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Smithson Group #6
Larger Than Life
With her wildly popular SG-5 series, Alison Kent proved that taut suspense and hot, sensual romance make for an irresistible mix. Now, in Larger Than Life, Kent ups the ante again with a story of two people caught in a high-stakes game where their hearts and lives are on the line. After being beaten and left for dead in the New Mexico desert, Smithson Group agent Mick Savin tries to piece together his last few days. He remembers bits and pieces: gathering crucial intel. An ambush by Spectra thugs. And then...nothing, except waking up in some medical center in rural west Texas. His mission was top secret. So how did he end up here? The answer is Neva Case. If the former big-city attorney hadn't been out in her pick-up, Mick wouldn't be alive. Mick's never met anyone quite like Neva. She's smart, sexy, and passionate. She also has a secret. Neva runs the Big Brown Barn, an underground shelter for young girls forced into unwanted polygamist marriages. Neva would do anything for these girls--and that's what worries Mick. Neva may be trusting, but Mick's instincts tell him that something's not quite right. He's not about to let someone get to Neva and the girls on his watch. Especially when one of the girls brings trouble straight to the barn's front door. Now, with the shelter in unimaginable danger and time running out, Mick is in for the fight of his life, one that could cost him the woman he's come to love more than anything.
309 pages, Paperback
First published June 7, 2005
481 people are currently reading
372 people want to read
About the author
Alison Kent
129 books639 followersI often read of or hear about authors who knew they were meant to tell stories from the time they left the crib. Me? I didn't decide what I wanted to be when I grew up until I was thirty years old - and then sold my first book at thirty-four. Still, it was obvious that I always knew I was going places.
Like so many other authors, I was a voracious reader from day one, devouring everything from Nancy Drew to My Friend Flicka, which I remember sitting hovered over the heater vent in the kitchen floor to read while my father made his coffee.
I moved on to my mother's Phyllis Whitney, Dorothy Eden, and Mary Stewart gothics before discovering my first true romances written by Lucy Walker and set in the Australian Outback. And then, at last, when I was 18 I found 'The Flame and the Flower'. (My son almost spent his life as Brandon because of that, but I spared him and named him Casey instead!)
Why write romance? Because love stories have always been a major part of the books I've loved. Father Ralph and Meggie Cleary. (I did name my daughter Megan after reading The Thorn Birds! Do you see a trend here?) The aforementioned Brandon Birmingham and Heather Simmons. Wolf Mackenzie and Mary Potter.
Even more so, it's because I love writing romance heroes. The men who sweep both heroines and readers off their feet - not to mention their authors, too!
I've spent several years happily writing action adventure romance for Kensington Brava along with hot and sexy series romances for Harlequin Blaze. Now I'm thrilled to be a launch author for Vows.
Like so many other authors, I was a voracious reader from day one, devouring everything from Nancy Drew to My Friend Flicka, which I remember sitting hovered over the heater vent in the kitchen floor to read while my father made his coffee.
I moved on to my mother's Phyllis Whitney, Dorothy Eden, and Mary Stewart gothics before discovering my first true romances written by Lucy Walker and set in the Australian Outback. And then, at last, when I was 18 I found 'The Flame and the Flower'. (My son almost spent his life as Brandon because of that, but I spared him and named him Casey instead!)
Why write romance? Because love stories have always been a major part of the books I've loved. Father Ralph and Meggie Cleary. (I did name my daughter Megan after reading The Thorn Birds! Do you see a trend here?) The aforementioned Brandon Birmingham and Heather Simmons. Wolf Mackenzie and Mary Potter.
Even more so, it's because I love writing romance heroes. The men who sweep both heroines and readers off their feet - not to mention their authors, too!
I've spent several years happily writing action adventure romance for Kensington Brava along with hot and sexy series romances for Harlequin Blaze. Now I'm thrilled to be a launch author for Vows.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
August 12, 2014
I much prefer Alison Kent's contemporary romances, which flirt with romantic comedy and include a high steam factor. This was my first reading of any of her romantic suspenses and it was a miss.
I did not like the writing which I found too familiar, too spoken and involving too many profanities. I did not really like the setting with too many lead characters having had deep traumas in their life . Too many things remained open by the end of the book, or I definitely did not understand how what was supposedly the hero lead investigation was solved or if it was. The real villain did not seem real at all and his appearance finished to build my irritation to the max.
I'll steer clear of any other books in this series and any books of this genre by this author.
I did not like the writing which I found too familiar, too spoken and involving too many profanities. I did not really like the setting with too many lead characters having had deep traumas in their life . Too many things remained open by the end of the book, or I definitely did not understand how what was supposedly the hero lead investigation was solved or if it was. The real villain did not seem real at all and his appearance finished to build my irritation to the max.
