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High Risk #1
Freefall
Emotionally and physically wounded ex-SEAL_Zachariah Tremayne has returned to his South C arolina home determined to shut out the world. Then he meets Sabrina Swann, who has also made a private journey home to put the tattered pieces of her own life back together. But as the two of them learn to love and trust again, a killer is lurking in the shadows, threatening to destroy everything they have fought so hard to rebuild.
375 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2008
39 people are currently reading
1337 people want to read
About the author
JoAnn Ross
240 books799 followersNew York Times bestselling author JoAnn Ross has written over a hundred novels for a bunch of publishers. Two of her titles have been excerpted in Cosmo and her books have also been published by the Doubleday, Rhapsody, Literary Guild, and Mystery Guild book clubs.
A member of the Romance Writers of America's Honor Roll of best-selling authors, she's won several awards, including Romantic Times's Career Achievement Awards in both category and contemporary single title.
Currently writing a new Honeymoon Harbor series for HQN set on the Washington peninsula, that will launch in April, 2018, JoAnn lives with her husband (her high school sweetheart, who proposed at the sea wall where her Shelter Bay books are set), in the Pacific Northwest.
A member of the Romance Writers of America's Honor Roll of best-selling authors, she's won several awards, including Romantic Times's Career Achievement Awards in both category and contemporary single title.
Currently writing a new Honeymoon Harbor series for HQN set on the Washington peninsula, that will launch in April, 2018, JoAnn lives with her husband (her high school sweetheart, who proposed at the sea wall where her Shelter Bay books are set), in the Pacific Northwest.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 99 reviews
January 19, 2009
Well, I can't say this book was bad. It wasn't necessarily that, but it also didn't really engage me and it's not my type of romantic suspense. There was something lacking in it - which I finally figured out what that was about 2/3rds through the book. So it ended up being a so-so read for me. Which makes two out of three books by Ross that I've read and not cared for all that much.
Freefall is the first of Ross's High Risk novels which feature a group of Navy SEALs who are trying to put their lives back together after a bad mission in Afghanistan. This first book features SEAL Zach Tremayne, who is trying to put the demons of that mission behind him by returning to his home town of Swann Island and working for his father's construction business. When he runs into a woman from his past, he's surprised to feel an attraction to her. But Sabrina is running from her own demons, having recently escaped death when a terrorist bombed the hotel she managed. She once loved Zach with a younthful teenager's innocent love, but she's not that girl anymore, and he's not in her plans. Their attraction is too strong, though, and they succumb to feelings that grow into much more. But there is danger on the island that soon comes after Sabrina and Zach must save her in order to forge a future together.
The first 100+ pages of this book move by soooo slowly. I kept putting it down and going back because it wasn't holding my attention. Each chapter jumps to a different scene with different characters and there's little continuity or flow. The story didn't gain any consistency until halfway through, and even then it would jump to scenes that didn't fit what you'd just read. It gave the book a jerky pace that was distracting.
Ross also did one of the things I hate in Romantic Suspense novels. She introduces a character, lets you get to know him/her...usually it's some person who has had a rough time but now things are getting better. And they're thinking how good life is getting and all that...and then they get brutally murdered. I HATE that. It's so damn depressing. Introduce the character, since that's necessary, but I really don't need to get all attached to them only to have them be brutally raped and murdered. That part was a total turn-off (obviously).
I did enjoy the characters of the book. Sabrina and Zach were good together, even if their relationship was a bit rushed. They had some steamy chemistry. So I didn't mind that aspect of the book. They were interesting.
But what made this book not particularly work for me was the fact that the suspense plot of the story was almost completely disengaged from the hero and heroine for almost the entire book. There's a serial killer loose on the island and up until the end of the book, the only thing that has to do with the H/H is them talking about what's going on and Zach telling Sabrina to be careful and not go out alone. It's only when...something happens (to not be spoilery)...and Sabrina gets kidnapped at the very end that the plot and the H/H intersect. Otherwise, it was like reading two separate stories. I don't think I've ever read a romantic suspense like that, and I can't say I enjoyed it. The H/H need to be involved in the plot, and in this book, they weren't. It made the story a more than a little less engaging to read.
Will I read other books in this series? I'm considering it. I found the supporting characters interesting enough to want to know what happens to them, but at the same time, Ross's style and way of telling a story don't really appeal to me. If I do read the next one, Crossfire, I'll take it out of the library like I did this book.
Freefall is the first of Ross's High Risk novels which feature a group of Navy SEALs who are trying to put their lives back together after a bad mission in Afghanistan. This first book features SEAL Zach Tremayne, who is trying to put the demons of that mission behind him by returning to his home town of Swann Island and working for his father's construction business. When he runs into a woman from his past, he's surprised to feel an attraction to her. But Sabrina is running from her own demons, having recently escaped death when a terrorist bombed the hotel she managed. She once loved Zach with a younthful teenager's innocent love, but she's not that girl anymore, and he's not in her plans. Their attraction is too strong, though, and they succumb to feelings that grow into much more. But there is danger on the island that soon comes after Sabrina and Zach must save her in order to forge a future together.
The first 100+ pages of this book move by soooo slowly. I kept putting it down and going back because it wasn't holding my attention. Each chapter jumps to a different scene with different characters and there's little continuity or flow. The story didn't gain any consistency until halfway through, and even then it would jump to scenes that didn't fit what you'd just read. It gave the book a jerky pace that was distracting.
Ross also did one of the things I hate in Romantic Suspense novels. She introduces a character, lets you get to know him/her...usually it's some person who has had a rough time but now things are getting better. And they're thinking how good life is getting and all that...and then they get brutally murdered. I HATE that. It's so damn depressing. Introduce the character, since that's necessary, but I really don't need to get all attached to them only to have them be brutally raped and murdered. That part was a total turn-off (obviously).
I did enjoy the characters of the book. Sabrina and Zach were good together, even if their relationship was a bit rushed. They had some steamy chemistry. So I didn't mind that aspect of the book. They were interesting.
But what made this book not particularly work for me was the fact that the suspense plot of the story was almost completely disengaged from the hero and heroine for almost the entire book. There's a serial killer loose on the island and up until the end of the book, the only thing that has to do with the H/H is them talking about what's going on and Zach telling Sabrina to be careful and not go out alone. It's only when...something happens (to not be spoilery)...and Sabrina gets kidnapped at the very end that the plot and the H/H intersect. Otherwise, it was like reading two separate stories. I don't think I've ever read a romantic suspense like that, and I can't say I enjoyed it. The H/H need to be involved in the plot, and in this book, they weren't. It made the story a more than a little less engaging to read.
