Heartbeats

by Susan Rae

Dr. Elizabeth Iverson ended her relationship with FBI agent Drake McGuire before it truly began. Six years later, he's back in her life protecting her from a killer--and rekindling a passion that never truly burned out.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0425206823
• ISBN13: 9780425206829
• Release Date: November 2005
• Publisher: Berkley Publishing Group
• Length: 292 Pages
• Weight: 0.35 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 4.2" x 6.8"

Customer Reviews

A "heartpounding" Read

Susan Rae's debut novel, heartbeats, is a heart-pounding romantic suspense. Set in the Windy City, her tale takes the reader on a page-turning ride. Dr. Elizabeth Iverson and FBI Special Agent Drake McGuire are strong, driven characters, who have a steamy history. A shocking murder pushes them back together after six years apart, and the sparks do fly. Rae has done an outstanding job of combining plot, characters, setting, and good writing to result in a good read. If you like romantic suspense, you will love heartbeats. In my book, that makes it a "keeper." -C.W.

Caution -- difficult to put this one down!

I bought heartbeats because I've met the author and wanted to read her first book. I started reading it over Thanksgiving vacation and had the worst time putting it down! I made my sisters watch my kids so I could finish it. This is a mix of romance and suspense, which I like. The mystery is strong, not secondary to the romance. I didn't figure it out until the end. The issues confronting the hero and the heroine are also real. They actually have problems to resolve, not just a series of misunderstandings to keep them apart. If you like romantic suspense, you'll enjoy this book. Just make sure you set aside plenty of time so you can read it from start to finish.

A surprise

I picked this book up on a whim basically. I liked the title of the book and the back sounded interesting. I was not disapointed. This was a really good book. There were a few things that got left behind and were never addressed, but it didnt seem to make much difference, but you are left wonering. Like what ever happend to Liz and who she was engaged to? You are left to guess after the little clues they leave you and also Liz left a big thing out and it just gets left behind with the rest of the little details that were forgotten about. It did not change the story though, which all considered was really good. THe roamance could have been more, focused maybe. I dont know how to explain that one, it was good but it seemed something was missing. The mystery was good, i kept thinking I knew who did it. lol, was wrong on all accounts. Never guessed until the end. I found this to be a highly enjoyable book. I wasnt bored at all. The story flows, has no real snags or lulls. It keeps you guessing and entertained. I would recommend this to lovers of romantic suspence and regular romance readers. I think it would appeal to all. Some romantic suspence novels concentrate on eiter the romance or the suspence, but this is a good mix of what a romantic suspence book should be, the romance hightened by the suspence. Great book.

A Keeper To Be Sure!!!

Ms. Rae's "Heartbeats" is a keeper to be sure. This fast-paced romantic suspense will enthrall the reader with one amazing hero, one strong heroine, and a suspense storyline that will truly keep the reader "guessing" until the final pages. Dr. Elizabeth Iverson has realized her dream. Working for one of the top cardiac hospitals in the nation, this hard working, dedicated woman has more on her plate than she can handle. On the night of an alumni dinner she is in the middle of giving a speech when the one man to make her heart beat fast and hard walks back into her life. Special Agent Drake McGuire is back for a reason but he has no idea that he's walking right into a murder investigation that centers on Liz. When Liz's best friend is found dead in her apartment the questions that start to be asked are hard and there seems to be no true answers forth coming. The fact that she must now rely on Drake is more than she can handle. She walked away from this sexy man five years earlier and it wasn't easy. Will she have what it takes to keep her heat safe or will this second time around leave her with a broken heart. She has a secret that she has kept from him and now...she's second guessing her decision. Will a killer strike again before she can make things right? Drake is a wonderfully sexy, charming hero. Elizabeth is a strong heroine but perhaps just a little too strong. This is truly the only problem with this well paced romantic suspense. Ms. Rae is off to a very good start with her writing career. This is one author that I will put on my "must watch" list.

fabulous police procedural romance

At a fundraiser, Dr. Elizabeth Iverson runs into a former lover, FBI Special Agent Drake McGuire. Seeing him is quite a jolt since six years have passed since they shared a short but torrid relationship; yet to both it seems like yesterday as the heat etched a deep mark on their respective hearts. However, after leaving the gala she goes to her apartment only to find her best friend Julie Parks dead from multiple stab wounds, a homicide victim. The only good thing Elizabeth believes is that her young daughter Allison is staying with her grandmother. Drake pushes his way onto the case because of Elizabeth. He investigates the murder over the chagrin of the locals, which gives him an opportunity to explore what he and Elizabeth ended abruptly when she fled into the night. As Elizabeth and Drake revive their relationship, which seems stronger than before if memory holds, he knows he must not allow his love or desire from keeping him from doing his job which is catching a killer and especially keeping Elizabeth safe as she could be the next victim. Then there is the question of who sired Allison HEARTBEATS is a fabulous police procedural romance starring two likable protagonists whose hearts beat as one. However, the key to this fine thriller is the villain as clues are provided by Susan Rae yet like the cops choosing who did it remains difficult. Though the second chance at love family drama is an overdone device, fans of romantic suspense will want to read this tense tale. Harriet Klausner