and I can't find it." The tears spilled a little faster. "I need to get someplace safe, where Sam can get something to eat and I can go back into town and get my other son."Micah was un...

He'd always been her hero... Years ago Shelby Longsford had sought comfort in Billy Royce's strong arms - but she regretted it ever since. Nobody knew better how cold his blood ran...or how hot. In one night he'd branded her his forever. Billy had grown up in the dark, mysterious bayou - but was he guilty of killing his estranged wife and his best friend? As his attorney, Shelby was obligated to defend her client. As the innocent who'd given herself to him only to be cast away, she wasn't sure if now she wanted his love or her revenge.

WIFE IN WAITING... Ever since her husband disappeared, Julianne Baker found herself missing him - despite their strained marriage. She wanted to believe he would come home to her and their beautiful little girl. But when - and if - he did, would it be too late? HUSBAND HOMECOMING... Leaving his family was the hardest thing Sam had ever done - but he'd had no choice. Now he was back. And though Julianne wasn't exactly welcoming him with open arms, he was determined to win back her love if it was the last thing he did...

Bestselling author Carla Cassidy brings in the Men of Wolf Creek to seek a missing woman Roxy Marcoli cares about three things--her restaurant, her sisters and her aunt Liz. When Liz disappears, she's forced to turn to shameless playboy cop Steve Kincaid. Every time the sexy detective turns on the charm, he gets Roxy's hackles up. Despite his reputation, Steve is no ladies' man. His casual flirting hides the pain of an unbearable loss. As they search for clues, he discovers what lies beneath Roxy's prickly exterior and sharp tongue. As his desire grows, so does his fear. Because it's not just Aunt Liz the killer wants--but Roxy, too.

Opposites attract in this edge-of-your-seat thriller from New York Times bestselling author Carla Cassidy. Forensic Pathologist Patience Forbes is a whiz with the dead--it's flesh-and-blood men who wreck her equilibrium. And cowboy Forest Stevens isn't fooled by the guarded beauty's icy facade. So when she's attacked, he appoints himself her personal bodyguard. Her very personal bodyguard... Patience is determined to investigate mysterious bones on the Holiday Ranch--not fall into bed with her sexy protector. But Forest is too masculine, too willing to lay down his life for hers...and too set on living a different life from the one she's built. With danger closing in, can Forest tame the shrew before it's too late?

A scandalous revelation from New York Times bestseller Carla Cassidy—the most dangerous Colton yet is on the loose... When criminal mastermind Livia Colton escapes from prison, her son, Texas Ranger Knox Colton, is suspended from his job. Embittered, the loner lawman heads home to Shadow Creek, Texas, a town full of unsettling memories for him. But Knox is floored when he discovers that the woman he loved and lost has a son that looks just like him. Allison Rafferty thought she was doing the right thing by not telling Knox about young Cody all those years ago. Now the man she still loves insists on getting to know his son. And as a threat looms over Shadow Creek, they'll both discover just how far a Colton will go to protect what's theirs.

Mariah Sayers survived a brutal attack as a teenager, and ran away out of fear. Sixteen years later she returns with her daughter to make peace with her past. Just as she feels she is rekindling old friendships and even an old flame, she receives some shocking news; a girl has been killed in her town. Now, Mariah will have to confront the unthinkable—and reclaim the broken pieces of her shattered past.

Revisit a classic romance from New York Times bestselling author Carla Cassidy—in ebook for the first time! Every night, Dr. Frank Longford watched the beautiful stranger pace the beach. Every night, he felt more inexplicably drawn to her. And every night, he wondered who she was... Now she's here, under his roof, tantalizing him with desire. And still he isn't any closer to the answers. She is his dream woman—and she can't remember her own name. All she has of her past are elusive, terrifying images of fire and a crying baby. Only Frank can chase the nightmares away. Only Frank can make her feel safe. But before she can hope for a tomorrow with him, she must unlock the secrets of yesterday... Originally published in 1994

All 8 parts of this chilling, high-octane FBI serial available in this box set! Special Agent Lara Grant has finally put her life as an undercover agent in the Moretti gang behind her and started a new assignment in New York City. Until a dramatic sniper attack leaves Lara's face — and real name — all over the media. In the blink of an eye, her cover is blown, her identity exposed. Then a woman's body is found, branded with the ritual Moretti tattoo. Someone knows who Lara is...and exactly how to make her pay... This box set comprises: Tough Justice: Exposed (Part 1 of 8) by New York Times bestselling author Carla Cassidy Tough Justice: Watched (Part 2 of 8) by Tyler Anne Snell Tough Justice: Burned (Part 3 of 8) by Carol Ericson Tough Justice: Trapped (Part 4 of 8) by Gail Barrett Tough Justice: Twisted (Part 5 of 8) by Gail...

