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The Last Stand #1
Trust Me
Four years ago...
Skye Kellerman was attacked in her own bed. She managed to fend off her knife-wielding assailant, but the trauma changed everything about her life. As a result of that night, she joined two friends--also survivors--in starting The Last Stand, an organization to help victims of crime.
But now...
Her would-be rapist is getting out of prison. Skye knows that Dr. Oliver Burke hasn't forgotten that her testimony cost him his reputation--and his freedom.
Sacramento detective David Willis, who investigated her case, believes Burke is a clear and present danger--and guilty of at least two unsolved murders.
And now Burke is free to terrorize Skye again. Unless David can stop him. Unless Skye can fight back. Because Oliver Burke has every intention of finishing what he started. And that's a promise.
Trust me.
Skye Kellerman was attacked in her own bed. She managed to fend off her knife-wielding assailant, but the trauma changed everything about her life. As a result of that night, she joined two friends--also survivors--in starting The Last Stand, an organization to help victims of crime.
But now...
Her would-be rapist is getting out of prison. Skye knows that Dr. Oliver Burke hasn't forgotten that her testimony cost him his reputation--and his freedom.
Sacramento detective David Willis, who investigated her case, believes Burke is a clear and present danger--and guilty of at least two unsolved murders.
And now Burke is free to terrorize Skye again. Unless David can stop him. Unless Skye can fight back. Because Oliver Burke has every intention of finishing what he started. And that's a promise.
Trust me.
435 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published May 27, 2008
555 people are currently reading
4773 people want to read
About the author
Brenda Novak
238 books6,961 followersIt was a shocking experience that jump-started Brenda Novak’s bestselling author career.
“I caught my day-care provider drugging my children with cough syrup and Tylenol to get them to sleep while I was away,” Brenda says. “It was then that I decided that I needed to do something from home.”
However, writing was the last profession she expected to undertake. In fact, Brenda swears she didn’t have a creative bone in her body. In school, math and science were her best subjects, and when it came time to pick a major in college, she chose business.
Abandoning her academic scholarship to Brigham Young University at the age of 20 in order to get married and start a family, Brenda dabbled in commercial real estate, then became a loan officer.
“When I first got the idea to become a novelist, it took me five years to teach myself the craft and finish my first book,” Brenda admits. “I learned how to write by reading what others have written. The best advice for any would-be author: read, read, read….”
Brenda sold her first book, and the rest is history. Now a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, she continues to publish two or three novels a year, in a variety of genres.
Brenda and her husband, Ted, live in Sacramento and are the proud parents of five children—three girls and two boys. Now that they are empty-nesters, she spends her free time babysitting her two grandchildren.
When she’s not with her family or writing, Brenda is usually raising money for diabetes research. To date, she's raised almost $2.6 million. Her youngest son, Thad, has diabetes, and Brenda is determined to help him and others like him. She also enjoys traveling, watching sporting events and biking--she rides an amazing 20 miles every day!
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Author-...
“I caught my day-care provider drugging my children with cough syrup and Tylenol to get them to sleep while I was away,” Brenda says. “It was then that I decided that I needed to do something from home.”
However, writing was the last profession she expected to undertake. In fact, Brenda swears she didn’t have a creative bone in her body. In school, math and science were her best subjects, and when it came time to pick a major in college, she chose business.
Abandoning her academic scholarship to Brigham Young University at the age of 20 in order to get married and start a family, Brenda dabbled in commercial real estate, then became a loan officer.
“When I first got the idea to become a novelist, it took me five years to teach myself the craft and finish my first book,” Brenda admits. “I learned how to write by reading what others have written. The best advice for any would-be author: read, read, read….”
Brenda sold her first book, and the rest is history. Now a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, she continues to publish two or three novels a year, in a variety of genres.
Brenda and her husband, Ted, live in Sacramento and are the proud parents of five children—three girls and two boys. Now that they are empty-nesters, she spends her free time babysitting her two grandchildren.
When she’s not with her family or writing, Brenda is usually raising money for diabetes research. To date, she's raised almost $2.6 million. Her youngest son, Thad, has diabetes, and Brenda is determined to help him and others like him. She also enjoys traveling, watching sporting events and biking--she rides an amazing 20 miles every day!
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Author-...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 320 reviews
November 12, 2017
4 STARS
Loved this. My type of favorite romantic suspense read: a sexy detective falls for a victim, a strong and intelligent heroine.
Except...
What kind of epilogue is that? Not enough, not nearly enough.
Loved this. My type of favorite romantic suspense read: a sexy detective falls for a victim, a strong and intelligent heroine.
Except...
What kind of epilogue is that? Not enough, not nearly enough.
October 12, 2017
3.5/4
Si analizo la parte romántica se queda en 3… pero la trama y el suspense un 4
Me gustó. Pero considero que es más policíaca que romántica. A ver, existe pareja, pero su relación es un añadido, nada más
Me ha gustado partir de un asesino conocido. Creo que es un acierto, porque la autora consigue atraparte aunque ya sabes quien es y eso me parece que es tener mucho mérito.
David me ha gustado mcho, en más de una situación su actitud me ha dado un poco de rabia, pero al mismo tiempo me ha parecido un hombre maduro y responsable con sus decisiones. Un policía poco habitual en le romántica, pues todos suelen ser hombres duros de oscuro pasado. Aquí David es un hombre atrapado en una situación que no puede controlar.
Skye es una superviviente. Una mujer fuerte y valiente. Me ha gusto mucho, sobre todo la templanza con la que se enfrenta a una vida que se rompió hace cuatro años.
Su relación me ha gustado, nada de enfados nada de odios, cordialidad y los dos intentando luchar por algo que ya existe.
Buenos secundarios
Creo que es mi primera novela de la autora, no sé, tenía bastantes libros de Mira de hace mil años y quizás he leído algo más de ella, pero ahora no lo recuerdo. Posiblemente seguiré con la serie
Si analizo la parte romántica se queda en 3… pero la trama y el suspense un 4
Me gustó. Pero considero que es más policíaca que romántica. A ver, existe pareja, pero su relación es un añadido, nada más
Me ha gustado partir de un asesino conocido. Creo que es un acierto, porque la autora consigue atraparte aunque ya sabes quien es y eso me parece que es tener mucho mérito.
David me ha gustado mcho, en más de una situación su actitud me ha dado un poco de rabia, pero al mismo tiempo me ha parecido un hombre maduro y responsable con sus decisiones. Un policía poco habitual en le romántica, pues todos suelen ser hombres duros de oscuro pasado. Aquí David es un hombre atrapado en una situación que no puede controlar.
Skye es una superviviente. Una mujer fuerte y valiente. Me ha gusto mucho, sobre todo la templanza con la que se enfrenta a una vida que se rompió hace cuatro años.
Su relación me ha gustado, nada de enfados nada de odios, cordialidad y los dos intentando luchar por algo que ya existe.
Buenos secundarios
Creo que es mi primera novela de la autora, no sé, tenía bastantes libros de Mira de hace mil años y quizás he leído algo más de ella, pero ahora no lo recuerdo. Posiblemente seguiré con la serie
August 13, 2008
This was a borderline 3-4 star book for me. I'm going with 4 stars because even though there were some things that bugged me, I still enjoyed the book quite a bit.
This series centers around 3 women, whose lives were either directly or indirectly affected by violent crime, who decide to fight back. They start a victims advocacy group in order to help the people who need it most.
This first book focuses on Skye Kellerman. Four years earlier, she awoke in her bed to a man holding a knife to her. She fought him off and helped send him to prison. But the attack left its mark on her life. She'll never be the same person again. And now, the man who attacked her is getting out, and she knows he has every intention of settling the score with her.
Detective David Willis agrees. He's been there for Skye since the nightmare began all those years ago. Been there for her maybe more than he should have been. But from the beginning, there's been an undeniable chemistry between them. He wants to protect. He wants her. But he has obligations he can't turn his back on.
Thought I can't say Trust Me was a thoroughly engrossing book, it was still a good read. It's a not a "whodunit" type of romantic suspense because you know who the bad guys is. It's more of a "what-happens-next" type of mystery. Novak keeps you reading because you want to know how it will all play out. And the whole premise is really interesting - victims of violent crime trying to go on with their lives.
The plot is fairly well-told. At times, it does plod a bit, seeming to repeat things you already know, but not enough to be truly irritating. I thought the storyline was well-crafted. And Novak snuck a nice surprise in there on me about the Lorenzo issue. I wasn't expecting what happened there.
As for the romance angle of this book...well, that was where the story lacked a bit for me. The romance in Trust Me was a bit atypical. David has an ex-wife who he has been married to and divorced from twice. They have a son together and now his ex-wife is suffering from multiple sclerosis. They have been working toward reconciliation because David feels his family should be together and that he needs to be there. Skye throws a monkey wrench into his plans. He cares for her a great deal, but his feelings war with his obligations.
So the romance isn't quite typical. Plus, when the book starts, the relationship between David and Skye is already a work-in-progress. It kind of leaves a feeling of being disconnected to them. Then the rest of the book, most of their interaction is related to the danger she is in. There just wasn't much time spent on them being together. I felt the chemistry between them, but not really the romance.
