by Rita Herron
Intrigue,
romance and courage
Anything for
His Son
is the third book in the Harlequin Intrigue Series Lights Out. Romantic suspense is
set within the scene of a power outage in Boston. This fast-paced
romance read pits the heart against the urgent need to track down the
villains and protect a kidnapped child, the hero's son.
Rebecca Matalon has finally decided to file for divorce. Sexual
attraction and adventure just are not the basis for a marriage,
especially when Ethan is thrives on his work in his computer business.
Add to workaholic business leader the other jobs --- Secret agent and
his work with the secret Eclipse missions, and we find a recipe for
disaster for a family with a son who needs his father to be there
instead of across the world. When the lights go out in Boston, their
son Jesse disappears. Ethan may have saved the world in previous
missions, but can he save his son? In a world turned dark by the black
out and a cold blooded possible killer, will Ethan and Rebecca find
some way back to Jesse and their own hearts? Rebecca walked out on her
marriage. Even though she loves her son, she does not see the effects
of her actions. She sure can be a trouble maker when she decides to put
her son first! She values family over work and especially those
important secret missions that protect everyone but her family. Ethan
is a classic powerful romance hero --- strong, powerful, a leader but
unable to see what he really holds dear in his heart. He has secrets
buried that must be conquered before he can love fully. Can he uncover
his own secrets and protect his family as well as the city of Boston?
Anything for His Son
was another wonderful Rita Herron read --- dark (definitely a twisted
criminal or two here) but with just enough darkness to intrigue but not
too much that you can't sleep at night. The contrast and similarities
between Ethan and his son as well as between Ethan and the villain
built up a thematic structure that increased both the suspense and the
depth of her characterization. Readers will appreciate this one scene
where Ethan sees a trace left behind by the hero. It is not just a
clue, but he discovers a new way of seeing the heroine ---he sees her
heart and her courage. The weaknesses and the hidden past of the
characters become the foundation for their courage (and cowardice in
the case of some of the bad guys). What an image of motherhood and
pregnancy! In the past, society has always used childbirth to show
women are the weaker, lesser sex. Rita Herron turns that cliche right
on its head in one sentence. What an strong heroine characterization
when you least expect it!
Rita Herron's Anything for His Son
magnifies one of the themes in her longer romantic suspense novels.
Here, the theme of courage is expanded and touches the lives of all the
Matalon family members. Children can always add a heart touching
element to a story, but here in Rita Herron's new Intrigue, the son is
so much more than an incidental character. Jesse is so much more than a
cute little boy and a plot device. His heart and courage make this book
special.
Publisher: Harlequin
Intrigue (August 2007)
Series: Lights Out
