Escape: Part One

Escape #1

by Sydney Holmes

*** ON SALE LIMITED TIME ONLY***
ESCAPE Part One
A Three Part Romantic Suspense Series

SOME SECRETS SHOULD NEVER BE SHARED

When beautiful and mysterious Rowan Baker moves in upstairs from Shane Adams, he is instantly captivated. With every encounter he becomes more intrigued, but as an experienced Private Investigator, he can’t shake the suspicion that Rowan is holding on to some big secrets.
Rowan has been on the run for years and she’s good at keeping her distance from people. But there’s something about Shane that’s completely tantalizing. Soon, her life becomes more complicated than she ever expected, making her secrets harder and harder to keep. The closer she gets to Shane, the more she fears that he won’t accept her if he learns the truth of her past. When she is forced to let go of one of her secrets, will Shane stay, or will Rowan push him so far away he can’t make his way back?

Genres: Romance, Contemporary Romance, Romantic Suspense, Erotica

192 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 22, 2014

About the author

Sydney Holmes, a USA Today best-selling author, writes alluring mysteries to spice up your night! Writing mysteries is a dream come true. Sydney writes thrilling mysteries and provocative romance because she loves lascivious men and strong, confident, women. She believes there are few things as exciting as reading a great book about two people searching for each other, and finding themselves. Add in a murder, kidnapping or a decades old mystery and it just doesn’t get any better.

Sydney is happily married with two children. She graduated from The George Washington University with a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and holds a Master's degree in Education. She lives near the ocean in California and travels as often as she can.

Sydney has traveled all over the world with her family and often gets inspired on the road. She loves mysteries and puzzles, hiking and scuba diving, traveling and reading. She can often be found sitting in Starbucks listening to people talk to each other when they think no one is paying attention. So, keep that in mind next time you sit down to share your secrets over a vanilla latte, the woman sitting next to you might be her, and those just might be notes she's taking.


Memberships and Associations: NINC, RWA Pan, Sister’s In Crime, SWAT Academy graduate.

Reviews

[Coco.V]

🎁 FREE on Amazon today (7/18/2020)! 🎁

[Jacqueline · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow, this one really took me by surprise.

Rowan is a woman with a secret past. We know she's hiding from someone, we know she knows how to use a gun and she can find the nearest escape point in any room she's in. but for now she's working at a pool, keeping her head down and out of trouble.

Shane is a PI who lives in the same apartment complex as Rowan. He's seen Rowan around and he's drawn to her, even though he can see she is keeping something pretty big from him.

The set up in this was really edge-of-the-seat engaging and the plot is full of suspense and pretty realistic drama. Rowan's secrets are hinted at rather than revealed and I found myself guessing and trying to piece together what could've happened to her. This is really well plotted and I sense that this, the first in the series, only gives us part of that back story, there's still lots to come.

What really kept me reading though was the chemistry between Rowan and Shane. It was one of those books that gave me butterflies, the interaction between the two of them is that good. They are both mature adults so there's no TSTL behaviour going on, just two people who are attracted to one another going for it and seeing where it takes them. They hold out on the smut for quite a while and when that finally happens, that's pretty stellar too. Oh and Shane's got a dirty mouth. That's me happy.

If you enjoy something with love, suspense and smut with low angst, you'll love this.

This ends on a cliffhanger, with the second part already available and the final part due out soon. I can't wait to read more.

**I was gifted a copy by the publisher via netgalley in return for my honest opinion**

[Dirty Dayna · Rating 4 out of 5]

* free book provided via netgalley and the publisher for an honest review *
4 Mispers Stars!
144 pages
I loved the end of the dedication : Fight hard, your life is waiting for you
Rowan is so sad in her mind it makes me want to understand her past as she is in her new job as manager of a snack shack she delivers food to this group of kids and a guy that has her blushing easily wanting this guy badly
Shane (the guy in question) is excited he ran into the girl HIS GIRL the one hes been trying to meet for weeks hes also a PI who finds missing girls for a living.
I enjoyed their coupling because they are older 31-32 so the dialog wasn’t the typical high school cheesefest!

Shane steals my bloody girl heart…
I don’t care how we do this, Rowan. Fast or slow. Run, don’t run. Doesn’t matter . im in. youre in. we can do this any way you want. We can sleep together, we can date, we can move in together. It doesn’t matter, this… this is happening
Holy shit on a brick does a lot go on in this little serial. It is nothing how the cover depicts but this PI and mystery Ro and her …I have nooo idea Justin are on the road for some serious adventures. I think the book should be called runaway
I could see myself following this series...who knew romantic suspense would be this good! The romance is mild and not erotica so I think it will be well received.

[BooksandBeyondFiftyShades · Rating 5 out of 5]

P.I Shane Adams, was a gorgeous 32 year old single guy living in a quiet apartment complex when one day he saw this beautiful girl moving in he couldn't stop looking at her and fantazing about it. While taking care of his niece and nephews, while his sister and brother in law were on their second honeymoon, the last person he tought he see there was his beautiful neighbor and he knew this was his chance to get to know her.

Rowan Baker, at 31 she was tired of being on the run for the last two years. She knew she had to be careful and keep looking over her shoulder in order to be on the lookout for "Jolly". Rowan was really good at keeping her eyes open and her heart closed, she couldn't afford to go thru a heart break one more time, especially now that she had Justin with her.

Shane made it very clear to Rowan he wanted a relationship with her and he was there for her, but he knew there was so many secrets she was keeping from him. Rowan knew she couldn't be honest with Shane, the only thing to do here was to run once again.

Can Rowan share her HUGE secret with Shane or will she run and never come back to him, the only man that makes her feel safe?

If you are a fan of romance and suspence well this series is for you.

I will recommend it to you.

[💫MakeU1dor 🌺 · Rating 5 out of 5]

*~* I received an ARC in exchange for a honest review. *~*

I have to say that I really enjoyed this book. And what a bombshell to be left with. The way she detailed each character just left you wanting to know more. I could not put the book down!!!

Rowan is a 31 year old working a snack shack starting over. From what I'm not sure of yet. She is smart, witty, sweet and very observant. She lives in the same complex as Shane and they start seeing each other. Justin enters the picture and I'm not sure what to think.

Justin is also a lot like Rowan. Nice, kind, guarded and seems to have a unique set of skills. He also meets Shane and they become friends/work partners of sorts. Justin is just starting out in life and is very nonchalant about everything. Shane however is very impressed with his skills and the information he is vaguely revealing about Rowan.

Shane is a PI and Rowan has captured his attention. He is very taken with the beauty and wants to know all there is to know about her. I like that he is sweet and hard at the same time. He also can read her like no one else seems to be able to. The way these two have build and get to know each other is very nice and hot. I can't wait to see where the story leads and I am dying to know more!!! Highly recommend this book!!!

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Received an ARC for review

I really enjoyed this part of Rowan and Shane's story. I love to hate cliffhangers. At least I don't have to wait for the next part since it's already out. We know Rowan is hiding something. Actually lots of somethings, but boy was that one a shocker. Now what's the rest?!? I hope she has plans for his partners to get HEAs.

[Tina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Escape Part One is the first book in a three-part trilogy by author Sydney Holmes. I loved the blend of romance and suspense. Really keeps you guessing. I also very much enjoyed the characters.
Shane is an experience P.I. he knows there is something going on with his new neighbor and it is not good.
Rowan is experienced at keeping people at arm’s length. She has to be. But turns out she needs Shane. And he might the only guy who can save her.
This one is really interesting and page-turning story. Full of suspense, and great chemistry. The one draws back for me is the cliffhanger ending. I am not a fan of those. But I guess you have to read all three parts to get the full story. This one is an into and will leave you with many unanswered questions. I did, however, enjoy reading this one and look forward to parts two and three in the future.



Four Twinkling Stars

[Epiphany · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. This book is crazy good. This book grabbed me from the first page. I love the two main characters Shane and Rowan but then in walks Justin. Talk about reading to the last page, BOOM...You will have to read to find out what floored me. Just as I thought I had figured out Rowan and Justin I find out I still don't know what they are hidding. This book is a suspenseful, sexy, steamy, frustratingly, good reads. I can't wait to read the next book.

[Tina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank goodness for ibooks first in a series free.
I am anxious to see what happens.
I had an inkling about the reveal at the end of the book, but the rest has me stumped.
Justin has quickly become a favourite character in the books I've read recently.

[Angi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book had me completely engaged from the beginning. I love Shane and Rowan as a couple! I am very intrigued to find out who Rowan is running from and why. Sydney Holmes created a suspenseful storyline while maintaining the ability to build a love story. I am anxious to find out what secrets Rowan has, especially after the bombshell at the end of Book 1. Although I am not usually a fan of cliffhangers, I was aware that this was a three part series so I was prepared to be left with questions. I cannot wait to read the other two parts of this series to find out if the secrets Rowan has will cause her to walk away from Shane or if they can overcome them together!

[Michelle VanDaley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book and am looking forward to reading the rest. If I was unable to get the next book immediately I would be frustrated since there are so many unanswered questions in Book 1. It lays the groundwork nicely but I would have liked 1 & 2 (and possibly 3) as One full Novel instead of broken into under 200 page parts - that's just my preference.

[Jeannie Zelos · Rating 3 out of 5]

Escape, Part One, Sydney Holmes
Review from jeannie zelos book reviews
 
I enjoyed this read but found the mystery behind it – who was Rowan really, and what was she running from, what was she hiding, really frustrating. To be honest I like  some mystery but this was a bit too in the dark. I really needed a bit more information. It was difficult to empathise with her, to understand what was going on when half the people we heard about via telephone, conversations or Rowan's inner thoughts are still a mystery even at the end of the book.
I loved Shane, and his colleagues, and the way he felt for Rowan right from the start – and when they got together that was seriously hot...yet as a P.I. wouldn't he have looked up some of the mystery about her – even if he just told himslef it was to help protect Rowan, as its clear she's worried about something or someone?
There was a lot I found problematic – Rowen is only 31 and yet her son is 18? And he’s an expert at housebreaking, self defence, guns etc at that young age....so good that even the very expericened P.I.s are in awe of his talents..I really needed more on how this all happened, as it was it just felt too fictional and unreal, and for me I need to feel the people and the situations are or could be real.
At the end of the ARC the author notes state that books two and three will be out in August. Its 23rd Aug as I write this and though part two is out I can’t find any reference yet to part three. Hopefully its in the works, I hate to wait long between parts of a book. That brings me to my next point. This book is 144 pages, book two is 124 pages, and I’d prefer it all to be one book, rather than three!! I’ve noticed this happening a lot – books being released in sections and I'm sure there are those that love it – just not me! Partly because I’ve read so many part books where authors have never completed the series, and that's really frustrating.
Stars: Its difficult, I think if I had the whole series as one it would be a four to five star, but as it is it feels so unfinished and I've so many unanswered questions that its a three from me. Good but not great.
ARC supplied via Netgalley and publishers.

[Monica Cullip · Rating 4 out of 5]

Escape

Sydney Holmes

This story was gifted to me in exchange for an honest review by Net Galley.

It is the first in a trilogy and I must warn you up front, this contains one hell of a cliffhanger. With that being said, it was worth the read and I will definitely be reading the next two in order to find out what happens.

Rowan is working at a hamburger joint at a local pool for the summer and hints are being dropped that she is running from something and someone. She is constantly on guard and is basically living out of boxes with little to no furniture.

She is attracted to her neighbour but her cautious nature urges her to go slowly and be careful of what she is getting into. Shane is more than eager to meet her and allows her to take her time at the beginning.

There are plenty of questions that need answering and even more pop up with the arrival of Justin and the mysterious postcards used for communicating.

The romance between Rowan and Shane is hot and steamy and it is good to see her do something for herself, to let herself go and enjoy life for a day. She is beginning to open up to him at least on an emotional level.

But the questions remain. Who are the mysterious Jewel and Colt? Why do Rowan and Justin seem to know so much about guns, self defense and hiding? Hopefully these will be revealed as we go along. I would rate this story a 4/5. It had a great story line, hot sex and great suspense, but I do think it could have moved along a little bit faster.

[Lori · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a book about a woman on the run from something. She holes up in this apartment complex above the very hot and tempting PI Shane. Shane immediately takes an interest in Rowan and has to get to know her. Shane is intrigued by Rowan and all of her secrets. Will he learn what the secrets are...will we?

That was the BIG question throughout this entire book. I must be honest; I struggled with reading this book and remaining interested. I don't feel like the author gave enough nuggets of the secret away to keep me invested in the story. It escapes me and made it very difficult for me to relate to Rowan or believe anything more than she is a girl on the run for an unknown reason with no real conveyed danger. Also, Shane is a PI right? He is intrigued by Rowan and then jealous of her "relative" Justin which we don't learn what kind of relative Justin is until the cliffhanger ending. But Shane doesn't once use his PI skills to figure her out or learn a bit about her. I found this to be a bit of a loss in the story. The author could have had Shane investigate her which would make the danger more imminent and add to the intensity of the story.

