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Moving Target
Ani King left her entire life behind when the Russian mafia brutally murdered her family. The Witness Security Program has kept her safe for two years, but with one simple phone call her cover is destroyed—and there is only one man left who can save her.
Protecting the brave, beautiful Ani became more than just a job a long time ago for Deputy Marshal Daniel Parker. And now, just days before the trial where she’s slated to give a damning testimony, the criminals who want her dead are on her trail. To keep Ani safe, Daniel has to keep her close—and her enemies closer. Because soon there’s nowhere for Ani to hide…but in his arms.
Librarian's note: See alternate cover edition of ISBN 0312937644 here.
Protecting the brave, beautiful Ani became more than just a job a long time ago for Deputy Marshal Daniel Parker. And now, just days before the trial where she’s slated to give a damning testimony, the criminals who want her dead are on her trail. To keep Ani safe, Daniel has to keep her close—and her enemies closer. Because soon there’s nowhere for Ani to hide…but in his arms.
Librarian's note: See alternate cover edition of ISBN 0312937644 here.
330 pages, Paperback
First published November 9, 2002
13 people are currently reading
923 people want to read
About the author
Cheyenne McCray
162 books1,761 followersCheyenne McCray fell in love with reading and writing early, deciding in kindergarten that one day she would become an author. Today, she is an award-winning New York Times and USA Today bestselling fiction author who’s sold millions of books worldwide. Having published more than 100 novels and novellas in contemporary and paranormal romance, urban fantasy and romantic suspense, she is now also writing cozy mysteries as Deb Ries.
Chey grew up on a ranch in southeastern Arizona and delights in creating stories of suspense, love, and redemption with characters and worlds her readers can get lost in. Chey and her equally geeky husband live with their two dogs, six ducks (the neighborhood celebrities), and a small flock of chickens in a small Arizona town where she enjoys gardening, crazy quilting and, of course, writing.
Find out more about Chey, how to contact her, and her books at https://cheyennemccray.com.
Chey grew up on a ranch in southeastern Arizona and delights in creating stories of suspense, love, and redemption with characters and worlds her readers can get lost in. Chey and her equally geeky husband live with their two dogs, six ducks (the neighborhood celebrities), and a small flock of chickens in a small Arizona town where she enjoys gardening, crazy quilting and, of course, writing.
Find out more about Chey, how to contact her, and her books at https://cheyennemccray.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews
February 15, 2009
"Moving Target" is a fast-paced romantic suspense that keeps your heart pumping from start to finish. Cheyenne McCray writes characters that feel real, like they could be someone you know or would like to know. For me, that's one of the reasons I enjoy her stories...well, that and the smoking sex!
Ani has been in hiding for two years now under the Witness Protection Program. Her testimony will put away the man who murdered the rest of her family and strike a blow against the Russian mafia in New York City. With only days to go, Ani makes a phone call to an old friend to try and help a child. This phone call is the beginning of a cross-country run from an enemy with unlimited funds and unlimited hate. The only person Ani can trust is the agent who's been her lifeline from the first...Daniel.
Daniel knows he can't let his feelings for Ani loose. They will only detract from the real need to stay alert at all times. But this is Ani...the woman whose voice and thoughts have kept him in a state of near arousal every time they talk. And now that he's with her in person, how long can he maintain his distance?
Once I started, I couldn't put it down. Ani's inner strength and Daniel's protectiveness coupled with their intense attraction made them irresistible. The bad guys are really bad, the action doesn't let up, and the sex will leave you sweating. "Moving Target" is another winner from Cheyenne McCray.
Ani has been in hiding for two years now under the Witness Protection Program. Her testimony will put away the man who murdered the rest of her family and strike a blow against the Russian mafia in New York City. With only days to go, Ani makes a phone call to an old friend to try and help a child. This phone call is the beginning of a cross-country run from an enemy with unlimited funds and unlimited hate. The only person Ani can trust is the agent who's been her lifeline from the first...Daniel.
Daniel knows he can't let his feelings for Ani loose. They will only detract from the real need to stay alert at all times. But this is Ani...the woman whose voice and thoughts have kept him in a state of near arousal every time they talk. And now that he's with her in person, how long can he maintain his distance?
Once I started, I couldn't put it down. Ani's inner strength and Daniel's protectiveness coupled with their intense attraction made them irresistible. The bad guys are really bad, the action doesn't let up, and the sex will leave you sweating. "Moving Target" is another winner from Cheyenne McCray.
August 26, 2008
Moving Target was a very good fast paced romantic suspense novel. I enjoyed the story, and liked both the hero and heroine. Even though their connection to one another prohibited a personal relationship between them, neither the hero or heroine denied their deep feelings for one another. I find it refreshing when the characters admit they have feelings for one another without going through angst and denial first. Since their relationship was forbidden, the author could have turned up the unease and distress over the hero and heroine's attraction for one another, but she gave us characters who accepted their involvement quickly and worked to find a way to be together.
