Abandon by Carla Neggers

Title:  Abandon
Author:  Carla Neggers
Format:  PB
Pages:  328
Genre:  Romantic Suspense
Publisher:  Mira, 2007
ISBN-13:  978-0778324553
Series:  Stand Alone

Favorite Quote:  "The Cupid wallpaper stays."

Synopsis (Amazon):  On what is supposed to be a quiet long weekend in New Hampshire, Deputy U.S. Marshal Mackenzie Stewart is viciously attacked at the lakefront cottage of her friend, federal judge Bernadette Peacham. Mac fends off her attacker, but he manages to escape. Everything suggests he's a deranged drifter—until FBI special agent Andrew Rook arrives.
With Rook, Mac broke her own rule not to get involved with anyone in law enforcement, but she knows he isn't up from Washington, D.C., to set things straight between them. He's on a case.

As the hunt for the mysterious attacker continues, the case takes an unexpected turn when Mac and Rook return to Washington and find Bernadette's ex-husband, a powerful attorney, shot to death. Then Bernadette disappears, and Mac and Rook realize the stakes are higher than either had imagined, and a master criminal with nothing left to lose is prepared to gamble everything.

Review:  This story was very cliche.  Strong woman who stands on her own two feet finds herself embroiled in a murderous plot.  Enter gorgeous, tough man to save the day.  But, they fall in love and they will live happily ever after.  This is the reason I steer clear of romance novels.  I tire of the women being so needy, with lives that just aren't quite complete without the man to step in and take care of them.

The suspense portions of this book were fairly well done.  The bad guy was really bad and had a hidden past which I never guessed until the very end.  The main characters were all interesting to one degree or another.  I just am not a big fan of Romantic Suspense.  I expected this to be more of a thriller with some romance tossed in.  It had more romance in it than I wanted.

I have another of this author's books on my shelf, but after reading this one, I think I'll just pass it on.  While this author does tell a pretty good story, it just wasn't my cup of tea.

Rating:  4.5 / 10