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The Killer #1
The Heart of a Killer
No one said coming home would be easy. But for Dante Renaldi, it's murder.
Before the Special Forces hero has even unpacked his bags from twelve years of active duty, he's embroiled in murder—corpses bearing the brutal trademark he's seen only once before—on the worst night of his life.
The last time Detective Anna Pallino saw Dante Renaldi, they were in love. Now, he's part of the connection to a string of fresh homicides and a horrible assault that Anna only survived thanks to him.
More than anything, Anna wants to trust Dante. But as the bodies and the coincidences stack up, Anna will have to decide, and fast: Is the man she owes her life to the very same one who wants her dead?
Before the Special Forces hero has even unpacked his bags from twelve years of active duty, he's embroiled in murder—corpses bearing the brutal trademark he's seen only once before—on the worst night of his life.
The last time Detective Anna Pallino saw Dante Renaldi, they were in love. Now, he's part of the connection to a string of fresh homicides and a horrible assault that Anna only survived thanks to him.
More than anything, Anna wants to trust Dante. But as the bodies and the coincidences stack up, Anna will have to decide, and fast: Is the man she owes her life to the very same one who wants her dead?
407 pages, Hardcover
First published October 25, 2011
33 people are currently reading
2406 people want to read
About the author
Jaci Burton
153 books8,294 followersJaci Burton is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling, award-winning author of over 85 books. She lives in Oklahoma and when she isn’t on deadline (which is often), she can usually be found wrestling with her uncooperative garden, wrangling her dogs, watching an unhealthy amount of television, or completely losing track of time reading a great book. She’s a total romantic and longs for the happily ever after in every story, which you’ll find in all her books.. Visit her website at www.jaciburton.com for excerpts, book information and contests.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 167 reviews
September 9, 2011
Not bad. Not exactly what I'm used to from Jaci Burton, so it took me some time to adapt and lower my expectations (romantically, that is). While this is a romantic suspense, it's very heavy on the suspense. Don't expect a heck of a lot of romance in this one. It's strictly a police procedural/who-done-it with a few twists and turns (and surprising killings) along the way to make it interesting. It takes a while for the author to introduce any suspects,and once she does, you pretty much know partly who's involved in the killings. What I didn't suspect was the ending. I mean, I briefly considered this guy as the killer, but something that happened to him in the story made me discard that theory. Boy was I wrong!
If you like a good suspense read that isn't too taxing on the brain, this fills the bill. If you're looking for a whole lot of romance, this isn't the book for you.
I liked the hero, Dante--he was a Special Ops guy back in town for his foster parents anniversary and gets involved with his high school girlfriend Anna (a St. Louis police detective) again when some murders occur that are linked to something that happened to them and their friends (Jeff, Roman, and Gabe) 12 years ago.
Anna was a character that I wasn't too crazy about. She was kind of a controlling hard-ass and I guess I didn't like her suspecting Dante and having doubts about him. I don't know what it was about her but I just didn't connect with her like I'd hoped.
I think this book could be the start of a new series (maybe?) and if so I'll definitely want to read hunky biker Gabe's story (which was left hanging). 3 1/2--4 stars
ARC provided by Netgalley
If you like a good suspense read that isn't too taxing on the brain, this fills the bill. If you're looking for a whole lot of romance, this isn't the book for you.
I liked the hero, Dante--he was a Special Ops guy back in town for his foster parents anniversary and gets involved with his high school girlfriend Anna (a St. Louis police detective) again when some murders occur that are linked to something that happened to them and their friends (Jeff, Roman, and Gabe) 12 years ago.
Anna was a character that I wasn't too crazy about. She was kind of a controlling hard-ass and I guess I didn't like her suspecting Dante and having doubts about him. I don't know what it was about her but I just didn't connect with her like I'd hoped.
I think this book could be the start of a new series (maybe?) and if so I'll definitely want to read hunky biker Gabe's story (which was left hanging). 3 1/2--4 stars
ARC provided by Netgalley
October 18, 2011
Review posted: Happily Ever After - Reads
Blog rating: 3.5/5
She arched a brow and pulled his shirt off, then raked her nails down his chest. “You’re an asshole.”
He unhooked her bra and removed it, tossing it to the floor. “I love when you whisper sweet words to me. Gets me all hot and hard.”
The prologue really hooked me into this story, which is always a win. The beginning takes us back to Anna at 16, Dante at 18 and they’re in young love. Dante and his 3 foster brothers come by Anna’s work as she’s closing up for the night and when she heads out back to take out the trash, she’s grabbed and beaten by a man in the alley. He would have done much worse to her, but Dante and the others came out to check on her, pull her attacker off her and beat him into unconsciousness. After getting Anna inside, they head back out to check on the guy, who’s dead. Dante and his foster brothers, Gabe, Roman and Jeff, weren’t exactly model teens growing up in the system. But they don’t want to be taken away from their current foster family who they all care about and Anna doesn’t want to see her friends take the fall for protecting her from something that would have ended up being much worse than a beating. She calls her dad, who’s a cop, and makes the guys leave. What Anna didn’t realize is that she wouldn’t be seeing Dante again for 12 years.
Dante’s back in town after being gone and completely out of touch for 12 years. He’s asked to come back for his foster parents anniversary celebration and he couldn’t say no to the people who gave him the only family he ever knew. When his foster father goes missing and is found murdered in the same alley that Anna was attacked in all those years ago, Dante knows it’s something more than just a coincidence and all his brothers and Anna are reunited through this murder. They’re all trying to figure out what’s going on, why the murder of the boys foster father has so many similarities to the attack on Anna, down to the heart that was carved on both their chests and they all realize pretty fast that they need to watch not only each others backs, but their own.
This is not at all your typical Jaci Burton book, and I like it. It’s very heavy on the suspense, which normally is a negative for me. I like to read a nice balance of romance vs. suspense when a book is dealing with heavy story lines like murder and assaults, but the combination in this one worked. If you like a lot of romance be warned, this doesn’t really pick up for the leads until past the halfway mark, but the build up, along with the characters past history makes it worth the wait. Jaci writes such hot, sexy scenes it makes the payoff for Anna and Dante all the better. For so long, Anna thought that Dante had left and never bothered to think of her again. After he reveals that not only did he think of her every day, he left her a safe deposit box filled with his personal documents and money, she has a hard time understanding why he’d do this, being out of contact for all these years:
“Why me?”
“Because you’re all I ever thought about during all those years. Every night I was doing shit duty with nothing but a rifle, the sand and the stars, and all I could think about was you. Every assignment I got sent on when I thought I might not come back, you were the last thought in my head. I knew if something happened to me, I wanted word to get to you that I hadn’t just disappeared and made nothing of my life. I wanted someone to know – I wanted you to know that maybe I had done something that mattered.”
Dante and Anna are complex and interesting characters. We, the readers, get to know quite a bit about what Dante was doing for the past 12 years, but not every detail is revealed, to us or his friends. He’s pretty mysterious with his past and opens up bit by bit to Anna the more they reconnect. Anna is still dealing with the trauma she suffered when she was 16. Panic attacks hit her hard and she tries to cope the best she can, but it isn’t until Dante notices the signs of what she’s going through, and helps her handle them that she starts to get control a little better.
Of all the supporting characters, Gabe gets the most page time and grabbed my attention immediately. We get his POV throughout the book and we don’t know a lot about him, other than there’s so much more than meets the eye with this one. His friends think he’s working for the mob, but we know differently and I can only hope his story is next.
I’m the worst when it comes to guessing who the killer is in a book, and it took me awhile to get this one. I like that no one in this book is safe – and Burton doesn’t hold back with the murders. This is what drives the story and the victims (yup, plural) end up hitting all the characters close to home throughout the whole book. I really enjoyed this one, and will definitely be picking up the next book in this series.
Blog rating: 3.5/5
She arched a brow and pulled his shirt off, then raked her nails down his chest. “You’re an asshole.”
He unhooked her bra and removed it, tossing it to the floor. “I love when you whisper sweet words to me. Gets me all hot and hard.”
The prologue really hooked me into this story, which is always a win. The beginning takes us back to Anna at 16, Dante at 18 and they’re in young love. Dante and his 3 foster brothers come by Anna’s work as she’s closing up for the night and when she heads out back to take out the trash, she’s grabbed and beaten by a man in the alley. He would have done much worse to her, but Dante and the others came out to check on her, pull her attacker off her and beat him into unconsciousness. After getting Anna inside, they head back out to check on the guy, who’s dead. Dante and his foster brothers, Gabe, Roman and Jeff, weren’t exactly model teens growing up in the system. But they don’t want to be taken away from their current foster family who they all care about and Anna doesn’t want to see her friends take the fall for protecting her from something that would have ended up being much worse than a beating. She calls her dad, who’s a cop, and makes the guys leave. What Anna didn’t realize is that she wouldn’t be seeing Dante again for 12 years.
