Blank Slate

by Tiffany Snow

Special Agent Erik Langston has been tracking Clarissa O’Connell for nearly a year, always one step behind the cyber hacking thief. She’s escaped his clutches often and easily.

Except tonight.

In the snow-covered switchbacks of the Colorado mountains in a worsening snowstorm, a car crash robs Clarissa of her memory and lands her as Erik’s prisoner.

Riding out the storm in a cabin, Erik is forced to protect someone he knows to be a criminal, though O’Connell isn’t anything like he’d imagined her to be.

In a race to stay one step ahead of those who’ll do anything for what she knows, Clarissa and Erik must dig into her locked memories if they’re going to survive. But revelations of her past prove to Clarissa she’s everything Erik despises. Can she trust his feelings even when he knows the truth?

Is it really possible to start over with a blank slate?

Genres: Romance, Romantic Suspense, Mystery, Suspense, Fiction, Contemporary, Thriller

360 pages, ebook

First published December 18, 2012

Reviews

[A. · Rating 2 out of 5]

2-ish Stars

I want my brain cells back.



This is approximately 400 light years different from the Kathleen Turner series.

A badass FBI agent?



He’s a pussy.
My daughter is more capable and better trained than him.



Thank God the heroine (his prisoner) saves his life more than once. I was scared shitless there wouldn’t be any HEA.

The first half of the book wasn’t bad but the second half can be used as a torture weapon on your biggest enemies. Permanent eye damage from rolling them too hard guaranteed.

How I managed to finish this theater of absurd is a real mystery to me.



QUICK REVIEW:

Enjoyment: 3.5 stars first half; 1 star last half/5
Writing style: 3/5
Storyline: 2/5
Hero(es): 1/5
Heroine: 2/5
Secondary characters: 3/5
Hotness/steam: 3/5
Romance: 3/5
Angst: 2/5
Darkness level: 2/5
Humor: 2.5/5
Depth of the book: 2/5
POV: dual, 3rd person
Triggers: rape (off page), killing (on page)

[Mo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lovey
Me Boy
We’s all we got now ya know
Not so much be changin’ I’m thinkin

This is why this book is not a solid 4 or 5 star read for me. I know some of you think I am a bit anal when it comes to all things Irish but I cannot help it. If I wrote a novel set in America and started using words like “fuel” for “gas” or “rubbish” for ”garbage” or “courgette” for “zucchini”, “path” instead of “sidewalk” (the author did actually have the brother say "sidewalk" in the book - an Irish person would NEVER use the term "sidewalk") you might get a little bit annoyed with me.

I am sure most of you who will read it won’t even notice these things that annoyed me so go for it. It would have been a GREAT READ if I could have ignored them so I would recommend the book.


I know we have the stereotypes about Ireland and drink etc. but if a book is written and the author is trying to write about an Irish character, please, please be true to what Irish people are…. We are not leprechauns, we are not clones of Tom Cruise in “Far and Away”, Ireland is not like it is portrayed in Darby O’Gill and the Little People.

"I have red hair and freckles"

Of course she has, because EVERY FUCKING PERSON IN IRELAND HAS RED HAIR AND FRECKLES…..



The name of the heroine is Clarissa O’CONNELL – my name is O’Connell, another reason I so wanted to love this book. But then she used the word “dinna”, I nearly DINNA finish it myself ….. were we suddenly transported to Scotland or something?

"dinna be throwin’ that up in me face again"

That’s my rant for today over. Wanted to see what this author was like as she has a Kathleen Turner series that I want to try. Please, dear God, don’t let Kathleen be Irish – although Kathleen is an Irish name … May the Road Rise to meet You…. And all that feckin’ shite – HAVE A GREAT DAY!

[Anja · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 SUSPENSEFUL STARS ★ ★ ★ ☆

[Mindy Lou's Book Review · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was good. I enjoyed the mystery behind Clarissa's amnesia. Erik was a bit too much by the book, but that also made him more appealing when he fell for Clarissa and proved he could put a person above all else. This author is known for her love triangles, but that is not the case for this book. I was glad to see just Clarissa and Erik as the main focus. This is also a single book and the story concludes at the end. No cliffhangers. A good read!

[Angie **loves angst** · Rating 4 out of 5]

"He was an FBI agent. She was a wanted fugitive. To think they could be together was like saying maybe a shark could go vegetarian. It just wasn't going to happen."

First let me say I've been on a romantic suspense high since the year began, and this book took me higher. One of my favorite types of romance is when two unlikely people come together and realize that in spite of their differences they are perfect for each other. In this case we have an FBI agent and a wanted criminal he's been chasing. When trying to escape from Erik, Clarissa crashes her getaway car into a tree, and hits her head causing her to suffer from amnesia. She has no idea who she is, the crimes she's committed or why someone wants her dead.

"She was everything he shouldn't want and that just made her irresistible."

Clarissa was definitely a handful but Erik was the right guy to handle her. While she's rash and impulsive he's calm and thinks things through before making a move. These two made a great team as they worked together to catch a bad guy. No instalove or instalust here. In fact these two liked each other very little in the beginning, and Clarissa tried everything in her power to get away from Erik. I laughed my way through this. Clarissa's sharp tongue and Erik's dry humor were the perfect combination. In addition to this, it was refreshing to read about a heroine who wasn't shy or played games when it came to sex. Clarissa wanted Erik's body and she was not afraid to express this, or show him how much she really wanted him.

"These feelings she had for him, they did nothing but make her weak."

When Erik realizes he's falling for Clarissa he does everything in power to keep her safe, even risking his job.These two have no one to trust but each other when Erik discovers there's a mole and one of his fellow agents is working against him. There are many twists and turns and the suspense is thrilling and delightful. I thoroughly enjoyed this read and is definitely recommended for lovers of romantic suspense.

"There was no way out of this, no happy ending, not for them. Too much was at risk for her to trust him, the stakes too high."

Rating: 4 High Stars

[♥Rachel♥ · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 Stars

A fun, quick audiobook. Clarissa is a very wanted computer hacker/thief, but loses her memory completely! Classic opposites attract with Erik being an FBI agent and Clarissa being a thief. Lots of snarky banter and a few sizzling scenes. Non-stop action at every turn and I loved that Clarissa was a bad-ass! The narration was pretty good, too. Clarissa's accent wasn't heavily overdone, just right.

Not bad for an Audible Daily Deal!

[☆ Sammy ☆彡 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just finished Blank Slate and Tiffany Snow has created another wonderful romantic suspense novel :) I loved the chemistry between Clarissa and Erik. Their banter at times made me giggle. There was a lot of suspense and action in this story and there were a few twists thrown in that I never expected! 5 stars!

On a side note.. I also loved the serial format because getting new chapters every few weeks was more enjoyable for me than having to wait almost a year (like with Out of Turn).

[Glory · Rating 3 out of 5]

Фактически: 2.5 звезды

Кларисса О'Коннелл - дочь преступника, сестра преступника, да и сама не крестиком по вечерам вышивает, а взламывает все, что плохо защитили. Первоклассный хакер и неуловимая мошенница.
Вроде бы.
Эрик Лэнгстон - агент ФБР, что уже долгое время пытается поймать Клариссу и через нее выйти на рыбку покрупнее.

В один совсем не прекрасный вечер Эрику наконец удается загнать Клариссу в тупик - точнее, на горную заснеженную дорогу. Фэбээровец так увлеченно преследует свою жертву, что ее машину заносит, и Кларисса неслабо прикладывается головой, в результате чего теряет память.
Эрик, знамо дело, ей не верит, гордится своей добычей, и все б ничего, но они заблудились. Зимой, непонятно где, и Кларисса ранена.

Какое-то время они пережидают в чьей-то хижине, затем выбираются к цивилизации, и Эрик пытается сдать пойманную в руки коллег. Вот только все его попытки заканчиваются покушениями на ее жизнь. Наниматель требует от Клариссы что-то, что она украла, но о чем не помнит. И если не вспомнит, то явно долго не проживет.
В дело включаются продажные агенты, а самого Эрика объявляют предателем, вставшим на сторону преступницы.

**********************

Рано или поздно все ОЛР надоедают. Ну, в смысле, никакой экшн не спасет, если всё уже читано-перечитано.
Спасут только персонажи. Яркие, интересные, думающие, с характерами.
Тут, к сожалению, этого нет.

Неплохой, по сути, сюжет (при всей моей нелюбви к амнезиям) и достаточно динамичное действие интереса не добавляли. Написано тоже весьма хорошо, однако когда вместо крутого фэбээровского мозга герой начинает думать лишь не менее крутым фэбээровским членом, я слегка разочаровываюсь. Ну и сцены, где героиня сидит голая и с пулей в боку, а у него опять всё "восстает" ниже пояса, уже достали. Вылечи - потом уж делай, что х��чешь.

