Defiant

The Bodine family saga continues with Criswell's delightful portrayal of the youngest brother, Travis, now an attorney. For Criswell fans, this just might be the best yet. The entire family is united in trying to save older brother Rafe from hanging for murder. The young attorney is worried that he doesn't have the necessary criminal trial experience and apparently Rafe's wife feels the same, because she hires Travis's ex-fiancee, attorney Hannah Louise Barkley. The sparks fly, but the two agree that saving Rafe's life is paramount and that surely they can work together long enough for that. Easier said than done, considering the two are still madly in love with each other. The unfolding story is great fun, filled with action, witty dialogue and entirely endearing secondary characters. If it takes more than one sitting to read, you're way too busy. (Aug.)