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Bitter Creek #8
Shattered
Nine years ago Kate Grayhawk Pendelton walked into Wyatt Shaw's life--and out of it the next morning. Now Wyatt's back--and has the power to shatter Kate's future with the man she loves.
By reputation, Wyatt Shaw is a brutal killer who always gets what he wants. And he wants Kate and her twin eight-year-old sons.
Texas Ranger Jack McKinley is hot on Wyatt Shaw's trail. The presumed heir to the D'Amato crime syndicate is threatening to steal the woman he loves.
Holly McKinley is fighting to keep Jack from leaving her for another woman. Now the secret she's kept for over twenty years may save their son's life, and cost her the only man she's ever loved.
By reputation, Wyatt Shaw is a brutal killer who always gets what he wants. And he wants Kate and her twin eight-year-old sons.
Texas Ranger Jack McKinley is hot on Wyatt Shaw's trail. The presumed heir to the D'Amato crime syndicate is threatening to steal the woman he loves.
Holly McKinley is fighting to keep Jack from leaving her for another woman. Now the secret she's kept for over twenty years may save their son's life, and cost her the only man she's ever loved.
423 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2009
114 people are currently reading
616 people want to read
About the author
Joan Johnston
126 books750 followersJoan Johnston (born Little Rock, Arkansas) is a best-selling American author of over forty contemporary and historical romance novels.
Johnston was the third of seven children born to an Air Force sergeant and his music-teacher wife. She received a B.A. in theatre arts from Jacksonville University in 1970, then earning an M.A. in theatre from the University of Illinois, Urbana in 1971. She received a law degree (with honors) at the University of Texas at Austin in 1980. For the next five years, Johnston worked as an attorney, serving with the Hunton & Williams firm in Richmond, Virginia, and with Squire, Sanders, & Dempsey in Miami. She has also worked as a newspaper editor and drama critic in San Antonio, Texas, and as a college professor at Southwest Texas Junior College, Barry University, and the University of Miami.
Johnston is a member of the Authors Guild, Novelists, Inc., Romance Writers of America, and Florida Romance Writers. She has two children and one grandchild, and divides her time between two homes, in Colorado and Florida.
Awards
* Paperbook Book Club of America's Book Rak Award (twice)
* Romantic Times' Best Western Historical Series Award (twice)
* Romantic Times' Best New Western Writer
* Romantic Times' Best Historical Series Award (twice)
* The Maggie (twice)
* Romance Writers of America RITA Award finalist for The Disobedient Bride
Johnston was the third of seven children born to an Air Force sergeant and his music-teacher wife. She received a B.A. in theatre arts from Jacksonville University in 1970, then earning an M.A. in theatre from the University of Illinois, Urbana in 1971. She received a law degree (with honors) at the University of Texas at Austin in 1980. For the next five years, Johnston worked as an attorney, serving with the Hunton & Williams firm in Richmond, Virginia, and with Squire, Sanders, & Dempsey in Miami. She has also worked as a newspaper editor and drama critic in San Antonio, Texas, and as a college professor at Southwest Texas Junior College, Barry University, and the University of Miami.
Johnston is a member of the Authors Guild, Novelists, Inc., Romance Writers of America, and Florida Romance Writers. She has two children and one grandchild, and divides her time between two homes, in Colorado and Florida.
Awards
* Paperbook Book Club of America's Book Rak Award (twice)
* Romantic Times' Best Western Historical Series Award (twice)
* Romantic Times' Best New Western Writer
* Romantic Times' Best Historical Series Award (twice)
* The Maggie (twice)
* Romance Writers of America RITA Award finalist for The Disobedient Bride
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 72 reviews
decided-not-to-read
January 5, 2010After only a little debate with myself over whether I would ever read this book, I ended up returning it to Wal-Mart and getting my money back. Once I found out what happened in the story, I had no desire at all to read it.
I'm baffled by what the author decided to do in this book. It's even more out of the blue than what Suzanne Brockmann did in Dark of Night. I admit I'm not a huge fan of Johnston, but I've enjoyed the Bitter Creek series and have read all the previous books.
Ever since Jack and Kate were introduced a few books ago I've been waiting and waiting to get to read their story. They were just a potential couple that really stuck in my head and I kept checking the author's site now and again for news on when Kate & Jack's book would be out. I was excited when I saw it finally had a publication date, and bought it as soon as I saw it.
So imagine my surprise when I am poking around on GR and read a couple reviews of this book. Shocked is an understatement. I never, ever would have imagined the author not putting Kate and Jack together. That thought never even crossed my mind once. So I'm completely and utterly baffled by this turn of events. And so disappointed. I've been waiting for this story for so long and then to get nothing, well, it stinks.
I have to wonder what the author was thinking, doing this. As some other readers said, it almost feels like she's giving the proverbial finger to loyal readers. I thought that, too, after reading the author's note at the end where Johnston says something about readers "demanding" Kate & Jack's story, so she wrote Kate's story and Jack's story. So yeah, I question the author's motive in doing this.
And decided not to read the book. Sure, I could give it a go and read it anyway, but when my expectations are completely opposite of what the book will give me, I know there is no way that I will enjoy it. I've learned this by experience. So I returned the book and will likely think twice before reading Johnston again in the future.
I'm baffled by what the author decided to do in this book. It's even more out of the blue than what Suzanne Brockmann did in Dark of Night. I admit I'm not a huge fan of Johnston, but I've enjoyed the Bitter Creek series and have read all the previous books.
Ever since Jack and Kate were introduced a few books ago I've been waiting and waiting to get to read their story. They were just a potential couple that really stuck in my head and I kept checking the author's site now and again for news on when Kate & Jack's book would be out. I was excited when I saw it finally had a publication date, and bought it as soon as I saw it.
