Die Before Nightfall Read online

  “You’re right.” Raven blinked back tears and pulled away. “So let’s go have that ice cream.”

  “Not so fast.” He tugged her toward him. “I’ve just defeated a giant. Slayed him with nothing more than a computer and ten fingers.”

  “You’re amazing.”

  “I am, aren’t I? But I didn’t do it for glory or riches.”

  “No?”

  “No. I did it for one reason and only one. To win the affection of a fair maiden. One with hair as soft as silk and eyes as blue as the summer sky. Gold and silver pale in comparison to her beauty.” He bent to kiss her, a gentle touching of lips.

  “If it isn’t gold or silver you want, then what?” She threaded her fingers through his hair.

  “A kiss to prove I’ve won her heart.”

  And he captured her lips again.

  “Well, it’s about time. I didn’t think you’d ever get married.”

  Abby’s voice pierced the moment and Shane pulled back with a sigh.

  “Well, I did. Don’t you remember? The candlelight? The horse? The white carriage? You wore that pretty yellow dress.”

  “Was that your wedding, dear?”

  “It was.”

  “Wonderful. And when is the baby due?”

  “October.” The words were out before Raven realized she was going to say them.

  Shane laughed and tugged one of Raven’s curls. “Now you’ve done it. We’ll never hear the end of it. You know Aunt Abby never forgets things like this.”

  “How could I forget a baby? I’ll have to make some little mittens for his feet.” She walked back into the kitchen.

  As soon as she disappeared from view, Shane looped his arms around Raven’s waist, tugged her close and began kissing a path up her neck. “Guess we’ll have to work hard to make your story come true. We wouldn’t want Aunt Abby to be disappointed.”

  Raven slid her hands along his arms and up into his hair. “That sounds like fun, but Abby isn’t going to be disappointed. I really am pregnant.”

  She knew the moment her words registered. Shane went completely still, then pulled back and looked into her eyes. “You are?”

  “Yes. That’s what took me so long. I visited the doctor before I went to the store. I didn’t want to say anything until I was sure.”

  “Are those happy tears I see in your eyes? Or sad ones?” He ran a finger along her cheek and caught a tear that had escaped.

  “Happy. How could they be anything else?”

  “Good, I’d hate to have to challenge myself to a duel.” His words were light, his gaze intent as he studied her face. “You sure you’re okay?”

  “Better than that.” And it was true. “I love you, Shane.”

  “And I love you. God did something wonderful when He brought you to Lakeview. Not just bringing the two of us together, but making us a family—you, me, Abby, Mark and Laura, and Ben. And now a baby. A little girl who looks just like you—midnight-dark hair and summer-blue eyes.”

  “Or a boy with your green eyes and creative genius.”

  “One of each might be interesting.”

  Raven smiled, tears pricking at her eyes again as she thought of all the last year had brought—the love, the connection, the sense of belonging.

  “Don’t cry. You know I’m not good at handling tears.”

  Raven laughed, and hugged Shane tight. “I’ll try not to soak your shirt. I promise.”

  “Good. Now, how about that ice cream?” And he tugged her into the kitchen and the warmth of home.

  COMING NEXT MONTH

  Be enthralled, moved, thrilled, delighted…and satisfied by exceptional reads from outstanding authors and well-loved series.

  Come back every two weeks for newly released selections in eight varied categories offering stories that appeal to every taste and mood.

  Have a great time!

  AVAILABLE NOW

  Showcase

  Enthralling stories by the brightest stars in women’s fiction—from MIRA Books. Big romances that sweep you away—from HQN Books

  KILLER TAKES ALL by Erica Spindler, MIRA (psychological thriller)

  BEFORE SUNRISE by Diana Palmer, HQN (contemporary romance)

  DARK SKY by Carla Neggers, MIRA (romantic suspense)

  50 HARBOR STREET by Debbie Macomber, MIRA (women’s fiction)

  GHOST WALK by Heather Graham, MIRA (paranormal mystery)

  MASQUERADE by Brenda Joyce, HQN (historical romance)

  Sexy Reads

  Powerful, provocative tales full of heat and passion—from Harlequin Blaze, Silhouette Desire and Harlequin Presents

  THE ITALIAN’S STOLEN BRIDE by Emma Darcy, Harlequin Presents

  UNCONTROLLABLE by Susan Kearney, Harlequin Blaze

  WHATEVER RILEY WANTS by Maureen Child, Silhouette Desire

  SEXY ALL OVER by Jamie Sobrato, Harlequin Blaze

  HOT TO THE TOUCH by Jennifer Greene, Silhouette Desire

  TALKING ABOUT SEX… by Vicki Lewis Thompson, Harlequin Blaze

  THE TYCOON’S TROPHY WIFE by Miranda Lee, Harlequin Presents

  Romantic Suspense

  Danger…romance…adventure…suspense! Stories that will take your breath away—from Harlequin Intrigue and Silhouette Intimate Moments

  MAN OF HER DREAMS by Debra Webb, Harlequin Intrigue

  LOVING THE LONE WOLF by Ingrid Weaver, Silhouette Intimate Moments

  GHOST HORSE by Patricia Rosemoor, Harlequin Intrigue

  SUSPICIOUS by Heather Graham, Silhouette Intimate Moments

  RIDER ON FIRE by Sharon Sala, Silhouette Intimate Moments

  SECURITY MEASURES by Joanna Wayne, Harlequin Intrigue

  Inspirational

  Stories of faith, hope and love that warm the heart and nourish the soul—from Steeple Hill Love Inspired. Compelling suspense—from Love Inspired Suspense. Faith-inspired chic lit from Steeple Hill Café.

  LOVING FEELINGS by Gail Gaymer Martin, Steeple Hill Love Inspired

  FOR THE TWINS’ SAKE by Jillian Hart, Steeple Hill Love Inspired

  NOTE OF PERIL by Hannah Alexander, Steeple Hill Love Inspired Suspense

  UNDER COVER OF DARKNESS by Elizabeth White, Steeple Hill Love Inspired Suspense

  BLACK HILLS BRIDE by Deb Kastner, Steeple Hill Love Inspired

  WINDINGO TWILIGHT by Colleen Rhoads, Steeple Hill Love Inspired Suspense

  MILLION DOLLAR DILEMMA by Judy Baer, Steeple Hill Café

  STORM CLOUDS by Cheryl Wolverton, Steeple Hill Love Inspired Suspense

  DIE BEFORE NIGHTFALL by Shirlee McCoy, Steeple Hill Love Inspired Suspense

  DECK THE HALLS by Arlene James, Steeple Hill Love Inspired

  Women’s Fiction

  Books that celebrate the “next” stage of women’s lives…because every life has a second chapter! From Harlequin Next

  THERE’S ALWAYS PLAN B by Susan Mallery, Harlequin Next

  RIGGS PARK by Ellyn Bache, Harlequin Next

  CUTTING THROUGH by Joan Hohl, Harlequin Next

  THE ME I USED TO BE by Jennifer Archer, Harlequin Next

  PELICAN BAY by Charlotte Douglas, Harlequin Next

  Women’s Action Adventure

  Strong, sexy, savvy heroines who save the day…and always get their man. From Silhouette Bombshell

  ONCE A THIEF by Michele Hauf, Silhouette Bombshell

  HOT PURSUIT by Kathryn Jensen, Silhouette Bombshell

  DEVIL’S BARGAIN by Rachel Caine, Silhouette Bombshell

  THE GOLDEN GIRL by Erica Orloff, Silhouette Bombshell The It Girls miniseries

  FLAWLESS by Michele Hauf, Silhouette Bombshell The It Girls miniseries

  Chick Lit

  Women’s fiction with attitude, these humorous, edgy, hip stories celebrate life’s little curves…From Red Dress Ink

  WITH OR WITHOUT YOU by Carole Matthews, Red Dress Ink

  KILLER SUMMER by Lynda Curnyn, Red Dress Ink

  DO THEY WEAR HIGH HEELS IN HEAVEN? By Erica Orloff, Red Dress Ink
r />   THE NIGHT I GOT LUCKY by Laura Caldwell, Red Dress Ink

  Fantasy/Science Fiction

  Powerful, magical tales, vivid characters and richly imagined worlds from the first imprint solely dedicated to female focused fantasy—Luna Books

  THE DESTINED QUEEN by Deborah Hale, LUNA

  URBAN SHAMAN by C.E. Murphy, LUNA

  POISON STUDY by Maria V. Snyder, LUNA

  IN STONE’S CLASP by Christie Golden, LUNA

  ON SALE NOVEMBER 1

  Showcase

  Enthralling stories by the brightest stars in women’s fiction—from MIRA Books. Big romances that sweep you away—from HQN Books

  CODE NAME: BABY by Christina Skye, HQN Books (romantic suspense)

  Romantic Suspense

  Danger…romance…adventure…suspense! Stories that will take your breath away—from Harlequin Intrigue and Silhouette Intimate Moments

  EPIPHANY by Rita Heron, Mallery Kane, Debra Webb, Harlequin Intrigue

  Inspirational

  Stories of faith, hope and love that warm the heart and nourish the soul—from Steeple Hill Love Inspired. Compelling suspense—from Love Inspired Suspense. Faith-inspired chic lit from Steeple Hill Café.

  HER BROTHER’S KEEPER by Valerie Hansen, Steeple Hill Love Inspired Suspense

  Women’s Fiction

  Books that celebrate the “next” stage of women’s lives…because every life has a second chapter! From Harlequin Next

  STARTING FROM SCRATCH by Marie Ferrarella, Harlequin Next

  Fantasy/Science Fiction

  Powerful, magical tales, vivid characters and richly imagined worlds from the first imprint solely dedicated to female focused fantasy—Luna Books

  WINTER MOON by Mercedes Lackey, Tanith Lee, C.E. Murphy, LUNA

  ON SALE NOVEMBER 15

  Sexy Reads

  Powerful, provocative tales full of heat and passion—from Harlequin Blaze, Silhouette Desire and Harlequin Presents

  BOSS MAN by Diana Palmer, Silhouette Desire

  Inspirational

  Stories of faith, hope and love that warm the heart and nourish the soul—from Steeple Hill Love Inspired. Compelling suspense—from Love Inspired Suspense. Faith-inspired chic lit from Steeple Hill Café.

  WEDDING AT WILDWOOD by Lenora Worth, Steeple Hill Love Inspired

  Women’s Action Adventure

  Strong, sexy, savvy heroines who save the day…and always get their man. From Silhouette Bombshell

  LETHALLY BLONDE by Nancy Bartholomew, Silhouette Bombshell The It Girls miniseries

  Chic Lit

  Women’s fiction with attitude, these humorous, edgy, hip stories celebrate life’s little curves…From Red Dress Ink

  SCENES FROM A HOLIDAY by Laurie Graff, Caren Lissner, Melanie Murray, Red Dress Ink