A Killing Frost

A terrible secret haunts Dr. Jama Keith. But she must return to her past—her hometown of River Dance, Missouri—and risk exposure. She owes a debt to the town for financing her dreams. If only she can avoid ex-fiancé Terell Mercer—but River Dance is too small for that.

When Terell's niece is abducted by two of the FBI's most wanted, Jama can't refuse to help—Terell's family were like kin to her for many years. The search for young Doriann could cost Terell and Jama their lives. But revealing her secret shame to the man she loves scares Jama more than the approaching danger.…

Publishers Weekly

Christy Award-winning husband-wife team Mel and Cheryl Hodde, who write as Heather Alexander, start a new series after the popular Hideaway series, with similar smalltown flavor and plenty of dialogue and suspense. Dr. Jama Keith has a secret she's kept from her ex-fiancé, Tyrell Mercer, and revealing it may either destroy their relationship or resurrect it. Returning from a long and mysterious absence from her hometown of River Dance, Mo., Jama starts her residency in a local hospital and fends off questions about why she left town. When Tyrell's niece, Doriann, is kidnapped, Jama risks her life for the little girl, whose point of view is one of several in the novel. Vineyard country setting, running dialogue and a few twists will keep romantic suspense fans coming back for more as the series continues. (Jan.)

"You're a doctor?" Cheryl leaned toward Mel and raised her voice to be heard over the din of restaurant diners. "You could help me paralyze someone, then, couldn't you?"

Mel stared at her with some trepidation. This was the "nice young lady" his pastor, Brother Ron, wanted him to meet?

"I only want to paralyze him temporarily, of course," Cheryl continued.

Mel glanced toward the nearest exit.

"I'd better explain myself," she said with a smile. "I write novels. I'm doing research for a book."

Ah, interesting. He relaxed slightly and gave her all the information she needed in good, graphic detail. He couldn't understand why she only ate half a slice of pizza the whole evening.

This was Mel's introduction into Cheryl's world of fiction. It was Cheryl's introduction into the life of an emergency room physician. They were both fascinated. A year and a half later, they were married.

The fascination grew as Mel downloaded at the end of his workday—never betraying patient confidentiality. Cheryl's imagination took over, and together they generated ideas for a completely new story, with a completely new novel. With Mel's medical input, encouragement and help with plotting, and Cheryl's writing skills gleaned over 13 years, they developed their first ER-style novel.

The Hoddes (pronounced Hoddee) have loved working together ever since that first meeting. Cheryl has been a professional writer for 19 years now. Mel is a board-certified ER physician with a degree in osteopathy. They work together under the pen name of Hannah Alexander. Their specialty ismedicalromantic suspense.

Mel and Cheryl live in the Missouri Ozarks, where they like to set the majority of their books.