Ryan had been a childhood friend, but he left town twenty years ago. He can't remember much of the first seven years of his life, but he has strange and disturbing nightmares about his childhood and a girl called Gypsy. He's lost his wife and returns to Tanglewood Falls to learn the truth about himself.

Ryan's practicality and Annie's mystic notions are at odds. But the real story is the town, once thriving, now almost totally dead and decayed. Lumbermill owner Jake Montgomery runs the town without thought of anyone's welfare but his own. Dr. Sam Cooper is haunted by a 20-year-old crime. There's a gentle giant of a man nicknamed Mouse and a full-grown bear named Max adding to the mix in this engrossing tale.

I found the early chapters a bit disjointed, but the puzzle pieces soon began to fit. The town's hidden secrets are revealed at a tantalizing pace, and the romance is satisfying. The conflict of Ryan's “sensibility” and that of Annie makes for a great relationship. the characters are well thought out.

I did feel, however, that the story went on a bit too long after the resolution of the mystery. I would have preferred to be left with some of the haunting images presented. I did not feel the author needed to tie everything up "happily-ever-after" in this enjoyable and thought-provoking tale.

Overall rating:
Sensuality rating: Mildly sensual

Reviewer: Lynn Bushey
May 11, 2009