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Last Call
In a perilous game of trust, a shocking betrayal deals a dangerous hand.
An accidental witness to a murder-for-hire, ex-cop Rhys Clark becomes the target of ruthless killer—one determined to silence her at any cost. Playing dead seems to be the most likely way to stay alive, but when her protection comes in the form of mega-sexy former adversary Nick Massey, Rhys can think of a few fates worse than death.
Nick Massey may have walked away from his troubles, but he never got past wanting Rhys. Once paired undercover, they’d been nothing but fireworks until a botched assignment ended her career, sending his into a tailspin. Now a mysterious client threatens Nick’s life if he doesn’t keep Rhys safe, but it isn’t until fate takes a critical turn that he realizes the devastating he’s been her greatest threat all along.
An accidental witness to a murder-for-hire, ex-cop Rhys Clark becomes the target of ruthless killer—one determined to silence her at any cost. Playing dead seems to be the most likely way to stay alive, but when her protection comes in the form of mega-sexy former adversary Nick Massey, Rhys can think of a few fates worse than death.
Nick Massey may have walked away from his troubles, but he never got past wanting Rhys. Once paired undercover, they’d been nothing but fireworks until a botched assignment ended her career, sending his into a tailspin. Now a mysterious client threatens Nick’s life if he doesn’t keep Rhys safe, but it isn’t until fate takes a critical turn that he realizes the devastating he’s been her greatest threat all along.
- GenresRomantic Suspense
110 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2013
2 people are currently reading
77 people want to read
About the author
Sarah Ballance
33 books693 followersSarah and her husband of what he calls “many long, long years” live on the mid-Atlantic coast with their six young children, all of whom are perfectly adorable when they’re asleep. She never dreamed of becoming an author, but as a homeschooling mom, she often jokes she writes fiction because if she wants anyone to listen to her, she has to make them up. (As it turns out, her characters aren’t much better than the kids). When not buried under piles of laundry, she may be found adrift in the Atlantic (preferably on a boat) or seeking that ever-elusive perfect writing spot where not even the kids can find her.
She loves creating unforgettable stories while putting her characters through an unkind amount of torture—a hobby that has nothing to do with living with six children. (Really.) Though she adores nail-biting mystery and edge-of-your-seat thrillers, Sarah writes in many genres including contemporary and ghostly paranormal romance. Her ever-growing roster of releases may be found on her website.
She loves creating unforgettable stories while putting her characters through an unkind amount of torture—a hobby that has nothing to do with living with six children. (Really.) Though she adores nail-biting mystery and edge-of-your-seat thrillers, Sarah writes in many genres including contemporary and ghostly paranormal romance. Her ever-growing roster of releases may be found on her website.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
March 26, 2013
LAST CALL is classified as romantic suspense. I’d have it as murder/mystery.
Rhys Clarke’s life explodes in the first chapter, when she witnesses a cold-blooded murder. With her life expectancy considerably shortened, she falls into the care of unlikely hero Nick Massey, who is also the person responsible for ending her career as an undercover cop, and the man she holds a candle for. What neither of them know is that the Puppetmaster is using Rhys as bait in a game of revenge.
Sexual tension has always sparked between Nick and Rhys, but the job kept getting in the way. Now they no longer work together, what’s still keeping them apart? You’ll have to read the whole book, to find out.
Sarah Ballance has a precise, crisp writing style that makes this book un-put-down-able. This is the perfect writing style for this genre – it’s intelligent, fun, sharp and neat, and I absolutely loved this reading experience. Every single word is used to achieve its maximum effect; there is no fluff, no padding, no unnecessary turn of phrase.
The story is character driven, and we learn a lot through their interaction. Descriptions are good, and just enough to set the scene and atmosphere. The dialogues flow naturally, instinctively, and intelligently. The fluency of dialogue and narrative pulled me in and kept me interested from page one till the end. I was actually annoyed for having to go to sleep, and picked up the book again as soon as was up again in the morning.
Was there anything I didn’t like? Hmm, the cover really doesn’t do the book justice. There is so much excitement in the story, so many twists and turns, and so much energy. Shame it didn’t seep onto the cover. Still, that is nothing to do with the author. You won’t be able to fault the writing, I promise you that.
