Martha Hix - Tami Hoag
Hix, Martha - TERRIFIC TOM (Silh. Spec. Edit. 1186) (3+)
Blythe Redd, formerly known as "Big Redd," returns to the small
Texas town in which she grew up. Often teased about her weight when she was younger, Blythe learned to accept herself in the intervening years, and now she's home to attend her high-school reunion. She returns as a successful nurse with a relief program called "Partners in Crisis," driving a flashy car, and dressing her size-18 frame for attention!
Her first stop is Tom's house, but instead of a happy reunion with her old flame, she gets pelted with pecans as he tells her to leave. Tom was injured a few years earlier while rescuing two girls from a fire, and now he is scarred and hiding from the world. He feels his life is over, but Blythe reaches out to him with an understanding heart. She ends up moving in with Tom and his grandmother, with the understanding that they'll just be friends. The two waver back and forth between bickering and fighting the attraction between them, but by the time the reunion rolls around, they realize they still love each other. However, although they want to be together, they are not sure they can work out a long-term commitment—because Blythe's job takes her all over the world, and Tom has plans for a new life in his Texas town.
TERRIFIC TOM is a departure from the norm, with a large heroine and a scarred hero, proving that one doesn't have to be thin or beautiful to find true love. A good read for a refreshing change of pace. ~Karen Witkowski for Bookbug on the Web
Hoag, Tami - ASHES TO ASHES (Bantam - 3/99; Hardcover) (4+)
A serial killer, dubbed "the Cremator" by the police, is loose in Minneapolis. This person has kidnapped, tortured, maimed, and then torched three victims. But there is a witness now, and that's where Kate Conlan, an ex-FBI agent, comes into the picture. She is a victim advocate for the county, and the witness, Angie Dimarco, is placed into her hands.
Kate immediately recognizes that Angie is not what she seems, and she can't get a handle on her. While trying to support and reassure her, Kate sits by her side as the police try to gather information about what Angie witnessed and see if she can come up with a composite of the killer. It is suspected that the latest murder victim is the daughter of billionaire Peter Bondurant, who has the power to determine how the case is handled. He requests and gets FBI profiler John Quinn on the case. Quinn is an expert on serial killers...and someone from Kate's past.
Five years ago, while both worked at FBI Headquarters, John and Kate had a love affair after she suffered a personal tragedy. However, the scandal of this affair cost Kate her job, and she left the FBI and John behind for a new life in Minnesota. Now the two of them are forced to work together to discover the identity of the killer before he claims another victim. The attraction between the ex-lovers is rekindled, and both are forced to reexamine their past and consider their future. However, nothing can be settled between them until the Cremator is apprehended and the mystery is solved. Then Angie disappears and is believed to be dead. But unbeknownst to all, the murderer has his sights set on yet another victim—and Kate's life could be on the line!
Tami Hoag has written another spellbinding suspense novel that also features a vital, satisfying romance. Kate and John come through as strong, yet tortured, individuals. Both have been affected by past relationships and the typical law-enforcement career burnout. There are also numerous secondary characters, and every one of them takes on life as their personalities seem to leap from the pages. What I enjoyed most, besides the mystery and twisted plot, was the love/hate, sometimes explicit, banter amongst the police officers and detectives. Once again, Ms. Hoag takes the reader into the killer's mind and provides insight into his madness. This story has some gruesome descriptions of the victims and the violence that surrounds the crimes, so the faint of heart should be prepared. Grab the book, lock all the windows and doors, turn on all the lights, and enjoy the riveting suspense and horror of ASHES TO ASHES. ~Sharon L. (TLLAIRD@prodigy.net)
Hoag, Tami - MCKNIGHT IN SHINING ARMOR (Loveswept 276) (4)
If you're looking for a funny, light romance, this one fills the bill. Wonderful writing, zany antics, and some great one-liners. ~June (bookbug@oocities.com)
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