Deep Cover

ORCHARD, SANDRA
DEEP COVER

Maintaining his cover cost undercover cop Rick Gray the woman he loved. Sweet Ginny Bryson never really knew Rick—he never gave her the chance. Not then, and not now, when he's back with a new alias to gather evidence against Ginny's uncle. The man's crimes led to Rick's partner's death, and Rick wants justice to be served. But his investigation is stirring up trouble, and Ginny is smack-dab in the middle. Someone wants Ginny to pay the price for what her uncle has done. But how can Rick protect her without blowing his cover, jeopardizing his assignment…and risking both their lives?

My Review:

This debut novel doesn't read like a first. Deep Cover is a well-paced read packed full of action and suspense. Orchard's writing style is wonderfully easy to read. The words flow, sentences are fluid, conversations natural -- all the qualities of a polished product.

The suspense starts on the first page and doesn't stop until the last. The plot is well thought out with plenty of twists and turns to keep you on your toes. By mid story I had an inkling of a suspect but no motive. I love a suspense that isn't predictable!

This is one of those clever Love Inspired Suspense reads that manages to find a good balance between romance and mystery/action. That's hard to do with a shorter word count and I love it when I find an author who has perfected the balance. It helps that Rick and Ginny have a past -- their attraction is palpable at the first meeting and just climbs from there. Unfortunately Ginny tries very hard to place mind over heart and that leads her to keep her distance from Rick. He, on the other hand, can't stop thinking about her even though he knows the circumstances of their second meeting are as complex as their first. Throw in a bit of doubt, Ginny's penchant for jumping to conclusions and making fast judgements and Rick's feelings of not being good enough and -- well, let's just say this story packs an emotional punch.

A great debut novel that will steal your breath away!