Ratings Overall: 9 Sensuality: 9 Suspense Element: 10

This is an Official Review by a Suspense Romance Writer Official Reviewer

Review for Cost of Love, The
Author: Drue Allen
Date of Review: 06/17/09
Reviewed by: Leah

Reviewer Comments: Dean Dreiser has worked for United States Citizenship and Immigration Services for many years now. He thought that he had seen it all, but nothing has prepared him for the sight that awaited him in Roswell, New Mexico. Terrorists have unleashed a new biological weapon and the results are disastrous. The only good news is that only single victims have been claimed as it appears the terrorists are testing out their weapon before mass exposure. Dean knows that he has time to stop them, just not much time. Then he meets his new partner.

Dr. Lucinda Brown is a rookie agent with the USCIS. She has just finished training, but her background in bioweaponized agents makes her the perfect person to work with Dean on this mission. She is committed to helping him find the terrorists and then stopping the spread of any biological weapon. Lucy’s family has always done the right thing and she knows that she will do whatever she needs to in order to stop this latest threat.

Dean is concerned about not only Lucy’s lack of experience, but also the powerful attraction that he feels for her. He doesn’t know if he can keep his mind on the job. With the whole world counting on him to stop the terrorists, he has to find a way to ignore his attraction and focus on the larger picture.

Ms. Allen tells a remarkably detailed story. She provides her readers with graphic descriptions of what this new biological weapon will do to people as it kills them. Her research into the topic is apparent as is her knowledge of the lengths the government will go through to stop biological weapons. She shares the precautions that are taken when coping with such a deadly weapon. Ms. Allen’s writing style allows her to give us this information without turning it into a lecture. The story flows and the facts are seamlessly incorporated into the narrative.

I love the fast-paced action and suspense of this novel. We believe that Dean and Lucy will succeed, but the how and when keep you reading. We don’t imagine that they will end up in quite the situation they find themselves at the end. Be careful you don’t bite your nails off as you wait to find out exactly how they will extract themselves from a dangerous situation. This story has a satisfying ending that will delight readers.

I also enjoyed the interplay between Dean and Lucy. Their immediate attraction to each other causes them to flirt and banter with each other from the beginning. Dean may have his doubts about Lucy’s abilities, but she quickly proves him wrong. Finding out what the cost of love is for each of them takes them on a journey towards togetherness.