What do you think?
Rate this book
Her #2
Her Last Chance
(Marsh & Josie first appear in HER SANCTUARY. This is their story)
Eighteen years ago the Blade Hunter found his first victim on the streets of New York City.
As a child Josephine Maxwell was attacked and left for dead. She learned the hard way that life is a constant struggle for survival. She can’t waste time pining over a man she can’t have. Now the killer has returned, and the only person who can save her is the FBI agent she deceived and betrayed six months ago.
Now he’s back to finish the job.
Special Agent-in-Charge Marshall Hayes has made it his life’s work to fight on the side of law and order, even though it cost him the only woman he ever loved. The return of a serial killer gives him the excuse he needs to force his way back into her life. But in order to catch the killer and safeguard Josie's life, he has to break all the rules and risk losing his heart again.
Eighteen years ago the Blade Hunter found his first victim on the streets of New York City.
As a child Josephine Maxwell was attacked and left for dead. She learned the hard way that life is a constant struggle for survival. She can’t waste time pining over a man she can’t have. Now the killer has returned, and the only person who can save her is the FBI agent she deceived and betrayed six months ago.
Now he’s back to finish the job.
Special Agent-in-Charge Marshall Hayes has made it his life’s work to fight on the side of law and order, even though it cost him the only woman he ever loved. The return of a serial killer gives him the excuse he needs to force his way back into her life. But in order to catch the killer and safeguard Josie's life, he has to break all the rules and risk losing his heart again.
340 pages, ebook
First published December 16, 2013
383 people are currently reading
730 people want to read
About the author
Toni Anderson
88 books3,259 followersNext Release: COLD HEAT
Put it on your "To Read" shelf.
BUY LINKS:
Put it on your "To Read" shelf.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...
Toni Anderson® writes gritty, sexy, FBI Romantic Thrillers, and is a New York Times and a USA Today bestselling author. Her books have won the Daphne du Maurier Award for excellence in Mystery/Suspense, the Readers' Choice, Aspen Gold, Book Buyers' Best, Golden Quill, and National Excellence in Romance Fiction awards. She’s been a finalist in The Vivian Contest and the RITA Award from the Romance Writers of America, and also in the Romantic Novelists’ Association’s Jackie Collins Award for Romantic Thrillers.
Her books have been downloaded more than three million times.
Best known for her Cold Justice® books perhaps it’s not surprising to discover Toni lives in one of the most extreme climates on earth--Manitoba, Canada. Formerly a Marine Biologist, she still misses the ocean.
In January 2016, she visited FBI Headquarters in Washington DC, including a tour of the Strategic Information and Operations Center.
For more information about Toni:
Website: https://www.toniandersonauthor.com
Store: https://toniandersonshop.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tonianderson...
TikTok: tiktok.com/@toni_anderson_author
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/toni_anders...
Newsletter: https://www.toniandersonauthor.com/ne...
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...
Start reading Toni's award-winning, bestselling Cold Justice® series with A COLD DARK PLACE.
If you want to know when Toni's next book will be out, visit her website https://www.toniandersonauthor.com or sign up for her newsletter https://www.toniandersonauthor.com/ne...
Put it on your "To Read" shelf.
BUY LINKS:
Put it on your "To Read" shelf.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...
Toni Anderson® writes gritty, sexy, FBI Romantic Thrillers, and is a New York Times and a USA Today bestselling author. Her books have won the Daphne du Maurier Award for excellence in Mystery/Suspense, the Readers' Choice, Aspen Gold, Book Buyers' Best, Golden Quill, and National Excellence in Romance Fiction awards. She’s been a finalist in The Vivian Contest and the RITA Award from the Romance Writers of America, and also in the Romantic Novelists’ Association’s Jackie Collins Award for Romantic Thrillers.
Her books have been downloaded more than three million times.
Best known for her Cold Justice® books perhaps it’s not surprising to discover Toni lives in one of the most extreme climates on earth--Manitoba, Canada. Formerly a Marine Biologist, she still misses the ocean.
In January 2016, she visited FBI Headquarters in Washington DC, including a tour of the Strategic Information and Operations Center.
For more information about Toni:
Website: https://www.toniandersonauthor.com
Store: https://toniandersonshop.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tonianderson...
TikTok: tiktok.com/@toni_anderson_author
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/toni_anders...
Newsletter: https://www.toniandersonauthor.com/ne...
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...
Start reading Toni's award-winning, bestselling Cold Justice® series with A COLD DARK PLACE.
If you want to know when Toni's next book will be out, visit her website https://www.toniandersonauthor.com or sign up for her newsletter https://www.toniandersonauthor.com/ne...
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 104 reviews
August 4, 2020
3.25 stars
The book started out strong and I was happy. It was intense, just the way I like it.
Intense hero who worships the ground the heroine walks on and independent and commitment-phobic heroine. Yum.
Suddenly, around the middle, the story took a different turn. The mystery became ridiculous, the love story a tiresome push and pull, the heroine stubborn and very unlikeable, the hero a pathetic crybaby…
I’m not gonna lie, I finished it only because I had to know the killer’s identity. Sadly, it was a disappointing revelation, at least for me.
All in all, not a bad read, just not one of Anderson’s best.
The book started out strong and I was happy. It was intense, just the way I like it.
