Chasing a Dream
Beth Cornelison
Five Star, Sep 2006, $26.95
ISBN: 1594145148

In San Antonio for twelve years Tess Sinclair refused to acknowledge the truth that her husband Randall is an abusive controlling monster until now. She realizes that he just hired a hitman to kill business associate Riley Fanin. When she says something to him, he tells her to mind her business or else, but he also gleefully admits that he killed her sister Angie before taking up with her.

Tess flees her home knowing she has one chance to escape and that probability is about zero. Her escape runs into a problem with a flat tire fixed by hitchhiking musician Justin Boyd, who dreams of making it in Nashville. She reluctantly gives him a ride fearing Randall sent him. When they stop for gas, someone tries to abduct Tess; Justin intercedes. Though he thought earlier that she was running from someone he now knows for sure. Remembering how he failed to save his sister from an abusive spouse, he vows to put his career on hold and risk his life to keep Tess Carpenter safe.

This an interesting romantic suspense starring two likable lead characters on the lam from a powerful cruel mogul with influence throughout Texas and beyond as the mean-spirited Randall gets away with murder and strong-arm illegal business dealings while remaining a pillar of society because money talks. His boasting confession to his wife that he killed her sibling seems inane and out of character to this control freak, but also provides Tess a reason to flee from the gilded cage. Justin is heroic as he risks his life to keep Tess safe against professionals in this fine thriller.

Harriet Klausner