WHAT THE CRITICS SAY ABOUT MORE THAN GOLD
RATED 4 STARS
"Ms. Hailstock paints a great story, with lovable, well-rounded characters, that lets the reader use her imagination and her sense of adventure."
Shamaine Diana Henry, Romantic Times
October 2000
RATED 4 STARS
A cry for help from Morgan Kirkwood, the heroine of Shirley Hailstock's latest novel, brings Jack Temple back into her life. After twelve years of mutual longing, they come face to face with their desire while on the run from rogue agents of the CIA and FBI. As they're chased across the country and dodging assassins, their attraction for each other flares into passion. But this is no conventional romance--expect everthing and anything to happen on the turn of the page.
An interesting thing about this novel--other than the very sensual scenes--is the fact that Morgan is a girl of the streets. She is used to hunger and defending her turf, but not used to letting down her guard. Can she tell Jack the secret that has them runnign from the past and straight into an uncertain future?
Ms. Hailstock paints a great story, with lovable, well-rounded characters, that lets the reader use her imagination and her sense of adventure.
Shamaine Diana Henry, Romantic Times
October 2000
RATED GOLD
More Than Gold is just that -- a treasure. Ms. Hailstock keeps us on our toes with this intriguing page-turner. Olympic gold medalist, Morgan Kirkwood, once helped the U.S. government retrieve one of its most valued agents from a Korean prison. Now she finds herself with her cover blown and CIA agent Jack Temple as her only hope for survival.
More Than Gold explodes with action and sensuality. Its twists and turns leave you breathless for more. Your heart pounds as Morgan and Jack escape death and destruction while they learn to trush each other and fall in love. Ms. Hailstock is a master of suspense.
Theresa Martin, Bridges Magazine
October 2000
Morgan Kirkwood is a dichotomy. She's a tough kid who grew up on the streets. Orphaned at an early age, she knew what it meant to be homeless and on the run. Fortunately, fate stepped in through the guise of a well meaning, loving social worker who not only took Morgan home and adopted her, but also saw her talent for gymnastics and allowed her to develop it.
Cut to Morgan Kirkwood, America's nineteen-year-old sweetheart. Standing on the podium, clutching red roses to her chest and singing the Star Spangled banner for all her worth. While the world watched her accept the gold in the Seoul Olympics, only a select group of government agents knew that Morgan had helped rescue an important American from a North Korean prison during a break in her competition. And only Morgan knows that an American swimming coach has captured her heart and love during the games.
However, all of this took place twelve years prior to More Than Gold. Someone wants Morgan dead. She's not sure who the bad guys are, afraid to trust anyone. When Jack Temple shows up in her house just moments before shots ring out and her house goes up in smoke, she runs for her life and Jack follows. He saves her life more than once, but still she doesn't know whose side he's on. She does know that seeing him again, after twelve long years, instantly ignites the attraction between them.
Jack was part of the elite government group who helped Morgan to rescue Hart Lewiston. Hart is not only the son of a Supreme Court justice; he is the front-running candidate for president now. Regardless of whoever is trying to kill Morgan, Jack will do everything in his power to keep her alive. The twists and turns of their race to freedom are exciting, unexpected, and thoroughly enjoyable.
Shirley has crafted a riveting, believable romantic suspense, with the emphasis on both romance and suspense. The chemistry between Jack and Morgan sizzles right off the page. The suspense is intriguing, believable and even better, surprising. Don't miss More Than Gold it's definitely a winner!
Barbara Deane, Barb's All Romance Book Store
October 2000
RATED 5 STARS
Shirley Hailstock has a way of weaving intrigue and romance that leaves the reader feeling breathless and yearning for more. Along with the intrigue and romance is added terror, suspense, and twist and turns with a surprising ending.
Morgan Kirkwood is a country and western song loving, thirty-one-year-old, ex-Olympic gold-medalist gymnast. As a nineteen-year-old, she was recruited by a CIA-like agency and risked her life to go into a Korean prison and resuce an American government agent. Jack Temple, then twenty-five years old, was posing as an Olympic diving coach who was her protector and an agent himself. Morgan Kirkwood shared an intense magnetism that they both tried to overcome. Now twelve years later and on the eve of handing in his resignation, Jack is in her home because she is in danger. Morgan is wondering why after twelve years she is in danger. In a matter of hours, her friend is killed, her house is blown to smithereens, and she is on the run for her life with Jack beside her. Jack finds that even after twelve years, the yearning to touch this beautiful woman is still with him, and unknown to him, Morgan has memories of the man who touched her so deeply a dozen years ago. But can she trust him? Could he be one of the bad guys?
This was a fast-paced story most of the time with the protagonists constantly on the run, staying just one-step ahead and outwitting their pursuers. Miss Hailstock's painstaking care with detail and research does not go unnoticed. With many twists and revelations this well-plotted story is worthy of being made into a movie. I hope the BET producers are paying attention.
Dera Williams, Affaire de Coeur
October 2000
Sensuality: 8
Olympic gymnast Morgan Kirkwood was only nineteen when CIA agent Jack Temple recruited her for undercover work at the Korean Olympics. Years later, they meet again when Morgan's cover is blown and Jack answers her call for help from the CIA. Someone holds a grudge against Morgan for having helped the U.S. government free an inmate from a South Korean prison 12 years before, and that unknown someone is determined to kill her.
Morgan has never forgotten the handsome CIA agent, and Jack has never been able to wipe Morgan from his memory either. Now the two of them are thrown together, their lives in danger as they're hunted relentlessly by powerful, unknown killers, while Morgan wonders if she can really trust Jack. Who wants Morgan dead? Is it the Korean mob, searching for vengeance after twelve years? Are the assassins somehow connected to the man Morgan helped save from that Korean prison, Hart Lewiston, now a U.S. senator and potential presidential candidate? Or is it someone in the CIA who believes Morgan left Korea with more than an Olympic gold medal--perhaps secret information?
More Than Gold is a nonstop, roller coaster ride of thrills and chills coupled with a riveting romance between a hero and heroine who are fearlessly brave, smart, and passionately committed to survival. Hailstock has single-handedly redefined the nature and scope of the term "romantic suspense" and raised the bar by which readers measure a spectacular story. With this level of plot and prose, Hailstock is a sure bet to hit the bestseller list.
Lois Faye Dyer, Amazon.com
October 2000
