Cross My Heart [NOOK Book]

( 37 )

Overview


Ten years ago Lilly Dumont was the ultimate poor little rich girl, complete with a huge inheritanceÂ…and an uncle determined to take it from her. With the help of her first love, she faked her own death and ran away to New York City, leaving behind everything, including her own name. Lilly Dumont was gone, but Lacey Kincaid was going to make it. Only, neither one ever forgot Ty Benson.

Now Lacey's back to claim her inheritance. And her sizzling reunion with Ty has made her ...

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Cross My Heart

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More About This Book

Overview


Ten years ago Lilly Dumont was the ultimate poor little rich girl, complete with a huge inheritanceÂ…and an uncle determined to take it from her. With the help of her first love, she faked her own death and ran away to New York City, leaving behind everything, including her own name. Lilly Dumont was gone, but Lacey Kincaid was going to make it. Only, neither one ever forgot Ty Benson.

Now Lacey's back to claim her inheritance. And her sizzling reunion with Ty has made her homecoming something to remember! Though not everybody's thrilled to see Lacey alive and well…. And it's up to Ty to make sure his childhood sweetheart doesn't disappear again—this time for good!

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Editorial Reviews

From Barnes & Noble
The Barnes & Noble Review
How much can people really change? How much do they? The author of The Bachelor explores the longevity of teenage love in this contemporary thriller. The cinematic opening features three teenagers on a cliff on a dark summer night: Ty Benson and Lilly Dumont, and their best friend, Hunter. Ty sends the car over the cliff into the quarry below; later, Lilly is reported missing, presumed dead. The successful faking of her death saves Lilly from having to live with her abusive uncle but leaves scars on all three conspirators. Years later, Hunter's a lawyer in the same town, Tyler Benson's a P.I. who works nights at the bar. Lilly, now called Lacey, runs a successful business in New York City; she's even engaged. When Hunter and Ty find out the uncle is about to declare Lilly dead and claim her estate, Ty coaxes Lacey back to Hawken's Cove to deal with her past, her uncle, and the promises of love they thought would last forever. But then, someone tries to kill Lacey, and the plot unfurls. Ginger Curwen
Publishers Weekly
Lilly Dumont, a presumed-dead heiress, has been living as successful New York working girl Lacey Kinkaid, but she must confront her smalltown past in this formulaic entry from Phillips (The Bachelor), more romance than chick lit. At 17, Lilly's friends Tyler Benson and Daniel Hunter ("Hunter"), her childhood companions at the foster home Ty's mother ran-and where Lily was dumped by evil uncle Marc Dumont-helped her run her uncle's car off a cliff, faking her death so that she could escape his abuses. Years later, her uncle, who tried to get at her trust fund and plotted the trio's ruin, renews his attempts to get at her money. Hunter, now a lawyer in the upstate New York town, gets wind of Marc's legal maneuvers; he tips off Ty (now a town PI), and they find Lilly, who returns (leaving behind Alex Duncan, the investment banker whose proposal she can't seem to accept). Complicating Lacey/Lilly's identity issues are her feelings for Ty (explored physically in a chapters-long encounter), and the fact that her now fully AA'ed uncle Marc is engaged to be married to the gold-digging mother of Molly Gifford, the attorney that Hunter has had a crush on since law school. The plot falters, but the proceedings have enough emotional crispness to engage. (Aug.) Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.
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Product Details

  • ISBN-13: 9781460302453
  • Publisher: Harlequin
  • Publication date: 9/17/2012
  • Sold by: Barnes & Noble
  • Format: eBook
  • Edition description: Original
  • Pages: 384
  • Sales rank: 74,197
  • File size: 470 KB

Meet the Author


New York Times bestselling author Carly Phillips tossed away her legal briefs and a career as an attorney to become a stay at home mom. Within the year, she turned her love of reading into an obsession with writing. Over 25 published novels later, Carly writes sexy contemporary romances, striking a balance between entertainment and emotion, and giving her readers the compelling story they have come to expect and enjoy.

