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The Shakespearean Suspense #1
A Righteous Kill
"'Tis one thing to be tempted, another thing to fall."~William Shakespeare, Measure for Measure. He's no stranger to sin... A prolific serial killer is crucifying and 'baptizing' the working girls of Portland, and FBI Special Agent Luca Ramirez is locked in a desperate race to prevent the next casualty. The game changes when the latest victim is pulled out of the Willamette River alive, and Luca knows this witness may be his key to breaking the case. When the fanatical killer threatens her life a second time, Luca is assigned to protect the most unique and captivating woman he's ever met by going undercover as her lover. He finds himself locked in a relentless game of cat and mouse with an elusive and violent psychopath, while battling his temptation for the alluring woman he's charged to protect with his life. As the fatalities continue to mount, so does the intensity of his desire for a woman who should be forbidden, but is determined to dial up the heat. International bestselling author Kerrigan Byrne laces dangerous, edgy content with palette-cleansing humor in this sexy, character-driven series debut that will leave you wondering... Is there such a thing as A Righteous Kill?
392 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 2013
About the author
Kerrigan Byrne
79 books5,063 followersIf you're anything like me, the best night is one spent with a brawny highlander, a mysterious werewolf, a conflicted vampire, or a hot-headed Irishman. My stories span the spectrum of romantic fiction from historical, to paranormal, to romantic suspense. But I can always promise my readers one thing: memorable and sexy Celtic heroes who are guaranteed to heat your blood before they steal your heart. Lose yourself in the enchanted Celtic Isles, you never know who, or what, will find you...
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December 17, 2013
12/16/2013 --
Overall Rating = 4 Stars
Book Cover / Book Blurb / Book Title = 4 / 4 / 4 = 4 Stars
Writer’s Voice = 4 Stars
Character Development = 4 Stars
Story Appreciation = 4 Stars
Worth the Chili = 5 Stars -- [$.99 on Amazon]
394 pages
I found this author earlier this year when I read a few of her Amazon free novella's. It was a series about Berserkers in historical Scotland. It was pretty good. When I saw she had written a contemporary suspense full length novel, I was intrigued.
This was really very enjoyable. It is a series, but stands on its' own with no cliffhanging ending. I'll read the next. I really enjoyed her characters.
There were places where the book dragged a bit, but overall a very decent read.
Absolutely loved the Prologue. GRABBED me. LOVE when that happens.
Happy Reading!
Overall Rating = 4 Stars
Book Cover / Book Blurb / Book Title = 4 / 4 / 4 = 4 Stars
Writer’s Voice = 4 Stars
Character Development = 4 Stars
Story Appreciation = 4 Stars
Worth the Chili = 5 Stars -- [$.99 on Amazon]
394 pages
I found this author earlier this year when I read a few of her Amazon free novella's. It was a series about Berserkers in historical Scotland. It was pretty good. When I saw she had written a contemporary suspense full length novel, I was intrigued.
This was really very enjoyable. It is a series, but stands on its' own with no cliffhanging ending. I'll read the next. I really enjoyed her characters.
There were places where the book dragged a bit, but overall a very decent read.
Absolutely loved the Prologue. GRABBED me. LOVE when that happens.
Happy Reading!
December 16, 2013
I don’t read a ton of romantic suspense because I have a hard time finding books in this genre that work for me. But this review request came along and I decided to try it, and I couldn’t put my Kindle down. This book has a great blend of creepy suspense, a gruff, sexy hero, an adorable heroine and dirty sex. Let’s get to it.
A serial killer, nicknamed John the Baptist has killed six red-headed women, nailing them to a cross and letting them bleed out and drown in a river. But his next attempt will fail. Our heroine Hero (her and all her siblings have unique Shakespeare names) survives the attack, and is able to give a few details to the FBI agent in charge of the case, Luca Ramirez. After much recovery, Hero heads back to her apartment only to find a menacing note and a goat head in her refrigerator. John the Baptist isn’t done with her yet, and Luca, under the guise of being her boyfriend, moves in to protect her.
That is a very brief set-up of this book. But let’s get to the good stuff, yes? Some points I want to make:
1. Luca is a grumpy, gruff, intense FBI agent. I love a well done grumpy hero and Luca fits it perfectly. He has demons, sometimes wondering if he has just as much darkness on the inside as the serial killer. Hero is his light, the woman who can crack his façade and make him feel. While he is very professional and devotes every minute of every day to tracking down this killer, he also has to be with her all of the time to keep her safe. It’s hard on his nerves.
During a simple dinner conversation.
“So what are you in the mood for?” Hero asked from the table.
Was she kidding? Even if she offered what he knew she wasn’t offering, Luca wouldn’t have been able to decide. Naked. He was in the mood for naked, hard, and wild. And that was a fucking dangerous mood.
For all of his fight, each day he gets one step closer to losing control around her. When he has her amazing coffee:
Hero took another sip. “It’s my special blend. I usually reserve it for the morning after.”
Luca almost dropped his mug. Some coffee sloshed onto his map. “Morning after?”
“Well yeah, I like to leave someone with a good taste in their mouth, you know?”
Heat that had nothing to do with the coffee scalded his insides. If this was the morning after coffee, then then night before really must be—.
And finally, he makes Hero a promise:
“I vow on this holy ground that when this is all over, I’m going to bend you over the first available surface and fuck you sideways. Got it?”
Hero blinked. The carnal words and the hard tone didn’t match his callous voice at all, causing her to question what she’d just heard. Had he just said…?
“Wait. W-what?” she stammered.
“You heard me. Now get out of the car, we’re going to church.”
2. Hero is an adorable heroine. She is definitely scared about the serial killer stalking her and takes it very seriously. But she also provides some lightness to this story. She is a very confident person, somewhat a hippie, an artist, and can’t understand why her body wants Luca so much. When she first wakes up from her attack in the hospital she is high on pain killers and she made me laugh. She continued to make me laugh, smile and fall in love with her the entire book.
She falls for Luca right away:
God, she was going to sculpt him naked someday. And, if he didn’t let her see him naked? She’d just have to use her imagination, her very vivid imagination. She was probably going to try to get him naked, though.
She knows Luca is into her, and gives him a very hard time about it.
Luca looked up from his report, but his eyes snagged on her lips closing over the chopsticks.
She drew them out slowly. Just because. Then licked them.
And for all of her joking around with him, she really wants him to do dirty things with her.
She wanted him to fuck her wearing that gun. She wanted him like this. On the edge of his control, wild and angry and afraid. She wanted him to pull out the erection pulsing against her stomach and slam it into her without even bothering to take his pants off. She wanted his belt to bite into her skin whiles she watched his wide shoulders to strain against the leather of his holster.
She wanted it right now.
Oh naughty Hero!
3. Besides all the wonderful sexual tension, we actually get a great suspense too. John the Baptist stalks Hero the entire book. The author gives you many people that it could be, and the last quarter of the book I was so excited to find out which one it actually was.
4. Hero has a very large family and I loved all of them. Her sister is fun and her brothers are all very protective, intense and each one is set up with a background. Knox’s book is next and I can’t wait.
This is a new to me author. Looking at her website, her previous book have been historicals (which I might have to check out). In any case, I’m very excited for another book in this world. If you like romantic suspense, I’d definitely give this one a try.
Rating: B+
A serial killer, nicknamed John the Baptist has killed six red-headed women, nailing them to a cross and letting them bleed out and drown in a river. But his next attempt will fail. Our heroine Hero (her and all her siblings have unique Shakespeare names) survives the attack, and is able to give a few details to the FBI agent in charge of the case, Luca Ramirez. After much recovery, Hero heads back to her apartment only to find a menacing note and a goat head in her refrigerator. John the Baptist isn’t done with her yet, and Luca, under the guise of being her boyfriend, moves in to protect her.
That is a very brief set-up of this book. But let’s get to the good stuff, yes? Some points I want to make:
1. Luca is a grumpy, gruff, intense FBI agent. I love a well done grumpy hero and Luca fits it perfectly. He has demons, sometimes wondering if he has just as much darkness on the inside as the serial killer. Hero is his light, the woman who can crack his façade and make him feel. While he is very professional and devotes every minute of every day to tracking down this killer, he also has to be with her all of the time to keep her safe. It’s hard on his nerves.
During a simple dinner conversation.
“So what are you in the mood for?” Hero asked from the table.
Was she kidding? Even if she offered what he knew she wasn’t offering, Luca wouldn’t have been able to decide. Naked. He was in the mood for naked, hard, and wild. And that was a fucking dangerous mood.
For all of his fight, each day he gets one step closer to losing control around her. When he has her amazing coffee:
Hero took another sip. “It’s my special blend. I usually reserve it for the morning after.”
Luca almost dropped his mug. Some coffee sloshed onto his map. “Morning after?”
“Well yeah, I like to leave someone with a good taste in their mouth, you know?”
Heat that had nothing to do with the coffee scalded his insides. If this was the morning after coffee, then then night before really must be—.
And finally, he makes Hero a promise:
“I vow on this holy ground that when this is all over, I’m going to bend you over the first available surface and fuck you sideways. Got it?”
Hero blinked. The carnal words and the hard tone didn’t match his callous voice at all, causing her to question what she’d just heard. Had he just said…?
“Wait. W-what?” she stammered.
“You heard me. Now get out of the car, we’re going to church.”
2. Hero is an adorable heroine. She is definitely scared about the serial killer stalking her and takes it very seriously. But she also provides some lightness to this story. She is a very confident person, somewhat a hippie, an artist, and can’t understand why her body wants Luca so much. When she first wakes up from her attack in the hospital she is high on pain killers and she made me laugh. She continued to make me laugh, smile and fall in love with her the entire book.
She falls for Luca right away:
God, she was going to sculpt him naked someday. And, if he didn’t let her see him naked? She’d just have to use her imagination, her very vivid imagination. She was probably going to try to get him naked, though.
She knows Luca is into her, and gives him a very hard time about it.
Luca looked up from his report, but his eyes snagged on her lips closing over the chopsticks.
