River Road

Yes, the plot is cliched. Yes, the characters are stereotypical to an extent. I'm not denying that. HOWEVER, all of that is forgiven when I found myself reading this in two days because the sexual tension between the two main characters kept me riveted. I'm a big fan of romance novels, and it's difficult to find novels that can slip by my picky reading preferences. This is the first book I've read by JoAnn Ross. I was disappointed to find that my local library doesn't carry many of her books, so I'm on the hunt to find others. At this point, I don't know if I can say that JoAnn Ross is one of my favorite authors, but I did like this book. I know I have a winner when I want to scream to the two main characters, "GET TOGETHER, ALREADY!"

This was a very good book. I have read the other reviews and they described in much detail the plot, so I will leave that to the other reviewers. I will share my impressions and thoughts about the book overall. The characters were very real. Julia Summers know show she is and what she wants. She knows herself. She is willing to work hard to get to where she wants and she is able to set her priorities. Finn Callahan on the otherhand has been running from himself and his feelings for many years. He is tough, handsome, smart and strong in all ways. He doesn't take responsibility lightly, he takes it very seriously which leads him to have the weight of the world on his shoulders. When these two strong people meet, sparks fly. The book is high on sexual tension and sexual chemestry. It is a great book. There is some humor thrown in the mix with the writer of the soap opera in which Julia stars. The mystery doesn't overtake the romance but rather lends itself to the developing relationship between Julia and Finn. However, the mystery is enough to keep the suspense tight and the book moving along in a smooth reading. I sat down and read this book until it was finished. I didnt want to put it down. I'm anxious to run out and buy the other ones by this author. I think I have found a new favorite author to go along with my other favorite authors. Enjoy.

Julia Summers has dreamed her whole life of being the next `Bond' girl. She's worked on achieving her goal by acting on the super popular soap opera, River Road, for years. And finally she's landed her a part as the next `Bond' girl, as Carma Sutra. All she has to do is finish out her last two weeks of filming for River Road, and then it's on to greener pastures. When it's sprung on her that the last two weeks will be filmed on location, in Blue Bayou Louisiana, she groans, but is determined to be good and true to her character and the show that has made her success possible. She never dreams that before she can even get started filming, let alone to Blue Bayou, that she'll pick up an overzealous fan-who the brass are afraid could wind up to be none other than a stalker. FBI Agent Finn Callahan has had a rough few weeks. He's been suspended after roughing up a murderer he'd spent years tracking down, while said murderer was trying to escape a mental institution. He thinks he's getting the raw end of the deal, but accepts his suspension and takes off to his home town of Blue Bayou, to hang out, visit with his brother-the town mayor-and curse about how boring fishing is. He feels cornered but obligated when his brother informs him that he needs him to act as personal bodyguard to visiting TV royalty, Julia Summers. Finn, having done bodyguard duty before, is prepared for a spoiled starlet who is imagining the danger against her. It doesn't take him long to realize, though, that not only is Julia truly in danger, but that this true to life `Bond' girl is what his every dream is made of. Finn and Julia quickly light sparks off one another. It takes Julia all of about a minute to realize that Finn is a Special Agent-after all, with parents who are still free agers from way back, how could she not spot a Fed?-and start drawing lines in the sand. Full of sassy wit and bantering, and sultry love scenes, Miss Ross has penned an absolute winner here. She's filled the story not only with the wonderful love story between Finn and Julia, but with enough interesting and quirky secondary characters to guarantee a chuckle or two, that you definitely don't want to miss this one. I have to admit I haven't read Blue Bayou yet, which was the prequel to this one, about Finn's brother Jack-but you better believe I ran out and got it as soon as I finished up with this one. Ms. Ross has an incredible talent that's too good to be missed!

I picked this book up at the train station and read it in 2 days! Couldnt wait for the train ride home to continue reading! Great southern fiction with hot and steamy romance! I loved it! Just bought Blue Bayou and although its out of order am hoping to enjoy it as much!!!

Following Blue Bayou, JoAnn Ross pens another winner. This time the story revolves around Finn Callahan, (got to love that name for a romantic male lead!), and his hot/cold relationship with actress Julia Summers. The plot involves a potential life threatening stalker whose making Julia's life and Finn's part-time job, (while on a four week leave from the FBI), of protecting her a challenge. Throw into the pot Julia's eccentric hippie parents, (really humorous), Finn's handsome brothers, (very macho), and a cast of minor characters sure to please and you have yourself a most entertaining novel. It's a definite one night read and I'm looking forward to reading the third in the series about the youngest Callahan brother. Go out and buy this book, you won't be disappointed.