So imagine my surprise when I am poking around on GR and read a couple reviews of this book. Shocked is an understatement. I never, ever would have imagined the author not putting Kate and Jack together. That thought never even crossed my mind once. So I'm completely and utterly baffled by this turn of events. And so disappointed. I've been waiting for this story for so long and then to get nothing, well, it stinks.
I have to wonder what the author was thinking, doing this. As some other readers said, it almost feels like she's giving the proverbial finger to loyal readers. I thought that, too, after reading the author's note at the end where Johnston says something about readers "demanding" Kate & Jack's story, so she wrote Kate's story and Jack's story. So yeah, I question the author's motive in doing this.
And decided not to read the book. Sure, I could give it a go and read it anyway, but when my expectations are completely opposite of what the book will give me, I know there is no way that I will enjoy it. I've learned this by experience. So I returned the book and will likely think twice before reading Johnston again in the future.
January 5, 2015
Overall Rating: -5.00
Never, Never, Never have I picked up a book that was so disappointing that I literally cried at what the author had done.
Having just spent the past couple of months doing re-reads of Joan Johnston's books to "remember" what happened to all the characters leading up to Kate and Jack's story, it was finally time to pick up Jack and Kate's book, Shattered, the eighth book in The Bitter Creek Series. To say I was devastated was an understatement.
When Kate had sex with Wyatt the first time, I kept thinking, No, No, No, No. Please, Joan, don't do this! I struggled to keep reading and made it to page 192 before finally putting this book down. I couldn't keep reading this book.
And Joan Johnston got crossed off my "Favorite Authors" list. I don't care how entertaining I find her books and her gift of telling a story . . . to make us fall in love with Jack and Kate and to wait and wait and wait for their happily-ever-after and to split them up! It's Unforgivable!
I refused to keep reading as Johnston kept trying to make Wyatt and Holly worthy "happily-ever-afters" to Jack and Kate. If Jack and Kate weren't going to end up together -- the book just wasn't worth reading.
Never, Never, Never have I picked up a book that was so disappointing that I literally cried at what the author had done.
Having just spent the past couple of months doing re-reads of Joan Johnston's books to "remember" what happened to all the characters leading up to Kate and Jack's story, it was finally time to pick up Jack and Kate's book, Shattered, the eighth book in The Bitter Creek Series. To say I was devastated was an understatement.
When Kate had sex with Wyatt the first time, I kept thinking, No, No, No, No. Please, Joan, don't do this! I struggled to keep reading and made it to page 192 before finally putting this book down. I couldn't keep reading this book.
And Joan Johnston got crossed off my "Favorite Authors" list. I don't care how entertaining I find her books and her gift of telling a story . . . to make us fall in love with Jack and Kate and to wait and wait and wait for their happily-ever-after and to split them up! It's Unforgivable!
I refused to keep reading as Johnston kept trying to make Wyatt and Holly worthy "happily-ever-afters" to Jack and Kate. If Jack and Kate weren't going to end up together -- the book just wasn't worth reading.
September 2, 2011
Kate Grayhawk Pendleton has held a secret for 9 years, she had a one night stand with a stranger, leaving her with her memories and twin children. With her husband dead, or pretending to be, Kate has moved on and finally looks like she will be with the one man she loved for years, Jack McKinley.
Jack has a confession to make to Kate, his wife Holly is pregnant and even though they are seperated, he wants the child born properly and to offer her support until the baby is born. Jack just needs to find out if Kate is willing to wait for him.
Holly wants her husband back, now that it is looking like he has fallen for someone else she realizes her insecurities have driven them apart.
Wyatt Shaw looked for the woman who touched his soul on that one night, but never found her. When he finds out he has twins and who she is he sets a plan in motion, he wants them all and will stop at nothing to make it happen. He just has to break the preconcieved notions Kate has about him.
Fantastic read, the only area I had issue with was Holly, she just never endeared herself to me. Loved Wyatt, yummy.
Jack has a confession to make to Kate, his wife Holly is pregnant and even though they are seperated, he wants the child born properly and to offer her support until the baby is born. Jack just needs to find out if Kate is willing to wait for him.
Holly wants her husband back, now that it is looking like he has fallen for someone else she realizes her insecurities have driven them apart.
Wyatt Shaw looked for the woman who touched his soul on that one night, but never found her. When he finds out he has twins and who she is he sets a plan in motion, he wants them all and will stop at nothing to make it happen. He just has to break the preconcieved notions Kate has about him.
Fantastic read, the only area I had issue with was Holly, she just never endeared herself to me. Loved Wyatt, yummy.
March 4, 2018
Shattered is yet another great addition to the Bitter Creek series. This series could become a tv series or soap opera. The new Dallas!
Kate Grayhawk has been a widow of J.D. Pendleton for a year. J.D. was the son of
Governor Ann Wade Pendelton. Govenor Pendleton is running in the election to be the President and has Texas Ranger Jack Mckinley assigned to guard her grandsons, Lucky and Chance, Kate's sons. Kate and Jack immediately come to realize that there is still a great attraction between them from 9 years ago when Kate and Jack faked their engagement. Kate was trying to bring her parents together and she knew that if she was engaged to Jack, an older man with a bad reputation, her parents would work together to try to stop the wedding. It worked, Kate and Jack went on to marry other people but Kate's parents married. Kate and Jack had not planned on falling for each other but Jack would not get involved with Kate because to him she was just a kid. Nine years later she's not a kid anymore and Jack wants to marry her but Jack is married to Holly McKinley. Jack and Holly are separated and working on their divorce that's until Jack finds out she's pregnant. Jack refuses to get a divorce until after the baby is born so his child will have his name. Holly agrees to stay married under one condition. A condition that will change everyone's future. Holly is going to fight to keep Jack from leaving her for another woman.
Kate has a big secret that comes out when one of her twins gets sick and needs a blood transfusion . Her twins father is not J.D. Pendleton. The father has been charged with a murder and he is the son of a ruthless mobster. When Wyatt Shaw finds out he has twin sons that he has missed so much time with he's determined that he'll not miss anymore of their lives whether Kate wants to live at his compound outside Houston or not.