I'll steer clear of any other books in this series and any books of this genre by this author.
April 12, 2008
Alison Kent's books just continually improve. One thing that I like about her romantic suspense/adventure books is that there is variation in the setting and the adventure.
July 21, 2017
It was an okay book. I felt more detail was needed to make a better story. I am also not a fan of the lead couple falling in love within 2 days of meeting one another.
May 31, 2018
I really liked this book, even though it was an instant love. I really hate instant love stories, yet this one was fun. I loved Mick and Neva. They are both strong, independent, protective and have major trust issues. They do have reasons for the trust issues. They do learn to trust and accept help when needed. I really enjoyed the secondary characters and how they all have similar stories. I liked how Alison Kent brought everything together. So far this has been my favorite of the Smithson Group SG-5 Series book. Alison Kent used issues in today's news and made it believable for me. Now there were a couple of twist that most would not see coming. I figured out 2 of the 3 twist early, that did not keep me from reading the story. I wish I could recommend this book without having to read the others, because the others a little hard to read.
September 20, 2017
This book has great characters, both good and evil, as well as a very complex storyline that kept me engrossed well into the wee hours of the morning. It does continue the on going mission of The Smithson Group and starts with disastrous consequences for Mick Savin when he's caught trespassing. Former lawyer Nevada Case takes Mick into her home but she has secrets of her own that get them both into all kinds of trouble with the law. Ms. Kent has written a taut thriller that took me a wild roller coaster ride that had me holding my breath right to the very satisfying ending.
January 10, 2020
I wasn't sure about this book at first ...
But I'm glad I stayed on for the whole ride. The story is disjointed at first, and I grew impatient with trying to remember who was who and figuring out why they were in the story at all. The hints and allusions annoyed me, too. I considered giving up until about four or five chapters in. Once things got rolling, they really got rolling. The editing is superb, so no gripes there.
But I'm glad I stayed on for the whole ride. The story is disjointed at first, and I grew impatient with trying to remember who was who and figuring out why they were in the story at all. The hints and allusions annoyed me, too. I considered giving up until about four or five chapters in. Once things got rolling, they really got rolling. The editing is superb, so no gripes there.
May 5, 2023
Neva Case finds Mick Savin and his dog FM on the side of the road in bad shape having been attacked and dragged through the desert and dumped. Mick has been on assignment for the Smithson Group but can recall exactly what happened to him the last few days. Neva is secretly aiding runaway girls from a religious fanatical group and can't afford being in the spotlight for anything. Neither can trust anyone, but are drawn to each other. Lots of hidden agendas. OK romantic suspense.
September 6, 2017
Couldn't put it down
This series just keeps getting better. I love reading the stories of SG-5, and experiencing their awakening into love. However, this books is so much more. So many characters with hidden secerets, horrific pasts, and twisted agendas. It's a whirlwind of an adventure, full of surprises.
This series just keeps getting better. I love reading the stories of SG-5, and experiencing their awakening into love. However, this books is so much more. So many characters with hidden secerets, horrific pasts, and twisted agendas. It's a whirlwind of an adventure, full of surprises.
October 25, 2019
Romance and a well thought out plot. A can't lose story.
A very interesting storyline. A few twists but best of all never boring. It wasn't edge of your seat reading but 3 different love stories all meshing with low level suspense. After your done you'll have a warm feeling for a while. What more can anyone ask.
A very interesting storyline. A few twists but best of all never boring. It wasn't edge of your seat reading but 3 different love stories all meshing with low level suspense. After your done you'll have a warm feeling for a while. What more can anyone ask.
February 27, 2020
This is an intriguing and captivating read about a lady in a small west Texas community that has a twisted cult following. She is trying to do her part to save young girls from their destined lives within the cult. The twists and turns in the storyline keeps the reader riveted and unable to put it down!
September 8, 2024
Another book that was a bit of a disappointment. I didn't find the suspense suspenseful enough. I figured things out before the ending, which I don't love. I always appreciated a good surprise twist. The storyline was borderline boring. The sexy scenes fell flat. Unfortunately, this book just didn't do it for me.
September 4, 2017
Enjoyable
I love this series. This book has interesting, strong, loyal characters with warmth and depth. The story has suspense and action and romance. All the things I love. Totally enjoyable.
I love this series. This book has interesting, strong, loyal characters with warmth and depth. The story has suspense and action and romance. All the things I love. Totally enjoyable.
