Jebediah Coltrain is brash, tempermental and charming even with his icy demeanor and I loved his biting remarks. Louise Blakely, though shy and reserved does not hide behind that "Im a twit because I am female" mask that so many writers today display in their female heroines. Together they make an combination that readers can identify with.

Lou is emotionalyy scarred and hides her feelings behind a polite reserve that is so indusive of many charateristics of woman today. She is in love with a man who would rather spit on her then bother to say hello. And yet through this noticable vunerability you can still see a woman who will not back down, will not give up. This is a modern day woman and one that I am proud to say that I can personally relate to.

Coltrain is tough, sarcastic and thouroughly charming. His biting remarks and hidden desires kept me on the edge of my seat. This is a man who does not hide his temper, who dominates most characters in the book becasue of this formidable temper but has a charming and sweet side that he is does not mind showing. He doesnt mind admitting that Lou bothers him and like any typical man shows her only the sharp edge of his tongue and the cruel nature of his arrogance when she withdraws. What is unique about Coltrain is that once he realizes that Lou is hiding her hurt he realizes that he was wrong and even admits it and that in a man is a rare commodity.

I like that Lou stands up for herself despite past abuse and Coltrain learns that sometimes being gentle is what a woman needs but that doesnt make her weak.

The one thing I would chang in this book is that I feel the end is slightly rushed. I would have liked DP to draw it out. To make Lou realize that not only is she strong as a person but as a woman. I would liked to see her stand up to Jane Parker, who I really did not care for in either this book or That Burke Man, Dana and Nickie. I would have liked her to very to tell them all that Coltrain was her man and they needed to get out in that oh so dignified manner of hers.

I also I would love a sequel to this book to see Cltrain and Lou handle a problem in their marriage that would reintroduce both characters once more and allow us once again to see 2 characters who know how to make a believable story.