The Deepest Edge [Mass Market Paperback]

This story works on many levels. The history of the Tong leadership and the priceless sword collections is facsinating. The many characters are very well drawn, especially Valence and Jian-Shan for whom we are rooting throughout the story. The suspense kept me reading until late in the night and then waking early to finish. This is the first I've read of Jessica Hall (though I wouldn't be surprised if she's written under another name) and I am looking forward to the next book in this trilogy, 'The Steel Caress'.

Val finds that she is in the middle of an Asian mafia war, as Jian's crime lord father attempts to bring his wayward son back into the fold. Danger fairly crackles in the air, as does sensuality. From the first moment she laid eyes on him, Val began to fall in love with her quarry, and although he denies feeling more than desire for an attractive woman, the feeling is mutual. Yet, the past is something that stands between them and happiness, and if they survive the current crisis, Val and Jian will have to overcome their haunted and broken hearts.

*** Sizzling and very different, this novel paints a world seldom seen. Mixing the exotic Orient with the sensual beauty of France and the spice of a Southern lady, this is only the first in an exciting trilogy. Jian is a hero unlike any seen before with his unique heritage, while Val is a favorite heroine, tough, yet tender. The supporting cast, even though within it lurks a traitor, makes a strong impact upon this fast paced plot. The promised sequel looks even better. ***

Reviewed by Amanda Killgore.

This book had far too many plot holes and gaps in logic. We were given too many flat characters instead of a couple well rounded characters with depth. The relationship between the main h/h was told to us instead of shown - they love all of a sudden when we see no reason for it and we're expected to believe it. Suspense often consists of interrupting sex time and again until we no longer care, and also consists of the heroine doing stupid things to get everyone in danger (she risks her life to talk to the hero, then once she gets there she's determined to run away, then once she runs away she's determined to talk to the hero. ???!). And worst of all, the characters and their actions or thoughts just don't make sense (when the hero traps the heroine in her hotel room, she plans to escape out the window and is disappointed when he tells her she can't because they're on the 12th floor. What, she didn't know this after staying in the room for days? Good thing she happened to get out on the right floor when she took the elevator up the previous page. This is just one of times when you ask what planet these people are from.).

These are all the characteristics to me of an old style of romance that went out of fashion because it's just not satisfying. I prefer characters with depth acting in a manner consistent to what we know of them, in a story that focuses on their relationships. I just could not like this book.