Alice Noble

Elusive Autumn Alice Noble

The story traces the forming of a bond between a woman seeking solitude and an escaped prisoner who may or may not be what he seems. Frequently blurring a virtual line between illusion and reality. The reader is invited to gather evidence along with the characters. In the process, I pose implicit questions about courage, identity and destiny. When Mark Pendelton fails to appear as planned, the prisoner known as Larry Johnston, actually an undercover agent who's real name is Monty Shaw, realizes he must act. The Georgia Penitentiary carries a veritable folklore regarding former escapes, about which Karla Mason through a journal left by her father along with the rather remote mountain he once owned. Injured and still carrying Rick Collins' gun, Johnston surprises Karla and she puts up a fight, but he overpowers her and finds her home to be a suitable hideout while he recovers. She learns more about his situation and becomes a kind of protector, striving to reconcile her concern about his physical condition with her perception of danger. Later he explains all, his mission and how things must have gone wrong, leaving Karla to decide whether or not to trust him. Meanwhile, Monty offers comfort while she explores her own past by reading Robert's journals. The story ends with a shoot-out at the cabin and Monty is taken away to a hospital and to straighten out the circumstances surrounding his prison break. At this point Karla doesn't know if she will ever see him again and turns her attentions to a secret cellar with a safe that contains starting information about her mysterious father. The EndAt the beginning of the sequel she heads to Alaska and Monty finds her. They are married in Nome. She and Monty are intent upon unraveling the mystery surrounding her father and find much more than they ever expected.