Dark Side of Dawn [Paperback]

Merline Lovelace (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 9, 2001

In this sizzling military romantic suspense thriller, chopper pilot Joanna West has always believed that there's nothing she can't handle. But when she pulls Alexander Taylor - the rich, charming, darkly handsome grandson of a former president - from a fiery car wreck, she gets swept into a dangerous passion she can't resist. Alex seems to understand her every desire, anticipate her every move. Soon everything Jo cares about is in jeopardy - her career, her chance at new love, her life.

--This text refers to the Kindle Edition edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Signet (January 9, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0451203550
• ISBN-13: 978-0451203557
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4.2 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,590,100 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

As an AF brat I lived in France and Newfoundland, both of which I loved, and at least half of the fifty states. As an AF officer, I served tours in Taiwan, Vietnam, the Pentagon, and the rest of the fifty states!

Now I'm having a blast putting all those adventures into my books.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Chilling Tale of Stalking!, January 28, 2001

By 

paula_k_98 "paula_k_98" (Muskogee, OK USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Dark Side of Dawn (Paperback)

Merline Lovelace has written a fascinating novel of power, wealth, obsessive love, and stalking that will keep you tuned in to a fascinating story. Air Force Captain Joanna West witnesses a horrifying car crash as she is flying the Secretary of State and entourage to a meeting. Disobeying the orders of the Secret Service, she puts the chopper down and manages to pull the car crash victim free just before the car explodes. To everyone's disbelief, the victim turns out to be Alexander Taylor. Taylor is the grandson of a former president. He is every woman's dream of the ideal man. He's rich, charming, and good looking. He showers Joanna with gifts and attention until she finds herself falling under his spell.

Deke Elliot is furious with himself. A pilot with Joanna, he has kept his distance, waiting for Joanna to notice his interest. Unfortunately, he has waited too long. He instinctively knows something isn't right with Taylor. However, all he can do is wait and be there when Joanna needs him. That day arrives when Joanna realizes something is deadly wrong with Taylor. She tries to end the relationship only to find that Taylor never, ever lets go of what he considers "his."

Lovelace has written a chilling novel about the tangle lives of three people. This book has it all, well-developed characters, suspense, murder, and danger. If I had to criticize anything, I felt it bogged down in the middle just a little bit. All in all, this is one great read.

11 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent romantic suspense, January 9, 2001

By 

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

This review is from: Dark Side of Dawn (Paperback)

Captain Joanna West was born to fly and the Air Force recognizes her innate abilities by stationing her in the 1st Helicopter Squadron at Andrews Air Force base. This elite assignment flies the president, Congress, and other key government officials to worldwide locations. On a routine flight, Joanna notices a white van playing tag with a blazing red Ferrari until the latter vehicle skids and bursts into flames. Joanna sets her copter down near the vehicle and manages to pull the driver safely out before the car explodes.

Joanna has rescued rich and powerful Alexander Taylor, grandson of a former President of the United States and a former Lieutenant Governor of Virginia. Alex admires his rescuer and makes an all out push to win her affection through gifts like jewelry and a helicopter. Joanna finds her benefactor interesting until a darker side of him surfaces. She tries to end her relationship with Alexander just as a fellow pilot informs her that he loves her. Actions on Joanna's part may prove deadly from the obsessive Alexander.

Merline Lovelace is a superb writer deservedly known for her powerful romantic military tales. DARK SIDE OF DAWN is very strong novel with a surprise curveball thrown into the story lone to cleverly misdirect the audience. The characters are multi-dimensional and realistic while behaving in a believable and consistent manner. Ms. Lovelace raises the sub-genre bar of excellence with this exciting thriller.

Harriet Klausner

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating!, August 2, 2006

By 

Donna K. "bookcrosser" (Long Island, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Dark Side of Dawn (Paperback)

An exciting, action-packed page-turner about a relationship with a very controlling and powerful political figure which quickly escalates out-of-control! Although Jo is a strong, determined and independant woman, she cannot shake off the dangerously obsessive man who refuses to take "no" for an answer. It was highly captivating and thrilling to read how this situation would eventually play out. The military setting adds an unusual and interesting balance to the romance, and the helicoptor missions inject enthralling adventure into the story.