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Lillian Baxter has created a new life for herself after surviving the brutal terror of an abusive relationship. She now owns a bookstore which is gaining in popularity and prestige with author signings and chef-quality culinary treats. Michael Fields, an officer of the BCI (Bureau of Criminal Investigation) Unit, is determined to romance Lillian, in spite of her reservations. When police officers from New Jersey come to warn Lillian that her ex has jumped bail and is suspected to be the killer and brutalizer of several women, it seems that all the fear and horror of the past is descending on Lillian again, this time also endangering her friends. Has she learned enough to protect herself and those she loves? Less than stellar editing detracts from the effectiveness of this storyline. After a skillfully dynamic and horrifying glimpse into the world of the killer in the prologue, the novel stalls at first and comes across at times as a little stilted to me. Lillian and Michael are engaging characters, and the reader will find themselves anxiously cheering them on as they attempt to unravel the grisly deaths of the young women who fall victim to the madman’s violent obsession. While not of the same intensity as romantic suspense novels of Karen Rose, this is a nice early work from this new-to-me author. I would be interested in reading some of her later works to see how she has developed her craft since this novel. Reviewed by Crystal |
Lillian’s Love Rating:
Posted June 2009 |
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