She drew them out slowly. Just because. Then licked them.
And for all of her joking around with him, she really wants him to do dirty things with her.
She wanted him to fuck her wearing that gun. She wanted him like this. On the edge of his control, wild and angry and afraid. She wanted him to pull out the erection pulsing against her stomach and slam it into her without even bothering to take his pants off. She wanted his belt to bite into her skin whiles she watched his wide shoulders to strain against the leather of his holster.
She wanted it right now.
Oh naughty Hero!
3. Besides all the wonderful sexual tension, we actually get a great suspense too. John the Baptist stalks Hero the entire book. The author gives you many people that it could be, and the last quarter of the book I was so excited to find out which one it actually was.
4. Hero has a very large family and I loved all of them. Her sister is fun and her brothers are all very protective, intense and each one is set up with a background. Knox’s book is next and I can’t wait.
This is a new to me author. Looking at her website, her previous book have been historicals (which I might have to check out). In any case, I’m very excited for another book in this world. If you like romantic suspense, I’d definitely give this one a try.
Rating: B+
October 18, 2013
This page-turning story follows FBI agent Luca Ramirez as he chases John the Baptist, a serial killer through the streets of Portland, Oregon. Luca thinks he just found JTB’s seventh victim, until the startling discovery is made…. She is still alive. No longer a victim, but now a witness, this may just be the break that Luca has been waiting for in his yearlong search for the reclusive killer.
But what Luca finds are more mysteries to un-ravel, starting with the his witness, Hero. She doesn’t fit the profile of the past victims. So what is her connection with this deadly predator? And why does she make his blood boil with a passion he has never felt before?
Luca knows that Hero’s life is still in danger and will do whatever it takes to save her, while hunting down John the Baptist. But at what cost?
From the moment, I started reading A Righteous Kill, Kerrigan Byrne immediately grabbed my attention… it like grabbed me by the throat and making me NEED to read on attentively right until the very end! Twist after twist, Ms. Kerrigan weaves together a devastatingly incredible mystery that includes historical and religious references, along with other ancient tidbits, some centuries old. It was meticulously written with imbibing details, in such great depths, structurally creating a picture with mere words.
Both Hero and Luca were incredibly flawed but strong characters, the connection between them almost instant, as they worked together to capture this deranged monster, who was crucifying young women and throwing their bodies in the river. A killer merely steps ahead of the FBI as he starts taunting them with clues that leads Luca and Hero on a breathless journey. Each having to face their worst fears and learning to trust.
“A Righteous Kill” left me flabbergasted to the core and was an amazing start to a wonderful new series by Kerrigan Byrne. I can’t wait to read about the rest of Hero’s awesome family, who we meet throughout this book.
But what Luca finds are more mysteries to un-ravel, starting with the his witness, Hero. She doesn’t fit the profile of the past victims. So what is her connection with this deadly predator? And why does she make his blood boil with a passion he has never felt before?
Luca knows that Hero’s life is still in danger and will do whatever it takes to save her, while hunting down John the Baptist. But at what cost?
From the moment, I started reading A Righteous Kill, Kerrigan Byrne immediately grabbed my attention… it like grabbed me by the throat and making me NEED to read on attentively right until the very end! Twist after twist, Ms. Kerrigan weaves together a devastatingly incredible mystery that includes historical and religious references, along with other ancient tidbits, some centuries old. It was meticulously written with imbibing details, in such great depths, structurally creating a picture with mere words.
Both Hero and Luca were incredibly flawed but strong characters, the connection between them almost instant, as they worked together to capture this deranged monster, who was crucifying young women and throwing their bodies in the river. A killer merely steps ahead of the FBI as he starts taunting them with clues that leads Luca and Hero on a breathless journey. Each having to face their worst fears and learning to trust.
“A Righteous Kill” left me flabbergasted to the core and was an amazing start to a wonderful new series by Kerrigan Byrne. I can’t wait to read about the rest of Hero’s awesome family, who we meet throughout this book.
April 6, 2020
FBI Special Agent Luca Ramirez is the lead agent trying to find a serial killer nicknamed "John the Baptist". JTB has tortured and killed three prostitutes, leaving their bodies in the river. When another body is found in the river, Luca is shocked to find this one is still alive. Hero Katrova-Conner doesn't remember anything after being drugged and thrown into a gray van. She has holes in her hands from being nailed to a cross and an injury in her side from a spear. When Hero recovers from her injuries and returns home, she finds that John the Baptist isn't done with her. He's leaving items in her apartment, telling her that he will be coming back for her. Luca and his partner decide to give Hero around-the-clock surveillance while searching for the murderer.
This is the first book in Kerrigan Byrne's Shakespearean Suspense series. I believe this is her only romantic suspense title and it was written early in her career. It is your typical romantic suspense with the lawman chasing the killer and protecting the heroine. My problem with the story was the main characters. Hero is just unlikeable. She is a sex kitten who is constantly rubbing up against Luca or undressing in front of him just to get a reaction. She also throws tantrums if she's not getting her way. It was ridiculous. Every time she was told to stay away from the scene of the crime, she'd be right there in the middle of it a minute later. Luca was good at his job; but has a major anger management problem. He was in a constant fury for most of the book. I'd think the FBI would be putting him on a short leash.
There isn't a whole lot of suspects in this book. I guess when you're looking for a religious fanatic, it reduces the suspect list. I liked the secondary characters, especially Luca's partner and Hero's family. Hero's siblings are named after characters from Shakespeare's works. There is a quote from various plays at the beginning of each chapter. There are supposed to be more books in this series in the future. Since I love this author's historical romances and I enjoyed Hero's brothers, I'll be giving the next book a try. My rating: 2.5 Stars.
This is the first book in Kerrigan Byrne's Shakespearean Suspense series. I believe this is her only romantic suspense title and it was written early in her career. It is your typical romantic suspense with the lawman chasing the killer and protecting the heroine. My problem with the story was the main characters. Hero is just unlikeable. She is a sex kitten who is constantly rubbing up against Luca or undressing in front of him just to get a reaction. She also throws tantrums if she's not getting her way. It was ridiculous. Every time she was told to stay away from the scene of the crime, she'd be right there in the middle of it a minute later. Luca was good at his job; but has a major anger management problem. He was in a constant fury for most of the book. I'd think the FBI would be putting him on a short leash.
There isn't a whole lot of suspects in this book. I guess when you're looking for a religious fanatic, it reduces the suspect list. I liked the secondary characters, especially Luca's partner and Hero's family. Hero's siblings are named after characters from Shakespeare's works. There is a quote from various plays at the beginning of each chapter. There are supposed to be more books in this series in the future. Since I love this author's historical romances and I enjoyed Hero's brothers, I'll be giving the next book a try. My rating: 2.5 Stars.
January 7, 2021
Fantabulous read!!! I have had this gem on the TBR for 4 years! Very well crafted and the romance and suspense was equally weighted. The love scenes were crackalicious! Hopefully we will see some movement for the next book in the series this year?
August 13, 2016
Not enough events to move the plot. No clues being discovered. It dragged.
A serial killer thought he killed Hero but she lived. Now she has 24-hour bodyguards. Twice during the book, a suspicious guy does something threatening. So the bodyguards leave Hero alone, chase the suspicious guy, and something bad happens to Hero from another guy. Another problem: there are four suspects. At least three times Hero went off alone with one of them. (Stupid) But the worst part for me was no clues during the book. By the final climax, the good guys weren’t any closer to knowing who the killer was than they were in the beginning of the book. I want to admire the H/h or root for them. But I couldn’t because no one was doing anything smart to find the killer. And some good guys did stupid or incompetent things. So I was not entertained.
The value of the book is probably watching the relationships among various characters. Some of those were good but not good enough for a whole book.
There were four short sex scenes. I don’t remember much about them. I think they were ok.
I liked the opening scene where Hero’s parents met 40 years earlier. That was about four pages. I would have liked more on that story.
I liked the William Shakespeare quotes at the beginning of each chapter. But they were unrelated to what was happening. I don’t think they belong in this book.
AUDIOBOOK NARRATOR:
The narrator Derek Perkins was pretty good, but my mind wandered at times. I don’t’ know if it wandered because of the narrator or because of the writing.
DATA:
Narrative mode: 3rd person. Unabridged audiobook length: 14 hrs and 4 mins. Swearing language: strong including religious swear words. Sexual language strong but not often used. Number of sex scenes: 4. Setting: current day Portland, Oregon. Book copyright: 2013. Genre: mystery suspense with romance.
A serial killer thought he killed Hero but she lived. Now she has 24-hour bodyguards. Twice during the book, a suspicious guy does something threatening. So the bodyguards leave Hero alone, chase the suspicious guy, and something bad happens to Hero from another guy. Another problem: there are four suspects. At least three times Hero went off alone with one of them. (Stupid) But the worst part for me was no clues during the book. By the final climax, the good guys weren’t any closer to knowing who the killer was than they were in the beginning of the book. I want to admire the H/h or root for them. But I couldn’t because no one was doing anything smart to find the killer. And some good guys did stupid or incompetent things. So I was not entertained.
The value of the book is probably watching the relationships among various characters. Some of those were good but not good enough for a whole book.
There were four short sex scenes. I don’t remember much about them. I think they were ok.
I liked the opening scene where Hero’s parents met 40 years earlier. That was about four pages. I would have liked more on that story.
I liked the William Shakespeare quotes at the beginning of each chapter. But they were unrelated to what was happening. I don’t think they belong in this book.
AUDIOBOOK NARRATOR:
The narrator Derek Perkins was pretty good, but my mind wandered at times. I don’t’ know if it wandered because of the narrator or because of the writing.
DATA:
Narrative mode: 3rd person. Unabridged audiobook length: 14 hrs and 4 mins. Swearing language: strong including religious swear words. Sexual language strong but not often used. Number of sex scenes: 4. Setting: current day Portland, Oregon. Book copyright: 2013. Genre: mystery suspense with romance.
