When her parents are killed in a fire, 16-year-old Christie is sent to live with her Uncle Philip and his wife, Bet. It isn't long before Uncle Philip begins to make nightly visits to her bedroom. Desperate and heart- broken, she turns to Gavin, her father's handsome young step- brother. Together, Christie and Gavin flee to The Meadows, the family planta- tion where Christie was born. In Gavin's arms, in the first, tender moments of true love, Christie finds refuge from her painful memories. Then a tragedy occurs which separates Christie from Gavin— and forces her to return to Uncle Philip. Trapped in his clutches. Christie must find a way to break free—and defy the curse that has haunted the Cutler family for generations. --jacket

When her parents are killed in a fire, 16-year-old Christie is sent to live with her Uncle Philip and his wife, Bet. It isn't long before Uncle Philip begins to make nightly visits to her bedroom. Desperate and heart- broken, she turns to Gavin, her father's handsome young step- brother. Together, Christie and Gavin flee to The Meadows, the family planta- tion where Christie was born. In Gavin's arms, in the first, tender moments of true love, Christie finds refuge from her painful memories. Then a tragedy occurs which separates Christie from Gavin— and forces her to return to Uncle Philip. Trapped in his clutches. Christie must find a way to break free—and defy the curse that has haunted the Cutler family for generations. --jacket