Will I read other books in this series? I'm considering it. I found the supporting characters interesting enough to want to know what happens to them, but at the same time, Ross's style and way of telling a story don't really appeal to me. If I do read the next one, Crossfire, I'll take it out of the library like I did this book.
May 31, 2018
I'm a great Nora Roberts fan and this book is a lot in her style. To be totally honest I haven't expected from this book to actually enjoy it so much. It suited perfectly one of my challenges, so I gave it a chance. And I'm so glad I did!
Sabrina survived the terrorist attack on a hotel she was working in in Italy. Looking for some peace and to close up some personal matters, she comes back to her family tea plantation in a small south town Swannsea, South Carolina. Zach is a war hero hunted by the memories of his last battle which ended with death of many of his friends. He comes back to Swannsea after leaving army in disgrace. But the sleepy southern town is not a peaceful paradise anymore, the bodies of the victims of the serial killer and rapist are found with a thrilling frequency. Noone is safe.
I really like the main characters, Sabrina and Zach. They are both tortured by their past memories and suffer from PTSD. But fortunately their characters are not built only around their mental problems. They are full-dimensional and interesting creatures that are easy to like. It's lovely that Zach who is otherwise a tough bedass, has this soft spot and a poetic facet. This is where I feel some resemblance to Nora Roberts stories, in a definitely good way. And also in some very well created secondary characters, like Titania and Nate or the other friends of Zach who have their own books I can't wait to read.
The suspense part is probably not the most innovative or even eventful. But it is good enough to keep your interest. The identity of the serial killer is not totally obvious but the fans of the genre won't be surprised in this department. But you can go over it easily. Especially when you include some other suspense traces.
The really great thing about this book that is definitely worth to mention is the well described atmosphere of the small southern city. Cozy mysteries or southern vibes are usually not my thing but there is definitely something eerily about it. And JoAnn Ross does great in convening this ambience.
I feel like I will read the other books in this series somewhen soon.
August 4, 2009
JoAnn Ross wastes no time starting the story off with a "bang," literally. "Freefall" revolves around a Navy SEAL hero whose been discharged due to a skirmish with an officer after a failed mission in Afghanistan. Zach Tremayne suffers from post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and returns to his boyhood home on Swann Island (off the coast of the Carolinas) to recuperate and join his father's construction business. The heroine, Sabrina Swann, is an executive events manager/coordinator (not a "waitress" as noted in the editorial review) for a hotel chain. The book starts out with Zach suffering a PTSD episode and re-living his last combat mission in a dream (VERY dramatic start). Sabrina is living in Italy and celebrating a much desired and worked for promotion, when the hotel she's in is suddenly blown up by a car bomb/terrorist attack, killing hundreds. By a twist of fate, Sabrina survives, but returns home to Swann Island with her own "nightmares" and PTSD problems. Zach and Sabrina were childhood friends who always had the "unknowing" mutual hots for each other (a favorite theme of mine), but Sabrina was younger than Zach and still "jailbait" by the time they were of a sexual age; Zach joined the SEALS, and they went their separate ways. The opening scenes of the book alone are both attention grabbing and vividly written, and I'm really impressed by the author's captivating storytelling and non-weighed down use of metaphors. The main plotline revolves around a serial killer that has been stalking the residents of the island, and we get chillingly well-drawn scenes in regard to the killer's activities, war battles, and the hotel explosion. The action jumps around pretty fast, but I enjoy that type of set-up. Once aware of the speed of the book, I quickly oriented myself to keep up. This is my first book by JoAnn Ross. She does suspense very well, but she also writes well-drawn secondary characters, and touching (I teared up when Zach re-lives/re-tells a mission "gone wrong" to Sabrina at one point) as well as hot love scenes (FYI -- not overly explicit, but no purple prose in sight!).
The only personal taste criticism I would have (which actually makes this a 4.5* for me) is a few wished for additional romantic scenes with the hero and heroine together sooner and longer, and a bit more focus on the romance; but again, that's merely a personal preference. I make that observation with a "grain of salt," as the suspense is so well written that it kept me totally engaged. This is overall a good audiobook with a decent reader who has enough reading and acting talents to keep my emotions fully involved. (Woman, and the men sound like men! ;)
JoAnn Ross is a great writer and storyteller. I'm very pleasantly surprised to discover her backlist. :) This won't be the last book I pick up of hers.
The only personal taste criticism I would have (which actually makes this a 4.5* for me) is a few wished for additional romantic scenes with the hero and heroine together sooner and longer, and a bit more focus on the romance; but again, that's merely a personal preference. I make that observation with a "grain of salt," as the suspense is so well written that it kept me totally engaged. This is overall a good audiobook with a decent reader who has enough reading and acting talents to keep my emotions fully involved. (Woman, and the men sound like men! ;)
JoAnn Ross is a great writer and storyteller. I'm very pleasantly surprised to discover her backlist. :) This won't be the last book I pick up of hers.
June 9, 2016
There's a lot going on in this romantic suspense novel - PTSD, second chance romance and two possible killers on the loose. Nevertheless the threads all come together to make this a very readable start to the High Risk series.
3.5 stars.
3.5 stars.
January 16, 2015
Freefall
3 Stars
Suffering in the aftermath of separate traumatic experiences, Sabrina Swann and Zach Tremayne both return to their small home town to find solace in the safe and the familiar. Unfortunately, their newfound peace is shattered and their budding relationship put to the test when a vicious serial killer with a disturbing agenda starts preying on those around them.
More of a contemporary romance with a SEAL hero than romantic suspense although the serial killer plot adds an extra dimension to the tension.
Small town romances are usually a favorite of mine, but for some reason, the atmosphere in this one is somewhat stifling. Perhaps it is the undercurrent of racism running throughout and the secrets that various townspeople are concealing, which contributes to this darker vibe.
Zach and Sabrina are an engaging couple and their romance is steamy albeit predictable. The serial killer is quite perverted and disturbing although it is rather easy to figure out his identity and motivation.
The biggest problem with the book is the pacing which is choppy with abrupt segues from one POV to another. Moreover, there is a secondary plotline involving Zach's disastrous mission that doesn't mesh well with the rest of the story and ends on a rather anti-climactic note.
All in all, not too bad for a first book and I will read more by this author.
3 Stars
Suffering in the aftermath of separate traumatic experiences, Sabrina Swann and Zach Tremayne both return to their small home town to find solace in the safe and the familiar. Unfortunately, their newfound peace is shattered and their budding relationship put to the test when a vicious serial killer with a disturbing agenda starts preying on those around them.
