Count to Ten

Customer Reviews:

Lots of Action.......2007-07-19

A former high school teacher of chemistry and physics, Karen lives in Florida with her husband of twenty years and their children. When she's not writing, Karen enjoys traveling, karate (she's just starting!), She now has several books behind her and this one is the latest of them.

As one or two of the other reviewers have said I too could have lived without the romance aspect of the book but overall it is well written and holds the readers attention pretty much throughout the book. It is certainly an enjoyable read, not the best book I have ever read, but certainly worth reading. There are gripping and exciting episodes in the book that more than compensate for the romantic overtures.

Riveting...start to finish.......2007-06-09

I was hooked from the first page. The plot was quick moving, action packed and completely real (almost too real). The suspense flowed from one scene to the next, to the next, to the next without letting up. The characters are so real I felt I knew them. I absolutley loved this book.
Now I have to go back and read the rest of them! Yeah!!!!

Another HOMERUN for MS Rose!!.......2007-05-24

I first discovered Karen Rose while doing an online search for mystery novels. After reading several excerpts from her books I immediately ordered everything she had in print. I read them in the order they were published, and never had one moments disappointment. Sadly though, I had to wait several months before "Count to Ten" was published! What a bummer!! Well, it's finally been published and I've finally gotten my 'Rose" fix, and am happy again. Ok...so I have to wait until the fall for the next book, it will be difficult but I'll do my best.

Without going into plots and storylines, let me just say...the characters are believable, the storylines are believable and filled with suspense, and while thought provoking, NOT mindboggling. You will not get "lost" in the story (no matter which novel you choose).

If you've never read Rose...I strongly recommend you do so, as soon as possible.

Excellent mystery.......2007-05-06

Loaded with suspense. Great mystery. Kept your attention throughout. I am a Karen Rose fam, and this did not disappoint.

A Sizzling Read!.......2007-05-05

I picked up Karen Rose's 'Count to Ten' after noticing that someone who had bought my novel Divine Intervention also bought Count to Ten. :) Karen Rose is a new author for me and I thought I should check her out since she's also writing about a deadly arsonist. I was hoping it would keep me up all night, maybe give me nightmares. And I wasn't disappointed.

Since recent posts here go into plot and I don't want to rehash it, I'll say that Rose's characters ring true. They are multi-dimensional in humor and spirit. The relationships between the characters will sometimes frustrate, but will definitely make you remember them.

I have to give this 5/5 stars. Count to Ten is a fast read, a great read for the car or a trip...and a great escape. The scenes are vivid and gruesome; the romance sizzles! And the main protagonist Mia Mitchell is admirable. Very reminiscent of Kay Hooper's series!

Now I'll have to go back and read the preceding novels. Thanks, Karen! :)

~ Cheryl Kaye Tardif, author of Whale Song, Divine Intervention and The River

Average customer rating:

Not my favorite, but a fun read
An Exciting Rollercoaster Ride . . .
Chilling first rate read
Fantastic!
Good bool but...

You Can't Hide
Karen Rose
Manufacturer: Vision
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

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ASIN: 0446616893

Book Description

YOU DON'T KNOW WHO I AM.Terror has forever changed the life of psychiatrist Tess Ciccotelli.Someone is tormenting her patients, pushing them to commit suicide, and setting her up to take the blame.But Tess can't break her oath to protect her patients' privacy at all costs.Even when detective Aidan Reagan demands a list of everyone she's treating.Even when the mounting danger threatens Tess herself.YOU CAN'T STOP WHAT I'M DOING.Aidan doesn't like anyone who stalls his cases.Still, he can't help but admire Tess's fierce loyalty to her patients, especially when it becomes clear that a nameless, faceless enemy is set on destroying her career, her family, and finally, Tess herself.As Aidan's heart softens, the killer's will hardens, and one thing becomes clear#151;the noose is tightening around Tess's neck.

Customer Reviews:

Not my favorite, but a fun read.......2007-03-27

At times a little repetitive, a little slow, sometimes a little cliche...but the mystery behind all those deaths and the complex serial killer Karen Rose gave life too keeps you turning the pages , dying to find out what set all that into motion. Fun read.

An Exciting Rollercoaster Ride . . . .......2007-01-29

with more twists and turns than you can fathom! Truly one of the best mysteries that I've read in a very long time. The author does an excellent job of keeping you guessing not only from page to page but from paragraph to paragraph. I honestly had no clue who the ultimate villian was. I can't wait to read more books by this talented writer.

Chilling first rate read.......2007-01-09

Someone is encouraging the patients of Dr. Tess Ciccotelli to commit suicide, and all clues lead police to the doctor herself. Estranged from her family and already considered a pariah by police since her testimony made sure a cop killer did not stand trial due to insanity, they don't want to clear her just yet. But the coincidences are just that, and someone with a grudge wants to see Tess not only stripped of her job, but her freedom too.

When detective Aidan Regan starts to suspect that she is the pawn in a sadistic killer's game of vengeance, he vows to protect the woman that on one hand he dislikes, and on the other he desires. As the two are drawn to each other, and she escapes the traps the killer has set, it becomes an even deadlier game as friends and acquaintances are suddenly being targeted. Will they be able to figure out who hates Tess enough to commit murder before she becomes the next victim or has a chance to reconcile with the family she loves and misses so much?

Rose's latest is yet another first rate romantic suspense, guaranteed to have you biting your nails right down to the cuticle. With plenty of potential suspects and a few plot surprises, the duo of Tess and Aidan burn up the pages and make this nearly 500 pager go quickly. It begs the question, can Rose write a mediocre novel? Doesn't appear so.

Fantastic!.......2006-12-23

Love this book - my husband even pickd it up since he was out of reading material and enjoyed enough that he read the next two I bought. Fun, sexy and chilling - my favorite combo!

Good bool but..........2006-10-08

I just felt like there was too much going on. It did keep me guessing who the killer was until the end. I just couldn't believe the amount of kills and how long it took them to solve it--or maybe because it was such a long book. I felt like it dragged out for me. I didn't really feel the chemistry between the two characters. Well-written though.