A very enjoyable read, by an author who has skilfully wriggled onto my lengthy TBR list. Sarah Ballance fully deserves five stars for this book. I wholeheartedly recommend it.
Rhys Clarke’s life explodes in the first chapter, when she witnesses a cold-blooded murder. With her life expectancy considerably shortened, she falls into the care of unlikely hero Nick Massey, who is also the person responsible for ending her career as an undercover cop, and the man she holds a candle for. What neither of them know is that the Puppetmaster is using Rhys as bait in a game of revenge.
Sexual tension has always sparked between Nick and Rhys, but the job kept getting in the way. Now they no longer work together, what’s still keeping them apart? You’ll have to read the whole book, to find out.
Sarah Ballance has a precise, crisp writing style that makes this book un-put-down-able. This is the perfect writing style for this genre – it’s intelligent, fun, sharp and neat, and I absolutely loved this reading experience. Every single word is used to achieve its maximum effect; there is no fluff, no padding, no unnecessary turn of phrase.
The story is character driven, and we learn a lot through their interaction. Descriptions are good, and just enough to set the scene and atmosphere. The dialogues flow naturally, instinctively, and intelligently. The fluency of dialogue and narrative pulled me in and kept me interested from page one till the end. I was actually annoyed for having to go to sleep, and picked up the book again as soon as was up again in the morning.
Was there anything I didn’t like? Hmm, the cover really doesn’t do the book justice. There is so much excitement in the story, so many twists and turns, and so much energy. Shame it didn’t seep onto the cover. Still, that is nothing to do with the author. You won’t be able to fault the writing, I promise you that.
A very enjoyable read, by an author who has skilfully wriggled onto my lengthy TBR list. Sarah Ballance fully deserves five stars for this book. I wholeheartedly recommend it.
February 18, 2013
I met Sarah through the Six Sentence Sunday blog hop and loved the snippet she posted from this book. When it was released, I wasted no time downloading it. I’m pleased to report it lived up to the promise of the snippets.
I like the fact that Sarah throws the reader right into the middle of the action in this book. It’s a classic cold start and although it took me a few seconds to get caught up, I think the start works quite nicely.
At no point during the story does Sarah back off. She tortures her characters from the very first page to the very last. Although there are points in the book where the plot is a bit predictable, and sometimes I was forced to suspend my sense of reality, I strongly recommend this book to anyone looking for a good suspense novel. You won’t be disappointed.
Both characters are gritty, tough, and passionate, exactly the kind of people you want to have on your side when things go horribly wrong. The chemistry between the pair sizzles Sarah did an excellent job making sure they were both unique and richly drawn characters. I love the fact that both of them had some pretty strict personal moral codes the stuck to.
The setting used in Last Call was dark, appropriate, and incredibly detailed.
Anyone who enjoys a good suspenseful romance will love Last Call.
I like the fact that Sarah throws the reader right into the middle of the action in this book. It’s a classic cold start and although it took me a few seconds to get caught up, I think the start works quite nicely.
At no point during the story does Sarah back off. She tortures her characters from the very first page to the very last. Although there are points in the book where the plot is a bit predictable, and sometimes I was forced to suspend my sense of reality, I strongly recommend this book to anyone looking for a good suspense novel. You won’t be disappointed.
Both characters are gritty, tough, and passionate, exactly the kind of people you want to have on your side when things go horribly wrong. The chemistry between the pair sizzles Sarah did an excellent job making sure they were both unique and richly drawn characters. I love the fact that both of them had some pretty strict personal moral codes the stuck to.
The setting used in Last Call was dark, appropriate, and incredibly detailed.
Anyone who enjoys a good suspenseful romance will love Last Call.
May 24, 2013
This is my first time reading this author's work and it has left with a very good impression, so much so that I am very eager to read more of her work.
Last Call is a nail biting, edge of your seat read. The suspense started from the very first page and it pulled me in such a way that I found I could not stop reading until I found what was going to happen next.
Sarah Ballance has a way of holding her readers' interest until the very last drop.
The main characters were tough yet vulnerable. It was easy to understand what they were both feeling and the difficulties they were being faced with. Nick Clark and Rhys Massey were both undercover cops who have been working together for sometime now. After a botched assignment all communication between them came to an end. However, a dangerous situation arose which found these two back in each others lives. They were now forced to face up to their feelings. The chemistry between these two was definitely hot.
