Mel Larson has always fought for justice, but as one of the few female attorneys in the Arizona Territory, she’s accustomed to fighting uphill battles. When her life is suddenly threatened, her mentor whisks her away to the rugged town of Prescott. Now she’s defending an innocent man accused of murder—and facing off against Alex Glassman, the town’s formidable new District Attorney. Alex is sharp, relentless, and shockingly good at unraveling her every strategy.
Alex Glassman thought he’d left dreams of love behind after a failed courtship. Hardened by heartbreak, his focus is on winning this high-profile case. But when sparks ignite between him and Mel in the heat of courtroom clashes, Alex finds himself torn between duty and desire. As the case twists toward a dramatic conclusion, Alex discovers a truth far more dangerous than he imagined—Mel's life is at stake. Can he save her in time?
In the harsh beauty of the early 1870s Arizona Territory, tragedy and hope collide. Will Mel and Alex rise above their trials with renewed faith, or will their fragile bond snap under the weight of pride and fear? As danger mounts and emotions blaze, they must confront not just the justice they seek—but the love they didn’t expect.
Karen Baney is passionate about writing stories full of flawed characters. She enjoys weaving together stories of second chances, redemption, and overcoming personal trials. As a transplant to Arizona in the late 1990s, she loves researching the state’s history and finding ways to seamlessly incorporate real history and real settings into her novels. In addition to writing and speaking, Karen works as a Software Development Manager for a Christian ministry.
Her faith plays an important role both in her life and in her writing. Karen and her husband, Jim, make their home in Gilbert, Arizona, with their two dogs, Bella and Daisy. Both Jim and Karen are active at Rock Point Church in Queen Creek, Arizona.