Last Stand (Novak)

Four years ago... Skye Kellerman was attacked in her own bed. She managed to fend off her knife-wielding assailant, but the trauma changed everything about her life. As a result of that night, she joined two friends-also survivors-in starting The Last Stand, an organization to help victims of crime. But now... Her would-be rapist is getting out of prison. Skye knows that Dr. Oliver Burke hasn't forgotten that her testimony cost him his reputation-and his freedom. Sacramento detective David Willis, who investigated her case, believes Burke is a clear and present danger-and guilty of at least two unsolved murders. And now Burke is free to terrorize Skye again. Unless David can stop him. Unless Skye can fight back. Because Oliver Burke has every intention of finishing what he started. And that's a promise. Trust me.

Who was the real killer? Romain Fornier lost his reason for living when his daughter was kidnapped and murdered. He used a cop's gun to mete out his own justice and spent the next few years in prison. Once he was freed, he returned to his Cajun roots in small-town Louisiana. But now he learns that he might have killed the wrong man. Jasmine Stratford, a psychological profiler, is convinced his daughter's killer is still alive-and that she and Romain have something in common. She believes the same man kidnapped her sister, Kimberly, sixteen years ago. What happens next? Jasmine is determined to track him down when she receives an anonymous package, postmarked New Orleans-the bracelet she gave Kimberly for her eighth birthday. She approaches Romain because she knows he can help her... if he chooses. But searching for the man who irrevocably changed both their lives means they have to rise to a killer's challenge: stop me.

Teenagers Sheridan Kohl and Jason Wyatt were parked at the lake in Whiterock, Tennessee, when a stranger wearing a ski mask shot them both. Sheridan lived but Jason died-and the stranger was never caught. Even though Sheridan's family moved away right afterward, she's never been able to put the crime behind her. And now that someone doesn't want her to come homeBecause of a new development in the case, Sheridan returns to Whiterock. But when she's attacked a second time, it's only because of Jason's stepbrother, Cain Granger, that she survives-and Cain's the last person she wants to face. If not for their history, if not for her, Jason wouldn't have been in that parked car. Cain knows that whoever killed his brother probably isn't a stranger at all. But figuring out that person's identity is easier said than done-especially since the killer seems to be taunting them both: watch me.

One afternoon in May, Zoe Duncan's thirteen-year-old daughter goes missing from her own backyard. The police think Samantha ran away because she's unhappy about her mother's upcoming marriage-but Zoe doesn't believe it. In fact, she's willing to do anything to bring Sam home, even if it means losing her job, her beautiful home, her fiancé. Even if it means divulging all her secrets to a private investigator. Jonathan Stivers is a P. I. who donates his time to The Last Stand, a victims' charity in Sacramento. He's good at what he does, the best. But never has he had fewer leads to work with-or been more attracted to a client. Jonathan's sure of only one thing: Sam was taken by someone close to the family. He doesn't know how close until he realizes that the "perfect" couple next door is anything but….

Obsession leads to lies…When air force captain Luke Trussell opens his door one Sunday morning, he's shocked to find the police-and even more shocked when they charge him with rape. He knows he made a mistake in judgment the night before, but he certainly didn't force his attentions on the woman who's been stalking him for months. Problem is…Karina Harter has the bruises-and the DNA evidence-to make her claim convincing. And lies can lead to murder. Determined to isolate Luke, Karina goes to victims' rights advocate Ava Bixby of The Last Stand, hoping Ava will help put Luke behind bars. But Ava soon realizes she's defending the wrong victim. Problem is…switching her support to Luke could be dangerous-especially when she falls for him. Because Karina won't tolerate losing the man she wants to anyone. Least of all Ava…

For more than a year, Sebastian Costas has been trying to unravel the truth behind the murder of his ex-wife and son. Despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary, he's convinced that her second husband-a cop-committed both murders, then faked his own death. Now Sebastian has followed the slimmest of leads to Sacramento…and that's where he finally gets the break he needs. Jane Burke, an investigator with The Last Stand, calls him in connection with a separate crime-a crime that could lead him straight to the man he's been looking for. Once married to a serial killer, Jane has spent the past five years rebuilding her life. And with Sebastian she finally has a chance at happiness. But the man they're after is after them, too. For him this has become a personal battle, one he's determined to win. Whatever it takes…