This book has tons of twists turns, surprises, secrets and lies that are revealed that you will not want to put it down. You'll have to know whats coming up next. A great read!
Kate Grayhawk has been a widow of J.D. Pendleton for a year. J.D. was the son of
Governor Ann Wade Pendelton. Govenor Pendleton is running in the election to be the President and has Texas Ranger Jack Mckinley assigned to guard her grandsons, Lucky and Chance, Kate's sons. Kate and Jack immediately come to realize that there is still a great attraction between them from 9 years ago when Kate and Jack faked their engagement. Kate was trying to bring her parents together and she knew that if she was engaged to Jack, an older man with a bad reputation, her parents would work together to try to stop the wedding. It worked, Kate and Jack went on to marry other people but Kate's parents married. Kate and Jack had not planned on falling for each other but Jack would not get involved with Kate because to him she was just a kid. Nine years later she's not a kid anymore and Jack wants to marry her but Jack is married to Holly McKinley. Jack and Holly are separated and working on their divorce that's until Jack finds out she's pregnant. Jack refuses to get a divorce until after the baby is born so his child will have his name. Holly agrees to stay married under one condition. A condition that will change everyone's future. Holly is going to fight to keep Jack from leaving her for another woman.
Kate has a big secret that comes out when one of her twins gets sick and needs a blood transfusion . Her twins father is not J.D. Pendleton. The father has been charged with a murder and he is the son of a ruthless mobster. When Wyatt Shaw finds out he has twin sons that he has missed so much time with he's determined that he'll not miss anymore of their lives whether Kate wants to live at his compound outside Houston or not.
This book has tons of twists turns, surprises, secrets and lies that are revealed that you will not want to put it down. You'll have to know whats coming up next. A great read!
February 6, 2010
Kate Pendleton knows a secret few know. Her husband, J.D. Pendleton didn’t really die in Afghanistan, like everyone thinks. He actually faked his death and is now involved in very big drug dealings in South America. Kate is not mourning him however, because he was an awful husband to begin with. Nine years ago, she walked in on him having an affair and in an outrage, Kate picked the first man she could find at a bar to sleep with and then never saw that man again. That man just happened to be Wyatt Shaw, an extremely wealthy man, who is the son of Dante D’Amato, an infamous mob boss. That night, Kate got pregnant with twin boys, but J.D. and her reconciled, and she never told Wyatt, nor JD that the twins are actually his.
Now that J.D. is not in the picture, Kate has rekindled a love with Jack Mckinley. Jack is now separated from his wife Holly, and is ready to make a commitment to Kate. He was ready to propose to her, until Holly called and said she is four months pregnant with their child. Four months ago, Kate was in a coma after being shot, and J.D. and Holly had a bitter argument that ended up with sex and a pregnancy. Now, Jack wants to stay married to Holly just until she delivers, then he tells Kate, he is all hers. Kate is devastated at this news, but doesn’t have a lot of time to processes because Wyatt has just learned he has twin sons.
Wyatt is furious Kate never told him he is a father, and that he had to learn about it through a private investigator. Wyatt is very concerned his estranged, mob boss father will find out and use this information to harm Kate or the boys. Wyatt demands Kate and the boys come to live at his very secure compound. Wyatt will not take no for an answer and Kate leaves with him.
Now Kate must deal with new feelings towards Wyatt, lost feelings for Jack, and J.D shows up and causes all sorts of trouble.
Shattered features an anti-hero in Wyatt, an anti-hero that never really gains that hero status. At the beginning of the book I was kind of excited. Wyatt is creepy, just weeks ago a strangled girl was found in his bed, he is extremely wealthy and is massively ticked he has twins he never knew about. I like it. Then all of a sudden, he is totally in love with Kate and wants her in his life permanently. I can understand wanting a relationship with his kids, but Kate is a woman he knew for one night. But he is absolutely determined to make Kate his. Why? Did he really fall that hard for her one night nine years ago? Plus, he has a very shady reputation and could possibly be a murderer. Yet, Kate trusts him from the start. Just because he is the boys father, does not mean he is automatically a good person.
Kate is in love with Jack and is obviously upset when he tells her they must wait four months for his wife to have the baby before he will divorce her and settle down with Kate. Yet, Kate gets whisked off to Wyatt’s complex, and the first night they have sex together. Afterwards she becomes angry with herself, but I just can’t see how she can forget Jack that easily. Wyatt also makes Kate sleep in his bed – even though he promises not to touch her after that first night. When she tries sleeping elsewhere, he picks her up and makes her stay in his bed. Creepy.
Although Wyatt proves himself a good father to the twins, I never felt romance between Kate and himself. Kate is happy that Wyatt makes her boys happy, but there really isn’t a spark between Wyatt and Kate. I felt Kate and Jack had a much more passionate relationship and they were apart for most of the book. Jack has more at stake with Holly because they have a son together already, and another on they way. The only reason they are separating is because Holly is afraid to commitment to anyone and pushes Jack away. Their reconciliation made sense to me.
Is everyone thoroughly confused? Shattered has way too many things going on and romance that is lifeless.
Now that J.D. is not in the picture, Kate has rekindled a love with Jack Mckinley. Jack is now separated from his wife Holly, and is ready to make a commitment to Kate. He was ready to propose to her, until Holly called and said she is four months pregnant with their child. Four months ago, Kate was in a coma after being shot, and J.D. and Holly had a bitter argument that ended up with sex and a pregnancy. Now, Jack wants to stay married to Holly just until she delivers, then he tells Kate, he is all hers. Kate is devastated at this news, but doesn’t have a lot of time to processes because Wyatt has just learned he has twin sons.
Wyatt is furious Kate never told him he is a father, and that he had to learn about it through a private investigator. Wyatt is very concerned his estranged, mob boss father will find out and use this information to harm Kate or the boys. Wyatt demands Kate and the boys come to live at his very secure compound. Wyatt will not take no for an answer and Kate leaves with him.
