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Tracers #6
Scorched
Kelsey Quinn set out to trace a murder victim. Now she may become one.
The dead don't speak, but Kelsey knows their secrets. As a forensic anthropologist at the Delphi Center crime lab, Kelsey makes it her mission to identify bodies using no more than shards of bone, and her find at a remote Philippines dig hints at a sinister story. When Kelsey's search for answers puts her at the scene of her exfiance's murder, only one man can help her. The same man who broke her heart just months before, and who is also a prime suspect. Faced with an ultimatum--Kelsey or his job--Gage Brewer did the only thing a Navy SEAL could . . . but that doesn't mean he stopped wanting Kelsey. Now Kelsey is running for her life and Gage is her last line of defense. As the threats escalate, Kelsey realizes this conspiracy goes deeper and higher than they could have guessed. With the clock ticking down on a madman's plot, the slightest misstep will have unthinkable consequences. . . .
The dead don't speak, but Kelsey knows their secrets. As a forensic anthropologist at the Delphi Center crime lab, Kelsey makes it her mission to identify bodies using no more than shards of bone, and her find at a remote Philippines dig hints at a sinister story. When Kelsey's search for answers puts her at the scene of her exfiance's murder, only one man can help her. The same man who broke her heart just months before, and who is also a prime suspect. Faced with an ultimatum--Kelsey or his job--Gage Brewer did the only thing a Navy SEAL could . . . but that doesn't mean he stopped wanting Kelsey. Now Kelsey is running for her life and Gage is her last line of defense. As the threats escalate, Kelsey realizes this conspiracy goes deeper and higher than they could have guessed. With the clock ticking down on a madman's plot, the slightest misstep will have unthinkable consequences. . . .
387 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published October 30, 2012
405 people are currently reading
2984 people want to read
About the author
Laura Griffin
58 books3,878 followersLaura Griffin is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of more than thirty books and novellas. She is a two-time RITA Award winner, as well as the recipient of the Daphne du Maurier Award. Laura got her start in journalism before venturing into the world of suspense fiction. Her books have been translated into fourteen languages. Laura lives in Austin, Texas, where she is working on her next novel.
Series:
* Texas Murder Files
* Tracers
* Wolfe Security
* Alpha Crew
* Moreno and Hart Mysteries
* Glass Sisters
* The Borderline
Series:
* Texas Murder Files
* Tracers
* Wolfe Security
* Alpha Crew
* Moreno and Hart Mysteries
* Glass Sisters
* The Borderline
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 263 reviews
did-not-finish
November 5, 2016I tried. I really did.
But this one was just BORING to me.
I went back to it more times than I can remember, read a chapter, and gave up each time. For some reason it just didn't work for me, maybe it's the writing, maybe it's the story, or maybe it's just my brain in question *sigh*
Oh well.
After TWO MONTHS being in my currently reading shelf, I think it's time to put you to rest
*ARC courtesy of Pocket Books via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review*
March 24, 2019
Scorched is Gage Brewer and Kelsey Quinn's story. Gage, a navy Seal and Kelsey, a forensic anthropologist already have a past together. This is a second chance romance with a whole lot of suspense and action thrown in.
We learned about the break up between these two in a previous book. What happened didn't look favorable on Kelsey but like all things, there is more to the story and we learn that in Scorched.
This couple was the hardest for me to warm up to in this series. First I'm not really a fan of second chance, but I also think that they both made some wrong moves that ended them the first time. While I didn't agree with Kelsey's ultimatum, I think it was needed for Gage to wake up.
The action/suspense is what really had me in this book but I'm learning that this author can really write an exciting plot. I really love the added side characters that you will see repeat in the books and all the different jobs they have within law enforcement and the Delphi Center. This fictional world is pretty fascinating and I'm looking forward to the next book.
We learned about the break up between these two in a previous book. What happened didn't look favorable on Kelsey but like all things, there is more to the story and we learn that in Scorched.
This couple was the hardest for me to warm up to in this series. First I'm not really a fan of second chance, but I also think that they both made some wrong moves that ended them the first time. While I didn't agree with Kelsey's ultimatum, I think it was needed for Gage to wake up.
The action/suspense is what really had me in this book but I'm learning that this author can really write an exciting plot. I really love the added side characters that you will see repeat in the books and all the different jobs they have within law enforcement and the Delphi Center. This fictional world is pretty fascinating and I'm looking forward to the next book.
October 22, 2017
Kelsey Quinn and Gage Brewer are back, this time no longer together as his career eventually got in the way of their relationship. But when Kelsey uncovers remains of an American during a dig in the Philippines and begins investigating the identity, she unwittingly steps into dangerous and deadly territory. Gage joins forces with her as they both seek the truth while trying to stay alive.
The suspense began almost from the beginning and never seemed to let up. We know some of the villains from the start, just enough to keep us suspicious of just about everyone. I liked that Kelsey and Gage hit a serious rough patch since their last book as it seemed like they should given their thriving careers and geographical distance. We got much more insight into their feelings and it made for a richer story. I loved that Kelsey wasn’t just waiting to be rescued but also realized her limitations, providing much balance in how threats were resolved.
Again, the forensic aspects were a meaty part of the story. The series is really living up to my expectations and seems to be on sure footing. Looking forward to what comes next.
The suspense began almost from the beginning and never seemed to let up. We know some of the villains from the start, just enough to keep us suspicious of just about everyone. I liked that Kelsey and Gage hit a serious rough patch since their last book as it seemed like they should given their thriving careers and geographical distance. We got much more insight into their feelings and it made for a richer story. I loved that Kelsey wasn’t just waiting to be rescued but also realized her limitations, providing much balance in how threats were resolved.
Again, the forensic aspects were a meaty part of the story. The series is really living up to my expectations and seems to be on sure footing. Looking forward to what comes next.
October 7, 2012
Scorched continues the amazing Tracer series by Laura Griffin and make us revisit the couple Kelsey and Gage who had their own short novella Unstoppable.
Kelsey has a great career at the Delphi Center as the bone expert and she often goes to dangerous places for excavation. Gage is a Navy SEAL which is a dangerous job and for two years their relationship was about the absences and reunions and sex but eight months ago, Kelsey and Gage broke up because Kelsey gave Gage a choice her or the teams and he walked away from her. Kelsey's ultimatum had been precipitated by events Gage was not aware of, like his being injured and not telling her and her desire to be not alone as her mother was when her father died.
They both have regrets and both kind of moved on. When Kelsey's uncle and Gage's commander Joe is killed, Gage finds out that Kelsey is engaged to her ex, Blake of the FBI, a few months later that is off and Gage was angry at this.
The mystery aspect of the book drives the whole story, Kelsey finds something at one of her sites for which she asks Blake for some help and that makes Blake dead and Kelsey goes on the run after she witnesses Blake's own partner murdering him and some terrorist connection. Gage comes into the picture when he is questioned by the FBI since the crime scene is setting Gage up.
Gage leaves everything to track down Kelsey and maybe in the process get a second chance. What I liked was, that Gage reflected back on their relationship and realized that Kelsey's grievances were genuine, they had been all about the sex in some ways from his side, he had never thought about the future, never really visited her work space or realized that she loved him and to me their differences did seem insurmountable but trust Laura to make them work out. I loved how self protective Kelsey was, she had been hurt bad by their breakup and come to see that his job was important and that she too had been unwilling to give up hers.
What I didn't really like was that her engagement was not explained. I mean if she had been so broken up, how could she go back to her womanizing ex Blake. I loved how Gage and Kelsey chased down leads plus the introduction of a new FBI agent Elizabeth and her chemistry with Gage's SEAL buddy Derek has me very interested.
Scorched is another great installment in the Tracer series which mixes romance and suspense really well.
ARC provided by the publisher through Edelweiss.
Kelsey has a great career at the Delphi Center as the bone expert and she often goes to dangerous places for excavation. Gage is a Navy SEAL which is a dangerous job and for two years their relationship was about the absences and reunions and sex but eight months ago, Kelsey and Gage broke up because Kelsey gave Gage a choice her or the teams and he walked away from her. Kelsey's ultimatum had been precipitated by events Gage was not aware of, like his being injured and not telling her and her desire to be not alone as her mother was when her father died.
They both have regrets and both kind of moved on. When Kelsey's uncle and Gage's commander Joe is killed, Gage finds out that Kelsey is engaged to her ex, Blake of the FBI, a few months later that is off and Gage was angry at this.
The mystery aspect of the book drives the whole story, Kelsey finds something at one of her sites for which she asks Blake for some help and that makes Blake dead and Kelsey goes on the run after she witnesses Blake's own partner murdering him and some terrorist connection. Gage comes into the picture when he is questioned by the FBI since the crime scene is setting Gage up.
