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Liked It “Miss Tiff said: 4 Stars |
Didn’t Like It “Lame. But it passed the time.” see full review » see other reviews » |
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“Bit more of a drama than suspense, but still good.
Lisa R wrote this review 2 weeks ago. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
It is not very often that you read a romantic suspense and wish that the lead male and female don't end up together. I loved them separately but I never was cheering for them to be with one another and found the events that lead to their union cheap. Thankfully the romance in this book wasn't the sole drive, the plot was neck deep in murder and threats.
The plot itself was enjoyable and I loved how many dead ends and side roads it took you on. You couldn't help but feel for Skye as she dealt with her assaulter being released on parole so soon after he attacked her. Especially as she's been receiving threats since she heard the news. The biggest thing I would've liked if we'd gotten to read her attack. I realize it's often done in r/s' but I think in this book it would've helped set up the terror and threat of Burke. Along with showing us how much Skye has had to overcome.
I love the concept of The Last Stand. It reminded me a bit of "The First Wives Club" and the organization they started. Of course, it's far more serious but I liked that this group of victims came together from various backgrounds to fight for the victims. I like that Novak didn't do the standard trilogy romance route where all the couples were shoved into a situation and as the books went they got paired up to the obvious guy. It seems more like each book is a stand-alone but centered around The Last Stand. It appears that you don't need to read the first book to read the other two.
Thumbs up for bringing other secondary characters into play. This was my first Novak and I adore that characters like Burke's wife, Jane, played a vital role and that she got her moments to shine as well. I felt like it rounded the book out and gave it more meat.
All around an enjoyable read. A perfect blend for those that like the standard romance/suspense genre.”“Lame. But it passed the time.”
Navem wrote this review Wednesday, August 5 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No“Miss Tiff said: 4 Stars
Play Book Tag Shelf wrote this review Friday, May 29 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
This is my first Brenda Novak novel and I'm sure it's not going to be my last! This had a lot of suspense and romance and was a pretty easy read. Skye Kellerman was attacked with a knife while she was in bed. From the Exprience she decides to set up an agency to help victims. A few years later her attacker is being paroled and he's got revenge on his mind. Her world starts spinning out of control because of the attackers plan for revenge and a relationship that she's trying her hardest to keep from turning into anything more than friendship. A great suspense and romance novel.
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“This is my first Brenda Novak novel and it's not going to be my last! I loved all the suspense and romance. I can't wait to read the next one in this series. Skye Kellerman was brutally attacked and was a survivor. She formed the Last Stand which is a support place for victims of violence. Years later, her attacker is getting paroled and he has only one thing on his mind- revenge. She caught up in a could be relationship and is trying to sort all that out while trying to keep it together with her attacker getting paroled. This book will keep you guessing about stuff until the end! ”
Miss Tiff wrote this review Wednesday, May 27 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“I was surprised at how fast this book flew by! Although it seemed I was starting from the middle of the story the plot developed at a good pace and the characters were both believeable and likeable.”
Kari R wrote this review Friday, February 27 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Book dragged quite a bit but then got better at the end. The wife was funny. Would have liked more suspense but it was still good.”
Blkallure wrote this review Friday, February 20 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“When’s it safe to start living again?
GinRobi wrote this review Monday, January 5 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
Four years ago, a masked assailant broke into Skye Kellerman’s bedroom window with the intent to rape and murder. But with animalistic sense of survival, Skye fought back, grabbing a pair of scissors that she’d left with her cross-stitch on her night table and stabbed/cut him in return. With DNA testing, it was proven it was Dr. Oliver Burke’s blood, but he insisted she was the one who attacked him, claiming that he went home with her and she turned violent on him, suggesting she was on drugs. The judge didn’t buy that, however, and Burke was sentenced to 8 to 10 years in San Quentin. However, after becoming an informant, and for his dental services to inmates, Burke is getting out in 3.
Burke is obsessed with Skye; if it hadn’t been for her, he’d never had been caught, would never have spent time in prison, losing his reputation as a great dentist, would never have lost 3 years of life with his wife and daughter. He plans on getting back at her for that, and making sure she’s dead this time.
Detective David Willis is convinced that Burke is also responsible for three other rape/murders, but there’s not enough evidence to bring charges against him. He was the one who had to break the news to Skye, and he’s worried that Burke will get his revenge when he gets out. Not only has Willis fallen in love with Skye, he’s determined to make sure Burke never gets to Skye again. But can he hold that promise?
Not without a lack of trying. Skye Kellerman was an account executive with a carpet company, someone who hadn’t a care in the world, with a blind-eye toward crime and violence. All that changed the night she was attacked by Burke. With two friends, Sheridan and Jasmine, women she met at a victims of violence support group, they started The Last Stand, and hoped to help as many victims as they could. Skye wanted to fight back, exercise, self-defence classes, guns and ammunitions classes, and became a good enough shot should she ever need to be. Now she teaches those classes, and takes cases for victims who need help. Strong and self-reliant, she still suffers from insomnia and anxiety attacks, especially at night, when she feels the most vulnerable.
David Willis has had strong feelings for Skye since the night she was attacked, when he met her in the hospital and took her statement. Only, his wife was diagnosed with MS, plus they have a son, and failure wasn’t an option. Divorced, reconciled, separated, David wants to be able to work things out with his wife, but he hasn’t loved her for a long time, and knows there’s no use trying for another reconciliation, especially after his wife suggests he find another job - that it was his job as a homicide detective the came between them.
And while the sexual tension between Skye and David mounts, both know that it’s only a matter of time before Burke comes after her again.
Skye is a strong woman, still vulnerable even after three years of Burke’s incarceration. She wonders if there will ever be a time were she will be able to lead as normal a life as possible. You can feel her vulnerability, her anxiety, and how she handles herself is nothing short of spectacular. David has fallen for Skye, and now knowing that he and his wife can never be together again, accepts that failure, and believes that he and Skye could have something beautiful together. He’s worried about her, and I believe it. While I do feel tension between them, I think it could’ve been heightened a little more, maybe adding a little more romance to what is supposed to be a romantic suspense novel.
And just when you’re sure it’s Burke behind recent attacks, phone calls and notes from toward Skye, a sub-plot adds a twist that I actually should have suspected and didn’t see coming. That was well played.
I thought Ms. Novak excellently wrote victims feelings. The actions of one person can destroy so many lives, and you get a lot of those feelings through Burke’s wife, Jane.
Plus, you get background information on her two best friends and co-founders of The Last Stand, Sheridan and Jasmine, setting up the next two novels beautifully, understanding them already before their own books are released.
A great read, I would recommend it to any romantic suspense lover.”
“I do like Brenda Novak's trilogys. I read this one expecting to have the same story continued as she did with the Stillwater series. But I was disappointed with the ending. I expected more! Seems as the plot was cramped too much to complete the plot. Could have been more entended. But all in all, book was good suspenseful reading.”
Donduckandy wrote this review Tuesday, December 23 2008. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“This is the first book in the last stand series, wow....I love Brenda Novak, her books always have the craziest twist that take me awhile to figure out and I love the way she is so tidy. This book was about one of the last stand owners Skye who 4 years ago was beaten almost raped and she sent the guy to prison. he got out after 3 years and of course wants revenge. The bad part is his family always thought he was innocent....too bad for them. Anyway, there is a really interesting love story and lots of murder and mystery, I am going to start stop me (2nd book of series) today. ”
Jennifer C wrote this review Sunday, August 17 2008. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Brenda Novak is one of my favorite romantic suspense authors, her books grab you from the beginning and never let go. Skye Kellerman has suffered through a womans worst nightmare and comes out on the other side fighting. Bravo! I can't wait to read the next two The Last Stand books.”
Cathy C wrote this review Friday, July 11 2008. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
