Not Fade Away by Donna S. Frelick
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Not Fade Away is the fourth book in the Interstellar Rescue Series by Donna S. Frelick. Ms. Frelick is a new-to-me author and I found this book was a great introduction to her style and has given me some new books to add to my TBR. Even though this is the fourth book in the series, it can be read as a standalone without feeling like you are missing part of the story. There are other recurring characters in this story who really intrigued me, and I definitely want to go back and read the other three books and catch up on their stories, too. This is a bit of a racy space adventure- so it’s a science fiction full of aliens, assassins, danger, action, adventure, mystery, secrets, intrigue, and a hot romance.
Rafe Gordon is a Rescue Agent and soldier who has been fighting Alien Slavers since he was old enough to carry a weapon. His father is a bit of a legend among the Interstellar Rescue, but is now a shell of the man he once was, now confined to a wheelchair, while dementia ravages his mind. Rafe is honouring his father’s wishes by bringing him ‘home’ to earth- a place he hasn’t seen in 60 years. But soon find they have been targeted by an assassin, who is hunting them through the galaxy.
Charlie McIntyre is a Home Health Therapist and registered Nurse who works with dementia patients and their families. Her world is turned upside down when a new client moves to town. There is something different about the old man and his sexy son- and she has a strange feeling about them and the case. She’s not interested in any kind of romantic relationship because she had a bad past experience that still haunts her, plus she doesn’t get involved with clients. But the chemistry that bubbles between Rafe and her, is becoming harder to resist. What happens when they give in to their desire? When secrets are exposed, and danger comes calling, will their blossoming romance be strong enough to survive? Can Rafe keep them all safe?
This was a great story, even though I initially had trouble ‘getting into’ it. I can’t quite put my finger on it, but something about the flow of the story was a little off for me and I struggled with it for about a quarter of the book. Then things change, the flow got much better- and I was hooked. The story weaves from past to present and back again many times through out the story- unravelling a lot of the backstory and ‘motive’ for the situation they find themselves in. Ms. Frelick cleverly wove the past and present together into a smooth and intriguing read.
The book has a lot of characters to keep track of, and the story is told from multiple POV’s- giving it a lot of added information and interest. Ms. Frelick orchestrates all the characters and perspectives very well and blends them into the story without any kind of confusion.
There is definitely more to this story than first meets the eye, and I will certainly be reading more of Ms. Frelicks work, for sure.

Thank you, Ms. Frelick!

Reviewed by @angelahayes

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