Gage leaves everything to track down Kelsey and maybe in the process get a second chance. What I liked was, that Gage reflected back on their relationship and realized that Kelsey's grievances were genuine, they had been all about the sex in some ways from his side, he had never thought about the future, never really visited her work space or realized that she loved him and to me their differences did seem insurmountable but trust Laura to make them work out. I loved how self protective Kelsey was, she had been hurt bad by their breakup and come to see that his job was important and that she too had been unwilling to give up hers.
What I didn't really like was that her engagement was not explained. I mean if she had been so broken up, how could she go back to her womanizing ex Blake. I loved how Gage and Kelsey chased down leads plus the introduction of a new FBI agent Elizabeth and her chemistry with Gage's SEAL buddy Derek has me very interested.
Scorched is another great installment in the Tracer series which mixes romance and suspense really well.
ARC provided by the publisher through Edelweiss.
January 1, 2017
Another great addition to the terrific Tracers Series. Two fantastic characters, hot chemistry, well-done suspense with cops, FBI, SEALs, and the forensic scientists of the Delphi Center. Best of all, a second chance at romance on the run with two of my favorite characters yet. So glad they got their chance to get it right.
October 13, 2012
4 stars taut, gripping suspense with a sexy hero, a sweet romance and a plot rife with danger and intrigue.
I do confess to mixed feelings embarking on this novel. On the one hand, having loved Kelsey and Gage’s story in the novella Unstoppable in the Deadly Promises anthology, I was just a little saddened that their Happy Ever After turned out to be just Happy For Now. It’s been shown slowly in the last few Tracers novels and I felt a sense of loss that their relationship had broken down. On the other hand, having loved them both so much together and having thought they deserved a much longer story, I was delighted that they were back for more and I was really rooting for them to rediscover and hold onto that Happy Ever After that had been so challenging to deal with when it got so close before.
Kelsey is a great heroine – she has a brain the size of a small planet, has great integrity and will fight for what she believes in. She’d struggled to cope with being the partner of a SEAL and had given Gage and ultimatum- her or the teams. This is, of course, absolutely the wrong thing to do but, as a military wife myself, I do understand the constant worry of waiting at home not knowing where they are, when they are coming home and, most of all, the awful that fear that they will be injured or even killed.
Gage. Oh my, gage! Be still my beating heart. He is one heck of a gorgeous alpha-hero and you don’t get much more alpha than a Navy Seal and I think he is my most favourite Laura Griffin hero to date. He’s never stopped loving Kelsey but he couldn’t choose her over his calling, his need to serve his country but now her life is threatened and this has awaked the sleeping lion that is Gage’s protectiveness where Kelsey is concerned and nothing will stop him from putting himself between her and danger. They embark on a sizzling, on the run style adventure that gallops from one situation to the next that will definitely keep you in suspense as the story twists and turns and gallops towards its gripping conclusion.
This really has everything you could hope for in a romantic suspense – a heroine you can identify with, a smoking hot protective alpha hero, a tense, gripping plot and a sweet romance. What’s not to love?
4 stars romantic suspense.
ARC courtesy of Simon & Schuster via Edelweiss
For more of my reviews, please visit my Sinfully Sexy Book Blog
I do confess to mixed feelings embarking on this novel. On the one hand, having loved Kelsey and Gage’s story in the novella Unstoppable in the Deadly Promises anthology, I was just a little saddened that their Happy Ever After turned out to be just Happy For Now. It’s been shown slowly in the last few Tracers novels and I felt a sense of loss that their relationship had broken down. On the other hand, having loved them both so much together and having thought they deserved a much longer story, I was delighted that they were back for more and I was really rooting for them to rediscover and hold onto that Happy Ever After that had been so challenging to deal with when it got so close before.
Kelsey is a great heroine – she has a brain the size of a small planet, has great integrity and will fight for what she believes in. She’d struggled to cope with being the partner of a SEAL and had given Gage and ultimatum- her or the teams. This is, of course, absolutely the wrong thing to do but, as a military wife myself, I do understand the constant worry of waiting at home not knowing where they are, when they are coming home and, most of all, the awful that fear that they will be injured or even killed.
Gage. Oh my, gage! Be still my beating heart. He is one heck of a gorgeous alpha-hero and you don’t get much more alpha than a Navy Seal and I think he is my most favourite Laura Griffin hero to date. He’s never stopped loving Kelsey but he couldn’t choose her over his calling, his need to serve his country but now her life is threatened and this has awaked the sleeping lion that is Gage’s protectiveness where Kelsey is concerned and nothing will stop him from putting himself between her and danger. They embark on a sizzling, on the run style adventure that gallops from one situation to the next that will definitely keep you in suspense as the story twists and turns and gallops towards its gripping conclusion.
This really has everything you could hope for in a romantic suspense – a heroine you can identify with, a smoking hot protective alpha hero, a tense, gripping plot and a sweet romance. What’s not to love?
4 stars romantic suspense.
ARC courtesy of Simon & Schuster via Edelweiss
For more of my reviews, please visit my Sinfully Sexy Book Blog
February 20, 2018
I debated about 4 or 5 star rating, but when I looked back over some of my other four star reviews, this was a stand out and I gave it 5 stars. Romantic Suspense is my favorite genre and Laura Griffin definitely delivers. This one is heavy on the suspense and plot and lighter on the relationship. That's not to say that Laura doesn't deliver on the H and the h. She does. Gage is right up there with the best alpha heroes protecting the woman they care about and Kelsey is a great heroine. She's smart, she's tough and she's totally in love with Gage even though they broke up. Can I say again, she makes a great heroine? I love strong females and there are way too few of them in novels and movies. The characters in this novel are really fleshed out and there a number of supporting characters there really add to the novel. The story is gripping and you get pulled right into it. I basically read non-stop until I had to sleep and then woke up and read until I finished.
If you like a detailed suspense plot, this delivers. If you only like glossy suspense plots, then this may be too much detail for you.
5 Stars to one of my top 5 reads of 2014.
2018: On the second read I downgraded my rating to 4 stars. I wasn't as thrilled with Gage the second time around. This time, he seemed it took him too long to go from just wanting "sex, sex, sex" to seeing what Kelsey put up with dating him and why it wasn't working. He should not have been shocked that he broke her heart. That he was, speaks volumes.
If you like a detailed suspense plot, this delivers. If you only like glossy suspense plots, then this may be too much detail for you.
5 Stars to one of my top 5 reads of 2014.
2018: On the second read I downgraded my rating to 4 stars. I wasn't as thrilled with Gage the second time around. This time, he seemed it took him too long to go from just wanting "sex, sex, sex" to seeing what Kelsey put up with dating him and why it wasn't working. He should not have been shocked that he broke her heart. That he was, speaks volumes.
January 23, 2015
I don't usually read romantic suspense, because I like stories where the heroine is soaking in a hot bath or wearing couture at a society event, not crawling through the mud with machine guns firing six inches from her ear, or tripping over rotted corpses in the lair of a serial killer.
All the same, though, I thought SCORCHED was a pretty good book. I liked how Kelsey the heroine was so smart about her work identifying dead people from their bones and teeth. And I liked how the Navy SEAL hero Gage was really respectful of her feelings and opinions and not just all "hey, baby" and grabbing for her boobs in every scene, which is how a lot of military guys are often portrayed.
Of course, the suspense plot kind of got on my nerves. In these kinds of books, the terrorists are never "real" terrorists, they're all just looking for "attention" or trying to make a whole lot of money by causing a panic on Wall Street. Or something. The main villain in this book literally does not speak a line of dialogue -- we're just told he's a confused kid who wants attention. The problem is, it's hard to get worked up about catching a shadowy non-person who is more pathetic than anything else.
It would have been so much sexier and more interesting if the villain was a sexy, sadistic serial killer who was obsessed with Kelsey the heroine -- not some geek who wants to cause an anthrax breakout for his science project. Or something.
Now I do want to say that what really made this book a standout read for me was actually the secondary romance between rookie FBI Agent Elizabeth LeBlanc and Gage's friend Derek from the SEAL teams. Elizabeth was so cute and perky and you could see how badly she wanted to make good on the Bureau. But also how she's terribly attracted to the big, warm-hearted SEAL who keeps distracting her so his friend Gage can catch the bad guys on his own. The chemistry between Elizabeth and Derek was always cute and often really funny. I can't wait to see them together in another book!
In conclusion, I would recommened SCORCHED to anyone who likes books about Navy SEALS, FBI agents, criminal investigations, forensics labs, suspense, chase scenes, danger, sexual tension, and the real fears and anxieties of military wives.
All the same, though, I thought SCORCHED was a pretty good book. I liked how Kelsey the heroine was so smart about her work identifying dead people from their bones and teeth. And I liked how the Navy SEAL hero Gage was really respectful of her feelings and opinions and not just all "hey, baby" and grabbing for her boobs in every scene, which is how a lot of military guys are often portrayed.
