By
Sally Brandle

A Seattle lawyer must trust a hunky Montana doctor for help when a secret from her past threatens his town and her career.

Look over your shoulder, he’s watching…

Corrin Patten is solidly on a path to make partner in a prestigious Seattle law firm when an ominous threat from her past turns deadly. She can handle circumstances necessitating a temporary move to the backwater town of Emma Springs, but its charming physician is another matter, as she’s issued a permanent moratorium on men.

Dr. Kyle Werner revels in trust from patients he regularly treats in a community he’s never wished to leave. Yet Emma Springs lacks one thing, a woman to share his perfectly bucolic life. He’s read about pheromone attraction, but never experienced desire until meeting Corrin. They make an unbeatable team, but convincing her that his interest is sincere while they dissect layers of deceit requires the precision of a surgeon’s scalpel. Can they defeat the wealthy stalker bent on mistaken revenge against Corrin and destruction of the peaceful Montana setting?

If you thrive on tenacious heroines, sizzling attraction, and a shadowy villain with a grudge, you’ll love this prescription for thrills.

This book continues the saga started in The Hitman’s Mistake. Corrin is a lawyer working long hours to make her way to partner. Unbeknownst to her the past that haunts her is about to surface in a very unpleasant way.

Her friend Miranda’s testimony is eminent and Corrin decides to visit her in Emma Springs to give her moral support. What she doesn’t realize is that Grant and Miranda are on their way to Seattle. She is fortunate that Kyle Werner has to swap out vehicles at their home since the taxi she took from the airport left her there, in the middle of nowhere.

After a light meal, some getting to know you, a glimpse at predatory females, and a paunchy guy she keeps seeing. Kyle takes her to his father’s home.

This is a favorite scene.

The Jeep topped a hill. At the bottom sat a placid lake. A small inlet held cattails and a dead tree poked out of the water. A tiny house sat close to the shoreline with a large one further down.

Kyle pointed. “My folks gained their first essence of Emma Springs while living in that little cottage.” He slowed to almost a stop.

She craned her neck. Not a single barn in sight. Corrin smiled. “The lake’s charming. Straight out of a storybook featuring a tiny enchanted cottage on its shore.”

“Nice description. Sorry, no fairies in residence, or humans either.”

Enchanted cottage? She blinked. “No renters? What do people do for a living besides farm and guide hunters?”

“Sunrise Lake’s a summer draw to tourists, being one of the cleanest and warmest swimming lakes in Montana. Hot springs flow into the north side. My folks bought the cabin first, and once Dad’s legal practice took off, they also purchased the bigger home across the street. He has room for his practice in the lower level.”

Inviting lights glowed from the front windows of his dad’s two-story house. Stone pillars framed the wide front porch.

She’d grown up dreaming of being loved by sober, functioning parents in a stately home. “Aunt Iris lived next door to a similar Craftsman in Seattle. I used to imagine having a bedroom there all decorated in peach tones.”

Kyle’s eyes searched her face. “My folks welcomed newcomers to Emma Springs into their home.”

“And you carry on the tradition.”

“I try to. In recognition of attaining my medical license, my parents provided the down payment for my place.”

Contrasted to her family. “I got a graduation card from my parents.” She turned to the window, a hollowness forming in her chest. “You’re lucky to own a home.”

Kyle Werner, MD was printed on a sign out front of a white clapboard rambler sitting in the middle of a big lawn.

“Until I get loans paid off, the bank and I are co-owners. The townspeople were excited to have a doctor and helped remodel it to hold my office.”

“Couldn’t you have converted the tiny house next door?”

“Not really. Your enchanted cottage accommodated guests, barbecues, and birthday parties while Mom was alive. It holds too many memories for Dad to make any changes.”

“The cottage deserves an occupant who appreciates the charm.”

He gave her an appraising look. “It does.” He pushed the button on a remote and drove into a three-car cement walled garage. Interior lights flicked on and the door slid shut.

“Your dad’s not a mob lawyer is he?” Corrin blurted, surprised at the volume of her own voice inside the garage. “The steel door leading to the house should hold off marauding Vikings.” She slid off the seat and stood beside Kyle, watching him press his thumb into a sensor pad.

“Dad and I were both Boy Scouts. Be prepared.” He held up two fingers in the bunny ear pose.

“You probably surmised I wasn’t a Girl Scout.” She pointed to her shoes.

A green light blinked on the pad.

“Hadn’t crossed my mind.” Kyle twisted the door handle. “My dad collects valuable clocks and secured the house according to his comfort level.” Clunks reverberated as bolts retreated from their holes.

“Solid gold, diamond encrusted clocks?” Corrin asked.

“I wish.” He rolled his eyes. “Rare antiques. Dad came from a tough town and also wanted Mom to feel protected if he traveled overnight.”

Vines decorated the windows of the enclosed walkway from the garage to the house. The winding tendrils climbed heavy, wrought iron scrollwork, resembling the covered entrance to a Spanish fortress.

Kyle spoke into his cell. “Hey Dad, the mystery guest’s arrived.”

Corrin peered through the greenery to the road. Her eyes widened. The silver car slowed at their driveway, then sped off. “Kyle—”

A thick wooden door to the house swung open.

“Enough mystery. I want an introduction.” An older man stepped out. Lines creased the edges of his friendly blue eyes, the same shade of blue as Kyle’s.

Welcoming eyes. Precisely what she needed after seeing the damn car again.
Sally Brandle; Unknown. Torn By Vengeance (Kindle Locations 905-941). Soul Mate. Kindle Edition.

Actually having dinner with Kyle’s dad is put on hold as a child fallen into an old mine shaft.

Corrin makes a name for herself, and uncovers some disturbing things. Compounded with her unease after seeing a ring she never wanted to see again.

We see Miranda, Grant and Red ‘the mule’ in this one too.

Suspense and intrigue abound as Corrin has to make some decisions and begins what could be a long term relationship with Kyle.

I can’t wait to see where this series goes from here.

5 Contented Purrs for Sally!

Sally Brandle

Dodging male offspring and her functionally adept engineer husband, Sally steals away to her office to free non-princess types residing in her brain. Her trusty Australian Shepherd rescue pup, Tallulah, gives her input as the adventures unfold.

Childhood in rural Michigan, family, friends, critters and travel stateside and abroad feed the speed of her fingers to the keys. When stalling occurs, she heads to Lance, her trusty steed stabled close to miles of wooded trails. Off they go for a head-clearing ride in fresh air, or a note session while the big gelding grazes.

Sally is a member of Romance Writers of America, Greater Seattle Romance Writers, Eastside Romance Writers and She Writes.

In 2014 she won the ECO Romantic Suspense category, and in 2015 finaled in Pages from The Heart, Hot Prospects and the Heart to Heart contests.
She invites you to sit back, get comfy and prepare to drop into her stories.