Dwellers of Rivan Oak — Juanita Tyree Osborne

Roanna Marsden had grown up in the protective warmth of hr not-so-usual family on Riven Oak, their old Tennessee plantation. What made the family different was that none of the children were blood related. While Roanna was the natural child of her parents, both the dark, brooding Fant and the fragile, ethereal Carissa were adopted. Could Fant's moods be caused by the fact that he secretly blamed himself for the long-ago tragic accident that had killed Roanna's father?

It was not surprising that Roanna fancied herself in love with Fant--all the girls in her school were--and that he should return her love, much to the distress of Carissa. Yet their engagement drifted on, with neither of them seemingly ready for the final step.

And then Roanna discovered her love for Creighton Ainsley, who, with his mother, had shared Riven Oak with the Marsdens after a tornado had taken the life of his father. Creighton, who loved the plantation as much as she did, who shared her interests, her values... But how was she to tell Fant?

Gradually Roanna begins to sense a terrifying undercurrent beneath the calm surface of Riven Oak. Someone is her deadly enemy. And that someone will not stop until her--or she--sees her dead.