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Not Without Risk
Re-Edited, revised edition now available
Six agonizing months after a slug collapsed his lung, Sergeant Justin Harrison manages to return to the one place where he shines—the San Diego homicide division. Nothing will stand in the way of proving he is fit for active duty. Especially not the long-legged brunette who just stumbled into his crime scene.
Photographer Paige Conroy spent years hiding from her past. Then a late night telephone call brings it crashing back. An old friend is in town and needs her help. When she arrives at his hotel room four hours later, he's dead. Suddenly, she's the target of a madman, and Paige must turn to Sergeant Harrison for protection.
But who is the bigger threat to her... the faceless assailant she fears will steal her life or the dark-eyed detective she knows could steal her heart?
Six agonizing months after a slug collapsed his lung, Sergeant Justin Harrison manages to return to the one place where he shines—the San Diego homicide division. Nothing will stand in the way of proving he is fit for active duty. Especially not the long-legged brunette who just stumbled into his crime scene.
Photographer Paige Conroy spent years hiding from her past. Then a late night telephone call brings it crashing back. An old friend is in town and needs her help. When she arrives at his hotel room four hours later, he's dead. Suddenly, she's the target of a madman, and Paige must turn to Sergeant Harrison for protection.
But who is the bigger threat to her... the faceless assailant she fears will steal her life or the dark-eyed detective she knows could steal her heart?
Nook
First published August 1, 2007
3 people are currently reading
636 people want to read
About the author
Sarah Grimm
20 books510 followersSarah Grimm is an award-winning, best-selling contemporary romance author addicted to fast cars, reading and laughter. She lives in West Michigan with her husband, two sons, and three dogs and has a penchant for dropping F-bombs like the rock stars she loves to write about.
She is a proud member of Romance Writers of America and Novelists, Inc.
Visit Sarah at http://www.sarahgrimm.com
Be sure to follow Sarah on BookBub for the latest on sales https://bit.ly/3KLWKnw
She is a proud member of Romance Writers of America and Novelists, Inc.
Visit Sarah at http://www.sarahgrimm.com
Be sure to follow Sarah on BookBub for the latest on sales https://bit.ly/3KLWKnw
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 29 of 46 reviews
March 8, 2013
With author, Sarah Grimm, these two elements--steam and suspense--merge into a well-crafted read. Like most men, Justin, a police detective, has trouble dealing with his temporary weakness from a bullet wound. Paige is still trying to recover from her fiance's brutal murder. So when a second murder brings them together, sparks fly and walls shoot up another six feet. Neither wants to be attracted, yet both are. As they fight their chemistry and growing feelings, a diabolical villian seems bent on destroying their lives. Ms. Grimm drew me into the story in her opening scene and held me by the throat until I read "The End." It's easy to understand why this book has won some prestigious awards and nominations. Well done. Very well done. A keeper for sure.
June 29, 2013
I loved this story. The first I've read by Ms. Grimm, and I cannot tell you how much I enjoyed these characters. The emotional conflict and sizzling attraction between Justin and Paige leaps off the page. Not to mention the nail-biting suspense of a stalker that kept me up until the wee hours of the night while I tried to figure out "who done it". A fantastic read, heartfelt story and true captivating romance. Watch for this author. She's going to be doing great things in the very near future!
August 26, 2016
Not Without Risk is a great romantic mystery read. Sarah Grimm did not fail to deliver an intriguing, suspenseful story.
Written with passion and emotion, the characters and plot captures my imagination. Each scene brought out a crucial part of the story and made it more interesting than the next with twists and turns. Sergeant Nick Harrison and Paige Conroy are engaging and likable characters. Their romance and love scenes were sensual and intimate. As they get closer to solving the case, their relationship and job is also at risk. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and highly recommend it to anyone that enjoys strong romantic suspense elements. Well done!