And the ending didn't help very much. It wasn't particularly romantic at all. David doesn't sort out his feelings until near the end, and the final two scenes between the H/H were over the phone. The epilogue was between Skye and a secondary character. Without a face-to-face scene between David and Skye to close out the book, I was left feeling a little like I was hanging in the wind.
If the romance in this book had been stronger, I would probably have given the book 4.5 stars, maybe. Because it was a solid read. I wanted to keep reading it and was anxious to read the next book in the series. The romance and the ending were unfortunately rather blah, though.
This series centers around 3 women, whose lives were either directly or indirectly affected by violent crime, who decide to fight back. They start a victims advocacy group in order to help the people who need it most.
This first book focuses on Skye Kellerman. Four years earlier, she awoke in her bed to a man holding a knife to her. She fought him off and helped send him to prison. But the attack left its mark on her life. She'll never be the same person again. And now, the man who attacked her is getting out, and she knows he has every intention of settling the score with her.
Detective David Willis agrees. He's been there for Skye since the nightmare began all those years ago. Been there for her maybe more than he should have been. But from the beginning, there's been an undeniable chemistry between them. He wants to protect. He wants her. But he has obligations he can't turn his back on.
Thought I can't say Trust Me was a thoroughly engrossing book, it was still a good read. It's a not a "whodunit" type of romantic suspense because you know who the bad guys is. It's more of a "what-happens-next" type of mystery. Novak keeps you reading because you want to know how it will all play out. And the whole premise is really interesting - victims of violent crime trying to go on with their lives.
The plot is fairly well-told. At times, it does plod a bit, seeming to repeat things you already know, but not enough to be truly irritating. I thought the storyline was well-crafted. And Novak snuck a nice surprise in there on me about the Lorenzo issue. I wasn't expecting what happened there.
As for the romance angle of this book...well, that was where the story lacked a bit for me. The romance in Trust Me was a bit atypical. David has an ex-wife who he has been married to and divorced from twice. They have a son together and now his ex-wife is suffering from multiple sclerosis. They have been working toward reconciliation because David feels his family should be together and that he needs to be there. Skye throws a monkey wrench into his plans. He cares for her a great deal, but his feelings war with his obligations.
So the romance isn't quite typical. Plus, when the book starts, the relationship between David and Skye is already a work-in-progress. It kind of leaves a feeling of being disconnected to them. Then the rest of the book, most of their interaction is related to the danger she is in. There just wasn't much time spent on them being together. I felt the chemistry between them, but not really the romance.
And the ending didn't help very much. It wasn't particularly romantic at all. David doesn't sort out his feelings until near the end, and the final two scenes between the H/H were over the phone. The epilogue was between Skye and a secondary character. Without a face-to-face scene between David and Skye to close out the book, I was left feeling a little like I was hanging in the wind.
If the romance in this book had been stronger, I would probably have given the book 4.5 stars, maybe. Because it was a solid read. I wanted to keep reading it and was anxious to read the next book in the series. The romance and the ending were unfortunately rather blah, though.
October 24, 2017
I am in the minority here and after reading some of the reviews, I wondered if we read the same book. Premise of the book: Skye Kellerman was attacked in her bedroom 4 years ago but managed to stab her attacker who was subsequently caught and sentenced to 8-10 years in prison but is being released after only 3 years because he provided his dental services to inmates and also gave police information about another inmate so they liked him. Detective David Willis was the Detective that worked the case and provided emotional support (though I didn't read that) to Skye. During that time they apparently got very close and they shared a kiss and an almost spent the night moment but because David is determined to make his relationship with his 2 times ex-wife work it didn't happen (yes that would be married, divorced, married again, divorced again and now trying to make the relationship work again.) Our hero goes to Skye's house to tell her about her attackers early release which makes him even more determined to prove that the attacker also raped and murdered three other women before his attack on Skye.
I'll give this book 2 stars because for some reason I just wanted to keep reading it. The suspense was good and the story moved along well, and I liked the varying POV's. However by the 50% mark I truly hated the "Hero" (who I started to read as "Detective Worthless" in my mind.) There is a history between the H&h that is not adequately explained. A prologue would have been nice and it could have maybe shown that my animosity toward Det. Worthless was unwarranted. He must have been one heck of a guy when Skye was attacked to instill 4 years of loyalty and love when they didn't see each other.
As I mentioned earlier, the story starts 4 years after Skye had been attacked, during which time Skye and two other friends open a non-profit to assist victims of abuse and has taken steps to educate herself on self-defense. Our "Hero" gets news that Skye's attacker is being released from jail and he heads over to tell Skye. He doesn't like the fact that she has exercise equipment set up in her living room and that she own's several firearms (which she spent considerable time learning gun safety and practiced shooting regularly) because "she's going to far" and in his opinion all that she's done to educate herself regarding keeping herself safe just "served as further proof that her past was taking control of her life." I would suggest that a woman that educated herself on self-defense is a positive thing, but apparently the good detective disagrees.
My biggest complaint is the poor woe is me detective who really wants Skye but refuses to give up on reconciling with his ex-wife because he want's to provide a family for his 8 year old son (I don't know how happy a family could be when said husband really doesn't like his ex-wife and they just make each other miserable.) However when Skye finally smartens up and decides to move on with her life without him, he won't let her because HE wants her.... but can't be with her and of course why should she be happy when he "can't" be? My favorite line in the whole book was when Skye says "Where will you be when Burke attacks me again? Sleeping with your ex-wife?" I don't want to give spoilers away but not once was Det. Worthless there for Skye when she needed him. Okay he had his son in the car in one scene and I understand not wanting him to be there but why couldn't he bring him back to his ex-wife or use the babysitter he had so he could go be with Skye when she really really needed some emotional support. But we have to somehow feel sorry for him because after all he really really does want to be with Skye but he HAS to make this work with his ex-wife. Time after time in the book he chooses to go to his ex-wife and just expects Skye to stay on standby. Right up to the end when again, I won't use a spoiler but when he was so worried about Skye that he called the Sheriff's office and asked a deputy to go out and check on her because he is 2 hours away. When she calls him he answers the phone saying he's going to check up on his ex-wife and then he'll head over to her house. You have to read the book to understand how completely unrealistically stupid that is. And speaking of right up to the end. I didn't like the ending at all. The H&h weren't even with each other, they were talking on the phone - and of course he was going to check on his ex-wife before he headed over to see Skye. The epilogue was useless, again it would have been nice if the author had actually put the H&h together and we learned how "things" were being handled and what repercussion's there were for a certain characters actions but nope, we don't know and the epilogue is Skye visiting with another character in the book who mentions that she heard David (Det. Worthless) and Skye were getting married. When Skye asks who told her she says it was none other than David who stops by every few days to visit. That may be something you would think that David would have mentioned to Skye. That is just a minor detail, but overall I just found the hero in this book pathetic and playing the poor me I'm such a martyr act a little to much.
I'll give this book 2 stars because for some reason I just wanted to keep reading it. The suspense was good and the story moved along well, and I liked the varying POV's. However by the 50% mark I truly hated the "Hero" (who I started to read as "Detective Worthless" in my mind.) There is a history between the H&h that is not adequately explained. A prologue would have been nice and it could have maybe shown that my animosity toward Det. Worthless was unwarranted. He must have been one heck of a guy when Skye was attacked to instill 4 years of loyalty and love when they didn't see each other.
As I mentioned earlier, the story starts 4 years after Skye had been attacked, during which time Skye and two other friends open a non-profit to assist victims of abuse and has taken steps to educate herself on self-defense. Our "Hero" gets news that Skye's attacker is being released from jail and he heads over to tell Skye. He doesn't like the fact that she has exercise equipment set up in her living room and that she own's several firearms (which she spent considerable time learning gun safety and practiced shooting regularly) because "she's going to far" and in his opinion all that she's done to educate herself regarding keeping herself safe just "served as further proof that her past was taking control of her life." I would suggest that a woman that educated herself on self-defense is a positive thing, but apparently the good detective disagrees.
My biggest complaint is the poor woe is me detective who really wants Skye but refuses to give up on reconciling with his ex-wife because he want's to provide a family for his 8 year old son (I don't know how happy a family could be when said husband really doesn't like his ex-wife and they just make each other miserable.) However when Skye finally smartens up and decides to move on with her life without him, he won't let her because HE wants her.... but can't be with her and of course why should she be happy when he "can't" be? My favorite line in the whole book was when Skye says "Where will you be when Burke attacks me again? Sleeping with your ex-wife?" I don't want to give spoilers away but not once was Det. Worthless there for Skye when she needed him. Okay he had his son in the car in one scene and I understand not wanting him to be there but why couldn't he bring him back to his ex-wife or use the babysitter he had so he could go be with Skye when she really really needed some emotional support. But we have to somehow feel sorry for him because after all he really really does want to be with Skye but he HAS to make this work with his ex-wife. Time after time in the book he chooses to go to his ex-wife and just expects Skye to stay on standby. Right up to the end when again, I won't use a spoiler but when he was so worried about Skye that he called the Sheriff's office and asked a deputy to go out and check on her because he is 2 hours away. When she calls him he answers the phone saying he's going to check up on his ex-wife and then he'll head over to her house. You have to read the book to understand how completely unrealistically stupid that is. And speaking of right up to the end. I didn't like the ending at all. The H&h weren't even with each other, they were talking on the phone - and of course he was going to check on his ex-wife before he headed over to see Skye. The epilogue was useless, again it would have been nice if the author had actually put the H&h together and we learned how "things" were being handled and what repercussion's there were for a certain characters actions but nope, we don't know and the epilogue is Skye visiting with another character in the book who mentions that she heard David (Det. Worthless) and Skye were getting married. When Skye asks who told her she says it was none other than David who stops by every few days to visit. That may be something you would think that David would have mentioned to Skye. That is just a minor detail, but overall I just found the hero in this book pathetic and playing the poor me I'm such a martyr act a little to much.
