Bitter Creek

New York Times bestselling author Joan Johnston has captivated millions of readers with her sprawling, sensuous novels about the two opposing dynasties of Bitter Creek, Texas -- the Blackthornes and the Creeds. Now in her highly anticipated hardcover debut, Johnston tells an impassioned story of love and danger, ambition and family, that features the popular character Luke Creed, a young man who has turned his back on his family's ranch to pursue his fortune as an attorney at Houston's most powerful law firm. Even though the stress and the punishing hours of his job as a litigation associate at DeWitt & Blackthorne have cost him his marriage and quality time with his two young daughters, Luke Creed remains fiercely driven to succeed. When Luke takes on the defense of a pharmaceutical company in an explosive wrongful death suit that could make or break his career, he is surprised to find himself squared off against the woman he has always loved, Amy Hazeltine Nash, his high school sweetheart. A single mother recovering from a failed marriage, Amy is a passionate advocate for her bereaved client and is shocked that once-rebellious Luke is now a member of the Establishment, representing corporate interests. But Amy cannot deny the feelings that seeing Luke rekindles in her heart. Concerned that his client may be lying, Luke investigates the case more closely, which means spending more time with Amy with whom a new romance begins to blossom. But when one of Luke's colleagues dies under suspicious circumstances, he finds he is in danger of losing not only the case but his life. With help from Amy and a trio of fearless colleagues, Luke delves into a dangerous web of corruption that involves his client and his firm. In doing so he has no choice but to question the price of his own ambitions. From the towering skyscrapers of Houston to the majestic plains of south Texas ranch country, The Price sweeps readers into a powerfully engrossing, passionate novel that will keep them on the edge of their seats as it explores the questions of what is truly important in life and how high a price a person is willing to pay to achieve his or her ambitions.

Even though the stress and the punishing hours of his job as a litigation associate have cost him his marriage and quality time with his two young daughters, Luke Creed remains fiercely driven. When Luke takes on the defense of a pharmaceutical company in an explosive wrongful death suit, he is surprised to square off against Amy Hazeltine Nash, his high school sweetheart. A single mother recovering from a failed marriage, Amy is a passionate advocate for her bereaved client and is shocked that once-rebellious Luke is now representing corporate interests. But Amy cannot deny her rekindled feelings for Luke. Concerned that his client may be lying, Luke investigates the case more closely, which means spending more time with Amy. When one of Luke's colleagues dies under suspicious circumstances, he finds he is in danger of losing not only the case, but his life. With help from Amy, Luke delves into a dangerous web of corruption that involves his client and his firm. The Price explores the questions of what is truly important in life and how high a price a person is willing to pay to achieve his or her ambitions.

Award-winning, New York Times best-selling author Joan Johnston has crafted more than 40 novels and is hailed as "a true master" by Romantic Times. Before Clay Blackthorne and Jocelyn Montrose marry, Jocelyn learns that her betrothed's bitter rival, North Grayhawk, is planning a hostile takeover of the Blackthorne family business. So she offers her body to North-if he'll call off his plans. But Jocelyn's actions and the emergence of an old flame confuse Clay and cast doubt on who will be the next Mrs. Blackthorne.

From New York Times bestselling author Joan Johnston comes a dazzling new Bitter Creek novel that features all of the passion and intrigue in Texas high society that her readers know and love, mixed with an explosive, spine- tingling tale of murder, wrongful imprisonment, and a woman who counts no cost too high to see a killer brought to justice. FBI Special Agent Breed Grayhawk has the hottest sex in his life with a stranger who calls herself Grace Smith, only to discover early the next morning that her real name is Merle Raye Finkel -- and she's a convicted double murderer who broke her parole a year ago and disappeared. Now she's his prime suspect in a terrorist threat against the U.S. president. Grace Caldwell is determined to find the killer who framed her for the murder of her father and stepmother -- and make him pay. She burgles the home of her #1 suspect and nets a surprising haul: a hot-pink, silk-covered diary -- the record of a sex-addicted wife's adventures -- which suggests that Grace's #1 suspect is a serial killer. But her theft has been caught on tape, and the man she's been chasing becomes the hunter...with Grace as his prey. With just five days until the president arrives in Austin, Texas, the last thing the FBI needs is a serial killer on the prowl...and a terrorist suspect who will stop at nothing to clear her name. The clock is ticking down, and Agent Grayhawk is racing time to discover the truth about his dangerous lover.

WHILE HE SEEKS A HAVEN, SHE SEARCHES FOR A PLACE TO CALL HOME After a tragic accident leaves Delta sergeant Connor Flynn a widower, he faces the toughest fight of his life: battling his in-laws for custody of his two young children. To win he'll need a make-believe bride to take care of the kids while he runs his Wyoming ranch. Who better than a woman he already knows and likes-his late wife's best friend? Ruthlessly forced from her home by her powerful father, King Grayhawk, Eve needs somewhere to go... and so does the herd of wild mustangs she's rescued. Connor's offer sounds like the answer to a prayer. But Eve has a guilty secret she's guarded for years: She's always been in love with Connor. Now forced to live under the same roof as her heart's desire, Eve must hide the love that has never died, while Connor vows to resist his growing need for a woman who was forbidden fruit during his marriage. Can two lonely people set adrift by fate and haunted by guilt find redemption in the healing embrace of love?

For readers of Linda Lael Miller and Susan Mallery comes New York Times bestselling author Joan Johnston's sizzling contemporary Western romance, where power, money, and rivalries rule-and love is the best revenge. HER SHAMEFUL PAST MAKES HER AN OUTCAST- UNTIL A LONE WOLF TAKES HER INTO HIS HOME. Scorned, pregnant, and facing a life without promise, Pippa Grayhawk is stunned when her father announces that they're leaving their home in Australia to take over his estranged father's sprawling Wyoming ranch. Drawn into bitter family rivalries and feeling like an interloper in her new home, Pippa rides out into the wilderness and meets an intriguing stranger and his pet wolf. The wolf doesn't scare her, but she's very much afraid to trust another man with her heart. Devon Flynn knows all about going it alone. He lives in an isolated cabin, away from his domineering father and the scandal surrounding his family. Devon's attraction to Pippa is intoxicating and undeniable, but when he tries to get close, she's as wary as his once-wild wolf. Devon is willing to defy his father, and hers, to claim Pippa as his own, but winning this wounded, wonderful woman's love might be the greatest battle of all.

A sizzling contemporary Western romance, where power, money, and rivalries rule-and love is the best revenge. Taylor Grayhawk and Brian Flynn are two old flames forced together under perilous circumstances. Taylor, a corporate pilot, has been burned by men - including Brian - in the past, and has given up on the possibility of any kind of happily-ever-after. Brian, a firefighter, is a recent divorcee, so heart sore and gun-shy that he is unlikely to ever fall in love again. But when this pilot and this smoke jumper are caught fighting a raging wildfire arm-in-arm, they're forced to leap headfirst into the flames, and hopefully make it out with their hearts still intact.

Two unforgiving lovers reunite for the sake of their child in this fiery contemporary romance from the bestselling author of Surrender. Facing the unexpected consequences of a life-altering night of passion with a cowboy she met in a Jackson Hole bar, and with her life committed to protecting endangered species, Victoria Grayhawk does what she believes is the right thing. She hunts down the cowboy, seeking his agreement that their baby should be adopted by a loving family. Montana rancher Ryan Sullivan has no intention of giving away his own flesh and blood, and takes their son to raise himself. When Vick realizes what a horrible mistake she's made, and wants back into their child's life, Rye remains inflexible-because once trust is lost there are no second chances-until an attack by one of the grizzlies Vick has spent her life protecting changes everything and Rye learns that sometimes love can heal all wounds.