May 16, 2014
4 Righteous Stars!!
It's been awhile since I've read a Romantic/Suspense that was heavier on the suspense. I've got to say I was surprised at how much I enjoyed this book, although it did lag in a couple of places but for the most part I enjoyed it and I'm looking forward to the rest of the series...especially since I think Knox's book is next...? Fingers crossed!
Luca Ramirez is an FBI Agent in Portland OR on the hunt for "John the Baptist" a serial killer who is killing prostitutes by staking their hands to crosses and then dumping them in rivers around the city. When he gets called to the latest crime scene, the victim is noticeably different, she doesn't have the same characteristics as his prior victims. Just as he begins to investigate the crime scene...the latest victim moves!!
Hero Katrova-Conner wakes in the hospital and can hardly believe she has survived the brutal attack. She doesn't understand how she caught the attention of "JTB" killer as she is not nor has ever been a prostitute. The fact that she survived makes her a target for JTB to finish his ritual and a chance for Luca to finally catch his killer.
As Luca and Hero get closer so does the Killer, there are many suspect characters and they will keep you guessing till the end. The romance is a slow burn with tons of sexual tension but when Luca finally gives into his hunger it's explosive and just gets better!!!
All in all this had a great storyline and fantastic secondary characters especially Hero's brothers and Luca's fun sexy partner and best friend Vince. Looking forward to the rest if the series.
It's been awhile since I've read a Romantic/Suspense that was heavier on the suspense. I've got to say I was surprised at how much I enjoyed this book, although it did lag in a couple of places but for the most part I enjoyed it and I'm looking forward to the rest of the series...especially since I think Knox's book is next...? Fingers crossed!
Luca Ramirez is an FBI Agent in Portland OR on the hunt for "John the Baptist" a serial killer who is killing prostitutes by staking their hands to crosses and then dumping them in rivers around the city. When he gets called to the latest crime scene, the victim is noticeably different, she doesn't have the same characteristics as his prior victims. Just as he begins to investigate the crime scene...the latest victim moves!!
Hero Katrova-Conner wakes in the hospital and can hardly believe she has survived the brutal attack. She doesn't understand how she caught the attention of "JTB" killer as she is not nor has ever been a prostitute. The fact that she survived makes her a target for JTB to finish his ritual and a chance for Luca to finally catch his killer.
As Luca and Hero get closer so does the Killer, there are many suspect characters and they will keep you guessing till the end. The romance is a slow burn with tons of sexual tension but when Luca finally gives into his hunger it's explosive and just gets better!!!
All in all this had a great storyline and fantastic secondary characters especially Hero's brothers and Luca's fun sexy partner and best friend Vince. Looking forward to the rest if the series.
August 5, 2016
A great romantic suspense book. Extremely well written with a solid story line, a ton of sexual tension, and an alpha FBI agent with a shoe fetish. The heroine has three sexy brothers and lets not forget Luca's partner, Vince...enough hotties for several more books. It looks like the next book will be about fighter Knox, and I'm totally down with that : )
The book seemed a bit long and may have dragged just a tad in the middle. I'm not embarrassed to admit that some of the religious history went right over my head after a while although I was quite impressed with the complexity of the plot, details, etc.
A very solid 4 STARS.
The book seemed a bit long and may have dragged just a tad in the middle. I'm not embarrassed to admit that some of the religious history went right over my head after a while although I was quite impressed with the complexity of the plot, details, etc.
A very solid 4 STARS.
October 28, 2013
Let me start out by saying this book was different from any other romantic suspense book I've read. And that's a good thing. Hero, the main character and young lady who escaped certain death at the hands of a serial killer, was not written as the typical lost soul, scared of her own shadow, needing a man for her recovery, heroine you usually read in these type of stories. Luca, one of the FBI agents assigned to protect her, was not perfect. Sure he was easy on the eyes, but he had his own psychological and emotional stew simmering beneath the surface. And he focused way too much on the quality of his shoes. I liked that! I mean come on! A man who's into expensive perfect fitting shoes, who's an attractive, and dangerous Latin lover to boot!? I call PERFECTION!! But seriously, this was a very well written book, with a story that grabbed you and wouldn't let you go until the disturbing end. The humorous banter intertwined within the characters had me LOL more than once and highlighting so many passages on my Kindle it now looks dangerously close to one of my graded reports returned to me from back in my high school days! The secondary characters had as much charisma as the main ones and I hope the author continues this into a full series with a separate book for each of Hero's brothers. For now I'm happy to know at least there's another book in the works and I'll get to see more of Vince, Luca's FBI partner.
Well played, Ms. Byrne. Well played.
Well played, Ms. Byrne. Well played.
January 25, 2014
I was snared before I finished the prologue! Once you start reading you will not want to put this book down for anything.Kerrigan has just upped her game. This series is going to be amazing!! Is it too early to start wanting the next one in the series ?
Characters Hero and Luca are great! Will they be able to deny what is growing between them .Will they even have a chance before a killer finishes what he started , killing Hero.
Luca sees the sunlight in Hero and she is slipping under Luca's tight guard and slowly winding her way around his heart.
Hero knows Luca has a darknessin him and she cannot deny she wants to lose herself in him with him.From the moment she opens her eyes to see his dark eyes and hears his voice she knows he will do whatever he can to protect her.
The give and take between these two are priceless from gluten free pizza to expensive designer shoes and were are not talking womens, yoga , morning after coffee & teal paint! . You just want it to keep going . The suspense to keeps you guessing until the end. Don't wait another moment grab your copy now .
Characters Hero and Luca are great! Will they be able to deny what is growing between them .Will they even have a chance before a killer finishes what he started , killing Hero.
Luca sees the sunlight in Hero and she is slipping under Luca's tight guard and slowly winding her way around his heart.
Hero knows Luca has a darknessin him and she cannot deny she wants to lose herself in him with him.From the moment she opens her eyes to see his dark eyes and hears his voice she knows he will do whatever he can to protect her.
The give and take between these two are priceless from gluten free pizza to expensive designer shoes and were are not talking womens, yoga , morning after coffee & teal paint! . You just want it to keep going . The suspense to keeps you guessing until the end. Don't wait another moment grab your copy now .
December 30, 2013
A scary one and very intense. This is the first of a series called "Shakespearean Suspense". The family at the heart of this series is the reason. The first story revolves around a serial killer who is targeting women with red hair. FBI Special Agent Luca Ramirez is the SAC, and is given a gift - a victim who does not die and becomes a witness. It's a gift with thorns, as Luca and the victim will discover.
This one is intense, but worth the ride. If you're timid, understand that this one is at the far edge of romantic suspense, definitely going towards thriller. If you have the inclination, go for it - it's worth it.
This one is intense, but worth the ride. If you're timid, understand that this one is at the far edge of romantic suspense, definitely going towards thriller. If you have the inclination, go for it - it's worth it.
November 4, 2018
The first book in A Shakespearean Suspense by Kerrigan Byrne. Serial killer John the Baptist's latest victim is pulled from the river and FBI Special Agent Luca Ramirez is sent to investigate. Only this victim isn't dead. Hero Viola Katrova-Conner is very much alive but her life is still in danger as John the Baptist is intent on finishing what he started.
I love the main characters and there were quite a few interesting characters introduced. Hero's parents apparently had a thing for Shakespeare so her siblings have some unusual names. The mystery element wasn't too hard to figure but there were enough red herrings to throw you off and have you second guess. I liked this book and will probably continue the series.
I love the main characters and there were quite a few interesting characters introduced. Hero's parents apparently had a thing for Shakespeare so her siblings have some unusual names. The mystery element wasn't too hard to figure but there were enough red herrings to throw you off and have you second guess. I liked this book and will probably continue the series.
November 2, 2013
Review:
A serial killer is still out there with a media-given nickname due to the nature of his killings. One woman who was meant to die survives and is rescued. Two FBI agents are assigned to protect her. There is an attraction and chemistry between one of the agents and the woman. In the meantime, there are more deaths, more clues and a frantic race against time before she becomes a victim again.
If this sounds familiar, it should be to avid readers of mysteries. Many of these elements are in many of these types of stories. However, Kerrigan Byrne manages to take all of these elements, add a few other characteristics to the story and the characters, and produce a novel that is a superb work of mystery, murder, romance, sex and even humor.
Dubbed “John the Baptist”, a killer has wreaked havoc by killing several women, most of whom were prostitutes and all of whom are redheads, and leaving cryptic clues. One woman, Hero Katrova-Connor, who was not a prostitute but instead an artist, was meant to be a victim but survived. When two FBI agents, Luca Ramirez and Vince, are assigned to protect her as well as continue the investigation, the story gets better.
The reader will learn about Hero’s family with many idiosyncrasies. Hero herself has them as well and the names of most of the family members have a Shakespeare quality. This trait is not unexpected from this author, as Ms. Byrne has become a best-selling author with here Highlander romance books. She takes some of the traits from those stories and applies them here in her first mystery novel. These add to the story for not only introducing wonderful characters, such as Hero’s brother who is also an agent. The character development that I enjoy in Ms. Byrne’s books is at its best here.
The romance that is brewing between Hero and Luca is filled with tension, anger, revelations that have been held inside for years and finally a physical attraction that is both passionate and intense. Again, Ms. Byrne takes her talent for writing romance and weaves it masterfully into a murder mystery. It never detracted from the investigation story – in fact, it seemed to add to the drama of how John the Baptist would be caught.
As for the action and investigation into John the Baptist’s murders, that is written just as well. Each time there was another victim, interview with a witness or potential suspect or each thrilling action scene, the reader is swept away and feels involved in the chase as well. The clues left are each part of a puzzle that is a part of the entire Bibilical story of John the Baptist. Leaving passages from Scripture, piecing together the story of john the Baptist and even in one of the more gruesome scenes in the book, the symbol of Asmodeus was left in Hero’s bedroom drawn in the blood of an animal. This gave the book a feel like “The DaVinci Code” – something that was stated by a character two pages after I had that thought.
