SAVING GRACE

Author: Nicole White ISBN: NA 11/2004 ACTION/SUSPENSE Publisher: Scheherazade Tales Romance E-Novels

Secret Agencies. Covert Operations. Terrorist Plots. These are all just things Detective Derek Holden read about in newspapers and novels--not something he ever imagined getting involved in. So he isn't prepared for what he will encounter once he decides to take on a simple request…to save Grace. Grace Wesley had been caught up in a very dangerous game for the last six years. She is accustomed to fighting her own battles alone, to looking over her shoulder every minute of every day. But when Derek Holden shows up and turns her world upside down by refusing to back down, she realizes for the first time that she isn’t alone. And that, just maybe, she can end this deadly game once and for all. Drawn mysteriously together by a force seemingly beyond their control, setting out on a journey that will test their souls, their courage, and the will to survive, they form an indestructible bond. Derek and Grace become friends and confidants, relying on each other for their very survival. Attraction pulls them together, allowing them to find solace in each other’s arms. But in the end, will love be the ultimate saving grace for both?

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

I have been pleasantly surprised by the quality of ebooks I've read through Scheherazade Tales, and SAVING GRACE is no exception. Filled with action, suspense, and one kick-butt of a heroine, this is a story that reads like an action flick movie.

The best way to describe this book is as a cross between a James Bond movie, Charlie's Angels and the Alias television show. The action starts from page one, when a quartet of women, including Grace Wesley, as the leader and strongest member of the quartet, deal in subterfuge and espionage against a group of dangerous terrorists led by Logan Connor and his brother, Garrett. Betrayed by a former member of their group, Grace and her cohorts—Gretchen, Bethany, and Deana—abort their plans and go to make a getaway, but not before being seen by Logan and his gang. All four manage to escape, but in self-defense Grace shoots and kills Garrett. As you'd expect, Logan will do everything to avenge his brother, and that means marking all the girls for lingering and painful deaths.

This is where the story jumps forward several years. The girls have gone undercover and into hiding, but one-by-one, Logan's found them and picked them off. But just before it's Gretchen's turn to feel Logan's wrath, she finds Detective Derek Holden, tells him all, and asks him to find and save Grace. Disbelieving her at first—after all, Gretchen's just a junkie—it doesn't take him long to find out she's told him the truth. Thus begins his search for Grace, and whence comes the title, SAVING GRACE.

I really got glued to this book. There were a lot of plot twists, including one I didn't see coming which was great. On a drawback note, though, at times the changes made things just a bit confusing to follow (but then again, that might have been this reader's fault rather than the author's). However, it's Grace's character, who displays a tough and steely exterior, but proves vulnerable and human like anyone else underneath, that I really enjoyed following. Not to mention that Det. Holden is one hot cop just oozing sexuality and masculinity. It's no wonder that Grace finds herself torn between her sense of duty and her feelings for this man. Though she begs him to leave, he's not about to, at least until he knows that Grace will be safe.

Nicole White has done a great job with this story. Her writing is fluid and her choice of dialogue fit each character perfectly: from the street-wise Gretchen, to Derek's well meaning secretary. The action was just about non-stop, and the love scenes sizzled.

Overall, I found SAVING GRACE to be an enjoyable change in my usual reading habit of romantic historical fiction, and a great substitute for watching DVDs on a quiet afternoon.

Nancy Davis