Opening Sentence: '…Dust battered the side of my rusty Saturn as I counted out the money I had left in my purse before going into the bakery for another one of to Lorie's home-cooked meals…’

Reporter Pepper Malone moves to the country town of Bailey, Texas, after a news story nearly got her killed. She chose Bailey because her mother was born there - and her aunt Wilma is in a nursing home recovering from a broken hip so she's able to stay in Wilma's trailer. Pepper is broke. Her new friend Lorie tells her the local newspaper is looking for a reporter, so Pepper finds herself hired by the editor/owner - Michael (Mike) McCulloch.

Shortly after Pepper starts work, she finds out that someone has been making serious threats against the paper. But is it the paper or has her past caught up with her? Mike is a very interesting character - his job, his life, and all of his waking moments were changed when his brother and sister-in-law were killed in a car accident - leaving a child, Morgan. Understandably unprepared for the tragedy, Mike is shocked, but he still does his duty and takes charge of the, then, little girl. Now he has a young teen in his charge - and not sure where the little girl has gone. Pepper and Mike feel that instant attraction - but first they have to find out who is threatening the newspaper.

Jody Thomas is a very good writer - the story is touching, realistic, and well written. Pepper and Michael were not the only romantic thread. There was another couple whose story was a subplot and just as compelling to see unfold. However, the romances are not the focus of the story - the focus is who is trying to kill Mike and/or Pepper.

I really enjoyed this book. I found the characters to be very believable - and cared what happened to them. There is suspense, flawed characters, humour, pathos and a very satisfactory ending. I did figure out who was doing it - but the story was so interesting I still had to keep reading to find out how and why. ( )

If you like contemporary fiction with a twist it wasn’t bad at all. I thought the book was OK. I personally prefer more thrill and action and/or passion. I suppose I’m an intense kind of gal who needs to feel that intense emotion coming from the characters within the story.Like the reporter and the agent, I couldn’t help “profile” each person. Jodi did do an excellent job in creating her characters. Each one had different personalities and backgrounds. Thomas seemed to pair opposites together; Pepper & Michael (main couple), Lorie & Heath (2nd main couple), Sheriff & Toad, and even Audrey / Webster / Bob Earl / Orrie. Opposites in a relationship are always fun because you never know how the relationship may turn out and individuals tend to balance each other out. I did enjoy watching the couples evolve from beginning to end within the story. The uncertainty of who they were before, during, and after the events that threatened their lives and relationships was interesting. I thought I would be intrigued with Pepper and Michael’s relationship since they were the main characters but instead I was fascinated with Lorie and Heath’s relationship. Call me difficult… I found them to be the ones I wanted to read more about. It was this couple I imaginatively “pushed” and rooted on.Would I rewrite my past as some of the characters wished they had? I’ve been tempted to wish things were different but then I wouldn’t be who I am or have the family that I have today if I had. I am a firm believer that things happen for a reason…If you haven’t already, be sure to check out Jodi Thomas’ Author Guest Post . ( )