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Slow Hands
Reluctantly returning to his hometown of Freedom, Arkansas, as part of an assignment to recover money stolen from a truck robbery, undercover ATF agent Alec Dempsey is reunited with his old flame, Keira Morgan, the woman he had jilted ten years ago, who has become the target of a dangerous bank robber out to avenge his arrest. Original.
337 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published August 1, 2002
3 people are currently reading
124 people want to read
About the author
Lauren Bach
13 books53 followersKathy Holzapfel (pronounced hole-zaf-el) has been writing fiction since childhood. Her first romantic suspense novel, LONE RIDER, was published by Warner Books, now Hachette, in 2001, under the pseudonym Lauren Bach. She published three more Bach novels with Warner and Kensington Books.
In 2009, Kathy kicked off a new series of romantic thrillers written under the pseudonym, Cate Noble. Book one of the trilogy, DEAD RIGHT, was nominated for a Romantic Times Magazine’s Reviewer’s Choice Awards. Publisher’s Weekly called DEAD RIGHT “impressive.” Her most recent release, DEADLY GAMES, wraps up the saga of three missing CIA agents.
A certified Life Strategies Coach and former accountant, Kathy is passionate about the craft of writing and personal achievement. She smiles a lot and is a member of International Thriller Writers, Crossroads Writers Conference, and Apex Writers. Kathy writes full time and resides in Alabama.
In 2009, Kathy kicked off a new series of romantic thrillers written under the pseudonym, Cate Noble. Book one of the trilogy, DEAD RIGHT, was nominated for a Romantic Times Magazine’s Reviewer’s Choice Awards. Publisher’s Weekly called DEAD RIGHT “impressive.” Her most recent release, DEADLY GAMES, wraps up the saga of three missing CIA agents.
A certified Life Strategies Coach and former accountant, Kathy is passionate about the craft of writing and personal achievement. She smiles a lot and is a member of International Thriller Writers, Crossroads Writers Conference, and Apex Writers. Kathy writes full time and resides in Alabama.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
June 20, 2009
3.5 stars. A sexy romantic suspense, definately better than average read. My issuses were all small, but they added up. When I consider that this is the authors second book I find myself really impressed. I realize this is the hardest genre to write, so I give the author credit for a great job considering all the research that needs to go into one of these books to be truly great.
The best part of the book was a great ending - and what a twist at the end. No spoilers, but I will say great job there. But my main issue is a common gripe with this genre -- that I believe this genre shouldn't rewrite laws and legal systems just to make a plot work, which this one seams to do subtley but often. Example: for an agent concerned about his client, she is alone a lot! And I can't imagine the Feds (OK, ATFs but same thing for this example) ever being able to release a lifer after only 5 year into the same small community wher he raised the hell growing up. And as much as I liked the heroine, her need to be alone so much was a classic B-rated horror movie move ploy -- you scream at her not to go into the room but she still does!!
Despite the plotting errors, there was a lot right about the story and especially with the writing. This author has HUGE potential, and given a well plotted story she could really rule this genre. And her sensual/sex scenes deserve an A+. She built great chemistry between hero/heroine. I will read more by this author, but why hasn't she published recently??!!
The best part of the book was a great ending - and what a twist at the end. No spoilers, but I will say great job there. But my main issue is a common gripe with this genre -- that I believe this genre shouldn't rewrite laws and legal systems just to make a plot work, which this one seams to do subtley but often. Example: for an agent concerned about his client, she is alone a lot! And I can't imagine the Feds (OK, ATFs but same thing for this example) ever being able to release a lifer after only 5 year into the same small community wher he raised the hell growing up. And as much as I liked the heroine, her need to be alone so much was a classic B-rated horror movie move ploy -- you scream at her not to go into the room but she still does!!
Despite the plotting errors, there was a lot right about the story and especially with the writing. This author has HUGE potential, and given a well plotted story she could really rule this genre. And her sensual/sex scenes deserve an A+. She built great chemistry between hero/heroine. I will read more by this author, but why hasn't she published recently??!!
June 1, 2008
I got "Slow Hands" from paperbackswap after a recommendation from a friend at work. I'm very, very glad I took that recommendation. This book has a likable heroine, a redeemable hero, hot passion, great suspense, and a HEA!!
Keira had loved Alec with all of her heart, until he left town the day after asking her to leave with him and never contacted her. The pain and humiliation she suffered in her small town where everybody knew everyone's business was almost unendurable. Now, 10 years later, Alec has come back...
