Publisher: Harlequin
Publication Date: March 2020
Twenty-five years ago, Halle Lane’s best friend vanished from their Tennessee town. When a childhood photo brings Liam Hart to Winchester, Halle is certain the man is the same child who vanished. Now Liam seeks out Halle to help him investigate the circumstances of his mysterious past. Can Liam and Halle uncover the truth before a killer buries all traces of the boy Halle loved—and the man he may have become—forever?
My thoughts:
Before He Vanished in part of the Winchester TN series. It can be read as a stand alone. In this story, Halle has never forgotten her best friend Andy after he vanished when they were severn. Now a reporter, she is determined to figure out what happened. Liam gets a mysterious letter in the mail that leads him down a path that will change his life forever.
I really enjoyed this one. I am quickly becoming a fan of this author's writing. She has the ability to suck me right into a mystery and leave me not wanting to stop reading until I reach the conclusion. The solution to what happened to Alex was not what I was expecting. Sprinkled throughout the story are scenes of Halle and Andy when they were little. I loved those scenes. You could tell that they would have remained close friends had he not disappeared. . I highly recommend this one!
Excerpt - BEFORE HE VANISHED by
Debra Webb (Harlequin Intrigue)
The shower was like heaven on earth. Her body had needed the hot
water so badly. Her muscles relaxed and she took her time, smoothing the soap
over her skin and then shampooing her hair. She was grateful for the toiletry
pack that included not only soap, shampoo and the usual, but disposable razors,
as well.
By the time she was finished, her bones felt like rubber. She
dried herself, slipped on underwear and the nightshirt and then used the hotel
dryer to dry her hair. That part took the longest of all. When she exited the
steamy bathroom the delicious aromas of room service had her stomach rumbling.
“Oh my God, that smells good.” She rushed to the table where the
silver service sat. “Why aren’t you eating?”
“I was waiting for you.” He joined her at the table.
Ever the gentleman.
Halle curled her feet under her in her chair while Liam removed
the covers from the dishes. Fish, chicken, vegetables. He had ordered all sorts
of dishes and they all looked amazing.
“I thought we’d try a little of everything.”
A bottle of white wine as well as a bottle of rosé had her
licking her lips.
“I wasn’t sure which one you preferred.” He gestured to the
iced-down bottles. “And I didn’t forget dessert.” The final lid revealed a
heavenly-looking chocolate cake with fudge icing.
“I may die right now.” She wanted to taste it all.
“Eat first.” He placed a linen napkin over his lap and stuck his
fork into a tiny, perfectly roasted potato. She watched him eat and it was the
sexiest thing she had ever seen. She didn’t fight it. Surrendered to instinct
and that was how they ate. No plates, just taking whatever they wanted with a
fork or fingers and devouring. They drank the wine and laughed at stories from
their respective childhoods. From all the stories he’d told her, she could not
wait to meet his sister, Claire.
By the time they
were finished, she was feeling a little tipsy. The food was mostly gone and
both bottles were drained. She felt more relaxed than she had in decades. They
had discussed the day’s events and Burke and Austen—and Derrick. The man was
still convinced she had a thing for Derrick. No way. She’d also told him what
her mom had to say about any friends from Nashville the Clarks might have had,
which was none who ever appeared at their door. She and Liam agreed that was
somewhat unusual considering how social the Clarks had been in Winchester.
“You know,” she said, after polishing off the last of the wine
in her glass, “I wrote you dozens of letters.”
“Me?”
She frowned and shook her head. “Andy.” Then she stared at him.
“No. You. I mean you. Whatever you believe, I know you’re him.”
“Okay.” He laughed, his eyes glittering with the soft sound.
God, his mouth was sexy when he was relaxed. She put her hand to
her mouth just to make sure she hadn’t said the words out loud.
“Tell me about the letters,” he prompted.
“I told you what was going on in Winchester. Who was doing what
at school. I even put pictures with the letters.” She laughed. Placed her glass
on the table. “It was silly, I know. But I wanted to still feel you and that
was the only way I could.”
She blinked. He had moved. He was suddenly next to her, on his
knees, staring into her eyes, and her breath caught.
“I don’t know if I’m this Andy you loved so much when you were a
kid,” he said softly, so softly she shivered, “but I would really like to be
the guy you care about now.”
Her heart swelled
into her throat. She started to suggest that it was the wine talking, but it
wasn’t. The truth was in his eyes. Those blue eyes she knew as
well as her own. And despite her wine consumption, she was stone-cold sober as
she considered what could happen between them tonight.
“I’m really glad, because I would hate to think I’m in this
alone,” she confessed.
He kissed her so sweetly that tears stung her eyes. Then he
stood and pulled her into his arms. He carried her to the nearest bed.
No matter what happened tomorrow, she would always cherish this
night.
###
About the author:
DEBRA WEBB is the award winning, USA Today bestselling
author of more than 150 novels, including reader favorites the Faces of Evil,
the Colby Agency, and the Shades of Death series. With more than four million
books sold in numerous languages and countries, Debra's love of storytelling
goes back to her childhood on a farm in Alabama. Visit Debra at
www.DebraWebb.com or write to her at PO Box 176, Madison, AL 35758.
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