title: Dark Secret in Magnolia Hill
author: Kenady, Bobbi
description: Magnolia Hill - a quiet little town, perched overlooking the Ohio River. Unless you were looking for it, you would never find it. The nagging mystery of what happened to her mother has never left Kara Lambert's mind. Neither has the teenage boy who stole her heart eight years ago. Kara is determined to solve the mystery of her mother's disappearance. She receives an unlikely ally in her quest - none other than the object of her first teenage crush, Sage Sawyer. Unfortunately, someone in Magnolia Hill is determined to keep that secret hidden. Undeterred by the mounting threats against them, Kara and Sage continue to follow the clues toward the eventual outcome; a conclusion to the eight year old mystery. Will their shared journey lead Kara and Sage to realize that maybe there is more between them than the memory of a romantic spark? Excerpt: Kara ran her tongue over her suddenly dry lips. "I think I will go to the police station and see if they have any information about a missing woman or an unidentified..." Her voice trailed off, she couldn't bring herself to say, 'body'. "Remember what I said, Kara. Not everyone in this town can be trusted. I want you to promise me that you will be careful." Kara nodded. Her eyes lowered to lock onto his mouth. The same mouth that had claimed hers eight years ago and set her entire existence on end. "Kara." Sage leaned closer to her, as his thumb stroked against her bottom lip again. He was going to kiss her again. He was giving her ample opportunity to turn away, but at this point that option was out of the realm of possibility. She wanted this kiss more than her next breath. The kiss was familiar and yet at the same time, took her to new heights. This time, Sage's hands didn't remain safely on the sides of her face, they slid down her body and rested in the small of her back, effectively pinning her body against his. The world around Kara ceased to exist. There was nothing but her and Sage and the electricity that rippled through her body. Sage lifted his mouth from hers, but continued to hold her against his frame. His rapid heartbeat thundered beneath her cheek. Kara knew that her own heartbeat shared the same resonance. None of their past kisses, either real or imagined, had prepared her for the moment they had just shared. Wow. Simply, wow.