Now Kate must deal with new feelings towards Wyatt, lost feelings for Jack, and J.D shows up and causes all sorts of trouble.
Shattered features an anti-hero in Wyatt, an anti-hero that never really gains that hero status. At the beginning of the book I was kind of excited. Wyatt is creepy, just weeks ago a strangled girl was found in his bed, he is extremely wealthy and is massively ticked he has twins he never knew about. I like it. Then all of a sudden, he is totally in love with Kate and wants her in his life permanently. I can understand wanting a relationship with his kids, but Kate is a woman he knew for one night. But he is absolutely determined to make Kate his. Why? Did he really fall that hard for her one night nine years ago? Plus, he has a very shady reputation and could possibly be a murderer. Yet, Kate trusts him from the start. Just because he is the boys father, does not mean he is automatically a good person.
Kate is in love with Jack and is obviously upset when he tells her they must wait four months for his wife to have the baby before he will divorce her and settle down with Kate. Yet, Kate gets whisked off to Wyatt’s complex, and the first night they have sex together. Afterwards she becomes angry with herself, but I just can’t see how she can forget Jack that easily. Wyatt also makes Kate sleep in his bed – even though he promises not to touch her after that first night. When she tries sleeping elsewhere, he picks her up and makes her stay in his bed. Creepy.
Although Wyatt proves himself a good father to the twins, I never felt romance between Kate and himself. Kate is happy that Wyatt makes her boys happy, but there really isn’t a spark between Wyatt and Kate. I felt Kate and Jack had a much more passionate relationship and they were apart for most of the book. Jack has more at stake with Holly because they have a son together already, and another on they way. The only reason they are separating is because Holly is afraid to commitment to anyone and pushes Jack away. Their reconciliation made sense to me.
Is everyone thoroughly confused? Shattered has way too many things going on and romance that is lifeless.
November 24, 2017
Shattered WoW just WoW Joan Johnston can truly weave a roller coaster ride in her books. Finally finally Kate and Jack have their happily ever after although it is not with each other. One is still happy for them and can see why they both belong to other people. Wonderfully and skillfully scripted story that leaves the reader with one of those awwwww moments. Loved Loved this book!!!!
February 28, 2010
I am a huge Joan Johnston fan and have followed her Bitter Creek Series for some time and I have to say this is one of the best one's in the series thus far! There is a love triangle or square you could say with the four main characters; first we have Kate Grayhawk Pendleton whose missing and presumed husband is a bad, bad man. A Cheater, a liar and a thief to boot with his mama bailing him out time and time again just to keep his antics under wraps in hopes to save her political ambitions....oh and NOT the father of her twin eight year old boys. Believed by the world to be a war hero he is hiding out from the mob in South America until he is caught stealing from said mob 20 million dollars worth of heroin. A true winner! But who is the daddy? Finding out in the first two pages sets the stage for one of the most intriguing stories in the Bitter Creek Series. Kate admits that Wyatt Shaw, who happens to be the bastard son of Dante D'Amato (the mob boss), is the father. After walking in on JD, Kate's husband having sex with another woman, Kate picked Wyatt up in a bar not realizing exactly who he was. Wyatt is still madly in love with Kate after all these years and when he finds out that he has twin sons he seizes the opportunity to get Kate under his roof. He knows that his father will be after the boys as well as JD so it isn't a lie when he tells her that he wants move her to his compound for their protection. Feeling a little pissed about it, but helpless, Kate realizes that she has denied him 8 years with the boys and besides at this point she believes she is still in love with Jack but he moved back in with his wife and their son! So let’s fast forward 9 years and bam, her husband JD is back in the states and is planning on killing her and Wyatt, her mother in law she has now learned has ties to the mob, she wake from a 4 month coma to find out the man she has been in love with most of her life, Jack (a Texas Ranger), is moving back in with his wife. And the clincher there.... she's pregnant with his baby. Have I confused you yet?
I thought I would be, but one thing that Joan Johnston does is make the story flow like warm honey. And I ate it all up. Whew, the drama, it will capture you and suck you in, because all the details that happen in between are absolutely riveting! So many surprises I am keeping to myself (spoilers), which I thought were brilliant because frankly not everyone can have a happy ending! Now if you are unfamiliar with the other books in the series it is still easy to follow along because JJ does a wonderful job of tying in loose details about linage to help you along. A lot of details, but the book is 423 pages. I finished it in two days because I just had to find out what happened!
I thought I would be, but one thing that Joan Johnston does is make the story flow like warm honey. And I ate it all up. Whew, the drama, it will capture you and suck you in, because all the details that happen in between are absolutely riveting! So many surprises I am keeping to myself (spoilers), which I thought were brilliant because frankly not everyone can have a happy ending! Now if you are unfamiliar with the other books in the series it is still easy to follow along because JJ does a wonderful job of tying in loose details about linage to help you along. A lot of details, but the book is 423 pages. I finished it in two days because I just had to find out what happened!
March 16, 2014
Kate Pendleton found her erstwhile husband, J.D., in bed with another woman. In a single moment, all of her hopes were shattered. Furiously, Kate stormed out and grabbed the first likely looking man she found to exercise a little revenge. That guy turned out to be Wyatt Shaw, son of crime boss Dante D’Amato. Wyatt was gentle, kind and tender, much more than Kate could have hoped for. Emotionally shattered and confused, she left quickly the next morning - never knowing that she was already carrying Wyatt’s twin sons!
Years later, Kate falls in love with Jack McKinley, a man poised on the brink of divorce. Funny that Jack never seems to get around to divorcing his wife, Holly. Could they still love each other, even after all that they’ve endured?
Wyatt and Kate’s paths cross again, as fate would have it and Shaw is furious that he’s been denied being a part of the boys’ lives for nine long years. Shaw quickly realizes that his sons and Kate need protection from criminal elements, including his very own father and he shelters them at his private compound.
