Paradise County

This book was very good and has an exciting, fast paced storyline. I was kept guessing as to who the serial killer was, which is usually obvious. Which might be because I did take the advise of a previous reviewer, who forewarned reader's about graphic animal cruelty scenes in the beginning of the book, by skipping those sections of the story. I really wish authors who used sadistic villains in their stories would leave more to the readers imagination. I really have no need to be "in the mind of a killer." Especially when trying to enjoy a good romance. But, after having skipped that bit of the story, I really don't feel that I missed a thing. The relationship between all the characters, first and secondary made this book well worth the time I spent reading. The story is very realistic, I kept thinking, "Thank goodness, that's exactly what I would do!" Unlike most portrayals of truly frustrating characters that never do the obvious.

This is another of her "can't put this one down" books. I love everything I've read by this author. I am more partial to contemporary romances and this one is an excellent one. I found myself fantacizing of moving to this town to find the hero in this book. You can never go wrong with Karen Robards.

Alexandra has lost her father and his millions, not to mention her finance married someone else and her sister Neeley has runaway from school again. She now has to sell everything that she loved, including Whistledown her father's horse ranch. When meeting the farm manager Joe Welch she finds herself in for a challenge. The first night at Whistledown she discovers someone is in her house. Frightened she and her sister run to Joe's house. Not sure on what to believe Joe helps her out. You know in the book there is a serial killer and now he is fasinated with Alexandra. He wants her and sneaks into her house to watch her sleeping. He's just biding his time... When Neeley and Joe's son Eli disappear they know something bad has happened. Now they are in a race for time. Can they find Neeley and Eli in time or will they be the next victim. And what will happen to Alex? Fast paced and hard to put down. Ms. Robards does it again.

Karen Robards is one of the leading writers in Romantic Suspense and in PARADISE COUNTY, she has done it again. Alex Haywood is recovering from her father's death (an apparent suicide) and the discovery that his fortune is gone. She has to fire Joe Welch, manager of the family horse ranch, except Joe refuses to stay fired. Joe wants to protect his family and grow his share of the ranch. Falling for a rich girl who is bound to leave (like his ex-wife did) is not on his list. Especially if she has a sister like Neely who falls for one of Joe's sons. Fortunately for the story, Joe's hormones, and Alex's, don't listen to their rational sides.All is not well in Paradise County, however. A truly evil villain (he is so bad he not only rapes and murders women, he also sets dogs on fire) is intrigued by Alex and Neely. Noone, not even Alex herself, can believe the increasing evidence that she is being watched--stalked. PARADISE COUNTY is steamy-sexy, with a believable attraction between Joe and Alex. Unlike most romantic suspense novels, this one ends the romantic conflict before the suspense--but the suspense ends in an epic struggle between good and evil. Robards penetrates deep into the mind of the 'predator' creating a far more frightening character than would have been possible if she had not. Be careful, though. The predator is not for the faint hearted.

All in all an excellent read. Not since Walking After Midnight, have I enjoyed reading about a hero, so much. Joe Welch certainly personifies the sexy man of the 21st century. Handsome, compassionate, family man, with a great body, Joe really sparks up the pages. When he and Alex after facing off twice, find themselves alone at an opportune moment, things really heat up. The supporting cast of teenagers was wonderfully characterized and so believable. I am so tired of reading about nearly perfect teenagers in a lot of Romances these days.I mean who do those kids belong to? With two of my own, it was refreshing to see that someone else has normal, body piercing, hair dyed pink, teenagers that smoke marijuana, even if they aren't real. It was obvious that Karen has teens or has been around them. As with all of Karen's books there is a macarbe psycho pervert on the loose and there is a nice plot twist with the old house and the secret passages. Best of all was the highschool pep rally, hay ride and walk in the woods, reminiscent of days gone by and it was nice to see not much has changed that way in small communities.