More of a contemporary romance with a SEAL hero than romantic suspense although the serial killer plot adds an extra dimension to the tension.
Small town romances are usually a favorite of mine, but for some reason, the atmosphere in this one is somewhat stifling. Perhaps it is the undercurrent of racism running throughout and the secrets that various townspeople are concealing, which contributes to this darker vibe.
Zach and Sabrina are an engaging couple and their romance is steamy albeit predictable. The serial killer is quite perverted and disturbing although it is rather easy to figure out his identity and motivation.
The biggest problem with the book is the pacing which is choppy with abrupt segues from one POV to another. Moreover, there is a secondary plotline involving Zach's disastrous mission that doesn't mesh well with the rest of the story and ends on a rather anti-climactic note.
All in all, not too bad for a first book and I will read more by this author.
December 29, 2009
I really wanted to like this book, was hoping to like this book, but I have to say that it was difficult to get through.
It had a lot of potential, but the dialogue between characters felt contrived, forced. I found myself skipping large sections while thinking "blah blah blah, moving right along..."
I have fallen in love with the suspense/thriller/romance genre and have been devouring anything and everything within this genre that I can get my hands on: Feehan's Ghostwalkers, Leigh's TemptingSEALs and EliteOPs, Gerard'd BodyGuards and BOIs...and loved them all. The HighRisk series, just falls short.
However, all that said, there was enough potential that I will try book 2, Crossfire, next.
Edited December 2009 to add I've come to appreciate how difficult it is to write the first book in any series. As I re-read this review I realized that much of what I felt was lacking in this book was due to being victim of "the first in a series curse." So, I'm changing my rating from 2 stars to 3 stars.
It had a lot of potential, but the dialogue between characters felt contrived, forced. I found myself skipping large sections while thinking "blah blah blah, moving right along..."
I have fallen in love with the suspense/thriller/romance genre and have been devouring anything and everything within this genre that I can get my hands on: Feehan's Ghostwalkers, Leigh's TemptingSEALs and EliteOPs, Gerard'd BodyGuards and BOIs...and loved them all. The HighRisk series, just falls short.
However, all that said, there was enough potential that I will try book 2, Crossfire, next.
Edited December 2009 to add I've come to appreciate how difficult it is to write the first book in any series. As I re-read this review I realized that much of what I felt was lacking in this book was due to being victim of "the first in a series curse." So, I'm changing my rating from 2 stars to 3 stars.
February 18, 2008
Have mixed feelings about this book. Overall, enjoyed it. The suspense was good as was the romance. There were times that I was laughing at the one-liners, too. But, the transition(s) between scenes or chapters was so abrupt that I felt jerked out of the story. Often, the scenes didn't pick up where they abruptly ended and it took me awhile to get back into the story. Not a good thing.
In real life conversations we sometimes "go off the beaten path" then get back to the topic. I've never seen that done in a book before, but it was done throughout "Freefall." The author had the characters talking about something relevant then they would go off about something else, then back to the topic.
I enjoyed reading about the south (South Carolina) and there was quite a bit of historical data throughout the book. I generally don't put much value in that much historical information being correct in a fiction book...but enjoyed the humor in the way some of it was presented. The lengthy descriptions didn't add to the story and felt like reading a historical book at times, too. I have always felt if the description, no matter how well written, doesn't contribute to the story, it shouldn't be there. The descriptions, too, often felt abrupt and jerked me out of the story in lieu of helping me see what the author saw as she wrote a scene. Most of the time, not all, they just didn't blend together and flow.
While a suspense should be...suspenseful I lost "trust" in the author in what actually happened. And, that's all I can say without posting a spoiler alert.
In real life conversations we sometimes "go off the beaten path" then get back to the topic. I've never seen that done in a book before, but it was done throughout "Freefall." The author had the characters talking about something relevant then they would go off about something else, then back to the topic.
I enjoyed reading about the south (South Carolina) and there was quite a bit of historical data throughout the book. I generally don't put much value in that much historical information being correct in a fiction book...but enjoyed the humor in the way some of it was presented. The lengthy descriptions didn't add to the story and felt like reading a historical book at times, too. I have always felt if the description, no matter how well written, doesn't contribute to the story, it shouldn't be there. The descriptions, too, often felt abrupt and jerked me out of the story in lieu of helping me see what the author saw as she wrote a scene. Most of the time, not all, they just didn't blend together and flow.
While a suspense should be...suspenseful I lost "trust" in the author in what actually happened. And, that's all I can say without posting a spoiler alert.
January 14, 2013
If you love red hot and sexy romantic suspense novels that feature hot Navy SEALs, you'll enjoy the High Risk series by Jo Ann Ross. We're introduced to former Navy Seal Zachariah Tremayne and Sabrina Swann. They're both landed on Swann Island, a fictional island over in South Carolina, when nothing's where they seems. Family secrets come back to haunt them, when there's a serial killer on the island, and someone who came gunning after Zachariah, too. And what brought them back to the island haunts them in a freefall like motion. We see how troubled Zach is from his days overseas, and how he feels for Sabrina, and vice versa, when she survived a bombing in Italy. But the chemistry is red hot and smoldering like a wildfire.
August 31, 2008
I expected something different from this SEAL romance - an action romance in the vein of Lora Leigh's Tempting SEALs or, at least, Brockmann's TroubleShooters or Team Sixteen. It turned out to be a small-town-romance-with-ubiquitous-killer-on-the-loose and did not engage me at all though there were some parts that showed promise.
Though Freefall can't stand up to some of the romantic suspense out there and which I would not classify as a SEAL romance, I love my SEAL heroes and plan to read the next installment, featuring Quinn. I just hope it'll be more a SEAL-action type romantic suspense and not a contemporary romance where the hero merely happpens to be a SEAL, as Freefall was.
Though Freefall can't stand up to some of the romantic suspense out there and which I would not classify as a SEAL romance, I love my SEAL heroes and plan to read the next installment, featuring Quinn. I just hope it'll be more a SEAL-action type romantic suspense and not a contemporary romance where the hero merely happpens to be a SEAL, as Freefall was.
January 28, 2020
OMG! I couldn’t put this down!!!
May 19, 2009
Sabrina Swann returned home to Swann Island three weeks ago after the hotel she was managing in Florence, Italy was bombed. She suffers from nightmares and post traumatic stress but feels the safest she has since residing at Swannsea, the Swann family home. Sabrina has also come back to mourn the death of her sixty-five year-old grandmother, Lucie, whom she loved dearly. Sabrina will take the time to recover and try to figure out what to do with her life. But it doesn’t help matters when she jumps every time she hears something that goes bump in the night. Plus, she almost has a heart attack when she finds a strange man looking at her through her bedroom window.
