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The Taylor Clan #6
Unsanctioned Memories
FBI agent Sam O'Rourke was on an unsanctioned mission to hunt down his sister's murderer. The steely-eyed lawman's investigation led him to Jessica Taylor—the one victim, in a string of many, who'd escaped with her life and whose missing memories made her a target for a demented madman. Posing as a ranch hand, Sam was determined to gain the fragile woman's trust to solve this crime. However, Sam hadn't counted on this lone witness awakening his deadened heart with her sumptuous beauty and unflinching courage. A case that had begun as an unrelenting thirst for vengeance suddenly roused his every protective instinct. Now Sam had an intensely personal stake in reeling in a killer....
251 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published December 25, 2003
About the author
Julie Miller
293 books372 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
USA TODAY Bestselling author Julie Miller writes breathtaking romantic suspense. She's won a National Readers Choice Award and two Daphne du Maurier Awards among other prizes. She was also honored to receive a Career Achievement Award from RT BookReviews and has been a finalist for many national and international awards. Her books have appeared on the USA Today, Publisher's Weekly, Amazon and BookScan Top 100 Romances bestseller lists.
Writing about Kansas City cops, Julie has crafted bestselling, award-winning books for Harlequin Intrigue. In addition, Ms. Miller publishes romantic suspense books with a military twist. Millions of copies of her books have been sold in print and digital formats around the world.
USA TODAY Bestselling author Julie Miller writes breathtaking romantic suspense. She's won a National Readers Choice Award and two Daphne du Maurier Awards among other prizes. She was also honored to receive a Career Achievement Award from RT BookReviews and has been a finalist for many national and international awards. Her books have appeared on the USA Today, Publisher's Weekly, Amazon and BookScan Top 100 Romances bestseller lists.
Writing about Kansas City cops, Julie has crafted bestselling, award-winning books for Harlequin Intrigue. In addition, Ms. Miller publishes romantic suspense books with a military twist. Millions of copies of her books have been sold in print and digital formats around the world.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
January 7, 2012
4 stars
Unsanctioned memories
This is my first venture into Julie Miller territory. Honestly speaking, I was pleasantly surprised. Firstly, never judge book by its cover which I didn’t thank goodness (as the cover is truly awful) and the hero looks 14 years old. Also, to an extent, one had to suspend belief in relation to some of the idiotic actions by the heroine. I agree mostly what the previous poster (Zosia) said with the negative aspects of the story. So, not quite the 5 stars, sorry.
However, what won me over was the concept of the story, FBI agent looking for his sister’s killer and interaction with quiet business woman who has to come to terms with her past trauma. Miller painted quite charming characters of a tough city based hero (Sam) and country heroine (Angel) interacting with one another, the country rural feel of the location and the community spirit of the people and the customs of the South. Also, the suspense, mystery and thriller of ‘whodunnit’ was well done. Yes, I never guessed the baddie.
Sam O’ Rourke oozed with the irish-American charm, with the right dose mysteriousness, humour, sexiness, focused, tough alpha-ness and the tenderness of a sympathetic friend/would be lover. He’s what I call a ‘real man’ very raw and yes, the shirtless scenes were quite hot. Angel was your sweet, tough in some ways and vulnerable and scared in other instances heroine. It was quite touching when she finally opened up to the hero about her ordeal.
However, Harry the dog stole the show, he was such a fantastic canine personality. I loved it when he was eying up Sam and giving him a tough time and making sure he guarded his adopted Mum (Angel) as if his life depended on it, thinking, ‘who are you and what are you doing here and I am not stupid, I know you want to have your wicked way with her and any step further near my Mum, I’ll bit your face off scenario.
My one slight criticism, I wish there were few more love scenes where the H/h get it together but it is understandable as it is hard to weave it in with the heroine’s state of mind. The hero and heroine were just right for each other, both having to sort out their inner demons, guilt and needing each other to get over it.
All in all, it was a very nice and satisfying romantic, suspenseful read and it keep the reader interested throughout. It will on my keeper’s shelf. I will definitely be reading more of Julie Miller.
Unsanctioned memories
This is my first venture into Julie Miller territory. Honestly speaking, I was pleasantly surprised. Firstly, never judge book by its cover which I didn’t thank goodness (as the cover is truly awful) and the hero looks 14 years old. Also, to an extent, one had to suspend belief in relation to some of the idiotic actions by the heroine. I agree mostly what the previous poster (Zosia) said with the negative aspects of the story. So, not quite the 5 stars, sorry.
