Review: Without Warning by Lynette Eason

Not Eason's Best

I don’t know if this is a true story or not. But it’s good, and it illustrates a point:

A couple were in court asking for a divorce. The judge asked the husband why he wanted a divorce. “Because she’s always reading and won’t stop reading when I talk to her.” The judge asked the wife the same question. Her answer? “Because he always talks to me when I’m trying to read.”

I had a similar problem while reading Without Warning. My family kept wanting me to talk to them or do their laundry or cook their meals. And the result is that I’m not sure if I found it difficult to get into Without Warning because of the constant interruptions, or if it just wasn’t that gripping or engaging. And it’s romantic suspense. It’s supposed to be gripping and engaging.

When I finished Without Warning, I felt ‘meh’. I felt like finishing it was a chore, and I was relieved it was over.

A week later, I can’t remember a single thing about the book. Yet I still don’t know if that was the fault of my beloved family and their constant interruptions, or the fault of the book. It got 4½ stars from Romantic Times, which says their reviewer enjoyed it, so maybe it’s just me.

Here’s the Amazon description:

Taut Writing and Breakneck Pacing That Will Keep Readers Up All Night

Katie Singleton, a partner with the Elite Guardians Protection Agency, stumbles upon her next assignment quite by accident. Spotting blue lights at a familiar restaurant, she stops to investigate, only to discover that owner Daniel Matthews has become the target of someone who will go to any lengths to put him out of business.

Daniel might be concerned, but he's not convinced that a bodyguard--and a female one at that--is necessary. A new attack and his niece's urgings are enough to make him reconsider. He and Katie must figure out who's behind the intimidation and threats--before a would-be killer strikes again.

Witty dialogue and a simmering attraction will have readers flying through this tension-laced thriller. Eason exercises complete control of her readers' emotions as they race through the pages to discover the truth.

Okay, that reminds me of a few things. Like there was too much sexual tension between Daniel and Kate considering he’s supposed to be her client. And the big reveal of the evildoer didn’t entirely make sense. It’s not that it’s a bad novel, more that I didn’t engage with the plot of the characters, and she has written better books.

And, no, I didn't find it kept me up at night. More the opposite.

Thanks to NetGalley and Revell for providing a free ebook for review.

I'm Reviewing Sins of the Past at Suspense Sisters Reviews

I'm visiting Suspense Sisters Reviews today, reviewing Sins of the Past, a collection of three novellas by Dee Henderson, Dani Pettrey and Lynette Eason. Click here to read my review.

Review: Protecting Her Daughter by Lynette Eason

Exciting Romantic Suspense

Widowed Zoe Collier escaped to the rural town of Wranglers Creek after her daughter was almost kidnapped outside their Nashville home, and after her car was almost run off the road. But it seems that whoever or whatever was after nine-year-old Sophia back home is still chasing her.

Handsome local veterinarian Aaron Starke is attracted to the pretty widow and is pleased to have plenty of excuses to drop by the property she is farm-sitting (if that's a word). But he doesn't expect a simple trip to drop off some medicine and check on a pregnant cow to turn into a hostage situation.

The style of Love Inspired novels is always a little different to longer full-length titles. This can be an advantage and a disadvantage. It makes them quick to read, but I sometimes feel like the writing lacks complexity, because the shorter word count means there isn't scope for a lot of character development or description. On the other hand, it does mean there is plenty of focus on the main plot, and less sidetracking.

I found the beginning of Protecting Her Daughter to be a little shaky (although full of tension), but once I got into it, I couldn't put it down. The writing was very good, the characters excellent, and I really got into the suspense: who is after Zoe and Sophia? Why?

Protecting Her Daughter is the third book in the Wrangler's Corner series. I've read the first (The Lawman Returns) but not the second (Rodeo Rescuer), but was easily able to read Protecting Her Daughter as a standalone.

Thanks to Love Inspired Suspense and NetGalley for providing a free ebook for review.