Trespass of the Heart

Rating:
Summary: "WARM AND REALISTIC OREGON SETTING FOR A LOVE STORY"
Review: Miranda "Andie" Griffith is an intensive-care nurse at the hospital in the Oregon town where she's lived for eight years. She's tough but caring, devoted to the welfare of her patients but a "pain" to the hospital administration. Her best friend Nicole is a fellow nurse, and she is well-liked by her acquaintances. But basically Andie keeps to herself; her husband's death all those years ago--and the secret personal crisis that preceded it--make her inclined to solitude, with only her dog for company. And her privacy is important to allow her to pursue her growing career as a fiction author. So she is horrified when someone actually buys and moves into the old house on the property next to her secluded home. And that "someone" turns out to be a retired police detective who is very definitely interested in pushing himself into lovely Andie's life.

Andie first tries to throw Max Daniels out of her life. But he insists on being "neighborly" when a serious fall means she needs some care and assistance. Then strange things start to happen to Andie and Nicole, and they get that creepy feeling of being watched. The help of an experienced homicide investigator like Max might be very useful. And what's going on with the grouchy old man in intensive care who did NOT die? The man's nasty nephew would have inherited, if only those nurses hadn't put forth such effort to keep his uncle alive.

The suspense part of the story provides an underlying plot for the action and for bringing Andie and Max together, but is not a real mystery. The reader knows from the beginning who is doing what and why. This is basically a relationship story, as the hero and heroine learn about each other, learn to trust, and come to terms with the problems in both of their pasts. Andie's first marriage seemed wonderful from the outside, but hid a dark secret that she can't bring herself to share with Max. But until she does, will he be able to really understand her, or she be able to make a new commitment?

I thoroughly enjoyed this story. Andie is abrasive and assertive, but not obnoxious with it. Max is a wonderful hero--caring and determined and clever about making a spot for himself in Andie's life. The Oregon setting was completely realistic. It is always an extra bit of fun to read stories set where you live; I can find spots and people matching the author's description just by walking out my door.

Reviewed by Raelene Gorlinsky
Courtesy Sensual Romance

Rating:
Summary: "A fast paced romantic suspense"
Review: This is a wonderful book by a new author- at least new to this reviewer. She writes a story about a courageous, spunky nurse in the ICU and a burnt-out cop retiring from Portland's homicide unit.

Andie had bought herself a place out in the country when her husband had died 8 years ago. She loved it. It was a wonderful place to unwind after working the long shifts required as a nurse. She was saving her money to buy the vacant property next door. She didn't pay much attention to the fact that the "for sale" sign was gone when she drove past the lane one day. With a lot of noise the adjoining yard began filling up with vehicles that were loaded to the brim with furniture and boxes. "It couldn't be!" she thought. The farm next door couldn't have been sold to some one else!! She was about to meet her new neighbour!

Andie and Max definitely got off to a rocky start. Max was instantly attracted, Andie was ticked off because he had dared to buy what she was hoping on being her property! Sounds like a match made in heaven, right? Wrong! Andie, despite the fact that Max is a hunk, discovers that she is accident prone when he's around. That doesn't make the relationship go smoother. Little does Andie know that before too long she'll be glad to have a 6'6" male living next door. Unbeknownst to Andie, one of her patients whom she and the other nurses have been courageously keeping alive has a nephew who would definitely be happy if his uncle never came out of the hospital alive! As accidents start to happen in and out of the hospital no one realizes that that they are due to one man! And that man has targeted Andie as the main reason for his uncle's continued good health!

I loved the interactions between Andie and Max. The secondary characters were humorously portrayed. Max was getting relationship advice from his sister and using his ex-partner to find out about Andie's background rather than just asking her!!

Andie had some hang-ups of her own to get past as well. Even though she admitted her neighbour was a gorgeous specimen of manhood, she was not looking to get seriously involved. Will she learn to trust a man enough again in time to save her life? I heartily recommend this book. It is fast paced; the interactions between the hero and heroine are wonderful and the suspense adds just the right touch. This is definitely an author to keep and eye on. Keep those books coming Ms.Samantha Gail!

Reviewed by Sophie Murphy
Courtesy PNR (ParaNormal Romance) Reviews
Posted January 7, 2004

Rating:
Summary: Romance is the ultimate plot.
Review: This is an excellent romance novel. The essence of a romance novel is... romance. Another reviewer has politely and honestly criticized the author for not developing "the plot." I beg to differ. The plot is fully developed and nothing is left out. The principal characters are people of vast experience in their professional fields. The author's sub-plots are not essential to "the plot." However, the glimpses of their normal lives are quite realistic and interesting. I am familiar with both professions, and they, in fact, provide enough vignettes in the normal course to fascinate anyone; and it is normal to want more. Witness the many Cops and Doctors television offerings. The difference, for obvious reasons, is that while the romance element is present it is usually not, let us say, fully developed. There are several plots per TV episode which comprise the main plot and are cleverly and quickly developed. Yet, real life tells us that hanky-panky is the most important activity in most professions, especially Cops and Doctors. That part is the essence of any romance novel; and this author is obviously an expert observer, at least.

In our time, romance novels are about the main plot. All else is mere suggestion, perhaps to spur the imagination of a screen writer or, maybe, to allow the reader a breather.