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Read an Excerpt

The Hawken's Cove courthouse was a fixture in town, the old stone building the landmark by which everyone gave directions. Make a left at the courthouse and The Tavern Grill was on the right, along with Night Owl's Bar. Make a right at the courthouse and the gas station was on the corner. The ice-cream shop was across from the courthouse.

As a lawyer, Hunter spent his days haunting the courthouse when he was on trial and working in his small office located on the street behind the courthouse when he wasn't. Some might find it odd that Hunter remained in Hawken's Cove after the childhood he'd had, but the good memories outweighed the bad and his closest friend and the only family Hunter knew still lived there.

Hunter never considered moving anywhere else. But to keep his life interesting, he lived in Albany, twenty minutes from work and the closest thing to a real city he was likely to find in upstate New York.

He walked out of the courtroom at 4:00 p.m. and headed straight down the hallowed hallway toward the front doors. He'd won a hard-fought case today. An innocent man who couldn't afford expensive legal counsel had turned to Hunter and he'd done his best. These were the cases Hunter enjoyed. He only represented the rich and obnoxious so that he could afford to take on the pro bono cases he preferred.

After working endless hours for months on end, all he wanted to do was have a stiff drink and not have to use his brain for at least twenty-four hours. But as he passed the clerk's office, his gaze settled on a pair of long legs and vibrant pink high heels. Only one woman wore shoes that bright and in-your-face.

"Molly Gifford," Hunter said,coming to a halt beside his old law school nemesis. They'd vied for top spot at Albany Law. It still galled him to admit she'd won.

After graduation, they'd parted ways, with Molly leaving for a job in another state. But recently she'd moved to town and for the last month, he'd had the pleasure of checking out those incredible legs on a near daily basis. But her move here had been a surprise because Molly wasn't born or raised in Hawken's Cove. When he'd asked, she'd said something about reconnecting with her mother and not much more.

Molly shifted her focus from the court clerk she'd been speaking to and settled her brown eyes on him. "Hunter," she said, a welcoming smile on her lips. "I hear congratulations are in order."

Hunter wasn't surprised she'd already heard, but still, he was pleased. Hell, if she hadn't congratulated him he'd have told her himself. He wasn't much for modesty, not when it came to looking good in front of a woman.

"Word travels fast around here."

"A win's always a cause for gossip. I hope you're going to celebrate," she said.

The one thing he'd always admired about Molly had been her willingness to acknowledge another person's success. "I could be persuaded." Meeting her gaze, he leaned against the filing counter. "Join me for a drink?"

"Can't." She shook her head. Her blond hair fell in soft waves around her pretty face and the old familiar attraction kicked into gear inside him.

He wasn't shocked at her answer. He'd ask, she'd decline. Even back in law school they played this old game. He knew his reasons for not pushing her harder. Molly was a nice girl and it had been a lot easier for Hunter to avoid anything serious with the not-so-nice ones. The ones who didn't expect much more than sex and fun.

Still, he couldn't resist the pull that caused him to keep asking Molly out anyway and now that fate had thrown them together again, he'd hoped she'd give him—give them—a chance. Because he'd finally figured out that he'd grown up enough to want to take one with her.

"What's your excuse this time? You have to give your dog a bath?" he asked her.

She grinned. "Nothing nearly as exciting. My mother's fiancé has a legal issue he wants me to explore. Which reminds me." She glanced at her watch. "I'm going to be late meeting him if I don't hurry. Maybe another time?" she asked and rushed to the door, leaving a whiff of intoxicating perfume in her wake.

He groaned, knowing he'd be tossing and turning tonight and not just because of her sensual scent. Maybe another time? were words Molly had never used with him before. In the past, no had always been a definite no until he'd asked the next time. His heart pounded harder at the possibility she'd opened up to him.

He turned to the court clerk who sat behind her desk eagerly listening in on the exchange. "So, is Molly's mother marrying someone local?" he asked, knowing Anna Marie was the woman with all the answers.

