THE STRANGER'S SIN

Author: Darlene Gardner ISBN: 9780373715626 5/2009 CONTEMPORARY Publisher: HARLEQUIN

Accused of a crime she didn't commit, Kelly Carmichael skips bail and heads to Indigo Springs. It's a shot in the dark, but with her freedom at stake she has no choice if she wants answers. When forest ranger Chase Bradford starts asking questions, Kelly tells him she's a stranger passing through. That's the first lie. Now she has to keep lying. She's walking a dangerous tightrope…especially when she starts falling for the single father. How will Chase react when he finds out who she really is? Will the honorable guy feel duty-bound to bring her in? Or will he stand by her? If only she had the courage to trust him with the truth….

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

Part of the Return to Indigo Springs series, Darlene Gardner's THE STRANGER'S SIN hooked me on the first page. Kelly is in a courtroom, accused of a crime she didn’t commit, and the only way out of her dicey situation is with the help of a stomach-sick attorney. The odds seem more likely she’ll be hit by lightning than find justice. Kelly realizes that if she’s going to be proven innocent, she may have to take matters into her own hands. She heads for Indigo Springs, in search for the truth. What she finds is a hunky man whose mission in life is to keep others on the right side of the law, someone who could be an ally instead of a foe if she only let him be. Instead, she lies to him. Then, despite their growing attraction, she keeps lying. And just when there looks like no way for Kelly to unburden herself to Chase, he uncovers a truth that might just drastically change the life he leads—and loves. To top it off, Chase is compelled to deal with his father’s lifestyle changes, something that makes him face a few truths in his own life.

This story has it all… believable characters, a setting that is so realistic and welcoming it jumps from the pages and more a moral dilemma—as well as a mystery!—that needs attention. While I enjoyed watching Kelly and Chase fall in love and wrangle with the details of their relationship, the character I liked most in this story was Charlie, Chase’s father. He tells Kelly the whole, unvarnished truth about Chase’s relationship with Mandy and Toby, and leaves it to her to either accept it or not. His motivation is so obvious, and commendable, that I couldn’t help but fall for him myself!

Ms. Gardner’s talent for smooth storytelling pulled right onto the streets of Indigo Springs. My only regret was that I had to leave! Well done!

Kay James