Murder on the Mountain
by Maddie James

Synopsis:

A Ladies of Legend Romantic Suspense Novel

In the two long years since her Tennessee state trooper husband's murder, Kate Carpenter thinks she's coped with his death, although everyone in Legend, Tennessee tells her she hasn't. She can't see what the problem is, really. She has her parents, and her best friend Patti Jo, and her students. What else could a twenty-nine year old woman want?

A man, Patti Jo keeps telling her.

Sent to Kate's classroom on an investigation, ATF Special Agent Mike Lehmann uses his drug prevention training as his cover. His mission? To find out what Kate knows, about her husband's "death." Recent reports indicate he is alive and that he faked his death because of his involvement in a drug-running operation. Mike's task is to expose Carpenter, and if she's involved, Kate.

And he'll stop at nothing, to get the answers he seeks.

Reviews:

Reviewer Top Pick!

Review: In Murder on the Mountain, Maddie James has written a superb suspense that smoothly builds to a riveting climax. No one's life is left untouched by the lies, deception, and dangerous acts committed by desperate people. Circumstances and choices take Mike and Kate on a collision course with death. Will they survive the forces of evil working against them?

If you enjoy a good suspense novel, grab this story as quickly as possible. Beware; it is difficult to stop reading once you start. – Gail, Night Owl Romance

Excerpt:

"Do you find it hard to talk to me?"

She stared, pondering his question, and realized that it wasn't hard to talk to him. "No, not really."

"Would you be willing to talk about Rob?"

Damn you.

Unfolding her legs, she let them dangle off the edge of the tailgate. She searched the horizon for something, anything, to focus on except the man sitting beside her.

"Kate, do you talk about him?"

She faced him. "Of course I do! Why would you ask that?" The flustered thing was back again.

"Because it could be an issue. Particularly since we're working together."

"You know nothing about me or my issues."

"I know what trooper's wives go through when their husbands are killed in the line of duty. I've seen it before. You're hurting inside. I can feel it. You need to talk to someone."

"What? Like Danny? Do I need a support system too, Mike?" She jumped off the tailgate and walked a few feet away, threading her fingers through her hair. "You sound like Patti. Wonderful. One more person telling me what I need."

"Who? What?"

"Never mind."

He rose and stood behind her. "Look, I'm sorry. I thought you'd like to talk about him. I thought that maybe...."

"Oh sure. I know. You thought you could help." She turned around, her gaze bit into his. "Am I that far gone that everyone thinks I need help handling my life? I'm not, Mike, really. I'm just fine and dandy." She moved closer to the truck's passenger door. "I know you mean well, and someday I may be more than willing to talk about Rob. I know you have an interest, being a trooper and all, but I honestly can't see myself pouring out my soul to you. I'm dealing with Rob's death fine on my own. I don't need a counselor. I wish everyone would leave me alone."

I don't need to pour out my insecurities and baggage issues to you. especially to you.

"Are you?"

"What?"

"Dealing."

She welcomed the anger boiling inside her. It was the one emotion she could deal with and act on at the moment. "That's my business, Mike Lehmann. I'll ask you to keep out of it. You don't know enough about me to comment one way or the other." She jerked at the truck door handle.

"Now, please take me home."

***

Coming in 2009

Suzie Matthews, from Bed, Breakfast and You , is back! This time she's wreaking havoc as The Matchmaking Chef. Watch for the series in 2009 from Resplendence Publishing.