AN HONORABLE MAN

Author: Darlene Gardner ISBN: 9780373716364 5/2010 CONTEMPORARY Publisher: HARLEQUIN

A rugged stranger asking questions… Sierra Whitmore figures the guy is just a journalist doing his job. That's before the reserved doctor gives in to the powerful attraction simmering between them. Before she discovers the real reason Ben Nash came to Indigo Springs. Uncovering the truth behind his mother's death seems to be Ben's driving mission. But when his quest unearths a secret in Sierra's own family, how can she ask this passionate, honorable man to choose between her and justice? Or maybe Ben has already made his choice. Especially if he knows that exposing the past could cost him his future…with Sierra.

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

Darlene Gardner's AN HONORABLE MAN is the fourth book in her Return to Indigo Springs series, and I must say it is the best story yet! Sometimes a series can get old, but that is not the case here. Ms. Gardner manages to make each book more intriguing, digging a little bit deeper into the characters lives' in charming Indigo Springs. AN HONORABLE MAN unravels a decades-old mystery, settles hearts, and shows that when push comes to shove, the "truth" can matter less than the motivation behind one's deeds. The depth of feeling and moral evaluation this author asks of her characters swept me away.

Ben and Sierra are on opposite sides of a fence, even though they aren't fully aware of the fact when they first meet. He's come to town in search of answers, and she hasn't any idea just how intricately involved her family is in the truth he's liable to find. The chemistry between this couple is obvious from the beginning, and I wanted the small-town girl to somehow calm the investigative reporter's cutthroat instincts to ferret out and expose what might be best left forgotten. The great thing is that Sierra and Ben do seem to balance each other, a perfect fit in an otherwise unsettled situation.

There isn't anything I didn't like about this book. It's well-written, thought-provoking, and a real pleasure to read. It will take its place on my keeper shelf, along with the other books in this series. I can't wait to see what happens next in Indigo Springs. This is one series I wish could continue indefinitely! Very well done!

Kay James