I wasn't sure what to expect when I picked up a copy of Dean Murray's Broken and began to read. The idea of a troubled young girl being dropped into...moreI wasn't sure what to expect when I picked up a copy of Dean Murray's Broken and began to read. The idea of a troubled young girl being dropped into the middle of a new school and being torn between two rich, handsome and powerful young men was a fairly common idea.
Murray took that idea and made it new and fresh in several ways. The power struggle in Sanctuary between Brandon and Alec was dished out in small doses leaving us, the reader, and Adriana, our POV, completely in the dark. We pick up tidbits and rumors listening to the gossip and chatter of the other high school students, but everyone keeps the BIG secret quiet.
With Adri, we're swept off our feet with the golden boy, Brandon, who seems so open and friendly compared to the other students of the small town high school that we can't help but want to trust him. The open hostility of the rivals group leaves Adri looking for what friends she can find.
I thoroughly enjoyed the "idea" of the love triangle that shifts and changes between Alec, Brandon and Adri. The build up of discovery kept me turning pages eagerly in hopes of unraveling the secrets of Sanctuary, Alec, Brandon and the rest.
There were only a few editing issues and while the build up of the action was great, I felt that the ending was a bit rushed for the big climax. I would have liked to have gotten a bit more of the major confrontation and the description of what happened could have been fleshed out a bit more.
After reading, Broken , I'm eager to read the story from Alec's POV in Torn and of course continue the story in Splintered .(less)
I picked up this book because Nicholas Benteen is an ex-mercenary who has carved out a private retreat on tens of thousands of Nevada property to prot...moreI picked up this book because Nicholas Benteen is an ex-mercenary who has carved out a private retreat on tens of thousands of Nevada property to protect himself and his friends. I have a hard time resisting a bad boy, and Nicholas didn't disappoint.
With the arrival of Hannah Cassidy on his doorstep, we see Nicholas in action as the gruff mercenary who shuns society and nearly all contact with the world outside his retreat. He doesn't trust anyone seeking him out because he and his friends have been targets of assassins over the five years they have settled down.
Hannah is simply a young woman looking for her long lost brother. She's a school teacher and an advocate for abused children, she couldn't appear less threatening. Yet, it is that innocence that both attracts Nicholas and repels him. In his world, no one can be that innocent.
As the book continues we see the inner strength of both characters. We find the steel that drives Hannah to reach out to all those around her and heal their hurts. We understand the compassion and loyalty Nicholas has for his friends. While their desire for each other grows, they both understand that what drives them as individuals is what is standing in their way.
I loved the pace of the book as we watched Hannah upset the comfortable cocoon that Nicholas built for himself. My only frustration with the entire book was that the ending seemed to come at light speed. I'd of much rather had the final chapter broken up into at least two or three more to expand the ending as thoroughly as we eased into the beginning.(less)
Cute, quick read. I enjoyed it and was won over with the Duke-North Carolina basketball game reference. I'm a huge Duke fan, so I'd stay home to watch...moreCute, quick read. I enjoyed it and was won over with the Duke-North Carolina basketball game reference. I'm a huge Duke fan, so I'd stay home to watch that game any day of the week.(less)
Too Close for Comfort caught my eye because I can't resist a cop. Add in the description of Jack Corelli as a tough guy and my bad boy buzzer went o...more Too Close for Comfort caught my eye because I can't resist a cop. Add in the description of Jack Corelli as a tough guy and my bad boy buzzer went off.
The story starts off with a bang as Dr. Marissa Fairfax is held at gunpoint and Jack Corelli makes his entrance flatting her during the chase. The two have a history of disliking one another, but as well have all heard there is a fine line between love and hate. When Marissa becomes an important witness in Jack's case, he is determined to do whatever is necessary to make sure she stays alive whether she likes it or not.
The two tangle as both want to be strong and maintain the upper hand in their growing relationship. The excitement and action that keeps throwing them together and exposing their weaknesses and their need for one another progresses both the plot and their relationship.
Getting to see both strong, take control characters have to learn when to give in and when to compromise made both Jack and Marissa enjoyable characters to see grow and change. I thought the suspense was well done, and I didn't want the book to end.(less)
When I picked up this book, I wasn't sure exactly what I was expecting. Dating on the dark side sounded interesting. The fact that there didn't seem t...moreWhen I picked up this book, I wasn't sure exactly what I was expecting. Dating on the dark side sounded interesting. The fact that there didn't seem to be all that much "dating" didn't detract from the story for me.
After only a few pages I was hooked and I read this book in one sitting. I just couldn't stop reading. The fact that Lucius was a very drool-worthy bad boy helped things along.
I've read many books lately in the first person POV and usually, I'm not a big fan. I feel that I miss out on too much with the other characters that help flesh out the story when we're always stuck in one person's head. The neat little fix by having us get to read what Lucius writes home to his uncle made it easy to keep pace the whys of what he was doing. It didn't detract from the story telling and at the same time helped to enhance the struggles between him and Jessica.
There were a few times I felt the story got rushed along without a lot of explanation. There were also a few confrontations I'd rather have gotten to experience more first hand than having to hear about them, but that is the trouble with a first person POV.
Overall, a very entertaining read and of course...I want to know more!(less)
To begin with, I have to say this book grabbed me from the opening pages with the terrific alpha males lead by Zane Winters. I love strong alpha male...moreTo begin with, I have to say this book grabbed me from the opening pages with the terrific alpha males lead by Zane Winters. I love strong alpha male characters and Zane was just the right mix of soft and steel.
While at times Beth Brown's character drove me crazy with her reluctance to believe in the connection she shared with Zane, the action was enough to keep you on the edge of your seat.
Opening with Zane and two of his SEAL buddies waiting for a plane, his psychic gift warns him that something is going to happen on the plane. When Beth walks in with her story of dreaming about the plane being hijacked the action and suspense starts and doesn't stop even at the final page.
The SEAL team members were portrayed in a very realistic manner and made me feel I was actually part of the action. Having so many strong male characters packed the book with page-to-page action and violence. The book did deal with a lot of violence, but came across real and evoked emotional responses in the characters as well as the reader.
I can't wait for the next book in the series. This is one I'll enjoy reading again and again.(less)