No Longer Mine
Shiloh WalkerContemporary romance
Available from Samhain Publishing
ISBN: 978-1-60504-991-5
April 2010
| When Nikki Kline's son dies in a tragic car accident, she's never the
same again. Though she has faced some hard times before, including the
loss of her beloved fiance Wade Lightfoot to another woman, the death
of baby Jason is enough to send her world crashing down around her.
Despite the loss of Wade, Nikki knew she had her son, Wade's son, to
help compensate for the loss of Wade. But with Jason dead, Nikki has
nothing left in her life. She tries to make the best of her life
though, and with the love and support of her father and two brothers,
she once again makes a go of life in Monticello. She has a successful
writing career that has made her wealthy enough to help her family,
but she doesn't make any human connections� until Wade moves to town
with his four-year-old daughter Abby.
From the moment he sets eyes on Nikki again, Wade wants her back. His young daughter is charmed by the aloof woman, while Wade yearns for the closeness he once felt with his best friend and the only woman he has ever loved. He tries again and again to insinuate himself into Nikki's life, but it's all to no avail as Nikki has no intention of getting back together with Wade. Every time she looks at Abby she sees reminders of not only Jason, but of Wade's infidelity to her. Nikki goes so far as to pretend to have a relationship with another man in order to put Wade off, but it doesn't work. Wade tries more than ever to make Nikki see that the past doesn't have to ruin the future that the love and desire that once was between them is still sparking. But Nikki has withdrawn from life. She's afraid to tell Wade about Jason so she does the only thing she knows how to do, she runs. Will Wade give up on Nikki now that she is gone, or can Nikki manage to find some inner peace in order to live happily-ever-after with Wade? No Longer Mine is a painful and turbulent emotional journey of the heart. Nikki and Wade both have a lot buried in their hearts and author Shiloh Walker takes great pains to show their growing connection, despite the animosity and pain from the past. This is a heart wrenching romance that doesn't focus on the sexual side of love; rather it focuses on the emotional entanglements that come with all relationships, past and present. I truly wasn't able to put this book down despite the intensity of emotion emanating from these characters. I almost despaired of ever seeing these two lovers reunited, but with style and grace, Shiloh Walker managed to create a very convincible reunion, even if it tended into the melodramatic at times. This story takes place over a long period of time, but it feels very fast paced due to the volatile emotions of the characters. As an added bonus, the secondary characters definitely help ratchet up the emotional tension. I hope Ms. Walker has plans for Nikki's siblings', Dylan and Shawn, stories. This is a can't miss story as it will appeal to every one who has ever experienced heartbreak and the promise of love's renewal.
Overall rating:
Reviewer: Sarah W |