December 1, 2008
This was my first book by Brenda Novak, and I definitely liked it enough to read more by her. Trust Me is romantic suspense, but is really much heavier on the suspense. There is a romance, but very little time is actually devoted to it. The hero and heroine were both very likeable characters, and the storyline was engrossing. Two minor characters in the book are heroines in subsequent novels in this series. I am eager to read both of their stories.
Skye Kellerman was attacked in her bed four years ago, and she survived by stabbing her assailant with embroidery scissors. Dr. Oliver Burke was convicted of the attack, but was given a sentence of only eight to ten years because of his prominence in the community as a well regarded dentist. His claim, which many believed, was that the encounter with Skye was consensual, and that drug use caused her to attack him for no reason. Everything in Skye's life since that night four years ago has been a response to the attack. She is now very physically fit and able to defend herself with her self defense and firearms training. With two friends, Skye runs a charitable organization that helps victims of violent crime. When the detective who worked the case, David Willis, visits Skye to let her know that Oliver Burke will be out on parole within a few days, she feels very frightened and vulnerable. Working her case together, David and Skye have gotten to know each other over the past few years, and they are in love with one another. David refuses to acknowledge or act on his feelings because he feels obligated to his ex-wife, who now suffers from MS, and his young son. David has reconciled once with his ex, Lynette, only to break up again. David feels strongly that getting back together with Lynette is the right thing to do, but his heart isn't in agreement. Lynette has turned into a very unhappy, disagreeable woman who makes unreasonable demands on David. Skye doesn't want to be the cause of the guilt she knows David would feel from breaking the obligations he feels for his family, so she has tried to stay out of his life. With Oliver Burke so soon to be released, Skye and David are in one another's company often as they try to find evidence that will keep the dentist and probable murderer in prison. They are unable to deny their deep feelings for one another, but try arduously not to act on them. As danger pursues Skye, events occur that completely change the lives of David and Skye.
This book was very interesting, and I found it difficult to put down. A rather unusual aspect of this novel is that it puts some focus on the family of the assailant. What the Burke family has been through and what they believe plays a prominent role in the book. The villain is disturbing and credible. The only part of this book I found wanting was the romantic aspect. I would have enjoyed a bit more emphasis on the romance, especially at the end of the book. The last and two most important discussions between the hero and heroine took place over the phone. Although I was glad that they revealed their feelings to one another and made some important decisions, with this resolution taking place on the telephone, I would have appreciated one small scene with them together in person later. Overall, I found this to be a very good, captivating book.
Skye Kellerman was attacked in her bed four years ago, and she survived by stabbing her assailant with embroidery scissors. Dr. Oliver Burke was convicted of the attack, but was given a sentence of only eight to ten years because of his prominence in the community as a well regarded dentist. His claim, which many believed, was that the encounter with Skye was consensual, and that drug use caused her to attack him for no reason. Everything in Skye's life since that night four years ago has been a response to the attack. She is now very physically fit and able to defend herself with her self defense and firearms training. With two friends, Skye runs a charitable organization that helps victims of violent crime. When the detective who worked the case, David Willis, visits Skye to let her know that Oliver Burke will be out on parole within a few days, she feels very frightened and vulnerable. Working her case together, David and Skye have gotten to know each other over the past few years, and they are in love with one another. David refuses to acknowledge or act on his feelings because he feels obligated to his ex-wife, who now suffers from MS, and his young son. David has reconciled once with his ex, Lynette, only to break up again. David feels strongly that getting back together with Lynette is the right thing to do, but his heart isn't in agreement. Lynette has turned into a very unhappy, disagreeable woman who makes unreasonable demands on David. Skye doesn't want to be the cause of the guilt she knows David would feel from breaking the obligations he feels for his family, so she has tried to stay out of his life. With Oliver Burke so soon to be released, Skye and David are in one another's company often as they try to find evidence that will keep the dentist and probable murderer in prison. They are unable to deny their deep feelings for one another, but try arduously not to act on them. As danger pursues Skye, events occur that completely change the lives of David and Skye.
This book was very interesting, and I found it difficult to put down. A rather unusual aspect of this novel is that it puts some focus on the family of the assailant. What the Burke family has been through and what they believe plays a prominent role in the book. The villain is disturbing and credible. The only part of this book I found wanting was the romantic aspect. I would have enjoyed a bit more emphasis on the romance, especially at the end of the book. The last and two most important discussions between the hero and heroine took place over the phone. Although I was glad that they revealed their feelings to one another and made some important decisions, with this resolution taking place on the telephone, I would have appreciated one small scene with them together in person later. Overall, I found this to be a very good, captivating book.
March 8, 2017
This is my first book by Brenda Novak. And I loved it - It was a real page turner - didnt want to go to sleep - would rather read. The story while it had romance, also had suspense. The best part is it is part of a series (The Last Stand) and of course I am hooked and will go on to read the next book.
Skye Kellerman gets attacked and while her attacker is in jail - she still does not feel safe, making it tough to get through everyday - but when she opens The Last Stand with friends, Jasmine and Sheridan - she gets some of her life back -- until -- she learns that Oliver Burke, her attacker is getting out of jail early and has not forgotten that she put him there.
The story keeps you turning the page to find out how this will end. And now onto the next book in the series.....I am totally hooked.
Skye Kellerman gets attacked and while her attacker is in jail - she still does not feel safe, making it tough to get through everyday - but when she opens The Last Stand with friends, Jasmine and Sheridan - she gets some of her life back -- until -- she learns that Oliver Burke, her attacker is getting out of jail early and has not forgotten that she put him there.
The story keeps you turning the page to find out how this will end. And now onto the next book in the series.....I am totally hooked.
January 12, 2016
I have a few complaints about this book. ** And I want to warn now that this review will have some spoilers in it. I found Skye's character to be a major contradiction. Throughout the story, the author spoke so much of her being cautious from the attack, yet she continued to do silly unsafe things. Like taking a bath, home alone, with earbuds in her ears--I've never been attacked, thankfully, but I know not to do this because it's not the safest move! And it was unbelievable that she was supposedly living in such dread and fear and yet was risking her life to protect her attackers wife who didn't believe her, didn't like her, and sent her hate mail!
I also had a hard time understanding why the cop was so tormented trying to be loyal to his EX wife. Not estranged or separated from, but EX. Papers already signed and filed. I was not getting his devotion to her if they were friggin divorced!! That was a stupid story line to me. And it was lame that Skye and David were saying they were in love when the author continuously reminded you that they were never able to pursue their relationship since David was so torn feeling he should return to his wife. So, when did this so called "falling in love" happen? There didn't seem to be any opportunity. So that was a bit trite. And the author never mentioned Skye missing her period to even think she could be pregnant. They had sex, and she took a test a few days later. Most tests suggest missing a cycle first before taking it. Being a woman, the author should know that.
And how can you have the ex wife plot Skye's murder but then never tell what happened to her? Was she convicted? Did she do time? What?
I also had no emotion toward Skye's relationships with her two partners at her work. They claimed to have this deep rooted bond but that didn't come through in the writing. And if the author would have spelled out "The Last Stand" one more time, I would have thrown my tablet across the room. I swear it felt like a plug every time it was mentioned. It didn't seem casual but felt more forced, like the author really just liked that title of the company and was proud she came up with it. Felt the need to repeat it over and over.
I will say that I'm glad that Oliver's death was not a long drawn out scene like so many authors tend to do. You knew it was coming and I was just glad it was over quickly.
I also had a hard time understanding why the cop was so tormented trying to be loyal to his EX wife. Not estranged or separated from, but EX. Papers already signed and filed. I was not getting his devotion to her if they were friggin divorced!! That was a stupid story line to me. And it was lame that Skye and David were saying they were in love when the author continuously reminded you that they were never able to pursue their relationship since David was so torn feeling he should return to his wife. So, when did this so called "falling in love" happen? There didn't seem to be any opportunity. So that was a bit trite. And the author never mentioned Skye missing her period to even think she could be pregnant. They had sex, and she took a test a few days later. Most tests suggest missing a cycle first before taking it. Being a woman, the author should know that.
And how can you have the ex wife plot Skye's murder but then never tell what happened to her? Was she convicted? Did she do time? What?
