Better
make sure the kids are in school, the cleaning’s done and the errands are finished
before delving into this first novel by newcomer Shannon Greenland, for Discovering
Veronica is a triumphant example of style, plotting and fast reading excitement.
Hoping to start a
new life for herself on Amelia Island in Florida, Veronica Burns has taken a position as
an Instructional Technologist at the prestigious Amelia Academy, a private institution
created Rico DeAngelo, her new boss. Rico is immediately attracted and drawn to vivacious
yet cautious Veronica, until he finds out she’s been hired without his knowledge and
approval. Determined to succeed in her new position, Veronica can’t understand his
sudden coolness toward her, but strives for perfection. To make matters worse, Rico is
certain that she’s just like all the other women he’s come to know over the last
few years; selfish, insincere and completely uninterested in his young daughter, Maria,
who has just started school at the Academy.
But Maria proves
Rico wrong on all counts and despite his attempt to ignore the compelling attraction he
feels for her, he is nevertheless brought to the conclusion that he’s been behaving
badly. And finally admits it. But just when he makes amends, things start happening in
Veronica’s personal life that do not bode well for their new relationship. A man is
stalking her, and while Veronica is determined to take care of herself, it is her very
stubbornness that may lead to disaster; not only for her, but Rico’s precious
daughter Maria, as well.
This tale of
suspense is definitely a page-turner, filled with great characters and a thoroughly
disturbing subplot that puts the story head and shoulders above many others that are
similar, but not nearly so satisfying. The early tension and development of Rico and
Veronica’s relationship offers the main story, while the stalker haunting her brings
a very real threat to their happiness. And while Veronica grows, so too does the story
line, both keeping pace with one another.
This is an
excellent first book for author Greenland, and this reviewer, for one, can’t wait to
read more from this exciting and supremely gifted new author.
Reviewed by
Denise M. Clark for The Road to Romance -- Denise’s
Pieces Author Site & Book Reviews
February 25,
2003 |
