True Devotion by Dee Henderson
Genre: Romantic
Suspense
Publication Date: 2000
Number of Pages: 470 (large Print)
Geographical Setting: Coronado, California
Time: Current
Series: Uncommon
Heroes
Plot: Kelly Jacobs is a lifeguard in Coronado.
California. She's drowning while trying to save the life of a teen boy, only to be saved by her best friend, Navy SEAL
Joe ‘Bear’ Baker. Can Kelly and Joe get
over the pain of losing Nick, Kelly’s husband, to find a love of their
own? Besides working on a relationship,
Joe’s trying to find the person responsible for stealing military arms and
ultimately the one who killed Nick. Will
Joe handle both events or will the stress make him compromise one?
Subject Headings: United States SEALS, widows, second
chances, forgiveness
Appeal: fast-paced, engaging, suspenseful
Characteristics of Romantic Suspense:
Pacing: Pacing is crucial, there is enough
action to move the story quickly.
Identification with the protagonist and her plight, the desire to
unravel the mystery behind events, as well as building suspense, make these
page-turners.
Characterization: Point of view is key. The story is
told from the threatened heroine's point of view. Although other points of view are
represented, the heroine remains the central character.
Story Line: Romantic elements are as intense and
important as the suspense.
Tone/Mood: There is always a sense of
uneasiness, even in quieter moments within the story.
Frame/Setting: Most of these novels feature
contemporary settings. Intriguing,
detailed backgrounds often frame these stories.
Language: smart dialogue and witty repartee.
Mary,
ReplyDeleteI saw that this book is the first in Dee Henderson's Uncommon Hero series. Does the book end with an unfinished feeling, or could you read it as a stand alone? I also saw that there is a glossary in the front of the book to assist the reader with some of the military language, did you find the military language especially difficult or the glossary intimidating? I read a gentle read book for an annotation and had to keep flipping back to the glossary for explanation for some of the British terms. I didn't like interrupting the story for my research and was wondering your thoughts.
Thank you.
I believe this book could be a stand alone book. I didn't find the military language especially difficult for this book. I did look up a couple of the words at the beginning of the book, but not that many that it impeded my reading. And I would classify this book on the more gentle side of Romantic Suspense.
DeleteSPOILER ALERT: During the book there is only dating. So that works. I would say this is a book for a stereotypical female audience. I personally believe that it was light on the military scenarios.
ReplyDeleteHi, Mary-
ReplyDeleteI haven't read a romance novel in quite awhile, but I went through a huge romance genre phase several years ago- I found that it was easy for me to get "lost" in the story, and I liked that. I read mostly thrillers/horror now, and it never occurred to me that romance suspense would be a genre I should check out! I see that this is the first in the series- have you read the whole series? If you haven't, does this book entice you to read the whole series?
I haven't read the whole series. To be honest, this book doesn't make me want to go right out and read the rest of the series. I found it a little slower paced than what I wanted to read. Maybe this book was a bit too gentle for me. Dee Henderson is more Inspirational Romantic Suspense and seeing that you are reading thrillers/horror right now, I wouldn't suggest her for you. I might suggest either Suzanne Brockmann or Kay Hooper.
DeleteGreat annotation! Your summary and appeals are spot on. Next time however, be sure to include a read alike or two. Good job!
ReplyDelete