This stranger is not really a stranger at all since Sabrina had a childhood crush on ex-Navy SEAL Zach Tremayne. Zach has also returned home after fighting in Afghanistan and suffers from nightmares and bad memories of the dead. Zach has taken over some construction work from his father, one job being at the old Swannsea Plantation. Zach wasn’t expecting Sabrina, but he gets over the shock and is quite pleased by how Sabrina has grown into a beautiful woman. She’s definitely not the innocent sixteen year-old girl he left behind. Back than, Sabrina was jail bait, but now Sabrina is exactly what Zach could go for.
Sabrina and Zach start a tentative friendship and slowly come to terms with what has happened to them both during the past year: about the bombing where Sabrina worked, and Zach’s guilt for surviving in Afghanistan when so many did not. But in addition to the personal issues each has, the island itself is on notice because of a serial rapist and killer. Zach’s friend and the sheriff, Nate Spencer is close to the end of his rope because he has no clue who this killer could be, and because Titania, Sabrina’s best friend with whom he has been involved since high school, refuses to marry him. Plus, shady land developer Brad Summer wants Sabrina to sell the plantation so he can build a golf course, and he won’t take no for an answer.
As Sabrina and Zach become a couple, there is also someone besides the serial killer watching Zach and waiting for the right moment to exact revenge against him. With secrets, murder, and dead bodies littered all over the island, Sabrina has to watch her back because she could be the next target on the Swann Island killer’s list.
JoAnn Ross has written an intense thriller where the ending is quite a shock, especially when you find out who the killer is. I seriously had no idea who was murdering the poor women on this small island where everyone knows your name. FREEFALL is the type of book that has something for everyone. There is a tender, yet sexy romance between the two main characters, Sabrina and Zach, and also a secondary one with the sheriff and his hot-to-trot lady, Titania. And even though Sabrina’s grandmother Lucie may be deceased, her presence is definitely strong throughout the story as Sabrina finds out something unexpected about her dear departed grandmother.
Each chapter is a revelation about the secrets that a small town will keep to make sure everything looks great on the surface. Sabrina is one smart cookie and has a great family dedicated to her wellbeing that includes her Aunt Lillian, who oozes Southern hospitality, and her Uncle Harlan who is the local doctor.
FREEFALL is the perfect, edge of your seat mystery. JoAnn Ross is one author who delivers and will most definitely blow you away as you wonder if Sabrina and Zach will ever be safe enough to build a future together.
This stranger is not really a stranger at all since Sabrina had a childhood crush on ex-Navy SEAL Zach Tremayne. Zach has also returned home after fighting in Afghanistan and suffers from nightmares and bad memories of the dead. Zach has taken over some construction work from his father, one job being at the old Swannsea Plantation. Zach wasn’t expecting Sabrina, but he gets over the shock and is quite pleased by how Sabrina has grown into a beautiful woman. She’s definitely not the innocent sixteen year-old girl he left behind. Back than, Sabrina was jail bait, but now Sabrina is exactly what Zach could go for.
Sabrina and Zach start a tentative friendship and slowly come to terms with what has happened to them both during the past year: about the bombing where Sabrina worked, and Zach’s guilt for surviving in Afghanistan when so many did not. But in addition to the personal issues each has, the island itself is on notice because of a serial rapist and killer. Zach’s friend and the sheriff, Nate Spencer is close to the end of his rope because he has no clue who this killer could be, and because Titania, Sabrina’s best friend with whom he has been involved since high school, refuses to marry him. Plus, shady land developer Brad Summer wants Sabrina to sell the plantation so he can build a golf course, and he won’t take no for an answer.
As Sabrina and Zach become a couple, there is also someone besides the serial killer watching Zach and waiting for the right moment to exact revenge against him. With secrets, murder, and dead bodies littered all over the island, Sabrina has to watch her back because she could be the next target on the Swann Island killer’s list.
JoAnn Ross has written an intense thriller where the ending is quite a shock, especially when you find out who the killer is. I seriously had no idea who was murdering the poor women on this small island where everyone knows your name. FREEFALL is the type of book that has something for everyone. There is a tender, yet sexy romance between the two main characters, Sabrina and Zach, and also a secondary one with the sheriff and his hot-to-trot lady, Titania. And even though Sabrina’s grandmother Lucie may be deceased, her presence is definitely strong throughout the story as Sabrina finds out something unexpected about her dear departed grandmother.
Each chapter is a revelation about the secrets that a small town will keep to make sure everything looks great on the surface. Sabrina is one smart cookie and has a great family dedicated to her wellbeing that includes her Aunt Lillian, who oozes Southern hospitality, and her Uncle Harlan who is the local doctor.
FREEFALL is the perfect, edge of your seat mystery. JoAnn Ross is one author who delivers and will most definitely blow you away as you wonder if Sabrina and Zach will ever be safe enough to build a future together.
May 25, 2012
After reading the Stewart Sisters Trilogy (which was okay) I went into this series thinking would be much the same, but the blurb looked good...
I just have to say,. Im LOVIN' this series!! I thought when i saw the name Cait, was she the police woman from the Stewart series, and now onto second book find out she is...but more of that when i review the 2nd book.
I enjoyed how Ross sets the scene of 2 people who probs saw much more of the horrors of the world than anyone would wish, one escaping a terrorist attack the other a SEAL op gone wrong. I see some folk say not enough romance, but I didnt miss it. I think this couple were more in need of support from each other, of understanding rather than flowers and chocs.
Throw in a Killer on the loose (even though scenes were pretty graphic at times) and have an excellent back story. In fact it had me guessing all the way through who was the killer. the red herring was good, but i actually did think it was who it was, then thought nah lol
If enjoy a bit of thriller, with a bit of romance, with occaisonal sex scene then this is a must read!
So looking forward to rest of series now, just hope Im not disappointed after such a good start.
Btw do any of my friends read reviews lol
I just have to say,. Im LOVIN' this series!! I thought when i saw the name Cait, was she the police woman from the Stewart series, and now onto second book find out she is...but more of that when i review the 2nd book.
I enjoyed how Ross sets the scene of 2 people who probs saw much more of the horrors of the world than anyone would wish, one escaping a terrorist attack the other a SEAL op gone wrong. I see some folk say not enough romance, but I didnt miss it. I think this couple were more in need of support from each other, of understanding rather than flowers and chocs.
Throw in a Killer on the loose (even though scenes were pretty graphic at times) and have an excellent back story. In fact it had me guessing all the way through who was the killer. the red herring was good, but i actually did think it was who it was, then thought nah lol
If enjoy a bit of thriller, with a bit of romance, with occaisonal sex scene then this is a must read!
So looking forward to rest of series now, just hope Im not disappointed after such a good start.
Btw do any of my friends read reviews lol
March 15, 2008
Hmm... Not too sure what I should think or say about this one.
The beginning of the book was almost boring. I mean sure, the descriptions of action scenes had you feeling like you were there, but in between it all, descriptions of the past were almost tedious, making you wonder if the author would get past them. Some of them almost didn't seem like they should have been part of the story, only used as fillers. It was getting almost to a point where I wanted to skip past them by skimming, in search of dialogue. The sex scenes were pretty good, but still seemed to lack some creative thought.
Although they were complicated, the characters lacked imagination. It was almost like Zack and Sabrina ended up together cause that was what was planned. It all seemed unexciting.
And all of it was predictable. At first you'll read the characters and almost be sure of what's going to happen and 'who' it is. I'll admit that even though I knew something was off in a certain character, I was surprised it was that character.
Is it enough to warrant reading the second novel? Unsure at this point. It wasn't a bad book by any means, but its predictability has me hesitating.
The beginning of the book was almost boring. I mean sure, the descriptions of action scenes had you feeling like you were there, but in between it all, descriptions of the past were almost tedious, making you wonder if the author would get past them. Some of them almost didn't seem like they should have been part of the story, only used as fillers. It was getting almost to a point where I wanted to skip past them by skimming, in search of dialogue. The sex scenes were pretty good, but still seemed to lack some creative thought.
Although they were complicated, the characters lacked imagination. It was almost like Zack and Sabrina ended up together cause that was what was planned. It all seemed unexciting.
And all of it was predictable. At first you'll read the characters and almost be sure of what's going to happen and 'who' it is. I'll admit that even though I knew something was off in a certain character, I was surprised it was that character.
Is it enough to warrant reading the second novel? Unsure at this point. It wasn't a bad book by any means, but its predictability has me hesitating.
January 1, 2009
3.5 stars
The book was slow at times, but it did have good suspense. It has a lot of frequent flashbacks, and that gets old to me. I do recommend to any fans of romantic suspense. I'd like to read Crossfire, the next in the series, because the herione of that one shows up here and she interested me.
The book was slow at times, but it did have good suspense. It has a lot of frequent flashbacks, and that gets old to me. I do recommend to any fans of romantic suspense. I'd like to read Crossfire, the next in the series, because the herione of that one shows up here and she interested me.
July 6, 2017
This book grabbed me right from the start and sunk it's hooks in. The first few chapters were just WHAM! A freaky, sadistic serial killer! A harrowing military operation in Afghanistan that was FUBAR! A terrorist bombing at a fancy Italian resort! WHAM! I was soooo into reading this exciting book.
Then, we traveled to the main setting, a sleepy South Carolina island town. That's when I got... sleepy.
Most of the characters (especially the main ones) were pretty boring. The romance was blah. The serial killer storyline was the only thing that hooked me to keep reading. That was pretty interesting until the end. I was more than 50% sure I knew who the killer was and ended up being right, but I wasn't sure enough to find reading about the murder mysteries/ongoing serial killings boring.
I don't think there was enough for me to continue with the series, but it wasn't bad. I'll leave you with this gem from back when this book was written (2008):
"And, of course, there was the inevitable scandal. But these days scandals were a dime a dozen. Why, how many wives and mistresses had Donald Trump gone through? And the networks even gave him his very own TV show. Money was the perfume that made the stink of scandal go away." -p.276
Oh, truer words were never written Ms. Ross... If only we stopped at the networks giving him a TV show. The American people gave him the presidency. Or was that the Russians...? :)
Then, we traveled to the main setting, a sleepy South Carolina island town. That's when I got... sleepy.
Most of the characters (especially the main ones) were pretty boring. The romance was blah. The serial killer storyline was the only thing that hooked me to keep reading. That was pretty interesting until the end. I was more than 50% sure I knew who the killer was and ended up being right, but I wasn't sure enough to find reading about the murder mysteries/ongoing serial killings boring.
I don't think there was enough for me to continue with the series, but it wasn't bad. I'll leave you with this gem from back when this book was written (2008):
"And, of course, there was the inevitable scandal. But these days scandals were a dime a dozen. Why, how many wives and mistresses had Donald Trump gone through? And the networks even gave him his very own TV show. Money was the perfume that made the stink of scandal go away." -p.276
Oh, truer words were never written Ms. Ross... If only we stopped at the networks giving him a TV show. The American people gave him the presidency. Or was that the Russians...? :)
May 23, 2011
I read JoANN Ross’ Freefall like I savor chocolate. At first I allowed myself to sample the flavor of the story and the writing style but quickly became in need for more and started to gorge myself. It had been a while since I read in the suspense genre so when I read the blurb of the cover at JoANN Ross’ website it instantly perked my interest. I love the energy of the Southern states of America, the drawl of the voices, the pace of small towns, the scents, the plantations, and the Southern belles. I met Sabrina Swann in Italy and Zach on a mission in Afghan but it is on Swann Island that they meet. On Swann Island everybody knows everybody and gossiping is the fuel it runs on. It is also a place where roots quickly grow and people often return to feel home again.
Sabrina Swann is goal orientated, she looks ahead, works from goal to goal in a single minded ambition. She is gutsy, smart and temperamental but when she is the victim of a horrific accident it puts her whole life on shaky grounds and she seeks refuge. Sabrina was so very recognizable for me in all her actions and reactions to her surroundings. When something major happens to her she seeks comfort of home, she reacquaints with a teenage crush and feels the sizzle again for the man but is in no way going to admit to it. She needs to re-evaluate her life and what she wants to do with it.
Now Zach Tremayne is the complete package of a war torn Navy hero. After a traumatic mission going south Zach is back on Swann Island and struggling with a serious case of post-traumatic stress disorder. He lost his laid-back southern charm and is brooding, haunted by nightmares and loss. For a while he tries to numb himself with booze by night as he works for his father in the construction by day, slowly regaining his footing in the real world. I have a soft spot for the wounded hero who has trouble adjusting and Zach is for sure an emotionally scarred man. To see him come back from it and regain that confident charm back was wonderful to witness. It also stirred his predator side and it has a locked visual on Sabrina.
JoANN Ross hits multiple right notes, from juicy girl talk to butt-liscious men and old friendships. From a woman’s hate/love relationship with Ben & Jerry’s, to tantalizing romantic developments. A blend of impetuous attraction, romance and passion intertwined with a suspense plot that keeps a fast-moving pace in to the story. And when an enemy opponent with a thirst for dark deeds ups the ante the proverbial shit hits the fan. A person who worships men like; David Burkowitz a.k.a Son of Sam – Ted Bundy – Dennis Radar a.k.a BTK Strangler – The Zodiac Killer & Jack The Ripper, who all most certainly falls in the category; twisted perverted minds. It doesn’t get all blood and gory but the villain’s need for pain, for antagonizing the victims, the hunger for screams and absolute obedience is escalating in chills and thrills galore.
The writing of this author is fluent and easy to devour, before I knew it I was halfway along in Freefall. Colorful characters, both major and minor, both good and bad, are all given enough depth to keep me involved and make me feel it all. I would’ve liked more emotional deepening of Sabrina and Zach regarding their individual trauma’s to give that ultimate satisfactory feeling of them concurring it all. It is rounded and emotional only it sometimes felt it progressed easier than it should have. Now the antagonist in Freefall exuded a dark malicious charisma that was spine shivering brutal with no regard for life. The suspense lover in me relished in the inside scoop I had and the edgy effect this villain created within the story. It allowed Freefall to thrive more as a romantic suspense novel. It steered the plot from mediocre to exciting and while a bit rushed in the ending it is befitting the Southern culture which seems to be founded on secrets.
The romance between Sabrina and Zach is as sultry as it can be in the South. The sexual innuendo between them made my toes curl in anticipation of any action between the sheets. In the end the frequency of encounters are modest but their physical attraction is a tangible growing force which undoubtedly inserted a lush, sultry feel to their romance. Add a growing emotional connection and it created an ending that was high risk for sure.
Between the suspense plot and the romance the backdrop of Swann Island and the supporting cast there played a significant part. Characters like Nate Spencer, Dr. Honeycutt and his wife Lillian, Titiana Davis, the father of Zach – John Tremayne, they breathe life in to the small town on the island. All of them protrude that easy going Southern energy of long forgotten times where life’s rhythm took it down a notch. Where boys went out hunting with their father, where women congregate under the disguise of a tea party and gossip away, or, trade news as they see it. Where sins and secrets are a public knowledge and through the author’s imagination I became an inhabitant of the town.
The passion for the military in all its aspects is evident as the story of Zach and Sabrina unfolds. JoANN Ross has delivered an easy to read romantic suspense novel that I gobbled up in one take and made me instantly want more of the High Risk series.
It isn’t often that an opening sentence instantly hooked me but JoANN Ross did with this one:
In her dreams, Hallie Conroy was married to a hottie heart surgeon who could have graced the cover of any of the romance novels she devoured like Godiva truffles.
Some great girl talk between Sabrina & childhood girl friend, Titiana Davis:
3,5 stars
Sabrina Swann is goal orientated, she looks ahead, works from goal to goal in a single minded ambition. She is gutsy, smart and temperamental but when she is the victim of a horrific accident it puts her whole life on shaky grounds and she seeks refuge. Sabrina was so very recognizable for me in all her actions and reactions to her surroundings. When something major happens to her she seeks comfort of home, she reacquaints with a teenage crush and feels the sizzle again for the man but is in no way going to admit to it. She needs to re-evaluate her life and what she wants to do with it.
Now Zach Tremayne is the complete package of a war torn Navy hero. After a traumatic mission going south Zach is back on Swann Island and struggling with a serious case of post-traumatic stress disorder. He lost his laid-back southern charm and is brooding, haunted by nightmares and loss. For a while he tries to numb himself with booze by night as he works for his father in the construction by day, slowly regaining his footing in the real world. I have a soft spot for the wounded hero who has trouble adjusting and Zach is for sure an emotionally scarred man. To see him come back from it and regain that confident charm back was wonderful to witness. It also stirred his predator side and it has a locked visual on Sabrina.
JoANN Ross hits multiple right notes, from juicy girl talk to butt-liscious men and old friendships. From a woman’s hate/love relationship with Ben & Jerry’s, to tantalizing romantic developments. A blend of impetuous attraction, romance and passion intertwined with a suspense plot that keeps a fast-moving pace in to the story. And when an enemy opponent with a thirst for dark deeds ups the ante the proverbial shit hits the fan. A person who worships men like; David Burkowitz a.k.a Son of Sam – Ted Bundy – Dennis Radar a.k.a BTK Strangler – The Zodiac Killer & Jack The Ripper, who all most certainly falls in the category; twisted perverted minds. It doesn’t get all blood and gory but the villain’s need for pain, for antagonizing the victims, the hunger for screams and absolute obedience is escalating in chills and thrills galore.
The writing of this author is fluent and easy to devour, before I knew it I was halfway along in Freefall. Colorful characters, both major and minor, both good and bad, are all given enough depth to keep me involved and make me feel it all. I would’ve liked more emotional deepening of Sabrina and Zach regarding their individual trauma’s to give that ultimate satisfactory feeling of them concurring it all. It is rounded and emotional only it sometimes felt it progressed easier than it should have. Now the antagonist in Freefall exuded a dark malicious charisma that was spine shivering brutal with no regard for life. The suspense lover in me relished in the inside scoop I had and the edgy effect this villain created within the story. It allowed Freefall to thrive more as a romantic suspense novel. It steered the plot from mediocre to exciting and while a bit rushed in the ending it is befitting the Southern culture which seems to be founded on secrets.
The romance between Sabrina and Zach is as sultry as it can be in the South. The sexual innuendo between them made my toes curl in anticipation of any action between the sheets. In the end the frequency of encounters are modest but their physical attraction is a tangible growing force which undoubtedly inserted a lush, sultry feel to their romance. Add a growing emotional connection and it created an ending that was high risk for sure.
Between the suspense plot and the romance the backdrop of Swann Island and the supporting cast there played a significant part. Characters like Nate Spencer, Dr. Honeycutt and his wife Lillian, Titiana Davis, the father of Zach – John Tremayne, they breathe life in to the small town on the island. All of them protrude that easy going Southern energy of long forgotten times where life’s rhythm took it down a notch. Where boys went out hunting with their father, where women congregate under the disguise of a tea party and gossip away, or, trade news as they see it. Where sins and secrets are a public knowledge and through the author’s imagination I became an inhabitant of the town.
The passion for the military in all its aspects is evident as the story of Zach and Sabrina unfolds. JoANN Ross has delivered an easy to read romantic suspense novel that I gobbled up in one take and made me instantly want more of the High Risk series.
