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Bullet Catcher #2
Thrill Me to Death
A hot-blooded bodyguard. An heiress worth a cool billion. And one dangerous attraction.... Roxanne St. Claire delivers a heart-pounding thrill ride in the second Bullet Catchers novel!
HE KNOWS ALL HER SECRETS...
Max Roper never lets emotion get in the way of his job -- not since the tragic shooting that killed his fiancée's father. Now the former DEA agent is a Bullet Catcher, and he's managed to block out Cori's bitter goodbye -- and their sizzling passion. Those dangerous desires come back with a vengeance when Max is assigned to protect a recently widowed who turns out to be Cori. But Max must also discover his ex's dark secret...and they both know she can't hide anything from him.
...AND HOW TO USE THEM AGAINST HER
Her luxury lifestyle suggests that Cori has gone from being a trophy wife to a merry widow, but nothing could be further from the truth. Suspicious of her billionaire husband's sudden death, she hires a bodyguard. But her protector is the one man who can melt her every defense -- the one man she blames for her deepest sorrow, the one man whose six-feet four-inches of solid muscle ignites reckless passion in her. And as they close in on a killer who hides in plain view, their high-stakes affair could cost her everything... including her life.
HE KNOWS ALL HER SECRETS...
Max Roper never lets emotion get in the way of his job -- not since the tragic shooting that killed his fiancée's father. Now the former DEA agent is a Bullet Catcher, and he's managed to block out Cori's bitter goodbye -- and their sizzling passion. Those dangerous desires come back with a vengeance when Max is assigned to protect a recently widowed who turns out to be Cori. But Max must also discover his ex's dark secret...and they both know she can't hide anything from him.
...AND HOW TO USE THEM AGAINST HER
Her luxury lifestyle suggests that Cori has gone from being a trophy wife to a merry widow, but nothing could be further from the truth. Suspicious of her billionaire husband's sudden death, she hires a bodyguard. But her protector is the one man who can melt her every defense -- the one man she blames for her deepest sorrow, the one man whose six-feet four-inches of solid muscle ignites reckless passion in her. And as they close in on a killer who hides in plain view, their high-stakes affair could cost her everything... including her life.
384 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published July 25, 2006
85 people are currently reading
1070 people want to read
About the author
Roxanne St. Claire
265 books1,832 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
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 84 reviews
November 28, 2016
Thrill Me To Death is the 2nd book in the series.....and it was great...it was very good...and I loved it.
Sexy Bullet Catcher Max Roper's assignment...........protect his principal, Corinne (Cori) Cooper Peyton, widow of billionaire William Peyton and Max's ex lover....who also is suspected of bumping off her much older husband.
Max and Cori have a past history........they use to be in love but fell out and she went off and married the billionaire and he went off to become a BC!!! Now, thrown together....and perhaps given a "second chance" at love....or maybe not!
These two had an amazing chemistry and I liked them together a lot. The poker games that the two use to play together in the past and play again in the present made for some pretty hot scenes!!!
Great suspense, fabulous romance, hot sexy scenes, tension, action, red herrings thrown your way that have you guessing until the very end. The revelation of who the baddie was in this story was a bit unbelievable but it wasn't that a big issue.
I am hooked on this series.
February 13, 2017
1.5 stars
I read this for the Wedding Bells square for Romance Bingo and for my Series Headway selection.
The blindness of the heroine towards seeing the truth about people and facts just about killed me to death on this one. I mean, come on! The willful blindness was aggravating and only made the flaws in the murder mystery stand out more, instead of elongating the sense of danger and mystery. From the contrived anger that caused the heroine to break off her engagement with the hero to the convoluted mess that sprung from her husband's death, this felt messily plotted out.
The villain was painfully obvious and painfully ignored by heroine, the step-son drama was made a big deal of and then dropped off the face of the earth, and the connection of the bad guys was Lifetime worthy.
I liked the hero but he wasn't given much of a story to shine in. The chemistry with the heroine is definitely felt and the alone scenes they have are pretty good but the madness surrounding them put me off the story as a whole.
I read this for the Wedding Bells square for Romance Bingo and for my Series Headway selection.
The blindness of the heroine towards seeing the truth about people and facts just about killed me to death on this one. I mean, come on! The willful blindness was aggravating and only made the flaws in the murder mystery stand out more, instead of elongating the sense of danger and mystery. From the contrived anger that caused the heroine to break off her engagement with the hero to the convoluted mess that sprung from her husband's death, this felt messily plotted out.
The villain was painfully obvious and painfully ignored by heroine, the step-son drama was made a big deal of and then dropped off the face of the earth, and the connection of the bad guys was Lifetime worthy.
I liked the hero but he wasn't given much of a story to shine in. The chemistry with the heroine is definitely felt and the alone scenes they have are pretty good but the madness surrounding them put me off the story as a whole.