Intense hero who worships the ground the heroine walks on and independent and commitment-phobic heroine. Yum.
Suddenly, around the middle, the story took a different turn. The mystery became ridiculous, the love story a tiresome push and pull, the heroine stubborn and very unlikeable, the hero a pathetic crybaby…
I’m not gonna lie, I finished it only because I had to know the killer’s identity. Sadly, it was a disappointing revelation, at least for me.
All in all, not a bad read, just not one of Anderson’s best.
December 16, 2021
When tragedy strikes, you never really ever recover from it. Sure, you pick up the pieces and move on, but you are never really the same ever again. How it affects a person varies, but life is forever altered for everyone left behind. Our main characters have each been touched by tragedy, on one the scars are visible, on the other they are not. As the plot weaves and each character is forced to confront their brokenness, we can only watch as forces outside these two seek to destroy them and wonder why.
At the age of nine, Josephine Maxwell was the Blade Hunter's first known victim. That experience, along with her mother's disappearance and her father's abuse, has overshadowed her whole life. Now, eighteen years later, the Blade Hunter has returned and he intends to finish.
FBI Special Agent-in-Charge Marshall Hayes is one of the good guys. He met Josie six months ago and she captured his heart. When she is caught up in the Blade Hunter murders, Marsh will do whatever it takes to protect her, even break the rules he holds so dear.
At the age of nine, Josephine Maxwell was the Blade Hunter's first known victim. That experience, along with her mother's disappearance and her father's abuse, has overshadowed her whole life. Now, eighteen years later, the Blade Hunter has returned and he intends to finish.
FBI Special Agent-in-Charge Marshall Hayes is one of the good guys. He met Josie six months ago and she captured his heart. When she is caught up in the Blade Hunter murders, Marsh will do whatever it takes to protect her, even break the rules he holds so dear.
December 15, 2013
LOVED this book.. You know you meet secondary characters in a book and they are so powerful that they almost over take that book and leave you really wanting their story. The author gave us that with this book and it was everything I’d hoped it be and more.
We met Marsh and Josie in Her Sanctuary (which I recommend reading before this one) and were left with huge unfinished business between these two. Both characters are so fascinating that you’re just drawn to them.
Josie Maxwell is a woman that has been through things that would have broken most women. She survived being carved up by a killer known as the Blade Hunter when she was small child. During this time her mother also left her and her father emotionally abused her until she ended up with a foster mother who showed her more love than she’d ever known in her life. She’s a bit of a chameleon with her emotions and in what she allows others to see. Now the Blade Hunter is back and is promising to finish what he started 18 years ago.
Marshall Hayes is a fairly straight and narrow FBI agent even though in the previous book he took some liberties with the law to make sure the heroine in that book stayed alive. This made him cross paths with Josie who is her best friend and during one night that was a combination of betrayal and also something else he realizes that Josie is probably the woman for him but his devotion to his job that stems from a tragedy in his own life made it impossible to see a future with her.
When the Blade Hunter makes an attempt on Josie’s life Marsh no longer stands on the sidelines. He will do everything within his power to protect Josie even if she wants nothing to do with him.
This book consisted of two mysteries that are weaved through the story along with the romance between Marsh and Josie. The killer was written with such brutality and obvious sickness that you were on the edge of your seat wondering what he was going to do next and who this person was that had a 18 year reign of killing women. From the opening scene I was turning the pages totally entranced in the story. I’ve loved all this authors books but at this moment this has to be my favorite.
We met Marsh and Josie in Her Sanctuary (which I recommend reading before this one) and were left with huge unfinished business between these two. Both characters are so fascinating that you’re just drawn to them.
Josie Maxwell is a woman that has been through things that would have broken most women. She survived being carved up by a killer known as the Blade Hunter when she was small child. During this time her mother also left her and her father emotionally abused her until she ended up with a foster mother who showed her more love than she’d ever known in her life. She’s a bit of a chameleon with her emotions and in what she allows others to see. Now the Blade Hunter is back and is promising to finish what he started 18 years ago.
Marshall Hayes is a fairly straight and narrow FBI agent even though in the previous book he took some liberties with the law to make sure the heroine in that book stayed alive. This made him cross paths with Josie who is her best friend and during one night that was a combination of betrayal and also something else he realizes that Josie is probably the woman for him but his devotion to his job that stems from a tragedy in his own life made it impossible to see a future with her.
When the Blade Hunter makes an attempt on Josie’s life Marsh no longer stands on the sidelines. He will do everything within his power to protect Josie even if she wants nothing to do with him.
This book consisted of two mysteries that are weaved through the story along with the romance between Marsh and Josie. The killer was written with such brutality and obvious sickness that you were on the edge of your seat wondering what he was going to do next and who this person was that had a 18 year reign of killing women. From the opening scene I was turning the pages totally entranced in the story. I’ve loved all this authors books but at this moment this has to be my favorite.
February 7, 2015
I will come back to this book and possibly change my rating but I simply cannot continue reading it at the moment. Dear Ms Anderson, you are a gifted writer who can write interesting plots and super male characters, but your heroines leave much to be desired. In this one she is as stupid as they come.
