AFTERSHOCK – Jill Sorenson
A Perfect 10
Harlequin's HQN
ISBN: 978-0373777327
January 2013
Romantic Suspense

San Diego, California – Present Day

Lauren, an EMT nurse, is riding in an ambulance with her friend Joe when an earthquake hits San Diego.  Everything begins to shake, the road crumbles, concrete falls, and cars are falling over the overpass to the underpass below.  Just when she and Joe begin to feel safe, an aftershock occurs, and more concrete falls on the ambulance instantly killing Joe.  Lauren is stunned, but she makes her way out of the ambulance, grabbing some medical supplies intent on helping others.  A man, Garrett, an Iraq veteran, makes his way to her to also help the wounded.  They rescue a pregnant teenager and find a man and his granddaughter in a mobile home.  They try to gather the wounded, and Lauren helps as well as she can. They are unable to get out of the cavern created on the underpass by the crushed cars and fallen cement. Their cell phones don't work so cannot call for help.

Lauren and Garrett come across three men—one is wounded, and the other two are drinking beer with no concern for the dead or injured.  One of the men leers at Lauren and later is intent on attacking her—she is glad to have the protection of Garrett.  Garrett comes across a prison van and knows the men have escaped captivity.  The men gather some weapons to protect the women.

Lauren and Garrett are attracted to each other, but first and foremost focus on helping all of the victims of this terrifying and electrifying tale.  Garrett is hiding some secrets from his past and tries to keep his distance from Lauren, but their attraction is too strong.  Although Owen, one of the prisoners, joins Lauren and Garrett, the other two prisoners are violent wanting to steal food and trying to harm the others.

AFTERSHOCK is exciting, filled with suspense, and action packed.  Lauren and Garrett are wonderful characters perfect for each other; both are strong and resourceful.  Readers can expect a fast moving sizzling romance, thrilling and violent, along with the frightening shaking and falling concrete.  A secondary romance is also enjoyable.  All the secondary characters add to AFTERSHOCK, both good guys and bad guys.  It is a well-paced story that will keep readers quickly turning the pages.  You can expect a riveting tale that you won't want to put down, deserving of a Perfect 10.  Look for Ms. Sorenson's next book, FREEFALL, in June.

Marilyn Heyman