December 8th, 2024
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THE MIRRORTHE MIRROR
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WAITING FOR CHRISTMAS
WAITING FOR CHRISTMAS

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December's delights are here! Thrilling tales, romance, and magic await you.

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Family secrets aren't just dangerous, they are deadly.


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A headstrong heiress and a noble gambler: wagers, intrigue, and irresistible romance.


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An immortal vampire, a relentless agent, and a past that refuses to stay buried.


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A PI protecting a determined daughter, a killer ready to strike again.


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Three homeless puppies, two lonely hearts, and a massive snowstorm.


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Two restless souls, one wild Christmas on the ranch�where sparks fly, and dreams ride free.


Excerpt of The Island by Heather Graham

Purchase


MIRA
March 2006
Featuring: Beth Anderson
384 pages
ISBN: 0778322831
Hardcover
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Romance Suspense

Also by Heather Graham:

The Murder Machine, May 2025
Hardcover
Touch of Doubt & Yuletide Cold Case Cover-Up, December 2024
Mass Market Paperback / e-Book (reprint)
Legacy of Blood, October 2024
Mass Market Paperback / e-Book
A Murderer Among Us, August 2024
Mass Market Paperback / e-Book
Market for Murder, July 2024
Mass Market Paperback / e-Book / audiobook
Death Behind Every Door, June 2024
Mass Market Paperback / e-Book
The Reaper Follows, April 2024
Hardcover / e-Book / audiobook
Shadow of Death, April 2024
Mass Market Paperback / e-Book / audiobook (reprint)
Hurricane Bay, February 2024
e-Book (reprint)
The Island, November 2023
e-Book
Blood Moon, October 2023
Mass Market Paperback / e-Book (reprint)
Dust to Dust, October 2023
Mass Market Paperback / e-Book (reprint)
Cursed at Dawn, September 2023
Mass Market Paperback / e-Book
Cry of the Banshee, September 2023
e-Book
Secrets in the Dark, August 2023
Mass Market Paperback / e-Book
Whispers at Dusk, July 2023
Mass Market Paperback
Shadow of Death, April 2023
Hardcover / e-Book / audiobook
Crimson Summer, February 2023
Paperback / e-Book / audiobook (reprint)
Blood Moon, November 2022
Hardcover / e-Book
The Rising, October 2022
Mass Market Paperback / e-Book
Voice of Fear, October 2022
Mass Market Paperback / e-Book / audiobook
Aura of Night, August 2022
Hardcover / e-Book
Sound of Darkness, June 2022
Hardcover / e-Book
Hotel California, May 2022
Hardcover / e-Book
Crimson Summer, April 2022
Hardcover / e-Book / audiobook
The Unholy, January 2022
e-Book (reprint)
The Unseen, January 2022
e-Book (reprint)
The Last Noel & Secret Surrogate, November 2021
Mass Market Paperback / e-Book
Down in New Orleans, October 2021
Mass Market Paperback / e-Book
The Unknown, October 2021
Mass Market Paperback / e-Book
Holiday Fake-out, October 2021
e-Book
The Forbidden, August 2021
Mass Market Paperback / e-Book
The Unforgiven, June 2021
Mass Market Paperback / e-Book
Danger In Numbers, April 2021
Hardcover / e-Book
The Final Deception, February 2021