February 18, 2017
3 1/2 Stars
I really like the Bullet Catchers Series, but this one was just a little cliché for my taste. The plot and romance developed at a fast pace and the 2nd chance romance was great. The baddie remained a mystery, although I had strong suspicions, until the end. But, it just didn't have that zing that the first book had.
All seeing, all knowing Lucy has a job that she wants Max to take. Big problem - the principal is his former fiancée who is under suspicion by the insurance company for the murder of her older, billionaire husband.
Cori knows that her husband didn't die of a heart attack and she needs to find out who is behind his death before she ends up the next victim. After a hit and run incident she contacts Bullet Catchers for protection and Max reenters her life.
Max and Cori have a lot of baggage and tons of frustrated sexual energy that is apparent from the minute they lay eyes on each other. But Cori has lost too many people in her life and she clings dearly to her friends as her lifeline. Giff, was her late husband's best friend. His wife, Brezzy, is Cori's best friend, confidant and protector. When Max appears on the scene, their nice tight relationships begin to unravel.
I really like the Bullet Catchers Series, but this one was just a little cliché for my taste. The plot and romance developed at a fast pace and the 2nd chance romance was great. The baddie remained a mystery, although I had strong suspicions, until the end. But, it just didn't have that zing that the first book had.
All seeing, all knowing Lucy has a job that she wants Max to take. Big problem - the principal is his former fiancée who is under suspicion by the insurance company for the murder of her older, billionaire husband.
Cori knows that her husband didn't die of a heart attack and she needs to find out who is behind his death before she ends up the next victim. After a hit and run incident she contacts Bullet Catchers for protection and Max reenters her life.
Max and Cori have a lot of baggage and tons of frustrated sexual energy that is apparent from the minute they lay eyes on each other. But Cori has lost too many people in her life and she clings dearly to her friends as her lifeline. Giff, was her late husband's best friend. His wife, Brezzy, is Cori's best friend, confidant and protector. When Max appears on the scene, their nice tight relationships begin to unravel.
February 9, 2015
Lucy Sharpe assigns Max Roper to protect the widow of billionaire William Peyton following his death and to find out if she had anything to do with his death of natural causes. What complicates matters is the widow...she's Max's ex lover, Corrinne (Cori) Cooper Peyton, and they didn't leave on good terms. Needless to say, Cori's not happy to see Max when he shows up for duty.
I liked both Max and Cori individually and as a couple. She's smart and sharp but without an edge. He's smoldering and brooding but clever and quick witted. Max has good instincts, as does Cori, but both let their relationship get in the way of smart thinking a time or two in this story. There are two suspense elements in the story: was William murdered and is someone out to harm Cori. The clues related to both intersect late in the story and it keeps the tension heightened. Max and Cori's developing romance doesn't overshadow the mystery and suspense and vice versa. There's a good balance of the two and both are well done.
There are some plot issues that require a suspension of belief at times but they are not big enough issues to affect the enjoyment of the story. I quickly got past Cori's occasional too stupid to live moments because they really were out of character and she is so likable. While the clues are all here, I missed guessing the villain in a large way, which makes this book even more compelling.
I'm really liking this series and plan to go the distance. This one kept me hooked until the end.
I liked both Max and Cori individually and as a couple. She's smart and sharp but without an edge. He's smoldering and brooding but clever and quick witted. Max has good instincts, as does Cori, but both let their relationship get in the way of smart thinking a time or two in this story. There are two suspense elements in the story: was William murdered and is someone out to harm Cori. The clues related to both intersect late in the story and it keeps the tension heightened. Max and Cori's developing romance doesn't overshadow the mystery and suspense and vice versa. There's a good balance of the two and both are well done.
There are some plot issues that require a suspension of belief at times but they are not big enough issues to affect the enjoyment of the story. I quickly got past Cori's occasional too stupid to live moments because they really were out of character and she is so likable. While the clues are all here, I missed guessing the villain in a large way, which makes this book even more compelling.
I'm really liking this series and plan to go the distance. This one kept me hooked until the end.
May 20, 2010
I loved this one! Kill Me Twice was good, but Thrill Me To Death is GREAT!
I am a complete sucker for "second chance at love" themes, and this one definitely fits into that category. Max Roper and Cori Peyton have a past. A SIGNIFICANT past. Although "big misunderstandings" usually bother me, their BM seemed believable. Max is hired to protect Cori. She is suspected of killing her rich, older, husband and Max is brought in to investigate and get information. The suspense is good, but the chemistry and tension between Max and Cori is excellent.
There are some HOT HOT HOT scenes in this book. Max and Cori used to play poker together and let me just say......that game has taken on a whole new meaning after this book:) The suspense will hold your interest the entire book, and the "who done it" will be a question until the end....I love that!
I recommend this book...better than the first....and this series.
I am a complete sucker for "second chance at love" themes, and this one definitely fits into that category. Max Roper and Cori Peyton have a past. A SIGNIFICANT past. Although "big misunderstandings" usually bother me, their BM seemed believable. Max is hired to protect Cori. She is suspected of killing her rich, older, husband and Max is brought in to investigate and get information. The suspense is good, but the chemistry and tension between Max and Cori is excellent.
