"strong legal procedural romance"

As a member of "The First Family of Texas", Michael First seems to live the perfect life that everyone else covets. He comes from a highly respected and wealthy family and has been successful in business. His marriage is considered not only stable, but the happily ever after that exists in fairy tales only. In fact, Michael seems to be the handsome prince who always succeeds in the fairy tales.

Michael's allegedly idyllic life abruptly ends when the police charge him with killing his spouse. Michael hires his high school girlfriend, attorney Lara Stovell to defend him in court. As the media fries Michael as a fallen angel, an attraction between the lawyer and her client ignites. This is not only a big legal taboo, but also any wrong doing could supply the extra power to the state, known for capital punishment, to execute Michael.

Though readers will just have to accept the affluent influential Michael selecting Lara as his dream team lawyer with the choices he has (Cochran anyone?), fans will enjoy this strong legal procedural romance. While the lead couple's attraction intensifies, the suspense grows at the same rate as the prosecution's case against the accused fits like a glove. Though the legal thriller subplot is cleverly designed as the prime theme, the romance boils to a point that augments the main plot with ethical questions. Lara is a fine protagonist as she argues that her client is not guilty. However, Michael owns K. N. Casper's novel as he battles guilt, a depressing feeling of pending doom, and love as much as he tries to prove he is innocent to his beloved and his family.

Harriet Klausner

Reviewed by Harriet Klausner
Posted November 23, 2002

Summary

Means and opportunity—maybe. Motive? No way!

Michael First seems to have everything a man could want—a wife he adores; beautiful children he delights in; loving parents and siblings who live close by the West Texas ranch where he works.

Then fate turns his world upside down. Clare, his wife, is killed in his car—and when the police find that the brakes were tampered with, they charge him with the crime.

As attorney Lara Stovall gathers evidence on his behalf, she discovers some serious cracks in Michael's perfect marriage. She discovers, too, a simmering attraction to Michael, which started when she was his girlfriend in high school, before he met and married Clare.

The possibility of years in prison, lingering grief and guilt and doubt—that's a lot for any man and woman to overcome. But if they can, Michael and Lara might have a second chance at a first love...