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Before she can build a future, she must dig up the bones of her past…

A Hearts of the South story.

After nearly twenty years, her career in possible ruins, homicide detective Madeline Holton returns to her hometown for a temporary stint working with the local sheriff’s department. The demons of her teen years lie in wait, rising once more in the form of a cold case she must solve. And when it comes to a handsome farmer who’s making good on her family’s former land, she can’t seem to keep her foot out of her mouth—or her hands off him.

Agricultural businessman Ash Hardison won’t lie to himself—despite Madeline’s obvious issues, he’s more drawn to her than any woman he’s ever known. He’s already laid the ghosts of his past to rest, and he’s determined to help Madeline purge hers. Whether she likes it or not.

Because he knows it’s the only way they have a chance to forge a future together.

274 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 1, 2009

4 people are currently reading
113 people want to read

About the author

Linda Winfree

26 books84 followers
How does a high school English teacher end up plotting murders? She uses her experiences as a cop’s wife to become a writer of romantic suspense! Linda Winfree lives in a quintessential small Georgia town with her husband and two children. By day, she teaches American Literature, advises the student government and coaches the drama team; by night she pens sultry books full of murder and mayhem.

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5 stars
35 (34%)
4 stars
37 (36%)
3 stars
25 (24%)
2 stars
3 (2%)
1 star
2 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
Profile Image for Pamela(AllHoney).
2,704 reviews377 followers
October 27, 2017
The ninth addition to the Hearts of the South series by Linda Winfree. Madeline Holton returns home to work temporarily for the Sheriff's Dept. It's been twenty years since she left. Now the ghosts of the past are catching up with her. Ash Hardison is newer to the area and co-owns a chicken farm. He is attracted to Madeline but this is a temporary gig and she resists.

Another good addition to the series. I have liked the entire series to date. While each story is somewhat stand-alones, there are issues that carried over, so I do recommend reading the entire series in order.
Profile Image for Holly.
1,767 reviews88 followers
March 22, 2016
Not my favorite, but a good entry in the series. I liked that Ash was so patient. Something about the way it ended bothered me, though I can't place my finger on just what. I'll have to think about it.

I stayed up until 3 this morning reading it. Just couldn't put it down.
Profile Image for ~Megan~.
525 reviews74 followers
March 2, 2011
Not my favorite of the series, but still a good installment. It was nice to see Tick when he wasn't so annoying, but why can't we visit any of the other couples in town, dear author? I was hating on Madeline for the first half of the book, and when all her past finally came out, it seemed a little silly for all of them to still be hung up on it twenty years later. I can see how it might've been amplified for Madeline because of her unstable home life, but for Tick? It just wasn't that devastating of an event, in my opinion. Ash was completely loveable and perfect....I was totally against him being with Mad for a while, but when she finally loosened up and began to believe she was worth something, I thought they went together nicely.

I can't believe this is the last book in the series. I feel like I need more!
Profile Image for Lori.
378 reviews
August 26, 2010
Reread in 2010. Last time I gave this a 3. This time it gets a 4. Ash is a great guy, and Maddie grew on me this time. I do love how Winfree weaves the other characters into subsequent stories, and although I still felt like the series is becoming the Tick & Cait show, it felt a bit more balanced to me on the reread.

I've heard that after a hiatus, Winfree is back writing again. Cannot wait to read another from her.
Profile Image for Rhian Cahill.
Author 75 books1,009 followers
May 17, 2010
It's way too long between books and I always promise I'll savor the next one but there's no way I can read one of Linda's books slowly. I just about inhale them. Another great read.
Profile Image for Robin *loves sexy books*.
214 reviews
May 22, 2011
Wow what a great series! I really loved it. Great characters, good suspense murder mysteries. All around definitely recommend!
Profile Image for Victoria Paige.
Author 32 books1,051 followers
April 15, 2015
*4.5* Ash is the most patient hero ever! review to come.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews

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