Desperate to escape her abusive fiancé, kinetic sculptor Laurel McDowell pawns her engagement ring, loads everything she owns into her VW Beetle, and heads for the sanctuary of her family home in Big Sur. She lands a job in an art gallery in picturesque Carmel-by-the-Sea and begins a new life.After her ex’s body washes up on the beach, Laurel finds herself dragged into a scheme involving … involving money-laundering Russians, a pair of amiable biker gang members, and a good-looking government number-cruncher who’s more comfortable in a T-shirt and shorts than a suit.
As a forensic accountant for the FBI, Jake Carlson is used to nailing bad guys by following the money trail. His current investigation is floundering until he meets Laurel McDowell, a young woman with connections to an alarming number of his suspects. Is she a witness, an accomplice, or a victim? All he has to do is to keep her alive long enough to find out.
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If only it were easy to make life changes, but the past dogs Laurel, bringing complication, even danger to her life. Laurel has the help of family and a handsome Fed agent, but the villains have their own nasty agenda. I love suspense/makeover plots, so Second Wind by Alison Henderson was perfect for me. Renovation #1: Laurel has left a rotten relationship and returned to her California coast home, drawing strength from her family to re-examine her goals. Reno #2: A job at an art studio helps her re-boot her career. Reno #3 She gets to craft a glorious space for her new home/studio…until the villains come calling. Good to the very last “renovation.”
When Laurel escapes from her possessive ex, she thought she was safe. What could be worse than him following her and ending up dead on her beach? She’s a suspect. Enter FBI agent Jake who takes to heart the admonition “follow the money.” Unbeknownst to her, Laurel is right in the middle of his investigation. Will he help or arrest her?
The reader is on the edge of her/his seat as this fascinating story develops. The small resort town is believable as are the characters. Plenty of twists and action make this a real page-turner.
Romance, suspense, and a whole lot more
Laurel McDowell thought she was heading for a place of safety when she fled her abusive fiance and returned home to Big Sur on California’s Cypress Coast. Little did she know that trouble would find her almost before she could catch her breath.
Carmel-by-the Sea is a quaint, peaceful village, known for its quirky residents and its plethora of art galleries. Laurel quickly lands a job in a prestigious gallery in the heart of the commercial district, only to find herself in the crosshairs of a moneylaundering investigation spearheaded by FBI forensic accountant, Jake Carlson.
This is the first book in a new trilogy by Alison Henderson, whose knowledge of the art scene and love for the Cypress Coast shine clearly through the entire narrative. Her verbal paintbrush brings the details of the settings and the characters to life without slowing the pace of the narrative or distracting from the story.
As in her previous books, Henderson indulges her quirky sense of humor to insert comic reiief into the plot. Watch for the antics of Rufus, a feline with more than his share of attitude, and a pair of bikers with the improbable handles of Snowflake and Twitchy.
Did I mention romance? Jake Carlson is a hunk as well as a savvy accountant and overall nice guy. The romance between Jake and Laurel warms at a satisfying pace over the course of the novel.
I’m looking forward to reading the next book in the Cypress Coast trilogy.
I loved every page of this exceptional book. It is action-packed, wonderfully paced, and full of gripping suspense. The story opens with 32-year-old Laurel on the run from her abusive fiance. In a definitive move, she packs her cat in her car and hits the road from Seattle to the sanctuary of Big Sur, California, where her mother owns and operates a cliffside, vegetarian restaurant, and her two sisters live close by. But home is not an immediate sanctuary, for the truth of her fiance’s hidden life follows her to the coast and unfurls in threatening unforeseen episodes that keep the reader on the edge of their seat. Cleverly written with spot-on dialogue, the breathtaking setting of Big Sur, California and the town of Carmel-by-the-Sea as described by Henderson is much of what’s to love in this delightful story. The Monterey Peninsula is the perfect setting for the life the artistic Laurel hopes to create, but when she is met by one obstacle after another, she is unwittingly helped by a rugged FBI agent named Jake. This story is wonderfully told. I believe it will greatly appeal to all readers because it is so very engaging. It is the kind of book you’ll look forward to returning to until its climactic end. You’ll love the characters, and will feel as if you’re spending time in the expertly drawn Big Sur, California. Five Stars! I look forward to reading the next book in the Cypress Coast Book series!