Review – Hidden Threat

FROM THE BACK COVER: An environmental crisis is the last thing clean-water crusader Eve Jackson expected in her hometown. She’s used to taking on powerful DC politicians in her fight, but when a baby in Safe Harbor, Florida, shows mysterious signs of possible poisoning, the danger hits painfully close to home, stirring memories of her own mother’s death. Eve’s search leads her to the Sutton Ranch, now run by her high school crush, Cole. Focused on keeping the family business afloat as a series of deformed calves are born to his herd, Cole has no time for Eve’s crusade. But as her unwelcome questioning ostracizes her from locals, Cole’s irritation turns to intrigue—about the source of the poisoned water and the tenacious, loyal, and passionate woman determined to help. As Eve digs deeper into Cole’s operation, she sees her suspicion of Sutton Ranch may be misplaced. Yet she can’t shake the feeling that his ranch, and perhaps his past, hold the answers she seeks. When the sabotage escalates, the two must work together to uncover the culprit—if they can survive the investigation. MY TAKE: Hidden Threat is the second book in Connie Mann’s Safe Harbor series, though you don’t have to read the first book to enjoy this one. And enjoy this one, I did! The mystery involved blue baby syndrome. I had never heard of this syndrome so it was interesting to follow along and learn about it at the same time as trying to figure out who caused the problem. Though a romantic suspense book, Hidden Threat was not a race along, fast-paced story for me, but one that unwinds amidst the family and small town issues that Eve Jackson has faced in her past. And amidst the wonderful romance between her and Cole Sutton as he fights to save his family’s ranch and fend off Eve’s suspicions of his involvement in poisoning the area water. Though my reading preference is usually the more intense, break-neck speed suspense, this is a book I didn’t want to put down. And when life intruded and I did have to put it down, I found myself thinking of Eve and Cole and wishing I could pick it back up to read on. Isn’t that the hallmark of a well written book—that you are so invested in the characters that you want to keep reading? So for me, the book isn’t driven by the suspense plot, but the well-developed characters and the extremely well-written romance propels the book forward and had me turning the pages as fast as I could.