Of course, the suspense plot kind of got on my nerves. In these kinds of books, the terrorists are never "real" terrorists, they're all just looking for "attention" or trying to make a whole lot of money by causing a panic on Wall Street. Or something. The main villain in this book literally does not speak a line of dialogue -- we're just told he's a confused kid who wants attention. The problem is, it's hard to get worked up about catching a shadowy non-person who is more pathetic than anything else.
It would have been so much sexier and more interesting if the villain was a sexy, sadistic serial killer who was obsessed with Kelsey the heroine -- not some geek who wants to cause an anthrax breakout for his science project. Or something.
Now I do want to say that what really made this book a standout read for me was actually the secondary romance between rookie FBI Agent Elizabeth LeBlanc and Gage's friend Derek from the SEAL teams. Elizabeth was so cute and perky and you could see how badly she wanted to make good on the Bureau. But also how she's terribly attracted to the big, warm-hearted SEAL who keeps distracting her so his friend Gage can catch the bad guys on his own. The chemistry between Elizabeth and Derek was always cute and often really funny. I can't wait to see them together in another book!
In conclusion, I would recommened SCORCHED to anyone who likes books about Navy SEALS, FBI agents, criminal investigations, forensics labs, suspense, chase scenes, danger, sexual tension, and the real fears and anxieties of military wives.
March 28, 2017
Laura Griffin is one of my favorite romantic suspense authors, and her Tracers series never disappoints. Scorched is a high-speed adventure with a great mystery thriller at its heart.
SPOILER ALERT!!
Still, I loved the book and was sorry to see it end. And, as always, I'm eagerly awaiting Griffin's next book.
SPOILER ALERT!!
Still, I loved the book and was sorry to see it end. And, as always, I'm eagerly awaiting Griffin's next book.
January 16, 2016
I am a fan of this author's and this series. Yet, I feel like this is the first book where I did not enjoy it as much as I have come to expect from this series. Don't get me wrong as the characters are good and I did feel the chemistry but what I did not feel was the plot itself. This time it was really just the relationships between the two couples of Kelsey and Gage and Elizabeth and Vaughn that I enjoyed the most. Otherwise I was not as intrigued in the crime itself, the motive, or who the killer(s) were. Also, in the beginning I thought that Elizabeth was the weaker of the two women. However by the end of the story, I thought that both Kelsey and Elizabeth were on the same level. Gage and Vaughn are alpha males. Yet, Vaughn brought out more of the cocky attitude but in a way that made him endearing in a fun way. Either men would e great to have to watch your back.
January 18, 2013
Scorched is a romantic supsense novel by Laura Griffin, published by Pocket books in Oct. 2012. The paperback version is 387 pages long.
Kelsey Quinn is a forensic anthropologist working at the Delphi Center crime lab. While on a mission in the Phillipines, a body is discovered that raises a lot of questions. While looking for clues about the man's identity, Kelsey's ex-fiance,Blake, is murdered in front of her and she barely escapes with her life. Kelsey's ex-boyfriend Gage Brewer, a navy SEAL is suspect number one. But, Kelsey saw the whole thing and knows Gage is not responsible. Upon hearing of Kelsey's disapperance, Gage takes off to find her. The two of them find themselves on the run, with only each other to trust. They begin trying to find out who killed Blake and what connection his death has to the body found in the Phillipines. Gage and Kelsey undercover a huge terrorist threat that involves bioterrorism.
The last person on earth Kelsy wanted to be alone with was Gage Brewer. She had spent the last eight months working overtime trying to get over him. Gage had broken off with Kelsey after she had given him the ultimatum of chosing the SEALS or her.
Once they are thrown back together again the chemistry between them is still undeniable. Will they be able to work through their differences?
This book has all the components a good romantic suspense novel should have. The plot was very well thought out and constructed. This is an edge of your seat thriller, with a perfect blend of romance . The CSI team working with the SEALS mixed brains and brawn to make the story appealing to everyone. Watching Kelsey and Gage work together as a team and grow up emotionally along the way was also fun to watch. The secondary characters give us a hint of action and romance yet to come.
Laura Griffin is now one of my favorite authors of this genre. Superb!
I recommend this one for adults only. Language, violence, Strong sexual content/situations.
Thanks to Edelweiss and the publisher for advancing me a copy of this book to review. I LOVED it!
Kelsey Quinn is a forensic anthropologist working at the Delphi Center crime lab. While on a mission in the Phillipines, a body is discovered that raises a lot of questions. While looking for clues about the man's identity, Kelsey's ex-fiance,Blake, is murdered in front of her and she barely escapes with her life. Kelsey's ex-boyfriend Gage Brewer, a navy SEAL is suspect number one. But, Kelsey saw the whole thing and knows Gage is not responsible. Upon hearing of Kelsey's disapperance, Gage takes off to find her. The two of them find themselves on the run, with only each other to trust. They begin trying to find out who killed Blake and what connection his death has to the body found in the Phillipines. Gage and Kelsey undercover a huge terrorist threat that involves bioterrorism.
The last person on earth Kelsy wanted to be alone with was Gage Brewer. She had spent the last eight months working overtime trying to get over him. Gage had broken off with Kelsey after she had given him the ultimatum of chosing the SEALS or her.
Once they are thrown back together again the chemistry between them is still undeniable. Will they be able to work through their differences?
This book has all the components a good romantic suspense novel should have. The plot was very well thought out and constructed. This is an edge of your seat thriller, with a perfect blend of romance . The CSI team working with the SEALS mixed brains and brawn to make the story appealing to everyone. Watching Kelsey and Gage work together as a team and grow up emotionally along the way was also fun to watch. The secondary characters give us a hint of action and romance yet to come.
Laura Griffin is now one of my favorite authors of this genre. Superb!
I recommend this one for adults only. Language, violence, Strong sexual content/situations.
Thanks to Edelweiss and the publisher for advancing me a copy of this book to review. I LOVED it!
July 23, 2017
The sixth book in the Tracers series. Laura Griffin has yet to write a book that I don't like. Her stories are suspenseful, gripping and entertaining. One of my auto-buy authors. Scorching!
June 19, 2016
Two-haiku review:
FBI guy killed
She sees killers, runs and hides
Her ex, SEAL, protects
Very complex plot
Terrorists, crooked agents
Nonstop action tale
FBI guy killed
She sees killers, runs and hides
Her ex, SEAL, protects
Very complex plot
Terrorists, crooked agents
Nonstop action tale
January 29, 2024
Scorched
4 Stars
After making an unusual discovery in the Philippines, forensic anthropologist, Kelsey Quinn, contacts her former fianće, FBI agent Blake Reid, for information. When Blake is killed, Kelsey and her ex-boyfriend, Navy SEAL Gabe Brewer, become the prime suspects. Who has set them up and why?
Series note Kelsey Quinn and Gabe Brewer, are first introduced in the novella, Unstoppable. While the most important details about their relationship are provided in this book, the novella does contribute to understanding their dynamic. It also gives readers a first glimpse at some of the secondary characters mentioned in this book.
To begin with, this installment in the Tracers series has some definite Troubleshooters, Inc. vibes with the collaboration between FBI agents and Navy SEALs. Gabe is very similar in personality to Sam Starret, which only adds to his appeal.
Kelsey and Gabe's second chances romance has its ups and downs. It is particularly disappointing that Kelsey became engaged to Blake so soon after her break-up with Gabe. It makes her seem shallow and undermines her emotional connection with Gabe. Moreover, the ultimatum that she gave him is unfair. She was well aware of his commitment to the Teams and forcing him to choose was unacceptable. The fact that he chose the Teams also puts a damper on the romance. That said, Griffin handles all of this with aplomb, and it all eventually comes together with a plausible compromise.
To be honest, the secondary relationship between FBI agent Elizabeth Le Blanc and Gabe's SEALs teammate, Derrick Vaughn, is much more appealing. They have excellent chemistry and banter, and I am looking forward to their book immensely.
The suspense plot is intense and action-packed with an exciting resolution. However, the lack of police procedural or forensic elements is disappointing. This is actually a trait of the entire series, which is strange given that the characters all work in this field.
In sum, this is an enjoyable addition to the series despite my issues with the romance.
4 Stars
After making an unusual discovery in the Philippines, forensic anthropologist, Kelsey Quinn, contacts her former fianće, FBI agent Blake Reid, for information. When Blake is killed, Kelsey and her ex-boyfriend, Navy SEAL Gabe Brewer, become the prime suspects. Who has set them up and why?
Series note Kelsey Quinn and Gabe Brewer, are first introduced in the novella, Unstoppable. While the most important details about their relationship are provided in this book, the novella does contribute to understanding their dynamic. It also gives readers a first glimpse at some of the secondary characters mentioned in this book.
To begin with, this installment in the Tracers series has some definite Troubleshooters, Inc. vibes with the collaboration between FBI agents and Navy SEALs. Gabe is very similar in personality to Sam Starret, which only adds to his appeal.
Kelsey and Gabe's second chances romance has its ups and downs. It is particularly disappointing that Kelsey became engaged to Blake so soon after her break-up with Gabe. It makes her seem shallow and undermines her emotional connection with Gabe. Moreover, the ultimatum that she gave him is unfair. She was well aware of his commitment to the Teams and forcing him to choose was unacceptable. The fact that he chose the Teams also puts a damper on the romance. That said, Griffin handles all of this with aplomb, and it all eventually comes together with a plausible compromise.
To be honest, the secondary relationship between FBI agent Elizabeth Le Blanc and Gabe's SEALs teammate, Derrick Vaughn, is much more appealing. They have excellent chemistry and banter, and I am looking forward to their book immensely.
The suspense plot is intense and action-packed with an exciting resolution. However, the lack of police procedural or forensic elements is disappointing. This is actually a trait of the entire series, which is strange given that the characters all work in this field.
In sum, this is an enjoyable addition to the series despite my issues with the romance.
March 16, 2016
Another great romantic-suspense book in a series of great books. I just don't know what else to say, but that Laura Griffin hasn't written a dud in the whole series. On top of that, this could easily be a standalone novel too, although it is wonderful to have the crew from Delphi show up. Just when you think you know where the plot is going, it takes a hard left turn and goes in a completely different direction.
Forensic Anthropologist Kelsey and SEAL Gage met and fell in love in Unstoppable, a novella. Alas or maybe yeah - they broke up because Gage just wasn't ready. It devastated Kelsey. On the rebound she got engaged to Blake, an FBI agent with a roving eye. On a recovery mission in the Philippines, Kelsey uncovers a skeleton that set in motion a chain of events that puts her life in danger. Blake is murdered and Kelsey is a witness. Gage is drawn into the conspiracy when Kelsey disappears and the FBI want to find her. For a SEAL, finding Kelsey was simple. Keeping her safe and them out of custody is another issue.
Gage's SEAL buddy Derek, and newbie FBI agent Elizabeth, butt heads over finding Kelsey and Gage, but the also strike sparks Their story is Beyond Limits. It is a fantastic book.
Forensic Anthropologist Kelsey and SEAL Gage met and fell in love in Unstoppable, a novella. Alas or maybe yeah - they broke up because Gage just wasn't ready. It devastated Kelsey. On the rebound she got engaged to Blake, an FBI agent with a roving eye. On a recovery mission in the Philippines, Kelsey uncovers a skeleton that set in motion a chain of events that puts her life in danger. Blake is murdered and Kelsey is a witness. Gage is drawn into the conspiracy when Kelsey disappears and the FBI want to find her. For a SEAL, finding Kelsey was simple. Keeping her safe and them out of custody is another issue.
Gage's SEAL buddy Derek, and newbie FBI agent Elizabeth, butt heads over finding Kelsey and Gage, but the also strike sparks Their story is Beyond Limits. It is a fantastic book.
February 8, 2018
Des rebondissements dignes d’Hawaii 5-0 ...pas que cela me gêne loin de là, l’intrigue générale était fun, wtf mais m’a tenue en haleine.
Le problème ce sont les personnages : elle est une chieuse qui n’a pas compris que vivre avec un militaire à ses conséquences... oui tu vis la peur au ventre mais c’est le choix que tu fais quand tu décides de partager la vie de ce militaire. Et quand tu vis avec un militaire d’un corps d’élite , un SEAL, tu acceptes aussi que tu ne sauras jamais réellement ce qu’il fait. Alors quand tu tournes les talons pour toutes ces raisons, évites de lui de le lui reprocher, de faire en sortes que tes amies lui en veulent ... Il était militaire quand tu l’as rencontré ! Ici l’héroïne a la révélation mais trop tard à mon sens.
Quant au pseudo Mcgarrett.... un peu trop nounours sympathique... il finit même par s’excuser d’être un seal, d’aimer ça ...
Alors, je suis d’accord pour qu’il y ait des femmes fortes, indépendantes et toussa ... Le girl power c’est bien mais cela devient pénible dés l’instant où quoi qu’il fasse le héros sera le « méchant » de l’histoire. Pas de remise en question des héroïnes qui arrive ont toujours raison.
Le problème ce sont les personnages : elle est une chieuse qui n’a pas compris que vivre avec un militaire à ses conséquences... oui tu vis la peur au ventre mais c’est le choix que tu fais quand tu décides de partager la vie de ce militaire. Et quand tu vis avec un militaire d’un corps d’élite , un SEAL, tu acceptes aussi que tu ne sauras jamais réellement ce qu’il fait. Alors quand tu tournes les talons pour toutes ces raisons, évites de lui de le lui reprocher, de faire en sortes que tes amies lui en veulent ... Il était militaire quand tu l’as rencontré ! Ici l’héroïne a la révélation mais trop tard à mon sens.
Quant au pseudo Mcgarrett.... un peu trop nounours sympathique... il finit même par s’excuser d’être un seal, d’aimer ça ...
Alors, je suis d’accord pour qu’il y ait des femmes fortes, indépendantes et toussa ... Le girl power c’est bien mais cela devient pénible dés l’instant où quoi qu’il fasse le héros sera le « méchant » de l’histoire. Pas de remise en question des héroïnes qui arrive ont toujours raison.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 1, 2012
I really love this romantic suspense series by Laura Griffin. I think she does such a great job with not only the suspense part of the story (which usually has me holding my breath) but really well done character development as well. In her latest, she not only gives us a solid suspense story but the hero is a Navy SEAL.
Gage Brewer is a SEAL all the way down to his core. He loves it and lives for it. So when his girlfriend Kelsey gave him the ultimatum, leave the SEALs or leave me, he chose his brothers in the SEALs. Now Kelsey wasn’t necessarily being unreasonable. She was deeply in love with Gage. But he was stationed in California, traveling all over the world on super dangerous missions, and she works in a crime lab in Texas. Every day she would worry he wouldn’t make it back from his missions safely. It wore on her. She is also ready to settle and start a family, something she can’t picture doing with a SEAL.
When this book starts, they have been broken up for some time. Kelsey has moved on and was engaged to Blake, a FBI agent, but has broken it off since. (but she still keeps in contact with him). Kelsey is a forensic anthropologist, specializing in bone recovery. While on a dig in the Philippines, she discovers a skeleton and the DNA traces back to that of someone on the terrorist watch list. She meets with Blake, who works for the counterterrorist part of the FBI to see if she can assist. While at his apartment, someone comes in and murders him. Kelsey narrowly escapes out a bathroom window and goes on the run. When Gage hears she is missing, and her ex-fiancé is dead, he makes it his mission to find her and keep her safe. They go on the run together, trying to piece together the investigation as the bad guys continue to set them up.
Laura Griffin writes such engaging stories. I like this one a lot because Gage still loves Kelsey, he is just in a tough position with his career. He is such an alpha SEAL, that he can’t imagine a life not involved with them, but he can’t imagine a life without Kelsey too. He pushes her, and protects her and goes all SEAL-y on her. Yes, I’m pretty sure that is a word. His SEAL buddy Derek has a fun role in this book too which I really enjoyed.
Kelsey is a fun heroine who has a pretty awesome job – identifying anonymous bones. She of course still loves Gage, but can’t wait around for him anymore. But when they are forced together on the run, she can’t help but want him
“Why would I want to jump out of a perfectly good airplane?”
Gage turned into the parking lot of a cheap-looking motel and whipped into a space. “Because it’s like sex, only better.”
Kelsey bit her tongue. He was getting to her, and he knew it. It was the way he looked at her with those warm blue eyes. It was his low voice, his two-day beard. Just the sight of his muscled forearm propped on the steering wheel right now was giving her a bone-deep craving for something she knew she shouldn’t have.
Their romance develops at a nice pace and I like that the author doesn’t throw in sex scenes at random when these two are in great danger. She waits for them to only be in slight danger when they get it on. *wink*
I think Laura Griffin needs to write more SEAL hero books! But even if she doesn’t, I highly recommend this author and series. This one and the previous book, Twisted are my favorites, but each one is good and can be read as a stand alone.
Rating: B
Gage Brewer is a SEAL all the way down to his core. He loves it and lives for it. So when his girlfriend Kelsey gave him the ultimatum, leave the SEALs or leave me, he chose his brothers in the SEALs. Now Kelsey wasn’t necessarily being unreasonable. She was deeply in love with Gage. But he was stationed in California, traveling all over the world on super dangerous missions, and she works in a crime lab in Texas. Every day she would worry he wouldn’t make it back from his missions safely. It wore on her. She is also ready to settle and start a family, something she can’t picture doing with a SEAL.
