THROUGH THE FIRE

Emotionally drained by the tragic deaths of his twin sister and wife, acclaimed jazz pianist and novelist Quinn Parker isn't ready for the romantic feelings Rae Lindsay, a sexy poet and songwriter, awakens in him. Having recently lost her own husband and daughter during a shootout, Rae can understand the depth of Quinn's sorrow, but she also realizes how important it is for him to let go of his past and find peace in the music he loved and abandoned three years ago. Just as their tenuous relationship seems to be on steady ground, however, Rae discovers that Quinn has failed to tell her that he has a six-year-old son named Jamel. Feeling betrayed, and jealous of Quinn's ties to the boy's mother, Rae temporarily retreats but later finds a supportive friend in Quinn's ex-girlfriend. A subplot involving Quinn's reunion with his estranged mother helps flesh out the story and deepens the reader's understanding of Quinn's troubled past. Veteran romance writer Hill (A Scandalous Affair; If I Could) uses straightforward prose and realistic dialogue to enliven her down-to-earth characters and to convey the emotional power of Quinn's music. With its breathless pacing and charismatic characters, Hill's latest is poised to please. (June)