Pine Hills Police Series by Terry Odell

Being robbed at gunpoint wasn't part of Sarah Tucker's business plan. Neither was falling in love with the detective who arrived to solve the case. All Sarah wants is success for her gift boutique, the one she and her husband created. Now, she's living a hand-to-mouth existence. Her husband died a year earlier in a car accident an accident that was ruled suicide, denying her his life insurance money... moreBeing robbed at gunpoint wasn't part of Sarah Tucker's business plan. Neither was falling in love with the detective who arrived to solve the case. All Sarah wants is success for her gift boutique, the one she and her husband created. Now, she's living a hand-to-mouth existence. Her husband died a year earlier in a car accident an accident that was ruled suicide, denying her his life insurance money. Burdened by guilt that she was somehow to blame for his death, Sarah faces one business setback after another. She's determined to succeed on her own, fending off a meddling sister-in-law as well as offers of financial assistance from a former boyfriend. Unaware someone is setting her up for failure, she's totally unprepared to find herself fighting for survival. Police Detective Randy Detweiler thinks the crook is a thief who's been evading cops all over the state. A routine robbery investigation turns into the biggest challenge of his career when he falls in love with the victim and he starts crossing professional boundaries. When Sarah disappears, he's afraid all his detective skills might not be enough to find her in time to save her life. less

Returning from a stint as part of a task force on violent crime, Randy Detweiler is eager to reunite with Sarah Tucker, but she's having second thoughts about their relationship. Can she deal with a cop who gets called away at a moment's notice, especially one who won't talk about his job? Their reunion is cut short when a body is discovered and rumors fly that it's the work of a serial killer... moreReturning from a stint as part of a task force on violent crime, Randy Detweiler is eager to reunite with Sarah Tucker, but she's having second thoughts about their relationship. Can she deal with a cop who gets called away at a moment's notice, especially one who won't talk about his job? Their reunion is cut short when a body is discovered and rumors fly that it's the work of a serial killer. To make matters worse, the Town Council might disband their police department and Randy's under added pressure to solve the murder before they take action. Forced to work under the radar, Randy struggles to balance work with a shaky relationship. Sarah can't cope with apparently meaning less to Randy than his job. Should she force him to choose between his job and the us she envisions for the two of them? All bets are off when Sarah becomes a suspect in Randy's case. Before long, it's more than their relationship that's in danger. less

Can a dead body in a chocolate shop revive a battle-fatigued cop? Or will it take the owner of the shop to save him? Homicide detective Scott Whelan lived for the job–until the day he was caught in the middle of a robbery gone bad. Although some call him a hero, he thinks of himself as a coward and a failure. He exists now in what he calls his “Dark Place”... moreCan a dead body in a chocolate shop revive a battle-fatigued cop? Or will it take the owner of the shop to save him? Homicide detective Scott Whelan lived for the job–until the day he was caught in the middle of a robbery gone bad. Although some call him a hero, he thinks of himself as a coward and a failure. He exists now in what he calls his “Dark Place”. He accepts a new job as a civilian with the Pine Hills Police Department, thinking being close to the job will be better than leaving it completely. But when he finds himself in the middle of the investigation. Scott has to choose where his loyalties lie—with his brotherhood in blue, or his attractive new neighbor, who needs someone on her side. And figure out how to get out of the dark. Against her parents’ wishes, Ashley Eagan has split from her unsupportive fiancé and moved to Pine Hills to start her dream business: Confections by Ashley. Faced with countless construction setbacks, she fears her plans for the perfect grand opening will be ruined. When a dead body turns up in her shop, a delayed opening is the least of her worries. Now, she’s afraid she’s facing murder charges. Her new neighbor has connections with the police department, but he’s sending mixed messages. One minute he’s the friendly, handsome neighbor, the next, he’s playing cop. Not to mention he’s carrying enough baggage for a world-wide cruise. If Ashley’s learned anything since leaving home, it’s that she’s the only one she can count on. less