Written with passion and emotion, the characters and plot captures my imagination. Each scene brought out a crucial part of the story and made it more interesting than the next with twists and turns. Sergeant Nick Harrison and Paige Conroy are engaging and likable characters. Their romance and love scenes were sensual and intimate. As they get closer to solving the case, their relationship and job is also at risk. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and highly recommend it to anyone that enjoys strong romantic suspense elements. Well done!
June 16, 2013
I enjoyed this book and would read more of Grimm's romantic suspense work. At first I felt there was too much time spent in the heads of the lead characters. The author does such a good job of building sexual tension between the characters this way, though. Justin and Paige are smokin' hot. It also helps that both are intelligent characters. Love scenes are very sensual. Throw in a really evil and cunning bad guy, and you've got a total package.
April 24, 2013
Paige Conroy receives a call from her past and discovers an old friend dead. Enter homicide cop Justin Harrison just now back on the job after being shot. There is an instant mind blowing connection between the two but he doesn't do love and she doesn't do cops after losing her cop fiancé on the job three years earlier. Problem is she now has a stalker and it is up to Justin to keep her alive. Can he keep her and his heart safe?
I really got a kick out of this. The characters were real and the interaction between Justin and Paige was intense. If you want a quick romantic suspense read I recommend Not Without Risk.
I really got a kick out of this. The characters were real and the interaction between Justin and Paige was intense. If you want a quick romantic suspense read I recommend Not Without Risk.
February 21, 2011
If you like dangerously sexy suspense and page turners that refuse to let you go, then don't miss NOT WITHOUT RISK. I in love with Grimm's strong creative voice and her gutsy, yet vulnerable characters. Sloane Taylor Sloane Taylor
September 13, 2014
Wow if you like murder mystery and love this book is for you. I have read Sarah Grimm’s books and love them. They bring romance and mystery to a new high.
Sergeant Justin Harrison was back on the job after being injured . His first day back was of a murder that involved a policeman from out of town. He knew this case was going to be a hard one to handle.
Paige Conroy got a call from a friend from her past a cop and he sounded upset and wanted to meet her and talk to her it was an emergency that he talk to her. So they set up a meeting time and when she arrives he is dead he had been murdered. Paige’s world is about to be turned upside with her past catching up with her bringing back memories of her ex fiancé who was also a cop and murdered in front of her. So when she meet’s Sergeant Harrison her world is thrown into another loop , he breaks down her walls and with someone out to try to kill her he vows to keep her safe. This book was one you picked up and didn’t put down. Loved it .I was given this book for my honest review and wow i am such a fan of sarah Grimm I love her books!
Sergeant Justin Harrison was back on the job after being injured . His first day back was of a murder that involved a policeman from out of town. He knew this case was going to be a hard one to handle.
Paige Conroy got a call from a friend from her past a cop and he sounded upset and wanted to meet her and talk to her it was an emergency that he talk to her. So they set up a meeting time and when she arrives he is dead he had been murdered. Paige’s world is about to be turned upside with her past catching up with her bringing back memories of her ex fiancé who was also a cop and murdered in front of her. So when she meet’s Sergeant Harrison her world is thrown into another loop , he breaks down her walls and with someone out to try to kill her he vows to keep her safe. This book was one you picked up and didn’t put down. Loved it .I was given this book for my honest review and wow i am such a fan of sarah Grimm I love her books!
February 27, 2013
Not Without Risk is a non-stop roller-coaster of emotion and suspense from start to finish. Paige and Justin really bring this story to life, we get to see both their perspective's, and their own thoughts and reasonings for the things they do making it easier to bond and relate to them. Both Paige and Justin were likable and well-fleshed characters with emotional hang-ups stemming from their respective pasts'. The plot was well done, and while I thought I knew who the villain was, Grimm threw a curveball I didn't see coming. A wonderful, immersing read. I look forward to reading more from Ms. Grimm in the future.
May 14, 2015
Not Without Risk is a great romantic mystery read. The characters and plot captures you from the start. Sergeant Justin Harrison and Paige Conroy were very engaging and likable characters. I felt like Paige did, as she and Justin were trying to figure out who was stalking her. I loved the romance and suspense and how the story ended. Great book Sarah!!!! This is the second book of Sarah's that I have read. I also read After Midnight and now waiting for Midnight Heat to arrive.
March 19, 2013
Sergeant Justin Harrison knows he has returned to early from being shot six months ago, but he needs to get back to work. His first day back on the job he is called to investigate a murder of another cop and the woman who found him is a mystery in it's self.
Photographer Paige Conroy has know idea why her old friend called her out of the blue needing to see her right away, finding him dead though shakes her to the core. Not completely healed from when she witnessed her fiancee murder, she doesn't know how much she can handle especially when it comes to the mutual attraction between her and Justin. When it begins to look like Paige is the key to the murder and her life is in danger, Justin breaks his vow of no commitments wanting to protect her in every way possible.
This was a bit of a roller-coaster, you have a couple of subplots going on with both Justin and Paige but it all makes for an intriguing read. Justin scorches up each page he is on, I was swooning. Was kept guessing who was behind the cat and mouse game with Paige, entertaining read.
Photographer Paige Conroy has know idea why her old friend called her out of the blue needing to see her right away, finding him dead though shakes her to the core. Not completely healed from when she witnessed her fiancee murder, she doesn't know how much she can handle especially when it comes to the mutual attraction between her and Justin. When it begins to look like Paige is the key to the murder and her life is in danger, Justin breaks his vow of no commitments wanting to protect her in every way possible.
This was a bit of a roller-coaster, you have a couple of subplots going on with both Justin and Paige but it all makes for an intriguing read. Justin scorches up each page he is on, I was swooning. Was kept guessing who was behind the cat and mouse game with Paige, entertaining read.
August 15, 2014
Great Read
Great Read
5 STARS because this book is that good. It's well written, has fast action, great characters, chemistry between characters.
Paige a photographer who knows the victim and becomes the main suspect in murder case
Justin a homicide defective who just gets back to work from being shot off duty. Gets called to a murder scene
A Villian you don't expect. Sarah Grimm writes a great story that pulls you in from the get go and holds you captive til the very end. I didn't want to put this book down at all.
I recommend this book to all readers!
Great Read
5 STARS because this book is that good. It's well written, has fast action, great characters, chemistry between characters.
Paige a photographer who knows the victim and becomes the main suspect in murder case
Justin a homicide defective who just gets back to work from being shot off duty. Gets called to a murder scene
A Villian you don't expect. Sarah Grimm writes a great story that pulls you in from the get go and holds you captive til the very end. I didn't want to put this book down at all.
I recommend this book to all readers!
August 26, 2014
This was an amazing read from beginning to end. I could not put it down. It has fantastic characters that from the moment that you meet them, you will fall in love with them, an amazing story that will keep you interested and entertained from beginning to end. It moved along at a great pace, keeping you interested. This has to be read, no doubt about it.
April 29, 2011
Really enjoyed Not Without Risk. It was suspenseful, fast-paced, and filled with sizzling sexual tension! Definite recommend!
March 8, 2013
I loved the story. The twists and turns made the story more enjoyable to read. Also, have to mention the love story between Justin and Paige. It was hot and it was romantic. The pull and the push between them made it for me.
The suspense aspect was very well executed by the author. I wasn't expecting that person to be the villian of the story.But that person was the killer...lol...
Overall a must read for any person who's looking for a romantic suspense. You'll get both in the book.
The suspense aspect was very well executed by the author. I wasn't expecting that person to be the villian of the story.But that person was the killer...lol...
Overall a must read for any person who's looking for a romantic suspense. You'll get both in the book.
March 28, 2011
This book kept me riveted form the first page to the last. Sarah Grimm has a deft touch with the word and creates incredible suspense. You'll love her characters from the first page to the last. The only thing you won't like is turning the last page because you don't want the book to be over.
May 25, 2013
This book has what I look for in a quick read...excitement, suspense and romance! I agree with other reviewers, the beginning of the book was a bit slow, but when it picks up...boy does it ever! So stick with it, and you shall be rewarded!
