FROST AND VENOM is my first book by author Christine Feehan but it will definitely not be my last book by this prolific talent.

Harlowe Fry fled to the mountains because she sought solace from her troubled life as the perfect daughter of a US Senator. Harlowe detached from her parents as soon as she could because her father is the poster child for evil and is very sinister. Yet, she fears him and has created a fortress around her emotions and heart due to his activities. She pours her compassion into her work as a nurse and her hobby as a photographer. My esteem for her increased because she has Misha, an adorable beagle, the best breed of dog, in my opinion!

Harlowe resides in Knightly and is part of a close circle of friends and their partners who have established a protective shell around each other. Feehan provides plenty of background information for each of the friends so readers are not lost. Harlowe has the hots for Hawkin Wilder but is convinced they can never have a future together because of her snarled past. Oh ye of little faith! Little does she know that Wilder has pinpointed Harlowe since he first set eyes upon her. He has studied her and knows it is game over for him. She is it. My toes curled with pleasure as Wilder called Harlowe babe, baby, and my woman. A professional problem solver, Wilder endured a more horrific upbringing than Harlowe. A calculating, predatory powerhouse, Wilder always completes his missions but fell immediately for the aloof red-haired nurse.

One scene that was hard to read because it dealt with bad things happening to a neighbor's animals hurt my heart. I realize the animals are fiction, but it was still heartbreaking to read.

The characters attempt to discern who and what is fueling some of the townspeople. It is a tangled web of lies, deception, anger, and revenge that I could not see clearly until the very end. The ending for the culprits is entirely appropriate, but I could not help but wish more pain could have been inflicted upon the perps.

FROST AND VENOM is a story replete with complete yet simple plots that will wipe the cobwebs from any reader's mind. The inspiration for the title is very creative and illuminating.