Cherokee Marriage Dare

I've recently discovered Sheri Whitefeater's work and so far I've not been disappointed. Young Maggie Connelly has a reputation as an international partier and has trouble being taken seriously, even by her own family. Maggie's grandfather, the king of Altaria was assassinated along with Maggie's uncle. Now Maggie's brother is getting ready to take over the throne of the small Mediterranean island country. At the wedding of one of her brothers, Maggie shares a dance with sexy PI Lucas Starwind. Maggie falls in love with Lucas. As a child, Lucas' world was shattered when his little sister was kidnapped and killed. He has always blamed himself for not keeping her safe. Although Lucas is attracted to Maggie, his broken soul will not allow him to share his heart with her.Maggie is determined to help solve the case of who killed her grandfather and uncle and stole deadly information from Altaria and to prove that she is more than just a party girl so she blackmails Lucas into letting her work with him on the case. She is also determined to heal Lucas' soul so they can have a life together. Lucas fights very hard to keep his distance from Maggie but quickly learns that she is much more than the surface image everyone sees. He finds it harder and harder to resist her charms. Sheri Whitefeather had done a good job of entwining Lucas and Maggie's romance with the mystery of what's happening in Altaria but it's her characters that really set her book apart. Being the 12th book in the Connelly series, this book does not dwell as much on developing the Connelly clan but on the people in Lucas' life. Lucas' mother is a very sympathetic character who is still struggling to deal with her daughter's murder all those years ago. I especially liked the bodyguard that Lucas got for Maggie. He's one of the most entertaining characters in the book.

What back cover says:"I dare you to fall in love with me."The press labeled coed Maggie Connelly young, reckless, impulsive. Actually, she was a woman in love. With Lucas Starwind. But the hardened Cherokee P.I. hid his battered heart behind a macho bravado. Maggie horned in on his case-and his life-and boldly promised: I'll heal your heart, then you have to marry me.Luke didn't believe in love, but he knew desire. Maggie Connelly-almost half his age-dared him to feel, to want, to hope. But Luke had to resist her, for if he took her in his arms, he feared he'd never let her go...I loved this book. It had me laughing and made me wish I could be as bold as Maggie is. This is the first book I've read about the Connelly Dynasty, but I learned alot about the other characters through reading this book, the twelfth in the series. Plus, if you are a Sheri Whitefeather lover, this book has her special blend of humor, love and one great plot!!!