Dee Henderson
The Negotiator (2001)
Author: Dee Henderson
Genre: Romance (Suspense)/Christian
Plot Summary:
Kate O'Malley grew up in an orphanage, from which she drew the six brothers and sisters that would make up the O'Malley family. As an adult, she is now a skilled hostage negotiator. While dealing with a hostage situation at a bank, she meets FBI agent Dave Richman. The two find themselves attracted to each other as they work to uncover why the gunman stormed into the bank. As the mystery unravels, more and more threats are directed at Kate, including the bombing of a large passenger plane. The threats seem to connect to Kate's past and secrets she doesn't want shared regarding her birth family. As the events build to a final scene with an undiscovered brother, Kate must rely on the love of her adopted siblings, as well as learn to understand her growing love for Dave and his commitment to God.
Geographical Setting: Chicago
Time Period: Present Day
Series: The O'Malley Series, book 2
Appeal Characteristics:
The plot is fast-paced and enough to keep the pages turning, although the emphasis is on character development rather than plot twists. This works to deepen the reader's involvement in both the romantic and faith decisions that the main characters are going through. The story is told through multiple points of view - Kate, Dave, and the major criminal in the book - so the reader is more involved in how the characters are thinking, rather than trying to 'solve the mystery.' As this is the first book in a series, the author uses a lot of words to build the reader's understanding of all the members of the O'Malley 'family', so the secondary characters are quite well developed throughout the book. Lots of 'professional' detail regarding the FBI and hostage negotiation, such as profiling, etc. Depending on the reader, the use of scripture that leads Kate to faith may be a definite appeal characteristic.
Similar Authors: Terri Blackstock
Red Flags:
One of the major scenes in the book includes the main character witnessing the bombing of a plane. Although it isn't graphic, the pre-9/11 description may be overwhelming for people sensitive to this type of event after September 11th. Mild violence, sexual tension - nothing is acted upon, of course, but it might be more than some readers may be comfortable with.
True Courage (2004)
Author: Dee Henderson
Genre: Romance (Suspense/Christian)
Plot Summary:
FBI agent Luke Falcon meets schoolteacher Caroline Lane at his cousin Mark’s wedding to Caroline’s sister, Sharon. Luke is a workaholic and their courtship is rocky. Caroline contemplates breaking up to find someone steadier. Their relationship changes dramatically when Frank Hardin, a murderer who has a grudge against Luke, kidnaps Sharon. SPOILER: The ransom is paid, but when Luke goes to recover Sharon, he finds the accomplices murdered and Sharon gone. Luke suspects Caroline’s stalker Carl, is involved, but he, too, is found murdered. Frank secretly contacts Caroline who selflessly agrees to take Sharon’s place so that Sharon’s son will not grow up motherless. Luke pays the ransom, but must search desperately to find Caroline before it’s too late. Caroline is found, Frank is stopped but commits suicide, and the kidnapping mastermind is arrested. Luke and Caroline realize the depth of their love and what is important in life.
Geographical Setting: Benton, Georgia – a small town just outside Atlanta
Time Period: Present day (2004)
Series: Fourth in the Uncommon Heroes series. The characters are different in each book, but the series has a theme of people in heroic occupations: FBI & CIA agents, Navy pilots & SEALs, etc
Appeal Characteristics:
Definitely an evangelical novel with frequent prayers. The pacing is the roller-coaster style typical of a suspense novel with cliffhangers at chapters’ end. The tone is rather dark and somber and there are a large number of deaths and injuries. These occur ‘offstage’, but the corpses and the wounds are described in more detail than I expected in a Christian Novel. If it weren’t an oxymoron, I would call it a ‘hard-boiled Christian suspense’. This novel would appeal to a mainstream suspense novel fan that was looking for a gentler read. The setting is near Atlanta, but it could have been set in any small town outside a major city – there is nothing particularly Southern to this book’s appeal. It is very plot driven. The two main characters are complex yet steadfast in their faith, but the secondary characters are one-dimensional. Women are portrayed as smart, strong and independent and not waiting helplessly to be rescued, which may appeal to younger, more liberated women. The narration is third person, but not omniscient – we only know what the bad guys are doing because of clues we uncover, or if one of the good guys are with the bad guys. This form of narration adds nicely to the suspense because the reader always feels one step behind the bad guys.
Similar Authors: Lori Wick, Debra White Smith, Lyn Cote, Ted Dekker
Red Flags: There are five murders and a suicide, plus numerous injuries that are described somewhat graphically
True Honor (2002)
Author: Dee Henderson
Genre: Romantic Suspense/Christian
Plot Summary:
Darcy comes back into active duty in the CIA after a retirement of 2 years to meet with an old Russian spy contact. After their meeting goes foul, and he tries to kill her, she finds herself on the hunt to find out why; along her way she meets Sam Houston, aka Cougar, a Chief Petty Officer in the Navy Seals. With many unexpected twists in the plot, Darcy finds herself inevitably hunting for a man who made a profit off the September 11 attacks in New York City. During the hunt she is confronted with many fears which make her rely on her faith in God and in a new friendship with Sam Houston. As Sam and Darcy become closer through their constant interactions with work, they find an unexpected romance brewing. SPOILER: In the end, they find out that the mastermind is an ex-Chezk intelligence officer, who has been buying and selling stock according to planned disasters. Though there are many near death scenes, none of the good guys die, and the last chapter is spent in bliss as Darcy and Sam become engaged and plan their new life together.
Geographical Setting: Washington D.C., Bahamas, and a few other international locations
Time Period: Present day, Soon after September 11, 2001
Series: The 3rd book in the series Uncommon Heroes
Appeal Characteristics:
Winner of 2003 Christy Romance Award, True Honor, is a fast paced suspense romance. Having the book set in present day dealing with current issues, you are thrown into the plot in the first chapter with an attempted murder, and it doesn't slow down from there. Even with the suspense and high tension throughout the book, the mood is still light because of the side romance development as well as frequent conversations about God and his saving grace, but does not give out a preachy feeling. Henderson uses a good deal of dialogue, which quickens the pace of the book, but does not help in the development of the characters. Characterization plays a role with the romance, but not highly developed in the side characters. Without that development, the book focuses mainly on the action and the small romantic plot line.
Read-alikes: Word of Honor by Terri Blackstock is recommended as a read-alike from many sources because of it's fast paced, action packed, suspense stories. Set in America, Jill, the main character, is taken hostage by someone suspected of bombing a near by building. Dan, a local firefighter, tries to help find Jill and find the real culprit for the bombing. Through the intense story, a romance starts between Jill and Dan as they find the Lord in their lives. Alaska Twilight by Colleen Coble has many things in common with True Honor, including a nice clean romance, christian themes, a quick pace, and suspense story. As the main characters go to Alaska to take photographs for Nature Documentations, the Doctor on their expedition dies and as they try to find the killer they are brought together through their faith. Another suspenseful romance that is clean like True Honor and has christian themes but does not give off that preachy feel is Second Chances by Debra White Smith. Marilyn Douglas Thatcher is devastated after her husband, the pastor, leaves her and her daughter. She then meets her neighbor, a pastor, who reinvigorates her life, though also making it very dangerous. The past that her new neighbor brings will put everyone else in jeapordy. The Third book of the Deep Haven Series, The Perfect Match by Susan May Warren, is also an excellent choice after reading Dee Henderson's books. There is the same suspenseful fast reading with the element of romance as well as the level of characterization is very similar. The main character is a working female, like in True Honor, and she is given a job in the small community of Deep Haven. As she is working there, she develops a relationship with the Pastor, who is worried for her safely. Together they work to solve a string of mysterious fires. If you enjoyed the romantic aspect of True Honor and want more clean romances with nice character development, you can follow the author's own suggestion and read a book by Lori Wick, such as, The Visitor. This story follows the story of Alexander Tate, a londoner, who, to recover from an eye injury, goes to his Aunt's house in the country where he unexpectedly learns to love the visiting family and one of the daughters in particular.
Red Flags: There is some violence, attempted murders and a few dead bodies
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