Valerie Hansen

SUSPICION OF GUILT When Special Agent in Charge Max West and his K-9 partner, Opal, look into a series of bombings in northern California, horse trainer Katerina Garwood instantly seems suspicious. As the ex-fiancee of a man tied to the criminal Dupree family, Katerina may know more than shes letting onespecially since the infamous syndicate is targeting her. And Max isnt sure he can believe her when she says she knows nothing. Despite his reservations, though, he cant deny his attractionor the impulse to protect her. And with the criminals closing in, Max must separate the truth from lies, or he and Katerina may not live to share tomorrow

Despite their differences, Tyler Corbett assumed Kara Shepherd was a fine womanfor somebody else. He had no intention of falling for her, despite a vast local conspiracy. But how could the strapping cowboy avoid Kara when she popped up everywhere he wenteven in church? Widowed Kara figured there was only one way to get her familyand Tylersto stop matchmaking. Theyd simply pretend to fall in love, then break up. Step One of the charade was surprisingly easy. But when a few fake kisses unexpectedly led to the real thing, Step Two was in serious jeopardy!

SAFEGUARDING THREE LITTLE ORPHANS Fire captain Mitch Andrews cant forget the three young children he saved from a fi re. A suspicious fi re that left them orphans. In the care of foster mother Jill Kirkpatrick, he knows the little ones will be loved. Even if the sweet, strong widow wont let Mitch close to her. But suddenly the kidsand Jillare in terrible dangerand one of the children is missing. Mitch and Jill will risk everything to fi nd the stolen girl and keep a makeshift family of five together forever. The Defenders: Protecting children in need.

Hi, Mom! Camp is going well. (I feel like a child writing home instead of the animal therapist assigned to work here with the troubled kids!) Since James Harris has seen the success of the program, the skeptical camp director is much more charming weve been having some late night talksand a surprising good-night kiss! He didnt even complain when I brought Roxy along you remember how my sister didnt want to join me. And there was a scare Roxy and another teen disappeared but James and I found them. You know, Mom, I think James needs some healing of his own his soul seemswounded. I think my strong faith might even help him regain hisif hell let me. Love, Megan

TO: AL CRANE@CSSENTINEL.ORG FROM: COLLEEN MONTGOMERY@CSSENTINEL.ORG Boss, My reporters nose smells a story brewing at the Double V Ranch. Word is that rancher Michael Vance has already lost several cows to a mystery ailment. This isnt the first odd thing to happen there, either Michaels old foreman disappeared out of the blue, and his new one, Hector Delgato, is cagey. He bears watching. Meanwhile, Michael hired newcomer Layla Dixon as the housekeeper/vet while his injured housekeeper recovers, and the bohemian beauty is nothing like meat-and-potatoes Michael. I think romance might be in the air, but there is also something sinister starting up in Colorado Springs.

THE PREACHERS DAUGHTER Paul Randall wasnt right for Belinda Carnes when they were teens. Hed skipped town when he realized that like everyone else, she blamed him for something he hadnt done. After ten years, Paul, now a successful lawyer, was backfor business only. But one glance at Belinda and gone was his plan to have nothing to do with her: She was so beautiful he couldnt think straight. Yet Belindas life didnt have room for a long-lost loveespecially one she had never really trusted. And Paul knew it would take Gods love for him to prove his innocence. And show that her rightful place was by his side.

Assignment: Single Mom SurveillanceThe Military K-9 Unit series continues Her serial killer brothers escapedand its single mom Zoe Sullivan whos under suspicion! Sgt. Linc Colson trusts two things: his instincts and his Rottweiler K-9 partner, Starand certainly not the pretty face hes assigned to monitor. Hes done everything to keep her from getting under his skinnow he must stop those who want to put her six feet under.

