A Killing Frost

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.)