"Krentz is dazzling"

Jessie Benedict lived her childhood with a workaholic father that was never there. Oh, she was grandly provided for, but he always missed recitals, was never there for the school fairs or birthdays. This shows as well in the man's two failed marriages and his ex-wives, known affectionately as "the Moms" by Jessie and her half-sister.

But there is a wolf on the prowl, one Jessie underestimates - Hatcher, her father's right hand man. As far as Jessie is concerned, he is a chip off the old block, so to speak. Hatcher is another driven workaholic, bent on filling her fathers shoes in business. He wants Vincent's business, but he might want his daughter more. However, Jessie is far from convinced of this, and is fighting the family's assumption the two will marry. Even "the Moms" assume this will happen.

Jessie spent her girlhood being disappointed and hiding that hurt. Now she spends her time seeing her half-sister does not walk the same lonely path. She is determined her father not do the same to her young half-sister. And the prospects of marrying a man just like dear old dad leaves her cold. Oh, she is wildly attracted to Hatcher, but she fears her life would end with another series disappoints of being second place to the business that her father built. She is quite set that history not repeat itself, not for her little sister, and not for her in marriage.

Being rebellious against her father, she has failed to turn out to be a business woman, and currently is determined to become a private investigator. Her current cases are helping an old lady who is a psychic and rescuing a teenage girl from a dangerous cult. Much to her surprise, Hatch shows signs of being just a shade different than daddy. Instead of patting her on the head and ignoring her new 'business', he becomes a strong ally helping Jessie handling her father to see the younger sister does not go through the same disappointments as Jessie. He even smoothes things for "the Moms" who are used to getting Jessie to run interference with Vincent. Most importantly, he even supports and aids her investigations.

JAK gives you her quirky dysfunctional family that seems to function, you've seen in so many of her books. The relationships are wonderful, warm and humorous, and Hatcher and Jessie will steal a place in your heart.

A wonderful JAK gem!

Reviewed by DeborahAnne MacGillivray
Posted October 11, 2004

Summary

Everyone thought Jessie Benedict's impending marriage to Sam Hatchard was a great arrangement -- everyone, that is, but Jessie herself. Was she the only one who could see that Hatchard, her powerful father's protégé, had a scheming ulterior motive in marrying her? He was more than just a chip off the old workaholic's block -- he was positively lusting after Jessie's inheritance to build his own business empire! Free-spirited Jessie has plans for her own career as a detective -- starting with the rescue of a teenage girl from a dangerous cult. But when a break-in and an intimidating act of vandalism strike close to home, her investigation pairs her with the compellingly masculine entrepreneur. Hatch does make her heart beat deliciously fast, but she's not taking orders from any man. Imagine her surprise when he turns out to be not only a friend and ally, but a strong, tender lover who, in the end, knows how to seal a deal -- with her resounding "I do!"