Beautiful Sacrifice, A Review

Elizabeth Lowell writes with a gritty edge, it doesn’t matter if she is writing about the American West or stories steeped in Medieval lore, she wraps her sensual delight with gritty undertones of what is going on around the characters. But when she stepped into romantic suspense, Ms Lowell hit her stride.. Whether it be the Donovans and yes I too want to see the twins get their own stories or her Rarities books and most especially her St Kilda series.. each book has a gritty real world intensity that can only be found in Ms Lowell’s writing. Beautiful Sacrifice is a blend of her romantic suspense books intertwined with her trademark gritty realism. Romance at its best.

When Hunter Johnston’s best friend is marked to take a fall for some missing artifacts Hunter knows just who to turn to. Dr. Lina Taylor. Hunter has been monitoring classes on the Mayan culture from her for a few years and they have been doing a dance of desire. Although, it never seems to get past a cup of coffee and general discussion. He knows she has the brains, the knowledge and the family connections to get some answers. He just needs to try to keep his memories of a family lost and a desire to spend some hot sweaty Houston nights with Lina under control. I like Hunter, mostly because he is pretty well adjusted, sure he had some tragedy in his past but he comes from a loving family, he is a loyal friend and he doesn’t need to beat his chest declaring himself the man in order to capture our attentions.

Dr Lina Taylor, A woman with a goal, a plan and a hidden desire to make mom and dad proud. Yep, she’s the one with the baggage and yet she isn’t consumed by it and most definitely doesn’t wallow in it. She accepts that her family will never be what she needs or wants it to be and deals with it. She doesn’t expect Hunter or any man to swoop in and fix things for her. Even in her deepest darkest secret place.. Nope, she has it all together.

I think that is why I like so many of Elizabeth Lowell’s characters, they aren’t weak.. even if they have a sordid past or tragedy hiding in the wings they are slaves to their pasts, rather they rise above it and become fascinating characters. Lina and Hunter are prime examples.

Ms Lowell takes us from Houston academia to border patrol to the jungles of the Yucatan, explaining Mayan culture while twisting it to enrich a deep and dark plot. Lina and Hunter need to find missing artifacts and why there is death surrounding them. Reasons other than the fact that they are priceless and a missing link in the Mayan heritage. A fascinating blend of true culture and pure fiction. Wrapped in urban decay and gritty suspense.. all that and we call it a romance *grins*.

Although, gripped by the evolvement of the relationship between Hunter and Lina there are times when the back story becomes a bit predictable. Maybe because I know and enjoy Ms Lowell’s work so much I wasn’t surprised by who the villain was. BUT she managed to thrill me with HOW the villain saw himself/herself in the world. Their self importance really got me.

I read this book in an afternoon, which means while I found a few things to nitpick at, the story as a whole had me captivated, ensnared and utterly exhausted. On the edge of my seat as to how this would be resolved and if I was right in who I thought done it.. Of course hindsight is a great attribute and I can say it was predictable, but the entire while I was reading I was thinking.. could it be? Is it? Yeah it’s gotta be them, nah, maybe someone else..

I think Ms Lowell is one of the premiere Romantic Suspense writers out there and that she has pulled off another fascinating story. Sharing with us a rich history of a forgotten culture. Wrapping it up in the 2012 legend only makes it better. The best part.. you can read this as the stand alone it is! A great book!

Shauni