Customer Reviews

Top-Secret Rendezvous (Arabesque)

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

 

 

I really don't mean to knock Linda Hudson-Smith, but this book just WAS NOT working for me at all!!! The dialogue between the characters was so unrealistic and preachy. Don't get me wrong, domestic volence. safe sex etc. are all very important issues, but she definitely could have been much more suttle about it. It reminded me of the movie "The Truman Show" where in the middle of breakfast, Jim Carey's wife would do a brief promotion for the brand of milk she used and then flow right into her conversation as if nothing happened. I really began to wonder if she was given a list of issues she was required to address and just decided to randomly stick them in the storyline. My other grievance was that the resolution was just dropped in the reader's lap. It seemed as if she was trying to meet a deadline and needed a quick way to end the story so she just jotted down the first thing that came to her mind as she rushed to her publishers office. I was still turning pages thinking, "Where is the rest of it?" I am an avid romance reader, and usually get through them rather qukly, but I really had to force my way through this one, telling myself "It's going to get better". Let's just say I was sorely dissappointed and left feeling rather bereft. I was about to swear off the entire series after this one, but the series chapter previews at the back of the book really saved it. Now if you want to read a really GOOD patriotic novel coming from BET, try Candice Poarch's "Courage Under Fire". Simply stated, it was wonderful and certainly one of the best in the series. Again, I have nothing against Linda Hudson-Smith, I simply wasn't feeling this one. But-- if you like unrealistic, and preachy-type dialogue and thrown together endings, this is definitiely a book for you.

When i read this book I could relate to the authors mention of the relationship between the enlisted and the officer member in the USAF. I think she did a nice job b/c she did her research on the topic. I think some readers couldn't grasp that aspect of the book b/c their not in the military. I thinks some of readers felt that the author made up the end to the book. However, In the AF this type of relationship happens ALL of THE times. I like the fact that the relationship did blossom. NOT to mention the Story Hour was a nice touch.

Can you give no stars for a book? This book was awful... unless you're an amateur author looking for evidence that anyone (and I mean anyone!) can get published. The dialogue, the names, the plot were totally unbelievable. I never write in books, but by the time I was done, I was going through marking it up like I was in a creative workshop to make me feel as if I had accomplished at least something by reading it. Nothing about this book flowed. The only thing I liked about this book was one vague reference to JAG, my favorite TV show. Other than that, this book was a complete waste of time and money. It was full of cliches, plotholes, and bad, bad dialogue. I've read better written fanfiction.

Platinum Reviewers Rating 4.5

Zurich Kingdom never thought he would find love nor did he think that love would find him after seeing his father go through life he feared becoming his father so he always swore off anything long lasting relationship wise so when he meets Hailey Hamilton he doesn't know what to expect nor does he know what to do she presents to him something he never realized before and that's the true person she is. When Zurich and Hailey first meet they sit down some rules that are good for the both of them until they spend time together when its time to depart they find it hard but Hailey finds out one thing about Zurich Kingdom that makes her realize any type of future with him can't not be possible.

Hailey Hamilton was always the type of person who took her job serious but when she goes on vacation to a resort in southern Texas she almost wants to forget about her job to simply be able to live a life that allows her a little more freedom especially after she meets Zurich Kingdom but will not allow her feelings to get in the way of what she does for a living but when love finds its way into her heart she doesn't know what to do until the shocking reality of who Zurich really is.

Hailey & Zurich will have to go trails and tribulations to keep their love alive even with the differences between them.

Zurich Kingdom is on a two-week vacation at his favorite resort in South Padre Island. He has it all planned: rest, relaxation and sexing a few lovely ladies. That is, until he lays eyes on Hailey Hamilton, a dream come true, a total package. She is intelligent, drop dead gorgeous and she isn't interested in a committed relationship. The chemistry between the two heats up immediately as they experience paradise together. Zurich and Hailey have several things in common: they love adventure, have top-secret jobs, love their family, and plan to enjoy their two-week escape away from work. Even though they have sworn off committed relationships their feelings blossom into love and they regret having to leave each other at the airport. Then Hailey realizes that Zurich is an officer in the Air Force and their love is forbidden, according to military policy.

Heartbroken Hailey prepares a "Dear John" letter to send to Zurich but decides to delay mailing it when she is deployed to Germany. Hailey is pleasantly surprised when her best friend, Alicia, greets her at the airport. Hailey confides in her friend that she loves Zurich.

As Hailey is processing in at the base, she is noticed by Zurich. They cannot believe that God has shone mercy and brought them together again. They agree to carry on life as usual until they can determine a way to be together without being court marshaled. The hours turn into days, then weeks as their love burns uncontrollably while being unable to physically connect with each other. The stakes are high. Will they be together as man and wife? Only time will tell.

Top Secret Rendezvous is one title in a four-book series that is supposed to honor our US military. The story has a military setting and defines concepts related to Air Force policy. However, that is where honor to the military stops. This is your usual romance novel and nothing special. This is a quick read without a secret. If you are in the mood for romance, this would fit the bill.

Reviewed by Monique for Loose Leaves Book Review

BET is releasing a special Summer 2003 series dedicated to military
officers titled, 'At Your Service.' TOP SECRET RENDEZVOUS by Linda
Hudson-Smith is about Major Zurich Kingdom and Staff Sergeant Hailey
Hamilton, both members of the United States Air Force.

What started out as rest and relaxation on a remote island in Texas
snowballed into a liaison that would prove to be more secretive than
their top secret jobs. When Zurich and Hailey met, they were unaware
that either was enlisted in the armed forces they only knew that they
had found their soul mate. Ironically it was not until they were
stationed at the same base in Germany, that they became fully aware
that the other was in the Air Force and in the same career field.
Because of Air Force directives prohibiting fraternization between
Officers and Enlisted personnel, Zurich and Hailey know that their
rank will not allow the pleasures they shared to go beyond their
Texas hideaway. They try valiantly to honor their commitment to the
USAF regulations, because to disregard them could jeopardize their
careers; but how do you regulate your heart?

Ms. Hudson-Smith has crafted an amorous story of what happens when a
pledge of allegiance faces the ultimate test. But more than the test
of their reputation, she allows the characters to grow in a way that
inspires readers to view life in a less temporal and more ethereal way.
This is also wonderful exposure of the Air Force.

Reviewed by aNN
of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers

I enjoyed reading Top Secret Rendezvous. It's a beautiful novel. I loved the storyline and all the different places mentioned in the novel. Linda Hudson-Smith is a gifted author. Linda's characters always seem real and full of life. She really poured her heart and soul into the novel. I love all of her novels and pray that she continues to use the gift that God have blessed her with. I would love to see a novel based on the characters Alicia and Phillip.
A dedicated fan
Drusilla