A review by lisajo85
Fever by Joan Swan

5.0

You might as well call your boss today and tell him you're coming down with a high FEVER because Joan Swan's debut novel is sure to get your temperature rising and your pulse raising. Emotional, dramatic and absolutely sexy, this is one suspense novel you should not pass up!

Dr. Alyssa Foster is working hard to earn a promotion at work, and being kidnapped by a prisoner during her shift at San Quentin is not helping her situation. Her kidnapper is Teague Creek, a man currently serving a life sentence for murder. Alyssa knows she's supposed to feel frightened, but she just can't let go of the feeling that he isn't the cruel murderer people think he is. At this point, Teague has nothing to lose and when he has the opportunity to let Alyssa go...he finds he just isn't ready to. As the passionate and dangerous relationship between these two develops, Alyssa hopes she can help Teague, before it's too late.

I have to say this novel took me on one hell of a ride. I really had no idea what to think from one chapter to the next. Which for a suspense novel is a fantastic thing. FEVER is a novel that can keep you on the edge of your seat desperate to know what's coming next. Not only did the novel have great drama and suspense, but it had fantastic characters to lead the story. I finished this story in a few sittings, because I had to know the ending. I became so attached to these characters, I found it impossible to let them go.

Teague had me gloriously confused, but in an intriguing and interesting sense. One moment I thought he was the bad guy, in the next I knew he was a good guy and by the end, I found he was just absolutely perfect. Perfect, because he could play the macho guy in one scene and then be the tragically haunted hero in the next. He was a resilient fighter, and I loved his attitude that basically showed everyone that he would do what he had to do in order to protect the people he loved.

Alyssa was a great heroine. She was intelligent, and despite all the craziness going on around her, she knew how to keep her cool. Ms Swan developed a great heroine who always trusted her instincts. Which is basically what guides her in this novel since she has nothing else to go on. Alyssa knows what she believes and does anything and everything to prove she's right. I loved her courage and her fearlessness. Anything that was thrown at her, she dealt with it brilliantly.

I was overwhelmingly impressed with the way Ms Swan developed her characters. They were complex, intriguing and so fun to read about. Teague and Alyssa have an uncertain romance in the beginning, but it quickly blossoms into a fantastic romance. The two share a fiery passion that makes the pages simply smolder. Still, it's not a rushed romance, and it doesn't feel forced or out of place. They share a stunning chemistry, and Ms Swan does a great job of telling their story. She also sets up a great start to an exciting series. She makes grand introductions to other characters who we will most likely see in future novels. I for one, cannot wait to read more about them.

FEVER by Joan Swan is an excellent debut novel and hopefully a snapshot of what's to come from this author. This novel was all I expected it to be and then some. I loved the drama, I loved the suspense and I absolutely loved the romance. There was even a small paranormal story line thrown in, for those looking for something a little more on the wild side. Otherwise, I can't say enough good things about this novel. This was very well written and just fabulously fun and entertaining. Fever is an intense novel that is sure to keep you up late into the night reading it...and I guarantee you, you'll love every second of the ride.

Lisa Jo @ The Romance Reviews