Kaleidoscope

Ashley returns to Gnaw Bone, Colo., in this solid sixth installment of her Colorado Mountain series (after Jagged). Jacob “Deck” Decker hasn’t seen Emme Holmes in the nine years since he broke up with her best friend. When they meet again in Gnaw Bone, he’s amazed to see her in stylish clothes and highlighted hair that amplify the understated beauty he admired all those years ago. Emme is now living in Gnaw Bone and has a new boyfriend, Dane McFarland—and Deck soon learns some disturbing truths about Dane. As Deck and Emme grow closer, their relationship is threatened by the ghosts of Emme’s past. But Deck believes that Emme is the only woman for him and refuses to give up on their relationship despite the roadblocks she puts in his way. The scintillating sex scenes are plentiful and graphic. Deck is portrayed as a very macho take-charge male, but his desire to care for and protect Emme makes him a winning protagonist who is evenly matched with Emme and her independent but sweet personality. Agent: Emily Kim, Prospect Agency. (Dec.)