Mass Market Paperback / e-Book (reprint)
Night, Sea and Stars, October 2020
Mass Market Paperback (reprint)
Dreaming Death, October 2020
Mass Market Paperback / e-Book / audiobook
Deadly Touch, August 2020
Mass Market Paperback / e-Book
Shattering Glass, June 2020
Paperback / e-Book
Seeing Darkness, May 2020
Mass Market Paperback / e-Book
Witness to Death, May 2020
Mass Market Paperback
The Final Deception, April 2020
Hardcover / e-Book
Tangled Threat & Suspicious, September 2019
Mass Market Paperback / e-Book
The Stalking, September 2019
Mass Market Paperback / e-Book
The Seekers, August 2019
Mass Market Paperback / e-Book
Sinister Intentions, July 2019
Mass Market Paperback / e-Book (reprint)
The Summoning, June 2019
Mass Market Paperback / e-Book
A Lethal Legacy, March 2019
Hardcover / e-Book
A Dangerous Game, February 2019
Mass Market Paperback / e-Book (reprint)
American Drifter, November 2018
Mass Market Paperback / e-Book (reprint)
Undercover Connection & Double Entendre, November 2018
Mass Market Paperback
Echoes of Evil, October 2018
Mass Market Paperback
Pale as Death, August 2018
Mass Market Paperback / e-Book
Fade to Black, June 2018
Mass Market Paperback / e-Book
A Dangerous Game, March 2018
Hardcover / e-Book
A Season of Miracles, December 2017
e-Book (reprint)
The Rising, December 2017
Mass Market Paperback / e-Book (reprint)
A Perfect Obsession, December 2017
Mass Market Paperback / e-Book
Tomorrow the Glory, December 2017
Mass Market Paperback / e-Book
Shadows in the Night & Never Sleep with Strangers, November 2017
Mass Market Paperback / e-Book
An Angel's Touch, October 2017
Mass Market Paperback
Wicked Deeds, September 2017
Mass Market Paperback / e-Book
Angel of Mercy & Standoff at Mustang Ridge, September 2017
Mass Market Paperback
Lie Down in Roses, September 2017
Mass Market Paperback
Dark Rites, August 2017
Mass Market Paperback / e-Book
Dangerous Nights, July 2017
Mass Market Paperback
Dying Breath, June 2017
Hardcover / e-Book
Blue Heaven, Black Night, June 2017
Mass Market Paperback
A Perfect Obsession, April 2017
Hardcover / e-Book
Princess of Fire, February 2017
Mass Market Paperback
The Rising, January 2017
Hardcover / e-Book
Law and Disorder, January 2017
Mass Market Paperback / e-Book
Darkest Journey, October 2016
Paperback / e-Book
When We Touch, September 2016
Paperback
Deadly Fate, August 2016
Mass Market Paperback
Strangers in Paradise, July 2016
Mass Market Paperback / e-Book
The Lion In Glory, July 2016
Paperback
Haunted Destiny, June 2016
Mass Market Paperback / e-Book
Haunted Destiny, June 2016
Hardcover
Flawless, April 2016
Hardcover / e-Book
Seize the Dawn, March 2016
Paperback
The Hidden, October 2015
Paperback / e-Book
Dark Screams: Vol. 4, August 2015
e-Book
Sweet Dreams Boxed Set, May 2015
e-Book
The Dead Play On, April 2015
Hardcover / e-Book
The Keepers: Christmas in Salem, November 2014
Paperback / e-Book
The Hexed, August 2014
Paperback / e-Book
A Fantastic Holiday Season, August 2014
Paperback / e-Book
The Cursed, June 2014
Paperback / e-Book
The Keepers: Christmas in Salem, November 2013
Paperback / e-Book
The Night Is Forever, October 2013
Paperback / e-Book
The Night Is Alive, August 2013
Paperback / e-Book
Keeper of the Dawn, July 2013
Paperback / e-Book
The Night Is Watching, June 2013
Paperback / e-Book
Let The Dead Sleep, April 2013
Hardcover / e-Book
Love is Murder, March 2013
Paperback / e-Book (reprint)
The Unseen, March 2013
Paperback / e-Book (reprint)
Keeper Of The Night, December 2012
Paperback / e-Book
A Magical Christmas, November 2012
Paperback / e-Book (reprint)
An Angel For Christmas, November 2012
Paperback / e-Book
The Uninvited, September 2012
Paperback / e-Book
The Unspoken, August 2012
Paperback / e-Book
The Unholy, July 2012
Paperback / e-Book
The Unseen, April 2012
Hardcover / e-Book
Bride of the Night, November 2011
Mass Market Paperback / e-Book
An Angel for Christmas, October 2011
Hardcover / e-Book
The Evil Inside, September 2011
Paperback / e-Book
Home Improvement, August 2011
Hardcover
Sacred Evil, July 2011
Paperback
Heart of Evil, June 2011
e-Book
Heart of Evil, June 2011
Paperback
In The Dark, April 2011
Paperback (reprint)
Phantom Evil, April 2011
Hardcover / e-Book
The Killing Edge, March 2011
Paperback
The Presence, January 2011
Paperback
Night of the Vampires, December 2010
Mass Market Paperback
The Keepers, October 2010
Paperback
Ghost Moon, September 2010
Paperback
Ghost Night, August 2010
Paperback
Ghost Shadow, July 2010
Mass Market Paperback
Forever My Love, June 2010
Paperback
The Killing Edge, April 2010
Hardcover
Nightwalker, March 2010
Mass Market Paperback
Unhallowed Ground, October 2009
Mass Market Paperback
There Be Dragons, September 2009
Hardcover
Dust To Dust, July 2009
Mass Market Paperback
Night Moves, June 2009
Mass Market Paperback (reprint)
Nightwalker, April 2009
Hardcover
More Than Words, Volume 5, April 2009
Hardcover
The Death Dealer, January 2009
Mass Market Paperback
Deadly Gift, December 2008
Mass Market Paperback
Deadly Harvest, November 2008
Mass Market Paperback
A Bride By Christmas, October 2008
Mass Market Paperback
Deadly Night, October 2008
Mass Market Paperback
Wedding Bell Blues, May 2008
Paperback (reprint)
The Death Dealer, April 2008
Hardcover
The Last Noel, November 2007
Hardcover
The Seance, October 2007
Mass Market Paperback
Blood Red, July 2007
Mass Market Paperback
Thriller, June 2007
Paperback
The Island, March 2007
Paperback (reprint)
The Dead Room, March 2007
Hardcover
Kiss Of Darkness, September 2006
Paperback
The Last Cavalier, September 2006
Paperback
The Vision, July 2006
Paperback
Killing Kelly, March 2006
Paperback (reprint)
The Island, March 2006
Hardcover
Ghost Walk, October 2005
Paperback
Suspicious, August 2005
Paperback
Killing Kelly, March 2005
Hardcover
Dead on the Dance Floor, February 2005
Paperback (reprint)
Eyes of Fire, January 2005
Paperback (reprint)
Night of the Blackbird, January 2005
Paperback (reprint)
Never Sleep with Strangers, January 2005
Paperback (reprint)
If Looks Could Kill, January 2005
Paperback (reprint)
The Presence, September 2004
Paperback
In The Dark, August 2004
Paperback
Picture Me Dead, February 2004
Paperback (reprint)
Snowy Nights, November 2003
Trade Size
Haunted, September 2003
Paperback
On the Edge, July 2003
Trade Size
The Ultimate Treasure, July 2003
Trade Size
Forbidden Stranger, June 2003
Paperback (reprint)
Huricane Bay, January 2003
Paperback (reprint)
Apache Summer, January 2003
Paperback
Rides A Hero, October 2002
Paperback
A Season of Miracles, September 2002
Paperback / e-Book
Dark Stranger, July 2002
Paperback
Slow Burn, August 2001
Paperback

