But his wife Faye and scheming partner Calvin hated him. Andy was in the wrong place at the wrong time. Faye and Calvin left both men for dead in the Canadian Rockies.

Against all odds, one of the victims survives. He arrives at Calgary’s Foothills Hospital in a coma. Physiotherapist Marnie Grant visits him daily. When he awakens, with no idea of his identity or past, she takes him in.

Nikki Soarde skillfully helps the reader unravel the truth about Tate in this thoroughly engrossing tale.

Marnie calls the survivor Lucky, then Luke, and falls in love with him. She is a preacher's daughter who has left the church, feeling unattractive and unloved by her family. Everything is new to a man without a memory, and the two fall in love. He helps her find her own true beauty.

Andy's partner Pete is looking for his friend and Tate Barton. He has a new young partner now, and it takes awhile for him to build a bond. But Kyle sees something Pete and Andy's wife have both missed. And the plot becomes even more convoluted and riveting.

Author Soarde takes us along the twisted road to the novel's satisfying solution. The characters have great depth, variety and complexity. She handles the numerous players with skill and sensitivity. The puzzle is highly unusual but entirely logical. And as a reader, I really cared about Marnie and "Luke," as well as the secondary characters. I found the story thought-provoking and hard to put down. I highly recommend it.

Overall rating:
Sensuality rating: Mildly sensual

Reviewer: Lynn Bushey
August 25, 2009