Tuesday Prelude

To most people, Fiona Bristow seems to have an idyllic life-a quaint house on an island off Seattle's coast, a thriving dog-training school, and a challenging volunteer job performing canine search and rescues. Not to mention her three intensely loyal Labs. But Fiona got to this point by surviving a nightmare...

Several years ago, Fiona was the only survivor of the Red Scarf serial killer, who shot and killed Fiona's cop fiancé and his K-9 partner.

On Orcas Island, Fiona found the peace and solitude she needed to rebuild her life. But all that changes on the day Simon Doyle barrels up her drive, desperate for her help. He's the reluctant owner of an out-of-control puppy, foisted upon him by his mother. Jaws has eaten through Simon's house, and he's at his wit's end.

To Fiona, Jaws is nothing she can't handle. Simon, however, is another matter. A newcomer to Orcas, he's a rugged and in-tensely private artist, known for the exquisite furniture he creates from wood. Simon never wanted a puppy-and he most definitely doesn't want a woman. Besides, the lanky redhead is not his type. But tell that to his hormones.

As Fiona embarks on training Jaws, and Simon begins to appreciate both dog and trainer, the past tears back into Fiona's life. A copycat killer has emerged out of the shadows, a man whose bloodlust has been channeled by a master with one motive: to reclaim the woman who slipped out of his hands...

I'm ashamed to say it's been a long while since I've hung out with Nora Roberts, and I'm not sure why I've allowed her to collect dust in my reading collection. I've taken a dive back into the old days, reading her novels again, and I'm so glad we have been reunited.

The Search is about Fiona, a strong heroine who trains dogs and is overcoming a horrific experience that she encountered in her early twenties. Although I admire and like her, she's not the one I want to introduce you to today.

Simon Doyle. Heck yes. Moody. Artistic. Generous. Rude (a weirdly attractive attribute for Simon). Sexy. Independent. There's nothing not appealing about Simon Doyle.

He's not really a fan of people...

If people let other people alone, people would be better off. It's always people that screw things up for people anyway.

But Fiona is growing on him.... in an irritating and annoyingly subtle way...

“What is it about you?” he repeated. “How does touching you calm me down and excite me at the same time? What is it you want from me? You never ask. Sometimes I wonder, is this a trick?”

He's smart, brave, and has quite the temper, but he's there for Fiona and, although he'd never admit it, has a big, throbbing heart that cares too much.

Enjoy!


Happy Reading Everyone :)