Reviewer: Connie Payne
Title: Ralphie's Wives
Author: Christine Rimmer
Publisher: HQN
ISBN: 0373772300
Release Date: March 2007
Genre/Sub-genre: Mystery Romance
Year/Setting: Present day - OK
Overall Rating: 5.0
Sexual Content Rating: Sensual/Sexual
Language (Profanity/Slang) Content Rating: Mild/Moderate
Violent Content Rating: Minimal/Moderate
Christine's Website:
www.christinerimmer.com
Everyone liked Ralphie. All the women loved him, especially his wives (past and present). It’s not exactly clear why, though. He certainly didn’t have money or looks or a whole lot of get up and go, but he did ooze a charm all his own.
Evidently someone didn’t think he was all that charming since Ralphie is killed by a hit and run driver. Perhaps it’s an accident. At least that’s what the police are saying. And there’s no evidence for Phoebe Jacks or the other wives to question otherwise. Until Ralphie’s P.I. friend and heir (of sorts), Rio Navarro, drives into town with more questions than Phoebe wants to answer or think about.
Maybe things don’t add up as neatly as the police think they do. Rio said he needs her help to figure out what happened to Ralphie. She’s the only one with access to Ralphie’s friends and business contacts. It also doesn’t hurt that they’re extremely attracted to each other, either. Not that she’ll act on it, of course (sure, right, uh-huh). He won’t stick around and she doesn’t want a temporary fling. Best to help him, even if it leads to nothing, and let him be on his way.
Nothing turns out to be something. Fingers point to Phoebe’s inner circle of friends and acquaintances, which she finds unbelievable. Until she gets several warnings telling her to back off. Warnings she ignores. Warnings Rio wants her to heed.
Before they can take their relationship to the next level, they have to find Ralphie’s murderer. Otherwise, there will be no relationship. Phoebe will be with Ralphie in the hereafter.
Phoebe and Rio’s personalities blend and complement each other. They both have some of the same characteristics, yet it’s the ones opposite each other that ignite the sparks and make them the perfect couple.
The pacing is swift, the descriptions tight. There’s a lot going on in this story, yet not a beat is missed. Never once do you feel as if you’re out of the loop or have to struggle keep up.
Christine Rimmer did a fabulous job with her first HQN single title. The mixture of romance, suspense, and comic relief in Ralphie’s Wives, couldn’t have been better.
I look forward to her next single title, and perhaps a mystery/chick lit series…?
Connie
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