What do you think?
Rate this book
The Guardian Angelinos #2
Shiver of Fear
The legacy that haunts her . . . The mystery she must solve . . . A man who threatens to reveal her secrets . . . and break her heart. Burned by a failed marriage, former FBI agent Marc Rossi wants back in the investigation game with no emotional strings attached. Taking an assignment for his enterprising Angelino cousins, he heads to Northern Ireland to pry a key piece of evidence from a missing socialite-any way he can. But when the ice queen turns out to be warm, beautiful, and on a secret mission of her own, the job becomes a passionate reminder of what happens when duty and desire mix. The daughter of an infamous fugitive, Devyn Sterling has survived betrayal only to find that her mother has mysteriously disappeared. When her search uncovers secrets, lies, and threats, Devyn and Marc must trust each other when every instinct says they can't . . . and a terrorist wants to make sure they won't live to try.
415 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 1, 2011
40 people are currently reading
876 people want to read
About the author
Roxanne St. Claire
266 books1,834 followersI don’t know about you, but when I check out an author's bio, it’s usually because I’ve read a book I liked and wondered about the person behind it. Let's skip the formal bio and I'll give you the inside scoop on who Roxanne St. Claire really is.
First of all, call me Rocki. Everyone does. Evidently, when my mother brought me home from the hospital I seemed too scrawny and small to pull off “Roxanne” (she’d read Cyrano de Bergerac while pregnant or I would have been Judy) so they called me Rocki.
I grew up in Pittsburgh, PA, the youngest of five (overachievers, every one), and fell in love with words and stories the summer I read Gone With The Wind. That year, for my twelfth birthday, my parents gave me a typewriter (with italic font – it was the coolest thing) and from that day on, I’ve had my fingers on a keyboard, pounding out love stories for fun. My AP English teacher taught me the two most important lessons an aspiring author ever needs: 1) verbs are the key to life and 2) a writer should get a real job. After attending UCLA and graduating with a degree in communications, I tried acting and television broadcasting. Oh, they aren’t real jobs? I learned that the hard way. I changed my last name from Zink to St. Claire because a news producer told me Roxanne Zink had too many harsh consonants for a TV personality – apparently Katie Couric didn’t get the memo. I got some fun gigs, and even met Tom Hanks when I did a guest appearance on Bosom Buddies. I liked on camera work, but wasn’t too crazy about starvation, so I moved to Boston and got that “real” job. In fact, I placed my foot on the bottom rung of the corporate ladder and didn’t look down until I’d climbed all the way up to the level of Senior Vice President at the world’s largest public relations firm. On the way up, I met the man of my dreams in an elevator. Two years later – in the same elevator! – he asked me to marry him and I wisely said yes.
I stayed in PR, moved to Miami, had a few babies, lost my home in a hurricane, built another one a few hours north and all along, I kept writing my “stories” for fun. One night, I read a particularly fabulous romance novel that changed my life for good. That night, I decided I wanted to make someone else feel as whole and happy as that author made me feel. (Everyone asks! It was Nobody’s Baby But Mine by Susan Elizabeth Phillips.) With two small children and one big “real” job, writing my first novel wasn’t easy, but I did finish a manuscript that managed to get the attention of a literary agent. She told me to do one thing and one thing fast: write another book. (The first one is usually a “learner” book, honestly.) That second manuscript sold to Simon & Schuster’s Pocket Books and was released in 2003 as Tropical Getaway. Since then, I’ve written almost thirty more, in multiple genres, and long ago replaced the corporate ladder with the rollercoaster of publishing as a full-time novelist. Finally, writing is my real job.
Today, I live in a small beach community in Florida with my husband and two dogs. Our kids are off to college and law school, which means my nest is empty! I spend my time writing, working with the kids at my church, enjoying my husband's gourmet cooking, and hanging with my many writer friends. Of course, I love to read. I’m still crazy about words and stories and hope to write at least a hundred books in my lifetime. And, yes, verbs are the key to life. My favorites? Love. Work. Believe.
xoxo
Rocki
First of all, call me Rocki. Everyone does. Evidently, when my mother brought me home from the hospital I seemed too scrawny and small to pull off “Roxanne” (she’d read Cyrano de Bergerac while pregnant or I would have been Judy) so they called me Rocki.
I grew up in Pittsburgh, PA, the youngest of five (overachievers, every one), and fell in love with words and stories the summer I read Gone With The Wind. That year, for my twelfth birthday, my parents gave me a typewriter (with italic font – it was the coolest thing) and from that day on, I’ve had my fingers on a keyboard, pounding out love stories for fun. My AP English teacher taught me the two most important lessons an aspiring author ever needs: 1) verbs are the key to life and 2) a writer should get a real job. After attending UCLA and graduating with a degree in communications, I tried acting and television broadcasting. Oh, they aren’t real jobs? I learned that the hard way. I changed my last name from Zink to St. Claire because a news producer told me Roxanne Zink had too many harsh consonants for a TV personality – apparently Katie Couric didn’t get the memo. I got some fun gigs, and even met Tom Hanks when I did a guest appearance on Bosom Buddies. I liked on camera work, but wasn’t too crazy about starvation, so I moved to Boston and got that “real” job. In fact, I placed my foot on the bottom rung of the corporate ladder and didn’t look down until I’d climbed all the way up to the level of Senior Vice President at the world’s largest public relations firm. On the way up, I met the man of my dreams in an elevator. Two years later – in the same elevator! – he asked me to marry him and I wisely said yes.
I stayed in PR, moved to Miami, had a few babies, lost my home in a hurricane, built another one a few hours north and all along, I kept writing my “stories” for fun. One night, I read a particularly fabulous romance novel that changed my life for good. That night, I decided I wanted to make someone else feel as whole and happy as that author made me feel. (Everyone asks! It was Nobody’s Baby But Mine by Susan Elizabeth Phillips.) With two small children and one big “real” job, writing my first novel wasn’t easy, but I did finish a manuscript that managed to get the attention of a literary agent. She told me to do one thing and one thing fast: write another book. (The first one is usually a “learner” book, honestly.) That second manuscript sold to Simon & Schuster’s Pocket Books and was released in 2003 as Tropical Getaway. Since then, I’ve written almost thirty more, in multiple genres, and long ago replaced the corporate ladder with the rollercoaster of publishing as a full-time novelist. Finally, writing is my real job.
Today, I live in a small beach community in Florida with my husband and two dogs. Our kids are off to college and law school, which means my nest is empty! I spend my time writing, working with the kids at my church, enjoying my husband's gourmet cooking, and hanging with my many writer friends. Of course, I love to read. I’m still crazy about words and stories and hope to write at least a hundred books in my lifetime. And, yes, verbs are the key to life. My favorites? Love. Work. Believe.
xoxo
Rocki
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 130 reviews
March 23, 2011
Now this is a strange one. About half way through the book I was thinking things like "Eh, this isn't doing it for me" and "I liked the first book sooo much better" and "I hope I can finish this" and "Jeez is this confusing". Now, if you read this book and start to feel that way? Just Keep Reading! It gets better. Really! Wow, this book really started to take off about half way through. Up to that point it was an 'okay' read, nothing special, a tad boring even with all the spies and questions of who's the bad guy and who's the good guy (God my head was starting to spin with all that), and even the romance wasn't much to write home about.
The basic plot is this; beautiful blonde, widowed socialite Devyn Sterling (last seen in Edge of Sight where her newspaper columnist husband was murdered) is on the hunt for her biological parents. She knows her father is the infamous Irish fugitive/mobster Finn MacCauley and her mother is microbiologist Sharon Mulvaney. Sharon and the 30 years older Finn had a 'thing' in the late seventies when he was caught up in the IRA and Sharon helped him out by stealing some toxins right out of her college lab. The relationship ended but not before Sharon became pregnant with (and giving up for adoption) daughter Rose Devyn. Now it's 30 years later, and Devyn has just found out who her biological parents are, and it doesn't sound good. Her adoptive parents (the Hewitts) have always made her feel that she doesn't measure up, and now that she's learned about this tainted DNA (terrorist/mobster blood!) of hers, she has to agree. Perhaps if she can track down her biological mother they can have some sort of relationship and Devyn won't feel so...alone. Devyn heads to N.C. where her mother teaches at a university. But no one's at Sharon's home. Devyn finds evidence that Sharon has gone to Belfast (uh-oh--Irish mobs!) Then an intruder enters with a cryptic message for Devyn to pass on--"If Sharon comes back here without getting her job done, she's dead." Now what does that mean? What is Sharon involved in? Could it be something illegal? Is Sharon a 'good guy' or a 'bad guy'? Devyn must go to Belfast and try to find her and warn her. What a first meeting between mother and daughter that will be.
