"An engaging romantic suspense"

For the past five years, Julia Summers has starred as an Erica Kane-type vamp on the number one nighttime soap opera, RIVER ROAD. However, when her contract ends in less than a month, Julia will leave the TV show to become a "Bond Girl". Currently, Julia is on location in Blue Bayou, Louisiana filming her last story line for RIVER ROAD.

After three years trying to capture a serial killer, FBI Special Agent Finn Callahan succeeds. However, when his prisoner tries to escape Finn gleefully uses more force then is necessary. Though his peers quietly applaud Finn for doing what they want to do, he receives a one-month suspension. Finn returns to his hometown of Blue Bayou where his brother Nate serves as the mayor. When an unknown assailant stalks Julia, his sibling asks Finn to protect the actress. Neither Finn nor Julia wants that, but reluctantly both agree. As their passion for James Bond surfaces, the duo falls in love, but before either can decide what to do about their feelings, Julia's stalker must be stop before he kills her.

RIVER ROAD is an engaging romantic suspense that brings back favorites from BLUE BAYOU and provides the added bonus of James Bond trivia. The lead characters are a delightful duet and the support cast provides a touch of the Deep South. Though the suspense is the impetus to bringing the couple together, it feels insignificant until the climax when played out against their love for 007 and for each other. JoAnn Ross furbishes a winner that leaves her audience impatiently awaiting the third and final Callahan tale.

Harriet Klausner

Reviewed by Harriet Klausner
Posted August 25, 2002