Welcome to Book 2 of Rae Crossmon's White Rock Series. Familiar faces. New players. Ancient conflicts. Fresh battles. One overriding sentiment: Free will is a terrible thing. But it's better than the alternative.

Jessica McConsas is in love with three men. Perhaps one is evil. Perhaps one is good. Perhaps one is just a catalyst. But it's never that easy when it comes to White Rock.

While campaigning for her father, Jessica becomes involved with Piers, a reclusive and mysterious young man. She also finds an unlikely ally in an old friend, Vance Munroe Easton, who helps her discover the truth behind a dark family mystery. Last but not least, Jess struggles to forget Evan Helmsley and their night in the snowstorm, something much easier said than done.

On the other side of the country, Evan learns how to be a friend, with the help of an extraordinary woman. Sondra has her own secrets, but she doesn't share them until it's too late. Her decisions offer Evan a chance to redeem himself by taking responsibility for another child—maybe doing it right this time.

Evan's sister Henri has to decide how much she believes in old legends, while her lover Byrne finds he is still capable of being surprised. When Henri finally meets the daughter she gave away, an old dream collides harshly with reality.

A new family joins the fray. When Anderson Annolla conceives a young child from a vacation tryst, she becomes caught in an old war between Jackson, the father of her son, and Jarenth, his half-brother. Andy must ally with Jarenth to save Heath, while protecting a dark secret from her own past. Jack's resentment and jealousy fuel a decision to hurt Andy with an action that has tragic consequences for all involved.

Rae Crossmon's "twisted fairy tales" highlight an ancient Slavic legend wrapped in modern suspense stories. Each book builds toward a final conflict between ancient enemies while exploring themes such as free will vs. fate, family secrets, and the status of myth in contemporary American society.