Marc Rossi, divorced 38 year-old former FBI man and current gun shop owner, has just recently signed on to help his cousins (Vivi and Zach) in their new investigations business (The Guardian Angelinos). First client--FBI special agent Colton Lang. First assignment--get Devyn Sterling out of Belfast. Why? Colton won't tell--that's on a need-to-know basis. If the Angelinos want to get paid, they'll follow orders. Should be an easy job for Marc. A handsome, charming, flirty guy like him should have no trouble convincing a woman like Devyn to get out of Belfast, right? Uh-huh. Marc's got his work cut out for him, because stubborn Deyvn won't leave until she meets her mother. And her mother is up to something in Belfast. Is she working with terrorists? Is she working against them? Is she one of the good guys (please, please, for Devyn's sake!) or just as rotten as her father? Will Marc be able to protect her if he can't get her out of town?
Marc...
What I liked about this one: I didn't mind the little travelogue to Ireland. It got me to do a little research online and read about some of the sights Devyn and Marc saw while he was trying to woo her (out of town). I liked that Devyn She was a practical girl and knew she'd need some help finding Sharon and some protection from all the crazy characters coming out of the woodwork to warn her away. And it didn't hurt that she was wildly attracted to him either.
This rope bridge at Carrick-a-Rede played an important role at the start of the book...
The Giant's Causeway in Northern Ireland...
The terrorism plot didn't bug me. This was a plot right out of today's headlines. What slowed the book down for me was the endless characters popping up and getting in the way of Devyn finding Sharon. Were these good guys trying to warn Devyn away for her own good or bad guys trying to ensure that Sharon could get on to doing something evil? And the cryptic clues and all the intrigue with Devyn and Marc heading here, there, and everywhere all over Northern Ireland, and not knowing who they could trust or where they could turn...exhausting and confusing. And then the characters' ambivalence about the relationship--do they want to get involved or don't they? Is Devyn really attracted to Marc beyond the physical or is he just 'handy' for what she really wants? Do each of them have it in them to open up to another person again, or are past betrayals always going to haunt them?
Oh yes, annother thing that bordered on annoying--Devyn's all encompassing desire
Now, Marc and Devyn as a couple? I liked them, but they didn't 'wow' me. They each had their issues, and some baggage, but I could see them together. Marc was the 'protector' type, he liked them beautiful on the outside and a little damaged on the inside, so Dev was the perfect woman for him. And Marc could give Dev what she longed for all her life--a big family! (complete with dear old Uncle Nino). So good deal for both sides.
So you may have to plod through some stuff in the middle as things seem to be at a standstill, but hold onto your hats after that because things really start to get interesting. Some assumptions you make turn out to be false, and RSC throws some real twists and turns into the plot! The romance heats up just a bit (but not as much as I wished) as does the suspense. And when Devyn finally meets her mother and finds out the truth? The best part of the book.:) No wait, that would be the epilogue when the Rossi's and Algelinos get together on Christmas Eve (I love that family!)
Milltown Cemetary, Belfast, where Devyn and Sharon finally meet...
To sum up: part travelogue, part adventure, plenty of intrigue, some shocking twists and turns, and a little romance (just some standard stuff here) make up for the little slowness that you might have to wade through. But hang in there, because the book ends with a bang and the romance comes to a sweet conclusion. Not as good as book 1 (Edge of Sight) but not a bad installment to the series either. I'm definitely looking forward to Vivi and Colton Lang's story-Face of Danger--I think these two will be hot! 4 stars
The basic plot is this; beautiful blonde, widowed socialite Devyn Sterling (last seen in Edge of Sight where her newspaper columnist husband was murdered) is on the hunt for her biological parents. She knows her father is the infamous Irish fugitive/mobster Finn MacCauley and her mother is microbiologist Sharon Mulvaney. Sharon and the 30 years older Finn had a 'thing' in the late seventies when he was caught up in the IRA and Sharon helped him out by stealing some toxins right out of her college lab. The relationship ended but not before Sharon became pregnant with (and giving up for adoption) daughter Rose Devyn. Now it's 30 years later, and Devyn has just found out who her biological parents are, and it doesn't sound good. Her adoptive parents (the Hewitts) have always made her feel that she doesn't measure up, and now that she's learned about this tainted DNA (terrorist/mobster blood!) of hers, she has to agree. Perhaps if she can track down her biological mother they can have some sort of relationship and Devyn won't feel so...alone. Devyn heads to N.C. where her mother teaches at a university. But no one's at Sharon's home. Devyn finds evidence that Sharon has gone to Belfast (uh-oh--Irish mobs!) Then an intruder enters with a cryptic message for Devyn to pass on--"If Sharon comes back here without getting her job done, she's dead." Now what does that mean? What is Sharon involved in? Could it be something illegal? Is Sharon a 'good guy' or a 'bad guy'? Devyn must go to Belfast and try to find her and warn her. What a first meeting between mother and daughter that will be.
Marc Rossi, divorced 38 year-old former FBI man and current gun shop owner, has just recently signed on to help his cousins (Vivi and Zach) in their new investigations business (The Guardian Angelinos). First client--FBI special agent Colton Lang. First assignment--get Devyn Sterling out of Belfast. Why? Colton won't tell--that's on a need-to-know basis. If the Angelinos want to get paid, they'll follow orders. Should be an easy job for Marc. A handsome, charming, flirty guy like him should have no trouble convincing a woman like Devyn to get out of Belfast, right? Uh-huh. Marc's got his work cut out for him, because stubborn Deyvn won't leave until she meets her mother. And her mother is up to something in Belfast. Is she working with terrorists? Is she working against them? Is she one of the good guys (please, please, for Devyn's sake!) or just as rotten as her father? Will Marc be able to protect her if he can't get her out of town?
Marc...
What I liked about this one: I didn't mind the little travelogue to Ireland. It got me to do a little research online and read about some of the sights Devyn and Marc saw while he was trying to woo her (out of town). I liked that Devyn She was a practical girl and knew she'd need some help finding Sharon and some protection from all the crazy characters coming out of the woodwork to warn her away. And it didn't hurt that she was wildly attracted to him either.
This rope bridge at Carrick-a-Rede played an important role at the start of the book...
The Giant's Causeway in Northern Ireland...
The terrorism plot didn't bug me. This was a plot right out of today's headlines. What slowed the book down for me was the endless characters popping up and getting in the way of Devyn finding Sharon. Were these good guys trying to warn Devyn away for her own good or bad guys trying to ensure that Sharon could get on to doing something evil? And the cryptic clues and all the intrigue with Devyn and Marc heading here, there, and everywhere all over Northern Ireland, and not knowing who they could trust or where they could turn...exhausting and confusing. And then the characters' ambivalence about the relationship--do they want to get involved or don't they? Is Devyn really attracted to Marc beyond the physical or is he just 'handy' for what she really wants? Do each of them have it in them to open up to another person again, or are past betrayals always going to haunt them?
Oh yes, annother thing that bordered on annoying--Devyn's all encompassing desire
Now, Marc and Devyn as a couple? I liked them, but they didn't 'wow' me. They each had their issues, and some baggage, but I could see them together. Marc was the 'protector' type, he liked them beautiful on the outside and a little damaged on the inside, so Dev was the perfect woman for him. And Marc could give Dev what she longed for all her life--a big family! (complete with dear old Uncle Nino). So good deal for both sides.
So you may have to plod through some stuff in the middle as things seem to be at a standstill, but hold onto your hats after that because things really start to get interesting. Some assumptions you make turn out to be false, and RSC throws some real twists and turns into the plot! The romance heats up just a bit (but not as much as I wished) as does the suspense. And when Devyn finally meets her mother and finds out the truth? The best part of the book.:) No wait, that would be the epilogue when the Rossi's and Algelinos get together on Christmas Eve (I love that family!)
Milltown Cemetary, Belfast, where Devyn and Sharon finally meet...
To sum up: part travelogue, part adventure, plenty of intrigue, some shocking twists and turns, and a little romance (just some standard stuff here) make up for the little slowness that you might have to wade through. But hang in there, because the book ends with a bang and the romance comes to a sweet conclusion. Not as good as book 1 (Edge of Sight) but not a bad installment to the series either. I'm definitely looking forward to Vivi and Colton Lang's story-Face of Danger--I think these two will be hot! 4 stars
July 16, 2014
First let me say that I'm a fan of Roxanne St. Claire's work and that I loved every single one of her Bullet Catchers. Now, here's the review...
This is the 2nd book of The Guardian Angelino series(they're pretty connected too) and, to my surprise I liked it even less than the 1st one. I liked the story and the idea of the book, I liked side characters Vivi and Colton Lang, but you know who I didn't like? The Hero and The Heroine.
Devyn has known she was adopted her whole life, but she has only recently found out that her 'real parents' are an Irish mobster Finn MacCauley and a certain Dr. Greenberg, and the knowledge results in her husband being killed. Her life in shambles she decides to find her birth mother and finally get the whole truth and maybe even a family, so she goes to Ireland.
What annoyed me about Devyn:
1.Her constant references to her Bad Blood and her certainty that no man could love her if he knows her parentage. She misreads every hesitation or insecurity in Marc as a result of him not wanting anything to do with a daughter of a criminal. Her insecurity, which is a partly the result of this, bugged me at times, too.
