After Dark (Zebra Romantic Suspense Series) by Beverly Barton, Kensington Publishing Corporation Staff

From the Publisher

Johnny Mack Cahill has come a long way from his dirt-poor upbringing in Noble’s Crossing, AL. Now he is a multi-millionaire businessman in Houston, TX. After nearly being murdered 15 years ago, Johnny Mack left town vowing never to return. Lane Noble was the only good thing in Noble’s Crossing, but knowing he was not worthy of her, he left her behind. The receipt of an anonymous note and newspaper clipping changes everything in an instant. The note reads simply “Your son needs you. Come home.” The trouble is, Johnny Mack never knew he had a son.

The newspaper article states that Lane Noble Graham is the prime suspect in the murder of her ex-husband Kent Graham. It shows a picture of Lane’s 14-year-old son Will, who is the spitting image of Johnny Mack. The only problem is that he never slept with Lane, so who is Will’s biological mother?

Romantic Times - Jill M. Smith

Southern atmosphere abounds, as do dark secrets and lies in this great new book by Beverly Barton. Romance, murder and family secrets…what more could you want from a thriller?

Internet Book Watch

Highly recommended

In her first romantic suspense novel, Beverly Barton tells the story of Johnny Mack Cahill, a redeemable bad boy in After Dark. Set in the small town of Noble's Crossing, the streets roll up after dark leaving a quiet, sleeping town. Nothing wild goes on — at least in public. Indeed, Noble's Crossing's secrets go on behind closed doors and mostly after dark.

Everyone in town knew that Johnny Mack Cahill was John Graham's illegitimate son, making him Kent Graham's half-brother. Fifteen years ago Kent hated his half-brother with a passion only matched by his determination to marry Lane Noble. When Kent found out about Lane's crush on Johnny Mack, he arranged for his half-brother's murder. Beaten nearly to death by Sheriff Buddy Lawler and his thugs, Johnny Mack was thrown into the cold waters of the Chickasaw River. Only Lane's discovery of his nearly dead body on the river's shore saved his life.

Johnny Mack returns to Noble's Crossing when an anonymous letter arrives stating that he has a son. He's stayed away from Noble's Crossing for fifteen years, but learning that he has son and that Lane stands accused of Kent's murder brings him back. Johnny Mack quickly discovers that fourteen year-old Will's life has been formed by lies, one stacked neatly on top of the next.

A dying woman's letter to adopted father Kent tore Will's world to shreds, revealing not only his adoption, but that his birth father is none other than Johnny Mack. Kent couldn't forgive the boy for being Johnny Mack's son. Nor could he forgive Lane for orchestrating the adoption of Johnny Mack's child.

Johnny Mack can't be scared off. He can't be run off. And he can't be bought off. He doesn't play by the rules and these days he's the one who always wins. Four years of college and eight years of sharing a compassionate man's home had polished Johnny Mack's rough edges, giving him the ability to pass himself off as a gentleman.

Edith runs Noble's Crossing, declaring that it is her town, her county and her state. Johnny Mack may be a big shot in Texas, but in Noble's Crossing he's still white trash with money. When her son Kent has been dead for two weeks, Edith persuades the DA to take the case to the grand jury. Further, she demands that the DA get a capital murder indictment against Lane. Edith wants Lane punished for her son's murder, she wants Will protected, and she wants Johnny Mack to learn that she still rules Noble's Crossing.

After Dark present a chilling account of small town intrigue. Beverly Barton presents the hidden motivations of each character with precision, creating a twisting plot line that keeps the pages turning. Indeed, the characters are multi-dimensional and realistic while acting in a believable and consistent manner. Fans of After Dark will be pleased to learn that in September 2001, Barton's second romantic suspense novel for Zebra, tentatively titled Every Move She Makes, will be released. After Dark is Highly recommended.

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