Average customer rating:

Nothing to fear
Nothing to Fear
Suspenseful but Formulaic
Rose is one of my new favorite romantic suspense authors...
Originally Posted on Romance Junkies in 2005

Nothing To Fear
Karen Rose
Manufacturer: Grand Central Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

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ASIN: 0446618993

Customer Reviews:

Nothing to fear.......2007-08-28

I really enjoyed this book. It was different from many thrillers I have already read.

Nothing to Fear.......2007-08-17

This is my first Karen Rose book, and I will definitely go out and buy her others.

NOTHING TO FEAR isn't your typical whodunnit, because from the moment the first crime occurs you don't have to guess who did it, you know. The only question is, why?

Karen Rose sucks you into this book from the very beginning. The moment you read her opening hook, questions start forming in your mind and you can't help wonder who Sue Conaway is, and what drives her to such evil.

The reader first encounters Sue Conaway at a funeral and right from the start you get the feeling that she's not there to pay her respects. It doesn't take long to figure out that she's waiting for someone to arrive, and though you don't know who that person is, you know something horrible is about to happen to them. AND right on cue, Karen Rose proves your instincts right with Sue Conaway's bitter words. "Be afraid, I'm coming."

When Randi and Stan Vaughn return home from vacation they find a dead body in their shed and their twelve year old son, Alex and his speech therapist, Cheryl Rickman, gone. The only thing left behind is a note to say that their son has been kidnapped and will be killed if they contact the authorities.

Next we meet Ethan Buchanan when the Vaughn's beg him to find their son. Ethan tries to reason with them, to make them realize that he's not the FBI or the police, but they won't take no for an answer. The Vaughn's win him over when Stan plays on Ethan's guilt over the death of his brother, Richard, when they served together in Kandahar. Scared to death for Alex who is not only deaf and mute, but his Godson, Ethan agrees. Next thing he knows, he is on the trail of a murderer, and inadvertently ends up in the arms of the woman of his dreams.

Dana Dupinsky has dedicated her life to helping abused women, so its nothing out of the ordinary when "Jane," contacts her about staying at her shelter, known as Hanover House. Dana is waiting late one night at the train station which is bringing Jane and her son, when Dana tries to stop a mugging. The old lady is unharmed, but Dana ends up being knocked down and into the arms of Ethan Buchanan. Sparks fly between the two and a relationship begins to form.

In the end Ethan finds out that there is a whole lot he doesn't know about Dana. AND when her friends start coming up dead, Dana realizes that she must place her trust in Ethan or suffer the same fate.

AND in the end they work together to bring down a murderer.

If you're curious to know what happens in the end, you'll just have to read.

This book has so many layers that peel away answering question after question, and I had a hard time putting it down. I found myself biting my lip at some of the horrific things Sue Conaway was capable of. AND many times as I read, I remember hearing, the words, "Ahh, so that's why?" repeated over and over in my mind.

I just want to give Mrs. Rose a shout out- Congratulations on a MAGNIFICENT read!

I give this book 5 ***** stars!

Suspenseful but Formulaic.......2007-07-24

I've read three from Karen Rose so far and they are indeed "page-turners" (I found "Have You Seen Her" to be the best). Rose writes very well and keeps the reader wondering until the very end. I only have two criticisms: (1) plots are overpopulated; there are so many players, I often find myself pausing to remember who's who and how they relate to the story, and (2) the "intimate" scenes are formulaic--strong woman hasn't been with a man for years, meets honorable and handsome guy who also hadn't planned on a new relationship, etc., If you read one Rose sex scene, you've read them all. But don't get me wrong, I think this prolific writer is great and I will be purchasing more of her books.

Rose is one of my new favorite romantic suspense authors..........2007-06-16

Good book, though a bit on the dark and semi-gorey side. I don't think I liked it as much as the other two Karen Rose books that I've read, but I did enjoy reading it. Like "Have You Seen Her" one of the things I liked about this book was the character continuity. Dana was in "Don't Tell" as a secondary character, so it was nice to read her story. And I liked seeing what Caroline and Max (from Don't Tell) were up to. Plus Rose also brings back Evie. (I hope someday she gives Evie her book).

Anyway, the book had a good plot. I think it helps to have read "Don't Tell" first because you have a more clear picture of some of the nuances about what Dana does. But even so, the plot was stand alone. Like Rose's other books, she doesn't keep the antagonist a secret. You know from pretty much the first page who the bad guy is going to be. I'm not sure how much I like that. It takes away some of the suspense. Aside from that, I like how the plot was built-up and worked with. The story kept me into the book. And the romance was pretty good. I liked Dana and Ethan. They worked pretty well together.

One of the negatives of the book, in my opinion, was that I think Rose spent too much time on the antagonist. I just felt there were too many pages dedicated to the bad guy's POV. I didn't need that much to have the story work, and I really didn't need some of the gory details that came out in those POV sections. I sometimes ended up skimming through those parts. But it didn't kill that the book, it just made it about longer than it needed to be.

Originally Posted on Romance Junkies in 2005.......2007-05-14

Author Karen Rose jumped on my favorite authors list with her first release back in 2003, Don't Tell. With her latest release, NOTHING TO FEAR, she's impressed me so much that I'll be buying her books as long as she keeps writing them. Romantic suspense has always been, and will undoubtedly continue to be, my favorite genre, and no one does it better than Ms. Rose. Heart-pounding action, hard-core suspense, passionate romance, and characters that pull you into the story are her trademarks, and NOTHING TO FEAR has all of that, and more.

In the first chapter of the book, you know what happens, and you know who does it. What you don't know, and don't find out for quite awhile, is why the bad guys go to the length of evil that they do to terrorize one particular family. And finding that out is worth the read.

Stan and Randi Vaughn have had their worst nightmares come to life. Their son, twelve-year-old Alex, has been kidnapped. It's bad enough that the boy is probably scared to death, but he's also deaf, so his terror is even more palpable. Having already witnessed the murder of Paul McMillan, the fiance of his speech therapist, Cheryl Rickman, Alex is thrust into running for his life with a mad-woman. Yes, in this story, the villain is a woman, and a truly insane one, at that. Now Cheryl has been murdered in cold blood and dumped by the roadside, and it's up to Alex to keep his wits and stay alive.

