October Book Discussions - Deadline by Sandra Brown

[Sandra]

Jonetta wrote: "Sandra ~ ♥ Cross My Heart ♥ wrote: "The action/suspense really ramps up in the latter part. I just love when an author can surprise me - and when she can do it more than once in the same book, she..."

We think alike - I have those 2 pulled as my next 2 Brown books to read! :)

[Sandra]

Quynh wrote: "My next one will be Lethal but I gotta finish other books I have in queue first. My mindset when reading her books (i only read 2 lol) is to put the suspense and plot first, and romance second. I w..."

That's how I felt - I mean, I wanted them to get together but the suspense & plot development held my attention - especially when things start falling into place & then she throws a big surprise out there!

[Jonetta]

That's actually my preference in this genre.

[Sandra]

It's not always mine...just according to the author & the way the book & series (if there is one) plays out. It definitely works in these standalones.

[Jonetta]

Sandra ~ ♥ Cross My Heart ♥ wrote: "It's not always mine...just according to the author & the way the book & series (if there is one) plays out. It definitely works in these standalones."

And maybe that's why I only listen to her books. They're always narrated well and I love mystery/suspense on audio.

[Sandra]

I should try one of hers on audio...can't quite imagine it! :)

[Quynh]

I would love to get into audiobooks but I can't focus with it as well as I do with books. My mind wanders too much.

[Sandra]

I have to make an effort to focus, Quynh, or my mind will wander off also. I actually prefer reading but love the convenience of audio - plus really enjoy some of these narrators & the life they bring to the books.

[Quynh]

Yea I've heard of lots of great narrators. The one I want to specifically try out is Kaleo Griffith. His narration for Pamela Clare's books is top notch apparently.

[Jonetta]

I only listen when I can give it my full attention. Otherwise I'll drift, too.

[Sheery]

I'm about one third through this book and I am loving it! I wish I didn't have to do things like clean house and laundry so I can just keep reading it.

This is the first book I've read by Sandra Brown but her style is captivating. I like Dawson and Amelia for entirely different reasons and it'll be interesting to see how things develop between them. I have to say that I'm really into the mystery and how the past and the present will mesh.

[Jonetta]

I'm almost 2/3 through and figured out some stuff. (view spoiler)[I thought maybe Jeremy was alive but then I started suspecting Uncle Bernie. I figured out he was Carl. (hide spoiler)]

[Quynh]

Jonetta wrote: "I'm almost 2/3 through and figured out some stuff. [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[I suspected that Jeremy was alive but Bernie/Carl snuck up on me. (hide spoiler)]

[Karen ♐]

Just finished and loved it. The twists and turns were fantastic! Will be back to discuss after the 15th.

[Jonetta]

(view spoiler)[I'm not sure what made me suspicious but that night of the storm was one of them. Im now suspecting Carl killed Flora, too. (hide spoiler)]

[Paula]

Jonetta wrote: "Sandra ~ ♥ Cross My Heart ♥ wrote: "The action/suspense really ramps up in the latter part. I just love when an author can surprise me - and when she can do it more than once in the same book, she..."


I am reading Mirror Image now and so far I absolutely love it. The premise is different and refreshing.

[Sandra]

Good to know, Paula. I hope to work it in soon.

[Jonetta]

Finished it! Loved it! Don't know why but I guessed that last twist.

[Cyndi]

Just finished the audio version and loved it!! It started a little slow for me, but I loved all of the twists and turns later on!! This was my first Sandra Brown book. I'm looking forward to reading more of her books!!

[Sandra]

Brown is the queen of surprises, twists, & turns - especially those end of book shockers.

[Kris (My Novelesque Life)]

Another great book by Sandra Brown. I listened to this one on audio as well. After all the twists from the last book (Mean Streak) I just sat back and didn't try guessing too much lol.

I really enjoyed Lethal and Play Dirty . I also read and liked Smash Cut , Chill Factor and Hello, Darkness .

Next on my list are Low Pressure and Ricochet (the plot seems familiar so I may read this one already before I started keeping track of my reading.

[Jonetta]

I got Ricochet as my free Audible book some time ago. Let me know if and when you might read it.

[Kris (My Novelesque Life)]

For sure, Jonetta! I would love to have a buddy read on this one. I am thinking January or February.

[Sandra]

Ricochet has been nominated as a possibility as our next Brown read in the Sandra Brown thread. Please feel free to nominate any Brown books you'd like to Br there also.

[Jonetta]

Will do!

[Kris (My Novelesque Life)]

That sounds great.

[Karen ♐]

Kris, I think you just gave me the next few I need to read...Thanks. Loved Lethal but haven't read the others you mentioned.

[Kris (My Novelesque Life)]

You are most welcome, Karen. Let me know what you think of them when you get to them :)

[Karen ♐]

I certainly will. Did you have a favorite?

