Satin Russell's title "Secret Need" came in at number 3 in the Best Indie Books Title of 2017.
Synopsis: Liz may be forced to entrust her life to Alex, but can she trust him with her heart?
Liz Harper is a woman in control of her life. As the owner and mechanic of the best garage in town, she is strong, confident, and in demand. It’s a far cry from her high school days spent as the social outcast. Then she runs into the boy who harassed her as a kid, only now he’s the good-looking man who is showing interest in her. Despite the attraction, she’s determined to keep her distance.
When Alex Weston returns to Bath, Maine to care for his ailing father, the place feels exactly the same. Everything except the awkward girl he used to tease. Liz Harper is all grown up and her transformation is the most intriguing thing about this place. If only he could convince her to give him the time of day.
Then fate throws them together and they discover big secrets lurk in the shadows of this small town. Caught up in a world of drugs and murder and accused of crimes they did not commit, they’re now on the run. They must learn to rely on each other if they’re going to survive.
Exerpt: “Please tell me there are some shoes in there.” He dug into the sack and handed her the ugliest flip-flops she had ever seen in her entire life. Then again, anything was better than what she was currently wearing. Well, anything other than a pair of stilettos, maybe. Eager to get moving, she sat on the rock and peeled the wet and muddy slippers off her feet. The big toe on her left foot was crusted over in dried blood from accidentally kicking a tree stump. She was also fairly certain she’d sprained the little toe on her right foot. "Geez, Liz. Why didn’t you tell me it was this bad?” “There was nothing either of us could have done about it.” She bent her head down to inspect her feet closer. “They weren’t so bad this morning. This happened while we were running from the cops.” Alex reached over and touched a particularly sore spot on the sole of her foot. She sucked in her breath. “Sorry, there’s a large and gnarly splinter here. I’m going to try to get it out.” “With what?” After digging in the bag for a moment, he proudly brandished the first aid kit. “I thought this would come in handy. Just sit there for a minute and relax. I’ll patch up what I can.” Despite the sorry state of her feet, this was pushing the bounds of intimacy a bit too much. She pulled back. “You don’t have to do that. I can take care of it.” It was embarrassing to think about Alex so close to her dirty feet. A tingle of electricity raced up her inner thigh as she felt his fingers wrap around her ankle, warm and sure. He looked up. “Let me do it. I want to help.” Liz stilled, unsure of how to respond. Alex took out a disinfectant wipe and cleaned her various scrapes and scratches with long soothing strokes. Why had she never known how sensitive the arch of her foot was before? She fell under the spell of his slow and steady touch, loving the way he traced the bones in her ankle and pads of her toes. Gradually, the pain in her foot was eclipsed by the gentle way Alex tended to her. She’d just started to relax under his ministrations when there was a slight pause. Liz opened her eyes right as she felt a quick tug and sting. “Ouch!” “Sorry,” he shot her a sheepish grin. “I had to get the splinter out.” “Maybe give a little warning next time,” she grumbled. He smiled and turned his attention to her other foot. “Yes, ma’am.” She shifted uncomfortably, aware of just how much she’d been enjoying his touch. “You don’t have to do this, you know.” “I know, but it’s easier for me to see where the damage is.” As if sensing her impatience, he quickly cleaned and bandaged her other foot. “Okay, you’re all set.” He handed her the ugly flip-flops. “Hopefully you can walk on them a little better now.” Liz hurriedly put on her new footwear and stood up, ignoring the way her blood had heated at his touch. “Thanks.”