Alex's parents have called on Ethan Buchanan, a security expert with a private investigator's license, to find and rescue their son. Ethan stresses to the distraught parents that he's not a policeman, but Stan and Randi are adamant-the ransom note left behind after Alex's disappearance states that the authorities are not to be involved, or their son will end up like Paul McMillan. Taking the kidnappers at their word, Mr. and Mrs. Vaughn convince Ethan to search for Alex-and his investigation takes him to a train station in Chicago in the middle of the night to look at security surveillance tapes.

While there, Ethan takes notice of Dana Dupinsky, a woman who seems to have secrets of her own. Why is she hanging around a train station in the dead of night? Why does she look so nervous, and act as if he's the devil incarnate? And why do sparks fly between him and this woman he's just met?

Dana has secrets of her own, the first and foremost being that she runs Hanover House, a shelter for abused women. Dana's goal in life is to rescue as many needy women and children as possible, and to help them escape the lives of terror that they led. Now, though, there's a murderer within the walls of her sanctuary, and she doesn't even know it.

As Ethan's mission coincides with Dana's, and as bodies start piling up in Chicago, this man and woman learn that trust is earned, that love runs deep, and that rescuing a child from danger is the most important job of all.

NOTHING TO FEAR is an absolute gem. If there were ten blue ribbons to give, that would be my rating for this book. It's definitely earned a place on my keeper shelf, and I look forward to reading it again and again. This is what true romantic suspense is all about, and I thank Ms. Rose for such a wonderful read.

Average customer rating:

Murder, mayhem, mystery and romance!
A nice mix of romance and suspense
Have You Seen Her
LOVE this book...am rereading for 10th time!!
Good, sexy, vulnerable hero. Heroine was likeable also.

Have You Seen Her?
Karen Rose
Manufacturer: Forever
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

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ASIN: 0446618977

Customer Reviews:

Murder, mayhem, mystery and romance!.......2007-09-10

Ever since I read Karen Rose's latest book "Count to Ten" I have been tracking down at used book stores her previous novels. This one is very exciting. It begin four years ago with a Seattle detective sadly watching a family one of whose members is a serial murderer move away and get away scot-free. The detective is upset as he was blamed for mishandling some DNA evidence which was thrown out by the judge.

Now we come forward in time to the present and Special Agent Steven Thatcher of the North Carolina Stake Bureau of Investigations is at a scene in the woods where a anonymous tip led them to find a young girl's body that had been in the woods awhile. Very gruesome sight. What is weird is the girl was 16, a cheerleader and had beautiful long dark hair. She was found nude and with a shaved head. No clues in the woods at all.

On top of this another girl is reported missing plus Steven has family problems. He is a widower with 3 boys ages 17, 13 and 7. The youngest, Nicky, was kidnapped by a suspect Steven was tracking last spring and while not harmed is still very much emotionally affected by the horrifying experience. This past month his oldest, Brad, has started acting surly, not taking care of himself and doing poorly at school. In fact, Brad's advanced chemistry teacher, Dr. Jenna Marshall, has called and insists that Steven come and meet with her today after school.

Dr. Marshall is a fine and upstanding teacher who upon grading the chemistry tests tells Rudy Lutz he is suspended from playing football. The principal and Rudy's dad try to gang up on her but she stands up to them in spite of their intimidating tactics. As she hurries out of the principal's office on the way to her classroom to meet with Steven Thatcher, he literally crashes into her. Her concern for Brad touches Steven and he is also surprised to feel some sparks as well but his preoccupation with the serial killer as well as concern for his youngest, Nicky, cause him to have many conflicts about his feelings for Jenna.

As the story lines play out with the danger and intrigue increasing and more romantic sparks flying, Ms. Rose is terrific at building the suspense on all accounts.

A terrific read. Highly recommended.

A nice mix of romance and suspense.......2007-06-16

After reading Rose's first book, Don't Tell, I was anxious to read another of her stories. So I picked up Have You Seen Her? from the library and couldn't wait to read it. I ended up enjoying the book just as much as the last one.

One of the things about the story I liked the most was the continuity of characters. I love books that have minor connections to other books by the author. Steven was a character from Rose's first book, Don't Tell, and in this book he is the male lead. It's just nice to have that continuation and to be able to keep up with the characters. I will, however, say that I'm not sure some of the details that Rose presented about Steven in the first book matched up with things in this book. I didn't have Don't Tell anymore to go back and check, but the impression I had of Steven's first marriage didn't match with how things played out in HYSH?. Either I got the wrong impression or Rose decided to alter some details to make HYSH? work better. It's not a huge deal, though. It didn't make the story unrealistic.

Overall, good characters, good plot, good romance. I liked both Steven and Jenna and their romance was sweet. The plot had some nice twists and turns. You have a pretty good idea who the bad guy is - there aren't many possible suspects, but Rose does manage to give you a nice surprise at the end. Enjoyable read all around, and I plan to read more of Rose's books (I have one more I took out from the library).

Have You Seen Her.......2007-05-14

All of her books are great but I think they would be equally great at about 100 to 150 pages less. She should tighten them up a bit. Take note of Nora Roberts or Linda Howards books. Sometimes less is better.

LOVE this book...am rereading for 10th time!!.......2007-01-15

Right now I'm rereading Karen Rose's Have You Seen Her? It's romantic suspense at it's best, with a dark overtone. SBI agent Steven Thatcher (who was introduced in earlier books) is floundering. He has a case that involves young teenage girls that go missing from their beds. And they're turning up dead, and noone seems to know anything. According to the feedback he's getting, these girls would never have willingly left their homes with anyone. He's hitting a wall, and more girls are going missing...His home life is quickly spiralling out of his control, too...his 17 year old son is suddenly flunking classes in school, sullen and sneaky...his youngest son, who was kidnapped in a previous book, still won't sleep in his own bed and is just getting so he'll allow himself to be touched again...and Steven's Aunt is determined to fix him up with a woman. In the midst of all this, Steven meets Jenna Marshall. Dr. Jenna Marshall, actually~~his 17 yr. old son's Chemistry teacher, who is very concerned with Brads decline in grades and attitude. The attraction is mutual, and immediate. But how will Steven find the time for this when his plate is already full? This is an awesome story, and if you're a romance fan, or a fan of suspense, don't miss it!! It's loosely connected to Karen's other books, but every one is stand alone and not to be missed. Her new book, Count To Ten is due out soon, and I can't wait!!

Good, sexy, vulnerable hero. Heroine was likeable also........2007-01-07

Good, exciting book. Great suspense, great sex. I'm pretty picky about writing style, and I like Karen Rose. Intelligent, witty, semi-unpredictable. . . what more can you ask for in a suspense, thriller, chick book? (chick book yes, but my husband liked it, too). After I read this book, which I purchased after I read the other Amazon reviewers' critiques, I went out and bought all of her other books. And I have to say, I'd highly recommend them also. Actually, they were so good that I spent most of my kids' winter break reading them instead of spending quality time with my children. Now I need peruse the Amazon "self-help" book department and find one on how to deal with guilt.

Average customer rating:

I'm Watching you
What a wonderful book!
a must read
I'll be waiting for more from Karen Rose!!
Loved It!

I'm Watching You
Karen Rose
Manufacturer: Forever
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

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ASIN: 0446618985

Customer Reviews:

I'm Watching you.......2007-08-15

This book is a romantic Mystery.The story line is good and the characters
will hold your interest.A very enjoyable book ,hard to put down.

What a wonderful book!.......2007-07-09

This is my first time reading a Karen Rose book and I must say I enjoyed it immensely. It had wonderful characters, wonderful romance, and I never suspected who the bad guy was. I will definitely read more of this authors books.

a must read.......2007-05-09

The first Karen Rose book I read was Nothing To Fear. And it was great, I didn't know this author, but I wasn't disapointed with my choice. I just love the way she writes. She has become one of my favorite authors. By now I've read I'm Watching You, Count to Ten, You Can't Hide and Nothing To Fear, and I've fallen in love with all of the characters. I can't wait to read Don't Tell and Have You Seen Her, and of course to read her latest book Die For Me. September can't come soon enough.

I recommend I'm Watching You 100%. It will keep you riveted, you won't want to put it down. I actually read it in a day, I just sat at home, not caring about anything and just read my heart out. I have to say, I just love the Reagan bothers, they are sexy....

I'll be waiting for more from Karen Rose!!.......2005-12-07

Prosecutor Kristen Mayhew is a survivor of rape, so she takes each and every case that comes across her desk seriously, doing her best to win justice for the victims. However, she can't always win every case no matter how hard she tries, and no matter how heinous the crime. Suddenly the criminals the justice system allowed to walk away are turning up dead and Kristen is receiving letters from a vigilante calling himself "Your Humble Servant". This brings Dectective Abe Reagan into her life.

Like Kristen, Abe's life has been shattered. His pregnant wife was shot in front of him when a gunman out for reveage missed him and hit her instead. After 5 years in a vegetative state she finally passed away, but Abe has lived with the guilt. Now he finds himself protecting Kristen from a vigilante who seems bent on impressing her with his own brand of justice. All the while Abe finds himself falling in love. Although Kristen is glad that these terrible criminals won't be able to harm anyone else, she knows that this vigilante can't be allowed to continue his killing spree. Working side by side with Abe to find the killer brings Kristen closer and closer emotionally to him. Both Abe and Kristen are wounded souls who find something in each other that they never expected. But both must face their pasts, and the danger that surrounds them, before they can have a life together.

I read I'm Watching You in one sitting. I couldn't put it down, it was that good! I am already hoping that Ms. Rose has plans for stories about secondary characters Aidan, Abe's brother, and Abe's partner Mia. The strong romantic plot is driven by Abe and Kristen, two characters that quickly stole my heart. Superbly penned suspense left me wondering until the end exactly who "Your Humble Servant" is. I could easily have read another 200 pages of Abe and Kristen, I was so absorbed. Romantic suspense readers will devour I'm Watching You.

Melissa
Reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed

Loved It!.......2005-11-21

Kristen Mayhew is an assistant prosecutor in Chicago. She's just encountered Abe Reagan, a cop who's recently emerged from undercover work after his wife has died (having been in a vegetative state for years). They open up her trunk to fix a flat tire and find 4 boxes each filled with clothing and a map. Accompanying the boxes are notes to Kristen that tell her the murderer's been watching her and signing them her "humble servant." The murder victims turn out to be defendants of sexual assaults or murders who Kristen tried to prosecute, but they got off. Abe is instantly attracted to Kristen and gradually breaks down her reserve as he tries to protect her not only from the unknown vigilante, but also vicious friends/family of the murder victims who think she's at fault or can tell her who the murderer is.

If I ever were to have talent enough to write a book, this is the kind of book I'd like to write. It's very sparing on description or flowing prose; in fact, having just finished Tami Hoag who I believe is a very talented writer, my reaction to the first chapter was, "This author doesn't write very well." (I also didn't like the way Abe kept calling Kristen "lady" when they first met.) After that, I totally forgot about the writing style (although there were a few sentences here and there I'd have to reread to understand) and was totally absorbed in the story. This is my idea of romance - strong yet tender Abe who's protecting and comforting intelligent, trying-to-be-brave Kristen, who's almost as fearful of her growing attraction to Abe as the physical dangers. This is my first Karen Rose book and she goes straight to the top of my "gotta read" author list.

Average customer rating:

Not good
Originally Posted on Romance Junkies in 2005
A Slow Read
Emotionally Satisfying...
laughable

Don't Tell
Karen Rose
Manufacturer: Forever
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

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ASIN: 0446618969

Customer Reviews:

Not good.......2007-09-23

After a boffo beginning, this POS deteroriated into a very formulic romance, one that I couldn't even read. Yuck. It could have been a very good book. The instant I read that Caroline would be meeting a new boss, I knew - ROMANCE!!!!! Yup, they fell immediately into lust - I couldn't read beyond that. It didn't even go into my recycle pile - it went into the trash.

Originally Posted on Romance Junkies in 2005.......2007-05-13

Mary Grace Winters held the grand title of "punching bag". An abused wife with a bad-cop husband, Mary Grace had no choice but to take what he gave her. With no job, no skills, and no friends of her own, she had no one to turn to for help, had nothing to allow her to escape the life that she led. In turn, she lived for her son, Robbie, who one day had the horrible misfortune to find his mother lying in a pool of blood at the bottom of the cellar stairs, broken and battered.

Mary Grace used her months in the hospital to form a plan. She needed to escape, to run away, not just for her sake, but for the sake of her son. Rob Winters wasn't just a cop, but a cop that demanded respect and invoked fear not only in her, but in his fellow officers. So she dreamed, and she plotted, and she faked her own death.

