Wicked Lies

Sisters Jackson and Bush craftily combine suspense with the paranormal in this rich sequel to 2009's bestselling Wicked Game. Laura Adderley, a nurse at a coastal Oregon hospital and a member of the psychic sisterhood of the Colony, is uneasily pregnant with her philandering ex-husband's child. Serial killer Justice Turnbull is hunting members of the Colony, so when he escapes from a nearby psychiatric hospital, Laura fears for her own life and her unborn child's. She begs the help of Harrison Frost, a reporter writing a story on Justice's escape and his connection to the Colony, and soon Harrison's undeniable attraction to her and desire to protect her outweigh his longing to follow the story. The affable protagonists maintain their individual identities as their romance sizzles to life, and several subplots add depth to this somewhat lengthy but deftly plotted and enticing read. (June)