"Engaging contemporary romance"

In Grover, Mississippi, Army ranger Luke Boudreau undergoes his toughest mission of his fifteen-year career. He visits Olivia, the mom of one of his men, deceased Calvin Abbott, who died in the line of duty five months ago. Luke, just out of the hospital, blames himself for the death of his brother in arms. He made the decision that led to the helicopter crash that took the life of Calvin.

Luke is shocked when he meets Calvin's widow Analise, as he never knew the man was married although they were in the same unit for several years. Calvin's mom persuades Luke to stay around to talk with her younger teenage son, Cole, who is having personal troubles. As he meets the Abbott family, Luke falls in love with Analise, who reciprocates his feelings. However, both feel they are betraying Calvin even as Olivia plays matchmaker.

This is an engaging contemporary romance starring two scarred souls and a wonderful support cast especially Olivia. Although Cole is an engaging brother-in-law, his woes take away from the prime angst of the lead couple sharing deep remorse over falling in love. Fans will enjoy this "triangle" with the third angle being that of a ghost.

Harriet Klausner

Reviewed by Harriet Klausner
Posted August 11, 2004

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Summary

Army Ranger Luke Boudreau commanded a secret mission that went horribly awry. The physical wounds he takes away from the experience are inconsequential compared to his guilt for the loss of a fellow soldier—a man who will never be recognized for his bravery because of the covert nature of their operation. When Luke is recovered enough, he travels to Grover, Mississippi to pay his respects to a woman who gave her son to the service of his country. He must do so in a way that doesn't reveal the true circumstances of the man's death. He braces himself for a mother's bitter anger, secretly hoping this encounter will begin to deliver him from his torment.

However, what he finds in Grover is far from either recrimination or absolution. He is quickly drawn into a family that desperately needs his help—a younger brother bent on self-destruction and a mother with a secret burden of her own. And most shocking of all, he discovers a beautiful widow he didn't know existed—a woman who tempts him to break his own moral code.