Riveting romantic suspense to set your heart racing! Heroic and courageous characters battle against danger and face challenges to their faith and to their lives.TO PROTECT THE CHILD As a nurse and special advocate for children, Samantha Rochard is used to danger in small town Serenity, Arkansas. But when she suspects a little boy is in jeopardy from his powerful father, the danger turns on her. Her only source of protection? The handsome police officer who broke her heart five years ago. Yet after John Waltham comes to her rescue in more ways than one, Samantha must trust in himand the Lordto watch over herand save one sweet little boy. The Defenders: Protecting children in need

Indulge your fantasies of delicious Regency Rakes, fierce Viking warriors and rugged Highlanders. Be swept away into a world of intense passion, lavish settings and romance that burns brightly through the centuries She had made a solemn promise to see her younger sister to safety in California. But the endless journey across the frontier was proving a heartbreaking test of courage and endurance for Faith Beal. All she had to sustain her was her steadfast belief in a loving Godand the guiding hand of a stranger who truly seemed heaven-sent. Connell McClain was her selfless guardian as their wagon train slowly made its way west. And as they shared the dangers of the trailand the closeness of a covered wagonFaith felt the first tender stirrings of love for this roughhewn yet caring man. But would the secrets that seemed to haunt him threaten their growing feelings for one another?

TILL DEATH DO US PART? When her estranged husband Dylans inadvertent dealings with a crime ring bring danger to her doorstep, Grace McIntyre has no choice but to follow him into the witness protection program. To safeguard her children, they must all go into hiding as one big happy family. Grace doesnt know whats worsehaving to pretend shes in love with the man who betrayed her trust or keeping ahead of the killers. In hiding, Dylan is all that stands between their safety and certain death. Now more than ever, he wants to be the man that Grace once loved. Keeping his family alive is his only hopeto be a hero and a husband.

EXPLOSIVE SECRETS When a bomb explodes at the Washington Monument, the Capitol K-9 Unit goes on high alert. Though injured in the blast, K-9 cop Isaac Black is determined to get to the bottom of the situation. Hell follow every lead, including investigating his ER nurses suspicious behavior. He soon learns Daniella Dunne has long been in a witness protection program. And its apparent that her identity has been compromised. The killer she once sent to prisonher own fatherhas been released and vows revenge. As Isaac and his stalwart beagle safeguard Daniella at his familys farm, a murderer with a personal score to settle lurks in the shadows Capitol K-9 Unit: These lawmen solve the toughest cases with the help of their brave canine partners

IN SEARCH OF HER PAST Emma Landers has amnesia. Problem is, she cant remember how she got it, why shes injured or why someone wants to hurt her. When she lands on the doorstep of former love Travis Wright, she can barely remember their past history. But she knows she can trust him to protect her. The handsome farmer was heartbroken when Emma left him for the big city. But theres no way he can send her away when gunshots start flying. Now Travis must keep Emma safe while helping her piece together her memoriesbefore its too late. The Defenders: Protecting children in need

The Man of Her Dreams Julie Shaw is up to her ears in parade preparationsand cowboys! As the mayors daughter, she needs to make sure the centennial celebrations for her beloved hometown of Jasper Gulch, Montana, go off without a hitch. Surely thats why shes feeling so flustered. It couldnt have anything to do with the handsome Ryan Travers. Of course shed noticed the visiting rodeo star with the sparkle in his eye. But Julie is way too sensible to fall for his obvious appeal. As the town gossips about a century-old mystery, Julies thoughts keep drifting to the charming cowboy. Despite her fathers objections, she may soon find herself roped inby love. Big Sky Centennial: A small town rich in historyand love.

Indulge your fantasies of delicious Regency Rakes, fierce Viking warriors and rugged Highlanders. Be swept away into a world of intense passion, lavish settings and romance that burns brightly through the centuries Valerie Hansens basic nature is to see the humorous side of life and enjoy every day to the fullest. Shes always loved stories about people who have successfully met lifes challenges and gone on to find happiness, so writing joyful love stories is a perfect outlet for her. Her personal life sounds a lot like a romance novel. She married her high school sweetheart and they raised two great kids before leaving California to pursue their dreams of a rural lifestyle in the Arkansas Ozarks. That relocation has also given her work a new, more spiritual focus than ever before. Valerie had gone to Sunday school as a child and attended church off and on as an adult, but didnt really understand what was missing in her spiritual life until daily problems drove her to seek answers from a closer relationship with Jesus Christ. What a surprise! And what a difference in outlook. In the years that followed, she was continually amazed at the extraordinary opportunities that came her way. She still is. Valerie has always loved to write. That, and the strong conviction that this is what she was meant to do, led her to Steeple Hill and the Love Inspired series. Besides extensive research, she has plenty of interesting experiences to draw upon when creating stories: Shes been a veterinary assistant, teachers aide, volunteer fire department dispatcher, Emergency Medical Technician, bank worker, professional artist, store clerk, bookkeeper, 4-H leader, Sunday school teacher, gospel singer/songwriter, winning quiz show contestant, dog trainer, college extension-class instructor, and antique restorer. Shes built dulcimers and a psaltery, laid bricks and tile, designed stained-glass windows, roofed a house, decorated store windows for the holidays, helped pour cement, raised fancy guinea pigs and finches, driven a long-haul moving van, and was once the proud owner of 23 Newfoundland dogs at one time. Her advice? Dont try that at home! Valerie and her husband now live on an 80-acre farm in northern Arkansas. She loves to hike the rocky, wooded hills behind the picturesque old house they renovated, watch for the wildlife so abundant in the area and think up new ideas for her books. Shes always been a dreamer, a romantic who invented happier endings for books and movies that didnt already end on a lighthearted note. She was an adult before she realized that everybody didnt automatically do the same thing! Valerie Hansen can be reached at: P. O. Box 13, Glencoe, AR 72539-0013. Or via e-mail at: val@valeriehansen. com.

Indulge your fantasies of delicious Regency Rakes, fierce Viking warriors and rugged Highlanders. Be swept away into a world of intense passion, lavish settings and romance that burns brightly through the centuries After surviving an unhappy marriage, Charity Beal avoids men. But compassion gets the better of her when she encounters Thorne Blackwell, a rugged shipping magnate in the midst of crisis. His brother has vanished, and hired guns are after his brothers wife and son. To save them, Thorne faces a grueling journey through the wild Oregon Territory. In order to succeed, he needs Charitys help. Through roiling rivers and lush mountain passes, Charitys kindness and faith awakens Thorne to a strength he never knew. But before he can heal her wounded heart and win her love, he has to save their party from the sharpshooter stalking their every step.

PREGNANT AND ALONE Implicated by her criminal cousin, Nicki Johnson is now the target of a murderous gang. Dark-haired policeman Jackson Worth thinks she is hiding something, but his remarkable bomb-sniffing dog has no such reservations. Hes there to protect her, no judgments, no questions. And Jackson is a man of honor. Hell stand by this beauty and her unborn child. Because it is the right thing to do. And because guarding her has left his battle scarred heart open to the possibility of love. Which changes everything Texas K-9 Unit: These lawmen solve the toughest cases with the help of their brave canine partners

Runaway Wedding On the run from false murder charges, Annabelle Lang can only count on one man, Cherokee diplomat Charles McDonald. The handsome ambassador has already helped her escape Washington City. Now hes proposing marriage to protect her honor. Though shes losing her heart to Charles, Annabelles certain his offer comes from duty, not love. Charless feelings for the flaxen-haired beauty go beyond mere companionship, but hes doubtful a lady like Annabelle would ever consider him under normal circumstances. And with his family expecting him to wed a Cherokee bride, he wouldnt have asked. If its more than convenience that binds Charles and Annabelle, theres only one way to find outhell have to court his own wife!

For the first time in years, Christmas brings hope to Bygones, Kansas. But for Josh Barton, Main Streets coffee shop owner, it brings back sad memories hed rather forget. Hes a new man, with a new life and faith now. Still, he hides a huge part of himself from his neighborsand one very inquisitive reporter. Whitney Leigh seems determined to uncover the mystery of the towns recent windfall, and Josh could help her. But that would mean opening up his guarded heart. Could a man who thought family and Christmas were only for others find a forever home where he least expected?

Emmeline Carter was prepared for danger on the new frontier. But she didnt foresee the tornado that tore their wagon train apart. Now her father is dead, her mother and sister are injured and their twin wards are missing. Theres nowhere to turn but the fledgling Kansas settlement of High Plains. Town founder Will Logan steps in to search for the twins and house the Cartersfor now. Hes not cut out for family life long-term. But Emmelines got her own ideas, and when this high plains bride chooses her groom, nothing will get in her way!

He had a price on his headand no one to trust An Emergency Responders thriller EMT Kaitlin North cant believe the shooting victim at an isolated Ozark cabin is the man who once saved her life. Now the only way she can keep undercover police officer Daniel Ryan alive is to help him elude the hitmen on his trail. With danger closing in, can Kaitlin and Ryan trust each others instinctsand take a chance on love?