Deni Correa is being stalked
and her friend advises her to take a self defense course that is being held at the Mall
where Deni works. That way, if her stalker ever gets too close she can protect
herself. Deni gets off to a rocky start with
the self defense instructor and security expert, Rick Hunter. Not knowing that Rick is half deaf in one ear,
resulting in him missing some of the conversations during the class, Deni confronts Rick
and tells him that his is a rude jerk for ignoring the others.
But, as her stalker gets more
threatening and violent, it is Rick that Deni agrees to have protect her 24/7 and looks to
him to find out who the stalker is. With Rick
living in her house and under foot all the time, their attraction to each other becomes
undeniable and explosive. But Rick won’t
allow himself to get emotionally close to Deni because he believes that he isn’t a
whole man with his hearing impairment.
Who is stalking Deni and why? Will Rick get past his doubt of himself and find
happiness with Deni? Will the stalker be
stopped before it is too late?
A fast-paced, exciting and
passionate romantic suspense that will shock and delight readers. Elaine Hopper really keeps you guessing in SELF
DEFENSE. I never expected the identity of the
stalker to be who it was. I was way off-base
in my list of suspects. Ms. Hopper writes an
interesting hero in Rick Hunter, who has yet to come to terms with his hearing impairment
and this author wrote this delicate matter with class, compassion and knowledge. The combinations of romance, danger and suspense,
come together very well making SELF DEFENSE a captivating tale and one that readers will
enjoy. At the end of SELF DEFENSE though, I
was left wondering what happened to Deni’s employee, Jill and her abusive boyfriend,
Xavier. Maybe a possible story there someday?
SELF DEFENSE, a fascinating
romantic suspense that keeps readers guessing. A
perfect addition to the keeper shelf.
Reviewed by Tracey West for The Road to
Romance
August 21, 2003 |
