Tempting Evil by Allison Brennan

[Jonetta]

BIG DIE COUNTRY

Joanna Sutton can cope with the fierce winter storm bearing down on the small rural community of Centennial Valley, Montana; the popular romance writer has survived much worse in life.

Haunted by the loss of her husband and child, Jo has found refuge at her family's secluded lodge, but her haven soon becomes a hell. During the ferocious blizzard, a local Boy Scout troop is stranded in the wilderness, compelling Jo to spearhead a desperate rescue mission, aided by a newly arrived stranger with an unknown agenda.

Meanwhile, Sheriff Tyler McBride hears that three escaped convicts are fast approaching Big Sky Country. Hoping to warn Jo, he faxes over the men's mug shots. But they never reach their intended recipient. Then Tyler makes a shocking discovery: two people are dead, and a killer is among the group, along with the woman Tyler loves, searching for his lost son.

More than one innocent life is at stake. For the sake of those Jo cares about most, and for her own survival, she'll need all the cunning, courage, and passion she can muster to survive the mounting terror.

Settings
Centennial Valley, Montana
Dillon, Montana
Lakeview, Montana
Beaverhead County, Montana
Idaho Falls, Idaho

Prologue
34 Chapters

Character List
(view spoiler)[
Joanna (Jo) Sutton: Romantic writer who was widowed when her husband and 9-year old son were murdered. She moved back home to Montana from California. She’s in her late 30s with light, golden blond hair and brown eyes.
Tyler McBride: Dillon sheriff. He has a 12-year old son, Jason. He’s 40-years old
Jason McBride: Tyler’s 12-year old son.
Wyatt McBride: Tyler’s half brother.
Richard McBride: Tyler and Wyatt’s father, deceased.
Sharon McBride: Tyler’s ex-wife and mother of their son, Jason. She died of cancer.
Ken Sutton: Jo’s husband, deceased. He was murdered four years ago.
Tim (Timmy) Sutton: Jo’s son, deceased. He was murdered four years ago when he was 9-years old.
Trixie Weber: Jo’s younger sister who is the mother of 11-year old daughter, Leah.
Leah Weber: Leah’s daughter and Jo’s 12-year old niece.
Karl Weber: Jo’s grandfather who runs the family lodge.
Stan Wood: Weber family friend who helps run the lodge.
Billy Grossman: Dillon deputy sheriff.
Bonnie Warren: Dillon Sheriff’s Office dispatcher.
Hans Vigo: FBI special agent and profiler.
Mitch Bianchi: FBI special agent from the Fugitive Apprehension team.
Megan (Meg) Elliott: FBI special agent in charge, Sacramento regional office. She’s Mitch’s ex-wife.
Quincy Peterson: FBI assistant special agent in charge, Seattle regional office.
Hunter Blackstone: FBI SWAT commander.
Kyle Worthington: Son of ranch owners Stuart and Elizabeth who live in Missoula. He’s 17-years old.
Lance Worthington: Kyle’s 19-year old brother.
Sam Nash: Ranch owner and grandson of one of the Lakeview town founders. He’s a volunteer deputy and a veterinarian.
Peter Nash: Sam’s son, a military veteran.
Ben Ward: Injured 12-year old scout.
Craig Mann: Lodge visitor.
Sean Mann: Craig’s 18-year old son.
Brian Bates: College student renting one of the lodge cabins with his girlfriend, Marie.
Marie Williams: College student renting one of the lodge cabins with her boyfriend, Brian.
Greg Trotsky: Newlywed staying in one of the lodge cabins with his wife, Vicky.
Vicky Trotsky: Newlywed staying in one of the lodge cabins with her husband Greg.
Bob Jorgensen: Sheep farmer, married to Jane.
Jane Jorgensen: Sheep farmer, married to Bob.
Aaron Christopher Doherty: aka John Miller. San Quentin death row prisoner who escaped during the earthquake. He’s traveling with two others, heading to Montana to be with Jo who he’s fixated on. He’s 33-years old and was convicted of two murders.
Douglas (Doug) Raymond Chapman: San Quentin death row prisoner who escaped during the earthquake. He was convicted of three murders: his wife Tanya, his boss Carlos and his girlfriend Chantelle. He’s traveling with two others.
Thomas (Tom) O’Brien: San Quentin prisoner who escaped during the earthquake. He’s traveling with two others. He was convicted of two murders.
Lincoln Barnes: Trixie’s former boyfriend and Leah’s father. He was convicted of the murders of Ken and Timmy Sutton but was murdered in prison by Aaron.
Ginger Doherty: Aaron’s mother.
Joe Dawson: Aaron’s father.
Annie Erickson: Ginger’s friend who raised Aaron for several years.
Rebecca Oliver: Actress Aaron murdered.
Bruce Lawson: Rebecca’s friend who was also murdered by Aaron.
Bridget Hart: Aaron’s high school girlfriend.
Buckley: Karl’s dog, a Saint Bernard.
(hide spoiler)]

Spoiler Info
(view spoiler)[
Tom O’Brien was a former policeman.

Aaron shot Tom and left him for dead in Idaho. Tom contacted the FBI and alerted them that Aaron was headed for Montana.

Doug murdered Greg and Vicky Trotsky, raping her first.

Wyatt was shot by Aaron.

Aaron murdered his mother and her latest boyfriend.

Trixie was murdered by Aaron. Turns out she had secretly married Lincoln and contacted him, telling him where she lived. She wanted to run off with him, leaving Leah with Jo.

Aaron also killed Doug. He abducted Jason at the gravesite during Trixie’s funeral, forcing Leah to bring Jo to him. Jo got him to let Jason go and Tyler eventually jumped him, tussled and shot him dead. (hide spoiler)]