Review: Good Mystery With a Satisfying Romance
Rating: 3 out of 5
Date: 11 4, 2013
Fans of suspense will find this an entertaining journey to find out whodunit while trying to save the heroine and staying one step ahead of the bad guys.  The mystery is well done in its creation of a nefarious get-rich-easy plan where all the players are well hidden and innocent people are put in harm's way.  The conclusion to the mystery is well-paced, heart-pounding, with a conclusion resulting in sacrifice.  It was a rousing ending that kept me on the edge of my seat.Where I felt a bit less satisfied was with the character of mild-mannered accountant Laura.  She unknowingly witnesses a crime and thinks she can go back to the life she once knew.  She's attacked and has her life threatened and still thinks she can forget about it and pick up where she was.  Luckily playboy Chase rescues her and convinces her of the stupidity of that plan, but gives her an option that's even more over-the-top.  Marry him and get pregnant in order to keep her safe.  She's more than okay with the plan as she's felt lonely for a long time.  She's not had many romantic relationships in life as she spent a lot of time caring for her mother before she died.  She set aside her dreams for her mother and is now being given the chance at another dream which has her jumping into it wholeheartedly.  As the story progresses though she gets more and more paranoid which makes her a bit whiny and annoying with all the pregnancy hormones coursing through her body.  She constantly thinks the worse of Chase though he's done nothing but protect her.Chase was always the playboy, partying and never caring where the money came from.  He shied away from responsibility and long-term commitment, but Laura brings out his protective instincts and something about her calls to his soul and has him wanting to claim her no matter what.  He at first doesn't want to believe the worst of his father but the evidence keeps mounting in a race to bring the bad guys to justice with him putting his life in danger to protect his new-found family.  No matter his past Chase jumped into his role of hero easily.  He might not have always said or did the most romantic things but he always put Laura first.  I found him endearing and my heart broke for his having to realize the truth about his father.This story had a strong start and ending, but the middle dragged as these two weary travelers journeyed to one port after another acting like tourists and trying to get pregnant.  With their lives in danger these acts didn't ring true for me.  They should've been in hiding making themselves untraceable.  It did give them time to bond as a couple but the story lost sight of the mystery and it slowed down the feelings of suspense.  On a whole this story kept me interested, though it often felt like a Lifetime movie.  The romance was nicely balanced with the mystery and I was immensely satisfied with the ending as it displayed a wide range of emotions.  This was my first book by Ms. Adams but won't be my last.3.75 STARS!