Is it that impossible to write a female character who can claim her independence without behaving like a creature totally lacking common (or uncommon even) sense? Why are your heroines so incapable of sensing, understanding and realising the absolutely bleeding OBVIOUS? Why do they think they can face alone cunning serial killers with a long history in plotting their crimes and murdering their victims? Why do your heroines think anger or being 'pissed off' is a good guide (and some sort of qualification) to face such cold, calculating, organized murderers? Freedom, individuality, etc. are not enemies of judgment, wisdom and sense. On the contrary, they absolutely require them. Please stop writing these idiotic women, and please stop thinking that any man, let alone the interesting men that you write, could ever feel anything other than titanic irritation in every encounter with the dunces your heroines are. Over and out.
Is it that impossible to write a female character who can claim her independence without behaving like a creature totally lacking common (or uncommon even) sense? Why are your heroines so incapable of sensing, understanding and realising the absolutely bleeding OBVIOUS? Why do they think they can face alone cunning serial killers with a long history in plotting their crimes and murdering their victims? Why do your heroines think anger or being 'pissed off' is a good guide (and some sort of qualification) to face such cold, calculating, organized murderers? Freedom, individuality, etc. are not enemies of judgment, wisdom and sense. On the contrary, they absolutely require them. Please stop writing these idiotic women, and please stop thinking that any man, let alone the interesting men that you write, could ever feel anything other than titanic irritation in every encounter with the dunces your heroines are. Over and out.
January 7, 2016
The second book in the Her series by Toni Anderson. Josephine Maxwell is attacked, possibly by the same man who attacked her when she was 9 years old. When Special Agent-in-Charge Marshall Hayes hears about it he rushes to the scene. He works in the Forgeries and Fine Arts Division of the FBI, but he met her months before while working another case. It was there that he found he had an attraction to the young blonde. So now there is a serial killer loose and it looks like he may be looking to finish what he started so many years ago.
First, I must say, I wasn't overly fond of Josephine/Josie. Not at first anyway. She had major trust issues that grated on my nerves. Marsh was a pretty good guy, ready to step up to the plate even though he had quite a load on his plate already. The story itself was fast paced and entertaining. The mystery was a surprise to me.
This book could be read as a stand-alone but both main characters were introduced in Her Sanctuary and some readers may prefer to read that first. I liked it and would recommend it to Romantic Suspense fans.
First, I must say, I wasn't overly fond of Josephine/Josie. Not at first anyway. She had major trust issues that grated on my nerves. Marsh was a pretty good guy, ready to step up to the plate even though he had quite a load on his plate already. The story itself was fast paced and entertaining. The mystery was a surprise to me.
This book could be read as a stand-alone but both main characters were introduced in Her Sanctuary and some readers may prefer to read that first. I liked it and would recommend it to Romantic Suspense fans.
February 21, 2023
Through out this one there was a lot of drama between Josephine and Marshall, both of them still reeling from their last encounter and wanting more. Their drama set while a serial killer was stalking Josephine and women like her. Turns out there was a very good reason why she was the target, her history coming into play. A couple good things came out of this, one being Josephine making a change in her life to be with Marshall and the other to put a hard part of her past to rest.
March 6, 2017
This was my favorite storyline of this author and it kept me intrigued from beginning to end. Everything matched up perfectly and I was pleased with who the villain turned out to be. This one seemed to have a few twists that I wasn't expecting but completely appreciated for throwing in to make it more interesting. The mystery of who was doing the killing was done well and I never expected it to be who it was. To be honest, I didn't really speculate much on who it was anyway because too much other stuff was going on and I was more focused on Marsh and Josie making some progress than who the killer was this time around.
I liked how we got to see how Marsh accepted his feelings for her in the beginning. He threw himself into her path which I didn't mind because he was fighting for her and wanted to protect her. I understood why Josie tried to push him away in the beginning and so did Marsh so I don't hold that against her. It was what she knew it was how she dealt with people getting close to her. She never hid who she was and I loved that about her. She didn't hold back and didn't pretend with anyone. She could hold her own and fought fire with fire. Her and Marsh we're completely different but they worked together so well and I enjoyed seeing him breaking down her barriers slowly and creeping into her heart. He knew how he felt from the beginning and once he got the biggest scare of his life he went after her and didn't let anything including her stand in his way of what he wanted. She on the other hand took a while to come around and understandingly so but the payoff was worth it. I liked seeing them in those moments where nothing else mattered but each other.
Josie took responsibility for something that was NOT her fault. She believed that she led Andrew to Eliza in the last book and it was her fault she was almost killed. The book also says that Nat wasn't very welcoming to her and she herself says that the only one nice to her was Steven Dancer while everyone blamed her for bringing Andrew to Eliza. That's not right and they had no right in putting that on her. Eliza was the one who got herself mixed up in that situation. Eliza brought that danger upon herself and her friend who had nothing to do with it. Josie could have been killed because of Eliza involving her if Marsh hadn't started looking for her. Her father although a piece of crap and Marion who she loved were killed because of Eliza. None of that was her fault. Eliza was responsible for what happened to her, for getting Josie almost killed, and having the woman she loved taken from her yet not once does she ever hold a grudge against her best friend.
