Against the Odds (Serenity House)

Fifteen years ago, the Crane brothers assault and plan to rape their stepsister Annabelle. Fortunately, the timely intervention of officer Dan Whitman sends Annabelle to the safety of Serenity House. A few years later, she accepts a nanny position with Nathan Hyde's family. She and Nathan have an affair that ends tragically. Now, after five years as an undercover cop in Seattle, Annabelle returns home to recover from a bullet wound.Nathan's political career has made him the target of stalker. Subtle clues indicate the perpetrator is someone close to him. He refuses the usual bodyguard, and only Dan's interference persuades him to accept Annabelle as an undercover bodyguard. Annabelle plays the role of Nathan's personal assistant, but the success of her assignment may depend upon how well they can control their feelings from the past.Author Katheryn Shay pens an intriguing romance in AGAINST THE ODDS. Readers may object to the number of ethical boundaries that are crossed, however. Annabelle and Nathan's romance first began when he was married to someone else, and she agrees to become his bodyguard despite their personal history. Nevertheless, the greatest potential weaknesses of the story take on surprising strength as the surprising plot plays out. Readers will also cheer Annabelle's handling of her horrible stepbrothers. Fans will likewise enjoy the return of previous Serenity House residents, and can only hope for a second-generation series one day! AGAINST THE ODDS comes highly recommended.

In 1987 Hyde Point, New York, the Crane brothers assault their teenage stepsister Annabelle. Before they can sexually molest her, law enforcement official Dan Whitman rescues her and helps her move into Serenity House for troubled teen girls. A few years later, she works at the home of Nathan Hyde and soon they have an affair that ends when he returns to his wife. Licking her wounds Annabelle becomes an undercover cop in Seattle, but a bullet sends her home to recover.Nathan is now a Congressman, but someone is stalking him. He refuses to make this public, but accepts Dan's suggestion he hire a professional to watch over him. Annabelle agrees to do so, saying she is perfect as she used to work for Nathan and has the experience to do the job. The only problem remains her heart. As she tries to keep him safe while uncovering the stalker's identity, they fall in love. However, all signs indicate that this is déjà vu.Once the reader hurdles past that Nathan tries to hide the threat that is probably common towards leaders, fans receive a strong Serenity House romantic suspense. The tale spins on two subplots with the stalking and the romancing heating up so that the audience becomes engrossed in what happens to Nathan and Annabelle. One added pleasure occurs at the end when Annabelle meets one of her odious stepsiblings. Fans will enjoy the latest visit to this engaging series.Harriet Klausner