Dante’s back in town after being gone and completely out of touch for 12 years. He’s asked to come back for his foster parents anniversary celebration and he couldn’t say no to the people who gave him the only family he ever knew. When his foster father goes missing and is found murdered in the same alley that Anna was attacked in all those years ago, Dante knows it’s something more than just a coincidence and all his brothers and Anna are reunited through this murder. They’re all trying to figure out what’s going on, why the murder of the boys foster father has so many similarities to the attack on Anna, down to the heart that was carved on both their chests and they all realize pretty fast that they need to watch not only each others backs, but their own.
This is not at all your typical Jaci Burton book, and I like it. It’s very heavy on the suspense, which normally is a negative for me. I like to read a nice balance of romance vs. suspense when a book is dealing with heavy story lines like murder and assaults, but the combination in this one worked. If you like a lot of romance be warned, this doesn’t really pick up for the leads until past the halfway mark, but the build up, along with the characters past history makes it worth the wait. Jaci writes such hot, sexy scenes it makes the payoff for Anna and Dante all the better. For so long, Anna thought that Dante had left and never bothered to think of her again. After he reveals that not only did he think of her every day, he left her a safe deposit box filled with his personal documents and money, she has a hard time understanding why he’d do this, being out of contact for all these years:
“Why me?”
“Because you’re all I ever thought about during all those years. Every night I was doing shit duty with nothing but a rifle, the sand and the stars, and all I could think about was you. Every assignment I got sent on when I thought I might not come back, you were the last thought in my head. I knew if something happened to me, I wanted word to get to you that I hadn’t just disappeared and made nothing of my life. I wanted someone to know – I wanted you to know that maybe I had done something that mattered.”
Dante and Anna are complex and interesting characters. We, the readers, get to know quite a bit about what Dante was doing for the past 12 years, but not every detail is revealed, to us or his friends. He’s pretty mysterious with his past and opens up bit by bit to Anna the more they reconnect. Anna is still dealing with the trauma she suffered when she was 16. Panic attacks hit her hard and she tries to cope the best she can, but it isn’t until Dante notices the signs of what she’s going through, and helps her handle them that she starts to get control a little better.
Of all the supporting characters, Gabe gets the most page time and grabbed my attention immediately. We get his POV throughout the book and we don’t know a lot about him, other than there’s so much more than meets the eye with this one. His friends think he’s working for the mob, but we know differently and I can only hope his story is next.
I’m the worst when it comes to guessing who the killer is in a book, and it took me awhile to get this one. I like that no one in this book is safe – and Burton doesn’t hold back with the murders. This is what drives the story and the victims (yup, plural) end up hitting all the characters close to home throughout the whole book. I really enjoyed this one, and will definitely be picking up the next book in this series.
February 19, 2013
They were a matched set. Two screwed-up souls who gravitated toward each other like magnets.
The Heart of a Killer is one of the most engrossing suspense novels I've ever read. Even at its weakest points, I couldn't put the book down. Pretty much the only issue I had with the story is that the dialogue felt too hollow at times, but on the other hand, the narration was good enough that I actually got goosebumps.
That said, I loved the romance and action. Dante and Anna were both wholesome and realistic characters and their relationship consisted of the perfect balance between chemistry and understanding. As for the mystery, I pieced together most of it but couldn't identify the killer, which was a definite plus.
Really looking forward to book 2! Hope it follows Dante and Anna and not another couple.
3.5/5 stars
October 25, 2011
That I love reading romantic suspense is not a secret but for quite some time I haven't read a really good one or read a really promising new to me author but Jaci Burton is all that and more and I loved The Heart of a Killer.
The book opens with sixteen year old Anna welcoming four of her closest friends in life, that included her boyfriend Dante. She is almost ready to close up at the place she works and when she goes out for the trash she is attacked. The guys come to her rescue beating the man who attacked her and as things come to pass, it changes everything.
Twelve years have passed and Dante is finally coming back to town for the first time, after he left on Anna's fathers urgings and joined the military. He is back for his foster parent's anniversary and his homecoming is bloody. He finds his foster father dead in the same alley Anna was attacked and finds himself face to face with Anna who is now a detective. Things have changed, Dante never contacted the men he considered his brothers and he kind of knows them and kind of doesn't and then there is Anna for whom he still feels a lot.
For Anna seeing Dante is a shock, as far as she knew he abandoned her at a time she needed him so she isn't very warm and fuzzy to him and his invitation to catch up and then there is the fact that Dante doesn't seem to have any identity and is evasive about where he has been.
But the violence and threats escalate and trust or not they find themselves working together, trying to find out who is hunting them all. The suspense in the book is taut, where the hits keep coming, and the killer leaving no clues behind.
And the rest is amazing as well, from the moment Dante and Anna encounter each other the pages sizzle with sexual tension and unresolved feelings and issues.
Dante was an amazing hero, patient and willing to deal with Anna and all her hang-ups about control. He saw through her bullshit of being okay and not still reeling with her attack. Anna too was a strong heroine, a bit of a control freak but Dante made the book for me.
I actually liked Gabe a whole lot as well and would love to read about him.
This book is wonderfully written romantic suspense which makes you want to keep turning the pages.
ARC provided by Netgalley.
The book opens with sixteen year old Anna welcoming four of her closest friends in life, that included her boyfriend Dante. She is almost ready to close up at the place she works and when she goes out for the trash she is attacked. The guys come to her rescue beating the man who attacked her and as things come to pass, it changes everything.
Twelve years have passed and Dante is finally coming back to town for the first time, after he left on Anna's fathers urgings and joined the military. He is back for his foster parent's anniversary and his homecoming is bloody. He finds his foster father dead in the same alley Anna was attacked and finds himself face to face with Anna who is now a detective. Things have changed, Dante never contacted the men he considered his brothers and he kind of knows them and kind of doesn't and then there is Anna for whom he still feels a lot.
For Anna seeing Dante is a shock, as far as she knew he abandoned her at a time she needed him so she isn't very warm and fuzzy to him and his invitation to catch up and then there is the fact that Dante doesn't seem to have any identity and is evasive about where he has been.
But the violence and threats escalate and trust or not they find themselves working together, trying to find out who is hunting them all. The suspense in the book is taut, where the hits keep coming, and the killer leaving no clues behind.
And the rest is amazing as well, from the moment Dante and Anna encounter each other the pages sizzle with sexual tension and unresolved feelings and issues.
Dante was an amazing hero, patient and willing to deal with Anna and all her hang-ups about control. He saw through her bullshit of being okay and not still reeling with her attack. Anna too was a strong heroine, a bit of a control freak but Dante made the book for me.
I actually liked Gabe a whole lot as well and would love to read about him.
This book is wonderfully written romantic suspense which makes you want to keep turning the pages.
ARC provided by Netgalley.
October 4, 2011
As a fan of Jaci Burton's erotic romance and a new fan of romantic suspense, I knew I had to read this one. And I must say, not a bad first attempt at RS.
Anna Pallino stuck up for 4 misfit boys in school. Foster kids that have finally found a steady home, love, and support through their new foster parents and a new friend. For Dante Renaldi it was love. Until a fateful night when they were teenagers and Anna was brutally attacked behind where she worked while her guys were inside waiting for her. They went vigilante on her attacker and as a result Dante was convinced to skip town. Twelve years later he is back. Back to see his foster parents, brothers, and the one woman he's always been in love with.
However, it isn't the happy family reunion once murders start taking place. Bodies eventually pile up. With a distinct link to Anna and the guys. The usual suspects were very predictable and who I thought was going to be the real killer was not. I was pleasantly surprised. This book read like watching any crime/law enforcement show on TV right now. Decent, but not spectacular. I loved Dante, he was a man of mystery, never gave up on Anna, and instantly sprung into action to figure out what was going on. And true to Burton's style the love scenes were steamy.
I didn't care for Anna for most of the book, she was a character that was hard to like. She had some major psychological issues that were never addressed properly. And she constantly pushed Dante away, he was a saint for putting up with her, because I found her annoying.
What I really loved and have to commend Burton on was the ending. I didn't see it coming. The suspense was intense, so many last minute twist and turns to the plot, it was so good! And then the identity of the true killer was revealed. It was such a good ending! I look forward to the next book in the series, or at least to Burton's next romantic suspense if this is one is not part of a series. I will definitely read it. I recommend this one to fans of the author.
* This ARC was provided to me through NetGalley.
Anna Pallino stuck up for 4 misfit boys in school. Foster kids that have finally found a steady home, love, and support through their new foster parents and a new friend. For Dante Renaldi it was love. Until a fateful night when they were teenagers and Anna was brutally attacked behind where she worked while her guys were inside waiting for her. They went vigilante on her attacker and as a result Dante was convinced to skip town. Twelve years later he is back. Back to see his foster parents, brothers, and the one woman he's always been in love with.