There are some HOT HOT HOT scenes in this book. Max and Cori used to play poker together and let me just say......that game has taken on a whole new meaning after this book:) The suspense will hold your interest the entire book, and the "who done it" will be a question until the end....I love that!
I recommend this book...better than the first....and this series.
May 23, 2012
Thrill Me to Death
4.5 Stars
Synopsis
"Mad Max" Roper is known for his stoic and emotionless nature - nothing gets in the way of the job - that is until he is assigned to protect his former fiancée, Cori Peyton. As the recent widow of a multi-billionaire, Cori is either a suspect in the murder of her husband or a potential victim of a vicious killer. Max will have to figure out which while coping with the intense passion and feelings stemming from his close proximity to Cori.
Review
This is one of those rare books that I simply devoured...
Book #1 in the Bullet Catchers series was very entertaining but this one captivated me from the first pages. While reunion romances are not my favorite plot device, this one is well written and resolved satisfactorily.
Max is a fantastic hero - dark, deadly and seductive, and Cori is strong, intelligent and likeable although she does have one or two TSTL moments and a goodie-two-shoes personality that grates on the nerves at times.
Cori and Max have an intense chemistry based on their previous relationship and it only builds and increases toward the inevitable and passionate explosion. The big misunderstanding is played down and there is none of the angst commonly associated with this type of plot.
The suspense story is well-developed with an intriguing pool of suspects. Although my suspicions as to the killer's identity were ultimately confirmed and their are sufficient clues to make an educated guess, it was never 100% clear and the red herrings and false leads add to the tension. The climax is also tense, exciting and satisfying although the explanation for William's death is slightly illogical .
The secondary characters have distinctive personalities from the sycophantic lawyer and his trophy wife to the resentful stepson and the devoted housekeeper. Additional Bullet Catchers are also introduced but not fleshed out as well possibly because they will receive their own books, which I will definitely be reading.
All in all, this book is wonderful and the series is definitely going in the right direction.
4.5 Stars
Synopsis
"Mad Max" Roper is known for his stoic and emotionless nature - nothing gets in the way of the job - that is until he is assigned to protect his former fiancée, Cori Peyton. As the recent widow of a multi-billionaire, Cori is either a suspect in the murder of her husband or a potential victim of a vicious killer. Max will have to figure out which while coping with the intense passion and feelings stemming from his close proximity to Cori.
Review
This is one of those rare books that I simply devoured...
Book #1 in the Bullet Catchers series was very entertaining but this one captivated me from the first pages. While reunion romances are not my favorite plot device, this one is well written and resolved satisfactorily.
Max is a fantastic hero - dark, deadly and seductive, and Cori is strong, intelligent and likeable although she does have one or two TSTL moments and a goodie-two-shoes personality that grates on the nerves at times.
Cori and Max have an intense chemistry based on their previous relationship and it only builds and increases toward the inevitable and passionate explosion. The big misunderstanding is played down and there is none of the angst commonly associated with this type of plot.
The suspense story is well-developed with an intriguing pool of suspects. Although my suspicions as to the killer's identity were ultimately confirmed and their are sufficient clues to make an educated guess, it was never 100% clear and the red herrings and false leads add to the tension. The climax is also tense, exciting and satisfying although the explanation for William's death is slightly illogical .
The secondary characters have distinctive personalities from the sycophantic lawyer and his trophy wife to the resentful stepson and the devoted housekeeper. Additional Bullet Catchers are also introduced but not fleshed out as well possibly because they will receive their own books, which I will definitely be reading.
All in all, this book is wonderful and the series is definitely going in the right direction.
September 14, 2021
This novel in the Bullet Catchers series will keep you turning pages. Wealthy widow Cori Cooper suspects foul play in her husband’s death, but she doesn’t know who might be responsible. Fearing she might be next, she hires a bodyguard who turns out to be an old flame, sexy Max Roper. She can trust him, but can he trust her? For all he knows, she killed her husband. Can he discover the truth despite his passion for her? A suspenseful story, “Thrill Me to Death” will pull you in and won’t let go until the exciting finale.
June 6, 2016
The second book in the Bullet Catchers series proves to be quite exciting with a very strong start and a set of interesting characters. It's only unfortunate that a few logic fails in the realm of bodyguard-landia makes some of the eleventh hour plot a little hard to accept.
Also, the concluding mystery of billionaire William Peyton's death was explained away in a too convenient, left-field sort of way and kind of didn’t really make much sense.
Nonetheless, the excitement of the investigation and some other weird suspense stuff kept me hooked, even if some aspects were a little irksome to me (more on this later).
The Story:
Bullet Catcher Max Roper has been assigned to protect billionaire widow Corinne Peyton. Being the Bullet Catcher boss and manipulative fearless leader that she is, Lucy Sharpe has reasons for everything she does and this assignment isn't merely a bodyguard and security detail task.
