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Summary: Luanne Fan
Review: "The Secret Hour" by Luanne Rice combines drama, romance and suspense in a riviting, can't-put-down, narrative. Kate Harris's search for her missing sister leads her to John O'Rourke's front door. Kate's quest and her enchantment with John's children embroil her in an action-packed drama sure to captivate readers.
"The Secret Hour", is another bestselling winner for this talented writer.
Beverly J Scott author of "Righteous Revenge" and "Ruth Fever." Reviewer for Intriguing Authors and Their Books
Rating: 
Summary: Not Crazy About This One
Review: A new book by Luanne Rice is always an occasion for me to rush right out, buy the book and then wait a few weeks before I read it. Why do I wait to read it? Perhaps its because I'm waiting for just the right mood or knowing that once I finish this book I'll have to wait a bit till Ms. Rice writes another one. And while my wait wasn't that long this time since I recently read the Firefly trilogy which included Firefly Beach, Safe Harbor and True Blue almost back to back, The Secret Hour is Luanne Rice at her very best. As she has accomplished in so many of her novels I loved, Ms. Rice introduces us to characters who have suffered tragedies in their family structures and find healing within themselves and through others.John O'Rourke, a defense attorney and his children 14 year old Ted and 11 year old Maggie, are still reeling from the accidental death of their wife and mother Theresa. Now two years later, John is desperately trying to save his client from the death penalty. Isolated form his neighbors and community for representing this convicted killer, John and his family suffer greatly particularly the children who have barely begun to deal with their mother's passing. Then one day a new woman, Kate Harris, arrives in town. The family mistakes her for a new housekeeper/babysitter whom they have been advertising for in the local papers. But Kate has her own reason for being in Connecticut and wanting to get to know the O'Rourke family. Thus begins a reader's journey and adventure where once again Rice's plots are filled with the themes of love between siblings, love between a man and a woman and happiness after tragedies. Although not always a fan of the genre of romantic suspense, I loved this book. I found that Rice's writing was emotional and heart rending without being sappy as characterized in books by Nicholas Sparks and others. Her characters are well portrayed and I think about them now weeks after I finished this title. While I always wait patiently for a new Luanne Rice book,this time my wait is almost over. Her new book, Dance With Me, is due out in February and I for one can't wait. I will purchase it immediately, put it away and read it at just the right time, which for me is almost any time. I do hope you will enjoy this book as much as I did.
Rating:
Summary: A very good book by Luanne
Review: Different from her other works. I almost couldn't believe it was her writing this suspense. It reminded me somewhat of Greg Iles "The Quiet Game", also a story of a widower father who is an attorney and getting involved in a case in his home town that affects him personally. In this story, the attorney, John O'Rourke, is a widower with 2 kids, a teen son and a daughter. He is trying his best to raise them in his home town where everyone knows them, but is making enemies by taking on a horrible case. He is representing an admitted serial killer of young women and the town hates him for it. Along comes a lovely woman who believes this serial killer may be the cause for her sisters disappearance 6 months prior in this area. John is torn between wanting to help the woman, whom he is attracted to, and doing his best for his client. The story takes many twists and turns and is written very well. You feel connected to these characters and think about them even when you are not reading... that's the sign of a well written novel. Luanne writes in the same New England setting that she has used in her other books. Her characters, even the pets, have captivating personalities, and the discriptive locale always makes you want to go there. Another great book by Ms. Rice... do some more like this, Luanne.
Rating: 
Summary: A Bit More Graphic
Review: I don't think author Luanne Rice really pulls off the suspense/crime element here, but still, she is such a good writer that I'll probably read anything she does. Although this novel sort of takes place in the Hubbard's Point/Black Hall vicinity that Luanne Rice usually sets her novels in.......none of the same characters repeat the way they usually do from her other novels. A Lawyer who defends serial killers on death row may have information about "Kate's" sister who is missing, as one of the killer's may, or may not have killed a special sister. Luanne Rice's wonderfully descriptive and evocative writing about seaside towns, the nature of sisterhood, the pain of death, and children's point of view.....are featured throughout the first 3/4's of "Secret Hour". But, the last 3 chapters are where the suspense really picks up. There is no real action or suspense until then, so I am only going to give this 3 stars for not really being as action-packed as I was lead to believe. I still think she is a great writer, though, and I am a dedicated Luanne Rice reader, no matter what.
Rating:
Summary: Liked it - Didn't Love it
Review: I have read all of Luanne Rice's books to date and would say that she is one of my favorite authors. I grew up in southern Rhode Island so I am familiar with many of the landmarks that she mentions. As I read, I can envision the scenarios and hear the surf pounding the shore. That being said, I wasn't as crazy about this book as I have been about her others. I don't want to give away the ending, but I thought it was just a little too far-fetched to be believable. However, I did like her development of the characters and the interaction between John and his children. That was real. I guess you can't win them all.
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Summary: REALLY ENJOY THIS AUTHOR
Review: I hope Luanne Rice writes a sequel to this book. As much as I thoroughly enjoyed this book, I wish the ending had more of an explanation. It ended quickly without a "wrap up"; you found out "who" but not "why".
Rating:
Summary: A Bit More Graphic
Review: I really enjoyed this book. If you're a fan of CSI, it won't bother you. This book is great, I love the story line. My friends in book club said it was a bit hard for them to handle at times and would not read it home alone. I think it's up to you. It's a good conversation piece, and I found it a quick read.
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Summary: Finished it in 2 days!
Review: I think this was one of Luanne Rice's best books. It's definitely different from the others I've read, but in a good way. I liked that she wrote a book with some suspense. Kind of a change. She did a good job with the new aspect. She still kept in her trademarks of the East coast & beauty surrounding it as well as the love story & the family story. Great book! She's my new favorite author.
Rating: 
Summary: Mixed Vibes
Review: I've read more of Rice's books than I can recall, but I think this is the first one that prompted me to write a review. Most of her books I've enjoyed but this one was over the top. Hard to find someone in this to really like, maybe Teddy showing a maturity beyond his years. Although John has had time to get over his wife's betrayal and death, learning she was going to leave him anyway, he has his head so inside himself he can't see his kids. Teddy does the best he can for his sister just 3 years younger, but she shows no maturity at all, not enough to even take baths. I agree with others that the ending was just too much and to have it all crammed into the last 3 or 4 pages it was mind boggling. Too bad John didn't wake up and become aware of his surroundings sooner. The story was very slow moving and in all those pages no new territory was covered at all, just more of the same. The only thing that would have topped the ending would have been to have Merrill break out of his high security death row cell. You tell me how John and Katy can find any peace in their minds and hearts to have a life together, is beyond me. They are too damaged and traumatized.
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Summary: The Secret Hour by Luanne Rice Read by Linda Emond
Review: The audio book was very very good. I am a Linda Emond audio book fan. Linda Emond did an excellent job reading every characters' part. She kept the suspense building and building. I felt as if I understood the authors story line very well and may have been a part of the story. Luann Rice, of course, wrote a good book. Linda has also read A Woman Betrayed by Barbara Delinsky, Mount Vernon Love Story by Mary Higgins Clark, Candyland by Evan Hunter and Ed McBain, and Good Harbor by Anita Diamant. All published by Simon and Schuster.
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