Customer Reviews

Chasing Secrets

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I became a fan of Christy Tillery French when I read her first book, Chasing Horses. I loved that one and the two that followed, Wayne's Dead and Chasing Demons, and I especially love her Bodyguard series. Whenever I pick up one of her books, whether it's one of her series books or one of her stand-alone titles, I know I'm in for one heck of a good read.

With her latest, Chasing Secrets, she's returned to her "Chasing" title theme and the romantic suspense thriller she does so well. And this time, she's topped everything that came before, leaving this fan hungrier than ever for more of the same.

Rowan Bronson is a woman on the run, an ATF agent who has uncovered secrets about a lascivious televangelist and a vengeful crime lord. She'd like nothing better than to turn those secrets over to the proper authorities, but there's a mole in her organization and she doesn't know who it is. She's fighting to stay alive and the only thing she can count on from one minute to the next is her Weimariner, Zeus. When she and her faithful dog escape from the scene of a murder by stealing a detective's gun and car, detective Garrett Somersby joins in the chase. He's determined to catch her, if only to spare himself from the ridicule he knows he'll get from his fellow cops.

Luckily, Garrett has a few tricks up his sleeve and he's the first one to track her down. When he hears her story, he offers his help. Rowan reluctantly accepts, but only on her terms. Working together, they evade the villains at every turn and while they're at it, they fall in love.

Ms. French weaves a richly satisfying romance in with nail-biting, edge-of-your-seat suspense and plenty of plot twists that keep the reader turning the pages until the very end.

Keep your eye out for the secondary characters in this one. Ms. French has a flair for creating characters readers cheer for and with each book gives us at least one we'd like to see more of. My pick in this one is Jeb, an appealing Viet Nam vet, who just happens to get entangled in the chase toward the end of the book. Jeb's glory days are behind him but he proves he's still got what it takes.

With Chasing Secrets, Christy Tillery French has outdone herself. Filled with breathtaking action, thrilling chases, snappy dialogue and her trademark humor, not to mention her usual likable characters--even the villains in this one are fun!--she keeps the reader riveted with every page. This is another one for my keeper shelf and one I'm sure I'll pull out to read again and again.

You need to read this book by talented author Christy Tillery French. If you love her "Bodyguard" series, you'll adore her "Chasing" series. Chasing Secrets is the third in the Series, with Chasing Horses being her debut novel.

I began to follow French's writing career when I discovered her second novel, "Wayne's Dead." And then when her "Bodyguard" series came along, I was hooked for life.

French specializes in romantic comedy adventures, with strong, feisty female protagonists. In "Chasing Secrets," we follow ATF agent Rowan Bronson as she takes on a corrupt televangelist and gets caught between him, a crime boss, and a mole in the ATF.

All of them are out to get Rowan as she chases their secrets--and they almost do!

If you crave action, this is the book for you!

French starts out with a bang: On page one, Rowan is pinned to the floor by a huge man who is dripping blood all over her. She doesn't know who he is, how badly the man is wounded and whether he's trying to rape her or kill her.

I couldn't wait to learn the answers to these questions: Who is the man Rowan leaves behind on her floor? Is he dead? And since she has evidence proving the televangelist is laundering money and smuggling firearms, whom can she trust with the secret? Her only ally is her dog Zeus; she certainly can't trust her fellow agents because one is suspected of being a mole.

This book gets better from that thrilling opening scene--with more twists and turns than Zeus when chasing after anyone who dares to harm his mistress. Zeus rescues her even more often than the dashing detective Garrett Somersby. Zeus is the most witty, amazing Weimaraner I ever read about; one I'd want in my corner if danger lurked. What an awesome, lovable pet!

Well... Rowan Bronson does have an uncanny knack of landing in some unbelievable, outrageous, hilarious situations...as Detective Garrett learns when she steals his SUV while escaping from the crime boss's right-hand man. It doesn't take him long to realize that this female Bronson is pretty adept at taking care of herself, as her last name implies.

If you crave romance, this is the book for you!

You must read what happens when Garrett finally believes Rowan's story and decides he's the man to take care of her, thus becoming her second ally. And when Rowan and Garrett develop deeper feelings for each other... well, all I can say is: French knows how to write romance too.

If you crave comedy, this is the book for you!

Rowan's and Garrett's hilarious hijinks as they try to deny their feelings creates some unbelievable comedic situations. These times are welcome breaks from the seriousness of Rowan's predicament, and make the book an even more intriguing, joyous, easy read.

French has a smooth, easy-to-read style, witty, believable dialog...and her pacing is spot on. All that, and her "good" characters are downright hugable, while her villains are the kind you would enjoy kicking when they're down--and cursing while doing it.

I can't keep from grinning as I recommend this book; I'm basking in the afterglow of a wonderful reading experience.