I don't know, maybe more will be revealed in book two. I may read it simply because of the cliffhanger the author gave at the end. But I will say, if I become as disinterest with book two as I did with book 1...not sure I will finish it.

I was provided this book by netgalley for an honest review.

[Kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

**I received this book from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review**


This review is also posted here: http://superbookgrl13.blogspot.com/20...

This book was pretty much infuriating the entire time I read it. Mostly because the main character, Rowan, has some secret hidden past, she keeps talking about it to herself, and dropping names, and I just get more and more confused. It's not about secrets or intrigue, or suspense, its just plain confusing to me. And by the end of the book, I still had no idea who most of the people she was talking to were. I do kinda guess her past, I have no idea if im on the mark or not, I have to read part 2 apparently to find out.



The synopsis leads you to figure that her life is complicated, secrets are harder to keep, and letting go of her secrets, but not once in the entire book, did any sort of dilemma like that cross her mind. I never remembered reading anything about "omg, theres this secret that's right here, and he will leave me if he finds out!" or anything like that. So I never got the big suspense of secrets..maybe because I was too busy being confused by the name dropping, Jolly, Talia, Lina, Jewel, all these people are brought up over and over and over, and it's just a bunch of names to me, not even glimpse of who they are, or what they have to do with the price of tea in china.

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

Rowan has some major secrets. It's obvious she's running from someone or something but we don't really have a complete explanation about her past. There are elements that can be added up together but we'll know more about what is going on only in the next parts. I have some kind of theory about her past, after it ended on a cliffhanger. I was starting to get a little frustrated to know so little about her story but in the end, I'm still intrigued and I liked what I've read so far. I could have skipped the moment where Justin had the girl in Rowan's appartment, though (especially now that we know how related they are... I would have been a little pissed if I was Rowan). Anyway, about the romance I think Shane and her were really good together, it also helps that Shane has a hot body and know how to use it! He's a PI and he knows that she carry layers of secrets, but that doesn't scare him off. I liked his character and the same goes with his buddies Cody and Rob, they were funny together.

Overall, I liked this book and I will probably read the next one.


***I received a copy of this book through Netgalley in exchange of an honest review***

[Romance Readers Retreat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Shane Adams is a hot sexy alpha male and works as a Private Investigator. His interest is peaked when Rowan Baker moves into the apartment upstairs. Shane thinks Rowan is beautiful and she captivates him. Whilst looking after his sisters 3 kids he finds out she is working at the pool café so makes the kids his excuse for continuing to go there so he can see her. 

Rowan Baker is running from something or someone. She knows how to scan a room and use a gun as well as self defense so what can she be running from. Shane is suspicious of her but can’t help himself so she gives in thinking she can be normal for just a while until she makes her mind up on wether she runs again. Then turns up Justin throwing her off completely and leaving Shane to try work out who he is to Rowan.

I enjoyed this book and it keeps all the reasons behind Rowans movements a total mystery. It’s one of those books where you keep reading through to see if the next page reveals the big mystery of who or what she is running from. I was disappointed to only find answers to a small part of the mystery surrounding Rowan but hopefully book 2 will explain all. Overall a great read and I would recommend to readers. A very fab 4 stars from me.

[Catherine Wright (Cat's Guilty Pleasure) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rowan is the new girl that moved into the apartment across from Shane the P. I. He can't get her off his mind. When they finally meet there is an instant attraction between them. Rowan is running from something in her past and the secret she's keeping is making things complicated. She's not sure she can trust Shane. Will she divulge her secret or will she run again?

The mystery is great and the author has a way of keeping you involved just see what's going to happen next. I'm surprised I liked the hook as much as I did. The author has a way of writing that makes you fall in love with the characters and the plot of this book. There is a cliffhanger, so I'll be looking forward to reading the next book to see how it turns out.