Ладно, отдаю автору должное за минимум амнезийных штампов. Я ждала, что Эрик сразу не скажет Клариссе, кто он, как-нибудь использует ее, а потом дама прозреет и оскорбится. Нет - он с порога заявил: я слуга закона, ты будущая заключенная, вот наручники, пипец котенку. Ну ладно, думаю, значит теперь он ни за что не поверит в ее амнезию, раз уж сразу не поверил и открыл все карты. И тут не угадала: поупирался, конечно, потупил, но когда догнал, что никто не станет изображать потерю памяти, если в результате его за это могут убить - ненадолго включил верхний мозг.

Были и другие светлые моменты, но в целом - не зацепило почти.
Без литературного криминала, но и без изюминки. Герои плосковаты, хочучка местами зашкаливает...

[Kristina · Rating 2 out of 5]

I sincerely apologize, but I am SO glad that I finally finished this book. It makes me a bit sad to think that there are so many good books out there that I will not have a chance to read in my life and yet I spent precious hours reading this one. This was so definitely not at all my type of book. It's not that the writing is bad because it isn't. It's not that the plot isn't interesting because it is. (That extra star is for the HUGE twist that I absolutely did not see coming.) It's the toxic combination of a law enforcement/action thriller and a cheap romance novel. It just does not work. While the thriller aspect may enhance the romance, the romance completely degrades the thriller. It makes Erik Langston, FBI Special Agent, a thoroughly unconvincing and unbelievable character who, for someone who pursued law enforcement single-mindedly and chased Clarissa obsessively, suddenly upon meeting her throws logic and reason and the law out the window and thinks only with his dick. Sure, he has his altruistic moments when he is suddenly reminded of his duty but they usually follow a sexual chain of thought. This doesn't make him human, this makes him seem pathetic. Clarissa O'Connell, as a character, I did not particularly like because of her cocky personality (pun intended...?) but she had a more believable and developed personality. But even still, the whole "oh i'll leave to protect you, but oh no I won't and oh this is a good time to leave but I can't and oh damn it to hell yes I will, no I won't, god I want you" gets very old, very fast.

[Simone · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dear Tiffany Snow,
I've been pissed off for a while now, waiting for the next installment in the Kathleen Turner Series.
I mean seriously, how long do you expect people to wait?
Then I stumbled upon this, book.
Saw some reviews about it also being in installments and wanted to bang my head against the Kindle.
Luckily for me tho, I looked further into it and realised I didn't have to wait like those other suckers because the book was complete.
You're now off my shite list.
I've had my fix of adventure.
I've fallen for another sexy cop.
And I've loved everything about the feisty Irish chick ... Ahm hm ... Girl.
Xo

[AmberB · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was intrigued when I noticed this was a kindle serial (short episodes that will automatically upload every 2 weeks). First off I absolutely love the Kathleen Turner series by Tiffany Snow so I couldn't pass this up. I'm hooked only after episode 1! Yes, it is short, with only a couple chapters but I am itching to read the next installment. If you are up for reading something thats a little suspense plus the making of some sexy chemistry, then give this a try.

[Lorraine.Hates.Cliffhanger.Endings! · Rating 4 out of 5]

Twists & turns on every page.

[StScho · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just amazing..amazing..amazing.

Fighting an attraction because they are on opposite sides of the law...
A female character that I actually liked and didn't make me want to scratch my brain....
A male character that was a MAN but not too over the top about it.

Love.. Love.. Love

[Kathleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn't read this as a serial, just right through as I was a little late to the party. As always, Ms. Snow never disappoints. Truly, I was somewhat hesitant to pick this one up and even let it sit for ages in my "to read" section. It's not that I didn't think it would most likely be good, but I love the "Kathleen Turner" series so much, I didn't want to be let down if this book didn't match up....one hit wonder kind of thinking I suppose. Lucky for me and other fans of Ms. Snow's works, this one was very enjoyable.....still a five star journey. Was I still a bigger fan of the former series, sure, but let's face it, that's hard to top. Anyway, about this book....

O'Connell is a wanted woman on the run from the law......Langston, the FBI agent plagued with the task of bringing her in.....in the midst of a Colorado snow storm, running for your life, and basically being stuck with one another 24 hours a day....well, sparks are bound to fly between two good looking and capable people......so where will it lead.....blossoming romance or budding behind bars?

Don't be fooled, this book is predictable but in the best kind of way. Me personally, I love happy endings but I love to be entertained. Me, sitting on the edge of my seat, dying to have a break at work to pick up my book, reading into all hours of the night....Ms. Snow's books do that, and this book was no different.

As always with Tiffany Snow, 5 stars!

[Tonja · Rating 2 out of 5]

This review is predicated on the fact that this book is 90% romance and I am NOT a romance reader. The description of the book was very misleading in my opinion and had I realized sooner that it was romance and not primarily an thriller, my review might be a little different.

With that said, one of the major problems I had with this book is the POV head-jumping that goes on between the two main characters - granted I listened to this on audio, but it seemed as if the POV changed even mid-sentence, which was extremely frustrating and annoying. I don't mind books that swap POV, but not back-and-forth tennis style in one chapter.

My second issue with the book is that I would have liked to read more about Clarissa's hacking expertise and not as much as her on the run. The amnesia was an interesting plot point but Snow could have played this out a little more with getting to know Clarissa more before the amnesia happened.

Overall the story was interesting, but the romance is way overplayed in a book that really would be more interesting as a thriller.

[Michel Reinhard (Saucy Southern Readers) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a Kindle Serial. So far the first four segments have been released. I am so hooked! Tiffany A. Snow has a gift for writing romantic suspense. She develops smoking hot chemistry between the characters, scary ass bad guys, a crime that is questionable, deceit coming from the good guys, and an adventure the characters need to go through before there is hope for true love. All I can say is WoW! Fantastic....I cannot wait for the rest of the segments in this serial.

[Jenniferღ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked it so far.. There wasn't an ending, it says TBC and that it will automatically update! That's a first for me ?!?

[Andra Colman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good plot but too slow and corny in spots.

[Bec · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF it's just not believable that a workaholic FBI agent who has been working on a case non stop for months will through that all out the window because she has nice red hair....

[Vikki Vaught · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Musings

I am so glad I found this talented author! This book has great characters and an intriguing plot. It kept me engaged from the beginning to the end. I can't wait to read more books from this fantastic author.Happy ☺reading 📚!

[Wendy]

DNF

[Courtney Hasegawa · Rating 2 out of 5]

I got this book during a book exchange so did not have any background information before reading. It started out really strong for me, then got repetitive quick and felt choppy at the end.

[No one · Rating 2 out of 5]

Nope. I can't. I just can't.
Too clichéd and corny. This just is personal preference but I am sick of red-haired heroines with green eyes that act as a substitute for an actual personality.
I am not against romantic suspense, but the sinopsis led me to believe that this would be more suspense and less romance.
I had to drop it when a guy is all surprised that the super mega hacker he so admires is a girl. I know the book is trying to lampshade this but still it didn't work for me and I had to roll my eyes.
After three weeks (three weeks!!) trying to finish it, I give up.

[Karielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

As an untraditional romance story, Blank Slate certainly delivers. The deadly, sexy game of predator and prey—hunter and hunted—that Clarissa and Erik fall into is full of action, bumps in the road, and slow but steamy romance. What occurs between these two unlikely lovers when they disastrously, marvelously find each other will have readers pining to figure out how they'll end up together... if they even make it out alive.

However, as a romantic thriller, Blank Slate disappoints. As you know, I'm a huge fan of Snow's Kathleen Turner novels and was eager for something along the lines of that series when I picked up this book. There's definitely lots of conflict involving governmental and cyber warfare—plenty of situations where characters are held at gunpoint and dodge both literal and figurative bullets—but I feel this book just didn't crack and sizzle like I expect suspense stories to. Two rather poorly integrated plot twists are shoved into the last few chapters which upsets the weightier, more deep-set pacing and content the previous chapters carry. I guess I should have seen this coming, considering the book was first published as a Kindle serial—meaning it wasn't originally released as a full-length novel, but rather in episodes (a few chapters per episode) as each was written; the suspense aspect just wasn't all that suspenseful for me.

I was glad to see such compelling characters, though; they definitely make up for the lack of excitement in plot. Erik seems too sentimental and rigid at first, but he absolutely made me melt; he's the genteel, chivalrous, loyal hero that's difficult to come by in romance these days. At times, his hardheaded decency makes him a bit foolish (can we say whipped?) but he's so sweet, the kind of guy who's swoon-worthy not for being dangerous and sensual, but rather for standing moral ground and serving the greater good with his sexy FBI status. (However, he's definitely no Kade. Sorry for the shameless Kathleen Turner plug, but if the comparison helps, you should know: I liked Erik, but didn't LOVE him. He isn't dark/brooding/twisted enough to have me ripping my panties off or anything. If you want that kind of hero, you need to read No Turning Back ASAP).

Clarissa is such a likable, hilarious character. She's admirably strong even at her lowest lows, and super freakin' wicked smart. Yet she still has room to be playful and bring out the blushing, crushing schoolboy in Erik... can't go wrong with that. While the memory loss premise is a little shaky—I'm not sure it's neurologically possible to experience a complete brain wipeout while retaining rudimentary memories she still apparently has, such as shooting a gun or picking a lock—the attraction between Clarissa and Erik is a huge elephant in the room, and it's obvious what she feels—and what he discovers is love—is much more than duty's call.