Excerpt of The Island by Heather Graham

IT WAS A SKULL.

That much Beth Anderson knew after two seconds of dusting off bits of dirt and grass and fallen palm debris.

"Well?" Amber demanded.

"What is it?" Kimberly asked, standing right behind Amber, anxiously trying to look over her shoulder.

Beth glanced up briefly at her fourteen-year-old niece and her niece's best friend. Until just seconds ago, the two had been talking a mile a minute, as they always did, agreeing that their friend Tammy was a bitch, being far too cruel to her best friend, Aubrey, who in turn came to Amber and Kimberly for friendship every time she was being dissed by Tammy. They weren't dissing anyone themselves, they had assured Beth, because they weren't saying anything they wouldn't say straight to Tammy's face.

Beth loved the girls, loved being with them, and was touched to be the next best thing to a mother for Amber, who had lost her own as an infant. She was accustomed to listening to endless discussions on the hottest music, the hottest new shows and the hottest new movies — and who did and didn't deserve to be in them, since the girls were both students at a magnet school for drama.

The main topic on their hot list had recently become boys. On that subject, they could truly talk endlessly.

But now their continual chatter had come to a dead stop. Kimberly had been the one to stub her toe on the unknown object.

Amber had been the one to stoop down to look, then demand that her aunt come over.

"Well?" Kim prodded. "Dig it up, Beth."

"Um...I don't think I should," Beth said, biting her lower lip. It wasn't just a skull. She couldn't see it clearly, there was so much dirt and debris, but despite the fact that it was half hidden by tangled grasses and the sandy ground, she could see more than bone.

There was still hair, Beth thought, her stomach churning. And even tissue.

She didn't want the girls seeing what they had discovered any more closely.

Beth felt as if the blood in her veins had suddenly turned to ice. She didn't touch the skull; she carefully laid a palm frond over it, so she would recognize the spot when she returned to it. She wasn't about to dig anything up with the girls here.

She dusted her hands and stood quickly, determined that they had to get back to her brother; who was busy setting up their campsite. They were going to have to radio the police, since cell phones didn't seem to work out here.

A feeling of deep unease was beginning to ooze along her spine as vague recollections of a haunting news story flashed into her mind: Molly and Ted Monoco, expert sailors, had seemed to vanish into thin air.

The last place they'd actually been seen was Calliope Key, right where they were now.

"Let's go get Ben," she suggested, trying not to sound as upset as she felt.

"It's a skull, isn't it?" Amber demanded.

She was a beautiful girl, tall and slender, with huge hazel eyes and long dark hair. The way she looked in a bathing suit — a two-piece, but hardly a risqué bikini — was enough to draw the attention of boys who were much too old for her, at least in Beth's opinion. Kimberly was the opposite of Amber, a petite blonde with bright blue eyes, pretty as a picture.

Sometimes the fact that she was in charge of two such attractive and impressionable girls seemed daunting. She knew she tended to be a worrywart, but the idea of any harm coming to the girls was...

Okay! She was the adult here. In charge. And it was time to do something about that.

But they were practically alone on an island with no phones, no cars...not a single luxury. A popular destination for the local boat crowd, but distant and desolate.

It was two to three hours back to Miami with the engine running, though Fort Lauderdale was closer, and it was hardly an hour to a few of the Bahamian islands.

She inhaled and exhaled. Slowly.

The human mind was amazing. Moments ago she had been delighted by the very remoteness of the island, pleased that there weren't any refreshment stands, automobiles or modern appliances of any kind.

But now... "Might be a skull," Beth admitted, and she forced a grin, lifting her hands. "And might not be," she lied. "Your dad isn't going to be happy about this, Amber, when he's been planning this vacation for so long, but —"

She broke off. She hadn't heard the sound of footsteps or even the rustle of foliage, but as she spoke, a man appeared.

He had emerged from an overgrown trail through one of the thick hummocks of pines and palms that grew so profusely on the island.

It was that elemental landscape that brought real boat people here, the lack of all the things that came with the real world.

So why did his arrival feel so threatening?

Trying to be rational with herself, she decided that he looked just right for the type of person who should be here. He had sandy hair and was deeply tanned. No, not just tanned but bronzed, with the kind of dyed-in-deep coloring that true boat people frequently seemed to acquire. He was in good shape, but not heavily muscled. He was in well-worn denim cutoffs, and his feet were clad in deck shoes, no socks. His feet were as bronze as his body, so he must have spent plenty of time barefoot.

Like a guy who belonged on a boat, cruising the out islands. One who knew what he was doing. One who would camp where there were no amenities.

He also wore shades.

Anyone would, she told herself. She had on sunglasses, as did the girls. So why did his seem suspicious, dark and secretive.

She needed to be reasonable, she told herself. She was only feeling this sudden wariness because she had just found a skull, and instinctive panic was setting in. It was odd how the psyche worked. Any other time, if she had run into someone else on the island, she would have been friendly.

But she had just found a skull, and he reminded her of the unknown fate of Ted and Molly Monoco, who had been here, and then...

Sailed into the sunset?

An old friend had reported them missing when they hadn't radioed in, as they usually did.

And she had just found a skull at their last known location. So she froze, just staring at the man.

Amber, at fourteen, hadn't yet begun to think of personal danger in the current situation. Her father was a boat person, so she was accustomed to other boat people, and she was friendly when she met them. She wasn't stupid or naive, and she had been taught street smarts — she went to school in downtown Miami, for one thing. She could be careful when she knew she should.

Apparently that didn't seem to be now.

Amber smiled at the stranger and said, "Hi."

"Hi," he returned. "Hi," Kim said.

Amber nudged Beth. "Um — hi."

"Keith Henson," the man said, and though she couldn't see his eyes, his shades were directed toward her. His face had good solid lines. Strong chin, high-set cheekbones. The voice was rich and deep.

He should have been doing voice-overs for commercials or modeling.

Hey, she mocked herself. Maybe that was what he did do. "I'm Amber Anderson," her niece volunteered. "This is Kim Smith, and that's my aunt Beth." She was obviously intrigued and went on to say, "We're camping here."

"Maybe," Beth said quickly.

Amber frowned. "Oh, come on! Just because —"

"How do you do, Mr. Henson," Beth said, cutting off her niece's words. She stepped forward quickly, away from their find.

"Nice to meet you. Down here on vacation? Where are you from?"

Oh, good, that was casual. A complete third degree in ten seconds or less.

"Recent transplant, actually a bit of a roamer," he told her, smiling, offering her his hand. It was a fine hand. Long fingered, as bronzed as the rest of him, nails clipped and clean. Palm callused. He used his hands for work. He was a real sailor, definitely, or did some other kind of manual labor.

She had the most bizarre thought that when she accepted his handshake, he would wrench her forward, and then his fingers would wind around her neck. The fear became so palpable that she almost screamed aloud to the girls to run.

He took her hand briefly in a firm but not too powerful grip, then released it. "Amber, Kim," he said, and shook their hands as he spoke.

"So are you folks are from the area?" he asked, and looked at the girls, smiling. Apparently he'd already written Beth off as a total flake.

She slipped between the two girls, feeling her bulldog attitude coming on and setting an arm around each girl's shoulders.

"Yep!" Amber said.

"Well, kind of," Kim said.

"I mean, we're not from the island we're standing on, but nearby," Amber said.

Henson's smile deepened.

Beth tried to breathe normally and told herself that she was watching far too many forensics shows on television. There was no reason to believe she had to protect the girls from this man.

But no reason to trust him on sight, either. "Are you planning on camping on the island?" Beth asked. He waved a hand toward the sea. "I'm not sure yet. I'm with some friends...we're doing some diving, some fishing. We haven't decided whether we're in a camping mood or not."

"Where are your friends?" Beth asked. A little sharply? she wondered. So much for being casual, able to easily escape a bad situation, if it should prove to be one.

"At the moment I'm on my own."

"I didn't see your dinghy," Beth said. "In fact, I didn't even notice another boat in the area."

"It's there," he said, "the Sea Serpent." He cocked his head wryly. "My friend, Lee, who owns her, likes to think of himself as the brave, adventurous type. Did you sail out here on your own?"

It might have been an innocent question, but not to Beth. Not at this moment.

She had been swearing for years that she was going to take kung fu classes or karate, but as yet, she hadn't quite done so.

She always carried pepper spray in her purse. But, of course, she had been wandering inland with the girls, just walking, and she wasn't carrying her purse. She wasn't carrying anything. She had on sandals and a bathing suit. Like the girls.

"Are you alone?" Keith Henson repeated politely.

Politely? Or menacingly?

"Oh, no. We're with my brother. And a whole crowd."

"A whole crowd —" Amber began.

Beth pinched her shoulder.

"Ow!" Amber gasped.

"Lots of my brother's friends are coming in. Sailors...boat people...you know, big guys, the kind who can twist off beer caps with their teeth," Beth said, trying to sound light.

Excerpt from The Island by Heather Graham
All rights reserved by publisher and author

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