Linda Howard
Death Angel (2008)
Author: Linda Howard
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Plot Summary:
Drea Rousseau is the mistress of Rafael Salinas, a big-time drug lord in New York City. Although she seems like dumb arm candy, Rhea—formerly Andie Butts—is a smart woman beneath the act. As part of a deal, Rafael allows an unnamed assassin to sleep with his mistress. Hurt, humiliated, and angry, Drea steals $2 million from Rafael and flees New York. Seeing this as a blow to his machismo, Rafael sends the unnamed assassin after Drea. Running for her life, Drea is both terrified of and drawn to this mysterious man. SPOILER: Drea dies in a fatal car accident when a small tree is driven through her chest. After a brief spell in the afterlife, she is given a second change and comes back to life. Rafael still thinks she's dead, but the assassin is strangely overjoyed when he finds out she's alive and begins to keep an eye on her. They fall in love, and Drea returns to New York to help the FBI bring down Rafael. The assassin doesn't want her to risk her life, so he kills Rafael, and he and Drea flee to Mexico to begin a new life together.
Geographical Setting: New York City; Elizabeth, NJ; Grissom, Kansas; Denver; Kansas City
Time Period: Contemporary (2008)
Appeal Characteristics:
Death Angel is fast-paced suspense almost from the first page, largely because the main character is running for her life for the majority of the book. Although it is a plot-centered novel, Howard develops the character of Drea Rousseau exceptionally well. She is a strong, smart woman hiding behind a mask of beauty and empty-headedness, and when she gets tired of the act, her transformation is realistic. The tragedy in her past and the choices she makes combine to create a well fleshed out character. The secondary characters, on the other hand, are mostly two-dimensional, serving their function in the plot with little or no development—this includes Drea's love interest, who even remains nameless for half of the book. Heart-racing suspense, steamy sex, and unexpected plot twists are sure to engage the reader. The tone is much more edgy than romantic because of Drea's terrifying situation, and Howard's extensive use of details regarding electronic money transfers and tracking money through banks creates a realistic feel. Her style is natural and dramatic, which contribute to the page-turning suspense.
Read-alikes: For readers who enjoy the edgy tone and fast pace of Death Angel, as well as the description of electronic bank transfers, Elizabeth Lowell's Innocent as Sin would be a great read. Kayla is a banker who is accused of laundering hundreds of millions of dollars, and she must flee for her life with Rand, a stranger who is also being hunted by the same international criminal. Karen Robards' Guilty is edgy and fast-paced from the first page like Death Angel, and it is also about a strong woman whose past plays a large role in her decision-making. Kate is a prosecutor in Philadelphia who is taken hostage by a prisoner in the courtroom, and her past suddenly comes back to haunt her. Readers who are looking for something a bit different might try Katherine Sutcliffe's Darkling, I Listen, in which the main character is a man instead of a woman. Like Howard's book, this novel has a well-developed main character, edgy tone, and an abundance of steamy sex scenes. Movie star Brandon Carlyle has returned to his hometown in Texas to hide from scandal—and a stalker—when he meets reporter Alyson James; together they work to discover the stalker's identity. If readers are looking for characters associated with criminals, unexpected plot twists, and steamy sex scenes, Julie Garwood's Fire and Ice is a great choice. Reporter Sophie Rose interviews a man who then turns up dead in the Alaskan wilderness with her business card, and she wants to know why—so she takes FBI agent Jack MacAllister to Alaska with her to find out. Of course, fans of Death Angel will also love Linda Howard's other novels of romantic suspense, especially Kiss Me While I Sleep, another plot-centered story with a well-developed heroine, a fast pace, and plenty of sex. Kiss Me While I Sleep is also about an assassin—although it is the woman who is a contract killer for the CIA—and about a man sent to kill a woman. Lily leaves the CIA, turning rogue to avenge her friends' murder, and the Agency sends Lucas, another agent, to either bring her back or take her out.
Red Flags: explicit sex (including a scene that could be construed as rape); violence, including murder; mention of drug trafficking, professional assassination, and other criminal activity
Kiss Me While I Sleep (2004)
Author: Linda Howard
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Plot Summary:
Lily Mansfield, an assassin for the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), is out for revenge. Lily learns that her adopted family, also CIA agents and their daughter, are murdered and sets out to avenge their death. In the process of determining who had them killed, Lily learns about a plot to genetically engineer and mutate the Avian Bird Flu by a Parisian Mafia family, the Nervis. She successfully engages the attention of Salvatore Nervi, the head of the Nervi organization, and assassinates him. Lily knows that this will bring the CIA after her because it was not a sanctioned assassination. After killing Salvatore Nervi, Lily disappears into Paris in an attempt to evade the Nervi sons, and CIA agent, Lucas Swain. She begins studying the biochemical facility that is manufacturing the flu virus, and plots to destroy it. While she is studying the facility, she is shot at and ends up being saved by Lucas Swain. They fall in love, become partners, destroy the biochemical facility, and flee to Greece. In the end, Lucas drugs her and turns her in to CIA headquarters.
Geographical Setting: Paris France
Time Period: Present day
Appeal Characteristics:
This is a fast-paced character driven novel that would appeal to readers who like suspense. The heroine is a female assassin for the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) who is orchestrating a mission, which will end in the death of a Parisian Mafia family's "fathers." Other appeal characteristics include the genetically modified mutation and possible release of the Avian Bird Flu virus.
Similar Authors: Ann Maxwell (AKA, Elizabeth Lowell) contemporary, Jayne Ann Krentz, Tami Hoag, Suzanne Brockman, Cherry Adair.
Red Flags: There are several instances of graphic violence and sex. Death by poison and torture are also not for the feint hearted.
Mr. Perfect (2001)
Author: Linda Howard
Genre: Romance (Romantic Suspense)
Plot Summary:
Money. Good Looks. Good in Bed. The list goes on. One Friday after work, fed up with the men in their lives, Jaine Bright and three friends decide to create a list of characteristics that a perfect man would possess. They create the list for fun, but the list makes its way out of the group and into their co-workers' email accounts. Soon, Jaine and her friends are receiving threatening notes from someone who does not think the list is very funny. Now, a killer is out to get even with Jaine and her friends. When one of the ladies is murdered, Jaine is terrified and determined to find out who is targeting these women. Armed with a list of suspects, and the help of sexy, next-door-neighbor, Sam Donovan, a cop, Jaine is determined to find out who is stalking her before the killer finds another victim. SPOILER: Another friend dies and Jaine's sister is seriously injured before the female killer (who is also a co-worker) is discovered.
Geographical Setting: Michigan, United States
Time Period: Present (2001)
Appeal Characteristics:
The biggest appeal element in this book is in-depth characterization that the author uses to tell the story. The book is told in first person narrative (though not always the voice of the protagonist), and through this narration, the reader gets to understand the character's thoughts and emotions. The main character, Jaine, is quick-witted, strong, and sassy, and the author creates a character that is believable and readily liked by readers. In addition, Linda Howard also intersperses moments where the story is told from the perspective of the killer, so the reader catches a glimpse of the killer's motives and feelings as the book progresses. In addition, the chemistry between Jaine and Sam is explosive, so the reader definitely gets a chance to see their relationship progress. The pace of the book is quick. The story is full of action and suspense, so the story progresses quickly. However, there are parts of relaxation in this book, so this is not a non-stop action book, but one with a brisk pace that is full of humor and surprises. The time frame of the book is contemporary and the story is set in Michigan. The tone of the book is humorous at times and bleak at others. Jaine, the protagonist, is a take-charge woman who is very funny. However, because of the plot (the women being stalked and two of them dying) there are parts that appear very bleak and sad. Linda Howard's writing style is very conversational. Much of the book is dialogue, so the reader reads along with the conversations of the characters, making the book seem to move even faster.
Read-alikes: For readers who really enjoyed Mr. Perfect, another Linda Howard novel, Dream Man, would be a good read-alike. Dream Man is not as humorous as Mr. Perfect, but several other appeal elements are present in this book. Considered Romantic Suspense, like Mr. Perfect, Dream Man incorporates suspenseful action, police procedures, and an in-depth romance between the two main characters. The book's main character, Marlie Keen, is psychic and can feel the emotions of those around her. She uses these abilities to read murderers' minds, and now a murderer is killing terrorizing women throughout Orlando. Dane Hollister is the detective in charge of the homicides, and struggles to decide if Marlie's gift is for real. Before long, Dane has to protect Marlie from the killer as she tries to stop the homicides from continuing. This book is a great read-alike because it offers the same level of suspense as Mr. Perfect, and also brings into play well developed characters and well developed passion. Elizabeth Lowell's Color of Death is another read-alike for readers who enjoyed the romance and suspense of Mr. Perfect. The story centers around the gem trade, and a cache of missing jewels. Kate Chandler is a gem cutter responsible for taking a rough gem and transforming it into seven gorgeous gems called the Seven Sins. However, those gems disappear along with Kate's brother, Lee, and the FBI believes that Lee stole them and disappeared. Convinced that Lee would never do that to her, Kate enlists the help of a rogue FBI agent, Sam Groves, to help her find the missing jewels and her missing brother. Before long, they realize that Lee is dead and someone wants to get rid of anyone connected with the jewels, including Kate. This book is filled with suspense, and the romance between Kate and Sam is impossible to miss. This book is a great read-alike for readers who are interested in police procedures, as well. This book would closely resemble Mr. Perfect in the suspense element. Color of Death is full of action and suspenseful moments, just like Mr. Perfect. In addition, the romance between Sam and Kate is great too. Another read-alike for readers who enjoyed the suspense of Mr. Perfect but still like books with romance, Heartbreaker by Julie Garwood is a great option. The story's main character, Laurent, is the sister of Tommy, a priest, who's last confessional revealed a killer targeting Tommy's sister, Laurent. Tommy calls in his best friend, Nick Buchanan, an FBI agent, to protect his sister and to find the killer before he