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Broken Silence
SHE'S HIDING A DEADLY SECRET…
…and someone wants to make sure Amber Talbot never reveals it. When she becomes the target of a car bomb and a home invasion, she gets the message loud and clear. If she tells anyone her secret, she will die. The person charged with protecting her is police detective Patrick Wiley—the fiancé she walked away from but never forgot. The same man she never wanted to tell about the attack that left her for dead. Back then Patrick couldn't save her. Now he must. Because the attacker has returned to finish what he started. Except this time he's got them both in his sights.
…and someone wants to make sure Amber Talbot never reveals it. When she becomes the target of a car bomb and a home invasion, she gets the message loud and clear. If she tells anyone her secret, she will die. The person charged with protecting her is police detective Patrick Wiley—the fiancé she walked away from but never forgot. The same man she never wanted to tell about the attack that left her for dead. Back then Patrick couldn't save her. Now he must. Because the attacker has returned to finish what he started. Except this time he's got them both in his sights.
224 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published March 1, 2015
18 people are currently reading
493 people want to read
About the author
Annslee Urban
7 books15 followersAnnslee Urban grew up watching old-time romance movies, which she attributes to her passion for sweet romance and happy endings. Her writing journey began when the youngest of her five children started school. As a member of ACFW, she served on the board of Carolina Christian Writers, has worked as a freelance writer and registered nurse. She enjoys Bible studies, cooking, traveling and grandbabies! She lives in NC with her husband and family. Contact her at annsleeurban@gmail.com
Also published under the name Mary Annslee Urban
Also published under the name Mary Annslee Urban
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
April 26, 2015
An excellent story! It has been a long time since I read a romance novel with a mystery intertwined and touched with the grace of god. The cover was a misunderstanding on my part as I thought this might be a more psychological and violent thriller. Now I see why Annslee chose this particular illustration.
The protagonists, Amber and Patrick were so inspiring and strong throughout. Patrick, now a Savannah Chatham Police Detective, is determined to bring Amber’s stalker to justice. As Amber’s secret is revealed and Patrick tries to protect her, someone is trying to kill her. Eleven years ago, Amber broke their engagement with no explanation and left. Patrick not only struggles with the case but he has realized he is still in love with Amber. Can they break through the barriers of secrets and guilt enough to forgive?
By the time I was halfway through the book, I kept thinking it was a few people after Amber. I like it when it gets to the point you really don’t know who the culprit is! Although some might say this is a ‘typical’ romantic mystery, I really enjoyed it and look forward to reading more of these creations when I get in one of my cozy and spiritual ‘moods’.
On a personal note, I struggle everyday with my relationship with god and faith since my oldest son was taken from me too soon. But I think this might have been a wake up call to open up my own heart and trust that my son is where he needs to be, as I am where I need to be.
I won this book in the first reads giveaway. A very special thank you to Annslee Urban for a copy of this fabulous story and for the wake up call.
The protagonists, Amber and Patrick were so inspiring and strong throughout. Patrick, now a Savannah Chatham Police Detective, is determined to bring Amber’s stalker to justice. As Amber’s secret is revealed and Patrick tries to protect her, someone is trying to kill her. Eleven years ago, Amber broke their engagement with no explanation and left. Patrick not only struggles with the case but he has realized he is still in love with Amber. Can they break through the barriers of secrets and guilt enough to forgive?
By the time I was halfway through the book, I kept thinking it was a few people after Amber. I like it when it gets to the point you really don’t know who the culprit is! Although some might say this is a ‘typical’ romantic mystery, I really enjoyed it and look forward to reading more of these creations when I get in one of my cozy and spiritual ‘moods’.
On a personal note, I struggle everyday with my relationship with god and faith since my oldest son was taken from me too soon. But I think this might have been a wake up call to open up my own heart and trust that my son is where he needs to be, as I am where I need to be.
I won this book in the first reads giveaway. A very special thank you to Annslee Urban for a copy of this fabulous story and for the wake up call.
November 23, 2025
There is a tender gravity woven through Broken Silence, a quiet ache that rises from the wounds Amber has carried. Every chapter felt like stepping into the places where the past presses the heart, where old pain whispers its own version of truth until the Lord’s presence steadies it again. The writing held that beautiful tension between danger and redemption… perfectly paced and richly drawn.