Anna Marie Costanza had been the clerk for longer than anyone who practiced law could remember. She came from a family who held important posts in town. One of her brothers was the mayor, another the town supervisor, yet a third a partner at the prestigious Albany law firm of Dunne and Dunne. They were connected and could provide assistance and answers to

As for Anna Marie, she provided the main source of courthouse gossip but she also ran a tight ship. She and her brothers also owned one of the oldest boardinghouses in town. Anna Marie lived there herself, acting as the superintendent in charge of all things, and lucky for Hunter, Molly rented one of the units. Between the older woman's day job and her occupation as landlord, he'd bet she knew every last detail that was available about each local resident. Especially Molly.

"Yes sirree. Her mother's marrying a longtime resident of our fair town." Anna Marie leaned forward.

"Aren't you curious as to who the lucky guy is?" she asked, obviously eager to impart the information.

"I was getting there," Hunter said, laughing.

"Her fiancé's Marc Dumont. I found out when Molly's mother filed for a marriage license." Anna Marie met Hunter's gaze and nodded slowly, giving him time to absorb the implications of her news.

As he did, Hunter's smile faded. Memories of a time when he was young and not as cocky as he liked to appear now kicked in hard and fast. He clenched his hands into tight fists, the old anger he worked hard to control, rising to the surface. He fought it down.

It wasn't Anna Marie's fault she remembered his connection to Dumont. There wasn't anyone who'd lived in their hometown who didn't know the story of how Lilly had disappeared, presumably running her never been recovered.

There also wasn't anyone who didn't know that Marc Dumont blamed her best friends, Hunter and Ty, for his niece's "death." He'd tried, without success, to make the stolen car charges stick. But he had convinced the state to split the friends apart, taking Hunter away from Flo Benson's foster home.

Hunter had spent the year prior to turning eighteen in a state-run juvenile facility for troubled teens. His anger and resentment resurfaced and his attitude had gotten him into enough fights that he'd nearly ended up in jail. Instead he'd been forced to attend a Scared Straight program in a real lockup and the reality had turned him around fast, just as the program intended. He'd done so by using Lilly as motivation.

He'd hear her voice telling him that she wanted better for him than jail. But he still blamed Dumont for his stint in juvie just as he credited Lilly, Ty and Flo's influence for his turnaround.

Hearing Dumont's name still set Hunter's nerves on edge. "What's the old bastard after now, that he needs Molly's help?" he asked Anna Marie.

She pursed her lips. "Tsk, tsk. You know I can't be passing along privileged information."

Hunter laughed at the mock offense in the older woman's voice. He and Anna Marie shared a love of information any way they had to get it. "Have any court papers been officially filed by Mr. Dumont?" he asked.

Anna Marie grinned. "Well, no." "Then what's privileged about a little courtroom gossip?" Hunter had a sudden, urgent need to know more about what Dumont would need a lawyer for at this point in his life, why he would involve Molly and who the bastard was using now. "Good point. You are as fast thinking on your feet as they say. Are you sure you're too young for me?" she asked, playfully nudging him in the arm.

"I think you're too young for me. I'm afraid your energy would wear me out," he said, laughing. Though he didn't know her exact age, he'd bet she was in her midsixties and though she didn't keep up with the trends, she was spry in spirit.

She smacked the counter and chuckled. "Come on, now spill what you know." He could see from the light in her eyes, she was dying to share her secrets.

"Well since you asked so nicely…I heard Molly talking on the phone earlier. Marc Dumont's getting ready to claim his niece's trust fund as his own."

"What?" Hunter asked, certain he'd heard wrong.

"Since it's been nearly ten years, he plans to go to court and have her declared legally dead. You know, went into Dead Man's Drift," Anna Marie said, mentioning the unofficial name the townspeople had given to the cliff and water below after Lillian Dumont's death.

Nausea washed over him at the thought. Not a day went by when Hunter didn't think of Lilly, that fateful night and his role in her disappearance. He'd always missed her, her laughter, her friendship. It helped that Hunter hadn't heard Dumont's name in years. The man was a subject Hunter tried to avoid and until today, it'd been easy. Dumont had remained under Hunter's radar for years, secluded in Lilly's old home and not causing any trouble. Now in the span of five minutes, Hunter discovered the man was going to marry Molly's mother and attempt to legally bury his niece so he get could his hands on the millions still held in trust for her.

