Broken Open

November 15, 2014
Dane's (The Best Kind of Trouble, 2014) edgy rock 'n' roll characters make excellent romance heroes, and her latest, Ezra, is no exception. He is running the family ranch while also writing music for his brothers' band. Since his drug-addiction rehab, he no longer tours with them. Young widow and store owner Tuesday, who is trying to figure out the best connection between her art and business interests, is afraid of the strong pull she feels toward Ezra. They slowly build a connection and come to terms with their feelings in a lovely, romantic story. Dane's typical sizzling love scenes are in place here without the extreme or unusual situations found in her other novels, and the tone and pace are just right for these characters and the interracial aspect of their relationship. Issues relating to race are addressed, but the focus on Tuesday and Ezra's struggles and romance takes center stage. Dane continues to evolve, and this strong, widely appealing, and memorable story will gain new readers while satisfying fans.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2014, American Library Association.)