Valentine's Day Collection

Close your email. Turn off the TV. Settle down and get ready for the Maximum Thrill.

Edited by James Patterson, this blockbuster anthology features stories by your favourite crime and thriller authors that will keep you entertained for hours.

Featuring the world's best crime and thriller authors, Maximum Thrill is the ultimate collection of short stories edited by James Patterson. Providing heart–stopping suspense, these 28 stories will reunite you with Jeffery Deaver's tale of international terrorism, Lisa Jackson's dysfunctional family, Allison Brennan's Lucy Kincaid on holiday, Roxanne St. Claire's 'bullet catcher' bodyguard and Lee Child's pitch–perfect short story.

Also featuring, Steve Berry, Heather Graham, Gregg Hurwitz, Alex Kava, Eric Van Lustbader, James Rollins, M. J. Rose, James Siegel, Mariah Stewart, R.L. Stine, Carla Neggers, Joan Johnston, Andrea Kane, Sherrilyn Kenyon, Cindy Gerard, J.T. Ellison, Brenda Novak, Julie Kenner, and Alexandra Sokoloff. 

All 8 parts of this chilling, high–octane FBI serial available in this collection!

Special Agent Lara Grant has finally put her life as an undercover agent in the Moretti gang behind her and started a new assignment in New York City. Until a dramatic sniper attack leaves Lara's face – and real name – all over the media. In the blink of an eye, her cover is blown, her identity exposed. Then a woman's body is found, branded with the ritual Moretti tattoo. Someone knows who Lara is…and exactly how to make her pay…

This set comprises:

Tough Justice: Exposed by Carla Cassidy (Part 1 of 8)

Tough Justice: Watched by Tyler Anne Snell (Part 2 of 8)

Tough Justice: Burned by Carol Ericson (Part 3 of 8)

Tough Justice: Trapped by Gail Barrett (Part 4 of 8)

Tough Justice: Twisted by Gail Barrett (Part 5 of 8)

Tough Justice: Ambushed by Carol Ericson (Part 6 of 8)

Tough Justice: Betrayed by Tyler Anne Snell (Part 7 of 8)

Tough Justice: Hunted by Carla Cassidy (Part 8 of 8)

KILLER HEADLINE 

Reporter Madison Coles wants to write an exposé on the crime spree rocking Desert Valley, Arizona–but the small town's residents and police are tight–lipped. Even when Madison herself is attacked, the only help she can get is protection from rookie K–9 officer James Harrison and his trusty bloodhound. Suspicious of the reporter's motives, the handsome cop keeps her at arm's length. But the more Madison's life is threatened, the more focused she is on finding the truth–and the closer she gets to James. Can he help her find the story without them both ending up in the obituary pages? 

Rookie K–9 Unit: These lawmen solve the toughest cases with the help of their brave canine partners

The Cheyenne's captive! 

Runaway heiress Lorna Bradford must reach California to claim her fortune, but when she's rescued from robbers by fierce warrior Black Horse, she's forced to remain under his protection. 

Immersed in a world so different from her own, wildcat Lorna learns how to be the kind of strong woman Black Horse needs. But, to stay by his side, she must first let go of everything she knows and decide to seize this chance for happiness with her Cheyenne warrior!

Bound by a Child 

Pony Express rider Jacob Young is a man of action, which is why when he sees a little girl caught in the middle of a stampede, he races to her rescue. And he soon discovers the child is the half sister he hadn't known he had. The more time Jacob spends with adorable Daisy and her beautiful guardian, ranch owner Lilly Johnson, the more he realises they're filling all the lonely corners of his heart. 

Wary Lilly can't deny the cherished feelings that overcome her when Jacob vows to protect her and Daisy from any harm. And she can't help but hope that maybe they can put their past hurts aside and forge a future together as a full–fledged family.

Not quite knocked up… 

Like everyone in New York media, editor Liz Buckley runs on cupcakes, caffeine and cocktails. But at thirty–one, she's plateaued at Paddy Cakes, a glossy baby magazine that flogs thousand–dollar strollers to entitled, hypercompetitive spawn–havers. 

Liz has spent years working a gazillion hours a week picking up the slack for coworkers with kids, and she's tired of it. So one day when her stress–related nausea is mistaken for morning sickness by her bosses–boom! Liz is promoted to the mummy track. She decides to run with it and plans to use her paid time off to figure out her life: work, love and otherwise. It'll be her "meternity" leave. 

