This book is classified as 'Romantic Suspense' which is one of my preferred genres, so given the opportunity to read it, I grabbed at the chance.

The story focuses on Katherine, a novelist who fleas her Californian lifestyle to escape a drug-lord who is owed a considerable debt by her now dead, drug-addicted husband. She, as next of kin, as far as the drug lord is concerned, is responsible for repaying that debt. She finds refuge in her hometown of Arkansas, where she stays with her Aunt Ruby. There she meets Ben, the widowed husband of Ruby's deceased daughter, and therefore cousin to Katherine, Jill. Ben is a former Navy SEAL, now working in a local poultry plant, but bears the physical scars of his SEAL years. Keeping hidden from avaricious and ruthless drug lords would, you'd have thought, have been enough to occupy Katherine and keep her attention away from romantic involvement, but Ben provides too much of a temptation. He too, withdrawn and uncommunicative since his wife's death, finds it difficult to maintain his reticence, as he becomes drawn to this beautiful and intelligent woman. The threat of discovery by unscrupulous drug dealers casts a cloud over their happiness and future and when Katherine is captured by the drug mob, Ben uses his SEAL experience and initiative to get her back safely.

I can confidently say I enjoyed this book; it was well written and whilst not error-free there were too few to mar the reading experience. I liked the author's style – expressive, yet easy-going and flowing. You might at this point get the impression that there is a 'but' coming on – and yes, there is! Despite my enjoyment of the book, I would say that the Romantic/Suspense tag is a little hopeful. 75% of the book focuses on Ben and Katherine's deepening relationship, which develops a little too fast in my opinion and it is only in the latter 25% that Katherine's kidnap takes place and is all wrapped up just a tad too quickly and conveniently.

It's a delightful, romantic, albeit slightly predictable story, but don't expect a white-knuckle ride of thrills or tension; just settle into your armchair for a comfy ride.
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Reviewed by JoAnne
book provided by Lee Ann Sontheimer Murphy

This book grabbed my interest from the beginning and never waned. There was romance, laughter, tears, love, family memories plus mystery, conflict, a kidnapping, shootings and deaths. The book was set in Arkansas with references to California where Katy was running from. That Katy could hook up with her druggie husband and stay married to him for as long as she did seemed out of character once you got to "know" her. For Katy to meet Ben only when he picked her up from the bus station to take her to her aunt's house and ultimately fall in love seemed a little farfetched only because of where they both were in their lives. Ben was a loner who had lost his wife 10 years before and basically didn't interact with many people. Katy was running away from the drug lord and his posse that killed both her dog and her no good husband. She knew she would be next since she couldn't pay his debts. Little by little Katy and Ben came to trust each other, fell in love and each became the only thing that mattered to the other. Ben's goal was to keep Katy safe no matter what whereas Katy wanted to stay hidden and out of the radar as long as possible. Their friendship led to love and it was sweet to watch their feelings grow. There was a happily ever after and all the loose ends were tied up by the end of the book. I haven't read books by Sontheimer Murphy before but you can be sure I will give her other books a try.

Favorite Quote: ..."If I send him home, you have to understand that you'll need to be with him constantly for several days. This boy is very sick; he cannot be left while you go home or to work or to shop. Can you afford to miss work to take care of Ben?"
"Yes, I am a writer. I write novels to make a living."
Dr. Anderson looked up from the prescriptions he scribbled, mouth open with surprise. "You do? By God, you do. My wife reads your books and I remember your picture."
His recognition rattled for a moment. If he knew who she was, anyone could. She pushed the thought away, though, because right now Ben's health took priority. ( )