Jill Gregory, Wolf River

Wolf River

Jill Gregory

Bantam, May 2007, $6.99

ISBN: 0440243041

When she was eighteen, Erinn Winters fled her home to escape her abusive father. She became a renowned children's author, but the fame cannot erase the guilt of leaving her younger half sister Devon behind in that monster's household. When she learns her dad is dead, Erinn leaves New York City to begin a quest to reconnect with Devon.

She hires Wayne Cordovan of Cordovan-Smith Securities and Investigations. He succeeds in locating her sibling in Wolf River, Montana. Erinn goes west to see her younger sibling, but Devon rejects her older sister's offer to care for her in New York; having not forgiven her for leaving her behind with their brutal father. However, Erinn refuses to walk away this time as she sees the fear in her sister's eyes that she remembers from when she lived at home. She worries that Devon has moved into an abusive relationship with Hank Wheeler so she rents a cabin from rancher Jace Fortune. Although he vowed never to marry again after a horrendous marriage, Jace is falling in love with his renter and her with him. However, someone is trying to destroy the Fortune Ranch and is willing to commit murder to succeed; Erinn believes it is Hank and his older brother Mick who both work at another ranch, although she admits to herself she may be accusing the duo out of her fears for Devon.

WOLF RIVER is an enjoyable, Big Sky ranch, romantic suspense that sub-genre fans will appreciate. The storyline is driven by a strong cast, especially Erinn who desperately wants to do the right thing for his sister that she could not have done in the past. Although her paranormal visions add depth, they feel somewhat out of place inside a fabulous family drama starring two strong lead characters and full blooded secondary players adding depth to the tale.

Harriet Klausner