Torn

Torn

by Keri Neal, Still Moments Publishing

After Agent Shane Baxter's last mission failed both professionally and personally, he fled the States and changed his name. When Dixie Peterson re-enters his life, he has a second chance to make things right. Dixie is determined to find out the truth about Shane's departure from her life two years ago, but someone else from her past is seeking revenge. Shane and Dixie are forced to confront the past, while their future is still unclear.

Genres: Romantic Suspense

176 pages, Paperback

First published January 27, 2013

About the author

Keri Neal is a native Californian who calls Texas “Home”. Growing up an only child, she was a big movie buff and an even bigger reader. As a child, she would write mini-mysteries on her typewriter and fantasize about becoming the next Christopher Pike. As an adult, she showed no interest in writing until her BFF, Cheryl sent her a text one day: “I’m thinking about writing a novel…”. And so they did. It was a fun, soul-crushing experience that taught her about the thrill of self-expression and the agony of rejection. Keri lives near Austin with her husband, two children, two hamsters and a snake. She crochets, sews, reads, paints and loves all things artsy and craftsy

Reviews

[Crystal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Torn by Keri Neal is a fast passed great combination of mystery & romance. This is one of the those stories that gets you hooked and keeps you turning the pages. There is so much going on and so many twist and turns it really keeps your attention.

Shane Baxter is a handsome agent that is on a mission when he meets the love of his life, Dixie. Their love is not suppose to be happening and could interfere with his mission. He will do anything in his power to keep Dixie safe, even if that means walking out of her life.

Dixie Peterson is a strong independent woman that finds herself in the middle of mess she didn't know was happening. Shane comes to her rescue to save her and then walks out of her life.

When these two both meet up later in a Mexican hotel things start to turn wild again. Can Dixie get past the lies Shane told her and trust him to keep her safe once again.

I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a good mystery with some romance thrown in. I found myself really into this story and I think you will too.

[Midnight Magic Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Torn, by Ms. Neal, is a whirl-wind, cloak-and-dagger, romantic suspense that will keep you reading to the end. Seriously folks, don't plan to put this story down until you've finished it!

In short, the plot is layered with suspenseful intrigue and the characters are realistic and rich with emotion. Just sit back and enjoy the ride! We did!! This adventure gets 5 Midnight Magic Girls!!

[Joy · Rating 1 out of 5]

176 pages

When reviews are so diverse I wonder what in hells name I've missed.

Torn seemed to have it all, action, intrigue, romance.



My thoughts and spoilers ahead.

Shane is an undercover agent and he’ll go to any lengths to secure a successful mission even if it means marrying as a means to that end.

Dixie lives with her aunt and uncle.

The clincher, at least for me comes when her uncle slips into Dixie’s room and they have sex. No the sex is not the clincher it’s the fact that for the last six months uncle Shane and Dixie have been having sex while his wife Lily, Dixie's aunt is sleeping just down the hall. In the reveal I thought the author had made a mistake and had to go back and read it again. No mistake. Of all the possible themes in the entire world why do down that track? Am I expected to feel some sort of connection with these two? Am I expected to believe because Shane married Lily only to get closer to a criminal that this excuses his behaviour? And Dixie's only excuse for screwing over her aunt is that she just cannot keep her hands off uncle Shane. Whatever. I assume she finds out as the story unfolds that Shane is a self sacrificing agent. Contempt is the only emotion generated by these two.

A tiny excerpt if you please:

Dixie is breaking up with uncle Shane, her conscience (or what there is of it) has at long last got the better of her.

Shane was on his feet, towering over her. “What am I supposed to do? Crawl in bed beside that washed up hag?”

Oh so very charming is our hero - not! The writing was good but I couldn't go on. I like romantic intrigue but I can get my fill elsewhere without the cringe factor. They deserve each other.