Sara English is about to marry Matthew, the man of her dreams. She knows he has secrets—about his job. His work, whatever it is, is far more dangerous than reading books for the government. That fact bears out when for the second time someone attempts to take his life. And to spare hers, Matthew must do the one thing he doesn’t want to do: leave Sara. The question is, Can he? Will love be denied? Or risks against it surrender in splendid defeat? (29 page short story)

PEOPLE ARE NOT WHAT THEY SEEM Superstar Elle Bostwick is kidnapped in London. But who has kidnapped her? NINA, a group of powerful and ruthless opportunists who will do anything to anyone to gain access to something Elle has that they want? Or the CIA, who is equally determined to prevent NINA access to what it wants? And why a singer? Why Elle? And why does she not know what they’re after? Days later, Elle mysteriously turns up at a Shadow Watcher’s wedding reception, and the Shadow Watchers, Nick Sloan specifically, is ordered to keep her safe—indefinitely. But the top secret entity issuing the orders doesn’t say why or who is pursuing Elle. All information is being atypically withheld. That has never before happened. Why now? OLD WOUNDS RUN DEEP Nick and Elle have a history. He left her without even saying good-bye, determined to never need or want anyone—not after surviving his horror show of a family. Nick learned the hard way to never dare to love anyone. He didn’t know Elle had been walking wounded, too. Now she’s burst back into his life—with baggage that could get them and the other Shadow Watchers killed. Who is on their side? Who is their real enemy? And what does that enemy really want? Most importantly, will they find out before they end up dead. CAN LOVE HEAL THEM—IS IT ENOUGH? Nick willingly risks his life for her, but does he dare to risk his heart? Does Elle? Both have little reason to trust. Little reason to dare, except for the hope of love they find in each other. But neither is certain… Is love enough to heal deep wounds? To spare the lives and hearts of Nick and The Marked Star?

Powerful People Want Them Dead Sam and Jaycee once had hoped to build a life together. But she knew too much and had to disappear into witness protection. He knew too much and was high risk for being neutralized. He couldn’t risk her life or that of her daughter. Years Pass With No Contact While hoping for a resolution, there hasn’t been one, and one doesn’t appear possible. But isn’t that when God does His most amazing work? Making a way where there is none? Yet doubt this is His doing comes. Would God send her a stalker? When She Calls, Sam Answers Yet nothing seems to fit, until Lizzie, her daughter, gifts them with a critical piece of the puzzle—and some advice that might give The Marked Witness—all of them—a future as a family after all…