What do you think?
Rate this book
Quake
He’ll shake her foundations…
Ana Grace is living a single mother’s worst nightmare. Separated from her two kids by a catastrophic earthquake, she’s trapped in her office building with a man she’s only just met. He’s a sexy former soldier, and possibly the only man able to help her navigate the dangerous landscape home.
Daniel Calder is tired of failing people he’s tried to help, but since Ana is his younger sister’s boss, he’s caught between a rock and a hard place. That rock keeps shifting under his feet, shaking his determination not to become emotionally involved with another damsel in distress.
But when an unforeseen enemy rises from a city in chaos, Ana Grace and her family are in the crosshairs. There’s so much more at stake than just their hearts, and the clock is ticking.
Ana Grace is living a single mother’s worst nightmare. Separated from her two kids by a catastrophic earthquake, she’s trapped in her office building with a man she’s only just met. He’s a sexy former soldier, and possibly the only man able to help her navigate the dangerous landscape home.
Daniel Calder is tired of failing people he’s tried to help, but since Ana is his younger sister’s boss, he’s caught between a rock and a hard place. That rock keeps shifting under his feet, shaking his determination not to become emotionally involved with another damsel in distress.
But when an unforeseen enemy rises from a city in chaos, Ana Grace and her family are in the crosshairs. There’s so much more at stake than just their hearts, and the clock is ticking.
230 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 9, 2018
About the author
Tracey Alvarez
31 books632 followersTracey Alvarez lives in the Coolest Little Capital in the World (a.k.a Wellington, New Zealand) where she’s yet to be buried under her to-be-read book pile by Wellington’s infamous wind—her Kindle’s a lifesaver! Married to a wonderfully supportive IT guy, she has two teens who would love to be surgically linked to their electronic devices.
Fuelled by copious amounts of coffee, she’s the author of contemporary romantic fiction set predominantly in New Zealand. Small-towns, close communities, and families are a big part of the heart-warming stories she writes. Oh, and hot, down-to-earth heroes—Kiwi men, in other words.
When she’s not writing, thinking about writing, or procrastinating about writing, Tracey can be found reading sexy books of all romance genres, nibbling on smuggled chocolate bars, or bribing her kids to take over the housework.
Tracey also writes flirty, dirty stories under the penname Jessie Logan.
Fuelled by copious amounts of coffee, she’s the author of contemporary romantic fiction set predominantly in New Zealand. Small-towns, close communities, and families are a big part of the heart-warming stories she writes. Oh, and hot, down-to-earth heroes—Kiwi men, in other words.
When she’s not writing, thinking about writing, or procrastinating about writing, Tracey can be found reading sexy books of all romance genres, nibbling on smuggled chocolate bars, or bribing her kids to take over the housework.
Tracey also writes flirty, dirty stories under the penname Jessie Logan.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews
![Profile Image for Carol [Goodreads Addict].](https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/users/1626057011i/10717098._UX200_CR0,33,200,200_.jpg)
March 11, 2018
Quake is a brand new stand alone by Tracey Alvarez. I’ve read most of Tracey’s books and they are all contemporary romance. This is her first try in the romantic/suspense thriller genre and I have to say that she aced it! The book had me turning the pages from the beginning to the ending of the perfect epilogue.
The story begins on July 23 in Lower Hutt, New Zealand. Daniel Calder is former military, now living and working on his family’s farm. Daniel has a meeting in Lower Hutt and then plans to spend some time with his sister, Nadia. Nadia works as a nanny for Ana Grace, an attorney, who has graciously volunteered to pick Daniel up at the airport on her way to back to the office.
Ana Grace is a corporate attorney and a single mom to a teenage son and a two year old daughter. Raising her children is Ana’s life. She lost her husband before her daughter was born. But her marriage wasn’t perfect, far from it. Past experiences have left Ana with some serious trust issues, issues that have convinced her that she isn’t meant for love. That she’s better off just concentrating on her children.
“Make it stop. Make it stop Make it stop.”
Ana and Daniel had never met before, but there is an instant awareness between them. That rare spark of awareness that you never expect. When Daniel accompanies Ana to her office, though, their day takes a tragic and unexpected turn when a major earthquake hits which also triggers an epic tsunami. Life as they knew it ceased as they were trapped on the third floor of Ana’s office building. All Ana can think of is getting to her children who are in two separate places across the city from each other.
Ana and Daniel set off on foot to make their way to Ana’s home where her baby girl and Daniel’s sister are. Their world is forever changed and the journey is filled with danger and unbelievable conditions. Daniel’s military training provides him with the necessary skills to protect Ana. The attraction between them grows and little by little they reveal parts of themselves to each other. The journey is also one of self discovery. Ana finds a strength she didn’t know she had. But her trust issues are always there, reminding her that no man, no matter how wonderful he seems, can be completely trusted. She is determined not to let herself fall for this man.
“It’d be so easy to fall for you, Ana Grace.”
“I thought you didn’t want another damsel in distress in your life.”
“I want you in my life, Ana Grace. And honey? You ain’t no damsel.”
There is another danger lurking in the shadows for Ana and Daniel. A danger that threatens everything Ana holds dear.
This book was amazing. The imagery of the catastrophic events of the earthquake and tsunami were unimaginable. Ana showed such strength and perseverance. It was the strength of a mama who is determined to protect her children. In the depths of all of the tragedy, though, Ana is also being offered a gift, a man that despite all her efforts not to, she is falling for and is also falling for her. She is determined though, not to give in. She is not willing to risk her heart or the hearts of her children.
Daniel is everything dreams are made of. He’s tough and trustworthy. He proves time and time again that he will do whatever it takes to protect Ana and get her to her children. Truthfully, I got a little annoyed with Ana and her reluctance to let Daniel in. I think, though, that it was mostly because I loved him so much!
This book grabs you from the start and it kept me enthralled until the final page. It’s hard to believe that this genre was new for this author. It’s an amazing book and I sincerely hope that we will get more of this from her in the future. Whether you prefer steamy romance or this new romantic suspense, you will find something you like in Tracey Alvarez’s books!
The story begins on July 23 in Lower Hutt, New Zealand. Daniel Calder is former military, now living and working on his family’s farm. Daniel has a meeting in Lower Hutt and then plans to spend some time with his sister, Nadia. Nadia works as a nanny for Ana Grace, an attorney, who has graciously volunteered to pick Daniel up at the airport on her way to back to the office.
Ana Grace is a corporate attorney and a single mom to a teenage son and a two year old daughter. Raising her children is Ana’s life. She lost her husband before her daughter was born. But her marriage wasn’t perfect, far from it. Past experiences have left Ana with some serious trust issues, issues that have convinced her that she isn’t meant for love. That she’s better off just concentrating on her children.
“Make it stop. Make it stop Make it stop.”
Ana and Daniel had never met before, but there is an instant awareness between them. That rare spark of awareness that you never expect. When Daniel accompanies Ana to her office, though, their day takes a tragic and unexpected turn when a major earthquake hits which also triggers an epic tsunami. Life as they knew it ceased as they were trapped on the third floor of Ana’s office building. All Ana can think of is getting to her children who are in two separate places across the city from each other.
Ana and Daniel set off on foot to make their way to Ana’s home where her baby girl and Daniel’s sister are. Their world is forever changed and the journey is filled with danger and unbelievable conditions. Daniel’s military training provides him with the necessary skills to protect Ana. The attraction between them grows and little by little they reveal parts of themselves to each other. The journey is also one of self discovery. Ana finds a strength she didn’t know she had. But her trust issues are always there, reminding her that no man, no matter how wonderful he seems, can be completely trusted. She is determined not to let herself fall for this man.
“It’d be so easy to fall for you, Ana Grace.”
“I thought you didn’t want another damsel in distress in your life.”
“I want you in my life, Ana Grace. And honey? You ain’t no damsel.”
There is another danger lurking in the shadows for Ana and Daniel. A danger that threatens everything Ana holds dear.
This book was amazing. The imagery of the catastrophic events of the earthquake and tsunami were unimaginable. Ana showed such strength and perseverance. It was the strength of a mama who is determined to protect her children. In the depths of all of the tragedy, though, Ana is also being offered a gift, a man that despite all her efforts not to, she is falling for and is also falling for her. She is determined though, not to give in. She is not willing to risk her heart or the hearts of her children.
Daniel is everything dreams are made of. He’s tough and trustworthy. He proves time and time again that he will do whatever it takes to protect Ana and get her to her children. Truthfully, I got a little annoyed with Ana and her reluctance to let Daniel in. I think, though, that it was mostly because I loved him so much!
