rita herron

Ever since Violet Baker's childhood companion was brutally murdered, she's been plagued with visions of the girl's last hours. Now, on the twentieth anniversary of Darlene's death, Violet's father is found dead, a note beside him confessing to the murder. But something doesn't feel right, and Violet returns to Crow's Landing looking for answers.

Facing the judgmental town as a murderer's daughter is difficult enough, but the scalding tension between her and Sheriff Grady Monroe, Darlene's half brother, is worse. As the two of them race to unravel the mystery, it quickly becomes clear that Violet is in grave danger...and Grady suddenly knows that he'll do anything to protect her, no matter what the cost....

Certified Cowboy

After a successful career as a Texas rodeo champ, Johnny Long quit living on the wild side. Now he was devoted to giving kids a second chance. But when he hires a mysterious woman, Johnny knows trouble has re–entered his life. Not only is Rachel Presley beautiful, but the fear in her eyes –– and in those of her five–year–old son –– practically breaks his hardened heart. Sharing some of his secrets is the only way to get to the bottom of Rachel's...even if revealing them could have their own dangerous consequences.

Cowboy in the Extreme

“There's an intruder in my cabin!”

The moment he heard Kim Long's terrified voice on the phone, Brandon Woodstock knew he had to help her and her little girl. Once, he'd promised to love and protect Kim forever. Now, in spite of the secrets that had come between them, the Texas rancher intended to keep that promise. But rescuing Kim riled all the wrong people –– and rekindled the attraction he'd thought ended with their broken relationship.

Cowboy to the Max

Rancher Carter Flagstone refuses to take the fall for a crime he didn't commit. Branded a murderer five years ago, he's dead–set on getting freedom –– and revenge. But after locating the woman who helped frame him, Carter is shocked to find Sadie Whitefeather scared, alone and hiding out in a remote Texas town. On the run, with no one to turn to but each other, Carter finds forgiving Sadie isn't so hard after all. And clearing his name is more important than he ever imagined...

Cowboy Cop

Miles McGregor had dedicated his life to justice, and with his latest arrest behind bars, the detective finally had more time to spend with his son, Timmy. Then the unthinkable happened – Timmy's mother was murdered before his eyes. Miles's only choice was to bring his little boy to the Bucking Bronc Lodge, a ranch where young boys heal.

Jordan Keys is an expert at rehabilitating children. But when it comes to Miles, she is lost. The sexy detective is harder to reach…and a whole lot less willing to try. Before long, though, a killer comes calling and Jordan witnesses the true power of Miles McGregor. And just how far he'll go to rescue them from this living nightmare.

Native Cowboy

There was no man more dedicated to his job than Detective Mason Blackpaw. Yet when he discovers a dead body at the Bucking Bronc Lodge, he's forced to confront his moment of greatest weakness – and a reunion with the very pregnant Dr Cara Winchester.
Cara fell for the sexy Comanche officer the moment she laid eyes on him, captivated by his loyalty and fiercely protective instincts.

Their romance was brief but intense, and when it ended, he left part of him with her. Now a killer was kidnapping her patients' babies, and Mason was on the case to stop him. But how would he react once the killer targeted her…or when Mason found out her child was also his?

Ultimate Cowboy

Rancher Brody Bloodworth has spent years blaming himself for his brother's disappearance. If he hadn't snuck off to be with Julie Whitehead, everything would have been different–and he wouldn't have pushed her away. Now Julie is back, as an FBI agent with a solid lead on his brother.

Although the past makes Brody reluctant to fall for Julie again, he admires her for being unable to keep her hands off the case. Before long he finds himself unable to keep his hands off her. As he prepares for a showdown with the ruthless kidnappers, Brody knows what's at stake if he wins. And just how much he'll lose if he doesn't...

Unbreakable Bond

For eight years, Nina Nash has held fast to the belief her little girl is still alive, despite being told otherwise. Only no one accepts her claims…except the one man who's determined to help her uncover the truth.

Investigator Slade Blackburn takes Nina's case, hoping to finally give her some closure and erase the sadness from her beautiful eyes. When their search for answers turns dangerous, Slade vows he'll stop at nothing to ensure her survival and reunite her with the child she knows is still out there.

The Missing Twin

Detective Caleb Walker had taken on some tough cases, but when Madelyn Andrews came to him, claiming that her five–year–old daughter was able to 'communicate' with her twin sister who'd never made it home from the hospital, Caleb was sceptical. One glimpse at the beautiful single mother, though, and he couldn't walk away.

Now, as he looked into what really happened when Madelyn went into labour, suspicious details were uncovered. And the deeper he dug, the more invested Caleb became in their tiny family and his hope to bring a little girl home…

Her Stolen Son

Detective Colt Mason's latest 'client' was impossible to resist. Not only was he just five years old, his teary–eyed pleas to prove his mother was innocent of murder pulled at Colt's hard–to–breach heartstrings. But before he could investigate, the child disappeared without a trace. Now, with Serena Stover desperate to find her son and clear her name, Colt took one look at the beautiful widow and knew this little family would change his life forever.