Alec hated the small town where he grew up the son of an unwed mother with all the disapproval only small towns can inflict. He loved Keira, but knew he had nothing to offer her, so he left, joined the military, and tried to forget her, knowing she deserved a better man. He thought nothing could drag him back...until he found out Keira was in danger.
A really good book! If you like Iris Johansen and Linda Howard's romatic suspenses, you'll love this writer too!
Keira had loved Alec with all of her heart, until he left town the day after asking her to leave with him and never contacted her. The pain and humiliation she suffered in her small town where everybody knew everyone's business was almost unendurable. Now, 10 years later, Alec has come back...
Alec hated the small town where he grew up the son of an unwed mother with all the disapproval only small towns can inflict. He loved Keira, but knew he had nothing to offer her, so he left, joined the military, and tried to forget her, knowing she deserved a better man. He thought nothing could drag him back...until he found out Keira was in danger.
A really good book! If you like Iris Johansen and Linda Howard's romatic suspenses, you'll love this writer too!
July 30, 2008
Wonderful romantic suspense. There wasn't a place to put this book down. It starts right off and goes. Nice characters--good development. Neat secondary characters, too. Humor, regrets (oh, the regrets...), mistakes, and love all packed into this well written little book. It's centered in Freedom, Arkansas--a fictional small town. Loved Grandpa Willis! And Franny!
Pay attention to the history that the author tells via a story a character relays. It's important to the story...later. All of the information in the beginning come into play...
I'm going to look for others by this author!
Pay attention to the history that the author tells via a story a character relays. It's important to the story...later. All of the information in the beginning come into play...
I'm going to look for others by this author!
September 21, 2014
This was good. Not great by any means but decent. Alec and Keira were high school sweethearts. But Alec wanted more, he wanted out of his small town Freedom. Plans were made and they were broken. Alec broke Keira's heart. Now 10 years later Alec is back as an undercover FBI (ATF) Agent. His cover is to work at Keira's company and fake a renewed romance in order to catch the bad guy. Thing is , that Keira still loves Alec, does he still love her?
I have to say that this had major potential. I was kinda disappointed with how it all went down. First off yes Keira fought the attraction and the longing, a women can only be so strong. Alec was making me really frustrated and mad through out the book. It was like god I miss her! Lets see how much I can piss her off! He loved to get a rise out of her. But my problem was that Keira says a few things about how he hurt her, but they never really really talked about any of it. I wanted emotions and tears and him begging for another chance. But that never really happened. Thats why the rating was lowered. Then ending was suspense and I thought oh this will be good. Then it was kinda blah! It felt rushed and I was like really ? Thats it? The sexual tension was great the sex was great. The concept of the baddies was good. But it just never got better, never gave me more of what I wanted. Yes there was some creep factor, creepie crawlies from the spider scene. Oh well another one that was just alright.
I have to say that this had major potential. I was kinda disappointed with how it all went down. First off yes Keira fought the attraction and the longing, a women can only be so strong. Alec was making me really frustrated and mad through out the book. It was like god I miss her! Lets see how much I can piss her off! He loved to get a rise out of her. But my problem was that Keira says a few things about how he hurt her, but they never really really talked about any of it. I wanted emotions and tears and him begging for another chance. But that never really happened. Thats why the rating was lowered. Then ending was suspense and I thought oh this will be good. Then it was kinda blah! It felt rushed and I was like really ? Thats it? The sexual tension was great the sex was great. The concept of the baddies was good. But it just never got better, never gave me more of what I wanted. Yes there was some creep factor, creepie crawlies from the spider scene. Oh well another one that was just alright.
June 23, 2008
I could not put this one down! I'm a Lauren Bach fan now! I was totally engrossed in this story for hours, and could not put it down. The story is excellent, and the characters are very well developed. Kiera was heartbroken 10 years ago, when her love Alec left town. She had thought they were going to get married...but he never came back. Now 10 years later he is in the ATF working with the FBI on a case involving Kiera in his home town. His cover is that he is back in town to get Keira back. You must read it!
June 29, 2009
This book was alright, nothing special. The story doesn't resonate as a whole. 2/5 stars.
February 16, 2019
Good story, but good god, once they started doing the dirty they did not stop. Half the book is meh written smut. Really cheesy lines and phrases.
The story though is slightly more original, (ignoring the normal romance tropes)
The story though is slightly more original, (ignoring the normal romance tropes)
April 9, 2020
I remember really liking this one. Going to reread and give a more detailed review.
July 17, 2015
For someone who walked out on his fiancee without a backward glance, I liked Alec but found his behavior abhorrent. His reasons were explained but still lacked realism. We're talking about soul mates here and he ups and walks without explanation or apology. Not my kind of guy. And when he is forced to return to his home town and go undercover with Keira, he refuses until her life is in danger. But again, here is he making time with Keira's arch-enemy while he's supposed to be feigning a relationship with Keira. Again, not a typical hero. Of course, he comes up to scratch eventually but the damage is done.
On the other hand, Keira knows he's a not for her and yet she allows him to basically take over her life (crawling through her window to make breakfast or dinner). Yet she spends way too much time alone while a dangerous man terrorizes her. She had many moments of TSTL-dom and horror movie stupidity but again I liked her.
This is my first Lauren Bach book and though I liked the writing, something was missing which kept it from a higher rating.
On the other hand, Keira knows he's a not for her and yet she allows him to basically take over her life (crawling through her window to make breakfast or dinner). Yet she spends way too much time alone while a dangerous man terrorizes her. She had many moments of TSTL-dom and horror movie stupidity but again I liked her.
This is my first Lauren Bach book and though I liked the writing, something was missing which kept it from a higher rating.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 23, 2013
Hero: 7/10
Heroine: 7/10
Romance: 3/10
Humor: 0/10
Pace: 7/10
Suspense: 6/10
This was a good story. Not great and it certainly didn't "wow" me, but decent. I think my biggest issue was being unable to connect with the characters. I never understood why they did what they did. Why did they love each other? Besides the sex. Both in past and present that was the only explanation for their love. That's lust, not love. So, for me, the romance portion of the story felt one dimensional and fell flat.
The suspense was a little inconsistent. When Keira was in danger, the suspense was great! Edge-of-my-seat exciting and the pacing was excellent. But as soon as the scene was done, it got boring for me. The end felt really rushed too. Which always disappoints me. The good points is, of course, the writing, steady pace overall, and a believable plot. Pretty average read. I have no regrets, it was good enough for me to not DNF.
Heroine: 7/10
Romance: 3/10
Humor: 0/10
Pace: 7/10
Suspense: 6/10
This was a good story. Not great and it certainly didn't "wow" me, but decent. I think my biggest issue was being unable to connect with the characters. I never understood why they did what they did. Why did they love each other? Besides the sex. Both in past and present that was the only explanation for their love. That's lust, not love. So, for me, the romance portion of the story felt one dimensional and fell flat.
The suspense was a little inconsistent. When Keira was in danger, the suspense was great! Edge-of-my-seat exciting and the pacing was excellent. But as soon as the scene was done, it got boring for me. The end felt really rushed too. Which always disappoints me. The good points is, of course, the writing, steady pace overall, and a believable plot. Pretty average read. I have no regrets, it was good enough for me to not DNF.
July 7, 2015
This is my first read by Lauren Bach.
I began this story quickly realizing it was going to be something I vaguely remember reading before. This is not the same story but it runs along a plot that is predictable and not very exciting. Small town, rumors, criminal coming back for revenge.....Just very typical.
If I put aside the run of the mill story line, I can say it was an enjoyable read. The style was nice and the story maintained a certain flow. I will read another story by this author.
I began this story quickly realizing it was going to be something I vaguely remember reading before. This is not the same story but it runs along a plot that is predictable and not very exciting. Small town, rumors, criminal coming back for revenge.....Just very typical.
If I put aside the run of the mill story line, I can say it was an enjoyable read. The style was nice and the story maintained a certain flow. I will read another story by this author.
November 19, 2014
I liked the story line but I felt things dragged a little at times, but then bam it was all tied up in a few pages. I guess ultimately it was supposed to be the love story of these two coming back together. The danger and side plot was just an excuse to bring the two together and not really a major point in the story.
November 1, 2021
autographed copy
November 1, 2008
Very sexy read. Likeable characters.
March 4, 2012
Felt more like I was reading porn than a story but it was good and the characters were likeable. Still would like to know why Alex left Keira the way he did. But over all it was a good book.
Read
July 24, 2012this is one book that is a lot along the romantic real aspect of life with of course some great sex scenes but all in all a really good read one I would read again
August 20, 2013
2.5 Stars!
March 24, 2013
this is my new favorite author. loved this book.
January 21, 2015
This book was ok. Nothing special but not hard to read. Just something to pass the time.
January 4, 2017
Steamy
It was a really good book I enjoyed it. She's a great writer. Looking " knbvgklojbjuiklbc b. H b b
It was a really good book I enjoyed it. She's a great writer. Looking " knbvgklojbjuiklbc b. H b b
December 4, 2011
3.5 stars
December 4, 2013
ok story, nothing special but not horrible
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews