Heartbreak Cove

Everett%E2%80%99s faltering third Sanctuary Island contemporary (after Shoreline Drive) suffers from inconsistent characterization. Sheriff Andie Shepherd is suspicious of Sam Brennan from their first meeting, not least because of his criminal record, but even in an election year, she%E2%80%99s willing to follow her heart%E2%80%94or her lust. News spreads around the tiny Atlantic-coast town in no time flat, and Andie%E2%80%99s involvement with Sam puts her job in danger. Andie is also struggling to deal with surprise custody of the 10-year-old niece she%E2%80%99s never known. Andie and Sam%E2%80%99s relationship is supposedly built on respect and trust, but when straitlaced Andie%E2%80%94who begins the novel with a fairly rigid belief that things will work out if one just follows the rules%E2%80%94seems to tip her entire moral code on its head in support of a man she%E2%80%99s only known for a few weeks, her credibility as a strong and substantial heroine begin to crumble. Agent: Deidre Knight, Knight Agency. (Mar.)