This is *exactly* my favorite type of book. Right from the opening pages the book had me anxious to read more. Lots of action and good romance, too. Part of what made it extra interesting is that it takes place in LA, Pasadena (my home town) and Sequoia (where I recently camped).
Willa Barrett is an LA Cop doing prostitution under-cover work. She's especially after one man, Jack Paulson, who was responsible for her father's death years before. Jeff is a youth pastor from Pasadena, though he once worked as a minister on the LA strip area. Jeff is back in the area looking for Tracey, a 13 year old member of his church that has run away. Willa literally bowls him over as her cover is blown as she barrels into him during her escape. While helping Tracey get away, and realizing she herself will not get away, Willa "plants" the evidence to convict Paulson into Jeff's pocket.
Next for the fun part of the book. Jeff has left to take a group of Jr. High kids backpacking in Sequoia. Willa figures she will just catch up with them and retrieve her evidence and head home. But... street savvy Willa is at a loss in the wilderness. Snakes? Blisters? Bears? What next?
The tension builds as Paulson is now after both Willa and Tracey. I won't let any plot twists away, but suffice it to say the book kept me riveted to my seat. I can't believe this is Cynthia Cooke's debut novel. She does the action/suspense very well, sprinkled with some nice romance. I felt I was right there with Willa the whole time.
While there was no "sex" or "gorey violence" in the book, I might rate this book PG because of the portrayal of the realities of the prostitution lifestyle.
I hope you enjoy this book as much as I did... Enjoy!