However, it isn't the happy family reunion once murders start taking place. Bodies eventually pile up. With a distinct link to Anna and the guys. The usual suspects were very predictable and who I thought was going to be the real killer was not. I was pleasantly surprised. This book read like watching any crime/law enforcement show on TV right now. Decent, but not spectacular. I loved Dante, he was a man of mystery, never gave up on Anna, and instantly sprung into action to figure out what was going on. And true to Burton's style the love scenes were steamy.
I didn't care for Anna for most of the book, she was a character that was hard to like. She had some major psychological issues that were never addressed properly. And she constantly pushed Dante away, he was a saint for putting up with her, because I found her annoying.
What I really loved and have to commend Burton on was the ending. I didn't see it coming. The suspense was intense, so many last minute twist and turns to the plot, it was so good! And then the identity of the true killer was revealed. It was such a good ending! I look forward to the next book in the series, or at least to Burton's next romantic suspense if this is one is not part of a series. I will definitely read it. I recommend this one to fans of the author.
* This ARC was provided to me through NetGalley.
August 18, 2018
Boring, really unbelievable with two unpleasant main characters driven by anything except real emotions/personality.
She comes out as unprofessional (never checking a suspect), stupid (literally to the point of almost dying), stuck in a past that yes it is traumatic but not really tragic. She was assaulted (it's in the first few pages) but, for all the trauma, it wasn't anything that couldn't have been treated without much difficulty. But a lot comes out of this. Some of it a slap in the face for those who suffered way worse and survived. (warning: purely personal thought and probably wrong).
He's unbelievable and unbearable with a magic cure-all peen. I would probably get in a smack down with a guy with such personality.
They had no chemistry and I skipped all the smexy times (boooring) as I honestly couldn't connect to either the lust nor the love.
If you went steady at 16 for a few months, and then 'tragedy' strikes, it doesn't mean you will be stuck in that emotional limbo forever or you'd need some serious therapy. So you aren't in love/lust at 30, after 12 years, just because the author says so. There may be some curiosity, even some affection. Anything else is ridiculous. But then very few reactions here made sense or weren't ridiculous :/ (like her father's in the past and hers when she discovered the truth).
The ending was a WTF moment of epic proportion for all that got wrong to have it this way.
Please read Deb' and Kathy's reviews, they wrote some very good points on this book's weaknesses:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
She comes out as unprofessional (never checking a suspect), stupid (literally to the point of almost dying), stuck in a past that yes it is traumatic but not really tragic. She was assaulted (it's in the first few pages) but, for all the trauma, it wasn't anything that couldn't have been treated without much difficulty. But a lot comes out of this. Some of it a slap in the face for those who suffered way worse and survived. (warning: purely personal thought and probably wrong).
He's unbelievable and unbearable with a magic cure-all peen. I would probably get in a smack down with a guy with such personality.
They had no chemistry and I skipped all the smexy times (boooring) as I honestly couldn't connect to either the lust nor the love.
If you went steady at 16 for a few months, and then 'tragedy' strikes, it doesn't mean you will be stuck in that emotional limbo forever or you'd need some serious therapy. So you aren't in love/lust at 30, after 12 years, just because the author says so. There may be some curiosity, even some affection. Anything else is ridiculous. But then very few reactions here made sense or weren't ridiculous :/ (like her father's in the past and hers when she discovered the truth).
The ending was a WTF moment of epic proportion for all that got wrong to have it this way.
Please read Deb' and Kathy's reviews, they wrote some very good points on this book's weaknesses:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
October 17, 2011
4.5 Stars
Twelve years ago was the worst night of Anna Pallino’s life. Attacked outside of her after-school job, Anna is nearly raped and killed when her boyfriend, Dante Renaldi, finds her. Pulling the monster off of Anna, Dante and his three foster brothers accidently beat the man to death. Fearful that the police will go after the four boys for their prior juvenile records, Anna convinces them to leave while she calls her father, a local police detective, who hides their involvement. Little did she know, that would be the last time she’d see the love of her young life for over a decade.
No longer the scared teenage, Detective Anna Pallino retains strict control over her life, allowing few people to get close since that fateful night. When Dante Renaldo shows up at a homicide scene though, all that hard won control goes right out the window.
In town for his foster parent’s 25th wedding anniversary, Dante didn’t plan to see the one girl that he’s never been able to forget. Being in the Special Forces, Dante can’t afford any ties, but when people close to him are beaten to death and murdered one by one, he won’t turn his back on Anna, even if she does believe circumstantial evidence that he is involved. Now the real question is; was there someone else in that alley twelve years ago that saw what they did, and are they out for revenge?
Jaci Burton’s newest romantic suspense, The Heart of a Killer, was a nail biting all-nighter filled with danger and romance with surprising twists and a mind blowing conclusion!
With a superb cast of characters and suspense oozing from each page where everyone is suspect, I was reeled in from the beginning. However, Jaci Burton fans be warned; this is a romantic suspense so don’t expect her usual erotic romance scenes. Though she does provide a scorching hot hero, Dante, and equally hot tattooed up biker bad boy and foster brother, Gabe. These two had me melting with their first appearance in the story at the age of eighteen.
Jaci Burton gives readers a believable plot line that moved at a constant and quick pace with a witty dialogue, captivating characters and intriguing subplots. The whodunit aspect of this novel was out of this world; every time I thought I had it figured out I got thrown for another loop. It was like watching a horror flick play out on the pages!
I loved each and everyone one of the main and secondary characters. Anna was a bit of a hard-ass and I didn’t expect to like her at first but as Jaci Burton peeled away her layers and threw her in these heart wrenching circumstances I began to connect with her. Though I did still feel that she was a little over the top with her grudge with Dante their chemistry together was undeniable. Dante, well there wasn’t anything about him not to love IMO, though I would have liked to delve into more of his special ops past. I am really hoping to get a story from Gabe next, with the glimpses we see here and his undercover work in the mob, wow, I know his book is going to be a-maze-ing!
Another hit to add to Jaci Burton’s list of electrifying works, The Heart of a Killer is a must read for romantic suspense fans!
Twelve years ago was the worst night of Anna Pallino’s life. Attacked outside of her after-school job, Anna is nearly raped and killed when her boyfriend, Dante Renaldi, finds her. Pulling the monster off of Anna, Dante and his three foster brothers accidently beat the man to death. Fearful that the police will go after the four boys for their prior juvenile records, Anna convinces them to leave while she calls her father, a local police detective, who hides their involvement. Little did she know, that would be the last time she’d see the love of her young life for over a decade.
No longer the scared teenage, Detective Anna Pallino retains strict control over her life, allowing few people to get close since that fateful night. When Dante Renaldo shows up at a homicide scene though, all that hard won control goes right out the window.
In town for his foster parent’s 25th wedding anniversary, Dante didn’t plan to see the one girl that he’s never been able to forget. Being in the Special Forces, Dante can’t afford any ties, but when people close to him are beaten to death and murdered one by one, he won’t turn his back on Anna, even if she does believe circumstantial evidence that he is involved. Now the real question is; was there someone else in that alley twelve years ago that saw what they did, and are they out for revenge?
Jaci Burton’s newest romantic suspense, The Heart of a Killer, was a nail biting all-nighter filled with danger and romance with surprising twists and a mind blowing conclusion!
With a superb cast of characters and suspense oozing from each page where everyone is suspect, I was reeled in from the beginning. However, Jaci Burton fans be warned; this is a romantic suspense so don’t expect her usual erotic romance scenes. Though she does provide a scorching hot hero, Dante, and equally hot tattooed up biker bad boy and foster brother, Gabe. These two had me melting with their first appearance in the story at the age of eighteen.
Jaci Burton gives readers a believable plot line that moved at a constant and quick pace with a witty dialogue, captivating characters and intriguing subplots. The whodunit aspect of this novel was out of this world; every time I thought I had it figured out I got thrown for another loop. It was like watching a horror flick play out on the pages!
I loved each and everyone one of the main and secondary characters. Anna was a bit of a hard-ass and I didn’t expect to like her at first but as Jaci Burton peeled away her layers and threw her in these heart wrenching circumstances I began to connect with her. Though I did still feel that she was a little over the top with her grudge with Dante their chemistry together was undeniable. Dante, well there wasn’t anything about him not to love IMO, though I would have liked to delve into more of his special ops past. I am really hoping to get a story from Gabe next, with the glimpses we see here and his undercover work in the mob, wow, I know his book is going to be a-maze-ing!
Another hit to add to Jaci Burton’s list of electrifying works, The Heart of a Killer is a must read for romantic suspense fans!
January 4, 2015
The Heart of a Killer is the first in The Killer series by Jaci Burton. Once upon a time, Anna was in love with Dante and life was wonderful. Until one night everything changed and Dante leaves town. Now, twelve years later, Dante is back and people are being killed. Anna is a detective with the police department and isn't sure how much she can trust Dante.
Another one of those reunion or together again theme stories. One of the better ones in my opinion but I think it was the mystery/suspense portion of the story I loved more than the romance itself. In fact, I feel the romance was lacking a bit but it didn't matter much because the suspense and mystery was great. No, I did not guess whodunnit.
Another one of those reunion or together again theme stories. One of the better ones in my opinion but I think it was the mystery/suspense portion of the story I loved more than the romance itself. In fact, I feel the romance was lacking a bit but it didn't matter much because the suspense and mystery was great. No, I did not guess whodunnit.
October 23, 2011
Sixteen year old Anna Pallino is attacked in a dark alley and a heart carved on her chest, an assault that haunts her by the sheer brutality and unexpectedness of it. It is only by the intervention of her then boyfriend Dante and his foster brothers Jeff, Roman and Gabe that she escapes with her life intact. But that dark dreary night changes Anna and the relationship she has with the guys she considers as her brothers apart from Dante. When Dante ups and leaves without looking back, Anna is left to lick her wounds in private, battle the fears that seems a part of her since the life altering moment in the alley.
Twelve years later, Dante returns back to his hometown only to bring in his wake the murder of his foster father, in a manner eerily similar to the night of the attack on Anna that had changed Dante’s life for better or worse. The version of Dante that returns is a more lethal and dangerous one, one who has honed the skill of killing down to a fine art. When Dante comes face to face with the newer and harder version of Anna who has been a cop for the past 7 years, Dante knows that his memories of the one woman who had remained in his heart doesn’t do justice to the impact she still has on his heart, body and soul.
With a killer who is willing to play hide and seek with Anna, taunting her with the murders of those dear and close to her, Dante is determined that he would stick by her side and be there for her, a chance he never had 12 years earlier. But what Dante and Anna never figure out is that the killer is much closer to home than any of them dared to think of, and he is willing to do everything in his power to come out as the winner in this game of cat and mouse that just never seems to end.
The Heart of a Killer is my first Jaci Burton. I have always heard that she writes romances high in sensual content and that was what I expected to find together with suspense of the dark and edgy variety. Though there are moments of toe-curling passion in the book, Jaci Burton seems to have toned down with the sensual aspect of the book and brought out more of the crime-solving aspect. Nevertheless it is obvious that Jaci has got what it takes to deliver a healthy dose of sensuality in her romances and I loved how Dante was patient enough and understanding enough to give Anna exactly what she needs when it comes to physical intimacy.
Dante is a hero who is sweet and dangerous all at the same time. The way he is willing to forgo his wants and needs just because he wants what is best for Anna, and the way he is protective without being overly stifling about it makes him such an endearing character. And though I liked Anna’s character well enough, I just didn’t fall for her as I should have. Anna’s strength and the way she continually battles her fears made me admire her, but I just didn’t feel the “love” when it came to Anna.
The mystery and suspense potion of the story is well done. The person who turned out to be the killer at the end totally surprised me as I was betting everything I had on the wrong person all along. Even then, I felt that at times there was too much rehashing going on of the events that had taken place in the past which diminished my enjoyment factor with the novel as a whole.
Even with certain aspects of the story that didn’t quite wow me, I still managed to enjoy my first Jaci Burton and would rate this as a good read, recommended for fans of the author and fans of police procedural romantic suspense.
Rating=3.75/5
Original review posted on MBR's Realm of Romance
Twelve years later, Dante returns back to his hometown only to bring in his wake the murder of his foster father, in a manner eerily similar to the night of the attack on Anna that had changed Dante’s life for better or worse. The version of Dante that returns is a more lethal and dangerous one, one who has honed the skill of killing down to a fine art. When Dante comes face to face with the newer and harder version of Anna who has been a cop for the past 7 years, Dante knows that his memories of the one woman who had remained in his heart doesn’t do justice to the impact she still has on his heart, body and soul.
With a killer who is willing to play hide and seek with Anna, taunting her with the murders of those dear and close to her, Dante is determined that he would stick by her side and be there for her, a chance he never had 12 years earlier. But what Dante and Anna never figure out is that the killer is much closer to home than any of them dared to think of, and he is willing to do everything in his power to come out as the winner in this game of cat and mouse that just never seems to end.
The Heart of a Killer is my first Jaci Burton. I have always heard that she writes romances high in sensual content and that was what I expected to find together with suspense of the dark and edgy variety. Though there are moments of toe-curling passion in the book, Jaci Burton seems to have toned down with the sensual aspect of the book and brought out more of the crime-solving aspect. Nevertheless it is obvious that Jaci has got what it takes to deliver a healthy dose of sensuality in her romances and I loved how Dante was patient enough and understanding enough to give Anna exactly what she needs when it comes to physical intimacy.
Dante is a hero who is sweet and dangerous all at the same time. The way he is willing to forgo his wants and needs just because he wants what is best for Anna, and the way he is protective without being overly stifling about it makes him such an endearing character. And though I liked Anna’s character well enough, I just didn’t fall for her as I should have. Anna’s strength and the way she continually battles her fears made me admire her, but I just didn’t feel the “love” when it came to Anna.
The mystery and suspense potion of the story is well done. The person who turned out to be the killer at the end totally surprised me as I was betting everything I had on the wrong person all along. Even then, I felt that at times there was too much rehashing going on of the events that had taken place in the past which diminished my enjoyment factor with the novel as a whole.
Even with certain aspects of the story that didn’t quite wow me, I still managed to enjoy my first Jaci Burton and would rate this as a good read, recommended for fans of the author and fans of police procedural romantic suspense.
Rating=3.75/5
Original review posted on MBR's Realm of Romance
October 22, 2011
Dante, Gabe, Roman, and Jeff were all foster brothers who in there teens lived with George and Ellen Clemons. They were all friends with Anna Pallino. Anna and Dante were dating and in love. One night Anna is assaulted and the 4 guys beat on the attacker and kill him. Anna's father is a police officer and she tells the boys to run and that she would handle it with her father. Twelve years later we find Dante coming back to town for the first time since that fateful night for George and Ellen 25th wedding anniversary. Right off the bat another murder occurs in the same alley that Anna was attacked in. There are many more murders before the book is over. This was a very good suspense story and Jaci kept you wondering until the end who did it.
This is the first book in her Killer Series - which she clearly states is a non-erotic romantic suspense series. These are my favorite type series. I hope Gabe's story is up next so we can find out what he is really doing being a part of the Bertucci Mob family.
This is the first book in her Killer Series - which she clearly states is a non-erotic romantic suspense series. These are my favorite type series. I hope Gabe's story is up next so we can find out what he is really doing being a part of the Bertucci Mob family.
September 6, 2011
Anna, Dante, Gabe, Jeff and Roman had accidentally killed a man 12 yrs ago when they were kids. The man had attacked Anna and carved a heart over her breast with a knife. Luckily the guys were around to help her and had unintentionally killed him. They fled from the crime scene and kept it secret.
And now at present time a man was on a killing spree killing off people closed to them all, in the same manner by carving a heart on their chests. So now they must find that other person who must have witnessed them 12 years ago.
I am rating it 4 stars for the mystery and suspense part alone. Coz I didn't feel the connection and sizzles between Dante and Anna. For a long time boyfriend-girlfriend who hadn't seen each other for 12 years, I would have expected their reunion sex to be scorching and explosive. But they were too cool and calculated with each other, I was pulling my hair with frustrations.
Still, I was very impressed with the twisty plot. Looking forward to book #2, hopefully it'll be Gabe's story.
And now at present time a man was on a killing spree killing off people closed to them all, in the same manner by carving a heart on their chests. So now they must find that other person who must have witnessed them 12 years ago.
I am rating it 4 stars for the mystery and suspense part alone. Coz I didn't feel the connection and sizzles between Dante and Anna. For a long time boyfriend-girlfriend who hadn't seen each other for 12 years, I would have expected their reunion sex to be scorching and explosive. But they were too cool and calculated with each other, I was pulling my hair with frustrations.
Still, I was very impressed with the twisty plot. Looking forward to book #2, hopefully it'll be Gabe's story.
September 3, 2016
First in the Killer suspense-romance series. This story is set in St. Louis, Missouri and the couple focus is on Dante and Anna.
My Take
I was very disappointed with this Burton. She hasn't got her heart in it. The writing was perfunctory with bits and pieces of emotion.
