THE WOMAN TRAPPED IN THE DARK – J.D. Mason
A Blink, Texas Novel  #3
St. Martin's
ISBN: 978-1-250-05227-8
September 18, 2018

Romantic Suspense

Dallas and Blink, Texas – Present Day

Abby Rhodes and Jordan Gatewood are still working on perfecting their relationship despite their being totally in love with each other. She comes from a working-class background and he is the richest black man in the country, so their worlds are certainly different. One day while returning to her home in Blink, Abby is kidnapped. Jordan is contacted, and the ransom isn't the usual “give-me-money” but one in which he must agree to invest one-hundred million dollars in a company still facing congressional approval. Jordan races to find Abby and comply with their demands, while afraid that he will be too late.

Abby has no idea where she is or who kidnapped her. She is being held in an abandoned building somewhere and is visited once or twice a day by a woman and a man to be fed and given water. She fears that once they get what they want, they will kill her. But Abby has an even bigger fear: will Jordan pay what they want? Her terror intensifies as the days drag on. Will Abby make it out of there alive?

J.D. Mason sets up the suspense as THE WOMAN TRAPPED IN THE DARK begins with the information that another billionaire hates Jordan. Readers sense right away that the father and son in the first chapter are behind the kidnapping of Abby. While Abby knew Jordan's world was different from hers, she's tried to adapt. She didn't expect to find herself kidnapped! Self-preservation soon kicks in for Abby. If Jordan can't save her, then she has to do it herself. In this tale, we get multiple points of view, including not only Abby and Jordan but that of each of the three kidnappers and others. Yet, the underlying reason of  why  isn't revealed until late in this tale.

At the age of fifty, Jordan has finally found in Abby the woman he wants to spend the rest of his life with. He cherishes her and recently took her to a ball which was sort of a “coming out” for their relationship. Did he make a mistake in publicizing their love and relationship to others? Up until then, they'd kept it lowkey and under wraps. Jordan knows there are plenty of suspects as just about anyone would love to see the rich and powerful Jordan Gatewood taken out. Will losing Abby be his downfall?

THE WOMAN TRAPPED IN THE DARK is a suspenseful tale that will have readers turning the page to find out what happens next. The story does drag down in parts when it “flashes back” to scenes that happened before the kidnapping, but the book as a whole is really good. Because of the multiple characters involved, you may need a scorecard as to who is who and what everyone's relationship is. But in the end, justice prevails, though not without a bit of a cringe or two. Trust me when I say your heart will be pounding in a few places. But THE WOMAN TRAPPED IN THE DARK does promise a happily-ever-after for Abby and Jordan.

THE WOMAN TRAPPED IN THE DARK is full of twists and turns that will keep readers guessing and is one that I highly recommend.

Patti Fischer