"Twisting plot, humor and sensual romance. This book has it all."

Irene Stenson receives an email from Pamela Webb. She hadn't heard from Pamela for seventeen years. Pamela's email contained a code they had used as teenagers for urgency and secrecy. Irene didn't know why or what Pamela had summoned her back for. But Irene was sure it had to do with her parents' death. When she arrives at Pamela's it is to find her dead from an apparent suicide. Irene doesn't believe it. There are too many questions and it is just too convenient.

Irene had checked into the local lodge, whose new owner, Luke Danner, is an ex-Marine. A hunk he may be, but he is just too use to giving orders and his way of dealing with paying customers is to wonder why they have to bother him. Luke takes one look at Irene and wants her. Dressed all in black with a long black leather coat, all Irene needs in Luke's opinion is a little black whip to complete her outfit. Luke knows she is trouble, but he is drawn to her and would like nothing better than to take Irene to his bed.

With a wonderful blend of suspense and laughter Ms. Krantz keeps her readers turning the pages. A enjoyable read for all of Ms. Krantz's fans and a wonderful way to introduce new readers to her writing.

Reviewed by Judith Saul
Posted January 16, 2006

Summary

The smaller the town, the darker the secrets...

Shy, studious Irene Stenson and wild, privileged Pamela Webb had been the best of friends for one short high school summer. Their friendship ended the night Pamela dropped Irene off at home—and Irene walked in to discover her parents' bodies on the kitchen floor. It was ruled a murder-suicide, and Irene fled the northern California town of Dunsley. But seventeen years later, when Pamela sends a cryptic e-mail asking for help, Irene returns to her hometown to find her old friend has died suddenly, leaving behind a lot of ugly, unanswered questions.

Caught up in a firestorm of desperate deceit and long-buried secrets, Irene knows it would probably be smarter to just pack up and leave Dunsley behind again, but her reporter's instinct—and her own hunger to know the truth—compel her to extend her stay at the local lodge. Even more compelling is the man who runs the place—a hazel-eyed ex-Marine who's as used to giving orders as Irene is to ignoring them. Luke Danner can see the terror beneath Irene Stenson's confident exterior—and he is intent on protecting her. But he is also driven by passions of his own, and together they will risk far more than local gossip to sort out what happened to Pamela Webb, and what really happened on that long-ago summer night. . . .