Caroline Stewart was a woman with a wonderful job as the administrative assistant to the head of the history department of Carrington College. She's found her niche, and created a nice, sturdy world for herself, when her mentor and boss suddenly dies. Enter Max Hunter, a man larger than life, with a chip on his shoulder the size of a small country. He uses a cane, and should anyone mention it or show him the least bit of pity, he's prepared to use said cane upside their head.

When Caroline, a new woman who's almost put behind her the old world of Mary Grace, and Max, who can't, or won't, put behind his own, collide, much more than sparks start flying. Passion, mixed with pent-up anger, regret, and sorrow, abound from every page, along with enough humor thrown in to make you laugh out loud.

"Don't Tell" is romantic suspense at it's ultimate best. Ms. Rose is a wonderful story-teller, able to breathe life into her pages until you feel as if you're part of the story. I laughed, I cried, I yelled...and all from the words printed on these pages. If you've ever wondered if good can conquer evil, if you're not sure that the good guys sometimes do win, then this book is for you. Karen Rose goes down as a master of suspense in my book, and I can't wait to devour everything else she's ever written...and hopefully will keep writing long into the future.

A Slow Read.......2007-04-26

The book's summary was actually better than the actual read. That's why I decided to try this author for the first time and more than likely this will be the last. I found the conversations between all of the characters boring and unrealistic. The relationship between Caroline and Max was super boring. Here you have an abused woman who could not stand up to her husband, all of a sudden calling the shots with another man who wasn't exactly a wimp.She demands that he be a person of character when she lies about her whole life. And the scenes where Caroline and Max are very intimate in her apartment with her son in the next room and also in the office, turned my stomach. At the time of this review, I am still plowing through it. It is one of those novels that never seem to end. I keep turning the pages to see when the chapter ends. I'm not sure if I will finish it. I usually do not write reviews, but every so often I feel the need to release frustration and anguish. I can't wait to read something more appealing.

Emotionally Satisfying..........2007-03-16

Emotionally satisfying doesn't tell you how truly this book touched my heart. Don't Tell is one of those novels that is just so extraordinary that I can't find the words to describe just how wonderful it was. If you are looking for a book that is so satisfying, the next read is hard to look forward to because you know another book won't be near as good, this is the one you want to pick up. It was good... the best I've had the pleasure to read...

laughable.......2007-01-09

Let's not even discuss the countless laws our heroine violated in her attempt to escape her abusive husband. Laws, that were completely overlooked by the authorities in the resolution of this piece of work. Lets go to the stereotyped characters, the completely predictable plot, the outrageous 'chemistry' of the two main lovers and the mindless banter that was being passed off as witty conversation. The bad guy was completely bad, the heroine was perfectly good, the hero was a pillar of strength, the son was every parents' dream, the cops were all cliches of one type or another...The characters were perfect examples of cardboard cut-outs. Max and Caroline had romantic sparks flying the minute they saw each other and it was hilarious...There is no way a real person in real life could think and act like those two...These two would make a great Saturday NIght Live satire of afternoon soap operas. Detective Jolley was a hoot...If you didn't see what was coming for him you were not payng attention which could have easily been the case. The plot I thought had possibilities but it was wasted. Yes, I know Rob Winters was one of them (a cop), but come on...Nobody could see the obvious here? Finally, of all the things I did not like about this book, there was the scene in the kitchen with Max, Tom, Caroline and Dana. Why Caroline (or Max)didn't just smack Dana for her witty comments (more like witless) is beyond me. Somecody should have just told her to shut the H... up. This was not good natured banter among friends. This was drivel. I bought another Karen Rose book at the same time I purchased this one. I'm not sure if I will give it a try or not. This book could have been written by a middle school student who would have been satisfied with a grade of 'C'. I gave it two stars only because I was able to finish it and I wanted to see how the author wrapped it up.

Average customer rating:

Bad Boys with Red Roses
2 out of 3 ain't bad
Great anthology

Bad Boys with Red Roses
Janelle Denison , Tina Donahue , and Sharon Cullars
Manufacturer: Brava
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0758209363

Book Description

Meet the bad boys women love to love--the ones who break everybody's rules and live by their own. But sooner or later, every bad boy meets his match in that special woman who makes him believe...and behave.

Still Mr. & Mrs. Janelle Denison

Rachel Hudson strides purposefully past Luke Kincaid's security cameras at a posh Las Vegas casino, closing the door to eight long years of regrets after Luke wins a wager that puts her in his bed for an overdue honeymoon. Luke is sure of one thing: Rachel will enjoy herself and have him begging for more...

Tempt Me, Tease Me, Thrill Me Tina Donahue

After one wild encounter with Judge Cait Campbell, Chicago cop Sean Logan finds out what's under those long black robes: a body that's as beautiful as her face. And he's prepared to plead guilty to wanting her--and only her...

The Invitation Sharon Cullars

The card arrives with a single, long-stemmed red rose, followed by a phone call from a mysterious, deeply seductive male voice, inviting Gerri to a special evening at a beautiful old mansion--and the fulfillment of her most hidden desires. Is she ready to be...experienced?

Customer Reviews:

Bad Boys with Red Roses .......2007-06-27

Still Mr. and Mrs. by Janelle Denison

Rachel Hudson and Luke Kincaid fell in love while attending high school in Las Vegas. On a whim one night, they decided to get married in one of Vegas' many chapels. Even though the two loved each other very much, Rachel's controlling father didn't take kindly to the marriage. He arranged for an annulment and moved the family to New York City.

Eight years later, Rachel is back in Vegas to tell Luke that their annulment was never filed, and that they're still married. She's brought papers for him to sign, which he says he will do. After Rachel spends the weekend with him.

Still Mr. and Mrs. is an erotic tale of two lovers torn apart, and coming back together again. I loved both Rachel and Luke and the combustible way they fit together. This story is scorching hot, and a very entertaining read.

Tempt Me, Tease Me, Thrill Me by Tina Donahue

Cait Campbell is a lawyer who is about to be appointed as a judge. As part of a charity event, she is also about to be auctioned off for a date with the highest bidder. Det. Sean Logan spent one night with Cait after his brother's wedding to her cousin, then she slipped away.

