Marine sniper Isaiah (“Zane”) Boone is home from Afghanistan with more than a few ghosts. Try as he might to settle back into civilian life in small-town West Virginia, he can’t escape the conviction he’s being followed. Both Zane’s ex-wife and his psychologist claim he’s paranoid, and he can’t prove he’s not. Hoping to outrun his misery, he sets his romantic sights on the irresistible Molly McClure. A successful wedding coordinator at the illustrious Greenbrier Resort, Molly has had plenty of wealthy men willing to open their wallets and hearts for her. But when Zane strides into the upscale Greenbrier lobby with his lumberjack boots and his troubled eyes, the attraction she’s felt since high school reawakens — and she’s willing to go way out of her comfort zone to pursue it. When Molly becomes an innocent target, Zane realizes too late that his malevolent stalkers are very real. As a net of vengeance tightens around them, Zane gears up for a fight to the death…and Molly has just one chance to prove she can be far more than a pretty face. Book 2 in the Hemlock Creek Suspense series by Grace award-winning, INSPY-longlist nominated author Heather Day Gilbert.
Heather Day Gilbert, a Grace Award winner and bestselling author, writes novels that capture life in all its messy, bittersweet, hope-filled glory. Born and raised in the West Virginia mountains, generational story-telling runs in her blood. Heather writes Viking historicals and contemporary mystery/suspense. Publisher’s Weekly gave Heather’s Viking historical Forest Child a starred review, saying it is “an engaging story depicting timeless human struggles with faith, love, loyalty, and leadership.”
Find Heather on Pinterest (heatherdgilbert), Instagram (@heatherdaygilbert), Twitter (@heatherdgilbert), and Facebook (heatherdaygilbert). You can find all her books at heatherdaygilbert.com.
My Impressions:
If you are in need of some high-octane action, Undercut by Heather Day Gilbert is the book for you. This novella may be short on pages but not short on breath-holding suspense and chemistry-laden romance. I finished this book in record time not just because of its length, but because it is unputdownable! Recommended.
Molly McClure and Zane Boone have known each other for years. But despite Molly’s high school crush and Zane’s definite attraction, they have not connected because, well, major issues on Zane’s part. But that’s about to change as they work through their many differences and join forces to combat the danger that has followed Zane from his Marine days.
Opposites really do attract in Undercut. Gilbert creates a good relationship for the lumberjack and the glamor girl. While they don’t have a lot of common interests, they do share values and faith. Zane and Molly are fun characters that are real and relatable, at least in their normal interactions. When it comes to the dangerous aspects of the book, things are far from normal. 😉 They face knife attacks, gun fights, and extreme winter weather. Yep, just another day at the office for Gilbert’s characters! The intense suspense is what kept me engaged and flipping the pages. The setting added depth to the book. I really liked the contrast of the opulent Greenbrier Resort and the untamed West Virginia mountains.
Undercut is the second book in the Hemlock Creek Suspense series (how did I miss book 1!), but is easily read as a standalone. I’ve already got Out of Circulation (book 1) on the Kindle ready and waiting for another lazy afternoon or evening reading opportunity. Heather Day Gilbert is already my go-to author for mystery. Now she is a must-read romantic suspense author as well.
Recommended.
Audience: adults
To purchase, click HERE. (only $2.99 on Kindle)
(Thanks to the author for a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)
Thanks so much for the review, Beckie–your review made ME think about how I’d written the book and I looked at it from that other angle of setting. I really did love both settings in this book, and was happy to bring the reader a little taste of The Greenbrier (not to mention the snowy mountains, which is what we have right now in my part of West Virginia!). Thank you!
You are very welcome, Heather. I’ve already downloaded Out of Circulation and just have to find the perfect time to read it. Thanks for what writing great books!
I love when a book is unputdownable!!! Excellent review. I will check this book out. 😊
Hope you enjoy it too!
The plot is so contemporary. Sounds interesting. I read Forest Child. It certainly sparks your interest in Viking history.
Her mysteries are great too. I’ve loved everything I’ve read by Gilbert!