This exciting and fascinating 432-page paperback was released in October 2008, and written by Elizabeth Lowell, under the pen name of Ann Maxwell. It is not the first time this pseudonym has been used by her when writing in the sub-genre of Romantic Suspense Fiction.
The plotline in Shadow and Silk (Zebra Books 2008, ISBN 978-1420104394) is not necessarily what a reader of romance fiction would expect initially. The blurb suggests more of an adventure story – the hunt for an age-old piece of silk, which is revealed to be a piece of Buddha’s robe and therefore hold great sacred significance.
Cleverly Interwoven Plot Strands
However, the historical significance is interwoven with other aspects of the plot, such as the tension-filled race to recover the silk, and the ever-increasing emotional closeness of the two main protagonists, Dani Warren and Shane Crowe.
Ann Maxwell has demonstrated here her fast-moving writing style, and there is always a sense of urgency to the movement of the plot, from the moment Dani is rescued by Shane in Tibet while she conducts her dealings on the black market.
Although Shane manages to get Dani out of Tibet, the urgent need to retrieve the silk is reinforced and continued beyond the overt plot itself as Shane stays on in Tibet to try and find the piece of silk for the monks who have hired him to seek it out after it was stolen from them.
Romance and Adventure – a Very Sexy Pairing
The romantic embroilment is never far away, however. One month after Dani is rescued by Shane, she is hired by the company Shane works for due to her expertise in textiles. Their romantic entanglement is allowed to blossom under albeit strained physical circumstances as they go together to attempt to retrieve the piece of historical silk.
The tension, both plot-driven and emotional, is never allowed to deviate for a moment. Amid a typically exotic romance fiction setting, Shane has to rely on Dani’s expertise in her field to help him in his search – something he is not used to doing. His problems increase as his instincts and concentration on the task, both which normally serve him so well and keep him on track during his work, are rocked by the way in which Dani handles each troublesome, chaotic situation they encounter.
Shane is turned on by her resourcefulness and the emotional tension heightens as they get ever closer to their goal. And, being under the gigantic umbrella of Romance Fiction, the ending is every bit as satisfying as the rest of this book.
Reaching a Wide Audience
The writing by Ann Maxwell is superb, and carries the reader along a road of excitement and sexual tension right to the very end of the novel. This is a well-paced story, full of concrete and emotional substance and intricately-woven detail. It is a fantastic read for those who are already fans of Ann Maxwell (or Elizabeth Lowell), but would also possibly suit those who are readers of crime and suspense fiction generally.
Shadow and Silk would certainly make a great Christmas or birthday gift for that friend or relative who enjoys emotional and suspenseful intrigue. It is highly recommended – not for the faint-heated, but certainly for those with a heart!
Claire Cowling - I became a freelance writer in 2007, after a career in teaching, followed by a long period as a stay-at-home parent. My background has ...
