Cherished Witness

Tired of being mentally and emotionally beaten down by her husband Antonio, Teresa Pascal escapes from her pretty prison just for a few minutes to speak to her father. Before she can call him, she witnesses her husband killing his archrival in cold blood. Knowing she cannot return to the house and bitter life she shared with her mob boss husband, Teresa turns state witness and testifies against him and his number one man, Calamondo.

A few years and identity later, Teresa, now known as Kelly meets up with J.T. Romano, a handsome and emotionally wounded former New Orleans police officer. Unknown to Teresa/Kelly, she and J.T. have a common bond—Calamondo. The other thing Kelly doesn’t know is that J.T. is the reason Calamondo has found her. After an attempt on her life, J.T. takes her into his own protective custody and the two go on the run trying to lure in Calamondo and save their own lives. When Teresa learns it was J.T. who opened the door for Calamondo to find her the hurt goes deep. Before she can sort out her feelings over J.T. Kelly learns that Antonio’s brother, Vincent who has long coveted Kelly, has her father. As she races to his side a wounded J.T. and his partner, Slade Montgomery try to find her before it is too late.

This reviewer is in the camp of readers who generally has to read a series in order. In the case of Ms. Atkins’ New Orleans Police series, PRIME SUSPECT was read before CHERISHED WITNESS, completely out of order. It is one of those instances where reading a later work can hook a reader, in this case this reviewer, on not only a series, but an author’s writing. Had this reviewer read CHERISHED WITNESS first, there would have been little incentive to continue on this the series. Reading the books out of order opened up the door to see just how far this author came in a short time. Add in Ms. Atkins’ recent, totally enjoyable release, VALENTINE VENDATTA, and readers will see the full span of this wonderful author’s work of a relatively short span of time.

CHERISHED WITNESS is a bit too cliché, over dramatic and predictable. There’s action. In fact, the opening scene completely lures the reader in. From there, however, it becomes a bit routine. That said, CHERISHED WITNESS is a must read to enjoy the rest of the series, especially this reviewer’s favorite by Ms. Atkins, PRIME SUSPECT. It really is an amazing opportunity to see how a writer develops and finds her voice.

Kelly is a wonderfully likeable character. After years in an abusive marriage, she takes matters into her own hands. While she may not have wanted to enter the Witness Security program, once she is part of that system, she gives her all. She’s a resilient character, someone readers would like to know as a friend.

J.T. has his own demons, and would be more likeable if he honored his own promises not to push sex with Kelly. And then he pulls a total “guy thing” when after having sex with Kelly, the next morning he needs to do the “space” thing.

Had this reviewer read CHERISHED WITNESS first, it would have still come in with the rating it has. It’s a good read, but average. The entire series is a do not miss series because each book builds on the next and are interwoven, yet not in a cumbersome way because they can be read and enjoyed out of order. If the reader would like to see a clear development of a true talent, each book in Ms. Atkins’ New Orleans Police series is a do not miss.

March 2007