Pros
Explores a complicated emotional bond very well // Light, fluffy banter between characters // Erik is a knight in shining armor! // Clarissa is strong and intelligent heroine with a great sense of humor

Cons
Not that thrilling // Not substantial in style... reads like a mildly smutified (I just made that a word!) version of White Collar

Love

She watched in silence as Langston added more wood to the fire, stirring it back to life. He disappeared into the bedroom, then reemerged while angrily jerking a T-shirt down over his chest. Clarissa briefly mourned the loss.

Verdict
I wasn't a huge fan of the irregular pacing of Blank Slate because it prevented the huge climaxes from being all that surprising, but I was impressed with the steady and meaningful unexpected connection that blooms between Clarissa and Erik. The basic story line is linear and predictable, but that doesn't make it any less entertaining. The elusiveness of identity and the definition of betrayal are effectively examined in Tiffany Snow's newest single-title romance; it's no Kathleen Turner, but it's still a pretty worthwhile read.

Rating: 7 out of 10 hearts (4 stars): Not perfect, but overall enjoyable.

Source
Complimentary copy provided by author in exchange for an honest and unbiased review (thank you, Tiffany!).

[K.S. Marsden · Rating 5 out of 5]

Special Agent Langston has slowly become obsessed with catching the cyber thief that has escaped all his attempts for the last year. But when he finally does have her under arrest, events spiral and Clarissa ends up with amnesia, and no use to anyone. Is poor little Clarissa faking in an effort to escape her crimes? Will Erik Langston uncover the truth?

I loved this book. Despite the cover and the synopsis making it look like an FBI thriller, it's 50/50 mix of romance, too. Don't pick this book up if you're expecting something serious. There wasn't a single twist or revelation that you can't see from a mile away.

So why the 5 stars? This. Was. Fun.
It's a great little book (or not-so-little, with 370 pages) that catches you and doesn't let go. It follows Erik and Clarissa as they try and uncover Clarissa's past and her true motivations to her life of crime. But it doesn't take itself too seriously - there is great chemistry, and some cracking, entertaining scenes between Erik and Clarissa. You really root for them throughout the book.
Clarissa is a lot of fun, even with amnesia, she is one of the smartest people that Erik has had to deal with. And it was such a refreshing change that despite her growing feelings for Erik, she stays focussed on her goals and doesn't become one of those annoying, simpering sorts.

The rest of the supporting cast do their job - none of the other characters particularly stand out, as the story doesn't bog itself down with any unnecessary histories or biographies. Which some people might find detrimental, to not have that depth to everyone that steps into the spotlight. But I found that the characters were fleshed out enough for their roles, and I thought it suited this story.

So yes, I would recommend this for anyone who is looking for an entertaining romance with plenty of action thrown in. (Oi, I meant fighting action, get your mind out of the gutter)

[Saffron · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tiffany A Snow is my fave romantic suspense author. The Kindle Serial format was difficult to get used to, but it did give me time to read other books as I waited for the next episode.

I really liked Clarissa's character both during and after her amnesia. And who didn't love Eric?? Their interactions and the sexual tension were believable. The location descriptions from the snow storm to all the cities, I really felt like I was right there with them.

The true identity of Solomon -- whoa. Like, seriously whoa!! I didn't make the connection and was surprised. The lead up to that reveal was very well done and kept the suspense going throughout each episode.

I would love to see a spin off of these two characters whether in a stand alone book or Kindle Serial format.

[Tulay · Rating 1 out of 5]

Raging hormones.

Downloaded this book through Kindle Unlimited, that was the good part. Don't want a book like this in my library. Terrible car crash, she doesn't even know her name, but knows what kind of coffee or toothpaste she likes. Middle of fights all FBI agent Erik and O'Connell thinks is sex. Don't waste your time on this book.

[Rachel Skinner · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm not sure whether I love or hate the 'Kindle serial' concept. Okay, I love it, but it's going to kill me to wait two weeks between episodes! Damn you Ms. Snow for your cliffhanger! :-P I'm already hooked on these characters and this story and can't wait to find out what happens next.

[Lynne]

Liked author's writing style but felt the last episode was somewhat rushed (kindle series). I would have purchased this book as a whole and probably liked it even more. Perhaps I'm not patient enough for waiting two weeks.

[Kjen · Rating 3 out of 5]

***3.5 Stars~~~A good enough read. This doesn't have the same pop as the Kathleen Turner series, but was a decent romantic suspense. I didn't 'feel' the characters as much as I would have liked. Imagery, action, and building of romantic tension was well done.