Who can she trust - her late husband's sleazy lawyer? Her ex-con tenant? Her daughter's abusive lover? She'd better decide carefully, because one of them wants to kill her.
Struggling to pay her late husband's debts after he drowns in the Atlantic Ocean, Victoria Wells rents a room in her home to an ex-con who served time for killing his wife. As if that's not enough, her husband's sleazy lawyer is putting the moves on her. Her daughter, fleeing an abusive relationship at college, returns home, emotionally unstable and unpredictable. And Victoria realizes she is being stalked.
Someone wants a valuable object her late husband acquired by questionable means, but she has no clue where - or indeed what - it is. When she stumbles upon the body of a woman who resembles her, it's obvious someone will kill to get it.
Too many clues point to her boarder. Has she made a fatal mistake in allowing this brooding, volatile stranger into her home?
Excerpt
From its size, Victoria guessed that it was a woman, lying face-down in the dead leaves, her short blonde hair falling forward over her temples. Fighting the sour taste backing up into her throat, Victoria forced herself to kneel, to search for a pulse in the carotid artery. She inched her shaking hand forward to the space under the chin.
Instead of the smooth column of a neck, Victoria's fingers grazed the jagged edge of hacked skin, the crumble of coagulated blood. She bolted to her feet, felt the hair on her arms stand up like porcupine quills. A scream began to build in the back of her throat. Her mind's eye played across her brain a series of unbearable flashes: short blonde hair. Red parka. White sweatpants. Trashed house. Attacker at the ATM machine. Wild driver in parking lot. Had someone thought it was HER? Was someone trying to kill HER?
Professional Reviews
Compelling!
With its clever plot twists, heart-wrenching emotions and compelling characters, DARK LEGACY will make you want to shout Encore!" - Christiane Heggan, bestselling author of Moment of Truth
Breathtaking Journey into Danger and Romance
Christine Janssen has created another exciting novel complete with a spirited heroine, an intriguing hero and plenty of secrets. From the absorbing opening scene to the riveting conclusion, the story line keeps the reader immersed and the pages turning. With this breathtaking journey into danger and romance, DARK LEGACY will make readers wonder what Christine has in store for them next. - Kathye Quick, author of One Rainy Night
An Addictive Read!
"A chilling tale of suspense and revenge. Matthew proves himself to be an unexpected yet extraordinary hero with an unsavory past and a prison record. Victoria's resourcefulness and determination keeps her alive even as danger closes in. Author Christine Janssen displays a unique voice, her deft skill in weaving a complex plot with fascinating characters. Very highly recommended." - Cindy Penn, Midwest Book Review
Writer Janssen’s Dark Legacy is a richly detailed, page turner of a narrative drawing the reader into the tale from the opening lines of the prologue. Active interest is held fast right down to the last paragraph in this roller coaster of a trepidation filled romantic novel. There is just enough romantic passion to titillate the edacity of those who enjoy the genre, and more than enough anxiety driven suspense to keep those of us who enjoy an unsullied thriller absorbed.
Entertaining read, Happy to recommend.
Reviewed by: molly martin http://www.angelfire.com/ok4/mollymartin
Reviewed by Linda Suzane
8/19/2002
DARK LEGACY
By Christine Janssen
Published by Wings Press
www.wings-press.com
ISBN:
eBook and Trade paperback
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Someone is out to get Victoria Wells. Could it be her tenant, a con on parole after serving time for the murder of his wife, or her deceased husband's partner, the wealthy lawyer, who is a little too eager to help, or the down-on-his-luck friend of her husband who is trying to blackmail her by threatening her daughter, or her daughter's abusive boyfriend, or ... No I'm not going to give away any of Christine Janssen's carefully crafted suspense. From the first page, the first murder, Christine had me hooked, really hooked. I was part way through a Janet Evanovich novel, when I picked up DARK LEGACY. I was just going to read a few pages, but hours later, Evanovich was forgotten, I had to know. I was totally caught up in Victoria's life. I wanted to warn her that someone was stalking her, out to kill her, but I, like her, didn't have a clue. Christine has written a superb suspense novel of menace and misdirection. I am in awe of her ability to weave a story, giving us glimpses into the mind of the killer, without revealing which one it is, to keep us guess exactly what's going on.
DARK LEGACY is also a romance, one that doesn't rely on the instant infatuation, excess lust, or silly contrived problems. The romance is mature, real, and very satisfying. Nor is all the sex sweetness and light, there are some pretty hard edged stuff, that really grabs you.
Christine has created a cast of characters that are deep and complex. She lets you delve into the minds of these people until they become vividly real. Not just the hero and heroine, but all the characters are solid and very memorable, some chillingly so.
Would I recommend DARK LEGACY--there is nothing not to recommend. DARK LEGACY is romantic suspense at its absolute best.
Reviewed by Linda Suzane, LindaSuzane.Harborside.com, June 29, 2002
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The third book in the funny Silver Sisters Mysteries series. The twins and their 80 year-old mother and uncle get into trouble sleuthing in Sin City.
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