Beneath The Texas Moon. Elle James
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Название: Beneath The Texas Moon

Автор: Elle James

Издательство: HarperCollins

Жанр: Ужасы и Мистика

Серия: Eclipse

isbn: 9781472033048

isbn:

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      Welcome to Spirit Canyon, Texas

      Nestled in the hill country, it’s the kind of town where no one locks their doors, where neighbors stop and chat. At least that’s what most people think. But there are secrets lurking in this tiny town. Secrets that harken back decades to unnatural events, unmentionable evil. And now that evil is about to be unleashed again.

      In between potluck suppers and harvest festivals, people go missing. From behind ranch fences, livestock are found slaughtered, as if by an angry wolf. And in the cedar brush, strange chants echo in the moonlight. Is it the work of feral four-legged creatures, as they say, or fearless humans?

      As the evil comes closer, centering on the good folk of Spirit Canyon, who will live to tell the tale? And who will believe it?

      Beneath the Texas Moon

      Elle James

       www.millsandboon.co.uk

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      To my parents Charles and Phyllis Hughes

       For always being there for me and showing me that hard work

       and perseverance pays off. Thanks for loving me unconditionally,

       teaching me to care about others, to laugh and play and to go after

       what I want with all my heart. Thanks, Dad, for being the rock in

       my life and a man I’ll always look up to. Thanks, Mom, for being

       my sounding board and my best reviewer. You two helped to make

       me who I am. I’ll love you always.

      ABOUT THE AUTHOR

      2004 Golden Heart Winner for Best Paranormal Romance, Elle James started writing when her sister issued the Y2K challenge to write a romance novel. She managed a full-time job, raised three wonderful children and she and her husband even tried their hands at ranching exotic birds (ostriches, emus and rheas) in the Texas hill country. Ask her, and she’ll tell you, what it’s like to go toe-to-toe with an angry 350-pound bird! After leaving her successful career in information technology management, Elle is now pursuing her writing full-time. She loves building exciting stories about heroes, heroines, romance and passion. Elle loves to hear from fans. You can contact her at [email protected] or visit her Web site at www.ellejames.com.

      CAST OF CHARACTERS

      Eve Baxter—A woman who moves to Spirit Canyon in hope of getting her son’s life back on track. Has she derailed into a terrifying nightmare?

      Joey Baxter—The traumatized four-year-old who witnessed his father’s mauling death by a vicious dog.

      Mac McGuire—A battle-scarred ex-soldier determined to protect his home and the people he cares about.

      Clinton Logan—Local attorney and mayor of Spirit Canyon. He rose fast in local politics. Is he too good to be true?

      Toby Rice—Spirit Canyon’s bully who’s not above hitting a girl, but is he mean enough to kill?

      Art Nantan—The man who loved Mac’s mother and would have done anything to have her. How far did he go?

      Addie Shultz—General store owner and grandmother Eve never had. Is there any truth to the stories she tells?

      Daniel Goodman—Ranch foreman who took care of the ranch while Mac was away in the army.

      Molly—Mac’s Australian shepherd who protects those who can’t protect themselves.

      Contents

      Prologue

      Chapter One

      Chapter Two

      Chapter Three

      Chapter Four

      Chapter Five

      Chapter Six

      Chapter Seven

      Chapter Eight

      Chapter Nine

      Chapter Ten

      Chapter Eleven

      Chapter Twelve

      Chapter Thirteen

      Chapter Fourteen

      Chapter Fifteen

      Chapter Sixteen

      Prologue

      Thirty years ago

      “Thanks for bringing me home, Addie.” Jenny reached to open the door to the pickup. “I’ll see you tomorrow to finish the cleanup.”

      “You sure you don’t want me to take you all the way up to the house?”

      “No, thanks.” Jenny patted her friend’s hand and smiled, then she stared out at the night through the windshield of Addie’s old truck. “George will be expecting you home soon. Besides, with the moon so full it’s almost like daylight out here. And I could use a little fresh air after the festival.”

      Addie’s face creased in a frown. “I’m gonna have a talk with Art. He had no right to be so rude to you. He knows you and Frank are crazy for each other. Even though he owns the notes on every piece of property in town, he doesn’t have the right to be so rude.”

      Jenny sighed. “Don’t worry about it. Go home. That’s where I’m headed.” She climbed down from the truck to stand in the caliche gravel and waved as Addie backed out onto the highway, easing her truck back toward town.

      With a deep breath, Jenny inhaled the pungent scent of scrub cedar and dust. Although she enjoyed the clear, dry warmth СКАЧАТЬ