All of these wonderful qualities add up to one conclusion. It is that Ms. Byrne has talent for writing more than just romance. This was an outstanding murder mystery first (which is how I approached reading this book), with great romantic passages as an added bonus. This is the first book in a series of mysteries and that is good news for readers who enjoy good mystery stories. Her debut into this genre is an outstanding work and should not only keep her current fans engrossed, but also will let others see the talent she brings to another genre. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this and cannot wait for the next story in this series.
I wish to thank Ms. Byrne for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Did I skim? No
Did I feel connected to the characters? Yes. Whenever there are characters who have flawed backgrounds and are scared to admit them or unwilling to do so, I always have a soft spot for them. However, my favorite character in this book was Luca’s partner Vince. He was an excellent complement to Luca – calm, never took too much seriously unless absolutely necessary and grounded enough in his personal life that he felt secure around Hero.
Pace of the story: Excellent – fast paced and the story never concentrated too much on the growing attraction between Luca and Hero. Whenever I read a mystery that spends too much time on a romantic interest, I get disappointed because I wonder what happened to the investigation. That did not happen with this story.
Do I recommend? Yes, especially for fans of mysteries and romance.
A serial killer is still out there with a media-given nickname due to the nature of his killings. One woman who was meant to die survives and is rescued. Two FBI agents are assigned to protect her. There is an attraction and chemistry between one of the agents and the woman. In the meantime, there are more deaths, more clues and a frantic race against time before she becomes a victim again.
If this sounds familiar, it should be to avid readers of mysteries. Many of these elements are in many of these types of stories. However, Kerrigan Byrne manages to take all of these elements, add a few other characteristics to the story and the characters, and produce a novel that is a superb work of mystery, murder, romance, sex and even humor.
Dubbed “John the Baptist”, a killer has wreaked havoc by killing several women, most of whom were prostitutes and all of whom are redheads, and leaving cryptic clues. One woman, Hero Katrova-Connor, who was not a prostitute but instead an artist, was meant to be a victim but survived. When two FBI agents, Luca Ramirez and Vince, are assigned to protect her as well as continue the investigation, the story gets better.
The reader will learn about Hero’s family with many idiosyncrasies. Hero herself has them as well and the names of most of the family members have a Shakespeare quality. This trait is not unexpected from this author, as Ms. Byrne has become a best-selling author with here Highlander romance books. She takes some of the traits from those stories and applies them here in her first mystery novel. These add to the story for not only introducing wonderful characters, such as Hero’s brother who is also an agent. The character development that I enjoy in Ms. Byrne’s books is at its best here.
The romance that is brewing between Hero and Luca is filled with tension, anger, revelations that have been held inside for years and finally a physical attraction that is both passionate and intense. Again, Ms. Byrne takes her talent for writing romance and weaves it masterfully into a murder mystery. It never detracted from the investigation story – in fact, it seemed to add to the drama of how John the Baptist would be caught.
As for the action and investigation into John the Baptist’s murders, that is written just as well. Each time there was another victim, interview with a witness or potential suspect or each thrilling action scene, the reader is swept away and feels involved in the chase as well. The clues left are each part of a puzzle that is a part of the entire Bibilical story of John the Baptist. Leaving passages from Scripture, piecing together the story of john the Baptist and even in one of the more gruesome scenes in the book, the symbol of Asmodeus was left in Hero’s bedroom drawn in the blood of an animal. This gave the book a feel like “The DaVinci Code” – something that was stated by a character two pages after I had that thought.
All of these wonderful qualities add up to one conclusion. It is that Ms. Byrne has talent for writing more than just romance. This was an outstanding murder mystery first (which is how I approached reading this book), with great romantic passages as an added bonus. This is the first book in a series of mysteries and that is good news for readers who enjoy good mystery stories. Her debut into this genre is an outstanding work and should not only keep her current fans engrossed, but also will let others see the talent she brings to another genre. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this and cannot wait for the next story in this series.
I wish to thank Ms. Byrne for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Did I skim? No
Did I feel connected to the characters? Yes. Whenever there are characters who have flawed backgrounds and are scared to admit them or unwilling to do so, I always have a soft spot for them. However, my favorite character in this book was Luca’s partner Vince. He was an excellent complement to Luca – calm, never took too much seriously unless absolutely necessary and grounded enough in his personal life that he felt secure around Hero.
Pace of the story: Excellent – fast paced and the story never concentrated too much on the growing attraction between Luca and Hero. Whenever I read a mystery that spends too much time on a romantic interest, I get disappointed because I wonder what happened to the investigation. That did not happen with this story.
Do I recommend? Yes, especially for fans of mysteries and romance.
October 28, 2013
A Righteous Kill by Kerrigan Byrne
A Shakespearean Suspense
“’Tis one thing to be tempted, another thing to fall.”
~William Shakespeare, Measure for Measure.
He’s no stranger to sin…
A prolific serial killer is crucifying and ‘baptizing’ the working girls of Portland, and FBI Special Agent Luca Ramirez is locked in a desperate race to prevent the next casualty. The game changes when the latest victim is pulled out of the Willamette River alive, and Luca knows this witness may be his key to breaking the case. When the fanatical killer threatens her life a second time, Luca is assigned to protect the most unique and captivating woman he’s ever met by going undercover as her lover. He finds himself locked in a relentless game of cat and mouse with an elusive and violent psychopath, while battling his temptation for the alluring woman he’s charged to protect with his life. As the fatalities continue to mount, so does the intensity of his desire for a woman who should be forbidden, but is determined to dial up the heat.
Bestselling author Kerrigan Byrne laces dangerous, edgy content with palette-cleansing humor in this sexy, character-driven series debut that will leave you wondering… Is there such a thing as A Righteous Kill?
Portland Oregon has a very active serial killer known as "John the Baptist", his victims have all been red haired prostitutes, then he nails their hands to a cross and piercing their sides with an antique Roman sword. Then he wraps them in Catholic Robes and completes their baptism by dumping them in the Williamette River. But he fails to complete Hero's baptism when she refuses to die. Enter Special Agent Ramirez who has been trailing our killer after 6 kills.
This book is wonderfully detailed, you "see" what the author describes in great detail, my favorite thing about the book is the Shakespearean quotes to "guide" to through each chapter. Also, Agent Ramirez' obsession with designer shoes, Bruno Magli Boots and Cole Haan full his shoe collection.
Your heroine named Hero Viola Katrova-Conner comes with a very huge family "Knocks, Brown, Rohm, Dim Tree, Dra, Pop and Mmph" which translates into FBI agent brother Rown, Navy Seal brother Knox, bad boy motorcyclist Dimtri, and ADA Timandra, looking forward to the next books in the series.
"I'll follow you and make a heaven out of the hell, and I'll die, die by your hand which I love so well." William Shakespeare
I give this book 4 ★★★★'s
*****This is a ARC giving to me for my honest opinion
A Shakespearean Suspense
“’Tis one thing to be tempted, another thing to fall.”
~William Shakespeare, Measure for Measure.
He’s no stranger to sin…
A prolific serial killer is crucifying and ‘baptizing’ the working girls of Portland, and FBI Special Agent Luca Ramirez is locked in a desperate race to prevent the next casualty. The game changes when the latest victim is pulled out of the Willamette River alive, and Luca knows this witness may be his key to breaking the case. When the fanatical killer threatens her life a second time, Luca is assigned to protect the most unique and captivating woman he’s ever met by going undercover as her lover. He finds himself locked in a relentless game of cat and mouse with an elusive and violent psychopath, while battling his temptation for the alluring woman he’s charged to protect with his life. As the fatalities continue to mount, so does the intensity of his desire for a woman who should be forbidden, but is determined to dial up the heat.
Bestselling author Kerrigan Byrne laces dangerous, edgy content with palette-cleansing humor in this sexy, character-driven series debut that will leave you wondering… Is there such a thing as A Righteous Kill?
Portland Oregon has a very active serial killer known as "John the Baptist", his victims have all been red haired prostitutes, then he nails their hands to a cross and piercing their sides with an antique Roman sword. Then he wraps them in Catholic Robes and completes their baptism by dumping them in the Williamette River. But he fails to complete Hero's baptism when she refuses to die. Enter Special Agent Ramirez who has been trailing our killer after 6 kills.
This book is wonderfully detailed, you "see" what the author describes in great detail, my favorite thing about the book is the Shakespearean quotes to "guide" to through each chapter. Also, Agent Ramirez' obsession with designer shoes, Bruno Magli Boots and Cole Haan full his shoe collection.
Your heroine named Hero Viola Katrova-Conner comes with a very huge family "Knocks, Brown, Rohm, Dim Tree, Dra, Pop and Mmph" which translates into FBI agent brother Rown, Navy Seal brother Knox, bad boy motorcyclist Dimtri, and ADA Timandra, looking forward to the next books in the series.
"I'll follow you and make a heaven out of the hell, and I'll die, die by your hand which I love so well." William Shakespeare
I give this book 4 ★★★★'s
*****This is a ARC giving to me for my honest opinion
November 10, 2013
Thrilling, Fast-Paced,and Smokin Hot!!!!
I am a huge fan of Kerrigan Byrne's. I was excited about this new release. Though I adore her historical romances, I enjoyed the change of pace in this story. A Righteous Kill was the first romantic suspense novel I have read and I loved it!! I am a big fan of crime drama shows and documentaries and I could tell Kerrigan did her research for this book. It was compelling and captivating. This book sets the bar of my expectations of what a romantic suspense novel should be pretty high. This bookstore me in from the very beginning. It had me on the edge of my seat the whole time.
I loved the characters and how realistic the author portrayed them. Luca, the sexy Latin FBI agent is sent out on an assignment and finds a woman named Hero. Hero is on the verge of death having escaped the clutches of a serial killer named John the Baptist. The attraction between Luca and Hero is almost instant. Luca and his partner are assigned to watch over Hero and they all must work together to try and capture the sadistic serial killer on the loose.
Kerrigan's descriptive writing makes for an amazing read. A Righteous Kill is a true masterpiece and has become one of my favorite books.
I am a huge fan of Kerrigan Byrne's. I was excited about this new release. Though I adore her historical romances, I enjoyed the change of pace in this story. A Righteous Kill was the first romantic suspense novel I have read and I loved it!! I am a big fan of crime drama shows and documentaries and I could tell Kerrigan did her research for this book. It was compelling and captivating. This book sets the bar of my expectations of what a romantic suspense novel should be pretty high. This bookstore me in from the very beginning. It had me on the edge of my seat the whole time.
I loved the characters and how realistic the author portrayed them. Luca, the sexy Latin FBI agent is sent out on an assignment and finds a woman named Hero. Hero is on the verge of death having escaped the clutches of a serial killer named John the Baptist. The attraction between Luca and Hero is almost instant. Luca and his partner are assigned to watch over Hero and they all must work together to try and capture the sadistic serial killer on the loose.
Kerrigan's descriptive writing makes for an amazing read. A Righteous Kill is a true masterpiece and has become one of my favorite books.
October 28, 2013
Marie's Tempting Reads Review:
When I was asked to read this book I was worried that it had more mystery and murder then actual romance. I can honestly say that I have never been more happy to be SO wrong. Even though there was quite a bit of mystery there was just as much romance between the victim, Hero and the sexy FBI agent Luca. Righteous Kill had some surprising humor too. Hero was a such a unique, yet fitting name for such a strong and brave character. Even though she went through something traumatic, it did NOT stop her from trying to live her life with both humor and bravery. When Kerrigan threw Luca in the mix and made him Hero's lover, sparks flew, passion soared, and love blossomed. This was the first book that had me looking out my window wondering if there was a psychopath out my door wanting to torture and kill me and being VERY glad I don't live in the city. I was NOT expecting such a strong plot or such great humor and roaring passion. I can definitely say I will be anticipating the next book in this new series by Kerrigan Byrne. After reading this story, I knew I had to give this a rating it deserved. I gave this a FOUR AND A HALF OUT OF FIVE STARS!! That's right, this book was wonderful and well written. A true masterpiece!
When I was asked to read this book I was worried that it had more mystery and murder then actual romance. I can honestly say that I have never been more happy to be SO wrong. Even though there was quite a bit of mystery there was just as much romance between the victim, Hero and the sexy FBI agent Luca. Righteous Kill had some surprising humor too. Hero was a such a unique, yet fitting name for such a strong and brave character. Even though she went through something traumatic, it did NOT stop her from trying to live her life with both humor and bravery. When Kerrigan threw Luca in the mix and made him Hero's lover, sparks flew, passion soared, and love blossomed. This was the first book that had me looking out my window wondering if there was a psychopath out my door wanting to torture and kill me and being VERY glad I don't live in the city. I was NOT expecting such a strong plot or such great humor and roaring passion. I can definitely say I will be anticipating the next book in this new series by Kerrigan Byrne. After reading this story, I knew I had to give this a rating it deserved. I gave this a FOUR AND A HALF OUT OF FIVE STARS!! That's right, this book was wonderful and well written. A true masterpiece!
December 18, 2013
2.5 stars
Was initially put off by the hero, with his fat shaming and temper tantrums, but he grew on me by the end (sort of). The heroine initially reminded me of Pollyanna, by the end she reminded me of people who believe in homeopathy. I wouldn't want to hang out with either of them IRL, but I could see them as a couple.
The romance part was maybe 3 stars, but I was bored by the suspense part well before the end, and annoyed by the many weird (or incorrect) word choices.
Rounding down to 2 stars as I'm unlikely to read another in this series (which is unfortunate, because I like the family set-up).
Was initially put off by the hero, with his fat shaming and temper tantrums, but he grew on me by the end (sort of). The heroine initially reminded me of Pollyanna, by the end she reminded me of people who believe in homeopathy. I wouldn't want to hang out with either of them IRL, but I could see them as a couple.
The romance part was maybe 3 stars, but I was bored by the suspense part well before the end, and annoyed by the many weird (or incorrect) word choices.
Rounding down to 2 stars as I'm unlikely to read another in this series (which is unfortunate, because I like the family set-up).
December 28, 2013
A fantastic book from a new to me author and a series I will be reading!The heroine is the only survivor of a serial killer and the hero is the FBI agent in-charge of the case. I liked the heroine Hero, she was spunky, confident, an artist and I loved her family. The hero on the other hand was gruff and controlled and when he has to pretend to be her lover, the heroine does her level best to make it a reality. I loved the sexual tension in the book and despite a predictable plot-line the whodunnit was a surprise.
April 27, 2020
Dur de noter ce livre! J'ai aimé l'intrigue, l'écriture, le duo d'agents du FBI, les personnages secondaires, le héros, un peu mais... comme trop souvent dans la romance actuelle, l'héroïne m'a fait lever les yeux au ciel. Donc 4 pour l’intrigue (parce que je l’avoue, j’ai eu du mal à le lâcher) ; 2 pour tout ce qui touche à l’héroïne donc une moyenne de 3.
Plantons le décor : une jeune femme est retrouvée au bord d'une rivière, laissée pour morte, crucifiée... Sauf que la morte ne l'est pas, elle se réveille ... Deux mois plus tard, la voilà de nouveau sur pied, chez elle, et les ennuis recommencent. De ce fait, on lui attribue deux gardes du corps, Vince, un personnage solaire (j'espère qu'il aura son histoire) et Luca, beau, fort, solide ... et pas très aimable. Face à eux, nous avons Hero et que dire ...
La mode actuelle est de faire des femmes fortes, des femmes qui ont du caractère. Cela peut être très bien mais souvent, à mon sens, cela tourne à faire d'elle des casse-c****** et ici Hero en est une grande !
Je n'ai rien contre les héroïnes fortes, mais il faut qu'elles soient cohérentes, que leur forte personnalité soit une qualité pas un défaut et leur force pas de l’hystérie (du coup, là on en revient quand même pas mal au reproche le plus courant fait aux femmes). Pour m’expliquer, je vais faire la comparaison entre deux auteures : Kelley Armstrong et Kerrigan Byrne.
Kelley Armstrong est l'auteure de la série Rockton dont l'héroïne a une histoire sensiblement similaire à Hero. Casey, puis que c'est son nom, est aussi une victime qui a été laissée pour morte. Elle s’est relevée et malgré tout, a réalisé son rêve et est devenue policier (entre autres mais je ne vais pas tout raconter, il faut lire et découvrir). Bref, Casey est pour moi, la définition même de la femme forte. Elle est revenue d’entre les morts, et exerce le métier difficile : détective dans la criminelle. Quelques effets de l’intrigue plus tard, elle a un nouveau partenaire, Eric, qui deviendra son amant. Casey a ses traumatismes, elle gère les conséquences de son agression du mieux qu’elle peut. Mais là où Kelley Armstrong a mon admiration, c’est qu’elle n’en fait pas un personnage marchant à l’émotion mais réfléchi, une personne qui connait ses limites et n’hésite pas à demander de l’aide/conseils quand elle en a besoin. Elle n’est pas toujours d’accord avec Eric mais n’essaie pas d’imposer son point de vue. Ils discutent, beaucoup. Chacun connait/reconnait les talents/failles de l’autres et ils ont une relation privée et professionnelle équilibrée.
Hero et Luca ? Tout le contraire … Hero passe son temps à remettre en question les décisions de Luca. Rappelons le Luca est l’agent du FBI, celui qui traque l’agresseur de Hero depuis un an, il a été formé, il connait le dossier et surtout, au début du moins, il agit sans émotion. Hero est tout le contraire, c’est une VICTIME, elle agit toujours avec émotion et n’a aucune formation. Elle est artiste pas flic. Bref, elle agit normalement pour une victime sauf … sauf qu’elle ne reste pas à sa place de victime. Elle se mêle à l’enquête, remet en cause les décisions de Luca parce que ce qu’il dit de lui plait pas. Attention spoiler : Par exemple, il lui explique rationnellement que selon le mode opératoire du tueur, c’est un de ses proches. Il procède donc à une enquête de l’entourage mais la demoiselle est contre parce que son cœur lui dit que ses proches ne sont pas coupables … cocotte, qui avait raison ??? A un moment, elle va jusque taper un scandale dans les locaux du FBI parce que Luca secoue un peu trop le type qu’ils ont arrêté (pour qui pour quoi, je ne le dirai pas) .. Et lui couillon, tout alpha qu’il est accède à ses caprices. Il faut que l’homme cède voyons, la femme qui est dans l’émotion a toujours raison. Ensuite, je vais concéder une chose, le côté homme des cavernes de Luca n’aide pas toujours.
Sinon, je rappelle qu’elle a été CRUCIFIEE et n’en a aucun traumatisme … même pas physique. Elle est artiste et reprend son art après sans aucun souci. La nana a eu les mains percées mais jamais on te parle de rééducation … On l’a « poignardée » avec une antiquité romaine (comme le Christ) mais elle reprend normalement ses séances de yoga. Rien chez Hero ne parait tangible et réel. Pire, cela laisse à penser qu’une femme qui a subi son traumatisme, traquée par un tueur en série reprend sa vie normalement ensuite tout en se mêlant de l’enquête. C’est ça être forte. La voir en rééducation, parler avec un psy l’aurait rendue plus « fragile » et son comportement aurait été expliqué. Oui elle agit en fonction de ses émotions … parce qu’elle souffre d’un désordre post traumatique. Elle serait certes apparue moins « forte » mais plus cette faiblesse l’aurait rendue réelle. Mais ici la seule explication qu’on nous donne, c’est que c’est une femme libérée et hippy (et vegan) … Oops …
Bref, ce couple est pour moi un raté. Aucun des deux ne m’a réellement emportée. Ce qui pour une romance est quand même mal venu. Par contre, l’écriture de l’auteure et la façon dont elle a distillé les indices m’ont poussée à lire jusqu’au bout. La fratrie de Hero, prochains héros de la série, semble intéressante. Notamment l’ainé … Croisons les doigts !
