Just Before Dawn (Arabesque) [Mass Market Paperback]

Rochelle Alers (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

After successfully convicting a high-profile businessman with Mafia ties, New York Assistant District Attorney Sara Sterling retreats to her parents' sprawling New Mexico horse ranch for a three-month leave of absence. There, she expects to escape the strain of police escorts and the many anonymous death threats she's been receiving. Sara soon meets Salem Lassiter, a handsome Navajo veterinarian whose troubled romantic past includes the recent suicide of his pregnant wife and the death of his toddler son. Sara, who has been dealing with her own personal issues since her ex-fianc came out of the closet, quickly warms up to the doctor. Alers (Harvest Moon) builds suspense by interspersing the dialogue with conversations between the man who wants Sara dead at any cost and the ineffectual hit man he's hired to infiltrate her Southwestern sanctuary. Blessed with the mystical powers of a shaman, Salem (even while hundreds of miles away on a business trip) is able to sense the danger and death following Sara, which is lucky for her but leaves few real surprises for the reader. (May)

Copyright 2000 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Kimani Press (May 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1583141030
• ISBN-13: 978-1583141038
• Product Dimensions: 6.9 x 4.3 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.5 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,256,487 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Rochelle Alers has been hailed by readers and booksellers alike as one of today's most prolific African American authors of romance and women's fiction.

With more than sixty titles and nearly two million copies of her novels in print, Ms. Alers is a regular on the Waldenbooks, Borders and Essence bestseller lists, regularly chosen by Black Expression Book Club, and has been the recipient of numerous awards, including the Emma Award, Vivian Stephens Award for Excellence in Romance Writing, the Romantic Times Career Achievement Award and the Zora Neale Hurston Literary Award.

She is a member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., Iota Theta Zeta chapter and her interests include gourmet cooking and traveling.

A full-time writer, Ms. Alers lives in a charming hamlet on Long Island.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Rochelle Alers Has Done It Again!, April 23, 2000

By 

B. J. Woodbury (USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Just Before Dawn (Arabesque) (Mass Market Paperback)

I have become one of Ms. Alers loyal fans, having read all of her published novels and as usual I am proud to say she is truly outstanding! Rochelle Alers, for many years has brought us many stories about the Hideaway Legacy Clan. As the Second Generation Continues with family and friends, she brings us Sara Sterling (Max and Eve Blackwell-Sterling's daughter) and Salem Lassiter.

If you are a long time favorite of Rochelle Alers books, then you will not be disappointed as she delivers this in the same charisma as the others. If you are new to her work, it won't matter too much for you to read the sequels out of order and read this one.

This book will offer a strong couple, Sara and Salem, the suspense of life-threatening danger, betrayal, lots of intimacy and the support of family. Both the major and minor plots will keep your interested all the way to the end. The author is extremely good in the details of Native American History, because here is a culture that has been solely tied with African Americans, the book provides such precise details, that you don't have to go to the library for the information, you can just read this book and gain so much more.

Thank you Rochelle, for providing your readers with the use of your gift of writing, you are truly appreciated and we look forward to your next published novel.

Here are some of my favorite published books by Rochelle Alers: Hideaway, Home Sweet Home, Summer Magic, Hidden Agenda, Vows, Heaven Sent, Summer Magic, Harvest Moon and Gentle Yearning.

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What Did You Expect!, April 26, 2000

By 

Sean D. Young (Merrillville, IN USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Just Before Dawn (Arabesque) (Mass Market Paperback)

Just Before Dawn was a wonderful love story. Sara Sterling really didn't think a man could make her desire him. Salem Lassiter proved her wrong. Sara coming home for some much needed rest was the start. She was mesmerized with him. I was too(smile). Sara really knew how to handle herself in and out of the court room. I loved her relationship with her mother. Kind of reminded me of the relationship my sister and I have with our mother.

I loved this story. Salem Lassiter was the BOMB! His senuousness and his abiiity to know her emotions, just made him awesome. He was so attentive, he reminded me so much of Sara's father Matthew.

I was so into their relationship, that the other things that happened in the story just fell into place. I am really excited about Emily and Chris's story. I can see the relationship forming and Chris is probably going to play hard to get, but Emily (if she is like her father) will definitely get her man. Rochelle has done it again.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Mystic and romance makes a powerful potion, May 30, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Just Before Dawn (Arabesque) (Mass Market Paperback)

Dr. Salem Lassiter is a strong, sexy, mystical brother, attuned to his woman and his nature. What real romance readers want, they always get, from romance novelist, Rochelle Alers. In this novel, attorney Sara Sterling, has few if any reasons for letting the good doctor get away. Alers repeatedly characterizes male heros who mesmerize as well as romance. Her female characters are strong in ambition as well as "need". Dr.Salem Lassiter embodies a soothing blend of intuition and desire for Sara that is so absorbing. You just simply crave for more of these male characters, who not just physcially define what women look for but quite frankly, leave the reader looking around in "airports" for their own "hero". Rochelle Alers' stories are just written perfectly for the big screen.