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43 Light Street #22
Never Alone
HE WAS HER "HUSBAND" NOW...
For Detective Cal Rollins it began as an assignment -- a pretend marriage to a key witness in order to flush out a serial killer. But from the minute he moved into Beth Wagner's remote farmhouse, he knew this case, this woman would change his life forever.
Though Beth led a solitary life, she was instantly drawn to her bodyguard by an almost mystical, irresistible force. How long could they live as "husband and wife" and resist the fire that burned between them? In the lengthening shadows of night, Beth could hardly tell fantasy from reality anymore. She knew only that to reveal the killer meant exposing her lifelong secret...and that to save her life, and others, she'd have to risk her heart.
For Detective Cal Rollins it began as an assignment -- a pretend marriage to a key witness in order to flush out a serial killer. But from the minute he moved into Beth Wagner's remote farmhouse, he knew this case, this woman would change his life forever.
Though Beth led a solitary life, she was instantly drawn to her bodyguard by an almost mystical, irresistible force. How long could they live as "husband and wife" and resist the fire that burned between them? In the lengthening shadows of night, Beth could hardly tell fantasy from reality anymore. She knew only that to reveal the killer meant exposing her lifelong secret...and that to save her life, and others, she'd have to risk her heart.
Paperback
First published October 1, 2001
6 people are currently reading
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About the author
Rebecca York
320 books449 followersRuth Glick (born 1942) is a best-selling author of healthy cookbooks and has also written dozens of romantic suspense romance novels under the pen name Rebecca York.
Ruth earned a B.A. in American Thought and Civilization from George Washington University and an M.A. in American Studies from the University of Maryland. Although she always wanted to become a writer, Glick was convinced that her lack of spelling skills meant that her goal was unattainable. As a stay-at-home mother, she took a community college course to help her choose a career. The course made it very clear that writing was her primary interest. Glick began writing articles for newspapers and magazines, but after several years decided to try writing fiction. Her first book, a kids' science fiction book, was finally purchased by Scholastic Inc..
Since then, Glick has become a highly successful author of over 50 romantic suspense and paranormal novels. Many of her novels are published under the Harlequin Intrigue line, and in June 2003, she became one of the first authors published under Berkley's new Sensation imprint. Before 1997, she often collaborated with Eileen Buckholtz and Kathryn Jenson.
Glick also is a highly regarded author of cookbooks focusing on healthy eating. She sometimes hires trained chefs to test the recipes that she creates, and makes sure that every recipe is tested at least three times before it appears in one of her cookbooks.
Glick is the head of the Columbia Writers Workshop. She and her husband, Norman Glick, live in Columbia, Maryland, where Ruth collects rocks, and enjoys cooking, walking, reading, gardening, travel, and Mozart operas. They have two grown children, Elissa and Ethan, and two grandsons (Jesse and Leo).
Ruth earned a B.A. in American Thought and Civilization from George Washington University and an M.A. in American Studies from the University of Maryland. Although she always wanted to become a writer, Glick was convinced that her lack of spelling skills meant that her goal was unattainable. As a stay-at-home mother, she took a community college course to help her choose a career. The course made it very clear that writing was her primary interest. Glick began writing articles for newspapers and magazines, but after several years decided to try writing fiction. Her first book, a kids' science fiction book, was finally purchased by Scholastic Inc..
Since then, Glick has become a highly successful author of over 50 romantic suspense and paranormal novels. Many of her novels are published under the Harlequin Intrigue line, and in June 2003, she became one of the first authors published under Berkley's new Sensation imprint. Before 1997, she often collaborated with Eileen Buckholtz and Kathryn Jenson.
Glick also is a highly regarded author of cookbooks focusing on healthy eating. She sometimes hires trained chefs to test the recipes that she creates, and makes sure that every recipe is tested at least three times before it appears in one of her cookbooks.
Glick is the head of the Columbia Writers Workshop. She and her husband, Norman Glick, live in Columbia, Maryland, where Ruth collects rocks, and enjoys cooking, walking, reading, gardening, travel, and Mozart operas. They have two grown children, Elissa and Ethan, and two grandsons (Jesse and Leo).
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
April 17, 2018
October 26, 2001
Ruth Glick delivers her best 43 Light Street tale in over a year in "Never Alone," a stunner of a romantic suspense novel. Haunted by psychic visions she cannot stop, Beth Wagner has been hiding from the world in her remote farmhouse. Her latest vision shows her the murder of an old high school friend, and brings Detective Cal Rollins into her life. The skeptical cop doesn't believe her but soon comes to realize how much danger she's in. The only way to protect her (supposedly) is to pretend to be engaged so that he can move into her farmhouse without raising too many questions. But how can he save her from the visions that have lured a killer and placed her in more danger than ever?
Though it's been forever since Intrigue has published a story like this or even a paranormal romance, some romantic suspense readers may find this premise to be a familiar one. Fortunately, the execution is what matters here. Glick has enough tricks up her sleeve and powerful moments to make her story unique and memorable. What initially seems tiresome and trite (poor tormented female psychic, mean cop who thinks she's a nut and doesn't believe her, the high school revenge killer, the pretend engagement) soon reveals itself to be something more. So many books simply skim the surface of their hooks and premise and offer the predictable (ironically, the first book in this trilogy, "The Man From Texas" was one of them). "Never Alone" is the rare exception, a story that uses the familiar hooks as a starting point and develops beyond them. In "Never Alone," the author keeps pushing the story into the unexpected, especially in regard to the paranormal elements, creating a story that is consistently surprising and often startlingly moving. Glick takes full advantage of the opportunities paranormal romances offer to bring readers a powerful and unforgettable love story.
