Widow Grace Bagshaw Vance has protected Harper Vance all her life--and she doesn't plan to let his death affect that. When hotshot actor Stone Senterra comes to Dahlonega to film the movie he has written about Harper's life, Grace does her best to make sure it falls through. But Stone pushes back, usually through his bodyguard, Cajun ex-con Boone Noleene. It doesn't take Grace long to notice that Boone has many of the same heroic, chivalrous traits that her dead husband had. But he has an edge that Harper didn't, and Grace finds it hard to ignore. They try to avoid their attraction for a number of reasons--not the least of which being Stone Senterra. However, everyone's family keeps interfering. Stone's son, Harp's niece, and Grace's grandmother keep trying to push Grace and Boone together. Boone is trying to arrange for a life for his soon-to-be-paroled brother Armand. And all of the main characters--Grace, Boone, and Stone--are still coping with the losses of their respective fathers.
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The review of this Book prepared by Sarrah
Little, Brown, Feb 2004, 24.95
ISBN: 0316805874
Action star Stone Senterra visits Dahlonega, Georgia to try to meet with Grace Vance, widow of Georgia Bureau of Investigation hero Harper. Her deceased husband died two years ago taking out the psychopath Turn-Key Bomber just before the serial killer was going to blow up a hospital. The world saw Harp's heroism as he died saving many innocent lives. Now Stone, known for dumb down action thriller flicks, wants to film Harp's life. He tries to charm Grace, but she rejects his deal as she believes he is only capable of an action-packed cinematic insulting dolt of a movie.
Stone's bodyguard Boone Molene tries to intercede as he is grateful to his employer for giving him a chance straight out of Angola Prison. As Boone and Grace become acquainted they fall in love, but she still refuses Stone's efforts as she believes that the action hero will destroy the dignity of her late husband.
This entertaining contemporary is more a character study than a romance, though a love subplot adds depth to the tale. The story line provides insight into Grace and through her eyes Harp. Fans will appreciate Grace's efforts to keep her late spouse's life from becoming a bogus macho action adventure flick as he was deeper than just a GI Joe doll. Deborah Smith furbishes a strong look at legends and how Hollywood can corrupt and propagandize or enhance heroes.
Harriet Klausner
The review of this Book prepared by Harriet Klausner