New York Times–Bestselling Author: A profiler is taunted by the predator who traumatized her long ago-and she intends to fight back . . . Romain Fornier lost his reason for living when his daughter was kidnapped and murdered. He used a cop's gun to mete out his own justice and spent the next few years in prison. Once he was freed, he returned to his Cajun roots in small-town Louisiana. But now he learns that he might have killed the wrong man. Jasmine Stratford, a psychological profiler who works with the private detective firm The Last Stand, is convinced his daughter's killer is still alive-and that she and Romain have something in common. She believes the same man kidnapped her sister, Kimberly, sixteen years ago. Jasmine is determined to track him down when she receives an anonymous package, postmarked New Orleans-the bracelet she gave Kimberly for her eighth birthday. She approaches Romain because she knows he can help her . . . if he chooses. But searching for the man who irrevocably changed both their lives means they have to rise to a killer's challenge: Stop me . . . Praise for the series "Genuine thrills." -Publishers Weekly "Nonstop suspense at its very best." -Carla Neggers, New York Times–bestselling author of Rival's Break

New York Times–Bestselling Author: A woman vows never to be a victim again in this romantic suspense novel that "generates genuine thrills" (Publishers Weekly). She won't be a victim ever again . . . Four years ago, Skye Kellerman was attacked in her own bed. She managed to fend off her knife-wielding assailant, but the trauma changed everything about her life. As a result of that night, she joined two friends-also survivors-in starting The Last Stand, an organization to help victims of crime. Now, Skye's would-be rapist is getting out of prison. She knows that he hasn't forgotten that her testimony cost him his reputation-and his freedom. Sacramento detective David Willis, who investigated her case, believes this man is a clear and present danger, guilty of other crimes, as well. And he's free to terrorize Skye again. Unless she can fight back. And, with David's help, that's exactly what she plans to do . . . "Nonstop suspense at its very best." -Carla Neggers, New York Times–bestselling author of Rival's Break "Novak is simply a great storyteller." -Allison Brennan, New York Times–bestselling author of Don't Open the Door

Three classic stories of romantic suspense from New York Times bestselling author Brenda Novak… Trust Me Four years ago, Skye Kellerman was attacked in her own bed. She managed to fend off her knife-wielding assailant, but the trauma changed everything about her life. But now, her would-be rapist is getting out of prison. Sacramento detective David Willis, who investigated her case, believes Burke is a clear and present danger--and now he's is free to terrorize Skye again. Unless David can stop him. Unless Skye can fight back. Because Oliver Burke has every intention of finishing what he started… Stop Me Romain Fornier lost his reason for living when his daughter was kidnapped and murdered. He used a cop's gun to mete out his own justice and spent the next few years in prison. After being freed, he learns that he might have killed the wrong man. Jasmine Stratford, a psychological profiler, is convinced the same killer kidnapped her sister sixteen years ago. She approaches Romain because she knows he can help her. But searching for the man who irrevocably changed both their lives means they have to rise to a killer's challenge… Watch Me Teenagers Sheridan Kohl and Jason Wyatt were parked at the lake in Whiterock, Tennessee, when a stranger wearing a ski mask shot them both. Sheridan lived but Jason died-and the stranger was never caught. When Sheridan's attacked a second time, it's only because of Jason's stepbrother, Cain Granger, that she survives. Cain knows that whoever killed his brother probably isn't a stranger at all. But figuring out that person's identity is easier said than done-especially since the killer seems to be taunting them both…

Three perfect stories of romantic suspense from New York Times bestselling author Brenda Novak… The Perfect Couple - One afternoon in May, Zoe Duncan's thirteen-year-old daughter goes missing from her own backyard. Zoe's willing to do anything to bring Sam home, even if it means divulging all her secrets to a private investigator. Jonathan Stivers is good at what he does, the best. But never has the P.I. had fewer leads to work with–or been more attracted to a client. Jonathan's sure of only one thing: Sam was taken by someone close to the family. He doesn't know how close until he realizes that the "perfect" couple next door is anything but…. The Perfect Liar - Air Force Captain Luke Trussell is shocked when the police charge him with rape. He knows he made a mistake in judgment the night before, but he certainly didn't force his attentions on the woman who's been stalking him for months. Problem is Kalyna Harter has the bruises, and the DNA evidence, to make her claim convincing. Kalyna goes to victims' rights advocate Ava Bixby, but Ava soon realizes she's defending the wrong victim. Problem is switching her support to Luke could be dangerous, especially when she falls for him. Because Kalyna won't tolerate losing the man she wants to anyone. Least of all Ava. The Perfect Murder - For more than a year, Sebastian Costas has been trying to unravel the truth behind the murder of his ex-wife and son. Despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary, he's convinced that her second husband–a cop–committed both murders, then faked his own death. Now Sebastian has followed the slimmest of leads to Sacramento…and that's where he finally gets the break he needs. Investigator Jane Burke calls him in connection with a separate crime–a crime that could lead him straight to the man he's been looking for.