Deep in the Heart

by Sharon Sala

Samantha Carlyle knows someone is watching her—someone who wants her dead. So she runs to the safety of her tiny Texas hometown, and to the sweet, haunting memories of John Thomas Knight. A dedicated small-town sheriff as tender as he is tough, John Thomas was Samantha's best friend, her first love—and now he is her only chance. Fate has carried them down different roads, but the fire has never died—and the passion flares white-hot the moment their eyes meet again. But this time Samantha must trust the proud, strong, devastatingly handsome lawman with more than her heart—she must trust him with her life. Because there is another man who wants her, and he's waiting for the right time to strike. And the next sweet, sensuous kiss she and John Thomas share could well be Samantha's last.

Genres: Romance, Romantic Suspense, Suspense, Fiction, Contemporary Romance, Mystery, Contemporary

352 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published December 1, 1995

About the author

Biography



Sharon Sala is a Native Oklahoman and still lives within a two hour drive of where she was born.
First published in 1991, she is a New York Times/USA Today, best-selling author with a 135 plus books published in seven different genres, including Romantic suspense, Mystery, Young Adult, Western, Fiction, Women’s Fiction and Non-Fiction.

Industry Awards include:
Eight-time RITA finalist. (Romance Industry award)
The Janet Dailey Award.
Five-time Career Achievement winner from RT Magazine.
Five time winner of the National Reader’s Choice Award.
Five time winner of the Colorado Romance Writer’s Award of Excellence.
Heart of Excellence Award.,
Booksellers Best Award.
Nora Roberts Lifetime Achievement Award RITA, presented by RWA.
Centennial Award from RWA for recognition of her 100th published novel.

Reviews

[Gail · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an awesome book!
It will keep you wondering what will happen next.
A very hard book to put down.

[Fran (with the book addiction) · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars
I had Sala pegged completely wrong. I thought she was a modern author and was actually pleasantly surprised when I found she was more akin to an old Linda Howard type of author.
This story is set late 90s early 2000s and it’s amazing how it’s aged. While Howard’s novels still seem to get away with it, this didn’t quite manage it. I think some of the dialogue was really dated or perhaps it was very Texan. I’m unsure. “The hell you say?” was a repeated example.
I still somehow enjoyed this though even though the point of view flicked quickly and confusingly between the hero and heroine. I actually can’t put my finger on why I liked it but I’m definitely intrigued to try another Sala and see how I get on.

[Ellen Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Deep in the Heart

Promises made in childhood are sometimes some of our strongest bonds. Samantha and John Thomas are one of those rare couples that you can't help but love.

[Connie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pretty good. A few suspects; I did not guess right, but that's okay, I enjoyed this one. My next read will be THE MOTHERS by Ms. Brit Bennett. Don't know how I missed this one. A friend told me about it. I usually read one or two of Ms. Sala's books, and then I read another author, and back to Ms. Sala. Pretty soon I will run out of Ms. Sala's works. :( AND yes, I read back to back books. Have always been an avid reader; even more so since this damned pandemic.

[Darlene Wilson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Samantha Carlyle has a stalker - who wants her dead! She goes to her Texas home town - with an old friend - with sweet haunting memories of John Thomas Knight - now sheriff. She must now trust him - with her life!

[Ann C. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed the book but felt that it was a little too long. I think all could have been concluded in less pages. It did go on with the same stuff over and over. I figured out the bad guy early on and had guessed the connection.

I was under the impression that the FBI had special agents not inspectors. I looked it up and an inspector inspects local field offices as to their efficiency. They also look into government programs and their workings. They are not sent out on a criminal case for individuals, such as kidnapping in this instance. Therefore the FBI agent in the story should have been a special agent not an inspector.

All in all it was a good read and a great way to spend a Sunday afternoon.

[gale perry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing Author

Sharon Sala is one of the best Authors I have read. Every single book of hers is an amazing work of suspense, mystery, drama & romance. Her character development has been on spot. I highly recommend her work! She is right up there with the best of the best!

[Debi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another winner

I really liked this. I must say that right off I thought it was a woman and the waitress. But I still loved the story. Very suspenseful ending. I must say that I think I have to take a break. I am starting to run the stories together.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an earlier book by Sharon Sala but it was a great read. The author has a way of telling a story that keeps your attention with twist and turns that you might not see coming. The romance and suspense come together with passion and cross my heart and hope to die promises. Good read

[ryn · Rating 3 out of 5]

a friend of mom's gave her a couple of books, and this was one of them. decided to read it, and it's actually not that bad. johnny's letters returned to him by sam's parents arc gave me major The Notebook vibes.

[Linda Jennings · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of my favorite authors and she never disappoints. Once I pick this book up the story stayed in my mind and I wanted to go back and read it to the end. It has a little bit of everything and seems so real like being at the movies. Thanks for a good read.

[NayNay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this book, it has all the elements needed for a great read. Charming characters and an intriguing story.

[RJC · Rating 1 out of 5]

Very light. Not challenging at all.

[Carolyn Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another good mystery by this author.....a little too brutal but a real page turner.

[Mum · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this novel by the author. I like her h/H The plot had a few unusual twists.

[Debbie Civitella · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nov - 2013- Good

[Ashlee Hodor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Still amazing even years after I first read it! 💜

[Mike]

July 2011

[Hope Frost · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really liked this book. There was a mix of who-done-it and sweet romance. There are lots of twists and turns and many half-truths and meddling family that have gotten in the way of Sam & Johnny. She turns to him when she feels there is no one in the world she can trust, she finds it hard to even trust herself at times. The way that Johnny doesn't give up, and does everything in his power to make her feel safe goes a long way to help ease her fears. There are lots of additional characters that bring this story to life. Don't judge to early as who you think is after her, Ms. Sala keeps you guessing.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an earlier book by Sharon Sala. It's an ok romantic story, however it lacks the depth that she has developed over the years. Some parts were a little cheesey, but if you're a Sala fan you'll like it. This one involves a stalker, a childhood friend/lover, and finding a HEA.

[Lorena Helfers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a good story

So nicely written and put together. A mild mystery for most of you, but for me it was just enough. A lovely romance with just the proper words placed in time let the reader feel the love. He liked to do his own private search and rescue!!!

[Debbie Pisana · Rating 5 out of 5]

I finished this last month. It was very good, and I liked it.

[Lesli · Rating 3 out of 5]

Typical Sharon Sala suspense.

[NatalyaVqs · Rating 2 out of 5]

dont know why i bothered finishing it, stilted dialog all the way through the end

[Janice · Rating 5 out of 5]

Samantha has a stalker but the LA police don't believe her. In desperation she contacts her childhood sweetheart John Thomas in Texas.

[Sdeets · Rating 4 out of 5]

Girl on the run, needs protection and finds a new home and love at the same time. Good read, kept you intersted all the way through.

[Kelly H. Pruitt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really good.

[Lyndi W. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Liked it better the second time around, but I'm disappointed that I've been reminded of the fact that Sala uses the same "parents kept two young lovers apart by lying to them" plot device so often.

[Sharon Sherman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sharon Sala writes good suspense books. Someone wants Samantha Carlyle dead. Can she survive, that is the question.

[Kitty · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was basically just a sweet little romance, with a bit of suspense. It was sappy, a bit over-the-top, slightly predictable, but I loved it anyway. Perfect little "escape" book.