The writing is so awkward. Burton doesn't put any effort into making this believable but simply uses words to tell us that Anna suspects Dante of killing George and the rest. That he's evil but not even Burton is buying it, she sure doesn't try to make us put our money down. Heck, I finally started skipping over the sex scenes because there wasn't any heat or heart.
If she's supposed to be such a great cop, how come it takes until the end of the book before she figures out...oops, before Dante tells her...to run background checks and financials on her suspects? Why hasn't Dante already done this or mentioned it earlier? When Anna hears the noises out in her backyard she does at least call Dante and Gabe before she heads outside. Alone. After NOT being able to find the uniform who is supposed to be protecting her. All these other, supposedly aware, men are dead. And she's going outside alone when backup is speeding to her. Yeah. Uh-huh.
So, how intelligent do you have to be to know not to leave your phone sitting on the bar while you head off to the bathroom? Why would a drug enforcer do this?
The only believable part is Anna's reactions, the trauma she still suffers from that night.
The Story
It's the Clemons' 25th anniversary and Dante has been ordered home by Ellen to help them celebrate. The very night he arrives, George is viciously murdered. In the same alley, in the same way that the boys beat Anna's attacker to death. Right down to the heart carved into his chest. A good thing Roman is a detective now. He'll understand the connection since Anna's dad covered it up for them 12 years ago.
It's a rough way for Dante to meet Anna for the first time since that night. She's a detective now. Not a career move he would have expected. And she is obviously angry with him. An anger he ignores as he moves in on her. Emotionally. Physically. Not sure where it or he is going, but determined he won't lose Anna again.
An Anna who doesn't trust him. Demands information Dante is unwilling to provide. Nor does AFIS or Interpol provide any background. He's a ghost. He doesn't exist. Except that he's here. Moving in to her home, her heart.
The Characters
Dante Renaldi has been in the Army and then Special Ops ever since Anna's dad told him to get out of town that night. Now Gabe is undercover working as an enforcer for Paolo Bertucci's mob. Roman is now a detective and Jeff sells insurance.
Anna Pallino is a detective too and very confused about Dante. She suspects she still loves him. His leaving without seeing her, telling her almost destroyed her. They had such plans for their future together. Frank is her dad, a retired cop. The man who insisted Dante get out of town, away from Anna.
Ellen and George Clemons have taken in foster kids for years giving them their first taste of a real, loving home. Twelve years ago, their children included Dante, Gabe, Roman, and Jeff. Young kids with juvenile records befriended by a young Anna when bullies confronted them at school.
Captain Pohanski is Anna's boss and okay with his detectives working cases unofficially. Contrary to the norm, he's also okay with the FBI credentials that Dante flashes.
Tony Maclin was a senior in high school prepping to pursue a degree in art when he goes off to college. But that night, 12 years ago, he was intent on raping and killing Anna when the boys heard her scream. Hopped up on drugs, it took a lot to put him down. Susan Maclin is his mother, another artist, and it's just killing Anna that their actions deprived her of her son. Sam Maclin is Susan's remaining son, another artist. Both Anna and Dante think he's hiding something.
The Cover
The cover gives the impression of bondage with Anna up against the wall, seemingly nude while a heavily muscled Dante---sorry ladies he is wearing a dark blue T-shirt---is holding her head up as he angles in for a kiss.
The title refers to the mark the killer incorporates into his kills as well as the emotion in The Heart of a Killer.
My Take
I was very disappointed with this Burton. She hasn't got her heart in it. The writing was perfunctory with bits and pieces of emotion.
The writing is so awkward. Burton doesn't put any effort into making this believable but simply uses words to tell us that Anna suspects Dante of killing George and the rest. That he's evil but not even Burton is buying it, she sure doesn't try to make us put our money down. Heck, I finally started skipping over the sex scenes because there wasn't any heat or heart.
If she's supposed to be such a great cop, how come it takes until the end of the book before she figures out...oops, before Dante tells her...to run background checks and financials on her suspects? Why hasn't Dante already done this or mentioned it earlier? When Anna hears the noises out in her backyard she does at least call Dante and Gabe before she heads outside. Alone. After NOT being able to find the uniform who is supposed to be protecting her. All these other, supposedly aware, men are dead. And she's going outside alone when backup is speeding to her. Yeah. Uh-huh.
So, how intelligent do you have to be to know not to leave your phone sitting on the bar while you head off to the bathroom? Why would a drug enforcer do this?
The only believable part is Anna's reactions, the trauma she still suffers from that night.
The Story
It's the Clemons' 25th anniversary and Dante has been ordered home by Ellen to help them celebrate. The very night he arrives, George is viciously murdered. In the same alley, in the same way that the boys beat Anna's attacker to death. Right down to the heart carved into his chest. A good thing Roman is a detective now. He'll understand the connection since Anna's dad covered it up for them 12 years ago.
It's a rough way for Dante to meet Anna for the first time since that night. She's a detective now. Not a career move he would have expected. And she is obviously angry with him. An anger he ignores as he moves in on her. Emotionally. Physically. Not sure where it or he is going, but determined he won't lose Anna again.
An Anna who doesn't trust him. Demands information Dante is unwilling to provide. Nor does AFIS or Interpol provide any background. He's a ghost. He doesn't exist. Except that he's here. Moving in to her home, her heart.
The Characters
Dante Renaldi has been in the Army and then Special Ops ever since Anna's dad told him to get out of town that night. Now Gabe is undercover working as an enforcer for Paolo Bertucci's mob. Roman is now a detective and Jeff sells insurance.
Anna Pallino is a detective too and very confused about Dante. She suspects she still loves him. His leaving without seeing her, telling her almost destroyed her. They had such plans for their future together. Frank is her dad, a retired cop. The man who insisted Dante get out of town, away from Anna.
Ellen and George Clemons have taken in foster kids for years giving them their first taste of a real, loving home. Twelve years ago, their children included Dante, Gabe, Roman, and Jeff. Young kids with juvenile records befriended by a young Anna when bullies confronted them at school.
Captain Pohanski is Anna's boss and okay with his detectives working cases unofficially. Contrary to the norm, he's also okay with the FBI credentials that Dante flashes.
Tony Maclin was a senior in high school prepping to pursue a degree in art when he goes off to college. But that night, 12 years ago, he was intent on raping and killing Anna when the boys heard her scream. Hopped up on drugs, it took a lot to put him down. Susan Maclin is his mother, another artist, and it's just killing Anna that their actions deprived her of her son. Sam Maclin is Susan's remaining son, another artist. Both Anna and Dante think he's hiding something.
The Cover
The cover gives the impression of bondage with Anna up against the wall, seemingly nude while a heavily muscled Dante---sorry ladies he is wearing a dark blue T-shirt---is holding her head up as he angles in for a kiss.
The title refers to the mark the killer incorporates into his kills as well as the emotion in The Heart of a Killer.
November 5, 2011
My Review:
It's no secret that I am a HUGE fan of Jaci Burton's Play-by-Play series, but I haven't ever read any of her other work, so I wasn't sure when I saw that she was writing romantic suspense, whether it was going to be for me or not. Well, it's official...Jaci Burton simply writes books that I LOVE! OMG, this book was good!!
Twelve years ago, Anna was attacked while taking out the trash at the ice cream parlor where she worked. Inside were the gang of 4 foster boys that were her closest friends, including her boyfriend Dante. When they realized that she was being attacked, they ganged up on the man who attacked her and accidentally ended up killing him. That night shattered their lives and tore them all apart as they covered up the crime with the help of Anna's police detective father. They haven't all been together since, until Dante comes home to help celebrate the boys' foster parents anniversary. Suddenly there are a string of murders happening that are directly related to that original crime that occurred twelve years ago and no one knows what's going on.
There are quite a few suspense lines going on in this book besides the serial murder suspense story. There is mystery around exactly what a couple of the boys have been doing in the last 12 years. There is mystery as to what exactly happened between Dante and Anna's father to cause him to leave so abruptly. There is the suspense of the trauma that Anna still feels from the original attack. Then there is the suspense of a romance between Dante and Anna that you only hope will be able to get back on track after 12 years apart because these two truly still love each other. The problem is that the last 12 years have left them both horribly scarred emotionally.
Personally, I thought that I had the murder suspense line figured out after the second murder and I was right...that never happens. LOL! But I was definitely second-guessing who I thought did it right up until the reveal. Whoa! Such a fabulous book. I loved the cast of characters and the story line with the four foster boys that became basically brothers. There is one of those boys left besides Dante (I won't say who because I don't want to spoil anything,) but I am really truly hopeful that Jaci will find it necessary to write his story. OMG, I want his story...there is a LOT going on there!