Is Wyatt strong and powerful enough to shelter Kate and his twin sons, Lucky and Chance? He never forgot that one incredible night with Kate so long ago. Could it be that it was as special for her as it was for him? The only way to find out is to risk everything - even while Kate’s supposedly dead husband closes in for the kill.
Years later, Kate falls in love with Jack McKinley, a man poised on the brink of divorce. Funny that Jack never seems to get around to divorcing his wife, Holly. Could they still love each other, even after all that they’ve endured?
Wyatt and Kate’s paths cross again, as fate would have it and Shaw is furious that he’s been denied being a part of the boys’ lives for nine long years. Shaw quickly realizes that his sons and Kate need protection from criminal elements, including his very own father and he shelters them at his private compound.
Is Wyatt strong and powerful enough to shelter Kate and his twin sons, Lucky and Chance? He never forgot that one incredible night with Kate so long ago. Could it be that it was as special for her as it was for him? The only way to find out is to risk everything - even while Kate’s supposedly dead husband closes in for the kill.
September 21, 2010
Really liked this one! This whole series just sucks me in and I have to keep reading until I'm done with the book! This one was finally Jack and Kate's stories. Part of me was surprised that their stories led them on different paths from each other. During the last book I really wanted them to get together but I have to say that I was really glad that they didn't end up together in this book. I really liked how things ended up. I will say though that I don't especially like Kate's character. She's done so many stupid things since she first appeared in the series! She's definitely got a thing for picking up guys in bars and it tends to get her in trouble too! But even though I want to shake her for making such stupid choices, each time I end up totally engrossed in what happens to her. Also glad that JD ended up dead and Ann Wade ended up having to withdraw from her presidential race. This series does make me really wonder what goes in the lives of our politicians--if they are all messed up like this. Probably don't want to know.
I do hope that Savannah's story comes next or is told in another book. There were hints to her investigating a rape case and it sounded like there might be another story there
I do hope that Savannah's story comes next or is told in another book. There were hints to her investigating a rape case and it sounded like there might be another story there
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 24, 2019
One of my favorites!
This is one of my favorites from Joan. I love how she completes her series of characters continuing their stories. I hope that these characters work will continue to evolve and their stories will be never ending. This way they will always continue to seeing more and more real. Just events being told Regarding “almost real people” 😏🙌🏽👌🏽😊. There was nothing about this storyline that I dislike. I would recommend this book and all of the succeeding books written by Joan to anyone that loves the “realness” in a storyline. I chose this rating for all of the reasons listed in this review. What more could I say? Joan Johnston is one of the best at storytelling in my opinion. I am never bored when reading her books. I often run the spectrum from tears to laughter and back again during an experience of one of her novels. You never want to put them down, and every time is like the first time. For example, this is probably the fifth or sixth time I’ve read this series, but it still feels like the first time lol. Amazing words and storytelling, I think.
This is one of my favorites from Joan. I love how she completes her series of characters continuing their stories. I hope that these characters work will continue to evolve and their stories will be never ending. This way they will always continue to seeing more and more real. Just events being told Regarding “almost real people” 😏🙌🏽👌🏽😊. There was nothing about this storyline that I dislike. I would recommend this book and all of the succeeding books written by Joan to anyone that loves the “realness” in a storyline. I chose this rating for all of the reasons listed in this review. What more could I say? Joan Johnston is one of the best at storytelling in my opinion. I am never bored when reading her books. I often run the spectrum from tears to laughter and back again during an experience of one of her novels. You never want to put them down, and every time is like the first time. For example, this is probably the fifth or sixth time I’ve read this series, but it still feels like the first time lol. Amazing words and storytelling, I think.
January 26, 2010
This book was really awesome. Some twists and turns that I didn't expect to happen. Was worth the wait to read this one. I wanted to give it more than just 5 stars.
January 18, 2010
As a general rule, I'm very picky about what books I'll review for authors/publishers. With my blog I've not only done my best to make it clear both visually and materially, but with my "About Me" as well, that I read romance. Period. However, over the recent months I've been sent some startling review requests for genres I don't read. How someone can take one look at my blog and assume that I want to read a lawyer crime drama is beyond me. Well, unless that lawyer crime drama is about vampires and/or love triangles... Suffice it to say I was very excited to receive a review request for a book that fit my romance reading preferences. And SHATTERED is romance.
Moving on to the review. First off, I have to say that in order to enjoy SHATTERED, the reader has to view it as soap opera. As with all soap operas, they're ridiculous in the extreme but that ridiculousness is also offset by sheer entertainment. With that knowledge, SHATTERED, while sublimely entertaining, also verges a bit towards the ridiculous.
In addition, SHATTERED also goes above and beyond reality. Generally reality isn't what I care about in a novel. As a reader of paranormal romance I'm constantly required to suspend my version of reality in order to enjoy the novels I gravitate towards naturally. To my knowledge, no one reads romance novels in the hopes that it will mirror reality. In my opinion, I get enough of the real on a day-to-day basis to want to scream! I read romance to escape and if a particular book happens to break Nature's rules as we know it then so be it. But, and here's the exception for my own little reading rules, if the book is of contemporary and/or romantic suspense genre, then I expect it to resemble reality closer than I would with paranormal. That being said, I thought that SHATTERED required a suspension of reality to fully enjoy it and that's difficult for this particular genre and perhaps also why it's such a difficult genre to write successfully.
Now back to my soap opera analogy. Generally there are several different interconnecting stories that make up a soap opera and SHATTERED is no exception. I've isolated at least seven different interconnected stories taking place in real time. This means that there are several different Points of View and back stories that are very creatively delivered upon the reader. For this review, I'm only going to highlight a few of the above mentioned seven.
Story One: Wyatt Shaw vs. Kate Pendelton
Kate Pendelton, mother of twin eight-year-old boys and wife to her estranged husband of which the world believes died heroically in Afghanistan, feels that she's finally got her life back on track. With her deranged husband, J.D. Pendelton, hiding out in South America, Kate is ready to move on with her life with Jack McKinley, Texas Ranger. At nineteen, Kate fancied herself in love with Jack but when he turned his back on her to marry his high school sweetheart, Kate found herself running into J.D.'s arms and subsequently into a life of complete heartache. Now that Jack and his wife are on the brink of divorce, the two have found each other once again and have plans to marry. But unfortunately a night from Kate's past shows up on her doorstep in the form of Wyatt Shaw, son of notorious mob boss D'Amato, demanding that his eight-year-old sons and Kate are to leave with him to his compound in San Antonio.
Wyatt Shaw is a gorgeous enigma. He's loved Kate from the very first and after their single night of shared passion nine long years ago, Wyatt did his best to track down the mystery woman that broke open his soul within mere hours of meeting. Now he's found her and he has every intention of keeping her and his sons. With his mob boss father monitoring his every move, Wyatt knows that the old man is looking for new flesh to run his empire. With Wyatt on the outs, D'Amato now has two young boys that he can set his sights on but Wyatt will stop at nothing to protect the two boys he's only just met but has already fallen in love with. Now if he can only get Kate to fall in love with him.
Story Two: Jack McKinley vs. Holly McKinley
Jack McKinley was, at one time in his life, at the ultimate high but after some familial gambling debts recked his promising future, it's been a rough struggle ever since to merely find contentment. Now with his marriage imploding and only one amazing son to show for it, Jack's ready to start a new life with Kate Pendelton. The heartache of their disappointing relationships has brought forth a fierce bond between them and they're each striving for some semblance of happiness in each others arms. But it would seem that the forces of nature aren't down creating havoc when in swoops Wyatt Shaw. Before Jack has time to do anything about it, Kate, her two boys and his promising future are once again ripped from his hands.
Holly McKinley has every intention of winning back her husband. No sooner had she banished Jack McKinley from their home when she realized her error. As a young girl, her father walked out on her mother countless times to eventually never return. Never the trusting type, Holly realized that she'd been methodically pushing Jack away for years and finally, for no real good verbal reason, kicked Jack out. In her mind, she was eliminating the possibility of him leaving her for that's what he'd ultimately do, right? Admitting to herself that she'd been very wrong and with the hands of fate seemingly on her side, she devices a way to have Jack live with her until their divorce is final with plans of seducing her husband back into her bed and her life. But when tragedy strikes, both Holly and Jack will have to overcome huge obstacles or Holly's hope of Happily Ever After will be shattered forever.
Story Three: Kate Pendelton and Wyatt Shaw vs. J.D. Pendelton and D'Amato
Of course Romantic Suspense can't be suspenseful without a few bad guys. Kate's "dead" husband arrives back in the states to try his best to deflect his would be murderer, Mob Boss D'Amato. After faking his death and making off with millions of dollars worth of D'Amato's lucrative drug trade, J.D. needs something to bargain for his life with. In addition, he's out for a bit of revenge his own after discovering that Kate led him to believe that the twin sons she gave birth to were his.
D'Amato, disappointed that his one remaining son, Wyatt Shaw, will not take over his empire, is overjoyed at the fact that he has two previously unknown grandsons. Hatching a plan to subtlety influence the twin boys to his side, D'Amato will stop at nothing to make contact with his would be heirs even if it means he must destroy his last living son in the process.
SHATTERED, despite its girth, is a fast paced read with a topsey-turvey plot that for all its intensity, never leaves you in the dust. Its flamboyant entertainment makes for a good read that's surprisingly captivating. Unfortunately its characters are two-dimensional with either over the top revenge schemes, or they encounter a series of tragic roadblocks that has the reader calling foul.
Wyatt's and Kate's whirlwind relationship of fantastical romance is just a bit too far fetched while Jack's and Holly's romance could have been classified as more tangible if it wasn't for the absolute devastation that Johnston rages upon them.
All in all, SHATTERED is a read I would comfortably recommend but with the accompanying warning that the reader be prepared to suspend their reality with this soap opera-esque romance.
Moving on to the review. First off, I have to say that in order to enjoy SHATTERED, the reader has to view it as soap opera. As with all soap operas, they're ridiculous in the extreme but that ridiculousness is also offset by sheer entertainment. With that knowledge, SHATTERED, while sublimely entertaining, also verges a bit towards the ridiculous.
In addition, SHATTERED also goes above and beyond reality. Generally reality isn't what I care about in a novel. As a reader of paranormal romance I'm constantly required to suspend my version of reality in order to enjoy the novels I gravitate towards naturally. To my knowledge, no one reads romance novels in the hopes that it will mirror reality. In my opinion, I get enough of the real on a day-to-day basis to want to scream! I read romance to escape and if a particular book happens to break Nature's rules as we know it then so be it. But, and here's the exception for my own little reading rules, if the book is of contemporary and/or romantic suspense genre, then I expect it to resemble reality closer than I would with paranormal. That being said, I thought that SHATTERED required a suspension of reality to fully enjoy it and that's difficult for this particular genre and perhaps also why it's such a difficult genre to write successfully.
Now back to my soap opera analogy. Generally there are several different interconnecting stories that make up a soap opera and SHATTERED is no exception. I've isolated at least seven different interconnected stories taking place in real time. This means that there are several different Points of View and back stories that are very creatively delivered upon the reader. For this review, I'm only going to highlight a few of the above mentioned seven.
Story One: Wyatt Shaw vs. Kate Pendelton
Kate Pendelton, mother of twin eight-year-old boys and wife to her estranged husband of which the world believes died heroically in Afghanistan, feels that she's finally got her life back on track. With her deranged husband, J.D. Pendelton, hiding out in South America, Kate is ready to move on with her life with Jack McKinley, Texas Ranger. At nineteen, Kate fancied herself in love with Jack but when he turned his back on her to marry his high school sweetheart, Kate found herself running into J.D.'s arms and subsequently into a life of complete heartache. Now that Jack and his wife are on the brink of divorce, the two have found each other once again and have plans to marry. But unfortunately a night from Kate's past shows up on her doorstep in the form of Wyatt Shaw, son of notorious mob boss D'Amato, demanding that his eight-year-old sons and Kate are to leave with him to his compound in San Antonio.
Wyatt Shaw is a gorgeous enigma. He's loved Kate from the very first and after their single night of shared passion nine long years ago, Wyatt did his best to track down the mystery woman that broke open his soul within mere hours of meeting. Now he's found her and he has every intention of keeping her and his sons. With his mob boss father monitoring his every move, Wyatt knows that the old man is looking for new flesh to run his empire. With Wyatt on the outs, D'Amato now has two young boys that he can set his sights on but Wyatt will stop at nothing to protect the two boys he's only just met but has already fallen in love with. Now if he can only get Kate to fall in love with him.
Story Two: Jack McKinley vs. Holly McKinley
Jack McKinley was, at one time in his life, at the ultimate high but after some familial gambling debts recked his promising future, it's been a rough struggle ever since to merely find contentment. Now with his marriage imploding and only one amazing son to show for it, Jack's ready to start a new life with Kate Pendelton. The heartache of their disappointing relationships has brought forth a fierce bond between them and they're each striving for some semblance of happiness in each others arms. But it would seem that the forces of nature aren't down creating havoc when in swoops Wyatt Shaw. Before Jack has time to do anything about it, Kate, her two boys and his promising future are once again ripped from his hands.
Holly McKinley has every intention of winning back her husband. No sooner had she banished Jack McKinley from their home when she realized her error. As a young girl, her father walked out on her mother countless times to eventually never return. Never the trusting type, Holly realized that she'd been methodically pushing Jack away for years and finally, for no real good verbal reason, kicked Jack out. In her mind, she was eliminating the possibility of him leaving her for that's what he'd ultimately do, right? Admitting to herself that she'd been very wrong and with the hands of fate seemingly on her side, she devices a way to have Jack live with her until their divorce is final with plans of seducing her husband back into her bed and her life. But when tragedy strikes, both Holly and Jack will have to overcome huge obstacles or Holly's hope of Happily Ever After will be shattered forever.
Story Three: Kate Pendelton and Wyatt Shaw vs. J.D. Pendelton and D'Amato
Of course Romantic Suspense can't be suspenseful without a few bad guys. Kate's "dead" husband arrives back in the states to try his best to deflect his would be murderer, Mob Boss D'Amato. After faking his death and making off with millions of dollars worth of D'Amato's lucrative drug trade, J.D. needs something to bargain for his life with. In addition, he's out for a bit of revenge his own after discovering that Kate led him to believe that the twin sons she gave birth to were his.
D'Amato, disappointed that his one remaining son, Wyatt Shaw, will not take over his empire, is overjoyed at the fact that he has two previously unknown grandsons. Hatching a plan to subtlety influence the twin boys to his side, D'Amato will stop at nothing to make contact with his would be heirs even if it means he must destroy his last living son in the process.
SHATTERED, despite its girth, is a fast paced read with a topsey-turvey plot that for all its intensity, never leaves you in the dust. Its flamboyant entertainment makes for a good read that's surprisingly captivating. Unfortunately its characters are two-dimensional with either over the top revenge schemes, or they encounter a series of tragic roadblocks that has the reader calling foul.
Wyatt's and Kate's whirlwind relationship of fantastical romance is just a bit too far fetched while Jack's and Holly's romance could have been classified as more tangible if it wasn't for the absolute devastation that Johnston rages upon them.
All in all, SHATTERED is a read I would comfortably recommend but with the accompanying warning that the reader be prepared to suspend their reality with this soap opera-esque romance.
September 13, 2020
Hah! Poor Kate! She has been, probably, the most unlucky of characters. She finally gets her happy ever after in this book. In trying to get the line up of the Bitter Creek series, I was led to believe that this book was #9 in the series. After finishing it and starting on Sinful, I now believe that it was actually the last in the series. Sinful is #1 in the King's Brats series. I was disturbed to find Trace and Callie were evaporated with Clay and Owen elevated to the position of eldest in the Blackthorne family and the names of the Brats changed from Gray, Victoria, and Taylor to Eve, Victoria, and Taylor! The ending of Shattered says that the eldest of the Grayhawks, Matt, couldn't be located. So, as Shattered closes, the reader is led into the King's Brats series.
It was a rough ride as the reader follows the twists in Kate's life as well as the twists in Ranger McKinley's life. For years they were friends with a strong sexual undercurrent between them. Just when you think they might actually be swept away by that undercurrent, another monkey wrench is thrown into the works with the introduction of Wyatt Shaw.
Again, another fast read from Joan Johnston!
It was a rough ride as the reader follows the twists in Kate's life as well as the twists in Ranger McKinley's life. For years they were friends with a strong sexual undercurrent between them. Just when you think they might actually be swept away by that undercurrent, another monkey wrench is thrown into the works with the introduction of Wyatt Shaw.
Again, another fast read from Joan Johnston!
June 6, 2023
This book was so good. We are following tow couples in this novel as they try to navigate being in love.
Kate Grayhawk has twin boys with a man she slept with nine years ago. When they meet agai, Wyatt Shaw wants to be in his sons' lives. Also, Wyatt takes Kate and the twins to live at his home, bucause of his dangerous father.
The second couple we follow is Jack and Holly McKinley. Holly is scared of Jack leaving her for Kate. She ends up pregnant, so she and Jack decide to wait until after the baby is born to get a divorce. Jack is in love with Kate, and is angered when she moves in with Wyatt.