Corinne Peyton was formerly Cori Cooper, Max's ex-lover and ex-fiancé until a DEA mission went awry and Cori's father died in the line of fire. For this, Cori blames Max and the two have been split up since.
Now, Max's mission is not only to provide security to the billionairess, but at the behest of the insurance company, to investigate whether or not Cori had a hand in her husband's death. After all, a young, beautiful, and smart woman would have never willingly married a much older, sixty-something year old billionaire if not because of his money and his status… right? And so the sudden heart attack that killed William Peyton may or may not be suspect.
On the other hand, Cori already suspects that William didn't die of a natural heart attack, but she doesn't know who she can trust to help her find out who murdered her husband. And with her digging for answers as well as a suspicious attempt on her life, she believes there is something much more sinister at hand.
Brief Thoughts:
The story starts out very strong and I was hooked by the mystery. While the story tries to create a plausibility that Cori is hiding a terrible secret, that maybe she is the one who murdered her husband, the attempts are only half-baked and we, as the readers, know that she is obviously NOT the one who killed her own husband for money or power or whatever else. So I give the book kudos for making me wonder what it was that Cori was hiding from everyone about her husband’s death since she was obviously keeping secrets; however, I frown at its attempt to paint Cori in the greedy, manipulative murderess light while giving caveats to her personality as a good person.
The romance was okay, though I liked the friendship and romantic tension flitting between Max and Cori. It wasn’t the best romance in the world, but it worked just fine. The side characters had their fair share of unique intrigue as well, which made for a really good "Whodunnit".
Unfortunately, as I'd already mentioned, there were logic fails that I had a hard time accepting. The conclusion of the billionaire's death was a bit left-field, for one.
But the biggest problem I had was between Cori being determined to get herself killed in typical TSTL fashion, and Max not doing his job to keep her from getting herself killed. For all the crap that Max gives Alex Romero in the first book about doing his job properly, I honestly feel like Max really screws up as a bodyguard and at least Alex didn’t consistently make bad decisions that would keep putting his principal in danger just because he couldn’t handle his own personal emotions or the sexual tension.
Sure, Max would make an excellent investigator--he was a former DEA agent after all. But as a bodyguard, his job is to keep his principal safe, not chase after bad guys or go off doing his own investigation. A bodyguard is pretty much ON his client like white on rice, especially when you know that her life is being threatened. It probably doesn’t help that Cori kept sending him away when she was the one who requested a bodyguard in the first place, but more than once, Max goes off to investigate William Peyton's murder, leaving Cori completely unprotected, and I really don't think that's okay.
The romance between Max and Cori was lukewarm and their chemistry as lovers left much to be desired. Their chemistry as friends with an underlying sexual tension, however, was actually pretty damn good.
Overall Thoughts: Thrill Me To Death does require a little bit of leeway in suspension of disbelief to be acceptable. However, once you get past the frustrating logic fails, the rest of the story really isn't all that bad and actually extremely entertaining, exciting, and enjoyable.
I was looking forward to reading Max’s Bullet Catcher Romantic Suspense, but it turned out that it wasn’t really what I’d been hoping for.
HOWEVER, we’ve been introduced to two new Bullet Catchers who have caught my attention and THAT is definitely a good way to keep me attentive!
Also, the concluding mystery of billionaire William Peyton's death was explained away in a too convenient, left-field sort of way and kind of didn’t really make much sense.
Nonetheless, the excitement of the investigation and some other weird suspense stuff kept me hooked, even if some aspects were a little irksome to me (more on this later).
The Story:
Bullet Catcher Max Roper has been assigned to protect billionaire widow Corinne Peyton. Being the Bullet Catcher boss and manipulative fearless leader that she is, Lucy Sharpe has reasons for everything she does and this assignment isn't merely a bodyguard and security detail task.
Corinne Peyton was formerly Cori Cooper, Max's ex-lover and ex-fiancé until a DEA mission went awry and Cori's father died in the line of fire. For this, Cori blames Max and the two have been split up since.
Now, Max's mission is not only to provide security to the billionairess, but at the behest of the insurance company, to investigate whether or not Cori had a hand in her husband's death. After all, a young, beautiful, and smart woman would have never willingly married a much older, sixty-something year old billionaire if not because of his money and his status… right? And so the sudden heart attack that killed William Peyton may or may not be suspect.
On the other hand, Cori already suspects that William didn't die of a natural heart attack, but she doesn't know who she can trust to help her find out who murdered her husband. And with her digging for answers as well as a suspicious attempt on her life, she believes there is something much more sinister at hand.
Brief Thoughts:
The story starts out very strong and I was hooked by the mystery. While the story tries to create a plausibility that Cori is hiding a terrible secret, that maybe she is the one who murdered her husband, the attempts are only half-baked and we, as the readers, know that she is obviously NOT the one who killed her own husband for money or power or whatever else. So I give the book kudos for making me wonder what it was that Cori was hiding from everyone about her husband’s death since she was obviously keeping secrets; however, I frown at its attempt to paint Cori in the greedy, manipulative murderess light while giving caveats to her personality as a good person.
