bn.com
Jolie Royale does know a few things. She knows a brutal attack 20 years ago left her critically wounded, and left her mother, her aunt, and her aunt's supposed lover dead. She knows the case was quickly ruled
murder-suicide. And she knows that she saw the killer's face, even though she can't remember it. When she returns to her
family's plantation, Belle Rose, for her father's funeral, she's distressed to add a few new facts to that chilling collection. It seems the case is being reopened. The killer is still at large. Jolie's life is in danger. And the only person she can turn to is Max Devereaux, a neighbor who once resented the Royales yet now seems only too eager to help Jolie. She has loved Max for as long as she can remember...but Jolie cannot afford to trust anyone completely as long as her memory of the murderer remains incomplete. And, even as Jolie struggles to reclaim that elusive memory, she realizes that when she succeeds she'll be targeted as the next victim. Beverly Barton has a flair for seductively steamy romantic suspense that doesn't let up.
Publishers Weekly
Two mysteries and multiple romances dovetail nicely in this tightly woven romantic intrigue from popular Silhouette series author Barton (Every Move She Makes). When her father dies, Jolie Royale is summoned to Belle Rose, her family's estate in Mississippi, by her brother-in-law, Max Deveraux. Jolie hasn't been home in 23 years, not since she was shot and left for dead in what would later become known as the Belle Rose Massacre. Her mother and aunt were murdered that night, ostensibly by the family handyman, Lemar, who later committed suicide. Although some doubted Lemar's guilt, Jolie included, the county sheriff didn't hesitate to lay the blame on the dead man's shoulders and close the case. Upon her return, Jolie regains control of Belle Rose and joins forces with Theron Carter, Lemar's nephew, to reopen the case and air long-buried family secrets. But when Theron is assaulted and Jolie is shot at, Max designates himself as her personal bodyguard and aids her in untangling the Belle Rose mystery. Revelation upon revelation will hold the reader's interest, and the fast and furious sex scenes between Jolie and Max should please Barton's many fans. With its sultry Southern setting and well-drawn characters, this richly textured tale ranks among the best the genre has to offer. (Apr.) Forecast: For the past decade, Barton has paid her dues writing category romances, but her recent pairing with Linda Howard (Mackenzie's Pleasure/Defending His Own) has enhanced her profile as well as her fan base, which should translate into respectable sales for this book. A provocative title and an eye-catching cover will make it stand out from the pack, and a Romantic Times giveaway featuring 250 advance copies should help generate early buzz. Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.
