The First Mistake

by Merline Lovelace

Book Overview

An exciting world of political intrigue, action-adventure, and steadfast passion... Ten years ago, USAF Special Agent Cleo North ignored her gut instinct-and a young sergeant ended up brutally... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0778321649
• ISBN13: 9780778321644
• Release Date: April 2005
• Publisher: Mira Books
• Length: 384 Pages
• Weight: 0.40 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 4.2" x 6.6"

Customer Reviews

Originally Posted on Romance Junkies in 2005

The first of the exciting Cleo North Trilogy, THE FIRST MISTAKE draws readers into an exciting world of political intrigue, action-adventure, and passion with the first page. No one writes military romantic suspense as well as this former USAF Colonel, and THE FIRST MISTAKE doesn't disappoint! For Cleopatra Aphrodite North, giving up a life as part of the Air Force Office of Special Investigations seemed to be the only choice she had left. After ignoring her sense that something wasn't right with a case involving a murder/suicide of Sergeant Debra Smith and Staff Sergeant Thomas Mitchell. Cleo is sure she botched the case, and that fact, along with her turmoil regarding paperwork and rules, forced her to trade in her uniform for a life of private investigations and security. She hasn't regretted the fact that she left the Air Force, but she does regret never solving that one horrific case. When Major Jack Donovan suddenly shows up on the scene, asking for her help in a seven-burner investigation being overseen by her former commander, General Barnes, Cleo can't say no. But it's not for the reasons Jack might think-babysitting a cranky Tinseltown actress will provide the perfect smokescreen for Cleo to turn her sights on one Alexander Sloan, Colonel, USAF, Retired. THE FIRST MISTAKE is military romantic suspense at its absolute best. Conspiracies, mysteries, action-adventure, and spine-tingling passion all come together to make this book a keeper. I can say with honesty, that after reading it, I immediately went and picked up The Middle Sin (Cleo North Trilogy), the next book in the trilogy, just to find out where Cleo ends up next. Not to mention what becomes of Alexander's twin brother Marc, and to find out how Jack is dealing with his alcoholic ex-wife, Kate. Kudos to Ms. Lovelace for dragging this reader into the intrigue!

Well written page turner!

If you like novels where the female is a butt-kicking, strong independant women then this book is worth the read. Cleo North's character comes alive as a strong woman determined to right a wrong. I would agree with the other reader above, the book is more action packed and focused on Cleo's mission, and less involved in developing the relationship between her and 2 male leads in this book. However there is more than enough sexual tension to keep the book sizzling and the author has done well in keeping readers guessing on how Cleo's relationships with either of the 2 men will pan out, and more of this is only revealed in her next book - The Middle Sin.

A great start to the trilogy!

I became a fan of Lovelace after reading her Call of Duty. Though some of her other books were a hit and miss for me, I enjoyed her style enough to look out for any new titles. When I read that The First Mistake has the romance continuing into the sequels, I wasn't too enthusiastic as I'm not one for long drawn-out relationships. Thankfully, my liking for the author's work won out as I found my purchase of her latest title was certainly not a mistake at all! This trilogy is going to be a keeper for me even though I've only read the first book (and will place an order for The Middle Sin if my bookstores haven't got it in yet!). One word of caution - if you prefer your romantic suspense heavier on the romance, you could be disappointed as The First Mistake is heavier on the action and suspense. Since I prefer them this way, this book was a treat for me. To my surprise, I also found myself eagerly waiting to see what becomes of the second man in Cleo's life. Usually, the hero establishes himself in my mind as 'the one' for the heroine and every other man is an interloper but not so in this book. I found myself drawn to the other man (you'll have to find out who for yourself) from the start and it was the possibility of *this* romance developing that got me hooked, not the one Cleo had/has with Jack Donovan, the hero (or is he?) of the book. My suspicion that there was going to be more to the second man was confirmed when I read the preview pages of The Middle Sin. Since Jack is the hero, I am not expecting the other guy to end up with the girl but more's the pity as Cleo and Jack lacked chemistry as a couple whilst Cleo's encounter with the other guy sizzled from the start.

Great Heroine

I really enjoyed this book. Cleo is a great character. The storyline flows nicely and keeps you engaged.

five star triumph

Ten years at Luke AFB USAF Office of Special Investigations Special Agent Captain Cleo North made inquiries into an alleged threat made by Staff Sergeant Thomas Mitchell to his girlfriend Sergeant Debra Smith. Although she had a hunch there was more to the case, her superior pulled her off it because she found nothing out of the ordinary. Not long afterward Mitchell and Smith were found dead together in what was ruled a murder suicide. North left the air force and opened up her own personal protection firm. A few years later, Cleo accidentally meets Debra's sister who believes the air force covered up the murder as her sister feared a Greek sounding name officer. Cleo learns of retired Colonel Alexander "the Greek" Sloan, but could not do anything further. However, the opportunity eventually arrives when her former commander General Barnes needs her help at the Santa Fe Film Festival to protect spoiled film star Marisa Connors, who Cleo knows as a pit-bull with nuts caught in an animal trap; Alex heads the gala which includes a North Korean communications expert that the military wants on their side. To keep Cleo in line, Barnes assigns her former lover Major Jack Donovan. Fans of romantic suspense thrillers will enjoy Merline Lovelace's latest terrific military tale as various key players including the heroine have agendas that collide with one another. Cleo is a wonderful protagonist who still ahs deep feelings for Jack, but will not allow him, the military or the FBI/CIA consortium stand in her way of proving Alex killed the two sergeants. A final twist adds a fantastic climax to another five star triumph. Harriet Klausner