Breathless

by Tonya Sharp Hyche

Ole Miss grad Melissa Brock Mason has everything a striking, blonde southern belle could aspire a plum job as a CFO, a doting Steel Magnolia of a grandmother, and, most importantly, the consuming love of her dashing new husband, Quinton Robert Pierson, who seems so perfectly suited for her that many refer to them as Barbie and Ken. However, things are not as sparkling as they seem below the Mason Dixon line, and sunny days soon descend into a heart of darkness from which Melissa may very well not emerge. Breathless, Tonya Sharp Hyche’s latest high-suspense novel with a deliciously southern drawl, once again layers heart-racing intrigue with shimmering foreign climes to whip up a thriller of a southern dish that, like murder, is served deliciously cold. As the story takes off, Melissa herself is preparing for the dream wedding to Quinton at her family manse, with friends Alison Roeske and Amanda Fields at her side. However, things between Melissa and Quinton have already taken on a complex, unnerving undertone. On their honeymoon, her newlywed’s controlling ways intensify, and by the time they have their first child, Quinton’s veneer as Mr. Right is increasingly sullied by deceit, abuse, and even murder. Melissa soon finds that she has no recourse but to move to the other side of the world to Queensland, Australia in order to escape the threat of her menacing husband. She begins life anew with her young son Dillon in a cozy little beach town. However, her blissful new beginnings are soon destroyed when the past returns with one phone call. With blood-pumping suspense and richly spun detail, Breathless is part high-octane thriller and part absorbing romance, offering readers a smart, charming heroine who has the softness to allure and the razor sharp will to take on the most diabolical of sociopaths and fight for everything she holds dear. It’s a spellbinding, far-flung adventure that will enthrall anyone who relishes a fast-paced read with a gorgeously feminine side.

330 pages, Paperback

First published June 18, 2012

About the author

　Tonya Sharp Hyche earned her BA in secondary education from the University of Alabama and began her first career as a high school history teacher and coach in Texas. After taking some time off from teaching to live in Australia for three years, she added a new career, writing novels. Tonya is now retired after 18 years in education, lives in Texas with her husband, enjoys writing and golfing, and playing with her 4 grandchildren. Tonya's mystery and suspense novels are fast paced, unpredictable with twist and turns along the way.
Tonya has 8 stand-alone novels: Faded Memories, In Plain Sight, Data Bank, Intersection of Lies, Swept Away, Glass Shadow, and the Play novels: Trick Play and Death Play both starring FBI Agent Jemma Rhodes

Tonya has one Trilogy- The Just for You Trilogy
Just for You book 1, Fearless book 2, Painted Fear book 3

Last, Tonya has a series that will take you to Australia where she enjoyed living for 3 years. Broken Promises Series: Breathless book 1 and Till Death, Love book 2

Tonya is currently working on Southern Gentlemen Don't Lie- (Late 2025)

Follow me on Facebook at Tonya Sharp Hyche

Watch Data Bank, my top seller to book clubs, book trailer:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=47N3H...

Find my episode of House Hunters International: Season 54 Episode 10 A Crime Novelist in Caloundra
Episode filmed while living in Queensland, Australia

Reviews

[Trudy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This author needs to seriously work on her endings, they suck

[Angie · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars...

This is the first book I've read by Ms Hyche. I saw her book "Glass Shadow" advertised on a billboard in my hometown, which happens to be where she went to college. When I saw that I vowed to find some of her books and show her some support from Alabama! I found "Breathless" first, so I started with it. I enjoyed this book thats setting is split in location between Australia and the southern United States. I loved her descriptions of these places, especially all the familiar locales in our home state. The characters of Melissa and her best friend are both likable and relatable. This was a quick read for me and I found myself nearly halfway on my first sitting with the book. This isn't a new story, but one that feels familiar. That being said, I still enjoyed it, & found myself wanting to know what would happen next! There are some loose ends that leave room for imagination to fill in the blanks, or possibly even a sequel down the road should the author be so inclined. I will admit to initially being disappointed at this, but maybe in time we will get to revisit these characters. I will read other books by her and recommend her to my fellow Alabama book lovers!