I was given a copy by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Christy Tyler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, so not what I expected given the cover. Rowan is on the run from her past working odd jobs to make ends meet. What the trouble is, we are left guessing throughout the book. A cult? I keep thinking Waco Texas in the early 90s? Whatever it was has left Rowan on high alert and very alone. She communicates with two other people via postcards and pay phones. Something is definitely not right in Rowan's world. Shane, a private detective and Rowan's neighbor, falls madly in love with Rowan and tries to figure her and her past out. Amazing story, super fast read with a cliff hanger ending. I am speechless as I wait for book 2! Awesome job Sydney!

[Tamra LeValley · Rating 3 out of 5]

NetGalley Free Book

Rowan is the new woman in the apartment complex. Shane, a PI, can't seem to keep his mind off of her. Onoce they meet the sparks fly and the secret she is keeping is getting more complicated. Can she trust him or will she have to run again?

I was actually quite surprised at how much I liked this book. The plot is very mysterious and exciting. The author does a fabulous job of keeping it well hidden and yet leaves clues to help the reader along.

The characters are fabulous. I do however hate being left hanging. I knew that going in but still gets under my skin. I suggest you wait for all the novels to come out and then read them all at once.

[Karinosa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was kept in my toes. Little bit of bread crumbs here and there. She pulls you in little by little. You never get the full picture of what is going on. I mean Shane sounds wicked hot! Rowan was sweet and strong for get size. The cliffhanger was a doozy, but pretty much had it figured out. I enjoyed it. Wanted it longer. More info more reading more characters. Just More!! Enjoyed it, was a fast read!

In received this ARC from the publisher via Net Galley for my honest review. Thank you, Net Galley!

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Escape," by Sydney Holmes is suspenseful, sexy and enjoyable.  The story is interesting and I liked the characters. Unfortunately, it's only 144 pages and ends abruptly with a note from the author that there will two more parts published as separate books. I don't know if this is a ploy by the publisher or author to sell more books. Whichever it is, it leaves me feeling manipulated. "Escape" leaves a lot of questions unanswered and it seems a story that should've been told in one book is divided into three.

[Samantha · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well didn't see that coming. The ending of Escape Part One didn't end how I thought it was going to be. I mean we know Rowan is hiding stuff however part of it finally comes out.

Shane is a PI and he knows when things are not adding up. Add in the fact he's pretty decent at reading people....well we know Rowan isn't going to be able to hide forever.

Hes been attracted to her since the moment he saw her. Now he's finally getting what he wants and their relationship is only starting. but what will happen now the truth has come out?

[Louise Maclean · Rating 5 out of 5]

O my BEJESUS what a story. I have never read this authors writing material before, until I requested her book on netgalley, I think all the people should join netgalley because there are authors on there that just blow your mind with there work just like Sydney Holmes has done to me. Her book Escape part 1 took me on a roller coaster ride, the characters Rowan, Justin and Shane take you on, I did not want the ride to end. I am so looking forward to the next part of Escape. Thank you Sydney Holmes for an explosive mind blowing book.

[Jamie Chrystal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rowan is very secretive and we read that she is hiding from someone in her past. Working at the pool she meets Shane, who is a PI and also happens to live in the same complex as she does. They are both instantly attracted to each other and their chemistry is strong. There is a cliffhanger at the end of the book and I can't wait to read the next one to find out what happens.

*ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for my honest review*

[Heather Lader · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I first found this book I was kinda skeptical. It looked good and I tagged a friend to see if she read it. The author even commented and said I'd love the series.

As of tonight I have finished book one and I have to say it kept me turning pages. I had to know what Rowan's secrets were and see what would happen.

I'm starting book two because Sydney Holmes has kept me curious to see what happens next.

[Kjen · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars...This was a solid read. I enjoy Holmes's writing style. Her love scenes are extremely well done, hot, and don't contain words that make me cringe;) Parts of the story did drag for me, and I feel it is taking too long for Rowan's secrets to be revealed. I'm interested enough to want to continue on to book 2.

[Casey · Rating 4 out of 5]

A copy was provided by the Netgalley for an honest review.

So many secrets! I have to admit that my curiosity is making me NEED to pursue this series. I have to know all of Rowan’s secrets like yesterday.

[CD Keith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Suspenseful, romantic and hot! Throw in a cliffhanger and you are hooked. I'm going to get book 2 right now. I couldn't put it down. I knew something big was coming but I was shocked at the big revalation.

Thank you Crepi House Publishing and NetGalley for ARC.

[Pamela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fucking loved it!