2. Her way of barging into dangerous situations without thinking that it could get her or, you know, Marc killed. No, she would meet her mother, come Hell or near-certain death by Irish gangsters. TSTL moment, anyone?
3. Her instant 'revelation' at the end. Throughout the book she is all:"Blood is ALL that matters, it defines you. You can't be a good person with bad parents" and then BAM! all of a sudden:"It doesn't matter, I am totally independent of the people who conceived me, they don't matter." Aw, you think so honey?
I can understand her desire to meet her birth parents, but that was a bit too much, don't you think?
Onto Marc. Marc used to be an FBI agent, but was forced to quit a while ago, so this Guardian Angelino gig is a godsend. And retrieving some spoiled rich princess from Ireland? Piece of cake.
He was betrayed by his wife, so he is suspicious of all women. No, not all women. 'Perfect women'. B/c apparently cause his wife was beautiful and a b***h, all beautiful women must be traitorous, too, right? Nice logic, there. Oh and did I mention Dev is 'perfect'. Yeah, I think we heard that about a zillion times in the book, and b/c she is the most perfect, she must be really, really bad. His repeated 'he learns from his mistakes', 'he won't trust a 'perfect' woman again' annoyed me. Luckily, he managed to get himself together and, of course, save the world from those bad, bad terrorists.
So, this book will stay a 2 star book for now, but I'll keep reading to see what happens with Vivi and Colt.
This is the 2nd book of The Guardian Angelino series(they're pretty connected too) and, to my surprise I liked it even less than the 1st one. I liked the story and the idea of the book, I liked side characters Vivi and Colton Lang, but you know who I didn't like? The Hero and The Heroine.
Devyn has known she was adopted her whole life, but she has only recently found out that her 'real parents' are an Irish mobster Finn MacCauley and a certain Dr. Greenberg, and the knowledge results in her husband being killed. Her life in shambles she decides to find her birth mother and finally get the whole truth and maybe even a family, so she goes to Ireland.
What annoyed me about Devyn:
1.Her constant references to her Bad Blood and her certainty that no man could love her if he knows her parentage. She misreads every hesitation or insecurity in Marc as a result of him not wanting anything to do with a daughter of a criminal. Her insecurity, which is a partly the result of this, bugged me at times, too.
2. Her way of barging into dangerous situations without thinking that it could get her or, you know, Marc killed. No, she would meet her mother, come Hell or near-certain death by Irish gangsters. TSTL moment, anyone?
3. Her instant 'revelation' at the end. Throughout the book she is all:"Blood is ALL that matters, it defines you. You can't be a good person with bad parents" and then BAM! all of a sudden:"It doesn't matter, I am totally independent of the people who conceived me, they don't matter." Aw, you think so honey?
I can understand her desire to meet her birth parents, but that was a bit too much, don't you think?
Onto Marc. Marc used to be an FBI agent, but was forced to quit a while ago, so this Guardian Angelino gig is a godsend. And retrieving some spoiled rich princess from Ireland? Piece of cake.
He was betrayed by his wife, so he is suspicious of all women. No, not all women. 'Perfect women'. B/c apparently cause his wife was beautiful and a b***h, all beautiful women must be traitorous, too, right? Nice logic, there. Oh and did I mention Dev is 'perfect'. Yeah, I think we heard that about a zillion times in the book, and b/c she is the most perfect, she must be really, really bad. His repeated 'he learns from his mistakes', 'he won't trust a 'perfect' woman again' annoyed me. Luckily, he managed to get himself together and, of course, save the world from those bad, bad terrorists.
So, this book will stay a 2 star book for now, but I'll keep reading to see what happens with Vivi and Colt.
August 1, 2011
Hmmm, I'm trying to make an effort to write better reviews, instead of my one or two sentence remarks I have done in the past. Shiver of Fear is the 2nd in the Guardian Angelinos series by author Roxanne St Claire. I agree with others who say you should read the 1st book in the series first to get the complete story before digging into this one. Once you do you will be pulled into an exciting suspenseful story that will take you away to... Ireland. The majority of the story takes place in lovely Ireland and we get to visit several awesome places there. This is the story of Marc Rossi and Devyn Sterling that we met in the previous book Edge of Sight. Marc is sent to Ireland to bring Devyn back to the states with very little information as to why. A great balance of romance and suspense with a few curve balls thrown in to keep you off balance. The only real issue I have is the length that Devyn, the tenacious heroine, went to to learn about her birth family. I'm not adopted so maybe its something I just wouldn't understand unless I'd been there.
April 1, 2014
WARNING!!! If you plan to read this series, do not read it out of order because this second installment reveals Book 1's killer's identity - unless you don't mind major spoilers of this kind:)
Shiver of Fear isn't a bad book and my 3 stars is not a reflection of the story but rather, in spite of the solid plot, my not liking it.
SoF has as many twists and turns as a plate of spaghetti but isn't difficult to follow. Instead, each twist takes the story up another level, increasing the suspense and the mystery around Devyn's birth-mom and father, Finn. If you want a detailed synopsis, Auntee's review gives it to you so my review will focus on why, despite the strong writing, I did not like it.
Mainly, two things: Seldom have I found zero chemistry between the two protagonists and SoF is probably the worst of these books. I already didn't have much of an impression of Marc from Edge of Sight though he did come into his own here in SoF. In fact, I liked him well enough to wonder what the heck he saw - and wanted - in Devyn. In most Romantic Suspense books, there's at least some attraction between the MCs that reaches the reader but here, I found the romantic element between Marc and Devyn so wanting that, IMO, it doesn't deserve the 'romantic' label. Again, I will say that SoF is still a good and engaging story and my beef is with the romance and with Devyn's character.
I assume Ms St Claire set out wanting me to see Devyn as a woman tormented by questions about her birth and obsessed with the fear she comes from bad blood and that her birth mother did not want her. Unfortunately, the author succeeded too well for me such that instead of sympathizing with Devyn and feeling her pain, I am of the strong opinion that this young woman is far too disturbed to be a romance heroine. She'd be a better fit as a serial killer of women who give up their baby daughters for adoption!
When I reached the point where Devyn pleads with Marc to come inside her so that she could get pregnant, it was one of no return for me. As far as I was concerned, this woman was truly certifiable. I hated that she was going to be a part of the Angelinos family and I'd likely not be able to avoid her in future installments.
As I said, SoF is a good, solid story if you don't mind these myopic plots that revolve only around a personal obsession and under the hands of an author less skilled, I'd have dumped it less than a quarter of the way. RS fans who don't mind tortured heroines may not find Devyn so unlikeable and be able to focus on Marcus but for this reader, Devyn turned Shiver of Fear into a ghastly read.
PS: I was torn whether to give this 4 stars (because it's still a good story) or 3 - because of Demented Devyn and lack of chemistry and I would have settled for 4 if not for the fact that I started reading Face of Danger before I wrote this review. FoD just blew me away and that scene between Vivi and Lang on the Gulfstream had me holding my breath till it exploded out of me and left me in a coughing fit. If there were any two protags whose interaction made me want to just gush, it's those two and because of that, even before I'm halfway through FoD, it's left SoF for dead purely on the strength of the chemistry between Colton Lang and Vivi Angelino! Comparisons would be unavoidable and, hence, SoF got only 3 stars.
Shiver of Fear isn't a bad book and my 3 stars is not a reflection of the story but rather, in spite of the solid plot, my not liking it.
SoF has as many twists and turns as a plate of spaghetti but isn't difficult to follow. Instead, each twist takes the story up another level, increasing the suspense and the mystery around Devyn's birth-mom and father, Finn. If you want a detailed synopsis, Auntee's review gives it to you so my review will focus on why, despite the strong writing, I did not like it.
Mainly, two things: Seldom have I found zero chemistry between the two protagonists and SoF is probably the worst of these books. I already didn't have much of an impression of Marc from Edge of Sight though he did come into his own here in SoF. In fact, I liked him well enough to wonder what the heck he saw - and wanted - in Devyn. In most Romantic Suspense books, there's at least some attraction between the MCs that reaches the reader but here, I found the romantic element between Marc and Devyn so wanting that, IMO, it doesn't deserve the 'romantic' label. Again, I will say that SoF is still a good and engaging story and my beef is with the romance and with Devyn's character.
I assume Ms St Claire set out wanting me to see Devyn as a woman tormented by questions about her birth and obsessed with the fear she comes from bad blood and that her birth mother did not want her. Unfortunately, the author succeeded too well for me such that instead of sympathizing with Devyn and feeling her pain, I am of the strong opinion that this young woman is far too disturbed to be a romance heroine. She'd be a better fit as a serial killer of women who give up their baby daughters for adoption!
When I reached the point where Devyn pleads with Marc to come inside her so that she could get pregnant, it was one of no return for me. As far as I was concerned, this woman was truly certifiable. I hated that she was going to be a part of the Angelinos family and I'd likely not be able to avoid her in future installments.
