Hide in Plain Sight by Marta Perry

This is the first in a series of 3 books, each book telling the story of one of three sisters. This book tells the story of the eldest Hampton sister, Andrea. Responding to the needs of her grandmother and sister, Andrea takes a little time off from her demanding job to travel to her grandmother's Bed and Breakfast to help manage its opening while her sister recovers from a hit-and-run accident. She encounters mystery, danger, family and romance.

I like this combination in a book--the romance/mystery kind of story that I particularly enjoy. This a "Love Inspired" book, a Christian romance. The religion was not heavy-handed. The book (indeed the whole "Love Inspired" line) is published by Harlequin, I believe--the behemoth romance publisher that goes to bed (if you'll excuse the obvious metaphor) with the pornographers as well as the Christians. Of course, the decisions the heroine faces are a little simplistic, a little all-or-nothing (career or family for instance), which may be a little one-dimensional, but it's still a valid presentation of the good vs. better choices that many of us are trying to make. And a pretty suspenseful little mystery too!

It was a sweet and entertaining book that I enjoyed.

I skipped book #2, but read book #3 "Buried Sins" also, which features sister Caroline, escaping to the family home from her troubles in the big city. Her new husband has just been killed in a car accident and Caroline is starting to realize that he wasn't all he claimed to be and in fact was probably involved in something that promises danger for her as well. Local police chief Zach investigates and feel attracted to artistic Caroline, but must hold himself apart until he figures out if she's as innocent as she claims.

Pretty nice that all three sisters find their Mr. Right in the same little town. I'm sounding cynical, but I don't really mean it. "Buried Sins" was a good story too, although I enjoyed #1 more. I don't think I'll read #2. I do like Marta Perry, though, so if I run into one of her books again I won't hesitate to read it.


Sex: none
Bad language: none