The romance was okay, though I liked the friendship and romantic tension flitting between Max and Cori. It wasn’t the best romance in the world, but it worked just fine. The side characters had their fair share of unique intrigue as well, which made for a really good "Whodunnit".
Unfortunately, as I'd already mentioned, there were logic fails that I had a hard time accepting. The conclusion of the billionaire's death was a bit left-field, for one.
But the biggest problem I had was between Cori being determined to get herself killed in typical TSTL fashion, and Max not doing his job to keep her from getting herself killed. For all the crap that Max gives Alex Romero in the first book about doing his job properly, I honestly feel like Max really screws up as a bodyguard and at least Alex didn’t consistently make bad decisions that would keep putting his principal in danger just because he couldn’t handle his own personal emotions or the sexual tension.
Sure, Max would make an excellent investigator--he was a former DEA agent after all. But as a bodyguard, his job is to keep his principal safe, not chase after bad guys or go off doing his own investigation. A bodyguard is pretty much ON his client like white on rice, especially when you know that her life is being threatened. It probably doesn’t help that Cori kept sending him away when she was the one who requested a bodyguard in the first place, but more than once, Max goes off to investigate William Peyton's murder, leaving Cori completely unprotected, and I really don't think that's okay.
The romance between Max and Cori was lukewarm and their chemistry as lovers left much to be desired. Their chemistry as friends with an underlying sexual tension, however, was actually pretty damn good.
Overall Thoughts: Thrill Me To Death does require a little bit of leeway in suspension of disbelief to be acceptable. However, once you get past the frustrating logic fails, the rest of the story really isn't all that bad and actually extremely entertaining, exciting, and enjoyable.
I was looking forward to reading Max’s Bullet Catcher Romantic Suspense, but it turned out that it wasn’t really what I’d been hoping for.
HOWEVER, we’ve been introduced to two new Bullet Catchers who have caught my attention and THAT is definitely a good way to keep me attentive!
December 22, 2012
I didn't care for this book very much. The heroine kinda got on my nerves. But the plot line still kept me intrigued.
Cori's billionaire husband died of a heart attack three months ago. However Cori doesn't believe the ME's report. So she sets out to find evidence that proves her husband was murdered.
In comes Max Roper, Cori's new bodyguard and former love interest. Cori and Max parted ways after Cori's father was killed in the field. Now five years later there's a surprise on Cori's doorstep; this thanks to Lucy Sharpe.
Max. I liked Max. But Cori borderline annoyed me. The way she automatically believed Max had something to do with her fathers death. (Really. She should have given him the benefit of the doubt.) She kept running away from Max--who was trying to guard her--and then Cori would end up in trouble. Annoying. Stay with your bodyguard and let him do what he needs to do.
Cori's billionaire husband died of a heart attack three months ago. However Cori doesn't believe the ME's report. So she sets out to find evidence that proves her husband was murdered.
In comes Max Roper, Cori's new bodyguard and former love interest. Cori and Max parted ways after Cori's father was killed in the field. Now five years later there's a surprise on Cori's doorstep; this thanks to Lucy Sharpe.
Max. I liked Max. But Cori borderline annoyed me. The way she automatically believed Max had something to do with her fathers death. (Really. She should have given him the benefit of the doubt.) She kept running away from Max--who was trying to guard her--and then Cori would end up in trouble. Annoying. Stay with your bodyguard and let him do what he needs to do.
February 25, 2017
3.5 stars
Max Roper was sent to protect billionairess widow, Corinne Peyton after her husband died of a heart attack. But neither Max nor Cori believed that to be the case. There's also a history between Max and Cori, which made for a second chance love story I usually fall for. Their chemistry is great and their romance doesn't bog the story down. The problem I had with the story however was the over the top plot at times, as well as Cori's TSTL behaviors. She's actually a likable character, though she made me facepalm and roll my eyes a few times. Overall, a good suspense book. I only partially guessed the one half of the bad guys.
Looking forward to reading other books of the these bodyguards.
Max Roper was sent to protect billionairess widow, Corinne Peyton after her husband died of a heart attack. But neither Max nor Cori believed that to be the case. There's also a history between Max and Cori, which made for a second chance love story I usually fall for. Their chemistry is great and their romance doesn't bog the story down. The problem I had with the story however was the over the top plot at times, as well as Cori's TSTL behaviors. She's actually a likable character, though she made me facepalm and roll my eyes a few times. Overall, a good suspense book. I only partially guessed the one half of the bad guys.
Looking forward to reading other books of the these bodyguards.
