"Tuesday, eleven-thirty, a bright spring morning .... Just off the breakfast shift at Sweet Willie's meat-and-three, Shelby Kay Tate rushes down an old-fashioned Nashville sidewalk with Thursday night playing itself out in her mind. It's songwriters' night at the Sutler, a chance to serve up her big, bluesy voice to a crowd hungry for new country songs. Shelby's picturing herself onstage, a girl from Star, Mississippi, belting one clear against the back wall, when a familiar head of golden hair brings her out of her reverie." "She'd know Leroy Mabry's puny frame from a mile away - and the last time she'd seen it was in divorce court. Though she wonders what the devil he's up to, she's got better things to think about. But back home, changing out of her work clothes, she's shocked to discover Leroy's idea of a calling card nestled among her lingerie. Momma always said her scream was a snake-strangler." "Jeff Wayne Capshew, Metro Police patrolman for ten years, knows these stalking things can get serious fast. He's done all he can do for Shelby, but he can't shake her image from his mind ... her thick, wild, red-brown hair, her creamy valentine face. He feels compelled to protect her - and his instincts are right on. Leroy's been hitting the bourbon and soon shows up at Shelby's to convince her to come on home. When she flat out refuses, he begins to lose it." "While Leroy sobers up in a cellblock, Shelby puts the pedal to the metal - aiming for her true heart's desire. The rest of her life takes the backseat, so there's no way for her to see what's coming. Leroy, fueled by his pent-up anger and fast-talking cellmate, gets out on bail and goes after her again; Jeff crosses her path a few too many times, going well beyond the call of duty; an eclectic mix of jealous women, scouting agents, and a big-name star ready for a big-time comeback make their own plans for Thursday night at the Sutler. Shelby's ready for a high-voltage evening but, blinded by her vision of bright lights and hot crowds, she's headed down a dangerous collision course."--BOOK JACKET.Title Summary field provided by Blackwell North America, Inc. All Rights Reserved