Eden's Shadow

Eden's Shadow
Jenna Ryan

KISSES AND CURSES MADE FOR BEWITCHING BEDFELLOWSLike a specter, Detective Armand LaMorte moved with the shadows, stealthy and secretive, and was an expert tracker. Crescent City criminals didn't have a chance when he was on their trail–and no woman had a chance of resisting his native-born allure….Eden Bennett was no exception. In her darkest hours, Armand offered her strength and safety while a decades-old mystery threatened to destroy what was left of her family. Ensconced in Armand's cloak of security, she knew no danger. But a killer was closing in…on them both.

Warnings flashed like neon signs in Eden’s head…

This wasn’t wrong, it was insanity. “I’m going to regret this,” she murmured. “Big-time.” Then, catching Armand’s face in her hands, she kissed him.

It was a dizzying experience. Wrong, because kissing him made her feel more alive than she had in months. Maybe years. He explored her mouth with a thoroughness that scorched her blood and had her knees threatening to buckle. For a moment, the garden actually did feel magical. And sexual.

“No…Armand, wait.” She made an effort to pull away. “I shouldn’t have, you know, done that.”

“Ah, but you did.” His lips curved against hers. “And you had to know I wouldn’t refuse.”

Dear Harlequin Intrigue Reader,

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! And we have six breathtaking books this month that will make the season even brighter….

THE LANDRY BROTHERS are back! We can’t think of a better way to kick off our December lineup than with this long-anticipated new installment in Kelsey Roberts’s popular series about seven rascally brothers, born and bred in Montana. In Bedside Manner, chaos rips through the town of Jasper when Dr. Chance Landry finds himself framed for murder…and targeted for love! Check back this April for the next title, Chasing Secrets. Also this month, watch for Protector S.O.S. by Susan Kearney. This HEROES INC. story spotlights an elite operative and his ex-lover who maneuver stormy waters—and a smoldering attraction—as they race to neutralize a dangerous hostage situation.

The adrenaline keeps on pumping with Agent-in-Charge by Leigh Riker, a fast-paced mystery. You’ll be bewitched by this month’s ECLIPSE selection—Eden’s Shadow by veteran author Jenna Ryan. This tantalizing gothic unravels a shadowy mystery and casts a magical spell over an enamored duo. And the excitement doesn’t stop there! Jessica Andersen returns to the lineup with her riveting new medical thriller, Body Search, about two hot-blooded doctors who are stranded together in a windswept coastal town and work around the clock to combat a deadly outbreak.

Finally this month, watch for Secret Defender by Debbi Rawlins—a provocative woman-in-jeopardy tale featuring an iron-willed hero who will stop at nothing to protect a headstrong heiress…even kidnap her for her own good.

Best wishes for a joyous holiday season from all of us at Harlequin Intrigue.

Sincerely,

Denise O’Sullivan

Senior Editor, Harlequin Intrigue

Eden’s Shadow

Jenna Ryan

www.millsandboon.co.uk (http://www.millsandboon.co.uk)

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jenna Ryan loves creating dark-haired heroes, heroines with strength, and good murder mysteries. Ever since she was young, she had an extremely active imagination. She considered various careers over the years and dabbled in several of them, until the day her sister Kathy suggested she put her imagination to work and write a book. She enjoys working with intriguing characters and feels she is at her best writing romantic suspense. When people ask her how she writes, she tells them by instinct. Clearly it’s worked, since she’s received numerous awards from Romantic Times magazine. She lives in Canada and travels as much as she can when she’s not writing.

CAST OF CHARACTERS

Eden Bennett—Adopted as a child, she is a ringer for her natural sister—and next in line for the family curse.

Armand LaMorte—A dark and mysterious police detective. He has many secrets to keep.

Lisa Mayne—One of three birth sisters. She discovers her natural father—then is accused of murdering him.

Mary Tamblyn—Youngest of the sisters. Her interests are entirely self-centered.

Maxwell Burgoyne—Biological father to Eden, Lisa and Mary. Did the family curse kill him?

Lucille Chaney—Eden, Lisa and Mary’s birth mother. She has a shady past.

Dolores Boyer—Lucille’s mother. She knows more than she should about many things.

Robert Weir—Maxwell’s business partner. He appeared to gain nothing by Maxwell’s death.

Dali Kafkha—A voodoo queen who believes in curses.

Limping Man—Is he part of the curse, or merely biding his time?

In memory of Catherine (Kay) Goff:

You gave me life.

You gave me love.

You believed in me.

You were the perfect mom.

I love you…

Contents

Prologue

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten