"Enjoyable romantic suspense"

For five years Ava Santori and her famous family of chefs awaited to hear from her estrange brother Marco, but nary a word came until now. They learn that Marco died as a Second Mate on the ill-fated Paradisio passenger ship that went down when it sailed into Hurricane Carlos.

The grieving family wants to move past the incident. However, lawyer Grayson Boyd persuades Ana to come to the Caribbean Island of St. Bart to sue the ship's owner Dane Erikson who stands to make millions on the disaster. Ana believes the avaricious Dane caused Marco's death. Dane believes Ana failed to act like a sister to his best friend. Both wants to hate the other, but neither can ignore the growing love towards one another even while danger mounts from an illegal operation.

Though the continual misunderstanding between the lead protagonists seems difficult to accept especially midway into the novel, readers will enjoy this romantic suspense. The action focuses on the lead couple's misconceptions before twisting into an intrigue. The plot is at its finest when Dane and Ana argue over Marco while falling in love. The intrigue adds excitement, but detours the story line from its roots. Still the audience will appreciate Roxanne St. Claire's tale.

Harriet Klausner

Reviewed by Harriet Klausner
Posted January 10, 2003