Fatal Exchange by Lisa Harris

Southern Crimes (Book 2)

Emily Hunt might come from a family of cops, but she never goes looking for an adrenaline rush. She lives the quiet--well, relatively quiet--life of a teacher and thrives on making a difference in the lives of her students. But she'll have to draw on a well of strength and savvy she didn't know she had as student Rafael Cerda takes her class hostage for ransom money to save his brother's life.

Undercover cop Mason Taylor has been working with Rafael to find his brother and bring the cartel thugs who hold him to justice. Can he talk Rafael down from his impulsive actions? And is there something more sinister at work here than he realizes?

Fatal Exchange draws readers into a complex matrix of intertwining lives and unraveling secrets, where every answer creates more questions. Romantic suspense fans will hardly want to come up for air.

My Review:
Shari Lewis, a puppeteer who worked Lamb Chop, used to end her show with a song:
"This is the song that doesn't end. Yes, it goes on and on my friend."
Like that song, this story goes on and on. Indeed, it even ends with a cliff hanger!

It reads a bit choppy. Every time a conclusion begins, it's closely followed by another beginning. On and on . . .

I think that a novel should have a beginning, a middle, and an end. This story is missing the all-important ending. I suppose the author did this on purpose so that readers would buy the following book. I won't.

I feel gypped.

Thank you to Revell Books, a division of Baker Publishing Group for my copy.

One Perfect Spring by Irene Hannon

Claire Summers is a determined, independent single mother who is doing her best to make lemonade out of the lemons life has handed her. Keith Watson is a results-oriented workaholic with no time for a social life. As the executive assistant to a local philanthropic businessman, he's used to fielding requests for donations. But when a letter from Claire's eleven-year-old daughter reaches his desk, everything changes. The girl isn't asking for money, but for help finding the long-lost son of an elderly neighbor.

As Keith digs reluctantly into this complicated assignment, he has no idea how intertwined his life and Claire's will become--nor how one little girl's kindhearted request will touch so many lives and reap so many blessings.

Through compelling characters and surprising plot twists, Irene Hannon offers readers this tenderhearted story of family connections that demonstrates how life is like lilacs--the biggest blooms often come only after the harshest winters.

My Review:
Ever wonder what makes a workaholic? Even though he's good looking and likeable, no girl has ever caught Keith Watson's eye. There's no time for romance; he's in love with his work. Truth be told, Keith has some skeletons in his closet that must be brought to light before he can trust or love a woman. His early childhood haunts him.

Have you ever considered how anyone could give up her child for adoption? Could you? In this novel, adoption is examined from many perspectives.This well-written story contains some suggestions that make sense.

I enjoyed the way Irene Hannon weaves the story of Keith. The pace is believable, and the ending is just right. I highly recommend this one.

Thank you to Revell Books, a division of Baker Publishing Group for my copy.