Title: RED ON THE RIVER
Author: Christine Feehan
ISBN: 9780349432502
Publisher: Piatkus Books
Pages: 448
Source: Private Copy
Vienna Mortenson isn’t your typical gambler. She prefers to stay under the radar, using her poker winnings to support her family and her community, including the local search and rescue team, which she heads up. Out in the backcountry there’s no time for hesitation when lives are on the line. Vienna prides herself on being tough and decisive. She’s not the sort to make a fool of herself over a guy, especially one who left her high and dry without a backward glance.
Zale Vizzini’s job constantly puts him in harm’s way. Working undercover and disappearing for months at a time isn’t exactly a recipe for a stable relationship. Despite the challenges and the risks, Zale wants something real with Vienna. He just needed time to figure out how to be in her life without putting her in danger. Now, he’s determined to win her back, and he’s ready to lay all his cards on the table.
As their friends’ wedding approaches, Zale takes advantage of the festivities to make a play for Vienna’s heart. But there are more deadly forces waiting to strike in the rugged terrain of Nevada and the western Sierras. Soon both of their lives are threatened, and the odds are stacked against them….
Official Summary
23 October 2024
Welcome to the blog. Regular visitors may frown when they see this book on my review list – I will explain how I ended up reading this book. (no it was not a free review copy) Alicia and I created our own 2024 Book Bingo Board and one of the requirements was a book with a colour in the title. Unfortunately, Chris Carter has not used a colour in the title of any of his books, which left me hunting far and wide.
Luckily, a visit to the Exclusive Books clearance sale a month or so ago helped me solve the problem. Red on the River was exactly what I needed for my bingo card – therefore It was added to my pile and I never even considered reading the blurb. (Imagine my surprise when discovering I reached for a Romance / Suspense novel).
Christine Feehan is a new-to-me author, and while I generally stay very far away from anything that even briefly hints at romance, I was pleasantly surprised by this book.
Red on the River is a fast-paced, thrilling romance that brings together two strong-willed characters in a high-stakes situation. Vienna Mortenson is a heroine who stands out. She’s independent, level-headed, and not afraid to get her hands dirty when lives are on the line. Her leadership in the local search and rescue team shows her strength and ability to stay calm under pressure, which makes her an incredibly relatable and admirable character.
Zale Vizzini, (not as bad as his name may suggest) on the other hand, is tough, capable, and determined to win back the woman he loves. His return to Vienna’s life isn’t without complications, and that’s where the tension and heart of the story lie. Their relationship is laden with past hurts, unresolved feelings, and the lingering question of whether they can make it work while facing life-threatening danger.
The romance between Vienna and Zale builds steadily, and Feehan does a good job of weaving together both the emotional and physical stakes. The backdrop of the wedding festivities adds a layer of normalcy to the otherwise tense environment of the rugged Nevada and Sierra terrain. However, the novel doesn’t shy away from diving into the danger that surrounds them, making it more than just a romance—it’s a suspenseful rollercoaster.
Vienna isn’t a damsel in distress; she’s a fighter. Her internal struggle between maintaining her independence and opening up to Zale again is a journey that adds depth to her character. Zale, meanwhile, is trying to find the balance between protecting Vienna and letting her be the capable woman she is.
While the novel offers plenty of action and romance, it also emphasizes themes of trust, second chances, and the importance of communication in relationships. If you’re a fan of strong heroines, action-packed romance, and just the right amount of danger, this book will likely keep you hooked until the last page.
Also by Christine Feehan
MURDER AT SUNRISE LAKE
It starts in her dreams. Hideous flashes from a nightmare only she can stop. Images of a murderer stalking the ones she cares about most…
Stella Harrison thought she got away from the traumas of her past. Running the Sunrise Lake resort high in the Sierra Nevada mountains has brought her peace, even though she doesn’t truly share her quiet life with anyone. Not even Sam, the hired handyman that notices everything and always seems to know exactly what she needs.
Stella doesn’t know anything about Sam’s past, but somehow over the last two years his slow, steady presence has slipped past her defenses. Still, she knows she can’t tell him about her recent premonitions. So far there’s been no murder. No body. No way to prove what’s about to happen without destroying the life she’s built for herself.
But a killer is out there. And Stella knows that this time she’ll do whatever it takes to stop him.
About the Author
Author bio from the author’s site
Christine Feehan is a #1 New York Times bestselling author multiple times over with her portfolio including over 90 published novels, including five series; Dark Series, GhostWalker Series, Leopard Series, Drake Sisters Series, the Sisters of the Heart Series, Shadow Riders and Torpedo Ink. All of her series have hit the #1 spot on the New York Times bestselling list as well. Her debut novel Dark Prince received 3 of the 9 Paranormal Excellence Awards in Romantic Literature (PEARL) in 1999. Since then she has been published by various publishing houses including Leisure Books, Pocket Books, and currently is writing for Berkley/Jove. She also has earned 7 more PEARL awards since Dark Prince.
To the regular visitors to the blog, I apologise – I will be returning to the dark, gruesome thriller genre immediately. A challenge is a challenge and I do not like to back down from one. This book was one I had to read…. (it wasn’t that bad – change can be good.) Thank you for visiting, your support is appreciated. Until next time…. Happy Reading!
