"A fun romp"

In Arizona, twenty-seven years old Abby Archer feels relieved when her fiancé Ken jilted her for stripper Racy Racine. Instead her best friend Tess Baxter and her mother "call me Cassandra" suggest she find her wild side and have a passionate fling. Abby decides to do just that by looking up the only man who ever made her inside turn, Durango Creed who she has not seen in ten years or since he left her behind when she chose her prim father over hot passion with the bad boy.

Tess travels to Sedona, New Mexico where Durango provides tour guides into the desert. Durango is stunned because Tess is the angel who got away. As she says she is here for a fling, he is determined that she remain a lot longer as he never forget the girl he left behind when he left town. Though she denies it, sneezes indicate to him that the prim and proper Tess still desires him; now to release that passion.

This is a fun contemporary romance starring two delightful protagonists. The story line could be a simple bad boy good girl theme, but Tess' divorced parents add depth with their diverse personalities on how to love life; each yanks on Tess in different ways whether its through passion or guilt. Though Tess converts too easily, fans of heated tales will enjoy watching the staid Tess walk on the Wilde side.

Harriet Klausner

Reviewed by Harriet Klausner
Posted August 16, 2004