By day, Liz rocks a foam–rubber belly under fab maternity outfits. By night, she dumps the bump for karaoke nights and boozy dinners out. But how long can she keep up her charade…and hide it from the guy who might just be The One? 

As her "due date" approaches, Liz is exhausted–and exhilarated–by the ruse, the guilt and the feelings brought on by a totally fictional belly–tenant…about happiness, success, family and the nature of love.

Twins…and another baby on the way for this cowboy from USA TODAY bestselling author Charlene Sands! 

After Wyatt Brandt rescues Brooke McKay en route to a Texas wedding, they spend one hot night together before going their separate ways. Now Brooke's back with news she isn't sure the wealthy rancher is ready to hear–especially when she discovers he's already a father…of twins! 

Being a single dad is a full–time job Wyatt can't do alone. He doesn't expect the ideal nanny to be the beauty who briefly shared his bed. But he accepts her help gladly–not knowing her little secret will change his family forever…

Expecting the astronaut's baby! 

Dr. Corinne Carter's job as medical adviser heats up when daredevil Austin Mitchell joins the astronaut training program. And it's soon clear their chemistry is hotter than a Texas summer! 

For all his cheeky self–confidence, gorgeous Austin makes this relationship–shy doctor feel out of this world. So when their sizzling fling has an unexpected consequence, does Corrine dare to dream of a home and a future with her star–bound pilot?

#1 New York Times bestselling author Debbie Macomber will take you on a journey with three heartwarming Blossom Street stories of love, family and second chances.

Summer on Blossom Street

Knitting and life are both about beginnings–and endings. That's why Lydia Goetz, owner of A Good Yarn on Seattle's Blossom Street, offers a class called Knit to Quit. It's for people who want to quit something–or someone!–and start a new phase of their lives. But when your life–and your stitches–get snarled, your friends can always help!

Hannah's List

On the anniversary of his beloved wife's death, Dr. Michael Everett receives a letter Hannah wrote him. In it she reminds him of her love and makes one final request. An impossible request. I want you to marry again. She tells him he shouldn't spend the years he has left grieving–and she's chosen three women she asks him to consider. During the months that follow, he spends time with these three women, learning more about each of them…and about himself. Learning what Hannah already knew. He's a man who needs the completeness only love can offer. And Hannah's list leads him to the woman who can help him find it.

A Turn in the Road

In the middle of the year, in the middle of her life, Bethanne Hamlin takes a road trip with her daughter, Annie, and her former mother–in–law, Ruth. So, there they are, three women driving across America. They have their maps and their directions–but even the best–planned journey can take you to a turn in the road. Or lead to an unexpected encounter, like the day Bethanne meets a man named Max…

A Texas bodyguard never thought he'd see Melanie Dixon again–or learn he was the father of her little boy… 

A shotgun blast shatters the night and Dawson Hill foils a ruthless stalker. Now the fearless bodyguard is committed to protecting Melanie Dixon–the alluring woman who left him two years ago without a word. Not only is he surprised she's back in Mason Ridge, Dawson is doubly stunned to learn they have a son. 

Now the three of them are on the run, and Dawson is determined to protect the baby boy he never knew he could love so much. With his passion for Melanie reigniting like Texas wildfire even as he struggles to forgive her deception, a madman closes in. A madman who threatens the family Dawson never dreamed would be within reach.

The highly acclaimed author of Where Earth Meets Water returns with an arresting exploration of family and culture 

When native New Yorker Nicholas Grand applies for an international student exchange program, he thinks it's an opportunity to broaden his horizons and meet some interesting people. He never imagines that a single year would have repercussions that would follow him throughout his lifetime. 

Nicholas is sent to Estonia, where he meets shy, sensitive Paavo, his beautiful sister, Mari, and their gruff father, Leo–a family grappling with the challenges of life in a small country struggling to assert its post–Soviet identity. Nicholas sets off on an unforgettable journey through a foreign landscape that ultimately teaches him that some bonds can never be broken. 

Bridging two uniquely captivating cities, The Faces of Strangers traces the intertwined lives of two seemingly symmetrical families from extraordinarily different worlds. This compelling odyssey through friendship and self–discovery illuminates the universality of how deeply we are defined by our connections with others.

