"An impressive romantic suspense"

Emily has lived alone in her lighthouse home on a Canadian Island ever since her husband died several years previous. She never once for a second believed the horrible stories told about the crimes he had committed. Her husband was a peaceful, gentle man, who could do no harm to anyone. Finally deciding to follow through on her dreams to have a family, she has agreed to marry the man who had been her late husband's best friend. But she can't help feel that something is missing from her life.

Chance Donovan has come to town, though no one knows whom he truly is. He is Emily's husband, not dead as everyone thought, but a different man. He has a new face and a new identity, but the same old love for his wife. He also has a desire to get revenge on those who did this to him, starting with his best friend, whom he is convinced was behind his long imprisonmentand torture. Chance couldn't resist one last glimpse of Emily though, before he went on his vendetta to clear his name. But one glimpse turns out to not be enough and he decides to stay awhile.

What happens when he stays is beyond either of their expectations. Emily finds herself intensely attracted to the mysterious Chance. She is thinking thoughts of him she should not be having when engaged to another man and planning her wedding! Chance is stunned that the strength of their love has not faded, but grown stronger in his absence, even though Emily doesn't know his secret. Nor can he tell her, for the people after him will not rest until they find him again. The longer he stays, the more he is endangering Emily's safety, but he can't help himself.

Until danger arrives on her doorstep and they have to work together, or die. He longs to tell her all about the nightmare he has lived, but is afraid of what that would mean for them. Will Chance and Emily give in to their love? Will he prove his innocence and free them from the ever- present fear?

This story packs a punch! Ms. Springer once again proves her talent for writing a driving story, full of adventure and romance, and more then a little sexual tension between its lead characters. The plot is well done, full of elements to keep the reader riveted to every page. There are plenty of twists in this story as well, bound to keep one guessing as to what the end result will be. This book has everything needed to make for an unforgettable read.

Emily and Chance are multi-faceted, so realistic in what compels them that one can't help but feel their joy and pain. Sparks fly between them both upon their first meeting, when he sneaks into her house in the middle of the night. Emily is torn between her duty to her fiancé, and her inexplicable passion for her mystery man. Chance longs for peace finally, and end to the misery his life had become throughout his imprisonment and his separation from the one light in his life, his beloved wife.

Don't miss this story or it will be regretted!

© Kelley A. Hartsell, February 2003. All rights reserved.

Reviewed by Kelley Hartsell
Courtesy ParaNormal Romance (PNR Reviews)
Posted April 9, 2003

This book is also available as trade paperback

Summary

Chance Donovan returns home with a new face, new identity, a burning desire for revenge and real good timing. His wife, Emily, who runs a sea vegetable (seaweed) enterprise is about to marry his best friend, the man Chance suspects as being behind his nightmare imprisonment for the past few years.

The minute Emily catches the ragged stranger stealing food from her lighthouse kitchen she feels a strong attraction to him. Resisting the urge to send this mysterious man packing out of her life, Emily decides to hire him on. Will she break through the painful walls surrounding this quiet man? What is he running from? And why does his welcome touch make her forget the man she's about to marry?