Plantons le décor : une jeune femme est retrouvée au bord d'une rivière, laissée pour morte, crucifiée... Sauf que la morte ne l'est pas, elle se réveille ... Deux mois plus tard, la voilà de nouveau sur pied, chez elle, et les ennuis recommencent. De ce fait, on lui attribue deux gardes du corps, Vince, un personnage solaire (j'espère qu'il aura son histoire) et Luca, beau, fort, solide ... et pas très aimable. Face à eux, nous avons Hero et que dire ...
La mode actuelle est de faire des femmes fortes, des femmes qui ont du caractère. Cela peut être très bien mais souvent, à mon sens, cela tourne à faire d'elle des casse-c****** et ici Hero en est une grande !
Je n'ai rien contre les héroïnes fortes, mais il faut qu'elles soient cohérentes, que leur forte personnalité soit une qualité pas un défaut et leur force pas de l’hystérie (du coup, là on en revient quand même pas mal au reproche le plus courant fait aux femmes). Pour m’expliquer, je vais faire la comparaison entre deux auteures : Kelley Armstrong et Kerrigan Byrne.
Kelley Armstrong est l'auteure de la série Rockton dont l'héroïne a une histoire sensiblement similaire à Hero. Casey, puis que c'est son nom, est aussi une victime qui a été laissée pour morte. Elle s’est relevée et malgré tout, a réalisé son rêve et est devenue policier (entre autres mais je ne vais pas tout raconter, il faut lire et découvrir). Bref, Casey est pour moi, la définition même de la femme forte. Elle est revenue d’entre les morts, et exerce le métier difficile : détective dans la criminelle. Quelques effets de l’intrigue plus tard, elle a un nouveau partenaire, Eric, qui deviendra son amant. Casey a ses traumatismes, elle gère les conséquences de son agression du mieux qu’elle peut. Mais là où Kelley Armstrong a mon admiration, c’est qu’elle n’en fait pas un personnage marchant à l’émotion mais réfléchi, une personne qui connait ses limites et n’hésite pas à demander de l’aide/conseils quand elle en a besoin. Elle n’est pas toujours d’accord avec Eric mais n’essaie pas d’imposer son point de vue. Ils discutent, beaucoup. Chacun connait/reconnait les talents/failles de l’autres et ils ont une relation privée et professionnelle équilibrée.
Hero et Luca ? Tout le contraire … Hero passe son temps à remettre en question les décisions de Luca. Rappelons le Luca est l’agent du FBI, celui qui traque l’agresseur de Hero depuis un an, il a été formé, il connait le dossier et surtout, au début du moins, il agit sans émotion. Hero est tout le contraire, c’est une VICTIME, elle agit toujours avec émotion et n’a aucune formation. Elle est artiste pas flic. Bref, elle agit normalement pour une victime sauf … sauf qu’elle ne reste pas à sa place de victime. Elle se mêle à l’enquête, remet en cause les décisions de Luca parce que ce qu’il dit de lui plait pas. Attention spoiler : Par exemple, il lui explique rationnellement que selon le mode opératoire du tueur, c’est un de ses proches. Il procède donc à une enquête de l’entourage mais la demoiselle est contre parce que son cœur lui dit que ses proches ne sont pas coupables … cocotte, qui avait raison ??? A un moment, elle va jusque taper un scandale dans les locaux du FBI parce que Luca secoue un peu trop le type qu’ils ont arrêté (pour qui pour quoi, je ne le dirai pas) .. Et lui couillon, tout alpha qu’il est accède à ses caprices. Il faut que l’homme cède voyons, la femme qui est dans l’émotion a toujours raison. Ensuite, je vais concéder une chose, le côté homme des cavernes de Luca n’aide pas toujours.
Sinon, je rappelle qu’elle a été CRUCIFIEE et n’en a aucun traumatisme … même pas physique. Elle est artiste et reprend son art après sans aucun souci. La nana a eu les mains percées mais jamais on te parle de rééducation … On l’a « poignardée » avec une antiquité romaine (comme le Christ) mais elle reprend normalement ses séances de yoga. Rien chez Hero ne parait tangible et réel. Pire, cela laisse à penser qu’une femme qui a subi son traumatisme, traquée par un tueur en série reprend sa vie normalement ensuite tout en se mêlant de l’enquête. C’est ça être forte. La voir en rééducation, parler avec un psy l’aurait rendue plus « fragile » et son comportement aurait été expliqué. Oui elle agit en fonction de ses émotions … parce qu’elle souffre d’un désordre post traumatique. Elle serait certes apparue moins « forte » mais plus cette faiblesse l’aurait rendue réelle. Mais ici la seule explication qu’on nous donne, c’est que c’est une femme libérée et hippy (et vegan) … Oops …
Bref, ce couple est pour moi un raté. Aucun des deux ne m’a réellement emportée. Ce qui pour une romance est quand même mal venu. Par contre, l’écriture de l’auteure et la façon dont elle a distillé les indices m’ont poussée à lire jusqu’au bout. La fratrie de Hero, prochains héros de la série, semble intéressante. Notamment l’ainé … Croisons les doigts !
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 10, 2015
I found this book most excellent, a fully thought-out and properly delivered who-done-it of sexy suspense, rich in understanding of Shakespeare, Irish Catholicism and law enforcement.
There are many well-developed characters in the story, but the two main characters of this book are Luca and Hero.
Luca is a tall, gorgeous half Brazilian half Puerto Rican special agent for the FBI. He is the best there is at getting inside the heads of the perpetrators of the world’s most horrific crimes. This gift comes with the price of feeling a kin to the monsters he hunts on the inside. He allows himself no outside life for fear of the surfacing of these demons and so spends his entire life effort on work.
Hero is a half Irish Catholic half Russian new age hippie and artist. She’s all about female empowerment, karma and tofu. After being the only surviving victim of a religion-inspired serial killer dubbed John the Baptist, Hero is assigned to Luca’s full-time protection.
A Righteous Kill provides great twists and turns and many story overlays while taking us through the journey of Luca and Hero’s attempt to control the dangerous spark between them and race against the clock of a madman.
And I have to give bonus points to any book that mentions Harry Potter!
-The dark lord? What was this, Harry Potter?
***ARC was given for an honest review***
toni
Loved
My review http://divasdiscussions.blogspot.com/...
Read
January 17, 2023I love Kerrigan Byrne... Not sure about this one for me, it took a long, long, long time for these two to get it together. I prefer more spice than what this book had to offer. It's a good story if you like a serial killer at large after the MC and the hottie FBI hero who is hell bent on catching the serial killer while also hell bent on protecting the MC while also dealing with his unrelenting attraction to the super hot MC but has to hold himself back from doing what his body longs to do... Ya know the drill.
February 25, 2014
~* 4.5 Stars *~
Totally Righteous Read
They call him John the Baptist, the serial killer who likes to nail young women to a cross and stab them in the side before dumping them into one of Portland's rivers. FBI Special Agent Luca Ramirez has been hunting him for months, driven to stop a madman before he can kill again.
He is just coming off a fourteen hour shift when he gets the call. Another body has been found at the river. She's been crucified like the others. Stabbed like the others. But unlike those poor lost girls, John the Baptist's latest victim is still alive.
Hero Katrova-Connor survived a nightmarish hell against all odds, but survival and safety are two different things, and the Baptist isn't done with her yet. Going undercover to keep her alive is just another part of Luca's job, but the longer the investigation goes on, his growing feelings for the woman get harder and harder to ignore. She becomes more than just a job to him. She's the woman he'll die to protect.
~*~
This series debut by new-to-me author Byrne hit so many of my Happy Reader buttons I was practically vibrating with book-crack bliss. The wealth of solid plot-driven suspense kept me on the edge of my seat, the humor that peppered the narrative was right up my alley, and Luca and Hero had so much sexual chemistry sizzling between them that I was glad I was reading on my Kindle. No worry about the pages going up in flames that way.
Hey, it was a legitimate concern. Yowza.
The uber-alpha male Luca stole this show. He was rockin' the personal demons and aggression management disorder. Often grim, sometimes broody, with a fairly bleak self image, he thought himself little better than the monsters he is so good at catching. That would have been more than enough to appeal to me, but in Luca's case, there was this whole other level to him that completely stole my heart.
He was just so completely and obviously butt over brains for Hero from the moment they met, fighting it every step of the way (of course) out of a mix of professionalism (or, you know, fear) and male stupidity, and was utterly endearing for all of it. Well...if a gun-toting, foul-mouthed, hot-tempered, four-hundred-dollar-shoes-wearing alpha male can be called endearing. His struggle with his desire for Hero was the source of many humorous moments in the book and I savored them all.
Then there's Hero. Artist. Yoga instructor. A little bit of a hippy. She celebrates her individuality and embraces her sexuality. Strong, independent, spirited, maybe a little sheltered, she is the best thing to ever happen to Luca and she knocks him for a loop, tickling me pink in the process. Her personality was a breath of fresh air and I loved how she acts and reacts to things in the story.
And there was nothing I loved more than the fact that while Hero may have been victimized by a serial killer, at no point in the book was she ever a victim.
Serial killers are my favorite type of Bad Guy in romantic suspense fiction and there was a very solid plot arc surrounding John the Baptist in the book. It could have been given a bit more prevalence in the story at times. There were a few places I thought the story was focusing a bit too much on the evolving relationship of the main characters and not quite enough on the murder investigation. To be honest, though, that's not really a complaint. I loved Luca and Hero so much that it didn't really bother me their relationship arc got more of the story's focus, but I would have liked just a bit more balance in places.
That said, if it came down to choosing between better balance and giving up a single moment of the several stellar scenes with Hero's family, then I'm happy to live with the imbalance, because the Katrova-Connor clan stole every scene in which they were included. Admittedly, the book's prologue threw me a little at first, but when Bryne ties that scene to Hero's family dynamic further into the book, I was totally sold and seriously crushing on every single person in the Katrova-Connor clan.
