Fever

Family Secrets #8

by Linda Winstead Jones

SUBJECT: Brilliant, beguiling Dr. Faith Martin
FAMILY HISTORY: One of the Extraordinary Five siblings?
DEEPEST SECRET: Possesses scientific knowledge that could be used for evil

Called to Carson County, Montana, to find a cure for a deadly epidemic, renowned epidemiologist Faith Martin never thought she'd become entangled in a seductive battle of the sexes. Luke Winston, her new "partner," was a heart-stoppingly handsome man who challenged her every decision...and awoke unsuspected desires within her. With each hour that passed, their passion escalated, and the stakes were getting higher. Ruthless scientists were after Faith for information she didn't even know she possessed, putting her life in jeopardy. Now Faith had to figure out a way to reckon with her mysterious past so she and Luke could have a future together.

Five extraordinary siblings,
One dangerous past.
Unlimited potential.

Genres: Romance, Romantic Suspense

256 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 2004

About the author

Linda Winstead Jones is the bestselling author of more than eighty romance novels and novellas across several sub-genres. She’s easily distracted (Look! A squirrel!) and writes the stories that speak to her in the moment. Paranormal. Romantic Suspense. Twisted Fairy Tales. Cowboys. Her books are for readers who want to escape from reality for a while, who don’t mind the occasional trip into another world for a laugh, a chill, the occasional heartwarming tear. Where will we go next?

More information can be found at lindawinsteadjones.com, where you can sign up for her newsletter, and at www.facebook.com/LindaWinsteadJones or www.facebook.com/LindaHowardLindaJones.

Reviews

[Maura · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dr. Faith Martin, an epidemiologist and amazing diagnostician, has largely cut herself off from human emotion and connecting to people, as her job carries her from one viral outbreak to another as she studies the microbes that cause illnesses. Her job brings her to Rockvale, where the local doctor, Luke Walker, has been fighting an epidemic. He's initially distrustful as Faith more or less takes over his hospital, but as she is quick to figure things out and stop the outbreak, he becomes thankful. It soon becomes clear that the epidemic was no accident, but an opportunity to draw Faith out so that the Coalition could find a way to use her to their benefit. Luke is wary of the intense attraction and connection he feels to her. Faith is just as wary. She fights these feelings, knowing they have no future and that her job will take her away from Rockvale and from Luke and his daughter who have established a home here. But as she gets closer to them, it's hard not to wonder at the possibilities.

This was, what I'd consider a very solid installment to the series. It advances the plot of the Extraordinary Five quite well and provides an even clearer example of how the hypnotic suggestions were designed to be used. Faith is a bit hard to connect to, probably because she denies her emotions and is kind of cold, and aloof at first. She makes progress and warms up a bit, but I'm still not sure I really liked her. I didn't dislike her though. Her ability was a bit confusing...I get it that she had the ability to know and control the things that happened in her own body (like knowing/controlling temperature, blood pressure, fertility, etc.), but wasn't clear on how her abilities made her such an amazing doctor. It's not like she had the ability to heal and she didn't really say that she could instantly know what was wrong with other people...nor did I understand how her gift led her to become an epidemiologist. I went with it, but wondered. Luke was a good hero, with a bit of guilt about the failure of his first marriage and an adorable plot moppet who he hardly ever sees (assuming it would be different without the outbreak). I did like the little twist of the power of Faith's blood and it's ability to save said plot moppet's life. The separation angst there at the end was pretty sweet too. I liked this well enough, but I think I didn't like it as much as the earlier (first two) stories, and I think that had something to do with the emotional connection to the characters. So I'm expecting to like Jake's story a whole lot, because over time, I've come to adore him. Here's hoping these stories stay on this strong.

[A · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the whole Family Secrets series books. Each adult has a special talent, or ability. When they were children they each had to separate and be adopted by different families, but soon become reunited.