My name is Amelia Gray. I'm the Graveyard Queen. 

Restoring lost and abandoned cemeteries is my profession, but I'm starting to believe that my true calling is deciphering the riddles of the dead. Legend has it that Kroll Cemetery is a puzzle no one has ever been able to solve. For over half a century, the answer has remained hidden within the strange headstone inscriptions and intricate engravings. Because uncovering the mystery of that tiny, remote graveyard may come at a terrible price. 

Years after their mass death, Ezra Kroll's disciples lie unquiet, their tormented souls trapped within the walls of Kroll Cemetery, waiting to be released by someone strong and clever enough to solve the puzzle. For whatever reason, I'm being summoned to that graveyard by both the living and the dead. Every lead I follow, every clue I unravel brings me closer to an unlikely killer and to a destiny that will threaten my sanity and a future with my love, John Devlin.

FAMILY ON THE RUN

Criminals are trying to kidnap attorney Samantha Callahan's adopted daughter, Lily–and she has no idea why. So when bullets start flying, Samantha and Lily speed off in her car…and crash right into help. Ex–cop Reid Palmer is shocked when former law school classmate Samantha rear–ends his car and then climbs in with her daughter and begs him to drive. Now they are on the run, and Reid will do anything to protect them and figure out why kidnappers are after Lily. As they struggle to evade capture, Reid begins to realise that Samantha is more to him than just a woman in trouble. But with the enemies closing in and their motives finally revealed, will Reid be able to make sure justice is served?

The one you can't resist…

A winning bid at a silent auction gets Mella Davis more than just complimentary services from landscape architect Victor Raphael. It sparks an instantaneous attraction to the brooding bachelor that takes her completely by surprise. Stern and tightly wound on the surface, irresistibly masculine underneath, he's a challenge to her single–and–loving–it status–and to the heart she's learned to protect. And still, she can't help giving in.

Ever since love burned him in the past, nothing has cracked Victor's calm control. Then he glimpses carefree, vivacious Mella at a Miami charity event. Uninhibited days and sensual nights follow as she brings warmth and desire back to his world, until doubt wrenches them apart. Opposites attract, but can they also overcome their differences…and sow the seeds to thrilling and lasting love?

Passion's hideaway

Ever since enduring a possible career ending injury, Miami superstar shortstop Carlos Bradley has retreated from the world. His life undergoes a radical makeover when he's convinced to hire a designer to restore his secluded island mansion to its former glory. Completely different from the women Carlos has known, interior decorator Virginia Andersen captivates him with her infectious spirit and the sensuality beneath her coolly professional demeanor.                                                                     

The owner of a struggling design firm, Virginia can't believe her new employer is a baseball legend. But Carlos wants more than just her expertise. And when he insists she move into his tropical getaway during the renovations, Virginia soon finds herself sharing the irresistible playboy's bed. But when the media descends, she's thrust into the limelight and her past becomes an open book. Is she ready to overcome her doubts to fight for a future with the man of her dreams?

A tumultuous childhood taught private investigator Merlene Saunders that police are nothing but trouble. Then her latest surveillance job takes a dangerous turn when her subject is murdered and she becomes the focus of the killer. Like it or not, she's hit the police radar, and in steps sexy detective Cody Warren…trouble of a whole different kind. Against the odds, Merlene feels safe with Cody—he won't let her in harm's way. Very quickly things are intense between them, and her walls start coming down. Now she's torn between the lessons of a lifetime and the urge to open up to the one man she can trust…

An island of beauty becomes

A GATEWAY TO TERROR

Few could argue that the exclusive island of San Martin is anything less than paradise. In this wealthy enclave, veterinarian Markie Cross has a thriving practice, but her almost psychic connection to animals has made human relationships–especially with men–harder to navigate. Until mystery, murder and something unfathomable shatter her world

People are dying strange, unexplained deaths. Island medical examiner Declan Quinn is stunned at the unearthly condition of the bodies, and he and Markie share a dark suspicion that something terrifying and impossible is at work here. Something that may not be human.

As a sinister message becomes clearer, Markie and Declan race to understand the tragic history of this island paradise and unlock the true nature of the evil now descending. Because if they can't, Markie may become the next victim

When she wakes up, she's no longer pregnant. More astonishing, the man she loved and lost is still alive. Has Sara been given a second chance to save Jack from his tragic destiny? To save them both?