Review
After receiving word of his younger brother's murder, Zack Mackenzie is a lawman seething with anger and bent on revenge. The one and only clue as to the identity of the murderer points directly to a pretty traveling medicine show performer known as Tempting Tess. His brother had been poisoned by the deceitful crook, evidenced by the medicine show token found clasped in his hand that fateful night, and Zack wouldn't rest until he tracked her down. The last thing Tess Montana needs is a meddlesome lawman on her trail. For months she and her father had managed to evade facing the consequences of an unspeakable accident that left her abusive husband dead. Now, under a magician's guise, they traveled the medicine show circuit in order to elude a warrant for their arrest. But, one look into the determined gaze of Zack Mackenzie and Tess has a sinking feeling that payday has finally arrived. Her only recourse is to charm him into telling her what his intentions are, possibly buying them some extra time to devise a plan. Little does she know what she's letting herself in for as the power of his undivided attention shakes her to her very core. Quickly moving on to an alternate plan, Tess decides to send the hulking Texas Ranger on a wild goose chase while she and her father slip quietly out of town. Zack becomes plagued with contrasting emotions as he once again catches up with Tess. Sure that she's hiding something, he refuses to let her out of his sight. But, the more time he spends with the enchanting temptress in the body of an innocent, his cold resolve begins to melt beneath a heat of unexpected desire. Rumors begin to surface that Tess' father is in danger, and when a supposed accident nearly kills Tess, the keen instincts of a seasoned lawman spur Zack into action. Determined more than ever to find his brother's murderer, he pledges to protect her. At the same time, he's becoming convinced that he has wrongly accused this woman that he's loosing his heart to. That is until he receives a telegraph with proof that Tess Montana and her father are not who they say they are at all. Torn, Zack must decide which is greater; his need to hate her or his need to hold her. Fans of Ms. Adam's homespun western romances will undoubtedly be intrigued and delighted with the extra embellishment of suspense that she has woven into Tempting Tess.Tempting Tess is a true measure of the extraordinary storytelling talent of Joyce Adams. Joyce Adams knows how to capture a reader's attention and with skillful insight, holds it to the very last page! There is a lovely sweetness to a Joyce Adams romance that simply warms the heart.Lori Wright --
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