The Black Rose

Emily Ann Knolls has been living in Tampa for almost a year, she has told herself she must stick it out a year before she gives up and moves back home to Kentucky. Apparently somebody else knows her intentions too because she starts receiving roses with ominous, threatening cards containing details of her impending move. After receiving a threatening phone call from the same source, Emily calls the police and handsome Officer Andrew Rossi comes to her rescue and sparks her interest. Seeing Andrew at Emily’s house for a social call the next day enrages the stalker and he abducts Emily. Can Andrew find her before it is too late?

THE BLACK ROSE is a great suspense novel and the anticipation of waiting for the stalker to show himself will have the reader on the edge of their seat.

However, the romantic element of the story between Emily and Andrew was too rushed for this reviewer. Emily gives her virginity too easily to a man she only just met and they become serious just as quickly. This reviewer felt that Emily was initially portrayed as an independent woman who, while looking for companionship, would not have so easily given herself to a man. This reviewer felt that if the story had been a little longer and the relationship had been built more slowly that it would have been more believable.

Ms. Grey is a great author and THE BLACK ROSE is a good book that had a great story line and stirring suspense, but fell short in the believability department when it came to the romance aspect.

June 2007