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3.57 AVERAGE
3.57 AVERAGE
Shay Morgan suffered a terrible trauma twice in her life and it forced her to live a life of seclusion. She doesn’t have many friends and most of her contact with them is online or by phone. Shay was in a relationship with bookstore owner Elliot Winter until he could no longer tolerate her being so closed off, keeping him at arm’s length. Now that her identity is slowly being taken away, the two of them find themselves together again to determine what’s going on and who’s behind this treachery.
One of the devices used in this story was to slowly peel back the story of Shay, starting from the end and working backwards, not necessarily in a linear manner. It’s most effective when the story progresses in a way that the reveal makes sense, is anticipated and can be patched together in an interesting way. It just didn’t work in this story, primarily because so much was devoted to Shay’s angst, current mental fragility and physical suffering from a recent car accident. Her point of view was mostly muddled and tangled up with the wreckage of her tragedies and without the benefit of the details, it was just frustrating. I never got the sense of the strengths of this woman and how she ever kept Elliot’s attention in the first place, let alone having him continue to long for her six months after their breakup.
Shay’s backstory was interesting and heartbreaking but there were too many holes in the plot for it all to make sense. And, complicating matters was Shay’s propensity for taking “courageous” actions that seemed more like a “Too Stupid to Live” decision. Elliot was a good guy but was too often left in the dark intentionally by Shay.
I love the romantic suspense genre and have read many books in this category. What works well is when the story is tightly woven, you have a good sense about the characters and they behave in ways that are true to how they are crafted. If at least one of these elements was in place, maybe this story would have worked better for me.
It’s an interesting premise and plot but, in my opinion, it wasn’t executed very well. Others who haven’t read much in this genre might have a better experience. I hung in there to see how it ended but was glad when it was over.
(I received an ARC from NetGalley)
One of the devices used in this story was to slowly peel back the story of Shay, starting from the end and working backwards, not necessarily in a linear manner. It’s most effective when the story progresses in a way that the reveal makes sense, is anticipated and can be patched together in an interesting way. It just didn’t work in this story, primarily because so much was devoted to Shay’s angst, current mental fragility and physical suffering from a recent car accident. Her point of view was mostly muddled and tangled up with the wreckage of her tragedies and without the benefit of the details, it was just frustrating. I never got the sense of the strengths of this woman and how she ever kept Elliot’s attention in the first place, let alone having him continue to long for her six months after their breakup.
Shay’s backstory was interesting and heartbreaking but there were too many holes in the plot for it all to make sense. And, complicating matters was Shay’s propensity for taking “courageous” actions that seemed more like a “Too Stupid to Live” decision. Elliot was a good guy but was too often left in the dark intentionally by Shay.
I love the romantic suspense genre and have read many books in this category. What works well is when the story is tightly woven, you have a good sense about the characters and they behave in ways that are true to how they are crafted. If at least one of these elements was in place, maybe this story would have worked better for me.
It’s an interesting premise and plot but, in my opinion, it wasn’t executed very well. Others who haven’t read much in this genre might have a better experience. I hung in there to see how it ended but was glad when it was over.
(I received an ARC from NetGalley)
*ARC received from Edelwiess on August 20th 2012* Publication date October 30th 2012.
O.M.G. this is one of the most twisted and sordid tales I've read in a while. And at the same time it actually has some really sweet romance. How is that even possible?
Full review can be found on my blog (un)Conventional Bookviews.
I tweeted Shiloh Walker about being freaked out and she answered, and ever since, I've been wondering if that was really her... or someone else *cue creepy music*
O.M.G. this is one of the most twisted and sordid tales I've read in a while. And at the same time it actually has some really sweet romance. How is that even possible?
Full review can be found on my blog (un)Conventional Bookviews.
I tweeted Shiloh Walker about being freaked out and she answered, and ever since, I've been wondering if that was really her... or someone else *cue creepy music*
Hands down, Stolen is one of my favorite books I’ve read this year. I was lucky enough to get an early copy from NetGalley. While I love all of Shiloh Walker’s books, she is a master when it comes to romantic suspense. I’ve read mysteries and thrillers all my life and have always been able to figure out the bad guy pretty early in a book/series. This is so not so with Ms. Walker’s books. While I usually have it narrowed down to a few characters, she keeps me guessing until right up to the reveal.
Really can’t say much about the book without giving major information away. I really only feel like I can highlight a few of the characters to keep from putting anything up that will give away the ending.
Shay Morgan: She has lived through hell and come out the other side way stronger than she sees herself. She is happy to have little contact with the outside world except via the computer. She has relived heavily on her assistant, Darcy, who she met and befriended while in college. She has only ever loved one man, but couldn’t open up enough about her past to have a future.
Elliot Winter: He wanted a future with Shay, but needed her to be open about her past first. He still loves her even though they are no longer together and is more than willing to help her out when she needs it.
Darcy Montgomery: She is Shay’s assistant and friend from college. Shay has recently noticed that Darcy is trying to direct her life more than just her career.
Lorna Winter: She has been trying to get Elliot and Shay back together every since they broke up. She has remained friends with Shay and is willing to do anything to help both her friend and her brother.
The official release date for Stolen is October 30, 2012. I highly suggest this book to anyone who enjoys the romantic suspense genre. I warn you in advance to be prepared to read this book in one sitting as it really was hard to put down once I started reading. For more information about Stolen or other books from Shiloh Walker, visit her website.
Really can’t say much about the book without giving major information away. I really only feel like I can highlight a few of the characters to keep from putting anything up that will give away the ending.
Shay Morgan: She has lived through hell and come out the other side way stronger than she sees herself. She is happy to have little contact with the outside world except via the computer. She has relived heavily on her assistant, Darcy, who she met and befriended while in college. She has only ever loved one man, but couldn’t open up enough about her past to have a future.
Elliot Winter: He wanted a future with Shay, but needed her to be open about her past first. He still loves her even though they are no longer together and is more than willing to help her out when she needs it.
Darcy Montgomery: She is Shay’s assistant and friend from college. Shay has recently noticed that Darcy is trying to direct her life more than just her career.
Lorna Winter: She has been trying to get Elliot and Shay back together every since they broke up. She has remained friends with Shay and is willing to do anything to help both her friend and her brother.
The official release date for Stolen is October 30, 2012. I highly suggest this book to anyone who enjoys the romantic suspense genre. I warn you in advance to be prepared to read this book in one sitting as it really was hard to put down once I started reading. For more information about Stolen or other books from Shiloh Walker, visit her website.
The mystery was really good. I really enjoyed this. Ms. Walker sure keeps you turning the page.