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Wrongfully Accused
Detective Gabriel Hugo has never been able to forget Kate Franklin. Eight years ago he let down his barriers and made love to her, but guilt and regret tore them apart.
Now she's the prime suspect in the murder of her second husband, an ambitious congressman. The FBI wants Gabe to use his connection to Kate to prove her guilt. Unfortunately his desire for Kate is as intense and forbidden as ever.
Kate is shocked to be a suspect and doubly shocked that the lead detective is the man she has always wanted. Eight years ago Gabe hadn't been willing to hear that she was in love with him, and nothing has changed. But when the attacks on Kate's life begin can she trust Gabe to prove her innocence and keep her safe?
98,000 words
Now she's the prime suspect in the murder of her second husband, an ambitious congressman. The FBI wants Gabe to use his connection to Kate to prove her guilt. Unfortunately his desire for Kate is as intense and forbidden as ever.
Kate is shocked to be a suspect and doubly shocked that the lead detective is the man she has always wanted. Eight years ago Gabe hadn't been willing to hear that she was in love with him, and nothing has changed. But when the attacks on Kate's life begin can she trust Gabe to prove her innocence and keep her safe?
98,000 words
278 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 14, 2013
2 people are currently reading
138 people want to read
About the author
Ana Barrons
3 books12 followersAna Barrons is a New England native transplanted to Washington, DC, where she writes romantic suspense inspired by daily newspaper stories about politics, backstabbing, theft, dishonesty and several varieties of murder and mayhem.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
January 19, 2013
This one, provided by netgalley, is probably one of the better political-suspense-romance stories I've read. The plot is very strong, it is very credible, and very apposite with the political mess that US Congress finds itself in at the moment. There's enough politics to give the plot and story structure, without overwhelming the romance between the hero and heroine, which takes center stage throughout the book, without being too blah (I mean, these two have a really messy history).
The action moves with the perfect pace - fast throughout! And (on the whole) the secondary characters fit the plot, with no sore thumbs sticking out of place.
I did have a few issues though.
The book kinda lost my attention a bit towards the end. Up until the 85% mark, I had been totally sucked in (to the point, where I should have been doing a bit of work and got a tad sidetracked.. my bad), and I could not put it down, but when it became clear that everything was going to work out, I don't know, I found it a bit too formulaic. Now, I know that the hero and heroine need to get their HEA. It's the unwritten rule of romance. But does everyone else need to get a HEA as well? There's something about letting the secondary characters have messy endings that I find attractive in contemporaries, and I think it would have worked really well here.
I also had a bit of a problem with the heroine. Compared to the hero, who comes across as wonderfully screwed up with guilt and lust and regrets and anger, the heroine felt a bit too much on the one-dimensional side, and a bit drippy. Didn't she have ANY suspicions about her nasty husband? I mean, he was a bit of a s*!t, and she was thinking about a divorce and she didn't start poking around? And how could she not have known about the money? I don't know. Normally, I wouldn't have questioned it, but the rest of the plot and the characters were so good, that the heroine was a bit obvious as a weakness.
The author has a lot of experience of working in DC, and I do wander what would happen if she wrote a story which had more politics in it - like she really just, well, let loose. The political-thriller-suspense-romance is a sub-genre that seems a bit under-represented to me, and rather overpopulated with weak political plots, and lots of oversexed Congressmen. But with this author's background, that would be a book I'd be intrigued to read from her.
Anyway, 4 stars (it would have been 4.5 if the ending had been a bit stronger), I really enjoyed it.
The action moves with the perfect pace - fast throughout! And (on the whole) the secondary characters fit the plot, with no sore thumbs sticking out of place.
I did have a few issues though.
The book kinda lost my attention a bit towards the end. Up until the 85% mark, I had been totally sucked in (to the point, where I should have been doing a bit of work and got a tad sidetracked.. my bad), and I could not put it down, but when it became clear that everything was going to work out, I don't know, I found it a bit too formulaic. Now, I know that the hero and heroine need to get their HEA. It's the unwritten rule of romance. But does everyone else need to get a HEA as well? There's something about letting the secondary characters have messy endings that I find attractive in contemporaries, and I think it would have worked really well here.
I also had a bit of a problem with the heroine. Compared to the hero, who comes across as wonderfully screwed up with guilt and lust and regrets and anger, the heroine felt a bit too much on the one-dimensional side, and a bit drippy. Didn't she have ANY suspicions about her nasty husband? I mean, he was a bit of a s*!t, and she was thinking about a divorce and she didn't start poking around? And how could she not have known about the money? I don't know. Normally, I wouldn't have questioned it, but the rest of the plot and the characters were so good, that the heroine was a bit obvious as a weakness.
