Julie Coulter Bellon - LDS Fiction Book Reviews

Hazardous Duty
By Betsy Brannon Green
Published by Covenant Communications
293 pages

As you all know, I am a huge Betsy Brannon Green fan and I couldn't wait to buy her new book, Hazardous Duty. It is full of new characters and there is no Miss Eugenia this time, but Ms. Green does not disappoint in the least. This story is fast-paced and suspenseful, with a hint of romance that kept me turning the pages until 2 a.m.

It is the story of Savannah McLaughlin whose daughter is snatched from her elementary school and the police, FBI and private investigators can't find her. But Savannah thinks that a man from her past, a Major in the Army specially trained for difficult extractions, could possibly help her. The only problem is, their history is such that she's betrayed him before and he currently hates her. She uses everything she has to convince him to take her case, telling herself she would do anything to find her daughter--even if that means begging and groveling to Major Christopher Dane. Major Dane isn't anxious to take her case and lets her know it. He eventually tells her he will on two conditions----that Savannah is completely honest with him and completely obedient to whatever he tells her to do. It takes a herculean effort to set aside her own feelings of trepidation, but she agrees, telling herself again, she would do anything to get her daughter back no matter what, but it ends up being harder than she thinks.

The situation becomes more dangerous and complicated with every chapter as Ms. Green lays down the clues. Who would want Savannah to suffer? Who had the resources to plan this elaborate kidnapping? But the big question becomes, who can Savannah truly trust? With her trademark twists and turns that keep even the most experienced mystery reader guessing, Ms. Green barrels toward an exciting ending that leaves you breathless. However, that is one of my only criticisms of the book. It is obviously being set up for a new series and the ending leaves you hanging, which I have a hard time with, personally. I like the feeling of closure and in my opinion, that is missing from this book, but I am obviously looking forward to the next book now! There was also a small timeline issue for me, as I was never really sure of when some events were taking place and how long ago other events had taken place, which was a little confusing in parts. But that was a small price to pay for an incredibly entertaining read.

Ms. Green has provided a new mysterious hero, an independent, bold new heroine and I can't wait to see where she takes this new series. I highly recommend this book.

About the Author
Julie Coulter Bellon is a Canadian-born LDS Romantic Suspense novelist who loves incorporating her native country with its complexities into her writing. Julie and her husband Brian are the parents of six children and her greatest joy is being a mother. She graduated from Brigham Young University with a Bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education--English teaching, and she currently teaches a high school journalism course for BYU Continuing Education. Visit Julie's site at http://www.JulieBellon.com Julie Coulter Bellon may be contacted at http://www.JulieBellon.com. Click here to view more articles by Julie Coulter Bellon.