The story flowed from beginning to end and it was very easy to read.
For lovers of romantic suspense Last Call would to a great addition to your must read list.
Last Call is a nail biting, edge of your seat read. The suspense started from the very first page and it pulled me in such a way that I found I could not stop reading until I found what was going to happen next.
Sarah Ballance has a way of holding her readers' interest until the very last drop.
The main characters were tough yet vulnerable. It was easy to understand what they were both feeling and the difficulties they were being faced with. Nick Clark and Rhys Massey were both undercover cops who have been working together for sometime now. After a botched assignment all communication between them came to an end. However, a dangerous situation arose which found these two back in each others lives. They were now forced to face up to their feelings. The chemistry between these two was definitely hot.
The story flowed from beginning to end and it was very easy to read.
For lovers of romantic suspense Last Call would to a great addition to your must read list.
March 3, 2013
Book: Last Call
Author: Sarah Ballance
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Publisher: For the Muse Publishing, 2013
ISBN 13: 978-0-9889995-0-3
Length: 33k (approx. 110 pages)
In the past, he left her wounded in the hospital without saying goodbye. Now he's back and she must put her trust in him to help keep her alive.
LAST CALL by SARAH BALLANCE is a romantic suspense that will have you clutching your Kindle tighter and tighter as you read. The suspense in this book starts out at the very beginning and propels the reader forward throughout the book. The action is so exciting, you won't be able to sit still when you're reading. If that's not enough to convince you to read this book, how about sexual tension between Rhys Clark and her ex-partner, Nick Massey, that is so well written, you as a reader will be begging for them to come together? BEGGING!
I'm a huge fan of Ms. Ballance. I've read several of her books and always look forward to reading more of her work. LAST CALL by SARAH BALLANCE is a must read for all of you lovers of romantic suspense! Don't pass this one up!
Author: Sarah Ballance
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Publisher: For the Muse Publishing, 2013
ISBN 13: 978-0-9889995-0-3
Length: 33k (approx. 110 pages)
In the past, he left her wounded in the hospital without saying goodbye. Now he's back and she must put her trust in him to help keep her alive.
LAST CALL by SARAH BALLANCE is a romantic suspense that will have you clutching your Kindle tighter and tighter as you read. The suspense in this book starts out at the very beginning and propels the reader forward throughout the book. The action is so exciting, you won't be able to sit still when you're reading. If that's not enough to convince you to read this book, how about sexual tension between Rhys Clark and her ex-partner, Nick Massey, that is so well written, you as a reader will be begging for them to come together? BEGGING!
I'm a huge fan of Ms. Ballance. I've read several of her books and always look forward to reading more of her work. LAST CALL by SARAH BALLANCE is a must read for all of you lovers of romantic suspense! Don't pass this one up!
March 17, 2013
She did it again, another fabulous read from author Sarah Ballance. The first pages sink you right into the story. Memories and new action shove you head first into this suspenseful mystery. The hero, Nick, is a great tortured character and Rhys is the kind of heroine I love. She's strong, lovable and not afraid to go after the truth. Early on Nick has this thought: The one beacon in his dark night was Rhys, and he'd yet to forgive himself for what he'd done to her. <--yeap, fabulously tortured. This story has all kinds of passion all mixed in with truth and lies.
But, what is the truth? Sarah will keep you guessing in this one. This is a story with layers in layers. Nothing is given away too soon and the end is rewarding. You should read this one for sure.
But, what is the truth? Sarah will keep you guessing in this one. This is a story with layers in layers. Nothing is given away too soon and the end is rewarding. You should read this one for sure.
May 13, 2013
"Last Call" is a novel by author Sarah Ballance.
The main characters in the novel are two detectives, former partners in cover-up missions, Nick and Rhys. After a tragic event, they have to run away together.
The main characters in the novel are two detectives, former partners in cover-up missions, Nick and Rhys. After a tragic event, they have to run away together.
August 18, 2013
Totally obvious who the baddies were but not so obvious why the H & h cared about each other. Even less obvious why the reader should care about them. For me the only happy ending in this book was that it ended.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews