Face of Danger (43 page)

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Authors: Roxanne St. Claire

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BOOK: Face of Danger
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www.roxannestclaire.com

From the desk of Isobel Carr

Dear Reader,

Do you ever wonder what happens to all the mistresses who are given up by noble heroes so they can have their monogamous happily-ever-after with their virginal brides? Or how all those “spares” get on after they’ve been made redundant when their elder brother produces an heir? I most certainly do!

In fact, I’ve always been intrigued by people who take charge, go out on a limb, and make lemonade when the universe keeps handing them lemons. So it comes as little surprise that my series—The League of Second Sons—is about younger sons of the nobility, the untraditional women they fall in love with, and what it takes for two people who aren’t going to inherit everything to make a life for themselves.

The League of Second Sons is a secret club for younger sons who’ve banded together to help one another seize whatever life offers them and make the most of it. These are the men who actually run England. They’re elected to the House of Commons, they run their family estates, they’re the traditional family sacrifice to the military (the Duke of Wellington and Lord Nelson were both younger sons). They work—in a gentlemanly manner—for what they’ve got and what they want. They’re hungry, in a way that an eldest son, destined for fortune and title, never can be.

Leonidas Vaughn, the hero of the first book, RIPE FOR PLEASURE, is just such a younger son. His father may be a duke, but he’s not going to inherit much beyond the small estate his grandfather bequeathed him.

My heroine, Viola Whedon, took a chance on young love that worked out very badly indeed. Since then, she’s been level-headed and practical. A rough life in the workhouse or a posh life as a mistress was an easy decision, and keeping her heart out of it was never a problem… until now. Brash seduction at the hands of a handsome man who promises to put her desires first sweeps her off her feet and off her guard.

I hope you’ll enjoy letting Leo show you what it means to be RIPE FOR PLEASURE.

www.isobelcarr.com

From the desk of Katie Lane

Dear Reader,

When I was little I used to love watching
The Andy Griffith Show
reruns. I loved everything about Mayberry—from Floyd’s barbershop where all the town gossip took place
to the tree-lined lake where Andy took his son fishing. I would daydream for hours about living in Mayberry, eating Aunt Bee’s home cooking, tagging after Barney to listen to his latest harebrained scheme, or just hanging out with Opie. And even though my life remained in a larger city, these daydreams stuck with me over the years. So much so that I ended up snagging a redheaded, freckled-faced Opie of my own… with one tiny difference.

My Opie came from Texas.

Welcome to Bramble! Mayberry on Texas peyote.

You won’t find Andy, Barney, or Aunt Bee in town. But you will find a sheriff who enjoys grand theft auto, a matchmaking mayor, a hairdresser whose “ex’s” fill half of Texas, and a bunch of meddling townsfolk. And let’s not forget the pretty impostor, the smoking hot cowboy, the feisty actress, and the very naughty bad boy.

So I hope you’ll stop by because the folks of Bramble, Texas are just itchin’ to show y’all a knee-slappin’ good time. GOING COWBOY CRAZY, my first romance set in Bramble, is out now.

Much Love and Laughter,

www.katielanebooks.com

Contents

FRONT COVER IMAGE

WELCOME

DEDICATION

A PREVIEW OF
EDGE OF SIGHT

A PREVIEW OF
SHIVER OF FEAR

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

ACTRESS ISOBEL DESOTO FOUND DEAD IN HER HOME

CHAPTER 1

CHAPTER 2

CHAPTER 3

CHAPTER 4

CHAPTER 5

CHAPTER 6

CHAPTER 7

CHAPTER 8

CHAPTER 9

CHAPTER 10

CHAPTER 11

CHAPTER 12

CHAPTER 13

CHAPTER 14

CHAPTER 15

CHAPTER 16

CHAPTER 17

CHAPTER 18

CHAPTER 19

CHAPTER 20

CHAPTER 21

CHAPTER 22

CHAPTER 23

CHAPTER 24

EPILOGUE

THE DISH

PRAISE FOR ROXANNE ST. CLAIRE AND EDGE OF SIGHT

COPYRIGHT

PRAISE FOR
ROXANNE ST. CLAIRE
AND
EDGE OF SIGHT

“St. Claire has become the go-to gal for romantic suspense. Rip-roaring fun, gripping intensity, and sizzling passion span the pages of
Edge of Sight
. The characters are flawed, motivated, and multidimensional, giving readers a satisfying and entertaining ride. When the cover closes and the last page has been read, readers will be looking forward to the next in The Guardian Angelinos series.”


RT Book Reviews

“It’s safe to say I will try any novel with St. Claire’s name on it.”


www.SmartBitchesTrashyBooks.com

“Will leave readers breathless… Few writers do romantic suspense like Roxanne St. Claire… A rocket-powered start to what should be an exciting series.”


FreshFiction.com

“With Roxanne St. Claire, you are guaranteed a powerful, sexy, and provocative read.”

—Carly Phillips,
New York Times
bestselling author

EDGE OF SIGHT

“Deliciously intriguing… mystery, deep emotion, a tortured hero, and a woman with purpose,
Edge of Sight
delivers romantic suspense… If the rest of the series is as good as this, I’ll have to have a bookcase made just for her to hold all of her keepers. Keep ’em coming!”


NightOwlRomance.com

“Great passion and suspense makes this a good read for all.”


Romance Reviews Magazine

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