May 13, 2010
I am coming to think of this series like M&M's, not good for you at all, but still great fun to enjoy. This book follows the typical romantic suspense formula but that is ok. I liked Max from what we saw of him in the previous book, Cori at times irritated me, she was just too perfect. And there in lies the crux of the whole book. It appears that I am not the only person who thought Cori was too perfect. It was too bad that Cori was betrayed by those close to them, but life is not fair at all. I was intrigued by the epilogue and wonder if the reason given for the feud between and Max and Alex is true, if so that it too funny!!
February 26, 2009
4 ½ stars - Romantic Suspense
Thrill Me To Death, the second novel in Roxanne St. Claire's Bullet Catchers series, is another exciting romantic suspense read. The plot is fast paced, the characters are well developed, and there is a perfect balance of romance, mystery, action, and suspense. The bodyguard/Bullet Catcher Max Roper is a sexy alpha male with a big heart, who is tasked with protecting and investigating his former flame, Cori Peyton, while they both try hard to deny and fight their attraction and love. The Bullet Catchers is a great romantic suspense series!
Thrill Me To Death, the second novel in Roxanne St. Claire's Bullet Catchers series, is another exciting romantic suspense read. The plot is fast paced, the characters are well developed, and there is a perfect balance of romance, mystery, action, and suspense. The bodyguard/Bullet Catcher Max Roper is a sexy alpha male with a big heart, who is tasked with protecting and investigating his former flame, Cori Peyton, while they both try hard to deny and fight their attraction and love. The Bullet Catchers is a great romantic suspense series!
June 27, 2012
3.5 stars. I really liked the characters and the story for the most part. It was paced well and kept my interest. However, stupid acts lead to the climax and I hate that. These were not stupid people, so they shouldn't have suddenly acted foolishly just to continue the story.
All in all though, I did enjoy it and since I have almost the entire collection anyway, I think I'll continue with this series.
All in all though, I did enjoy it and since I have almost the entire collection anyway, I think I'll continue with this series.
June 23, 2012
My first book by the author and I must say I enjoyed it very, very much. It has a nice balance of romance and suspense and I like the suspense element in this one. It keeps me guessing, which I love, even though my initial guess proves right in the end (which I also love!). So yes, I'll definitely read more stuff by the author whenever I'm in the mood for some good thrill and chase.
March 11, 2011
The second in the Bullet Catcher series by Roxanne St. Claire. Again, a nice blend of romance and suspense and mystery. I now have the next 4 in the series on order.
Bullet Catcher Max Roper is assigned to protect heiress Cori Peyton, his ex-fiancee.
Bullet Catcher Max Roper is assigned to protect heiress Cori Peyton, his ex-fiancee.
March 3, 2008
Suspense / romance. The heroine had a serious case of Lois Lane Syndrome and her stupidity drove me crazy. I'm done with this author.
February 8, 2011
Actually this one rates a 4.5 Max and Cori - fabulous read. Great series.
March 22, 2018
Nothing about this book came across as ‘realistic’ or ‘natural’.
The friendships read stilted, forced.
The back story between Cori and her bullet catcher seemed too convenient.
Her marriage, less than a year after her engagement to said bullet catcher ended, to a 60 year old billionaire seemed very far fetched.
The characters just seemed off. Nothing was natural. The chemistry was bland.
There was action and suspense, but even those scenes were predictable and not very entertaining.
The love scenes were not hot.
I can’t figure out why I didn’t like the characters or the plot, the book had the right components, just the wrong execution.
The friendships read stilted, forced.
The back story between Cori and her bullet catcher seemed too convenient.
Her marriage, less than a year after her engagement to said bullet catcher ended, to a 60 year old billionaire seemed very far fetched.
The characters just seemed off. Nothing was natural. The chemistry was bland.
There was action and suspense, but even those scenes were predictable and not very entertaining.
The love scenes were not hot.
I can’t figure out why I didn’t like the characters or the plot, the book had the right components, just the wrong execution.
July 25, 2019
2 and 1/2 stars. I could almost cut and paste my review of the first book in the series here, except the heroine and the hero made even more stupid mistakes. For example, he left her alone several times - I thought these Bullet Catchers were professionals. I couldn't help but like the hero and heroine despite the plot holes and contrived reasons they were kept apart, but the villains were obvious and underdeveloped. I'm still going to read the next one because I know they get better, unless the later ones I read were a fluke.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 26, 2018
Great suspense/mystery
I really liked this book. The "who done it" was great, I can usually guess, but didnt/couldn't on this book. I just felt the romance was lacking a bit. They spent the whole book arguing, fighting,accusing, suspecting and resenting each other, that when it came time to admit feelings, it wasn't believable for me. It was sexy, but lacking a true connection to me.
I really liked this book. The "who done it" was great, I can usually guess, but didnt/couldn't on this book. I just felt the romance was lacking a bit. They spent the whole book arguing, fighting,accusing, suspecting and resenting each other, that when it came time to admit feelings, it wasn't believable for me. It was sexy, but lacking a true connection to me.