As I said, SoF is a good, solid story if you don't mind these myopic plots that revolve only around a personal obsession and under the hands of an author less skilled, I'd have dumped it less than a quarter of the way. RS fans who don't mind tortured heroines may not find Devyn so unlikeable and be able to focus on Marcus but for this reader, Devyn turned Shiver of Fear into a ghastly read.
PS: I was torn whether to give this 4 stars (because it's still a good story) or 3 - because of Demented Devyn and lack of chemistry and I would have settled for 4 if not for the fact that I started reading Face of Danger before I wrote this review. FoD just blew me away and that scene between Vivi and Lang on the Gulfstream had me holding my breath till it exploded out of me and left me in a coughing fit. If there were any two protags whose interaction made me want to just gush, it's those two and because of that, even before I'm halfway through FoD, it's left SoF for dead purely on the strength of the chemistry between Colton Lang and Vivi Angelino! Comparisons would be unavoidable and, hence, SoF got only 3 stars.
April 9, 2011
Shiver of Fear is the 2nd book in the new series by Roxanne St Claire and I must admit it is better than the first one which I didn't like. So, in this book we have Marc Rossi, a former FBI agent who joins his cousins new security firm. He is assigned a fishy assignment from an FBI agent, get a woman back into the States, they take it because they need the job for their new business. Marc was betrayed by his wife, and feels he is a magnet for "perfect" women with scars on the inside.
He decides to use any means to get Devyn to leave.
Devyn the heroine was the one whose husband was murdered in the last book. Devyn was raised by rich blue-blooded parents who always made her feel less since she was adopted. She went looking for acceptance, right into her husband's arms who didn't make her feel better and always questioned her unknown DNA. She employed someone to find out her birth parents and what she finds is shocking to say the least. Her father is a known mobster and her mother a scientist. Her husband tries to rat her out before he dies. So, Devyn is lost and goes to Ireland to track down her mother in search of family and acceptance.
The book was good, definitely better than the first but it is not Roxanne's best. I had a problem with some things. Devyn's behavior for one, she is a 30 something woman but she is so damn insecure and desperate about her DNA. The scene where she finally realizes that DNA is not everything comes near the end and honestly it made me say, FINALLY!It came too later for me but it came, she kept dwelling on how no-one would want her, her kids, seeing what she came from, so she wanted and needed to see if her mother was good, even when clues pointed her mother was involved in bio-terrorist activities.
There is a plot where so many people are after Devyn and want her to leave the country, but no she is adamant even things become dangerous. She finds about Marc's mission soon and hires him as protection. She came close to TSTL(too stupid to live). These are things I had a problem with and also there is scene in the bathroom which I thoroughly disliked.
But these are minor points and the story is well done. And the book involves the future hero/heroine of the next book as well. Don't be put off by what I pointed out, the book is good.
He decides to use any means to get Devyn to leave.
Devyn the heroine was the one whose husband was murdered in the last book. Devyn was raised by rich blue-blooded parents who always made her feel less since she was adopted. She went looking for acceptance, right into her husband's arms who didn't make her feel better and always questioned her unknown DNA. She employed someone to find out her birth parents and what she finds is shocking to say the least. Her father is a known mobster and her mother a scientist. Her husband tries to rat her out before he dies. So, Devyn is lost and goes to Ireland to track down her mother in search of family and acceptance.
The book was good, definitely better than the first but it is not Roxanne's best. I had a problem with some things. Devyn's behavior for one, she is a 30 something woman but she is so damn insecure and desperate about her DNA. The scene where she finally realizes that DNA is not everything comes near the end and honestly it made me say, FINALLY!It came too later for me but it came, she kept dwelling on how no-one would want her, her kids, seeing what she came from, so she wanted and needed to see if her mother was good, even when clues pointed her mother was involved in bio-terrorist activities.
There is a plot where so many people are after Devyn and want her to leave the country, but no she is adamant even things become dangerous. She finds about Marc's mission soon and hires him as protection. She came close to TSTL(too stupid to live). These are things I had a problem with and also there is scene in the bathroom which I thoroughly disliked.
But these are minor points and the story is well done. And the book involves the future hero/heroine of the next book as well. Don't be put off by what I pointed out, the book is good.
October 24, 2011
loved the suspense part of the story, but the romance was just lacking.
March 13, 2011
SHIVER OF FEAR written by Roxanne St. Claire
Book #2 in the A Guardian Angelinos Series
04/11 - Grand Central Publishing - Mass Market Paperback, 432 pages
Do we make ourselves who we are, or do we live out our DNA destiny?
Devyn Hewitt Sterling is convinced she will never amount to anything good in this lifetime. Her late husband was a criminal just like the parents who conceived her and gave her up for adoption. She keeps chasing dreams that never materialize and yes she grew up with wonderful adopted parents but could that stop the evil that her biological parents gave her from their bloodline? Determined to find out where she came from Devyn takes off to find her mother and winds up in Ireland running from the bad guys and straight into the arms of a man she hopes is one of the good guys, Marc Rossi.
Marc is part of family run business that does a little of this and allot of undercover that. He was an FBI agent but these days he chases some consulting work with his cousins for the Guardian Angelinos and is happy to take the assignment that has Devyn landing right where he wants her, close enough to kiss. He is supposed to be there to bring her home per their present client, the FBI. The order was to find the woman and bring her home, simple and without complications. But the woman is one determined, spontaneous and beautiful temptation who is able to get him to spill all his secrets and then Marc winds up helping her figure out where her biological mother is and keep all of them alive.
The longer Marc and Devyn keep looking the more danger they are in and the harder it is to get out not only with all things in tact but alive. Cryptic notes, CIA spooks, shots in the dark and thugs in bell towers are becoming a common every day experience and they absolutely should not be in anyone’s world. But the more the pieces don’t fit, descriptions continue to not make sense and no one is telling the truth, not even Devyn. The truth is the one factor Marc needs in any relationship and if Devyn isn’t going to provide it do they have a future with or without the mysteries solved? Marc may have a past as well that he needs to reveal but family issues is not one thing he has to worry about and convincing Devyn that her past is not her present is a difficult sell.
Marc and Devyn are fascinating characters that bring so much to this book. Every page is a mystery to unravel and the more you know about each of them the more you are convinced they are the perfect match. This book will have you reading until you finish it and wishing the next book in the series was coming out tomorrow!
Book #2 in the A Guardian Angelinos Series
04/11 - Grand Central Publishing - Mass Market Paperback, 432 pages
Do we make ourselves who we are, or do we live out our DNA destiny?
Devyn Hewitt Sterling is convinced she will never amount to anything good in this lifetime. Her late husband was a criminal just like the parents who conceived her and gave her up for adoption. She keeps chasing dreams that never materialize and yes she grew up with wonderful adopted parents but could that stop the evil that her biological parents gave her from their bloodline? Determined to find out where she came from Devyn takes off to find her mother and winds up in Ireland running from the bad guys and straight into the arms of a man she hopes is one of the good guys, Marc Rossi.
Marc is part of family run business that does a little of this and allot of undercover that. He was an FBI agent but these days he chases some consulting work with his cousins for the Guardian Angelinos and is happy to take the assignment that has Devyn landing right where he wants her, close enough to kiss. He is supposed to be there to bring her home per their present client, the FBI. The order was to find the woman and bring her home, simple and without complications. But the woman is one determined, spontaneous and beautiful temptation who is able to get him to spill all his secrets and then Marc winds up helping her figure out where her biological mother is and keep all of them alive.
The longer Marc and Devyn keep looking the more danger they are in and the harder it is to get out not only with all things in tact but alive. Cryptic notes, CIA spooks, shots in the dark and thugs in bell towers are becoming a common every day experience and they absolutely should not be in anyone’s world. But the more the pieces don’t fit, descriptions continue to not make sense and no one is telling the truth, not even Devyn. The truth is the one factor Marc needs in any relationship and if Devyn isn’t going to provide it do they have a future with or without the mysteries solved? Marc may have a past as well that he needs to reveal but family issues is not one thing he has to worry about and convincing Devyn that her past is not her present is a difficult sell.
Marc and Devyn are fascinating characters that bring so much to this book. Every page is a mystery to unravel and the more you know about each of them the more you are convinced they are the perfect match. This book will have you reading until you finish it and wishing the next book in the series was coming out tomorrow!
April 2, 2011
Holy plot twists, Batman! Hang on to your hat because the last half of this book is impossible to put down. Or predict! This was one of the best romantic suspense books I've ever read in terms of the pace and the surprises. The romance is great, with a more emotional heroine than hero this time, but this is one to read for the ride. I'm not kidding when I say my heart was pounding for the last couple chapters.
I read the first book in this series a few days ago, and I've read a couple others by this author. I'm going to read them all now. The very first one I read (French Kiss) was good, but not nearly as good as these books in her two series. I've read one of the Bullet Catchers and two of the Guardian Angelinos (which are very loosely related - the GAs have a cousin who is a BC). I think the thing that stands out for me about this author is every book is so different. I mean, the plots are just nothing alike, and the romances and mysteries are very, very different. But the books feel like a series. I really like that. One is about an assassin, and one is about twins switching places (Kill Me Twice) and one is about Irish terrorists. They're all very passionate with great love scenes (some more than others) and surprise endings.
This one had a Guardian Angelino (Marc Rossi) going to Ireland to find Devyn Sterling, the widow of the guy killed in the frist book, Edge of Sight. She's there trying to find her birth mother and it soon becomes obvious that people are after her. Marc wants to help her, and she wants to find her mother for really good reasons. There's also the Angelinos in Boston, mostly Vivi, who is a really fun character going up against the FBI agent Colton Lang. The love story is sweeter (still pretty hot) here because Marc isn't angsty like Zach in the first book, but the mystery and action are out of this world.
I'm going to read the rest of the Bullet Catchers while I wait for the next book, which features Vivi and the FBI agent Colt. There's an excerpt in the back of the book and once again it looks like a really different story.
I loved this book so much I'm also going to read it again, and watch for clues I missed along the way. Strongly recommend it!
I read the first book in this series a few days ago, and I've read a couple others by this author. I'm going to read them all now. The very first one I read (French Kiss) was good, but not nearly as good as these books in her two series. I've read one of the Bullet Catchers and two of the Guardian Angelinos (which are very loosely related - the GAs have a cousin who is a BC). I think the thing that stands out for me about this author is every book is so different. I mean, the plots are just nothing alike, and the romances and mysteries are very, very different. But the books feel like a series. I really like that. One is about an assassin, and one is about twins switching places (Kill Me Twice) and one is about Irish terrorists. They're all very passionate with great love scenes (some more than others) and surprise endings.
This one had a Guardian Angelino (Marc Rossi) going to Ireland to find Devyn Sterling, the widow of the guy killed in the frist book, Edge of Sight. She's there trying to find her birth mother and it soon becomes obvious that people are after her. Marc wants to help her, and she wants to find her mother for really good reasons. There's also the Angelinos in Boston, mostly Vivi, who is a really fun character going up against the FBI agent Colton Lang. The love story is sweeter (still pretty hot) here because Marc isn't angsty like Zach in the first book, but the mystery and action are out of this world.
I'm going to read the rest of the Bullet Catchers while I wait for the next book, which features Vivi and the FBI agent Colt. There's an excerpt in the back of the book and once again it looks like a really different story.
I loved this book so much I'm also going to read it again, and watch for clues I missed along the way. Strongly recommend it!
March 25, 2011
Talk about a page turner, it kept me guessing until the end. This book has it all - love, betrayal, sex, spy's, undercover ops, secret missions...wow! I can't wait to read more on the interworkings of the "Guardian Angelino's" and the cousins. This book was set in the US and Ireland, I love that I can "see" other countries in the books I read. Do not pass this book by, this is a must read! I can't wait to read more books by Roxanne St. Claire, she's going on my must read list of authors.
April 10, 2011
Marc is not only charming but very sexy. And he is a former FBI agent that wants to be back in the game. He left the FBI because of his first wife. Now Special Agent Colton Lang has an assignment for him. It is plain and clear his only job is to find Devyn Sterling and bring her back to the states ..no questions asked. With no background on the case Marc ends up going in blind to try and convince Dev that Ireland is not the place for her. Is Marc the man for this job or will he get caught up like he did with his first wife?
Devyn Sterling is the daughter of one of the FBI's most wanted, but she is on her own assignment over in Ireland. On a trip to Ireland she determined to find the missing pieces to a puzzle she has been dying to figure out. Not only does she want these missing pieces to come together but she needs it so she can stop being so cold. When the puzzle finally all comes together will it be enough to make her whole and warm?
Fan Freaking Tastic!! Getting into the book was never a issue. From the first chapter I was interested and invested. Half way through the book I realized this is book two in the series so yes its true I didn't read book one. But I will now. I want to start the story from the first book. I wasn't lost, but it came to the point that I just wanted more.
What can I say about sexy FBI agent Marc. Hot, Sexy, and not even predictable. The attraction between him and Devyn was suspenseful. I keep going going okay now...okay now. The anticipation was killing me. Very well drawn out but never boring. It is just enough to keep you on edge for what is about to come. And even than you aren't really ready.
The plot was never dull. One thing after another. Or another problem to solve. Truly captivating. I found myself actually gasping out loud at many parts. *With the husband looking at me like I was choking.* You think it will go one way but totally makes a u turn and your caught watching it unfold from side of the road. Not only is this a romantic suspense adventure but it is also heart stopping.
Devyn Sterling is the daughter of one of the FBI's most wanted, but she is on her own assignment over in Ireland. On a trip to Ireland she determined to find the missing pieces to a puzzle she has been dying to figure out. Not only does she want these missing pieces to come together but she needs it so she can stop being so cold. When the puzzle finally all comes together will it be enough to make her whole and warm?
Fan Freaking Tastic!! Getting into the book was never a issue. From the first chapter I was interested and invested. Half way through the book I realized this is book two in the series so yes its true I didn't read book one. But I will now. I want to start the story from the first book. I wasn't lost, but it came to the point that I just wanted more.
What can I say about sexy FBI agent Marc. Hot, Sexy, and not even predictable. The attraction between him and Devyn was suspenseful. I keep going going okay now...okay now. The anticipation was killing me. Very well drawn out but never boring. It is just enough to keep you on edge for what is about to come. And even than you aren't really ready.
The plot was never dull. One thing after another. Or another problem to solve. Truly captivating. I found myself actually gasping out loud at many parts. *With the husband looking at me like I was choking.* You think it will go one way but totally makes a u turn and your caught watching it unfold from side of the road. Not only is this a romantic suspense adventure but it is also heart stopping.
April 6, 2016
This book is much better read following the previous instalment in the series, which dealt with the investigation behind the assassination of the heroine's former husband.
I really enjoyed the investigation and suspense in this book, as well as the big mystery of who could be trusted and who were the good guys.
But I wasn't that convinced about the characters' relationship. It felt more like a convenience encounter of 2 desperate single souls than a real meeting of hearts. Marc never completely managed to flesh out of his book character persona. And Devyn, frankly, she needed to see a psychatrist/psychologist to get her priorities and values straight. The poor girl felt so bad about her childhood as an adopted child that she was convinced she never was wanted but never even tried to discuss the situation with her adopted parents. Then she let herself be convinced by her former husband that her blood is so tinted by her biological parents' past and failings. And what does she make out of that? It made her all the more convinced to get pregnant and to create her own family with a new baby, on her own. As if it would provide her solace and meaning. And in my opinion, she never really dealt with her issues so I really pity her poor future children.
I really enjoyed the investigation and suspense in this book, as well as the big mystery of who could be trusted and who were the good guys.
But I wasn't that convinced about the characters' relationship. It felt more like a convenience encounter of 2 desperate single souls than a real meeting of hearts. Marc never completely managed to flesh out of his book character persona. And Devyn, frankly, she needed to see a psychatrist/psychologist to get her priorities and values straight. The poor girl felt so bad about her childhood as an adopted child that she was convinced she never was wanted but never even tried to discuss the situation with her adopted parents. Then she let herself be convinced by her former husband that her blood is so tinted by her biological parents' past and failings. And what does she make out of that? It made her all the more convinced to get pregnant and to create her own family with a new baby, on her own. As if it would provide her solace and meaning. And in my opinion, she never really dealt with her issues so I really pity her poor future children.
April 22, 2011
Great second installment of the Guardian Angelinos series. Heroine Devyn Sterling has traveled to Northern Ireland in search of her birth mother, who seems to be in some sort of trouble. On Devyn's trail is Marc Rossi, former FBI agent and investigator in his Angelino cousins' agency. He's been sent by the GA's first client, the FBI, to make sure that no matter what Devyn Sterling leaves Northern Ireland and he's prepared to use his seductive charms to make it happen. This plot contains more tangles and complications than a ball of yarn in a basket full of rabid kittens, which makes for a wild ride. Add into the mix some seriously sexy witty banter and you've got yourself a winning recipe for romantic suspense. Loved the Northern Ireland setting and loved the way the plot shook out. Can't wait for the next one!
September 27, 2011
Just finished Devyn and Marc's story in this fantastic second book in St. Claire's "Guardian Angelinos" series. I'm really enjoying this series and I love the Angelinos family! Can't wait for #3 "Face of Danger" with Vivi and Colton. Who can ignore a skateboarding female PI????
January 18, 2018
Ein sehr spannender Schluss mit überraschender Wendung, sodass ich das Buch kaum noch aus der Hand legen wollte. Ich bin schon auf den nächsten Teil gespannt, der leider der letzte ist.
