Susan Warren May, Reclaiming Nick

Reclaiming Nick

Susan Warren May

Tyndale, Jan 2007, $12.99

ISBN: 141431017X

Loaded with guilt and remorse that he never retuned before his estranged father died, Nick Noble knows he must go home now that his dad's lawyer Saul Lovell arrives to explain the will. He is outraged that his dad left any of the Montana Silver Buckle Ranch to his once best friend Cole St. John and that his sister Stefanie is converting the spread to a dude ranch. He plans to contest the will and to prevent Stefanie's plans.

Reporter Piper Sullivan believes that Nick abused his law enforcement duties when he arrested her brother Jimmy McPhee for the murder of Jenny Butler. Nick is no longer a cop and Jimmy has been exonerated after five years in prison. However, while Jimmy has vanished, Piper plans to prove that Nick used her sibling to hide his killing of Jenny. She gets work as a cook on the ranch while his neglect of the past decade towards family and friends catch up to him. As the undercover reporter and her prey fall in love, he begins to learn the truth of just how many mistakes and hurt he left behind ten years ago.

The first Noble Legacy tale is a wonderful, inspirational family drama starring a terrific cast who do not agree on much except that loved ones are everything. The lead pair is a strong coupling as she has every reason to hate him, but instead falls in love with him; she knows once she reveals the truth he will feel betrayed and not trust her. Other subplot spins seem almost soap opera, but Susan Warren May shows her writing skill by making them excel. Fans of contemporary tales will enjoy RECLAIMING NICK as he learns from Piper what really matters in life.

Harriet Klausner