Stranger Next Door (Randolph Family Ties) (Intrigue, 573)

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Summary: The Stranger Next Door
Review: Joanna Wayne's hot streak continues with the second (or third) Randolph Family Ties book, "The Stranger Next Door." This time it's romance for nice guy Langley, or as his brother Ryder puts it, "the most honest, unassuming Randolph of all of us." Langley is filling in as the county sheriff while his brother Branson is on his honeymoon. The job gets to be more interesting when the beautiful Danielle arrives in town. Danielle has been struck with amnesia after an brutal attack in New Orleans. The only key to her identity is a letter from her dead uncle, who left her his ranch neighboring the Randolphs. Someone begins terrorizing her in an attempt to drive her off the land. Can the substitute sheriff keep her safe and find the culprit?

In this well-told romantic suspense tale, the author manages a nice balance between the romantic and mystery parts of the story. Every chapter ends with a dramatic or suspenseful moment and in between the tension is kept high. The mystery has a number of suspects to keep readers trying to solve it all the way to the surprise ending. At the same time, there is good character development between the leads. The romance between Langley and Danielle is developed better than the one in "The Second Son." This is also the first amnesia book I've read in a while that didn't immediately annoy me, maybe because I didn't feel like the cover copy was shoving that plot hook down my throat.

The author's clean, spare writing is effective, highlighted by amusing dialogue ("I bought you a present." "It's not my birthday." "It might be.") Best of all, she sets up the final book, "A Mother's Secrets" in a way where we won't be waiting to find out who baby Betsy's father is, sparing us a drawn out revelation in that one. I would have to say that readers who haven't read "The Second Son" should probably do that first, or else skip pages 158 and 159, where Wayne explains the whole plot of that book. Better yet, try and get your hands on a copy of "Family Ties" and start at the beginning. Either way, "The Stranger Next Door" is sure to win Joanna Wayne even more fans.

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Summary: Romantic Times Top Pick
Review: Romantic Times picked this as a top pick for the month of July and they were right on target. I loved every minute of it, and once again the Randolph brothers proved to be the most exciting cowboys in Texas.

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Summary: Gripping suspense and a highly sensual romance
Review: This is Joanna Wayne at her best. From the opening paragraph, the reader is thrown into a danger-packed situation. The heroine, Danielle, is attacked in New Orleans and left bleeding from a head injury that leaves her with a temporary attack of amnesia. Langley Randolph tries to help her but ends up not even trusting his own instincts where this woman is concerned. He realizes early on that he is drawn to her as he's never been drawn to any woman. He also knows that while he loves his lifestyle, most women wouldn't, especially a woman like Danielle. The south Texas ranch he loves is isolated and lonely, a fact that sends most women running.

But as the danger intensifies, he is certain that he'll do whatever he has to in order to save her and to find the man who wants her dead. The mystery is complex but the pacing is fast and never lets the reader forget that a vicious killer is out to kill Danielle.

This was a top pick from RT. Don't miss it.