March 23, 2011
Devyn Hewitt Sterling is living with a string of insecurities. Having grown up in an adoptive family and now being a widow of her worthless, cheating husband, Devyn questions her personal character and direction in life. After hiring an investigator, she receives confirmation of who her birth parents are: Dr. Sharron Greenberg (microbiologist) and Finn MacCauley (mobster and FBI fugitive). Uncertain if her late husband revealed her parents’ identities to his cohorts before his death, Devyn concludes it is only right to face Sharron and warn her of potential danger. But what Devyn desires more is to see if there is any emotional connection with her mother or if she is truly what she has always believed herself to be – a product of bad bloodline. As Devyn begins her search for her birth mother, she is immediately thrown into a perilous situation with a man threatening Sharron’s life. What started as an impulse to meet her birth mother has now become a mission which takes her to Ireland and into a world of danger she never bargained for.
Marc Rossi, former FBI agent and current small-business owner is looking forward to leaping back into a life he once enjoyed. Marc recently became a consultant for his cousins (Vivi and Zach Angelino) new security agency, The Guardian Angelinos. Their first client is the FBI and the task is for Marc to travel to Ireland and bring Devyn Sterling back to the States with no questions and no complications. What he believes will be a fairly simple task, turns out to be anything but. Devyn is convinced her birth mother was kidnapped and is determined to help Sharron escape no matter her own personal risk. While Marc’s job is to simply bring Devyn home quietly, he cannot leave and let her face the dangers ahead alone.
There were elements of the story which I continue to enjoy with the Guardian Angelino series, especially the level of suspense and the connection of a spicy Italian family. What I believe fell short in a big way with Shiver of Fear was the romance. The book opened with a bang and the action, mystery and suspense were dominant roles throughout the story. Marc and Devyn, were strong and fearless individuals but lacked the passion and chemistry to have me routing for their HEA. Both had trust issues, however, as each proved to the other that they were dependable, the overall tone still felt like they were partners on a job and not developing into a romantic relationship. I also had problems with Devyn’s mindset of “I’m not good enough for you” or “I’m from bad blood” that she held through most of the story. Switching from complete self-deprecation to enlightened freedom at the end does not settle well with me or make me believe in the authenticity of the couple. Although Marc and Devyn lacked sizzle and a strong connection, we did revisit Sam and Zach from Edge of Sight as well as Vivi, Uncle Nino and the rest of the clan. There is also a nice set up of the pairing of Vivi and FBI Agent Colton Lang for the third installment of the series of which I am looking forward to. If you enjoy your romantic suspense heavy on the action and light on the romance, then Shiver of Fear is a sure pick.
Favorite Quote:
“He didn’t look too young, mid-to-late thirties, with a sexy kind of fierceness under that charm, like he could slam you up against a wall and pin you there – right before he kissed the living hell out of you.”
Marc Rossi, former FBI agent and current small-business owner is looking forward to leaping back into a life he once enjoyed. Marc recently became a consultant for his cousins (Vivi and Zach Angelino) new security agency, The Guardian Angelinos. Their first client is the FBI and the task is for Marc to travel to Ireland and bring Devyn Sterling back to the States with no questions and no complications. What he believes will be a fairly simple task, turns out to be anything but. Devyn is convinced her birth mother was kidnapped and is determined to help Sharron escape no matter her own personal risk. While Marc’s job is to simply bring Devyn home quietly, he cannot leave and let her face the dangers ahead alone.
There were elements of the story which I continue to enjoy with the Guardian Angelino series, especially the level of suspense and the connection of a spicy Italian family. What I believe fell short in a big way with Shiver of Fear was the romance. The book opened with a bang and the action, mystery and suspense were dominant roles throughout the story. Marc and Devyn, were strong and fearless individuals but lacked the passion and chemistry to have me routing for their HEA. Both had trust issues, however, as each proved to the other that they were dependable, the overall tone still felt like they were partners on a job and not developing into a romantic relationship. I also had problems with Devyn’s mindset of “I’m not good enough for you” or “I’m from bad blood” that she held through most of the story. Switching from complete self-deprecation to enlightened freedom at the end does not settle well with me or make me believe in the authenticity of the couple. Although Marc and Devyn lacked sizzle and a strong connection, we did revisit Sam and Zach from Edge of Sight as well as Vivi, Uncle Nino and the rest of the clan. There is also a nice set up of the pairing of Vivi and FBI Agent Colton Lang for the third installment of the series of which I am looking forward to. If you enjoy your romantic suspense heavy on the action and light on the romance, then Shiver of Fear is a sure pick.
Favorite Quote:
“He didn’t look too young, mid-to-late thirties, with a sexy kind of fierceness under that charm, like he could slam you up against a wall and pin you there – right before he kissed the living hell out of you.”
September 2, 2011
Full review reposted from my Smitten with reading blog...
My Review:
Overall I really enjoyed this book. Roxanne St. Claire has such an amazing writing voice. I love the way that she puts a book together and the huge cast of characters that she builds up in this world. Really well done and well-written. From page one, she had my full attention and it never wandered far until the book was finished. I love getting immersed in a world to this extreme!
Set in Ireland, this book has a very different feel than the first book had, but that isn't necessarily a bad thing. It made the two stories very distinctive from each other which sometimes becomes an issue in a series like this, so I liked that about it. Another thing that set this book far apart from the first was Marc. He's a former FBI agent. He knows what he's doing and is fully trained to do the job. It gave a different feel than from dealing with Zach and Vivi who are still working to learn the security field.
That brings us to the things that are the same in this second book from the first...the family! I love this family...every single one of them. We didn't get to see as much of them in this installment, but when they did show up, the scenes were complete perfection. The family dynamic with the Angelino's and Rossi's....ah, I just love it! The other thing that rocked in this book once again...the suspense!! OMG, I did NOT see all the twists and turns coming. I just kept gasping out loud. That is so awesome in a suspense book and definitely the sign of a good one!
Finally, we need to chat about the romance between Devyn & Marc. I really adored Marc's character. Honestly, what's not to love? He's charming. He's good-looking. He packs a gun and is willing to place his body in front of a bullet for the heroine. He has amazing integrity. And yes, his heart is more than a little wounded because once upon a time, he fell in love with the wrong woman...you have to love that little bit of vulnerability. I had a harder time with Devyn and that is probably because through so much of the story, she honestly was having a hard time accepting herself and where she belongs. So much of her self-worth was tied up in making a connection with her mother. On the one hand, I could understand that a bit, but I think that she became too obsessed in defining herself by her DNA. I just had a hard time relating to that part of her character, although my heart ached for her throughout so much of this book. Her internal pain is palpable and heartbreaking. The sexual tension between these two was so immense. They both have reasons for avoiding an entanglement and I was beginning to wonder if it was ever really going to happen, but this is a romance novel, so... It's all good...VERY GOOD!! ;o)
And now I am going to stop writing because I cannot wait to dig into book #3...finally Vivi's book and it looks like she is paired up with Agent Lang. Oh my! There are going to be huge fireworks in that book. I can't wait!!
My Review:
Overall I really enjoyed this book. Roxanne St. Claire has such an amazing writing voice. I love the way that she puts a book together and the huge cast of characters that she builds up in this world. Really well done and well-written. From page one, she had my full attention and it never wandered far until the book was finished. I love getting immersed in a world to this extreme!
Set in Ireland, this book has a very different feel than the first book had, but that isn't necessarily a bad thing. It made the two stories very distinctive from each other which sometimes becomes an issue in a series like this, so I liked that about it. Another thing that set this book far apart from the first was Marc. He's a former FBI agent. He knows what he's doing and is fully trained to do the job. It gave a different feel than from dealing with Zach and Vivi who are still working to learn the security field.
That brings us to the things that are the same in this second book from the first...the family! I love this family...every single one of them. We didn't get to see as much of them in this installment, but when they did show up, the scenes were complete perfection. The family dynamic with the Angelino's and Rossi's....ah, I just love it! The other thing that rocked in this book once again...the suspense!! OMG, I did NOT see all the twists and turns coming. I just kept gasping out loud. That is so awesome in a suspense book and definitely the sign of a good one!
Finally, we need to chat about the romance between Devyn & Marc. I really adored Marc's character. Honestly, what's not to love? He's charming. He's good-looking. He packs a gun and is willing to place his body in front of a bullet for the heroine. He has amazing integrity. And yes, his heart is more than a little wounded because once upon a time, he fell in love with the wrong woman...you have to love that little bit of vulnerability. I had a harder time with Devyn and that is probably because through so much of the story, she honestly was having a hard time accepting herself and where she belongs. So much of her self-worth was tied up in making a connection with her mother. On the one hand, I could understand that a bit, but I think that she became too obsessed in defining herself by her DNA. I just had a hard time relating to that part of her character, although my heart ached for her throughout so much of this book. Her internal pain is palpable and heartbreaking. The sexual tension between these two was so immense. They both have reasons for avoiding an entanglement and I was beginning to wonder if it was ever really going to happen, but this is a romance novel, so... It's all good...VERY GOOD!! ;o)
And now I am going to stop writing because I cannot wait to dig into book #3...finally Vivi's book and it looks like she is paired up with Agent Lang. Oh my! There are going to be huge fireworks in that book. I can't wait!!
May 5, 2011
Reviewed by Dewey at RexRobotReviews.com on May 14, 2011.
Devyn Sterling is newly widowed after her husband Joshua Sterling is murdered for information he was going to release about her birth parents, or more importantly, her infamous criminal father, Finn MacCauley. Now Devyn didn’t know him as a father- she was put up for adoption as a child. The only life she has ever known is a lonely one... filled with wealth and little else. She is constantly reminded by her adopted family and eventually her husband that she came from bad blood. But her biggest concern is that she needs to confide in her birth mother that the information about her connection to her criminal father was possibly leaked by her lying, cheating husband prior to his murder. She feels obligated to tell her, to protect the mother she has never met... and possibly turn their quick meeting into something like a substantial relationship.
Things get extremely complicated when Devyn decides to follow clues to Northern Ireland to find her mother, especially when back in the states The Guardian Angelinos have just been hired by the FBI to come find her and get her out of Ireland as soon as possible. Marc Rossi is the man put to the task to retrieve Devyn and convince her to leave. He isn’t concerned about using his great looks or charming personality to manipulate her... that is until he meets her. There is immediate attraction and chemistry between the two. However, with her belief that she is rotten with bad blood and his inability to trust women after being destroyed by his last love, they are both very skeptical about taking anything seriously. Both with their own missions they set off through Northern Ireland in search of Devyn’s mother. All at once they learn to trust each other, search for Devyn's mother and stumble into a scandal with bio-terrorism written all over it.
This is the second book I have read by this author and she is amazing. This series is so very addictive. The Guardian Angelinos are an amazing cast of characters and I love every single one. This story is packed with suspense and even provides a HUGE twist at the end that I’m not sure anyone will see coming. It’s very hard to surprise me, but mission accomplished! I can’t wait to read the next one and hope she stays with this series for a while. A MUST READ!
Devyn Sterling is newly widowed after her husband Joshua Sterling is murdered for information he was going to release about her birth parents, or more importantly, her infamous criminal father, Finn MacCauley. Now Devyn didn’t know him as a father- she was put up for adoption as a child. The only life she has ever known is a lonely one... filled with wealth and little else. She is constantly reminded by her adopted family and eventually her husband that she came from bad blood. But her biggest concern is that she needs to confide in her birth mother that the information about her connection to her criminal father was possibly leaked by her lying, cheating husband prior to his murder. She feels obligated to tell her, to protect the mother she has never met... and possibly turn their quick meeting into something like a substantial relationship.
Things get extremely complicated when Devyn decides to follow clues to Northern Ireland to find her mother, especially when back in the states The Guardian Angelinos have just been hired by the FBI to come find her and get her out of Ireland as soon as possible. Marc Rossi is the man put to the task to retrieve Devyn and convince her to leave. He isn’t concerned about using his great looks or charming personality to manipulate her... that is until he meets her. There is immediate attraction and chemistry between the two. However, with her belief that she is rotten with bad blood and his inability to trust women after being destroyed by his last love, they are both very skeptical about taking anything seriously. Both with their own missions they set off through Northern Ireland in search of Devyn’s mother. All at once they learn to trust each other, search for Devyn's mother and stumble into a scandal with bio-terrorism written all over it.
This is the second book I have read by this author and she is amazing. This series is so very addictive. The Guardian Angelinos are an amazing cast of characters and I love every single one. This story is packed with suspense and even provides a HUGE twist at the end that I’m not sure anyone will see coming. It’s very hard to surprise me, but mission accomplished! I can’t wait to read the next one and hope she stays with this series for a while. A MUST READ!
March 10, 2016
Shiver of Fear is book number two in The Guardian Angelinos series. I haven’t read the first book, but feel it would have offered helpful background on how the family owned P.I business came to be. The series can be read out of order, but I wish I would have started with book #1.With that said, I feel the author did an excellent job of giving readers a brief overview of what happened in the first book so I wasn’t completely lost.
Events that happened in the first book seem to have set those for book #2 in motion. Devyn Strong is seeking the truth about the woman who gave her up for adoption. She knows her birth father is a man who has committed many crimes, and she hopes her mother will be a law abiding citizen and not a criminal like the man who fathered her. Her desire for answers leads her to Ireland, and directly into the path of danger. Marc Rossi has been hired by the FBI to find and bring Devyn back to the United States. He arrives in Ireland and finds himself involved in something so much more complicated than he had anticipated. He also finds it hard to resist falling for the beautiful Devyn. With both Devyn and Marc left slightly bitter and cautious after failed marriages neither are looking to get involved, but they find the attraction hard to fight.
I enjoyed the action and the setting in Shiver of Fear, but found I couldn’t connect with main character, Devyn. Her thoughts and actions just didn’t make sense to me. I understood her desire to meet her birth mother, but her desperation was very extreme and her constant focus on her “bad blood” was a little annoying. Her ex obviously did a real number on the poor girl, but one minute she was strong and assertive and the next throwing another pity party. Marc was an excellent hero, but I wasn’t feeling much chemistry between him and Devyn. This caused the romantic aspects to fall flat for me. Thankfully the action and suspense were enough to hold my interest and keep me reading. I also enjoyed many of the secondary characters, and can’t wait to learn more about them as the series continues.
Events that happened in the first book seem to have set those for book #2 in motion. Devyn Strong is seeking the truth about the woman who gave her up for adoption. She knows her birth father is a man who has committed many crimes, and she hopes her mother will be a law abiding citizen and not a criminal like the man who fathered her. Her desire for answers leads her to Ireland, and directly into the path of danger. Marc Rossi has been hired by the FBI to find and bring Devyn back to the United States. He arrives in Ireland and finds himself involved in something so much more complicated than he had anticipated. He also finds it hard to resist falling for the beautiful Devyn. With both Devyn and Marc left slightly bitter and cautious after failed marriages neither are looking to get involved, but they find the attraction hard to fight.
I enjoyed the action and the setting in Shiver of Fear, but found I couldn’t connect with main character, Devyn. Her thoughts and actions just didn’t make sense to me. I understood her desire to meet her birth mother, but her desperation was very extreme and her constant focus on her “bad blood” was a little annoying. Her ex obviously did a real number on the poor girl, but one minute she was strong and assertive and the next throwing another pity party. Marc was an excellent hero, but I wasn’t feeling much chemistry between him and Devyn. This caused the romantic aspects to fall flat for me. Thankfully the action and suspense were enough to hold my interest and keep me reading. I also enjoyed many of the secondary characters, and can’t wait to learn more about them as the series continues.
September 21, 2014
I could not put this one down. I keep forgetting how this author just sucks you in. The whole time my mind is spinning wondering whose the baddie and why . But there always seems to be more than one. Wow it was quite a ride and I loved it.
Marc I loved from the first book. But just in case you havent read the first book you probably shouldnt read this one. It is mentioned a few times who the baddie was in the first book. Marc has some issues with women thanks to his ex wife. After what I read what she did, well yeah I cant blame him. The problem was that he kept think of his ex and then have issues with Devyn. Marc was sweet and passionate. He was also protective. But he had a few moments where I wanted to yell at him to let go man and go to her.
Devyn was a hot mess. lol I dont think that took anything away from her character. In fact there were so seriously intense moments that made me misty eyed. No I have never been in her shoes but in some strange way I felt like I could relate with her. Her feelings and insecurities were real for me. They did not annoy me. Yeah she did say a lot that she had bad blood. But for me it was the bigger picture of her whole life leading up to that point. Thats what shapes you and makes you who you are. Yes she needed to let go of the past. Thankfully Marc was there to help her and he needed to let go as well.
Ok so when it all came out and who did it and why was a WTH?? moment. Talk about screwed up. But the ending was for me really great. It was touching. That moment at the park I was just moved. I could see it in my head.What Marc did for her was so sweet. Also the last page or two with Marc's family was great. I love his family. Uncle Nino is awesome! Vivi cracks me up and Zack is still hot! Gabe where are you man? I need your book! lol I think I am looking forward to his book the most. But onto Vivi's book.
Marc I loved from the first book. But just in case you havent read the first book you probably shouldnt read this one. It is mentioned a few times who the baddie was in the first book. Marc has some issues with women thanks to his ex wife. After what I read what she did, well yeah I cant blame him. The problem was that he kept think of his ex and then have issues with Devyn. Marc was sweet and passionate. He was also protective. But he had a few moments where I wanted to yell at him to let go man and go to her.
Devyn was a hot mess. lol I dont think that took anything away from her character. In fact there were so seriously intense moments that made me misty eyed. No I have never been in her shoes but in some strange way I felt like I could relate with her. Her feelings and insecurities were real for me. They did not annoy me. Yeah she did say a lot that she had bad blood. But for me it was the bigger picture of her whole life leading up to that point. Thats what shapes you and makes you who you are. Yes she needed to let go of the past. Thankfully Marc was there to help her and he needed to let go as well.
Ok so when it all came out and who did it and why was a WTH?? moment. Talk about screwed up. But the ending was for me really great. It was touching. That moment at the park I was just moved. I could see it in my head.What Marc did for her was so sweet. Also the last page or two with Marc's family was great. I love his family. Uncle Nino is awesome! Vivi cracks me up and Zack is still hot! Gabe where are you man? I need your book! lol I think I am looking forward to his book the most. But onto Vivi's book.
