Even though Bethanne Hostetler has found some peace seven
years after an attempted assault and the accidental death of Peter Miller, she
is still haunted by the memory. When her Englisher cousin, Candace--who has
just been crowned Miss Crittenden County--reveals that she has a stalker, all
of Bethanne's old fears come rushing back.
Jay Byler had once been Peter's best friend, and the fact that he did not
protect Bethanne that fateful night has haunted him ever since. To make matters
worse, she continues to avoid him--even as he continues to love her. Jay can
only hope and pray that one day Bethanne will see the person he is today and
not the boy he used to be.
As Candace's stalker becomes bolder, Officer Ryan Mulany becomes her escort to
various events. He knows he should only think of Candace as a job, but the more
time they spend together, the harder it gets to maintain professional distance.
And when everyone's worst fears are realized, all four must work together to
prevent another tragedy before time runs out and another innocent person is
hurt.
My Thoughts:
Bethanne and her cousin Candace have plenty in common even though one is Amish, and the other is an Englisher. They are close, and I was glad to see the strong familial bonds. One very unfortunate thing they have in common is the evil that man can inflict on innocents. Bethanne especially knows that firsthand as she is just now coming out of her shell years after an attack by a boy that she thought loved her. What resulted was his death and a prison sentence for another Amish boy. Putting that dark period behind her has been difficult. Especially since the attacker's one-time best friend is pursuing her for more than friendship.
Jay knows what Peter did to Bethanne was wrong. He only wants to protect her from now on out, since he has been carrying a torch for her for so long. But will she let go of her fears and forgive him for whatever she is blaming him for?
Candace has a stalker. He is very creepy. Due to him getting bolder, she has been assigned a police officer bodyguard since she is now Miss Crittendown County. Trouble is, she is having a hard time getting people to listen to her. Ryan, her bodyguard, knows he should just be doing his job, but the more he is around Candace and gets to know her, the more he falls, and hard.
This story was an Amish story, but a pretty intense suspense thriller as well. Throw in a romantic thread with two couples and this reader kept turning those pages.
I was provided a copy of this novel from the publisher. I was not required to post a positive review, and all views and opinions are my own.
About the Author:
Shelley Shepard Gray is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of more than 100 books, including Unforgiven and Unforgotten. Two-time winner of the HOLT Medallion and a Carol Award finalist, Gray lives in Ohio, where she writes full-time, bakes too much, and can often be found walking her dachshunds on her town's bike trail. Learn more at ShelleyShepardGray.com.
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