Pine Hills Police Series by Terry Odell

Being robbed at gunpoint wasn't part of Sarah Tucker's business plan. Neither was falling in love with the detective who arrived to solve the case. All Sarah wants is success for her gift boutique, the one she and her husband created. Now, she's living a hand-to-mouth existence. Her husband died a year earlier in a car accident an accident that was ruled suicide, denying her his life insurance money... moreBeing robbed at gunpoint wasn't part of Sarah Tucker's business plan. Neither was falling in love with the detective who arrived to solve the case. All Sarah wants is success for her gift boutique, the one she and her husband created. Now, she's living a hand-to-mouth existence. Her husband died a year earlier in a car accident an accident that was ruled suicide, denying her his life insurance money. Burdened by guilt that she was somehow to blame for his death, Sarah faces one business setback after another. She's determined to succeed on her own, fending off a meddling sister-in-law as well as offers of financial assistance from a former boyfriend. Unaware someone is setting her up for failure, she's totally unprepared to find herself fighting for survival. Police Detective Randy Detweiler thinks the crook is a thief who's been evading cops all over the state. A routine robbery investigation turns into the biggest challenge of his career when he falls in love with the victim and he starts crossing professional boundaries. When Sarah disappears, he's afraid all his detective skills might not be enough to find her in time to save her life. less

Returning from a stint as part of a task force on violent crime, Randy Detweiler is eager to reunite with Sarah Tucker, but she's having second thoughts about their relationship. Can she deal with a cop who gets called away at a moment's notice, especially one who won't talk about his job? Their reunion is cut short when a body is discovered and rumors fly that it's the work of a serial killer... moreReturning from a stint as part of a task force on violent crime, Randy Detweiler is eager to reunite with Sarah Tucker, but she's having second thoughts about their relationship. Can she deal with a cop who gets called away at a moment's notice, especially one who won't talk about his job? Their reunion is cut short when a body is discovered and rumors fly that it's the work of a serial killer. To make matters worse, the Town Council might disband their police department and Randy's under added pressure to solve the murder before they take action. Forced to work under the radar, Randy struggles to balance work with a shaky relationship. Sarah can't cope with apparently meaning less to Randy than his job. Should she force him to choose between his job and the us she envisions for the two of them? All bets are off when Sarah becomes a suspect in Randy's case. Before long, it's more than their relationship that's in danger. less

A collection of four short stories and vignettes featuring Detective Randy Detweiler and Sarah Tucker from the Pine Hills Police series. These stories were previously published individually. This is the first time they have been part of a collection. A Winter's Day: What happened before Sarah met Randy? For Sarah Tucker, life was perfect. She had David, their gift shop, and despite minor spats, a happy marriage--until the day everything turned around... moreA collection of four short stories and vignettes featuring Detective Randy Detweiler and Sarah Tucker from the Pine Hills Police series. These stories were previously published individually. This is the first time they have been part of a collection. A Winter's Day: What happened before Sarah met Randy? For Sarah Tucker, life was perfect. She had David, their gift shop, and despite minor spats, a happy marriage--until the day everything turned around. A prologue not included in the novel, A Winter's Day introduces heroine Sarah Tucker, and lays the foundation for what unfolds in Finding Sarah. Coping Mechanisms: Randy may have his cop partner, but Sarah is his new life partner, and she's aware that any new relationship has its little hiccups. But what works with a fellow cop isn't going to cut it with Sarah. Determined to dismantle his fortress, brick by brick if she has to, she confronts him after a difficult case has him retreating. Follow these newlyweds as their relationship moves onto the next level. A Summer's Eve: Randy and Sarah are back in an epilogue to Hidden Fire. Cutbacks in the Pine Hills Police force have increased Randy’s workload, and he’s looking forward to getting some time off to spend with his wife. However, despite all of Randy’s detective skills, Sarah still manages to surprise him, sending their lives down a new path. The Other Side of the Page: Who says characters aren't real? Of course they are. And how do authors find their characters? I can't speak for others, but I advertise. Here's a look at how I found Randy and Sarah, the hero and heroine of Finding Sarah and Hidden Fire. And, as a bonus, there's also a look at what happened when I left them unattended for a while. A tongue-in-cheek look at the another side of writing. less

Can a dead body in a chocolate shop revive a battle-fatigued cop? Or will it take the owner of the shop to save him? Homicide detective Scott Whelan lived for the job–until the day he was caught in the middle of a robbery gone bad. Although some call him a hero, he thinks of himself as a coward and a failure. He exists now in what he calls his “Dark Place”... moreCan a dead body in a chocolate shop revive a battle-fatigued cop? Or will it take the owner of the shop to save him? Homicide detective Scott Whelan lived for the job–until the day he was caught in the middle of a robbery gone bad. Although some call him a hero, he thinks of himself as a coward and a failure. He exists now in what he calls his “Dark Place”. He accepts a new job as a civilian with the Pine Hills Police Department, thinking being close to the job will be better than leaving it completely. But when he finds himself in the middle of the investigation. Scott has to choose where his loyalties lie—with his brotherhood in blue, or his attractive new neighbor, who needs someone on her side. And figure out how to get out of the dark. Against her parents’ wishes, Ashley Eagan has split from her unsupportive fiancé and moved to Pine Hills to start her dream business: Confections by Ashley. Faced with countless construction setbacks, she fears her plans for the perfect grand opening will be ruined. When a dead body turns up in her shop, a delayed opening is the least of her worries. Now, she’s afraid she’s facing murder charges. Her new neighbor has connections with the police department, but he’s sending mixed messages. One minute he’s the friendly, handsome neighbor, the next, he’s playing cop. Not to mention he’s carrying enough baggage for a world-wide cruise. If Ashley’s learned anything since leaving home, it’s that she’s the only one she can count on. less

There’s no escaping your past, no matter how deep you try to bury it. Morgan Tate has spent over a decade trying to bury her past, hiding behind self-imposed barriers. When she inherits a house in Pine Hills, Oregon, she decides it’s the perfect time to pack up and start a new life. She arrives to discover her new home is a dilapidated structure, filled with mysteries and secrets, and she’s not sure she’ll be able to live in it as required by the terms of the trust... moreThere’s no escaping your past, no matter how deep you try to bury it. Morgan Tate has spent over a decade trying to bury her past, hiding behind self-imposed barriers. When she inherits a house in Pine Hills, Oregon, she decides it’s the perfect time to pack up and start a new life. She arrives to discover her new home is a dilapidated structure, filled with mysteries and secrets, and she’s not sure she’ll be able to live in it as required by the terms of the trust. A threat painted on one of the bedroom walls sends her to the police, where she enlists the help of Cole Patton, a local officer. Working together, her barriers threaten to crumble. Can she reveal who she really is and let Cole into her life? But only as a friend. The last thing she’s looking for is romance. Cole Patton changed his life’s direction to become a cop after losing his childhood sweetheart to violence, but he’s afraid he made the wrong decision. He fears that someday, even in the small town of Pine Hills, he might have to put his life on the line. If that happens, will he find the courage to step forward? When Morgan Tate shows up at the police station asking if someone can explain a threatening message in her new home, Cole is eager to help her discover the truth about her late uncle. The task seems simple and safe, and it doesn’t hurt that Morgan is an attractive woman. He’s not looking for a relationship but Morgan intrigues him. When she’s put in danger, can Cole be the cop he set out to be? less