The Chamber
T. L. Gray
Amber Quill, 2003,
ISBN: 1592790887

Journalist Maria Carvania will settle the "debt" with legal justice but prefers something more biblically personal like an eye for an eye in her obsession to see Benito Juarez pay for the death of her brother. The truth is that she could never directly get at the Venezuelan drug lord except through testifying against him in a court of law. However, Juarez' thugs murder several agents while trying to kill Maria.

In Kentucky, Will Skaggs dumps Maria on former Special Forces veteran Seth Harris, who insists that he is retired and not trusting the desperate Juarez reach. Seth has no choice but to keep Maria safe because he is now a target too and has a history with Juarez also. As they fall in love, Maria and Seth must trust one another if they plan to live past the trial as Juarez will murder both of them without a qualm.

THE CHAMBER is a dark romantic suspense tale that hooks the reader the moment that one of Maria's protectors stops humming and never lets up until the climax. The writing is superb as it keeps sub-genre fans wondering if the duo and a few close saintly associates are going to make it even when they are supposedly safe in Kentucky. The lead couple is a solid pair trying to do the right thing and survive; however what makes the duo seem genuine is that though they fall in love, the romance serves as a powerful subplot that adds depth and realism to a strong thriller.

Harriet Klausner