Review: Attracted to Fire

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Special Agent Meghan Connors’ dream of one day protecting the president of the United States is about to come true. Only one assignment stands in her way. After the vice president’s rebellious daughter is threatened, Meghan is assigned to her protective detail on a secluded ranch in West Texas. Unfortunately, working with Special Agent in Charge Ash Zinders may be as tough as controlling her charge. Ash has a reputation for being critical and exacting, and he’s also after the same promotion as Meghan. But when the threats escalate and security on the ranch is breached, it becomes clear this isn’t the work of a single suspect—it’s part of a sophisticated plan that reaches deeper and higher than anyone imagined. And only Ash and Meghan can put the pieces together before it’s too late.

Genre: suspense / romantic suspense

Publication date: September 2011

Mature content: no

Review: While I don't think Attracted to Fire is over-the-top amazing, it's still a great book and a great suspense story.

What I liked:

• The Christian twist, especially where you would probably not expect it. It passes on the message that God is for everyone and that even those who have jobs that may involve violence in the line of duty are able to live by their faith.
• The suspense side of the plot. While we are given some clues to what is happening, the twists and turns are constant and keep you glued to the book.
• The two main characters, Meghan and Ash. Even if I would have liked to see them a bit more engaged in their romantic entanglement (see below), I loved both of them, Ash especially. They are strong and capable to stand on their own, but together they make a great team. 

 

 What I didn't like so much: 

• While the plot is great from the suspense point of view, I found the romance side of it a bit lacking. Even without any explicit scenes, I would expect more emotion from both Ash and Meghan. They are concerned about each other, they miss each other when they are apart, they have interesting conversations together. All of that makes them friends, not necessarily in love. There are places in the book where they seem to just go through the motions of what is expected of them. Same goes for the Chip/Lindsay romance - given their limited interaction, I have no idea how Chip can say he's losing his hear to her...
• There are some aspects I would have liked to see more detailed. Pepper was a character I didn't like from the beginning, but there was never an explanation for her weird manners or the power she seems to have at the ranch.
• Lindsay's fear and the reasons behind her additions are described somewhat superficially. Again, I expected more deep feelings when a young woman is literally waisting her life everyday. Also, considering her history, I would have expected at least one true relapse, especially when she's secretly given access to both alcohol and drugs. Still, she stages a performance worthy of an Oscar when she has to fake the relapse, so it sort of compensates for the rest. 

Still, Attracted to Fire is a lovely book if you're looking for a clean, Christian romantic suspense story.  It was my first book by DiAnn Mills but it will certainly not be my last.
 

Happy readings,