Thursday's Child - Clare Revell

Welcome, Clare! I can't believe we're already up to Thursday's Child. This series is just flying by and each one is more wonderful than the last! You certainly have sharpened your suspense building skills!

Monday’s Child must hide for protection,

Tuesday’s Child tenders direction,

Wednesday’s Child grieves for his soul,

Thursday’s Child chases the whole,

Friday’s Child is a man obsessed,

Saturday’s Child might be possessed,

And Sunday’s Child on life’s seas is tossed,

Awaiting the Lifeboat that rescues the lost.

Thursday's Child chases the whole...


Broken...with bits missing. That's how Niamh, senior prosecutor for the CPS, feels when she wakes in hospital severely injured with no knowledge what happened--for the past ten years. A tall man in a firefighters uniform claims he's her husband. While he's everything she's ever dreamed of in a man and more, she doesn't know him. And if he was so important why can't she remember? Was there something so terrible, so painful in her marriage, her mind has suppressed it?

First on the scene at a horrific accident, Jared Harkin is devastated to find his wife one of the injured. He's already lost a child, can he live through this? Niamh survives the crash, but awakens with ten years missing and no memories of their life together. Determined to help her remember the past and their love, he sets about wooing her all over again. But are some things best forgotten?

As Niamh struggles to remember, the investigation into the accident reveals foul play. Did her recent caseload have anything to do with the attempt on her life? Or was it someone closer to her? As bit and pieces of memory return, the attacker strikes again. Can she piece together the whole of her past before it's too late?

Excerpt:

“Hey, Jared. Phone.”

Jared looked up from the pile of equipment he was cleaning at Cedarwood Fire Station. “Be right there.” He stood and brushed the dust from his uniform trousers. Tugging down his navy T-shirt, he ran to the office. “Who is it, Skippy?” he asked the firefighter sitting at the desk.

“Your wife. Make it quick.” Pete Callaghan, the duty officer for Green Watch, known as Skippy due to his Australian accent, rose, moving to the side to give Jared some privacy.
Jared picked up the phone. Eight years married and still the sound of Niamh’s voice sent a warmth down his spine. He just wished things were better between them. “Hey, Niamh. How did it go?”

“It went good. I won. The defendant changed his plea to guilty.”

“I keep telling you that you’re scary in those robes.” Jared laughed. “Does this mean I can take you out to celebrate tonight? It is tradition after all. Maybe we could talk over dinner.”

“Talking isn’t going to change anything, but OK. Far be it for me to be the one to break with tradition.” She sighed. “We’ll go to that new Chinese place you wanted to try. I’ll make a reservation for eight fifteen.”

“That sounds great. Gives me time to shower and change when I get home.”

“Yeah.”

The alarm bells began their shrill call to duty ring. Jared wasn’t sure if he was relieved or not. “Niamh, I got to run. See you tonight. I love you.”

“Love you too, Jarrie Jace.” Her voice sounded stilted as she gave him the standard answer. Did she mean it? He dismissed the thought. No matter how rough a patch they were going through, Niamh had never lied to him. She hated liars as much as he did.
Jared hung up, tore the message specifying the details of the fire from the printer, and ran out into the main section, shouting as he went. “Both pump and ladder, house fire at One Five Four Whitgate Road, persons reported.” He handed the sheets to the drivers of both fire engines and pulled on his fireproof clothing.

The familiar surge of adrenaline filled him. He loved his job and the fact that what he did saved lives. Climbing in the fire engine, he leaned back in the seat and took a deep breath.
Lord, be with us on this shout. Protect us, help us do our jobs to the best of our abilities. Give us the strength to save lives, to be alert and hear the weakest of cries for help. Enable me to give my best. You alone know what awaits us on this shout. If I am to lose my life, Lord, be with Niamh, and protect and comfort her. Above all, grant me the courage to sacrifice my life in the line of duty without thinking twice about it.

A hand touched his leg. He opened his eyes and looked at Phil Rodgers, the watch manager. “Yes, Sub?” It was kind of funny how they all still called him by his old rank title. The new one of ‘Watch Manager A’ didn’t have the same ring to it. 

“The lads noticed you do that every time we go on a shout, but none of them wanted to ask. Tell them what you’re doing.”

“Praying.” He held the gaze of the senior officer.

Phil smiled and gave a warning glance to the young men. “Nobody’s going to mock you for doing that, least of all me. I don’t think there are many of us that don’t say the Firefighter’s Prayer every so often.”

Jared nodded and addressed the newer firemen. “And I believe what I’m saying. It’s not just words to me.”

Skippy nudged him. “Well, let’s just hope you don’t find out if God really does exist today.”

“I know He exists and meeting Him is something I am looking forward to doing. And if it’s today, then so be it. If not, I go home to Niamh, and we celebrate being alive and loved by God and her winning another case.”

The fire engine pulled to a stop outside a blazing house. “Here we go.” Jared tugged his helmet on securely and jumped out.

Review:

*****

Oh, my, Ms. Revell has certainly written a real heartbreaker here while keeping some deep, dark secrets hidden from us.  

First, what could be more heartbreaking than an emergency responder not being able to help a loved one in a life threatening, touch and go situation? And this is just the opening! Then sitting at Niamh’s side with Jared is as hard on the reader as it is on him! To have someone you love not remember who you are is enough to tear your heart out. Then to toss an unknown danger on top of that will certainly keep you hovering on edge. If you like a bit of romance with a lot of suspense you will certainly enjoy this story…and go looking for the next one.

Buy links:
http://www.pelicanbookgroup.com/ec/thursdays-child

http://www.amazon.com/Thursdays-Child-ebook/dp/B00DSF7ZR0/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1373060039&sr=1-1&keywords=thursday%27s+child+clare+revell

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/thursdays-child-clare-revell/1115919188?ean=9781611162455