Sean doesn't want Cait to slip away this time. He attends the auction and wins his date with Cait. But he makes her wait two weeks, building up the tension between the two of them. Will they have another one night stand, or will they decide that they love each other, and want to stay together?

Tempt Me, Tease Me, Thrill Me certainly lives up to its name. The tension between Cait and Sean is strong, but at times I became more than a little annoyed with the angst between them and Cait's failure to really see Sean.

But the ending of the story absolutely thrilled me and made me laugh out loud, causing my frustration to disappear. This is a fun tale that readers will want to follow to its satisfying conclusion.

The Invitation by Sharon Cullars

Defense attorney Jeralyn gets a strange package one day. An invitation to an "event," accompanied by a single red rose. When a man calls to see if she'll be attending, she tells him no. That invitation opens a world that Jeralyn has forgotten. That world includes a past where her parents were killed in a house fire, and Jeralyn was involved with two brothers, Adrian and Amil.

Jeralyn is not sure she wants to remember the past, but Amil is determined that she will, and that she will die because of it. And Adrian is bound and determined to save her.

Utterly original and completely engrossing, The Invitation delves into a woman's past and the way that it intrudes on her present. I was drawn in from page one, and couldn't let go. The characters are beautifully written, and the story crafted in a manner as to keep the reader entranced. Once again, Sharon Cullars has trilled me with a story of love, deception and redemption. I highly advise reading this tale.

Amelia
Reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed

2 out of 3 ain't bad.......2007-05-05

Like many of these novels that contain 3 short stories, the hero and heroine have met before and there's something that's keeping them apart. In this book, you'll find a red rose mentioned in each story (and you'll find that like many novels, the blurb on the back cover is not accurate). While I originally bought this book because I love Janelle Denison, Tina Donahue's story is the one that I really loved and wanted to read again and again.

Still Mr. & Mrs. - Janelle Denison - 4 stars

Rachel Hudson comes back to Las Vegas to see Luke Kincaid and take care of some things from the past. Luke Kincaid has never gotten over what happened between him and Rachel Hudson. Rachel hurt him badly and since that relationship ended, he's kept all of his relationships casual. Luke wins a wager that will have Rachel in his bed. He's hoping that having Rachel again will cure him of her memory.

I love Janelle Denison's books - she's an automatic buy for me. And while I liked this story, it seems like there could have been more - it's the shortest story in this collection - less than 80 pages and seemed to end way too quickly. It was enjoyable but left me wanting more.

Tempt Me, Tease Me, Thrill Me - Tina Donahue - 5 stars

Four months ago, detective Sean Logan and attorney (not judge) Cait Campbell had a one night stand - a memorable evening for both of them. Since then, neither one has forgotten the other. Sean believes that he's found the woman he wants to marry. Cait, on the other hand, is very wary of marriage - her parents seemed happily married and then went through an acrimonious divorce. While she adores Sean, she doesn't want to get involved and definitely doesn't want to get married. So to try and forget him, since their meeting, she filled her hours with work.

As part of a charity event, there's an auction which gives the winner a chance to take Cait to dinner. And who's the lucky winner of the auction? No other than Sean who wants a chance to convince Cait that what they have is special.

I loved this story. Sean Logan is HOT (and I would love to have him convince me of anything). And Cait's hang-ups about their relationship seemed believable. This is the first novel I've read by Tina Donahue and it made me go out and check to see what else she's written.

The Invitation - Sharon Cullars - 3 stars

Jerri (not Gerri) Harris receives an invitation and then a phone call from a mysterious Andrew Valmer asking her to attend a private gathering. She's tired from the stress of her job as an attorney, leery about the invitation, and decides to decline.

If you read the blurb on the back cover ("...a mysterious, deeply seductive male voice, inviting Gerri [sic] to a special evening at a beautiful old mansion - and the fulfillment of her most hidden desires") you'd think there was going to be some hanky panky going on with that invitation but that's not what's happening at all. Instead, Jerri meets Adrian, a man who warns her that the invitation is actually from someone who means to do her harm.

This story is unlike the other two as this is more of a mystery than a romance. I had a hard time with this story. The more I learned about Jerri, the less I liked her. And I couldn't buy the romance between the two characters. The author seemed to be more focused on the mystery so that the romance seemed secondary to it. Not one of my favorites.

Great anthology.......2007-04-29

"Still Mr. & Mrs" by. Janelle Denison. At a casino in Las Vegas, Luke wins the bet of a lifetime that leads to Rachel Hudson being in his bed. His plan is no more regrets of what could have been as he wants to make her his sure bet.

"Tempt Me, Tease Me, Thrill Me" by Tina Donahue. The greatest night of his life occurred when Chicago police officer Sean Logan made love with Judge Cait Campbell. He wants her honor to agree to a lifetime sentence, but may have to arrest her to get her to confess her guilty desires for him.

"The Invitation" by Sharon Cullars. The single long stem rose arrives with an unsigned invitation. Next comes the sexy phone call by a man who oozes seduction as he invites Gerri to meet him for a rendezvous that he vows will satiate both of their most coveted fantasies.

Harriet Klausner

Average customer rating:

Could of been excellent
what a wonderful surprise
A timless Romance - Teresa at her best
Could have done without the third part of this story
Alright...Ok Summer Read

Whisper of Roses
Teresa Medeiros
Manufacturer: Bantam
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

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ASIN: 0553590308
Release Date: 2007-01-30

Book Description

As she peered over the edge of the gallery, Sabrina Cameron trembled at the sight of the sun-bronzed giant striding into view. But she never recognized the stranger...not until the moment she found herself surrounded by arms of warm steel—and drowning in smoldering green eyes that had once held cool disdain but now shimmered with passion. Morgan MacDonnell, the boy, had been her tormentor. Now it looked as if Morgan, the man, would prove infinitely more dangerous...

Though hatred divided their clans, Morgan MacDonnell had come to Cameron Glen hoping for a truce...only to find that by evening's end the only way to avert bloodshed between the two families was for him to marry his enemy's daughter. But even as Morgan spirited Sabrina away to his rugged fortress, his battle would not be won. For this delicate rose of a girl would put up a bold fight...and the spoils of victory would be nothing less than a heathen MacDonell's heart.

Customer Reviews:

Could of been excellent.......2007-09-25

The story was just inches (pages) from pure brillance. As previously mentioned, the third part is painful. The story takes off, and then stagnates near the end. I did not like the "twist" at all. Actually, I disliked the dramatic character change in Sabrina. I found myself annoyed and disguised with her, and was rooting for Morgan to just leave her and move on. If only the author had cut all of that out, we'd of had one classic tale.

what a wonderful surprise.......2007-09-15

this was my first time reading teresa medeiros, and i was pleasantly surprised. she wove a wonderful tale with two characters i really fell in love with. and while i'll admit, when the unexpected twist came, i briefly felt manipulated, but once i let go and went with it, i found myself actually in tears at times -- which has never happened before with a romance novel. i look forward to reading more of her work, hoping they will all be of this caliber. great romance, great story, and great tension. great job, teresa!

A timless Romance - Teresa at her best.......2007-08-02

I have read this book a few years back and decided to pick this book back up and re-read it. Still the best. I am glad I forgot most of the details as it felt like reading a new book all over again. This was the first book I bought from Teresa, and then I was hooked. It only took 1 book I have lots of her other books because of how great this book was. This is one of my top 10 books that I can re-read over and over again. Other faves: Cherished from Elizabeth Thornton, Fallen Angel from Elizabeth Thornton, Once and Always from Judith McNaught (this woman writes so vividly she is incomparable), O'Rourkes Bride from Barbara Dan, Lord of Seduction from Paula Quinn, Wild Hearts from Virgina Henley, Paradise Wild from Johanna Lindsey, and You Belong to Me from Johanna Lindsey. Please give these books a try - I consider myself lucky to have come across them.

Morgan is supposed to be a rough, uncouth highlander being raised in the highland as the clan cheiftan of a impoverished clan. Sabrina is the beautiful daughter of a rival and much more wealthy clan. Morgan was sent to live with Sabrina's family when he was eleven? for 5 years? so he could understand their way of life. This embitters him when get goes home back to his clan and realize that there was a reason why the Camerons called the McDonnells barbarians. He secretly yearns for beauty, refinement, knowledge that his clan and his family lacked and were not exposed to. Sabrina tries to befriend him at an early age but Morgan refuses to be drawn to her as she epitomizes everything he is not and cannot have OR to afraid to reach for (somewhat cowardly I think but since he redeems himself later he is forgiven). This is a great book - words cannot describe but there is a satisfaction in watching them fall in love knowing so much stands between them.

Could have done without the third part of this story.......2007-07-09

From an early age, Sabrina Cameron knew that part of her Scottish family's heritage was to be at war with the MacDonnells. When the heir to the MacDonnell chieftainship, Morgan, comes to stay with her family in the summers, Sabrina is the first to extend her hand in welcome in the hopes of brokering a tentative peace. When she is brutally rebuffed at every turn by the young MacDonnell, Morgan, she vows never to let him make her cry again.

Twelve years later, these powerful Scottish clans are still enemies, but the Camerons invite the MacDonnells to their home--again in the hopes of peace. When a tragedy happens during this visit, the only way to save the two clans from declaring war on one another is for Morgan and Sabrina to marry. All her life, Sabrina has remembered Morgan as a young boy who hated and taunted her, and she did her best to return the same feelings of disdain. When she is forced to marry him, Sabrina decides to make the best of a bad situation, and plans to tame the wild MacDonnells and their fierce warlord chieftain.

A Whisper of Roses is a novel in three parts. I can say that for the first two parts of this book, I LOVED it. I was enjoying the story, I loved the idea of a brooding Highlander and the half-English slip of a girl who tamed his heart. But then Medeiros went somewhere in the third part of the book that I didn't agree with, couldn't follow, and didn't jive with the rest of the story. The girl who our heroine became in the third part of the book is not the girl who I was rooting for and in awe of in the first two parts. No part of the Sabrina who I'd become attached to was present in the third part, and this new girl ripped to shreds any ideas I may have had about a happily ever after for this couple.

I have read one Medeiros story before and remembered not liking it, but I couldn't exactly remember why. Now that I've read this story, I'm pretty sure I know what it was. It's getting me all attached to characters with artful storytelling and careful breaking down of the walls between hero and heroine and then throwing some wrench into the mix that turns things upside down and ruins an otherwise good story. I can't say that this book was bad, because it wasn't, I can say, however, that if you want to enjoy it fully you should just stop reading at the end of part two.

Alright...Ok Summer Read.......2007-07-07

I didn't love this book. The story took some weird turns. I have read most of this author's books. Seems I really like them, or they are just ok. This is in the just OK category.

Average customer rating:

Yellow Rose Bride
Humor and Romance. A great read

Yellow Rose Bride (Steeple Hill Cafe)
Lori Copeland
Manufacturer: Steeple Hill
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0373785720

Book Description

Seven years ago, seamstress Vonnie Taylor's husband of twenty-four hours, Adam Baldwin, had their marriage annulled. Now she faces the ultimate indignity: sewing the wedding dress for his new intended!

Vonnie hasn't gotten over the handsome Texas rancher, though she'd tried to put him out of her mind after a family feud had doomed their love. Now, as past secrets are uncovered and danger unleashed, Vonnie is thrown together once more with the man who broke her heart. And as the difficulties bring the pair ever closer, this Yellow Rose of Texas discovers that love is always worth the wait.

Customer Reviews:

Yellow Rose Bride .......2007-02-07

Very good book, wasn't able to put it down!! This was the first I have read anything by Lori Copeland, and have since ordered other books by her. Would definitely recommend.

Humor and Romance. A great read.......2007-02-03

Adam Baldwin might be engaged to be married, but that didn't change the way Vonnie Taylor felt about him. After all, they were married for a few short hours when she was fifteen and Adam was seventeen. It wasn't her fault their fathers couldn't get along. P.K. Baldwin and Teague Taylor had forbidden their children to even speak to each other. News of Adam and Vonnie's marriage could have sparked a feud that would have made the Hatfield and McCoys look like pikers.

Vonnie knew the annulment was her fault. Adam wanted to fight for her, but she had been afraid. Now her father is dead and Vonnie has a ranch to run, and someone is trying to scare her into selling out. Could it be Adam?

Lori Copeland writes from the heart. Her Yellow Rose Bride is a warm, funny story that will thrill her fans. Don't miss this one.

Average customer rating:

very enjoyable
Nothinng novel, but sympathetic characters make a good read
Pseudonym
Refreshing!
Engaging and well-written, if a bit familiar

The Serpent and the Rose
Kathleen Bryan
Manufacturer: Tor Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0765313286
Release Date: 2007-03-06

Book Description

The beautiful Averil is heir to the Duchy of Quitaine, in the Kingdom of Lys. She is a powerful mage, trained by the Ladies of the Isle, but when her father calls her home to take up her duties, she must leave that life behind. In her city of Fontevrai, she meets Gereint, raised as a common villager but greatly gifted in magic, a novice of the magical order of the Knights of the Rose. The Knights and their sister order, the Ladies of the Isle, defend a great secret: the means and location of the Serpents imprisonment a thousand years ago by the Young God in whose name their order was founded. Quitaine is under subtle attack by the King of Lys, who has secretly become an adept of the hidden order of the Serpent, and he will let nothing and no one stand in the way of his quest to discover how to free his God. But the Knights of the Rose and the Ladies of the Isle believe that if the Serpent is freed, the world will be enslaved to chaos: humanity will destroy itself, and all that man has made will be corrupted. The War of the Rose and Serpent has begun again, after a thousand years.

Customer Reviews:

very enjoyable.......2007-08-11

I finished it in just a couple of days. It was quite entertaining. The characters are all or all bad, but it doesn't take away from the fun. Even Gerenint's time spent at school, he made almost all loyal friends, with the small exception of one (who wasn't really all that bad, either). The Knights were exceptionally devoted without blemish. I know, it sounds as though it would be sappy and annoying, but it's not. The story is sweet and full of hope. I think too many people now a-days are a bit too jaded, and this book brings back a feeling that has become lost in present day--even though the situations are vastly different I think anyone can draw comparison lines. I'm looking forward to the next one in the series.

Nothinng novel, but sympathetic characters make a good read.......2007-07-25

The Knights of the Rose, mages and fighting men, have defended the Mysteries and kept the evil magic of the Serpent imprisoned.. or so they thought. Secretly, or not so secretly, the King of Lys has been gathering power by eliminating the powerful nobles, He also seeks to bring back the rule of the Serpent. To that effect, he makes a move against the Houses of the Knights, who were more complacent than they should have been after being unchallenged for centuries, and destroys their power and their magic. He also moves against the Duke of Quitaine. Averil, the Duke's heir, has been away on the Isle of the Lady, where she was trained and raised from a baby. She has returned to an assassination attempt against her as well as a suspicious illness that has stricken her father. She has found an unlikely ally in Gereint, a farm boy who is also a fledgling mage and Postulant to the Order of the Rose.

The basic tale is nothing novel... A strong lady, imperiled, who hopes against hope to foil the nefarious plans of the Evil King of Lys... aided by a farm boy who has the potential to be a great power. But the Knights aren't Jedi, Averil and Gereint are very likable characters (although why she insists on worrying about how unconventional it would be for her to hook up with a peasant boy when the sky is falling is beyond me!), and the world and writing is just good enough for me to want to keep on reading to the end of this book and on to the next in the series...

Pseudonym.......2007-06-11

I agree with most of the reviews I have read of this book. It is a good example of High Fantasy. Peasant boy meets princess and falls in love. It is well written and a fun read. I will give it the best accolades that I can give a fantasy novel: in some places it reminds me of Guy Kay. The writing has a similar flow and some word choices brought me back to Kay's work.
The reason I wanted to write this review, is to point out that this is not a first novel. In fact this is the work of a well established fantasy writer working under a pseudonym. This book was written by Judith Tarr. If you like this book you should check out her other novels.

Refreshing!.......2007-05-21

How refreshing to read a well-written fantasy story whose characters are engaging and sympathetic. The mythology is very similar to ancient christianity, but instead of finding that trite, I enjoyed the different language and perspective of our basic mythology. It's very easy to relate to. Bryan's writing is poetic and clear. The plot doesn't stand still for a moment. A real treat!

Engaging and well-written, if a bit familiar.......2007-05-10

Although the servants of the New God and the Lady appear to have vanquished their ancient enemy, the serpent of chaos, lost magic has a way of being rediscovered. Lady Averil, only heir to an aging Duke, has a vision of the King extending his own power and that of the serpent-god he worships throughout the land. Her aging father may stand against him, but can that be enough? When the Duke calls her from her lifelong exile in training with the Lady, Averil must return to a world grown dangerous indeed.

Gereint never knew his father and his mother does everything she can to keep him from exploring the magic that flows so richly through him. But when a group of Knights of the Rose find shelter in his home during a storm, Gereint decides he can stay on the farm no longer and follows the Knights. The Knights, he knows, are all sons of noblemen while he is a bastard who doesn't even know his father, but surely they can point him to an order that will accept his kind. To his surprise, the Knights take him in--although there is plenty of resentment over his low birth and his age (at sixteen, he's far older than the normal postulant), he's allowed to train with them. It doesn't take long before he realizes that his magic is different from theirs. Could he be a part of the danger they're preparing to confront.

Although Averil is bound, by tradition and law, to marry a noble, someone who can lead armies and bring wealth and power to her family, and although Gereint is the son of a peasant and an unknown father, the two bond--over their studies and over the strange magic that flows in the two of them--and seemingly nowhere else. But before they can get into too much trouble, the King strikes and Averil's dukedom is overrun by royal forces--and by followers of the ancient and supposedly destroyed serpent god.

Author Kathleen Bryan creates an engaging story that combines fantasy adventure with traditional elements of romance. The magical system she creates, with magic being bound and focussed within worked glass, seems interesting and well thought out. The magical land has a real history and layers of magic that add to the reader's interest. Bryan is also capable wordsmith, making the story all the more engaging.

With all that is going for it, I would have liked the story itself to be a bit more original. The fatherless peasant discovering vast but somehow forbidden powers, falling for the princess and somehow winning her affection, and the evil serpent-worshiping king all seemed a bit familiar--as if we've read this story before. Bryan is a strong enough writer to hold my interest as I read, but I couldn't help wishing she'd used some of that talent to take our characters in new directions.

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