"Taut romantic suspense"

While sailing on a yacht, Rosalind "Lady Roz" Beecham knows that she desperately needs money to fund her jet set lifestyle. She threatens several wealthy individuals with exposing the Bonita Partnership though she does not know anything about this venture beyond its name. Instead someone drugs Roz's wine and pushes her into the Atlantic.

Following her funeral, solicitor Nathanial Sherwin informs Roz's daughter Melody and her former husband Wallis Beecham that he did not sire their daughter; Roz also warns Melody that Wallis is dangerous. Secret DNA tests that Roz had done without permission or knowledge confirm her contention. Dad tells Roz to get lost and destroys her dream of opening her own gallery.

Roz decides to learn who her father is, which leads to her coming across something called the Bonita Partnership. Unbeknownst to Melody is that those two words mean death for anyone who begins even minor digging.

Though the dysfunctional relationships are difficult to follow and it takes too long to learn what Bonita is, fans will enjoy this taut romantic suspense. The story line is action-packed from the moment Roz is tossed off the vessel until Melody completes her journey of self understanding. Fans of exciting thrillers will enjoy this taut tale.

Harriet Klausner

Reviewed by Harriet Klausner
Posted January 10, 2004

Summary

A young woman discovers her identity is based on a lie.

Art gallery owner Melody Beecham was raised in the elite social circles of her English mother, Rosalind, and her American father, Wallis Beecham, a self-made millionaire. But when her mother dies suddenly, a shocking truth is revealed: Wallis is not Melody's father. Worse, he is a dangerous man.

Furious, Melody is determined to uncover the secrets hidden at the heart of Beecham's vast empire, unaware that her actions are being monitored by members of a covert government agency known as Unit One. And Unit One has decided to recruit Melody, believing her connections will be invaluable in penetrating the highest political circles. They simply have to blackmail Melody into joining them...