However, what won me over was the concept of the story, FBI agent looking for his sister’s killer and interaction with quiet business woman who has to come to terms with her past trauma. Miller painted quite charming characters of a tough city based hero (Sam) and country heroine (Angel) interacting with one another, the country rural feel of the location and the community spirit of the people and the customs of the South. Also, the suspense, mystery and thriller of ‘whodunnit’ was well done. Yes, I never guessed the baddie.
Sam O’ Rourke oozed with the irish-American charm, with the right dose mysteriousness, humour, sexiness, focused, tough alpha-ness and the tenderness of a sympathetic friend/would be lover. He’s what I call a ‘real man’ very raw and yes, the shirtless scenes were quite hot. Angel was your sweet, tough in some ways and vulnerable and scared in other instances heroine. It was quite touching when she finally opened up to the hero about her ordeal.
However, Harry the dog stole the show, he was such a fantastic canine personality. I loved it when he was eying up Sam and giving him a tough time and making sure he guarded his adopted Mum (Angel) as if his life depended on it, thinking, ‘who are you and what are you doing here and I am not stupid, I know you want to have your wicked way with her and any step further near my Mum, I’ll bit your face off scenario.
My one slight criticism, I wish there were few more love scenes where the H/h get it together but it is understandable as it is hard to weave it in with the heroine’s state of mind. The hero and heroine were just right for each other, both having to sort out their inner demons, guilt and needing each other to get over it.
All in all, it was a very nice and satisfying romantic, suspenseful read and it keep the reader interested throughout. It will on my keeper’s shelf. I will definitely be reading more of Julie Miller.
Read
June 16, 2011Winner of the first ever Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence for Best Series Romantic Suspense.
July 20, 2017
This book started out well enough, but then it never really got off the ground for me. Extremely slow and almost boring, I think the author could have embellished the characters a little bit more. Besides their rocky pasts we don't know much about them or their interests. I guess that's what you can kind of expect from a Harlequin writer though, very vanilla. So the shoe will fit most people. I should know better by now.
July 26, 2021
Not my normal kind of read, but I really do love the stories/mysteries that Julie Miller writes. They are set in Kansas City and/or the surrounding area, which is wonderful for me since I am from KC. I loved the 2 main characters of this story as they both had traumas and issues that needed to be worked it, they just needed to realize that they needed each other to work them out so they then could come together.
May 26, 2019
First few chapters dragged, then it picked up & had me reading till 5:30 am to finish it.
July 18, 2022
Solid for a harlequin romance.
July 20, 2023
Starts off deeply emotional and doesn't quit. Good action, characterization, everything.
March 30, 2012
Back Cover: FBI agent Sam O'Rourke was on an unsanctioned mission to hunt down his sister's murderer. The steely-eyes lawman's investigation led him to Jessica Taylor - the one victim, in a string of many, who'd escaped with her life and whose missing memories made her a target for a demented madman.
Posing as a ranch hand, Sam was determined to gain the fragile woman's trust to solve this crime. However, Sam hadn't counted on this lone witness awakening his deadened heart with her sumptuous beauty and unflinching courage. A case that had begun as an unrelenting thirst for vengeance suddenly roused his every protective instinct. Now Sam had an intensely personal stake in reeling in a killer...
This was my least favorite of the series. Jessica comes off as tough and resilient in parts while at other times she’s almost too stupid to live. I can’t count the number of times she put herself into danger making Sam have to come to her rescue. When she ran into the woods by herself despite orders to stay put, I wanted to slap her, especially when her dog ended up getting hurt. That little mutt was quite a scene-stealer but regardless I don’t like it when animals are put in danger by dumb owners. Fortunately, Sam was there to save the day yet again and Harry lived to bury another bone.
Don’t get me wrong though, Sam is not without his own faults. After discovering Jessica is the only survivor of the serial rapist/killer who murdered his sister, he lies to her. Instead of telling her he’s a federal agent bent on tracking down the creep that attacked her and bring him to justice, he pretends to be a handyman doing odd jobs around her place. Why to build the trust. Not cool.
Survivors of these types of situations have a hard time redeveloping trust. In themselves and in others. But the first thing he does is deceive her with his intentions. I had a really hard time with that.
However, despite these personal issues for me, Ms. Miller managed to create a story that allowed the characters some redemption by the end so we can assume a satisfyingly happy ever after for them. If nothing else, read the story for Harry the dog. He’s well worth your time spent on this novel.
Posing as a ranch hand, Sam was determined to gain the fragile woman's trust to solve this crime. However, Sam hadn't counted on this lone witness awakening his deadened heart with her sumptuous beauty and unflinching courage. A case that had begun as an unrelenting thirst for vengeance suddenly roused his every protective instinct. Now Sam had an intensely personal stake in reeling in a killer...
This was my least favorite of the series. Jessica comes off as tough and resilient in parts while at other times she’s almost too stupid to live. I can’t count the number of times she put herself into danger making Sam have to come to her rescue. When she ran into the woods by herself despite orders to stay put, I wanted to slap her, especially when her dog ended up getting hurt. That little mutt was quite a scene-stealer but regardless I don’t like it when animals are put in danger by dumb owners. Fortunately, Sam was there to save the day yet again and Harry lived to bury another bone.
Don’t get me wrong though, Sam is not without his own faults. After discovering Jessica is the only survivor of the serial rapist/killer who murdered his sister, he lies to her. Instead of telling her he’s a federal agent bent on tracking down the creep that attacked her and bring him to justice, he pretends to be a handyman doing odd jobs around her place. Why to build the trust. Not cool.
Survivors of these types of situations have a hard time redeveloping trust. In themselves and in others. But the first thing he does is deceive her with his intentions. I had a really hard time with that.
However, despite these personal issues for me, Ms. Miller managed to create a story that allowed the characters some redemption by the end so we can assume a satisfyingly happy ever after for them. If nothing else, read the story for Harry the dog. He’s well worth your time spent on this novel.
October 4, 2015
Unsanctioned Memories is the sixth book in the Taylor Clan series. It featured Jessica Taylor as the main character in this book. She is the only sister of the five brothers and cousin who are in this book at some time and point.
Jessica Taylor has always been strong and knew how to defend herself because of her brothers, cousin and dad. She was not a weak woman by no means or one to hide out until she was raped months earlier. She second guessed everything since then, she wouldn’t even tell her own family scared they go after the guy. She wouldn’t risk them giving up everything to go after the faceless guy she couldn’t remember.
Enter Sam O’Rourke his sister was raped and murdered by the same man that had hurt Jessica. There were more than just his sister though; four others and he wanted the guy. He was going to get that revenge anyway he knew how. The how was going to Jessica’s place business Log Cabin Acre Antiques and getting a job as handy man. He had no notions of finding the key to his heart in Jess.
At first I didn’t know if all of Jessica’s family would be in this book. Her parents were shown first and they kept popping in here and there except for Cole until the end of the book. Cole is mysterious on what he is doing and his family is worried, he’s closest to Jess being twelve months apart. Once the Vandals started was when her family started coming around more not only to protect her but size up Sam. Jessica is opening up to Sam about what happened to her so he can get the guy. She makes him promise he will no matter what.
By the end of this book the entire Taylor Clan knows what happened to their daughter/sister/cousin. Sam doesn’t want to leave, but he figures that she wouldn’t want him after all that has happened. He’s dead wrong and even Jessica’s dog Harry has fallen for Sam. He’s been ready to eat him alive on Jess’ command at the beginning.
This book had a different kind of love scene in it, but it did give me the feel of what I usually look for in full scene. Sam got Jess to trust again, to love again, to feel like the woman she was before that fateful night in Chicago. The love scene played out through the entire book and I have to give this a five star for that another excellent book by Julie Miller.
Jessica Taylor has always been strong and knew how to defend herself because of her brothers, cousin and dad. She was not a weak woman by no means or one to hide out until she was raped months earlier. She second guessed everything since then, she wouldn’t even tell her own family scared they go after the guy. She wouldn’t risk them giving up everything to go after the faceless guy she couldn’t remember.
Enter Sam O’Rourke his sister was raped and murdered by the same man that had hurt Jessica. There were more than just his sister though; four others and he wanted the guy. He was going to get that revenge anyway he knew how. The how was going to Jessica’s place business Log Cabin Acre Antiques and getting a job as handy man. He had no notions of finding the key to his heart in Jess.
