A review by trish_beautifulchaosreviews
A Stop in Time by R.C. Boldt

5.0

After reading and loving Beyond My Darkness, I wondered how RC Boldt would follow up that uniquely suspenseful story. A Stop in Time more that answered the question. You don't need to read Beyond My Darkness to enjoy A Stop in Time thoroughly, but if you want to read it, you can thank me later for getting two great book recommendations for the price of one with this review.

Mac Reid lives in a small Florida town (think country, not Miami); she runs a salvage yard, knows about cars and parts, is strong and fierce, and is plagued by gaps in her memory. She is also scarred on her left side, making her an object of pity or ridicule by most of the redneck men in her town. She's tough, handles them with her sharp, dry sarcasm, and moves on. Enter Daniel Mandrano, the second in command of one of the most feared gangs in Florida, the Scorpions. He's tracking down information on who might have had a hand in the death of his sister. His clues eventually lead to the small town where Mac lives and works. Their meeting is electrifying and leads deeper into the story.

This book is a mystery because, along with Mac, you're trying to figure out these gaps in her memory. It's suspenseful because you know something terrible is coming, and you're wondering how Mac and Daniel will be able to battle it. Once again, the mysterious stranger from Beyond My Darkness shows up, offering cryptic clues. Daniel is struggling with his growing attraction to Mac and her pushing him away, along with a mystery surrounding his sister's death far more significant than anything he anticipated. Oh, and did I mention that Mac can stop time? Yeah, that adds another level of both suspense and humor to the story.

The pacing is set, so you don't get bogged down, and the story keeps moving, keeping your emotions and interest high. Mac and Daniels story is not easy; there is much hurt, guilt, anger, and self-forgiveness both characters must work through to reach their HEA. I appreciate the author made the characters do the healing work and the struggles they faced. Then there is the steam; holy smokes, the smexy times are hot.

I was torn between a four and five-star rating for this story, but its uniqueness added to the emotional weight of both characters' backstories balanced with on-point banter, and steam pushed it to five stars. A definite must read.