"Captivating Romantic Suspense Thriller"

Robards delivers yet another top notch romantic suspense novel with her latest, a tale of intrigue and unbridled suspense. Sarah Mason, a prosecutor in Beaufort, South Carolina, has the misfortune of shopping at a local convenience store when it is being robbed. Though Sarah manages to save herself and a little girl, she remains haunted by the disappearance of her five-year-old daughter, Lexie, seven years ago.

Sarah is deeply upset when she starts receiving phone calls, as the voice at the other end sounds exactly like five-year-old Lexie, pleading for her mother. Sarah's long- time friend, Jake Hogan, a local PI, agrees to step up his efforts to find Lexie, even as he comforts Sarah. When it appears that Sarah's life may be in danger, Jake ensures that she is protected even as he finally admits that he wants more from Sarah than mere friendship.

Robards' latest is a page-turning thriller with unparalleled mystery that will enthrall with multiple twists and turns and a plethora of red herrings. The romance sizzles between Jake and Sarah as they must decide whether to take a chance on a once in a lifetime love. Though the riveting conclusion seems somewhat abrupt, the ever present mystery throughout, coupled with sensual romance, gives this novel must-read status.

Reviewed by Sheri Melnick
Posted April 25, 2006

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Summary

Ten years ago, Sarah Mason's six-year-old daughter vanished during an outing at a local park in Beaufort, South Carolina. Despite a furious search, little Lexie was never found, and Sarah was left to pick up the pieces of her shattered life and go on as best she could.

Then, on one hot July night, she returns home from work to hear the phone ringing. When she picks it up, a child's terrified voice whispers, "Mommy, help, come and get me . . ." The call is cut off, but not before Sarah's heart goes into overdrive: the voice belongs to Lexie. Six-year-old Lexie. Though ten years have passed, she sounds exactly the same.

Frantic, Sarah turns to the police, the FBI, family, and friends, none of whom can help. Out of desperation, she approaches Jake Hogan, once a detective assigned to Lexie's case. Jake is now a P.I., and though he is skeptical, the attraction he feels for Sarah pushes him to help her. Ben is convinced someone is deliberately tormenting the grief-stricken mother, and the continued tension of sketchy and unpredictable clues forces them to rely only on each other. Together they're caught in a nightmare search for Lexie, who might just still be alive—if only Jake and Sarah can hang on.