Marilyn Tyner

BET/Arabesque

1-58314-365-3

September 2002

(3+) Alicia Thomas

PLOT SYNOPSIS: 

Stockbroker Elizabeth Roberts believes in the words "follow your dream." Long hours and hard work have made her a professional success--and brought her a sizzling romance with fellow broker Adam Gregory. Adam's everything she's ever wanted in a man, but when someone sets a scheme in motion to destroy both her career and Adam's trust in her, Elizabeth must fight if she's going to keep her dream alive.

REVIEW: 

ONE HEARTBEAT AT A TIME is an enjoyable romantic suspense novel. Liz Roberts is a successful stockbroker who is on the fast track. She is content with her life and enjoys her family and friends. When a fellow stockbroker, Paul, needs to go out on medical leave, Liz agrees to take over his accounts. The moment she signs the agreement with him, her life is not the same.

Adam Gregory has moved to town with the intention of starting over. He is disappointed and frustrated by the illegal activity that surrounded his previous brokerage firm. The last thing Adam wants is a relationship with another broker. Adam paints Liz with a scarlet letter based on a bad experience. While he struggles with what do with his growing feelings for her, Liz is in the midst of her own tug of war. On top of the upheaval of emotions, Liz begins to discover discrepancies with Paul’s accounts. She is not sure how to address the situation considering Paul’s poor health.

Ms. Tyner’s fans will remember Liz as the sister of the heroes in two of her previous books. Unlike those stories, this one falls short with the revelation of the guilty party. Ms. Tyner takes careful consideration in setting up the possible suspects. Carefully, different motives for each suspect are interspersed throughout the story. Yet the unveiling and ending seems very abrupt. I compare it to removing a cake too soon and having it sink in the middle. This disappointed me because the characters are strong and likable. The secondary characters support without over powering. Overall, the story is good read. 

alicia@romanceincolor.net (9th September 2002)