Silhouette Intimate Moments #536 Beyond All Reason

One of my four all time favorite books - I have even purchased it as a gift for friends who read romance from time to time. The story is extremely well paced, the characters much more finely drawn than most romance books, and a fairly realistic story for romance. I usually prefer romantic suspense but this one too great not to recommend! While Duncan's other books are well written, this is by far her best book and I wish she'd written others. This was written in the early 90's and have not seen anything by her since the 90's. I highly recommend this. Check out - Blind Spot - Romantic Suspense with environmental theme

I've read literally thousands of romances, but "Beyond All Reason" is my all time favorite. I've read it so many times, I've had to replace my copy several times!This heartwrenching tale left me stunned the first time I read it. Never had I read a story that pulled me in as much as this one. I found myself rereading it immediately just because I didn't want it to end! I must also admit that I found myself falling a little in love with Tanner McCall myself. Judith Duncan knows how to create a leading man!Kate Quinn is running from her manipulative, controlling estranged husband. Terrified, she travels from town to town in a desperate attemp to keep her two young sons safe.The advertisement in the newspaper was a godsend. Tanner McCall needs someone to care for his aging business partner and closest friend. The job requires her to live on Tanner's ranch in the back country. Kate accepts the job knowing that the ranch will be the safe haven that she is so desperately searching for.When Kate arrives, she is suprised to find that Tanner is not the aging ranch hand she expected. Instead he is young, virile, and extremely handsome. Kate is deeply intrigued by him, but his stony exterior and curt attitude makes it very clear that he wants to be left alone. But Tanner's business partner, Burt Shaw likes Kate and her boys immediately. Kate's two sons become good friends with Burt - this unlikely trio provides comedic relief throughout the novel.Other characters include a flirtatous old cowboy, Tanner's devil-may care younger brother Chase, and Tanner's childhood friend and manager of the local truck stop/cafe, Rita.As the story unfolds, Kate learns something of Tanner's tragic past and discovers that his stoicism is his way of hiding his scars.Kate knows what it is like to be haunted by the past and finds herself wanting to know more about Tanner McCall. The more she knows, the more she falls for him. Tanner isn't immune to Kate either.Eventually Kate and Tanner face their attraction, but not without difficulty. Kate finds that she is deeply in love with Tanner, but is only able to take it one day at a time. Tanner keeps his feelings under lock and key, but Kate knows that he cares for her. Slowly they let their guards down and begin to form a relationship. When Tanner begins to show acceptance of her small sons, Kate can't help but think of them becoming a family.Just when things seem to be going great, the road gets very rocky. Kate and Tanner are forced to make some tough decisions that could make or break their future together.Will Kate and Tanner be able to face their deep rooted fears, bury their painful pasts for the sake of a love beyond all reason?Read the book and see! I promise you won't be disappointed!!!