October 31, 2019
Intriguing story of saving girls from religious zealots and a cooperating town
A fast moving incredible psychological thriller of a lawyer and friends saving abused children add a religious cult and crooked businessmen to the mix and read this amazingly realistic story.
A fast moving incredible psychological thriller of a lawyer and friends saving abused children add a religious cult and crooked businessmen to the mix and read this amazingly realistic story.
August 10, 2017
My favorite of the series so far, even though it dealt less with the Smithson Griup and more with Neva's life.
August 10, 2017
This book hooked me from the start. I loved every part of it, right up until the end. The story line left out critical parts to tie off the end, and jumped straight to the HEA! Very frustrating.
September 16, 2017
This is the first novel of Alison Kent that I've read. Super great, just a little slow in the startup, but fantastic storyline and character development. Thank you, a great read!
October 26, 2019
5+ Star's
I liked that Mick, and Neva's story wasn't just a romance book but was funny, steamy, and suspenseful, with strong characters both male and female.
I liked that Mick, and Neva's story wasn't just a romance book but was funny, steamy, and suspenseful, with strong characters both male and female.
October 31, 2019
Not for me. I had a hard time finishing this book. Felt like the author was trying too hard to be diverse.
November 2, 2019
Oh, what a story...
Interesting characters, great love story and easy to imagine the view. Such a great western-style book.
TA TA for now.
Interesting characters, great love story and easy to imagine the view. Such a great western-style book.
TA TA for now.
Read
December 3, 2019Larger than Life
A fast paced short novel with just the right amount of mystery, action, romance times three, and even a dog.
A fast paced short novel with just the right amount of mystery, action, romance times three, and even a dog.
January 1, 2020
enjoyed a lot full of action with realistic characters and good storyline.
January 9, 2020
Didn't finish
January 24, 2020
Page turner
A very unique story with characters that are rich and diverse. Dialogues are real. Surprise ending. Did not see this one coming.
A very unique story with characters that are rich and diverse. Dialogues are real. Surprise ending. Did not see this one coming.
April 6, 2022
Very good story! Lot of sex
November 18, 2017
It is a great book to read
November 14, 2019
Neva
Tragedies often breed maturity and a special sensitivity to others in need. This book is very intelligently written and wonderfully plotted. Thank you for such an engrossing story.
Tragedies often breed maturity and a special sensitivity to others in need. This book is very intelligently written and wonderfully plotted. Thank you for such an engrossing story.
April 16, 2015
I jumped in to the Smithson Group SG-5 series with book six, Larger Than Life, and I unfortunately think I should have started from the beginning. I did have some confusion on the background of the Smithson Group and I don’t feel like I was as invested in the team as I could have been. Smithson agent Mick is beaten and left for dead in the desert where he’s rescued by Neva. Neva tries to keep her head down because she has secrets of her own she can’t let come to light but she’s not about to leave someone in distress. As Mick heals on Neva’s farm she slowly lets him in on the secret that she has been guarding. With her network breaking down she knows she needs to trust someone and Mick becomes the person who can help. But with the sheriff breathing down her neck will Neva, with Mick’s help, be able to rescue the young women coming to her for help? Good read, I just wish I had more of a background on the series.
**I received a copy of this story from the author**
**I received a copy of this story from the author**
July 26, 2015
interesting that the reviews of this have stars all-over the lot! i gave it 4. i liked it a lot. i would have liked to know: why Nevada didn't like her full name, what happened to her father, how exactly Mick "followed" Ed---"choppered in"??, could Jeanne have been anymore selfish?, why did Neva move to this spot, exactly? a little too much of "this is how it is" as opposed to "this is how it got to be like this". but still, lots of good suspense and an interesting story. i like these SG-5 guys.
December 2, 2014
I received this ebook in exchange for a review...
I enjoyed the story even though I read it while recuperating from a bad cold. I liked both Mick and Neva (though I would've enjoyed more of their back stories, tbh). The secondary characters were all great and I especially liked Candy and Spencer's story.
I sort of suspected the ending, but was still surprised when it happened.
I enjoyed the story even though I read it while recuperating from a bad cold. I liked both Mick and Neva (though I would've enjoyed more of their back stories, tbh). The secondary characters were all great and I especially liked Candy and Spencer's story.
I sort of suspected the ending, but was still surprised when it happened.
January 30, 2015
This book was ok, but it didn't really pull me in. I wanted to know more about why Neva got involved in helping the runaway girls and why Mick was a ... whatever he is. There were a lot of unanswered questions for me. I would have preferred more about that rather than the secondary romance. Maybe you have to read the whole series and not just jump in at book 5 like I did.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews