Small town Last stand series

Against the Clock (#2) // Harlequin Intrigue
Releases: February 2026

She’s quick to act
…in a race against time.

Deputy sheriff Rose Little, nicknamed Wildcard Rose, is famous for rushing headlong into danger, putting others first. Her latest daredevil rescue saved all but one victim. When she brings her car to mechanic James Keller, an exploding bomb under the seat thrusts her into “action hero” mode again. Is someone targeting Rose? The attacks continue as James does his best to protect her in their search for the would-be killer. Resilient Rose survives gunshots, drowning and more. But she only worries about one thing—feeling too close to James.

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Tropes + Characters

Short baddie heroine + Extra tall hero / Cares about Justice FL + Only Cares about Heroine ML

James Keller / Male Lead
The only mechanic in Seven Roads, Georgia
Adopted from foster care
Close with regular customers
Adopted and moved into Seven Roads
A “wall of a man” aka extremely tall and broad
Town verdict: We like him because he’s good to his dad and fixes our cars.

Rose Little / Female Lead
Deputy in the town of Seven Roads, Georgia
Nicknamed “Wildcard Rose” by the town
Runs into danger without hesitation
Recently went viral for her heroics caught on camera
Extremely petite, her attitude is not
Town verdict: She won’t gossip with us!

Special Secondary Characters
Price, a deputy in the town of Seven Roads, Georgia
Liam, the McCoy County sheriff
Doc Ernest (her last book after 30+!)
The intro of Lily Ernest, her daughter

Against the clock tease

READ THE SERIES IN ORDER!

#1 Search for the Truth
#2 The Deputy’s Secret Double
#3 Against the Clock
#4 A Death at the Wedding