Too Close to Home

I've enjoyed reading Lynette's books in the Love Inspired Suspense series so I had been looking forward to this release. Those books are shorter so I was really looking forward to seeing how she would do with a longer story. The story is suspenseful without being too cliched or soap operish. It read like a crime drama from TV but since it's in book form the story is more fleshed out and doesn't seem rush. I felt that the killer was creepy without being too cliched. The ending was one I didn't see coming and that made me really happy that I couldn't guess it beforehand. I really like the chemistry between Connor and Samantha. It's believable and realistic and they work very well together. As they work to solve the mystery, it's clear that they both need each other to work on the case. Samantha is a very strong woman and doesn't need a man to protect her. The only problem I had was I wish that Connor had sat down and told Jenna everything that was happening so that way she could be aware of what was going on. Instead he just kept telling not to do this and not to do that, being vague. I understand he was trying to protect her but it would have helped out in the long run if he had been a bit more involved in her life. The book ends on a cliffhanger so be prepared to want to read the next book in the series. Overall I really enjoyed the story. It had the perfect blend of romantic suspense for me - thrilling suspense with just a touch of romance. I really like it when the ratio leans in favor of the suspense. A solid book from Eason and I'm looking forward to book 2!

The back cover of this book says "Read this one with the lights on!" I was so in the mood for a book like that and this book did not disappoint me. Well, I might as well get this out of the way, I was a little disappointed because I was able to figure some things out fairly early in the book, so the big reveal wasn't much of a surprise, but there were enough surprises to make me a very happy reader. There was definitely enough suspense to keep the pages turning well into the night and it was hard for me to stop thinking about this book when I did put it down. That makes for a good book in my opinion, even if I do lose sleep. I have not read anything by Lynette Eason before reading Too Close To Home, but I can say she sure has a knack for writing suspense with a little bit of romance mixed in. The story moved right along and the attraction and chemistry between Connor and Samantha was natural and it did not take anything away from the suspense of the story. I also liked the Christian aspect of the story. Connor has a lot of healing to do and only God can help him. I look forward to more of that healing in future books in this series. The author did a really good job setting the scene for the next book as well, so I am really looking forward to the next book. Overall, I am quite pleased with this book and I really enjoyed the ride!

First of all, I would like to extend a heartfelt "Thank you" to Lynette Eason and her publisher for sending me a copy of "Too Close To Home" to review for them. I have always been grateful for this generosity, and I am trying to improve at being consistent in taking the time to thank these wonderfully giving individuals in a public forum. I really appreciate your time, effort and expense in making a reviewer copy available to me. There is a new series that has demanded my attention and fanaticism. Women of Justice Book One is called "Too Close To Home." It is written by Lynette Eason, and it has found its way onto my "keeper" shelf. Even though I was intrigued by the synopsis of the story, the cover really didn't do anything for me. If I saw this book in the store, I might not give it a second glance. I am absolutely thrilled that this was not the case. The story that I discovered within the pages of this novel is a solid crime drama about a series of disappearances of teenage girls who turn up dead a year or so after the abduction - and after they've given birth. Combine this suspenseful plotline with a large smattering of family issues that could be experienced by anyone - a single father trying to balance career and raising a teenage daughter, and a beautiful career woman seeking to make up for her own failings in her relationship with her sister. Add a subplot of faith where the characters struggle like real people over how to involve Christ in their lives. What you get when you blend these elements together is a wonderfully gripping, romantic read that will have you turning pages way past your bedtime. I've learned my lesson - I will not judge a book by its cover!

Seven teen girls have gone missing in a small Southern town, and four of the seven have turned up dead. The police have hit dead ends, and have absolutely no leads left, but Homicide detective Connor Wolfe knows the deaths have to be related. So he asks for help, and the FBI sends in Special Agent Samantha Cash, a computer expert, to help crack the case. The town is demanding answers, Connor's sixteen year old daughter is demanding attention, and the case has Connor, Samantha, and the rest of the staff in a tailspin. Connor is running out of ideas - and time. And the killer is beginning to get personal. To my knowledge, this first book in the Women of Justice series TOO CLOSE TO HOME is the first book I've read by Lynette Eason, but it certainly won't be the last. I was instantly drawn into the story and I couldn't put the book down. I had to stay up late reading so I could find out who did it. I had my suspicions early on, but I wasn't sure. Connor, Samantha, Jenna (Connor's daughter) and all the other characters are very expertly developed. This is definitely an author I'm going to keep on my reading list. If you are looking for a great suspense with a sweet romance, then TOO CLOSE TO HOME is definitely a book you'll want to read. I'm looking forward to reading book two in this series, coming in the Fall of 2010.

How you know you're reading a really good book: I'm at the Melting Pot with my girls, when the thought crosses my mind, "I hope Jenna is OK. I need to get home and check on her." OK Jenna is a fictional character in the book! I absolutely loved this book and couldn't put it down! Can't wait for book 2!