Category: Romance Publisher: Port Town Publishing
ISBN-10: 0971623996
Type: Fiction
Pages: 380
Copyright: Oct 1 2002
ISBN-13: 9780971623996
A novel of romantic suspense, set on the cliffs of California's Mendocino coast.
Was #1 in Romantic Suspense at About.com! Five-Star Rating! Four-Star Rating by "Romantic Times"! Winner, WRITE TOUCH: READERS’ AWARDS and LAUREL WREATH AWARDS! AFFAIRE DE COEUR INTERNET READER/WRITER POLL FINALIST,
Romantic Suspense!
Cat Madoc returns to California's Mendocino Coast after her sister's untimely death--a suicide, according to the detective in charge of the case. She meets Derek Driscoll, a neighbor whose brooding dark looks arouse her suspicions and stir her pent-up desire.
When a friend asks him to keep a "neighborly" eye on Cat, Derek agrees. He knows her last living relative is dead and the loneliness he sees in her eyes echoes his own. When Cat reveals her conviction that her sister's death was murder, Derek resolves to help her determine the truth. Then a stranger attempts to break into Cat's family home and his car is forced off the road while she's a passenger. Derek, now convinced that Cat's life is in danger, determines that nothing will deter him from protecting the young woman who has touched his heart.
Cat, however, doubts his motives when he suddenly becomes a suspect in her sister's death.
*** "Exciting amateur sleuth romance…Fans of amateur sleuth romances will have no SHADOW OF DOUBT that this terse thriller is a superb tale that has cross genre appeal. The story line never slows down as Cat struggles with conflicting feelings when it comes to Derek, who appears like a modern day brooding gothic hero. However, the key to Linda Morelli's strong novel is that most of the cast seems multi-dimensional and had the motive to kill Jennifer. This reviewer intends to obtain a copy of Ms. Morelli's previous work, FIERY SURRENDER, after spending a delightful couple of hours enjoying this winner.” – Harriet Klausner, The Best Reviews
"What a great book! I didn’t know who to trust, who to suspect, or who would be revealed as the murderer. There is a great deal of depth to all of the characters. Cat and Derek are both shaped even more than they realize by the people in their lives and events in their pasts. The plot is complex, well thought out and beautifully executed. There are plenty of supporting characters to keep Cat and Derek’s lives interesting if not always safe, and keep the reader guessing! SHADOW OF DOUBT is an excellent novel with a perfect balance of romance and suspense.” –Alane Coppinger, Romance Junkies
“Romantic Mystery Offers Literary Elements, Sound Psychology” “Here is a modern mystery with enough sexual anticipation to please the most avid reader of romances and enough sound writing to please readers who prefer more in their reading fare. … I have read romances that occupy space on the New York Times Best Seller list that are no better than Morelli’s newest novel.” –Carolyn Howard-Johnson, Word Museum
Excerpt
Cat bit her lip before she faced Derek. "Knowing Jen as I do, she could have made someone—a current or ex-lover—angry enough to kill her." When Derek nodded, she continued. "And, since Detective Harris has been asking questions at the brokerage firm, maybe he suspects her death was murder after all, but just wouldn't tell me. Why else would he ask me to call him if I found anything pertinent to the case?"
Derek’s face grew grim. "He hasn't closed the case."
"You said your father was a criminal attorney. You must know something about the law, how police work."
"We have a Sheriff’s Department here."
She placed her hands on her hips and stared at him. "That doesn't answer my question."
"No, it doesn't," he admitted. "One thing's for sure: he needs solid evidence to prove Jennifer’s death wasn’t accidental."
Cat drew back her shoulders. "Then I intend to find it. I’ll search this house from top to bottom. I’ll talk to everyone she knew if I have to. We may not have gotten along well, but she was my sister. She wouldn’t have..." Cat whirled. She could not let Derek see her tears.
"And as I said before, Catrin, I’ll help you."
She stiffened when she felt the warmth of his hands on her shoulders. "I don’t need—"
"Yes, you do!" He turned her to face him. His dark eyes glowed with determination. "Damn, Catrin. You try so hard to be strong and stand on your own two feet." Slowly, his lips softened into a smile. "But you don’t need to. You’re not alone. I believe you. Besides, you’re going through a rough time just dealing with her death." He slid his hands down her arms and pried apart her clenched fists. "I’ve been there myself, remember? Let me help you."
