Deadly Intent

Deadly Intent is set in a Sonoma, California spa run by Naomi Grant, who is of Japanese and white descent. One of her clients is murdered and she is one of the main suspects. The other suspect, Dr. Devon Knightley, is her love interest. Both become murder targets as well. This was a fun read as I love going to spas and reading mysteries. Camy writes "romance with a kick of wasabi" and this book has just the right "kick." Readers are engrossed in the story before they learn Naomi's ancestry or the name of the spa. The protagonist's feelings and actions are influenced by her culture, but not in an overt or stereotypical way. The story will appeal to a wide audience.

I'm always a big fan of stories set in spas. The setting just seems so relaxing to read about massages, facials, and being in total luxury. I haven't had the chance to go to one in a while, so reading about it is the next best thing. Love Inspired Suspenses can be hit or miss, as some of the stories don't really have good suspense plots. This book, however, has a very good mystery, people actually do die, and there is a romance. This may sound surprising, but there have been some LI Suspenses where the mystery is non existent and there is more emphasis on the romance. A successful book in this series would blend the two together with more focus on the mystery. That is what this book does. I was immediately sucked into the story and tried unsuccessfully to guess who the culprit was. I know a mystery is good when I pick out a background character to be the murderer and I'm totally wrong. Something I found incredibly funny is that Naomi's sisters are named Monica and Rachel. I'm half surprised Naomi wasn't named Phoebe! (That's a "Friends" joke if you didn't get it). Also Devon's last name happens to be Knightley, a sly reference to a certain leading man in a famous Regency book. I also appreciated how the author has made the lead character half-Asian, but treats her as a normal person. Other than initial descriptions so the reader is aware of her ethnicity, there is no stereotypical descriptions. I really hope this is a series so that way there can be more about the Grant family and more adventures from the spa. Yes there was a murder, but I still came away totally relaxed. This was a really fun book to read and as always Camy Tang has written a winner.

Perfect for : Personal reading, Book club (reading guide/discussion questions are included in the back of the book) In a nutshell: A great inspirational and suspenseful romance that will keep your attention and keep you guessing until the end. A spa is supposed to be a place that you can go to relax and unwind. . . and leave feeling wonderful! But in Deadly Intent, within the first two chapters, there is enough luxury to make you dream of visiting the Joy Luck Life spa to get pampered, as well as a grisly murder in a massage room to make you turn and run as quickly as possible. I was instantly pulled into the story and couldn't put the book down until I finished it! Extended Review: A high-profile client is murdered in Naomi Grant's massage room while she is managing the spa for her family, and to make things worse, she was already attracted to the murdered woman's ex-husband, who happened to ask after the woman just minutes before they found her dying in the massage room! What a wonderful start to a great book, and the story doesn't stop there. As things move along, we as readers find out that Dr. Devon Knightly might also be slightly attracted to Naomi. But things get worse before they get better, and although both of them seem to be prime suspects for the murder of Jessica, Naomi seems to be the main suspect. Characters: Camy is able to create her characters in such a way so that they seem very real and believable, as well as very enjoyable. I loved watching as the relationship between Naomi and Devon progressed. I also absolutely adored Aunt Becca, who really seemed to be a solid foundation for the family. Story-Line: With plenty of twists and turns that will keep you guessing who the real murderer is until the last chapter, the focus on the murder, the growing relationship between Naomi and Devon, and the reputation of the spa, the story will certainly keep you entertained! Readability: A very nice afternoon read! Overall: Deadly Intent has the perfect mixture of suspense and romance, as well as light faith and inspiration. I love books like this that carry a real story along and interweave just a little faith, when done this way, the more subtle messages of faith don't feel overwhelming, but rather welcoming. Be sure to pick up this book for a great afternoon read, even if you don't normally read suspense or romance!

Camy Tang's "Deadly Intent" is an entertaining Christian romantic suspense novel. Naomi Grant is a sought-after masseuse at her family's Sonoma resort spa. Since her father has been ill and unable to run things, she is not only the spa's acting manager, she is also being groomed with her aunt's help to take over the business. But when one of her regular clients is murdered in her massage room, it seems as though her career will be short-lived since she is one of the prime suspects for the crime! The other prime suspect happens to be the victim's ex-husband, Dr. Devon Knightly. This book has it all: murder, romance, humor, a handsome doctor, a spa... It is a decent read, although it wasn't as fast-paced as I expected it to be. Especially for its size. But I did finish it, and thoroughly enjoyed the story. Camy Tang is a remarkable storyteller in any genre.

I'm not generally a romantic suspense reader, but I loved this book. Okay, with the exception of the spa being a murder site. LOL But I read it in a day at the hospital waiting, and I did not figure it out and it was fun reading. Loved the hero and the Napa Valley setting.