[Kris (My Novelesque Life)]

My order would be Play Dirty, Hello Darkness, Smash Cut and Chill Factor.

[Karen ♐]

Kris wrote: "My order would be Play Dirty, Hello Darkness, Smash Cut and Chill Factor."

Thanks.

[Sandra]

They all sound good. We should nominate a couple of those in our BOM Sandra Brown thread. Or all of them! lol

[Kris (My Novelesque Life)]

Karen - Welcome.

Sandra - I know that feeling!

[Kirsten]

I finally gave up on DEADLINE. Don't know if I'll ever try another Sandra Brown. I just didn't get any chemistry in it.

I guess it's just me. I'm sure there are a lot of books I *love* that the rest of you'd hate. Oh, well, it'd be boring if we were all the same.

[Karen ♐]

Not trying to influence you, Kirsten, but I really liked Deadline but I loved Mirror Image and Lethal. Lethal was so action packed.

[Quynh]

The chemistry/romance in SB's books are secondary for me. The characters and suspenseful plot are strong enough to drive the entire story. I need to read Lethal soon!

[Kirsten]

My problem was that I just could care less about what happened to the characters. Plus there really wasn't much action in the first 1/3. It just got to be like pulling teeth for me to actually read it.

@Karen - are you saying the other books are better? Should I try a different one?

[Karen ♐]

Kirsten wrote: "My problem was that I just could care less about what happened to the characters. Plus there really wasn't much action in the first 1/3. It just got to be like pulling teeth for me to actually read..."

Yes, definitely, Kirsten. I would tell you that IMO Lethal had more action/suspense over Mirror Image. But I loved both of them. Those two along with Deadline are the only ones I've read so far.

[Sandra]

Quynh wrote: "The chemistry/romance in SB's books are secondary for me. The characters and suspenseful plot are strong enough to drive the entire story. I need to read Lethal soon!"

They really almost are although I was okay with the romance also. I've loved every one I read thus far.

[Kris (My Novelesque Life)]

I agree, Sandra. I read SB's books for suspense with romance as secondary.

[Kirsten]

I can understand that, Kris. It's just I didn't really get either with DEADLINE. It's really hard for me to get any suspense if I just don't care about the characters.

[Sandra]

Sorry it didn't work for you, Kirsten. Sometimes, that happens to me also.

[Kirsten]

Yeah, I was really disappointed. I'd heard so many good things about Sandra Brown and I couldn't believe how dreadful the book was.

[Jonetta]

Kris wrote: "I agree, Sandra. I read SB's books for suspense with romance as secondary."

Ditto for me.

[Sandra]

Kirsten wrote: "Yeah, I was really disappointed. I'd heard so many good things about Sandra Brown and I couldn't believe how dreadful the book was."

Then it would seem her style of writing is not for you. Good news is there are so many other authors out there that you'll be sure to find one you like better. I clicked with Brown right away & love everything I've read by her so far...she is definitely for me.

[Kirsten]

Sandra ~ ♥ Cross My Heart ♥ wrote: "Kirsten wrote: "Yeah, I was really disappointed. I'd heard so many good things about Sandra Brown and I couldn't believe how dreadful the book was."

Then it would seem her style of writing is not ..."

Yeah, you're sure right there. Glad I finally tried her. It's just too bad she couldn't make me actually care about her characters.

Then, again, I meet lots of people (on GoodReads) that don't see any chemistry between Eve & Roarke (!!!!!). So, it takes all kinds.

[Paula]

What I like about Sandra Brown's books is that a huge portion of her books focus on the mystery being dealt with. The romance is an added bonus and the tension between the hero and heroine is really good. I like that the wrong being solved is not too heavy and the romance is just enough to break the monotony. I totally understand how Kirsten feels though because most people just love Julie Garwood's books and I am really not one of them and felt terrible about it. I feel compelled to read SB's book though.

[Jonetta]

Every Sandra Brown book I've read has a heavier emphasis on the suspense/mystery, which is my personal preference and why she works for me. It's understandable that her books are less appealing for those who prefer the emphasis on romance.

[Kirsten]

I've read quite a lot of books that put the emphasis on the suspense/mystery and loved them. However, even then, you have to like the characters. You have to actually care what happened to them.

For instance, one of the best books I've read this year is Suspect by Robert Crais. The main characters are a police officer and his dog. The emphasis is on the mystery and the suspense and it was a much better page turner. Additionally, the two leads had more chemistry than the leads in DEADLINE. (Also, like the male lead in DEADLINE, these two leads both had PTSD and it was a much better story.)

I think it is too simple to say that I don't like SB because she puts more emphasis on the suspense/mystery.

[Sandra]

It's hard to enjoy a book when you don't care about the characters for sure, Kirsten. And, it seems, what makes us care varies from person to person. Happily, there are books/characters/series/authors out there for everyone...lucky for authors that we like & enjoy a great variety for different reasons.