The depth of the emotions, both love, and despair, took me by surprise despite the warning from the author at the forewords. More than a suspense story, this is a story about family, loss, and new chances in life and love. Every single emotion is sharply drawn and highlighted, yet the author doesn't let the tale sink into a deep angst but keeps the hope and faith for the future and justice alive.
Both Hailey Green and Mac Morrison had had to face more than their fair share in life. The lot that life had given to them to bear broke my heart more than once while reading the story. The way Haley held her family together, made it work despite the circumstances and the financial difficulties was admirable. The love and understanding that she still held in her heart and soul were amazing, yet believable. I wanted to reach out and hug her and help her, and make her day a bit easier if any way possible.
Mac's lot wasn't much lighter than Hailey's just a very different one. The injustice and the reasons for it seemed so dire yet unfortunately convincing. His love for his father was palpable and one of the most beautiful things in the story. The respect Mac had towards his father, against all odds, was virtuous, telling so much about his character as a man.
Another emotion and connection in the story that was palpable was the one between Mac and Hailey. Very soon it comes obvious the bond they had as kids was a special and unique one, one that could carry across the time and difficulties, if they only could find in their hearts the room for forgiveness, for understanding, and to make it somehow work within their family situations.
I enjoyed the story immensely, it was inspiring and uplifting even with the sadness and destruction life had dealt for these two families. The suspense was lacking in the tale, even though the murder investigation is a constant thought in the minds of the characters, it was happening in the background, only mentioned in sidenotes, until the climax of the story where danger is apparent and deadly. To me, the killer was obvious from the start, but I was still curious of the puzzle how it would come about to reveal him as the culprit, but that part of the story was quickly wrapped up and solved, leaving me little disappointed.
I love it when a story takes me by surprise, and this one with the deep emotions and the depth of the connection between the characters surely did that. If you approach this tale as an ode to family, survival, and love instead of a murder mystery, you will most certainly enjoy and revel in this heartfelt tale of devotion, affection, adoration, and love in its many different forms.
~ Four Spoons with a teaspoon on the side

Circumstances tore them apart, but the yearning they still feel for each other the second they come back into contact proves that time doesn't heal all wounds! A reunion with a twist takes us for a ride in the latest by Karen Whiddon. A detailed plot and interesting characters keep our attention as we set out to figure out who is telling the truth!

Years ago Mac Morrison was forced away from his life and the love and friendship he had shared with Hailey Green. His father was accused of murdering her sister and his family was ostracized and forced to leave Legacy, Texas. His father is now dying, and the one thing he wants before he goes is to have his name cleared of this heinous crime he swears he didn't commit!

Hailey Green had her future ripped away from her when she had to step in to raise her younger siblings after her sister's murder. She might have a sudden flare of attraction go through her body when she sees the man Mac has become, but she can't stand to look at him and remember what his father did ... but as she stops and actually listens to what he and his father have to say, she has to wonder ... did the cops get it wrong all those years ago and her sister's killer is still out there?

Hailey's sister was was brutally murderers and the murderer (who was the father to an old boyfriend of hers) was put in jail. Unable to cope with the loss her mother turned to alcohol, her stepfather bailed on the family no where to be seen which leaves Hailey to step up even as a young teen to grow up and take care of the family. Its been ten year since then and the murderer seems to be out again due to his illness that leaves him not much days left to live. Figures when he's out a murder similar to the one of her sister occurs. Now everyone's on a mission to find out who the murder is before he strikes again.

I tend to forget that not all mystery books are jam packed action and thrillers. It just seems that way to me at least. Overall I thought that this was a pretty fantastic book. When it came to this book I was curious seeing how Hailey was dealing with what was handed to her and watching her make the best of the situation. She sacrificed so much after her sister died. That goes to say I loved the the characters even her meddling sisters. I loved that there was a mystery element questioning if and when the killer would strike next. Then there was the questioning if the man who went down for the crime many years ago would live to see the murdered finally come to light. I didn't konw much about that man and really didn't know if there was a possibility that he could be well enough to maybe sneak around which was pretty much at the back of my mind. By the time I was half way into the book I pretty much thought I knew who it was and was pretty happy when what I thought was true. I wish I could elaborate on my suspicions but its hard without spoiling the book. Overall this was a pretty great book I really enjoyed it, I found it pretty hard to put the book down.

I hate giving bad reviews, but this didn't interest me at all when I learned that the heroine cheated on her boyfriend with his brother and then she was used as a sex slave and whipping boy! That is a taboo in my fictional romance books. That type of themes belong in a different category and in real life. I want an escape of reality for an hour or two which is why I like fictional romance books. When the heroine (or hero) is ruined this way, it is no longer interesting....