Cold as Ice: A Tempered Steel Novel, #6

By Maggie Adams

He wants her to be his lover…she wants to be his forever.

Nick Coalson is abrasive, arrogant, and an absolute dynamo in the bedroom. Problem is, he knows it.

Rebecca Morgan is sweet, shy, and immensely attracted to Nick, but he's trouble in tight jeans and she knows it.

When Nick Coalson saves Rebecca Morgan from an assassin's bullet, he sets his sights on the shy partner of a detective agency. But he mistakes her kindness for weakness, and learns the hard way that although she may seem submissive, she's a voluptuous bundle of intelligence and determination.

Rebecca tries to hide her feelings for Nick because he's the kind of man that makes a smart girl do stupid things. After a sensual encounter, Nick grows distant, stating he wants a lover, not a wife. Rebecca realizes she's going to need to keep her wits about her if she wants Nick forever because it's too easy to lose herself to his dominant personality.

When a stranger offers to help her win Nick, she accepts although she wonders what's in it for him.  But Nick thinks it's too late for his love when he witnesses a tender moment between Rebecca and another man.  His head tells him to step aside, but his heart aches for her tender touch.

And as the killer closes in on the Coalson family, Nick wonders if it will be too late to save not only their love, but their very lives?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Maggie Adams
• Release date: Mar 7, 2017
• ISBN: 9781386496335

Maggie Adams

Maggie Adams is an internationally known contemporary romance author. Her first book in the Tempered Steel Series, Whistlin’ Dixie, debuted in Top 100 for Women’s Fiction, humor, on November 2014. Since then, she has consistently made the best seller 5-star list with her Tempered Steel Series.  She also writes erotica, paranormal romance, young adult romance and women’s fiction. Maggie’s books can be found on eBook and paperback on her website and all book sites. When she’s not writing, she can be found dancing, singing and cooking (usually all at the same time), and spending time with her family and friends. .

Book preview

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REVIEWS FOR TEMPERED STEEL SERIES

Whistlin’ Dixie –

5.0 out of 5 stars #HARDTOPUTDOWN

By Jennifer Pierson: The Power of Three Readers

"Maggie Adams easy writing style reeled me in quickly, and I read the whole book in one sitting. Her twists and turns made for serious suspense and great OMG moments that came out of left field. I'm very excited to read about the rest of the brothers, so I HIGHLY RECOMMEND!"

5.0 out of 5 stars A SPICY READ THAT MAKES U HAPPY!!!

By EROZ

IF U WANT A SPICY, EXCITING READ THAT WILL MAKE U FEEL VERY HAPPY & SENSUAL, THEN U HAVE GOT TO GET 'WHISTLIN' DIXIE'!!!

4.5 out of 5 stars Mac and Dixie are a must read

By Sarah Reads

If you are looking for a western with a fiery heroine and a smokin’ hot cowboy look no further! 

Leather and Lace-

5.0 out of 5 stars The story feels as real as any true love story...

By Devi Nair, The Verdict's Out Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars The series gets better and better.

By Picky Kay

4.0 out of 5 stars "Loving the Tempered Steel series"

By Tracy ~ Book Loving Pixies

SOMETHING’S GOTTA GIVE –

5.0 out of 5 stars – Everyone needs a Coalson Brother!

By Day Reader Reviews 

5.0 out of 5 stars Loved it!!

By Amy Musselman (2 Amy's Love Reading Blog)

5.0 out of 5 stars Wow!

By Books Laid Bare The journey they took was fabulous, it was eventful and I absolutely love these guys but from the brothers so far, I have to say that Chance is my favorite.

Getting Lucky –

5.0 out of 5 stars "Sometimes What Happens in Vegas - Does Not Stay in Vegas! A Must Read Novella!"

ByDeb_Loves2read

5.0 out of 5 stars Review from Abibliophobia Anonymous Book Reviews

By Tonya Allen Can’t wait for the next book in this series. I have to find out what is going on!!

Love, Marriage & Mayhem –

5.0 out of 5 stars Sweet with Twists By Page Turners Book Blog

5.0 out of 5 stars Another 5 stars for Maggie Adams and the Coalson Brothers!

By Melodyslove4books

FORGED IN FIRE –

5.0 out of 5 stars" Maggie Adams’ books are all great and I love the Coalson family so much!"

By Heather Szczesiak, author of Enticing Sky

5.0 OUT OF 5 STARS Lucky is finally getting lucky!

By Melodyslove4books

OTHER BOOKS BY MAGGIE Adams –

Lustful Letters -

5.0 out of 5 stars "A steamy read"

By Sassy Cupcake

5.0 out of 5 stars "A Different Type of Erotic Book"

By Tom100

Meet the Coalsons

A few years ago, the tiny village of Grafton, Illinois, nestled along the banks of the mighty Mississippi River, was almost completely destroyed by flood. Rather than pull up stakes and move elsewhere, many of the residents vowed to rebuild their hometown, making it bigger and better than ever. One of these residents was Mac Coalson, the eldest son of Hank and Ginny Coalson, Mac, together with his parents and his six brothers, set about the arduous task of clearing, cleaning, and repairing what could be saved.

But not everyone was happy to be rebuilding the town. When vandals strike the new construction, it’s up to Mac and his brothers to catch the culprit before anyone is hurt. While laying a trap, Mac thought he had captured the criminal.  Instead, he finds sassy spitfire, Dixie Harris, has stolen his heart. When the vandal turns to arson, Mac finds it may be too late to save his brothers.

When Sam Coalson, ex-Navy SEAL, heard about the troubles in his hometown, he decides to head back to Grafton, despite being run off fifteen years ago by the father of his high school sweetheart. He can’t forgive Angel Devereaux for her part in his humiliation, but he can and will find out who is behind the destruction of the new buildings. What he finds leads the Coalsons into a sinister plot to run drugs through their tiny town, and it’s up to Angel to save him from certain death.

Charming Chance Coalson helps his brother run their construction business with a ready smile and a strong back. Considered the Casanova of the County, his love for women is legendary. But he’s recently realized that his heart belongs to shy volunteer firefighter, Georgia Haines. Now, he must prove to her that this bad boy has become a one-woman man, and he must do it before she becomes a target for a killer.

With only a small clue to the whereabouts of the arsonist, Lawrence Lucky Coalson heads to Las Vegas. While posing as a bouncer, Lucky finds himself ensnared by the lovely bartender, Claudia. But, like Lucky, she’s not what she appears to be and what happens in Vegas follows Lucky back home with unimaginable consequences.

While Lucky is away, Brandon and Nick foil an attempt to assassinate a pretty private eye and her sweet sister. Together with Sam and his best SEAL buddies, Jax and Noah, they vow to bring the ringleader to justice and rid their town of the criminals. But nothing goes according to plan, and the men must fight Mother Nature, a murderer, and the local law enforcement. Not to mention that the new secretary, Anna Meeks, is definitely hiding something, and Brandon is determined to uncover her secrets, and the luscious body she’s trying to hide under those ridiculously conservative clothes.

Lucky Coalson’s luck has run out. He’s been accused of murder and it’s up to the Coalsons and the Morgan sisters to find the real killer. Lucky cringes to know that the very woman who threw him in the river is going to be the one to save him from a prison cell. And feisty P. I. Renee Morgan isn’t too happy herself about it because every time she’s near him, her body responds in a very unprofessional manner.

Although Nick Coalson is attracted to the fiery redhead, Rebecca Morgan, her dangerous job makes her off limits, especially as she is almost killed during their investigation. He wants quiet and submissive, not reckless and determined. But her sweet curves and sexy smile are melting his resolve and his heart. But when she is kidnapped by a human trafficker, Nick will need the help of an outside source who wants Rebecca for himself.

It appears the whole community is going to hell in a handbasket when a drug lord decides that Grafton is the perfect place to set up shop for human trafficking. Tanner Coalson and his brothers make their own preparations and in the end, no one is in doubt that the Coalsons are taking back their town, but will they be too late to save his love interest?

PROLOGUE

BEN YATES WAS DEAD.  Hank Coalson stood alone in the old cemetery, staring at the large hole being filled by the workers. He craned his neck to see the burled walnut casket barely visible now. Tears welled in his eyes once more, and he swiped at them with an angry hand. His sorrow was deep, but his rage took precedence. Rage at the person responsible for this. Rage at the utter uselessness of the police force in his hometown now. But mostly, rage at himself. He had caused the chain of events that had led to his best friend’s death.

It was his fault Ben was dead.

A gust of wind hit him in the face, and he burrowed deeper within his coat. It was December, almost Christmas. He thought of Ben’s wife and children, their grandchildren. Now, no matter how hard they tried, Christmas would be, at best, bittersweet. The friends and community would rally in support at first. But after a few years, life would continue without Ben. Maybe an occasional thought in passing, a memory, or an event he would have been at because he loved this community. Eventually, though, he would be forgotten. They all would. And this fuckin’ horrible time in the history of the town would be replaced with new memories, new events.

Mr. Coalson, the sun’s about down. We’re finished here. Hank heard the cemetery worker’s words. He knew he should be heading home, but he didn’t want to move. To leave would put the final action on Ben’s life.

Sir, would you like us to call Mac or Mrs. Coalson?

Hank glanced down at the small man in the thermal coveralls. His hat was in his hand, a sign of respect. For the life of him he couldn’t remember the man’s name. Ben Yates was dead.  The thought sliced across his brain again, but he buried it deep. Just like Ben. Thank you, but no. I had to see it through to the end. He was my best friend.

The man nodded in understanding and took his leave. Hank watched the men gather the tools in silence and head toward the truck. He heard the roar of the engine and the gravel crunch as they made their way out of the cemetery. He was finally alone with Ben.

He stared at the flowers and the fresh mound of dirt. He felt the bile rise in his throat, but he willed it down. His fault. All his fault. Hank shivered. He was so damn cold. But not as cold as Ben. He was dead. Cold as ice, dead.

His control broke, and he fell to his knees, sobbing out in pain and sorrow. He laid his head on the mound of dirt, his tears making muddy rivulets on the fresh earth, strong fingers digging into the mess, desperately trying to rid himself of the guilt and the anguish.

If only I had known, Ben, how all this would have gone down, I would have turned myself in, faced the consequences. It was self-defense, but I was young and scared, for both me and Ginny. I thought I was doing the right thing, calling you to help me bury the man that had tried to kill us, but in the end, he won. His psycho son has seen to that.

I killed you, Ben, just as surely as if I had been the one to shoot you in the back. His son is taking out his revenge on me. He’s going to keep on killing all those I love until there is no one left but me.

I’m sorry my friend, my brother. I caused this, but I couldn’t let them take my Ginny.

He didn’t hear the crunch of the leaves behind him or the soft voice calling his name, but her touch, yes, he felt her touch on the back of his head. He turned his face and through his tears,