His timing couldn't be worse. Just when Molly seemed to be softening toward the idea of dating Hunter, Dumont once again became an obstacle.

The bastard hadn't changed. He'd merely been in hiding, waiting for a time when the three friends believed their pasts were behind them, to resurface. The man had changed their lives once before. Hunter had a hunch none of them would survive this confrontation unscathed, either.

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Customer Reviews

Average Rating 4
( 37 )
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See All Sort by: Showing 1 – 20 of 37 Customer Reviews

  • Posted January 13, 2011

    Swear you'll enjoy Cross My Heart.

    Ty and Lilly/Lacey have a history with their best friend Hunter. Ten years after helping Lilly fake her death, Ty finds her to tell her that her uncle is about to claim her fortune. As grownups Ty and Lilly/Lacey are still drawn to each other and realize the strong feelings they felt as teenagers have not lessened, and that they love each other. Read this and then read Sealed With A Kiss to follow Hunter's story with Molly.

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Posted July 28, 2012

    fun book

    I enjoyed this book !

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Posted October 8, 2009

    more from this reviewer

    Cross my heart

    This book had a pretty juicy storyline, but the execution lacked. I found myself totally bored with the main characters (Ty and Lily/Lacey), and my attention went straight for Hunter and Molly. There is a lot of reiteration, and it becomes really annoying. At times I felt like an amateur could write it better. At times the story was downright cheesy, and in a sense, really unrealistic. Hunter and Molly were its only redeeming quality.

    0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted July 9, 2008

    A reviewer

    The concept for this book is very good and incredibly juicy, but the execution is horrible. This book reads like a psychology book instead of a novel. The author focuses so much on explaining every little thought/reaction/sneeze/whatever! about the characters that it completely takes away the pleasure in reading the book. I found myself having a very hard time getting absorbed in the story because of the repeated areas of thorough explanations about the character's every move and thoughts which could have easily been explained with one or two sentences. I'm very disappointed.

    0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted March 14, 2008

    romantic and interesting

    I think I'm a Carly Phillips fan! I am half way through with this book and it is so good!! I love the series books that tell the different stories of the all the characters, and I cannot wait to read Sealed with a Kiss!! I love how this story is modern and they are younger people I can relate with. '26 27 yr olds'

    0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted July 10, 2007

    A reviewer

    The reviews in the book mentioned this was a first attempt at romantic suspense & Carly Phillips rocked it! I can't wait for Molly & Hunter's story to come out in October. A great summer read.

    0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted January 24, 2007

    Sounds awesome!

    Okay i have never read this book before, but just by reading the summary makes me want to read it!!! So i am going to go buy it! BYE!!!!

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  • Anonymous

    Posted January 20, 2007

    Good but she has written better...

    I am a fan of Carly Phillips. I am trying to get all of her books. But this book, to me, was not as good as her previous work. I thought it was a bit slow for my taste, and from what she has written before. I liked it, don't get me wrong, but somehow the characters and their story did not capture me. I usually read one of her books in a day, maybe two, but this one took me longer than that. I cannot pinpoint the moment where the book lost me, but it did. I was hoping for something a little more fun and more captivating. I did not like Tyler, the leading man, and I could hardly relate to Lacey/Lilly. I did like Hunter, though. I do hope for a 'spinoff' book for him. I think the story was a bit predictable. All in all, it's not a book that I would read again, as I have with the rest of the books she has written. But it did serve the purpose of entertaining me, even if it didn't hold my attention for long.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted May 31, 2006

