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McClouds & Friends #3
Blick In Den Abgrund
Wenn es um Frauen geht, folgt der Privatdetektiv Davy McCloud einer eisernen Regel: Niemals blind seinen Gefühlen zu vertrauen.
Doch dieser Entschluss gerät ins Wanken, als er der attraktiven Margot begegnet. Ihre verletzliche Schönheit weckt augenblicklich Davys Beschützerinstinkt.
Margot ist auf der Flucht, nachdem ihr ein Mord in die Schuhe geschoben wurde, den sie nicht begangen hat. Und Davy ist der Einzige, an den sie sich wenden kann. Schon bald lodern die Flammen der Leidenschaft zwischen beiden hoch. Doch da wird Margot von ihrer Vergangenheit eingeholt und ihr Leben ist in Gefahr ...
Doch dieser Entschluss gerät ins Wanken, als er der attraktiven Margot begegnet. Ihre verletzliche Schönheit weckt augenblicklich Davys Beschützerinstinkt.
Margot ist auf der Flucht, nachdem ihr ein Mord in die Schuhe geschoben wurde, den sie nicht begangen hat. Und Davy ist der Einzige, an den sie sich wenden kann. Schon bald lodern die Flammen der Leidenschaft zwischen beiden hoch. Doch da wird Margot von ihrer Vergangenheit eingeholt und ihr Leben ist in Gefahr ...
480 pages, Paperback
First published April 1, 2006
140 people are currently reading
1564 people want to read
About the author
Shannon McKenna
124 books1,448 followersAlso wrote five category romances under the penname Shannon Anderson
::From The Author's Website::
HOW IT ALL BEGAN
I started writing my first romance novel in secret. I was working a temp job in an insurance office in Manhattan at the time, and the office manager had made it clear that even if there was nothing to do, I still had to look busy-- never one of my big talents. I felt bad about the wasted time, though, and I needed something to round out my other chosen career, which was singing. Yeah, that's right. Most artists choose a more practical Plan B to back up their improbable Plan A. Me? No way. "Long Shot" is my middle name.
So I sneakily set up a Document 1 and a Document 2 with a spreadsheet on it. If my Boss du Jour walked by I could quick-like-a-bunny switch screens, and whenever the coast was clear, I went back to my story. Not that I was slacking, mind you. If there was work to be done, I did it. The sneakiness felt familiar, though, because I've been teased about reading romances since I was a kid. I think the day I finally grew up was the day I stopped trying to cover up what I was reading on the bus, train or subway. Let people think whatever they like.
It wasn't until I moved to Italy (details of that Long Shot provided later on) that I got serious about writing, though. I found myself with many long, quiet days alone with nothing to do, so I slogged my way bravely to the end of the manuscript and sent it out. Everybody rejected it-except for Kensington. I wrote for them for a few years, and then made a bid for an erotic novella for the new Brava imprint, and oh joy, they accepted it. Then I wrote BEHIND CLOSED DOORS. And so on, and so forth.
That's how I started. I can't think of anything I'd rather do. I never knew it would be so scary, and so hard . . . all that solitude and silence, a blank computer screen, and no one to blame. But still. It's worth it. It's great.
::From The Author's Website::
HOW IT ALL BEGAN
I started writing my first romance novel in secret. I was working a temp job in an insurance office in Manhattan at the time, and the office manager had made it clear that even if there was nothing to do, I still had to look busy-- never one of my big talents. I felt bad about the wasted time, though, and I needed something to round out my other chosen career, which was singing. Yeah, that's right. Most artists choose a more practical Plan B to back up their improbable Plan A. Me? No way. "Long Shot" is my middle name.
So I sneakily set up a Document 1 and a Document 2 with a spreadsheet on it. If my Boss du Jour walked by I could quick-like-a-bunny switch screens, and whenever the coast was clear, I went back to my story. Not that I was slacking, mind you. If there was work to be done, I did it. The sneakiness felt familiar, though, because I've been teased about reading romances since I was a kid. I think the day I finally grew up was the day I stopped trying to cover up what I was reading on the bus, train or subway. Let people think whatever they like.
It wasn't until I moved to Italy (details of that Long Shot provided later on) that I got serious about writing, though. I found myself with many long, quiet days alone with nothing to do, so I slogged my way bravely to the end of the manuscript and sent it out. Everybody rejected it-except for Kensington. I wrote for them for a few years, and then made a bid for an erotic novella for the new Brava imprint, and oh joy, they accepted it. Then I wrote BEHIND CLOSED DOORS. And so on, and so forth.
That's how I started. I can't think of anything I'd rather do. I never knew it would be so scary, and so hard . . . all that solitude and silence, a blank computer screen, and no one to blame. But still. It's worth it. It's great.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 165 reviews
March 3, 2016
Reading this at night before bed stretched out the process, but it was worth it. There's something about Shannon McKenna's way of writing romance. It's utterly sighworthy but extremely earthy. Sometimes I think a sacrifice is made with extra-steamy romance to convey the eroticism, and often the diehard romance is left behind. Not so with McKenna. Davy thinks he's the knight saving the princess, but he's pretty darn messed up. Margot really is an alpha heroine in a good way. When the book takes place, she's in a bad way, but it's clear that she's a very independent, competent woman. Davy spends most of the book confused and delusional about being in love with Margot, which I think would be very hard to deal with. Margot admit she's in love with Davy and he sort of throws it in her face, but at the same time, his behavior towards her suggests that he's deeply emotionally entangled with her. He is the King of Mixed Signals. I wasn't too angry at Margot when she has a crisis of faith in Davy. Based on what she's been through in the previous eight months and a history of not being able to trust men, especially men that she couldn't control the scope of their relationship with. Davy is not a man who can be compartmentalized or controlled. That's for sure. I like Margot a lot and I think she's a good match for Davy. Davy was a bit of a putz at times, but still lovable and lickable.
The villain is one sick puppy, for reals. It was a different twist. This villain being a student of the Death Touch. Being the martial arts geek I am, well I thought that was pretty interesting. His relationship with his brother was a study in dysfunctional family relationships. He was a formidable villain and definitely able to match Davy in his own enviable martial arts abilities. I wish the climax hadn't been so abrupt. I would have liked to see more of a drawn out confrontation between these two and the controlling older brother getting his just deserts in a more descriptive fashion.
It was lovely to see the other McCloud brothers and associates. They are a special bunch. The dialogue is classic. Since I read Fatal Strike before this, it was special to see Miles as the geeky apprentice. He's adorable!
This one isn't a five star book for me. I think it's more like a 4.25 star read. It doesn't have the intensity of some of my other favorites, but it's still a very good book.
Overall rating: 4.25/5.0 stars.
The villain is one sick puppy, for reals. It was a different twist. This villain being a student of the Death Touch. Being the martial arts geek I am, well I thought that was pretty interesting. His relationship with his brother was a study in dysfunctional family relationships. He was a formidable villain and definitely able to match Davy in his own enviable martial arts abilities. I wish the climax hadn't been so abrupt. I would have liked to see more of a drawn out confrontation between these two and the controlling older brother getting his just deserts in a more descriptive fashion.
It was lovely to see the other McCloud brothers and associates. They are a special bunch. The dialogue is classic. Since I read Fatal Strike before this, it was special to see Miles as the geeky apprentice. He's adorable!
This one isn't a five star book for me. I think it's more like a 4.25 star read. It doesn't have the intensity of some of my other favorites, but it's still a very good book.
Overall rating: 4.25/5.0 stars.
August 28, 2017
This series is getting better with each new book!! Loved this one, Davy was awesome, even the main woman was great! There is much more humor in the writing and more suspense. Definitely my favorite so far.
January 2, 2009
I wanted to like this one. I really did. I've been wanting to read Davy's story since he came out of the inky darkness dressed all in black outside that strip club, in Connor's story. I couldn't wait to tear into him but when I read it, Davy became a mean, bad tempered, angst ridden, clueless male who is unfortunately saddled with an annoying heroine who brought out all his flaws.
Davy is completely clueless when it comes to figuring out women. Weird, huh, for someone who is able to read women during sex and give them screaming orgasms. He really thinks he can just set up an arrangement with Margot, trading sex for protection. He doesn't understand why she gets upset and tells him to just get a call girl. It's the same thing, but he doesn't see it that way. He wants Margot, just without all the complications of a relationship. He's got kind of a temper problem, which could be misconstrued as a self control problem. He's always grabbing Margot, yelling at her or telling her to shut up. I did a complete 180 on liking him. I went from really wanting to jump in the sack with him to kind of, eh.
Margot is not much better. She's running from this insane stalker and just trying to get her life back. She should be a sympathetic character but instead, eh. Davy comes on waaay too strong in the beginning and while I understood her reticence, after awhile I just wanted her to capitulate so the story would move on and be over. She's really stressed out, so I want to forgive her, but she has the unfortunate tendency to pick and pick and pick and pick and pick........ She never lets anything go. She and Davy would be having an argument and then she would just have to rub things in his face to get things started again. Annoying. She's got sexual hangups too and it irritated me to no end. Both Davy and I thought her tendency to fixate on where their relationship was headed to be extremely annoying. They would be running from the bad guys, finally taking a breather that involved, well, sex, and she would ask, "where is this going?" Ugh. Not now, sweetheart. The sex in this was also kind of boring. It was nowhere near as steamy as Behind Closed Doors or Standing In Shadows.
Miles and Sean were on a pretty good pity party in this book. Cindy turned from the girl I was rooting for in Connor and Erin's story, to the girl I most wished would get killed by the stalker. She needed killing in this one, and I for one was very disappointed when she was saved, yet again.
The best parts for me was seeing Seth, Raine and Tamara again. I love Seth. Love him. I love his tendency to slip trackers into all his presents. Too cute for words. Tamara seems like a slightly crazy, wounded female who needs a good strong man to help her feel good and make the world a little better for her. I can't wait for her story.
I wanted to like this one but I was so disappointed at the end of it. True, all of Shannon McKenna's guys have this obsessive tendency and are extremely aggressive but I think Davy took the aggressiveness too far, plus I never felt he was head over heels in love with Margot, even at the end. That all consuming love was what got me past Connor and Seth's stalker like tendencies and after knowing how desperate they were, those tendencies made them cute. Davy just comes across as mean, harsh and cold. :(
Davy is completely clueless when it comes to figuring out women. Weird, huh, for someone who is able to read women during sex and give them screaming orgasms. He really thinks he can just set up an arrangement with Margot, trading sex for protection. He doesn't understand why she gets upset and tells him to just get a call girl. It's the same thing, but he doesn't see it that way. He wants Margot, just without all the complications of a relationship. He's got kind of a temper problem, which could be misconstrued as a self control problem. He's always grabbing Margot, yelling at her or telling her to shut up. I did a complete 180 on liking him. I went from really wanting to jump in the sack with him to kind of, eh.
Margot is not much better. She's running from this insane stalker and just trying to get her life back. She should be a sympathetic character but instead, eh. Davy comes on waaay too strong in the beginning and while I understood her reticence, after awhile I just wanted her to capitulate so the story would move on and be over. She's really stressed out, so I want to forgive her, but she has the unfortunate tendency to pick and pick and pick and pick and pick........ She never lets anything go. She and Davy would be having an argument and then she would just have to rub things in his face to get things started again. Annoying. She's got sexual hangups too and it irritated me to no end. Both Davy and I thought her tendency to fixate on where their relationship was headed to be extremely annoying. They would be running from the bad guys, finally taking a breather that involved, well, sex, and she would ask, "where is this going?" Ugh. Not now, sweetheart. The sex in this was also kind of boring. It was nowhere near as steamy as Behind Closed Doors or Standing In Shadows.
Miles and Sean were on a pretty good pity party in this book. Cindy turned from the girl I was rooting for in Connor and Erin's story, to the girl I most wished would get killed by the stalker. She needed killing in this one, and I for one was very disappointed when she was saved, yet again.
The best parts for me was seeing Seth, Raine and Tamara again. I love Seth. Love him. I love his tendency to slip trackers into all his presents. Too cute for words. Tamara seems like a slightly crazy, wounded female who needs a good strong man to help her feel good and make the world a little better for her. I can't wait for her story.
I wanted to like this one but I was so disappointed at the end of it. True, all of Shannon McKenna's guys have this obsessive tendency and are extremely aggressive but I think Davy took the aggressiveness too far, plus I never felt he was head over heels in love with Margot, even at the end. That all consuming love was what got me past Connor and Seth's stalker like tendencies and after knowing how desperate they were, those tendencies made them cute. Davy just comes across as mean, harsh and cold. :(
May 23, 2016
5/24/2016 Realized I never got a review in for this one so did a quick re-read over the weekend...
Margot has a bit of a problem. More than a bit- she has a psycho stalker on her tail. The dead animal on her porch has finally pushed her to do something about it. Enter the Mccloud brothers.
Davey owns the building she teaches aerobics in and he's noticed Margot. But he also does some PI work, so he's already run a background check and has determined she has DO NOT ENGAGE written all over her. When she suddenly shows up in his dojo and interrupts his workout with a plea for help, all the warning bells and caution flags go out the window.
Instantly sucked into the madness surrounding her- he's determined to get the guy tormenting her and protect her from further harm.
Which he does. And then some.
Typical Shannon McKenna Mccloud brothers story. Lots of explicit sex mixed with perpetual danger for the heroine. This series is a goodie, (especially the early ones like this one)... if you aren't already burnt out on romantic suspense. Warning- the men are uber controlling, but Margot stood up to Davy pound for pound, even though she was pretty helpless to saying no to the sexy beast. He, for all the control definitely took no as no- unlike Mr. Mackey in the first of the series. Both their character motivators fit for me.
Margot has a bit of a problem. More than a bit- she has a psycho stalker on her tail. The dead animal on her porch has finally pushed her to do something about it. Enter the Mccloud brothers.
Davey owns the building she teaches aerobics in and he's noticed Margot. But he also does some PI work, so he's already run a background check and has determined she has DO NOT ENGAGE written all over her. When she suddenly shows up in his dojo and interrupts his workout with a plea for help, all the warning bells and caution flags go out the window.
Instantly sucked into the madness surrounding her- he's determined to get the guy tormenting her and protect her from further harm.
Which he does. And then some.
Typical Shannon McKenna Mccloud brothers story. Lots of explicit sex mixed with perpetual danger for the heroine. This series is a goodie, (especially the early ones like this one)... if you aren't already burnt out on romantic suspense. Warning- the men are uber controlling, but Margot stood up to Davy pound for pound, even though she was pretty helpless to saying no to the sexy beast. He, for all the control definitely took no as no- unlike Mr. Mackey in the first of the series. Both their character motivators fit for me.
May 18, 2018
*Re-read*
This was the first Shannon McKenna book I ever read and it was love at first sight. Thanks to J'ai Lu (the French publisher), who at the time only translated, therefore published this one, I started the series out of order. Thankfully I started reading in English not long after that, and was able to correct this inexcusable faux pas.
But back to the book. This is what I call a classic McKenna book, leaning toward the dark side of the romantic suspense with a badass, mindful, oversexed hero and a strong and witty heroine.
I love the multi dimensions Ms. McKenna gives her characters, the way she plotted the story and the fact that despite her dire situation, Margot is no damsel in distress.
This was the first Shannon McKenna book I ever read and it was love at first sight. Thanks to J'ai Lu (the French publisher), who at the time only translated, therefore published this one, I started the series out of order. Thankfully I started reading in English not long after that, and was able to correct this inexcusable faux pas.
But back to the book. This is what I call a classic McKenna book, leaning toward the dark side of the romantic suspense with a badass, mindful, oversexed hero and a strong and witty heroine.
I love the multi dimensions Ms. McKenna gives her characters, the way she plotted the story and the fact that despite her dire situation, Margot is no damsel in distress.
March 24, 2015
Friends...with a review like this...everyone needs to be reading Shannon McKenna!!!
Personally...if I were to pick a McCloud brother or friend...for me it would be Davy! I loved how he was the most alpha, the most aggressive and the most unrelenting pursuer and lover.
Quite simply, he did not take no for an answer, he muscled his big body in to everywhere and he pursued Margo with a single minded focus that I would only fantasize possible.
Also, Margo was Kick-ASS! She rocked and Tam saw it too! Any girl that can get my Tam (my one and only chick-crush, evah!) to notice her and root for her...well, that girl will have me at her back!
I love the mystery woven about the story and I loved the villian! Which was a first for me, he was so nasty and so deserving of Davy's wrath!
This series rocks and I would be remiss if I didn't point out that Shannon McKenna writes fast, smart, totally HOT stories that are tight, well written and just straight up FAB!
Personally...if I were to pick a McCloud brother or friend...for me it would be Davy! I loved how he was the most alpha, the most aggressive and the most unrelenting pursuer and lover.
Quite simply, he did not take no for an answer, he muscled his big body in to everywhere and he pursued Margo with a single minded focus that I would only fantasize possible.
Also, Margo was Kick-ASS! She rocked and Tam saw it too! Any girl that can get my Tam (my one and only chick-crush, evah!) to notice her and root for her...well, that girl will have me at her back!
I love the mystery woven about the story and I loved the villian! Which was a first for me, he was so nasty and so deserving of Davy's wrath!
This series rocks and I would be remiss if I didn't point out that Shannon McKenna writes fast, smart, totally HOT stories that are tight, well written and just straight up FAB!
December 9, 2009
I give this book 4 1/2 stars. I really don't understand why so many people thought this was not a good story. Ok, so Davy was a little stubburn and harsh with his feelings towards Margot. Yeah he said somethings that were hurtful at times but givin his back ground I understood where that came from. This is a series and not ever hero should be perfect or to me it would get boring. I thought the story was really good, it kept me interested the whole way through. The bad guy Snakey was so darn creepy. I love when a bad guy is totaly bad and this one was. I thought the sex/love scenes were really hot. Just what I was in the mood to read. I seriously don't think there was a thing in this book I did not like. Even Mikey the dog old and beat was a good character.
So now how to top this book? Well I say by reading Edge Of Midnight. I really want to know Seans story. I've waited too long for it, So here I go.
So now how to top this book? Well I say by reading Edge Of Midnight. I really want to know Seans story. I've waited too long for it, So here I go.
September 24, 2022
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October 8, 2021
A woman on the run and a trained fighter come together- so steamy
Ah! This series is just simply amazing! Suspense, intensity, and steam galore!
The book opens up with Margot finding out that her boyfriend is cheating on her. He has her meet him at a hotel, and she's ready to break up with him and give him a piece of her mind. But when she arrives, she sees he's tied up, and his lover is dying. All of a sudden, she blacks out and she's being framed for murder. Because this is a multiple-person perspective, we see that her stalker, Farris, is the one that injects her and becomes obsessed with her.
Time passes and she moves, changes her name, and is flying under the radar. She teaches dance classes, which is right next to Davy, a previous PI who teaches people how to fight (dojo). He's always noticed her, and then one day, she seeks him out for help. She's had things happen at her apartment, like a dead dog being left on her porch😏, things were stolen, etc and she's scared. Davy is willing to help her, but she needs her to trust him.
Meanwhile, her stalker, Farris, is enamored with her- obsessed- and his brother wants to kill Mags when he gets what they need from her- something that she's been "hiding." Mags and Davy need to figure out what to do before it's too late.
Oh, Davy and Mags- the chemistry🔥, the rawness of the connection is intense🥵. Jeeezus, Shannon McKenna knows how to write smut! I looooove when the h "fights" the H🤤🤤🤤, especially in the bedroom, and man, Mags does this many times- in fact, Davy tells her that he knows she likes to fight him😉😉💦💦. And I was here for it.😉😅. The smexual tension is off the charts with these two🔥🥵, and I loved being a fly on the wall watching it all.
I can't wait to continue this series.
⚠️Safety Squad⚠️
-dubcon/CNC elements
-no cheating/owd/omd
-there are people that are killed
-dead dog on the h's doorstep
-when the stalker abducts the h, he has her naked- there were no signs of abuse
Ah! This series is just simply amazing! Suspense, intensity, and steam galore!
The book opens up with Margot finding out that her boyfriend is cheating on her. He has her meet him at a hotel, and she's ready to break up with him and give him a piece of her mind. But when she arrives, she sees he's tied up, and his lover is dying. All of a sudden, she blacks out and she's being framed for murder. Because this is a multiple-person perspective, we see that her stalker, Farris, is the one that injects her and becomes obsessed with her.
Time passes and she moves, changes her name, and is flying under the radar. She teaches dance classes, which is right next to Davy, a previous PI who teaches people how to fight (dojo). He's always noticed her, and then one day, she seeks him out for help. She's had things happen at her apartment, like a dead dog being left on her porch😏, things were stolen, etc and she's scared. Davy is willing to help her, but she needs her to trust him.
Meanwhile, her stalker, Farris, is enamored with her- obsessed- and his brother wants to kill Mags when he gets what they need from her- something that she's been "hiding." Mags and Davy need to figure out what to do before it's too late.
Oh, Davy and Mags- the chemistry🔥, the rawness of the connection is intense🥵. Jeeezus, Shannon McKenna knows how to write smut! I looooove when the h "fights" the H🤤🤤🤤, especially in the bedroom, and man, Mags does this many times- in fact, Davy tells her that he knows she likes to fight him😉😉💦💦. And I was here for it.😉😅. The smexual tension is off the charts with these two🔥🥵, and I loved being a fly on the wall watching it all.
I can't wait to continue this series.
⚠️Safety Squad⚠️
-dubcon/CNC elements
-no cheating/owd/omd
-there are people that are killed
-dead dog on the h's doorstep
-when the stalker abducts the h, he has her naked- there were no signs of abuse
March 21, 2010
I really loved this book. Wait...what I mean is that I REALLY loved Davy. He was one wonderful man to read about. I also loved Margot, she was feisty, and mouthy and so funny! She pushed and pushed and pushed Davy so much that I was sure he was going to push her out of his big moving truck! So far this is my favorite of the series. LOVED DAVY!!!! LOVED HIM!
Two things that bother me, 1 about this book, and 1 about Shannon McKenna and this series. First, what bothered me about this book was the point when Margot 'believed' that Davy could be her stalker, it just didn't fit, so maybe it was more an excuse for her to get out from under his spell, I don't know, but I didn't really like that part. It didn't make sense. However, maybe I was just too in love with Davy to see the potential for doubt.
