Darlene Moore’s reason for shunning Parker Shane has nothing to do with his reputation of being a playboy. She even dates him before the death of her mother forces her to move away. After a two-year absence from Dalesville, she returns
home to find Parker exchanging wedding vows with her sister. Two months later, her sister dies.

Then Richard Ryan, head of Dalesville’s wealthy, prominent family, and Parker’s employer, goes missing. Could there be a connection to his disappearance and Parker’s unexpected promotion?

Danger and questions a plenty barrage Darlene with the deadly speed of a six-shooter. Who called down a representative from a Washington agency? Who later assaulted him? Who attacked Darlene at her friend’s apartment? And will Parker’s scandalous brand of playboy be changed to one of murderous culprit? Or, in the moment of Darlene’s greatest need, might he become her rescuing knight?

REVIEW

Miss Mae has turned in another sweet romance with mystery intermingled. Once again she shows her knack for vivid descriptions of places, people, emotions, food, environment, etc. Parker and Darlene, the main characters, are likeable as is Uncle Richard and Boone. The cliffhanger incidents are well handled and he reader is kept on the edge of the cliff, quite literally in one incident.
The romance slowly develops and the twists and turns fuel Parker and Darlene's relationship. The setting is late 1960s, early 1970s and Miss Mae roots using that time period with her meticulous allusions to songs, automobiles, food and political issues.

Reviewed by: Larry Hammersley
www.manicreaders.com

EXCERPT

He chuckled softly. “All I want to know is if you’d like to go out with me?”

Wholly unprepared for the question, Darlene stared straight ahead, unblinking. Her tongue refused to work, and for one scary moment, she thought she forgot how to breathe. “You aren’t serious?” she finally managed to gasp.

He raised a curious brow. “Why wouldn’t I be?”

“Because everybody knows Ellie Pearson is your girlfriend.”

“They do, huh?”

“Yes! And if that’s not bad enough, your reputa"” She caught herself, clamping her mouth shut to keep the words from spilling out.

“My what?” Parker eased up on the gas to give a wide berth to a terrapin that lumbered across the road. “My reputation?”

Darlene raised a wrist and wiped sweat off the side of her cheek. Desperately, her eyes strained to see George Vining’s garage. Just around the next curve, past the tall white pine…

“I’ve heard some of the things said about me.” At the odd note in his voice, Darlene stole a peek at his profile. He wore a faint smile.

“So. How about a date?”

Unable to believe he asked again, she floundered for the right answer. “Look, I…” She gulped and blurted out, “I’m not the kind of girl you date.”

“I date pretty girls. And you definitely fill the bill.” He moved his hand off her seat, his fingers grazing her bare arm. Though the touch appeared accidental, Darlene had the sneaking suspicion it hadn’t been.

Discreetly, she edged closer to her door. “But Ellie’s your girlfriend.”

“A guy can’t date more than one girl at a time?”

“No. It wouldn’t be right.”

Parker gave a low laugh. The attractive way it rumbled deep in his throat threatened to short circuit Darlene’s already overcharged nerves. “Little lady,” he murmured, “you drive a hard bargain.”