Bet's Christmas Gamble

A Christmas Stalker Romantic Suspense | Standalone, No Cliffhanger

2026 Readers' Favorite Honorable Mention Award — Romance: General
Readers' Favorite 5-Star Editorial Review

From Ann Dunbar, author of the 2025 Chanticleer Chatelaine Award finalist Áine's Salvation.

She's spent years hiding in plain sight.
Now the man she loves is pulling her into the light…
and straight into a killer's crosshairs.

"A thrilling romance overflowing with suspense and intrigue… a compelling tale of desire, hope, and love."
— Readers' Favorite, 5-Star Editorial Review

Betty "Bet" Murphy has loved Garrett Hawthorn since she was seventeen. Now she works at his tech company under a false name, determined to prove herself on her own terms and keep her heart out of reach.

She thought she was invisible.

She was wrong.

Garrett is done waiting. The company gala isn't just a celebration. It's his last chance to tell Bet exactly how he feels.

But someone else has been watching her.

Someone obsessed.
Someone with a very different plan.

When stolen files, surveillance photos, and escalating threats force Garrett to bring Bet into his home, everything changes. Boundaries blur. Desire ignites. Secrets unravel.

And the danger is getting closer.

As it closes in, Bet must risk everything. Her job. Her safety. And the heart she's spent years protecting.

Because some gambles aren't just about love.

They're about survival.

What readers are saying:

"This book has taken my heart hostage. So much more than a romance. The thriller, stalking, and violence are written brilliantly."
— Anny D., 5-star review, Verified Purchase

"The intimacy feels earned, the fear feels real, and the emotional payoff is completely satisfying."
— Mary, 5-star review, Verified Purchase

"Candy is one heck of a character. Her scenes had me turning pages and holding my breath."
— Emma, 5-star review, Verified Purchase

Perfect for fans of:  Alpha heroes who fall hard • Friends to lovers • Forced proximity • Romantic suspense with heart • "Touch her and die"

Content note: Stalking, violence, and references to past abuse. Guaranteed HEA.

The shadows are closing in.
This time, there's nowhere left to hide.