Patty O’Donnell loves her Irish husband Mícheál and is excited to hear that she is expecting a baby. Mícheál couldn’t be more thrilled and insists that until the baby is born she give up her passion for horse training and attending the horse shows, which is not a suitable place for pregnant women. She quickly informs him that the doctor agreed it is quite safe, but he refuses to listen. When Mícheál informs Patty she is forbidden to travel to any more horse shows or proceed with the horse training, that doesn’t sit too well with her. More chaos hits home after Mícheál leaves on business and Patty is kidnapped.

Patty awakes and discovers she has been drugged and escorted to a foreign country. What makes matters worse is she recognizes two of her kidnappers. A blast from her past could cause harm to her and her unborn child if she refuses to adhere to their orders. Their demands go against many of her principles but she must think of the safety of her child. She can only hope that somehow Mícheál finds a way to reach her before it is too late.

Rio Star is an engaging story with irresistible characters that pull you into their lives. It is the second installment in Patty’s life and continues from the first book, Blood Money. All throughout the story the believable characters weave an intriguing plot and a resplendent representation of the whole landscape around them. This fabulous read grabs the reader’s attention in such a way that it is hard taking a pause for anything. Patty is a determined heroine in all her actions with decent morals. Yet when she comes up against a labored obstacle that questions her morals, she has tough choices to make. Once again, Pepper Smith has created all the elements in this masterpiece that jumps right out at the reader. Rio Star is crafted brilliantly with intrigue, mendacity, retribution and murder. It is a fast-paced, thrilling story that often sweeps you into anger, makes you stand up and clap, and then brings tears of joy to your eyes. Ms. Smith creates a remarkable read that gives so much excitable pause that it often takes the breath away. If you have yet to read her extraordinary novels, you are in for a rare treat. She delivers in every story she pens.

Reviewed by: Linda L