FALLING FOR MR. DARK & DANGEROUS

Author: Donna Alward ISBN: 9780373175345 8/2008 FICTION Publisher: DOUBLE DAY

A handsome stranger on her doorstep... Tidy. Sensible. Safe. That's how Maggie Taylor wants things. Until she opens the door of her tiny Mountain Haven Hotel to a tall, dark, and very dangerous stranger. Nate Griffith offers a world of pleasure in his strong arms. But the lawman isn't looking for a peaceful retreat - he has a job to do. It scares Maggie that Nate puts himself in the line of fire every day, and so she tries her hardest to resist him. But even a heart as closed off as Maggie's can't stay immune for long...

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

Sometimes all it takes is the right person to restore lost faith, to coax love from its retreat. FALLING FOR MR. DARK & DANGEROUS shows that when love comes calling, there's nothing to be done but open the door and let it in!

Maggie Taylor allows a U.S. marshal access to her bed and breakfast so he can work on a case. She doesn't imagine she's going to have any feelings for the handsome lawman but she does. Their blooming relationship is tested by Nate's profession and Maggie's feelings for what he does, as well as the ghosts from Maggie's past that keep her from opening herself fully to the possibility of love.

Despite its brevity, FALLING FOR MR. DARK & DANGEROUS brings these characters to life. They are thought provoking and seem like people anyone might know. They're not perfect, but they're certainly good, solid folks who deserve to find happiness. There were a few times I was surprised by Maggie's tendency to not recognize the truth, even when it's in front of her. For example, she seems completely put out when she realizes Nate is wearing a weapon on his person. I mean, he's a marshal; don't they all wear weapons? But as I said, these characters feel real, and Maggie's gullibility is part of what makes her seem so lifelike.

I enjoyed this from start to finish, and when I'd closed the book I hoped that somehow readers would be treated to a next glimpse at Maggie and Nate. I liked them that much!

Donna Alward's FALLING FOR MR. DARK & DANGEROUS is an emotionally satisfying, clever read!

Kay James