From Publishers Weekly
Bestselling romantic suspense writer Michaels delivers another gripping plot, though it's easy to detect predictable dramatic devices in the story of Helen Ward, a physically abused wife who finally stands up for herself and sets off for a better life. While beating Helen one night, her husband Daniel finally pushes her too far when he kicks her beloved dog, Lucie. Helen retaliates by bashing him with a fireplace poker. Fleeing their house in a California suburb, Helen finds refuge in a veterinary hospital, where she meets Dr. Gerald Davis, who immediately recognizes that Helen needs help as much as Lucie does. He calls local heiress and animal lover Isabel Tyger, who places Helen in a top-secret women's shelter. Much like a participant in the Federal Witness Protection Program, Helen assumes an alias and relocates to New Jersey. Now called Nancy Baker, Helen thrives in her new identity. She establishes an Internet lingerie shop, attends night school and falls for a handsome neighbor and fellow dog-lover, Sam Tolliver. As their relationship grows, Nancy longs to tell Sam the truth about her past, defying the first rule of the program. When her online connection to Tyger's program is interrupted, Nancy suspects her vengeful husband has finally found her. She is further depressed to learn she has been legally declared dead, thus making divorce impossible. Returning to California suggests all kinds of dangers, but Helen/ Nancy refuses to be a victim this time. Michaels (Celebration) builds up enough tension to fuel this contemporary novel, but an O.J. Simpson-style car chase gives way to a disappointingly quick climax. Fans will fill up on Michaels's direct prose in one sitting, while others may find it only a light snack. (Oct.)
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From Library Journal
For Helen Stanley, survival means escaping from an abusive husband and creating a new life for herself. She joins an organization that protects abused women but at a cost; she is declared dead, given a new identity, and moved across the United States. She starts her own business, a Victoria's Secret knock-off, and attracts the attention of a loving man, Sam Tolliver. Meanwhile, ex-husband Daniel's fortunes spiral downward. Having lost his job, he blames his misfortunes on his wife's desertion and stalks Helen, bent on a murderous revenge. Fortunately, Helen is rescued by her new beau. Despite the predictable ending, readers will admire Helen's determination to remake her life in a positive direction, meeting each challenge as it comes. Says Helen, "It doesn't matter where you've been. What matters is where you're going and how you get there." Recommended for public libraries and for the many fans of Michaels's previous works (e.g., Celebration).DCarol J. Bissett, New Braunfels P.L., TX
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From the Back Cover
If her abusive husband had not tried to kill her and her beloved dog, Helen Ward might never have left her million dollar home and run far away. Now, Helens changed her identity and moved across the country, hopeful that she can be safe, happy, maybe even loved. And when she meets college professor Sam Tolliver, she begins to believe fairy tales do come true.
About the Author
Fern Michaels is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of Fool Me Once, Sweet Revenge, The Nosy Neighbor, Pretty Woman, and dozens of other novels and novellas. There are over seventy million copies of her books in print. Fern Michaels has built and funded several large day-care centers in her hometown, and is a passionate animal lover who has outfitted police dogs across the country with special bulletproof vests. She shares her home in South Carolina with her four dogs and a resident ghost named Mary Margaret.
Laural Merlington reads in tones of bone-chilling terror of domestic violence Helen Ward's out-of-control husband commits against her and her beloved dog, Lucy. The crinkles of broken glass shards, and the thud of fist against flesh; combined with a search for aid for the injured dog, bring the listener into the struggle and escape. Helen is portrayed as soft, frail and terrified as she escapes to a domestic abuse shelter. The narrator adapts her voice and tone to one of assertiveness as Helen learns to protect herself. This well-told story of domestic violence is narrated with such clarity and realism the listeners' heart pounds along with the victims. G.D.W. © AudioFile 2001, Portland, Maine-- Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine
