Formula for Danger

Sonoma #2

by Camy Tang

Someone wants dermatologist Rachel Grant's latest research, and they'll do anything to get it. Including trashing the plants needed for her breakthrough scar-reducing cream—and trying to run Rachel down. Desperate for help, she turns to Edward Villa, the only man she trusts. But the greenhouse owner knows too much about Rachel's research, and now he's a target, too. Break-ins, muggings, murder…the would-be thief is getting desperate—and getting closer. Edward vows to protect Rachel at all costs. Yet with time ticking away, Edward knows they have to uncover the madman shadowing Rachel before their chance for a future is destroyed.

Genres: Romance, Christian Fiction, Love Inspired Suspense, Love Inspired, Suspense, Mystery, Christian

288 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 2010

About the author

Camy writes Christian romantic suspense, contemporary romance, and cozy mystery as Camy Tang and Regency romance under her pen name, Camille Elliot. She grew up in Hawaii but now lives in northern California with her engineer husband and rambunctious dog. She graduated from Stanford University in psychology with a focus on biology, but for nine years she worked as a biologist researcher. Then God guided her path in a completely different direction and now she’s writing full time, using her original psychology degree as she creates the characters in her novels. In her free time, she’s a staff worker for her church youth group and leads one of her church’s Sunday worship teams. She also loves to knit, spin wool into yarn, and is training to (very slowly) run a marathon.

Reviews

[Mart Ramirez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great suspense!

Someone wants dermatologist Rachel Grant's latest research, and they'll do anything to get it. Formula For Danger is a suspenseful story about a dermatologist who struggles to survive. And just when you think there's no room for suspense, Camy Tang hits you at the end.

The knockout ending will be sure to keep you turning the pages. She couldn’t have picked a better title! I enjoyed reading about Rachel's journey and was satisfied with the finale.

[Lisette · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved it. I couldn't put it down. I was really surprised to find out who the "bad guy" was, she really had me at the edge of my seat, and the love story along with it was so sweet. I truly enjoyed it.

[Sheila · Rating 2 out of 5]

I did not like the characters.

[Melanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Someone is trying to harm Rachel Grant.


First, she is attacked and robbed outside her family's spa - then the greenhouse where she stores special plants for her new scar-reduction cream is broken into and trashed - and if that isn't enough, a car tries to run Rachel down when she is riding her bike.

I love reading 'Love Inspired Suspense' books because they are quick and easy to read, full of suspense, have romance, and are mostly clean. I've had this book on my shelf for awhile and since I had the time, I decided to pick 'Formula For Danger' up and read it...finally!

I realize that this is the second book in the 'Sonoma Series' (the first book is 'Deadly Intent') and I probably should have read 'Deadly Intent' first. I don't feel like I wrecked the first book, however, by reading them out of order - I just know a few extra details.

'Formula For Danger' starts out with Rachel getting attacked and robbed of a brand new laptop outside her family's spa. From there the story escalates. The twists and turns kept me guessing and trying to figure out who the culprit was.

I really liked the characters, especially Rachel and Edward. Rachel worked really hard at her work in an attempt to please her father but all she got was rebuking and criticism.

Edward's father was a workaholic and Edward doesn't want his future kids to ever have to deal with the pain associated with a parent that chooses work over major moments in a person's life - that's why he distanced himself from Rachel when he saw her choosing work over family and friends.

Rachel thought he was rejecting her - when she finally starting to open up and be herself...

As you can see, 'Formula for Danger' has a really interesting plot. I loved the romance and mystery. I loved how the reader could play detective and maybe figure out the mastermind behind it all.

The only reason I'm giving this 4.5 stars is because I wasn't totally captivated by the book in the beginning. I recommend 'Formula For Danger' if you enjoy mystery and romance.

[Loraine · Rating 4 out of 5]

SUMMARY: Someone wants dermatologist Rachel Grant's latest research, and they'll do anything to get it. Including trashing the plants needed for her breakthrough scar-reducing cream—and trying to run Rachel down. Desperate for help, she turns to Edward Villa, the only man she trusts. But the greenhouse owner knows too much about Rachel's research, and now he's a target, too. Break-ins, muggings, murder…the would-be thief is getting desperate—and getting closer. Edward vows to protect Rachel at all costs. Yet with time ticking away, Edward knows they have to uncover the madman shadowing Rachel before their chance for a future is destroyed.

REVIEW: A book has to be good set in California wine country at a deluxe spa! This is the second Joy Luck Club Spa book that I have read by Camy Tang and I enjoyed it just as much as the first. Each of the Grant family members has a distinct and unique personality. I particularly liked the fact that Rachel grows during this book and learns to stand up for herself and depend on God as her father. Edward was a sweet and supportive counterpart as they unraveled the mystery surrounding Rachel and her scar-reducing cream. They both seemed very realistic with their strengths and faults. There were also enough twists and turns to keep the reader involved in the storyline.

[Judy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the 2nd in a series, the first being Deadly Intent. These are very busy action packed books.

Rachel Grant is a Dermatologist at her dad's spa, Joy Luck Life. She is the oldest of three daughters and is always pushing herself to get her dads acceptance, but always falls short.

Edward Villa has a way with exotic plants and flowers at his greenhouses and is helping her with her special basil plants that she will be launching a cream to help with scars.

Edward was thinking of Rachel in more then friend terms when she suddenly dug into her work harder, it triggered his negative feelings towards his workaholic dad and he backed away. But now Rachel was in danger and it seemed someone was out to perhaps kill her and Edwards planned on protecting her with his life.

Rachel has done all the work and research on this cream and yet someone just wants to steal it away and get the credit. They need her files first and then need Rachel dead to complete their plans.

It seems danger finds these two on every turn until they have nowhere to turn but to God, which they should have been doing the entire time.

[Judine · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is quite possibly the best of the Love Inspired Suspense books that I've read. I especially liked the fact that Edward and Rachel already knew each other when the book began (too often authors have the two people meeting within the book, which makes the whole thing feel a bit rushed). Along with that the tensions and misunderstandings between the couple feel real and natural, and are brought to a satisfying conclusion. Even the mystery twist surprised me, which is a bit unusual. Overall a fun light read.

[Holly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Check out the review and giveway at www.favchristianbooks.com

[Linda S Dunning · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

Love these Sonoma series. I love this story. God is in control. Love is unconditional. Ready for book 3. Have recommended this author to church library.

[Tina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Original post at One More Page

I've been reading a lot of fantasy and dystopia lately so I decided to take a bit of a break and go for a light and fluffy book just to cleanse the palate. I recently got Camy Tang's Formula for Danger through my Kindle, and I missed reading Camy's work, so I thought this would be a perfect in-between book.

Well, I think I may have chosen the wrong book! I'm not saying that because it's a bad book, but because Formula for Danger is anything but fluffy. Of course, I should have picked up from the title already, but who knew this book would be such a non-stop suspense ride all the way to the end?

Formula for Danger wastes no time with the action as I was dropped immediately in the middle of it right from the start. Rachel Grant, the protagonist, is assaulted just as she goes out of her lab at the family owned Joy Luck Spa. From here bad luck just seemed to follow Rachel, but this luck is not coincidental but planned as someone really wants her dead! Every chapter in Formula for Danger is brimming with suspense and action, and I found myself getting breathless as every threat comes to Rachel's (and the love interest, Edward's) life.

It was easy to immerse myself into the Grants' world again as I'm already familiar with it after reading Deadly Intent, the story of Rachel's sister, Naomi. This isn't really a sequel, so you don't have to read the first book before reading this, although I feel like it may be helpful. Formula for Danger brings in the action quick that there is no time to really get to know and appreciate Rachel's family with all that's happening in the novel. Perhaps it was just me, since I haven't read books in this genre for a while, so I felt like I would be a bit frustrated with reading this and diving right into the action without pausing long enough to know about the surroundings.

The threat in Rachel's life felt very real, and the suspense in finding out who the culprit was drawn out for so long that I found myself wondering the same thing that the main characters did: when will it end? However, I wasn't really that surprised when the reveal was made and I'm not sure if it's because I figured it out beforehand or because it's really just not that surprising. Compared to Deadly Intent, there seemed to be less red herrings thrown here, so the mystery seemed a bit linear, and the chase to save Rachel's life took a higher precedence compared to finding out who was behind everything.

I liked the romantic and Christian aspect of the novel, though, more than the suspense. I liked that Camy focused on how Rachel learned that God is in control of everything even in the chaos. I also liked it a lot that Camy gave Edward, the love interest somewhat of a superhero complex and how he was humbled in the end. This is a Christian novel, so expect prayers from the characters and phrases such as "Praise God" and such. I don't think it's preachy, but if you're not used to reading characters do this, well, I'll leave it up to you if you'd pick it up. Personally, I'd still push this book to others, because the message is good, and well, because I'm a Christian. :D

As a whole, Formula for Danger is a quick and suspenseful read, with a strong Christian foundation. If you would ask me, though, I still liked Deadly Intent better, but it may be because I could relate more to Naomi than Rachel. Nevertheless, this is a good addition to my Camy Tang collection, and I can't wait to read what she writes next. :)

[Julie Graves · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rachel Grant's latest research has her creating a skin cream to help remove scarring. Break-ins to the family spa and to the greenhouse that is raising the plants that she needs are just the beginning of the danger to come to Rachel and her family.

Edward Villa owns the greenhouses that are raising Rachel's Basil plants for her project. Edward has distanced himself from Rachel because of her workaholic ways, but when he realizes how much danger Rachel is in he steps in to protect her.

Everything Rachel does is overshadowed by her perception that her father disapproves of her. She has pushed herself continually to please him and seems to have failed. Edward must help Rachel to see that the only one she needs approval from is her Heavenly Father and she already has His approval.

As the danger escalates both Rachel and Edward must increase their faith in the God of all creation and let go of their reliance on self.

Formula for Danger is a suspense-filled ride that keeps the reader on the edge of their seat! I enjoyed every bit of it. Camy Tang is a versatile writer it seems. I have read her Sushi for One series that is filled with humorous situations, and have read the first two books in her Protection for Hire series that also have a flare for suspense and have enjoyed every one of her books! This is the first Love Inspired Suspense that I have read, but with Camy Tang as the author I can tell I'll be reading more!

[Sally · Rating 5 out of 5]

Formula for Danger
By: Camy Tang

If you like romance and suspense you will love this book by Camy Tang! Someone is trying to steal Rachel Grant’s scar-reducing cream formula and they will go to any length to get it, even killing people who get in the way. What can Rachel do to prevent them from getting it? Who can she trust? Edward Villa has agreed to watch out for her, but can Rachel trust him? Will she allow him to become a target?

Rachel is working to gain the approval of her father. He is harder on her than her sisters; he expects more out of her and is never satisfied. As she’s trying to live up to his expectations, or her perception of them, will she push Edward away? He used to be a good friend, but then he started distancing himself. If her own father treats her this way, how can she expect God to be satisfied with her?

Edward’s father worked all the time, canceling family events at a moment’s notice. Now that Rachel is doing the same thing, he can’t trust her with his heart, so he backs away. Edward tells her she thinks more about what her father thinks of her than what God thinks of her. Can she be secure in her confidence in Christ’s love before it is too late?

Formula for Danger has many twists and turns that will keep you turning the pages. The romance, suspense, and the truth of God’s love are interwoven throughout the pages. Pick up this book today for a great suspenseful and encouraging read!

[Mark Young · Rating 3 out of 5]

Skin cream can be a killer business in novelist Camy Tang’s world. This writer’s mystery novel—Formula For Danger just released this fall— ratchets up tension for dermatologist Rachel Grant in her research to create a scar-reducing cream in a ritzy Sonoma, California health spa. Danger ensues when someone seeks two things: Rachel killed and her skin cream formula seized at any cost.

In Camy’s second mystery thriller—a “love inspired suspense” published by Steeple Hill Books—we return to the Joy Luck Life spa run by Rachel and her family. In this inspirational suspense, Rachel races to launch a new venture before competitors steal her secrets. Break-ins, shots fired, and repeated attempts on Rachel’s life makes for a thrilling page turner.

Amidst this turmoil, a strained relationship with Rachel and her father only makes matters worse. Conflicts with her father force Rachel to define her own understanding of God. Does He care whether she lives or dies? Must she prove herself to Him to gain His love? Another man, Edward Villa, steps into Rachael’s life as a friend and business partner. However, as she draws closer to Edward, Rachel becomes confused as this man seems to grow colder as events unfold. Her world begins to topple.

[Lauralee Bliss · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have read Camy Tang before, and I really liked her writing style. So I began this book with great anticipation. It started off well enough for me. But by 2/3rds of the way through, I felt the author became too engrossed with telling suspense rather than telling a story and using suspense creatively and realistically to move the story. For a hero and heroine that has been run over, chased, poisoned, drowned, and shot at, the story left me absolutely breathless. And really, unable to believe or accept any of it. Kind of reminded me of that scene in Groundhog Day, where Bill Murray says to the girl that he's a god (as he says, "Not The God but a god") because he's been shot, poisoned, burned alive, etc and lives. Of course, with so much action prevalent in a short book like this, the romance angle is left buried beneath the pile. And its sad, as I know Camy is a great storyteller. I will no doubt read more of Camy's books because she is a talented author with an obvious love for God.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Camy Tang's writing style is very enjoyable, and this one will keep you involved with the action. What lengths will someone go to in order to prevent a new product that promises to be innovative and lucrative from ever getting to market? That is the question Camy Tang poses in this mystery/romance. It is interesting to see how Rachel and Edward change during the course of the story. It also deals with greed and family relationships. The "villain", so to speak, was fairly predictable for me, but it was still a riveting, suspenseful tale. This is the second book in a series; it can be read alone, but will be more enjoyable if you have the background from the first one. I will certainly be looking for book number three, as I liked the first two.

[Shannah Mauney · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was absolutely fantastic. I loved the characters. Rachel reminds me of me. She starts off reserved, easily intimidated, and dedicated to her job. By the end of the book, she has begun a journey of change for the better. I love Edward's protective nature. He is independent and loyal.

I wish the story could have been longer! The action kicks off from the very first page of the book. I loved the mix of suspense and the romance between the characters. It was also nice to hear from Naomi and Devon again. The message was one of trust. Trust in the Lord, who created everything and is in everything on Earth to take care of you.

Overall, I loved this book and will definitely be reading more in the Sonoma series!

[Dee · Rating 3 out of 5]

The novel was OK.
I liked where the plot was going, but it turned out to be kinda anti-climatic.
The suspenseful scenes were rather sporadic.

The love story element needed a bit more development. I wanted to know more about their relationship!

If the novel was a little longer, I believe the afore mentioned issues would've been solved.

It was good for a quick read, and I do think I loke Camy's style. This was the first that I've read of hers, and I am open to reading more! :)

[Brenda Klaassen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book fit the bill of "lite" reading for me. The story was smooth moving and very easy to understand. The author did follow the typical outline for a cozy mystery, but that was ok because she filled out the outline really well. I did find myself wanting to read to find out what was going to happen next. In the future I will seek out this author again.

[Catherine Richmond]

You'd think a story in a spa in Sonoma, California would be relaxing... unless you're reading a romantic-suspense by Camy Tany. Rachel Grant is a researcher developing a scar reduction cream. Edward is the greenhouse owner growing the special plants she needs. Someone's out to kill for this formula.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Formula for Danger has a lot of characters involved in the story, and Camy manages to make them all interesting. I really liked the H/h story right away. What really made this read enjoyable for me was the setting. I've never been to Sonoma (I've been to the Napa area and so I kinda know the terrain) but I could imagine the hills and fields of vineyards.

[Kandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved Camy Tang's book, Protection for Hire, and I'm looking forward to the second in that series. This book about Rachel and her sisters was okay, but the action was choppy and forced at times...I just couldn't get into it as much. Maybe if I had read the first book in this series I would have enjoyed it more.
I'm still a Camy Tang fan!

[Idawati Zhang · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was okay, I guess. But I think I like it better when Camy Tang writes chiclit. You know, that Sushi Series? This is her second book on romantic suspense, and I don't feel there's much improvement. And btw, that Horatio detective is so darn stupid. Really. No need a detective if he is useless. Still, I'm a fan. So I hope Camy would consider going back to write chiclit. Amen.

[Kristy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little slow for me at first, but I was reading other things at the same time, so I don't want to place the blame on the book. The end picked up much faster and I sped through the last 3/4 of the book. Nice finish!

[Nancy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Liked Rachel's profession. Edward was more realistic than alot of heroes. 3.5 stars Food to see spiritual grwth n MCs.
The chasing & bad guys was a bit too improbable 4 me..got old & boring quickly!

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book as a good, light, quick read. I liked the main characters, and really rooted for them, but I felt the bad guys lacked depth.

*I received this book as a prize for a contest win in a Goodreads group, but no review was required.

[Beth Pearson · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a 2nd in a series about this area or family and there were times I definitely was aware that I was missing out on the back story. It had good points about judging people, respecting people's best, turning to God for help. I enjoyed it.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this one.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novel was well-written, fast-paced, and suspenseful while at the same time having good, full character development. I truly liked it.

[Janell · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quick, easy-to-read mystery although the storyline felt a little far-fetched.

[Judine Brey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is possibly one of the best mystery-romances I have read. It is tightly constructed, so Rachel and Edward's misunderstandings feel natural. Also, the conclusion is satisfying and not overdone.