Hard Evidence (I-Team, Book 2) [Mass Market Paperback]

Pamela Clare (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 3, 2006

Investigative reporter Tessa Novak witnesses the murder of a teenage girl-and believes Julian Darcangelo committed the crime. But Julian is actually an undercover FBI agent on the trail of a human trafficker and killer. And now Tessa's report has brought them closer than either one of them could have imagined-and put both of their lives in danger.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 18 and up
  
• Mass Market Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Berkley (October 3, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0425212602
• ISBN-13: 978-0425212608
• Product Dimensions: 6.9 x 4.3 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (42 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #45,455 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #69 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Romance > Romantic Suspense

More About the Author

Colorado author Pamela Clare began her writing career as a columnist and investigative reporter and eventually became the first woman editor-in-chief of two different newspapers. Along the way, she and her team won numerous state and national honors, including the National Journalism Award for Public Service and the Keeper of the Flame Lifetime Achievement Award. A single mother with two college-aged sons, she writes historical romance and contemporary romantic suspense within view of the beautiful Rocky Mountains.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

32 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars FANTASTIC!!!!!! An enthralling,terrific book!, October 3, 2006

By 

Bo (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Hard Evidence (I-Team, Book 2) (Mass Market Paperback)

THIS is the kind of book you will want to read over & over again! Pamela puts you in the front seat,straps you in tight & hits the gas!!! You will feel as though you are truly experiencing the story,not just watching from the sidelines,a distant observer.She has a special talent for bringing even the smallest details to life,with clever,imaginative writing that keeps you glued to the pages,wondering exactly what will happen next.

The hero,Julian,is especially compelling as he pursues the sick & twisted criminals who perpetuate modern-day slavery.He goes after them with a ruthless intensity and determination that you will revel in.Watching Julian interrogate suspects is like watching a thrilling episode of your favorite police show without all the commercials or the agonizing wait between seasons.Add to that his undeniable sex appeal and his chemistry with Tessa,and it's easy to see why he is so compelling.

Tessa is a wonderful character as well,not just an afterthought without substance.She has plenty of courage and intelligence,which makes the sparks between her and Julian flare even more brightly.The love scenes are hot & exciting without seeming misplaced or excessive,and their relationship is developed in a way that feels natural and true.

There is also plenty of humor to break up the tension,not only between Julian & Tessa,but her group of friends and Julian as well.

You will NOT be disappointed in this book;it has EVERYTHING you could ever want:mystery,danger,suspense,laughter,lust,love,revenge and justice.HARD EVIDENCE is a keeper to be read again and again!

24 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another spectacular effort by Pamela Clare, October 9, 2006

By 

iheartjackbauer - See all my reviews

This review is from: Hard Evidence (I-Team, Book 2) (Mass Market Paperback)

In her line of work as an Investigavtive Journalist, Tessa Novak thought she had seen it all. When she witnesses the murder of a young hispanic girl who was standing less than three feet away from her, Tessa is determined to bring the young girl justice. With her investigative instincts humming and the last words of the dead girl ringing in her head, Tessa sets out to find the truth behind the murder.

Special Agent Julian Darcangelo has been trying to bring Alexi Burien down for over five years. When Burien slipped through the net three years before, Julian swore that he would get Burien off the streets and save the lives of innocent young girls, or die trying. After seeing him at the scene of the murder, Tessa inacurately pins him as a suspect. When he sees the article on the front page of the Denver Independent, he knows that he has to bring Tessa into the case.

Though Julian is not in the habit of trusting reporters, he soon realizes that Tessa isn't to be lumped in with reporters only looking for glory. He learns that she cares about what she writes and does it to try to inform the public and help people at the same time. Though they are instantly attracted to each other, Tessa doesn't trust Julian, while Julian refuses to get close to anyone.

Hard Evidence is a fantastic romantic suspense. While human-trafficking isn't something that is usually on the front page, Pamela Clare brings it to life. It is horrific to think that there are really young girls out there that are being taken against their will and sold. The romance between Julian and Tessa help tone down the horror, but does not retract from the suspense at all.

Don't miss it!

24 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars WOW! Incredible! Intense! Unbelievable Read!, October 3, 2006

By 

E. Lindgren "Lina" (Philadelphia, PA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Hard Evidence (I-Team, Book 2) (Mass Market Paperback)

As much as I love romantic suspense, I believe Pamela Clare's contemporary novels deserve a sub-genre of their own - perhaps something like "Romantic Ficumentary?" I say that, because the fiction she writes feels so incredibly real, it could easily be confused for a documentary. Yet, the intensity and the passion in her stories make them oh-so-very entertaining, that I can hardly put the books down before I've read them cover-to-cover.

Hard Evidence is a richly crafted story, which tugs on a number of emotional strings. Heart-wrenching childhood misfortunes, undeniable reality of human violence, the struggle between ethics and instincts, pulse-raising passion and sizzling sensuality are some of the reasons this book is a must-read! The unforgettable cast of characters is perhaps the icing on the cake.

Tessa Novak, an investigative reporter for Denver Independent, is a high profile murder witness, determined to shine a light on the apparent violence taking place on the streets through her writing. Trying to sidestep the danger her life is in, she hopes to get to the bottom of the investigation of the murder she witnessed. Unfortunately, the man she initially suspects to be the killer, is an undercover FBI agent, whom she could inadvertently bring out of the shadows...

Julian Darcangelo has spent what feels like most of his life trying to bring down a major human trafficking empire. As he is closing in on the trail, Tessa becomes a hurdle in more ways than just interfering with his investigation. He is furious with her and attracted to her at the same time.

Tessa is just as attracted to Julian, but refuses to give up investigating him or her work on the case. Armed with the knowledge that Tessa means something to Julian, the killer renews his grudge with an ever growing violent determination.

The hardest part of facing the danger their lives are in, is trusting each other, something neither Julian, nor Tessa, is certain they can do...

Sometimes I find the lack of first hand knowledge or adequate research on the subject of a book (i.e. Navy SEALS, Army Rangers, etc.) so apparent on the writers part, that the book becomes distracting and even silly at times. The fact that Ms. Clare is an investigative reporter in real life, and has first hand knowledge of the things she writes about, adds to the intelligence and believability of the book. I say BRAVO Ms. Clare! and wholeheartedly recommend this book!