This book grabs you from the start and it kept me enthralled until the final page. It’s hard to believe that this genre was new for this author. It’s an amazing book and I sincerely hope that we will get more of this from her in the future. Whether you prefer steamy romance or this new romantic suspense, you will find something you like in Tracey Alvarez’s books!
March 16, 2018
★ 3.8 “Farm Boy” stars!!! ★
Daniel Calder *swoon* é o personagem que mais gostei nesse livro!
Confiante, corajoso, devotado... apaixonante!
Ana Grace é uma advogada e mãe de dois filhos... Me relacionei ao ver a coragem e determinação de uma mãe disposta a se arriscar e enfrentar os obstáculos e perigos desconhecidos deixados por um terremoto para se reencontrar com sua família. Em seu lugar eu faria o mesmo!
Uma das coisas que não gostei muito foi o tempo em que a história se passa... questão de dias, no máximo algumas semanas. Claro que não esperava que levasse meses e meses, mas gostaria de ter visto um pouco mais de desenvolvimento e calma na construção do relacionamento entre os personagens.
Era óbvio que sentimentos surgiriam devido a proximidade dos dois e das circunstâncias. Porém, ao meu ver foi rápido demais.
O comportamento da Ana em alguns momentos me irritou muito, de certa forma compreendi a sua resistência. Mas não posso mentir e dizer que não foi cansativo ver toda essa indecisão e relutância...
A história é narrada em terceira pessoa, apesar de não ser muito fã desse estilo de narrativa, a leitura foi fluída e rápida. Manteve meu interesse e curiosidade até a última página. Mesmo com os pontos negativos que apontei, no final da leitura me vi com aquele sorriso bobo no rosto.
Portanto, no geral, eu gostei sim desse livro.
“When I have no one or nothing, I turn to you and my heart is home.”
Daniel Calder *swoon* é o personagem que mais gostei nesse livro!
Confiante, corajoso, devotado... apaixonante!
Ana Grace é uma advogada e mãe de dois filhos... Me relacionei ao ver a coragem e determinação de uma mãe disposta a se arriscar e enfrentar os obstáculos e perigos desconhecidos deixados por um terremoto para se reencontrar com sua família. Em seu lugar eu faria o mesmo!
Uma das coisas que não gostei muito foi o tempo em que a história se passa... questão de dias, no máximo algumas semanas. Claro que não esperava que levasse meses e meses, mas gostaria de ter visto um pouco mais de desenvolvimento e calma na construção do relacionamento entre os personagens.
Era óbvio que sentimentos surgiriam devido a proximidade dos dois e das circunstâncias. Porém, ao meu ver foi rápido demais.
O comportamento da Ana em alguns momentos me irritou muito, de certa forma compreendi a sua resistência. Mas não posso mentir e dizer que não foi cansativo ver toda essa indecisão e relutância...
A história é narrada em terceira pessoa, apesar de não ser muito fã desse estilo de narrativa, a leitura foi fluída e rápida. Manteve meu interesse e curiosidade até a última página. Mesmo com os pontos negativos que apontei, no final da leitura me vi com aquele sorriso bobo no rosto.
Portanto, no geral, eu gostei sim desse livro.
March 6, 2018
‘Quake’ resonated with me in more ways than one. Apart from the devastating quakes that have stolen the headlines in New Zealand over the past few years, that Tracey Alvarez has chosen to set her book in Wellington—a place which I adore—and its familiar surrounds made me walk in these footsteps once again. It was all too easy to imagine the windiest city in the world swept away in the tsunami that resulted because of the fictional quake, the landslides and mudflow and the aftershocks crumbling everything that I remember all too well.
‘Quake’ is a departure from Alvarez’s ‘Due South’ and ‘Far North’ series, and I was beyond intrigued (but eager) to see how she’d tackle this book. Here, Alvarez’s distinct rom-com voice is replaced with a more sombre, direct narrative, though it’s no less engaging, well-written and realistic, more so since it’s about an area built on a faultline that has and is likely to see more of these quakes to come. The small bit of suspense does not entirely kick in until later, with the first half being more of a catalogue of how the desperate survive, though the insinuation that there are those who would take advantage of chaos to further their own malicious agendas is a brilliant idea, if a little baffling in this instance. Still, Ana’s and Daniel’s accidental, longer-than-expected involvement is only that is mostly believable, given the adrenaline and tension of a natural disaster forging stronger bonds.
It was admittedly harder to get invested in this pairing than I thought. If Daniel was the hero I thought he was, Ana’s appalling behaviour and emotional cowardice didn’t make me a fan of hers at all. The numerous times she pushed Daniel away and hurt him made me think that a smack was in fact, sorely needed, despite the spurts of courage and bravery that she showed while making her way home to her children. Painting Daniel with the same brush as her father and ex was unfair and she knew it but ultimately, Ana’s repetitive but brutal actions towards him—all the way to the very end—made her a lot less easy to like than Daniel whose loyalty and devotion seemed misplaced and undeserved.
My reservations about Ana however, shouldn’t be a deterrent to those who like disaster-type stories with romance and a hint of suspense thrown in. There is so much that’s unique about ‘Quake’’s premise but my own bias about New Zealand is probably showing here; Alvarez’s assured and confident writing just makes the pot that much sweeter.
*ARC by the author
‘Quake’ is a departure from Alvarez’s ‘Due South’ and ‘Far North’ series, and I was beyond intrigued (but eager) to see how she’d tackle this book. Here, Alvarez’s distinct rom-com voice is replaced with a more sombre, direct narrative, though it’s no less engaging, well-written and realistic, more so since it’s about an area built on a faultline that has and is likely to see more of these quakes to come. The small bit of suspense does not entirely kick in until later, with the first half being more of a catalogue of how the desperate survive, though the insinuation that there are those who would take advantage of chaos to further their own malicious agendas is a brilliant idea, if a little baffling in this instance. Still, Ana’s and Daniel’s accidental, longer-than-expected involvement is only that is mostly believable, given the adrenaline and tension of a natural disaster forging stronger bonds.
It was admittedly harder to get invested in this pairing than I thought. If Daniel was the hero I thought he was, Ana’s appalling behaviour and emotional cowardice didn’t make me a fan of hers at all. The numerous times she pushed Daniel away and hurt him made me think that a smack was in fact, sorely needed, despite the spurts of courage and bravery that she showed while making her way home to her children. Painting Daniel with the same brush as her father and ex was unfair and she knew it but ultimately, Ana’s repetitive but brutal actions towards him—all the way to the very end—made her a lot less easy to like than Daniel whose loyalty and devotion seemed misplaced and undeserved.
My reservations about Ana however, shouldn’t be a deterrent to those who like disaster-type stories with romance and a hint of suspense thrown in. There is so much that’s unique about ‘Quake’’s premise but my own bias about New Zealand is probably showing here; Alvarez’s assured and confident writing just makes the pot that much sweeter.
*ARC by the author
March 7, 2018
Ana Grace is a lawyer, a single mother of two children, Theo and Alyssa. On Friday morning, July 23rd she picks up her nanny's brother, Daniel for a visit and they head back to her office. At 10:22 a major earthquake and tsunami hit destroying Wellington, New Zealand. Ana's only thought is to get to her children. Daniel, a former soldier, now working on his family farm is a natural born hero but he doesn't see it that way. He wears the guilt of his failures but this time he's determined to keep this woman safe and to get her home to her children. Together they will escape the damaged building and travel the broken city each trying to fight their attraction to the other. Both have reasons why they should not get involved with each other, both have scars from their pasts. Strangers thrown together under intense conditions, it's hard to remain emotionally distant and as an unanticipated enemy makes his move against Ana's family during the chaotic aftermath of the disaster, it becomes clear just how much they need one another. However, as brave as Ana is in some areas of her life, she isn't brave in her personal one. She won't allow herself to trust a man. She knows she needs to let Daniel go. After all, they barely know each other. Love, at first sight, seems a fairytale until it hits you.
Quake is a departure from Alvarez’s Due South and Far North series. I was a little worried going into the book because I adore her other series. No reason to worry, however. The farm boy and the counselor stole my heart. Daniel is a man after my own heart. He's solid, strong, and good. His easy affection for Ana's children, his pure love, and protectiveness for her won me over completely. Ana was a spitfire. She's a mother which in my eyes is the greatest compliment you can give a woman. She would do anything for her children, plain and simple. She frustrated me with her relationship fears but I understood them and I had faith she would come to her senses. She was smart after all.