Anistana King went into the Federal Witness Program two years ago after she witnessed the death of her family members, and suffered burns and a gunshot wound herself. The Federal Marshall assigned to be her contact is Daniel Parker. After guiding her through a few locations for rehabilitation, and later helping her settle in a more permanent place, Daniel has called Ani almost weekly for the past year. He doesn't have a professional reason to talk with her so often, but he has feelings for her that go way beyond that of the witness and protector. Ani has the same yearnings for Daniel, and when he has to escort her from Arizona to New York in order to testify in court, their attraction to one another is difficult to control. As they are targeted by Russian mafia who are trying to keep her from testifying, Daniel is determined to keep Ani safe. The two succomb to the passion between them and begin a very steamy relationship. Daniel has to keep Ani alive until she testifies, and then he hopes to be able to share a life with her. He harbors guilt over a secret that he has kept from her, and he worries about whether she will be able to forgive him for keeping this vital information from her.
This was a very good book. The passion between the hero and heroine was very intense. The hero was very protective and caring, and the heroine was determined and courageous. Both were very sympathetic characters. The storyline was very interesting, and I found the ending to be a bit different from what I expected. The requisite HEA was present, but the resolution was not one that is common in other books I have read. This is the first book I have read by Cheyenne MCray, but I look forward to reading more of her romantic suspense in the future.
Anistana King went into the Federal Witness Program two years ago after she witnessed the death of her family members, and suffered burns and a gunshot wound herself. The Federal Marshall assigned to be her contact is Daniel Parker. After guiding her through a few locations for rehabilitation, and later helping her settle in a more permanent place, Daniel has called Ani almost weekly for the past year. He doesn't have a professional reason to talk with her so often, but he has feelings for her that go way beyond that of the witness and protector. Ani has the same yearnings for Daniel, and when he has to escort her from Arizona to New York in order to testify in court, their attraction to one another is difficult to control. As they are targeted by Russian mafia who are trying to keep her from testifying, Daniel is determined to keep Ani safe. The two succomb to the passion between them and begin a very steamy relationship. Daniel has to keep Ani alive until she testifies, and then he hopes to be able to share a life with her. He harbors guilt over a secret that he has kept from her, and he worries about whether she will be able to forgive him for keeping this vital information from her.
This was a very good book. The passion between the hero and heroine was very intense. The hero was very protective and caring, and the heroine was determined and courageous. Both were very sympathetic characters. The storyline was very interesting, and I found the ending to be a bit different from what I expected. The requisite HEA was present, but the resolution was not one that is common in other books I have read. This is the first book I have read by Cheyenne MCray, but I look forward to reading more of her romantic suspense in the future.
February 29, 2008
I loved this book! It was one of the best romantic suspenses I've read in a while. It had everything I like in a RS: a feisty, brave heroine; a sexy, sweet and courageous hero; a disgusting villain; a hot romance; and an exciting, suspenseful premise.
The heroine witnesses the murder of her family by the Russian mafia, and narrowly escapes her own death. She's placed in the witness protection program and has to stay hidden from the mob for 2 years until she has to testify at the trial. During that time, the hero, a U.S. Marshal, keeps tabs on her, and is her only link to her former life. When she inadvertantly slips up and the mob discovers her location, she goes on the run with her protector, the U.S. Marshal. There's lots of heat between them as they try to stay one step ahead of the mob while on the run. Great suspense and a very hot romance--this one had me hooked by the first page!
The heroine witnesses the murder of her family by the Russian mafia, and narrowly escapes her own death. She's placed in the witness protection program and has to stay hidden from the mob for 2 years until she has to testify at the trial. During that time, the hero, a U.S. Marshal, keeps tabs on her, and is her only link to her former life. When she inadvertantly slips up and the mob discovers her location, she goes on the run with her protector, the U.S. Marshal. There's lots of heat between them as they try to stay one step ahead of the mob while on the run. Great suspense and a very hot romance--this one had me hooked by the first page!
June 12, 2009
Anistana King has been living in Bisbee, Arizona for the last year, almost two years since having witnessed the murder of her family by the Russian mob. She's been safely ensconced within the Witness Protection program, awaiting the day she can stand in court and testify. Her personal Inspector, US Marshall Daniel Parker has been her only link to her former life and she looks forward to his phone calls with joy and an ever growing amount of love. Two days before the trial, after having lived inconspicuously for a year, she makes a fatal mistake and calls someone from her former life, trying to help out an innocent boy and his family. When Daniel finds out, he is desperate to get to her. He never told her that the Russian mob had put a hit out on her and have announced enormous rewards for her whereabouts. The mob was monitoring her former friends and family's phone calls and they caught her slip. Immediately, she and Daniel are thrust into dangerous situation after dangerous situation while trying to get from Arizona to New York for the trial. Daniel is delighted to finally see the woman who he's been falling in love with but is near frantic with worry with his need to keep her safe and alive. He lost someone under his protection long ago and he's determined that this time he's going to be ever vigilante and never leave her side. His cloak of professionalism fades however when they are alone and his passion for her overtakes his oath as a Marshall. The danger never lets up once they are in New York and the mob only gets more determined to stop her testimony. Unfortunately, the Marshalls and Daniel have been keeping a secret from Ani that comes out while she's on the witness stand. It shakes her up and threatens the security of her love for Daniel, a love that has kept her stable throughout this tumultuous time. Shaken but still determined, and with enough evidence to bring down the biggest mob family in America, Ani must stand on her own two feet and do this alone. She does so proudly, but at the end of the day she wants nothing more than to lay in Daniel's arms and hope that she can face her new life with him by her side.
When you start Moving Target the action is non stop.....and this is not a good thing. We are barely introduced to the characters of Ani and Daniel before they are dodging bullets, racing across highways, cars are exploding and RPGs are flying. It's like being dropped into a war zone. Daniel and Ani barely interact with each other in the beginning except to duck the flying barrage. One of the flaws of the story is because this book is about the trial, we missed the beginning stages of the romance between Daniel and Ani. They've already known each other for a year and they've only spoken on the phone. We are told about their great telephone romance rather than see it unfold, so when our hero and heroine are running for their lives, I could have cared less. The nonstop action actually made it tedious and I found myself flipping ahead trying to get to some actual storyline. The action is written in a very disjointed manner, almost put in outline form and I was very disappointed. I had heard so much about Cheyenne McCray I wondered if perhaps I had the wrong book. The lengths the mobsters go to kill Ani is ludicrous. Let's put it this way, if I ever witnessed a crime and needed to be put in Witness Protection, I would say no way. That's a one way ticket to heaven because according to Cheyenne McCray, WITSEC is a bunch of incompetent men and women. The US Marshalls protect Ani by simply using as many human shields as possible around her while the guns are blazing. Seriously, how many leaks could they possibly have?
The only time Daniel and Ani really interact is when they are rolling around in bed. The story finally slows down enough to allow for some intimacy and while I'll admit that this is where Cheyenne McCray shines, it was still not enough to hold me attention, though there is a good build up of sexual tension that Miz McCray didn't rush. After a year of imagining this moment, Daniel and Ani don't devour each other but engaged in an erotic exploration of each others' bodies that I thought was very steamy.
The big reveal of Ani and her sister was seen a mile away and it created a very uninspired Big Misunderstanding. While I'm sure testifying against the Russian mob was a huge undertaking and it sucked a lot of courage from Ani, she spends most of the time throughout the book bemoaning the loss of her family and fawning over Daniel. She's as interesting as a wet dishrag. When she finally develops a spine and accuses him of betrayal, it was jarring and in my humble opinion, not on track with this character's personality. She seemed to be just floating along after the US Marshalls like a witless doll and didn't appear to fight for anything. Even when she thinks Daniel is going to walk out of her life, she doesn't even try to convince him to stay. Daniel wasn't much better either. We can only assume that through his job as a US Marshall, he's a big, bad alpha male, out to enforce the day and claim his woman, but we never really see any personality from him. He's also as interesting as a wet dishrag. It also doesn't say much about him if he can fall in love with someone as uninspiring as Ani.
All in all, this was a boring, disjointed read, plus there wasn't any humor to help liven up the drab. The bad guys were over the top and one dimensional. The whole book was unexciting and I couldn't care one way or the other about anyone in the book. At one point, Daniel was in an explosion and I basically thought, oh good, the story's over now. Yawn.
When you start Moving Target the action is non stop.....and this is not a good thing. We are barely introduced to the characters of Ani and Daniel before they are dodging bullets, racing across highways, cars are exploding and RPGs are flying. It's like being dropped into a war zone. Daniel and Ani barely interact with each other in the beginning except to duck the flying barrage. One of the flaws of the story is because this book is about the trial, we missed the beginning stages of the romance between Daniel and Ani. They've already known each other for a year and they've only spoken on the phone. We are told about their great telephone romance rather than see it unfold, so when our hero and heroine are running for their lives, I could have cared less. The nonstop action actually made it tedious and I found myself flipping ahead trying to get to some actual storyline. The action is written in a very disjointed manner, almost put in outline form and I was very disappointed. I had heard so much about Cheyenne McCray I wondered if perhaps I had the wrong book. The lengths the mobsters go to kill Ani is ludicrous. Let's put it this way, if I ever witnessed a crime and needed to be put in Witness Protection, I would say no way. That's a one way ticket to heaven because according to Cheyenne McCray, WITSEC is a bunch of incompetent men and women. The US Marshalls protect Ani by simply using as many human shields as possible around her while the guns are blazing. Seriously, how many leaks could they possibly have?
The only time Daniel and Ani really interact is when they are rolling around in bed. The story finally slows down enough to allow for some intimacy and while I'll admit that this is where Cheyenne McCray shines, it was still not enough to hold me attention, though there is a good build up of sexual tension that Miz McCray didn't rush. After a year of imagining this moment, Daniel and Ani don't devour each other but engaged in an erotic exploration of each others' bodies that I thought was very steamy.
The big reveal of Ani and her sister was seen a mile away and it created a very uninspired Big Misunderstanding. While I'm sure testifying against the Russian mob was a huge undertaking and it sucked a lot of courage from Ani, she spends most of the time throughout the book bemoaning the loss of her family and fawning over Daniel. She's as interesting as a wet dishrag. When she finally develops a spine and accuses him of betrayal, it was jarring and in my humble opinion, not on track with this character's personality. She seemed to be just floating along after the US Marshalls like a witless doll and didn't appear to fight for anything. Even when she thinks Daniel is going to walk out of her life, she doesn't even try to convince him to stay. Daniel wasn't much better either. We can only assume that through his job as a US Marshall, he's a big, bad alpha male, out to enforce the day and claim his woman, but we never really see any personality from him. He's also as interesting as a wet dishrag. It also doesn't say much about him if he can fall in love with someone as uninspiring as Ani.
All in all, this was a boring, disjointed read, plus there wasn't any humor to help liven up the drab. The bad guys were over the top and one dimensional. The whole book was unexciting and I couldn't care one way or the other about anyone in the book. At one point, Daniel was in an explosion and I basically thought, oh good, the story's over now. Yawn.
March 17, 2009
I liked Ms. McCray's Moving Target. I've had it my TBR for a while, and was happy I ended up liking it so well.It's actually a quick read, but I kept getting interrupted so it stretched out over the course of a few days, and I would lose my momentum. Arg! I'm looking forward to more from her. The HEA was so sweet! I wonder if her sister will get her own story?
March 16, 2011
I saw the stupendous reviews for this book. I figured that since I love suspense and law enforcement, this book would be A-Ok with me.
I was so, so wrong.
I wanted to stop about 80 pages or so into the book. Ok, let me be truthful. I wanted to stop about 10 pages or so into the book.
Why? Because of our heroine, Ani King. Ani is in witness protection and she has been for two years. Two years in WITSEC means that Ani knows the deal. This is important because Ani's on the run from the Russian mob, who killed her entire family.
Ani's followed the rules up until now. She gets beat down with the dumb stick two days, TWO DAYS, before she's to testify against the people who killed her family. Her whole family. Dead.
What does Ani do? Because there's a young burn victim who needs help, and whose parents have a priceless ancient artifact, Ani decides to call one of her old contacts in NYC. She thinks there's no way those Russians will be able to trace her cell phone. Turns out they had her contact's phone bugged.
Ani didn't think of that? Really? Seriously?
Daniel, our law enforcement hero, rides to the rescue because the Russian mob moves like greased lightining and show up to kill Ani like fifteen minutes after she gets off the phone with her old art world contact.
Once Daniel and Ani are together, things start exploding, people start shooting, they're running...and running. They do stop at a couple of points to do stuff that gets overshadowed by all the sex they're having.
When Daniel says "No condom" and Ani says "Just pull out" I wanted to punch both of them in the face. Pull out? What are you, sixteen?
Some more stuff blows up and there's some more running and some agents die in the explosions. I couldn't have cared less. I made it to page 125 before giving this book the finger.
I was so, so wrong.
I wanted to stop about 80 pages or so into the book. Ok, let me be truthful. I wanted to stop about 10 pages or so into the book.
Why? Because of our heroine, Ani King. Ani is in witness protection and she has been for two years. Two years in WITSEC means that Ani knows the deal. This is important because Ani's on the run from the Russian mob, who killed her entire family.
Ani's followed the rules up until now. She gets beat down with the dumb stick two days, TWO DAYS, before she's to testify against the people who killed her family. Her whole family. Dead.
What does Ani do? Because there's a young burn victim who needs help, and whose parents have a priceless ancient artifact, Ani decides to call one of her old contacts in NYC. She thinks there's no way those Russians will be able to trace her cell phone. Turns out they had her contact's phone bugged.
Ani didn't think of that? Really? Seriously?
Daniel, our law enforcement hero, rides to the rescue because the Russian mob moves like greased lightining and show up to kill Ani like fifteen minutes after she gets off the phone with her old art world contact.
Once Daniel and Ani are together, things start exploding, people start shooting, they're running...and running. They do stop at a couple of points to do stuff that gets overshadowed by all the sex they're having.
When Daniel says "No condom" and Ani says "Just pull out" I wanted to punch both of them in the face. Pull out? What are you, sixteen?
Some more stuff blows up and there's some more running and some agents die in the explosions. I couldn't have cared less. I made it to page 125 before giving this book the finger.
April 27, 2008
When my favorite author, Cherry Adair, writes "suspenseful, edgy, and red hot sexy" to describe this book and author Cheyenne McCray, I figure it has to be awesome.
I think someone misquoted Cherry. Or out-and-out made it up.
This book was sincerely mediocre. The dialogue stunk. The plot was beyond unbelievable. And how many times can people in a book say the words "Russian Mafia"? It was about 1,004 times too many.
I'd also like to know why so many men and women in so many romances get so caught up in making out that when, in the midst of passion, they discover they have forgotten the condom, they seem to not care and have some sort of conversation, either in their heads or with each other, about how they don't care because having a baby with this person would be such a beautiful thing. Even though they have known each other all of two days, the whole time evading armed criminals. They remember the Kevlar body armor. They just forget the latex protection.
And I SO hate epilogues. Especially when they include the strong-willed, independent woman from the beginning of the book now pregnant or a new mom and settling into some sort of 1950s-era housewife role.
Gag.
I think someone misquoted Cherry. Or out-and-out made it up.
This book was sincerely mediocre. The dialogue stunk. The plot was beyond unbelievable. And how many times can people in a book say the words "Russian Mafia"? It was about 1,004 times too many.
I'd also like to know why so many men and women in so many romances get so caught up in making out that when, in the midst of passion, they discover they have forgotten the condom, they seem to not care and have some sort of conversation, either in their heads or with each other, about how they don't care because having a baby with this person would be such a beautiful thing. Even though they have known each other all of two days, the whole time evading armed criminals. They remember the Kevlar body armor. They just forget the latex protection.
And I SO hate epilogues. Especially when they include the strong-willed, independent woman from the beginning of the book now pregnant or a new mom and settling into some sort of 1950s-era housewife role.
Gag.
June 14, 2015
Felt this book had the potential to be a solid 5 stars, but there was a lot of repetition and fluff that had me wrinkling my nose a bit.
The two main characters, Daniel and Ani were good and well-developed. A few times the dialogue between the two got hokey for me. Ani, understandably, was very emotional and cried...often. But, some parts seemed to much like "eye-rolling-stuff-only-found-in-a-romance-book." And it was.
The book involved Ani going under the Witness Protection Program due to witnessing a Russian Mafia hit on her family (and her) and needing to testify. For two years, she remained "hidden." Her contact was Daniel (U.S. Marshal) who became fond of her and that fondness grew...in a big (albeit unethical) way. Ani made a horrible mistake at a crucial time that caused a lot of good people to die trying to protect her.
The suspense was good, lots of action, bad guys were BAD, and I was glued to the pages with the drama. There were a handful of really steamy scenes between the h/h. This was my first book by this author and I will sure look for others by her in the future.
The two main characters, Daniel and Ani were good and well-developed. A few times the dialogue between the two got hokey for me. Ani, understandably, was very emotional and cried...often. But, some parts seemed to much like "eye-rolling-stuff-only-found-in-a-romance-book." And it was.
The book involved Ani going under the Witness Protection Program due to witnessing a Russian Mafia hit on her family (and her) and needing to testify. For two years, she remained "hidden." Her contact was Daniel (U.S. Marshal) who became fond of her and that fondness grew...in a big (albeit unethical) way. Ani made a horrible mistake at a crucial time that caused a lot of good people to die trying to protect her.
The suspense was good, lots of action, bad guys were BAD, and I was glued to the pages with the drama. There were a handful of really steamy scenes between the h/h. This was my first book by this author and I will sure look for others by her in the future.
February 18, 2009
5 stars – Romantic Suspense
Moving Target is a terrific romantic suspense read. It had all the essential elements that I love in a good romantic suspense novel, including an intriguing and thrilling plot that unfolds like a movie, a sexy, tough, protective, brave hero, a spirited, sweet, courageous heroine, a truly malicious villain, and scorching hot romance. It’s a very suspenseful, action-packed, steamy read that had me addicted from beginning to end. I look forward to reading more novels by author Cheyenne McCray.
Moving Target is a terrific romantic suspense read. It had all the essential elements that I love in a good romantic suspense novel, including an intriguing and thrilling plot that unfolds like a movie, a sexy, tough, protective, brave hero, a spirited, sweet, courageous heroine, a truly malicious villain, and scorching hot romance. It’s a very suspenseful, action-packed, steamy read that had me addicted from beginning to end. I look forward to reading more novels by author Cheyenne McCray.
March 29, 2009
Ani King is testifying against the Russion Mafia and is in the witness protection program. Her handler (so to speak) is US Marshall Daniel Parker. During the two years before the trial, Ani and Daniel talk every week and develop a relationship. While travelling from Arizona to New York for the trial, the mafia does it's damndest to kill Ani and everyone near her. During this life threatening time, Danial and Ani fall in love.
This book is loaded with action and danger as every time they turn around someone is trying to kill them. What a great adventure. I won't say why, but I really hope that this is the start of a series and not a stand alone book.
This book is loaded with action and danger as every time they turn around someone is trying to kill them. What a great adventure. I won't say why, but I really hope that this is the start of a series and not a stand alone book.
September 9, 2015
Very interesting and full of action. Couldn't put it down.
June 12, 2019
Great action and steamy sex! Hooked me in from the beginning.
August 18, 2016
Okay, before I tear this book a new one, let me be fair. I don't read romance/erotica. Not my thing. But, I stumbled across this one and the Russian Mafia angle teased me and I took the bait. I thought, "Maybe there's just enough suspense there that I can tolerate this as a thriller instead of a romance novel, and by doing so, I will go beyond my comfort zone a little bit."
Give me back my comfort zone. Please.
The writing is terrible. I hope, I mean really, really, REALLY hope that this is not emblematic of the writing quality in the romance genre. I'd give examples, but this review is already too long.
And if you like cliches, this book is for you. Nothing but a bunch of cliches. Damsel in distress, check. (Okay, Ani isn't the stereotyped helpless femme, she's got some strength to her, but it's still too close to Cliche-Land.) Knight in shining armor, check. Almost literally. Daniel wears body armor, just not of the shiny exterior variety. I don't care if that is coincidental, or an intentional allegory to medieval guardianship. In fact, if it was intentional, I think it plays even worse.
Characters are flat. I rooted for Ani because of everything that befell her, but I even had to try to do that. To think, I had to try and root for the woman whose family was killed in front of her by Russian mobsters. I had to TRY. How flat can a character be when you have to TRY to root for them after experiencing something like that?
I was going to at least give it credit for a decent red herring, but the hand is played too early and it doesn't bring anything redeeming to the story.
I'm not closing the door to the romance genre because of one swing and miss. But if a single swing could ever merit such a thing, this book could do it. I can't get this back to the library fast enough. I'm haunted by the mere fact that it's still within ten feet of me.
Give me back my comfort zone. Please.
The writing is terrible. I hope, I mean really, really, REALLY hope that this is not emblematic of the writing quality in the romance genre. I'd give examples, but this review is already too long.
And if you like cliches, this book is for you. Nothing but a bunch of cliches. Damsel in distress, check. (Okay, Ani isn't the stereotyped helpless femme, she's got some strength to her, but it's still too close to Cliche-Land.) Knight in shining armor, check. Almost literally. Daniel wears body armor, just not of the shiny exterior variety. I don't care if that is coincidental, or an intentional allegory to medieval guardianship. In fact, if it was intentional, I think it plays even worse.
Characters are flat. I rooted for Ani because of everything that befell her, but I even had to try to do that. To think, I had to try and root for the woman whose family was killed in front of her by Russian mobsters. I had to TRY. How flat can a character be when you have to TRY to root for them after experiencing something like that?
I was going to at least give it credit for a decent red herring, but the hand is played too early and it doesn't bring anything redeeming to the story.
I'm not closing the door to the romance genre because of one swing and miss. But if a single swing could ever merit such a thing, this book could do it. I can't get this back to the library fast enough. I'm haunted by the mere fact that it's still within ten feet of me.
September 24, 2011
This book was reviewed for musings of a bookworm
The synopsis
Ani King left her entire life behind when the Russian mafia brutally murdered her family. The Witness Security Program has kept her safe for two years, but with one simple phone call her cover is destroyed and there is only one man left who can save her.
Protecting the brave, beautiful Ani became more than just a job a long time ago for Deputy Marshal Daniel Parker. And now, just days before the trial where she's slated to give a damning testimony, the criminals who want her dead are on her trail. To keep Ani safe, Daniel has to keep her close and her enemies closer. Because soon there's nowhere for Ani to hide but in his arms.
My Review
This book is a thrill ride from start to finish with a hot love story to really heat things up. The action starts right away and it just keeps going at a fast pace. The sizzle between Ani and Daniel is combustable right for the start and just gets hotter. The story is about honour and learning to live with what life has dealt you, and this book works beautifully with a strong story line and believable characters. The sex in it is hot and the suspence element is even hotter, if you like hot this book delivers it in spades!!
The synopsis
Ani King left her entire life behind when the Russian mafia brutally murdered her family. The Witness Security Program has kept her safe for two years, but with one simple phone call her cover is destroyed and there is only one man left who can save her.
Protecting the brave, beautiful Ani became more than just a job a long time ago for Deputy Marshal Daniel Parker. And now, just days before the trial where she's slated to give a damning testimony, the criminals who want her dead are on her trail. To keep Ani safe, Daniel has to keep her close and her enemies closer. Because soon there's nowhere for Ani to hide but in his arms.
My Review
This book is a thrill ride from start to finish with a hot love story to really heat things up. The action starts right away and it just keeps going at a fast pace. The sizzle between Ani and Daniel is combustable right for the start and just gets hotter. The story is about honour and learning to live with what life has dealt you, and this book works beautifully with a strong story line and believable characters. The sex in it is hot and the suspence element is even hotter, if you like hot this book delivers it in spades!!
October 22, 2009
I guess I'm the odd ball out. I chose to read this book because of the great reviews. It definitely had it's moments, but for the most part I found myself frustrated by how cheesy & hokey it was. It had action, definitely a lot of action and it had sex, very detailed sex. I'm not against that, but I definitely have to be in the mood for a book like this. I guess I just wasn't in the mood because this book didn't do a thing for me.
March 26, 2008
I really like Ani and Daniels story. Ani who witnesses her family murdered by the mafie is in Witness Protection and when she makes a fatal error by calling Daniel, the two are brought together my a series of events that will rock the pages out of the book.
October 8, 2009
Great stuff! Some truly palpable chemistry between Daniel and Ani, and truly horrid villains (ah, these ruthless Russians) makes for an addictive read. Though I have to say, it wasn't as suspenseful as I'd imagined or rather, hoped. There was potential in that, I think.
March 14, 2009
The original plot device to start the plot was way past annoying... The rest was pretty good but I found it hard to deal with heroine's stupidity. Very well written otherwise.
February 18, 2010
Steamy page turner! What a fantastic book!
January 30, 2017
1. Anistana has no charm.
2. McCray's narration makes it seem as if all the characters were of one mind.
3. McCray shoots herself in the foot with any suspense she tries to build up.
I would never recommend this to anyone unless they were just looking for some long, drawn-out erotica.
--- SPOILERS BELOW ---
McCray builds up the male lead and imbues him with many desirable characteristics (chiseled, attentive, giving - if you catch my drift, and loyal); he's willing to risk it all for a woman I can't seem to see more than petty and unmotivated with a weak set of ideals.
McCray fails to vary each character's inner thoughts so as to undermine the development of the entire cast she tries to create.
Lastly, in alternating between the predator and the prey, there's no escalation in the drama; Borenko's men have found Ani, and then in the next chapter McCray describes how Borenko did it - Ani and Daniel escape from the bombing, Borenko is alerted that Ani has not yet been confirmed dead.
Maybe this novel wasn't her best work, but, this piece lacked depth to such an irritating degree that it makes me quite hesitant to trust another 'USA Today Bestselling Author' claim.
2. McCray's narration makes it seem as if all the characters were of one mind.
3. McCray shoots herself in the foot with any suspense she tries to build up.
I would never recommend this to anyone unless they were just looking for some long, drawn-out erotica.
--- SPOILERS BELOW ---
McCray builds up the male lead and imbues him with many desirable characteristics (chiseled, attentive, giving - if you catch my drift, and loyal); he's willing to risk it all for a woman I can't seem to see more than petty and unmotivated with a weak set of ideals.
McCray fails to vary each character's inner thoughts so as to undermine the development of the entire cast she tries to create.
Lastly, in alternating between the predator and the prey, there's no escalation in the drama; Borenko's men have found Ani, and then in the next chapter McCray describes how Borenko did it - Ani and Daniel escape from the bombing, Borenko is alerted that Ani has not yet been confirmed dead.
Maybe this novel wasn't her best work, but, this piece lacked depth to such an irritating degree that it makes me quite hesitant to trust another 'USA Today Bestselling Author' claim.
July 9, 2017
Kind of terrible.
did-not-read
December 1, 2020decided not to read
August 28, 2021
I enjoyed this as a beach read but it was borderline triggering for me due to personal trauma and the storyline. Probably won’t reread for that reason.
May 13, 2023
A hot and steamy romantic suspense. There is lots of action, car chases, shootings and things being blown up, and some tender moments.
July 9, 2017
library sent me wrong book. this was a romance with some adventure
October 4, 2015
Did not finish - 1.5 stars
I don't normally add a rating to a book I don't finish, as I feel it's not fair if I haven't completed the book, but in this case I think it is valid for me to rate it, as I got 75% of the way through the story and no matter how good the ending might be, it couldn't make up for the first 3/4.
This started off well enough with a relatively interesting, although in no way unique, storyline... but it just dragged.
At half way in it seemed like really we were almost at the end of the story...and I just couldn't see what they were going to do for another whole half a book...
...I really was starting to lose interest so from halfway to about 3/4 through I was skim-reading. It just goes on and on and on with lots of irrelevant detail and discussions about nothing much. And the dialogue between the H/h is pretty cheesy/contrived, or just plain boring.
At this point I really couldn't bring myself to finish it even though I was so far through the book - unfortunately it was just so boring and "meh", and I just didn't care about the characters, that I have just stopped reading it and have absolutely no desire to go back and finish it off to find out what happens. I really never connected with the characters and despite the H/h having had a friendship of sorts for the past year or so (over the phone), you are only told a handful of random facts about this and so it doesn't feel very real. We also know next to nothing about the hero in this...so it left me feeling really quite disengaged from the characters.
I really am not a fan of standard contemporary romance, but I do enjoy a well-written romantic suspense, so I was expecting to like this...it just didn't do it for me when there are much better stories out there.
I don't normally add a rating to a book I don't finish, as I feel it's not fair if I haven't completed the book, but in this case I think it is valid for me to rate it, as I got 75% of the way through the story and no matter how good the ending might be, it couldn't make up for the first 3/4.
This started off well enough with a relatively interesting, although in no way unique, storyline... but it just dragged.
At half way in it seemed like really we were almost at the end of the story...and I just couldn't see what they were going to do for another whole half a book...
...I really was starting to lose interest so from halfway to about 3/4 through I was skim-reading. It just goes on and on and on with lots of irrelevant detail and discussions about nothing much. And the dialogue between the H/h is pretty cheesy/contrived, or just plain boring.
At this point I really couldn't bring myself to finish it even though I was so far through the book - unfortunately it was just so boring and "meh", and I just didn't care about the characters, that I have just stopped reading it and have absolutely no desire to go back and finish it off to find out what happens. I really never connected with the characters and despite the H/h having had a friendship of sorts for the past year or so (over the phone), you are only told a handful of random facts about this and so it doesn't feel very real. We also know next to nothing about the hero in this...so it left me feeling really quite disengaged from the characters.
I really am not a fan of standard contemporary romance, but I do enjoy a well-written romantic suspense, so I was expecting to like this...it just didn't do it for me when there are much better stories out there.
March 8, 2009
Romantic Suspense (Steamy!) - Stand Alone
Very entertaining - After two years hiding in the Witness Protection Program, it's time for Ani to finally testify against the Russian Mafia guy who killed her father, mother, and sister, and seriously wounded Ani.
But Ani makes a critical mistake -- one unauthorized phone call to a person from her past is all it takes for the mobsters to finally pinpoint Ani's location. Mob assassins swoop in, multiple car chases, shoot outs, and suspense ensues.
Good guy hero/U.S. Marshall Daniel Parker has monitored and befriended Ani during her two years in hiding, and he now must protect and escort her from Arizona to New York City. A hot and steamy romance begins, which is against ALL the U.S. Marshall rules.
I was put off at the beginning of the book when Ani makes the phone call blowing her cover. I get that she's trying to help the sick little boy's family pay motel/medical bills ... but for God's sake, it's the RUSSIAN MAFIA. Ani has been an eye-witness to their ruthless and brutal nature. Ani making the phone call herself instead of finding another way, for me, was a glaringly TSTL moment that made me frown, shake my head, and consider moving on to a new book.
I like Cheyenne McCray alot tho, and the rest of the book was good.
Very entertaining - After two years hiding in the Witness Protection Program, it's time for Ani to finally testify against the Russian Mafia guy who killed her father, mother, and sister, and seriously wounded Ani.
But Ani makes a critical mistake -- one unauthorized phone call to a person from her past is all it takes for the mobsters to finally pinpoint Ani's location. Mob assassins swoop in, multiple car chases, shoot outs, and suspense ensues.
Good guy hero/U.S. Marshall Daniel Parker has monitored and befriended Ani during her two years in hiding, and he now must protect and escort her from Arizona to New York City. A hot and steamy romance begins, which is against ALL the U.S. Marshall rules.
I was put off at the beginning of the book when Ani makes the phone call blowing her cover. I get that she's trying to help the sick little boy's family pay motel/medical bills ... but for God's sake, it's the RUSSIAN MAFIA. Ani has been an eye-witness to their ruthless and brutal nature. Ani making the phone call herself instead of finding another way, for me, was a glaringly TSTL moment that made me frown, shake my head, and consider moving on to a new book.
I like Cheyenne McCray alot tho, and the rest of the book was good.
October 23, 2015
I honestly didn’t know whether to give this four or five stars, I struggled a little with this rating. I decided to settle on five stars though because I did love this book.
While it did focus on the connection between the two characters, it still kept the plot and all the action up front and center.
The writing was beautiful and most of the questions I have are about if there will be a second book and if there is, maybe I’m just having trouble finding it.
I read another book by this author, Chosen Prey, and I have to tell you, this story is so much better.
I could feel the emotions running high, the urgency to get to where they needed to go, the connection between them.
The descriptions were simple yet helpful, I could see most of what was going on in my head. Not like a movie but pictures.
I was on the edge of my seat with this book, tense with every shoot out and explosion. It was so action packed and I have a feeling this might make a good, not great but good, movie.
I’d recommend this to adults who don’t want just a feel good romance but want something that has plenty of action.
Thank you for reading my review.
-Sam
While it did focus on the connection between the two characters, it still kept the plot and all the action up front and center.
The writing was beautiful and most of the questions I have are about if there will be a second book and if there is, maybe I’m just having trouble finding it.
I read another book by this author, Chosen Prey, and I have to tell you, this story is so much better.
I could feel the emotions running high, the urgency to get to where they needed to go, the connection between them.
The descriptions were simple yet helpful, I could see most of what was going on in my head. Not like a movie but pictures.
I was on the edge of my seat with this book, tense with every shoot out and explosion. It was so action packed and I have a feeling this might make a good, not great but good, movie.
I’d recommend this to adults who don’t want just a feel good romance but want something that has plenty of action.
Thank you for reading my review.
-Sam
August 6, 2016
In an effort for full disclosure, I have been in a reading slump lately. Not much has kept my attention, and there have been several books I have started and not finished. Luckily, THIS isn't one of those books. I loved this one from cover to cover. There is nonstop action and hotness between Ani and Daniel. Up against all odds, she had backbone and gumption and steel determination. Daniel tried, he really tried to see her as only his charge, but all those weekly phone calls, really cemented her in his life and finally gave up being her Marshall and became her protector, lover and best friend all rolled up in one nice hot package. There is one big secret that threatens their relationship, it was a secret you can easily figure out early on in the book, but I don't think knowing it took away from the story at all. This wasn't your normal who-done-it book, as you know who did it, you are just waiting to see if they can do it to her. An all in all great romantic suspense read.
October 11, 2011
I chose this book randomly from the library shelf, so I deserve what I got. It was a fast read and kudos to McCray for her research on PTSD and the Federal Marshals. Unfortunately the plot is knocking on the "yeah right" end of the believable scale. You can only have so many shoot outs, car chases, and explosions before a decent romance novel becomes the script for a bad action movie. This book tries to bridge the gap between romance and thriller but falls short of either. Two stars because I did want to finish the book (it kept me up late reading actually), but I won't be rereading it or recommending to others.
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