Shadow of Desire

About the Book

Ambitious detective-in-training Emma Cooper is thrilled to land her first real undercover assignment. The target? Thompson Enterprises, an international corporation run by the enigmatic multi-billionaire, Alexander Thompson. He’s brilliant, demanding, and her best friend's brother—the same nerdy kid she remembers from high school, now a gorgeous specimen of a man.

Posing as his personal assistant, Emma must unravel a conspiracy threatening to destroy Alexander's empire. But as she navigates a web of corporate espionage, a missing business partner, and a shadowy organization known only as The Syndicate, the line between duty and desire blurs. The animosity and attraction simmering between them ignites into a passion neither can deny.

Will they expose the truth before it's too late? Or will the secrets of the past and the dangers of the present tear them apart forever?

Is This Book For You?

Heat Level

Steamy & Explicit. This book contains mature scenes with plenty of heat and is intended for readers 18+.

Tropes You'll Love

Friends to Lovers Best Friend's Brother Billionaire Romance Romantic Suspense Forced Proximity Workplace Romance

Our Perfect Reader

You love a high-stakes plot that keeps you on the edge of your seat, but you need that slow-burn tension and passionate payoff. You're looking for a strong, intelligent heroine and a complex, brooding hero you can't help but fall for.

A Glimpse Inside

"Getting up to his feet, he turned, adjusted his tie and looked up at me. As our eyes met, I could see that the nerdy kid I remember was now a gorgeous specimen of a man. My pulse quickened as I approached, my gaze drawn to his chiseled features and piercing gaze that had captivated my attention. I couldn't deny the spark of attraction that surged through me. The forbidden allure of him being my boss, client and my best friend's brother only added to the intensity."

- Chapter 1

Meet the Characters

Alexander Thompson

A grumpy, demanding multi-billionaire CEO haunted by his past. He's brilliant, powerful, and finds his carefully constructed world threatened by a conspiracy and turned upside down by the one woman he can't resist.

Emma Cooper

Witty, resilient, and an ambitious detective-in-training. Emma is more than just a reminder of a painful past for Alexander. She's a force to be reckoned with, and she might be the only one who can uncover the truth and save him from himself.

Clark Thompson

Emma's loyal best friend and Alexander's brother. He's the one who brings Emma into the dangerous world of Thompson Enterprises, but his own connections to the Syndicate reveal a man caught between loyalty and a dark, secret life.

Johnathan Ruby

The brilliant but mysterious former business partner of Alexander. His sudden disappearance and the suspicious use of his credentials make him a key figure in the corporate conspiracy, a ghost from the past whose story is crucial to uncovering the truth.

Zoey Appleton

Zoey Appleton loves to weave tales of romance, suspense, and redemption. With a passion for creating complex characters and intricate plots, Zoey invites readers into a world where love conquers all, even in the face of the darkest dangers.

What Readers Are Saying

Suspense And Steam

"Loved the characters, their determination, backstories, and entertaining situations. The storyline flowed well with events and moments that caused them to look deeper into the problems and issues. Lots of drama, twists, hidden agendas, revelations, steamy moments and sassy banter."

- JLH

Exciting

"I was totally engrossed in this novel until the last few chapters. I was left confused about Alexander's involvement with the syndicate. Other than that, it was a very exciting read."

- Wendy

Workplace Romance

"There is nothing better than a book about your grumpy boss that you end up having an attraction for. This book will have you intrigued from the beginning to the end... Emma and Alexander are really great characters you will fall in love with."

- Barbara W

Secrets and lies

"Alexander and Emma have a lot of chemistry. First they can’t stand each other then they fall in love... Will their love stand the test of all the secrets and lies?"

- mickey395

Romantic suspense

"This story had me on the edge of seat. The twists and unexpected turns make this one of my favorite romantic suspense reads of the year."

- Lynda

Shadow of Desire:

"OMG this was a page turner and the suspense was fantastic... I was on the edge of my seat and I couldn’t put it down. There were so many twists and turns... I highly recommend this book and you won’t be disappointed."

- Trina Jones