Amber’s journey through fear and faith was beautifully crafted. Her strength, her fear, her desire to help other women heal, each of these threads created a portrait of a woman longing for freedom while still learning how to trust that God restores the places pain, shame, and regret once claimed. When she stood before the audience to share her story, my heart stilled at these words: “The audience rose, giving Amber a standing ovation at the completion of her speech. She remembered a time when talking about the past would have been impossible. God’s grace was incredible.” That line revealed the story’s true center… grace finding its way into the quiet places, healing what pain tried to destroy and dismantling the enemy’s weapons of shame, fear, guilt, and silence.
And Patrick… what a beautifully steady presence. His faith, imperfect yet growing, gave this story warmth and sincerity that made every interaction with Amber honest and human. I loved the moment he said, “God put you back in my life, Amber.” It carried weight, purpose, and such a gentle assurance of God’s sovereignty in their reunion.
The suspense moved with clarity and urgency, but the deeper strength of this book rests in the way trust, forgiveness, and love unfold in layers shaped by God’s powerful hand. I felt as if I walked each step beside them… in the fear, in the unraveling truth, and in the quiet places where the Lord drew near and healed what two hearts believed would never be whole again.
This one is a gift for readers who treasure Christian romantic suspense filled with faith, heart, and the steady hope of redemption and restoration.
Amber’s journey through fear and faith was beautifully crafted. Her strength, her fear, her desire to help other women heal, each of these threads created a portrait of a woman longing for freedom while still learning how to trust that God restores the places pain, shame, and regret once claimed. When she stood before the audience to share her story, my heart stilled at these words: “The audience rose, giving Amber a standing ovation at the completion of her speech. She remembered a time when talking about the past would have been impossible. God’s grace was incredible.” That line revealed the story’s true center… grace finding its way into the quiet places, healing what pain tried to destroy and dismantling the enemy’s weapons of shame, fear, guilt, and silence.
And Patrick… what a beautifully steady presence. His faith, imperfect yet growing, gave this story warmth and sincerity that made every interaction with Amber honest and human. I loved the moment he said, “God put you back in my life, Amber.” It carried weight, purpose, and such a gentle assurance of God’s sovereignty in their reunion.
The suspense moved with clarity and urgency, but the deeper strength of this book rests in the way trust, forgiveness, and love unfold in layers shaped by God’s powerful hand. I felt as if I walked each step beside them… in the fear, in the unraveling truth, and in the quiet places where the Lord drew near and healed what two hearts believed would never be whole again.
This one is a gift for readers who treasure Christian romantic suspense filled with faith, heart, and the steady hope of redemption and restoration.
November 23, 2020
3 Stars ~ This is a quick read that held my interest from start to finish.
There's a killer stalking Amber and it has something to do with the assault she endured eleven years ago. An assault that left her feeling such shame and guilt that she ended her engagement without telling her fiancé what had happened.
When Amber's car explodes from a homemade bomb; Patrick, Savanah's lead detective, rushes to the scene. He's shocked to discover the target of the bomb was the woman who rejected him. Just one look into Amber's tortured eyes, and he feels compelled to be her protector. Untangling this mystery proves to be more dangerous each day as they get closer to identifying her stalker.
Patrick and Amber's reunion is filled with danger that forces them to face the scars of their past. As they unravel the truth, they learn how to trust, forgive and love each other.
There's a killer stalking Amber and it has something to do with the assault she endured eleven years ago. An assault that left her feeling such shame and guilt that she ended her engagement without telling her fiancé what had happened.
When Amber's car explodes from a homemade bomb; Patrick, Savanah's lead detective, rushes to the scene. He's shocked to discover the target of the bomb was the woman who rejected him. Just one look into Amber's tortured eyes, and he feels compelled to be her protector. Untangling this mystery proves to be more dangerous each day as they get closer to identifying her stalker.
Patrick and Amber's reunion is filled with danger that forces them to face the scars of their past. As they unravel the truth, they learn how to trust, forgive and love each other.
December 18, 2015
I really enjoyed this book. It was well written, action packed, and it included a sweet romance story along with a touch of faith.
From the back cover:
SHE'S HIDING A DEADLY SECRET…
…and someone wants to make sure Amber Talbot never reveals it. When she becomes the target of a car bomb and a home invasion, she gets the message loud and clear. If she tells anyone her secret, she will die. The person charged with protecting her is police detective Patrick Wiley—the fiancé she walked away from but never forgot. The same man she never wanted to tell about the attack that left her for dead. Back then Patrick couldn't save her. Now he must. Because the attacker has returned to finish what he started. Except this time he's got them both in his sights.
I highly recommend this book to anyone loving suspense and romance. Over all I give it five stars!
October 30, 2015
Boring and predictable.
January 22, 2015
Annslee Urban's twists and turns carry you around Savannah's cobblestones with a vengeance. Just when you think you know who the villain is -- it isn't. By the time I'd gotten three-quarters through, I was suspecting everyone!
Kudos to Urban for plotting a riveting romantic suspense!
My thanks to the author for a copy in exchange for my fair and honest review.
Kudos to Urban for plotting a riveting romantic suspense!
My thanks to the author for a copy in exchange for my fair and honest review.
January 20, 2022
I enjoyed the characters a lot and it had a lot of action to keep the reading going for me. I read it in one day so obviously, I was hooked! However, the reason for Amber being targeted was a little thin. Her "secret" wasn't really that "deadly" in my opinion if it got out. Not something to kill over since it happened 11 years ago! No wonder Amber couldn't figure out why she was being targeted by a car bomb and physical violence and such! I did like the romance and the characters though. I figured out who the bad guy was about halfway through, but it was still an interesting read!
June 3, 2019
Amber Talbot barely misses being killed with a car bomb and then manages to escape an attack in her home. The latter includes a threat to keep her secret or die. The investigation brings Patrick Wiley back into her life, her ex-fiance from 11 years ago and the time-frame of her secret. The violence escalates and we learn her secret. The romance was fine, typical of the genre but the investigation was full of holes.
November 22, 2024
I liked the story, but think the author could have explained the history between the hero and heroine a little earlier. I also noticed the author used the word "crimped" at every possible turn and not always in a logical fashion.
I wouldn't not read the author again, but wouldn't go out of my way for her.
This was part of a three story anthology.
I wouldn't not read the author again, but wouldn't go out of my way for her.
This was part of a three story anthology.
September 20, 2019
Wow
I would welcome d this book to everyone.Loved the suspense.I caught on to who it was just before it was revealed. It kept me reading to the end
I would welcome d this book to everyone.Loved the suspense.I caught on to who it was just before it was revealed. It kept me reading to the end
May 4, 2022
3.5/5
July 25, 2022
A good read
July 20, 2023
Very good. Romance and suspense at it best.
July 1, 2025
Great read. I suspected the one guy early on and was correct 😎
December 25, 2015
I'm still shocked that I was one of the contest winners that won a copy of this book. If it weren't for this contest, I probably would not have bothered with purchasing a copy of my own. I'm really happy I did because I was not disappointed.
It's considered a contemporary romance novel, but I honestly find that misleading. There is romance, but that is not the main focus. It's more of a mystery, thriller, and suspense novel. Amber Talbot is your typical good girl that doesn't get into trouble, but she has a secret that somebody wants her dead. She becomes that target of a car bomb and a home invasion. Now imagine this happening, but also tying her ex-fiance who just so happens to be the police detective assigned to her case. What happened to her eleven years ago caused her to walk away from Patrick without any kind of explanation. He wasn't able to protect her then, but now he makes it his goal to do just that.
Amber's story is so intense that it'll keep you wanting to flip through the pages until you find out what's next. I couldn't put it down. The fun of the book is that you don't know who it is that is actually the bad until it is finally revealed. It's also a story of faith and trusting God, something that Amber truly struggles with, especially since she still feels the shame and guilt from what happened in her past. Can Patrick learn to love again or will what happened with Amber damage him forever? You'll just have to read it yourself to find out!
It's considered a contemporary romance novel, but I honestly find that misleading. There is romance, but that is not the main focus. It's more of a mystery, thriller, and suspense novel. Amber Talbot is your typical good girl that doesn't get into trouble, but she has a secret that somebody wants her dead. She becomes that target of a car bomb and a home invasion. Now imagine this happening, but also tying her ex-fiance who just so happens to be the police detective assigned to her case. What happened to her eleven years ago caused her to walk away from Patrick without any kind of explanation. He wasn't able to protect her then, but now he makes it his goal to do just that.
Amber's story is so intense that it'll keep you wanting to flip through the pages until you find out what's next. I couldn't put it down. The fun of the book is that you don't know who it is that is actually the bad until it is finally revealed. It's also a story of faith and trusting God, something that Amber truly struggles with, especially since she still feels the shame and guilt from what happened in her past. Can Patrick learn to love again or will what happened with Amber damage him forever? You'll just have to read it yourself to find out!
May 15, 2015
She's hiding a deadly secret--is what is written on the back cover. I know right now this book has some great reviews from people, but I didn't like the book.
The back cover reads: …and someone wants to make sure Amber Talbot never reveals it. When she becomes the target of a car bomb and a home invasion, she gets the message loud and clear. If she tells anyone her secret, she will die. The person charged with protecting her is police detective Patrick Wiley—the fiancé she walked away from but never forgot. The same man she never wanted to tell about the attack that left her for dead. Back then Patrick couldn't save her. Now he must. Because the attacker has returned to finish what he started. Except this time he's got them both in his sights.
I can only say unbelievable, ridiculous. This book was hard for me to finish. The plot seemed to 'far out' even for me. The romance between the two main characters was fine, but the thought of someone being assaulted over a decade ago (drugged) and not remembering any faces AND then suddenly someone is trying to kill her because of what she might remember. She has given no one any indication that she remembers any more than she did a decade ago, but someone tries to blow her up!!!!
The back cover reads: …and someone wants to make sure Amber Talbot never reveals it. When she becomes the target of a car bomb and a home invasion, she gets the message loud and clear. If she tells anyone her secret, she will die. The person charged with protecting her is police detective Patrick Wiley—the fiancé she walked away from but never forgot. The same man she never wanted to tell about the attack that left her for dead. Back then Patrick couldn't save her. Now he must. Because the attacker has returned to finish what he started. Except this time he's got them both in his sights.
I can only say unbelievable, ridiculous. This book was hard for me to finish. The plot seemed to 'far out' even for me. The romance between the two main characters was fine, but the thought of someone being assaulted over a decade ago (drugged) and not remembering any faces AND then suddenly someone is trying to kill her because of what she might remember. She has given no one any indication that she remembers any more than she did a decade ago, but someone tries to blow her up!!!!
March 12, 2015
Charged with danger and excitement. The only silence broken in my house was from my gasps of alarm! (and my warning shouts at the hapless heroine!) Taut suspense, plenty of action and a rekindling love all combine to make this a winning read. Not to the mention the impact of Amber's secret (felt like shards of glass piercing my heart.) Urban keeps cranking up the tension in the fast-paced plot until the no-holds-bar conclusion.
Read
January 12, 2016"Urban’s latest is fast-paced and provides the reader with a number of clues to the attacker’s identity. The reader is educated on a number of facts regarding violent assaults against women. Amber’s character demonstrates that while people face regrets and past scars, God can show us how to use our pain to help others" (RT Book Reviews, 4 stars).
March 16, 2015
This book hooked me in!
Once I started reading this I was drawn in hook, line, and sinker! It kept moving! This author is a great suspense writer. Very potent theme throughout. I highly recommend reading this book!!!
Once I started reading this I was drawn in hook, line, and sinker! It kept moving! This author is a great suspense writer. Very potent theme throughout. I highly recommend reading this book!!!
June 7, 2015
It was hard for me to get into this book. I spent 4-6 weeks picking it up and abandoning it again. I figured out who the villain was very early on.
Overall, pretty standard romance.
I received a copy via the Goodreads First Reads program.
Overall, pretty standard romance.
I received a copy via the Goodreads First Reads program.
Read
January 12, 2016received 4 stars @ RT Book Reviews
March 20, 2015
Interesting
Storylines is amazing good. It encourages women to speak out against crime happened to them. Two character relationships into heart.
Storylines is amazing good. It encourages women to speak out against crime happened to them. Two character relationships into heart.
Read
January 24, 2017Was edge of your seat nail biting action pack adventure.
July 31, 2018
pretty good book...predictable plot...figured out the suspects before the middle of the story...didn;t have enough suspense for my tastes
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews