Shelby County is home to some of the finset horseflesh and bluest blood in Kentucky. With its rural beauty and tranquil lifestyle, it is easy to see why the locals call it Paradise County. But beneath the serene exterior lies a dark underside, and an evil that threatens everyone who touches it.
Alexandra Haywood and her sister Neely have always loved Whistledown, the family's Shelby County horse farm. After their billionaire father's sudden and tragic death, Alex returns to find the family fortune in shambles, and Whistledown has to go. But Joe Welch, the sexy farm manager, refuses to cooperate.
Sparks of rage give way to a fiery attraction when Joe and Alex meet head-on. But just as a volatile passion flares between them, the discovery of a shocking murder with ties to the past rocks the county - and cuts frighteningly close to home when Joe's son Eli and Neely disappear.
Alex and Joe have only each other to rely on as they search frantically for their loved ones. What they don't know is that they are racing against time, too. Because the evil that lurks beneath the bucolic surface of Paradise County has once again raised its gruesome head - and now Alex is targeted as the next victim....
©2001 Karen Robards (P)2012 Simon & Schuster
"A racy read." (Cosmopolitan)
Mother of 3, grandmother of 6, retired nurse and substance abuse counselor. Thrilled to have the time to read or listen to books again.
"a real page turner"
a good read, a little scary and gruesome, not my favorite thing to listen too, had to turn off the volume at the part with the dog, can't abide cruelty to an animal of any kind. Enjoyed the book but at times the narration got a bit irritating especially Neely's voice, and the Southern drawl got a bit annoying but other than that the narrator did a good job.
"She is one of my favorites"
I really liked the story, intense. However, the narrator almost ruined it for me. I am from Louisville, ky which is central Kentucky. In the towns talked about in this book, they do not talk like a bunch of uneducated backwoods hillbillies. I hate the idea that everyone thinks so and this is one way to confirm this idea. So sad.
To accomplish great things, we must not only act, but also dream; not only plan, but also believe.
"WOW!! Fantastic Story!"
This story had my heart pounding, the bad guy in this story was truly evil, and had gotten away with murdering people for years. Alexa has to liquidate her father’s assets, and goes to the horse farm to give the bad news to the farm manager, Joe Welch. Well Joe isn’t about to give up his dream and hard work, while he tries to explain to her why he can’t liquidate as quickly as the month she has given him, produces a contract that gives him another year at the farm. Meanwhile Alexa is hit with more bad news, and the arrival of her half-sister who has been expelled from school, another complication Alexa doesn’t need. Then strange things begin to happen. Forced to stay at the farm for a while longer, things heat up between Joe and Alexa, and the murderer steps up his plans that include Alexa.
I really want to give a lot of credit to the narrator of this story, she was wonderful. I have added her to my lists of narrators to look for, for future books. Her myriad of voices, and dramatic reading had my heart pounding, her male voices were very, very good.
"Suspence and Romance"
The story put me there! The scenes are so vivid, I could not put the book down! I was sorry it ended!
"Karen alwasy writes a good novel"
The narrator was very good and the story had some good twists I didn't expect
The ending was very dramatic couldnt put it down
no this is my first
almost, it took a whilst to really hook me but when it did it was great
I don't need no stink in' badges
"Using mistreatment of an animal is a lazy device"
I just listened to this story until it became too dark for me -- more Steven King in its use of the treat of death of a dog caused me to stop listening, and certainly has caused me to no longer wish to read any further books from this author.
As above, likely not. Too bad. I enjoyed the several I had read until this book.
none
never
I do not recommend this book...I understand the suspension of disbelief, but this goes beyond that pale.
"Totally Enjoyed"
Joe and his family. A strong, hard working man, raising 3 children and doing it well.
Vida did a nice job as a narrator. Good range of characters.