Review: Lucky Charm by Valarie Douglas
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 04 1, 2012
I was asked to review this novel by a friend and was told it was a romance. A nice romance novel on a Sunday afternoon sounded good to me. Easy breezy read. No. This is a complex mystery/thriller that just happens to have one really good romance in the mix.Ariel is a computer software expert who spends her time travelling city to city to install new software for her company. She enjoys the freedom and autonomy of her job and likes to carve out time to get to know the cities she visits. But this time something doesn't seem right to her. Financial files in the wrong area's, companies sharing data they should not be sharing. It's slightly confusing and is making problems with her new software installations. But Ariel's work life is busy and she doesn't have time between installing the new software and training the employees to use it to take the time to investigate.Matthew is an former army ranger who has gone into accounting. He likes his life a little more quiet than it once was. Working for his father he investigates companies that are using creative ways of embezzling funds. It's interesting and calls on all his special talents.Matthew has received a call from his best friend to come out to the south east and look at something Bill doesn't think is right. Unfortunately, he arrives too late. Investigating the clue's Bill has left behind he is jumped by some very nefarious characters. Lucky for him Ariel happens along. No wall flower she rescues him from the bad guys.As in all romance novels we can be assured that the road to happiness doesn't run smoothly for these two. Ariel is still recovering from a painful emotional loss and Matt is unsure he wants to open his heart again. They have to uncover mysteries, run away from bad guys, unravel complex financial dealings and fall in love. If they do fall in love that is. Of course the only answer to that is to read the book.Ms. Douglas has given us a very complex and interesting plot with characters that are smart, witty, wise and well formed. The story moves forward at a brisk pace with enough action and adventure to keep the pages turning while still giving us time to understand the back stories and motives of the protagonists. Her dialogue is realist and reflects the way people interact and go about their daily activities. The romance is believable, as well as fun and warm. We want these two to find their happily ever after. There is enough steam to fog up windows but not so much that the story lacks focus.All in all a very enjoyable read.Read time: about 3 hours.Karen Bryant DoeringParent's Little Black Book