So much of what makes the story enjoyable is how unexpected much of it is, so I won't mention any more of the plot. What can be said is that the characters are strong and sympathetic. These kinds of fragile psychic heroines can often come across as weak. Beth never does. Glick provides her with a core of strength and basic decency that makes her easy to root for. It's interesting that I found Beth stronger and more heroic than the heroine of "The Man From Texas," who was a cop, perhaps because that heroine's angst was inexplicable. Beth's torment is presented vividly, making it easy for the reader to see what she is going through and to empathize. Although Cal's initial disbelief is frustrating (Just once could we have a book where the cop believes the psychic and doesn't call her crazy, or at least is willing to keep an open mind?), he should please readers looking for a rugged, masculine hero. I did have some reservations with how quickly they fell in love, but the end result is so powerful that it's easy to overlook. Anyone who finds themselves resisting the swiftness of the romance, rest assured, it's for a reason and certainly worth it. Go with it.
It is somewhat unfortunate that this book is being published now, since one of last month's Intrigues contained a scene startlingly similar to the centerpiece moment here. However, I think both books are strong enough to stand the comparison. Densely plotted and packed with story, "Never Alone" should have everything a reader wants: strong emotion, unforgettable scenes, good atmosphere and suspense. I should also mention that this is the second book in the Light Street trilogy "Mine to Keep" and advances the story started in "The Man From Texas." However, the other book doesn't need to be read first to read this one. "Never Alone" is so much better than "The Man From Texas," why not start with it? A superlative work, "Never Alone" deserves to stand with the best of the Light Street books.
Ruth Glick delivers her best 43 Light Street tale in over a year in "Never Alone," a stunner of a romantic suspense novel. Haunted by psychic visions she cannot stop, Beth Wagner has been hiding from the world in her remote farmhouse. Her latest vision shows her the murder of an old high school friend, and brings Detective Cal Rollins into her life. The skeptical cop doesn't believe her but soon comes to realize how much danger she's in. The only way to protect her (supposedly) is to pretend to be engaged so that he can move into her farmhouse without raising too many questions. But how can he save her from the visions that have lured a killer and placed her in more danger than ever?
Though it's been forever since Intrigue has published a story like this or even a paranormal romance, some romantic suspense readers may find this premise to be a familiar one. Fortunately, the execution is what matters here. Glick has enough tricks up her sleeve and powerful moments to make her story unique and memorable. What initially seems tiresome and trite (poor tormented female psychic, mean cop who thinks she's a nut and doesn't believe her, the high school revenge killer, the pretend engagement) soon reveals itself to be something more. So many books simply skim the surface of their hooks and premise and offer the predictable (ironically, the first book in this trilogy, "The Man From Texas" was one of them). "Never Alone" is the rare exception, a story that uses the familiar hooks as a starting point and develops beyond them. In "Never Alone," the author keeps pushing the story into the unexpected, especially in regard to the paranormal elements, creating a story that is consistently surprising and often startlingly moving. Glick takes full advantage of the opportunities paranormal romances offer to bring readers a powerful and unforgettable love story.
So much of what makes the story enjoyable is how unexpected much of it is, so I won't mention any more of the plot. What can be said is that the characters are strong and sympathetic. These kinds of fragile psychic heroines can often come across as weak. Beth never does. Glick provides her with a core of strength and basic decency that makes her easy to root for. It's interesting that I found Beth stronger and more heroic than the heroine of "The Man From Texas," who was a cop, perhaps because that heroine's angst was inexplicable. Beth's torment is presented vividly, making it easy for the reader to see what she is going through and to empathize. Although Cal's initial disbelief is frustrating (Just once could we have a book where the cop believes the psychic and doesn't call her crazy, or at least is willing to keep an open mind?), he should please readers looking for a rugged, masculine hero. I did have some reservations with how quickly they fell in love, but the end result is so powerful that it's easy to overlook. Anyone who finds themselves resisting the swiftness of the romance, rest assured, it's for a reason and certainly worth it. Go with it.
It is somewhat unfortunate that this book is being published now, since one of last month's Intrigues contained a scene startlingly similar to the centerpiece moment here. However, I think both books are strong enough to stand the comparison. Densely plotted and packed with story, "Never Alone" should have everything a reader wants: strong emotion, unforgettable scenes, good atmosphere and suspense. I should also mention that this is the second book in the Light Street trilogy "Mine to Keep" and advances the story started in "The Man From Texas." However, the other book doesn't need to be read first to read this one. "Never Alone" is so much better than "The Man From Texas," why not start with it? A superlative work, "Never Alone" deserves to stand with the best of the Light Street books.
June 1, 2016
This book is a little off the rails, with a sort-of psychic, some dream world sex, a wet blanket heroine, and a hero so emotionally stunted he would rather be in a coma than talk about his feelings (yes, literally.) And yet the book is full of a little crazysauce appeal, enough to make me keep reading to the end. Objectively it's not a great book, but I had enough fun that I read to the end willingly.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews