Reviewer: Lori Graham
Title: Next To Die
Author: Marliss Melton
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing (formerly Warner Books)
ISBN: 0446618349
Release Date: August 2007
Genre/Sub-genre: Romantic Suspense
Year/Setting: Current/Virginia and a few brief times in Afghanistan
Overall Rating: 5.0
Sexual Content Rating: Sensual
Language (Profanity/Slang) Rating: Mild
Violent Content Rating: Minimal
Marliss's Website:
www.marlissmelton.com
Penny Price is a physical therapist at the Portsmouth Naval Medical Center. She also lives in her own home next door to a very attractive Navy SEAL. Joe Montgomery is more than just the boy next door to Penny. She has been taking care of his home and his cat for years since every time he leaves on a mission he picks one of his current women who don’t follow through. Joe, however, doesn’t know this until his latest mission.
Joe’s mission in Afghanistan doesn’t go well and he comes home in pretty bad shape, both mentally and physically. Not only does Penny try to help at home but she is also assigned as his physical therapist. Imagine Joe’s surprise when he begins ‘reacting’ to his physical therapy in ways that are hardly medical. J Based on this last mission, there are a number of things in Joe’s life that he is beginning to see differently.
Penny’s life isn’t exactly smooth right now either. Her father was killed a few years back, leaving just her and her sister. They discovered their father’s journal and are questioning the cause of his death. Needless to say, those responsible for his death aren’t exactly pleased they have started looking.
Marliss Melton creates some riveting suspense in Next to Die. I had the chance to use her book as a great escape and I gotta tell you it kept me involved when I really needed it. The love stories developing for both Penny and her sister, Ophelia, are sweet, and yet, they are incredibly sensual. Both of these women are finding hidden strength they didn’t know they possessed and they are coming through these ordeals as even stronger women. The heroes are also every woman’s dream men – handsome, smart and hot, with the ability of literally sweep the women they love off of their feet.
Marliss has obviously done her homework on the naval arena which really adds depth to the storyline created. The characters are raw yet real, gritty yet passionate. The antagonist comes from the least likely place – but isn’t that the sign of a really good mystery?
Well done – I can’t wait for the next Marliss Melton offering!
Lori
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