Bestselling author Carla Cassidy brings danger and deception to Dead River Ranch for the Coltons of Wyoming  Ranch foreman Gray Stark and heiress Catherine Colton may live together on Dead River Ranch, but they're from different worlds. She made that clear when she broke his heart years ago. With their passionate, complicated past, marriage is not an option. Until he finds out that she—and her unborn baby—are targets. Making Catherine his wife is the best way to ensure her safety. But as desire resurfaces, it wars with the danger that hovers close. Is Gray ready to face his biggest threat yet to keep Catherine safe…and by his side…forever? About the AuthorCarla Cassidy is an award-winning author who has written more than fifty novels for Harlequin Books. In 1995, she won Best Silhouette Romance from RT Book Reviews for Anything for Danny. In 1998, she also won a Career Achievement Award for Best Innovative Series from RT Book Reviews. Carla believes the only thing better than curling up with a good book to read is sitting down at the computer with a good story to write. Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.The three Colton sisters sat in the parlor area of Catherine's bedroom suite, each of them pretending to carry on a casual conversation while ignoring the reason they were gathered together.The pregnancy test Catherine had just taken was in the adjoining bathroom and none of them had looked at it yet to see the results.The suite was three rooms: the sitting area, the bedroom and the bath. All were decorated in a splendor of pinks and black with silver accessories. This was Catherine's haven, the place she felt most safe and secure, but at the moment her nerves screamed inside her."Jim Radar's bull got himself all tangled up in a mess of barbed wire this morning. It took me hours to get him unwound and cleaned up," Amanda said. At twenty-eight, Amanda had a successful large animal veterinarian practice and a six-month-old daughter, Cheyenne, who was the love of her life. "I gave Jim a lecture about the dangers of barbed wire, but I think it went in one ear and out the other.""How's the barn project coming along?" Catherine asked her younger sister, Gabriella. Gabby had a dream of turning an old red barn on the property into a center for troubled teens. She was not only devoted to her project but also planning a Christmas wedding with Trevor Garth, head of security here at the Dead River Ranch."Slowly," Gabby admitted, her green eyes sparkling with happiness. "I keep getting distracted by wedding plans. It's already October and that doesn't give me much time to have a perfect wedding by December.""It's going to be a beautiful wedding and hopefully it will bring some joy into this place," Catherine replied.Amanda sighed with a touch of impatience. "We've only got an hour before dinnertime. Shouldn't somebody go in there and check and find out if the answer is yes or no?"Once again Catherine's nerves jumped erratically inside her veins, as if attempting to make a hasty escape. How had she gotten herself into the situation where she'd even have to take a pregnancy test? Before the question fully formed in her head, she knew the answer. She'd been such a fool. They'd always been so careful, always had what she assumed was safe sex, but apparently it was possible that at some point a condom hadn't done its job.She stood from the dainty pink-and-white chair where she'd been seated, an anxious dread attempting to weigh her back down. "I guess I'll go find out."Gabby jumped up off the chaise where she and Amanda had been seated. She grabbed hold of Catherine's cold hand. "I'll go with you, Cath."The whole thing felt surreal. When Catherine had missed her first period she'd chalked it up to all the stress and madness that had been taking place over the past couple of months at the ranch. When she'd missed her second period, she'd finally decided it was time to take the test. And now it was the moment of truth.She squeezed Gabby's hand tightly as they entered the large, plush bathroom. The plastic test container was on the back of the stool and within five steps of it she could see the result. The positive sign glared up at her.She was vaguely aware of Gabby's small gasp, but a curious numbness swept over Catherine. Pregnant. She was pregnant. The words went around and around in her head, but she couldn't grasp the concept.She picked up the test and threw it into the small trash can next to the commode and then she and Gabby returned to the sitting room. Gabby gave a nod to Amanda as Catherine sank back down on her chair."So, what are you going to do, Cath?" Amanda asked."I don't know. I'm not sure. I need some time to think," Catherine replied. "Neither of you can tell anyone about this. It has to be our secret until I figure things out."Amanda nodded solemnly. "My lips are sealed.""Pinky swear," Gabby said. "You know your secret is safe with us."Catherine did know. She and her sisters had always been a team, confiding in each other, trusting each other, especially lately when there was such tension, such a sense of uncertainty and a faint simmer of danger in the house."I need to go check on Cheyenne," Amanda said as she stood."And I've got some things to get to before dinner." Gabby gazed at Catherine in concern. "Are you going to be all right?""Of course." Catherine forced a smile to her lips."Do you need to talk or something?"Catherine shook her head. "I just need some time to process everything. I think I'll head out to the petting barn for a little while before it's time to eat."She'd be able to think more clearly there among the little creatures that depended on her for their care. She'd always found peace in the petting barn and she definitely needed some peace at the moment.Thankfully, as she made her way downstairs and to one of the back doors, she encountered nobody. She didn't want to see anyone right now, didn't want to have to indulge in idle chitchat. She needed to embrace the fact that she was pregnant by a man she'd thought she might be in love with, a man she now abhorred.The Dead River Ranch was one of the most prosperous spreads in Wyoming. The two-thousand-acre ranch was located in the Laramie Mountains, forty miles from Cheyenne.The enormous mansion housed not only the three sisters, but also their sickly father, other relatives and staff and ranch hands. It was an entire community unto itself, and for the past three months the community had been folding in on itself, but she couldn't think about all that right now.Not only was the house huge, but there were outbuildings everywhere and the remains of several that had burned in a horrible fire that had occurred two months before.Old barns competed with new ones, stables and sheds dotted the landscape against a backdrop of blue endless skies and thick woods of a variety of trees.As she stepped outside, she drew in a deep breath of the fresh, slightly bracing October air. It smelled of evergreen tinged wind from the mountains and of pastures browning with the cooler air. Cattle were visible in the distance, enjoying the late-afternoon sunshine while they grazed.She headed toward the miniature barn where the petting area was located next to the huge stables building. The petting barn had been built two years ago when Catherine had found herself the unexpected owner of two friendly ferrets.The owner of the ferrets, a friend of Catherine's, was getting married and moving and she didn't want to take her little babies to the local animal pound. Catherine had taken them and then had talked her father into building the petting barn.She'd known her father, Jethro, would like the idea of a place where school and scout groups could come.He loved the idea of anyone visiting the ranch and admiring all that he'd built here.The minute she opened the waist-high white gate that surrounded a small outdoor arena, Inky and Dinky, the two miniature donkeys brayed a greeting and competed with two sheep, three pygmy goats and a pot-bellied pig to get her attention.She laughed as she was nudged and head-butted by the variety of animals all vying for an ear scratch, a belly-rub or the nuggets of grains she often carried with her before coming into the enclosure. "Sorry, kids, nothing for you this afternoon," she said. Her words didn't lessen the enthusiasm of the furry, fluffy creatures who loved her with or without treats.It took several minutes for her to make sure that each and every one of them got a little special time and then she headed inside the miniature barn that housed the smaller animals. Rabbits ran in a fenced area and ducks quacked their happiness as they swam in a small pool that was continuously fed fresh water. A large cage held Frick and Frack, the two ferrets who were favorites among the school and scout troops that came to visit the hands-on animal barn.During those visits, Catherine acted as spokeswoman, educating the kids on each type of animal and their natural habitats and origins. It was something she loved to do when she got the opportunity.There were stalls to house the outdoor animals during the harsh, cold winters and the entire barn was heated to keep everyone toasty while the snow flew outside and the temperatures dropped to subzero.Today, as she checked food and water containers, petted and stroked each and every animal, her mind was a million miles away.Pregnant.She was pregnant.Catherine admired Amanda her veterinarian business and Gabby for her commitment to troubled teens. At twenty-six years old Catherine hadn't yet figured out what she wanted to do with the rest of her life.All she'd ever really dreamed of was being a wife and a mother. She'd once believed that would happen with Gray Stark, one of the ranch hands whom she'd loved with every fiber of her being when she'd been a teenager. Then one day she'd awakened to discover that he'd left Dead River Ranch and her behind without a word of explanation.It had taken her a long time to realize he wasn't coming back, that whatever they'd shared was over and eventually she got on with her life. Thank goodness she hadn't waited around for him. He'd been gone from the ranch for five long years.She lowered her hand to stroke a small circle across her still-flat lower stomach. Pregnant. Be careful what you wish for, she thought ruefully as she headed back toward the gate. She'd gotten half her wish, but the timing couldn't be worse.She and the father of the baby had broken up two months ago and nothing and nobody would fix that particular relationship. She didn't wa...

A MAN UNLIKE ANY OTHER Luke Delaney was the sexiest -- and most scandalous -- man Inferno, Arizona, society had ever bred. Though he'd broken all the rules, he was coming to terms with the past and moving on with his future -- until he met tempting single mother Abby Graham and did an about-face. Running for her life, Abby had come to Inferno to elude the dangerous man who threatened the safety of her children. She needed Luke. And Luke wanted her enough to wed and protect her. But could she ask him to put his very life on the line...?