Quake is realistic, well-written, and the characters authentic. It's a well-conceived and executed romantic suspense. There's a tension that builds throughout. The anticipation, the suspense kept me engaged from beginning to end. It provoked a myriad of emotions; worry, fear, amusement, hope, anger, disgust, frustration. I highly recommend.
Quake is a departure from Alvarez’s Due South and Far North series. I was a little worried going into the book because I adore her other series. No reason to worry, however. The farm boy and the counselor stole my heart. Daniel is a man after my own heart. He's solid, strong, and good. His easy affection for Ana's children, his pure love, and protectiveness for her won me over completely. Ana was a spitfire. She's a mother which in my eyes is the greatest compliment you can give a woman. She would do anything for her children, plain and simple. She frustrated me with her relationship fears but I understood them and I had faith she would come to her senses. She was smart after all.
Quake is realistic, well-written, and the characters authentic. It's a well-conceived and executed romantic suspense. There's a tension that builds throughout. The anticipation, the suspense kept me engaged from beginning to end. It provoked a myriad of emotions; worry, fear, amusement, hope, anger, disgust, frustration. I highly recommend.
March 3, 2018
Quake is a well-written story with developed characters and an engaging plot. I was pleased to see a natural disaster dealt with in a realistic manner. Help was not immediately available, electricity, water, and phone service were gone, or spotty at best. Roads were impassable making traveling 35km an undertaking. Very real dangers lurked along the way.
I can only imagine how Ana felt not knowing the fate of her kids. Every good mother's nightmare. Her determination to reach them was admirable. I loved that she was a strong-willed woman, capable of taking care of herself, while also realizing she needed Daniel's help. Daniel was a dream come true! Holy hotness!!! I'd love to have someone like him in my life!
There were times I really wanted to slap Ana and say "Get a grip." She was a bit wishy-washy when it came to her feelings for Daniel. I can understand it to a degree but... I was glad to see her finally get set straight by the person she was using as her biggest excuse. Can't say more without a spoiler.
I loved the scene with the can of beans in the park. Even though it was a tense scene, the beans brought some levity to the situation and made me admire Ana even more. Don't try to get between a determined woman and her kids!
There was extra suspense in the story besides the quake and it definitely upped the tension. I was glad to see everything completely settled with no loose ends.
Tracey Alvarez has written a page-turner romantic suspense. She always writes awesome stories that make me fall in love with her characters and New Zealand. I strongly urge you to read Quake and all the books she has written.
I can only imagine how Ana felt not knowing the fate of her kids. Every good mother's nightmare. Her determination to reach them was admirable. I loved that she was a strong-willed woman, capable of taking care of herself, while also realizing she needed Daniel's help. Daniel was a dream come true! Holy hotness!!! I'd love to have someone like him in my life!
There were times I really wanted to slap Ana and say "Get a grip." She was a bit wishy-washy when it came to her feelings for Daniel. I can understand it to a degree but... I was glad to see her finally get set straight by the person she was using as her biggest excuse. Can't say more without a spoiler.
I loved the scene with the can of beans in the park. Even though it was a tense scene, the beans brought some levity to the situation and made me admire Ana even more. Don't try to get between a determined woman and her kids!
There was extra suspense in the story besides the quake and it definitely upped the tension. I was glad to see everything completely settled with no loose ends.
Tracey Alvarez has written a page-turner romantic suspense. She always writes awesome stories that make me fall in love with her characters and New Zealand. I strongly urge you to read Quake and all the books she has written.
March 21, 2018
Quake is a definite departure for Ms. Alvarez, with an element of danger and suspense not seen in her other series (Bountny Bay and Stewart Island) and the fact that she's new to writing the genre does show somewhat (the suspense part is done somewhat clumsily and predictably) it's still a worthwhile read. Seeing characters in the midst of an earthquake and tsunami-caused crisis felt very topical with all of the natural disasters making the news these days, and reading her descriptions of the devastation they caused made me very grateful to live in an area where earthquakes are not a common occurrence.
As with Tracey's other books, the characters here are her real strength--Daniel especially was a favorite. Family and friends were as important to her hero and heroine as they usually are in her contemporary romances, which was enjoyable to read even if we didn't see much of them since the bulk of the novel was Daniel and Ana traveling between her place of work and where her kids were. I was a bit bummed that Ms. Alvarez chose for her widowed heroine to have the "we were headed for divorce anyway; I never really loved him" type of first marriage, but that's fairly typical in the romance genre these days and it seems like I'm the only person that it bothers overmuch, so...
This book is perhaps a bit too short to really do justice to its plot elements, making the suspense, disaster plot, and romance all feel a bit rushed. If instalove bothers you, it's definitely in evidence here. Still, for a first foray into these genres it's a decent attempt; I'm looking forward to seeing what Ms. Alvarez will do with them in the future.
Rating: 3 1/2 stars / C+
As with Tracey's other books, the characters here are her real strength--Daniel especially was a favorite. Family and friends were as important to her hero and heroine as they usually are in her contemporary romances, which was enjoyable to read even if we didn't see much of them since the bulk of the novel was Daniel and Ana traveling between her place of work and where her kids were. I was a bit bummed that Ms. Alvarez chose for her widowed heroine to have the "we were headed for divorce anyway; I never really loved him" type of first marriage, but that's fairly typical in the romance genre these days and it seems like I'm the only person that it bothers overmuch, so...
This book is perhaps a bit too short to really do justice to its plot elements, making the suspense, disaster plot, and romance all feel a bit rushed. If instalove bothers you, it's definitely in evidence here. Still, for a first foray into these genres it's a decent attempt; I'm looking forward to seeing what Ms. Alvarez will do with them in the future.
Rating: 3 1/2 stars / C+
March 9, 2018
Quake by Tracey Alvarez
The Big One – an earthquake – that is what I always heard people worrying about and preparing for while living in California. I experienced a few and some were humdingers BUT none were as bad where I lived as the one described in this book. What would I do if I were in Ana’s shoes? How would I cope? I am sure that having Daniel, with all of his military training, there to assist her as she made her way through the destruction to reach her children would have been a blessing…and a delightful temptation.
Disasters happen. Worlds are turned upside down. Stress is to be expected. Worry about loved ones and no way to find out how they are would be difficult. The author made the situation seem real. The emotions were raw. Daniel and Ana were relatable and realistic. Throwing in a character that was out for blood – Ana’s and some of her family’s – ramped up the suspense.
Ana had reasons she did not trust men but at times I wanted her to be more trusting… Daniel, his father and brothers all seemed to have the genetic predisposition to love quickly and deeply but Ana was not so easily swayed and without the wise counsel of someone close to her there might not have been a HEA for Ana and Daniel.
This was a complex well plotted story that made me think “what if?” and knowing it could happen where I live and that in the past there has been a tsunami after an earthquake in Lebanon this book hit close to home.
Thank you to the author for the ARC – This is my honest review.
4-5 Stars
The Big One – an earthquake – that is what I always heard people worrying about and preparing for while living in California. I experienced a few and some were humdingers BUT none were as bad where I lived as the one described in this book. What would I do if I were in Ana’s shoes? How would I cope? I am sure that having Daniel, with all of his military training, there to assist her as she made her way through the destruction to reach her children would have been a blessing…and a delightful temptation.
Disasters happen. Worlds are turned upside down. Stress is to be expected. Worry about loved ones and no way to find out how they are would be difficult. The author made the situation seem real. The emotions were raw. Daniel and Ana were relatable and realistic. Throwing in a character that was out for blood – Ana’s and some of her family’s – ramped up the suspense.
Ana had reasons she did not trust men but at times I wanted her to be more trusting… Daniel, his father and brothers all seemed to have the genetic predisposition to love quickly and deeply but Ana was not so easily swayed and without the wise counsel of someone close to her there might not have been a HEA for Ana and Daniel.
This was a complex well plotted story that made me think “what if?” and knowing it could happen where I live and that in the past there has been a tsunami after an earthquake in Lebanon this book hit close to home.
Thank you to the author for the ARC – This is my honest review.
4-5 Stars
April 28, 2018
Alvarez extends her talents to include a suspense/thriller thread in Quake. Full of action, adventure and the Kiwi humour I love so much, this was a fast-paced read. It took me a while to get into the story, but from the moment they scaled down the wall of the quake-battered building and started out on their rescue mission, the action jumped off the page. The suspense/thriller element was light enough to add intrigue rather than edge-of-the-seat suspense, driven by a third point of view from the villain's perspective, which (for me) made it a little predictable. As always, well-written and edited and undeniably enjoyable.
An ARC was kindly provided by the author for an honest review.