The author has a lot of experience of working in DC, and I do wander what would happen if she wrote a story which had more politics in it - like she really just, well, let loose. The political-thriller-suspense-romance is a sub-genre that seems a bit under-represented to me, and rather overpopulated with weak political plots, and lots of oversexed Congressmen. But with this author's background, that would be a book I'd be intrigued to read from her.
Anyway, 4 stars (it would have been 4.5 if the ending had been a bit stronger), I really enjoyed it.
January 15, 2013
Madison's review posted on Guilty Pleasures Book Reviews
4 Stars
Ana Barrons’ debut novel is sure to start your New Year off with a bang. The tangled love story of Gabriel Hugo and Kate Franklin is one that will make you laugh, make you cry, and keep you guessing until the bitter end.
Years ago Gabriel and Kate had a night of passion that changed the course of their lives, more than atruegemawardeither one of them even knew. Now that passion manifests itself in different ways, ending up with the two of them hurting more than they care to admit.
When Kate’s second husband dies under suspicious circumstances, Gabriel has to prove that Kate either has some really bad luck, or she’s a black widow. A woman who’s husband’s end up dying after she marries them. Her life is tragic really, there are many things that have made Kate the woman that she is today and hardly any of them were good. She want’s so badly to just be a normal woman that the man she loves – loves back.
Gabriel is conflicted. He is an officer of the law, a father to an adorable boy, and a man who is in love with a woman he’s convinced he can’t have. It causes him to question everything he’s ever believed in. Even going so far as to make him question his family – which at one point was the most important thing in the world to him.
When the two of them let their barriers and guards down, they are unstoppable. The reader can tell just how much they love each other, just how much they’ve missed each other. Unfortunately…reality always seems to encroach on those moments that moves these two forward in their relationship.
Just when you think it’s all over with the two of them…attempts on Kate’s life brings Gabriel back around. As the two of them try to figure out who’s trying to kill her, they also try to fight the feelings that neither one of them can continue to deny.
I’m so glad that I decided to choose Ms. Barrons’ book to review as one of the first of the year. Start out with this one and you’ll be glad that you did!
Review copy provided for an honest review.
4 Stars
Ana Barrons’ debut novel is sure to start your New Year off with a bang. The tangled love story of Gabriel Hugo and Kate Franklin is one that will make you laugh, make you cry, and keep you guessing until the bitter end.
Years ago Gabriel and Kate had a night of passion that changed the course of their lives, more than atruegemawardeither one of them even knew. Now that passion manifests itself in different ways, ending up with the two of them hurting more than they care to admit.
When Kate’s second husband dies under suspicious circumstances, Gabriel has to prove that Kate either has some really bad luck, or she’s a black widow. A woman who’s husband’s end up dying after she marries them. Her life is tragic really, there are many things that have made Kate the woman that she is today and hardly any of them were good. She want’s so badly to just be a normal woman that the man she loves – loves back.
Gabriel is conflicted. He is an officer of the law, a father to an adorable boy, and a man who is in love with a woman he’s convinced he can’t have. It causes him to question everything he’s ever believed in. Even going so far as to make him question his family – which at one point was the most important thing in the world to him.
When the two of them let their barriers and guards down, they are unstoppable. The reader can tell just how much they love each other, just how much they’ve missed each other. Unfortunately…reality always seems to encroach on those moments that moves these two forward in their relationship.
Just when you think it’s all over with the two of them…attempts on Kate’s life brings Gabriel back around. As the two of them try to figure out who’s trying to kill her, they also try to fight the feelings that neither one of them can continue to deny.
I’m so glad that I decided to choose Ms. Barrons’ book to review as one of the first of the year. Start out with this one and you’ll be glad that you did!
Review copy provided for an honest review.
January 5, 2013
This book tells the story of Kate, who is suspected to murder her husband, Drew found herself to be constantly in the companion of Gabe. They have a history prior to her marrying Gabe’s brother, Steve and thereafter Drew when Steve died in an accident. Gabe, who regretted things that happened between them, is treating her as though she is invisible since the death of Steve. Yet, they could not deny their attraction for each other. When Gabe’s superior assigned him to be incharge of the investigation of her current husband death, he found himself to be in danger in losing his control.
This book is from a mystery romance genre and its plot basically based on the investigation and mystery on the case surrounding the death of Drew. I was rather perplexed to the identity behind Drew’s death and thoroughly surprise at the end of the book to find out the actual person and reason behind the attack.
This book is from a mystery romance genre and its plot basically based on the investigation and mystery on the case surrounding the death of Drew. I was rather perplexed to the identity behind Drew’s death and thoroughly surprise at the end of the book to find out the actual person and reason behind the attack.
January 18, 2013
I have this a B- at All About Romance, so 3.5 stars here, I suppose.
As a romantic suspense debut, Wrongfully Accused comes on strong. Set in Washington DC, the plot involves a convoluted string of events involving everything from political maneuvering to adultery to terrorism. A likable heroine and intricate plotting carry the book and even if the events described sometimes seem rather fantastic, the author lays out her story in a way that kept me flying right through it. When I finished, I realized that I really wanted to see where this author will go next. The romance has its weak points, but the plot action keeps the pages turning.
oor Kate Franklin has not had an easy time of things. Her first husband died tragically when she was only in her early twenties. Though he left her in a comfortable financial position, Kate longed to live again. This led her to marry Congressman Drew Franklin. As the book opens, we learn that a private plane carrying Drew Franklin and several other members of Congress has exploded. The tragedy occurred on the eve of a vote that could have possibly led to passage of law giving the government vast, sweeping powers to monitor its citizens for purposes of security, so authorities wonder if the act could have been that of terrorists. However, some also wonder if the wealthy and twice-widowed Kate could have had something to do with this turn of events.
While the FBI is involved as well, the lead detective from the DC police force is Gabe Hugo. Gabe and Kate have quite a past. While they enjoyed a night of passion some eight years ago, Kate went on into her first marriage - to Gabe's brother. Following that man's death, Gabe blamed Kate and led his family to treat her as an outcast as well. However, Kate's position as godmother to Gabe's son complicates things. Gabe may resent Kate, but his son loves her more than almost anyone in his world, so Gabe ends up having to spend plenty of unwanted time around her. Adding the investigation of the plane crash and the parties' unresolved feelings from their night together into this dynamic creates all kinds of believable tension.
This is a partial review. The complete text is available at All About Romance: http://www.likesbooks.com/cgi-bin/boo...
As a romantic suspense debut, Wrongfully Accused comes on strong. Set in Washington DC, the plot involves a convoluted string of events involving everything from political maneuvering to adultery to terrorism. A likable heroine and intricate plotting carry the book and even if the events described sometimes seem rather fantastic, the author lays out her story in a way that kept me flying right through it. When I finished, I realized that I really wanted to see where this author will go next. The romance has its weak points, but the plot action keeps the pages turning.
oor Kate Franklin has not had an easy time of things. Her first husband died tragically when she was only in her early twenties. Though he left her in a comfortable financial position, Kate longed to live again. This led her to marry Congressman Drew Franklin. As the book opens, we learn that a private plane carrying Drew Franklin and several other members of Congress has exploded. The tragedy occurred on the eve of a vote that could have possibly led to passage of law giving the government vast, sweeping powers to monitor its citizens for purposes of security, so authorities wonder if the act could have been that of terrorists. However, some also wonder if the wealthy and twice-widowed Kate could have had something to do with this turn of events.
While the FBI is involved as well, the lead detective from the DC police force is Gabe Hugo. Gabe and Kate have quite a past. While they enjoyed a night of passion some eight years ago, Kate went on into her first marriage - to Gabe's brother. Following that man's death, Gabe blamed Kate and led his family to treat her as an outcast as well. However, Kate's position as godmother to Gabe's son complicates things. Gabe may resent Kate, but his son loves her more than almost anyone in his world, so Gabe ends up having to spend plenty of unwanted time around her. Adding the investigation of the plane crash and the parties' unresolved feelings from their night together into this dynamic creates all kinds of believable tension.
This is a partial review. The complete text is available at All About Romance: http://www.likesbooks.com/cgi-bin/boo...
February 21, 2013
Six sentences in I realized I would not be putting this book down until I'd read the final page. Not only was I held rapt by the suspense-filled scene unfolding in front of me, but I had it bad for the hero. Or I did, until the Wrongfully Accused part kicked in — then of course I had to keep reading to find out how Kate is vindicated, and how Gabe gets his comeuppance. Then there was the little matter of the villain's identity — and all I have to say about that is that this author is delightfully diabolical.
Wrongfully Accused is a compelling, quick-paced blend of political intrigue, gritty suspense and wrenching romance. The plot involves several intriguing story lines, and Barrons lays down a number of trails that makes guessing who's involved — and why — a true challenge. (And in my case, an impossible one.)
Although Kate is a multimillionaire many times over, the author renders her a relatable character by killing off people she cares about, threatening her financial security — in a big way — and burdening her with hardcore troubles in the romance department. She's not as layered as the other characters, and considering how strong she's proved to be throughout a string of tragedies, she does surprise me with how much she tolerates from Gabe.