I also had no emotion toward Skye's relationships with her two partners at her work. They claimed to have this deep rooted bond but that didn't come through in the writing. And if the author would have spelled out "The Last Stand" one more time, I would have thrown my tablet across the room. I swear it felt like a plug every time it was mentioned. It didn't seem casual but felt more forced, like the author really just liked that title of the company and was proud she came up with it. Felt the need to repeat it over and over.
I will say that I'm glad that Oliver's death was not a long drawn out scene like so many authors tend to do. You knew it was coming and I was just glad it was over quickly.
August 23, 2010
This was a pleasure read, so it's not one of my official reviews. I always know when I pick up a book of Brenda's that I'm going to love it. Hands down, I did. I love that we're almost always in the bad guy's head as much as the good guy's. The romance is realistic and intense, so is the suspense. The research into victim's psychie was powerful here. Recommended.
April 6, 2020
3.5 stars. This romantic suspense originally published in 2008 and takes place in a community outside Sacramento.
The Last Stand is a victim support organization started by Skye Kellerman and two of her friends. Nearly 4 years ago, Skye was attacked in her home by dentist Oliver Burke. She was able to stab him so she lived. He was suspected of 3 killings but was only convicted on her attack. Now Oliver is getting out of jail early. He is on a mission to get Skye and everyone else he has a grudge against. Detective David Willis works with Skye to protect her.
In comparison to other romantic suspense books, I would rank this one better than some I've read. There was more suspense than romance, which I prefer. The author created a nutjob with Oliver's character. Several of the characters acted out at times but the story held my interest. This book is the first one with the 3 founders of The Last Stand.
The Last Stand is a victim support organization started by Skye Kellerman and two of her friends. Nearly 4 years ago, Skye was attacked in her home by dentist Oliver Burke. She was able to stab him so she lived. He was suspected of 3 killings but was only convicted on her attack. Now Oliver is getting out of jail early. He is on a mission to get Skye and everyone else he has a grudge against. Detective David Willis works with Skye to protect her.
In comparison to other romantic suspense books, I would rank this one better than some I've read. There was more suspense than romance, which I prefer. The author created a nutjob with Oliver's character. Several of the characters acted out at times but the story held my interest. This book is the first one with the 3 founders of The Last Stand.
January 5, 2009
When’s it safe to start living again?
Four years ago, a masked assailant broke into Skye Kellerman’s bedroom window with the intent to rape and murder. But with animalistic sense of survival, Skye fought back, grabbing a pair of scissors that she’d left with her cross-stitch on her night table and stabbed/cut him in return. With DNA testing, it was proven it was Dr. Oliver Burke’s blood, but he insisted she was the one who attacked him, claiming that he went home with her and she turned violent on him, suggesting she was on drugs. The judge didn’t buy that, however, and Burke was sentenced to 8 to 10 years in San Quentin. However, after becoming an informant, and for his dental services to inmates, Burke is getting out in 3.
Burke is obsessed with Skye; if it hadn’t been for her, he’d never had been caught, would never have spent time in prison, losing his reputation as a great dentist, would never have lost 3 years of life with his wife and daughter. He plans on getting back at her for that, and making sure she’s dead this time.
Detective David Willis is convinced that Burke is also responsible for three other rape/murders, but there’s not enough evidence to bring charges against him. He was the one who had to break the news to Skye, and he’s worried that Burke will get his revenge when he gets out. Not only has Willis fallen in love with Skye, he’s determined to make sure Burke never gets to Skye again. But can he hold that promise?
Not without a lack of trying. Skye Kellerman was an account executive with a carpet company, someone who hadn’t a care in the world, with a blind-eye toward crime and violence. All that changed the night she was attacked by Burke. With two friends, Sheridan and Jasmine, women she met at a victims of violence support group, they started The Last Stand, and hoped to help as many victims as they could. Skye wanted to fight back, exercise, self-defence classes, guns and ammunitions classes, and became a good enough shot should she ever need to be. Now she teaches those classes, and takes cases for victims who need help. Strong and self-reliant, she still suffers from insomnia and anxiety attacks, especially at night, when she feels the most vulnerable.
David Willis has had strong feelings for Skye since the night she was attacked, when he met her in the hospital and took her statement. Only, his wife was diagnosed with MS, plus they have a son, and failure wasn’t an option. Divorced, reconciled, separated, David wants to be able to work things out with his wife, but he hasn’t loved her for a long time, and knows there’s no use trying for another reconciliation, especially after his wife suggests he find another job - that it was his job as a homicide detective the came between them.
And while the sexual tension between Skye and David mounts, both know that it’s only a matter of time before Burke comes after her again.
Skye is a strong woman, still vulnerable even after three years of Burke’s incarceration. She wonders if there will ever be a time were she will be able to lead as normal a life as possible. You can feel her vulnerability, her anxiety, and how she handles herself is nothing short of spectacular. David has fallen for Skye, and now knowing that he and his wife can never be together again, accepts that failure, and believes that he and Skye could have something beautiful together. He’s worried about her, and I believe it. While I do feel tension between them, I think it could’ve been heightened a little more, maybe adding a little more romance to what is supposed to be a romantic suspense novel.
And just when you’re sure it’s Burke behind recent attacks, phone calls and notes from toward Skye, a sub-plot adds a twist that I actually should have suspected and didn’t see coming. That was well played.
I thought Ms. Novak excellently wrote victims feelings. The actions of one person can destroy so many lives, and you get a lot of those feelings through Burke’s wife, Jane.
Plus, you get background information on her two best friends and co-founders of The Last Stand, Sheridan and Jasmine, setting up the next two novels beautifully, understanding them already before their own books are released.
A great read, I would recommend it to any romantic suspense lover.
(To read my review on my Blog, Bookaholic's Review, click here
Four years ago, a masked assailant broke into Skye Kellerman’s bedroom window with the intent to rape and murder. But with animalistic sense of survival, Skye fought back, grabbing a pair of scissors that she’d left with her cross-stitch on her night table and stabbed/cut him in return. With DNA testing, it was proven it was Dr. Oliver Burke’s blood, but he insisted she was the one who attacked him, claiming that he went home with her and she turned violent on him, suggesting she was on drugs. The judge didn’t buy that, however, and Burke was sentenced to 8 to 10 years in San Quentin. However, after becoming an informant, and for his dental services to inmates, Burke is getting out in 3.
Burke is obsessed with Skye; if it hadn’t been for her, he’d never had been caught, would never have spent time in prison, losing his reputation as a great dentist, would never have lost 3 years of life with his wife and daughter. He plans on getting back at her for that, and making sure she’s dead this time.
Detective David Willis is convinced that Burke is also responsible for three other rape/murders, but there’s not enough evidence to bring charges against him. He was the one who had to break the news to Skye, and he’s worried that Burke will get his revenge when he gets out. Not only has Willis fallen in love with Skye, he’s determined to make sure Burke never gets to Skye again. But can he hold that promise?
Not without a lack of trying. Skye Kellerman was an account executive with a carpet company, someone who hadn’t a care in the world, with a blind-eye toward crime and violence. All that changed the night she was attacked by Burke. With two friends, Sheridan and Jasmine, women she met at a victims of violence support group, they started The Last Stand, and hoped to help as many victims as they could. Skye wanted to fight back, exercise, self-defence classes, guns and ammunitions classes, and became a good enough shot should she ever need to be. Now she teaches those classes, and takes cases for victims who need help. Strong and self-reliant, she still suffers from insomnia and anxiety attacks, especially at night, when she feels the most vulnerable.
David Willis has had strong feelings for Skye since the night she was attacked, when he met her in the hospital and took her statement. Only, his wife was diagnosed with MS, plus they have a son, and failure wasn’t an option. Divorced, reconciled, separated, David wants to be able to work things out with his wife, but he hasn’t loved her for a long time, and knows there’s no use trying for another reconciliation, especially after his wife suggests he find another job - that it was his job as a homicide detective the came between them.
And while the sexual tension between Skye and David mounts, both know that it’s only a matter of time before Burke comes after her again.
Skye is a strong woman, still vulnerable even after three years of Burke’s incarceration. She wonders if there will ever be a time were she will be able to lead as normal a life as possible. You can feel her vulnerability, her anxiety, and how she handles herself is nothing short of spectacular. David has fallen for Skye, and now knowing that he and his wife can never be together again, accepts that failure, and believes that he and Skye could have something beautiful together. He’s worried about her, and I believe it. While I do feel tension between them, I think it could’ve been heightened a little more, maybe adding a little more romance to what is supposed to be a romantic suspense novel.
And just when you’re sure it’s Burke behind recent attacks, phone calls and notes from toward Skye, a sub-plot adds a twist that I actually should have suspected and didn’t see coming. That was well played.
I thought Ms. Novak excellently wrote victims feelings. The actions of one person can destroy so many lives, and you get a lot of those feelings through Burke’s wife, Jane.
Plus, you get background information on her two best friends and co-founders of The Last Stand, Sheridan and Jasmine, setting up the next two novels beautifully, understanding them already before their own books are released.
A great read, I would recommend it to any romantic suspense lover.
(To read my review on my Blog, Bookaholic's Review, click here
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 9, 2018
Must read
A Thrilling suspense read from this great Author , had some shocking moments , another great start to a new series !
A Thrilling suspense read from this great Author , had some shocking moments , another great start to a new series !
August 16, 2018
Female was tough and not flighty.
Male was like able and a standup guy.
The kids was not annoying
The bad guys were bad.
The secondary characters were well rounded.
The mystery was cohesive.
This is a solid first book in a series.
Male was like able and a standup guy.
The kids was not annoying
The bad guys were bad.
The secondary characters were well rounded.
The mystery was cohesive.
This is a solid first book in a series.
August 4, 2017
The ending was a bit abrupt. There could have been more communicating between the two main characters. But then the author wouldn't have that "angst" I suppose. Annoying that. The murder/mystery part was good.
November 19, 2017
Book review
This was an awesome book. Keep me interested from the first chapter. I would recommend this book for anyone who believes that you can overcome adversity.
This was an awesome book. Keep me interested from the first chapter. I would recommend this book for anyone who believes that you can overcome adversity.
June 1, 2020
A great mystery story that will keep you guessing at what is going to happen next.
October 20, 2020
Skye Kellerman was attacked in her bed and almost killed by a local, upstanding dentist, Dr. Oliver Burke. He denied attacking her, stating he had gone home with her at her invitation and she became violent during sex due to being on drugs. He was convicted at trial, although he said he was an innocent victim. His family and friends believed him. Skye knew differently, and he is now being released from prison after three years, threatening her safety once again. Skye started a program called "The Last Stand" to help women who have been victims of abuse or other crimes, giving them a voice. She has become proficient in firearms and has devoted all her time, along with her friends Sheridan and Jasmine, to building "The Last Stand." Detective David Willis, who investigated the case originally, and believes Dr. Burke killed three women prior to his attack on Skye, is determined to prove it. He is also torn by his relationship with his ex-wife, who wants to reunite with him, especially now that she has multiple sclerosis. However, he has fallen for Skye, and she feels the same way, further complicating matters. To say more now would give too much away. This was a real page turner, with twists you don't expect and a very satisfying ending. The story takes place in Sacramento, where I lived when first moving to California. I enjoyed the familiar references. If you love a good mystery, you'll enjoy this book.
February 8, 2018
I have enjoyed all of Brenda Novak's books that I've read! I especially enjoy the suspense novels and The Last Stand series is one of my favorites!
Skye Kellerman was brutally assaulted and as a result, she formed The Last Stand with 2 other women who had also been assaulted. TLS helps victims of assault, also helps find missing people. Even though her attacker is in prison she still didn't feel "really safe" and now she finds out he is getting out early! Skye continues to help other victims while also teaching self-defense and gun safety classes, even though she knows her attacker is out there, waiting to strike again. A police friend who helped after her assault is also trying to help find her attacker again, he has feelings for Skye but he is still married & feels he needs to keep his marriage together for his daughter.
Brenda writes some of the best suspense novels I've ever read!
Skye Kellerman was brutally assaulted and as a result, she formed The Last Stand with 2 other women who had also been assaulted. TLS helps victims of assault, also helps find missing people. Even though her attacker is in prison she still didn't feel "really safe" and now she finds out he is getting out early! Skye continues to help other victims while also teaching self-defense and gun safety classes, even though she knows her attacker is out there, waiting to strike again. A police friend who helped after her assault is also trying to help find her attacker again, he has feelings for Skye but he is still married & feels he needs to keep his marriage together for his daughter.
Brenda writes some of the best suspense novels I've ever read!
July 24, 2024
Will read the sequels. Entertaining reeeeead
June 15, 2025
I wanted to love this book (I really like the author as a person) but too much angst over nothing ruins a book for me. So does the whole superficial and inconsistent character development.
July 4, 2024
How Stupid can some people be??
This Summary/Review was copied from other sources and is used only as a reminder of what the book was about for my personal interest. Any Personal Notations are for my recollection only.
***
***
Skye Kellerman was attacked in her bed four years ago, and she survived by stabbing her assailant with embroidery scissors. Dr. Oliver Burke was convicted of the attack, but was given a sentence of only eight to ten years because of his prominence in the community as a well regarded dentist. His claim, which many believed, was that the encounter with Skye was consensual, and that drug use caused her to attack him for no reason.
Everything in Skye's life since that night four years ago has been a response to the attack. She is now very physically fit and able to defend herself with her self defense and firearms training. With two friends, Skye runs a charitable organization that helps victims of violent crime. When the detective who worked the case, David Willis, visits Skye to let her know that Oliver Burke will be out on parole within a few days, she feels very frightened and vulnerable. Working her case together, David and Skye have gotten to know each other over the past few years, and they are in love with one another.
David refuses to acknowledge or act on his feelings because he feels obligated to his ex-wife, who now suffers from MS, and his young son. David has reconciled once with his ex, Lynette, only to break up again. David feels strongly that getting back together with Lynette is the right thing to do, but his heart isn't in agreement.
Lynette has turned into a very unhappy, disagreeable woman who makes unreasonable demands on David. Skye doesn't want to be the cause of the guilt she knows David would feel from breaking the obligations he feels for his family, so she has tried to stay out of his life.
With Oliver Burke so soon to be released, Skye and David are in one another's company often as they try to find evidence that will keep the dentist and probable murderer in prison. They are unable to deny their deep feelings for one another, but try arduously not to act on them. As danger pursues Skye, events occur that completely change the lives of David and Skye.
This book was very interesting, and I found it difficult to put down. A rather unusual aspect of this novel is that it puts some focus on the family of the assailant. What the Burke family has been through and what they believe plays a prominent role in the book. The villain is disturbing and credible. The only part of this book I found wanting was the romantic aspect. I would have enjoyed a bit more emphasis on the romance, especially at the end of the book. The last and two most important discussions between the hero and heroine took place over the phone. Although I was glad that they revealed their feelings to one another and made some important decisions, with this resolution taking place on the telephone, I would have appreciated one small scene with them together in person later. Overall, I found this to be a very good, captivating book.
***
This series centers around 3 women, whose lives were either directly or indirectly affected by violent crime, who decide to fight back. They start a victims advocacy group in order to help the people who need it most.
This first book focuses on Skye Kellerman. Four years earlier, she awoke in her bed to a man holding a knife to her. She fought him off and helped send him to prison. But the attack left its mark on her life. She'll never be the same person again. And now, the man who attacked her is getting out, and she knows he has every intention of settling the score with her.
Detective David Willis agrees. He's been there for Skye since the nightmare began all those years ago. Been there for her maybe more than he should have been. But from the beginning, there's been an undeniable chemistry between them. He wants to protect. He wants her. But he has obligations he can't turn his back on.
Thought I can't say Trust Me was a thoroughly engrossing book, it was still a good read. It's a not a "whodunit" type of romantic suspense because you know who the bad guys is. It's more of a "what-happens-next" type of mystery. Novak keeps you reading because you want to know how it will all play out. And the whole premise is really interesting - victims of violent crime trying to go on with their lives.
The plot is fairly well-told. At times, it does plod a bit, seeming to repeat things you already know, but not enough to be truly irritating. I thought the storyline was well-crafted. And Novak snuck a nice surprise in there on me about the Lorenzo issue. I wasn't expecting what happened there.
David has an ex-wife who he has been married to and divorced from twice. They have a son together and now his ex-wife is suffering from multiple sclerosis. They have been working toward reconciliation because David feels his family should be together and that he needs to be there. Skye throws a monkey wrench into his plans. He cares for her a great deal, but his feelings war with his obligations.
So the romance isn't quite typical. Plus, when the book starts, the relationship between David and Skye is already a work-in-progress. It kind of leaves a feeling of being disconnected to them. Then the rest of the book, most of their interaction is related to the danger she is in. There just wasn't much time spent on them being together. I felt the chemistry between them, but not really the romance.
And the ending didn't help very much. It wasn't particularly romantic at all. David doesn't sort out his feelings until near the end, and the final two scenes between the H/H were over the phone. The epilogue was between Skye and a secondary character. Without a face-to-face scene between David and Skye to close out the book, I was left feeling a little like I was hanging in the wind.
**
This Summary/Review was copied from other sources and is used only as a reminder of what the book was about for my personal interest. Any Personal Notations are for my recollection only.
***
***
Skye Kellerman was attacked in her bed four years ago, and she survived by stabbing her assailant with embroidery scissors. Dr. Oliver Burke was convicted of the attack, but was given a sentence of only eight to ten years because of his prominence in the community as a well regarded dentist. His claim, which many believed, was that the encounter with Skye was consensual, and that drug use caused her to attack him for no reason.
Everything in Skye's life since that night four years ago has been a response to the attack. She is now very physically fit and able to defend herself with her self defense and firearms training. With two friends, Skye runs a charitable organization that helps victims of violent crime. When the detective who worked the case, David Willis, visits Skye to let her know that Oliver Burke will be out on parole within a few days, she feels very frightened and vulnerable. Working her case together, David and Skye have gotten to know each other over the past few years, and they are in love with one another.
