Customer Reviews

Romancing the Stones

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Charlie Blair never imagined her return to the States would end with the police interrupting her in the middle of her first real shower after an intruder ransacked her place. When she pulled a gun on Detective Rob Vaiden in the bathroom, it was a toss up as to who was more surprised. Detective Vaiden that Charlie was a female or she to find a cop in her home. She couldn't believe what she found when she assessed some of the damage. She didn't think it could possibly get any worse, but it did. The police had been after Serial killer, Orion, and he had left a dead body in her basement.

Rob was unprepared for Charlie. He had never in his life compromised an investigation by getting personally involved with someone he was investigating, but he couldn't deny the intense attraction he had to her. She wasn't a suspect in the recent murder as she had been on an archaeological dig in Peru for the last six months, but because the body was found in her home, he felt she was in danger. Rob was used to his orderly life, and being around Charlie was disconcerting because she was his polar opposite. She appeared to be a magnet for trouble. When people she worked with affiliated with her recent search for the golden rod of Manco Copac in Peru are murdered, he realizes his feelings for her are strong, and not going away. Rob thought he just had to protect her from a serial killer, but it appeared to him that all the mayhem was somehow connected.

Rob and Charlie make a charming couple that seems to have a lot of bad luck! Just when they thought things were going to settle down, the other shoe drops. People have a very bad habit of ending up dead when they come into contact with Charlie. I enjoyed the characters, but the story lacked the emotional content I would expect with this type of suspenseful book. The supernatural elements surrounding the golden rod of Manco Copac needed to be explained more in depth to gain full understanding. It was difficult to appreciate all the aspects of the stones without more detailed history. I recommend skipping this one.

Detective Rob Vaiden is hunting a killer. The serial killer known as Orion is back in action murdering women in gruesome ways. The latest tip leads him to the house of Charlie Blair. Imagine his surprise when finds a dripping wet naked woman instead of a killer. Dr. Charlotte "Charlie" Blair, an archeologist has been in Peru on a dig for the last six months. All she wants to do is take a shower and get rid of all the dirt she's collected the last few months. She is so rudely interrupted by a gun-toting detective who proceeds to invade her home, find a dead body and practically accuse her of murder.

A murderer using her home may be the least of Charlie's problems. She is attacked and has her job threatened within 24 hours. She can't seem to figure out why her luck is going so bad but thinks it may have something to do with the dig she was on in Peru and the mysterious stones she found. Detective Vaiden knows Charlie figures into his case somehow and he's determined to decipher the clues, even use her as bait if he must. The more he gets to know Charlie the harder it becomes to place her in danger. Charlie doesn't think she's ready for a relationship but she could use a sexual release. However, she didn't count on having actual feelings for the good detective. Can Charlie and Det. Vaiden decode the clues before it's too late?

Romancing the Stones is a high speed thriller! This story is definitely non-stop. Vaiden and Charlie have instant chemistry upon their first meeting! I mean what a way to meet phew! What I really enjoy about Romancing the Stones is the first-rate mystery. I love when I have to keep asking myself who's the bad guy; what are they after? Catherine Berlin has penned a unique mystery and thrown in a fiery romance for good measure!

Miranda
For Joyfully Reviewed

great story. this is catherines best book. could not put away this book until i finished the last page. bravo zullo