Customer Reviews

Worth The Wait (Arabesque)

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

 

 

This is an absolutely wonderful book. I read Ms. Jones' previous novel, and I liked the story of Eric and Tangie, but it but the excitement was missing. Ms. Jones has a real hit with the story of Kevin(Alex) and Maria. I absolutely loved the book. The cover models did not match the description of the characters as was written in the book, but I loved the story. it was well written, sensual, and had a suspenseful plot with a great ending. I can't wait to read her next book about Rod and Helene!!!! I would highly recommend this book to anyone.

In her sophomore effort, Katherine D. Jones revisits characters from her debut novel Love Worth Fighting For. When a notorious Chilean drug cartel is apprehended, Kevin DePalma, after being placed in the witness protection program, begins his life anew as a nightclub owner in Memphis, Tennessee. Kevin will never forget that dreadful day or Maria Thomas, the very beautiful FBI agent who saved his life.

While undercover as an illegal gun dealer, Maria walks into a nightclub and suddenly finds herself being kissed senseless by a total stranger. Once she recovers, she recognizes the man who could have just ruined her cover is Kevin. Maria had no idea she would ever lay eyes on him again or the fact that their attraction would be so strong. Facing the possibility of Maria's cover being blown, the assistant director comes up with a brilliant idea, that she and Kevin pretend to be lovers. Will this little charade become more than Kevin and Maria can bear?

Ms. Jones has written yet another intriguing tale filled with murder, mayhem, espionage and suspense. Readers of her first novel who are wondering what happens when these two cross paths will not be disappointed. Although this novel stands alone, I would recommend reading the previous novel.

Reviewed by Pamela Bolden
of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers

Wow! What a great storyline! This book has everything--romance, action, tension, wonderful staging; and oh, did I mention romance? FBI Agent Maria Thomas is a beautiful and talented woman who is very much in-charge of her life and career, until she meets Kevin DePalma...again. Kevin is every woman's dream: strong, smart, financially secure, resolute, and determined to have the woman he loves. Sparks ignite and sizzle between them, leading to some of the most tender-hearted, romance-filled love scenes (set in rustic Solomon's Island, MD) that will just absolutely take your breath away! And make you wish for all the world that you were Maria Thomas!

Well done, Ms. Jones, well done! I can't wait for Book 3!

Worth the Wait tells the story of Kevin DePalma and Maria Thomas. Kevin, now known as Alex Milbon, is one of the newest additions to the Witness Protection Program. This is due mainly to the success Maria Thomas, a sexy and dangerous FBI agent, had in safely removing Alex from the dangerous situation he stumbled upon while playing pro basketball in Argentina.

Alex has since been relocated to Memphis and has been given a new life as a night club owner. He is very surprised to run into Maria one night at his club, in fact, that he almost blows her cover. As a result, the two are forced to pretend to be lovers for the sake of the operation. As events unfold, and the tension from the case builds, Alex and Maria realize they have real feelings for one another. In light of their new discovery, the two must now decide just how far they are willing to go to see their love survive.

This novel features a potentially good story line and good use of pacing. The story moves along well and there are no real slow spots. A primary weakness of this novel is the overall character development. It is difficult to truly identify with them and their situations, wants, and needs due to their inconsistency.

There are also several scenes in which the characters' actions, emotions, and dialog are awkward. One such case is the seemingly obvious and quite strong attraction that Maria and her fellow agent, Rod, share. It seems that she very easily sets aside these feelings for Rod in favor of Alex overnight. Similarly, Rod dismisses the feelings he has for her just as quickly. This is slightly disconcerting in that much of the book is devoted to his angst over feelings for her.

Lasting, I feel too much time and attention is devoted to building the subplot. Much of the story is devoted to it but it comes to a lackluster conclusion; leaving the reader wondering if they missed something. This is time that could have been better spent developing the main story line and the characters. Overall this book is an easy read, but it fails to truly engage the reader.

La-Tessa Montgomery, Reviewer
Literary Essence Views

Katherine D. Jones does it again with the next installment of her romantic suspense series in the FBI's Special Corruption Unit with Worth the Wait.

As this book begins, Kevin de Palma, Tangerine Taylor's jilted ex-fiancee from Jones first novel- Love Worth Fighting For, has gotten himself into more serious trouble. This trouble forces him underground into the witness protection program and into a new name Alexandro Milbon. Instead of the FBI protecting him, however, he finds himself protecting and falling for Agent Maria Thomas. Maria now Maria Manez, a gunrunner from the East Coast needs him to verify her cover with the Russian Maffia and to be her lover as well. Sexual tension mounts whether Maria wants it to or not. Kevin's seductive charm has her waiting for his every move. Will this cover land the two under covers and if something does happen between the two who will save whom?

I am a sucker for romantic suspense. Having read the first installment I was excited to see what happens next. To my surprise this version was more thought out and easier to get involved with than the other. However, I was concerned with Kevin's new name. I thought Alejandro would've been more appropriate. As before the book doesn't take off until Chapter Nine, which is a far improvement from the first novel. Yet, the ending was too long and too cheesy for me. I like a book to leave me with a bit of imagination as to what happens to the couple after they've gone off happily ever after.

And therefore, I gave the rating a 3(Average). The challenges I had in the last book were lesser, but others surfaced. There were times in the book when the character's point of view changed and I didn't know it. The head jumping confused me. Also, there was too much background information to keep my attention.

What I really like about Jones writing is how Jones uses her minor characters to build upon the next book. Maria's partners and friends, Helene and Rod are sure to heat up the pages of her third installment, Hidden Desires. Jones gives us a sneak peak of the book at the end of this novel. Can't wait to read it.