"Fans of the author will love this one"

Though thirteen years her senior and she still attends high school, Texas Ranger Judd Dunn marries Christabel Gaines. He does so to keep her half of the Jacobsville, Texas ranch they own in partnership from fortune hunters until she comes of age. She agrees to the marriage because she hopes to make it a real one, as she knows what she feels is not puppy love.

Five years later Crissy has turned twenty-one and Judd plans to annul their paper marriage though she would prefer he wait a few lifetimes as she still loves him. With the chance to bring in some needed income, Judd allows a film crew to use the ranch. However, Crissy fears that the lead actress Tippy Moore seems to have her sights set on Judd. While she wonders how she can make her spouse realize she is a diamond of a woman now and has learned how to love Judd, dangerous "accidents" occur at the ranch. Only Assistant Police Chief Cash Grier believes Crissy's assertion that they are deliberate.

The suspense takes a back seat to the lead couple and the two supporting characters that add jealousy to the mix, yet readers will enjoy this exciting tale. The relationship between Judd and Crissy evolves so that the audience believes she knows her heart's desire. Judd comes across as foolish yet that is why the audience will like him as he struggles to hide his desires for Crissy for several reasons and not just her age. Fans of an ardent contemporary romance with a bit of intrigue will want to read this novel and hopefully Diana Palmer will follow up with Cash's story.

Harriet Klausner

Reviewed by Harriet Klausner
Posted June 24, 2003

Diana Palmer, renowned for her emotionally vivid and sensuous stories, sets hearts on fire with her exquisite new novel.

Summary

Judd Dunn, a hard-edged Texas Ranger had taken it upon himself to put Christabel Gaines's father behind bars— where he belonged. But Judd's involvement in Crissy's life was far from over: With their jointly owned ranch on the verge of bankruptcy, Judd wed her in name only, vowing to ignore the sexual tension between them. An innocent woman like Crissy was off-limits for a man with his blemished past.

Especially someone who risked his life for a living and had little regard for matters of the heart. Now, five years later just when they should be breaking free of their sham of a marriage, their futures become further intertwined when threats of murder and sabotage turn their lives upside down. A man in Judd Dunn's line of work is bound to make his share of enemies, but he is blindsided by this bloodthirsty foe who is setting the stage for unspeakable evil and preying on Judd's greatest weakness—his wife. No longer a starry-eyed schoolgirl, Crissy's a smart, fearless woman with unfulfilled desires. And she will do anything in the name of love—including taking a bullet for her husband.

Before long, with their very lives at stake, Crissy and Judd must confront their darkest demons, their new rivals and their deepest desires-and face up to a mutual destiny they cannot outrun.