When this book starts, they have been broken up for some time. Kelsey has moved on and was engaged to Blake, a FBI agent, but has broken it off since. (but she still keeps in contact with him). Kelsey is a forensic anthropologist, specializing in bone recovery. While on a dig in the Philippines, she discovers a skeleton and the DNA traces back to that of someone on the terrorist watch list. She meets with Blake, who works for the counterterrorist part of the FBI to see if she can assist. While at his apartment, someone comes in and murders him. Kelsey narrowly escapes out a bathroom window and goes on the run. When Gage hears she is missing, and her ex-fiancé is dead, he makes it his mission to find her and keep her safe. They go on the run together, trying to piece together the investigation as the bad guys continue to set them up.
Laura Griffin writes such engaging stories. I like this one a lot because Gage still loves Kelsey, he is just in a tough position with his career. He is such an alpha SEAL, that he can’t imagine a life not involved with them, but he can’t imagine a life without Kelsey too. He pushes her, and protects her and goes all SEAL-y on her. Yes, I’m pretty sure that is a word. His SEAL buddy Derek has a fun role in this book too which I really enjoyed.
Kelsey is a fun heroine who has a pretty awesome job – identifying anonymous bones. She of course still loves Gage, but can’t wait around for him anymore. But when they are forced together on the run, she can’t help but want him
“Why would I want to jump out of a perfectly good airplane?”
Gage turned into the parking lot of a cheap-looking motel and whipped into a space. “Because it’s like sex, only better.”
Kelsey bit her tongue. He was getting to her, and he knew it. It was the way he looked at her with those warm blue eyes. It was his low voice, his two-day beard. Just the sight of his muscled forearm propped on the steering wheel right now was giving her a bone-deep craving for something she knew she shouldn’t have.
Their romance develops at a nice pace and I like that the author doesn’t throw in sex scenes at random when these two are in great danger. She waits for them to only be in slight danger when they get it on. *wink*
I think Laura Griffin needs to write more SEAL hero books! But even if she doesn’t, I highly recommend this author and series. This one and the previous book, Twisted are my favorites, but each one is good and can be read as a stand alone.
Rating: B
March 1, 2019
DNF at 40%. 🙄
Picked this book after reading Deep Dark from the same series... and I’m totally disappointed 🙄 loved the other book. This one? Meh. There’s no chemistry between the main characters, there is some major plot holes (for instance, the heroine empties her bank account because she suspects the FBI would try to track her through that, but she’s using her phone all the time... which the FBI hasn’t thought to track? .......... 🤦🏻♀️), and I found this book to be friggin’ slow. Barely anything happens in the 40% I read 🤷🏻♀️ she witnesses a murder, flees, is found by her ex-boyfriend (but not the FBI 🙄), they flee together when they are attacked (as soon as the ex finds her). That’s all there was in that first 40%.
Boring as h*ll. No thank you!
Picked this book after reading Deep Dark from the same series... and I’m totally disappointed 🙄 loved the other book. This one? Meh. There’s no chemistry between the main characters, there is some major plot holes (for instance, the heroine empties her bank account because she suspects the FBI would try to track her through that, but she’s using her phone all the time... which the FBI hasn’t thought to track? .......... 🤦🏻♀️), and I found this book to be friggin’ slow. Barely anything happens in the 40% I read 🤷🏻♀️ she witnesses a murder, flees, is found by her ex-boyfriend (but not the FBI 🙄), they flee together when they are attacked (as soon as the ex finds her). That’s all there was in that first 40%.
Boring as h*ll. No thank you!
December 3, 2012
3.5/5; 4 stars; B+
I was leery of this book because the short story with Kelsey and Gage was a wallbanger for me. It turned out ok though and Scorched is another solid romantic suspense addition to the series. I liked the loyalty and determination of the Gage character but was not impressed with him as relationship material. I think the earliest novels in this series were better.
I was leery of this book because the short story with Kelsey and Gage was a wallbanger for me. It turned out ok though and Scorched is another solid romantic suspense addition to the series. I liked the loyalty and determination of the Gage character but was not impressed with him as relationship material. I think the earliest novels in this series were better.
January 5, 2017
I spent a large portion of this yelling at Gage to listen to what Kelsey was saying, but for whatever reason this one worked for me. As always I could have used more actual focus on the relationship(s), but I also found the case here more interesting than others and that helped.
September 18, 2017
Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟½
Chemistry: ❤❤❤
Trope: Romantic Suspense
One-Sentence Summary: A forensic anthropologist, a Navy SEAL and a bunch of FBI Agents
Review: I thoroughly enjoyed this one mainly because of the case and the secondary romance of Elizabeth and Derek (I immediately went to check that they get their own book and was so glad to see that they do!).
Whilst I liked Gage and Kelsey together and seeing how they overcame their issues, I think that the elephant in the room of why she got back together with Brent and even went as far as to get engaged to him was never addressed satisfactorily.
October 25, 2012
Review posted: Happily Ever After - Reads
Blog rating: 4.5/5
Gage and Kelsey have been broken up for months and both are still nursing the wounds of that break up. They both cared deeply about each other, probably even loved at that point as well, but Gage’s job as a SEAL drove them apart. Kelsey gave Gage the worst ultimatum: her or his job. He lives and breathes his work, his entire life for so long has been wrapped up the SEALs, and that’s what he chose. Partly because it’s in his blood and partly because he was so shocked that Kelsey would even make him choose, he was speechless. They broke up, Kelsey became engaged to another man and Gage never got over her.
Fast forward months later, Kelsey is going to her now ex-fiance, Blake’s place to go over a case when all hell breaks loose. A man she and her ex thought was a friend kills Blake and she runs for her life when they turn their gun on her as she tries to escape. Gage becomes a suspect through his involvement with Kelsey and he’s questioned by the FBI. He learns that no one has seen Kelsey for days and he sets off to find her, figure out what’s going on and try to keep her safe.
The two meet up and it’s not happiness between them right off the bat. Kelsey is glad to see a friendly face, especially since she’s not sure who she can trust with Blake’s murderer being in law enforcement. Gage and Kelsey track clues that lead them to follow a train of anthrax and a plot to unleash it in the US, a plan that also involves a traitor very high up in the US Government. One thing that I really like about this story is it takes place away from both Gage and Kelsey’s prominent careers, but both of their expertise is needed to solve the case, just in different ways. We only see Kelsey out in the field early on, same with Gage out on a mission, otherwise they’re both working together, on the run for much of the story and using their combined talents to figure this mess out.
The pacing of this story is fabulous. As with all the other Tracer’s series books, the pace is fast, you get a lot of information tossed at you, but it’s done so in a way that never feels confusing, too technical and it’s never information that bogs the story down. It’s a very smart suspense storyline that keeps the plot moving along and keeps characters moving in and out of the story in such a way that it makes them feel very important to the overall storyline and not in the way or taking up page space. There are a few stops at the Delphi Center, which I always enjoy, and we get to see Kelsey’s office through Gage’s eyes as he takes it all in for the first time.
“Tell me one of you fantasies.”
“I’ve got way more than one.”
“Then you’ll have to prioritize.”
“It can be anything?” His voice was low and dangerous as he searched her face.
“Anything.”
He kissed her on the mouth and her skin started to tingle. “Any fantasy at all?”
“Yes,” she whispered.
He leaned down and his breath was warm against her ear. “Give us another chance.”
She blinked up at him. God, he was serious. “That’s your fantasy?”
“Yep.”
“I meant something sexual.”
He shifted on top of her. “Trust me, it’s very sexual.”
The suspense plot also serves as the springboard to getting Gage and Kelsey back together. They both love their careers so much, I was really curious how Laura Griffin would make their happily ever after work and make it be believable at the same time. Of course it works out in the end, but these two people needed to be ready and willing to make sacrifices to make a real go of it and they do just that. While their romance isn’t front and center, there’s always that thread running through the whole story that keeps building and building for them. They get closer without really trying and the buildup is so slow and so sweet once it finally happens. My only wish was that we would have had just a little bit more romance between them, only because I didn’t want their story to end. I loved the emotional scenes between these two and the scene, or moment really, that stands out most to me was a real, raw moment when Gage explains how Kelsey’s reaction to one of his scars made him know for sure that what she felt for him was true and real. It’s a small moment, but that’s what makes this book work, lots of small moments for these two that add up to a wonderful romance over the course of the story.
There is a great introduction to two new characters, Elizabeth, a green FBI agent and Derek Vaughn, a SEAL teammate of Gage. They have a spark and a lot of chemistry that comes across from their first meeting. Vaughn is a fun guy, quick to make a joke, and made for a nice balance with Elizabeth, someone a bit more serious, who is trying to get experience in her new position and gain some confidence; I hope their story is next.