But at the heart, this is a romance novel and it was romance at the highest level. Anna took these four boys under her wings and protected them when they were all pretty young. She is a protector and cares about people, but after her attack, she became a harder person. Not different...just harder. She didn't let people get close to her anymore and she became a detective so she deals with some real low-lifes. Dante has spent the last 12 years, working black ops for the military doing some really awful jobs as basically a killer. Yep, he has some issues too, especially as he realizes how emotionally traumatized that Anna still is from the attack. With anyone else, neither one of these people would have a chance at a successful relationship, but they have a level of trust between them that was there before all the emotional scarring took place. It's a small kernel, but it allows their love to grow.
Like I said, really good romance! I need to check Jaci Burton's backlist and see if she has any other romantic suspense. Regardless, from now on, Jaci is on my auto-buy list...any genre!
It's no secret that I am a HUGE fan of Jaci Burton's Play-by-Play series, but I haven't ever read any of her other work, so I wasn't sure when I saw that she was writing romantic suspense, whether it was going to be for me or not. Well, it's official...Jaci Burton simply writes books that I LOVE! OMG, this book was good!!
Twelve years ago, Anna was attacked while taking out the trash at the ice cream parlor where she worked. Inside were the gang of 4 foster boys that were her closest friends, including her boyfriend Dante. When they realized that she was being attacked, they ganged up on the man who attacked her and accidentally ended up killing him. That night shattered their lives and tore them all apart as they covered up the crime with the help of Anna's police detective father. They haven't all been together since, until Dante comes home to help celebrate the boys' foster parents anniversary. Suddenly there are a string of murders happening that are directly related to that original crime that occurred twelve years ago and no one knows what's going on.
There are quite a few suspense lines going on in this book besides the serial murder suspense story. There is mystery around exactly what a couple of the boys have been doing in the last 12 years. There is mystery as to what exactly happened between Dante and Anna's father to cause him to leave so abruptly. There is the suspense of the trauma that Anna still feels from the original attack. Then there is the suspense of a romance between Dante and Anna that you only hope will be able to get back on track after 12 years apart because these two truly still love each other. The problem is that the last 12 years have left them both horribly scarred emotionally.
Personally, I thought that I had the murder suspense line figured out after the second murder and I was right...that never happens. LOL! But I was definitely second-guessing who I thought did it right up until the reveal. Whoa! Such a fabulous book. I loved the cast of characters and the story line with the four foster boys that became basically brothers. There is one of those boys left besides Dante (I won't say who because I don't want to spoil anything,) but I am really truly hopeful that Jaci will find it necessary to write his story. OMG, I want his story...there is a LOT going on there!
But at the heart, this is a romance novel and it was romance at the highest level. Anna took these four boys under her wings and protected them when they were all pretty young. She is a protector and cares about people, but after her attack, she became a harder person. Not different...just harder. She didn't let people get close to her anymore and she became a detective so she deals with some real low-lifes. Dante has spent the last 12 years, working black ops for the military doing some really awful jobs as basically a killer. Yep, he has some issues too, especially as he realizes how emotionally traumatized that Anna still is from the attack. With anyone else, neither one of these people would have a chance at a successful relationship, but they have a level of trust between them that was there before all the emotional scarring took place. It's a small kernel, but it allows their love to grow.
Like I said, really good romance! I need to check Jaci Burton's backlist and see if she has any other romantic suspense. Regardless, from now on, Jaci is on my auto-buy list...any genre!
September 28, 2011
The Heart of a Killer was an enjoyable romantic suspense by Jaci Burton. It was quite a departure from the other books I have read by her, and I was impressed with her suspenseful storyline. I liked the main characters, Dante and Anna, and some of the secondary ones as well. I'm glad that this is going to be the start of a series, and I look forward to the next installment.
After he and his friends fend off and accidentally kill a man who attacked his girlfriend, Anna Pallino, Dante Renaldi leaves town and doesn't go back home for twelve years. When he is called back by his former foster parents, he returns home just as a series of murders begins. The murders are obviously related to the attack on Anna twelve years earlier. Anna, now a police detective, is suspicious that the killings begin when Dante returns. Soon, Anna and Dante team up to find out who is targeting those they love. As they work to find the killer, they must also deal with the feelings they have for one another.
This was a very suspenseful book, and I was surprised by the identity of the killer. I never suspected that person and liked that Burton shocked me. I enjoyed the relationship between the two main characters, and I thought that she wrote a good mix of suspense and romance. I received this book as an ARC through Netgalley.
After he and his friends fend off and accidentally kill a man who attacked his girlfriend, Anna Pallino, Dante Renaldi leaves town and doesn't go back home for twelve years. When he is called back by his former foster parents, he returns home just as a series of murders begins. The murders are obviously related to the attack on Anna twelve years earlier. Anna, now a police detective, is suspicious that the killings begin when Dante returns. Soon, Anna and Dante team up to find out who is targeting those they love. As they work to find the killer, they must also deal with the feelings they have for one another.
This was a very suspenseful book, and I was surprised by the identity of the killer. I never suspected that person and liked that Burton shocked me. I enjoyed the relationship between the two main characters, and I thought that she wrote a good mix of suspense and romance. I received this book as an ARC through Netgalley.
October 13, 2011
It looks like I might be coming out of my romantic suspense funk. I really enjoyed this. It's a gripping tale filled with twists and turns. I suspected the killer early on but enjoyed watching the rest figure it out.
The main - and secondary - characters were well written. Anna annoyed me at times, but then so did Dante.
Burton balanced the suspense and romance perfectly. Fans of her more erotic romance titles might be disappointed - there isn't a lot of sex here. Personally I think that worked in the context of the story and didn't take away from the romance at all.
Overall a well written, chilling suspense flavored with the perfect amount of romance.
The main - and secondary - characters were well written. Anna annoyed me at times, but then so did Dante.
Burton balanced the suspense and romance perfectly. Fans of her more erotic romance titles might be disappointed - there isn't a lot of sex here. Personally I think that worked in the context of the story and didn't take away from the romance at all.
Overall a well written, chilling suspense flavored with the perfect amount of romance.
March 25, 2019
Well, that was unexpected.
I'm very picky and apprehensive about trying out new-to-me authors. This was my first Jaci Burton book and I have to say, I really enjoyed it. There was just something about Anna and Dante, given all their history and the hardships they'd been through. It was good to see them finally find their way back to each other.
I do wish the author had written the next book in the series; I would definitely read that because there's so much more to Gabe's story.
All in all, it was a very good read with lots of hot romance and suspense, a really well-developed plot.
I'm very picky and apprehensive about trying out new-to-me authors. This was my first Jaci Burton book and I have to say, I really enjoyed it. There was just something about Anna and Dante, given all their history and the hardships they'd been through. It was good to see them finally find their way back to each other.
I do wish the author had written the next book in the series; I would definitely read that because there's so much more to Gabe's story.
All in all, it was a very good read with lots of hot romance and suspense, a really well-developed plot.
February 15, 2019
It has been a very interesting story. In my case, do not imagine who was the murderer. During the whole reading he had me trapped by intrigue and suspense. We added the passion between the protagonists and it has been a good mix.
October 28, 2011
This is a Quickie Review. For the full review, please visit The Romanceaholic.
Expected Release Date: October 25, 2011 (Available Now!)
Publisher: Harlequin
Imprint: Mira
Author’s Website: http://jaciburton.com/
My Source for This Book: Netgalley
Part of a Series: Yes, Book 1, The Killer series
Series Best Read In Order: N/A
Steam Level: Steamy
Twelve years ago, sixteen year old Anna Pallino was attacked in an alley behind the ice cream shop where she worked. Her boyfriend, Dante Renaldi and his three foster brothers came to her rescue, subduing the attacker before he could get away. But things went horribly wrong when they realized that the beating they'd dealt the perpetrator had resulted in his death. Calling on Anna's policeman father to help clean up the mess, they each went their separate ways, with Dante leaving town for good.
Now, back in town to help his foster parents celebrate their anniversary, the last thing Dante expected was to get caught up in a murder investigation -- with the murder bearing a striking resemblance to the attack on Anna all those years ago.
With his job in Special Ops forcing him to keep his real life a secret, Dante is stunned to discover that the pretty sixteen year old Anna has grown up -- into a tough police detective.
Seeing Anna reminds Dante of everything that he had to walk away from twelve long years ago, and he's not about to let her slip through his fingers again. But when more murders spring up, each hitting closer to home, Anna has to decide if Dante is a man she can trust, or if he's the one behind the killings.
I really loved Anna and Dante. Anna had never quite gotten over not only her attack twelve years ago, but also Dante's seeming defection just when she needed him the most. Dante, as well, never really got past his love for Anna, and when they reconnected, it felt very authentic.
The chemistry between the two was absolutely crackling, and when they finally consummated their relationship, it was delightfully hot without detracting from the suspense of the novel.
