Synopses & Reviews
She’s a dreamer. He’s a realist. Somewhere in the middle is love—and danger.
After her husband’s death, Catherine Brooks is ready to go back to work—almost. She volunteers at a shelter for homeless teens, Lost Angel, thinking it will ease her return to the classroom. There’s nothing easy about irascible shelter manager Luke Starns, though. His cool detachment rubs her the wrong way, especially when he warns her not to get too attached. Still, the soft heart she senses beneath his stern exterior keeps her coming back—and his face pervades her thoughts.
It’s not that Luke finds Catherine’s easy charm and free spirit unappealing—quite the opposite. Life on the streets is hard, and discipline is the only ladder that’ll get and keep these kids out of trouble. He knows what it’s like to care too much, only to have the rug yanked away. He tells himself he’s simply trying to save her the same heartache.
Yet Catherine has him rethinking his approach to life. Just as he lets his guard down, though, a murderer begins stalking the mean streets near the shelter, putting everything they care about at risk. Including their lives.
Warning: This book contains a gritty setting, a serial killer in a red satin dress, and a couple who think sizzling sex is the only kind worth having.
Review
“Versatile and talented author Phoebe Conn opens up endless new writing horizons with her terrific mainstream contemporary novel. Highly entertaining and emotionally complex, fans will be sure to devour her latest offering.”
—RT Book Reviews on Paradise
“Author Phoebe Conn returns with an engaging tale of murder, justice, and passionate love. Ms. Conn’s fans will be thrilled with her latest romance offering.”
—RT Book Reviews on Touch of Love
“Defy the World Tomatoesis overflowing with action, suspense, drama and love. Enjoy!”
—TheRomanceReviews.com
Synopsis
When young widow Catherine volunteers at Lost Angel youth shelter, she finds manager Luke’s gruff, disciplinary style rubs her the wrong way. Yet it’s the soft heart she senses underneath that keeps her coming back.
Luke feels the attraction, but feels she’s not cut out to deal with the victims of Hollywood’s mean streets. And no way is he risking his heart again—he knows the pain of unbearable loss. Yet just as she has him rethinking his approach to life, a murderer strikes near the shelter, putting everything the care about—and their lives—in danger.
About the Author
New York Times bestseller Phoebe Conn loves to read and began writing her own novel as a fun project for a summer vacation. With more than seven million copies in print of her historical, contemporary and futuristic books written under her own name as well as her pseudonym, Cinnamon Burke, she is as enthusiastic as ever.