Title: Tamari Island
Author: Joy Allyson
Genre: Historical Romantic Suspense
Book Blurb:
Emmie Prescott, the smart, pretty granddaughter of a United States senator, leaps at an offer to work on Tamari Island, a remote South Pacific island after a disastrous family exposé crushed her dream job aspirations. Her first day on the island sparks fly when she meets handsome Jack Manderly, a reporter who works on ambiguous stories for the same paper that sabotaged her career hopes. Once serious problems emerge in her new role at the designer silk plant, Emmie chooses to ignore the man whose very presence leaves her breathless.
Jack harbors a bitter sense of betrayal against Washington politicians who pressured his editor to exile him to Tamari after he linked stories of Emmie’s grandfather’s alleged activities while posted in D.C. His new assignment, tracking rumors in Southeast Asia years after the Vietnam ceasefire, is increasingly perilous. Embroiled in a dangerous mission where love and sacrifice can’t coexist, Jack strives to erase Emmie from his mind.
Despite their intentions and forced proximity, Emmie and Jack’s attraction deepen as alarming incidents occur around the island. Amidst the swirling chaos, Tamari Island deals her own hand. Will Emmie leverage her fashion connections and escape to Paris or go home and grow her political roots? And will she ever forget the man who makes her body and soul sing?
My Review:
Emmie escapes her family’s scandal by relocating to the South Pacific, but she can’t deny what she feels for Jack. When it becomes too dangerous on Tamari Island, will Emmie flee for Paris, or will she stay in the arms of the one man who sets her soul on fire? Tamari Island is a beautiful historical romantic suspense set on a remote island in the South Pacific. Joy Allyson weaves a story of intrigue, romance, and life on a small island. The descriptive narration and setting will sweep you away. The historical accuracy is flawless. The romance is enemies to lovers with a twist. But it’s the characters that had me reading late into the night.
Let’s start with the characters. Emmie is a beautiful and intelligent granddaughter of an influential US senator. Her family is mired in scandal and her dream job is snatched from her clutches. Heartbroken, she jumps at a job on Tamari Island. She meets Jack and there’s hatred from the get-go. She blames him for her plight, but she can’t deny the simmering tension. I truly loved this character. She’s got such depth and emotion. I connected with her from the start.
Jack is a reporter who’s been sent to the island. Just his luck, he meets the woman responsible for him being shipped off. He wants to make her pay but his pesky feelings get in the way. He’s one conflicted hero, poor guy. I connected with him as well. The push-pull between him and Emmie makes for great reading.
Joy Allyson has penned a brilliant, character-driven story that’s so much more than romance. Readers will be seduced by the historical time and the setting. I couldn’t stop reading Tamari Island and was a little sad when I reached the end. I didn’t want to leave Emmie and Jack.
My Rating: 5+ stars
Buy it Now:
Giveaway -
Enter to win one of four $15 Amazon Gift Card
Runs October 16 - November 10
Drawing will be held on November 11
***Get bonus entries if you share this post on your social media***
Author Biography:
As the daughter of a United States military officer, Joy Allyson grew up with a deep appreciation of history and a love of travel. A former teacher-turned-writer, she has an unquenchable thirst for historical romances in her reading choices. Her favorite characters–are rebel heroines and salvageable scoundrels. Joy believes the best romances are the ones you want to read over and over again.
She and her husband call the beautiful hills of Tennessee home, and her two daughters and six grandchildren are nearby.
Social Media Links:
Reviewed by: Nancy