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Critic's Corner
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Roberts is an author with two number-one New York Times bestselling careers. As Nora Roberts, she's "A consistently entertaining writer" (USA Today) whose novels include ‘Three Fates' and ‘Birthright.'" As J. D. Robb, she offers "A perfect balance of suspense, futuristic police procedural, and steamy romance (Publishers Weekly) in such novels as ‘Portrait in Death.'" "Remember When" unites Roberts' separate identities in a page-turning two-part tale that blends edgy suspense and romantic passion—and journeys through past, present, and future . . . Roberts presents Laine Tavish, proprietor of an antique and collectibles shop in Angel's Gap, Maryland. Laine, like the author, has two fascinating facets. Laine has a new name, a new life, and is happy with small town living. Using her stepfather's last name enables Laine to escape her real father's life of crime. Actually, it's been years since she last saw her father big Jack O'Hara and while she still loves her unruly sire, she's relieved to be rid of all the old ways, the old memories of his criminal behavior. Then one day Willy Young, O'Hara's sidekick comes into Laine's shop asking for her help. Laine doesn't recognize Willy. She hasn't seen him since she was ten years old. Willy presses a card with a telephone number on it into Laine's hand saying, "There isn't much time, call me at that number as soon as you can." Without explanation Willy leaves the shop and dashes into the street. The next thing Laine sees is this man struck by a car and his body slamming into her display window. She goes to the man's side. It is there that she recognizes him as the man she used to call Uncle Willy. He whispers a few words to her that causes her two worlds to collide. "He knows where you are now . . . Hide the pooch." Before he can say more, he dies. Laine is bewildered by the cryptic message. Who knows where she is? And what did he mean by "Hide the pooch?" Onto the scene comes Max Gannon, a private investigator for a major New York insurance company. He's a former cop, and better looking that a man has a right to be. He's tracking the thieves who stole $28 million in diamonds and the trail has led him to Angel's Gap, and consequently to Laine Tavish a.k.a. Elaine O'Hara. Among the major players are Jennie and Vince Burger, Laine's best friends. Vince is Chief of Police and Jennie works for Laine in her antique store. These two good friends will prove invaluable to Laine in the coming days of chaos. You'll also meet Alex Crew a.k.a. Miles Alexander—mastermind of the diamond heist and a man whose greed knows no bounds. He believes O'Hara has stashed half of the diamonds with his daughter and he means to get them any way he can. Crew is divorced with a young son. Gannon believes Crew's ex-wife might know where to find Crew. He locates where the wife and son are living only to find them gone. Moved away from their home to someplace unknown. Running no doubt from a man, who would not hesitate to use his young son to further his own schemes. A relationship between Max and Laine develops into a love story that only Nora Roberts could make believable. Max hopes with all his heart that Laine is not involved with her biological father and his penchant for other folk's jewelry. Roberts gives readers interesting, perfectly developed characters with razor-sharp dialogue. Her pace is fast with a style and tone that hits the senses like an iron fist in a velvet glove. When you combine all that craft with a riveting tale, you come up with a bestselling novel sure to garner even more fans for this high-spirited author. The tension of Part One of this novel races to a warm-fuzzy resolution. Although, the ending is only a beginning for what is yet to come. A few loose threads remain to be solved, but neither Max nor Laine wants to resolve them. Now, comes J. D. Robb with Part Two of the tale and the pace goes into high gear. It is some 56 years after Laine and Max's story ends without a complete resolution. Samantha E. Gannon, a writer with a popular novel and just completing a bumpy 14 city, 15 day book tour is on her way to her home in New York City. If it weren't for her grandparents, Laine and Max, their deeds and choices, Samantha wouldn't be the author of the best-selling novel Hot Rocks. When "Sam" arrives at her home, she finds her friend and house-sitter, Andrea Jacobs brutally murdered. Into the mix steps Homicide Detective, Lieutenant Eve Dallas. Eve Dallas is a lady with an attitude and reputation for toughness. Rumor has it she chews up lazy cops for breakfast and spits them out at lunch. Just call her — Sir. She won't be offended. Sam tells Eve her book is about a major diamond heist in the early part of the century. A crime that took place in New York City. "My grandparents were involved . . . My grandfather was the insurance investigator who took the case, and my grandmother—it's complicated," Sam said. "But a quarter of the diamonds were never recovered." Sam goes on to reveal that the diamonds are how her grandparents met. "It's part of Gannan family history. That's the heart of the book, really. The diamonds are the punch, but the love story is the heart." To Eve Dallas, heart or no heart, a few million in diamonds was a mighty punch. And a perfect motive for murder. She thought this even before she learned of the brutal murder of Samantha's part-time maid. Why Andrea and why the maid? Does this killer think Samantha knows where the diamonds are, has access to them? Questions start popping like corn in a movie theater, but the answers when they come will be much tastier. Part Two has characters like Chad Dix, Sam's ex-lover who however harmless is still involved, and the shadowy Bobby Smith (is that his real name?) the wanna-be artist who dated the young maid. Then, there is Eve's new partner Peabody who adds dry humor and not a little tension to the plot. Most exciting of all is Roarke. He is Eve's millionaire husband who often helps out on his wife's cases and never fails to add excitement to the story. The subtle touches of futuristic advances add to the suspense and interest of the story. Imagine a time when people take vacations "off planet," not to mention the "Auto-chef" that prepares whatever menu delight that comes to mind. Roarke's sophisticated electronic equipment is another addition that will have your head in a spin. The believable attitudes and actions Roberts and Robb place upon their characters bring a depth of fascination few commercial authors can equal. This duo-in-one is sassy, often bawdy, and her stories are richly imagined with witty dialogue, dry humor, and enough dramatic tension to engross millions of fans. Copyright October 26, 2003 Patricia Ann Jones, all rights reserved
Jones is a published writer and book reviewer for Tulsa World newspaper. To comment on this review you may email pattij777@aol.com |
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Remember When
