ISBN 0758214340

"Sometimes tragedies bring out the best and worst in those affected by them.  That’s what happens in Christopher’s brilliant and tasteful novel about love, tragedy, heartbreak and forgiveness.  The author delves deep into her characters, and this touching story will have readers looking into themselves and reexamining the way they react to those around them."

--Romantic Times BOOKreviews (4 1/2 stars--top rating)

“Risk is a true triumph of story telling … an arresting read that gripped me from the first passionate encounter and didn't let me go. The characters and storyline bring fresh life to each page. Angela and Justus became more than characters in a novel. They became real with all the mistakes and frailties that we have. After reading this novel, I have to go back and read more of Ann Christopher’s work. I eagerly await another novel by Ms. Christopher.”

--Monica Jeffers, Romance In Color

"Risk packs an emotional punch!"

"Ann Christopher weaves heartbreaking tragedy with the unfailing power of the bonds of love, in this unforgettable tale of family, forgiveness and true love. These are characters to laugh with and cry with as they struggle with loss and hope. You'll cherish their 'happily ever after' like it was your own!"

--Karyn Langhorne, author of Diary of an Ugly Duckling

Now available from Dafina Books!

Beautiful but buttoned-down 34 year-old attorney Angela Dennis doesn’t need a crystal ball to see what her immediate future holds: a Christmas marriage proposal from her doctor boyfriend and a well-deserved partnership offer from her law firm. But her life implodes when her boyfriend dumps her for a younger woman and an accident claims her sister and brother-in-law, orphaning Angela’s three-and-a-half year old niece, Maya. Badly shaken, but determined to step up to the plate even though she has no discernible maternal instincts, Angela decides to do the right thing and adopt Maya.

There’s just one problem. A six-foot-four, devastatingly handsome, womanizing rogue of a problem.

Brash former college basketball player turned personal trainer Justus Robinson has always made his own path and answered to no one. How else could he step out from his perfect older brother’s shadow and deal with his disapproving dictator of a father? But now Justus wants two things: to adopt his dead brother’s child and to seduce Angela Dennis, not necessarily in that order. He’s the logical choice to adopt Maya because he, unlike Angela, has always been a meaningful part of the girl’s life. And he’s been determined to unleash Angela’s hidden passions ever since he first laid eyes on her ten years ago when he was only seventeen. Well, he’s not seventeen now, and he’s just the man to help rebuild Angela’s badly bruised ego with a brief affair—even though he can’t shake the feeling there’ll be nothing brief about it...

What happens when a woman who thinks risk is a four-letter word meets a man willing to risk everything for a chance with her?

Intimacy requires courage because risk is inescapable.
- Rollo May

He smiled then, a mesmerizing, seductive smile full of promise.   

“It’s going to be so good between us, Angela.  We both know it.”

Yes.  Yes.  “No.”

Again he stepped closer, blocking out her ability to see anything other than his smoldering eyes, erotic mouth and wide shoulders.  “I want us to finish what we started the night we danced together.  Do you remember?”

Oh, yes, she remembered, even though she’d tried, over and over again, not to.  Remembered the exquisite pleasure of being wrapped in those hard arms, the thrill of his warm hands sliding down her bare back, the torture of his broad chest pressed against her throbbing breasts, and the excitement of feeling his smooth cheek pressed to her forehead. 

Angela swayed on her feet, her eyes closing; her body strained for him and only sheer willpower kept her from reaching for him. 

She was in terrible trouble.  In another minute she’d be in his arms and once she was she knew she wouldn’t care about any consequences.  She floundered for a moment and then made what she hoped was a bewildered, annoyed face.

“Dance?” she said coolly.  “You’re making a big deal out of that one little dance we had?”

His face darkened, contracting, and she knew she’d hit a nerve.  She laughed.  “You were young, weren’t you?  Why would you think there was anything special about some dance ten years ago?  Is that what this is all about?”

Justus’s face twisted with hurt and fury and her stomach lurched sickeningly.  Somehow, in trying to hurt him, she’d hurt herself worse. 

“‘Some dance?’” he said in a mangled voice.

“Get over yourself, Justus,” she said, turning away.

He stalked around her, blocking her.  Their gazes collided for an endless, challenging moment.  “Are you telling me,” he said, his jaw clenched so tightly he could barely get the words out, “that there was nothing special about dancing with me that night?”

“Yes,” she said, in the worst act of cowardice of her life.

He roared with anger.  “You little liar!”

Alarmed, her nerves stretched beyond the breaking point, she turned to run away.  Once again his arm lashed out, hauling her roughly back against him.  He clamped his hands on her butt, his fingers sliding over the silk of her dress, and pressed his hips to hers.  She cried out.  She’d foolishly thought her body had cooled down a little since he let her go, but she was wrong.  His rigid arousal burned and crazed her; of their own free will her hips shifted against his.  The ache deep between her thighs grew until ecstasy shimmered on the horizon.

“Let me tell you something, Duchess,” he said, his voice low and seductive, his eyes glinting mercilessly.  Again she sensed his immovability, his absolute determination.  “You and I are going to make love very soon.  It’s inevitable.  It’s been inevitable since I first laid eyes on you ten years ago.  Get used to it.” 

His hands stroked her once more, as if he couldn’t help himself, before he shoved her rudely away.