Break My Fall

A bighearted dentist becomes the unwitting target of criminals in Blackburn’s gripping latest Gossamer Falls novel (after Never Fall Again). Meredith Quinn loves providing dental care to the families of small-town Gossamer Falls, N.C. When she ventures into neighboring Neeson County to treat an emergency patient and discovers an impoverished community ruled by human traffickers and drug dealers, she knows it’s probably a mistake to stay. Meredith can’t help getting involved, though, and after she helps a young woman escape an abusive relationship, she becomes a target of the criminals. Meanwhile, sparks fly with handsome Gray Ward, the local sheriff who’s been assigned to protect her and is scarred by a dark past that makes him certain he will never love again. As danger closes in, Gray struggles to protect Meredith while keeping her at arm’s length, and both turn to God to find a path forward. The dark, propulsive plot is intercut with refreshing moments of levity provided by the colorful cast, including Meredith’s overprotective brother, Mo, who offers to “give [Gray’s] computers a virus” when Meredith comes home heartbroken. Blackburn’s fans will enjoy this. (Mar.)