At first I didn’t know if all of Jessica’s family would be in this book. Her parents were shown first and they kept popping in here and there except for Cole until the end of the book. Cole is mysterious on what he is doing and his family is worried, he’s closest to Jess being twelve months apart. Once the Vandals started was when her family started coming around more not only to protect her but size up Sam. Jessica is opening up to Sam about what happened to her so he can get the guy. She makes him promise he will no matter what.
By the end of this book the entire Taylor Clan knows what happened to their daughter/sister/cousin. Sam doesn’t want to leave, but he figures that she wouldn’t want him after all that has happened. He’s dead wrong and even Jessica’s dog Harry has fallen for Sam. He’s been ready to eat him alive on Jess’ command at the beginning.
This book had a different kind of love scene in it, but it did give me the feel of what I usually look for in full scene. Sam got Jess to trust again, to love again, to feel like the woman she was before that fateful night in Chicago. The love scene played out through the entire book and I have to give this a five star for that another excellent book by Julie Miller.
February 20, 2013
The heroine in this book has survived being raped and left for dead...which unfortunately Sam's sister didn't. He's on a mission to find his sister's murderer and plans to use Jessica to find him, not realizing she has no memory of the event. Jessica's emotional scars are portrayed realistically and Sam's steady and healing courtship of her is really well done. Sam is emotional over his sister's death throughout and yet he is so alpha it makes you proud that you can read about a man crying and not subscribe to the social stereotype of him being "unmanly."
This book has one of the best kiss descriptions of all time. Because Jessica is so leery and skittish due to her prior experience, a kiss is a BIG deal...and the author makes it into a big deal. I've never read such an amazing description of kissing. It goes on for pages--and you're there...almost like a voyeur. LOL. Okay, not quite that.
Here is a portion of it--Oh! *spoiler* the hero and heroine kiss. : )
(Location 2312 on my Kindle) Parched with anticipation, Jessica moistened her lips with the tip of her tongue. Sam's gaze dropped to her mouth at the tiny dart of movement. She caught her breath, feeling the portent of that look as profoundly as a caress. It was like that first big drop on a roller coaster ride. The tension that built as she climbed to the top was nearly unbearable. But the rush of excitement as she plunged over the edge would be...must be...
His lips touched hers, warm and firm, and Jessica knew the risk had been worth it.
(It goes on and her description is perfect. I swear it's like you've kissed Sam too. Do it. Buy it. Read it.)
This book has one of the best kiss descriptions of all time. Because Jessica is so leery and skittish due to her prior experience, a kiss is a BIG deal...and the author makes it into a big deal. I've never read such an amazing description of kissing. It goes on for pages--and you're there...almost like a voyeur. LOL. Okay, not quite that.
Here is a portion of it--Oh! *spoiler* the hero and heroine kiss. : )
(Location 2312 on my Kindle) Parched with anticipation, Jessica moistened her lips with the tip of her tongue. Sam's gaze dropped to her mouth at the tiny dart of movement. She caught her breath, feeling the portent of that look as profoundly as a caress. It was like that first big drop on a roller coaster ride. The tension that built as she climbed to the top was nearly unbearable. But the rush of excitement as she plunged over the edge would be...must be...
His lips touched hers, warm and firm, and Jessica knew the risk had been worth it.
(It goes on and her description is perfect. I swear it's like you've kissed Sam too. Do it. Buy it. Read it.)
June 9, 2013
freaken awesome, Julie is one of my favorite authors: when reading her books I cry, laugh, and it will keep u at the edge of the seat, very hard to put down wants u start. Thank u Julie for the fabulous book and please keep them coming. I find my self look for one with ur name on it every time I buy book. Again thanks for the great reads.
October 8, 2021
I really like Julie Miller's books. They have fully developed characters and are set in Kansas City, which is familiar to me. The books pull you into the lives of this family and you care about how they turn out.
December 12, 2013
I really liked this one. Unsanctioned Memories is the second Julie Miller book I've read and she's quickly becoming one of my favorite authors, along with Carissa Andrews and Lindsay Sands. Unsanctioned Memories is the perfect mix of emotion and suspense-loved it.
April 9, 2014
great book in a great series. I really like this family
December 28, 2020
The first book I ever read from the Taylor Clan and Julie Miller and it had me hooked on both! Great story and so well written.
June 2, 2011
Great story that kept me on the edge of my seat.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews