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On The Edge #2
Private Vows
ONE BRIDEShe wore a blood-stained wedding gown, but had no memory of her groom-or her own name. In desperation, she turned to the sexy stranger who'd found her and begged for his help, his protection….Ex-cop-turned-investigator Cole Grayson knew better than to get involved with another vulnerable, scared woman. But the strength beneath her fear drew him to "Mary"-and so he brought her home with him.Yet as he searched for her past, strange things began happening. Were Mary's fears valid? Suddenly Cole realized that helping her remember put him in danger-of losing her forever….
196 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 1, 2001
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
April 17, 2018
February 27, 2001
Sally Steward's "Private Vows" is the story of a former cop who runs over a woman in a blood-covered wedding dress when she runs in front of his car. Hitting her with his car gives her amnesia (what else?). "Mary" is in danger (of course). Can you guess who will protect her from what she can't remember?
"Private Vows" is one of those stories where strong writing pulls in the reader, helping to disguise the weaknesses in the plot for a while. The strongest part of "Private Vows" is Steward's smooth story-telling style. Unfortunately, the story she's chosen to tell is thin and full of problems. Steward is able to cast a spell with her words and strong characterizations. Deep down though, she's not saying too much.
Is "Private Vows" suspenseful? Occasionally. Is it pretty stupid? Definitely. Where to start? The premise is ridiculous, another book where all it takes is a bump on the head for the heroine to get amnesia. Worse, Mary's amnesia is so contrived that it just seems dumb. Mary remembers plenty of things when it's needed to develop her character. She just doesn't remember anything that might show who she is or what happened to her. (For instance, she remembers everything about her parents, but not their names.) Everything she remembers and when is conveniently dictated by the requirements of the story. Amnesia books seldom give an accurate depiction of what amnesia victims go through but this one had me laughing at how contrived it was. Poor Mary. She remembers everything except what she can't to keep the plot going. Give me a break.
Other than Cole, Mary and Cole's cop friend, there are only two characters in the book. I looked at the cast of characters in the front of the book before I started reading and I automatically picked out the killer. (Once again, two suspect mysteries are bad mysteries). The mystery element is also poorly plotted. Mary and Cole's investigation spends too much time going nowhere. Too much of this book feels like they--and the reader--are treading water, waiting for a killer any smart reader has already picked out to make a move. Looking back after I finished the book, I couldn't figure out what took this person so long. How nice of the villain to stay out of the way long enough for Cole and Mary to fall in love.
Any patience I might have had left with this book was destroyed by the last fifty pages. Then there's the final confrontation, which never would have taken place if the characters were using their heads. Their actions made no sense. The scene that sets this up had me shaking my head and saying, "Stupid. Stupid. Stupid." A real wallbanger moment. The book continues with too much romantic hand wringing after the mystery is over that only pads the length of the story. We know these two are meant to be together. We know they will be together (romance novel, right?). Delaying the obvious for no good reason is dull and pointless. Worse, there is an unresolved feeling to the ending that undermines the essential happy ending romance novels require. I was uncomfortable with it.
Steward sprinkles some chilling scenes throughout her book but the contrived and manipulative plotting and poor mystery weaken it overall. It's easy to enjoy Steward's storytelling if you don't think about the story and expect it to make much sense. The best part of "Private Vows?" If Intrigue keeps publishing amnesia books this bad, people will eventually stop buying them and they'll stop publishing them. That's a day we can all look forward to.
Sally Steward's "Private Vows" is the story of a former cop who runs over a woman in a blood-covered wedding dress when she runs in front of his car. Hitting her with his car gives her amnesia (what else?). "Mary" is in danger (of course). Can you guess who will protect her from what she can't remember?
"Private Vows" is one of those stories where strong writing pulls in the reader, helping to disguise the weaknesses in the plot for a while. The strongest part of "Private Vows" is Steward's smooth story-telling style. Unfortunately, the story she's chosen to tell is thin and full of problems. Steward is able to cast a spell with her words and strong characterizations. Deep down though, she's not saying too much.
Is "Private Vows" suspenseful? Occasionally. Is it pretty stupid? Definitely. Where to start? The premise is ridiculous, another book where all it takes is a bump on the head for the heroine to get amnesia. Worse, Mary's amnesia is so contrived that it just seems dumb. Mary remembers plenty of things when it's needed to develop her character. She just doesn't remember anything that might show who she is or what happened to her. (For instance, she remembers everything about her parents, but not their names.) Everything she remembers and when is conveniently dictated by the requirements of the story. Amnesia books seldom give an accurate depiction of what amnesia victims go through but this one had me laughing at how contrived it was. Poor Mary. She remembers everything except what she can't to keep the plot going. Give me a break.
Other than Cole, Mary and Cole's cop friend, there are only two characters in the book. I looked at the cast of characters in the front of the book before I started reading and I automatically picked out the killer. (Once again, two suspect mysteries are bad mysteries). The mystery element is also poorly plotted. Mary and Cole's investigation spends too much time going nowhere. Too much of this book feels like they--and the reader--are treading water, waiting for a killer any smart reader has already picked out to make a move. Looking back after I finished the book, I couldn't figure out what took this person so long. How nice of the villain to stay out of the way long enough for Cole and Mary to fall in love.
Any patience I might have had left with this book was destroyed by the last fifty pages. Then there's the final confrontation, which never would have taken place if the characters were using their heads. Their actions made no sense. The scene that sets this up had me shaking my head and saying, "Stupid. Stupid. Stupid." A real wallbanger moment. The book continues with too much romantic hand wringing after the mystery is over that only pads the length of the story. We know these two are meant to be together. We know they will be together (romance novel, right?). Delaying the obvious for no good reason is dull and pointless. Worse, there is an unresolved feeling to the ending that undermines the essential happy ending romance novels require. I was uncomfortable with it.
Steward sprinkles some chilling scenes throughout her book but the contrived and manipulative plotting and poor mystery weaken it overall. It's easy to enjoy Steward's storytelling if you don't think about the story and expect it to make much sense. The best part of "Private Vows?" If Intrigue keeps publishing amnesia books this bad, people will eventually stop buying them and they'll stop publishing them. That's a day we can all look forward to.
December 30, 2019
La historia entretiene y va a un buen ritmo hasta que llego a los dos últimos capítulos donde lo de menos era como el misterio se resolvía, si no más bien lo que ocurrió después con los protagonistas lo cual me saco de un poco de onda por la rapidez y empalagues que sucedía; sin duda eso me arruino un poco todos los capítulos anteriores que a mi parecer si llevaban un buen ritmo, y e final... bueno, me gusta el romance pero que no sean demasiado rosas.
En general (o en su mayoría) entretiene pero si los últimos capítulos podrían provocar migraña a menos que les guste las situaciones muy cursis y eventos que se resuelven muy rápido.
En general (o en su mayoría) entretiene pero si los últimos capítulos podrían provocar migraña a menos que les guste las situaciones muy cursis y eventos que se resuelven muy rápido.
April 18, 2025
This book was absolutely amazing. I enjoyed every second of reading it. I LOVE IT!
April 22, 2011
It was ok, not sure if I was just in the wrong mood for this book or if there was something missing. It kept my attention and I was intrigued by it, but I felt unsatisfyed when I finished.
January 29, 2014
This book was absolutely amazing. I enjoyed every second of reading it. I LOVE IT!
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January 12, 2016miniseries: On The Edge #2
April 24, 2015
I found this book boring and the heroine irritating
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews