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Stephanie Carovella #1
Nowhere to Run
Librarian Note: Alternate/new cover edition for ASIN# B00BDRVGY8.
A dominatrix is murdered; her body displayed in a show of dominance. An actress is found dead beneath the Hollywood sign.
Stephanie Carovella left her career, her friends and her home town of Los Angeles, but she couldn't outrun the demons on her past. When she is lured back by the death of her best friend she enters a world where no one's safe.
As her deepest and darkest secrets are revealed, Stephanie must find out who she can trust.
Will it be Jesse Carlisle? Her ex-lover and the man she left behind. He would give anything to have her back in his arms, but is it enough?
Or will it be Jase Devlin? Her best friend's boyfriend, and a man with secrets as dark and dangerous as her own.
Can Stephanie find her friend’s killer or will she discover that she has nowhere to run?
A dominatrix is murdered; her body displayed in a show of dominance. An actress is found dead beneath the Hollywood sign.
Stephanie Carovella left her career, her friends and her home town of Los Angeles, but she couldn't outrun the demons on her past. When she is lured back by the death of her best friend she enters a world where no one's safe.
As her deepest and darkest secrets are revealed, Stephanie must find out who she can trust.
Will it be Jesse Carlisle? Her ex-lover and the man she left behind. He would give anything to have her back in his arms, but is it enough?
Or will it be Jase Devlin? Her best friend's boyfriend, and a man with secrets as dark and dangerous as her own.
Can Stephanie find her friend’s killer or will she discover that she has nowhere to run?
Kindle Edition
First published February 8, 2013
11 people are currently reading
622 people want to read
About the author
Nina D'Angelo
7 books153 followersNowhere to Run was released in February 2013, followed by Nowhere to Hide in August.
The first of the Outlaws series, Damaged, was released February 27th
Nina will be rereleasing Damaged through booktrope in 2016.
She is currently working on the sequel Shattered.
The first of the Outlaws series, Damaged, was released February 27th
Nina will be rereleasing Damaged through booktrope in 2016.
She is currently working on the sequel Shattered.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
February 7, 2013
Right from the very first word Nowhere to Run is an absolute roller coaster ride!
Stephanie Carovella is an intriguing character. At first you're not sure whether to love or hate her but as you learn more about her, you understand her more, understand why she does what she does and find yourself definitely on her side, and most likely to react the same way she had if it was you. She's incredibly loyal and does everything she can to protect those she loves - and those characters are just as engaging.
The women in the story are all gutsy, but all have a soft side. The guys, well they are hot - the sort of guys you wished you could hang out with but are sensitive as much as they are strong and assertive. Each character has their own little quirks, enough to make them loveable but not flawless. The villains in the story were suitably hateable, but still with personalities that were well rounded enough to make you understand them, and at times feel sorry for them.
The storyline is fast paced, suspenseful and keeps you guessing. I thought I had guessed who the serial killer was a number of times and was still surprised at the end. The killer was interesting in the way they acted, killed and in their motivation.
All in all a wonderful debut novel and first of what I think is going to be an amazing series.
Stephanie Carovella is an intriguing character. At first you're not sure whether to love or hate her but as you learn more about her, you understand her more, understand why she does what she does and find yourself definitely on her side, and most likely to react the same way she had if it was you. She's incredibly loyal and does everything she can to protect those she loves - and those characters are just as engaging.
The women in the story are all gutsy, but all have a soft side. The guys, well they are hot - the sort of guys you wished you could hang out with but are sensitive as much as they are strong and assertive. Each character has their own little quirks, enough to make them loveable but not flawless. The villains in the story were suitably hateable, but still with personalities that were well rounded enough to make you understand them, and at times feel sorry for them.
The storyline is fast paced, suspenseful and keeps you guessing. I thought I had guessed who the serial killer was a number of times and was still surprised at the end. The killer was interesting in the way they acted, killed and in their motivation.
All in all a wonderful debut novel and first of what I think is going to be an amazing series.
February 22, 2013
FREAKIN LOVED THE BOOK !!!
a brilliant thriller with a taste of romance that kept me GRIPPED from start to finish !!!!!
Now I'm not usually a "thriller" book reader . But the synopsis for this book & the teaser I read had me ON THE EDGE OF MY SEAT !!!
Let me tell u !!! No matter how great I thought that taste of the book was , it was NOTHING compared to how INCREDIBLE the book itself was. !!
I referred to this book as a mix between Jerry springer , friends & SVU :)
This book has an amazing cast of characters & there were do many twists & turns that my heart was racing & my head was spinning !!
It kept me guessing till the very end & was soooo unpredictable that I never knew what to expect next !!!
It truly was a roller coaster ride !! I had a white knuckle grip on my seat , I was a little scared & totally enthralled !!! BUT WHAT A FUN RIDE !!! :)
To my hard core romance fan friends I say ..... Step a toe outside of ur comfort zone & take a leap of faith into this book !!!
Nina's writing has been compared to the likes of James Patterson & I can now clearly see why !!!
It's brilliant & engaging & I will be looking forward to more from this author !!!!
a brilliant thriller with a taste of romance that kept me GRIPPED from start to finish !!!!!
Now I'm not usually a "thriller" book reader . But the synopsis for this book & the teaser I read had me ON THE EDGE OF MY SEAT !!!
Let me tell u !!! No matter how great I thought that taste of the book was , it was NOTHING compared to how INCREDIBLE the book itself was. !!
I referred to this book as a mix between Jerry springer , friends & SVU :)
This book has an amazing cast of characters & there were do many twists & turns that my heart was racing & my head was spinning !!
It kept me guessing till the very end & was soooo unpredictable that I never knew what to expect next !!!
It truly was a roller coaster ride !! I had a white knuckle grip on my seat , I was a little scared & totally enthralled !!! BUT WHAT A FUN RIDE !!! :)
To my hard core romance fan friends I say ..... Step a toe outside of ur comfort zone & take a leap of faith into this book !!!
Nina's writing has been compared to the likes of James Patterson & I can now clearly see why !!!
It's brilliant & engaging & I will be looking forward to more from this author !!!!
February 4, 2013
Disclaimer - Due to below rating of the book , I need my readers to know that though I know Nina D'Angelo and have her as a close friend on Facebook. I am not being Bias, this is in fact an honest to god review as when It comes to books I am a fussy reader. If I can't get into a book in the first chapter- then stuff it, Im not continuing as there are so many wonderful other books to read and the second thing is I am a HUGE mystery/serial killer genre fan and therefore if a mystery or serial killer book is SLOW, not fast-paced, has no exciting murders in it - then I am out - the book is deemed boring in my eyes and again I move forth to something else.
OK, where to start as I would like to point out to readers when it comes to mystery books, I need action fast otherwise I get bored, I am not into the whole blah-blah-blah of explaining the details of the murder (forensics side) I need the gory details otherwise it loses my interest as Hello, Im the type of girl who watches Criminal Minds, Rizzoli and Isles, NCIS , CSI , Crossing Jordan, Tru Calling and of course Horror films etc.
The second thing I need is a great reason why the characters are being murdered, an awesome back-story - the best ones I have found to read are the reunion type stories where there is a whole "I Know What you Did Last Summer" feel , though in the case of Nowhere to Run - it had a "Valentine' feel - you know the film where David Boreanaz is stalking the chicks in a Valentine's Day theme ( one of my all-time fav movies).
The third thing I need is lots of twists and turns , something to keep me on my toes whilst reading the book - moments where I go OMG - is he the killer or OMG - how is she involved ?
To me Nowhere to Run by Nina D'Angelo provided all that and to say I was impressed would be an understatement. I was blown away as I had read snippets of the making - the WIPs but not the whole thing .
Nowhere to Run without giving too much of the story away as I so don't want to ruin it for others tells the story of Stephanie Carovella who has returned to LA for the murder of one of her best friends , it seems though that this murder wasn't a one-off and there are more to come and Stephanie and her friends aren't safe anymore. Who can they trust ? What happens when it seems that one of their own might very well be the killer ? Is it a Cat and mouse game for them all ?
Read Nowhere to Run as the group try to stay alive and one by one fall as they try to discover who the killer is ?
I so cannot wait to read Book #2 as if it is anywhere as good as Nowhere to Run then it will be amazing as we all know you can only get better :)
OK, where to start as I would like to point out to readers when it comes to mystery books, I need action fast otherwise I get bored, I am not into the whole blah-blah-blah of explaining the details of the murder (forensics side) I need the gory details otherwise it loses my interest as Hello, Im the type of girl who watches Criminal Minds, Rizzoli and Isles, NCIS , CSI , Crossing Jordan, Tru Calling and of course Horror films etc.
The second thing I need is a great reason why the characters are being murdered, an awesome back-story - the best ones I have found to read are the reunion type stories where there is a whole "I Know What you Did Last Summer" feel , though in the case of Nowhere to Run - it had a "Valentine' feel - you know the film where David Boreanaz is stalking the chicks in a Valentine's Day theme ( one of my all-time fav movies).
The third thing I need is lots of twists and turns , something to keep me on my toes whilst reading the book - moments where I go OMG - is he the killer or OMG - how is she involved ?
To me Nowhere to Run by Nina D'Angelo provided all that and to say I was impressed would be an understatement. I was blown away as I had read snippets of the making - the WIPs but not the whole thing .
Nowhere to Run without giving too much of the story away as I so don't want to ruin it for others tells the story of Stephanie Carovella who has returned to LA for the murder of one of her best friends , it seems though that this murder wasn't a one-off and there are more to come and Stephanie and her friends aren't safe anymore. Who can they trust ? What happens when it seems that one of their own might very well be the killer ? Is it a Cat and mouse game for them all ?
Read Nowhere to Run as the group try to stay alive and one by one fall as they try to discover who the killer is ?
I so cannot wait to read Book #2 as if it is anywhere as good as Nowhere to Run then it will be amazing as we all know you can only get better :)
March 5, 2013
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Let me start by saying how excited I am that Heather has let me join Into the Night as a guest reviewer - I just hope I do her justice!
My first review is for Nowhere to Run by Nina D'Angelo - who happens to be a fellow Aussie (I almost feel like I need to declare a conflict of interest because that's enough for me to already think she's awesome!!).
Nowhere to Run centre's around Stephanie Carovella, an investigative journalist. Intelligent, driven and fiercely loyal Stephanie will do whatever it take to keep those she loves safe, including walking away from everything and everyone she loves.
Having left her life in L.A. behind without so much as a goodbye to a number of her friends, Stephanie reluctantly returns following the brutal murder of one of her closest friends. Before Stephanie can identify who is responsible others are killed in startlingly similar circumstances and Stephanie is forced to acknowledge that she is central to the deaths mounting up around her.
Nowhere to Run is an outstanding “who dunnit”- the entire time I was reading I was wracking my brain trying to identify who the bad guy was. There were so many possibilities and just when I thought I had it, a new piece of information would present itself and I'd be looking for a new suspect.
The supporting cast adds great value to the story. I particularly liked Gena Evans, the gritty LAPD Detective with a love/hate relationship with Stephanie. Despite the fire and venom that only good female friends can generate, they are loyal and as Jake points out to Gena at one point "when the going gets tough, you two unite and you're one hell of a formidable team".
There is a good mix of mystery and romance in the story - not only are you trying to work out who the killer is, but you're wondering what is going to happen in the relationship stakes for the characters. The murders are rather gruesome, with fairly detailed descriptions provided of the injuries inflicted on the victims. If you're at all squeamish you may not enjoy those parts, but it is fairly important detail in establishing the psychological profile of the killer.
Nowhere to Run caught my interest early and kept me hooked - right to the end. Nina D'Angelo cleverly sets up the second book "Nowhere to Hide" in the Epilogue, and I for one, will be looking to read the next book in the Stephanie Carovella series.
Let me start by saying how excited I am that Heather has let me join Into the Night as a guest reviewer - I just hope I do her justice!
My first review is for Nowhere to Run by Nina D'Angelo - who happens to be a fellow Aussie (I almost feel like I need to declare a conflict of interest because that's enough for me to already think she's awesome!!).
Nowhere to Run centre's around Stephanie Carovella, an investigative journalist. Intelligent, driven and fiercely loyal Stephanie will do whatever it take to keep those she loves safe, including walking away from everything and everyone she loves.
Having left her life in L.A. behind without so much as a goodbye to a number of her friends, Stephanie reluctantly returns following the brutal murder of one of her closest friends. Before Stephanie can identify who is responsible others are killed in startlingly similar circumstances and Stephanie is forced to acknowledge that she is central to the deaths mounting up around her.
Nowhere to Run is an outstanding “who dunnit”- the entire time I was reading I was wracking my brain trying to identify who the bad guy was. There were so many possibilities and just when I thought I had it, a new piece of information would present itself and I'd be looking for a new suspect.
The supporting cast adds great value to the story. I particularly liked Gena Evans, the gritty LAPD Detective with a love/hate relationship with Stephanie. Despite the fire and venom that only good female friends can generate, they are loyal and as Jake points out to Gena at one point "when the going gets tough, you two unite and you're one hell of a formidable team".
There is a good mix of mystery and romance in the story - not only are you trying to work out who the killer is, but you're wondering what is going to happen in the relationship stakes for the characters. The murders are rather gruesome, with fairly detailed descriptions provided of the injuries inflicted on the victims. If you're at all squeamish you may not enjoy those parts, but it is fairly important detail in establishing the psychological profile of the killer.
Nowhere to Run caught my interest early and kept me hooked - right to the end. Nina D'Angelo cleverly sets up the second book "Nowhere to Hide" in the Epilogue, and I for one, will be looking to read the next book in the Stephanie Carovella series.
March 19, 2013
When I first started reading Nowhere to Run, I was really intrigued by the plot line and its characters. I am not a huge suspense fan, so it was definitely a bit different read. Normally the only suspense I will read is Julie Garwood's series, so I am excited to say I stayed HOOKED the entire way through. It was a great mix of mystery and romance. Nina nailed it, she kept me invested in her characters and I was on the edge of my seat trying to figure out who did it pretty much until the end. Every time I thought I finally had it figured out, she switched it up and gave us even more insight to chew over.
I absolutely adored the characters and their chemistry together. All the characters were really fun (even the psycho killer), I loved that there was not one, but two leading women this round and they were both smart, sassy, and confident in their strong personalities. One of my favorite types of heroines to read about are those who kick ass first and ask questions later and Nina gave us just that with Stephanie and Gena.
Nowhere to run had four leading men and I also enjoyed each one of them. They were wicked hot with their protectiveness and vulnerability. I had fun with their "triangle." I loved that the mix of these four men provided just enough romance and emotional support to keep the story interesting between the characters but not so much that the intensity took away from the focus of the murders and their investigations. I must admit that I am kind of partial to Ben, although Jase was a close second!
I totally loved this book and definitely recommend it. I cannot wait for you to meet Stephanie, Gena, Jesse, Ben, Jase and Jake! I have found a new suspense writer to read and I am anxiously awaiting Nowhere to Hide!
Thank you Nina for the opportunity to read and review Nowhere to Run for an honest opinion.
I absolutely adored the characters and their chemistry together. All the characters were really fun (even the psycho killer), I loved that there was not one, but two leading women this round and they were both smart, sassy, and confident in their strong personalities. One of my favorite types of heroines to read about are those who kick ass first and ask questions later and Nina gave us just that with Stephanie and Gena.
Nowhere to run had four leading men and I also enjoyed each one of them. They were wicked hot with their protectiveness and vulnerability. I had fun with their "triangle." I loved that the mix of these four men provided just enough romance and emotional support to keep the story interesting between the characters but not so much that the intensity took away from the focus of the murders and their investigations. I must admit that I am kind of partial to Ben, although Jase was a close second!
I totally loved this book and definitely recommend it. I cannot wait for you to meet Stephanie, Gena, Jesse, Ben, Jase and Jake! I have found a new suspense writer to read and I am anxiously awaiting Nowhere to Hide!
Thank you Nina for the opportunity to read and review Nowhere to Run for an honest opinion.
April 7, 2013
HOLY CRAPOLA! I THOUGHT MY HEART WAS GOING TO BEAT OUT OF MY CHEST!!!!! This book is not my typical hot man, bad boy romance! Instead it’s a book about murder, friendships, mystery, past, serial killer, BIG ASS TRAINGLE!
I started this book last week, but due to a family issue I had a hard time focusing. So, I put it down to get all my events for the week completed so I could focus on Nowhere to Run and Walking Disaster. Needless to say that on Monday night I picked it back up and didn’t put it down until it was 100% completed!
There are a ton of characters within this story. They are all intertwined, but there is 1 common denominator… which I will NOT spoil! The entire time, all the events, feelings that are involved, roller coaster ride that you are on had my heart about to pound out of my chest. I honestly felt like I was part of the book myself. It was almost like I was there, a part of their group, but just as clueless as they were to who the serial killer might be!
I HIGHLY recommend this book to anyone that enjoys, mystery, crime, and how the past effects the future. Yes, there is all kinds of romance involved, but it’s more of a love triangle with the one common denominator… yet again! Don’t except anything in the romance factor like Mr. Grey or Travis Maddox… but I promise this is an AWESOME read!!!!!!!!
I started this book last week, but due to a family issue I had a hard time focusing. So, I put it down to get all my events for the week completed so I could focus on Nowhere to Run and Walking Disaster. Needless to say that on Monday night I picked it back up and didn’t put it down until it was 100% completed!
There are a ton of characters within this story. They are all intertwined, but there is 1 common denominator… which I will NOT spoil! The entire time, all the events, feelings that are involved, roller coaster ride that you are on had my heart about to pound out of my chest. I honestly felt like I was part of the book myself. It was almost like I was there, a part of their group, but just as clueless as they were to who the serial killer might be!
I HIGHLY recommend this book to anyone that enjoys, mystery, crime, and how the past effects the future. Yes, there is all kinds of romance involved, but it’s more of a love triangle with the one common denominator… yet again! Don’t except anything in the romance factor like Mr. Grey or Travis Maddox… but I promise this is an AWESOME read!!!!!!!!
May 28, 2013
I haven't read a suspense novel in quite some time. Nina D'Angelo made me glad that I returned to my roots.
Nowhere To Run is definitely filled with suspense, some things you don't ever want to experience, and a little bit of romance mixed in there.
I love the way that Nina had me doubting just about everyone in this book. I don't know that there was ever a moment where I didn't question every single character's motives. To be able to instill that doubt into someone's head is just pure genius.
I loved the way that Stephanie is the center of everyone's universe. There is a pull to her that is unexplainable. She carries the weight of the world on her shoulders and is convinced that everything awful in her life is because she couldn't protect those she loves. So much has happened in Stephanie's lifetime, how could she not be one big ball of messed-upness?
The way Nina has all of these characters interacting is phenomenal. There was never a moment where I was confused or a point where I didn't understand what was going on, that is very important to me with a cast of characters as big as this book had.
I am waiting on pins and needles for Nowhere To Hide. Without a doubt!!!
Nowhere To Run is definitely filled with suspense, some things you don't ever want to experience, and a little bit of romance mixed in there.
I love the way that Nina had me doubting just about everyone in this book. I don't know that there was ever a moment where I didn't question every single character's motives. To be able to instill that doubt into someone's head is just pure genius.
I loved the way that Stephanie is the center of everyone's universe. There is a pull to her that is unexplainable. She carries the weight of the world on her shoulders and is convinced that everything awful in her life is because she couldn't protect those she loves. So much has happened in Stephanie's lifetime, how could she not be one big ball of messed-upness?
The way Nina has all of these characters interacting is phenomenal. There was never a moment where I was confused or a point where I didn't understand what was going on, that is very important to me with a cast of characters as big as this book had.
I am waiting on pins and needles for Nowhere To Hide. Without a doubt!!!
May 19, 2013
She ran, but she couldn't hide forever... I loved this story! It kept you on the edge of your seat and kept you guessing right up to the very end. Don't worry, you will not get any spoilers in my review. There are lots of characters, most of the men want to or have slept with Stephanie Carovella - the heroine. While there is definitely sex in the story, this is a 100% mystery/thriller. And now a little about the story...
Stephanie has had a troubled past. She keeps it to herself, but wakes most nights screaming for terrifying nightmares. She had thought she was over the terror of her past, but when her best friend is brutally raped and murdered, it starts all over again. She returns home to LA and reunites with her friends at Angel's funeral. Within a few days we start to learn more of her past lovers and she still can't pick between them. However in the mean time, another friend is raped and murdered. While she struggles to help find the soon to be serial killer, she discovers he is after her.
Favorite passage: She'd walked away to protect him and lost him anyway. She'd given up everything that mattered to her because she had loved him so desperately and, in the end, it had been for nothing. A freak accident had ended his life.
Stephanie has had a troubled past. She keeps it to herself, but wakes most nights screaming for terrifying nightmares. She had thought she was over the terror of her past, but when her best friend is brutally raped and murdered, it starts all over again. She returns home to LA and reunites with her friends at Angel's funeral. Within a few days we start to learn more of her past lovers and she still can't pick between them. However in the mean time, another friend is raped and murdered. While she struggles to help find the soon to be serial killer, she discovers he is after her.
Favorite passage: She'd walked away to protect him and lost him anyway. She'd given up everything that mattered to her because she had loved him so desperately and, in the end, it had been for nothing. A freak accident had ended his life.
May 24, 2013
I am absolutely in love with the characters, the story and the ending of this book! Genius if you ask me! I loved how sassy, determined and super smart Stephanie was....how in control Gena was...I felt as if I knew all the characters from Barbara down to Rafe....the whole book was soooooo well written I caught myself confused and trying so desperately to figure put who the killer was! I cannot say enough good things about this book! especially since its not in the catagory of books I have drowned myself in lately, but I have to say it was a refreshing, mindblowing change and I am VERY glad I read it....the ending left me wanting MORE! 5 brilliantly genius stars.....BRAVO Miss D'Angelo, BRAVO!!
February 22, 2013
After reading 100,s of contempory romance, I decided to venture into something different!
The reviews on here instantly appealed to me so I decided to give it a go..
This book is very busy with lots of characters and I need to visualise everyone in a book so I found this a bit tricky in the beginning as this book is intense and not what I'm used to. I loved it from start to end and thought I had it sussed many times only to realise I was very wrong. I've always been into crime so this book gave me a real insight as to what goes on behind the scenes. I totally loved this book and when I had to put it down I was anxious to get back to it, can't wait for the next one!!!
The reviews on here instantly appealed to me so I decided to give it a go..
This book is very busy with lots of characters and I need to visualise everyone in a book so I found this a bit tricky in the beginning as this book is intense and not what I'm used to. I loved it from start to end and thought I had it sussed many times only to realise I was very wrong. I've always been into crime so this book gave me a real insight as to what goes on behind the scenes. I totally loved this book and when I had to put it down I was anxious to get back to it, can't wait for the next one!!!
February 10, 2013
Nina D’Angelo just took me out for a thrill ride. The road was full of twists and turns, the path constantly changing. Gruesome murders one after the other, secrets revealed one at a time. Just when you think things are starting to make sense, another tidbit rises to the surface that simply contradicts your trend of thought. Nowhere to Run provides an intense, intelligent and exciting escape for a few worthwhile hours. Great work, Nina D’Angelo!
June 15, 2013
~Reviewer for Literati Literature Lovers~
Title: Nowhere to Run (Stephanie Carovella #1)
Author: Nina D’Angelo
Genre: Thriller/Crime
Rating: 4 out of 5
Description: A dominatrix is murdered; her body displayed in a show of dominance. An actress is found dead beneath the Hollywood sign. There’s a murderer roaming the streets of Los Angeles and he’s having far too much fun to stop.
Stephanie Carovella is a woman of fire and ice. She left her career, her friends and her home town of LA but she couldn’t outrun the demons of her past. When she is lured back by the death of her best friend she enters a world where no one’s safe.
Can Stephanie find her friend’s killer or will she discover that she has nowhere to run?
Review:
Ms. D’Angelo certainly grabbed my attention from the first few sentences:
Angeline closed her eyes, her breathing shaky. With tears sliding down her cheeks, she slowly counted to ten. She clutched the kitchen knife in her hands, the handle slippery with her own blood.
Let’s face it, readers often skip over prologues. We want the story, the meat and potatoes, what we paid for. However, the opening lines of Nowhere to Run, prove to be more than just additional backstory that the writer did not know how to incorporate into the main story. I was instantly immersed into a world of fear and panic. I was Angeline in the closet, waiting for her murderer to arrive.
The story kept a quick pace throughout, switching from the thoughts from the main characters, Stephanie Carovella and her friends, to the deviant, dark thoughts of the killer. The ability to know what the killer is thinking without finding out who it is until the very end increased the suspense. I was able to know that he was intently watching the characters and plotting his next move, however, I couldn’t figure out who he was. There were secret wishes that he’d walk in from of a mirror and describe himself, but that never happened. I may have taken more notes to figure out the identity of the murderer in this novel than I have with any other book I’ve read. I was on a mission to find out who it was and I’m certain you will too.
Nowhere to Run is a mix Law and Order, CSI (name that city), and Cold Case with a dash of prime time soap opera. There is always room for juicy stuff, right? The title character, Stephanie, is described by other characters in the novel as a man eater. This was well established for the reader with the fact that pretty much every male character in the book at one time or another wanted her, had her, or had to concentrate on not finding her attractive. I wish I could find that same attraction for her. While I found her clever, there was a great period while reading that I wondered when she was going to try to find the person who was responsible for the deaths of her loved ones. Stephanie was either busy getting it on with one of the male characters or we’d be made aware of a time when the getting on was being done. I did ask myself whether or not I was being fair to Stephanie. It seems that in real life, as in books, if a male character can have sex with multiple people, he’s a casanova, but when women do it, they are whores. My biggest concern was with whom and when Stephanie was swapping bodily fluids with other characters. I shook my head at her and them on more than one occasion.
As far as the characters as a whole, I found it hard to attach myself to one to and root for them. This may have been because of one of two things: everyone was a suspect until I could find clues to eliminate them or there were just so many. Honestly, I think it was a bit of both. While it’s only natural to think the worst of every character who may be the potential killer so I did not get emotionally attached to a particular one, there were a plethora of characters to keep track of. When three of the male characters have names that all start with “J”, I start needing flow charts to remember who they are. There were no physical attributes really to distinguish Jase, Jesse, or Jake (who I call “The J Crew”) from one another. Members of The J Crew are devilishly handsome and Southern. Not one of them has a limp, lisp, is stout, or is extremely tall. When they were all in the same room together with dialogue, my goodness it was a brain workout.
A few other things got in the way of my ability to give this story a 5 out of 5 rating. Some of the dialogue felt unnatural at times. People don’t usually say the name of the person they are talking to when speaking unless they are doing it for emphasis or to grab that person’s attention. This happened on more than a few occasions and it seemed as if it glared at me each time it was done. This may be a consequence of The J Crew confusion. Additionally, although the story was set the U.S., non American vernacular was used to describe things. For example, it took me forever to figure out that a kitchen bench was a kitchen counter. Finally, some of the actions of the characters had me scratching my head at times. Don’t get me wrong, all people in real life have flaws and these characters are flawed. (I wish there was a way to accurately write how drawn out you should be reading “flawed” in your head.) Death makes people do curious things especially when they are dealing with tragic, unexpected deaths. Pile on the fact that the multiple deaths are occurring to those you love and there’s no telling what you will do to cope. However, I’m still working out why some things were done. Some of the motives were explained later in parts of the novel, but others, not so much. These few things took me out of the story that at times had me wanting to read, even keeping my Kindle on so that I could read at stop lights.
Overall, the concept, storyline, and originality of Nowhere to Run kept me intrigued and guessing to identify the murderer in the novel. It’s a page turning, nail biter that has just the right amount of plot twists to keep you coming up with new suspects every time you’re proven wrong. Ms. D’Angelo did leave me wanting to know more about what was going to happen next to certain characters by the epic epilogue (See, kids? Epilogues can be epic if you write them like Ms. D’Angelo!). Hopefully, the unanswered questions that I had concerning character motives will be answered in Nowhere to Hide which I intend to read.
I’d really love to discuss who you thought the killer was. Read it and let’s chat, okay?
Note: I was given a free copy of Nowhere to Run for an honest review. I can’t get any more honest than what I’ve written.
Title: Nowhere to Run (Stephanie Carovella #1)
Author: Nina D’Angelo
Genre: Thriller/Crime
Rating: 4 out of 5
Description: A dominatrix is murdered; her body displayed in a show of dominance. An actress is found dead beneath the Hollywood sign. There’s a murderer roaming the streets of Los Angeles and he’s having far too much fun to stop.
Stephanie Carovella is a woman of fire and ice. She left her career, her friends and her home town of LA but she couldn’t outrun the demons of her past. When she is lured back by the death of her best friend she enters a world where no one’s safe.
Can Stephanie find her friend’s killer or will she discover that she has nowhere to run?
Review:
Ms. D’Angelo certainly grabbed my attention from the first few sentences:
Angeline closed her eyes, her breathing shaky. With tears sliding down her cheeks, she slowly counted to ten. She clutched the kitchen knife in her hands, the handle slippery with her own blood.
Let’s face it, readers often skip over prologues. We want the story, the meat and potatoes, what we paid for. However, the opening lines of Nowhere to Run, prove to be more than just additional backstory that the writer did not know how to incorporate into the main story. I was instantly immersed into a world of fear and panic. I was Angeline in the closet, waiting for her murderer to arrive.
The story kept a quick pace throughout, switching from the thoughts from the main characters, Stephanie Carovella and her friends, to the deviant, dark thoughts of the killer. The ability to know what the killer is thinking without finding out who it is until the very end increased the suspense. I was able to know that he was intently watching the characters and plotting his next move, however, I couldn’t figure out who he was. There were secret wishes that he’d walk in from of a mirror and describe himself, but that never happened. I may have taken more notes to figure out the identity of the murderer in this novel than I have with any other book I’ve read. I was on a mission to find out who it was and I’m certain you will too.
Nowhere to Run is a mix Law and Order, CSI (name that city), and Cold Case with a dash of prime time soap opera. There is always room for juicy stuff, right? The title character, Stephanie, is described by other characters in the novel as a man eater. This was well established for the reader with the fact that pretty much every male character in the book at one time or another wanted her, had her, or had to concentrate on not finding her attractive. I wish I could find that same attraction for her. While I found her clever, there was a great period while reading that I wondered when she was going to try to find the person who was responsible for the deaths of her loved ones. Stephanie was either busy getting it on with one of the male characters or we’d be made aware of a time when the getting on was being done. I did ask myself whether or not I was being fair to Stephanie. It seems that in real life, as in books, if a male character can have sex with multiple people, he’s a casanova, but when women do it, they are whores. My biggest concern was with whom and when Stephanie was swapping bodily fluids with other characters. I shook my head at her and them on more than one occasion.
As far as the characters as a whole, I found it hard to attach myself to one to and root for them. This may have been because of one of two things: everyone was a suspect until I could find clues to eliminate them or there were just so many. Honestly, I think it was a bit of both. While it’s only natural to think the worst of every character who may be the potential killer so I did not get emotionally attached to a particular one, there were a plethora of characters to keep track of. When three of the male characters have names that all start with “J”, I start needing flow charts to remember who they are. There were no physical attributes really to distinguish Jase, Jesse, or Jake (who I call “The J Crew”) from one another. Members of The J Crew are devilishly handsome and Southern. Not one of them has a limp, lisp, is stout, or is extremely tall. When they were all in the same room together with dialogue, my goodness it was a brain workout.
A few other things got in the way of my ability to give this story a 5 out of 5 rating. Some of the dialogue felt unnatural at times. People don’t usually say the name of the person they are talking to when speaking unless they are doing it for emphasis or to grab that person’s attention. This happened on more than a few occasions and it seemed as if it glared at me each time it was done. This may be a consequence of The J Crew confusion. Additionally, although the story was set the U.S., non American vernacular was used to describe things. For example, it took me forever to figure out that a kitchen bench was a kitchen counter. Finally, some of the actions of the characters had me scratching my head at times. Don’t get me wrong, all people in real life have flaws and these characters are flawed. (I wish there was a way to accurately write how drawn out you should be reading “flawed” in your head.) Death makes people do curious things especially when they are dealing with tragic, unexpected deaths. Pile on the fact that the multiple deaths are occurring to those you love and there’s no telling what you will do to cope. However, I’m still working out why some things were done. Some of the motives were explained later in parts of the novel, but others, not so much. These few things took me out of the story that at times had me wanting to read, even keeping my Kindle on so that I could read at stop lights.
Overall, the concept, storyline, and originality of Nowhere to Run kept me intrigued and guessing to identify the murderer in the novel. It’s a page turning, nail biter that has just the right amount of plot twists to keep you coming up with new suspects every time you’re proven wrong. Ms. D’Angelo did leave me wanting to know more about what was going to happen next to certain characters by the epic epilogue (See, kids? Epilogues can be epic if you write them like Ms. D’Angelo!). Hopefully, the unanswered questions that I had concerning character motives will be answered in Nowhere to Hide which I intend to read.
I’d really love to discuss who you thought the killer was. Read it and let’s chat, okay?
Note: I was given a free copy of Nowhere to Run for an honest review. I can’t get any more honest than what I’ve written.
April 2, 2013
Author Nina D’Angelo’s debut novel, Nowhere to Run, starts right in the heart of the action – a girl is being attacked by what appears to be a maniac. Right away, you connect with this poor soul as she takes matters into her own hands and attempts to fight back.
Already, you are finding yourself in the midst of a thrilling murder mystery that is filled to the brim with a multitude of twists and turns. But you won’t have to worry about getting confused as the story draws you in and makes you fall in love with each and every character. The author even crafts delicate backstories for the secondary characters. Without feeling the weight of too much information, you are caught hook, line and sinker in the midst of this story before you even know it’s a trap!
I tried really hard to find faults with this book. I actually hate to bring a review to the table that is filled with nothing but praise. So once I realised how much I loved this story, I went searching for the seedy underside…
At worst, all I could find was the semi-regular overuse of the same words. So, for a reader who is not an author, this probably won’t even be noticeable. For someone who writes, yes, you will find the odd repeated word peppered within paragraphs here and there. But it is seriously nothing to complain about and it certainly doesn’t detract from the storyline, so don’t give up on it just because of that tiny flaw.
There are perspective jumps from character to character in Nowhere to Run. While some people may be a stickler for time breaks to denote this, at no time do you feel confused as to who is speaking, thinking or acting.
Also, there was the occasional missed word or capitalised word that didn’t need it. Once again, don’t worry too much about these, there is no detraction from the story because of them. I only noticed them because I was desperately looking for something to add to make this a fair-sided review.
Really, that’s ALL I could find. Now back to the good stuff.
So, Stephanie Carovella finds out that her friend is murdered and returns to LA for the funeral. She also has a secondary motive – to catch the killer. Carovella has a dark past, and with this story being the first in a series, it seems she’ll have a just as murky future as well!
We discover all her university friends, quite literally the only family she has, and so unfolds the complicated backstory of the main character. While I am not a big romance buff, I must say, the way D’Angelo handles the love triangle in this novel is just outstanding. In the very midst of being scared out of your wits as characters you have fallen in love with are murdered around you, there is this amazing love story unfurling. It’s messy and perhaps more one-sided than anyone wants to admit, but the author weaves it into the story in such a way I have never seen happen in a crime thriller before. While you are grieving for the loss of loved characters, you are also rooting for Stephanie to find love again!
At times, I found some of the characters and situations a little stereotypical for the genre, but, once more, the author is a gem at what she does and works these stereotypes into the story with such skill that it is barely noticeable. In fact, I would even go so far as to say, they worked better because the characters and situations are what you expect. It is the one thing grounding you as you enjoy this crazy, awesome ride!
Throughout the book – usually just when you are thinking you have a hold on who the killer is – the author expertly drops in his perspective to throw you off track. The delicious taunts from this maniacal murderer heighten your sense of paranoia and panic. It gives you a sense of always feeling like you are on the edge of remembering who he really is.
Finally, at the very end of Nowhere to Run after the discovery of the murderer – you find yourself wanting to immediately turn back to page one and start all over again to pick up all the subtle clues left behind that you missed.
I am giving Nowhere to Run by Nina D’Angelo 5 out of 5 stars. Make sure you set aside a decent stretch of time so you can read this book all in one sitting!
Already, you are finding yourself in the midst of a thrilling murder mystery that is filled to the brim with a multitude of twists and turns. But you won’t have to worry about getting confused as the story draws you in and makes you fall in love with each and every character. The author even crafts delicate backstories for the secondary characters. Without feeling the weight of too much information, you are caught hook, line and sinker in the midst of this story before you even know it’s a trap!
I tried really hard to find faults with this book. I actually hate to bring a review to the table that is filled with nothing but praise. So once I realised how much I loved this story, I went searching for the seedy underside…
At worst, all I could find was the semi-regular overuse of the same words. So, for a reader who is not an author, this probably won’t even be noticeable. For someone who writes, yes, you will find the odd repeated word peppered within paragraphs here and there. But it is seriously nothing to complain about and it certainly doesn’t detract from the storyline, so don’t give up on it just because of that tiny flaw.
There are perspective jumps from character to character in Nowhere to Run. While some people may be a stickler for time breaks to denote this, at no time do you feel confused as to who is speaking, thinking or acting.
Also, there was the occasional missed word or capitalised word that didn’t need it. Once again, don’t worry too much about these, there is no detraction from the story because of them. I only noticed them because I was desperately looking for something to add to make this a fair-sided review.
Really, that’s ALL I could find. Now back to the good stuff.
So, Stephanie Carovella finds out that her friend is murdered and returns to LA for the funeral. She also has a secondary motive – to catch the killer. Carovella has a dark past, and with this story being the first in a series, it seems she’ll have a just as murky future as well!
We discover all her university friends, quite literally the only family she has, and so unfolds the complicated backstory of the main character. While I am not a big romance buff, I must say, the way D’Angelo handles the love triangle in this novel is just outstanding. In the very midst of being scared out of your wits as characters you have fallen in love with are murdered around you, there is this amazing love story unfurling. It’s messy and perhaps more one-sided than anyone wants to admit, but the author weaves it into the story in such a way I have never seen happen in a crime thriller before. While you are grieving for the loss of loved characters, you are also rooting for Stephanie to find love again!
At times, I found some of the characters and situations a little stereotypical for the genre, but, once more, the author is a gem at what she does and works these stereotypes into the story with such skill that it is barely noticeable. In fact, I would even go so far as to say, they worked better because the characters and situations are what you expect. It is the one thing grounding you as you enjoy this crazy, awesome ride!
Throughout the book – usually just when you are thinking you have a hold on who the killer is – the author expertly drops in his perspective to throw you off track. The delicious taunts from this maniacal murderer heighten your sense of paranoia and panic. It gives you a sense of always feeling like you are on the edge of remembering who he really is.
Finally, at the very end of Nowhere to Run after the discovery of the murderer – you find yourself wanting to immediately turn back to page one and start all over again to pick up all the subtle clues left behind that you missed.
I am giving Nowhere to Run by Nina D’Angelo 5 out of 5 stars. Make sure you set aside a decent stretch of time so you can read this book all in one sitting!
July 20, 2013
3.5 rounded to 4 stars
I reviewed this book at MustReadBooksOrDie
Court: Hhhmmm, Shel...this one has me in quite a conundrum at the moment. I classify it as a thriller what with all of the serial killer business, but there is a lot more going on with all of the characters in this book. The core group of friends of Stephanie, Jesse, Ben, Gena and Angel and those who each have loved and lost really make it a lot more complicated. Shel: Maybe we should call it a romantic thriller--with the emphasis more on thrill and less on romance.
Court:The prologue starts things off with a bang with the opening scene introducing us to the killer through the eyes of Angel, moments before he kills her. This guy brutalizes his victims in the worst ways possible before slitting their throats and staging them in a homage of sorts to how they lived their lives. This event is what brings Stephanie back to Los Angeles after she seemingly fled a few months before.
Shel: Gah! That prologue was straight out of a scary movie--the way she wrote it was perfectly frightening and I was definitely hooked. There were some hints about who the identity of the killer dropped in that prologue but it took me forever to figure out who this sick-o was.
Court: Stephanie is for reals a man eater in every sense of the word. Who doesn't love her? You'd be hard pressed to find someone in this book that she hasn't had a relationship of some sort with, and even though she is unflinchingly honest with where her heart lies...she snaps her fingers and these boys come running! To be honest, I was quite impressed! And then confused....
Shel: Yes, our little Stephanie got around --with many of the men in their circle. I'm still scratching my head a little at that--simply because they were all still friendly even after her indiscretions. Sure Gena likes to antagonize her and belittle her and Ben's girlfriend is jealous...but they are all still hanging out and close.I guess it's because it is made very clear, often, that the love of her life was her husband Dom, and so no one really sees her as a real threat to the well being of their group.
Court: As the body count keeps climbing higher, and the guessing of who is doing this starts flying around in your mind, we finally start to find out why Stephanie is the way she is. She has been through a lot of stuff in her life, starting when she was very young, and it makes it very very difficult for her to get close to people.
Shel: Yes, Courtney, Nina D'Angelo leaves us a trail of hints about Stephanie's past and who the killer was in between the killer's narrative and the other perspectives from the other characters. Every time I thought I had it figured out, another hint would be dropped and throw my great theory all to hell. It was fun and a little infuriating all at once. Court:(If I gave you a dollar for every time I asked you to tell me what is going on in a book, you'd be a rich woman!)
Court: So..Nowhere to Run is quite a thrilling ride...with lots of horrifying scenes that I do not recommend to the faint of heart Shel:(I concur!), and some crazy strong and hard headed, put up with no crap heroines (aka, Steph & Gena) that turn these boys lives upside down. My only disappointment is that in the last 20% or so at least, maybe more...was some key characters completely disappeared. I know that there are a lot of loose ends and there is a sequel coming very soon thank goodness, so I will put away my confusion for the abrupt ending for now!
Shel: I hope that with the second book we will see the continuation of all of these characters stories. I, too, think we have many loose ends still left to tie off.
Courtney: 3 1/2 Stars
Shelley: 3 1/2 Stars
I reviewed this book at MustReadBooksOrDie
Court: Hhhmmm, Shel...this one has me in quite a conundrum at the moment. I classify it as a thriller what with all of the serial killer business, but there is a lot more going on with all of the characters in this book. The core group of friends of Stephanie, Jesse, Ben, Gena and Angel and those who each have loved and lost really make it a lot more complicated. Shel: Maybe we should call it a romantic thriller--with the emphasis more on thrill and less on romance.
Court:The prologue starts things off with a bang with the opening scene introducing us to the killer through the eyes of Angel, moments before he kills her. This guy brutalizes his victims in the worst ways possible before slitting their throats and staging them in a homage of sorts to how they lived their lives. This event is what brings Stephanie back to Los Angeles after she seemingly fled a few months before.
Shel: Gah! That prologue was straight out of a scary movie--the way she wrote it was perfectly frightening and I was definitely hooked. There were some hints about who the identity of the killer dropped in that prologue but it took me forever to figure out who this sick-o was.
Court: Stephanie is for reals a man eater in every sense of the word. Who doesn't love her? You'd be hard pressed to find someone in this book that she hasn't had a relationship of some sort with, and even though she is unflinchingly honest with where her heart lies...she snaps her fingers and these boys come running! To be honest, I was quite impressed! And then confused....
Shel: Yes, our little Stephanie got around --with many of the men in their circle. I'm still scratching my head a little at that--simply because they were all still friendly even after her indiscretions. Sure Gena likes to antagonize her and belittle her and Ben's girlfriend is jealous...but they are all still hanging out and close.I guess it's because it is made very clear, often, that the love of her life was her husband Dom, and so no one really sees her as a real threat to the well being of their group.
Court: As the body count keeps climbing higher, and the guessing of who is doing this starts flying around in your mind, we finally start to find out why Stephanie is the way she is. She has been through a lot of stuff in her life, starting when she was very young, and it makes it very very difficult for her to get close to people.
Shel: Yes, Courtney, Nina D'Angelo leaves us a trail of hints about Stephanie's past and who the killer was in between the killer's narrative and the other perspectives from the other characters. Every time I thought I had it figured out, another hint would be dropped and throw my great theory all to hell. It was fun and a little infuriating all at once. Court:(If I gave you a dollar for every time I asked you to tell me what is going on in a book, you'd be a rich woman!)
Court: So..Nowhere to Run is quite a thrilling ride...with lots of horrifying scenes that I do not recommend to the faint of heart Shel:(I concur!), and some crazy strong and hard headed, put up with no crap heroines (aka, Steph & Gena) that turn these boys lives upside down. My only disappointment is that in the last 20% or so at least, maybe more...was some key characters completely disappeared. I know that there are a lot of loose ends and there is a sequel coming very soon thank goodness, so I will put away my confusion for the abrupt ending for now!
Shel: I hope that with the second book we will see the continuation of all of these characters stories. I, too, think we have many loose ends still left to tie off.
Courtney: 3 1/2 Stars
Shelley: 3 1/2 Stars
October 3, 2013
From the moment this novel began I knew that I was in for a suspense filled ride and I was so right. I began reading Nowhere To Run a couple of months ago and got pulled away, it isn't often that I start a book and get pulled away from it - but when I do, I don't typically think about it again til' I am back to reading it. The difference this time is that I couldn't stop thinking about Nowhere To Run and what was going to happen next. It speaks to the strength of the writing and the story that even after months of being away from this book that I dove right back in without missing a beat.
Stephanie Carovella, which right there - really cool name :) is a tough cookie to crack. A survivor of some horrifically bad stuff, she is a criminal reporter, with the freakish ability to profile a criminal and get into their head better then the professionals. When Stephanie gets a phone call from her ex and best friend Jesse to come home to Los Angeles for the funeral of one of her best friends, Angel - who also happens to be the newest victim of a murderer - she immediately gets on a plane. Arriving in Los Angeles and reconnecting with her best friends, Jesse, Ben, Ana, and Gena - who is also one tough cookie. She vows to find the killer and put a stop to him.
As the body count rises, and the mystery deepens, we learn more about Stephanie and the murderer. I will say this much, I was pleasently surprised with the ending and didn't see it coming. I really had no idea who was doing the killing and who it turns out to be was kind of perfect. I especially loved the last chapter, totally rocked my socks off. Stephanie is a bad ass, I can't wait to see what is going to happen next for her in the books to come.
We also get to know Gena and while this book was about Stephanie, I thought it was almost just as much about Gena. A cop with a tumultuous friendship with Stephanie, these two fight a lot but in the end I think they make up for it. I am hopeful that we will get to see more of Gena in the next book and hopefully their friendship will be in a better place.
Now, lets talk about the men. Holy crap. It's been awhile since I've run across so many potential love interests in one book but I thought Nina D'Angelo played it perfectly. We've got Stephanie's best friends - Jesse and Ben who are both so sweet but never completely pulled me in. Then there is Leigh, her husband - I didn't really know what to make of him in the begining but it didn't take me long until I had a very strong opinion about him. And then, there's Jase. Yummy, interesting Jase. Okay, I think it's apparent that I am totally a Jase shipper, he was just so yum.
I pretty much loved this book, the characters, the mystery and even the conclusion. I can't wait to read the next book and find out more about Stephanie and her friends, I wonder what is going to happen next :) If you like suspensful books or if you are just looking for a really good book to read, then go check out this series. Start now, cuz' I guarantee these books are just going to get better as the series progresses.
Originally posted on Me, Myself & Books Blog
http://memyselfandbooksblog.blogspot.com
Stephanie Carovella, which right there - really cool name :) is a tough cookie to crack. A survivor of some horrifically bad stuff, she is a criminal reporter, with the freakish ability to profile a criminal and get into their head better then the professionals. When Stephanie gets a phone call from her ex and best friend Jesse to come home to Los Angeles for the funeral of one of her best friends, Angel - who also happens to be the newest victim of a murderer - she immediately gets on a plane. Arriving in Los Angeles and reconnecting with her best friends, Jesse, Ben, Ana, and Gena - who is also one tough cookie. She vows to find the killer and put a stop to him.
As the body count rises, and the mystery deepens, we learn more about Stephanie and the murderer. I will say this much, I was pleasently surprised with the ending and didn't see it coming. I really had no idea who was doing the killing and who it turns out to be was kind of perfect. I especially loved the last chapter, totally rocked my socks off. Stephanie is a bad ass, I can't wait to see what is going to happen next for her in the books to come.
We also get to know Gena and while this book was about Stephanie, I thought it was almost just as much about Gena. A cop with a tumultuous friendship with Stephanie, these two fight a lot but in the end I think they make up for it. I am hopeful that we will get to see more of Gena in the next book and hopefully their friendship will be in a better place.
Now, lets talk about the men. Holy crap. It's been awhile since I've run across so many potential love interests in one book but I thought Nina D'Angelo played it perfectly. We've got Stephanie's best friends - Jesse and Ben who are both so sweet but never completely pulled me in. Then there is Leigh, her husband - I didn't really know what to make of him in the begining but it didn't take me long until I had a very strong opinion about him. And then, there's Jase. Yummy, interesting Jase. Okay, I think it's apparent that I am totally a Jase shipper, he was just so yum.
I pretty much loved this book, the characters, the mystery and even the conclusion. I can't wait to read the next book and find out more about Stephanie and her friends, I wonder what is going to happen next :) If you like suspensful books or if you are just looking for a really good book to read, then go check out this series. Start now, cuz' I guarantee these books are just going to get better as the series progresses.
Originally posted on Me, Myself & Books Blog
http://memyselfandbooksblog.blogspot.com
March 8, 2013
When it comes to Nowhere to Run I am going to walk you through the process. Ever since I have heard about this book I have wanted to read it. And then I had the explicit pleasure of interviewing Jase, Jake, Jesse and Ben….I was hooked. I wanted to know everything about the world they came from and where they had been. What made these handsome and sometimes dark creatures of their environment. So I finally got my hands on the book…..I was hooked. I don’t know if I have a biggest crush on ALL of the characters or on the author Nina D’Angelo.
So Stephanie Carovella comes back to LA to attend the funeral of her best friend. She left the city of angels for reasons that no one in even her closest circles know. The former crime journalist will stop at nothing to find out what monster is having way to much fun killing their way through the streets of LA. Can she let those closest to her in far enough to help her fight her past or will that wall prove to be her downfall.
I had to give you just a little taste of the book…Every time I thought I knew what was happening I was proved wrong. I couldn’t predicted what was going to come next. I can’t tell you how many times I wanted to reach through my kindle, grab the character and go “what are you doing, turn around” or “Just stab him in the eye!” or “YOU DO REALIZE YOU ARE BEING AN IDIOT RIGHT!!!”. I actually think I did yell a few times. Regardless is was a great read, full of crime, drama, passions, twists, turns and some very very sexy characters both male and female. I am on pins and needles waiting for the next book!
So Stephanie Carovella comes back to LA to attend the funeral of her best friend. She left the city of angels for reasons that no one in even her closest circles know. The former crime journalist will stop at nothing to find out what monster is having way to much fun killing their way through the streets of LA. Can she let those closest to her in far enough to help her fight her past or will that wall prove to be her downfall.
I had to give you just a little taste of the book…Every time I thought I knew what was happening I was proved wrong. I couldn’t predicted what was going to come next. I can’t tell you how many times I wanted to reach through my kindle, grab the character and go “what are you doing, turn around” or “Just stab him in the eye!” or “YOU DO REALIZE YOU ARE BEING AN IDIOT RIGHT!!!”. I actually think I did yell a few times. Regardless is was a great read, full of crime, drama, passions, twists, turns and some very very sexy characters both male and female. I am on pins and needles waiting for the next book!
July 30, 2013
I just love the prologue. It just captured me and made me feared for the victim right away. I really like the way it builds up the suspense and the story kept me at the edge of my seat. I like really Stephanie (the heroine), she reminds me of one of the characters of Criminal Minds. She’s kinda scary in a way since she can get in the twisted mind of a killer and finds what makes them tick.. what’s their next move… I even thought she might be a killer herself…
She is a kick-ass character. She also always try to remain brave and hide her true feelings even if she's scared. She tries to be strong even if inside she’s breaking. She tries to protect everyone.
Men just also fall at her feet. She seems to be a man-eater…Though they know that she only has one true love they still can’t get enough of her (hmmm… she’s probably very skilled in bed).
I like the secondary characters especially Jase and Jake and Gena. Initially, I got confused with some of the names like Angel and Ana, especially the guys – Jase, Jesse and Jake. I had to flip back the page and just check again who is with Stephanie at the moment. I eventually got the hang of it though. This is a great read, definitely is a thriller and it tackles love and friendship as well. I’m going to definitely read the second one since I want to read more abour Stepahnie and Jase. I do hope there’s more about Jake and Gena in there too ;)
She is a kick-ass character. She also always try to remain brave and hide her true feelings even if she's scared. She tries to be strong even if inside she’s breaking. She tries to protect everyone.
Men just also fall at her feet. She seems to be a man-eater…Though they know that she only has one true love they still can’t get enough of her (hmmm… she’s probably very skilled in bed).
I like the secondary characters especially Jase and Jake and Gena. Initially, I got confused with some of the names like Angel and Ana, especially the guys – Jase, Jesse and Jake. I had to flip back the page and just check again who is with Stephanie at the moment. I eventually got the hang of it though. This is a great read, definitely is a thriller and it tackles love and friendship as well. I’m going to definitely read the second one since I want to read more abour Stepahnie and Jase. I do hope there’s more about Jake and Gena in there too ;)
July 4, 2013
4.5 rating. Damn this book was crazy! My head is still reeling and in a good way haha. The mystery was just amazing. It definitely had me on my toes trying to guess who the killer was. Just when I think I had it all figured out something came up to discredit it.
But seriously how many guys fall in love with this girl haha. Pretty much every guy introduced falls head over heels for this girl. And the way they fawned over her and comforted her all the time made me want to gag at times haha. Plus I would be silently yelling for them to stop comforting her so we could get to more reveals.
Overall I really enjoyed this book. The only thing I will say against it is that the similar names killed me in the beginning (Jase & Jesse & Jake and Carolyn Mathers & Cynthia Mallory). I got so confused at times I had to reread stuff. But other than that I really enjoyed this book and look forward to the next one!
But seriously how many guys fall in love with this girl haha. Pretty much every guy introduced falls head over heels for this girl. And the way they fawned over her and comforted her all the time made me want to gag at times haha. Plus I would be silently yelling for them to stop comforting her so we could get to more reveals.
Overall I really enjoyed this book. The only thing I will say against it is that the similar names killed me in the beginning (Jase & Jesse & Jake and Carolyn Mathers & Cynthia Mallory). I got so confused at times I had to reread stuff. But other than that I really enjoyed this book and look forward to the next one!
August 5, 2013
Holy shit! That was amazing!! If you like crime dramas (SVU, CSI, etc. ) you will love this book. Nina has basically created a movie in book form. This book centers around Stephanie- a total man eater (who doesn't know it) and who also has a brain for criminals. Like she gets them and can see their though process. So naturally they are obsessed with her.
The book focuses on her being lured back by a serial killer. There are all kinds of twists and turns you don't expect and they are all WTF moments.
One thing that bothered me: I hated waiting to hear what happened with her husband Dom. I mean it was worth it when you found out but I was getting impatient.
This book has sexy moments but that is not what this is about. It is more of a mystery/thriller with some romance thrown in there.
I am dying to know what happens next because the author made it clear that she and her friends were not out of the woods yet.
The book focuses on her being lured back by a serial killer. There are all kinds of twists and turns you don't expect and they are all WTF moments.
One thing that bothered me: I hated waiting to hear what happened with her husband Dom. I mean it was worth it when you found out but I was getting impatient.
This book has sexy moments but that is not what this is about. It is more of a mystery/thriller with some romance thrown in there.
I am dying to know what happens next because the author made it clear that she and her friends were not out of the woods yet.
May 5, 2014
Gripping, chilling, exciting but not overly explicit. I am not saying the light-hearted should read this book as there are some unpleasant details but those that are not of the faint heart can get through the murder scenes.
I tossed and turned when reading this book which is why it took me so long to read. Not that the story was not good but there was a fine line between savoring this good book and the frustration levels I was reaching from who was dying. Now if you are reading this as book one I think you may feel the story is lacking some character insight and reader connection, but if you start with Damaged (the outlaw series) which is the prequel this book is so much more gut wrenching.
Of course none of this is the authors fault as she is great at her writing sucking you in and making you feel for all the characters. I just wish Stephanie put two and two together so many years before.
Loved it!!
I tossed and turned when reading this book which is why it took me so long to read. Not that the story was not good but there was a fine line between savoring this good book and the frustration levels I was reaching from who was dying. Now if you are reading this as book one I think you may feel the story is lacking some character insight and reader connection, but if you start with Damaged (the outlaw series) which is the prequel this book is so much more gut wrenching.
Of course none of this is the authors fault as she is great at her writing sucking you in and making you feel for all the characters. I just wish Stephanie put two and two together so many years before.
Loved it!!
May 27, 2013
Holy wow, what a great adventure this was. I couldn't stop with this one, it kept me on my toes. Stephanie is a special woman, she has some interesting skills and she also has a secret from her past that made her run without a word to any of her friends. Death brought her home, a death that she learns is all related to her....a whole cast of love and devotion with Jesse, Ben, Gena and then comes Jake and Jase, and horrible deaths along the way, a serial killer on the hunt, a massive set up in play, finger pointing and betrayls, pain and suffering, lust, friendships and hardships, a history brought to the surface to haunt the present. Emotions held close, not wanting to let go, fear of the unknown, one man who can help with it. Will this strong woman survive it all? I loved it!
February 12, 2013
Nina D'Angelo's debut novel has it all. Mystery, suspense, romance, and a book that will keep you guessing till the end. Ms. D'Angelo takes you on a thrill ride, never quite knowing what is going to happen next. Her heroine is someone I wanted to hang out with at times and smack at others. She is very stubborn and won't listen to anyone. She gets things done and doesn't put up with any crap. The other characters are just as endearing and of course I have a favorite. The whole book is one you can't put down so prepare to dive in as soon as you start because you won't be able to stop until the very end.
March 11, 2013
Well done Miss D'Angelo! Like the other reviews say, this is one of the rare thrillers that completely confuse you as to who the killer is. It really could be anyone of the guys. I live how in depth the characters are, especially Stephanie who is one complex case. Can't wait for the next book and will be telling everyone about Nowhere To Run!
March 25, 2013
So well written and the mind of this Author is out of this world!! Stephanie Carovella is an awesome, kickass heroine.
I just had to take my time reading this book and absorb all the genius ways Nina D'Angelo made the twist and turns work so amazingly well.
Highly recommend this book!! Female James Patterson she is!!
I just had to take my time reading this book and absorb all the genius ways Nina D'Angelo made the twist and turns work so amazingly well.
Highly recommend this book!! Female James Patterson she is!!
March 4, 2013
WWE Hall of Famer Rowdy Roddy Piper once said "Just when you think you have all the answers, I change the questions." Nina D'Angelo does that to you with "Nowhere To Run". Just when you think you have everything figured out, the whole dynamic changes and you're left second guessing it all again. It's a book that is not just a page turner, it's a well crafted, thought provoking thrill ride.
May 1, 2013
This was a great story with an unusual mix of characters and a mystery that kept you guessing. I had my idea who the bad guy might be but wasn't certain until the end because of all the surprises and twists in the plot. The hardest part for me was keeping all the J names straight....Jesse, Jake and Jase.
October 24, 2013
Great book! Kept me guessing until the very end. I changed my mind on who the killer was 3 times and each time I told my self I know who it was I would be proven wrong. This is a really good suspense with a good amount of criminology in it. So if you like to watch CSI you would definitely enjoy this book! Can't wait to start reading Nowhere to Hide!
April 2, 2013
Review to come!
September 6, 2013
Love love love Stephanie! I can't wait for the next one!
August 6, 2013
3.5/4 Stars; The Prologue was great. You don’t know exactly what is happening, but you want to find out more. It has you from page one.
Characters: Stephanie and Gena were great heroines. All these friends getting together. I love stories where friends get together when tragedy happens. All this characters care for one another even though they have their differences.
Positives: A great mix of suspense and romance. I am not going to say more since you really don’t know who the “bad guy” is until they have been completely cleared and no longer a “suspect” but even then you never know. The author did a great job of having you guessing. The writing was engaging. The serial killer was on the hunt.
Negatives: The first couple of chapters I found a little confusing. Not about the serial killer. That I found the author did an excellent job fitting in those chapters at the perfect time. What I found confusing at first was who was with who. Dominic was married to Stephanie and he was her love, but then there was someone else. There were too many friends, lovers, and acquaintances. They all seemed to have been friends for a long time and all had a history together at some point, but I felt like I had to make a diagram of who was with whom and when.
Bottom line: if you are in a mood for suspense, thriller and a great heroine this one is a must read.
Characters: Stephanie and Gena were great heroines. All these friends getting together. I love stories where friends get together when tragedy happens. All this characters care for one another even though they have their differences.
Positives: A great mix of suspense and romance. I am not going to say more since you really don’t know who the “bad guy” is until they have been completely cleared and no longer a “suspect” but even then you never know. The author did a great job of having you guessing. The writing was engaging. The serial killer was on the hunt.
Negatives: The first couple of chapters I found a little confusing. Not about the serial killer. That I found the author did an excellent job fitting in those chapters at the perfect time. What I found confusing at first was who was with who. Dominic was married to Stephanie and he was her love, but then there was someone else. There were too many friends, lovers, and acquaintances. They all seemed to have been friends for a long time and all had a history together at some point, but I felt like I had to make a diagram of who was with whom and when.
Bottom line: if you are in a mood for suspense, thriller and a great heroine this one is a must read.
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