Frankly, there just wasn't anything in the book that I didn't like. It was a fun, sometimes serious, suspenseful, dangerous, smoking hot read with characters that explode across the pages with vibrant intensity. I'll be keeping my eyes peeled for the next book in the series, anxious to get those Happy Reader buttons pushed yet again.
Quotables:
Disclosure: An ARC of this book was provided to me by the author for review. This rating, review, and all included thoughts and comments are my own.
~*~*~*~
Reviewed for One Good Book Deserves Another.
Totally Righteous Read
They call him John the Baptist, the serial killer who likes to nail young women to a cross and stab them in the side before dumping them into one of Portland's rivers. FBI Special Agent Luca Ramirez has been hunting him for months, driven to stop a madman before he can kill again.
He is just coming off a fourteen hour shift when he gets the call. Another body has been found at the river. She's been crucified like the others. Stabbed like the others. But unlike those poor lost girls, John the Baptist's latest victim is still alive.
Hero Katrova-Connor survived a nightmarish hell against all odds, but survival and safety are two different things, and the Baptist isn't done with her yet. Going undercover to keep her alive is just another part of Luca's job, but the longer the investigation goes on, his growing feelings for the woman get harder and harder to ignore. She becomes more than just a job to him. She's the woman he'll die to protect.
~*~
This series debut by new-to-me author Byrne hit so many of my Happy Reader buttons I was practically vibrating with book-crack bliss. The wealth of solid plot-driven suspense kept me on the edge of my seat, the humor that peppered the narrative was right up my alley, and Luca and Hero had so much sexual chemistry sizzling between them that I was glad I was reading on my Kindle. No worry about the pages going up in flames that way.
Hey, it was a legitimate concern. Yowza.
The uber-alpha male Luca stole this show. He was rockin' the personal demons and aggression management disorder. Often grim, sometimes broody, with a fairly bleak self image, he thought himself little better than the monsters he is so good at catching. That would have been more than enough to appeal to me, but in Luca's case, there was this whole other level to him that completely stole my heart.
He was just so completely and obviously butt over brains for Hero from the moment they met, fighting it every step of the way (of course) out of a mix of professionalism (or, you know, fear) and male stupidity, and was utterly endearing for all of it. Well...if a gun-toting, foul-mouthed, hot-tempered, four-hundred-dollar-shoes-wearing alpha male can be called endearing. His struggle with his desire for Hero was the source of many humorous moments in the book and I savored them all.
Then there's Hero. Artist. Yoga instructor. A little bit of a hippy. She celebrates her individuality and embraces her sexuality. Strong, independent, spirited, maybe a little sheltered, she is the best thing to ever happen to Luca and she knocks him for a loop, tickling me pink in the process. Her personality was a breath of fresh air and I loved how she acts and reacts to things in the story.
And there was nothing I loved more than the fact that while Hero may have been victimized by a serial killer, at no point in the book was she ever a victim.
Serial killers are my favorite type of Bad Guy in romantic suspense fiction and there was a very solid plot arc surrounding John the Baptist in the book. It could have been given a bit more prevalence in the story at times. There were a few places I thought the story was focusing a bit too much on the evolving relationship of the main characters and not quite enough on the murder investigation. To be honest, though, that's not really a complaint. I loved Luca and Hero so much that it didn't really bother me their relationship arc got more of the story's focus, but I would have liked just a bit more balance in places.
That said, if it came down to choosing between better balance and giving up a single moment of the several stellar scenes with Hero's family, then I'm happy to live with the imbalance, because the Katrova-Connor clan stole every scene in which they were included. Admittedly, the book's prologue threw me a little at first, but when Bryne ties that scene to Hero's family dynamic further into the book, I was totally sold and seriously crushing on every single person in the Katrova-Connor clan.
Frankly, there just wasn't anything in the book that I didn't like. It was a fun, sometimes serious, suspenseful, dangerous, smoking hot read with characters that explode across the pages with vibrant intensity. I'll be keeping my eyes peeled for the next book in the series, anxious to get those Happy Reader buttons pushed yet again.
Quotables:
Okay, now she was just being a bitch, but at least she could fortify the moral high ground by avoiding being childish. Because he started it.
~*~
"I thought you were a vegetarian."
"I am." Hero closed her eyes to savor the smell. "Thus the Tofurkey."
"But there's bacon in it."
She shrugged. "Well yeah, but it's bacon."
Knox nodded his agreement.
"Bacon is meat. It comes from a pig," Luca said.
"It doesn't count as meat because it's bacon." She was looking at him as though he was the one who'd lost his mind.
"That makes no sense."
"It doesn't have to make sense, bro," Knox said sagely. "It's bacon."
Disclosure: An ARC of this book was provided to me by the author for review. This rating, review, and all included thoughts and comments are my own.
~*~*~*~
Reviewed for One Good Book Deserves Another.
November 22, 2013
This book will have you hiding in your closet or under your bed...it made me want to anyway, lol!
Do you like a book that will have you on edge, a little scared, with your heart pounding so hard that you can hear it in your ears...No? Me neither, or at least that's what I thought before 'A Righteous Kill'.
You know, it's like when you sit to watch a movie with someone...then you find out it's a thriller/suspense and you say oh I don't much care for those, I'll just sit here with you and read while you watch it. Yeah right! You find yourself sneaking peeks up at the TV, then taking a 5 minute break to give your eyes a rest...Bam, the next thing you know you all up in the movie, wrapped up in a blanket with just your eyes showing...making sure your back is to the wall! That's right, y'all know what I'm talking about...
That's what this book will do to you, one minute you're just reading the book description with no intention of reading it at all, because you just don't do thriller suspense books. The next thing you know you're half way through it, all wild eyed and losing the sense of where you are...that's how engrossed you'll be when reading this story. And the drive to want, no need to know who is doing horrible things to these women! But that's not all it will have you feeling... You'll feel a strong sexual drive unlike anything you've felt before, with a satisfaction like no other, but the romance & love that builds between Luca and Hero is what will cast the spell on your attention. The rush you'll get from this book is so intense, that you'll literally feel like you're in the book.
Spell bound, that's it...you'll be spell bound by this story the author weaves!
I'm not going into anymore details about this book, you can read the blurb, the synopsis, the excerpt...if you want to know a little about the book. But if you want to know how truly great it is, buy it and read it for yourself. Everyone's opinion differs from another...no two people think exactly alike, yeah they have similar thoughts or opinions but they will always vary!
Thank you Janet Juengling-Snell for recommending this book to me and thank you Kerrigan Byrne for putting a spell on me throughout your incredibly captivating read! :)
Do you like a book that will have you on edge, a little scared, with your heart pounding so hard that you can hear it in your ears...No? Me neither, or at least that's what I thought before 'A Righteous Kill'.
You know, it's like when you sit to watch a movie with someone...then you find out it's a thriller/suspense and you say oh I don't much care for those, I'll just sit here with you and read while you watch it. Yeah right! You find yourself sneaking peeks up at the TV, then taking a 5 minute break to give your eyes a rest...Bam, the next thing you know you all up in the movie, wrapped up in a blanket with just your eyes showing...making sure your back is to the wall! That's right, y'all know what I'm talking about...
That's what this book will do to you, one minute you're just reading the book description with no intention of reading it at all, because you just don't do thriller suspense books. The next thing you know you're half way through it, all wild eyed and losing the sense of where you are...that's how engrossed you'll be when reading this story. And the drive to want, no need to know who is doing horrible things to these women! But that's not all it will have you feeling... You'll feel a strong sexual drive unlike anything you've felt before, with a satisfaction like no other, but the romance & love that builds between Luca and Hero is what will cast the spell on your attention. The rush you'll get from this book is so intense, that you'll literally feel like you're in the book.
Spell bound, that's it...you'll be spell bound by this story the author weaves!
I'm not going into anymore details about this book, you can read the blurb, the synopsis, the excerpt...if you want to know a little about the book. But if you want to know how truly great it is, buy it and read it for yourself. Everyone's opinion differs from another...no two people think exactly alike, yeah they have similar thoughts or opinions but they will always vary!
Thank you Janet Juengling-Snell for recommending this book to me and thank you Kerrigan Byrne for putting a spell on me throughout your incredibly captivating read! :)
March 29, 2014
HO-LY CRAP!!! Intense is way too calm a word for this book. 5 stars for this one, and I don't give 5 stars lightly. I think this is only the second or third one I've given. Kerrigan Byrne grabs you from page one and doesn't let go. Ever. The epilogue simply leaves you wanting more. And the worst part is I don't think the "more" is completely written yet! UGH!!! I know there will be a second book in this series, but no idea what the title is or when it will be out. I can't wait!!!! I need the story to continue!!!!
OK, you have two main characters, Luca and Hero. Hero is the product of a very loving and close family. She has the optimism that only the baby of the family can have; she's got four older brothers all sworn to make her world safe, secure, and wonderful. The family gatherings are rowdy and loud and overwhelming and wonderful.
Luca is Hero's polar opposite. He has demons and darkness that are so deep they're frightening. He's never known what a family is like and quite frankly, families scare him. He will never have one and certainly doesn't deserve one. Just ask him.
This book throws these two together while trying to find a serial killer. One as bait, one as protector. I thought I had the killer figured out early on. But then I didn't. Another suspect was even better and everything fit perfectly. Until it didn't. And so the book goes. I felt the frustration right along with Hero, Luca, and the rest of the agents working the case. They'd have their guy and then one little detail wouldn't fit making you rethink the entire thing. Right up until the last chapter of the book. Add the tension between Luca and Hero into the mix and you've got one beyond intense read.
What's not to like about a book that references Harry Potter and starts each chapter with quotes from Shakespeare? Kerrigan Byrne is one of my new favorite authors and I sincerely hope she finishes the sequel sooner rather than later. She'd be even more of a favorite if she'd share the recipe for morning after coffee!!! =P
OK, you have two main characters, Luca and Hero. Hero is the product of a very loving and close family. She has the optimism that only the baby of the family can have; she's got four older brothers all sworn to make her world safe, secure, and wonderful. The family gatherings are rowdy and loud and overwhelming and wonderful.
