Slow Burn: 5 (Kate MacKenna)

Living a successful life in Charleston, South Carolina, Kate MacKenna has always been able to turn her challenges into triumphs. But now the fates seem to be lining up against her . . . in a lethal fashion.While attending a reception at a friend’s estate for a controversial artist, Kate is nearly killed by an explosion. Once home, Kate is hit with the news that the prosperous fragrance company she has nurtured from the ground up is in jeopardy: It turns out that her late mother used the business as collateral for a huge loan, and full payment is due in three weeks. Kate’s still reeling from this devastating news when her younger sister’s volatile ex-boyfriend shows up and threatens her.Then Kate receives a call from her best friend, Jordan Buchanan, who is hospitalized and scheduled for surgery in Boston. Though stretched to the limit, Kate immediately rushes to her side. Once she knows that Jordan is going to be fine, Kate abandons her calm façade and allows herself a major meltdown, doing something that is totally uncharacteristic: She has a one-night stand with Jordan’s brother Dylan.Coming to her senses, Kate returns home determined to get back on track and save her business. But the mishaps keep coming. At Jordan’s insistence, Dylan checks up on Kate. He’s convinced that she’s merely having a spell of bad luck - until he discovers how many people want Kate MacKenna dead.

Julie Garwood is the author of numerous New York Times bestsellers, including Sizzle, Fire and Ice, Shadow Music, Shadow Dance, and Slow Burn. She lives near Kansas City.