David refuses to acknowledge or act on his feelings because he feels obligated to his ex-wife, who now suffers from MS, and his young son. David has reconciled once with his ex, Lynette, only to break up again. David feels strongly that getting back together with Lynette is the right thing to do, but his heart isn't in agreement.
Lynette has turned into a very unhappy, disagreeable woman who makes unreasonable demands on David. Skye doesn't want to be the cause of the guilt she knows David would feel from breaking the obligations he feels for his family, so she has tried to stay out of his life.
With Oliver Burke so soon to be released, Skye and David are in one another's company often as they try to find evidence that will keep the dentist and probable murderer in prison. They are unable to deny their deep feelings for one another, but try arduously not to act on them. As danger pursues Skye, events occur that completely change the lives of David and Skye.
This book was very interesting, and I found it difficult to put down. A rather unusual aspect of this novel is that it puts some focus on the family of the assailant. What the Burke family has been through and what they believe plays a prominent role in the book. The villain is disturbing and credible. The only part of this book I found wanting was the romantic aspect. I would have enjoyed a bit more emphasis on the romance, especially at the end of the book. The last and two most important discussions between the hero and heroine took place over the phone. Although I was glad that they revealed their feelings to one another and made some important decisions, with this resolution taking place on the telephone, I would have appreciated one small scene with them together in person later. Overall, I found this to be a very good, captivating book.
***
This series centers around 3 women, whose lives were either directly or indirectly affected by violent crime, who decide to fight back. They start a victims advocacy group in order to help the people who need it most.
This first book focuses on Skye Kellerman. Four years earlier, she awoke in her bed to a man holding a knife to her. She fought him off and helped send him to prison. But the attack left its mark on her life. She'll never be the same person again. And now, the man who attacked her is getting out, and she knows he has every intention of settling the score with her.
Detective David Willis agrees. He's been there for Skye since the nightmare began all those years ago. Been there for her maybe more than he should have been. But from the beginning, there's been an undeniable chemistry between them. He wants to protect. He wants her. But he has obligations he can't turn his back on.
Thought I can't say Trust Me was a thoroughly engrossing book, it was still a good read. It's a not a "whodunit" type of romantic suspense because you know who the bad guys is. It's more of a "what-happens-next" type of mystery. Novak keeps you reading because you want to know how it will all play out. And the whole premise is really interesting - victims of violent crime trying to go on with their lives.
The plot is fairly well-told. At times, it does plod a bit, seeming to repeat things you already know, but not enough to be truly irritating. I thought the storyline was well-crafted. And Novak snuck a nice surprise in there on me about the Lorenzo issue. I wasn't expecting what happened there.
David has an ex-wife who he has been married to and divorced from twice. They have a son together and now his ex-wife is suffering from multiple sclerosis. They have been working toward reconciliation because David feels his family should be together and that he needs to be there. Skye throws a monkey wrench into his plans. He cares for her a great deal, but his feelings war with his obligations.
So the romance isn't quite typical. Plus, when the book starts, the relationship between David and Skye is already a work-in-progress. It kind of leaves a feeling of being disconnected to them. Then the rest of the book, most of their interaction is related to the danger she is in. There just wasn't much time spent on them being together. I felt the chemistry between them, but not really the romance.
And the ending didn't help very much. It wasn't particularly romantic at all. David doesn't sort out his feelings until near the end, and the final two scenes between the H/H were over the phone. The epilogue was between Skye and a secondary character. Without a face-to-face scene between David and Skye to close out the book, I was left feeling a little like I was hanging in the wind.
**
December 16, 2014
4 STARS
"Four years ago...
Skye Kellerman was attacked in her own bed. She managed to fend off her knife-wielding assailant, but the trauma changed everything about her life. As a result of that night, she joined two friends--also survivors--in starting The Last Stand, an organization to help victims of crime.
But now...
Her would-be rapist is getting out of prison. Skye knows that Dr. Oliver Burke hasn t forgotten that her testimony cost him his reputation--and his freedom. Sacramento detective David Willis, who investigated her case, believes Burke is a clear and present danger--and guilty of at least two unsolved murders. And now Burke is free to terrorize Skye again. Unless David can stop him. Unless Skye can fight back. Because Oliver Burke has every intention of finishing what he started. And that s a promise. Trust me." (From Amazon)
I enjoyed this first novel in the Last Stand series as I loved the suspense and romance. What I found interesting about this book is that is about survivors looking out and making other survivors stronger. It's heartbreaking to see survivors having to become "victims" again.
"Four years ago...
Skye Kellerman was attacked in her own bed. She managed to fend off her knife-wielding assailant, but the trauma changed everything about her life. As a result of that night, she joined two friends--also survivors--in starting The Last Stand, an organization to help victims of crime.
But now...
Her would-be rapist is getting out of prison. Skye knows that Dr. Oliver Burke hasn t forgotten that her testimony cost him his reputation--and his freedom. Sacramento detective David Willis, who investigated her case, believes Burke is a clear and present danger--and guilty of at least two unsolved murders. And now Burke is free to terrorize Skye again. Unless David can stop him. Unless Skye can fight back. Because Oliver Burke has every intention of finishing what he started. And that s a promise. Trust me." (From Amazon)
I enjoyed this first novel in the Last Stand series as I loved the suspense and romance. What I found interesting about this book is that is about survivors looking out and making other survivors stronger. It's heartbreaking to see survivors having to become "victims" again.
January 4, 2011
Trust Me is the first novel in the Last Stand series by Brenda Novak and I found the plot as enthralling the other two books in the series. I read the other two, Stop Me and Watch Me, awhile back and found them completely exciting and real page-turners; this book did not differ in that aspect. Although I read them out of order, they aren't the kind that you need to necessarily read in order; they make just as much sense when read in random. The different subplots kept me engaged in the action (I won't say what they are to avoid spoiling), but the fact that they all tied in with each other and even influenced the actions of others was very entertaining and created surprise twists that left me wanting more. The language used was great and I felt like I was actually experiencing the emotion and the events. I now can't wait to read the other three books in the series. I would definitely suggest this book and the others in this series.
December 14, 2015
I liked this. I especially liked that it wasn't completely predictable.
Transitions between characters were not smooth. It seems to me that if one is going to play the omniscient third person card, making it easier to jump between the minds of characters, with maybe some visual to let the reader know it's time to make the shift, would be a priority.
Additionally, if one is going to advertise a book as a romantic suspense, there should be a bit more romance than this book contained. The romance was glossed over, which wouldn't have been terrible if romance hadn't been advertised. In fact, the few romantic bits were very un-romantic.
However, lack of romance aside, wow. The writing was flawless and flowed beautifully. Ms. Novak seems to have researched sociopaths quite well and understands how to write them to make them believable.
This is the second book I've read by this author, and it won't be the last.
Transitions between characters were not smooth. It seems to me that if one is going to play the omniscient third person card, making it easier to jump between the minds of characters, with maybe some visual to let the reader know it's time to make the shift, would be a priority.
Additionally, if one is going to advertise a book as a romantic suspense, there should be a bit more romance than this book contained. The romance was glossed over, which wouldn't have been terrible if romance hadn't been advertised. In fact, the few romantic bits were very un-romantic.
However, lack of romance aside, wow. The writing was flawless and flowed beautifully. Ms. Novak seems to have researched sociopaths quite well and understands how to write them to make them believable.
This is the second book I've read by this author, and it won't be the last.
February 1, 2016
Me ha gustado muchísimo. La trama de suspense impresionante de principio a fin. Me ha encantado como refleja los sentimientos de todos los personajes ya sean principales o secundarios. No pude evitar conectar con cada uno de ellos. Imposible decidirme por uno sólo, porque si David es un amor, Skye es valiente y del resto tendría que mencionarlos todos ya que no hay ni uno que sobre, todos cumplen un papel importante en la historia.
Puede sonar un poco macabro pero lo que más me gusta de esta autora es cómo se mete en la piel del malo, a través de sus pensamientos y sus actos te mantiene durante todo el libro con la piel erizada y no puedes bajar la guardia porque ZAS! te vuelve a sorprender.
Otra de las cosas que destaco son los dos triángulos amorosos, cada uno más espeluznante que el anterior.
Mi felicitación a la editorial y la traductora por tan excelente trabajo. Así da gusto leer.
Mi puntuación un 9.
Puede sonar un poco macabro pero lo que más me gusta de esta autora es cómo se mete en la piel del malo, a través de sus pensamientos y sus actos te mantiene durante todo el libro con la piel erizada y no puedes bajar la guardia porque ZAS! te vuelve a sorprender.
Otra de las cosas que destaco son los dos triángulos amorosos, cada uno más espeluznante que el anterior.
Mi felicitación a la editorial y la traductora por tan excelente trabajo. Así da gusto leer.
Mi puntuación un 9.
May 7, 2015
I've read several of Brenda Novak's books now. (Mostly her Whiskey Creek books). And while I enjoyed 90% of them, almost every single one of them has a woman who is DYING to get married and/or have a baby. Her life is incomplete without one or both of these things.
Sorry, but despite truly enjoying the basic romances and basic stories and decent writing in Novak's books, her approach toward single women, marriage and pregnancy has finally turned me off.
Sorry, but despite truly enjoying the basic romances and basic stories and decent writing in Novak's books, her approach toward single women, marriage and pregnancy has finally turned me off.
September 1, 2016
I liked this book, Skye and her friends took their really bad situations and instead of being victims they became survivors. Despite what happens to them they are strong independent woman. I like how the author made Sky and David’s relationship seem plausible. The twists and turns throughout the book kept me interested without completely confusing me. The bombshell towards the end made me have one of those "oh no she didn't" moments. (Towards the character not the author). The writing had a good rhythm to it and kept the book moving forward without being to rushed or slow. There was some violence in the book, but it wasn't overly descriptive and did not overwhelm the rest of it.
February 3, 2017
No sé si mi libro venia sin prologo o se me paso a mi pero me hizo falta saber más sobre la situación de Sky con Oliver, lo mismo con la relación de ella y David. El drama marital de David y su esposa me desesperó mucho, les hacia falta bastante amor propio a los dos. Fuera de eso, el personaje de Oliver y el suspenso en general estuvo muy bien.
December 19, 2011
The infidelity part of this book made me a little squicky, but it all turned out good in the end. I'm looking forward to reading about the other ladies of The Last Stand.
August 30, 2012
I really tried to enjoy this book but it repeated itself so many times I could barely finish it. It may suit some people but for me it was a real disappointment.
June 6, 2016
I’m officially convinced that Brenda Novak knows what she’s doing in suspense. Either that or the timing was just right--I didn’t have to be anywhere important in particular, erego, I didn’t see the harm in spending more time than necessary finishing the entire book of Trust Me in one go. Not that there ever is any harm in spending more time than necessary reading… ever.
Pfft… “more time than necessary reading”... There’s never enough time to read all the books I want to read anyway, so I always take advantage whenever I get those free days where I can just finish a book uninterrupted.
Because that is what happened, just the way it happened with the other three books of hers I’d read. And the beauty of it was, aside from the story concept, telling, and progression, the rest of the book was actually just mediocre. So being drawn into it the way I got drawn into the book is some feat, I’ll admit. These are definite page turners.
Reading these books feel like watching a movie filled with thrill and suspense and you just can’t seem to stop until it’s finally all over.
Skye Kellerman was attacked in her home by a prominent man in society nearly three years ago, a dentist from a well-respected home named Oliver Burke. Though she managed to defend herself and escape by stabbing him with a pair of scissors and testify at trial to put him in prison, she soon learns that Burke is now being released early on parole. David Willis, the detective who had investigated this case, is convinced that Burke is still a danger to society and has yet to be linked to the rape and murder of three other women--obviously no one else has connected that no other women seemed to be murdered or attacked since Burke was incarcerated, but lack of evidence is always a pisser in investigations.
Unfortunately for David and Skye, Oliver Burke is a master of enigma and so long as he continues to assume his innocence and persona of a good, genteel man, no one believes he is a monster capable of the deeds (we readers become privy to the truth early on in the book). His side of the story is that Skye had lured him to her place and her bed, then went crazy while on drugs, and then attacked him for no reason.
The story’s concept is pretty straight forward and predictable: Once this guy gets out of prison, obviously his first mission is to finish what he’d started before he was caught. The story progression’s set up was intriguing: following the day-to-day activities of all the people around this man’s life as they anticipate his release from prison throughout the week. And the barrage of reactions are interesting to observe: Skye’s fear and foreboding for what he’ll do when he gets out, David’s frustration at not being able to keep the man in prison, Jane Burke’s anxiousness to see her husband again while at the same time reluctance to give up on an affair she’d begun with his brother, and so on.
So the way in which the story panned out as well as other secrets and mysteries on the side were what was most important in this book. You already knew what was going to happen; now we sit back and watch it unfold in its suspenseful, page-turning glory, counting down to the moment when Burke is released from prison, all secrets come to light, and all hell breaks loose.
Because that’s exactly what I did.
And it was quite entertaining. I’m going to admit that despite how mundane a lot of the scenes and even the repeat investigation of Burke and the three murders happened to be, it was still intriguing to see what new discoveries could be made or what would happen to our hero and heroine, or how the two of them could convince the rest of the world the truth of what they knew, but had no evidence to back up.
The characters weren’t the best or the most relatable, though I did like Skye for her independence and her strength. Sometimes she bordered on TSTL, but managed to protect herself through attacks on her anyway, so I’m not complaining too much. Despite the fact that she still tortures herself over the events of being attacked three years ago, she managed to pull herself together and take measures to ensure that she would never so easily be victimized again. And so I especially like her relationship with her partners at The Last Stand and the concept of a charitable organization to help victims of violent crimes is intriguing--it was nice that few other cases were inserted into the background as a kind of introductory to what The Last Stand does for people.
The rest of the characters were pretty typical, though I found it hard to like Jane Burke despite her gradually pitying state as she goes from believing in her husband a hundred percent, to a slight niggling of doubt, to the horror of realizing her husband is the monster that Skye and David kept telling him he was. The workings of Jane’s mind was kind of amusing to following, although I found it hard to sympathize with a lot of her earlier moments in the book--the adultery, the blame game, the “woe is me” schtick… The fact that she was more concerned about how her husband’s conviction and arrest had ruined their standing in society and embarrassed her rather than worrying about her husband’s well being was of hard to comprehend considering she truly believed that he was an innocent man. The fact that she so easily falls into bed with his brother is telling of how weak their marriage had been to begin with despite her outward appearances of devotion.
The Burke family irritated me with all their “holier than thou” attitudes. For instance, when the fact about the affair between Jane and their older son, Noah Burke, came to light, you could tell that they blamed her more than Noah because, when push came to shove, whe was always going to be the outsider. Their comments about how Skye was “obviously capitalizing on the being a victim” by creating The Last Stand, and that she was obviously taking money from the non-profit organization to live luxuriously when their son is in prison and their daughter-in-law and granddaughter are living in a dumpy neighborhood really irked my nerves. Because for all I can see, the Burke family is pretty well off, so I never understood why Jane and her daughter couldn’t live with grandma and grandpa for a duration until she could get herself back on her feet.
Finally, we come to David Willis, whom I’m not sure I’m a hundred percent in like with at all. In a way, he’s a good guy with good ideals and his heart is in the right place. He just doesn’t seem to know how to put his goodness into good use aside from being a cop and working to protect and serve. Otherwise, his own personal life is a shambles of his own doing, and no matter what, the way he handles it is kind of anger-inducing. The way he strings along Skye with impressions that he wants to be with her, but telling himself that he needs to “do the right thing” and return to his ex-wife and son to try and make their family work… is kind of an asshole thing to do. Even after Skye deliberately tells him to leave her alone so she can move on with her life, he continues to hover around her, and giving her hope that they could have a relationship of some kind. I don’t care that his heart was in the right place, or that he was conflicted, he was still being a dickhead about it.
RANT INCOMING
You don’t string along to relationships and then act as if you’re the one who’s suffering about it. My goodness, it was a simple equation. Either you want to be with Sky and you figure out a way to make it work and still take care of your son (because unconventional families are NOT uncommon nowadays); or you get back together with your wife to make your traditional family life work (not that a loveless marriage ever really works, y’know), and leave Skye the heck alone!
What really did it for me was when one of his mind meanderings had him convinced that, due to Skye’s job, her obsession with exercise and weapons, and the emotional scars left her from Burke’s attack on her, she would make a terrible stepmother for his son. I don’t even know how to respond to this one, because it’s such a condemning, final decision. He’s really grasping at any reason to not get together with Skye, despite the fact that he’s always the one initiating contact. He’s determined that her life is imbalanced and her work with victims of violent crimes will always be putting herself and those around her in danger… and he can’t have his son being around a mother like that.
I’m sorry… you’re a POLICE DETECTIVE ! Pot calling the kettle… what job is more dangerous than one of the few uniformed ones where you’re always putting your own life in danger by investigating heinous crimes, arresting dangerous criminals, and possibly having stand-offs with someone who could shoot you to death?
So it’s okay for Detective David Willis to put his life and the lives of others around him in danger with HIS job? You know, cause he couldn’t possibly have made dangerous enemies of his own by putting violent felons behind bars... But it’s not okay for Victims’ Advocate Skye Kellerman to be working a similar type of life-threatening job? Not that I advocate any kind of putting anyone’s life in danger, but isn’t this a bit double standard and neanderthal for him to be making that kind of judgement call?
And then he even has a gall to tell Skye that he doesn’t like what she does for a living nor does he think she should learn to protect herself and that she’s getting carried away with all this self-defense stuff; and she should let others do the protecting… so that she doesn’t put herself in danger? How does that even make sense? What’s wrong with learning how to shoot and handle a gun and owning a few weapons and knowing how to take care of herself? What’s wrong with letting yourself feel safe in your own home?
Heck, her self-defense instincts and her gun saved her life twice! And you know… where were you Detective Willis? Where were the “professionally trained” who would be able to protect her?
Because from what I gathered, David Willis wasn’t going to be the one to step up and take care of her for her if she stops taking care of herself. And he practically oozes male possessiveness around her when she tries to move on with her life… but at the end of the day, they both know that his plans for the future only include getting back together with his ex-wife in order to give his son a complete family. And he has the balls to mope about how hard this is for him and how conflicted he is and “oh, woe is me”?
RANT END
But anyway… despite my extreme dislike for David Willis (which made me overlook all the TSTL moments that Skye had, which weren’t many anyway, and like her more) and how he deals with his personal life, at the very least he makes for a good cop and a good father. I can’t fault him for that. He just has no idea how to handle anything outside the realm of police investigations. I certainly don’t hate him, but I don’t like him either.
Conclusion: A page-turning suspense novel with a frustrating romance angle. Entertaining and exciting nonetheless. Not the best characters, but I’ll take it.
Pfft… “more time than necessary reading”... There’s never enough time to read all the books I want to read anyway, so I always take advantage whenever I get those free days where I can just finish a book uninterrupted.
Because that is what happened, just the way it happened with the other three books of hers I’d read. And the beauty of it was, aside from the story concept, telling, and progression, the rest of the book was actually just mediocre. So being drawn into it the way I got drawn into the book is some feat, I’ll admit. These are definite page turners.
Reading these books feel like watching a movie filled with thrill and suspense and you just can’t seem to stop until it’s finally all over.
Skye Kellerman was attacked in her home by a prominent man in society nearly three years ago, a dentist from a well-respected home named Oliver Burke. Though she managed to defend herself and escape by stabbing him with a pair of scissors and testify at trial to put him in prison, she soon learns that Burke is now being released early on parole. David Willis, the detective who had investigated this case, is convinced that Burke is still a danger to society and has yet to be linked to the rape and murder of three other women--obviously no one else has connected that no other women seemed to be murdered or attacked since Burke was incarcerated, but lack of evidence is always a pisser in investigations.
Unfortunately for David and Skye, Oliver Burke is a master of enigma and so long as he continues to assume his innocence and persona of a good, genteel man, no one believes he is a monster capable of the deeds (we readers become privy to the truth early on in the book). His side of the story is that Skye had lured him to her place and her bed, then went crazy while on drugs, and then attacked him for no reason.
The story’s concept is pretty straight forward and predictable: Once this guy gets out of prison, obviously his first mission is to finish what he’d started before he was caught. The story progression’s set up was intriguing: following the day-to-day activities of all the people around this man’s life as they anticipate his release from prison throughout the week. And the barrage of reactions are interesting to observe: Skye’s fear and foreboding for what he’ll do when he gets out, David’s frustration at not being able to keep the man in prison, Jane Burke’s anxiousness to see her husband again while at the same time reluctance to give up on an affair she’d begun with his brother, and so on.
So the way in which the story panned out as well as other secrets and mysteries on the side were what was most important in this book. You already knew what was going to happen; now we sit back and watch it unfold in its suspenseful, page-turning glory, counting down to the moment when Burke is released from prison, all secrets come to light, and all hell breaks loose.
Because that’s exactly what I did.
And it was quite entertaining. I’m going to admit that despite how mundane a lot of the scenes and even the repeat investigation of Burke and the three murders happened to be, it was still intriguing to see what new discoveries could be made or what would happen to our hero and heroine, or how the two of them could convince the rest of the world the truth of what they knew, but had no evidence to back up.
The characters weren’t the best or the most relatable, though I did like Skye for her independence and her strength. Sometimes she bordered on TSTL, but managed to protect herself through attacks on her anyway, so I’m not complaining too much. Despite the fact that she still tortures herself over the events of being attacked three years ago, she managed to pull herself together and take measures to ensure that she would never so easily be victimized again. And so I especially like her relationship with her partners at The Last Stand and the concept of a charitable organization to help victims of violent crimes is intriguing--it was nice that few other cases were inserted into the background as a kind of introductory to what The Last Stand does for people.
The rest of the characters were pretty typical, though I found it hard to like Jane Burke despite her gradually pitying state as she goes from believing in her husband a hundred percent, to a slight niggling of doubt, to the horror of realizing her husband is the monster that Skye and David kept telling him he was. The workings of Jane’s mind was kind of amusing to following, although I found it hard to sympathize with a lot of her earlier moments in the book--the adultery, the blame game, the “woe is me” schtick… The fact that she was more concerned about how her husband’s conviction and arrest had ruined their standing in society and embarrassed her rather than worrying about her husband’s well being was of hard to comprehend considering she truly believed that he was an innocent man. The fact that she so easily falls into bed with his brother is telling of how weak their marriage had been to begin with despite her outward appearances of devotion.
The Burke family irritated me with all their “holier than thou” attitudes. For instance, when the fact about the affair between Jane and their older son, Noah Burke, came to light, you could tell that they blamed her more than Noah because, when push came to shove, whe was always going to be the outsider. Their comments about how Skye was “obviously capitalizing on the being a victim” by creating The Last Stand, and that she was obviously taking money from the non-profit organization to live luxuriously when their son is in prison and their daughter-in-law and granddaughter are living in a dumpy neighborhood really irked my nerves. Because for all I can see, the Burke family is pretty well off, so I never understood why Jane and her daughter couldn’t live with grandma and grandpa for a duration until she could get herself back on her feet.
Finally, we come to David Willis, whom I’m not sure I’m a hundred percent in like with at all. In a way, he’s a good guy with good ideals and his heart is in the right place. He just doesn’t seem to know how to put his goodness into good use aside from being a cop and working to protect and serve. Otherwise, his own personal life is a shambles of his own doing, and no matter what, the way he handles it is kind of anger-inducing. The way he strings along Skye with impressions that he wants to be with her, but telling himself that he needs to “do the right thing” and return to his ex-wife and son to try and make their family work… is kind of an asshole thing to do. Even after Skye deliberately tells him to leave her alone so she can move on with her life, he continues to hover around her, and giving her hope that they could have a relationship of some kind. I don’t care that his heart was in the right place, or that he was conflicted, he was still being a dickhead about it.
RANT INCOMING
You don’t string along to relationships and then act as if you’re the one who’s suffering about it. My goodness, it was a simple equation. Either you want to be with Sky and you figure out a way to make it work and still take care of your son (because unconventional families are NOT uncommon nowadays); or you get back together with your wife to make your traditional family life work (not that a loveless marriage ever really works, y’know), and leave Skye the heck alone!
What really did it for me was when one of his mind meanderings had him convinced that, due to Skye’s job, her obsession with exercise and weapons, and the emotional scars left her from Burke’s attack on her, she would make a terrible stepmother for his son. I don’t even know how to respond to this one, because it’s such a condemning, final decision. He’s really grasping at any reason to not get together with Skye, despite the fact that he’s always the one initiating contact. He’s determined that her life is imbalanced and her work with victims of violent crimes will always be putting herself and those around her in danger… and he can’t have his son being around a mother like that.
I’m sorry… you’re a POLICE DETECTIVE ! Pot calling the kettle… what job is more dangerous than one of the few uniformed ones where you’re always putting your own life in danger by investigating heinous crimes, arresting dangerous criminals, and possibly having stand-offs with someone who could shoot you to death?
So it’s okay for Detective David Willis to put his life and the lives of others around him in danger with HIS job? You know, cause he couldn’t possibly have made dangerous enemies of his own by putting violent felons behind bars... But it’s not okay for Victims’ Advocate Skye Kellerman to be working a similar type of life-threatening job? Not that I advocate any kind of putting anyone’s life in danger, but isn’t this a bit double standard and neanderthal for him to be making that kind of judgement call?
And then he even has a gall to tell Skye that he doesn’t like what she does for a living nor does he think she should learn to protect herself and that she’s getting carried away with all this self-defense stuff; and she should let others do the protecting… so that she doesn’t put herself in danger? How does that even make sense? What’s wrong with learning how to shoot and handle a gun and owning a few weapons and knowing how to take care of herself? What’s wrong with letting yourself feel safe in your own home?
Heck, her self-defense instincts and her gun saved her life twice! And you know… where were you Detective Willis? Where were the “professionally trained” who would be able to protect her?
Because from what I gathered, David Willis wasn’t going to be the one to step up and take care of her for her if she stops taking care of herself. And he practically oozes male possessiveness around her when she tries to move on with her life… but at the end of the day, they both know that his plans for the future only include getting back together with his ex-wife in order to give his son a complete family. And he has the balls to mope about how hard this is for him and how conflicted he is and “oh, woe is me”?
RANT END
But anyway… despite my extreme dislike for David Willis (which made me overlook all the TSTL moments that Skye had, which weren’t many anyway, and like her more) and how he deals with his personal life, at the very least he makes for a good cop and a good father. I can’t fault him for that. He just has no idea how to handle anything outside the realm of police investigations. I certainly don’t hate him, but I don’t like him either.
Conclusion: A page-turning suspense novel with a frustrating romance angle. Entertaining and exciting nonetheless. Not the best characters, but I’ll take it.
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