February 25, 2017
This review might contain spoilers from the first novel Edge of Sight if you have not read it yet.
The second book in the Guardian Angelinos series did not disappoint. The action was fast-paced, suspense kept you guessing who was on the good side or the bad side. I was thrown for a loop not once but TWICE in the plot twist in the last quarter of the book.
Devyn Sterling has been adopted and growing up, she had no connection to her adopted parents, so she decided to get in touch with her biological mother. While going to her house, she stumble across a picture of herself at a young and wonder if her birth mother had kept tabs on her. Realizing that her mother is in Ireland, Devyn decides to go after her.
Marc Rossi was hired by the FBI through his family run business to go to Belfast, Ireland to bring back Devyn. What he and Devyn didn't know was that they were stumbling a little too close to a deep and dark undercover operation. Devyn wasn't wanted in Belfast and they got the message loud and clear when several men tried to get her to leave.
Longing for a connection with her birth mother, Devyn stays in Ireland to try and track her down to see if she really did have bad blood in her DNA considering her father is on the FBI Most Wanted list. While searching for that connection, she and Marc realize they made one too, with each other. She becomes less of an assignment and Marc decides to help her in her search, mostly trying not to get themselves killed in the melee.
You have to read 50% of the book before it starts making sense, because the entire book is pretty much a wild goose chase. I love Roxanne's writing style, and you really feel bad for Devyn but she bounces back quick to realize what she was searching for might not be what she needs.
The second book in the Guardian Angelinos series did not disappoint. The action was fast-paced, suspense kept you guessing who was on the good side or the bad side. I was thrown for a loop not once but TWICE in the plot twist in the last quarter of the book.
Devyn Sterling has been adopted and growing up, she had no connection to her adopted parents, so she decided to get in touch with her biological mother. While going to her house, she stumble across a picture of herself at a young and wonder if her birth mother had kept tabs on her. Realizing that her mother is in Ireland, Devyn decides to go after her.
Marc Rossi was hired by the FBI through his family run business to go to Belfast, Ireland to bring back Devyn. What he and Devyn didn't know was that they were stumbling a little too close to a deep and dark undercover operation. Devyn wasn't wanted in Belfast and they got the message loud and clear when several men tried to get her to leave.
Longing for a connection with her birth mother, Devyn stays in Ireland to try and track her down to see if she really did have bad blood in her DNA considering her father is on the FBI Most Wanted list. While searching for that connection, she and Marc realize they made one too, with each other. She becomes less of an assignment and Marc decides to help her in her search, mostly trying not to get themselves killed in the melee.
You have to read 50% of the book before it starts making sense, because the entire book is pretty much a wild goose chase. I love Roxanne's writing style, and you really feel bad for Devyn but she bounces back quick to realize what she was searching for might not be what she needs.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 12, 2011
Wow. Why am I just not finding Roxanne St. Claire. I adored the first in the series and the second is just as good. Devyn was adopted by a ladeedah Brahmin Boston family and was always reminded of her inferior blood. Her husband too was a no-good man who refused to have kids with her because of her unknown DNA. (just sayin that is a lame excuse when the reality he was probably too consumed with himself to want kids) While I sort of agreed with Marc, the "H", about Devyn's obsessing over her DNA, I found her to be a very sympathetic character even though her "impulsiveness" seemed at times more childish than charming.
Basically Devyn wants to believe she has good DNA so she sets off to Northern Ireland to find her birth mother. Marc on behalf of the Gaurdian Angelinos goes after her. Chaos ensues. Danger. Murder. Clues. Secret agents. Terrorist... I enjoyed the suspense but I found greater enjoyment in the relationship between Devyn and Marc.
Having lived in Boston, one of the greatest aspects of the series is that it's set in Boston and it's clear that the author knows Boston. No mentions of the North End. Huzzah! I cackled in the prologue set on Binney St. and took great delight in every mention of Mass Ave. and Star Market.
I am wonderfully, fantastically in love with this series and can't wait to read Gabe's book.
Basically Devyn wants to believe she has good DNA so she sets off to Northern Ireland to find her birth mother. Marc on behalf of the Gaurdian Angelinos goes after her. Chaos ensues. Danger. Murder. Clues. Secret agents. Terrorist... I enjoyed the suspense but I found greater enjoyment in the relationship between Devyn and Marc.
Having lived in Boston, one of the greatest aspects of the series is that it's set in Boston and it's clear that the author knows Boston. No mentions of the North End. Huzzah! I cackled in the prologue set on Binney St. and took great delight in every mention of Mass Ave. and Star Market.
I am wonderfully, fantastically in love with this series and can't wait to read Gabe's book.
April 14, 2011
We meet Marc Rossi and Devyn Sterling in Edge of Sight. Devyn's husband gets murdered in the first book and she takes off in search of her birth mother in Northern Ireland for answers to burning questions about her parentage. She was adopted as a baby and always felt out of place and then she found out who her real parents were and was not happy with what she found out. In this book Marc gets the assignment for the Guardian Angelinos working for the FBI to find Devyn and convince her to get out of Ireland. Marc finds her easily but getting her to leave Ireland is tricky business he finds out. Roxanne St Claire takes you on a wild ride thru Northern Ireland. You feel like you're there and there are so many twists and turns in this plot just when you think you've figured out who the bad guy is as it were you're wrong. I totally did not see the ending for what it was. I was definitely surprised. I like that i must say lol To read a excerpt from this book or check out the other books and characters in this series you can go to Roxanne's websit. You can also take a peek at her Bullet Catcher series which some of those characters are reported to appear in this series.
April 23, 2011
Let me start off by stating that Shiver of Fear is the epitome of what a great suspense novel should be. You have the heroine, who does not seem to realize her own strength; the hero who goes out of his way to protect the heroine; and complicated twists and turns that leave the reader with more questions than answers until the very end. Ms. St Claire uses her writing ability to bring the reader to the edge of their seat and beyond as Devyn and Marc untangle the web of mystery, betrayal, and terrorism. The plot is thick with tension that leaves you feeling the heat of the characters’ passion as well as the immeasurable suspense during the scenes of action and adventure. On top of that you have the two characters having pasts that have held them back until they each see beyond their own faults and into the life they can create with one another. This is a spectacularly penned novel that will have you craving more action from the Guardian Angelinos.
Danielle
Reviewer for Coffee Time Romance & More
Full Review: http://coffeetimeromance.com/BookRevi...
Danielle
Reviewer for Coffee Time Romance & More
Full Review: http://coffeetimeromance.com/BookRevi...
July 5, 2012
I was very disappointed with Devyn for someone who grew up with money and connections she had no ambitions in life except to have a baby. Now there is nothing wrong with that, it was just the way she went about it.I also did not like that she kept making Marc feel guilty that he had a loving family and she did not. She was just too weak for Marc.
I kept wondering when are they going to fall in love because Devyn was just too insecure, she believed that her DNA defines who she is as a person!!!!
I had higher expectations after reading Edge of sight. The story was good but for me this is not a keeper.
I kept wondering when are they going to fall in love because Devyn was just too insecure, she believed that her DNA defines who she is as a person!!!!
I had higher expectations after reading Edge of sight. The story was good but for me this is not a keeper.
April 4, 2011
One of the best written romantic suspense books I've read in a long time. The chemistry and relationship between the hero and heroine were completely believable ... no sex thrown in some weird location just for shock value .. no "I love yous " after 60 pages.... Ms. St. Claire let it build slowly and honestly. Oh, and you will never figure out the mystery part of the story till the very end. Very, very good book.
November 15, 2011
The story was slow, the hero was bland, the heroine's complex about her bloodline was ridiculous. The mystery was well done and the ending surprising so I'll probably read next book which got better reviews.
HERO is a Warrior, ex-FBI, sent on a mission to get the heroine out of Ireland. He was betrayed by his ex-wife and unwilling to fall for another pretty face with inner issues.
SCENES/CONTENT: several/hot
GENRE/TONE: contemporary/action
PAGES: 332 pages
HERO is a Warrior, ex-FBI, sent on a mission to get the heroine out of Ireland. He was betrayed by his ex-wife and unwilling to fall for another pretty face with inner issues.
SCENES/CONTENT: several/hot
GENRE/TONE: contemporary/action
PAGES: 332 pages
March 16, 2011
I just loved this story! I like how Ms. St Claire goes through the emotions of how a child just wants/craves that connection with her birth parents -even if they are criminal. Just wanting that sense of identity. I also like the added twist that you really don't know who will end up being the buy guy. Can't wait for the next one - Vivi's story! I don't want to wait till April for it!!
April 9, 2011
4 stars – Romantic Suspense
April 19, 2011
This had some twists that I wasn't expecting. Looking forward to more from the Angelinos!
May 5, 2017
3.5 stars
Displaying 1 - 30 of 130 reviews