I didn't like how Marsh changed after the situation with Dancer happened. He felt like a different person. It contradicted his personality, his feelings up to that point, everything he'd done to protect her. It ruined my image of him and I didn't like the Marsh who left Boston. He was not the same man to me and his treatment of Josie made me resent him in the end. His little stunt with the detective I didn't appreciate regardless of the fact that it was a setup. It left a bad taste in my mouth and he brushed it off as nothing when she found out. If she had done something like that it would have pissed him off. The fact that it was barely even addressed and just ended there, I didn't agree with. She deserved more than just him distracting her. I'm not a fan of the guy checking out other girls, that's just me and I can't change it. I most certainly can't deal with his idea of setting a trap for a killer because Josie seeing that picture was bound to happen and if she hadn't been hurt she wouldn't have let him get away with that crap the way that he did. He got off easy and I can't stand how he dealt with Dancer's situation and the lengths he went to to catch a killer.
Another thing I didn't like was Vince telling Josie she had to tell Marsh how she felt about him. It's one thing if you encourage someone but telling them just tell him you love him already especially with how he defended Marsh's cold shoulder treatment didn't sit with me too well. Because of that, even with the awesome storyline I don't want to read it again. To see him start off as one person who I loved in the beginning to the middle of the book only for him to change into someone I don't recognize or respect because he blames himself and partially blames her for Dancer's gullible idiocy and screwup, I can't do it again and I won't. I don't like the direction the book went, after their trip to his parent's house and I just can't get over it. I hated it.
I liked how we got to see how Marsh accepted his feelings for her in the beginning. He threw himself into her path which I didn't mind because he was fighting for her and wanted to protect her. I understood why Josie tried to push him away in the beginning and so did Marsh so I don't hold that against her. It was what she knew it was how she dealt with people getting close to her. She never hid who she was and I loved that about her. She didn't hold back and didn't pretend with anyone. She could hold her own and fought fire with fire. Her and Marsh we're completely different but they worked together so well and I enjoyed seeing him breaking down her barriers slowly and creeping into her heart. He knew how he felt from the beginning and once he got the biggest scare of his life he went after her and didn't let anything including her stand in his way of what he wanted. She on the other hand took a while to come around and understandingly so but the payoff was worth it. I liked seeing them in those moments where nothing else mattered but each other.
Josie took responsibility for something that was NOT her fault. She believed that she led Andrew to Eliza in the last book and it was her fault she was almost killed. The book also says that Nat wasn't very welcoming to her and she herself says that the only one nice to her was Steven Dancer while everyone blamed her for bringing Andrew to Eliza. That's not right and they had no right in putting that on her. Eliza was the one who got herself mixed up in that situation. Eliza brought that danger upon herself and her friend who had nothing to do with it. Josie could have been killed because of Eliza involving her if Marsh hadn't started looking for her. Her father although a piece of crap and Marion who she loved were killed because of Eliza. None of that was her fault. Eliza was responsible for what happened to her, for getting Josie almost killed, and having the woman she loved taken from her yet not once does she ever hold a grudge against her best friend.
I didn't like how Marsh changed after the situation with Dancer happened. He felt like a different person. It contradicted his personality, his feelings up to that point, everything he'd done to protect her. It ruined my image of him and I didn't like the Marsh who left Boston. He was not the same man to me and his treatment of Josie made me resent him in the end. His little stunt with the detective I didn't appreciate regardless of the fact that it was a setup. It left a bad taste in my mouth and he brushed it off as nothing when she found out. If she had done something like that it would have pissed him off. The fact that it was barely even addressed and just ended there, I didn't agree with. She deserved more than just him distracting her. I'm not a fan of the guy checking out other girls, that's just me and I can't change it. I most certainly can't deal with his idea of setting a trap for a killer because Josie seeing that picture was bound to happen and if she hadn't been hurt she wouldn't have let him get away with that crap the way that he did. He got off easy and I can't stand how he dealt with Dancer's situation and the lengths he went to to catch a killer.
Another thing I didn't like was Vince telling Josie she had to tell Marsh how she felt about him. It's one thing if you encourage someone but telling them just tell him you love him already especially with how he defended Marsh's cold shoulder treatment didn't sit with me too well. Because of that, even with the awesome storyline I don't want to read it again. To see him start off as one person who I loved in the beginning to the middle of the book only for him to change into someone I don't recognize or respect because he blames himself and partially blames her for Dancer's gullible idiocy and screwup, I can't do it again and I won't. I don't like the direction the book went, after their trip to his parent's house and I just can't get over it. I hated it.
February 5, 2017
Better than the first..
The first reviewer on Amazon said, “Heroine is VERY unlikeable.” So, Josie was sliced all to hell by a serial killer when she was 9, then her mother disappeared at the same time, and was left with an alcoholic father, later in life she was chased by a deranged mob boss, and after that she had to cope with the guy who cut her up to begin with coming back after her. So, yeah, Josie was a little sarcastic and hateful and mean sometimes. I found it totally understandable for her to be that way. After all she went through I wouldn’t expect her to be Little Miss Sunshine.
I really liked the story about Josie and FBI agent Marsh in the first book so I was anxious to read this one. It was better than Her Sanctuary. Marsh was a fantastic hero; he cared deeply for Josie and would do anything to protect her.
The other players were great, too: Dancer, his BFF and another FBI agent. Vince a giant of a Navy Seal that Marsh hired to look after Josie when he couldn’t. Sam Walker, another FBI agent. Jacob and Beatrice, Marsh’s parents. And Brook and Pru, what a serious mess those two were. They were written perfectly.
