Caught in the Act (Five Star Expressions) [Hardcover]

Joyce Lamb (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0786253355 | ISBN-13: 978-0786253357 | Publication Date: July 2, 2003 | Edition: 1

A brand new romantic suspense from the author of Relative Strangers.

As editor for the city newspaper, Jessie Rhoades's life becomes complicated when the paper publishes a scandalous story about city police that might not be true. Now a target for death, her life becomes even more difficult when reporter Clay Christopher saves her from a car "accident." While trying to unravel the mystery of who's trying to kill Jess and ruin the paper, they must also deal with the undeniable attraction between them.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

When Jessie's brakes go out on a rainy Florida night, the young city editor for the Star-News is saved from a flaming death by freelance investigative journalist Clay Christopher, whose tree she crashed into. Finding that the brakes were cut, Clay, fast falling in love with Jessie after three years of mourning his wife, hires an investigator who discovers that she has a hidden past. When Jessie meets her police informant who verified the photos that were featured in a front-page expose of police misconduct, he is shot as he tries to tell her who blackmailed him into lying about his colleagues. A rocky relationship with her editor and repeated attempts on her life throw her into Clay's arms and bed. Page-turning suspense and a rewarding romance make for a riveting read. Diana Tixier Herald
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Review

"Page-turning suspense and a rewarding romance make for a riveting read."
-- Booklist (August 2003) (Booklist )

"..captures readers' interest from the opening pages."
-- Romance Reviews Today (August 2003) (Romance Reviews Today )

"... an excellent investigative mystery with... constant action and continuous suspense."
-- My Shelf.Com (My Shelf.com )

"... this is a strong investigative romantic mystery."
-- Harriet Klausner (UNKNOWN )

"Lamb is back with another tale of murder, treachery and intrigue... Makes for good suspense reading."
-- Romantic Times (Romantic Times )

"...full of shocking twists and turns...a wonderful novel that achieves the perfect balance between the romance and the mystery."
-- LoveRomances.Com (LoveRomances.Com )

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 328 pages
• Publisher: Five Star; 1 edition (July 2, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0786253355
• ISBN-13: 978-0786253357
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 6 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,732,110 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Joyce Lamb started writing romantic suspense novels as a teenager, plunking her dad's electric typewriter on her bedroom floor and pounding away at it in her jams. Her latest release, True Shot (book 3 in the True trilogy), earned a starred review in Publishers Weekly and four stars from RT Book Reviews.

Joyce also oversees USA Today's romance novels blog, Happy Ever After (usatoday.happyeverafter.com), which features interviews with authors ranging from best sellers to the self-published and book reviews of every romance genre from inspirational to erotica.

Joyce's second novel, Caught in the Act (now available as a 99-cent e-book), was a Rita finalist in the romantic suspense category, and True Vision (Book 1 in the True trilogy) won a Daphne du Maurier award for romantic suspense and a HOLT Medallion for Best Book by a Virginia Author.

Find out more about Joyce at her Web site, JoyceWrites.com.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great romantic suspense, July 29, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Caught in the Act (Five Star Expressions) (Hardcover)

It will be difficult to put this book down once you get started. The author has a true knack for capturing and captivating the reader. You don't have to know anything about reporters or newsrooms to love Jessie Rhoads, this book's leading lady. A great read any time of the year.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Keep an eye on this author!, September 14, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Caught in the Act (Five Star Expressions) (Hardcover)

If you're looking for an exciting, sensual mystery/thriller with well-drawn, credible characters and an underlying dry humor, you'll love Caught in the Act by newcomer Joyce Lamb. She has that rare ability to keep both the suspense and the romance building to the very end. I changed my mind about who the villain was at several points in the story, which kept me reading long into the night. Editor Jessie Rhoades, a woman with a mysterious past who is determined to remain independent and self-sufficient, is a perfect counterpoint to freelance reporter Clay Christopher, still grieving over his inability to save his wife's life and equally determined to keep Jessie safe. It's clear that the author is intimately acquainted with the newspaper business and its potential to create heroes and villains. Lamb's writing is crisp, colorful and intelligent, well worth the hardcover price. This reviewer is anxiously awaiting her next book.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars strong investigative romantic mystery, August 4, 2003

By 

Harriet Klausner - See all my reviews
(#1 Hall OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Caught in the Act (Five Star Expressions) (Hardcover)

Jessie Rhoades relocated to Florida to escape a bad marriage and to further her career as the city editor of the Fort Myers Star News. Her top journalist reports on cops frequenting local strip joints while on duty. However, word is that the story is a hoax and careers could be ruined.

Jessie is driving when her brakes fail leading to a crash. She is rescued by freelance reporter Clay Christopher who then rushes her to the hospital. Not long afterward, New York based editor Steve Crank asks Clay to investigate the police scandal and possible hoax. Pretty much retired since his beloved Ellen died, Clay makes some cursory inquiries, but soon finds Jessie has given him a reason to live just as he has revived her personal life. However, someone wants her dead as evident by her sliced brake line.

Though in some ways the villain is obvious even with clever disguising by Joyce Lamb, this is a strong investigative romantic mystery. The entertaining story line provides the reader with two levels of tension. Will Jessie and Clay overcome their respective past relationships to become an entity with her as his professional boss even as the audience will wonder if the heroine will survive the assaults on her life? Readers will appreciate this deep tale rooting for the lead couple to make it.

Harriet Klausner