Rating: 
Summary: Romance Novel Masquerading As A Mystery
Review: "Dark Paradise" is the first Tami Hoag book I ever read. I bought it because of the attractive, moody front cover, plus the synopsis on the back didn't sound too bad. Basically, it said Marilee Jennings, an ex-court reporter, left California for New Eden, Montana, to visit her friend (Lucy MacAdam) and remained to uncover the truth of her friend's death. But you wouldn't have guessed that was the plot after reading the book. However, before I start criticizing, let me introduce the main characters.Marilee is the protagonist in "Dark Paradise"; J. D. Rafferty is the rugged cowboy who had shared the late Lucy MacAdam's bed before jumping to Marilee's. It's a common formula Tami Hoag uses in her books: outwardly strong leading lady falls for tough, macho guy. Although I'm not much into romance novels, I'm sure a lot of Hoag's fans enjoy her books for this common thread. Then there's J. D.'s brother Will who's constantly having problems with monogamy, which compels his wife to associate with the Hollywood crowd that has invaded Montana. Among this group is Evan Bryce, a well-to-do man who's interested in Lucy's land and has one unusual relationship with his female cousin (who I kept expecting to be a man because of the repeated references to her manly looks). There are several other nonexistent characters--such as J. D.'s crazy uncle who is a suspect in Lucy's death--, but most of them are easily forgotten and insignificant in the end. "Dark Paradise" is more of a romance book than a mystery. It's almost pointless to try and guess the killer because there's hardly any real suspense. Also, Lucy barely seems important to the story since she's rarely brought up. Several times I forgot why Marilee was remaining in Montana (besides J. D., of course). However, it is well-written and pretty entertaining. Only attempt this book if you like Tami Hoag's romantic suspense and verbosity (500+ pages). If you're looking for a good scare, you might try her other mystery books (Night Sins, Ashes to Ashes).
Rating: 
Summary: Great Romance and Mystery
Review: Dark Paradise is a very well thought book. With mystery and romance it makes a great all in one book. Plus I like how the woman in the book, Marilee, never gives up. Plus the cowboy, J.D., isn't so bad himself. Even though he give her a tough time all through the book, you still can't help but love him at the end.
Rating: 
Summary: Sluggish Suspense, Simple-minded Romance
Review: I ordianarily like Tami Hoag's novels, enough that I could almost call myself a fan. I prefer her gritty suspense novels like "Ashes to Ashes," but even her soapy thrillers like "Night Sins" will keep me up all night reading. Not so with "Dark Paradise," one of Hoag's earlier novels that I only finished because I had hopes it might become interesting in its latter chapters--and it does, but it's only a tease. Ultimately, I was sorely disappointed.
Why my disappointment? For starters, there was Bantam's bait-and-switch cover copy on the paperback I got, which plays up the suspense aspect of the story, yet fails to mention that a good half of this 528-page novel is concerned with the unlikely romance between the heroine, Marilee Jennings, and "ornery" rancher J.D. Rafferty. And what a couple these two are. Marilee seems an odd assortment of personality traits that don't quite add up to a believable human being. I think she's meant to be kind of eccentric and independent (hey, she's a budding singer-songwriter, and those creative types are always a little bit weird, aren't they?), but she's about as wild n' crazy as a soccer mom donning last year's dress for cocktails at the country club. But while I wasn't entirely buying into Marilee as a person, she's was at least more enjoyable to spend time with than J.D., who has slightly less charm than a serial rapist. In fact, when he and Marilee (he insists on calling her "Mary Lee") first meet he insults her, feels her up and makes crude sexual remarks. So OF COURSE they fall in love. Now the device of two people not liking each other at first meeting then falling in love is a popular cliché, but would someone as supposedly head-strong and independent as Marilee really fall for someone who practically has "future wife beater" tattooed on his forehead? To convince us, Hoag writes about J.D. like a co-dependent spouse apologizing to all the people her ill-mannered husband offended at a party. See, J.D. may be "ornery" (I could think of a more colorful adjective, but Amazon doesn't allow such language), but deep down he's a good person, he's just had to take on a lot of responsibilities, like running the Stars and Bars ranch, fending off "outsiders" who want to take his property away, and dealing with his ne'er do well brother Will, who has a weakness for gambling, booze and women. Oh, and he looks hot.
Sorry, Tami, not believing it. I could see Marilee having a one-night stand with J.D. (maybe, if she were real drunk), but not falling in love with him.
Among the other stock characters peopling this "Dark Paradise" are Samantha, Will's estranged wife who's got a self-esteem so fragile it's a wonder she can function in day-to-day life; Evan Bryce, a smarmy Hollywood hot-shot who gets his kicks manipulating people, like Samantha; Bryce's cousin Sharon, a morally bankrupt blond bombshell with "mannish features"; J.D.'s gun-loving uncle Del, who came back from "the 'Nam" not quite right in the head; and Nora Davis, the redneck with a heart o' gold waitress, full of sassy one-liners and down-home wisdom that should be familiar to anyone who's seen Dolly Parton interviewed on TV.
But what really had me wanting to throw this book across the room, more so than all the overwrought prose (the Montana landscape is descriped in an almost pre-orgasmic breathlessness) is Hoag never revealing the killer's backstory or fully detailing a few other scenes of violence. She's given short shrift to killers' stories before (the murderer in "Dust to Dust" got his life and motives explained away in a few measely paragraphs), but in "Dark Paradise" there was much hinting at the killer's dark and sordid past, with no details of said past ever given. In fact, in one instance--an attack on Marilee in her motel room--the reader is just left to assume the killer was responsible, though there's other evidence given suggesting this wasn't likely. I waded through page after turgid page of exposition about Marilee and J.D.'s unlikely love, yet a violent attack is never fully explained and a killer's backstory never revealed? My original two-star rating just slipped to one.
If you're looking for suspense, stick to Hoag's later novels like "Ashes to Ashes" or its sequel "Dust to Dust." If you like romantic suspense, read Nora Roberts instead.
Rating:
Summary: CLASSIC ROMANTIC SUSPENSE
Review: I've been a fan of Tami Hoag's since her Loveswept romance days, and have read nearly everything she has written. Still Waters (a personal favorite of mine) was Ms. Hoag's first foray into romantic suspense. Dark Paradise followed, and with each successive novel, she stepped further away from romance and further into the pschological thrillers she is most known for today. This is important to know if you're considering buying a book by Tami Hoag for the first time. It's easy to be disappointed by making a book selection that isn't your cup of tea, b/c she has written the gamut. Dark Paradise is primarily a romance with elements of suspense and a mystery at the heart of it. It is, in my opinion, a terrific book. I have recommended it to friends who read romance, mysteries and horror -- all have liked it without exception. Marilee, the heroine has arrived in Montana to visit a friend on vacation and take stock of her life. She arrives to find the friend dead, under mysterious circumstances that no one besides her seems to care about. This is the mystery: who really killed Lucy and was it truly an accident? Marilee is a great heroine, smart and plucky and creative without being the slightest bit perfect. You can imagine knowing someone just like her. Her run-ins with the reluctant rancher hero JD (who knew Lucy and doesn't care what happened to her as long as it doesn't affect his ranch or way of life) are classic romance-type exchanges, but they're never pat. That's one hallmark of Ms. Hoag's, no matter what genre she's writing for - the characters rarely take the easy way out. They're too real for that. If you enjoy Ms. Hoag's more edgy and psychological-horror books (ie. Ashes to Ashes), then you may still enjoy Dark Paradise as a precursor, stylistically. If you were a fan of books like Magic and Sarah's Sin, this one will take you down a darker path moving away from romance. I highly recommend this book to most anyone who asks me. It's one of my all-time favorites. Give it a try.
Rating:
Summary: Murder Mystery and Hot Romance all in One
Review: If you are a past reader of romance stories you will love this one. This is a very intriguing murder mystery with a few hot love scenes thrown in for an added touch. Marilee is about to change her life forever she leaves all behind in California and moves to Montana to visit a girlfriend who will let her hang out to recoup. I love the comment "it started out as a bad hair day and then went downhill" most of us have had that feeling at one time or another. She arrives to find that her friend is dead, though the case is supposed to be open/shut accident Marilee isn't buying it. There is a lot of interesting information and side characters that are developed in this book. I particularly like the interaction between the locals and the "celebrities" and how they clash. I can see this completely in my mind! If you want a good book pick this one up in either audio or paperback!
Rating: 
Summary: Not her best
Review: In my opinion, this was not Hoag's best work. I found it predictable and the story line weak. I typically enjoy Hoag's work but this was not my favorite.
Rating:
Summary: Very Disappointing
Review: Middle-aged woman of the world abandons her California digs and drives to Montana. She plans a surprise visit to share her remorse for life with her long-time girl friend that moved there some time ago. However, the girl with a life of never-ending trauma arrives to find her host has been murdered and the locals are strangely silent about the matter. Hoagg thinly attempts to stir up a complicated mêlée of celebrity-studded conspiracy that involves all the Hollywood notoriety her imagination can concoct. This book was entertaining not for the storyline, but for the idea that the author has any talent. The main female character is a bundle of hormonally-imbalanced drama, alternating between total self absorption and self-imposed crisis. Like Hoag's other stories, the main drama queen fights off the advances of some big, strapping lumberjack of a guy because she immediately considers him a threat. Mighty Man seduces her and she falls hopelessly in love. Warning, dear reader: Don't read this on a full stomach. Hoag fails miserably in her attempts to write the way a man thinks, unless he too is a drama queen in lumberjack's tight-fitting jeans and work boots. If a man thought the way she writes, he would certainly carry a purse and hit on all the other lumberjacks. Additionally, this author's imagination has decided that all of Hollywood loves to hang out with each other all over the world, even while on a weekend retreat in the wilds of Montana. Would you spend a weekend with your co-workers if you didn't have to? There are much better things to read.
Rating:
Summary: Not my favorite
Review: Slow in the beginning but picked up towards the end. Good but not one of her best. Too much romance for my taste.
Rating:
Summary: Not the best, but enjoyable
Review: This is the first book that I have read by Tami Hoag. This is really a romance novel, disguised as a mystery. That said, it was an enjoyable book to read. Slow at times, but during these times, you get a good understanding of the main characters. The ending was predictable, but I would have been mad if it ended any other way.
Rating:
Summary: Not the best, but enjoyable
Review: This is the first book that I have read by Tami Hoag. This is really a romance novel, disguised as a mystery. That said, it was an enjoyable book to read. Slow at times, but during these times, you get a good understanding of the main characters. The ending was predictable, but I would have been mad if it ended any other way.
| 