This is another page turner in Griffin’s Tracers series. The suspense had me fully caught up in the book from page one and Gage and Kelsey more than lived up to their great set up from Unstoppable. Their relationship came across as very emotional and their journey in Scorched proved to them both just how much they needed each other and what they were ultimately willing to do to get their happy end. I finished this story feeling completely satisfied and as always with the books in this series, I’m left wanting the next installment.
Blog rating: 4.5/5
Gage and Kelsey have been broken up for months and both are still nursing the wounds of that break up. They both cared deeply about each other, probably even loved at that point as well, but Gage’s job as a SEAL drove them apart. Kelsey gave Gage the worst ultimatum: her or his job. He lives and breathes his work, his entire life for so long has been wrapped up the SEALs, and that’s what he chose. Partly because it’s in his blood and partly because he was so shocked that Kelsey would even make him choose, he was speechless. They broke up, Kelsey became engaged to another man and Gage never got over her.
Fast forward months later, Kelsey is going to her now ex-fiance, Blake’s place to go over a case when all hell breaks loose. A man she and her ex thought was a friend kills Blake and she runs for her life when they turn their gun on her as she tries to escape. Gage becomes a suspect through his involvement with Kelsey and he’s questioned by the FBI. He learns that no one has seen Kelsey for days and he sets off to find her, figure out what’s going on and try to keep her safe.
The two meet up and it’s not happiness between them right off the bat. Kelsey is glad to see a friendly face, especially since she’s not sure who she can trust with Blake’s murderer being in law enforcement. Gage and Kelsey track clues that lead them to follow a train of anthrax and a plot to unleash it in the US, a plan that also involves a traitor very high up in the US Government. One thing that I really like about this story is it takes place away from both Gage and Kelsey’s prominent careers, but both of their expertise is needed to solve the case, just in different ways. We only see Kelsey out in the field early on, same with Gage out on a mission, otherwise they’re both working together, on the run for much of the story and using their combined talents to figure this mess out.
The pacing of this story is fabulous. As with all the other Tracer’s series books, the pace is fast, you get a lot of information tossed at you, but it’s done so in a way that never feels confusing, too technical and it’s never information that bogs the story down. It’s a very smart suspense storyline that keeps the plot moving along and keeps characters moving in and out of the story in such a way that it makes them feel very important to the overall storyline and not in the way or taking up page space. There are a few stops at the Delphi Center, which I always enjoy, and we get to see Kelsey’s office through Gage’s eyes as he takes it all in for the first time.
“Tell me one of you fantasies.”
“I’ve got way more than one.”
“Then you’ll have to prioritize.”
“It can be anything?” His voice was low and dangerous as he searched her face.
“Anything.”
He kissed her on the mouth and her skin started to tingle. “Any fantasy at all?”
“Yes,” she whispered.
He leaned down and his breath was warm against her ear. “Give us another chance.”
She blinked up at him. God, he was serious. “That’s your fantasy?”
“Yep.”
“I meant something sexual.”
He shifted on top of her. “Trust me, it’s very sexual.”
The suspense plot also serves as the springboard to getting Gage and Kelsey back together. They both love their careers so much, I was really curious how Laura Griffin would make their happily ever after work and make it be believable at the same time. Of course it works out in the end, but these two people needed to be ready and willing to make sacrifices to make a real go of it and they do just that. While their romance isn’t front and center, there’s always that thread running through the whole story that keeps building and building for them. They get closer without really trying and the buildup is so slow and so sweet once it finally happens. My only wish was that we would have had just a little bit more romance between them, only because I didn’t want their story to end. I loved the emotional scenes between these two and the scene, or moment really, that stands out most to me was a real, raw moment when Gage explains how Kelsey’s reaction to one of his scars made him know for sure that what she felt for him was true and real. It’s a small moment, but that’s what makes this book work, lots of small moments for these two that add up to a wonderful romance over the course of the story.
There is a great introduction to two new characters, Elizabeth, a green FBI agent and Derek Vaughn, a SEAL teammate of Gage. They have a spark and a lot of chemistry that comes across from their first meeting. Vaughn is a fun guy, quick to make a joke, and made for a nice balance with Elizabeth, someone a bit more serious, who is trying to get experience in her new position and gain some confidence; I hope their story is next.
This is another page turner in Griffin’s Tracers series. The suspense had me fully caught up in the book from page one and Gage and Kelsey more than lived up to their great set up from Unstoppable. Their relationship came across as very emotional and their journey in Scorched proved to them both just how much they needed each other and what they were ultimately willing to do to get their happy end. I finished this story feeling completely satisfied and as always with the books in this series, I’m left wanting the next installment.
May 29, 2020
I seriously can’t get enough of this series! 😍
Read
August 20, 2025Dnf at 35%
I hate when there are many povs (other than the main characters'). Also, the story isn't as interesting as I thought it would be :/
I hate when there are many povs (other than the main characters'). Also, the story isn't as interesting as I thought it would be :/
April 10, 2023
This is a no from me. I am a HUGE romantic suspense fiend. This series has been recommended to me so much that I decided to dip my toes with the novella first and then this. I never expect a novella to be great, but I didn't expect to dislike the book more than the novella. I guess there's a first time for everything.
First off you have an insta-love trope with this books couple Kelsey and Gage. It was kind of ridiculous how quick they Then in this book it's revealed they broke up because of an ultimatum which feels like the laziest plot device ever. The ultimatum coupled with the fact that Kelsey already makes her and the relationship seem fickle. Then you have it mentioned that which, She is supposed to be this intelligent and capable anthropologist and the author almost reduces her to a very emotional woman who doesn't think things through. I wish I could say better about Gage but instead of being Alpha in a good way like most romantic suspense men, he just came off kinda douchey in the first couple of chapters. Further in the book I could tell he did love Kelsey but also wanted to get in her pants without thinking things through.
Already, I was taken out of the story. Then we get my biggest pet peeve which is when authors add another random character/couple storyline with Elizabeth Leblanc. It did not feel organic at all. I think it is so important for authors to grasp readers within the first few chapters, and sadly this book lost me then and the more I read the more my hope began to decline. Not even Griffin including one of my favorite tropes in romantic suspense (HALO jump) could salvage this.
The women in this book fell really short and felt really incompetent. The book also had a couple of comments about Elizabeth and "women who can eat" which I found gross and sexist. Also Kelsey is mentioned as not being like a "typical woman" because she avoided talking about relationships. Yeah no I don't have time or patience if the other books/heroines are going to be written like this.
also TW It serves no purpose to the plot.
The more I read the more the story got convoluted and lost me. I felt like I was racing to finish. I think Gage and Kelsey needed less sex and more therapy. I really didn't feel much for this couple at all.
First off you have an insta-love trope with this books couple Kelsey and Gage. It was kind of ridiculous how quick they Then in this book it's revealed they broke up because of an ultimatum which feels like the laziest plot device ever. The ultimatum coupled with the fact that Kelsey already makes her and the relationship seem fickle. Then you have it mentioned that which, She is supposed to be this intelligent and capable anthropologist and the author almost reduces her to a very emotional woman who doesn't think things through. I wish I could say better about Gage but instead of being Alpha in a good way like most romantic suspense men, he just came off kinda douchey in the first couple of chapters. Further in the book I could tell he did love Kelsey but also wanted to get in her pants without thinking things through.
Already, I was taken out of the story. Then we get my biggest pet peeve which is when authors add another random character/couple storyline with Elizabeth Leblanc. It did not feel organic at all. I think it is so important for authors to grasp readers within the first few chapters, and sadly this book lost me then and the more I read the more my hope began to decline. Not even Griffin including one of my favorite tropes in romantic suspense (HALO jump) could salvage this.
The women in this book fell really short and felt really incompetent. The book also had a couple of comments about Elizabeth and "women who can eat" which I found gross and sexist. Also Kelsey is mentioned as not being like a "typical woman" because she avoided talking about relationships. Yeah no I don't have time or patience if the other books/heroines are going to be written like this.
also TW It serves no purpose to the plot.
The more I read the more the story got convoluted and lost me. I felt like I was racing to finish. I think Gage and Kelsey needed less sex and more therapy. I really didn't feel much for this couple at all.
May 24, 2016
If you haven't started the Tracer Series by Laura Griffin, well all I can say is "WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?" Laura writes one of the BEST Romance Suspense Series on the Market and I HIGHLY recommend starting the series now, that way you will be ready for SCORCHED at the end of this month.
SCORCHED centers around Kelsey Quinn and Gage Brewer, who you would have met if you read UNSTOPPABLE, the novella where their relationship first began. I for one, was so psyched when I found out that SCORCHED was going to be about Kelsey and Gage, and I will be honest, I think Kelsey and Gage are my new Favorite Tracer Couple, well...ok....I'll put them in a tie with Alex and Nathan...but Kelsey and Gage...boy did they put my heart in knots.
