"Great historical romance with excellent characters."

At first, they thought him dead. Shannon Mahoney accompanied her father as he took what he found of value from the Confederate soldiers who lay dead after the battle. But Jacob Anderson would survive and finally wake from his months long coma because of Shannon's vigilant care. Robbed of all memory, Jake's body is still weak but healed, and he longs to know something of who he is and where he came from. All Shannon can offer is a letter and a few other items they found in his possession, but it isn't enough. Snippets of the past haunt him while he tries to remember something, anything from his past. He is grateful for Shannon's support and care but soon realizes that what he feels for her goes much deeper than gratitude. He wants her to come with him, but how can he ask her to leave the only life she's ever known to pursue such an uncertain future. What if he finds he already has a wife and family? Shannon is willing to take that chance. She has nothing but bittersweet memories of a brother killed in the war, a mother she never knew and an abusive father. Leaving with Jake may be a risk, but for the first time in her life, she has a chance at love.

Although a great story with warm, likable characters, some may not like the way the author switches back and forth between Jake's new life with Shannon and the lives of family and friends he can't remember. The introduction of so many characters and situations make it a challenge to keep up with everyone and everything that's going on. Even so, the excellent writing style combined with great story line and character development make this a recommended read.

Reviewed by Margaret Ohmes
Posted November 17, 2004