There was a whole lot of murdering going on in this story but not too descriptive.
And there was explicit sex and the F-bomb was released 36 times.
As to the narration: Eric Dove is one of the best narrators out there. His voices and emotions are just awesome.
The first reviewer on Amazon said, “Heroine is VERY unlikeable.” So, Josie was sliced all to hell by a serial killer when she was 9, then her mother disappeared at the same time, and was left with an alcoholic father, later in life she was chased by a deranged mob boss, and after that she had to cope with the guy who cut her up to begin with coming back after her. So, yeah, Josie was a little sarcastic and hateful and mean sometimes. I found it totally understandable for her to be that way. After all she went through I wouldn’t expect her to be Little Miss Sunshine.
I really liked the story about Josie and FBI agent Marsh in the first book so I was anxious to read this one. It was better than Her Sanctuary. Marsh was a fantastic hero; he cared deeply for Josie and would do anything to protect her.
The other players were great, too: Dancer, his BFF and another FBI agent. Vince a giant of a Navy Seal that Marsh hired to look after Josie when he couldn’t. Sam Walker, another FBI agent. Jacob and Beatrice, Marsh’s parents. And Brook and Pru, what a serious mess those two were. They were written perfectly.
There was a whole lot of murdering going on in this story but not too descriptive.
And there was explicit sex and the F-bomb was released 36 times.
As to the narration: Eric Dove is one of the best narrators out there. His voices and emotions are just awesome.
December 22, 2015
Two-haiku review:
She is in danger
He's FBI, protects her
Can she ever love?
Serial killer
I didn't love characters
But great mystery
She is in danger
He's FBI, protects her
Can she ever love?
Serial killer
I didn't love characters
But great mystery
March 28, 2022
possibly my least favorite book by this author...
2.5🌟
2.5🌟
March 21, 2017
Eighteen years ago, at nine years old Josie Maxwell was the first victim of a man who became the serial killer now known as the Blade Hunter. Josie, unlike later victims, survived, but this wasn't the only event in her life that taught her it's a struggle for survival.
Six months ago, Josie nearly died at the hands of another killer, and drugged and betrayed FBI Special Agent in Charge Marshall Hayes to protect the hiding place of her friend.
Now the Blade Hunter is back, and he's found Josie again. This time, he's determined to finish the job he started eighteen years ago. The only person who's going to put the pieces together fast enough is Marshall Hayes, the man she betrayed.
I like the fact that both Josie and Marsh are portrayed as strong, smart, and determined. They each have real weaknesses and make real screw-ups. They each find vital pieces of the puzzle.
And they each struggle with some painful personal history and complicated personal relationships.
It's a good, fast-paced story that doesn't treat either the reader (or listener) or any of the characters like idiots.
Recommended.
I may have received this as a review copy. I'm reviewing it voluntarily.
Six months ago, Josie nearly died at the hands of another killer, and drugged and betrayed FBI Special Agent in Charge Marshall Hayes to protect the hiding place of her friend.
Now the Blade Hunter is back, and he's found Josie again. This time, he's determined to finish the job he started eighteen years ago. The only person who's going to put the pieces together fast enough is Marshall Hayes, the man she betrayed.
I like the fact that both Josie and Marsh are portrayed as strong, smart, and determined. They each have real weaknesses and make real screw-ups. They each find vital pieces of the puzzle.
And they each struggle with some painful personal history and complicated personal relationships.
It's a good, fast-paced story that doesn't treat either the reader (or listener) or any of the characters like idiots.
Recommended.
I may have received this as a review copy. I'm reviewing it voluntarily.
not-for-me
February 6, 2017Not judging the book, didn't read it, but saw something that wasn't for me. https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Already know I can't read the first one tho.
Already know I can't read the first one tho.
October 9, 2017
I very much disliked the Hero. He was a strictly controlling judgemental arse. Everything was to be done by the mighty FBI's law and order. And he liked to pull rank any chance he got. Can't stand him.
I flipped through towards the ending, I didn't really care who the bad guy was. I just wanted to get done.
I flipped through towards the ending, I didn't really care who the bad guy was. I just wanted to get done.
June 30, 2022
4.5 stars. Well written suspense with a slow burn romance, featuring a serial killer unsub and a FBI hero. This is a second chance for the H/h who met briefly in the previous book, but parted ways. So a good idea to read that one first, for a more in-depth back story as to how they met, although this book completely stands alone re the story. I really enjoyed it. It is a little dark in places, as murder is described. 😀
July 14, 2018
So good!
This was a great book with awesome characters and thick plot lines. I adore Toni's books. I especially enjoyed watching Marsh and Josephine reunite after the end of last book and move forward. The killer and the way he has followed Josie since childhood was interesting. Bravo Toni I know it is an old book but it is really great! Davia
This was a great book with awesome characters and thick plot lines. I adore Toni's books. I especially enjoyed watching Marsh and Josephine reunite after the end of last book and move forward. The killer and the way he has followed Josie since childhood was interesting. Bravo Toni I know it is an old book but it is really great! Davia
March 18, 2019
3.5 stars
I echo what Much Ado and Jessica said in their reviews.
You really need to read book one of the series if you want the actual details of Marsh and Josie's 1st time. It is referenced in this book but no flashback occurs.
Contains triggers (abuse, assault, drugging, violence etc.) and may be uncomfortable for Christians because of repeated use of the Lord's name as an expletive/criticism of the Catholic characters mentioned. (Keep in mind one of the judgemental people is a freakin serial killer though. 😵)
I echo what Much Ado and Jessica said in their reviews.
You really need to read book one of the series if you want the actual details of Marsh and Josie's 1st time. It is referenced in this book but no flashback occurs.
Contains triggers (abuse, assault, drugging, violence etc.) and may be uncomfortable for Christians because of repeated use of the Lord's name as an expletive/criticism of the Catholic characters mentioned. (Keep in mind one of the judgemental people is a freakin serial killer though. 😵)
March 25, 2018
I've read the first book in this series some time ago, enjoyed it and got attached to Josie. So I really wanted to read her story. But unfortunately I didn't enjoy this book as much as the previous one.
I liked Josie in the first book. She has temperament, knows what she wants and does not wait for someone to save her. However, in this book she annoyed me. She is so terribly stubborn and convinced that she will manage herself that she exposes herself and others to danger. Her behaviors are irrational and irritating. I do not know where the heroine that I liked so much in the previous book. Marsh saves the situation a bit, I like him more than Josie. Marsh is an interesting and complicated hero, still I feel a slight shortage when it comes to his character and its development. And probably here lies the problem of the whole book, it is full of emotions, very different and contradictory. They all scroll one after another without any greater consistency or plan. From one extreme emotion to another. From passion to frigidity through remorse and anger, and again into passion. There is no consistency in this all, just drama.
A criminal case related to a serial killer operating for years is perhaps more interesting than the romance itself. The plot keeps you guessing and is full of twists and turns and action. You can definitely feel the thrill and the atmosphere of the threat. The identity of the killer is not obvious and I generally like the whole idea as unobvious as it is.
The book is quite short, which is why some of the threads have been treated in a cursory way and not given as much attention as possible. I miss a bit of the lightness of the pen that was present in the first book that was somehow easier to read. This is still a good story, especially if we focus on the crime part. However, I'm missing something. But I will certainly read the next books in this series.
I liked Josie in the first book. She has temperament, knows what she wants and does not wait for someone to save her. However, in this book she annoyed me. She is so terribly stubborn and convinced that she will manage herself that she exposes herself and others to danger. Her behaviors are irrational and irritating. I do not know where the heroine that I liked so much in the previous book. Marsh saves the situation a bit, I like him more than Josie. Marsh is an interesting and complicated hero, still I feel a slight shortage when it comes to his character and its development. And probably here lies the problem of the whole book, it is full of emotions, very different and contradictory. They all scroll one after another without any greater consistency or plan. From one extreme emotion to another. From passion to frigidity through remorse and anger, and again into passion. There is no consistency in this all, just drama.
A criminal case related to a serial killer operating for years is perhaps more interesting than the romance itself. The plot keeps you guessing and is full of twists and turns and action. You can definitely feel the thrill and the atmosphere of the threat. The identity of the killer is not obvious and I generally like the whole idea as unobvious as it is.
The book is quite short, which is why some of the threads have been treated in a cursory way and not given as much attention as possible. I miss a bit of the lightness of the pen that was present in the first book that was somehow easier to read. This is still a good story, especially if we focus on the crime part. However, I'm missing something. But I will certainly read the next books in this series.
May 30, 2018
As the second edition of Toni Anderson's Her Series, I think I loved this one more than the first. Granted, you do need to read the first one to understand how Marsh and Josie first met but Josie is a little spitfire and I loved that.
I love that while Toni Anderson's novels follow the typical girl/boy meet, girl needs saving by boy, then girl and boy fall in love, none of the females in her novels are "damsels in distress". They're all strong women that are capable of taking care of themselves - and most of them are taking care of themselves before some madman shows up trying to kill them for whatever reason.
I've noticed something interesting though - which doesn't limit itself to Toni Anderson novels - the killers always get caught because they want to delay the murder of their victim. The women always end up caught by the killer near the end of the novel yet, they're saved because the killer wants to talk about why they're doing what they're doing and how they have control and dominance. I guess it's an ego thing for those crazy people. But if I ever find myself in a situation like Josie (and I pray to God that I don't), I'll try to stroke his ego and keep him talking - and hope that there's a hot FBI agent coming to save me.
I love that while Toni Anderson's novels follow the typical girl/boy meet, girl needs saving by boy, then girl and boy fall in love, none of the females in her novels are "damsels in distress". They're all strong women that are capable of taking care of themselves - and most of them are taking care of themselves before some madman shows up trying to kill them for whatever reason.
I've noticed something interesting though - which doesn't limit itself to Toni Anderson novels - the killers always get caught because they want to delay the murder of their victim. The women always end up caught by the killer near the end of the novel yet, they're saved because the killer wants to talk about why they're doing what they're doing and how they have control and dominance. I guess it's an ego thing for those crazy people. But if I ever find myself in a situation like Josie (and I pray to God that I don't), I'll try to stroke his ego and keep him talking - and hope that there's a hot FBI agent coming to save me.
