Shadow Point — Amy Briant

It wasn't easy getting to Shadow Point. Turns out it's even harder to leave.

Madison McPeake, not in the best mood most of the time, has just been not-quite fired, told her brother is dead, discovered she's responsible for a five-year old niece she's never met and realized she has to go all the way to San Diego to see to her brother's affairs.

Isolated from the world by geography and a navy base bristling with security, Shadow Point is scarcely habitable -- at least Madison thinks so. Coping with the living conditions while getting to know her niece is a daily challenge. Things gets easier when the next-door neighbor, Dr. Alice Piper, seems as eager to share smoldering glances as Madison is. But something's not right and Madison's questions about her brother's death go unanswered.

Madison's not sure if unnerving events are actually subtle warnings to stop her inquiries. The sexy, alluring Pipe doesn't seem to think anything's amiss, which only compounds Madison's fears. And every time she makes up her mind to pack up her niece and go, it's as if someone -- or something -- has decided she should stay.

Debut writer Amy Briant has crafted a heroine with more vices than graces in Madison McPeake, who narrates the mystery and passion -- and hair-raising surprises -- of Shadow Point.