JINXED

Author: Sharon Horton ISBN: 0759946841 7/2004 CONTEMPORARY Publisher: Hard Shell Word Factory

Since being widowed at an early age, Kendra Duchaine has led a quiet life as a teacher in her hometown of Claremont, Washington. Though at times lonely, she considers herself content until a chance encounter with the town's most prominent citizen turns her life into a frightening game of Cat and Mouse. Convinced her dilemma will be shrugged off due to the status of her ardent admirer Kendra feels she is alone in dealing with her problem. For months she's managed to ignore the multitude of letters, phone calls and expensive gifts, hoping in time her admirer would become less ardent. Her hopes fail one morning when she finds he's left a rose on her doorstep. In despair, and feeling her life must be jinxed, she reluctantly seeks help. Little does Kendra know, a “Jinx” of another kind is in her future. Kendra's help comes in the form of, “Jinx” Jenkins, a police lieutenant who, in a twist of fate, is also a widower. After listening to Kendra's story, Jinx is doubtful he can help, explaining her admirer might be too formidable an opponent for a police lieutenant. Yet, it's as that police lieutenant that he knows he cannot deny anyone help. It's as a man Jinx cannot deny he wants to help Kendra.

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

You know you've got a keeper in your hands when you hate every little interruption that has you putting down the book. That's how this book was for me -- I hated to put it down. From the start it grabbed me.

Kendra is a middle school teacher who, after a chance encounter one night, is being stalked by one of the town's most prominent people. Knowing she'd probably get the brush-off because of who the person is, Kendra goes to the police to try to file a complaint. She's not really surprised when Lieutenant Jenkins doesn't believe her, and tells her she's probably mistaken when he learns who Kendra is talking about.

Two weeks later, Jinx is still feeling guilty that he didn't do what he could have for Kendra. She reminds him of things he's lost and thought he'd never have again. When he hears of an attack at her school he rushes there to make sure she's not the one hurt. He's relieved that she's fine, and after he notices some changes in her, he's determined to find out why she believes she's being stalked -- then feels bad when he finds evidence that she was telling the truth.

From their first meeting, you can see the sparks between Kendra and Jinx, but both are leery since they've both lost a loved one and are not looking for their lives to change. JINXED is a wonderful story of second chances and all the unexpected surprises awaiting them. Ms. Horton writes with such a flair that keeps you riveted until you reach the last page and I can't recommend this book highly enough. I'm a sucker for a true love story and I think JINXED is just that. It just reinforces why I read romance books -- for all those happily-ever-afters. Don't miss adding this to your TBB list!

Fatin Soufan