It isn’t often that an opening sentence instantly hooked me but JoANN Ross did with this one:
In her dreams, Hallie Conroy was married to a hottie heart surgeon who could have graced the cover of any of the romance novels she devoured like Godiva truffles.
Some great girl talk between Sabrina & childhood girl friend, Titiana Davis:
“You’ve seen Zach already?”
“He was fixing the roof when I left.”
“Lucky girl. That man was sexy as homemade sin back in high school, but damned if he hasn’t grown up to be one seriously scrumptious piece of eye candy.”
“I suppose he’s good looking enough. If you like his type.”
“Let’s see.” Titiana tapped a fingernail against her lip as she considered that idea. “Tough. Macho. Ripped, rock-hard body to die for, with those world-weary, wounded-soul eyes that make a woman want to kiss the hottie everywhere it hurts and make it feel better.”
3,5 stars
June 25, 2023
I like this book I just wish there was more to it. The romance between Zac and Sabrina was a bit fast considering they haven't seen each other in 10 years. However it was also very sweet. There was no miscommunication between them. They were very honest and upfront about what they wanted from each other. The relationship was very wholesome.
The suspense was lacking. There weren't a lot of clues which made sense as Zac and Sabrina wasn't involved with the case. The killings just took part in the same town. Because there wasn't this leadup or many insight into who the killer was HOW he was reveal was disappointing. It literally all happened in the last three chapters. PLUS they weren't DETAILED chapters either. Which means there wasn't the shock factor from people (family, cops, town, etc) learning who it was.
The suspense was lacking. There weren't a lot of clues which made sense as Zac and Sabrina wasn't involved with the case. The killings just took part in the same town. Because there wasn't this leadup or many insight into who the killer was HOW he was reveal was disappointing. It literally all happened in the last three chapters. PLUS they weren't DETAILED chapters either. Which means there wasn't the shock factor from people (family, cops, town, etc) learning who it was.
November 2, 2021
i like this author a lot, especially her racier novels. this was the first in a short series and i had already read the others. liked them all. romance, military, mystery, regular every day life, a little bit of everything. a novel you don't have to think about too hard and purely for entertainment. enjoyed it.
July 10, 2017
3.5 stars
I enjoyed this book, but I had some trouble really getting into it. As the book went on, though, I became increasingly engaged. Overall, the book wasn't spectacular, but it was still enjoyable.
I enjoyed this book, but I had some trouble really getting into it. As the book went on, though, I became increasingly engaged. Overall, the book wasn't spectacular, but it was still enjoyable.
September 26, 2023
I was a little disappointed in this one- while the last few chapters were really good and it had a twist I didn’t see coming, I felt like too much of the book was about the relationship between Zach and Sabrina and the suspense was kind of on the back burner til the end.
October 31, 2017
Not a fast story. I hate to say this about any book, but I was glad when I was finished.
April 30, 2018
New author for me, really enjoyed the book
October 21, 2021
5 stars for what it is...
Escapist FLUFF
But
Really good escapist fluff
Escapist FLUFF
But
Really good escapist fluff
February 22, 2022
Zach and Sabrina were soooo cute. Their story was also Wiiiiild though.....
July 24, 2022
This wasn't a bad book. I did enjoy the suspense part. Romance isn't my favorite genre but if you like it this would be a good book to read.
August 10, 2025
Enjoyed! First I have read in this genre and really liked it!
May 11, 2023
This novel suffers from too much exposition right off the bat. The first few chapters are a confusing mess of POV shifts that make you scramble to figure out what the heck the story is supposed to be about.
That said, once you get over that hurdle and the plot begins moving, then it's easier to get through. But it is still two very separate stories that almost don't belong together until the very end when the FMC gets kidnapped and the MMC goes after them.
Not a bad read overall, and the prose is great, but the two storylines almost didn't belong together and I was tempted to skip the murderer POV bits just because they felt like they didn't belong. I would've been happy with either a murder mystery plot (the sheriff and the FBI agent?) or a childhood-friends/acquaintances-to-lovers plot with a dash of healing from their traumas together.
Also, sidenote: after finishing the book I looked back at the cover and realized it didn't really belong, lol. Sure, the SEAL guy shirtless is ok but I don't think the girl in a bikini happened...? Anyway, kind of misleading. I will admit I expected a cute beachside romance with a healthy dose of suspense from the cover.
That said, once you get over that hurdle and the plot begins moving, then it's easier to get through. But it is still two very separate stories that almost don't belong together until the very end when the FMC gets kidnapped and the MMC goes after them.
Not a bad read overall, and the prose is great, but the two storylines almost didn't belong together and I was tempted to skip the murderer POV bits just because they felt like they didn't belong. I would've been happy with either a murder mystery plot (the sheriff and the FBI agent?) or a childhood-friends/acquaintances-to-lovers plot with a dash of healing from their traumas together.
Also, sidenote: after finishing the book I looked back at the cover and realized it didn't really belong, lol. Sure, the SEAL guy shirtless is ok but I don't think the girl in a bikini happened...? Anyway, kind of misleading. I will admit I expected a cute beachside romance with a healthy dose of suspense from the cover.
June 21, 2017
Author: JoAnn Ross
First published: 2008
Length: 355 pages, 6243 kindle locations
Setting: Contemporary. Swann Island, South Carolina.
Sex: Very Explicit. Very Frequent.
Hero: SEAL needing to heal. Working construction.
Heroine: Hotel Manager injured in a suicide bombing, also healing.
Trigger: Death and battle in Afghanistan.
Trigger: Suicide/terrorist bombing of hotel in Italy.
Trigger: Violent abuse/torture/rape/sexual slavery/murder.
Linked to Ross’ Shelter Bay series, but much more violent and dark.
A shock after reading her light small-town series.
This is a very dark romantic suspense of the Linda Howard, Elizabeth Lowell ilk.
It was good, but dark. Heading towards unreadable (for me) is some of the BadGuy scenes.
But memorable.
High Risk:
Book 1 Freefall - Zach Tremayne and Sabrina Swan
Book 2 Crossfire - Caitlin Cavanaugh and Quinn McKade
Book 3 Shattered - Kirby Campbell and Shane Garrett
Book 4 Breakpoint - Dallas O'Halloran and Julianne Decatur
Shelter Bay:
Book 1 The Homecoming - Sax Douchett and Kara Conway
Book 2 One Summer - Gabriel St. James and Charity Tiernan
Book 3 On Lavender Lane - Lucas Chaffee and Madeline Durand
Book 4 Moonshell Beach - J.T. Douchett and Mary Joyce
Book 5 Sea Glass Winter - Dillon Slater and Claire Templeton
Book 6 Castaway Cove - Mac Culhane and Annie Shepherd
Book 7 Christmas in Shelter Bay - Cole Douchett and Kelli Carpenter
Book 8 You Again - Meghann Quinn and Adam Wayne
Book 9 Beyond the Sea - Conn Brennan and Sedona Sullivan
Book 10 Sunset Point - Tess Lombardi and Nate Breslin
References:
Author's website: http://www.joannross.com
Author on w’pedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/JoAnn_Ross
(ISBN 9781101211595)
-CR-
First published: 2008
Length: 355 pages, 6243 kindle locations
Setting: Contemporary. Swann Island, South Carolina.
Sex: Very Explicit. Very Frequent.
Hero: SEAL needing to heal. Working construction.
Heroine: Hotel Manager injured in a suicide bombing, also healing.
Trigger: Death and battle in Afghanistan.
Trigger: Suicide/terrorist bombing of hotel in Italy.
Trigger: Violent abuse/torture/rape/sexual slavery/murder.
Linked to Ross’ Shelter Bay series, but much more violent and dark.
A shock after reading her light small-town series.
This is a very dark romantic suspense of the Linda Howard, Elizabeth Lowell ilk.
It was good, but dark. Heading towards unreadable (for me) is some of the BadGuy scenes.
But memorable.
High Risk:
Book 1 Freefall - Zach Tremayne and Sabrina Swan
Book 2 Crossfire - Caitlin Cavanaugh and Quinn McKade
Book 3 Shattered - Kirby Campbell and Shane Garrett
Book 4 Breakpoint - Dallas O'Halloran and Julianne Decatur
Shelter Bay:
Book 1 The Homecoming - Sax Douchett and Kara Conway
Book 2 One Summer - Gabriel St. James and Charity Tiernan
Book 3 On Lavender Lane - Lucas Chaffee and Madeline Durand
Book 4 Moonshell Beach - J.T. Douchett and Mary Joyce
Book 5 Sea Glass Winter - Dillon Slater and Claire Templeton
Book 6 Castaway Cove - Mac Culhane and Annie Shepherd
Book 7 Christmas in Shelter Bay - Cole Douchett and Kelli Carpenter
Book 8 You Again - Meghann Quinn and Adam Wayne
Book 9 Beyond the Sea - Conn Brennan and Sedona Sullivan
Book 10 Sunset Point - Tess Lombardi and Nate Breslin
References:
Author's website: http://www.joannross.com
Author on w’pedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/JoAnn_Ross
(ISBN 9781101211595)
-CR-
September 28, 2010
2.5 stars. Ok, but I wouldn’t recommend it unless a reader is craving more romantic suspense novels.
It was ordinary and predictable. Nothing surprised or delighted me. I didn’t feel enough emotion or anticipation for the couple. At times I wished it would be over. But, it was still an ok read.
This is high intensity suspense with a perverted serial killer (“sicko”) who keeps women in a cage, tortures them sometimes for weeks, and then kills them. Caution for sensitive readers: repulsive and stomach-turning torture scenes.
Story Brief:
Zach suffers post traumatic stress and left the military. He is working for his father’s home construction business on Swan Island. Sabrina was managing a hotel in Italy when a terrorist bomb blew up the hotel, burying her under rubble. She survived and returned to her home on Swan Island for awhile. Sabrina and Zach start to fall in love as they soothe and help each other to heal. Dead bodies start turning up on the island, the work of a serial killer.
CAUTION SPOILERS:
I was angry at the cliffhanger technique used in the beginning of the book. The author switched back and forth among three scenes, a military operation going badly in Afghanistan, a hotel bombing in Florence Italy and a serial killer torturing a woman. I don’t mind switching among stories, but I hated the cliffhanger style, for example: on page 7, a helicopter is hit with a rocket-propelled grenade. The next sentence is “Then all hell broke loose.” Then the author switches to a scene at a hotel in Italy. At the end of that scene on page 14 there is an explosion, screams filled the air, “Sabrina felt herself falling. Then everything went black.” The next sentence switches back to the military scene. There were six of these cliffhanger endings in the first 25 pages.
There was a touching and enjoyable scene at the end in which Sabrina has a conversation with Richard Cunningham.
Story length: 375 pages. Sexual language: strong/erotic. Number of sex scenes: 9. Length of sex scenes: 2 short scenes (less than 1 page) 6 medium scenes (1 to 3 pages) 1 long scene (9 pages). Setting: current day Swan Island off the coast of South Carolina plus two short scenes in Afghanistan and Italy. Copyright: 2008. Genre: erotic romantic suspense with torture.
It was ordinary and predictable. Nothing surprised or delighted me. I didn’t feel enough emotion or anticipation for the couple. At times I wished it would be over. But, it was still an ok read.
This is high intensity suspense with a perverted serial killer (“sicko”) who keeps women in a cage, tortures them sometimes for weeks, and then kills them. Caution for sensitive readers: repulsive and stomach-turning torture scenes.
Story Brief:
Zach suffers post traumatic stress and left the military. He is working for his father’s home construction business on Swan Island. Sabrina was managing a hotel in Italy when a terrorist bomb blew up the hotel, burying her under rubble. She survived and returned to her home on Swan Island for awhile. Sabrina and Zach start to fall in love as they soothe and help each other to heal. Dead bodies start turning up on the island, the work of a serial killer.
CAUTION SPOILERS:
I was angry at the cliffhanger technique used in the beginning of the book. The author switched back and forth among three scenes, a military operation going badly in Afghanistan, a hotel bombing in Florence Italy and a serial killer torturing a woman. I don’t mind switching among stories, but I hated the cliffhanger style, for example: on page 7, a helicopter is hit with a rocket-propelled grenade. The next sentence is “Then all hell broke loose.” Then the author switches to a scene at a hotel in Italy. At the end of that scene on page 14 there is an explosion, screams filled the air, “Sabrina felt herself falling. Then everything went black.” The next sentence switches back to the military scene. There were six of these cliffhanger endings in the first 25 pages.
There was a touching and enjoyable scene at the end in which Sabrina has a conversation with Richard Cunningham.
Story length: 375 pages. Sexual language: strong/erotic. Number of sex scenes: 9. Length of sex scenes: 2 short scenes (less than 1 page) 6 medium scenes (1 to 3 pages) 1 long scene (9 pages). Setting: current day Swan Island off the coast of South Carolina plus two short scenes in Afghanistan and Italy. Copyright: 2008. Genre: erotic romantic suspense with torture.
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