Christiane Heggan - Jane Heller - Dee Henderson
Heggan, Christiane - DECEPTION (Mira - 1998) (4)
College professor Dan Santini of Chicago, a former NYPD detective, receives a phone call informing him of his ex-father-in-law's death in an automobile accident. Simon Bennett, owner of a successful architecture firm, had been Dan's surrogate father during his yearlong marriage to Simon's daughter, Jill. He can't bring himself to phone his ex-wife to express his sympathy, but he does call a police officer friend who lives near where the accident occurred to find out the details, and he learns that Jill suspects the accident was murder.
Jill Bennett, who works for her father's firm as an architect, knows that her father couldn't have been driving drunk, as the accident report indicates, so she sets out to discover the truth behind his death. Late one evening, after asking questions about his activities in the days prior to the accident, she is viciously attacked. When Dan hears about the attack from her best friend, Ashley, he takes the first plane to New York to help Jill. Even though they haven't seen each other for many years, the chemistry between them is still strong. However, they agree to a businesslike partnership during the investigation because neither wants to be hurt again. As the investigation continues, Jill and Dan discover secrets about her father and other members of the Bennett family that lead her into danger. The two also rediscover their love for one another.
Ms. Heggan has written another brilliantly crafted romantic suspense novel with surprises galore. The main plot keeps the reader's attention, while a subplot and many interesting secondary characters add even more mystery and dimension. Jill and Dan are both strong individuals who complement one another, and they discover that love the second time around is even better than the first. This must-read book will keep the reader guessing till the end. ~Sharon L. (TLLAIRD@aol.com)
Heggan, Christiane - SUSPICION (Mira - 1998) (4+)
Kate Logan, a brilliant criminal attorney, has just lost a
murder case in which her friend's son, Tony, is convicted of
murdering his girlfriend. On top of that, her ex-husband, Eric,
comes to her for help because he is being blackmailed by a call
girl. Suddenly the call girl is murdered and Eric, who is the
prime suspect, disappears. Into the picture comes Mitch Calhoon,
the homicide detective in charge of both murder investigations.
Kate and Mitch both believe the first murder was committed by
someone other than Tony and they work to prove that Kate's ex-husband did not murder his blackmailer. Eventually they begin to fall in love, but because of Kate's recent divorce and Mitch's tragic past, they each fight the attraction. As the investigation continues, Kate and her daughter are threatened
and Mitch is taken off the case. But they won't be stopped from uncovering the truth.
Cristiane Heggan has created a first-rate novel of murder, blackmail, corruption, and deception. Kate and Mitch are strong, well-developed characters, and there are just enough plot twists and intriguing secondary characters to keep the story moving along at a fast, enjoyable pace. I highly recommend this book. ~Sharon Laird for Bookbug on the Web
Heller, Jane - INFERNAL AFFAIRS (4+)
A devilishly clever, "be careful what you wish for" story. This is a fable for women of the 90s, with laugh-out-loud humor, zany characters, and even a fun little romance tucked between the covers. ~June F. (bookbug@oocities.com)
Henderson, Dee - DANGER IN THE SHADOWS (Multnomah Publishers; Inspirational - 1999) (5)
When Sara Walsh was six-years old, she and her twin sister Kim were kidnapped in broad daylight from a park. During their confinement she tried to keep Kim's confidence up, but the child did not survive the ordeal. Sara survived, however, and she saw the face of the one kidnapper who was never captured. Although trauma blots out that image, she is very much a threat to this man on the loose.
Twenty-five years later...
Sara, now an accomplished author, is in the federal witness protection program, but in order to avoid the man who is still stalking her, she must move frequently. One stormy evening she finds herself trapped in an elevator along with Alex Black, a former pro-football quarterback. When the light inside the elevator goes out, she has a flashback of the kidnapping. Terrified, she begins to panic, but Alex is able to keep her
from going into shock.
Alex is immediately drawn to Sara, but realizes the next day that he doesn't even know her last name or how to find her. When a young man, employed by Alex to locate Sara, frightens her into tipping off her bodyguards, the man is captured by the FBI and Alex discovers who she is.
DANGER IN THE SHADOWS is an intense, fast-paced romance that immediately engages your imagination. The religious element is gently woven into the plot, adding depth to this story about a woman who must hide her identity and—in contrast—the high-profile man with whom she falls in love. Alex and Sara will linger in my mind for a long time, and I am eagerly awaiting the spinoff story of the heroine's brother Dave. Romantic suspense fans, if you also crave an emotion-charged, inspirational read, DANGER IN THE SHADOWS is the perfect blend. This book goes on my keeper shelf—it's a winner! ~Pat Cavender for Bookbug on the Web
Henderson, Dee - NEGOTIATOR, THE (Multnomah Publishers; Inspirational - 2/00) (5)
Kate O'Malley and Dave Richman feel an undeniable pull of attraction from their very first meeting, but any kind of
relationship between them seems impossible. Dave is a committed Christian who lives his faith day by day, while Kate is very
open about the fact she's an agnostic. She not only questions God's existence, but her horribly abusive childhood has made her doubt His love as well. After all, if there really was a God who loved us so much, why would He let terrible things happen so often to good, innocent people?
Kate is a cop and a hostage negotiator, and when a passenger plane is blown up while landing at Chicago's O'Hare airport, she finds herself in the middle of what becomes a complex and very frightening situation. It's soon obvious that as much as she wants to keep FBI agent Dave Richman at a distance, he has the means and experience to see to her safety. As they work together to untangle the web of deceit and brutality that pushes Kate back into her truly terrible past, a loving God does indeed intervene; and as a result, we get an up close and personal look at how He can work in our lives if given the opportunity.
In this spinoff of DANGER IN THE SHADOWS, Dee Henderson again takes us on an intense ride. With an eye toward detail, especially in regard to the aftermath and investigation of an airplane explosion, she has created an exciting, suspenseful story that is immensely believable. In addition, the author unabashedly confronts more than a few of the weighty issues that seem to come up whenever someone's faith in God is discussed in any depth. The result is a book that keeps the reader totally involved from beginning to end, as it clearly portrays—without sugar coating and hyperbole—one person's spiritual journey. I highly recommend THE NEGOTIATOR and I look forward to reading the next book in the O'Malley series. ~Connie Ramsdell for Bookbug on the Web
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