May 3, 2018
Mmmmm! So yummy. I don’t know how Cori and Max managed to keep their hands off each other. The end was spectacular. BUT, getting there was pure gold and Roxanne St. Claire. I think she planned it that way. A twisty, gut wrenching ride to the . . . mmmmm . . . end!!
December 1, 2021
I couldn't stand Cori....when I can't respect a female character doesn't matter if I like the plot or the way the novel is written also the bad ones were way to obvious and the good ones a bunch of fools.
January 10, 2018
See Bullet Catcher #1 for review.
February 1, 2020
A very good read:)
did-not-read
December 1, 2020decided not to read
romantic-suspense
November 13, 202120
Read
February 22, 20246/8/2009
November 3, 2012
Max Ropers neuster Auftrag führt ihn zurück zu seiner Ex-Freundin Corinne Cooper - jetzt Corinne Payton, Multimilliadärswitwe. Seiner Chefin hat er zwar versichert, er könne seine Gefühle aus der Sache raus halten, doch Cori verzaubert ihn nach wie vor. Schlimm genug also, dass er neben ihrem Personenschutz auch noch für heimliche Ermittlungen zum Tod ihres Mannes organisiert wurde. Doch es ist schwierig die Wahrheit an's Licht zu bringen, wenn diese Frau ihn dermaßen aus der Spur bringt und so taut Mad Max zum ersten Mal sein vielen Jahre wieder auf. Doch was hat Corinne Payton noch mit der Cori Cooper von damals gemein und wie viel weiß sie über den "natürlichen" Tod ihres Mannes?
Sowohl Max, als auch Cori befinden sich mit einem mal zurück in der Vergangenheit und haben schwierigkeiten sich auf ihre eigentlich Aufgabe zu konzentrieren so lange der jeweils andere in der Nähe ist. Kein Wunder, denn die gemeinsame Vergangenheit holt beide mit voller Wucht ein. Doch kann Cori den Tod ihres Vaters verzeihen? Und wird Max ihr glauben schenken, wenn sie ihm sagt wie wenig sie das geerbte Geld interessiert und dass sie ihren Mann William Tatsächlich geliebt hat? Die beiden haben also einiges aufzuarbeiten und zu klären, doch kommt es oft gar nicht zu tiefen gesprächen, denn jedes Mal heizt sich die Luft zwischen den beiden dermaßen auf, dass die Funken fliegen. Es ist schon beinahe absurd, dass Cori so lange versucht zu verleugnen, wie sehr ihr Körper auf Max reagiert. Er ist natürlich auch ein absoluter Hingucker mit seinem muskulösen Körper und seiner auffälligen Größe. Eben ein absoluter Verführer, wer kann da schon lange widerstehen.
Was natürlich schwierig ist darzustellen ist die Tatsache, dass Cori sowohl Max immer geliebt hat als auch ihren Ehemann geliebt hat. Eben auf verschiendenen intensiv-Stufen könnte man sagen, doch gleichzeitig muss auch Coris Glaubhaftigkeit bestehen bleiben, wenn sie beteuert, dass ihr das Geld nicht wichtig ist. Kann sie dem Verdacht auf Mord freigesprochen werden?
Die Ermittlungen gehen bald gegen eine Menge Personen, doch wer und wie schlussendlich für all das verantwortlich ist bleibt lange verschleiert und der Verlauf regt sehr zum mitraten an. Gerade Cori hat wirklich Probleme mit der Suche der Täters, denn immerhin sind diese Menschen Freunde die sie liebt. Kann das wirklich sein?
Alles in allem ist dieser Band wirklich gelungen, dass Coris Weigerung aber von jetzt auf gleich ins gegenteil überspringt und sie ihrer Gefühle zu Max und der Leidenschaft zuspricht wirkte ein wenig unbedacht sprunghaft. Aber, wenn man bedenkt, dass Liebe selbten Regeln folgt ...
4,5/5 Sternen.
Sowohl Max, als auch Cori befinden sich mit einem mal zurück in der Vergangenheit und haben schwierigkeiten sich auf ihre eigentlich Aufgabe zu konzentrieren so lange der jeweils andere in der Nähe ist. Kein Wunder, denn die gemeinsame Vergangenheit holt beide mit voller Wucht ein. Doch kann Cori den Tod ihres Vaters verzeihen? Und wird Max ihr glauben schenken, wenn sie ihm sagt wie wenig sie das geerbte Geld interessiert und dass sie ihren Mann William Tatsächlich geliebt hat? Die beiden haben also einiges aufzuarbeiten und zu klären, doch kommt es oft gar nicht zu tiefen gesprächen, denn jedes Mal heizt sich die Luft zwischen den beiden dermaßen auf, dass die Funken fliegen. Es ist schon beinahe absurd, dass Cori so lange versucht zu verleugnen, wie sehr ihr Körper auf Max reagiert. Er ist natürlich auch ein absoluter Hingucker mit seinem muskulösen Körper und seiner auffälligen Größe. Eben ein absoluter Verführer, wer kann da schon lange widerstehen.
Was natürlich schwierig ist darzustellen ist die Tatsache, dass Cori sowohl Max immer geliebt hat als auch ihren Ehemann geliebt hat. Eben auf verschiendenen intensiv-Stufen könnte man sagen, doch gleichzeitig muss auch Coris Glaubhaftigkeit bestehen bleiben, wenn sie beteuert, dass ihr das Geld nicht wichtig ist. Kann sie dem Verdacht auf Mord freigesprochen werden?
Die Ermittlungen gehen bald gegen eine Menge Personen, doch wer und wie schlussendlich für all das verantwortlich ist bleibt lange verschleiert und der Verlauf regt sehr zum mitraten an. Gerade Cori hat wirklich Probleme mit der Suche der Täters, denn immerhin sind diese Menschen Freunde die sie liebt. Kann das wirklich sein?
Alles in allem ist dieser Band wirklich gelungen, dass Coris Weigerung aber von jetzt auf gleich ins gegenteil überspringt und sie ihrer Gefühle zu Max und der Leidenschaft zuspricht wirkte ein wenig unbedacht sprunghaft. Aber, wenn man bedenkt, dass Liebe selbten Regeln folgt ...
4,5/5 Sternen.
January 4, 2010
Bulletcatchers. It's another word for bodyguard, and that's what these guys do. Thrill Me To Death is the 2nd book in Roxanne St. Claire's Bulletcatcher series.
(First, we'll play a little game of catch up so you guys know what the series is about!) Lucy is an ex-CIA agent who nows runs her own buisness. She protects people with her sexy group of bulletcatchers (aka bodyguards). Lucy doesn't work for just anyone however, she works for the richest of the rich, meaning her and her boys are doing damn good in the finances. But then, when you're the best there is at the game, people will empty out their pockets for you.. well, and to save their own lives..
Now, meet Max Roper, the big gorgeous bodyguard prides himself on keeping his emotions (the ones he has left) under complete control while on the job. Except, will he be able to keep the flames under control when guarding his ex-love?
Cori ran away from Max (they were together for a year) after her father, who worked with Max, died in a shooting. Cori thinks Max could have prevented her father's death, but could he have?
Now, 5 years later, Cori is a widow to a billionaire, an old billionaire, and Max has been hired to protect her from her angry step-son. It's obvious as soon as his name is mentioned that Cori hasn't gotten over the big hunk, and neither has Max (got over Cori, that is). Having to dodge bullets, as well as secrets, can be tough on a guy, but Max thinks he can handle himself... Or does Cori want to be the one who handles him, like all those years ago..?
This book is hot! I had previously read the first book in the Bulletcatcher series (KILL ME TWICE) and it was really good, but it was obvious that from a few short paragraphs I had fallen for the big guy (Max), and had to get his book. Now, I have the next book in Roxanne St.Claire's series sitting on my nightstand, and I cannot wait to read it!
For those of you who think this genre isn't your style: You're wrong. I thought the same thing. I'm more of a paranormal/historical reader, but this series seriously rocks! You'll have to read it to beilive it, but it's the truth, so put the Bulletcatchers on your TBB (to be bought) list (or your holiday wish list!).
(First, we'll play a little game of catch up so you guys know what the series is about!) Lucy is an ex-CIA agent who nows runs her own buisness. She protects people with her sexy group of bulletcatchers (aka bodyguards). Lucy doesn't work for just anyone however, she works for the richest of the rich, meaning her and her boys are doing damn good in the finances. But then, when you're the best there is at the game, people will empty out their pockets for you.. well, and to save their own lives..
Now, meet Max Roper, the big gorgeous bodyguard prides himself on keeping his emotions (the ones he has left) under complete control while on the job. Except, will he be able to keep the flames under control when guarding his ex-love?
Cori ran away from Max (they were together for a year) after her father, who worked with Max, died in a shooting. Cori thinks Max could have prevented her father's death, but could he have?
Now, 5 years later, Cori is a widow to a billionaire, an old billionaire, and Max has been hired to protect her from her angry step-son. It's obvious as soon as his name is mentioned that Cori hasn't gotten over the big hunk, and neither has Max (got over Cori, that is). Having to dodge bullets, as well as secrets, can be tough on a guy, but Max thinks he can handle himself... Or does Cori want to be the one who handles him, like all those years ago..?
This book is hot! I had previously read the first book in the Bulletcatcher series (KILL ME TWICE) and it was really good, but it was obvious that from a few short paragraphs I had fallen for the big guy (Max), and had to get his book. Now, I have the next book in Roxanne St.Claire's series sitting on my nightstand, and I cannot wait to read it!
For those of you who think this genre isn't your style: You're wrong. I thought the same thing. I'm more of a paranormal/historical reader, but this series seriously rocks! You'll have to read it to beilive it, but it's the truth, so put the Bulletcatchers on your TBB (to be bought) list (or your holiday wish list!).
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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