Deirdre Martin is a master at storytelling. In "Total Rush," she returns readers to the Italian/New York roots of the Dante family, focusing on Gemma - who has always independently marched to the beat of her own drummer. A little offbeat, Gemma owns her own "mystical, crystal, candle, incense" type of shop in New York.In her first two books, Martin's main focus was on hockey with the New York Blades. However when Gemma falls for Sean Kennealy, a New York Fireman, Martin brilliantly captures the camaraderie, dangers, and relationship issues conducive to fire fighters.Although I am not a big "romance reader," I have never been able to put Martin's books down! I have always finished each book the same day because she has brought believable characters with realistic issues to life.Especially moving in "Total Rush" was the quite real dilemma that so many in our society face today concerning the care of family members with Alzheimer's. Martin addresses the issue of the utter exhaustion and fatigue that plague caregivers in spite of wanting to do their very best to help. Readers get a small glimpse into the overwhelming numbness and strain that can often lead to elder abuse."Total Rush" was a delightful and romantic book that was far from being depressing. Yet it left me thinking of so much more after I had finished reading it. I now have a deep compassion for what family members must endure with the ones they love when faced with real problems. These problems may be health related or work stress related, but Martin doesn't just glibly have the main characters "riding off into the sunset" to pursue their romance. Deirdre Martin once again proves that "light and romantic" books need not be superficial.