Touch of Evil (29 page)
Kneeling beside Justine, Ross took her hand and kissed it. “I’m in this for the long haul. I’ll wait as long as it takes, help you pay for Dan’s services through the trial—a whole legal team if that’s what we need. I’ll be there for your dad and Noah, and I’ll—”
Her eyes flashed open, the lashes clumped with moisture. And she smiled at him, leaning forward to throw her arms around his neck and kiss him. A kiss that tasted of pure joy, not grief or worry.
A kiss that told him their time would come sooner and not later.
That their forever could begin this very day.
A number of people have been instrumental in bringing
Touch of Evil
to fruition.
First of all, I’d like to thank my husband, Mike, who helps out with the travel and research and is always there to listen as I hash out a thorny plot snarl. To fellow authors, critique partners, and beta-readers Barbara Sissel, Joni Rodgers, T. J. Bennett, Wanda Dionne, Patricia Kay, and Jo Anne Banker, I offer my sincerest gratitude.
Thanks are also in order to my talented agent, Karen Solem, and her fellow agent, Jennifer Schober, at Spencerhill Associates, for all their efforts on my behalf, along with the entire team at Dorchester Publishing, from Senior Editor Alicia Condon to Marketing Director Erin Galloway to everyone in the sales and art departments.
Dr. Kimberly Chambers, emergency physician at Memorial Hermann Hospital in Houston, Texas, kindly answered a number of my medical questions. Thanks for the assistance, and any errors are my own.
Thanks, too, to Marvin Brown, who won characternaming rights on behalf of his lovely wife, Debbie, both of Windsor Lakes in The Woodlands, with a donation to the Houston 100 Club, benefiting first responders and their families.
Last but not least, I’d like to express my appreciation to poet Carl Sandburg for the inspiration.
One final note for readers:
Touch of Evil
’s Justine Wofford and Ross Bollinger first appear in
Beneath Bone Lake.
Although each book stands alone, readers may enjoy checking out the earlier title, where these two characters first shanghaied my imagination.
BENEATH BONE LAKE
“Gripping and engaging from the very first page, Thompson’s novel demonstrates why she’s a master of suspense and mystery. The author weaves a well-plotted tale of corruption, horror, violence and the enduring love formed by an impenetrable bond of trust.”
—
RT Book Reviews
“Colleen Thompson and her mystery killer will keep you enthralled as you enjoy her meticulous writing…
Beneath Bone Lake
will keep you turning the pages…Fast-paced action and plenty of surprises make this a story well worth your time.”
—Romance Reviews Today
TRIPLE EXPOSURE
“Thompson packs this well-paced thriller full of twists and the local color of a small Texas town…The climax will surprise even the most jaded of suspense readers.”
—
Publishers Weekly
“Thompson leads readers on a twisted course through the Texas desert, only to stand the plot on its head again in the finale.”
—
RT Book Reviews
THE SALT MAIDEN
“Poetic use of language, intricate plotting and a wealth of fascinating details make Thompson’s latest novel a masterful work of suspense. Readers will come for the action and stay for the three-dimensional characters and well-crafted narrative. This is a fabulous read!”
—
RT Book Reviews
(Top Pick)
“An excellent thriller with a touch of romance. I could not bring myself to set the book down. I simply HAD to know what would happen next. From the beginning it is non-stop action, drama, and mystery. Fans of Tess Gerritsen, Tami Hoag, and Sandra Brown will adore this tale. Phenomenal!”
—Huntress Reviews
HEAD ON
“Well written with realistic and appealing characters,
Head On
is a mesmerizing story that keeps readers guessing.”
—Romance Reviews Today
“Thompson’s novel is filled with realistic dialogue, compelling narrative and believable conflict.”
—
RT Book Reviews
HEAT LIGHTNING
“Thompson has crafted a top-notch, thrilling romantic suspense.”
—
New York Times
bestselling author Allison Brennan
“This nicely complicated tale has plenty of edge-of-your-seat suspense.”
—
RT Book Reviews
THE DEADLIEST DENIAL
“Captivating…Thompson, a RITA finalist, is skilled at building suspense.”
—
Publishers Weekly
“Thompson’s style is gritty, and that works well with her flawed and driven characters…High family drama mixes with deadly suspense.”
—
RT Book Reviews
FADE THE HEAT
“RITA finalist Thompson takes the reader on a roller-coaster ride full of surprising twists and turns in this exceptional novel of romantic suspense.”
—
Publishers Weekly
(Starred Review)
“The precise details of Thompson’s novel give it a rich, edgy texture that’s enthralling…For keen characters, emotional richness and a satisfying story that doesn’t fade away, read Thompson’s latest.”
—
RT Book Reviews
FATAL ERROR
“Fast-paced, chilling, and sexy…[with] chemistry that shimmers.”
—
Library Journal
“Thompson has written a first-class work of romantic suspense.”
—
Booklist
BENEATH BONE LAKE
TRIPLE EXPOSURE
THE SALT MAIDEN
HEAD ON
HEAT LIGHTNING
THE DEADLIEST DENIAL
FADE THE HEAT
FATAL ERROR
LOVE SPELL®
March 2010
Published by
Dorchester Publishing Co., Inc.
200 Madison Avenue
New York, NY 10016
Copyright © 2010 by Colleen Thompson
Material from
Learning the Tarot: A Tarot Book for Beginners
copyright © 1998 by Joan Bunning excerpted with permission of Red Wheeler/Weiser LLC, www.redwheelerweiser.com.
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E-ISBN: 978-1-4285-0827-9
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