TOO YOUNG TO DIE – Anita Birt
Cerridwen Press
ISBN: 978-1-41991-686-1
June 2008
Romantic Suspense

Washington State and Oregon – Present Day

As TOO YOUNG TO DIE opens, Nanny Ellie Paxton is being held hostage in a remote area of the Cascade Mountains by an unknown group of men who threaten to kill her and the baby in her care. They are after the password to her employer’s computer for some unexplained reason. When the men leave her alone for a moment, Ellie sees the chance to escape with little Nicki. Her flight from the kidnappers lands her in the path of Jack Merano. Is he friend or foe?

Jack couldn’t believe his eyes when Ellie stumbles into the clearing near his cabin, with a baby in her arms. She leads him to believe she’s running from an ex, but he soon discovers she’s lying. Should he turn her in or help her? But it doesn’t take Jack long to figure out the men after Ellie and Nicki won’t rest until she’s found...dead or alive. What Ellie doesn’t know right away is that Jack works for the Feds. If she had to land in the arms of any man, then Jack is the best man.

With this heart stopping opening, TOO YOUNG TO DIE is a thrill a minute as Ellie and Jack embark on a race for their lives. Ellie isn’t sure whether to trust Jack, but at least he isn’t pointing a gun in her face! Her main concern is caring for her charge and getting to the authorities. However, she is soon the one being hunted by police, accused of kidnapping Nicki. As Jack and Ellie spend time together, strong feelings arise between them, soon exploding into passion. The men after Ellie aren’t afraid of using force or stealth to track them down. The scenes as Ellie and Jack flee these monsters are gripping and kept me turning the pages.

I highly recommend TOO YOUNG TO DIE except for a caveat: toward the end, Ellie made a couple of moves that were ill-advised. I guess you could label her one of the TSTL heroines (Too Stupid To Live) who can be annoying. Jack offers her protection, but several times she refuses or thwarts his help. But overall, Anita Birt has crafted a decidedly enjoyable tale that is spellbinding and had me on the edge of my seat. The chemistry between Ellie and Jack sizzles, while the mystery and plot is top notch. Even I wasn’t sure Ellie and Jack would make it to safety.

If you’re looking for a thrilling suspense with a scorching romance, then you can’t miss with TOO YOUNG TO DIE.

Patti Fischer