
Find out why readers say “picking up a Northstar book feels like coming home” with this two-book series-starting box set: First Instinct Life-long friends Beth Carlyle and Nick Hammond haven’t ever pushed the limits of their relationship. But when her boyfriend turns violent and Nick jumps in to protect her, everything changes. In the chaos following that horrible night, Nick becomes Beth’s anchor as she pulls the pieces of herself together. She never imagined he’d be anything more than her best friend, but with her trust shattered, there’s only one place she feels safe—in his arms. Boundaries crumble and new desires ignite. With her heart a tangled mess, how can she know what’s real? Nick is willing to do whatever it takes to help Beth recover, no matter the cost to himself, but in the face of undeserved consequences, he may be the one who needs saving. Protecting the man she loves means bringing her nightmare into the light. Will she find the courage to reveal the truth before Nick pays the ultimate price? Mountain Angel A strong-willed woman, a heart-weary deputy, and a cozy mountain cabin. What could possibly go wrong… or right? Fiercely independent, Aelissm Davis prefers to manage her own affairs. But when an obsessive friend refuses to take no for an answer, it’s time to call in reinforcements. Unfortunately, her meddling uncle’s solution—send his best deputy “on vacation” to protect her—could be an even bigger complication. For three years, Pat O’Neil has buried himself in his work to get past a violent relationship, and it hasn’t done him any good. This assignment to protect his boss’s niece could be just what he needs. Aelissm is an irresistible breath of fresh mountain air, but as his heart learns how to breathe again, her past entwines with his and trouble comes knocking. Will she let him do his job or will her stubbornness put them both in danger? A NOTE ON THE CONTENT: The Northstar books are contemporary romances and contain some profanity and sensual scenes that may not be suitable for sensitive readers.
Author

Suzie O'Connell grew up in a small town on the Kitsap Peninsula in Western Washington, but has called the mountains and valleys of Western Montana home for well over a decade. She has been writing stories since she was old enough to know how (the first she can recall was penciled in the second grade, about the mouse who went to the sea) and completed her first novel, Summer Angel, before she graduated from high school. After high school, tired of the endless rain, she attended college at the University of Montana-Western and graduated in 2005 with a Bachelor of Arts in Literature and Writing. She is currently working on a Masters of Education and teaches high school English. Suzie considers herself to be a rather quirky individual with ecclectic tastes in music, movies and books. She listens to just about anything, including pop, rock, country and techno and her favorite movies range from Grumpy Old Men to Lord of the Rings to Moulin Rouge to Pirates of the Caribbean. When it comes to reading, she prefers fantasy, science fiction, romance and literary fiction. She firmly believes it's healthy to laugh at yourself, that best friends are worth far more than their weight in gold, and that home truly is where the heart is. When she isn't writing, teaching or studying, Suzie enjoys playing in the mountains with her husband Mark, their daughter Maddie and their energetic golden retriever Reilly. She is also a hobby photographer, specializing in landscapes.