One thing about this book was its unapologetic tendency to kill or at least severely wound major characters of the story. This ramped up the suspense quite a bit, since you never really knew if any of your favorite characters were safe.
Some of the events with the villain and the final resolution between Anna and Dante didn't really flow well for me, but overall, this was a sexy, entertaining read.
3.5/5 Stars
Expected Release Date: October 25, 2011 (Available Now!)
Publisher: Harlequin
Imprint: Mira
Author’s Website: http://jaciburton.com/
My Source for This Book: Netgalley
Part of a Series: Yes, Book 1, The Killer series
Series Best Read In Order: N/A
Steam Level: Steamy
Twelve years ago, sixteen year old Anna Pallino was attacked in an alley behind the ice cream shop where she worked. Her boyfriend, Dante Renaldi and his three foster brothers came to her rescue, subduing the attacker before he could get away. But things went horribly wrong when they realized that the beating they'd dealt the perpetrator had resulted in his death. Calling on Anna's policeman father to help clean up the mess, they each went their separate ways, with Dante leaving town for good.
Now, back in town to help his foster parents celebrate their anniversary, the last thing Dante expected was to get caught up in a murder investigation -- with the murder bearing a striking resemblance to the attack on Anna all those years ago.
With his job in Special Ops forcing him to keep his real life a secret, Dante is stunned to discover that the pretty sixteen year old Anna has grown up -- into a tough police detective.
Seeing Anna reminds Dante of everything that he had to walk away from twelve long years ago, and he's not about to let her slip through his fingers again. But when more murders spring up, each hitting closer to home, Anna has to decide if Dante is a man she can trust, or if he's the one behind the killings.
I really loved Anna and Dante. Anna had never quite gotten over not only her attack twelve years ago, but also Dante's seeming defection just when she needed him the most. Dante, as well, never really got past his love for Anna, and when they reconnected, it felt very authentic.
The chemistry between the two was absolutely crackling, and when they finally consummated their relationship, it was delightfully hot without detracting from the suspense of the novel.
One thing about this book was its unapologetic tendency to kill or at least severely wound major characters of the story. This ramped up the suspense quite a bit, since you never really knew if any of your favorite characters were safe.
Some of the events with the villain and the final resolution between Anna and Dante didn't really flow well for me, but overall, this was a sexy, entertaining read.
3.5/5 Stars
March 26, 2015
Two and half stars. The author pulled the second book in this series before publication and abandoned the series which should be enough for most potential readers to decide not to bother with this one. Too bad I didn't realize that before reading it as I don't like spoilers so I avoid reading blurbs on sequels.
The prologue was compelling and the murder story set up had real potential. Unfortunately the author's writing style did not work with the intended tone. The events that unfold should have been chilling, tense and uncomfortable but instead everyone appeared way too matter a fact about things that should have left them emotionally raw. In attempting to make her characters cool, collected and professional, they mostly seemed inhuman which counteracted whatever tension the author was attempting to achieve. The main characters suffer so many losses during the course of the book, the mandatory HEA seemed implausible and frankly tone deaf. The book goes to some very dark places and nobody reacted in a remotely credible manner.
The heroine, Anna is kind of unlikable but a complex and believable character. Her love interest, Dante was a piece of cardboard inserted as needed into the plot. His occupation is so beyond ridiculous that it was hard to take anything he did seriously.
I found it odd that the setting was specified as St Louis as it seemed more like some random middle class smallish suburb that a major city. Why bother to choose a real city if the author is going to just make stuff up? I learned more about the city in a couple of minutes of goggling than apparently the author bothered to learn. Little things like the city is half black and yet every single character in the book is white, or that there is a website for the St Louis Homicide Department but in the book the city assigns just one random Detective to a string of murders, or that the drug trade is controlled by a Mexican Cartel not the Italian Mafia which in the real world - humorously enough - has been reduced to a couple of old men running old fashioned gambling rings.
The prologue was compelling and the murder story set up had real potential. Unfortunately the author's writing style did not work with the intended tone. The events that unfold should have been chilling, tense and uncomfortable but instead everyone appeared way too matter a fact about things that should have left them emotionally raw. In attempting to make her characters cool, collected and professional, they mostly seemed inhuman which counteracted whatever tension the author was attempting to achieve. The main characters suffer so many losses during the course of the book, the mandatory HEA seemed implausible and frankly tone deaf. The book goes to some very dark places and nobody reacted in a remotely credible manner.
The heroine, Anna is kind of unlikable but a complex and believable character. Her love interest, Dante was a piece of cardboard inserted as needed into the plot. His occupation is so beyond ridiculous that it was hard to take anything he did seriously.
I found it odd that the setting was specified as St Louis as it seemed more like some random middle class smallish suburb that a major city. Why bother to choose a real city if the author is going to just make stuff up? I learned more about the city in a couple of minutes of goggling than apparently the author bothered to learn. Little things like the city is half black and yet every single character in the book is white, or that there is a website for the St Louis Homicide Department but in the book the city assigns just one random Detective to a string of murders, or that the drug trade is controlled by a Mexican Cartel not the Italian Mafia which in the real world - humorously enough - has been reduced to a couple of old men running old fashioned gambling rings.
October 26, 2011
4 STARS
Last night did not want to put book down by 1:00 AM had hard time keeping awake, so I cheated and went and read the last chapter than I could sleep and not think this guys bad oh maybe this is what happens. Than first thing this morning read the rest of the whole book. Still not guessing all of it even though I knew ending. So it has a lot of suspense, mystery that keep you guessing all the way to through.
The story opens with Anna Pallino just closing the ice cream parlor she works
at. Anna is 16 and her boyfriend Dante not quite 18 comes in as usual with his 3 foster brothers to get ice cream. Some happens and Dante leaves that night and disappears.
12 years later he is back because foster mom Elene asks him to come for her 25th wedding anniversey. Dante has only kept in touch with his foster parents not even asking any questions about his brothers or Anna.
Dante. Gabe, Roman and Jeff had been best friends and foster brothers till that night.
Now that he is back a crime has happened at the same place just like it had that night. Dante has a lot of secrets and does not tell anyone where or what he has been up too the last 12 years.
Anne is now a police detective in charge of the scene. But they never reported about the crime 12 years ago. She still has panick attacks and hides them from everyone.
Roman is a cop too. Gabe is now working for the Mob rides a motorcycle with lots of tatoos. He left the same night as Dante been back 2 years. and Jeff is a insurance agent. They all are still protective of Anna
I hope Gabe gets his own book and we learn more about him later.
The Characters are good and you care about them and want to know a bunch more of their lives. It is emotional and I cried a few places. It is good story their is some love scenes and viloence. But it keeps keeping you on edge.
I was given this ebook to read in exchange of honest review from Netgalley.
Last night did not want to put book down by 1:00 AM had hard time keeping awake, so I cheated and went and read the last chapter than I could sleep and not think this guys bad oh maybe this is what happens. Than first thing this morning read the rest of the whole book. Still not guessing all of it even though I knew ending. So it has a lot of suspense, mystery that keep you guessing all the way to through.
The story opens with Anna Pallino just closing the ice cream parlor she works
at. Anna is 16 and her boyfriend Dante not quite 18 comes in as usual with his 3 foster brothers to get ice cream. Some happens and Dante leaves that night and disappears.
12 years later he is back because foster mom Elene asks him to come for her 25th wedding anniversey. Dante has only kept in touch with his foster parents not even asking any questions about his brothers or Anna.
Dante. Gabe, Roman and Jeff had been best friends and foster brothers till that night.
Now that he is back a crime has happened at the same place just like it had that night. Dante has a lot of secrets and does not tell anyone where or what he has been up too the last 12 years.
Anne is now a police detective in charge of the scene. But they never reported about the crime 12 years ago. She still has panick attacks and hides them from everyone.
Roman is a cop too. Gabe is now working for the Mob rides a motorcycle with lots of tatoos. He left the same night as Dante been back 2 years. and Jeff is a insurance agent. They all are still protective of Anna
I hope Gabe gets his own book and we learn more about him later.
The Characters are good and you care about them and want to know a bunch more of their lives. It is emotional and I cried a few places. It is good story their is some love scenes and viloence. But it keeps keeping you on edge.
I was given this ebook to read in exchange of honest review from Netgalley.
November 11, 2011
This is a brand new series by Jaci Burton called The Killer series. The heart of a Killer is book one. On her website she doesn't have any info on the next book so I'm not sure how this series will go. If the characters from book one will be in book two and so on. Time will tell. For this book I have to say I have not read anything like this from Jaci before. I am only familiar with some of her contemporary books. This one was good but here and there i got kind of bored. Just a smidge though. In the beginning of the book starts with a prologue that explains how the main characters know each other as teenagers first, bonded as friends that ends with a terrifying ordeal and a death. Anna and Dante are a item and he just picks up and leaves it seems after the ordeal. The book picks up after that 12 years later with Dante coming back after being gone for those 12 years and another murder. This book is heavy on thrilling suspense and light on romance. It definitely leans more to the suspense. There are several murders that surprised me and the killer was a surprise as well. I had a suspect in mind but then he ended up dead so when i thought i had it maybe figured out i was wrong. lol This is a good sign in a book. If you can figure it out before your halfway through where's the fun? I can honestly say i was surprised and a bit shocked by who the killer was. You start liking your characters it sucks when they are not what you thought. I am excited to see where Ms. Burton goes with this series. Aside from being bored a few times it was a great read with well written characters and a good plot. Certainly kept me guessing. 3 1/2 Modokker Book Pick Stars for Heart of a Killer. You can find out more about this book and Jaci Burton's other works by check out her website here. www.jaciburton.com/
October 31, 2011
Review to come
http://atastyread.blogspot.com
Firstly, I want to give Ms. Burton props for stepping out of her comfort zone and making a go at the Romance Suspense Genre. WOO HOO!!
With that being said, I will say that I thought the PLOT had soooooo much potential. It could have went anywhere with all of the choices we had for the killer. BUT, it just didn't do it for me. The story kind of fell flat. The plot just flopped somewhere after a few chapters and after a while I just didn't care WHO the killer was.
Anna was likeable in the first few page or two and then she kind of annoyed me. Dante was a hero, who lacked the hero traits. I mean, who just left their girlfriend after a traumatic event like that?? I understand it's fiction, but to never say goodbye?? And their chemistry....WAS SO NOT JACI BURTON....The dialogue was OFF and the relationship between them was just OK for me.
Now on the other hand....I thought Gabe was SEEEEEEXY, and If his book is the next in the series, I might just have to read it anyway!!
The plot was very repetitive, and I was kind of hoping that the person who attacked her was a kid obsessed with her, and his brother continued in the obsession, or something like that. Or Roman was really the one that tried to attack her, but a kid in the alley was mistaken for the guy in the shuffle. Something other than what the outcome actually was.
So I will say it was ok/good, but not great/amazing. I usually LOVE Ms. Burton's stuff so I was actually very sad that I didn't like this one that much!! There is still hope for the next book in the series!!
http://atastyread.blogspot.com
Firstly, I want to give Ms. Burton props for stepping out of her comfort zone and making a go at the Romance Suspense Genre. WOO HOO!!
With that being said, I will say that I thought the PLOT had soooooo much potential. It could have went anywhere with all of the choices we had for the killer. BUT, it just didn't do it for me. The story kind of fell flat. The plot just flopped somewhere after a few chapters and after a while I just didn't care WHO the killer was.
Anna was likeable in the first few page or two and then she kind of annoyed me. Dante was a hero, who lacked the hero traits. I mean, who just left their girlfriend after a traumatic event like that?? I understand it's fiction, but to never say goodbye?? And their chemistry....WAS SO NOT JACI BURTON....The dialogue was OFF and the relationship between them was just OK for me.
Now on the other hand....I thought Gabe was SEEEEEEXY, and If his book is the next in the series, I might just have to read it anyway!!
The plot was very repetitive, and I was kind of hoping that the person who attacked her was a kid obsessed with her, and his brother continued in the obsession, or something like that. Or Roman was really the one that tried to attack her, but a kid in the alley was mistaken for the guy in the shuffle. Something other than what the outcome actually was.
So I will say it was ok/good, but not great/amazing. I usually LOVE Ms. Burton's stuff so I was actually very sad that I didn't like this one that much!! There is still hope for the next book in the series!!
March 12, 2016
It started out really good. The glimpse of the past to pave the way for so much in the story and the intensity of the scene. Dante comes back to town and I get a feel where the author comes from writing contemporary romance, but adding the whodunit suspense part. Throughout the book I did want to know who the killer was and had some guesses and thoughts.
Now what dropped my rating so much. The characters started out great, plot promising, but....
There were many parts that didn't come across as emotional as they could have and probably should have. The romance wasn't really very developed. Really everything could have been developed more. The characters and plot. As it is it just made the end feel too rushed and unsatisfying.
As a first attempt at a different genre for the author it was actually really good. The author has said she is not continuing the series at this time, but if she does pick it up again I would read more of her Romantic Suspense. As a start of a series it was pretty good and while it is not a cliffhanger ending, there are still some things interesting enough to continue to read if there was more. I think if I was rating this as a start of a series with more to come I may up the rating a bit more, though not by too much.
Now what dropped my rating so much. The characters started out great, plot promising, but....
There were many parts that didn't come across as emotional as they could have and probably should have. The romance wasn't really very developed. Really everything could have been developed more. The characters and plot. As it is it just made the end feel too rushed and unsatisfying.
As a first attempt at a different genre for the author it was actually really good. The author has said she is not continuing the series at this time, but if she does pick it up again I would read more of her Romantic Suspense. As a start of a series it was pretty good and while it is not a cliffhanger ending, there are still some things interesting enough to continue to read if there was more. I think if I was rating this as a start of a series with more to come I may up the rating a bit more, though not by too much.
September 17, 2011
New York Times bestselling author Jaci Burton’s latest book, The Heart of a Killer, is a suspense thriller that will have you biting your nails from the very first page. The prologue, which tells of a horrifying incident involving five teens, effectively sets the scene and the pace for the entire book.
After twelve years have passed, the five are reunited to face one of the most sinister villains to grace a story line, who is apparently stalking each one of them. Check your windows and door locks before you settle into your easy chair for a good read, as this book will challenge the nerves of even the lion-hearted .
Burton manages to pack suspense into every page. You will fall in love with her believable characters. The plot presents the reader with many twists and turns, so, even if you think you have figured out who the villain is, keep reading, there are surprises ahead. Everyone is suspect.
But, in spite of the intensity of living in constant danger, heated passion blossoms into a love that cannot last. Or can it? Burton satisfies readers’ needs for the thrill of danger balanced by the thrill of passion. This is a must read!
One last word to the wise, do not be tempted to peek at the end, because it will kill the suspense and the surprise ending.
Barbara Horn
Author
After twelve years have passed, the five are reunited to face one of the most sinister villains to grace a story line, who is apparently stalking each one of them. Check your windows and door locks before you settle into your easy chair for a good read, as this book will challenge the nerves of even the lion-hearted .
Burton manages to pack suspense into every page. You will fall in love with her believable characters. The plot presents the reader with many twists and turns, so, even if you think you have figured out who the villain is, keep reading, there are surprises ahead. Everyone is suspect.
But, in spite of the intensity of living in constant danger, heated passion blossoms into a love that cannot last. Or can it? Burton satisfies readers’ needs for the thrill of danger balanced by the thrill of passion. This is a must read!
One last word to the wise, do not be tempted to peek at the end, because it will kill the suspense and the surprise ending.
Barbara Horn
Author
March 11, 2016
Twelve years after a horrible attack leaves Anna with physical and mental scars, Dante, one of her rescuers and her then-boyfriend, returns and sets off a killing spree that appears related to that long ago attack. The suspense was fairly well set up and there are several twists and turns. I had thought I'd figured it out and talked myself out of it and then turned out I was right. There certainly appeared to be another book in the offing, but the author has decided to go a different way. There's lots of heat between Anna and Dante and the author maintains the tension between them well. Good diverting read.
October 16, 2011
This was a good suspense story but not a lot of romance. I was a little surprised since Jb's books are usually very steamy. There were some good scenes in this but not like she usually does.
I really didn't like Anna through this book and it pissed me off that right at the start she was mean and accused Dante of being a killer. She was way too harsh to him all the time and he deserved much better than her.
Overall though a good suspense.
***I received this as an ARC from NetGalley***
I really didn't like Anna through this book and it pissed me off that right at the start she was mean and accused Dante of being a killer. She was way too harsh to him all the time and he deserved much better than her.
Overall though a good suspense.
***I received this as an ARC from NetGalley***
September 21, 2014
This was great! I have to say though, I was kinda bummed about who the baddie was. I mean that sucks. But I loved the story. Loved all the drama and suspense. I was totally wrong on who did it. Oh well. Cant wait for the next one.
September 6, 2011
Very different from any other Jaci Burton book I've read!! The suspense was good, but predictable and I figured out who the villain was pretty early on. There were some hot moments in this, and overall a decent read. Full review to come closer to release date....
September 27, 2016
I didn't know what to write about this book and I still kind of don't. It was the perfect balance of thriller/suspense and romance. I loved it. It was heartbreaking but hopeful. It was exhilarating and calming. I was enthralled from start to finish.
January 29, 2016
This is re-read .... excellent book. Romantic Suspense at its best.
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