I never fell completely out of love with Gabe — he's partially redeemed by his fierce love for his son and his protectiveness toward Kate, though I wish he'd realized sooner how much his behavior made her suffer. Then again, his cluelessness made the ending that much more gratifying. Wrongfully Accused is one dynamic debut, and Barrons is a thrilling addition to the romantic suspense genre.
Wrongfully Accused is a compelling, quick-paced blend of political intrigue, gritty suspense and wrenching romance. The plot involves several intriguing story lines, and Barrons lays down a number of trails that makes guessing who's involved — and why — a true challenge. (And in my case, an impossible one.)
Although Kate is a multimillionaire many times over, the author renders her a relatable character by killing off people she cares about, threatening her financial security — in a big way — and burdening her with hardcore troubles in the romance department. She's not as layered as the other characters, and considering how strong she's proved to be throughout a string of tragedies, she does surprise me with how much she tolerates from Gabe.
I never fell completely out of love with Gabe — he's partially redeemed by his fierce love for his son and his protectiveness toward Kate, though I wish he'd realized sooner how much his behavior made her suffer. Then again, his cluelessness made the ending that much more gratifying. Wrongfully Accused is one dynamic debut, and Barrons is a thrilling addition to the romantic suspense genre.
February 16, 2013
I’m usually not interested in books involving politics, but I’m glad I didn’t let this turn me off as I was a pleasantly surprised by this novel. The political side of things is covered just enough to help the plot move forward, while the main story revolves around trying to figure out who the antagonist is, along with Kate and Gabe’s palpable chemistry and their past - which they both need to come to terms with before they can move on with the possibility of having a life together.
The writer did a wonderful job of misdirecting and keeping me guessing as to who was behind the death of Kate’s husband, including how it all actually happened. The answers to these questions are both surprising and satisfying. Which is what I love. I hate figuring out who the bad guy is too early on, but I simply had no idea who it was until it was revealed.
I loved both Gabe and Kate, and thought the attraction and feelings they had toward one another were believable and sexy and hell.
The climax is filled with excitement, and I was certainly swept along by fear for all involved. I simply couldn’t put this book down until I was done.
Overall, I’m so glad I didn’t let the mention of politics put me off this book. It is filled with a superb balance of romance, action and intrigue that will keep you turning pages late into the night.
The writer did a wonderful job of misdirecting and keeping me guessing as to who was behind the death of Kate’s husband, including how it all actually happened. The answers to these questions are both surprising and satisfying. Which is what I love. I hate figuring out who the bad guy is too early on, but I simply had no idea who it was until it was revealed.
I loved both Gabe and Kate, and thought the attraction and feelings they had toward one another were believable and sexy and hell.
The climax is filled with excitement, and I was certainly swept along by fear for all involved. I simply couldn’t put this book down until I was done.
Overall, I’m so glad I didn’t let the mention of politics put me off this book. It is filled with a superb balance of romance, action and intrigue that will keep you turning pages late into the night.
July 1, 2014
loved this story x
March 26, 2023
DNF 50%
Hero is an ass. I'm at 50%, he's not apologized for the way he treated her like trash for years. He doesn't believe her innocence, restrains her physically and tries to kiss her. That's not romantic at all.
Heroine doesn't have a backbone, can't tell him no, because he's a cop and working on her case. It's just too much. She's been through so much pain and abuse and neglect from every side. No one has been in her corner since forever.
I just can't believe they will find their way back to each other, that she will forgive him for all the hurt and live happily ever after with him.
Hero is an ass. I'm at 50%, he's not apologized for the way he treated her like trash for years. He doesn't believe her innocence, restrains her physically and tries to kiss her. That's not romantic at all.
Heroine doesn't have a backbone, can't tell him no, because he's a cop and working on her case. It's just too much. She's been through so much pain and abuse and neglect from every side. No one has been in her corner since forever.
I just can't believe they will find their way back to each other, that she will forgive him for all the hurt and live happily ever after with him.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 21, 2018
One of my favorite romantic suspense novels. It had all the components that make a book hard to put down. Gabe and Kate had the perfect chemistry.
December 13, 2014
NOTE: THE ONE STAR IS BECAUSE I HATED THIS BOOK FOR THE CHEATING COUPLE!
