"The second Purgatory story!"

Wade Mason was wrongly convicted of shooting Neville Young, the man who bought favors and had all of Purgatory in his deep pockets. Neville had stolen Wade's ranch right out from under his nose. Wade had been in Huntsville Penitentiary for a year and a half when Lily White, one of Purgatories prostitutes came to visit him. She seduced him and then told him if he'd marry her, she'd tell everybody that she saw Brady Young, Neville's son shoot him that night. Wade was shocked and waited a little too late to answer Lily. She vowed revenge on him as she was leaving.

A year later, Wade escapes from prison after he discovers that Lily had delivered him a son and promptly died. Now his son is in the care of one Callie Quinn. Wade vows to not only take his son back but also clear his name and recover his ranch.

Callie is just getting ready to have a nice long soak after she'd finally gotten three month old Matthew down to bed. When a filthy, smelly man in shackles confronts her, she doesn't know what to do. When Wade tells her that he's only there to take her hostage and reclaim his son. Callie is afraid but will do anything to protect Matthew. After all Lily had left him in her care. Callie remembers Wade from when he lived there and isn't quite sure what she thinks of him but decides to trust him when he tells her he was framed. She decides she'll do everything she can to help him out.

What Callie and Wade don't count on is falling in love with each other. What they both know is until Wade can be cleared of all charges they will never be able to have a life together. So Callie decides that she's going to do everything in her power to help the man she loves reclaim his son and his ranch even if it means giving up the little boy she's come to love as her very own!

This second book in the series about Purgatory is every bit as good as the first. Callie was a strong, stubborn heroine and would do anything in the world for the ones she loved. Wade wanted what was best for his son but he also wanted to clear his name when he knew he wasn't guilty of murder. I especially enjoyed the cameo visit with Regan and Clay Walker from WALKER'S WIDOW. Even though this book is tied to the first book, it completely stands alone. I look forward to the third book in this series!

Reviewed by Kathy Boswell
Posted July 23, 2002

Summary

STEALING THE MOMENT...

Wade Mason had been to Hell--and escaped. Shackled in iron manacles, the fleeing inmate traveled to Purgatory to claim his newborn son. He arrived at Callie Quinn's house ready to do battle. But the beautiful angel who guarded his child stripped him defenseless by plopping the crying bundle of joy straight into his unsuspecting arms. Then just as surely as she'd released him from his chains, Callie freed his heart. And Wade knew he'd found Heaven in her embrace.

When the intimidating outlaw showed up on her doorstep, Callie vowed she would fight tooth and nail to protect the infant entrusted to her. After all, what did a hardened felon know about babies? But one heated kiss told Callie that Wade understood all about tender care. And soon she realized he might be the convict, but she was prisoner to his touch, to his desires...to his love.