Reviewed by Betty Dravis, March 2009

With few chances to catch a breath, the reader runs with ATF Agent Rowan because she knows the secrets of others - powerful others driven by ego and greed. Betrayed by someone within the force, Rowan trust no one in law enforcement. That is, until Garret, a detective, earns not only her trust but her interest. Christy Tillery French portrays Agent Rowan in Chasing Secrets as an elite agent who is determined to get the evidence she has collected against a charismatic televangelist into safe hands. Agent Rowan faces fists and bullets but falters only when it comes to her dog, Zeus, her large Weimaraner who has come to her rescue many times. Fast paced action splashed with romance makes this a compelling read.

Perfect for Framing (An Appalachian Adventure Mystery)

CHASING SECRETS by Christy Tillery French is a Romance/suspense set in modern day Tennessee. It is well written with depth and detail. It has suspense, romance, violence,televangelist, crime boss, mole in the ATF, and love. The main characters are strong, sharp, witty and lovable. The main characters are on the run from the crime boss, and the televangelist. The main female has secrets they need to get from her. The main male is out to save her and turn her over to the police, for he is a policeman. After finding her they are chased, shot at, and go into hiding. This story has a fierce dog, who do what has to be done to save his master. I would highly recommend this book. It is a keeper. This book was received for review and details can be found at [...]

Award winning author Christy French has written another interesting and exciting action-packed romantic-suspense thriller for her fans and for those new to the genre in her newest novel, Chasing Secrets. With nonstop action, witty dialog, and a wonderfully intelligent dog, a tight plot, and well-developed characters, Chasing Secrets is a fun and exciting read for everyone. There is page-turning excitement and edge-of-your-seat action that make it difficult to put the book down, for the reader is encouraged to read on, "just one more page," until eventually, he regretfully finds the story is completed. This is a satisfying action in this romantic suspense thriller novel that is sure to please! Kudos for another best-seller from talented author, Christy French! Chasing Secrets is another winner
Evelyn Horan-author
Jeannie, A Texas Frontier Girl Books One-Four, Rain on My Wings, Exciting Fun Stories, Inspirational fun Stories, Inspirational Readings and Poetic Rhymes, Moving On, Aging with Gentle Attitude

ATF Rowan Bronson is on the run, along with her Weimaraner Zeus. Rowan has evidence tying a famous evangelist with a crime boss, but someone within her department betrayed her identity and now the crime boss, religious leader, and ATF are after her. Add Garrett Somersby to the list when she steals his SUV and takes off. Garrett's the first to find her but finds his life is in danger once he teams up with Rowan.

There's plenty of action and suspense, along with the coolest dog ever. Garrett and Rowan are two alone and lonely people who complement one another. Rowan's strong and independent and Garrett is determined and charming. Their relationship heats up as they try to stay one step ahead of the demented killers afer them. Zeus adds dimension to this story and the love and respect Rowan has for the dog is heartwarming. This is a read that moves swiftly, with constant action and great characters.

I fell in love with Christy Tillery French's The Bodyguard Series earlier this year and have been anxiously awaiting the fourth installment. While impatiently waiting, I had the opportunity to read CHASING SECRETS, Ms. French's latest book. And I am so glad that I did! CHASING SECRETS is an action-packed, faced-paced, rip-roaring good time. Billed as a romance novel, this is a "romance" like no other.

The action starts off instantly with the first sentence of the very first page. (That is one part of Ms. French's style that I really like - you blast off immediately into the adventure.) Our heroine, ATF agent Rowan Bronson, has killed a man in her own kitchen. She immediately goes on the run, with nothing more than her enormous dog, Zeus, and a car stolen from police detective Garrett Somersby. Rowan believes that there is a mole in the ATF, and she trusts no one. However, Garrett pursues her, initially to retrieve his car and his honor, and later to win her trust. They wind up protecting each other...and much more...

I always enjoy Ms. French's female heroines and the men who fall for them. Like Natty before her, Rowan is strong, independent, self-sufficient, and, well, butt-kicking. But she is also feminine, beautiful, caring, loving, gentle, kind, sexy, and a southern lady...when she needs to be. She is a woman who would make a good life partner for the right man. The question is, is Garrett the right man?

Ms. French's writing style is always just plain fun. Light and easy, fast-paced and action-packed, CHASING SECRETS is very hard to put down; I finished it before I realized it and way before I was ready. But Ms. French is as smart as she is talented; she always leaves you wanting more.

CHASING SECRETS is a great escape, and, yes, I suppose it IS a romance...But it is a detective mystery, action thriller, wild-ride of a romance, something you can sink your teeth into. Perhaps we need to invent a new genre just for Ms. French and her characters.

Unique, bold, and fun, CHASING SECRETS is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.