Closer Than She Thinks (Zebra Book,)

by Meryl Sawyer

Book Overview

Alyssa Rossi didn't want to return home to New Orleans because of the bad memories. But when her jewelry company is acquired by Tri-Tech, Rossi leaves Italy, returning to the scene of a crime that... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0821772112
• Release Date: November 2001
• Publisher: Zebra
• Length: 415 Pages
• Weight: 1.00 lbs.
• Dimensions: 6.8" x 1.0" x 4.0"

Customer Reviews

Get As Close As You Want!

Meryl Sawyer has a knack for writing great romantic suspense. She is the kind of author that you just automatically buy her books when you see a new one with her name on it. With Sawyer, you get your money's worth: suspense, interesting characters, dialogue that flows, and let's face it, there is usually some hot sex in her books. What more could you ask for? Alyssa Rossi is a costume jewelry designer with her own business in Italy. On the advice of her aunt she allows her business to be acquired by TriTech. TriTech will take over the running of her business, allow her to expand, and free her up to focus more on her designing. The only catch is she has to work at their headquarters in New Orleans. For most this wouldn't be a problem, but for Alyssa it is. Years earlier she had fled after being accused of kidnapping her cousin's newborn baby. You see, Alyssa's cousin, Phoebe, had managed to get pregnant by Clay Duvall, the love of Alyssa's life. Being from the upper crust of society, the two married leaving Alyssa out in the cold. Foul play was suspected in the baby's disappearance, but nothing was ever proven to confirm or deny Alyssa' innocence. Jake Williams is TriTech's CEO. Jake has come up through life the hard way. In fact he never knew his father Max until the old man hunted him up and persuaded him to take over the family business. Jake doesn't give a flip about New Orleans' society. He barely tolerates it for the sake of his father with whom he is trying to build a relationship. One of the things he does have to tolerate is the presence of Clay Duvall in his company, it was part of the deal when TriTech acquired the Duvall company. What doesn't make sense to Jake is why Clay bought a small jewelry making company, a company, which doesn't fit the profile of TriTech. He begins to investigate the purchase of the company and finds himself fascinated by Alyssa Rossi. The past begins to unfold while unraveling the present and shaping the future. This has been my lucky month for reading great books with gorgeous leading men. Jake is terrific. He has had to fight to get where he is and doesn't care what others think of him. Instead of trying to fit into New Orleans' society, he barely tolerates them and doesn't hesitate to let them know how he feels about them. Jake's dialogue reflects the man he is. While he presents himself as a suave businessman, anytime someone gets too close or he isn't sure how to handle a situation, he resorts to using sarcastic remarks that are often funny. There is an interesting group of secondary characters, each who play an integral part of the story. Parts of their stories help weave the complex plot involved in this story. Meryl Sawyer has written a great book. Anyone who reads this one won't be bored. Carve some time out of your busy schedule, find yourself some place comfortable, and get ready to be entertained.

Mrs. Sawyer does it again

This was a great book. Mrs. Sawyer seems to write nothing but great books. The story line is filled with action and romance, with some wit in with it. I really enjoyed this book and would recommend it highly.

MUST READ

I have enjoyed all of Meryl Sawyer's books. This one even surpasses all the others. The humor, mystery, wonderful dog, and vibrant dialogue will keep you glued to this book until it is finished. I can't wait for her next one.

Couldn't put this one down!

This book has everything I'm looking for: a good mystery with lots of twists and a love story that isn't the same old thing. I could not put this book down, but then, I have always waited for Meryl's next book. She manages to keep me reading even when I know I should be doing something else.

Fantastic romantic suspense

Alyssa Rossi fled New Orleans for Florence, Italy because her memories of her hometown are all ugly after the betrayal from her loved ones. She succeeds in opening Rossi Designs, a costume jewelry business that performs quite well Alyssa heeds her Aunt Theodore Canali's advice to sell her company to TriTech and go home as part of the purchase. Upon returning from Patagonia, TriTech CEO Jake Williams is shocked to learn that minority business partner Clay Duvall purchased Rossi Designs. He needs to know why because the small company is outside the obvious profile of his firm's core competencies. Uncomfortable with this particular acquisition, Jake gets even more paranoid when he sees Alyssa is a dead ringer for Clay's wife. Though a relatively small venture for what TriTech normally acquires, Jake makes inquiries to better understand Clay's motive. As Jake and Alyssa begin to fall in love, everyone within their radar has their own dangerous plans that could harm either or both of them. CLOSER THAN SHE THINKS is an exciting romantic thriller that runs on all cylinders from start to finish. The story line is filled with action and romance as the suspense and tension heat to the melting point. Jake and Alyssa make a delightful duo and the support cast amplifies the plot by fostering their own desires at the peril of the key couple. Meryl Sawyer exhibits why she is a New York Times best selling author with this extremely effective novel.Harriet Klausner