The Persuasion by
Iris Johansen finalizes the story between Jane MacGuire and
Seth Caleb. As with all her stories, Johansen writes emotionally
charged and complex characters with a fast-paced plot. Infused
into this thriller is the romance between the hero and heroine.
This story starts with Jane's brother, Michael, visiting her
in Wales. Both are the children of Eve and Joe Duncan. Having
a psychic ability, Michael senses that Jane is in danger and
asks Caleb, her past lover, to come and keep her safe. There
is a comradeship between Michael and Caleb because both have
the ability to recognize what each is thinking. Caleb is able
to understand Michael and never pretends.
Regarding
Jane and Michael's relationship, it seemed both wanted to
protect each other. Each felt affection, love, and an understanding
of where they were coming from. Michael told her not to close
him out and to take his fears seriously. She knew that both
Michael and Caleb were very special children with unusual
talents. Fortunately, her brother had Eve and Joe as parents
who accepted and embraced those talents, while Caleb's parents
punished and rejected him.
Johansen
explained, “I put in this book a quote to share Caleb’s
family background. ‘All his life, he’s been told
that everyone would be afraid or hate him because he had that
blood talent.’ It is amazing how he turned out the way
he did. What he had to deal with is what many people have
to go through with family. Some embrace a child who is different,
while others reject the child.”
All three are thrown together when it becomes apparent that
a madman, Stefano Luca, is trying to hurt Caleb by making
Jane his slave. He is a psychopath, who is egotistical, smart,
a control freak, and a torturer. As Jane and Seth chase down
their blood-thirsty adversary, they also have to reckon with
their own epic love story. Can they finally commit to a life
together, no matter how uncertain? As the two come face to
face with danger, one thing is made clear: it will take both
of them with Michael’s help to confront and defeat this
evil.
"I wrote Jane as a free spirit who is an artist. She
is spunky, stubborn, brave, and somewhat distrustful of Caleb.
The problem is that the relationship is intense, poignant,
and passionate, with Jane afraid to show Caleb her true feelings
for him. I hope readers enjoy their adventure and the way
they solved their differences. With everything going on today,
this is a takeaway book."
Her
next book will also fit into current events with a title,
Chaos. Out in September, it will have a secondary character
Margaret who helps find kidnapped girls in Africa.
Regardless
of which Johansen book is read, the stories are always action-packed,
filled with mystery, family, and a hot romance.
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