Second, Shannon McKenna seems to take a formula for this series and run with it for every book. We have the fiercly dominant protective obsessive male, with the woman who is in dire need of rescue, lots of sex (I'm not complaining), and she runs away at some point in the story, he gets her back, punishes her with dominant behavior - yelling, he-man proclamations, and then great mind blowing sex (again, I'm not complaining), then in the end there is some reason why they are separated for a week and insecurities build until the big alpha male comes crawling back to the woman. I don't hate this formula, but I think she can do better, be more imaginitive. But I love these books so far, I just don't want to get too bored. Change it up McKenna!!!
Ultimately a 4.75 for me.
Two things that bother me, 1 about this book, and 1 about Shannon McKenna and this series. First, what bothered me about this book was the point when Margot 'believed' that Davy could be her stalker, it just didn't fit, so maybe it was more an excuse for her to get out from under his spell, I don't know, but I didn't really like that part. It didn't make sense. However, maybe I was just too in love with Davy to see the potential for doubt.
Second, Shannon McKenna seems to take a formula for this series and run with it for every book. We have the fiercly dominant protective obsessive male, with the woman who is in dire need of rescue, lots of sex (I'm not complaining), and she runs away at some point in the story, he gets her back, punishes her with dominant behavior - yelling, he-man proclamations, and then great mind blowing sex (again, I'm not complaining), then in the end there is some reason why they are separated for a week and insecurities build until the big alpha male comes crawling back to the woman. I don't hate this formula, but I think she can do better, be more imaginitive. But I love these books so far, I just don't want to get too bored. Change it up McKenna!!!
Ultimately a 4.75 for me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 31, 2015
Davy you cutie pie you!
I've been rereading the series because I just finished In For The Kill (book 11) and I am not ready to let go of the McClouds crowd yet!
Classic McCloud and McKenna style. Great heroine who is strong willed bad ass brave but also in need of her hunky man and Alpha, arrogant, domineering yet sweet hero who sees his woman and single-mindedly pursues her until she gives in (and saving the day along the way!)
I love it! I will always love this series!
I've been rereading the series because I just finished In For The Kill (book 11) and I am not ready to let go of the McClouds crowd yet!
Classic McCloud and McKenna style. Great heroine who is strong willed bad ass brave but also in need of her hunky man and Alpha, arrogant, domineering yet sweet hero who sees his woman and single-mindedly pursues her until she gives in (and saving the day along the way!)
I love it! I will always love this series!
September 28, 2010
Scary but great.
To date, I've read five of Shannon McKenna's books and love them all. Her characters are interesting and different. The bad guys are so terrible it scares me, but that's why they call it a thriller. It's a great experience to read her books.
For a list of my reviews of other Shannon McKenna books, see my 5 star review of “Ultimate Weapon” posted 11/15/08.
To date, I've read five of Shannon McKenna's books and love them all. Her characters are interesting and different. The bad guys are so terrible it scares me, but that's why they call it a thriller. It's a great experience to read her books.
For a list of my reviews of other Shannon McKenna books, see my 5 star review of “Ultimate Weapon” posted 11/15/08.
January 11, 2015
4.5 อ่านมาสามเล่ม ชอบเล่มนี้ที่สุดเลย ฟิน จริงๆจะว่าไปแนวการเขียนคล้ายๆกันเลยนะแต่ละเล่ม อ่านมาสามเล่มแล้วแต่ก็ยังรู้สึกน่าติดตามต่อ พระเอกจอมบงการ หวง ห่วง รัก และf...ทุกเวลา เล่มนี้นางเอกโดนตามจากคนโรคจิต(ซึ่งจริงๆหวังจะมาเอาของอย่างอื่นด้วย) เลยต้องไปขอความช่วยเหลือจากพระเอก ชอบพล็อตแบบนี้นะ คือเห็นว่านางเอกโดนตามชัดเจนไปเลย แล้วมันจะฟินมากเวลาพระเอกห่วงใย >_<
November 16, 2019
A heart-stopping 4 stars.
Davy is the oldest McCloud brother and quite a different character from his brothers in the previous two books. He was already an adolescent when his mother died and knew his paranoid, crazy father better than any of his brothers, so had a lot more baggage to deal with.
He is really hard to get through to- very controlled and adept at King Fu and meditation, which he uses to help him control his angry and violent impulses. This is a man with a ton of repressed anger.
Margot is on the run from the law, because she was framed for the murder of her ex and his lover. Unfortunately for her, she is being stalked by the crazy younger brother (Faris) of the totally megalomaniacal villain, Marcus. (Marcus wishes to destroy a tech company- some kind of revenge plot. He needs the mold of a hand Margot’s ex made, unbeknownst to her, which will break through the complex bio-identity security systems this tech company markets. And cause the company to lose its credibility and go belly up. (I got a bit confused, tbh!) He thinks Margot has this mold and sends his even crazier brother after her to get it.
Honestly, there were several times I was seriously freaked out in this book!
Davy reluctantly becomes involved and when he and Margot hit the sack, he refuses to commit emotionally and tries to just make it all about sex. Margot keeps pushing him- she is actually very strong- but has no self-belief.
Again, the story was very scary, violent and carnal. This author likes her sex scenes, and they are rough and hot. Sometimes, they can be a bit too much- her heroes are bloody sex machines!
I found this to be the best of these first three in the series, because the characterisation was quite complex and layered, and the push/pull in the relationship made sense given who they were. Also, the villains seemed more real, less comic book. The horrible way Marcus treats his younger brother is hard to take. So you have to be prepared for the wild ride.
At this stage, I don’t plan on reading the next in the series, as I am not sure I can deal with the heroine’s character (we meet her in the previous books). But maybe I just need a break from all this intensity!
Davy is the oldest McCloud brother and quite a different character from his brothers in the previous two books. He was already an adolescent when his mother died and knew his paranoid, crazy father better than any of his brothers, so had a lot more baggage to deal with.
He is really hard to get through to- very controlled and adept at King Fu and meditation, which he uses to help him control his angry and violent impulses. This is a man with a ton of repressed anger.
Margot is on the run from the law, because she was framed for the murder of her ex and his lover. Unfortunately for her, she is being stalked by the crazy younger brother (Faris) of the totally megalomaniacal villain, Marcus. (Marcus wishes to destroy a tech company- some kind of revenge plot. He needs the mold of a hand Margot’s ex made, unbeknownst to her, which will break through the complex bio-identity security systems this tech company markets. And cause the company to lose its credibility and go belly up. (I got a bit confused, tbh!) He thinks Margot has this mold and sends his even crazier brother after her to get it.
Honestly, there were several times I was seriously freaked out in this book!
Davy reluctantly becomes involved and when he and Margot hit the sack, he refuses to commit emotionally and tries to just make it all about sex. Margot keeps pushing him- she is actually very strong- but has no self-belief.
Again, the story was very scary, violent and carnal. This author likes her sex scenes, and they are rough and hot. Sometimes, they can be a bit too much- her heroes are bloody sex machines!
I found this to be the best of these first three in the series, because the characterisation was quite complex and layered, and the push/pull in the relationship made sense given who they were. Also, the villains seemed more real, less comic book. The horrible way Marcus treats his younger brother is hard to take. So you have to be prepared for the wild ride.
At this stage, I don’t plan on reading the next in the series, as I am not sure I can deal with the heroine’s character (we meet her in the previous books). But maybe I just need a break from all this intensity!
February 1, 2017
Se não fosse a relação entre os protagonistas, teria melhor classificação, mas Davy e Marg desenvolveram um relacionamento algo doentio, na minha opinião. Ora estavam bem, ora se desentendiam e eu nem percebia bem de onde lhes vinha aquilo e isto durante todo o livro, chegando ela a desconfiar que era Davy o seu perseguidor. A sério, é demais e irracional.
A estrela do livro foi, sem dúvida, o cão Mickey :)
A estrela do livro foi, sem dúvida, o cão Mickey :)
October 30, 2012
When I was a kid, I never wanted a sibling. I never asked my parents for a baby brother. I never envied my friends because of their siblings. I always figured that having a sibling meant you were more likely to get in trouble and that sharing was basically over-rated. Over all, I never really saw the point. Then I discovered the Fictional Sibling and it all started to make sense.
Fictional Siblings are always good looking men who know martial arts. If you're female and your prom date dumps you, they beat him up. If you're male, they say manly yet tender things like "I got your back, bro." One of the Fictional Siblings (probably the youngest) is dead from an overdose or a car accident or sadistic terrorists in an unspecified foreign country, something that gives the rest of the Siblings Guilt because they Weren't There, and a Mission In Life, and Emotional Wounds that the Right Woman will eventually heal. Because there are at least four of them, there can be at least four books about them until they've all found love and have had their Emotional Wounds healed.
The McClouds may be the most fictional Fictional Siblings ever. I'm getting quite attached to their Emotional Wounds and their Guilt and their Mission in Life. I'm not sure why all of the women they end up with cry, giggle, and blush -- the holy trinity of annoying girl qualities that they seem otherwise too interesting to need. But what the heck. Their wives also have the distinction of being the only women willing to put up with all the retrograde macho posturing that really deserves a face full of pepper spray and a year of sensitivity training. But, of course, they're wise and loving enough to see through all the seriously dysfunctional, borderline felonious behavior and realize that it is only the Emotional Wounds talking and not an abusive jerk-face who belongs in jail. And of course their wives will like each other. And they'll have lots of kids who will play together and it will all just be so delightful it will completely make up for the lousy childhood, the dead sibling, the years spent gazing into the heart of evil, etc, etc. And at some point, a really, really bad Bad Guy will set one of them up to take the fall for a crime he didn't commit and they will snap back into action like they never changed a diaper in their lives, and will hot wire cars and blow things up and patch up bullet holes while on the run all while reassuring each other that they've got each other's backs. It's like riding a bicycle. Once you've been a Fictional Sibling, you never forget how.
Fictional Siblings are always good looking men who know martial arts. If you're female and your prom date dumps you, they beat him up. If you're male, they say manly yet tender things like "I got your back, bro." One of the Fictional Siblings (probably the youngest) is dead from an overdose or a car accident or sadistic terrorists in an unspecified foreign country, something that gives the rest of the Siblings Guilt because they Weren't There, and a Mission In Life, and Emotional Wounds that the Right Woman will eventually heal. Because there are at least four of them, there can be at least four books about them until they've all found love and have had their Emotional Wounds healed.
The McClouds may be the most fictional Fictional Siblings ever. I'm getting quite attached to their Emotional Wounds and their Guilt and their Mission in Life. I'm not sure why all of the women they end up with cry, giggle, and blush -- the holy trinity of annoying girl qualities that they seem otherwise too interesting to need. But what the heck. Their wives also have the distinction of being the only women willing to put up with all the retrograde macho posturing that really deserves a face full of pepper spray and a year of sensitivity training. But, of course, they're wise and loving enough to see through all the seriously dysfunctional, borderline felonious behavior and realize that it is only the Emotional Wounds talking and not an abusive jerk-face who belongs in jail. And of course their wives will like each other. And they'll have lots of kids who will play together and it will all just be so delightful it will completely make up for the lousy childhood, the dead sibling, the years spent gazing into the heart of evil, etc, etc. And at some point, a really, really bad Bad Guy will set one of them up to take the fall for a crime he didn't commit and they will snap back into action like they never changed a diaper in their lives, and will hot wire cars and blow things up and patch up bullet holes while on the run all while reassuring each other that they've got each other's backs. It's like riding a bicycle. Once you've been a Fictional Sibling, you never forget how.
May 31, 2012
Out of Control
4 Stars
Synopsis
Framed for murder and on the run, Margot Vettner is facing her newest challenge in the form of a crazed stalker. The only one she can turn to is sexy private investigator, Davy McCloud who prefers his life and his women simple, calm and uncomplicated. Margot is none of those things but Davy is unable to stop the hunger she arouses in him, and must decide if she is worth the effort before a twisted psycho takes matters out of his hands.
Review
Sexy and spicy - the most entertaining in the series so far.
Davy and Margot are likable because of their flaws and insecurities rather than despite them. Davy is domineering, overbearing and obsessive but in a good way and his inner control freak is perfectly understandable given his background and upbringing. Margot knows just how to push Davy's buttons and seems to enjoy goading and driving him to the brink. Once you accept this, she turns into a captivating, take no prisoners heroine although there is one irritating TSTL moment that I could have done without. Their snappy dialogue is entertaining but the constant bickering can get old.
The writing is smooth and the tension ratchets up at a solid pace. McKenna certainly knows how to write seriously twisted psychos and this book is no exception. Marcus is slimey and Snakey the stalker made my skin crawl. The climax of the story is exciting and the resolution satisfying.
Additional highlights include cameo appearances by Seth & Raine as well as Tamara, whose words of wisdom and gift for Margo endeared her to me. The McCloud family dynamic is captivating and I look forward to Sean's book which is coming up next.
4 Stars
Synopsis
Framed for murder and on the run, Margot Vettner is facing her newest challenge in the form of a crazed stalker. The only one she can turn to is sexy private investigator, Davy McCloud who prefers his life and his women simple, calm and uncomplicated. Margot is none of those things but Davy is unable to stop the hunger she arouses in him, and must decide if she is worth the effort before a twisted psycho takes matters out of his hands.
Review
Sexy and spicy - the most entertaining in the series so far.
Davy and Margot are likable because of their flaws and insecurities rather than despite them. Davy is domineering, overbearing and obsessive but in a good way and his inner control freak is perfectly understandable given his background and upbringing. Margot knows just how to push Davy's buttons and seems to enjoy goading and driving him to the brink. Once you accept this, she turns into a captivating, take no prisoners heroine although there is one irritating TSTL moment that I could have done without. Their snappy dialogue is entertaining but the constant bickering can get old.
The writing is smooth and the tension ratchets up at a solid pace. McKenna certainly knows how to write seriously twisted psychos and this book is no exception. Marcus is slimey and Snakey the stalker made my skin crawl. The climax of the story is exciting and the resolution satisfying.
Additional highlights include cameo appearances by Seth & Raine as well as Tamara, whose words of wisdom and gift for Margo endeared her to me. The McCloud family dynamic is captivating and I look forward to Sean's book which is coming up next.
March 10, 2014
The title is pretty much accurate cause the characters are totally out of control Margot and Davy drove me crazy those two are toxic together .. their "I can scream louder" contests and the 24 hour humping made my head spin.
Margot is a spit fire .. Literally !! feisty could be a way to describe her but I prefer the term "crazed" .. she argues all the damn time .. I bet she'd argue about the weather if she can .. she just doesn't know when to stop .. she's the kind of person who could push people to their limits and drive them bananas in the head .. yeesh she was one hell of a headache .. I understand her circumstances and all but she over did everything. Davy was awkward .. like really really awkward .. to the point where he creeps you out or gives you a seizure from laughing .. in a weird kinda of way he was charming .. I liked his weird sense of humor or maybe his lack of one .. he was painfully straightforward and a little sensitive too .. he was too pushy but surprisingly I really liked him. Margot and Davy's relationship tested my patience .. 5 minutes together and then they'd start fighting/arguing over whatever crappy thing one of em said .. I wanted to grab snakey's needles and poke em in the ass to shut them up .. mentioning the needles .. yikes that was one creepy technique there .. and the villain gave me goosebumps in the most negative way possible.
Overall I enjoyed reading this book but I still want to scream and claw at both Margot and Davy.
Margot is a spit fire .. Literally !! feisty could be a way to describe her but I prefer the term "crazed" .. she argues all the damn time .. I bet she'd argue about the weather if she can .. she just doesn't know when to stop .. she's the kind of person who could push people to their limits and drive them bananas in the head .. yeesh she was one hell of a headache .. I understand her circumstances and all but she over did everything. Davy was awkward .. like really really awkward .. to the point where he creeps you out or gives you a seizure from laughing .. in a weird kinda of way he was charming .. I liked his weird sense of humor or maybe his lack of one .. he was painfully straightforward and a little sensitive too .. he was too pushy but surprisingly I really liked him. Margot and Davy's relationship tested my patience .. 5 minutes together and then they'd start fighting/arguing over whatever crappy thing one of em said .. I wanted to grab snakey's needles and poke em in the ass to shut them up .. mentioning the needles .. yikes that was one creepy technique there .. and the villain gave me goosebumps in the most negative way possible.
Overall I enjoyed reading this book but I still want to scream and claw at both Margot and Davy.
August 21, 2012
Out of Control is my least favorite book in the series so far. I liked the suspense part, but when it came to the main couple... That wasn't so good. Davy's intense, way too intense. It irritaded me how he -not- dealed with his feelings.
Every time Margot opened he mouth, I wanted her to shut up. I get it that she likes to ruffle Davy's feather, but how idiot you are? Ugh. It bacema annoying at one part, and then she got a bit more... subdued.
I lost count of how many condoms were used in this book, and how many were wasted. I really hated the whole let's-play-russian-roulette-with-your-body-and-see-if-you-get-pregnant. I think there was a bit much of sex.
I lked how the brothers and friends interact between them, Is really funny and warm, and I love that in a family series. I rate it 2 Stars because I didn't loved the couple, but the suspense sucked me right in.
There's a quote form the bad guy I can't help but agree:
Every time Margot opened he mouth, I wanted her to shut up. I get it that she likes to ruffle Davy's feather, but how idiot you are? Ugh. It bacema annoying at one part, and then she got a bit more... subdued.
I lost count of how many condoms were used in this book, and how many were wasted. I really hated the whole let's-play-russian-roulette-with-your-body-and-see-if-you-get-pregnant. I think there was a bit much of sex.
I lked how the brothers and friends interact between them, Is really funny and warm, and I love that in a family series. I rate it 2 Stars because I didn't loved the couple, but the suspense sucked me right in.
There's a quote form the bad guy I can't help but agree:
"Gag him again. He bores me."
February 21, 2012
Hmmm where to start.... I would like to say I am thoroughly enjoying the books by Shannon mckenna. Until a few days ago I had never heard of her and for a few years I have been reading mostly paranormal type books.
These are like a breath of fresh air. The men are awesome, Davey was a little nasty at times but Margot was very indecisive.. she even frustrated me a few times. I love theses mcloud brothers. Raised by a crazy paranoid dad, being made to be the crazy controlling self sufficient men they have be come. I always enjoy books that have that dark controlling male character, sexy as hell in my opinion. Davey, conner and Sean can be my dangerous heroes anyway.
The storyline is good too, full of suspense, a little creepy and scary, just the way I like it.
I definitely will be continuing with these books.. oh and on a even bigger plus side, this author really knows how to build sexual tension and writes a great sex scene :-)
These are like a breath of fresh air. The men are awesome, Davey was a little nasty at times but Margot was very indecisive.. she even frustrated me a few times. I love theses mcloud brothers. Raised by a crazy paranoid dad, being made to be the crazy controlling self sufficient men they have be come. I always enjoy books that have that dark controlling male character, sexy as hell in my opinion. Davey, conner and Sean can be my dangerous heroes anyway.
The storyline is good too, full of suspense, a little creepy and scary, just the way I like it.
I definitely will be continuing with these books.. oh and on a even bigger plus side, this author really knows how to build sexual tension and writes a great sex scene :-)
September 22, 2009
Davy. The tough, tight lipped, ex-solider who takes up the place of three in a room. I was more interested in how he'd unfold, develop and grow than his love interest Margot. His story is the most endearing among the three brothers he being the eldest with the most burden of their raising and loss of parents. I was intrigued to see how he would let his guard down, for once and found it very sweet (there is no other word to describe it better than that) once he did. I couldn't help but read on to see how Davy and Margot manage through the twists of Margots stalker.
July 29, 2011
I enjoyed it, except for the part where the heroine Margot went all TSTL and ran from Davy the hero. But she made up for it with her actions later. And I loved the ending. It's funny because I wasn't actually all that eager to read this installment in the series, thinking that Davy was too dour and quiet to be that exciting as a hero. But I'm so glad that I was wrong. This actually turned out to be very good. And I loved Margot's smart mouth. She's great. Now I want to go back and re-read the whole series, in order this time.
January 22, 2015
This was a hot mess to me, seriously it was all over the place and from book 1 I think I really wanted to know more about Davy and yet this book was just crap. I hate to sound harsh, but it was so hot and cold and when it was cold it was frigid. It was a mess and cluster that seemed smashed together. The plot line had serious potential, and yet the characters fell flat. I am invested in the series being that this is book 3 but this one has been a huge let down. Moving on to book 4, fingers crossed this series can be saved.
January 29, 2015
Davy McCloud has a dark persona to with his dark clothing. With his unconventional upbringing, and the adverse events in his life, he is not wanting to take on Margot Vetter as a client, especially when he knows she is keeping secrets from him.
Margot Vetter is on the run. Not even using her true name. Having an unknown stalker is one thing, but having Davy around is something else. Aggressive, dominating, big and bold, he pushes his way in to her life, and bed, before she can even think.
A dark tale. Complicated and even offensive at times, still a good read.
Margot Vetter is on the run. Not even using her true name. Having an unknown stalker is one thing, but having Davy around is something else. Aggressive, dominating, big and bold, he pushes his way in to her life, and bed, before she can even think.
A dark tale. Complicated and even offensive at times, still a good read.
January 10, 2015
Nope this book did not work for me. Although I liked the story I did not like the main characters at all. The heroine drove me crazy and not in a good way. I didn't feel their chemistry at all. As a suspense story it was good. The romance not at all. But I will continue with the series because I cannot wait to read about Sean.
January 30, 2008
I love Shannon McKenna's brooding, alpha heroes. I think I liked Seth and Raine's, and Connor and Erin's stories more, but this one was just as entertaining and emotionally charged. I'm looking forward to reading about the next McCloud brother, Sean.
October 10, 2011
Liked the fast paced action and the grumpy toughie. But seriously crack a smile already and his constant shutting out of the woman was really beginning to annoy me about halfway into the book. A little more emotion and we would have had a winner.
September 15, 2009
4 stars – Romantic Suspense
January 7, 2012
Davy was an overly dominant man that kept pissing me off. But the story line wasn't bad.
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