Review * Giveaway
Ring Around the Rosie by Julie Coulter Bellon
Book Description:
Revenge is a dish best served cold . . .
As the ex-wife of a law enforcement officer, Sarah Reed has known loneliness and loss. In order to cope, she makes a life for herself that's full of routine while building a wall of ice around her heart. Everything about her is as predictable as she can make it until a tiny detour for her ex-husband, Ron, changes her life forever. Caught in a bomb crisis, Sarah is taken hostage by a man who wants Ron and everyone around him to suffer---and his idea of suffering is more terrible than Sarah had ever dreamed.
Captain Ron Reed has seen the worst of humanity in his job with the Hostage Negotiation Team, but he never expected his past to come back with a vengeance---literally. Aaron Starks, a criminal explosives expert, has stolen next-gen bomb technology and uses it to force Ron to bargain for the lives of his team and his ex-wife, Sarah, the woman he still loves. But the situation escalates when Ron discovers that Starks has an even bigger objective in mind---using the bomb to show how vulnerable America and her people truly are.
Ron is willing to risk everything to save his country and those he loves, but when negotiations break down, will his sacrifice be too little too late?
Review:
Ring Around the Rosie is an excellent addition to Julie Coulter Bellon's Hostage Negotiation Series. It has been awhile since I read the rest of the series, but I didn't feel lost at all, and loved the inclusion of characters from the previous books. It was also great that the main character, Ron, was a new focus in the series, and I connected with him right off.
Sarah was a bit of a mystery to me at first, but I came to connect with her as well. She had some quirks, but they made her more likable (the huge purse for one).
This book is a little different in that you know who the bad guy is. Of course, his devious plans are where the suspense comes in, and Ring Around the Rosie is an enjoyable ride.
I also really enjoyed the idea of second chances in this book. Ron and Sarah's marriage ended badly, and they really needed this time (horrible as the situation was) to finally discuss what had driven them apart. Lack of communication is a huge relationship killer, and it was sweet that they could address their past.
I also really enjoyed the idea of second chances in this book. Ron and Sarah's marriage ended badly, and they really needed this time (horrible as the situation was) to finally discuss what had driven them apart. Lack of communication is a huge relationship killer, and it was sweet that they could address their past.
If you are looking for a clean, romantic suspense, give Ring Around the Rosie (and the rest of the Hostage Negotiation Series) a try.
Excerpt:
Her words were cut off by a blast of hot air and fire, an explosion so large it blew them all backward. Ron hit the floor hard and lay there dazed and groggy. Glass and debris rained down. Confetti-sized menus and napkins floated like snowflakes in slow motion all around him. For a second the entire world was a silent tunnel with him at the end of it. It would be so easy to just close his eyes and let the blackness suck him down into unconsciousness. But he couldn’t. Not yet. Get up. Get everyone out.
“Sarah?” he croaked. He tried again. “Sarah?” His legs felt like lead and the urge to just lie back was stronger than ever. No. Keep moving. “Claire?” He coughed and tried to catch a breath, but couldn’t get the oxygen to his lungs. With a shallow intake of air, he turned over on his stomach and used his arms to raise himself to a sitting position. The inside of the diner looked like a destructive madman had rearranged it. The booths were toppled or stacked on top of each other. The hostess station was next to him now. The only thing that was still standing where it had before the blast was the four walls, the ceiling, and the antique counter. “Sarah,” he called again. “Bart? Colby?” The little girl. Was she still in the back with her mother?
No one answered. Where is everyone? He crawled forward. Sarah had been nearly right beside him. Now there was no sign of her. He rubbed his eyes and coughed. Moving slowly, he prayed she was alive. It didn’t take long to find her sandwiched between an overturned booth bench and the podium for the hostess station. With some effort he managed to maneuver close to her, the adrenaline kicking in as his blood pounded through his system. Don’t let her be dead. Not like this.
Praise for Ring Around the Rosie:
"Julie Coulter Bellon proves once again she is a master at capturing her audience from the very first page . . . Unlike most suspense novels, the most suspenseful portion of Ring Around the Rosie is the first two thirds of the book . . . Suspense readers as well as anyone who just enjoys an absorbing story will enjoy this one." ---Jennie Hansen, Meridian Magazine
Julie Coulter Bellon is one of my favorite romantic suspense writers, and this book is her best so far! It charters deep emotions and a complex plot. At the same time it traces the resurrection of a marriage. It has good writing, good plotting, and a very satisfying ending. ---Award-winning romance author, G.G. Vandagriff
About the Author:
Julie is married with eight children and eleven published books. She loves to travel and her favorite cities she's visited so far are probably Athens, Paris, Ottawa, and London. She would love to visit Hawaii, Australia, Ireland, and Scotland someday. She loves to read, write, teach, watch Castle, Hawaii Five-O, and eat Canadian chocolate. Not necessarily in that order.
Blog Tour Giveaway:
Prize #1---$30 Amazon Gift Card
Prize #2---Booklovers Basket
Prize #3---Four Book Set of Hostage Negotiation Team series
Ends 9/15/14
a Rafflecopter giveaway
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Title: Ring Around the Rosie
Author: Julie Coulter Bellon
Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform
Published: July 2014
ISBN: 150060058X
Source: I received a copy from the author in exchange for a review.
Title: Ring Around the RosieAuthor: Julie Coulter Bellon
Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform
Published: July 2014
ISBN: 150060058X
Source: I received a copy from the author in exchange for a review.
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