"It can be anything?" His voice was low and dangerous as he searched her face.
"Anything."
He kissed her on the mouth and her skin started to tingle. "Any fantasy at all?"
"Yes," she whispered.
He leaned down and his breath was warm against her ear. "Give us another chance."
SERIOUSLY...did your heart not just SWOON...I could just read this book over and over again and still never get sick of Kelsey and Gage. Between Kelsey trying to stay alive, keeping her heart out of the equation and Gage trying to be her white-knight while breaking down the walls that she is trying to build, it makes for one emotional romance, with a wild ride suspense plot that will have you saying, "OMG!"
Laura Griffin captivates me EVERY SINGLE TIME with her imaginative story lines and amazingly descriptive scenes that put you right in the middle of the action. I simply LOVE what she does!!
Maybe thirty or so pages into this book, I actually had to email Laura and ask her if we would be seeing two of the secondary characters again, and if they would have their own romance, because I was not only taken by what was happening between Kelsey and Gage, but I wanted to know where the flirty banter between Gage's friend, Derek Vaughn and Agent Elizabeth LeBlanc would be going, and I needed to make sure that we would see them again.
SCORCHED kicks major butt. If you are looking for a thrilling suspense that will keep you reading late into the night, and a romance that burns up the sheets, then pre-order your copy of SCORCHED today!! Definitely one of The Best Romances of 2012.
Highly recommended read, as well as, the rest of the TRACERS Series, which you can learn about here, http://www.lauragriffin.com/tracers.p...
SCORCHED centers around Kelsey Quinn and Gage Brewer, who you would have met if you read UNSTOPPABLE, the novella where their relationship first began. I for one, was so psyched when I found out that SCORCHED was going to be about Kelsey and Gage, and I will be honest, I think Kelsey and Gage are my new Favorite Tracer Couple, well...ok....I'll put them in a tie with Alex and Nathan...but Kelsey and Gage...boy did they put my heart in knots.
"It can be anything?" His voice was low and dangerous as he searched her face.
"Anything."
He kissed her on the mouth and her skin started to tingle. "Any fantasy at all?"
"Yes," she whispered.
He leaned down and his breath was warm against her ear. "Give us another chance."
SERIOUSLY...did your heart not just SWOON...I could just read this book over and over again and still never get sick of Kelsey and Gage. Between Kelsey trying to stay alive, keeping her heart out of the equation and Gage trying to be her white-knight while breaking down the walls that she is trying to build, it makes for one emotional romance, with a wild ride suspense plot that will have you saying, "OMG!"
Laura Griffin captivates me EVERY SINGLE TIME with her imaginative story lines and amazingly descriptive scenes that put you right in the middle of the action. I simply LOVE what she does!!
Maybe thirty or so pages into this book, I actually had to email Laura and ask her if we would be seeing two of the secondary characters again, and if they would have their own romance, because I was not only taken by what was happening between Kelsey and Gage, but I wanted to know where the flirty banter between Gage's friend, Derek Vaughn and Agent Elizabeth LeBlanc would be going, and I needed to make sure that we would see them again.
SCORCHED kicks major butt. If you are looking for a thrilling suspense that will keep you reading late into the night, and a romance that burns up the sheets, then pre-order your copy of SCORCHED today!! Definitely one of The Best Romances of 2012.
Highly recommended read, as well as, the rest of the TRACERS Series, which you can learn about here, http://www.lauragriffin.com/tracers.p...
October 14, 2012
This story is a tightly woven romantic suspense and arguably Laura Griffin's best in her Tracer's series.
Dr. Kelsey Quinn is a leading forensic anthropologist with the Delphi Center. She investigates deaths via the use of bones. Lt. Gage Brewer is a Navy SEAL and demolition expert. They used to be a couple (Unstoppable) but his long deployments and risky career kept them apart. Now a murder mystery and a terrorist threat brings them together. (Please use your very best "coming attractions" voiceover voice when reading this aloud).
The suspense is taut and the actions scenes rival any written for Jason Bourne. If I have any critique, it is that the romance part takes more time to develop. After being 43% into the story, there is still no action between the characters. However, when the interaction between Kelsey and Gage does start, it sizzles. The chemistry between the two character is steamy. I love second time around stories. It helps alleviate the "huh?" of a insta-love and the issues facing the two are deeper than "does he/she like me or not?"
If you are a Laura Griffin fan, you will love this book. If you haven't read Laura Griffin before, what are you waiting for? Scorched is a great place to start.
For the full review, see my blog: http://loveaffairwithanereader.blogsp...
ARC courtesy of Simon & Schuster via Edelweiss
Want to read
March 4, 2013Holy Cannoli Batman what a ride-a-minute, action-packed story Laura Griffin delivers in Scorched.
I loved it from the body bits to bomb bits to bioterrorism and terrorist bits. And let us not forget some ever-lovin’ smexy bits.
Both Gage and Kelsey are extremely strong and competent characters. Both the ultimate professionals and dedicated to their jobs...which can be a problem of major proportions if you‘re in or thinking of having a relationship. The bone doc and the Navy SEAL have such a past and it didn‘t end well. An ultimatum was issued that left them both dissatisfied with the outcome and lots of unresolved feelings.
Secondary characters aren’t always a hit with me but Griffin does an excellent job of making them an integral part of Scorched and made me what to spend face time with them and someday hope they might appear in a future book. Gage’s SEAL buddy Derek and the newbie FBI agent Elizabeth fit the bill perfectly.
I burned up the pages too finish Scorched, stayed up way to late and was totally invested in the storyline.
The Tracer series rocks!
I loved it from the body bits to bomb bits to bioterrorism and terrorist bits. And let us not forget some ever-lovin’ smexy bits.
Both Gage and Kelsey are extremely strong and competent characters. Both the ultimate professionals and dedicated to their jobs...which can be a problem of major proportions if you‘re in or thinking of having a relationship. The bone doc and the Navy SEAL have such a past and it didn‘t end well. An ultimatum was issued that left them both dissatisfied with the outcome and lots of unresolved feelings.
Secondary characters aren’t always a hit with me but Griffin does an excellent job of making them an integral part of Scorched and made me what to spend face time with them and someday hope they might appear in a future book. Gage’s SEAL buddy Derek and the newbie FBI agent Elizabeth fit the bill perfectly.
I burned up the pages too finish Scorched, stayed up way to late and was totally invested in the storyline.
The Tracer series rocks!
May 17, 2016
4 Strong Stars! Loved Kelsey and Gage's story. The action was non-stop, and there weren't many 'safe havens' for our main characters to work on their relationship, or lack thereof. However, Kelsey and Gage already had that bond...this was a second-chances sort of thing. I liked the fact that both parties were intelligent, thinking people, and the reasons they each had for being apart were real and viable. Great resolution of both the suspense and the romantic plots...On to the next Tracers!
October 29, 2012
3.5 stars
{This review was originally published on Clear Eyes, Full Shelves.}
In Laura Griffin's Tracers series--like in the television series 24, which I enjoyed--practical considerations are unnecessary. In the Tracers world, domestic terrorists drive MINI Coopers, anthropologists defuse bombs and everyone is terribly attractive.
Scorched is the sixth book in the Tracers series, which follows employees of a top-notch private crime lab in Texas. The series has featured hackers, scientists, sketch artists, cops, criminal investigators, writers and FBI agents who all work to solve crimes while simultaneously finding true love.
Yes, Laura Griffin's Tracers books are as awesome as they sound.
Admittedly, this latest installment isn't my favorite because it marks a distinct departure from the previous novels which focused on local crime-solving and veers toward stopping a terrorist plot (in addition to solving a local crime--it's complicated). However, it still features Griffin's trademark fast-paced writing and capable, tough characters.
Scorched features forensic anthropologist Kelsey Quinn at the Delphi Center, where she focuses on identifying bodies. While on a dig in The Philippines, where she's investigating a mass grave, Kelsey discovers a body that's buried separately from the others, one that's had facial reconstruction and appears very out-of-place for a remote Asian island. Suspicious, she takes samples and sends them to her former fiance, Blake, who works for the FBI.
Upon her return to the United States, Blake asks Kelsey to come to his apartment because he has information about the evidence she collected oversees. Except when she gets to his apartment, Blake is murdered and Kelsey is a witness and on the run. And because she fled, she's also a suspect.
Kelsey suspects that law enforcement is involved in a larger conspiracy related to Blake's murder, and turns to her ex-boyfriend Gage, a Navy SEAL who worked for her uncle Joe. This is where I was a bit confused--I'd not realized that Griffin has published a novella featuring Kelsey and Gage, Unstoppable, and that provides much of these characters' backstory.
However, once I figured that out and kept my eyes out as to clues to their history (they had a relationship, but it was unworkable, due to their respective devotion to their careers and both moved on in different ways), I was back on track with Scorched. The two work together to unravel the conspiracy connecting Blake's death to the body Kelsey found oversees, which is also the catalyst for their getting back together.
Unlike in some of the previous novels in this series, the mystery and action is at the forefront of much of Scorched, which was a refreshing change of pace. It isn't until nearly halfway through the book that there's a shift toward the two characters getting back together, and even at that it only interferes with the action once. Naturally, Gage and Kelsey wind up running from psychotic killer FBI agents/possible terrorists in the Utah desert. Obviously, you know what that means: SEXYTIMES! Yes, there's desert sex in Scorched, but since Gage is a Navy SEAL, that's be be expected... I guess. (But thankfully, there is no instance of Magical Missing Condom Syndrome™.)
Regardless of desert lovin', this is an uneasy reunion at best. Nothing's changed with either of their commitments, so the barriers to their happiness seem actually realistic (which is really the case in most of Griffin's books--she puts real barriers in front of her characters, so while the books are pure entertainment, they're not simple Point A to Point B stories). In fact, I can imagine avid romance fans being frustrated that Scorched is as much an action-oriented thriller as it is a path to a happily-ever-after for the main characters.
Yet, Scorched's strength--the realistic barriers between the two main characters--is also its weakness. That's because the resolution comes far too simply and easily for such a major obstacle they need to overcome. Ultimately, no one has to really make a significant sacrifice, and as a result it felt like their story was shortchanged. Several other books in this series have suffered from this same affliction, and it's always a disappointment. I realize that these books are purely fun entertainment, but I'd love to see the characters have to work a bit harder on themselves (this is a frequent complaint I have with Julie James' books, which I also very much enjoy).
Despite that I had so much fun with this book--and who wouldn't have fun with a novel featuring pirates, Navy SEALs, parachutes, heat seeking missiles, barn explosions, desert sex, MINI Cooper bomb defusing* and much, much more?--I also worry that this series may be headed in more of a 24-style direction. I am very sensitive about terrorism plot-lines (this one features an anthrax story that very much bothered me because I lived through the anthrax scare in D.C.), but I know Navy SEALS are hot in both fiction and non-fiction right now, and this story set up another Navy SEAL storyline for the future. I'd much rather see this series stick with the Delphi Center staff and read a book featuring my favorite surly slogan T-shirt-wearing hacker, Ben Lawson, than see this well-written, engaging series become yet another terrorism-fighting series.
Regardless of those concerns, like the other novels in this series, I do recommend Laura Griffin's Scorched--it's light mystery featuring a strong, capable and smart female lead done very, very well.
Scorched will be released tomorrow, October 30, 2012.
Note: While Scorched is the sixth book in the series, the Tracers books do not need to read in order.
{CEFS review of Twisted, book #5 in the Tracers series.}
*I drive a little "British Racing Green" MINI Cooper. And I can say without hesitation, that if I wanted to use a vehicle to cause mayhem, I would probably rent a van or something. The MINI Cooper, while adorable, is rather impractical for any sort of major endeavor--hell, you can't even block traffic with a MINI. Note: I have no intention of causing any mayhem with a vehicle, MINI Cooper or otherwise.
Disclosure: Received for review from the publisher via Edelweis.
{This review was originally published on Clear Eyes, Full Shelves.}
In Laura Griffin's Tracers series--like in the television series 24, which I enjoyed--practical considerations are unnecessary. In the Tracers world, domestic terrorists drive MINI Coopers, anthropologists defuse bombs and everyone is terribly attractive.
Scorched is the sixth book in the Tracers series, which follows employees of a top-notch private crime lab in Texas. The series has featured hackers, scientists, sketch artists, cops, criminal investigators, writers and FBI agents who all work to solve crimes while simultaneously finding true love.
Yes, Laura Griffin's Tracers books are as awesome as they sound.
Admittedly, this latest installment isn't my favorite because it marks a distinct departure from the previous novels which focused on local crime-solving and veers toward stopping a terrorist plot (in addition to solving a local crime--it's complicated). However, it still features Griffin's trademark fast-paced writing and capable, tough characters.
Scorched features forensic anthropologist Kelsey Quinn at the Delphi Center, where she focuses on identifying bodies. While on a dig in The Philippines, where she's investigating a mass grave, Kelsey discovers a body that's buried separately from the others, one that's had facial reconstruction and appears very out-of-place for a remote Asian island. Suspicious, she takes samples and sends them to her former fiance, Blake, who works for the FBI.
Upon her return to the United States, Blake asks Kelsey to come to his apartment because he has information about the evidence she collected oversees. Except when she gets to his apartment, Blake is murdered and Kelsey is a witness and on the run. And because she fled, she's also a suspect.
Kelsey suspects that law enforcement is involved in a larger conspiracy related to Blake's murder, and turns to her ex-boyfriend Gage, a Navy SEAL who worked for her uncle Joe. This is where I was a bit confused--I'd not realized that Griffin has published a novella featuring Kelsey and Gage, Unstoppable, and that provides much of these characters' backstory.
So, that’s Gage,” Derek said. “He’s about loyalty. Kelsey’s no longer his girlfriend, but she’s someone in his life and she’s Joe Quinn’s niece besides. If Gage believes she’s in danger, then his mission is to protect her. He will pursue that mission until she is safe or he is dead, because that’s who Gage is.
However, once I figured that out and kept my eyes out as to clues to their history (they had a relationship, but it was unworkable, due to their respective devotion to their careers and both moved on in different ways), I was back on track with Scorched. The two work together to unravel the conspiracy connecting Blake's death to the body Kelsey found oversees, which is also the catalyst for their getting back together.
Unlike in some of the previous novels in this series, the mystery and action is at the forefront of much of Scorched, which was a refreshing change of pace. It isn't until nearly halfway through the book that there's a shift toward the two characters getting back together, and even at that it only interferes with the action once. Naturally, Gage and Kelsey wind up running from psychotic killer FBI agents/possible terrorists in the Utah desert. Obviously, you know what that means: SEXYTIMES! Yes, there's desert sex in Scorched, but since Gage is a Navy SEAL, that's be be expected... I guess. (But thankfully, there is no instance of Magical Missing Condom Syndrome™.)
Regardless of desert lovin', this is an uneasy reunion at best. Nothing's changed with either of their commitments, so the barriers to their happiness seem actually realistic (which is really the case in most of Griffin's books--she puts real barriers in front of her characters, so while the books are pure entertainment, they're not simple Point A to Point B stories). In fact, I can imagine avid romance fans being frustrated that Scorched is as much an action-oriented thriller as it is a path to a happily-ever-after for the main characters.
Yet, Scorched's strength--the realistic barriers between the two main characters--is also its weakness. That's because the resolution comes far too simply and easily for such a major obstacle they need to overcome. Ultimately, no one has to really make a significant sacrifice, and as a result it felt like their story was shortchanged. Several other books in this series have suffered from this same affliction, and it's always a disappointment. I realize that these books are purely fun entertainment, but I'd love to see the characters have to work a bit harder on themselves (this is a frequent complaint I have with Julie James' books, which I also very much enjoy).
Despite that I had so much fun with this book--and who wouldn't have fun with a novel featuring pirates, Navy SEALs, parachutes, heat seeking missiles, barn explosions, desert sex, MINI Cooper bomb defusing* and much, much more?--I also worry that this series may be headed in more of a 24-style direction. I am very sensitive about terrorism plot-lines (this one features an anthrax story that very much bothered me because I lived through the anthrax scare in D.C.), but I know Navy SEALS are hot in both fiction and non-fiction right now, and this story set up another Navy SEAL storyline for the future. I'd much rather see this series stick with the Delphi Center staff and read a book featuring my favorite surly slogan T-shirt-wearing hacker, Ben Lawson, than see this well-written, engaging series become yet another terrorism-fighting series.
Regardless of those concerns, like the other novels in this series, I do recommend Laura Griffin's Scorched--it's light mystery featuring a strong, capable and smart female lead done very, very well.
Scorched will be released tomorrow, October 30, 2012.
Note: While Scorched is the sixth book in the series, the Tracers books do not need to read in order.
{CEFS review of Twisted, book #5 in the Tracers series.}
*I drive a little "British Racing Green" MINI Cooper. And I can say without hesitation, that if I wanted to use a vehicle to cause mayhem, I would probably rent a van or something. The MINI Cooper, while adorable, is rather impractical for any sort of major endeavor--hell, you can't even block traffic with a MINI. Note: I have no intention of causing any mayhem with a vehicle, MINI Cooper or otherwise.
Disclosure: Received for review from the publisher via Edelweis.
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