Description
Australian Cleo Montford has spent the last two years working as a guide and interpreter in Helsinki, cocooned from the lies and betrayals of her past, then Australian author Jack Spencer wants to hire her. Not for sightseeing, but to research the story her internationally awarded journalist father was investigating when he was accidentally killed. Cleo’s tempted. Is she brave enough to look the past in the eye and set herself free, or will she keep hiding?
Cleo was a confident adolescent who adored her father, until her mother explains after his death that he’d never loved Cleo. Cleo sees lies everywhere, but it’s time to take her life back. She accepts Jack’s job offer. She doesn’t expect to find his mix of intelligence, stubbornness and charm so compelling, doesn’t expect him to understand her dilemma hearing people talk about her father, doesn’t expect to want to touch him—all the time.
Battling writer’s block, Jack latches onto the old story of the long unsolved assassination of a Scandinavian PM as the basis for a thriller. Finding Hugo Montford’s daughter in Helsinki strikes him as a good omen. That’s before he discovers she has secrets making her doubt herself. She’s smart, loyal, gorgeous, everything he’s looking for in a woman, if only he can convince her to take a chance on him.
When people unhappy with the direction of his research threaten Cleo, Jack calls a halt. Sensing there’s more to learn about her father, Cleo pushes to continue. Can Cleo and Jack agree on next steps, or will Cleo remain shackled to her past?
Sometimes you have to let go of what’s killing you, even if it’s killing you to let go.
Fans of sensual romances with strong characters showing emotional depth plus some international intrigue will enjoy the twists and turns before Cleo and Jack find their happy ending. This best-selling author is known for her characters, clever dialogue and unique stories that will introduce you to new worlds.
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Cleo Montford is a talented translator living in Helsinki, Finland when she contracts to work for a writer [Jack Spenser] researching his next novel. The subject matter is the 1986 assassination of Swedish Prime Minister Olof Palme, which coincidentally (or perhaps not so) was the subject of Cleo’s father’s journalistic expose prior to his death in an explosion. What follows is a story full of red flags and red herrings.
At various times, the male protagonist is attentive, bordering on cloying in his attention to Cleo. She is a strong independent woman who flinches at being touched, yet he continues to do so in an effort to get her to break down her barriers. The author does a great job of setting up fast patter between Cleo and Jack building to the inevitable consummation of their physical attraction to one another. However, the intended sub-plot of uncovering the mysteries surrounding the death of the PM and subsequently Cleo’s father, never really gets off the ground. As a cozy romance, I would give this novel 4-stars, but as a mystery, only 3.