Cover of Night: A Novel

Cate Nightingale , mother of two four-year-old twin boys has been a widow for three years. When her husband died, the family had been living in Seattle but she could not afford to live there and spend time with the boys. Before the birth of the boys, Cate and her husband went on rock-climbing vacations and stayed at a bed and breakfast (B & B) in Trail Stop, Idaho. The town was isolated with only a couple of stores and less than four dozen residents. Cate had fond memories of the town and people, therefore, when the B & B became available, she and the boys moved to Trails End. Owning and running a B & B allowed her to spend time with the twins and earn enough to live simply, The townspeople soon became fond of the family, and the B & B quickly became a gathering place for the townspeople. Cate was a good cook and was becoming known for her muffins, scones, and hospitality. The only problem she had with the B & B was the need for frequent repairs and she was forever calling on the town handyman Cal Harris. Cal was extremely shy around Cate and was constantly blushing. One busy morning one of the guests disappears and leaves his things behind. Unknown to Cate, he had worked for a mobster in Chicago. Before she knows what's happening, Cate and the townspeople are caught up in a life and death situation. Ms. Howard weaves a plot involving Cate, Cal, a hunting and fishing guide and an ex nun, the townspeople, and a group of mobsters. She shows how townspeople can band together in an effort to save each other using what is at hand. I was especially intrigued to learn how useful a corn chip could be. The book was a page-turner and one I couldn't put down. An enjoyable book for someone who enjoys suspense with a touch of romance.

I listen to at least 2 books per week and I like Linda Howard. It is not an Eve Dallas book - however Cover of Night was very well done. The romance was not too sappy, the thrill affect was good and the story was believable. While I scratch my head as to who in their right mind would ever move to Idaho, I suppose one goes where God wants one to go, even if it is Idaho. I have been to Idaho - the only part of this story that is unbelievable is that it happened in Idaho - nothing happens in Idaho.

I loved the character Cal - his shy side and then his Rambo side. The author did a nice job unwrapping the layers of Cal. The book might seem a little slow in the beginning while we meet all the different characters, but definitely worthwhile. Story brief: Layton is accountant for bad guy. Layton has a flash drive with evidence against Bandini and asks for blackmail money. Bandini hires two killers (Goss and Toxtel) to get the flash drive back. They follow Layton's trail to a small town in Idaho. They pull a gun on Cate. Cal saves her. They didn't get the flash drive and they want revenge on Cal. They hire more killers to help them. Cal and the town fight back against unbelievable odds. Learning about Cal at the end amazed me. Sexual language: mild. Number of sex scenes: five. Setting: current day small mountain town called Trail Stop in Idaho. Copyright: 2006. Genre: romantic suspense.

A well plotted book with a small town full of memorable characters. Cate Nightingale, a widow with young twin sons, is trying to make a living as a bed and breakfast owner in a remote corner of Idaho. Cal, the local handyman, has been in love with Cate for 3 years but only conditions created by inept villains staging a terrorist attack on the area shock Cate into noticing Cal as a man. Was their romance created by extreme conditions, or would it have happened anyway? (Note Cate starting to notice Cal's strong hands in the beginning of the book, and her repeated attempts to make conversation with him.) The villains' reasoning which led to their attack on the area was so ludicrous, I wouldn't be surprised it it were based on a real news event. A great book- I would love a sequel.

The reason I enjoy LH so much is her willingness to experiment with many different styles of the romance genre. Time travel, historical, bubbly, emotionally wrenching, spy novels, etc. Like the Nora Roberts, you haven't read one then read them all with LH. Ok, straight suspense isn't her best, but still this is way better than most suspense novels, because at least I care whether the characters live or die. The last suspense novel I read before this was called Kill the Messenger and I was hoping the kid would get hit by a semi and put me out of the misery. Can't wait to see what LH will try next.