Book Review: Kentucky Blues by Cat Shaffer

I liked the easy writing style in this book with life like characters and good chemistry.
 Kentucky Blues by Cat Shaffer

• Format: Kindle Edition
• File Size: 680 KB
• Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
• Publisher: Turquoise Morning Press (August 23, 2010)
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services
• Language: English
• ASIN: B0040JI3UG

     (Print pages: 278)    
     Price:  Print $13.99; Kindle $4.99
     Genre: Romantic Suspense
     My Rating: 3.75+ (a good read but not quite "need" to read level)

Product Description:
Elise Drummond has never forgotten her first love – and never expected to learn via the grapevine that he was back in Brookville and living with her mother. Sam McCade had broken her heart, and she wasn’t about to let him destroy her mother’s as well. A quick trip back to Kentucky to lay down the law and she could get back to the safe life she’d built for herself in Kansas City.

When Sam McCade went on the run in the middle of the night to save his sister from her abusive husband, there was only one person he could trust to help them, Hannah Drummond. He expected the local gossips to have a field day with his return to Brookville, but he never dreamed Elise would roll into town to check out the situation for herself.

And he certainly never imagined that in order to save his sister, Elise would be willing to sacrifice herself as the pawn in a dangerous game of catch the monster when his brother-in-law decides to take back what he wants – no matter who stands in his way.

Review: This is a nice romance with the added elements of suspense.  I guess it is categorized as Romantic Suspense but it seemed more romance to me with the suspense added in the later part of the book.

I liked the characters and the plot for the most part.  They are real to life people with real life circumstances.  Sam is trying to protect his sister, Annie, from her abusive husband.  He has brought Annie to stay at a cabin owned by his dear friend, Hannah.  It was Hannah who helped Sam as a teenage boy to turn his life around.  After that help Sam ultimately turned his opportunities into a big business success. It’s just a coincidence that Hannah is mother to Sam’s secret high school sweethear, Elise. The romance was secret because Sam was from the wrong side of the tracks and a “bad boy” to Elise’s sweet wholesomeness.

Elise is so distressed to hear that Sam is living with her mother that she flies home to the small town in Kentucky to see what is going on.  Seeing Sam again is a punch to her heart but she is completely confused by the mixed messages she gets from Sam and her mother.  They might be an item but it is hard to imagine or accept.  Elise, a successful businesswoman, has left behind in Kansas City a reliable, if boring and demanding, boyfriend.  Now that she has re-experienced the chemistry with Sam, Elise thinks maybe she should truly leave the boyfriend behind altogether.

But Elise felt abandoned by Sam in high school and can’t understand now what Sam is doing with her mother.  She is mislead in the situation until she learns of the danger that exists for Annie.  Then Elise steps forward to offer herself as a decoy.  There is some good tension in the ensuing suspense, kidnaping and chase. There was also fine chemistry and sensual tension between the protagonists.

My main difficulty with the story was Sam’s repeated reluctance to realize that he is good enough to pursue a relationship with Elise.  Sam may feel compelled to help his sister and his ailing mother. However, considering his own business success, why would he not reach for a chance with the one true love of his life?  The issue seemed to be a little overplayed.  Otherwise this was an enjoyable and easy read.  I'd have no problem paying the Kindle price for the book and I would try more books by this author.

Learn more about the author  or check out the video trailer at Turquoise Morning Press.