Carly Phillips, Cross My Heart

Cross My Heart

Carly Phillips

HQN, Aug 2006, $19.95

ISBN: 0373771266

Her uncle took in teenage Lilly Dumont when her parents died and showered her with love until she refused to fund his hedonism. The wolf merged as he turned abusive and acrimonious before dumping her onto the foster care system as a delinquent. There she makes two close friends; Tyler Benson, and Daniel Hunter. They call themselves the Three Musketeers. When her uncle decided he needs her trust fund, he makes a bid to regain guardianship. Refusing to go back, the seventeen year old arranges for the other two musketeers to kill Lilly Dumont. Thus Lacey Kinkaid is "born" out of the death of Lilly.

A decade later, Ty arrives to encourage Lacey, owner of Odd Jobs, to claim her inheritance so that her odious uncle does not get it and use it to marry a nice woman who has not seen the wolf. Ty loved Lilly as a teen and realizes he still does; Lilly loved Ty as a teen and realizes she still does. However, neither will make that critical first move though Ty would willingly give up his life let alone his heart to insure Lilly remains safe while she gains what she deserves.

This is a strong second chance at love romance though some readers might say that the fledgling relationship between lead couple should not count. The story line is fast paced and a secondary romance augments the tale. Though uncle is so bad he is a caricature, CROSS MY HEART this is a well written fun tale starring two likable protagonists who never stopped loving one another.

Harriet Klausner