"Smolderingly Romantic Suspense set in the Emerald Isle"

Fionha Brennan is running from an abusive ex-fiance, and taking advantage of the trip to visit her ancestral homeland of Ireland. She's determined to play tourist and enjoy herself -- not to meet any new man or get involved in any sort of steamy love affair. Of course, just because of that determination, she meets the temptingly sexy Niall Burke on her flight to the Emerald Isle, along with his bubbly mother. Fionha ends up staying in their guesthouse and bumping into the auburn-haired Niall more frequently than she feels is strictly necessary. Niall has a few secrets of his own, though, involving the death of a close friend and his elaborately plotting revenge...

This book starts off with a bang as the reader is thrust into the shady world of Irish politics and international maneuverings. We marvel as Fionha is taken into the rich and sumptuous world of her new friends, where money is no object. There are plenty of secondary characters to keep the mind busy -- Niall's parents and friends, Fionha's sister and family, and the girlfriends that Fionha makes while on her trip -- but the book never seems overpopulated. Though part of the story relies on the Great Misunderstanding, this reviewer has never been one to cringe in the face of that particular tactic, and so found the entire book quite enjoyable. Niall was reminiscent of the sexy rogue found in JD Robb's very popular "In Death" series, and the rest of the characters were entertaining as well. One can only hope that they'll return to visit us again in the future. Fast-pasted, seductively romantic, and overall just plain highly entertaining, this contemporary suspense novel is sure to please anyone who enjoys the genre.

Sensuality Level: Smoldering. There is sex in this novel, very sensual, erotically-charged sex, but most of the book is dependant upon a very-finely tuned sexual tension between the characters.

Reviewed by Ann Leveille
Courtesy Sensual Romance
Posted September 26, 2002

Summary

Fionnha Brennan's trip to Ireland is more than just a search for her Irish roots. Her abusive ex-fiance wants her back, so she hopes putting an ocean between them will stymie his attempts to find her. Meeting Kathleen Burke is sheer luck. The Irish matron insists that Fionnha stay in the gatehouse of the Burke estate for the duration of her stay. At last, she feels safe. Then she meets Kathleen's son, Niall. Niall Burke is willing to do anything to revenge the death of a friend by an ultra-conservative group from Northern Ireland, even if that means allying himself with an illegal arms supplier to supply guns to the IRA. But how can he satisfy his need for revenge with his growing desire for Fionnha, a woman who would be appalled by his illegal activities? A woman who his partners might see as an obstacle to what they want?