Season of the Turtle

Book excerpt: When the season for guarding sea turtle nests on Oak Island, North Carolina, began that year, Aubrey Benson struggled to find her usual passion. Rebuffed by her teenage daughter, Sunny, and threatened by her ex with a custody change, she was weary of her life and certainly in no mood for romance. The big, homeless war veteran probably meant to be helpful, but Aubrey distrusted him from their first meeting. It took days of working together on the beach for her to accept, then admire and, finally, to love Tom Clayton. But a sexual assailant is stalking the sleepy coastal community, and Tom fits the description of the attacker. Aubrey struggles to prove to herself and others that her faith in Tom is justified. All the while, a predator is closing in, and a dark, deserted beach is the perfect setting for danger.