Luca is Hero's polar opposite. He has demons and darkness that are so deep they're frightening. He's never known what a family is like and quite frankly, families scare him. He will never have one and certainly doesn't deserve one. Just ask him.
This book throws these two together while trying to find a serial killer. One as bait, one as protector. I thought I had the killer figured out early on. But then I didn't. Another suspect was even better and everything fit perfectly. Until it didn't. And so the book goes. I felt the frustration right along with Hero, Luca, and the rest of the agents working the case. They'd have their guy and then one little detail wouldn't fit making you rethink the entire thing. Right up until the last chapter of the book. Add the tension between Luca and Hero into the mix and you've got one beyond intense read.
What's not to like about a book that references Harry Potter and starts each chapter with quotes from Shakespeare? Kerrigan Byrne is one of my new favorite authors and I sincerely hope she finishes the sequel sooner rather than later. She'd be even more of a favorite if she'd share the recipe for morning after coffee!!! =P
November 10, 2013
A Righteous Kill, by Kerrigan Byrne, is an absolute page turner and I could not put it down…seriously, I wanted to read it with a flashlight under the bedcovers. I am amazed, once again, at the sheer genius of Kerrigan’s writing power. Her storytelling took a giant leap into a different genre, but did not disappoint in the least. It is impossible to read one of her books without being completely involved in it and moved to the point of breathlessness! I had the honor of reading a pre-released copy and was enthralled from the very start. I have read, and loved, all of Kerrigan’s books, but this novel is her absolute best… to date, and that is saying something indeed!
Someone is killing red haired prostitutes in modern day Portland, and the FBI has nicknamed the serial killer John the Baptist, due to the religious tone and horrific method of torture and execution he uses. Special Agent Luca Ramirez is on the case and there has been another victim pulled from the river, but she is still alive! Hero Viola Katrova-Conner has no idea who tried to kill her, or why. She doesn’t fit the descriptions of the previous victims. Luca is assigned to depict Hero’s boyfriend, a ruse designed to cover his need to keep her safe and alive as they search for JTB. The raw chemistry between Hero and Luca builds as these two vastly unalike people are thrown together in this very well written and suspenseful story. I was constantly on the edge of my seat and did not figure out the “who done it” right to the very end.
They say that everyone has one great novel in them just waiting to be written. I suspect that Kerrigan Byrne has several, and this is just the beginning of a lifetime of great novels. In a time where most books are read on Kindles and Nooks, this is a book to be purchased in full glorious hardback and placed in the center of your bookshelf along with your other most cherished reads.
Someone is killing red haired prostitutes in modern day Portland, and the FBI has nicknamed the serial killer John the Baptist, due to the religious tone and horrific method of torture and execution he uses. Special Agent Luca Ramirez is on the case and there has been another victim pulled from the river, but she is still alive! Hero Viola Katrova-Conner has no idea who tried to kill her, or why. She doesn’t fit the descriptions of the previous victims. Luca is assigned to depict Hero’s boyfriend, a ruse designed to cover his need to keep her safe and alive as they search for JTB. The raw chemistry between Hero and Luca builds as these two vastly unalike people are thrown together in this very well written and suspenseful story. I was constantly on the edge of my seat and did not figure out the “who done it” right to the very end.
They say that everyone has one great novel in them just waiting to be written. I suspect that Kerrigan Byrne has several, and this is just the beginning of a lifetime of great novels. In a time where most books are read on Kindles and Nooks, this is a book to be purchased in full glorious hardback and placed in the center of your bookshelf along with your other most cherished reads.
October 28, 2013
A killer who nails women to a cross and stabs them and has been named John the Baptist is the focus of this suspense. FBI Special Agent Luca Ramirez arrives at the scene of what he assumes is the next victim of the serial killer he has been trying to catch for a year. But to everyone’s shock she is alive. Hero Viola Katrova-Conner has no idea who the man was that tried to kill her, all she knows is she trusts Agent Luca with her life. When Luca’s boss assigns him and his partner to stay with her until the killer is caught, Luca struggles with the strange emotions Hero brings out in him. Luca was raised in violence and he knows that is a part of his DNA so he lives the job and has no time for relationships.
After we are a couple chapters in, the hunt to figure out who the killer is stays focused on those closest in Hero’s life. Some of these people are not who you would expect to see on a suspect list. But as the story unfolds the true origins of the who/what/and why are both shocking and disturbing. There were many facets interweaved in this story. Along with the hunt for the killer, Hero’s Irish family also plays a big part. She has many brother’s who have secondary roles and whom I assume will be getting their own stories in the future.
I have to be honest and say that the prologue almost turned me off the book. It didn’t seem relevant and was never explained. There was also use of sentences (Young, mid-twenties, with a lithe body that was obviously, he noticed the lacked of body hair, well groomed. ) and words in the first couple of chapters that just didn’t go with the story – feck – heft - huck. After the fourth chapter the writing and language use changed and flowed wonderfully to the last page which brought this from a 3 star to a 4 star read. I look forward to reading the future stories about the Katrova-Conner family.
After we are a couple chapters in, the hunt to figure out who the killer is stays focused on those closest in Hero’s life. Some of these people are not who you would expect to see on a suspect list. But as the story unfolds the true origins of the who/what/and why are both shocking and disturbing. There were many facets interweaved in this story. Along with the hunt for the killer, Hero’s Irish family also plays a big part. She has many brother’s who have secondary roles and whom I assume will be getting their own stories in the future.
I have to be honest and say that the prologue almost turned me off the book. It didn’t seem relevant and was never explained. There was also use of sentences (Young, mid-twenties, with a lithe body that was obviously, he noticed the lacked of body hair, well groomed. ) and words in the first couple of chapters that just didn’t go with the story – feck – heft - huck. After the fourth chapter the writing and language use changed and flowed wonderfully to the last page which brought this from a 3 star to a 4 star read. I look forward to reading the future stories about the Katrova-Conner family.
November 6, 2013
Okay, do you want to know how awesome this book was? The copy I received was FUBARed in the download. the first two chapters were fine and then, all of a sudden I would get 5 or 6 pages of chapter three and then it would go back to the prologue for a couple pages. It jumped like this throughout the entire rest of the book. I contacted the review coordinator who sent it to me, but she was tied up with a personal emergency and couldn't get me a new copy. However, I couldn't stop reading and just wait. I NEEDED to know what was going to happen next.
I loved the characters, Hero's crazy Irish/Russian family. The awesome FBI agents and especially our Hero,Luca.I always love a hero who doesn't know he's looking for love, until it slaps him in the side of the head.
A Righteous Kill was a thrilling romantic suspense story, with well researched theological/historical plot elements. I was guessing right until the very end as to the identity of John the Baptist. I am a big fan of well written romantic suspense. It is not an easy genre and requires a devious mind and thorough plotting to weave together the elements of suspense and romance without overplaying wither hand.
A Righteous Kill... well it killed! Kerrigan Byrne will definitely be added to my TBR list.I hope the siblings in the Katrova-Connor family have novels of their own coming, becasue I definitely want to see more of them.
An SSLY Recommended read!
I loved the characters, Hero's crazy Irish/Russian family. The awesome FBI agents and especially our Hero,Luca.I always love a hero who doesn't know he's looking for love, until it slaps him in the side of the head.
A Righteous Kill was a thrilling romantic suspense story, with well researched theological/historical plot elements. I was guessing right until the very end as to the identity of John the Baptist. I am a big fan of well written romantic suspense. It is not an easy genre and requires a devious mind and thorough plotting to weave together the elements of suspense and romance without overplaying wither hand.
A Righteous Kill... well it killed! Kerrigan Byrne will definitely be added to my TBR list.I hope the siblings in the Katrova-Connor family have novels of their own coming, becasue I definitely want to see more of them.
An SSLY Recommended read!
March 25, 2016
I love Kerrigan Byrne's books. I have read every one of them, but this one is so rich and deep, it might be my favorite. So hard to choose. A Righteous Kill is her debut full-length story and so worth the wait. Luca is such a layered man, balancing that knife edge of good and bad, that makes him oh so delicious. He needs a woman to ground him and Hero does that, while at the same time drives him crazy, which is always a good thing. These two are at time like oil and water and others a spicy mix that I can't get enough of. I am so glad that Ms. Byrne is continuing the series with other characters so we'll get to see more of Luca and Hero's life together. This book is one that I absolutely love. The mystery is just as powerful as the romance, keeping you guessing who the killer is. It's a delicious read, one that I didn't want to end.
December 28, 2013
This book was in my TBR from a long time but it kept getting pushed back. And now that I have read it, all I can ask myself is Why-Oh-Why I didn't read it before. One of the best romantic suspense book I have read this year.
I have to applaud the author for the whole christian background, the symbols and their interpretation. It made the story more interesting and kept me guessing till the end as to who actually is the KILLER.
This book has so many twists and quite a number of suspects that it will be hard to pin-point the killer right till the end. Add to it the long crazy family of HERO. Now before you misinterpret, HERO in the name of the HEROINE in the book.
Eagerly waiting for the second book in the series.
A five stars for me. (*****)
I have to applaud the author for the whole christian background, the symbols and their interpretation. It made the story more interesting and kept me guessing till the end as to who actually is the KILLER.
This book has so many twists and quite a number of suspects that it will be hard to pin-point the killer right till the end. Add to it the long crazy family of HERO. Now before you misinterpret, HERO in the name of the HEROINE in the book.
Eagerly waiting for the second book in the series.
A five stars for me. (*****)
October 31, 2013
This is my first time to read this Author and it want be my last. I totally enjoyed this book a great read from start to finish. Strong writing and characters. FBI agent Luca comes a cross a murder victim Hero come to find out she is not dead. Now Luca is undercover trying to keep the his heart at bay and keep the fiery red head alive. Cant wait for the Knox book.
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