August 26, 2014
This book was a great read, a murder mystery romance that draws you in to dark and complicated world of Detective Justin Harrison who has just returned to work after being wounded in a shooting while off duty. First day back in duty and he is called to the murder of a Detective from an outside area, little did he know he would end up protecting and falling in love with the stubborn self-reliant Paige. When her life is threatened on more then one occasion, Harrison can only struggle with his protectiveness as feeling's he thought he would never feel come crashing to the surface, causing him to deal with his emotions as time starts to run out and the killer is closing in on them only help to confirm his love for Paige and the fear of losing her so soon. This was a great story, very intense and emotionally charged these 2 characters are well suited and together they are made whole. Very mystery and puzzle solving of a story you can't help but try and solve the puzzle while their sweet romance blossoms and they discover their love for each other when Paige's past threatens to destroy them both.
March 26, 2011
Book Reviewed By: Melinda
Night Owl Reviews
4.75 Stars and a TOP PICK
"SARAH GRIMM has done it again with a fabulous romantic suspense...The suspense and attraction was awesome and this is definitely an author that will blow your mind away."
Read the review HERE
Night Owl Reviews
4.75 Stars and a TOP PICK
"SARAH GRIMM has done it again with a fabulous romantic suspense...The suspense and attraction was awesome and this is definitely an author that will blow your mind away."
Read the review HERE
June 4, 2011
Stressed out? Disappear in this one. You won't regret it.
March 18, 2011
Grimm crafts an edge-of-your seat romantic suspense with "Not Without Risk." Photographer Paige Conroy finds an old friend, Leroy St. John, dead in a hotel room. Unknown to her, she's opened up a can of worms. Can Detective Justin Harrison keep her safe?
Set in present day San Diego, CA, Grimm puts the reader right into the action when detective Justin Harrison and his partner are called out to the scene of a murder. As he investigates, he learns the victim, St. John, is a cop from back East. A local photographer, Paige Conroy, found the body. When Justin meets Paige, the sparks fly.
Justin and Paige acknowledge their physical attraction, but each have emotional hang-ups. The danger increases when Paige is sent an email with pictures of her apartment - taken at night when she was sleeping. Spooked, Paige goes to the police - and Justin.
Justin is determined to put the clues together, but remains stymied. When Paige's classic car is blown up, Justin throws professional caution to the wind and insists Paige stay with him for her safety. Justin's partner, Allan, is concerned Justin is blurring the lines between his job and his heart.
Paige holds the key to cracking the case, but can Justin solve it before he loses his heart - and his objectivity?
Grimm's writing is sharp. The plot is tight with several twists and turns that will keep the reader on their toes.
Grimm engages the reader immediately, placing them in the scene with Justin. The dialogue is crisp. The descriptions are spot on, never lingering, and there's the perfect blend to set the scenes.
Both Justin and Paige are compelling characters. Paige has been hurt before. She was once engaged to a police officer who put the job before her. Her fiancé died performing his job, and Paige is reluctant to commit to Justin emotionally. She's uncertain if Justin is worth the risk.
Justin is deeply committed to his job. Unfortunately, he received a bullet wound while off duty and the effects of the injury are still lingering. Justin's never really let a woman into his life. The danger Paige faces easily brings out all his protective instincts, yet letting Paige into his heart is not without risk.
The novel is sophisticated for romance readers. Grimm's love scenes are sensual, full of heat, and capture the intense connection between Paige and Justin.
"Not Without Risk" is a heart pounding suspense that does not disappoint.
Set in present day San Diego, CA, Grimm puts the reader right into the action when detective Justin Harrison and his partner are called out to the scene of a murder. As he investigates, he learns the victim, St. John, is a cop from back East. A local photographer, Paige Conroy, found the body. When Justin meets Paige, the sparks fly.
Justin and Paige acknowledge their physical attraction, but each have emotional hang-ups. The danger increases when Paige is sent an email with pictures of her apartment - taken at night when she was sleeping. Spooked, Paige goes to the police - and Justin.
Justin is determined to put the clues together, but remains stymied. When Paige's classic car is blown up, Justin throws professional caution to the wind and insists Paige stay with him for her safety. Justin's partner, Allan, is concerned Justin is blurring the lines between his job and his heart.
Paige holds the key to cracking the case, but can Justin solve it before he loses his heart - and his objectivity?
Grimm's writing is sharp. The plot is tight with several twists and turns that will keep the reader on their toes.
Grimm engages the reader immediately, placing them in the scene with Justin. The dialogue is crisp. The descriptions are spot on, never lingering, and there's the perfect blend to set the scenes.
Both Justin and Paige are compelling characters. Paige has been hurt before. She was once engaged to a police officer who put the job before her. Her fiancé died performing his job, and Paige is reluctant to commit to Justin emotionally. She's uncertain if Justin is worth the risk.
Justin is deeply committed to his job. Unfortunately, he received a bullet wound while off duty and the effects of the injury are still lingering. Justin's never really let a woman into his life. The danger Paige faces easily brings out all his protective instincts, yet letting Paige into his heart is not without risk.
The novel is sophisticated for romance readers. Grimm's love scenes are sensual, full of heat, and capture the intense connection between Paige and Justin.
"Not Without Risk" is a heart pounding suspense that does not disappoint.
March 8, 2013
Good lord! What a rush! I have finally caught my breath. Let me explain. The first 1/3 of the book was a little slow for me. The back and forth between Paige and Justin is palpable but sometimes, I grew a little tired of their inner dialogue of will they or won’t they.
The 2/3 of the book is the action starts picking up. When they both decide that yes, they want each other (for different reasons but relatable reasons), the sexual tension starts to really build and build it does. :) The touches, kisses, looks and passiveness that Justin has for Paige is perfect. It’s not heavy-handed but sweet and then hawt! This is also when the suspense kicks in, too. Good lord the villain was creepy. I mean that in a good way. I’m still grieving over the Caddy. *sniff*
The villain is one of those that I truly didn’t have a clue until it was revealed. OMG! I never saw that one coming at all. Perfect set up for the villain, too. By the last 1/3 of the book, its fast, furious, sexy and again…O.M.G. slapped me upside my head. I love it when the author doesn’t reveal the villain until the last part of the book. Plus, I can normally figure it out before the reveal but Ms. Grimm did an excellent job of NOT letting on to who it was and the motivation of the villain. Trust me, you will love it, too.
I loved Paige and Justin, too. I felt connected with each of them but in different ways. With Justin, I just wanted to take care of him and with Paige, demand that she sleep. Once the smexy times started, I sighed with joy and also in the knowledge that it would all work out in the end.
The secondary characters were wonderful and not intrusive. Justin’s partner was a great friend and grounded Justin in the harsh realities of getting involved. Paige’s friend that called her was also good. Too bad it was in back story. I would have liked to have known him better. :)
Overall, if you are looking for a creepy villain, suspense that is kicked up a notch and a smexy story about two damaged people who find that true love is the only way they will heal…pick up Not Without Risk. Trust me, its worth the risk
The 2/3 of the book is the action starts picking up. When they both decide that yes, they want each other (for different reasons but relatable reasons), the sexual tension starts to really build and build it does. :) The touches, kisses, looks and passiveness that Justin has for Paige is perfect. It’s not heavy-handed but sweet and then hawt! This is also when the suspense kicks in, too. Good lord the villain was creepy. I mean that in a good way. I’m still grieving over the Caddy. *sniff*
The villain is one of those that I truly didn’t have a clue until it was revealed. OMG! I never saw that one coming at all. Perfect set up for the villain, too. By the last 1/3 of the book, its fast, furious, sexy and again…O.M.G. slapped me upside my head. I love it when the author doesn’t reveal the villain until the last part of the book. Plus, I can normally figure it out before the reveal but Ms. Grimm did an excellent job of NOT letting on to who it was and the motivation of the villain. Trust me, you will love it, too.
I loved Paige and Justin, too. I felt connected with each of them but in different ways. With Justin, I just wanted to take care of him and with Paige, demand that she sleep. Once the smexy times started, I sighed with joy and also in the knowledge that it would all work out in the end.
The secondary characters were wonderful and not intrusive. Justin’s partner was a great friend and grounded Justin in the harsh realities of getting involved. Paige’s friend that called her was also good. Too bad it was in back story. I would have liked to have known him better. :)
Overall, if you are looking for a creepy villain, suspense that is kicked up a notch and a smexy story about two damaged people who find that true love is the only way they will heal…pick up Not Without Risk. Trust me, its worth the risk
March 30, 2014
Sizzling Suspense
Paige is a successful photographer and Justin a brilliant detective, but their backgrounds doom a relationship. What’s more, a friend of Paige’s has died and someone is out to kill her, yet Justin hasn’t a clue how to solve the crime or keep her safe. The question remains, what will they have to give up of their pasts in order to solve crimes as well as learn how to love? Sarah Grimm knows how to keep the reader guessing in this fast-paced novel. Not Without Risk is a sizzler both as a suspense and as a romance…a great read!
Paige is a successful photographer and Justin a brilliant detective, but their backgrounds doom a relationship. What’s more, a friend of Paige’s has died and someone is out to kill her, yet Justin hasn’t a clue how to solve the crime or keep her safe. The question remains, what will they have to give up of their pasts in order to solve crimes as well as learn how to love? Sarah Grimm knows how to keep the reader guessing in this fast-paced novel. Not Without Risk is a sizzler both as a suspense and as a romance…a great read!
August 30, 2014
What a great book! 2 of my favourite genres mixed into 1. crime and romance. I loved the twists, plots and drama. i like the stubborness in Paige. It wasn't too much like in some books. It was balanced out perfectly. also, it wasn't easily predictable! great book! i want myself a Justin Harrison ;)
January 23, 2015
I enjoyed the plot and the writing was great but it felt like the ending was too abrupt. Even though it was a no brainer, I still wish we got at least a chapter after the main characters finally decide to get together.
Looking forward to reading more of Sarah Grimm's work.
If you enjoy suspenseful thrillers with some romance thrown in, you'll like this one.
Looking forward to reading more of Sarah Grimm's work.
If you enjoy suspenseful thrillers with some romance thrown in, you'll like this one.
September 24, 2014
I really don't know what took me so long to read this? This book was so good. I was on the edge of my seat during some of it. I love the suspense of the whole story and the love story on top of it. Gonna go read more of Sarah's books! <3
March 27, 2014
A story to keep you on your toes. Twists and turns of detective work and chemistry to die for. Recommended for lovers of romantic mysteries.
August 28, 2016
This is a great story with a good blend of suspense and romance. I love the twist in the story. I look forward to reading more by Sarah Grimm.
January 23, 2015
again one of the best books I have read in a long time I bought all three and cant wait till the next one
August 14, 2014
Sergeant Justin Harrison is on his first day back to work after getting shot and he's called to a murder. He wasn't expecting a long-legged brunette who just stumbled into his crime scene.
Paige Conroy is a photographer who found an old friend dead in his hotel room. It seems that her past was coming back to haunt her. Can Sergeant Harrison protect her or does she need protection for her heart from him?
Sarah Grimm has done it again. A terrific mystery that will have you guessing till the end. And some sizzling sexual tension. If you like a romantic suspense you will enjoy this book.
Paige Conroy is a photographer who found an old friend dead in his hotel room. It seems that her past was coming back to haunt her. Can Sergeant Harrison protect her or does she need protection for her heart from him?
Sarah Grimm has done it again. A terrific mystery that will have you guessing till the end. And some sizzling sexual tension. If you like a romantic suspense you will enjoy this book.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 46 reviews