Red on the River

RED ON THE RIVER is a contemporary, adult, slightly paranormal, romantic thriller set in the author’s MURDER AT SUNRISE LAKE world. This is professional poker player/surgical nurse Vienna Mortenson, and undercover operative Zale Vizzini’s story line. RED ON THE RIVER can be read as a stand-alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story line is revealed where necessary. Vienna Mortenson was first introduced in book one.

NOTE: Due to the nature of the story line premise, there may be triggers for more sensitive readers.

Told from third person perspective RED ON THE RIVER follows the second chance relationship between professional poker player/surgical nurse Vienna Mortenson, and undercover operative Zale Vizzini. Months earlier, a serial killer targeted Stella Harrison (Murder at Sunrise Lake), and in their wake threatened Stella and her close-knit friends including our heroine Vienna Mortenson. Taking some time for herself in the aftermath of the life-threatening events , Vienna would set out on an outdoor adventure where she would meet one of their rescuers, undercover operative Zale Vizzini. Six weeks together ended when Zale ghosted our story line heroine, leaving a heart broken Vienna in his wake. Fast forward to present day, wherein an invitation to a Las Vegas Poker Tournament brings Vienna up close and personal with the man who broke her heart, a man whose secrets may push Vienna out of his life.

All was not well in Las Vegas, Nevada; two undercover operatives were missing and presumed dead, and Zale and his partner Rainier claimed to have been hired to protect the hotel owner Daniel Wallin, but someone has targeted our story line heroine in the process, leaving Vienna exposed and unaware of what happened. Vienna Mortenson would find herself under the protection of Zale Vizzini, protection that would pull our couple together even though Vienna struggled with events from the past. What ensues is the rebuilding relationship between Zale and Vienna, and the potential fall-out as secrets are revealed, a contract needs to be fulfilled, placing a target on the back of our story line heroine.

The relationship between Zale and Vienna is a rekindling romance. Zale had previously ghosted Vienna following a six week whirlwind romance in which Vienna found herself falling for a man whose lifestyle was constantly on the move.Vienna’s past was mired in rejection and loss, and in this, our heroine struggled to trust the man who walked away without looking back. There are no $ex scenes.

We are re-introduced to a large ensemble cast of secondary and supporting characters including a few ‘Mafia’ members that may or may not have a future story line: Zale’s partner Rainier, operatives Rush, and Wilder; Stella and Sam (Murder at Sunrise Lake); nurse/photographer Harlow Frye; café owner Shabina Foster; computer IT expert and contracted government employee Raine O’Mallory; nurse Zahra Metcalf; Sam Rossi’s father Don Marco Rossi; and hotel owner Daniel Wallin. The requisite evil has many faces.

RED ON THE RIVER is another complex, detailed and informative story line often over-focusing on poker, poker play, and card combinations, as well as an exhaustive account of hiking, and mountain climbing. As per Christine Feehan’s style of writing, there is a slight paranormal aspect to the series but the author steers clear of any erotic $ex scenes or the use of strong language.

A side note- the author’s use of the paranormal aspect is virtually nil in the story, and in this, I believe the story line and series would benefit without the paranormal plotline

Loved it