A frightened, destitute Dr. Shelly Williams, rehabilitation counselor in deep trouble with a powerful governor, tries to relocate and restore the remnants of her life. But trouble is never easy to shake. She lands smack into even more danger.
Shelly's not at all sure she dares to stay in her new home, not after witnessing her new landlord's son doing business with a drug dealer in a rough area of town. When the surly young man recognizes her, he threatens her one night and sets out to make her life a worse nightmare than ever before.
An attorney with a bizarre second career
Strongly attracted to her landlord Kyle Markam, she grows close yet finds herself unable to tell him the truth about his son. Revealing her past and her former career in counseling, might place her in deeper jepoardy from the men who want her permanently out of the way.
A crime king planning to own the Northwest
She soon discovers the governor who destroyed her career is a puppet for an even more powerful leader in the Russian Mafia. Charzenko, the leader who uses Governor Huxley to expand his U.S. crime territory, is keeping close tabs on Huxley, and Huxley's obsessive interest in making certain Shelly Williams is destroyed once and for all.
Shelly Williams was a woman who had dedicated her life to helping those suffering from drug addictions. Ever since her younger twin brother and sister had overdosed on drugs, she felt this was the way she could most help others. When her good intentions backfire while helping the young daughter of the Idaho governor, Shelly goes on the run. Gov. Huxley was infuriated that Shelly would insinuate his precious daughter is involved in anything wrong so swears he will ruin her career and make her completely unable to work as a counselor in a 5 state area.
Shelly turns to her one friend she can count on for anything, Aggie Cashman, going to stay with her awhile to give her a chance to figure out what to do with her life now that Huxley has ruined her dreams. Aggie finds her a place to stay, at a small cottage on the estate of wealthy attorney Kyle Markham. When Kyle and Shelly meet, sparks fly and he finds himself interested in a woman for the first time since his wife left many years ago. But Shelly is obviously hiding something, and he can't stand that. Secrets only cause problems as far as he is concerned, and he is determined to find out hers.
When Shelly accidentally stumbles upon some damning evidence about Kyle's son Greg and his illegal habits, she is all the more determined to keep her secrets at any cost. But she can't help being attracted to Kyle, and wishing she could confide the truth in him. In spite of her secrets, Kyle and Shelly grow ever closer, unable to resist the allure of each other. Unfortunately, just when she thinks maybe she can get her life back together, past problems catch up to her, along with some new ones regarding Greg, and she is in even more danger than that of losing her reputation. She is danger of losing her very life.
This was one incredible page-turner! Ms. Emory has a winner with this gripping tale. The pace never lessens and the nail-biting suspense is so high, the reader will be on the edge of the seat through it all. One can't help but feel for Shelly and the dilemma trying to help others has caused for her. Kyle is such a strong man, in spite of his biggest weakness where his son is concerned. The two of them are meant for each other, if only they can get past the problems causing a rift between them.
There are also several good sideline stories in this book. The best one is that of Shelly's best friend, Aggie. In fact, this story almost affected the reviewer more then the main plot surrounding Shelly. Aggie's story will bring tears to one's eyes, and have the reader cheering for a happy ending as much as does Shelly's plight.
Don't forget the light-hearted moments. There are plenty of those too, which prevent this book from becoming too dark of a story. Passion abounds as well, between Kyle and Shelly, as bright and strong as a lightning bolt. One can't help being drawn in to the story, and what a story it is! Be prepared for some late nights, as this book cries out to be read in one sitting! This is the first book by Ms. Emory for this reviewer, but it certainly won't be the last.
---Reviewed by KELLEY
January 2003
Love Romances
Shelley Williams packed her bags leaving her life as a counselor in Lewiston, Idaho behind. Reduced to two suitcases and her video camera, she hopped into her Ford Taurus and headed to Tacoma, Washington to find refuge in her trusted friend Aggie.
Powell Huxley, governor of Lewiston, stripped her clean of her career and all her belongings. He battled her in court making her sell everything she owned. Shelley provided him with proof that his precious daughter Patrice was using drugs. Powell didn't want to accept the obvious; instead he focused on destroying Shelley. Powell succeeded in making certain she would never be known as Dr. Shelley Williams again.
Aggie welcomes Shelley into her home with open-arms. Shelley soon grows tired of living off her best friend and wants to move out on her own and start a new life and new career. Shelley decides to start a pet sitting business.
Aggie sends Shelley to an acquaintance, Kyle Markham, to rent his in-law's cottage. Kyle is a lawyer. Sparks fly for the couple from the minute they lay eyes on each other, but the road to Kyle's house was a troubled one for Shelley. Lost, she stumbled upon a drug deal. When she meets Kyle's son Greg, she realizes this is one half of the drug deal witnessed earlier. Greg realizes who she is too. Shelley finds her past has come back to haunt her in the present.
As Shelley and Kyle start to become closer, others try pulling them apart. Shelley is threatened by Greg who wants her gone. She knows he's a user, and she's a threat to him.
When Powell tracks her down, he sends men after her to kill her. Her life is one big tangled mess. Will she survive the hired hit men and Greg? Will Shelley find love in Kyle?
Lee Emory created a wonderful suspense story. The suspense began in the first sentence and held you through the end of the book. Every time you thought you had it figured out, she threw you a curve. Her characters were real. You felt their pain, anger and tears. Romance was woven into the story, but it didn't over power the book. Counselor at Large is a must read for lovers of suspense.
First, Counselor at Large by our own Lee Emory. Wow, this is a tense, realistic thriller with a wonderful romance woven into it. The plots mesh seamlessly and keep a reader on the edge of her seat (or bed as I usually read there!) praying the heroine will pull through when some really bad guys get after her! She does have some very close calls with death before she emerges triumphant. There are some steamy and yet highly emotional love scenes along with the near non-stop action. A fine read!
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