B-
Title: In Harm's Way
Author: Irene Hannon
Publication Info: Revell 2010
ISBN: 9780800733124
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Lindlee, who is like Iron Chef RITA Reviews over here, read this novel for the RITA® Reader Challenge. It finaled in the Best Inspirational Romance category.
Plot Summary: How can she expect anyone to believe her—when she can hardly believe it herself?
FBI special agent Nick Bradley has seen his share of kooks during his fifteen years with the Bureau. But Rachel Sutton is an enigma. She seems normal when she shows up at his office—until she produces a tattered Raggedy Ann doll and tells him about a strange feeling of terror it gives her when she touches it. Nick dismisses her, only to stumble across a link between the doll and an abducted child, setting in motion a chain of events that uncovers startling connections—and puts Rachel’s life on the line.
And here is Lindlee’s review:
In Harm’s Way was an enjoyable easy read which is both a good and bad thing. I like a fun, easy read where all the main characters are likable. I just usually expect more intensity from a suspense novel. There are probably not many people more oblivious than myself, and even I saw all of the plot turns about a mile away.
The romance between Nick and Rachel was also low-key. There wasn’t any drama. Both Nick and Rachel were at stages in their lives where they were ready for a long term relationship. I did like the fact that they took a step back when Rachel becomes a part of the investigation of a FBI case. I thought that was realistic and mature.
For me, the best part of the book was Rachel’s reaction to the Raggedy Ann doll. When she finds the doll, she has a strong physical reaction to it. Rachel is not a psychic and has never had an experience like this before. I thought the way this storyline unfolded was very clever. I don’t want to give away any spoilers, but it was the one thing that I didn’t see coming.
For those curious about the religious aspect of the book, it did not feel preachy and fit into the story naturally. Also, even though In Harm’s Way is the third and final installment of the Heroes of Quantico series, it works as a stand alone.
I would recommend In Harm’s Way but be aware it is more of an easy read than a suspenseful read.
This book is available from Amazon | Kindle | BN & nook | WORD Brooklyn | Kobo | Sony
SBSarah, some day the Bitchery should discuss the Covers Gone Not-Wild that characterize inspirational romance. Even before I read this post, I could tell from the cover that it was IR, and it doesn’t even have an apron on it! What exactly is it about IR covers that makes them so distinctive?
I just read this one. She’s the only inspirational author I read, though admittedly, I haven’t sought others out.
One thing I love about Irene Hannon’s work is that she writes more skillfully than most about very nice, very reasonable people who find themselves in difficult situations. She manages to do this without boring me, and I have no idea how she does it. It could be her smooth, Nora-esque style. It could be that she gives her characters solid conflicts to overcome, so they never have to have Big, Boring Misunderstandings. However she does it, her characters continue to behave like nice, reasonable people, even when challenged. This never fails to reinforce my belief that proper behavior prevents disaster, and that’s the primary reason why I love her work.
It’s a dream world, I know. But I read Irene Hannon’s books and I can believe, for a few hours, that karma is real, and justice is always served.
I thought the people on the cover look a little Booth and Brennan-ish, as in TV’s Bones. I don’t have a problem with Inspirationals. I think the covers are often gorgeous, although non Inspirationals also have pretty covers a lot of the time.
I am not sure but I could sort of tell it was an Inspirational not sure how maybe its the lighting or the moods.
@DreadPirateRachel: you are so right, many of the covers for IR are very distinctive, but like you I can’t pinpoint what it is that makes me think, “Oh! Inspie!” Maybe it’s the VERYSERIOUSFACE of the people on the cover?
@DreadPirateRachel and SB Sarah – I’ve been trying to figure this out too. I think I may have it.
Inspie covers have: realistic illustrations / photos, images that show context (ie the rag doll or landscapes), images that fill the entire page – with little or no white space, and a limited but rich color palette.
They do not have chick-lit type illustrations, clinches, man tittie, bare bosoms, nudity (tasteful or otherwise), strong color contrasts (like the bright red suspenders on the naked fireman contrasting with the browns of his skin and pants), or figures cut out against a flat color (like the Scouting Jasmine cover). I was going to link to examples but heck, the ads on this page demonstrate everything admirably.
I think the key characteristics are the rich colors, lack of bare skin / clinches, and filling the entire page with a realistic illustration. Of the covers on this page, the Maya Banks comes closest to what I think of as a typical inspie cover, but with more muted, less vibrant colors. (Can you tell that I teach art and design?)
I’m spending way too much time thinking about this, but I think another giveway that this is an inspie cover is that not only are the two characters Very Serious, they’re Not Looking at Each Other, and definitely not touching. If this were a Harlequin Romance, they’d be smiling at each other or gazing into each other’s eyes, if it were a Presents, they’d be in a clinch, and if it were a Blaze there’d be some serious man tittie.
@Cleo
I bow to your expertise!