May 13, 2017
Her Series Book Two
Josephine Maxwell didn't know that her childhood attacker had become a serial killer until she is attacked again. When Marshall Hayes tells her the FBI needs her help in tracking down the Blade Hunter, she is reluctant to reveal all of her secrets. However, she wants the monster off the streets as much as they do. She agrees to tell him what she knows, but he already has some idea since he has seen her scars. Being assigned a bodyguard and dragged around by Marsh is not what Josie had in mind. Marsh seems to have some connection to the killer, though, and he will not allow Josie to be hurt.
Audio Review:
Eric G. Dove is a narrator I could listen to forever. He has a balance between storytelling and acting that allows the reader to get immersed in the story.
If you're looking for a suspenseful romance with a heroine willing to let the hero help her, to a point, this is the book for you!
*I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Josephine Maxwell didn't know that her childhood attacker had become a serial killer until she is attacked again. When Marshall Hayes tells her the FBI needs her help in tracking down the Blade Hunter, she is reluctant to reveal all of her secrets. However, she wants the monster off the streets as much as they do. She agrees to tell him what she knows, but he already has some idea since he has seen her scars. Being assigned a bodyguard and dragged around by Marsh is not what Josie had in mind. Marsh seems to have some connection to the killer, though, and he will not allow Josie to be hurt.
Audio Review:
Eric G. Dove is a narrator I could listen to forever. He has a balance between storytelling and acting that allows the reader to get immersed in the story.
If you're looking for a suspenseful romance with a heroine willing to let the hero help her, to a point, this is the book for you!
*I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
October 17, 2018
I'm big fan of Toni Anderson but this book just didn't work for me as well as her books usually do. I liked the murder/mystery plot quite a lot but the romance just didn't work. My biggest problem was that I didn't like Josephine. I liked her in the first book but not in this one. She was too stubborn, irrational and prickly IMO. I like independent woman but there is a difference between independent and stubborn and stupid and Josephine was the second. I liked the hero a bit more but I felt like we didn't get enough of his development and so the whole romance just fizzled for me. There was a ton of relationship drama in this book but I wasn't really rooting for them as a couple. I did however think the mystery aspect were very well written and the villain hard to figure out so that saved this book.
April 25, 2024
At 66% I was going to throw in the towel and probably should have. I love a good romance novel however this nonsense of back and forth on feelings is ridiculous. And the drama, not just on the female part but the male as well.
This book was not very long however the romance part made it definitely drag. And what's with authors having intelligent characters do the stupidest things. Dancer going to lunch with a suspect, drinking wine while on duty and then leaving the restaurant to another location so they can talk. This guy is supposedly the brightest guy working for the FBI. I'd hate to meet the dumbest.
All of this is unfortunate because the storyline was pretty good.
I plan on reading the third book in this series and then I'll decide if I want to read any more of this author.
This book was not very long however the romance part made it definitely drag. And what's with authors having intelligent characters do the stupidest things. Dancer going to lunch with a suspect, drinking wine while on duty and then leaving the restaurant to another location so they can talk. This guy is supposedly the brightest guy working for the FBI. I'd hate to meet the dumbest.
All of this is unfortunate because the storyline was pretty good.
I plan on reading the third book in this series and then I'll decide if I want to read any more of this author.
June 7, 2017
Murder, art theft and love
This is book 2 in the "Her" series. We met Marsh and Josie in book one. Several months have passed and Marsh is denying any feelings he has for Josie. This book starts with a murder that leaves the victim with knife wounds left in a pattern. Remembering his night with Josie and the scars that she has, one and one is now two.
The police and FBI are chasing a serial killer. Marsh, an FBI agent is chasing a stolen piece of art. The two are somehow tied together. Marsh and Josie are falling deeper for each other and of course fighting it as well.
There is a ton of action in this story. Because I read it in two days I am positive I missed some of the detail. It is a rollercoaster of a great ride/read. While I missed Eliza from the first book, we actually didn't need her because this story line never dragged.
Enjoy - I did.
This is book 2 in the "Her" series. We met Marsh and Josie in book one. Several months have passed and Marsh is denying any feelings he has for Josie. This book starts with a murder that leaves the victim with knife wounds left in a pattern. Remembering his night with Josie and the scars that she has, one and one is now two.
The police and FBI are chasing a serial killer. Marsh, an FBI agent is chasing a stolen piece of art. The two are somehow tied together. Marsh and Josie are falling deeper for each other and of course fighting it as well.
There is a ton of action in this story. Because I read it in two days I am positive I missed some of the detail. It is a rollercoaster of a great ride/read. While I missed Eliza from the first book, we actually didn't need her because this story line never dragged.
Enjoy - I did.
October 12, 2022
I didn’t see that
Marsh and Josie had an interesting meeting in book one and now they are back and dancing around their emotions and attractions while a serial killer is hunting Josie. Both are fascinating characters with rich personalities and colorful backgrounds. Their attitudes toward love and each other were intriguing and fun to watch evolve over the course of the story. Dancer is still a favorite and his storyline hurt my heart in this book, but still holding out for him to have a HEA one day. Marsh’s parents were not expected, in a good way, and the relationships or connections that Marsh had added an intriguing element to the story. A thoroughly unexpected ending which was great and a sweet moment that ended the story with laughter. Great read and book set!
Marsh and Josie had an interesting meeting in book one and now they are back and dancing around their emotions and attractions while a serial killer is hunting Josie. Both are fascinating characters with rich personalities and colorful backgrounds. Their attitudes toward love and each other were intriguing and fun to watch evolve over the course of the story. Dancer is still a favorite and his storyline hurt my heart in this book, but still holding out for him to have a HEA one day. Marsh’s parents were not expected, in a good way, and the relationships or connections that Marsh had added an intriguing element to the story. A thoroughly unexpected ending which was great and a sweet moment that ended the story with laughter. Great read and book set!
January 19, 2023
The beginning of this book started out with A bang. It was intense, full of suspense, establishing the mystery. If you read the first book, Josie's ordeal was only a hint provided by the author.
The characters were well developed, not necessarily likable. The evil emanating from the killer was almost tangible. The suspense in the chapters at the end of the book left me holding my breath and cringing.
Josie's personality was abrasive. Marsh's personality was abrasive. TBH, the only characters I liked were Dancer and Vince. I felt the middle of the book slowed down and was somewhat irritating as Marsh and Josie did the back and forth dance with their relationship.
This was still a good read. The narration was well done. The end of the book was awesome.
The characters were well developed, not necessarily likable. The evil emanating from the killer was almost tangible. The suspense in the chapters at the end of the book left me holding my breath and cringing.
Josie's personality was abrasive. Marsh's personality was abrasive. TBH, the only characters I liked were Dancer and Vince. I felt the middle of the book slowed down and was somewhat irritating as Marsh and Josie did the back and forth dance with their relationship.
This was still a good read. The narration was well done. The end of the book was awesome.
January 27, 2022
Another audible book! I love a good romantic suspense.
We met both Marsh and Josie in book #1. I was excited for their love story, but damn if they both aren’t the most stubborn people alive. They both really really needed therapy.
You wanted to shake both of them. They were both obviously in love with the other but didn’t want to admit it because they thought love made them weak.
There was also a lot going on. I feel like there was a lot going on with the two separate cases and how they end up being tied up together.
Overall, this wasn’t as good as Elizabeth and Nat’s story, but I am excited for the novella!
3/5
We met both Marsh and Josie in book #1. I was excited for their love story, but damn if they both aren’t the most stubborn people alive. They both really really needed therapy.
You wanted to shake both of them. They were both obviously in love with the other but didn’t want to admit it because they thought love made them weak.
There was also a lot going on. I feel like there was a lot going on with the two separate cases and how they end up being tied up together.
Overall, this wasn’t as good as Elizabeth and Nat’s story, but I am excited for the novella!
3/5
March 10, 2022
HER LAST CHANCE is filled with intense drama, conflict, intrigue, and suspense. There are elements of violence and passion that will have your heart racing and keep you on the edge of your seat. The mystery surrounding the killer is revealed bit by bit throughout the story and each revelation will most likely surprise you. The relationship between Josie and Marshall is complex and full of twists and turns. As their connection deepens so does the threat to Josie’s safety and Marshall’s intent to keep her safe at all costs. This is a compelling and powerful tale that is sure to draw you in from the very beginning and keep you enthralled until the very thrilling end.
April 13, 2018
I LOVE this series. Toni Anderson knows how to tell a story! Saw some of the reviews on the characters weren't that great. I totally disagree. They fit perfectly. Their personalities fit them just as perfectly. Take into account where they have come from and their past curcimstances. I loved this whole storyline. One or two things did not add up completely, but the overall plot was gripping and filled with romance and suspense.
NOW... what I would like to read is the life and times of Mr. Steve Dancer.. This character needs a story of his own....
NOW... what I would like to read is the life and times of Mr. Steve Dancer.. This character needs a story of his own....
April 6, 2018
Cut out 100+ pages!
Sometimes you struggle to like the female character in a book and this was one of them. I felt like I was never really sold on why Marsh fell in love with Josie. She was so difficult, so contrary, made protecting her a chore. Yea, she had a really tough childhood but this guy is trying to save her life and she’s walking away from him and giving him a really hard time. Glad it’s over.
Sometimes you struggle to like the female character in a book and this was one of them. I felt like I was never really sold on why Marsh fell in love with Josie. She was so difficult, so contrary, made protecting her a chore. Yea, she had a really tough childhood but this guy is trying to save her life and she’s walking away from him and giving him a really hard time. Glad it’s over.
August 26, 2017
Love this author and this series!
I have really enjoyed the books I have read by this author and liked the books in this series. The story was well plotted and very well paced. It kept me interested and guessing about the end. Think it helped that I read the first two books in the series back to back.
I have really enjoyed the books I have read by this author and liked the books in this series. The story was well plotted and very well paced. It kept me interested and guessing about the end. Think it helped that I read the first two books in the series back to back.
August 28, 2017
A Nailbiter
I had just finished Her Sanctuary and started this book. Either book can be read alone. After reading a couple of pages of Her Last Chance, I realized I had read it several years ago. I hate reading books a second time but I didn't hesitate re-reading this. A very good book. I recommend it highly.
I had just finished Her Sanctuary and started this book. Either book can be read alone. After reading a couple of pages of Her Last Chance, I realized I had read it several years ago. I hate reading books a second time but I didn't hesitate re-reading this. A very good book. I recommend it highly.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 104 reviews