"A Wonderful and Caring Heartthrob"

Zane MacAllister is a super star -- the heartthrob of Hollywood but when his ex-girlfriend takes her life, he feels sad and guilty. Even though he had tried to help Kelley through her addiction, he needs to take time out to come to terms with what has happened. He rents a car, dyes his hair so that no one will recognize him, and takes off for home in Texas. While traveling through the Smokey Mountains, he comes across a young woman who is down on her luck, barely keeping herself alive, and living in a ramshackle shack that had belonged to her grandmother. Zane, gentleman that he is, tries to help.

Roan O'Hara had run away from her poor home years before but got into so much trouble that she is back home determined to get herself together and reinvent herself. The mountain people won't forgive her so she is on her own as she lives hand to mouth living in the old shack that will never keep her safe when winter arrives.

Zane might be a famous movie star but he is also the kind of man that has always tried to help his fellow man. He follows Roan home wanting to help but she wants no part of the handsome man. He sticks around anyway and buys food and starts repairing the house for her. He finds a sense of peace in the beautiful countryside and as Roan starts gaining confidence, Zane gets more and more attracted to her. Roan has made many mistakes in her life but she is determined to find her way back home.

Jean Brashear is an author that writes some fascinating books and A REAL HERO, part of the Deep in the Heart series, is an excellent read. Zane is real hero material -- what is not to love about this wonderful caring man and how can Roan possibly resist his goodness? He is a true Harlequin Man -- perfect in every way. Roan also shows heroism in coming to terms with her life and beating the odds. A REAL HERO has a lot of emotion, sexual tension and excellent dialog. Jean Brashear has done it again and written a book that you will not want to put down.

Reviewed by Marilyn Heyman
Posted March 11, 2004

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Summary

Traveling incognito, Zane MacAllister, Hollywood's hottest heartthrob, has at last eluded the rabid gossipmongers and curiosity seekers who trail him like a pack of coyotes hoping for a bone, and now he has the time and space to sort through his life and see what he's become.

And then he comes upon Roan O'Hara, pale, thin to the point of starvation, a woman at the end of her rope. She's determined to survive the harsh winter in a ramshackle cabin in the Smoky Mountains—and her grit and vulnerability compel him to stay and help her out.

This mountain woman has secrets, and so does he. But just when they're about to come clean with each other, the outside world catches up.

Can they find a way to be together, this man who at every turn proves that he's a real hero and this woman who has battles she must fight alone?