She stared into his eyes—deep, rich ebony pools that held insistence and understanding. He began to massage her palms with his thumbs in gentle circles, each stroke a caress that chipped away at her defenses. Her mind flashed, 'No! I don't need his help. I can manage alone. But her lips said, "Yes."
His gaze lowered to the palms he continued to massage. "Catrin." She heard a strange tenderness in his voice that had not been there before. "It's a lovely name. What does it mean?"
"It’s Welsh. For light." She found it difficult to concentrate on anything but his touch and the odd heat that flared below her heart and slowly, exquisitely, spread throughout her body.
As though he sensed her weakening resolve, he released her and cupped her face in a gentle embrace. "
The name’s appropriate."
"Friends call me Cat."
"Cat," he repeated, his voice husky. His hands lowered to her neck and chills of anticipation raced up her spine. Her body trembled as he threaded his fingers through her hair. Slowly, he drew her face toward his. Like a piece of wood floating on the tide, she drifted toward the promise of his lips.
A log crashed through the fireplace grate and startled her back to reality. Far too cognizant of his virility, and her own desire to submit, she escaped his arms, headed for the fireplace and grabbed an andiron.
He moved to stand beside her. "You’re afraid." His eyes twinkled with merriment.
"No I’m not." Cat, furious with herself, turned and stabbed the andiron into the logs. How could I allow him to get so close? She stabbed the charred wood again and again until sparks flew, and then grabbed the bellows. She pumped the wind blower until the logs glowed red hot and tiny embers floated up the chimney flue. Satisfied, she set aside the instrument, then rose and faced him. "I don’t want to become involved."
"Don’t you?" He slipped his hands around her waist and drew her close. His eyes held a question as they searched hers. "You’re trembling. I do frighten you."
She could not deny it. He was all muscle, all male, and made her feel totally feminine and wanted. She pressed her palms against his chest, ready to push him away yet, at the same time, she relished the feel and scent of him.
Did he know that his touch made sensual vibrations course through her body? That his piercing gaze made her heartbeat race faster than a speeding train? She was certain that he did when he smiled.
"You can't deny that there's a magnetism between us." His voice was a throaty whisper, his breath hot against her lips.
Her senses began to spin and she knew only one thing: she had to conquer her involuntary reaction to the sexy glow that suddenly filled his eyes. "Derek, I—"
"Yes. I know." He drew back, held her at arms’ length, and then released her. "It’s late. You’re tired. I should leave."
"But—" she hesitated, dazed and confused as he turned and marched toward the door "—but your coffee..."
"I’ll take a rain check." He opened the door, turned, and his eyes locked with hers. "You said you don’t want involvement. Well, if I stay, I’ll want more than just a cup of coffee from you, Cat. A lot more, and I have a feeling that what I want is more than you’re willing to offer. At least tonight."
He winked, smiled, and closed the door behind him.
Cat grabbed the wineglasses and headed for the kitchen, surprised at the odd sense of disappointment that his sudden exit unleashed in her heart.
No man had ever gotten through her defenses as swiftly. No man had ever been quite so honest with her, either. A definitely dangerous duo.
She decided to call Derek first thing in the morning and tell him she did not need his assistance. "No," she said as she stared through the window at the passing cars. "That's the coward’s way out."
She did need his help. Maybe not as she searched through the house to find clues, but certainly as a friend and sounding board. Besides, he only got to her because her guard was down from the long flight, the funeral, from so many things happening all at once. She would feel better in the morning, after a good night’s rest.
Yet, as she climbed the stairs to her room, her lips ached to taste his kiss and her body trembled with the memory of his caress.
**********
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"SHADOW OF A DOUBT is a bang-up mystery wrapped up in an admirable romance. If you relish a romantic suspense, don't miss this one." --Susan Mobley, Reviewer, Romantic Times
Professional Reviews
From the Old Book Barn Gazette: "I became engrossed in the mystery of who killed Jennifer.... enjoyed trying to figure out who did it. Ms. Morelli does a great job weaving the mystery throughout the story...."
From Deborah Hern, The Romance Readers Connection: "...well-drawn and complex...a fast-paced read. The clues to the mystery are scattered through the narrative; and the solution, when it comes, is satisfying. The story should have readers turning pages, and will keep you guessing until the end."
From Carol Carter, Romance Reviews Today: "....SHADOW OF DOUBT is a well-written romantic suspense... it will keep you reading.... late into the night....This is a title I encourage you to seek out to read."
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