Beth Cornelison has written an excellent tale of suspense. It seems all of the best people in the story have suffered in one way or another so she builds them as she stacks one challenge after another on their shoulders. The smokejumpers are all unique characters who respond just like the heroes they are. Not everyone gets stronger through pain and loss. Rick is watching his father die a slow death as a result of Agent Orange being used in Viet Nam. All he wants to do is make someone pay for past wrongs. Cara is still reacting to what she has seen as an army nurse and the helplessness she has felt. Some characters we don’t get to know much about and it’s probably just as well because they’re just bad and there’s no good excuse for their actions.

Many authors can do a great suspense story but not all of them do the kind of job this author does in weaving the terrorists with heroic smokejumpers and the budding love story between Jackson and Lauren. As in reality, a good love story isn’t without its ups and downs. Jackson, Lauren and Emily surely have their share. Beth Cornelison does a great job of keeping each segment of the tale running smoothly in parallel then brings it all together for a powerful ending.

Overall rating:
Sensuality rating: Explicit

Reviewer: Dee Dailey
May 13, 2008