Rating: 
Summary: Outstanding Book
Review: I absolulety love this book. The characters were well-developed and the plot was superb. And the role of Jimmy was really terrific. Jasmine Cresswell knows her craft. I highly recommended this book to anyone. The best read in a long time Oct 2001 can't come fast enough.
Rating: 
Summary: Good Read
Review: I believe this book is out of print but if you happen to find a used one it's worth a read. The first hundred or so pages are a little slow going but it catches on and leads to a great ending. I've read many other Cresswell books and her other books have been far better reads. Before reading this one you should try one of her other "better" books (ie. The Conspiracy, Secret Sins, etc.)
Rating:
Summary: Good Read
Review: I believe this book is out of print but if you happen to find a used one it's worth a read. The first hundred or so pages are a little slow going but it catches on and leads to a great ending. I've read many other Cresswell books and her other books have been far better reads. Before reading this one you should try one of her other "better" books (ie. The Conspiracy, Secret Sins, etc.)
Rating: 
Summary: Disappointed this time,
Review: I have to disagree with the other three reviews and simply state, I was really disappointed with this story, it lacked the emotional attatchment with her characters that her previous books have had. The story line was extremely far fetched and really not believable at all. The ending was really really really disappointing. I had a hard time actally reading the end and quite honestly, just skimmed it, I was that disappointed with it. Ms. Creswell, had spent a lot of time building up to a climax that just didn't pan out, it was if she realized she had enough pages and had to wrap it all up. It just wasn't worthy of her other stories. I would suggest reading The Daughter, The Disappearance and The Inheritance rather than this one. I hope she regains the momentum for her next book. I look forward to her stories, especially since she only puts one out per year. I certainly won't be keeping this one, into the donation pile it will go.
Rating: 
Summary: Save your money!
Review: I loved "The Inheritance" and couldn't wait to read this book. What a bust! The characters were one dimensional, the male and female lead had no chemistry and the book moved along slower than a snail. The conversations were always stiff and uncomfortable. Marissa, while likeable in The Inheritance was just irritating in this one, not to mention not overly bright! It's honorable that she didn't want to keep any of the money from her father and husband. But honor does not support a toddler! To take care of her son she should have kept enough to get her and her son started in her new life. And she didn't just give away the money, she gave away her clothes, furniture, everything. Then she moves to Colorado, not sure why, 2000 miles away from any family who could have helped her and her son out. Pretty darn irresponsible! And Stuart's motivation for the things he did never really made sense. Not to mention Jimmy was very careless, particularly in a small town. Considering his profession you'd think he'd keep a lower profile. I kept waiting for this book to get better but frankly it never did. Most of the action happened in the last ten pages! I bought it used but was still sorry I got it at all. I would recommend "The Inheritance" but don't waste your time on this one!
Rating:
Summary: Save your money!
Review: I loved "The Inheritance" and couldn't wait to read this book. What a bust! The characters were one dimensional, the male and female lead had no chemistry and the book moved along slower than a snail. The conversations were always stiff and uncomfortable. Marissa, while likeable in The Inheritance was just irritating in this one, not to mention not overly bright! It's honorable that she didn't want to keep any of the money from her father and husband. But honor does not support a toddler! To take care of her son she should have kept enough to get her and her son started in her new life. And she didn't just give away the money, she gave away her clothes, furniture, everything. Then she moves to Colorado, not sure why, 2000 miles away from any family who could have helped her and her son out. Pretty darn irresponsible! And Stuart's motivation for the things he did never really made sense. Not to mention Jimmy was very careless, particularly in a small town. Considering his profession you'd think he'd keep a lower profile. I kept waiting for this book to get better but frankly it never did. Most of the action happened in the last ten pages! I bought it used but was still sorry I got it at all. I would recommend "The Inheritance" but don't waste your time on this one!
Rating:
Summary: Way underrated here, and I don't even read romance novels
Review: Ignore the detractors. This was my introduction to Cresswell, and, due to it, I have gone back to her. The action, romance and mystery are all very good, and Creswell keeps it interesting from start to finish, as is her wont. Look, women don't write like men--I have come to accept it. They beat around the bush too much, and inject too many goody-goody phrases in their work (while describing other people as "dorky"?!), but with the good ones, like Creswell, it still works. Heck, maybe it is one of the reasons we find them so attractive.
Rating:
Summary: Way underrated here, and I don't even read romance novels
Review: Ignore the detractors. This was my introduction to Cresswell, and, due to it, I have gone back to her. The action, romance and mystery are all very good, and Creswell keeps it interesting from start to finish, as is her wont. Look, women don't write like men--I have come to accept it. They beat around the bush too much, and inject too many goody-goody phrases in their work (while describing other people as "dorky"?!), but with the good ones, like Creswell, it still works. Heck, maybe it is one of the reasons we find them so attractive.
Rating:
Summary: Intriguing romantic suspense
Review: In Colorado, Marisa Joubert works at the Wainscott Foundation's Ranch that serves as a refuge for unwed mothers. Marisa is happy to have the job that allows her to raise her son by herself without the illegal money her deceased spouse earned. She also relishes Wainscott's vision to place babies in happy homes and find jobs for the mothers. Marisa works for the enigmatic director Stuart Frieze. However, almost from her first day of her employment, Marisa feels something is not quite right with the Foundation. Her fears escalate when women begin to vanish. Marisa is not sure if its her employer or one of the workers, such as handicapped janitor Jimmy Griffin, who she finds so handsome, who isn't trustworthy. Marisa knows something diabolical and evil is occurring here in the Rocky Mountains and fears for the lives of herself and her son even as she falls in love with Jimmy. THE REFUGE is an intriguing romantic suspense that centers on Marisa's growing suspicion of everyone around her. The story line is fast-paced and ably crafted to provide the audience with a rising sense of foreboding that the heroine and her son might not survive this tale. As expected by long time best selling author Jasmine Cresswell, her fully developed cast with their logical and easy to understand motives turns her latest novel into a strong tale that sub-genre fan will appreciate. Harriet Klausner
Rating:
Summary: Disappointed this time,
Review: Jasmine Cresswell has crafted a very suspenseful story with engaging characters. When Marisa Joubert takes a job at the former stately mansion turned home for unwed mothers, she is thrilled. The job comes with free child care for her young son, and an apartment at a bargain rate. However there are sinister forces at work here. The altruistic endeavors of the Wainscott Foundation serve as a cover-up for more nefarious deeds. I loved this story. This was the first Jasmine Cresswell book I've read and I can assure you it won't be the last.
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