On the Line: A Riveting Novel of SuspenseHe’s a rising star in New York’s cutthroat culinary world. Until it all comes crashing down when a mysterious illness unearths dark secrets from his family’s past in Colombia, putting his career – and everyone he loves – on the line… Beloved #1 New York Times bestselling author Fern Michaels blends her trademark masterful storytelling with dual timeline suspense in this unputdownable new standalone for fans of Janet Evanovich, Danielle Steel, and JD Robb. Mateo Castillo is a rising star chef on the Manhattan culinary scene. But just as he’s about to reap the rewards of his skill and hard work by being featured on a major TV cooking competition, Mateo collapses in his restaurant’s kitchen—and regains consciousness in a hospital emergency room. If it weren’t for a security guard finding him in time, Mateo would have bled to death. The cause of his sudden illness is as mysterious as it is worrying, and Mateo and his family undergo a battery of genetic tests. Yet the answers that start to emerge only raise more questions. Mateo’s parents fled their home in Colombia many years ago, seeking refuge from the infamous cartels. Now the test results threaten to uncover a dark secret that exposes his family to dangers from the past—while clouding the investigation into who is trying to hurt Mateo in the present… |
Contents
| 3 | |
| 12 | |
Chapter ThreeDr Adrian Ardell | 25 |
Chapter FourHow It Began | 35 |
Chapter FiveThe Wedding Plans | 64 |
Chapter SixThe VoyageHoneymoon | 110 |
Chapter SevenTerra Firma | 118 |
Chapter EightThe Refuge | 126 |
Chapter NineThe Next Chapter | 172 |
Chapter TenThe Mystery | 201 |
Chapter ElevenDinner Danger Discovery | 227 |
Epilogue | 272 |
Common terms and phrases
Adrian Ardell Agatha Christie alright arepas arms baby bakery began birria blood boat bone marrow biopsy Castillo checked cheese chef chuckled clothes coffee Colombia dance Dante's dinner doctor door Dramamine duffel bag Elena and Dante Elena and Sylvia Elena asked Elena Espinosa Elena looked empanadas eyes face Father Bruno feel felt Fern Michaels fish Gabriel glass going Gordon Ramsay Gramercy Tavern grilled cheese sandwich grinned hand head hoped hospital hour Julio kissed kitchen knew knives laughed Mami Mateo thought mercury minutes mole sauce morning mother moved never night nodded Nora okay pan de queso Papá parents Puerto Vallarta pulled restaurant Rodrigo salsa dancing Sister Bernice smiled someone spoke sure Sylvia and Elena tell Thank thing told took turned voice wait walked wearing wine women wonderful Yolanda