strikes again. Nick and Laurent are immediately attracted to each other, and the two try to fight their passions as they search for a way to make the killer reveal himself. Julie Garwood's Heartbreaker is a great read-alike to Mr. Perfect because it incorporates the appeal elements of romance and suspense, along with characters that are believable to the reader. In addition, another appeal element this book has compared to Mr. Perfect is a strong, female protagonist who is capable of handling herself in tough situations. For readers who enjoy the strong female character, romance, and the suspense of police crime novels, J.D. Robb's Naked in Death is the perfect read-alike. Though this book is set in the future, the reader will have no problem understanding the book or its story. The story's main character, Police Lieutenant Eve Dallas, has been called to solve the crime of a vicious murder of a high-priced prostitute, who also happens to be the granddaughter of a U.S. Senator. The killer used an old firearm and real bullets, and in this day, few people have access to those weapons. However, mysterious collector, Roarke, could easily get his hands on such a weapon, and thus Eve starts after him for answers. Soon, the sparks fly between the two and Eve begins questioning whether he is someone she can trust or whether he is a sadistic serial killer. This book has similar appeal elements to Mr. Perfect, such as a strong female protagonist who is not afraid to take charge and do what needs to be done. Furthermore, the characters in this book are well developed and likeable to the reader. The reader has no problems believing the existence of these characters, even though the story is set in the future. Furthermore, there is plenty of police procedure, far more than Mr. Perfect, but would definitely appeal to those who appreciate police procedure in their romance books. A final read-alike for Mr. Perfect is When Night Falls by Cait London. The book's appeal elements are similar to Mr. Perfect and include a suspenseful plot with a crazed killer, a romance between the two main characters, and a well drawn out, yet brisk, pace for the reader. Uma Thornton lives in small-town Oklahoma and has lived there all her life. She and her friends, Lauren, Pearl and Shelly had grown up together and still have a girl's night out each week. Then, one week, a drive-by shooting leaves Uma's best friend, Lauren, dying in her arms. At the same time, bad-boy Mitchell Warren returns to the small town, where he tried to leave his past several years before. No one in Madrid, Oklahoma is happy to see Mitchell and his brother return to the town, and now a killer is stalking Uma and her friends. Now Uma has to decide whether she can trust Mitchell to protect her and find the killer, or if Mitchell has more to do with the murder than he is letting on. This book is full of suspense, but the writer has still managed to create characters that are multi-dimensional and believable to the reader. This is a great read-alike if the reader was attracted to the romance of Mr. Perfect while still enjoying the suspense of a killer on the loose.
Red Flags: explicit sex, graphic violence and death
To Die For (2004)
Author: Linda Howard
Genre: Contemporary Romance/Suspense
Plot Summary:
Blair Mallory, an owner of a fitness club, witnesses a murder of one of her patrons, in the parking lot of her business. She reconnects with Wyatt Bloodsworth, a former flame who is a lieutenant on the police force and is investingating a murder. They reignite their passions as it becomes clear that Blair herself is in danger. Blair is shot at and her brake line is cut, leading to a dangerous accident. Wyatt ends up being Blair's protector as they and police speculate who might be making an attempt on her life. Suspects include a man who was having an affair with Nicole, the woman who was shot in the parking lot and Blair's ex-husband, Jason, a politician who seemingly will stop at nothing to prevent harm to his political career.
Geographical Setting: North Carolina
Time Period: Present (2004)
Appeal Characteristics:
Blair is a feisty, strong protagonist, who feels she knows how to reign Wyatt in while testing him at every opportunity. The novel is written in the first person from Blair's point-of-view, which allows the reader to experience the story through her humorous observations and insight. This provides some humor to the story as the two of them bicker and fight and try to gain the upper hand in their relationship. The two of them get serious very quickly and Wyatt must work to gain Blair's trust. The plot moves at a brisk pace as the reader is kept guessing who is trying to take Blair's life and most of the violence is kept off stage or is not graphically detailed. The southern setting may also provide some appeal for those who southern characters.
Read-alikes: If readers wish to continue on with another Howard novel, they might enjoy Killing Time which also involves a police detective who forms a relationship with and protects a woman who is in danger after her father is mysterioulsy murdered. Karen Robards' One Summer is a contemporary romance that would appeal to those who like a southern setting. It tells the story of an ex-convict, who returns to his small community and forms a romantic relationship with a school teacher. Slow Burn, a romantic suspense by Julie Garwood, involves three Southern sisters (To Die For also involves Blair and her two sisters), mainly Kate McKenna, who is put in danger when a bomb goes off while she's a guest at a party. Romantic entaglements ensue. Nora Roberts' Northern Lights is light on graphic violence and involves a mystery and a relationship between a police officer and a female bush pilot. Katherine Sutcliffe's Darkling I Listen in
volves a scandalized movie star who goes into hiding from a stalker and ends up in an affair with a tabloid reporter.
Red Flags: sex, mild violence
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