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Sanctuary
In the vast agricultural CERRADOS area of Brazil, Emily Noble, a children's book illustrator, wants to find her missing brother - a man who has been living a hidden life as a mercenary. She runs into danger when the trail leads her straight to Christovao Santos, the man who recruited her brother? All three have been targeted for death. All three have secrets. And the killer knows them all.
304 pages, Hardcover
First published February 2, 2004
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
October 29, 2017
Emily Noble's parents died when she was 16, leaving her in her older half-brother, James King's, care. He's a Brit engineer/former military. She's an American children's illustrator. When James disappears, Emily goes to his flat in London where she's beaten by two intruders going through his stuff. She then heads to Brazil to find Chris Santos-a man James told her to go to if anything happened to him. Unknown to Emily, Chris headed a mercenary op in Africa that James was part of that went very bad. Now someone is killing the few survivors, and James is one of them.
Eventually, they start working together at his "farm" Abundancia. James shows up and they work through who's behind this - they other mercenary they thought was dead, who also turns out to be Emily's publisher in another life.
Dutch stalks them and they try to trap him and eventually do. Emily and Chris finally overcome past issues and fall in love. No sex, but some groping. Interesting locale and story. Fast read.
Eventually, they start working together at his "farm" Abundancia. James shows up and they work through who's behind this - they other mercenary they thought was dead, who also turns out to be Emily's publisher in another life.
Dutch stalks them and they try to trap him and eventually do. Emily and Chris finally overcome past issues and fall in love. No sex, but some groping. Interesting locale and story. Fast read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 10, 2017
Първо - това е оценка единствено за вариацията по книгата, издадена през 1992 г. в България, коята, както разбирам от резюмето, няма нищо общо с оригинала, освен имена на места, герои и тук-таме някоя професия. Много лошо поведение от страна на издателство Слово, а който е омаскарил така книгата и автора, да си стои неизвестен, нищо друго не заслужава.
January 6, 2012
In my opinion, there are few things better than literary vendettas. Take a group of vengeful people, plop them down into what was (once upon a time) a serene atmosphere, and let the may-lay begin. Action is what fuels us, Action is what makes our insides come alive, Action is what makes us do ridicules things like daydream about being Russian Spies! So… that being said, is it any surprise I enjoyed “Sanctuary”?
A few days ago I felt like I was kicked in the back (see Days of Grace review) so diving into a fast paced suspense was (to put it mildly) refreshing.
If your older brother’s parting words were “If something bad should happen to me contact…” what would you do? Well, for Emily (a children’s book illustrator with no clue as to who her brother actually is) the answer would be “hop a plane to Brazil and get him back.” Armed with nothing more that a name (Christovao Santos) and cluelessness as to where to go next, Emily does the only thing she can think of… scrounge up a gun, and starts asking questions. Bad plan? Yes. Dropping like a fly due to fever, and exhaustion, Emily suddenly finds herself on the opposite side of the gun. Unsure of her surroundings, but clear of her intentions, she uses the only thing left in her arsenal… her power of persuasion. Is her brother really who these mysterious men say he is? What really went on Africa, and… is that a gun toting nun?
A few years ago I would have been afraid to touch this book. Not because of the synopsis (which was a little wordy for my taste) or even the meshing of genres (Romance and Suspense,) the killer for me would have been the author. (Don’t freak Sharon… I’m not specifically talking about you) In the past I have noticed a trend with female suspense writers, they find it hard to turn off the mush. Don’t get me wrong, I think it is necessary to have intimate interaction between characters to help build suspense, and rooting for specific outcomes on multiple levels is engaging, but in order to successfully pull off a suspense novel the author must maintain a certain level of mystery through-out their plot. Thankfully… Sharon Garner did exactly that. Great concept… better execution.
The only significant hiccup I found was the ending (yes.. I know I’m spouting cliché’s) Where the writing was solid, and fluid through the first 85% of the novel, it seemed sloppy, and a little forced in the last few pages, (as if Garner was scrambling to get the book done) There were a few scenes that seemed rushed, and others that seemed slow, but all in all, the emotional “baggage” created by Garner for her characters (grief/apprehension/duty/desire) only added fuel to an already blazing fire, and in the end kept me from wanting to put it down. In my eyes that equals success.
There were hidden files, sexy Lambadas, people jumping from ceiling tiles, angry African men with swords, and one very sleazy man with blonde hair and a dirty mouth.
Conclusion: This one is a keeper kiddies… get it, live it, love it… pass it on.
Happy reading my fellow Kindle-ites and remember: when in doubt… shout it out.
A few days ago I felt like I was kicked in the back (see Days of Grace review) so diving into a fast paced suspense was (to put it mildly) refreshing.
If your older brother’s parting words were “If something bad should happen to me contact…” what would you do? Well, for Emily (a children’s book illustrator with no clue as to who her brother actually is) the answer would be “hop a plane to Brazil and get him back.” Armed with nothing more that a name (Christovao Santos) and cluelessness as to where to go next, Emily does the only thing she can think of… scrounge up a gun, and starts asking questions. Bad plan? Yes. Dropping like a fly due to fever, and exhaustion, Emily suddenly finds herself on the opposite side of the gun. Unsure of her surroundings, but clear of her intentions, she uses the only thing left in her arsenal… her power of persuasion. Is her brother really who these mysterious men say he is? What really went on Africa, and… is that a gun toting nun?
A few years ago I would have been afraid to touch this book. Not because of the synopsis (which was a little wordy for my taste) or even the meshing of genres (Romance and Suspense,) the killer for me would have been the author. (Don’t freak Sharon… I’m not specifically talking about you) In the past I have noticed a trend with female suspense writers, they find it hard to turn off the mush. Don’t get me wrong, I think it is necessary to have intimate interaction between characters to help build suspense, and rooting for specific outcomes on multiple levels is engaging, but in order to successfully pull off a suspense novel the author must maintain a certain level of mystery through-out their plot. Thankfully… Sharon Garner did exactly that. Great concept… better execution.
The only significant hiccup I found was the ending (yes.. I know I’m spouting cliché’s) Where the writing was solid, and fluid through the first 85% of the novel, it seemed sloppy, and a little forced in the last few pages, (as if Garner was scrambling to get the book done) There were a few scenes that seemed rushed, and others that seemed slow, but all in all, the emotional “baggage” created by Garner for her characters (grief/apprehension/duty/desire) only added fuel to an already blazing fire, and in the end kept me from wanting to put it down. In my eyes that equals success.
There were hidden files, sexy Lambadas, people jumping from ceiling tiles, angry African men with swords, and one very sleazy man with blonde hair and a dirty mouth.
Conclusion: This one is a keeper kiddies… get it, live it, love it… pass it on.
Happy reading my fellow Kindle-ites and remember: when in doubt… shout it out.
November 27, 2012
Felt like your generic okay-ish action movie in book form - somewhat far-fetched story, rather two-dimensional (and, at least for me, not particulary likable) characters and a predictable romance. Nevertheless, it was quite entertaining, so I still felt like I got my money's worth. 2.5/5
June 30, 2008
Very entertaining, but completely lacking in literary merit. Definitely Dessert.
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September 24, 2014I read this book because the author goes to my church and neighborhood. I was pleasantly surprised although I normally don't read romance genre.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews