Red on the River by Christine Feehan-Dual Review & Giveaway

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date June 28, 2022

Vienna Mortenson isn’t your typical gambler. She prefers to stay under the radar, using her poker winnings to support her family and her community, including the local search and rescue team, which she heads up. Out in the backcountry there’s no time for hesitation when lives are on the line. Vienna prides herself on being tough and decisive. She’s not the sort to make a fool of herself over a guy, especially one who left her high and dry without a backward glance.

Zale Vizzini’s job constantly puts him in harm’s way. Working undercover and disappearing for months at a time isn’t exactly a recipe for a stable relationship. Despite the challenges and the risks, Zale wants something real with Vienna. He just needed time to figure out how to be in her life without putting her in danger. Now, he’s determined to win her back, and he’s ready to lay all his cards on the table.

As their friends’ wedding approaches, Zale takes advantage of the festivities to make a play for Vienna’s heart. But there are more deadly forces waiting to strike in the rugged terrain of Nevada and the western Sierras. Soon both of their lives are threatened, and the odds are stacked against them.

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Sandy’s Review: RED ON THE RIVER is a contemporary, adult, slightly paranormal, romantic thriller set in the author’s MURDER AT SUNRISE LAKE world. This is professional poker player/surgical nurse Vienna Mortenson, and undercover operative Zale Vizzini’s story line. RED ON THE RIVER can be read as a stand-alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story line is revealed where necessary. Vienna Mortenson was first introduced in book one.

NOTE: Due to the nature of the story line premise, there may be triggers for more sensitive readers.

Told from third person perspective RED ON THE RIVER follows the second chance relationship between professional poker player/surgical nurse Vienna Mortenson, and undercover operative Zale Vizzini. Months earlier, a serial killer targeted Stella Harrison (Murder at Sunrise Lake), and in their wake threatened Stella and her close-knit friends including our heroine Vienna Mortenson. Taking some time for herself in the aftermath of the life-threatening events , Vienna would set out on an outdoor adventure where she would meet one of their rescuers, undercover operative Zale Vizzini. Six weeks together ended when Zale ghosted our story line heroine, leaving a heart broken Vienna in his wake. Fast forward to present day, wherein an invitation to a Las Vegas Poker Tournament brings Vienna up close and personal with the man who broke her heart, a man whose secrets may push Vienna out of his life.

All was not well in Las Vegas, Nevada; two undercover operatives were missing and presumed dead, and Zale and his partner Rainier claimed to have been hired to protect the hotel owner Daniel Wallin, but someone has targeted our story line heroine in the process, leaving Vienna exposed and unaware of what happened. Vienna Mortenson would find herself under the protection of Zale Vizzini, protection that would pull our couple together even though Vienna struggled with events from the past. What ensues is the rebuilding relationship between Zale and Vienna, and the potential fall-out as secrets are revealed, a contract needs to be fulfilled, placing a target on the back of our story line heroine.

The relationship between Zale and Vienna is a rekindling romance. Zale had previously ghosted Vienna following a six week whirlwind romance in which Vienna found herself falling for a man whose lifestyle was constantly on the move.Vienna’s past was mired in rejection and loss, and in this, our heroine struggled to trust the man who walked away without looking back. There are no $ex scenes.

We are re-introduced to a large ensemble cast of secondary and supporting characters including a few ‘Mafia’ members that may or may not have a future story line: Zale’s partner Rainier, operatives Rush, and Wilder; Stella and Sam (Murder at Sunrise Lake); nurse/photographer Harlow Frye; café owner Shabina Foster; computer IT expert and contracted government employee Raine O’Mallory; nurse Zahra Metcalf; Sam Rossi’s father Don Marco Rossi; and hotel owner Daniel Wallin. The requisite evil has many faces.

RED ON THE RIVER is another complex, detailed and informative story line often over-focusing on poker, poker play, and card combinations, as well as an exhaustive account of hiking, and mountain climbing. As per Christine Feehan’s style of writing, there is a slight paranormal aspect to the series but the author steers clear of any erotic $ex scenes or the use of strong language.

A side note- the author’s use of the paranormal aspect is virtually nil in the story, and in this, I believe the story line and series would benefit without the supernatural element.

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Barb’s Review:
Red on the River by Christine Feehan is another one of her of suspense novels. We got to see some of the characters from her Sunrise Lake series.  We meet Vienna Mortenson, our heroine, who is in Vegas, participating in a live high stakes Poker tournament; she usually only plays online and rarely loses, but having received an invitation to this tournament, Vienna plans to win. She is one of the best in playing poker, but she also is a nurse, as well as helping in Search and Rescue. Vienna is helping prepare her best friend, Stella’s upcoming wedding, and this trip is also a bachelorette gathering with a wonderful group of ladies, who love hiking and bouldering. Vienna also wants to repair her relationship with her mother, while in Vegas. 

Zale Vizzini, our hero, works undercover on assignment to protect his boss; and is constantly in the middle of danger.  He met Vienna months ago, with both falling hard for each other, as they spend weeks together; but one morning he just quietly walked out of her life.  Now Zale is Vegas on assignment, and determined to win her back.  When Zale tries to explain that he left to keep her safe, as his job was dangerous, but he now wants to her back permanently.   Vienna feels her attraction to Zale awaken, but can she trust him?

The tournament was a huge success for Vienna, but threats are made on her life, and Zale knows he needs to protect her from an enemy.  At this point of the story, the focus is on Vienna, Stella, and the other magnificent ladies who are part of the bachelorette trip, which takes place in rugged territory in Nevada and the Sierras, as they hike and climb.  We get to meet all the ladies, and enjoy their friendship, and bantering. I loved how each of the ladies excel at many things, making them a wonderful group.  Not long after they continue on their trek, their lives are put in intense danger, with threats against them; Zale and his partner Rainer push to help the ladies. 

What follows an exciting suspenseful mystery romance, with both Vienna, Zale and her wonderful smart ladies working together to try to find who is truly behind the attempt to kill Vienna and why.   As I had already noted, what made this a fantastic story was the amazing fabulous group of friends who were all smart, strong and savvy, as their friendship was bonded together (Vienna, Stella, Raine, Zahra, Shabina, Harlow).  I did like Vienna and Zale and rooted for them to stay together, as they made a great couple.  I do see a possible relationship with Rainer and Shabina in future books.

Red on the River was an excellent, fun and exciting romance suspense thriller, that was filled with action, suspense, as well as the fun bantering with the ladies.  Overall, this was a great story, with a terrific couple, fantastic friends and other secondary characters. I look forward to the next book in this series, which is so very well written by Christine Feehan. 

 

Copies supplied by the publisher

 

Christine Feehan is a #1 New York Times bestselling author multiple times over with her portfolio including over 70 published novels, including five series; Dark Series, Ghostwalker Series, Leopard Series, Drake Sisters Series, the Sisters of the Heart Series and Torpedo Ink. All of her series have hit the #1 spot on the New York Times bestselling list as well. Her debut novel Dark Prince received 3 of the 9 Paranormal Excellence Awards in Romantic Literature (PEARL) in 1999. Since then she has been published by various publishing houses including Leisure Books, Pocket Books, and currently is writing for Berkley/Jove. She also has earned 7 more PEARL awards since Dark Prince.

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Christine’s Feehan’s publisher Berkley Romance is graciously offering a paper copy of RED ON THE RIVER to ONE (1) lucky commenter at The Reading Cafe.

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9. Giveaway open to USA only

10. Giveaway runs from June 28 to July 2, 2022