I found the whole story interesting. I was secretly hoping that Jack would stay married to Holly. Also, another thing is Holly hid a daughter from Jack. This is one she had back in high school. I wasn't at all happy at how Savannah treated Holly and Jack.
In all, I'm very happpy at how thing turned out in the end. A awesome read!!!
Kate Grayhawk has twin boys with a man she slept with nine years ago. When they meet agai, Wyatt Shaw wants to be in his sons' lives. Also, Wyatt takes Kate and the twins to live at his home, bucause of his dangerous father.
The second couple we follow is Jack and Holly McKinley. Holly is scared of Jack leaving her for Kate. She ends up pregnant, so she and Jack decide to wait until after the baby is born to get a divorce. Jack is in love with Kate, and is angered when she moves in with Wyatt.
I found the whole story interesting. I was secretly hoping that Jack would stay married to Holly. Also, another thing is Holly hid a daughter from Jack. This is one she had back in high school. I wasn't at all happy at how Savannah treated Holly and Jack.
In all, I'm very happpy at how thing turned out in the end. A awesome read!!!
April 4, 2024
So... I started this book but didn't finish it. After the first couple of chapters, I got the impression it was going to be different than what I expected. And it was. I cheated by jumping ahead to read the last four or five chapters of the book plus the epilogue. So technically, I can't count this novel towards my yearly challenge.🙁
Even though it takes place within a year following the previous book in the series (Grace & Breed's story), I think I was just tired of the characters and the drama. If I'm not mistaken, the next three or four books are the prequels, and I read those before I started the "The Cowboy" (first in this series.) In fact, I should probably go back and revise my ratings on the prequels because they were better stories!
Who knows, maybe one day I'll return to the Bitter Creek series. But it won't be anytime soon.
Even though it takes place within a year following the previous book in the series (Grace & Breed's story), I think I was just tired of the characters and the drama. If I'm not mistaken, the next three or four books are the prequels, and I read those before I started the "The Cowboy" (first in this series.) In fact, I should probably go back and revise my ratings on the prequels because they were better stories!
Who knows, maybe one day I'll return to the Bitter Creek series. But it won't be anytime soon.
May 28, 2024
A great read
You will find this book interesting, intense and humorous. The characters all have very strong personality and are strong and likeable. The story line is different in that the bad guys are not easily identified and the bad guys who are known by their behavior are evil, selfish and they get what they deserved. There is pain and betrayal that I found hard to forgive. There is fear so deep that love cannot be revealed until that fear is mastered. The story is fast moving and keep you involved. You will not be disappointed by selecting this book.
You will find this book interesting, intense and humorous. The characters all have very strong personality and are strong and likeable. The story line is different in that the bad guys are not easily identified and the bad guys who are known by their behavior are evil, selfish and they get what they deserved. There is pain and betrayal that I found hard to forgive. There is fear so deep that love cannot be revealed until that fear is mastered. The story is fast moving and keep you involved. You will not be disappointed by selecting this book.
August 17, 2025
That was not what I was expecting. Most books in series benefit from having read the earlier installments for added context. This book takes everything you knew about Jack and Kate (who spent the past two books being set up as star-crossed lovers), rips it all to shreds and constructs a completely new story in which each discovers/rediscovers love with a key figure from their past. So, it almost might have been better as a standalone? It was still very good but i felt quite disoriented for the first third or so as a result of the script flipping.
April 6, 2019
This is my favorite book of the series so far. Was a little ridiculous when Jack McKinley and Kate were still wanted to be with each other when she was having sex with Wyatt Shaw, a little out there. Also his wife being pregnant while his girlfriend was in a coma, again a little out there. However, overall really did enjoy it. The character of Wyatt Shaw reminded me of Rourke from the series by J.D Robb. Would like a series just based on him and his businesses. Great ending.
October 14, 2019
I read this book as a stand alone. It was entertaining but Kate, our heroine, was unlikeable for me. She was just soooo indecisive to the point that I wanted to slap her. Jack was also indecisive, but not as bad as Kate. I liked Wyatt even though he was autocratic. He was the only one who knew exactly what he wanted. A refreshing change in this book.
July 13, 2017
Absolutely Phenomenal book!! As only Joan Johnston can do.. She brings you to the brink of anticipation wondering "who" Kate truly falls in love with and "who" captures her heart. SHATTERED, has it all!!!
Excellent series and this book really brings it all together. 5 stars but deserves more!!
Excellent series and this book really brings it all together. 5 stars but deserves more!!
April 4, 2019
Shattered
Kate caught her husband in bed with another woman and got even. Not did she get even... She grabbed the first good looking man she saw and spent the night in bed with him. Result, twin boys.
Kate caught her husband in bed with another woman and got even. Not did she get even... She grabbed the first good looking man she saw and spent the night in bed with him. Result, twin boys.
March 13, 2018
Way to convoluted. Did not enjoy this one. Just kept skimming entire sections.
July 23, 2018
Great book and characters a must read in the bittercreek novels would highly recommend 👍👍
June 26, 2019
Shattered
I loved this book so much! A wonderful story and hard to put down at bedtime! I highly recommend this book.
I loved this book so much! A wonderful story and hard to put down at bedtime! I highly recommend this book.
Read
September 1, 2019Categories
Romance, Western Romance, Romantic Suspense
Miniseries
Bitter Creek (Book #8)
Romance, Western Romance, Romantic Suspense
Miniseries
Bitter Creek (Book #8)
September 16, 2019
The hero and heroine are idiots. This was barely readable.
October 28, 2019
Best novel ever
did-not-read
December 1, 2020decided not to read
library
July 30, 20215
October 23, 2021
Love it! 4 1/2 Stars
A very good storyline, lots of action, drama triangle between Kate, Shaw, and Jack plus her psychotic dead husband makes for an awesome story. Definitely recommend!
A very good storyline, lots of action, drama triangle between Kate, Shaw, and Jack plus her psychotic dead husband makes for an awesome story. Definitely recommend!
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