Review: A twist you won't see coming
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 09 30, 2011
When Sheriff Dove Connelly is called to the murder scene of his best friend, he has no way of knowing that his small mountain community is about to be turned upside down. Dove soon discovers not only has there been a murder committed, but a possible kidnapping as well. Now he has to find the murderers and find out what happened to supermodel Tessa Bradley as well.Tessa manages to overpower her kidnappers and is now alone in the woods on Dove's mountain. As she tries to stay one step ahead of her pursuers, she reflects back upon the triumphs and mistakes of her life.The hunt is on, and now Dove and Tessa will discover hidden secrets about not only their friends and loved ones, but their selves as well. Told alternatively between Dove and Tessa's point of view, Before Her Eyes is a heart stopping, bone chilling, well written suspense novel.Dove has always had the ability to "feel" things in the past, but that ability seems to have left him. He doesn't know why he doesn't "feel" any more, and hates it. He is a strong man of few words, a tough man with a temper if crossed, loyal to his friends and the community he serves. Married with a baby girl, his wife is the love of his life and his rock during times of trouble, yet his home is not the refuge it should be. If I lived in an isolated mountain community, this is the man I would want to protect me and mine.Tessa is heartbreakingly beautiful. Her career over, she is content in her life with her husband and grown daughter. Her life was not easy, mistakes were made and now she is just trying to make it all right. She is a difficult woman to get to know, but I liked her. I felt her pain and cheered her on. As the story progresses, we learn Dove and Tessa's back stories and meet the people who are important in their lives.This is a well written, character driven book. Ms. Forrester manages to paint a vivid picture of Dove's mountain and the communities and people who live on it. I felt like I was right there with Tessa running for her life, and Dove moved right into my heart. The secondary characters play a large part in the story, each given a voice and story of their own. The members of Dove's team are quirky and give us some much needed comic relief. There are little side stories going on, leading us on a merry chase trying to figure it all out. The suspense is built slowly, small hints dropped; I was on the edge of my seat and have to admit I did not figure it all out until the very end. And speaking of end, boy does this book have one. There is a twist I did not see coming and could not stop talking about for days. Anyone who enjoys a good mystery/suspense with twists and turns is going to love this book, I did.Member of the Paranormal Romance Guild Review Team