Amazon Denise Robbins Category:  Romance Publisher: L & L Dreamspell ISBN-10:  1603180869 Type: Fiction Pages: 308 Copyright: Jan 15, 2009 ISBN-13: 9781603180863 In a matter of hours, Ruby Goodman, savvy computer expert, is fired from her job and catches her fiancé in bed with another woman. What else could possibly go wrong? Ruby knew she shouldn't have asked that question, because without a doubt there would be something. Everything happens in threes. Seeking to escape her stalking ex-fiancé, savvy computer expert, Ruby Goodman, flees to her family's vacation home. Always a healing place, Florida is the best spot for her to reassemble the crumbling pieces of her personal and professional life in safety. But somehow her high school sweetheart and first love, Michael Augustson, always appears when she least expects-but needs-him most. This time the only man she's ever truly loved needs her help to catch an international thief. But can she risk her life by becoming involved in his scheme? And does she dare to lay her heart on the line for a man who may disappear at any time? Forced into some 'R and R', unflappable special operative, Michael, takes refuge in Florida where he runs into his old love, Ruby. Brilliant and a whiz with computers, Ruby is the answer to his prayers. He needs someone to crack the computer systems of an elusive money laundering thief. While working with her, Michael finds it a challenge to keep his distance from Ruby because he fears his passion for her may endanger both their lives. The only way to keep Ruby safe is to keep her close. Is it because of the threat to her life? Or is it because the stubborn, independent and infuriating but passionate Ruby has become a threat to his heart? Excerpt Fear had her scrambling for the edge of the pool. Pushing water out of her way with her hands, she struggled to get to the house and safety. Before she could lift herself up two strong hands wrapped around each of her arms with a bruising grip and hauled her out of the water. "Let me go," she shrieked, kicked the air helplessly, thrashing wildly in his grasp. When she landed a lucky blow to his nuts, the man swore in pain. His grip loosened, her bare feet made contact with the rough surface of the cement patio. She kicked him in the shin, elbowed him in the stomach, and raced for the house. Excerpt from IT HAPPENS IN THREES ISBN: 978-1-60318-086-3

IT HAPPENS IN THREES - First Review
"Denise Robbins' delicious debut novel, It Happens in Threes, begins with a bang and doesn't let up. Fueled by a heady mix of action, suspense, humor, and romance—and a couple of thoroughly engaging protagonists—the book kept me turning pages (and hoping that the wild, sexy ride wouldn't end!). IHT marks the launch of a career to watch." ~David Daniel, author of Reunion and The Marble Kite

It Happens in Threes Review at Coffee Time Romance
Romantic Suspense/Thriller
Rating: 5 Cups

Ruby Goodman has realized that her life is going down the tube. First she loses her job and comes home early to surprise her fiancé, only to find him in bed with another woman. Ready for a break, she decides her family’s vacation home in Florida is the perfect relaxation place.

Michael “Mickey” Augustson knows that when it comes to Ruby, he has made some bad calls. As a special agent, his personal life should be put on the back burner. As her best friend and one-time lover, he cannot get her face off of his mind and out of his life.

Ready for a little relaxation and fun, Ruby soon understands that her one attempt at sex will be sharing a home with her. Michael knows that he should keep his hands off of his best friend, but there is just something about her that tempts him like no other woman ever has. When Ruby’s ex-fiancé starts sending threatening letters and stalking her, Michael whisks her away to another destination. There, they will have to work together to apprehend a thief, never realizing that it just might turn deadly and that sometimes the enemy is closer than you think.

It Happens in Threes is one adventurous scene after another. Ms. Robbins has written an intense thriller filled with hunky men, beautiful women, and one action-packed stunt after another. I could not put this romantic suspense down; it was just so powerful and overwhelmed my senses. When I first met Ruby, she gave me the impression of being a wimpy woman, but it was not long before I comprehended that she has a spine of steel. Where Michael came off as a hardcore man with a superhero complex, I found his weakness was not kryptonite but Ruby herself. The author took a great story, stuffed it with sexual tension, added some drama, and crammed enough exploits to turn a wonderful spy novel into a perfect tale with unique twists and mysterious turns, accomplishing her goal of making one heck of a romantic and suspenseful adventure!

Danielle
Reviewer for Coffee Time Romance & More
http://www.coffeetimeromance.com/BookReviews/Ithappensinthrees.html

It Happens in Threes Review at Midwest Book Review
IT HAPPENS IN THREES
IT HAPPENS IN THREES
By Denise Robbins
L&L Dreamspell
P.O. Box 1984
Friendswood, TX 77549
www.lldreamspell.com
ISBN: 9781603180863
Paperback, 308 pages, $18.95
Genre: Romantic suspense

In one day, Ruby Goodman loses her job and finds her fiancé in bed with another woman. Ruby’s philosophy being everything bad happens in threes, she escapes to her family’s vacation home in Key Largo to await the next disaster in her life. There, she runs into her high school sweetheart, Michael Auguston, the man who’s broken her heart twice before and seems intent on doing so again. Michael works for a government agency and is dealing with his partner’s betrayal while gearing up to go after Nicholas LaRue, a Frenchman who hides his illicit involvement in money laundering under the guise of a computer security consulting firm. When Michael learns Ruby, an expert hacker, was mentored by LaRue, he brings her into his investigation. The two head to Hawaii, with the intention of hiring LaRue to consult for Michael’s imaginary business while Ruby breaks into LaRue’s system and tracks his funds. Instead, Michael and Ruby are drawn into danger from a source neither one expects.

It Happens in Threes is packed with scorching romance, nail-biting suspense, and nonstop action. The chemistry between Ruby and Michael sizzles and Robbins gives the reader quite the tease along with a lot of fun as she adroitly brings Michael and Ruby together only to pull them apart through their own misperceptions. The characters are engaging, from the sensual Ruby to hot-tempered Michael to the deliciously evil yet debonair LaRue. The story moves at a fast pace and keeps the reader entertained throughout. Consider this book one rollicking good read.

http://reviewsbychristy.blogspot.com/2009/02/it-happens-in-threes.html