    Heart Tugging Read

    Carly's newest book is a heart warming read dealing with lies, deceit, truths uncovered and second chances. After her escape from Hawken's Cove with the help of her two closest friends, Tyler Benson and Daniel Hunter, Lilly Dumont goes under an assumed name of Lacey Kincaid in New York City. Fast forward 10 years and the appearance of Tyler at her door, who she has never forgotten and the fledging love that never had a chance to see where it could or would go. He is requesting that she come back and claim her trust fund and inheritance, before her abusive Uncle, who was her guardian when both her parents were killed, has her declared dead and takes it and everything that is rightfully hers. Now the problems start to compound, attempts are made on her life. The sexual tension between Tyler and Lacey is so tangible but both are afraid to let down their walls and see where this might lead. Tyler, more so than Lilly, has lots of baggage to overcome but even so he is her most fierce protector and supporter. Along with this you have the sub plot and characters of Hunter, their best friend, and Molly Gifford, the soon to be step-daughter of her Uncle. This book will move you to tears, make you smile and have you turning pages from the moment you open the book till the last page because you are anxious to find the answers to resolve this highly charged emotional roller coaster. It is skilfully weaved and your heart strings are tugged as each chapter unfolds and issues resolved. I highly recommend this book, and hope that Hunter and Molly get their own story as well, because I am sure there is more that needs to be told. Hopefully you will agree with me.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted June 14, 2006

    Great romance

    Her uncle took in teenage Lilly Dumont when her parents died and showered her with love until she refused to fund his hedonism. The wolf merged as he turned abusive and acrimonious before dumping her onto the foster care system as a delinquent. There she makes two close friends Tyler Benson, and Daniel Hunter. They call themselves the Three Musketeers. When her uncle decided he needs her trust fund, he makes a bid to regain guardianship. Refusing to go back, the seventeen year old arranges for the other two musketeers to kill Lilly Dumont. Thus Lacey Kinkaid is ¿born¿ out of the death of Lilly.------------------ A decade later, Ty arrives to encourage Lacey, owner of Odd Jobs, to claim her inheritance so that her odious uncle does not get it and use it to marry a nice woman who has not seen the wolf. Ty loved Lilly as a teen and realizes he still does Lilly loved Ty as a teen and realizes she still does. However, neither will make that critical first move though Ty would willingly give up his life let alone his heart to insure Lilly remains safe while she gains what she deserves.----------------- This is a strong second chance at love romance though some readers might say that the fledgling relationship between lead couple should not count. The story line is fast paced and a secondary romance augments the tale. Though uncle is so bad he is a caricature, CROSS MY HEART this is a well written fun tale starring two likable protagonists who never stopped loving one another.-------------------- Harriet Klausner

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  • Anonymous

    Posted May 25, 2006

    Heart Tugging Read

    Carly's newest book is a heart warming read dealing with lies, deceit, truths uncovered and second chances. After her escape from Hawken's Cove with the help of her two closest friends, Tyler Benson and Daniel Hunter, Lilly Dumont goes under an assumed name of Lacey Kincaid in New York City. Fast forward 10 years and the appearance of Tyler at her door, who she has never forgotten and the fledging love that never had a chance to see where it could or would go. He is requesting that she come back and claim her trust fund and inheritance, before her abusive Uncle, who was her guardian when both her parents were killed, has her declared dead and takes it and everything that is rightfully hers. Now the problems start to compound, attempts are made on her life. The sexual tension between Tyler and Lacey is so tangible but both are afraid to let down their walls and see where this might lead. Tyler, more so than Lilly, has lots of baggage to overcome but even so he is her most fierce protector and supporter. Along with this you have the sub plot and characters of Hunter, their best friend, and Molly Gifford, the soon to be step-daughter of her Uncle. This book will move you to tears, make you smile and have you turning pages from the moment you open the book till the last page because you are anxious to find the answers to resolve this highly charged emotional roller coaster. It is skilfully weaved and your heart strings are tugged as each chapter unfolds and issues resolved. I highly recommend this book, and hope that Hunter and Molly get their own story as well, because I am sure there is more than needs to be told. Hopefully you will agree with me.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Anonymous

    Posted October 12, 2011

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    Posted December 29, 2009

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    Posted January 25, 2009

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    Posted January 21, 2011

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    Posted December 20, 2010

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    Posted June 1, 2010

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    Posted June 28, 2011

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    Posted May 12, 2011

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    Posted December 9, 2008

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