Chart-topper and Grammy winner Malcolm Douglas shows up in his hometown in Mississippi to the adoring shrieks of high- school girls. But to Celia Patel, he's the last person she wants to see. She was his sweetheart eighteen years ago and he left her behind with the law at his heels. Now she's a music teacher and the child they made together has been adopted.

In PLAYING FOR KEEPS Malcolm has an urgent mission - he's heard that threats have been laid against Celia's judge father who is trying a major drugs case. Celia herself is a likely target as well, and Malcolm badly wants to protect her. But is it just the memory of a girl that has drawn him back, and will he survive their first encounter? Malcolm suggests that Celia would be safer if she accompanied him on his upcoming European tour. Celia, understandably, has no desire to be made a fool of again. The singer has bodyguards and armour plated cars, but if the lady won't even be in the same room as him what good are they? Maybe, Celia decides, spending a little time with her ex would bring some closure. Next stop, a helicopter....

The chaos of publicity and pop concerts comes across well in this tale, and Celia can't be blamed for feeling overwhelmed. She barely sees any of the sights but Malcolm's good friends, and revisiting of the past help flesh out the story for making the characters come across as real people with genuine issues. With so much behind the couple, a fresh start can't be an option, but they can get to know each other again as adults. Leaving was not easy but it worked out well for Malcolm, handing him greater responsibilities, and Celia has spent years trying to overcome her resentment - if she managed this so well, why does she still get panic attacks?

PLAYING FOR KEEPS puts some interesting, believable people into a difficult situation and Catherine Mann handles it adroitly, keeping music to the fore - well, music is the food of love! This is a fine romance, above average in terms of character and it will be enjoyed by anyone in the modern music industry or by romance fans everywhere.