Houston, Texas and Tucson, Arizona – Present Day

Kate takes her little daughter, Austin, and flees from Texas and her abusive husband, Duncan. After hearing him plan the “accidental” death of the chief engineer of the Sea Urchin project, she knows she is also in danger and can no longer stay in the same house with this cruel, thoroughly ugly man. She knows that if he ever finds out that Austin is not, in fact, his daughter, there would be hell to pay, and she has already been living in hell for six years with him.

Growing up with a controlling and wealthy father had left Kate unprepared for the world without bodyguards, maids, and chauffeurs. Seven years ago, she met Ryan Cooper in college, and they fell deeply in love. She had never been so happy. Even though he had lived a troubled life in foster homes, he was an All American football player, a good student, and a thoroughly great guy with many dreams for the future. Forced into an engagement with the despicable Duncan, Kate was at her wits end what to do, but she managed to make excuses to stay in Tucson to be near her dearest friend and lover. Ryan was not aware that she came from a super-wealthy family and was engaged to marry Duncan. When her father found out her duplicity, he sent his men to kidnap her and bring her home to marry Duncan. Knowing that her father would not hesitate to harm Ryan, she was given little choice but to comply.

Kate has tried several times to escape Duncan’s cruel tyranny, but he has always found her and brought her back home. Kate first lived under the thumb of her father, and now Duncan. Will she finally get away this time? Where will she go, and what will she do? Will she ever see Ryan again? These are the questions that are answered in this gripping and mesmerizing story.

SWEET POISONED WINE is well written, well paced, and will keep readers guessing what will happen next. Duncan will go to any length to maintain his power and wealth. He has threatened Kate with placing her in a sanitarium if she refuses to comply with his demands, and above all things, she wants to protect Austin. Kate has never forgotten her first love and dreams about what might have been.

Tension builds as the reader wonders when Duncan will find Kate and what he will do. Good secondary characters round out the story. Readers who enjoy a heart-wrenching and sweet romance, are sure to thoroughly enjoy SWEET POISONED WINE.

Marilyn Heyman