An ARC was kindly provided by the author for an honest review.
March 8, 2018
This is a delightful book, and a bit of a change of direction for Tracey. This has none of the coziness of the Stewart Island and Bounty Bay series of books. It is edgy from the start, very much in the romantic suspense genre, with the emphasis on suspense, which gradually builds through the book.
Daniel Calder, an ex-soldier and now working on the family farm, has flown to Wellington to visit his sister Nadia, who is working as nanny for lawyer Ana Grace. It is Ana who meets him from the airport, and the tension starts right there. They are both attracted to each other, but Ana is totally sworn off men. All the men in her life have let her down, and her life entirely revolves round her children, Theo, a teenager, and Alyssa a little girl, not yet school age. Daniel too has a few skeletons in his closet that need to be dealt with. She drives him back to her office, and while they are making arrangements for him to come back there in an hour to go to her home there is a massive earthquake, followed by a tsunami. Her office is on the third floor of the building, and bits of the walls fall away. It is only a small office, just four of them in that day, but they are not unscathed, Joel has a badly broken arm and Irene, has a heart attack, and dies. Nothing is working, so they are unable to call for help, or leave the building until the tsunami subsides. Ana is frantic, she has to find her children.
Eventually the water clears, Daniel makes a rope from a long, plaited roller towel, and he helps Ana abseil down to the ground, then he climbs down, with Ana being his eyes to tell him where his hands and feet can gain purchase on the wall. Once they are back on the ground they find a rescue team and report the help required by Joel, Irene and Maggie.
It is very hard for them to get away from the city centre, there is so much debris they cannot use a vehicle, they have to walk to get to Ana's family. They have several tense situations along the way, but there is also a sinister element, danger is stalking Ana's loved ones, and especially her. There are a few chapters which give a little light relief, which you do need in a tense story. The episode with the tin of baked beans is very amusing, and unexpected, I won't spoil it by saying more than that!
The huge climax towards the end of the book is extremely well done, it all feels very real. Tracey has written the whole situation of the massive earthquake, tsunami and aftershocks very well, you can really feel as though you are there, experiencing the fear and panic alongside the book characters, nothing is overstated.
For much of the book Ana is quite hard to like. She is single minded in her determination to find her family, and she is quite unpleasant to Daniel, who is doing his best to protect her. He is a lovely character, but Ana would have deserved it if he had walked off and left her to it. But you can see their attraction for each other getting stronger and stronger, no matter how much they try to fight it.
Very well worth reading.
Daniel Calder, an ex-soldier and now working on the family farm, has flown to Wellington to visit his sister Nadia, who is working as nanny for lawyer Ana Grace. It is Ana who meets him from the airport, and the tension starts right there. They are both attracted to each other, but Ana is totally sworn off men. All the men in her life have let her down, and her life entirely revolves round her children, Theo, a teenager, and Alyssa a little girl, not yet school age. Daniel too has a few skeletons in his closet that need to be dealt with. She drives him back to her office, and while they are making arrangements for him to come back there in an hour to go to her home there is a massive earthquake, followed by a tsunami. Her office is on the third floor of the building, and bits of the walls fall away. It is only a small office, just four of them in that day, but they are not unscathed, Joel has a badly broken arm and Irene, has a heart attack, and dies. Nothing is working, so they are unable to call for help, or leave the building until the tsunami subsides. Ana is frantic, she has to find her children.
Eventually the water clears, Daniel makes a rope from a long, plaited roller towel, and he helps Ana abseil down to the ground, then he climbs down, with Ana being his eyes to tell him where his hands and feet can gain purchase on the wall. Once they are back on the ground they find a rescue team and report the help required by Joel, Irene and Maggie.
It is very hard for them to get away from the city centre, there is so much debris they cannot use a vehicle, they have to walk to get to Ana's family. They have several tense situations along the way, but there is also a sinister element, danger is stalking Ana's loved ones, and especially her. There are a few chapters which give a little light relief, which you do need in a tense story. The episode with the tin of baked beans is very amusing, and unexpected, I won't spoil it by saying more than that!
The huge climax towards the end of the book is extremely well done, it all feels very real. Tracey has written the whole situation of the massive earthquake, tsunami and aftershocks very well, you can really feel as though you are there, experiencing the fear and panic alongside the book characters, nothing is overstated.
For much of the book Ana is quite hard to like. She is single minded in her determination to find her family, and she is quite unpleasant to Daniel, who is doing his best to protect her. He is a lovely character, but Ana would have deserved it if he had walked off and left her to it. But you can see their attraction for each other getting stronger and stronger, no matter how much they try to fight it.
Very well worth reading.
March 19, 2018
As always Ms Alvarez sucks you into the meat of the story from the very start. You're drawn in directly to the time that the two main characters meet and interact and the story continues from there at a fairly fast rate. This was a detour from Ms Alvarez' popular series' and was a fun and thrilling addition with the action and adventure of the aftermath of the quake.
I did really like the main hero Daniel as a man that took action and thought things out rationally. His actions showed us his true character and how he functioned as a person, not just as a love interest which really built up our connection with him. He was a lovable hero and well suited to the more uptight heroine Ana. Ana, although I liked her character, I didn't connect to as strongly as her actions seemed to sway from rational to emotional (which you completely expect and understand under the circumstances) and then to completely irrational and out of control (this was a little jolting for me, but maybe I'm just too rational of a thinker?), but luckily this only happened on the few and far between occasions. I did however feel their connection together as a building romance and hence why I still enjoyed the story.
The build up of tension leading to the conclusion of the story was good but I didn't feel the real sense of true anticipation that I hoped for. The 'twist' that other reviewers have spoken of was a good fit for the story but not entirely unexpected. In saying that I really enjoyed the story as a whole but I guess was more surprised at seeing it referred to as a twist. And being a lover of action and tension, I would have loved to have seen more of this in the end. I don't want to give away any part of the story, but I'll just say that I felt that action scene including Daniel and another character felt like it could have had more build up. I didn't want that part of the story to be dealt with so swiftly and hence I guess the main reason for 3 stars instead of 4. I just wanted 'more'.
My only other real wish for the story is for the beginning of the story. I would have really liked to have seen perhaps the addition of even just one scene to start to introduce us to Ana and Nadia interacting with the kids at Ana's home. Usually I love that Ms Alvarez gets to the introduction of the main characters so quickly but as all of them as a family unit play such an integral role in the story, I felt I didn't know them well enough as we don't really have any emotional connection as readers, only indirectly through Ana's thoughts.
In saying that, this really doesn't distract from the story - it's only the wish of one reader. I enjoyed reading Quake as it was a fast paced romance with the thrill of a little 'insta' love, action, steam and can I mention Daniel again? Daniel. Thanks for another great read Ms Alvarez!
I did really like the main hero Daniel as a man that took action and thought things out rationally. His actions showed us his true character and how he functioned as a person, not just as a love interest which really built up our connection with him. He was a lovable hero and well suited to the more uptight heroine Ana. Ana, although I liked her character, I didn't connect to as strongly as her actions seemed to sway from rational to emotional (which you completely expect and understand under the circumstances) and then to completely irrational and out of control (this was a little jolting for me, but maybe I'm just too rational of a thinker?), but luckily this only happened on the few and far between occasions. I did however feel their connection together as a building romance and hence why I still enjoyed the story.
The build up of tension leading to the conclusion of the story was good but I didn't feel the real sense of true anticipation that I hoped for. The 'twist' that other reviewers have spoken of was a good fit for the story but not entirely unexpected. In saying that I really enjoyed the story as a whole but I guess was more surprised at seeing it referred to as a twist. And being a lover of action and tension, I would have loved to have seen more of this in the end. I don't want to give away any part of the story, but I'll just say that I felt that action scene including Daniel and another character felt like it could have had more build up. I didn't want that part of the story to be dealt with so swiftly and hence I guess the main reason for 3 stars instead of 4. I just wanted 'more'.
My only other real wish for the story is for the beginning of the story. I would have really liked to have seen perhaps the addition of even just one scene to start to introduce us to Ana and Nadia interacting with the kids at Ana's home. Usually I love that Ms Alvarez gets to the introduction of the main characters so quickly but as all of them as a family unit play such an integral role in the story, I felt I didn't know them well enough as we don't really have any emotional connection as readers, only indirectly through Ana's thoughts.
In saying that, this really doesn't distract from the story - it's only the wish of one reader. I enjoyed reading Quake as it was a fast paced romance with the thrill of a little 'insta' love, action, steam and can I mention Daniel again? Daniel. Thanks for another great read Ms Alvarez!
March 5, 2018
There’s one thing you know you are going to get with a Tracey Alvarez book, an incredible adventure throughout New Zealand loaded with romance, beautiful scenery and hot steamy sex, but this one came with a twist that I haven’t seen before from her. Those of us who know Tracey and her amazing books, she lives in New Zealand, also known that the area is prone to earthquakes. Now being from SoCal myself, we are also used to those pesky earth moving occurrences, and when they happen, we pray it’s only a tiny little shaker, but in Quake, it’s the mother of all shakers, and it’s rather unnerving, given those of us who have gone through them. I found myself having a bit of anxiety when the first part of the book starts off. She explains in great detail to the reader what the characters are going through, loss, devastation, will to live, heroic efforts and most of all survival. Not that the earthquake wasn’t enough to write about, she then throws in a twist. But Ana’s got one thing on her mind, and that’s to get to her kids and nanny, who just happens to be Daniel’s (hunk of a hero/ex military) little sister. Daniel and Ana map out a plan to get to Ana’s kids and his sister through a well planned out path through the back roads of downtown Wellington where her Law firm is located to her home in Southgate Wellington.
This is a very well written book (no surprise) that keeps you engaged from the first page to the very last word on the last page. Tracey has a way to make you feel like you are right there in the thick of things, going through every emotion and challenge Ana and Daniel encounter as they both try to make it to their end goal, getting to their family members to make sure they are okay and safe, and unknowingly putting themselves in danger even more with what awaits them when they finally do make it there. All the while, opening themselves up to feelings they have for each other, something neither one of them want, but can do nothing but follow the path to see where it leads them.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC copy of this book. Highly recommend readings this book!!!
This is a very well written book (no surprise) that keeps you engaged from the first page to the very last word on the last page. Tracey has a way to make you feel like you are right there in the thick of things, going through every emotion and challenge Ana and Daniel encounter as they both try to make it to their end goal, getting to their family members to make sure they are okay and safe, and unknowingly putting themselves in danger even more with what awaits them when they finally do make it there. All the while, opening themselves up to feelings they have for each other, something neither one of them want, but can do nothing but follow the path to see where it leads them.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC copy of this book. Highly recommend readings this book!!!
March 22, 2018
Ana Grace is a woman who doesn’t trust men. Every man in her life has failed her. Her father. Her first love. Her ex-husband. The only person she can trust is herself.
Daniel Calder is ex-military. He’s got a chip on his shoulder. Years ago, during training, a soldier under his command was permanently injured because she didn’t follow his orders. Daniel is haunted and guilt ridden by the accident. He’s since placed the needs of others before his own happiness as penance.
The unthinkable has happened. An earthquake has struck and along with the tsunami that follows, has cause devastation and chaos. Ana, desperate to get to her children, must rely on and trust a man who she’s just met. The instant attraction between them is palpable. They must fight both their attraction, mutual personal issues with trust, as well as rogue entities to get to their goals.
Tracey Alvarez has done it again. She’s woven a story that both thrills and terrifies. Her descriptive verbal rendering painted such vivid images that it was almost like watching a natural disaster movie instead of reading a book. I held my breath in fear and hope as Daniel and Ana helped dig out the cave in at the restaurant. I held my baby boy a little tighter and longer before putting him to bed after reading about Kyla and Cody. I sympathized with both Ana and Daniel after they were caught in the rain. Sitting around in wet clothes is no fun. Most of all, I was able to relate with Ana on so many different levels that I was completely sucked into the story and invested in her journey to reunite with her children. The twist with the hostage/revenge subplot pushed it over the edge. I stayed up way past my bedtime to read this book and I regret nothing.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I was not compensated for my review, and I was not required to write a positive review. The opinion expressed here is my own.
Daniel Calder is ex-military. He’s got a chip on his shoulder. Years ago, during training, a soldier under his command was permanently injured because she didn’t follow his orders. Daniel is haunted and guilt ridden by the accident. He’s since placed the needs of others before his own happiness as penance.
The unthinkable has happened. An earthquake has struck and along with the tsunami that follows, has cause devastation and chaos. Ana, desperate to get to her children, must rely on and trust a man who she’s just met. The instant attraction between them is palpable. They must fight both their attraction, mutual personal issues with trust, as well as rogue entities to get to their goals.
Tracey Alvarez has done it again. She’s woven a story that both thrills and terrifies. Her descriptive verbal rendering painted such vivid images that it was almost like watching a natural disaster movie instead of reading a book. I held my breath in fear and hope as Daniel and Ana helped dig out the cave in at the restaurant. I held my baby boy a little tighter and longer before putting him to bed after reading about Kyla and Cody. I sympathized with both Ana and Daniel after they were caught in the rain. Sitting around in wet clothes is no fun. Most of all, I was able to relate with Ana on so many different levels that I was completely sucked into the story and invested in her journey to reunite with her children. The twist with the hostage/revenge subplot pushed it over the edge. I stayed up way past my bedtime to read this book and I regret nothing.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I was not compensated for my review, and I was not required to write a positive review. The opinion expressed here is my own.
March 4, 2018
4 stars
Mit Ana und Daniel lernen wir diesmal zwei komplett neue Charaktere außerhalb ihrer bisherigen Serien-Welten kennen. Und auch diese beiden haben mich sofort in ihren Bann gezogen. Beide haben ihr Päckchen zu tragen – Daniel kämpft mit Schuldgefühlen, Ana mit ihren Vertrauensproblemen. Nachdem ein Erdbeben die Stadt zerstört hat, schließen sich die beiden zusammen, um gemeinsam Anas Kinder Alyssa und Theo sowie deren Nanny Nadia (Daniels Schwester) zu finden. Sie bahnen sich einen Weg durch die zerstörte Stadt und erreichen Nadia und Alyssa, denen es gut geht. Theo hingegen soll sich bei Anas Vater aufhalten, nach dem sie als nächstes sehen wollen. Und hier erhält die gesamte Geschichte einen Thriller-Touch. Denn nicht nur die Nachbeben, sondern auch ein Mann mit Rachegelüsten wird ihnen gefährlich. Er will sich an Ana und ihrem Vater für ein lange zurückliegendes Unrecht rächen und nimmt dafür alles in Kauf.
Ich mochte vor allem Daniel. Er war wie ein Fels in der Brandung und ließ sich trotz seiner eigenen Konflikte nie davon abbringen, Ana oder anderen zu helfen. Ein starker Mann mit Courage und Liebe, der Ana erst davon überzeugen musste, dass auch sie bereit ist, wieder zu vertrauen.
Im Großen und Ganzen gefiel mir Anas und Daniels Geschichte wirklich gut. Meiner Meinung nach hätte man den Rachefeldzug allerdings beiseitelassen und sich voll und ganz auf die Katastrophengeschichte konzentrieren können. Es hätte dennoch an nichts gefehlt.
Ich freue mich schon auf mehr Geschichten von Tracey Alvarez und kann sie jedem der, der gerne Contemporary Romance liest, nur wärmstens empfehlen!
I requested a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. These thoughts are my own.
Mit Ana und Daniel lernen wir diesmal zwei komplett neue Charaktere außerhalb ihrer bisherigen Serien-Welten kennen. Und auch diese beiden haben mich sofort in ihren Bann gezogen. Beide haben ihr Päckchen zu tragen – Daniel kämpft mit Schuldgefühlen, Ana mit ihren Vertrauensproblemen. Nachdem ein Erdbeben die Stadt zerstört hat, schließen sich die beiden zusammen, um gemeinsam Anas Kinder Alyssa und Theo sowie deren Nanny Nadia (Daniels Schwester) zu finden. Sie bahnen sich einen Weg durch die zerstörte Stadt und erreichen Nadia und Alyssa, denen es gut geht. Theo hingegen soll sich bei Anas Vater aufhalten, nach dem sie als nächstes sehen wollen. Und hier erhält die gesamte Geschichte einen Thriller-Touch. Denn nicht nur die Nachbeben, sondern auch ein Mann mit Rachegelüsten wird ihnen gefährlich. Er will sich an Ana und ihrem Vater für ein lange zurückliegendes Unrecht rächen und nimmt dafür alles in Kauf.
Ich mochte vor allem Daniel. Er war wie ein Fels in der Brandung und ließ sich trotz seiner eigenen Konflikte nie davon abbringen, Ana oder anderen zu helfen. Ein starker Mann mit Courage und Liebe, der Ana erst davon überzeugen musste, dass auch sie bereit ist, wieder zu vertrauen.
Im Großen und Ganzen gefiel mir Anas und Daniels Geschichte wirklich gut. Meiner Meinung nach hätte man den Rachefeldzug allerdings beiseitelassen und sich voll und ganz auf die Katastrophengeschichte konzentrieren können. Es hätte dennoch an nichts gefehlt.
Ich freue mich schon auf mehr Geschichten von Tracey Alvarez und kann sie jedem der, der gerne Contemporary Romance liest, nur wärmstens empfehlen!
I requested a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. These thoughts are my own.
March 6, 2018
Ana Grace is a defense attorney who had made some nasty enemies in her career. One of them has the perfect plan to get even with her. Ana's little girl Alyssa was with Nadia, her nanny and Ana's son Theo was in school on the other side of the city when the earthquake hit. Former soldier, Daniel Calder's younger sister Nadia is Alyssa's nanny. Ana had just picked up Daniel from the airport and was giving him a ride into Wellington for a business appointment near Ana's office. Daniel decided to help Ana carry a very heavy box of files up to her office as a way of showing his appreciation for his ride into town. Soon after Daniel and Ana arrival at her law office, a massive quake struck the city. Trapping Daniel, Ana and her office mates in their ruined office building. In the meanwhile, the enemy of both Ana and her father is determined to take advantage of the natural disaster to punish Ana and her father for their perceived crimes perpetrated again him. Daniel has an important decision to make. Is he willing to overcome his past and help his beautiful damsel in distress find and protect her family? You will have to read this thrilling, intriguing romantic suspense novel to find out the answer. Ms. Alvarez exciting novel is a real winner and you will not regret reading it.
I received a free advanced copy of this book and I am voluntarily leaving my personal review.
I received a free advanced copy of this book and I am voluntarily leaving my personal review.
April 20, 2020
I'm already a Tracey Alvarez fan so it goes without saying that I love her style of storytelling and her romantic suspenses are intriguing. Daniel and Ana were sexy and smokin' hot together. I did love them as a couple, but while I loved Daniel as the ultimate hero, with his gorgeous dark looks, his strength, patience, kindness, and courage to move past the guilt he carried about a former soldier under his command, Ana needed a swift kick to the rear a few times. She could be so smart, tough, and so brave--willing to risk her life to help Daniel--yet be such a chicken when it came to matters of the heart. I get some of her hesitancy in moving forward with yet another relationship that had the possibility of failing, but painting all men with one paintbrush was a bit much. She was about to let go of a good man who proved to her over and over again that he was trustworthy...and everyone saw it, knew it, but her. Or more like she was denying the truth that was staring her right in the face, and ultimately denying the desires of her heart.
I thought the other characters really added more dimension to the story, as well as a spot of humor. Ana's partner, Joel and Daniel's sister, Nadia were hilarious; especially when Joel was suggesting that Daniel was the only one who could render Ana speechless, or the way Nadia refused to let Ana hide away in her feelings. I felt like through Nadia, readers get to see Ana get that "swift kick in the rear" she needed.😂
I thought the other characters really added more dimension to the story, as well as a spot of humor. Ana's partner, Joel and Daniel's sister, Nadia were hilarious; especially when Joel was suggesting that Daniel was the only one who could render Ana speechless, or the way Nadia refused to let Ana hide away in her feelings. I felt like through Nadia, readers get to see Ana get that "swift kick in the rear" she needed.😂
March 7, 2018
Quake is a departure from Tracey Alvarez's more community-based Due South and Far North series. As I've come to expect from Alvarez, Quake is well-written, but with a pretty scary and surprising twist toward the end.
Attorney Ana Grace is helping out her employee/friend, Nadia, by picking up her older brother from the airport. Daniel Calder is visiting Nadia after switching careers from the military to working the family farm. An earthquake strikes while Ana and Dan are at Ana's office, cutting them off from Nadia and Ana's children. While that would be frightening enough, there is another serious shock waiting for them.
Dan has never considered himself a hero, but can't stop himself from assisting Ana across the city to her children and his sister. I found Dan to be a likable guy, especially how he handled the destructive landscape and difficult path in front of him. He had a lot to consider in this trek, not just their safety, but his emotions about Ana given his past.
While I can appreciate how panicked Ana felt about being separated from her kids, her actions did not endear her to me. There were things she thought and did that I found showed a disconnect with reality. Her moments of bravery were not enough for me to get on her team.
I voluntarily read an advanced reader copy of this book.
Attorney Ana Grace is helping out her employee/friend, Nadia, by picking up her older brother from the airport. Daniel Calder is visiting Nadia after switching careers from the military to working the family farm. An earthquake strikes while Ana and Dan are at Ana's office, cutting them off from Nadia and Ana's children. While that would be frightening enough, there is another serious shock waiting for them.
Dan has never considered himself a hero, but can't stop himself from assisting Ana across the city to her children and his sister. I found Dan to be a likable guy, especially how he handled the destructive landscape and difficult path in front of him. He had a lot to consider in this trek, not just their safety, but his emotions about Ana given his past.
While I can appreciate how panicked Ana felt about being separated from her kids, her actions did not endear her to me. There were things she thought and did that I found showed a disconnect with reality. Her moments of bravery were not enough for me to get on her team.
I voluntarily read an advanced reader copy of this book.
March 9, 2018
I give Quake by Tracey Alvarez five stars. This book is a stand alone book and is not part of a series. If you like romance books that have a touch of suspense and mystery you will love this book! This was a very well written and a very quick read that will have you on the edge of your seat trying to figure out what is going to happen.
Ana Grace is a single mother who has a demanding job. Her worse nightmare happen one day when she goes to work and there is a earthquake. The earthquake causes so much damage to her office building that she is trapped. One good thing that happens is that she is trapped with her nanny's older brother who is a former Marine and sexy too!
Daniel Calder feels like he has been failing people he has tried to help but he finds himself in a situation that leaves him without a choice. He has to help Ana get to her kids for two reasons, the first because she is his sisters boss and the second because he know that Ana will go without him and that is not a good plan.
When unforeseen issues start because of the chaos in the city, Ana finds herself and her family right in the middle of the chaos. Can Ana and Daniel get back to her family in enough time? You have to read the book to find out.
Ana Grace is a single mother who has a demanding job. Her worse nightmare happen one day when she goes to work and there is a earthquake. The earthquake causes so much damage to her office building that she is trapped. One good thing that happens is that she is trapped with her nanny's older brother who is a former Marine and sexy too!
Daniel Calder feels like he has been failing people he has tried to help but he finds himself in a situation that leaves him without a choice. He has to help Ana get to her kids for two reasons, the first because she is his sisters boss and the second because he know that Ana will go without him and that is not a good plan.
When unforeseen issues start because of the chaos in the city, Ana finds herself and her family right in the middle of the chaos. Can Ana and Daniel get back to her family in enough time? You have to read the book to find out.
April 22, 2018
Four plus stars. I have never experienced a major earthquake, but I know people who have. I remember one of my friends describing the walk home after the second Christchurch earthquake, and the description in Quake reminded me very much of her experience. The Wellington setting was a nice departure from many of the romances I’ve read lately. It's a place I’ve visited often, and as I read, the feel and geography of the city jumped off the page.
I love reading books by Tracy Alvarez. Some of her one-liners make me laugh out loud, and she has a great voice - taking everyday situations and writing about them in an interesting way.
I liked this book a lot. From the cover, to the story line, to the characters, and the introduction of the sub plot intrigued me. I wondered how the author would do it justice without sensationalizing it, but she handled it really well and in a believable manner.
As for the characters - Ana came across as a bit of a cold fish, but as the book progress, you can understand why, and I liked her just fine. Daniel? Well what's not to like, a sweet, dependable guy with a touch of alpha thrown in. Hero material right there. Also Ana's father intrigued me. Flawed but at peace with his mistakes.
All in all, a good read.
I love reading books by Tracy Alvarez. Some of her one-liners make me laugh out loud, and she has a great voice - taking everyday situations and writing about them in an interesting way.
I liked this book a lot. From the cover, to the story line, to the characters, and the introduction of the sub plot intrigued me. I wondered how the author would do it justice without sensationalizing it, but she handled it really well and in a believable manner.
As for the characters - Ana came across as a bit of a cold fish, but as the book progress, you can understand why, and I liked her just fine. Daniel? Well what's not to like, a sweet, dependable guy with a touch of alpha thrown in. Hero material right there. Also Ana's father intrigued me. Flawed but at peace with his mistakes.
All in all, a good read.
March 4, 2018
I was drawn in from the first page from the excitement, danger and darkness that surrounds the family there is never a dull moment. The author gives a compelling story of a single mother and an ex military that have to deal with an earth quake along with trying to get to her children. Both characters are strong, stubborn and willing to stand their ground, they are determined to face the unknown and fight until the end. Both of these characters have issues one is filled with guilt and the other has trust issues with men. They are going to have to overcome these issues and work together as danger comes near it is life and death.
I thought the characters were great, loved the chemistry between them. The plot is wonderful the conflict outstanding. It was easy to relate to both of them but I think Daniel really won my heart over first with his caring helpful ways to a women he really didn’t know. I thought this was thrilling exciting and the danger heart stopping. It is a story that is well worth your time keeping you on the edge with suspense. Has a great ending just loved it.
*******
I thought the characters were great, loved the chemistry between them. The plot is wonderful the conflict outstanding. It was easy to relate to both of them but I think Daniel really won my heart over first with his caring helpful ways to a women he really didn’t know. I thought this was thrilling exciting and the danger heart stopping. It is a story that is well worth your time keeping you on the edge with suspense. Has a great ending just loved it.
*******
March 9, 2018
Light romantic suspense with just a little bit of a gritty/dark element mixed in with a single mom and disaster theme
Quake is an easy to read romantic suspense mixed in with a single mom and disaster theme. It's a fairly light suspense (not too intense for those not into heavy suspense) with just a little bit of a gritty/dark element, especially in the later part of the book. While it is a fairly fast paced book in terms of time frame, there is a steadiness to the build-up of the climax to keep you interested.
This standalone book is told through dual perspective of two opposites, Ana and Daniel, who both have strong personalities and a simmering chemistry (plus a couple of chapters from a third pov to add to the mystery). To fully enjoy the characters and romance side of the book you do have to be open to an insta-love element given the short time frame.
If you are looking for something a bit more suspenseful than a light romance, give this book a read - I enjoyed it.
*I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. I was not compensated for my review, and I was not required to write a positive review. The opinion expressed here is my own.
Quake is an easy to read romantic suspense mixed in with a single mom and disaster theme. It's a fairly light suspense (not too intense for those not into heavy suspense) with just a little bit of a gritty/dark element, especially in the later part of the book. While it is a fairly fast paced book in terms of time frame, there is a steadiness to the build-up of the climax to keep you interested.
This standalone book is told through dual perspective of two opposites, Ana and Daniel, who both have strong personalities and a simmering chemistry (plus a couple of chapters from a third pov to add to the mystery). To fully enjoy the characters and romance side of the book you do have to be open to an insta-love element given the short time frame.
If you are looking for something a bit more suspenseful than a light romance, give this book a read - I enjoyed it.
*I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. I was not compensated for my review, and I was not required to write a positive review. The opinion expressed here is my own.
March 14, 2018
4+ Stars!
Growing up, I loved disaster movies, so I was excited for Alvarez's new romantic suspense novel that occurs during a disastrous earthquake and its aftermath. If that weren't enough, she ratchets up the suspense with the inclusion of an unknown enemy set on revenge.
This author proves over and over that she is adept at writing romance that is more than just about the love story. She gives depth to her H/h by also giving life to the setting, secondary characters, and the story conflict. It's the type of details that propel the reader into a story and keeps them invested. In QUAKE, it's no different, except with the addition of timely suspense. It's a departure from her previous books that I enjoyed immensely. Although the suspense was exciting, it never overshadowed the romance. Since suspense isn't a genre I gravitate to, I liked that the suspense and romance shared equal billing. It added excitement to the story line without being too dark or foreboding. As for the romance, Daniel and Ana were both fabulous characters with equally compelling backstories. Their attraction to one another heightened by the circumstances they were thrust into - Ana getting home to her family and Daniel giving her the best means to get there safely. The story moved at a decent pace with a swift culmination and a heart-tugging romantic conclusion. While I enjoy this author's series romance, I hope to see more standalone stories like this one from her. (This is my voluntary and unbiased review of an advance copy of Quake.)
Growing up, I loved disaster movies, so I was excited for Alvarez's new romantic suspense novel that occurs during a disastrous earthquake and its aftermath. If that weren't enough, she ratchets up the suspense with the inclusion of an unknown enemy set on revenge.
This author proves over and over that she is adept at writing romance that is more than just about the love story. She gives depth to her H/h by also giving life to the setting, secondary characters, and the story conflict. It's the type of details that propel the reader into a story and keeps them invested. In QUAKE, it's no different, except with the addition of timely suspense. It's a departure from her previous books that I enjoyed immensely. Although the suspense was exciting, it never overshadowed the romance. Since suspense isn't a genre I gravitate to, I liked that the suspense and romance shared equal billing. It added excitement to the story line without being too dark or foreboding. As for the romance, Daniel and Ana were both fabulous characters with equally compelling backstories. Their attraction to one another heightened by the circumstances they were thrust into - Ana getting home to her family and Daniel giving her the best means to get there safely. The story moved at a decent pace with a swift culmination and a heart-tugging romantic conclusion. While I enjoy this author's series romance, I hope to see more standalone stories like this one from her. (This is my voluntary and unbiased review of an advance copy of Quake.)
March 3, 2018
This is the first book I read by Ms Alvarez, and it definitely will not be the last one.
From the moment you read the first few lines, you are drawn into the story, and it’s characters. There is never a dull moment.
The main characters, Ana Grace, attorney and single Mom , and Daniel Calder, former soldier and now a farmer, are complex and interesting individuals . Though the story centers around an earthquake in New Zealand and Ana’s despair as a mother to get to her children, as well as Daniel’s desire to help her, there is much more to the story than this. There is an unknown evil that is after Ana and her family. To complicate matters, Ana and Daniel carry a great deal of baggage. One is filled with guilt while the other distrusts men. Will their romance flourish in spite of it all, or will it succumb to the extraordinary circumstances?
Definitely a book worth your time. Looking forward to more stories by this talented author.
I was gifted this copy. The opinions expressed are solely my own.
From the moment you read the first few lines, you are drawn into the story, and it’s characters. There is never a dull moment.
The main characters, Ana Grace, attorney and single Mom , and Daniel Calder, former soldier and now a farmer, are complex and interesting individuals . Though the story centers around an earthquake in New Zealand and Ana’s despair as a mother to get to her children, as well as Daniel’s desire to help her, there is much more to the story than this. There is an unknown evil that is after Ana and her family. To complicate matters, Ana and Daniel carry a great deal of baggage. One is filled with guilt while the other distrusts men. Will their romance flourish in spite of it all, or will it succumb to the extraordinary circumstances?
Definitely a book worth your time. Looking forward to more stories by this talented author.
I was gifted this copy. The opinions expressed are solely my own.
March 10, 2018
Quake is an interesting story. There’s obviously romance and some suspense but it was also freshly done. Without spoiling too much, I will say that I was captivated by this book from beginning to end.
Ana is a single mom of two who after an earthquake is determined to get to her kids. I couldn’t help but to imagine myself in a similar situation and knowing I would be exactly like Ana in a rush to get to them.
This book only spans over a handful of days (maybe a couple of weeks) but I loved having the timeline and with the situation, it was very believable that both Ana and Daniel would fall for each other really fast.
The suspense aspect was brilliant. There were a few different layers to it. Everything from the “bad guy” to a mother trying to get to her kids when phones aren’t available. It was well balanced in that it wasn’t too over the top but it also didn’t leave me feeling cheated either.
Overall, it was a great book. I received this book in exchange for an honest review.
Ana is a single mom of two who after an earthquake is determined to get to her kids. I couldn’t help but to imagine myself in a similar situation and knowing I would be exactly like Ana in a rush to get to them.
This book only spans over a handful of days (maybe a couple of weeks) but I loved having the timeline and with the situation, it was very believable that both Ana and Daniel would fall for each other really fast.
The suspense aspect was brilliant. There were a few different layers to it. Everything from the “bad guy” to a mother trying to get to her kids when phones aren’t available. It was well balanced in that it wasn’t too over the top but it also didn’t leave me feeling cheated either.
Overall, it was a great book. I received this book in exchange for an honest review.