Steady, responsible Dr. Seth Broadhurst was all wrong for impetuous Mimi Hartwell. But ever since she'd received the heirloom hope chest from her dearest Grammy Rose, she hadn't stopped fantasizing about him. Somewhere under the starched shirts and silk ties beat the heart of an undeniably sexy male. And Mimi was just the woman to find him....

It had taken only one night–one tender, passionate, stolen night in Seth's arms. Mimi's heart swelled when Seth offered her and their baby the protection of his name. Until she realized her dreams of marrying Seth included a proposal from the heart!

Shy, mousy Rebecca Hartwell had a shocking secret–she was in love with the town's hottest bachelor, Dr. Thomas Emerson! Her feelings seemed hopeless, but when the latest Hartwell bridal bouquet landed smack on her head and Rebecca received an heirloom hope chest full of seductive surprises, she suddenly had an outrageous idea. Dare a shy virgin ask her secret crush to father the baby she yearned for?

He'd been burned by a Hartwell before, but Thomas couldn't get Rebecca off his mind. The quietly lovely woman blushed fiery red every time they met. She was hiding something...and uncovering it might just be the cure for this doc's jaded heart and soul!

When Alison Hartwell's boyfriend proposes marriage, tradition finds the youngest Hartwell sister the proud owner of a hand-carved hope chest from her beloved Grammy Rose. But amongst the lace and satin is some disturbing news: Alison is already married to someone else!

After Alison and her high school sweetheart, Brady Broussard, eloped, her father quickly annulled it, or so they thought. When Brady returns to town for his sister's wedding, Alison has the chance to make things right between them. But she has never stopped loving the handsome air force pilot. Can she convince Brady their love was meant to last a lifetime?

Cold Case at Carlton’s Canyon - Rita Herron

Sergeant Justin Thorpe has dedicated his life to justice and won’t stop until he finds the vicious serial killer who has already claimed ten innocent lives. He works solo – until he joins forces with Sheriff Amanda Blair. The Texas Ranger can’t let his desire for his co-worker keep him from his mission, especially when Amanda’s life is threatened.

Ten girls have vanished – one for every year since Amanda graduated from Canyon High. And as she tries to fight her attraction to a man as independent as she is, a trap is being laid to make Amanda the final victim in a killer’s terrifying endgame.

Guarding The Princess - Loreth Anne White

It was to be a 72-hour mission, in and out, until Brandt Stryker got stranded in the arid African plains with predators before him, a killer at his heels, and an exotic princess by his side. Dalilah Al Arif stirs his blood, makes him crave things he’d lost long ago – but she is off limits, promised to a sheikh.

Dalilah’s wedding contract stipulates she must wed before her 30th birthday – just months away. It’s a duty she accepts. But in the arms of her handsome protector, she’s torn between her sense of duty and honour, and her freedom. And as the terrorists close in, she fears the most dangerous creature in the Savannah is Brandt himself...

These three classic tales featuring the Heroes of Horseshoe Creek will make you fall in love with USA TODAY bestselling author Rita Herron all over again!

Lock, Stock and McCullen (originally published in 2015)

Sherriff Maddox McCullen’s investigation into the death of Rose Worthington’s fiance – by her own hand...in self-defence – becomes an even bigger mystery when he finds nothing at the crime scene. No bullet casing, no blood, no body. Now, with Rose caught in the crosshairs of escalating danger he’ll stop at nothing to keep her safe.

McCullen’s Secret Son (originally published in 2015)

Sexy-as-sin rodeo star Brett McCullen is Willow James Howard’s past. But when her estranged husband is killed and her son kidnapped, she’s forced to accept help from the man who broke her heart. Little does Brett know that the very child he’s trying to rescue is his own flesh and blood. With the ransom deadline looming, Brett must go to extremes to save the family he never knew he wanted...

Roping Ray McCullen (originally published in 2016)

Ray McCullen left Horseshoe Creek and vowed to never look back. Until his father’s funeral brings him home. That’s where he meets Scarlet Lovett, who seems to know more about his family’s secrets than he does. Secrets ready to explode. Suddenly, Ray is at the centre of an inheritance battle – and Scarlet is caught in the middle. Can their attraction survive the danger...and lead them to a shared future?

Three sexy heroes will do anything to protect the women they love in these classic tales from USA TODAY bestselling author Rita Herron!

Warrior Son

Deputy Sheriff Roan Whitefeather never thought he’d set foot on Horseshoe Creek. But when the ranch’s patriarch dies unexpectedly, Roan suspects foul play. And so does Dr Megan Lail. Roan has been trying to avoid the beautiful medical examiner since the one incredible night they spent in each other’s arms. But crossing paths again only stirs up old feelings – and an even older web of murder and deception. The deeper he investigates, the more he realises everyone has secrets. And Roan holds the biggest secret of them all...

Originally published in Harlequin Intrigue in 2016.

The Missing McCullen

Defense attorney BJ Alexander is crafty, brilliant, and deeply scarred by the loss of her husband and child. Hired by the McCullen family, who believe Cash Koker to be their lost brother, BJ commits to the case – and vows not to become entangled with her devastatingly handsome client. But nothing can prepare Cash when charges are mistakenly brought against him. Now not only is Cash’s life at stake, but so is that of a missing little boy...

Originally published in Harlequin Intrigue in 2017.

The Last McCullen

Tia Jeffries’s infant son has been abducted and Special Agent Ryder Banks is determined to find her baby. So the pretty single mum agrees to ditch the gun and work undercover with the sexy agent. Posing as a couple desperate to adopt, they find a murky world of baby brokers, scams – and a connection to the McCullens, Ryder’s birth family. When bullets start flying, Ryder risks everything to make Tia and her baby his own...

Originally published in Harlequin Intrigue in 2017.

Wive and Mommi wanted for Hansom Daddi and Dorabl Twins

How could two tiny girls cause so much trouble? Zeke Blalock had moved his vet practice to a small town to have more time with his daughters. Now, thanks to the twins' advertising scheme, he was up to his neck in wife candidates! And worse, the twins' favorite lived right next door ....

Paige Watkins couldn't believe her eyes when she shepherded the twins and their fliers home. "Daddi" was six feet three inches of hard-bodied male-–and he thought she was applying for the "position."

Paige had long ago decided she wasn't marriage material. Zeke's sensual appeal was just one more reason to avoid him. But neither she nor Zeke could evade the efforts of two determined little matchmakers for very long ....

With a brief, terrifying phone call, Lisa Langley's nightmare began again. Four years ago she was the sole survivor of the Grave Digger, a madman who buried his victims alive. Now a copycat killer is on the loose and she's the only chance Special Agent Brad Booker has of stopping this psychopath before more women including Lisa die.

Booker has never forgiven himself for failing to save Lisa from falling victim to the first Grave Digger. Whatever it takes, this time he's not going to let her down. Because almost losing Lisa is not something he can live through twice...

But in coming home to Kudzu Hollow, she discovers she is not alone in her search for the truth: Matt Mahoney, the man who saved her life, who haunts her dreams, who was wrongfully accused of the crime, has come back, too, demanding answers - and justice.

When Matt looks into Ivy's eyes, he sees a woman whose pain mirrors his own. The feelings she stirs within him promise a life he never thought he'd have. But evil still resides in this sleepy mountain town, as do secrets worth killing for. Now danger stalks them both, and Matt is fighting for more than vengeance...he's fighting for their future.

Mysterious Circumstances 

FBI agent Craig Horn had his hands full investigating a series of suspicious deaths without a single lead while trying to avoid a media circus. Complicating matters, he'd finally met his match in feisty reporter Olivia Thornbird.

As Olivia tries to get her scoop, she receives dangerous threats and honour demanded Craig to protect her. Now, they're work together to draw out a killer. But soon, the sassy spitfire's tantalising lips become a distraction Craig couldn't afford...

Vows Of Vengeance

Stella Segall couldn't remember how she'd gotten into the seedy hotel room or how the dead man got into her bed. Worse, she couldn't remember Luke Devlin, the sexy FBI agent who arrived claiming to be her husband…

Searing attraction had brought Stella and Luke together thirteen months ago. But on their wedding night she disappeared and Luke questioned everything about her. Now, the only woman he loved and lost stands accused of murder. He'd risk his life to discover whether she was a pawn in a vengeful mind game or a cold-blooded assassin. 

Look-Alike 

Sheriff Miles Monahue fell for Caitlin Collier, meeting and marrying her within a month. So when she disappeared and Miles was accused of foul play, his world shattered. As he concluded that he will never know the truth, her body was discovered.

Before Miles could grieve, Caitlin's look-alike stumbled back into his life, with no memory. True, his wedding had been uncharacteristically impulsive, but the feelings 'Caitlin' stirred made him determined to protect her from the danger that had followed her home...till death did they part.

Rita Herron

A columnist for the city's hottest erotic magazine, Britta Berger has heard her share of wild, hidden desires. But beneath her sophisticated facade, Britta is running from much darker secrets, including the terrifying night she barely survived. Now someone from her past has returned to play a merciless game. And only one man can help her....

Detective Jean–Paul Dubois knows instinctively that Britta is the key to ending the string of vicious ritualistic murders that plague his city. But still haunted by his past, he must resist the dangerous attraction between them. For lurking deep in the shadows of the bayou, a killer waits to end her life–and their future–with one devastating final strike.