Hard to carry on when the story begins with, and the romance started, with the MC cheating! The hero has sex with his brother's girlfriend/fiancee while the cheating heroine's justification is that her fiance prefers sleeping separately even though they live together. The cuckolded guy's brother, at least, feels guilty for not being able too keep his hands and dick off the woman, but the heroine's lame excuse for her cheating ruined this book for me. If the heroine's relationship with the guy's brother was on the rocks and their sex life was crappy, it might be understandable but cheating heroine tells the brother she loves her fiance! So her cheating is excusable and he shouldn't judge her too harshly, is her attitude. If this were erotica and she and fiance had an open relationship, fine. But poor fiance just happens to like sleeping without someone taking up his personal space. Not everyone likes spooning through the night and these couples do NOT use that as an excuse to cheat.
I'm surprised none of the other reviewers mentioned this so I thought I must have misread the cheating portion which occurs in the Prologue and the story proper begin 8 years later after cheating heroine's first husband (the hero's cuckolded brother) and her second husband are both killed.
Perhaps the fault lies with me for going into this thinking it was a romantic suspense. Perhaps if I'd approached it as a police procedural/murder investigation involving a couple whose involvement began with cheating I might have felt better about this book.
Hard to carry on when the story begins with, and the romance started, with the MC cheating! The hero has sex with his brother's girlfriend/fiancee while the cheating heroine's justification is that her fiance prefers sleeping separately even though they live together. The cuckolded guy's brother, at least, feels guilty for not being able too keep his hands and dick off the woman, but the heroine's lame excuse for her cheating ruined this book for me. If the heroine's relationship with the guy's brother was on the rocks and their sex life was crappy, it might be understandable but cheating heroine tells the brother she loves her fiance! So her cheating is excusable and he shouldn't judge her too harshly, is her attitude. If this were erotica and she and fiance had an open relationship, fine. But poor fiance just happens to like sleeping without someone taking up his personal space. Not everyone likes spooning through the night and these couples do NOT use that as an excuse to cheat.
I'm surprised none of the other reviewers mentioned this so I thought I must have misread the cheating portion which occurs in the Prologue and the story proper begin 8 years later after cheating heroine's first husband (the hero's cuckolded brother) and her second husband are both killed.
Perhaps the fault lies with me for going into this thinking it was a romantic suspense. Perhaps if I'd approached it as a police procedural/murder investigation involving a couple whose involvement began with cheating I might have felt better about this book.
September 13, 2021
It's one of the best suspense/mystery/romance I've ever read. Reading this book is like putting all the pieces together to solve an interesting Jigsaw Puzzle. It got me hooked from the first page up to the end. Absolutely heart-stopping, breathtaking, and mind-boggling read.
I sympathized with Kate. She's gone through a lot of painful things for the past years, from losing both her first and second husbands, having a family who didn't love her, and having the only man she'd ever loved believed that she's the one who caused his brother and her first husband Steve's death. And now she's a suspect of killing her second husband, Drew.
And as for Gabe, jeez. He'd always tend to jump to conclusions about Kate. He can't accept that he was in love with his sister-in-law; that's why he always acted like a jerk. But even with my frustration with him, I still found him sexy and hot. And really did enjoy the book.
The plot was very refreshing, filled with lots of suspense. Most characters are well-formed, and I was also able to get to know each of them, including the villains.
I sympathized with Kate. She's gone through a lot of painful things for the past years, from losing both her first and second husbands, having a family who didn't love her, and having the only man she'd ever loved believed that she's the one who caused his brother and her first husband Steve's death. And now she's a suspect of killing her second husband, Drew.
And as for Gabe, jeez. He'd always tend to jump to conclusions about Kate. He can't accept that he was in love with his sister-in-law; that's why he always acted like a jerk. But even with my frustration with him, I still found him sexy and hot. And really did enjoy the book.
The plot was very refreshing, filled with lots of suspense. Most characters are well-formed, and I was also able to get to know each of them, including the villains.
August 9, 2013
I've no idea how I stumbled across this book. Reading it made me think of those cheesy films you sometimes end up watching on a Sunday afternoon on channel 5 that you end up quite enjoying but if you'd put it on on a Saturday night you'd have been disappointed.
Its supposed to be a thriller but I never really felt the suspense or the politics were that convincing, there are however a few convincing hot sex scenes which I have to say I preferred to the drama.
But, yes, its ok, I finished it so it can't have been that bad.
Its supposed to be a thriller but I never really felt the suspense or the politics were that convincing, there are however a few convincing hot sex scenes which I have to say I preferred to the drama.
But, yes, its ok, I finished it so it can't have been that bad.
September 24, 2015
I don't know what rubbed me wrong with this one.
October 9, 2019
Good story.
October 3, 2014
First time reading this author,Ana Barrons, & have really loved the fast pace suspence!!!:)
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews