Jennifer W. (GeniusJen) reviewed House of Secrets (Mission: Family, Bk 1) (Harlequin Intrigue, No 877) on + 5322 more book reviews
Harlequin Intrigue continues its tradition of great romantic suspense tales with Tracy Montoya's latest release, HOUSE OF SECRETS. With plot twists and turns that I never saw coming, along with a hero and heroine with their own sets of personal issues, this is one book I'm glad I had the chance to read.
Twenty-five years ago, LAPD policewoman Daniela Lopez was murdered in her home, killed by a professional sent to silence her. Daniela had sent her four children-oldest son Jose, twins Patricio and Daniel, and daughter Sabrina-to a friend's home for their own safety, knowing that someone would be sent to take care of her. She was on the trail of the person or persons who had murdered her husband and torn her family apart, and she vowed to never quit until his killer was brought to justice. Unfortunately, that night was the last of Daniela's life-and the life as he knew it for ten-year-old Jose, who had ventured home to take care of his mother and who hid as she was brutally murdered.
Jose "Joe" Lopez is now a private investigator, and he has no memory of his mother's death. All he has are dreams that seem all too real; dreams that seem to be drawing him closer and closer to the house in the Hancock Park neighborhood of Los Angeles. In L.A. to attend a convention, Joe can't help but stop by a house that he has no recollection of ever seeing before-except in his dreams, where he roams through the dark, empty hallways looking for his mother. But when he shows up at the house, now owned by professor Emma Jensen Reese, he winds up rescuing her from two would-be attackers. What in blazes is going on with this house and its new occupant?
Emma has no idea who her rescuer was, or what the two bad guys were doing waiting for her to return home. All she knows is that P.I. Joe Lopez is showing an almost unnatural obsession with her house-and is acting really shady about his past. When she discovers that Joe himself doesn't recall much about what his life was like when he was younger, the professor in Emma forces her to help him delve into his past. As new facts come to light-Joe has three siblings he doesn't remember, and both of his parents were murdered-Emma and Joe are plunged into a mystery that keeps bringing them closer and closer to danger. As an attraction builds, danger mounts. Joe wants nothing more than to find out who destroyed his family all those years ago, and Emma is more than willing to help him in his quest. But someone is determined that the past should stay buried, and will do anything-including murdering Emma and Joe-to keep it that way.
HOUSE OF SECRETS is such a great read on so many levels. The mystery that spans twenty-five years is interesting and intriguing, as are the flashes of memory that are Joe's only clues. Emma is a woman struggling to prove that she can make it on her own, and both characters are reluctant to trust each other. As danger nears, can Emma and Joe put aside their insecurities and act on the emotions that are developing between them? You'll just have to pick up a copy of HOUSE OF SECRETS to find out!
Twenty-five years ago, LAPD policewoman Daniela Lopez was murdered in her home, killed by a professional sent to silence her. Daniela had sent her four children-oldest son Jose, twins Patricio and Daniel, and daughter Sabrina-to a friend's home for their own safety, knowing that someone would be sent to take care of her. She was on the trail of the person or persons who had murdered her husband and torn her family apart, and she vowed to never quit until his killer was brought to justice. Unfortunately, that night was the last of Daniela's life-and the life as he knew it for ten-year-old Jose, who had ventured home to take care of his mother and who hid as she was brutally murdered.
Jose "Joe" Lopez is now a private investigator, and he has no memory of his mother's death. All he has are dreams that seem all too real; dreams that seem to be drawing him closer and closer to the house in the Hancock Park neighborhood of Los Angeles. In L.A. to attend a convention, Joe can't help but stop by a house that he has no recollection of ever seeing before-except in his dreams, where he roams through the dark, empty hallways looking for his mother. But when he shows up at the house, now owned by professor Emma Jensen Reese, he winds up rescuing her from two would-be attackers. What in blazes is going on with this house and its new occupant?
Emma has no idea who her rescuer was, or what the two bad guys were doing waiting for her to return home. All she knows is that P.I. Joe Lopez is showing an almost unnatural obsession with her house-and is acting really shady about his past. When she discovers that Joe himself doesn't recall much about what his life was like when he was younger, the professor in Emma forces her to help him delve into his past. As new facts come to light-Joe has three siblings he doesn't remember, and both of his parents were murdered-Emma and Joe are plunged into a mystery that keeps bringing them closer and closer to danger. As an attraction builds, danger mounts. Joe wants nothing more than to find out who destroyed his family all those years ago, and Emma is more than willing to help him in his quest. But someone is determined that the past should stay buried, and will do anything-including murdering Emma and Joe-to keep it that way.
HOUSE OF SECRETS is such a great read on so many levels. The mystery that spans twenty-five years is interesting and intriguing, as are the flashes of memory that are Joe's only clues. Emma is a woman struggling to prove that she can make it on her own, and both characters are reluctant to trust each other. As danger nears, can Emma and Joe put aside their insecurities and act on the emotions that are developing between them? You'll just have to pick up a copy of HOUSE OF SECRETS to find out!
