The Wrong Hostage

The stakes are high for Grace Silva, an all American Irish/Hispanic girl, who is about to be appointed a federal judge, when her ex-husband defrauds a Mexican drug lord. Their son become collateral for an exchange of valuables, but faces death when his father cannot be located. Grace turns to Joe Faroe, an old love for help. The sparks fly as a determined woman confronts the reluctant Joe, who has retired from the rescue business after being betrayed by his best friend. Joe, a specialist in kidnappings from St. Kilda Consulting doesn't realize that Lane Silva may be his own son. The crisp dialogue keeps you reading and you want to see more of the team of Grace and Joe. They are a team who have more stories to tell as they unit on the same front. Nash Black, author of TRAVELERS and SINS OF THE FATHERS.

Excellent read; really gives the drug trade and US position a realistic context.

Make room on your bookshelf for this daring romantic suspense novel from Elizabeth Lowell. Add THE WRONG HOSTAGE to THE DANVERS TOUCH, TELL ME NO LIES and the Donovan family series of books that hopefully are already in your personal library. But whether you are reading Lowell for the first time or are familiar with her previous works, this story will entice you to pick up one of her books. This reviewer was reminded of how Lowell's writing and storytelling abilities have set her apart from the many romantic suspense authors. She writes with an intensity and passion that few can match. Grace Silva was orphaned at 13. By combining her drive and intelligence, she climbed her way out of poverty and violence to become one of the most esteemed judges on the federal bench. Judge Silva is a judge personified; law is her life and maybe her religion. It is more important to her than anything, except her 15-year-old computer wizard son, Lane. Recently divorced, Judge Silva discovers that former husband Ted Franklin has disappeared. The wealthy businessman has not been heard from for over three weeks. To make matters worse, she is summoned to their son's expensive prep school in Mexico only to learn that Lane is being held hostage. Ted's business dealings with Hector Rivas Osuna, a ruthless, violent and powerful man in Mexico, have put them both in jeopardy. Grace must find Ted to get him to turn over millions of dollars that he stole from Hector in just two days, or their son will be killed. So she turns to ex-lover Joe Faroe. Joe recently retired from the elite St. Kilda Consultants, a global private investigation firm based in Manhattan. He left St. Kilda after being betrayed by a friend when on assignment. His experience has taught him that politicians and governments make laws, and since people run them, they reflect the good and the bad of humanity. Sixteen years have passed since Joe and Grace were in the same room. Their attraction is instantaneous, just as it was when they first met. Their brief affair ended when Joe was arrested and sent to federal prison. After an ugly scene Grace leaves and goes on with her life only to find out later that Joe was innocent. Now as a federal judge, she has the means and know-how to get him a presidential pardon. And she hopes that this will be enough to have Joe help her. Joe takes the job because he can't seem not to. The pair sets out to rescue Lane, find Ted and uncover the stolen money. And they need all the help they can get from the St. Kilda group. The story moves quickly, delving into all of the connections of the Mexican drug trade, the Catholic Church, and the intrigue of international politics and organized crime. This intricate tapestry unravels as all of the characters progress on their journeys. Grace and Joe, who seem to operate from different points of view on laws, governments and humanity, are tested in their encounter with Hector and his connections. And what about their relationship? THE

Bravo to Ms. Lowell. I have read every book she's written, been entertained and enjoyed each and every one. This one, however, is the one I've been waiting for ever since "The Diamond Tiger"! No American citizen can ignore what is happening on our Southwestern borders. Is it as bad as Lowell pictures? Probably worse. Did the book, plot and characters strike me as real? Oh, yes. Is this a typical romance book? Not quite. Is it worth your time? It certainly is. The people were very real, the plot was believable, the suspense was really there. Are there companies that exist and work under the radar of the American public -- Im sure of it (try NSA, for starters). Now, the book isn't perfect: I've never had the pleasure of meeting a hero as strong as Joe; believing that our various agencies (FBI, Border Patrol, CIA, etc.) would work together, breaking rules is a stretch, but most of all, Ted had no redeeming features whatsoever, so why did Grace marry him in the first place? I predict that if you pick up this book, you will not be able to put it down. I really enjoyed myself reading it. Thanks, Anne Maxwell.

I believe I have read all that Ann Maxwell has written. After meeting her and her husband, Evan Maxwell, many years ago, I got a better insight into her and her writing (as well as when she and her husband write together.) Although this book does not get into all the romance of many of her other books written under Elizabeth Lowell, it does give us insight into another aspect of our society, as did her "jewelry" stories. I thoroughly enjoyed the book. It was researched thoroughly, well written, the pace good. If I was anticipating more romance, that was on me, not the writer (after all, it is her book!) It wasn't a fluff story, but a realistic portrayal of what is going on in our world today. Although I hope Ann Maxwell (who writes as A.E. Maxwell with her husband and also Annalisa Sun) again writes an enthralling romantic novel like the Donovan series, I also hopes she will eventually finish the sci-fi set she wrote more years ago than she wants to remember!