March 13, 2018
Two Bodies Colliding Causing Shockwaves
Tracey I have read all the Stewart Island series and 1 & 2 in the Bounty Bay series. I really like both of these series and even though when I read what the story was about it is not your usual subject matter But to my astonishment you pulled it off in my opinion this is the best book you have written by far. Ana & Daniel the Lawyer and Farmer After a quake one trying to get home to her kids and the other want to protect her these two are like two bodies colliding causing shockwaves and aftershocks to there stressed bodies. Up till 2 years ago I never thought 2 much of New Zealand but my niece got married there. Well she brought back book 1 In To Deep and it opened my eyes to a beautiful island that Tracey brought to life the wonderful people and even tried teaching me the Maori language. Tracey keep up your teaching on your wonderful island and if at all possible write another story like this every so often. This is a must read for everyone a 5***** story
Tracey I have read all the Stewart Island series and 1 & 2 in the Bounty Bay series. I really like both of these series and even though when I read what the story was about it is not your usual subject matter But to my astonishment you pulled it off in my opinion this is the best book you have written by far. Ana & Daniel the Lawyer and Farmer After a quake one trying to get home to her kids and the other want to protect her these two are like two bodies colliding causing shockwaves and aftershocks to there stressed bodies. Up till 2 years ago I never thought 2 much of New Zealand but my niece got married there. Well she brought back book 1 In To Deep and it opened my eyes to a beautiful island that Tracey brought to life the wonderful people and even tried teaching me the Maori language. Tracey keep up your teaching on your wonderful island and if at all possible write another story like this every so often. This is a must read for everyone a 5***** story
March 2, 2018
Finding love amid terrifying times
This new book by Tracey Alvarez effectively combined romance and suspense, and was quite dark and different from her endearingly sexy, heartwarming, funny, and sometimes cheeky stories in the Bounty Bay and Stewart Island series. But I liked it mainly because of the leads, farm boy Daniel and lawyer Ana, who were strong, determined, and decisive when unexpectedly thrown together and faced with frightening and life-threatening situations. I liked Daniel more than Ana though, especially for his courage and unconditional love, acceptance, and protection of a complicated woman that he just met. As always with a Tracey Alvarez book, this one was set in New Zealand, family figured prominently in the story, and there was both heartache and happiness. But it ended well, with all conflicts resolved, and with scenes of a promising and bright future.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book.
This new book by Tracey Alvarez effectively combined romance and suspense, and was quite dark and different from her endearingly sexy, heartwarming, funny, and sometimes cheeky stories in the Bounty Bay and Stewart Island series. But I liked it mainly because of the leads, farm boy Daniel and lawyer Ana, who were strong, determined, and decisive when unexpectedly thrown together and faced with frightening and life-threatening situations. I liked Daniel more than Ana though, especially for his courage and unconditional love, acceptance, and protection of a complicated woman that he just met. As always with a Tracey Alvarez book, this one was set in New Zealand, family figured prominently in the story, and there was both heartache and happiness. But it ended well, with all conflicts resolved, and with scenes of a promising and bright future.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book.
March 11, 2018
Quake tells a story of Ana, a single mum of two who after the unfortunate course of events gets separated from her children. To find them she needs to get to the other side of her city which was ruined by an earthquake and tsunami. Fortunately, she gets help from Daniel, brother of her employee.
The story, as usual, is well written, in particular, I appreciate the realism that was put in descriptions of the earthquake. Tracey Alvarez went beyond her comfort zone and added a healthy dose of suspense to her writing. I must say that I was surprised by it, fortunately in a very positive way. The book was fresh and new. As usual, the author didn't forget about emphasizing the importance of values such as family, loyalty, and community. Add to this an exceptional romance plot and you have a fantastic book on your hands. As much I love the Stewart Island series I am really happy to see Tracey Alvarez trying something new and unexpected.
The story, as usual, is well written, in particular, I appreciate the realism that was put in descriptions of the earthquake. Tracey Alvarez went beyond her comfort zone and added a healthy dose of suspense to her writing. I must say that I was surprised by it, fortunately in a very positive way. The book was fresh and new. As usual, the author didn't forget about emphasizing the importance of values such as family, loyalty, and community. Add to this an exceptional romance plot and you have a fantastic book on your hands. As much I love the Stewart Island series I am really happy to see Tracey Alvarez trying something new and unexpected.
March 10, 2018
3.5 Stars ⭐️
This was an entertaining and slightly different story from trusty author Alvarez.
Ana and Daniel are basically strangers when an Earthquake strands them together away from their families (his sister is the nanny for Ana’s children).
I enjoyed watching Daniel and Ana work together to get home and solve the mystery of who was keeping her son from her.
This is the first book I’ve read from Ms Alvarez that combined intrigue along with romance. It was a good effort, but I felt that it reduced the effectiveness of each part of the story line. I didn’t connect as strongly with the characters as I have in previous books from this author and I think some of that is because of the time spent on the second story line.
I wish Quake had been a bit longer so that each story line could have been more fully developed.
This was an entertaining and slightly different story from trusty author Alvarez.
Ana and Daniel are basically strangers when an Earthquake strands them together away from their families (his sister is the nanny for Ana’s children).
I enjoyed watching Daniel and Ana work together to get home and solve the mystery of who was keeping her son from her.
This is the first book I’ve read from Ms Alvarez that combined intrigue along with romance. It was a good effort, but I felt that it reduced the effectiveness of each part of the story line. I didn’t connect as strongly with the characters as I have in previous books from this author and I think some of that is because of the time spent on the second story line.
I wish Quake had been a bit longer so that each story line could have been more fully developed.
January 4, 2023
Indigi-athon.
Instalove aside, this was a fun mini-adventure where, following a disaster, a competent mama-bear tries desperately to get back to her kids, and finds love along the way. But, the main conflict is another of my pet peeves; one party going through the whole 'I'm not made for love' thing and not effectively communicating their insecurities (which is based on a mere couple of situations that most of us have dealt with at some point in our lives) with the other that delays their happy ending.
Also, it was mentioned once in passing at the very beginning that the h was of Maori heritage... and apart from a couple of other mentions of her skin tone during the narrative, nothing more was said about it. Authors, if you are aiming for inclusion in your stories, then please follow up with some substance, else it's a total waste of the handful of words used.
Instalove aside, this was a fun mini-adventure where, following a disaster, a competent mama-bear tries desperately to get back to her kids, and finds love along the way. But, the main conflict is another of my pet peeves; one party going through the whole 'I'm not made for love' thing and not effectively communicating their insecurities (which is based on a mere couple of situations that most of us have dealt with at some point in our lives) with the other that delays their happy ending.
Also, it was mentioned once in passing at the very beginning that the h was of Maori heritage... and apart from a couple of other mentions of her skin tone during the narrative, nothing more was said about it. Authors, if you are aiming for inclusion in your stories, then please follow up with some substance, else it's a total waste of the handful of words used.
March 10, 2018
I was expecting a romance, and ended up with a bit of suspense tossed in to the mix.
I really liked Daniel, Nadia, Theo, her Dad, and Alyssa. Ana was ok. I would have accepted him as my hero. Lol. Ana had her moments. I felt like she kept sending Daniel mixed signals. I can understand why her trust issues were so intense. I can even understand her hesitancy about falling for Daniel so quickly. That's why I really couldn't fault her, but was just a little irritated about how she handled it.
This was a well written book with a number of hold your breath moments. I only wish that it had an epilogue. I wasn't ready to end it with Daniel and Ana.
I voluntarily read and reviewed the Advanced Reader Copy.
I really liked Daniel, Nadia, Theo, her Dad, and Alyssa. Ana was ok. I would have accepted him as my hero. Lol. Ana had her moments. I felt like she kept sending Daniel mixed signals. I can understand why her trust issues were so intense. I can even understand her hesitancy about falling for Daniel so quickly. That's why I really couldn't fault her, but was just a little irritated about how she handled it.
This was a well written book with a number of hold your breath moments. I only wish that it had an epilogue. I wasn't ready to end it with Daniel and Ana.
I voluntarily read and reviewed the Advanced Reader Copy.
March 14, 2018
There is a guy, a girl, her kids and a natural disaster plus a sneaky bad guy. Tracey has ventured more into the suspense/romance genre with this book. It stands out from her other books and looks to be a new direction for her. There is a slightly different feel to the writing style in this book too, a bit grittier and I think that could be a reflection of the shift in genre.
The leads in this book are great, the level of detail is perfect and doesn't lose sight of the of the story line but adds enough information to feel realistic.
It's a great read and I can't wait for more books like this from Tracey.
I love the opportunity to read Tracey's books as part of the ARC team. However, I always provide honest reviews and these thoughts are entirely my own!
The leads in this book are great, the level of detail is perfect and doesn't lose sight of the of the story line but adds enough information to feel realistic.
It's a great read and I can't wait for more books like this from Tracey.
I love the opportunity to read Tracey's books as part of the ARC team. However, I always provide honest reviews and these thoughts are entirely my own!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews