"Great Action and Adventure"

Paige Cooper moved herself and her teen son Kyle to Paradise Island from Los Angeles with the hopes of getting their lives back on track and to reconnect with her son. Since the death of her husband five years ago, Kyle went from a lovable, happy young boy to an angry and disrespectful teen. Paige believes that moving and starting over will help Kyle and get him away from the rough streets in L.A., but he is even more angry and sullen for having to leave his friends and having Paige for his teacher. Paige is determined to make the changes in their lives happy ones.

Noah Wilder is the executive in charge of overseeing the opening of the Redstone, Inc's newest island resort. He has worked for Redstone, Inc. for many years and has had a difficult time in his relationships because of the constant traveling. During his first meeting with the staff, he is surprised to see Paige Cooper. The last time he saw her was five years ago after the death of her husband and their encounter did not end pleasantly. Noah has felt deep guilt over the years, thinking that he had taken advantage of Paige at a vulnerable time in her life. He is determined to set things right with her.

Paige is equally surprised to see Noah. After the last time they saw each other she hoped that she would never have to see him again. She is still embarrassed and ashamed for sharing a passionate embrace with Noah five years ago, only days after her husband was killed when his body hadn't even been buried yet. After many apologies and explanations, Noah and Paige work to become friends as well as colleagues and both still harboring an attraction to each other that neither is sure they should act on.

Days before the resort is set to open its doors, terrorists take over Paradise and take everyone hostage, trapping Paige and Noah in the school with the children of the employees and the island locals. Paige is determined to keep the children in the school safe and will stop at nothing to protect them. As Noah and Paige work together to protect the children and look for solutions for escaping, they forge a strong bond and lay down their lives for each other.

As a huge fan of Justine Davis', I am pleased that she is back with a new series. This book is the first book in the Redstone, Inc series and it is a thrilling and exciting beginning, plus we meet many characters that I hope get their own stories. Justine Davis does an excellent job with what I think is a strong hero with an equally, if not stronger, heroine. The strength and determination of Paige was a delight to see. Paige put herself on the line many times for the children and the others all the while being terribly frightened but determined to be strong and find a way out. While Noah doesn't claim to be superman, and doesn't have the knowledge of how to escape terrorists, he uses his intelligence to outwit them. He is an ordinary man who will do anything to protect the people he cares about.

This story packed a wallop of excitement and adventure. These two characters are halves of each other and they share their strengths, knowledge and determination with each other, thus forging an unbreakable bond. We also see a sullen and angry at the world young teen become a hero himself while helping Paige and Noah in their fight for freedom. I am eager for the next book in this series and knowing Justine Davis' work, it will be filled with danger, romance, action and excitement.

Reviewed by Tracey West
Posted February 13, 2003

Summary

For single mom Paige Cooper, a job with Redstone, Incorporated, meant a new life. But soon after she settled into her new home, her serenity was shattered when she was abducted by vicious terrorists. Her only hope of rescue was Noah Rider. The man who had once stolen her heart with one soul-searing kiss...

Noah was on a mission to protect all that he held dear -- in particular, his beautiful new employee. With Paige in danger, suddenly the bachelor no woman could ever claim was ready to lay down his life for one. Could it be the rugged lone wolf was in love?