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Dangerous Vows
A sexy debut thriller packed with Southern charm and scandal…
When her cover is blown and her partner nearly killed, Miami vice squad officer Lucy Walker quits the force, packs her bags and drives to her childhood home in Graceful Bay, South Carolina. Seeking peace and quiet in the big beach house she inherited years earlier, Lucy is greeted by her best friend, Caroline Lamont, who is having some troubles of her own.
After the savagely beaten body of a young man is discovered not far from Lucy’s home, Caroline finally starts sharing her suspicions about her husband, Daniel. As Caroline continues to uncover her husband’s duplicity, Lucy begins to wonder whether she has escaped the Miami drug cartels after all. With the help of the county sheriff and Gabriel Black, the handsome new man in town, Lucy must save her best friend from a group of professional gangsters and a vengeful husband.
When her cover is blown and her partner nearly killed, Miami vice squad officer Lucy Walker quits the force, packs her bags and drives to her childhood home in Graceful Bay, South Carolina. Seeking peace and quiet in the big beach house she inherited years earlier, Lucy is greeted by her best friend, Caroline Lamont, who is having some troubles of her own.
After the savagely beaten body of a young man is discovered not far from Lucy’s home, Caroline finally starts sharing her suspicions about her husband, Daniel. As Caroline continues to uncover her husband’s duplicity, Lucy begins to wonder whether she has escaped the Miami drug cartels after all. With the help of the county sheriff and Gabriel Black, the handsome new man in town, Lucy must save her best friend from a group of professional gangsters and a vengeful husband.
ebook
First published March 3, 2015
About the author
Ava Parker
4 books270 followersAva Parker grew up in the Midwest and lived and traveled all over the world before returning to the United States. She studied literature and languages and worked as a research writer in biotechnology and finance. Now she writes romantic thrillers, cooks but doesn't clean, drinks a lot of peppermint tea and tries on a lot of shoes. A wanderer at heart, Ava continues to seek out new places and new adventures while she composes her next novel of romance, murder and intrigue.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
March 20, 2015
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An under cover cop blows off her cover and gets forced by her own conscious to take a retirement to her childhood home. She comes home to a different sort of mystery with a chilldhood friend and her psycho husband. Aided with an ex-military boyfriend and the area Sheriff, Lucy Walker sets off to yet another adventure to save her friend and bring the psycho gangster husband to justice.
The story is gripping right from the first page. The story line is fine and properly written. The character development is perfectly done. The mystery is subtly crafted and solved. Caroline felt like a kid at times but I suppose she is supposed to be like that. There were certain parts in the novel which felt like it is being dragged or too much information was given. A complete chapter was dedicated to a folk tale of the country side which I felt was not at all required. But if you remove all that (it is not a lot to be removed. Just some) it is a nice read in all. The closeness in a small country side felt intimate and soothing. The overall feel of the novel was really nice. A mystery without going dark.
An under cover cop blows off her cover and gets forced by her own conscious to take a retirement to her childhood home. She comes home to a different sort of mystery with a chilldhood friend and her psycho husband. Aided with an ex-military boyfriend and the area Sheriff, Lucy Walker sets off to yet another adventure to save her friend and bring the psycho gangster husband to justice.
The story is gripping right from the first page. The story line is fine and properly written. The character development is perfectly done. The mystery is subtly crafted and solved. Caroline felt like a kid at times but I suppose she is supposed to be like that. There were certain parts in the novel which felt like it is being dragged or too much information was given. A complete chapter was dedicated to a folk tale of the country side which I felt was not at all required. But if you remove all that (it is not a lot to be removed. Just some) it is a nice read in all. The closeness in a small country side felt intimate and soothing. The overall feel of the novel was really nice. A mystery without going dark.
April 4, 2015
I was in the mood for a page-turner, and I got it. A wonderful debut novel from Ava Parker. I fell in love with all the characters..... but Baxter is my favorite. Can't wait to find out if there'll be more about Lucy Walker and Gabriel Black.
February 1, 2015
‘Dangerous Vows’ by Ava Parker is a romantic thriller. It follows Lucy Walker, an undercover cop who has just come home after being wounded during an assignment. When a man is murdered down the beach from her home, Lucy’s best friend reveals the affair that got the man killed. Now Lucy and her new handsome neighbour, Gabriel, must keep Caroline safe from the husband who turns out to be the opposite of a Southern Gentleman.
I haven’t read much in this genre, but it’s one of my favourite types of movies. I refrain from calling ‘Dangerous Vows’ a mystery, as Parker lays everything out on the table from the get-go. There’s nothing left to the imagination. We’re told right away who the murderer is, why he did it, and what he plans on doing next. The only thing we really get to discover is how Lucy and her friends deal with the situations. Overall, it’s an interesting story. I enjoyed the small additions to the plot which made it slightly more complex. It wasn’t simply a husband scorned by his adulterous wife. There were quite a few more layers to him which I enjoyed reading. Unfortunately, there were other aspects of the novel I felt were forced and made me angry. Lucy is introduced as a cop who had recently been underground with a Miami drug cartel, but the rest of the novel she is described as moderately useless and in need of saving. At least, that’s how the people around her treat her, which is pretty aggravating. Even Gabriel, an ex soldier and military police officer, seems to have a hard time seeing her as much more than an attractive woman. I concede she had been wounded, but there was just something about their interactions that made me want to blare ‘Girl on Fire’ by Alicia Keys, just to give Lucy some support.
Overall, Parker has written an entertaining novel and keeps true to many of the genre’s characteristics. After all is said and done, you’re left happy and satisfied. Much like after an encounter with Gabriel. Perhaps the best part of the novel was Lucy’s relationship with Gabriel. After living undercover, she learns to open herself, body and soul, and learns what it’s like to have true intimacy after a hard life. It’s sappy, but beautiful and powerful and makes me grateful for the love I have in my own life. Lucy is a relatable character for that reason, and if the plot wasn’t as interesting, she is the reason I would recommend this novel. And while Lucy learns to be intimate, through Caroline we learn that love truly is blind. In a just as powerful message, we are given a powerful message that is often overlooked in today’s society. It is not your fault. If you are abused, hurt, or if someone you care for is hurt, it is not your fault. But you can do something about it.
I haven’t read much in this genre, but it’s one of my favourite types of movies. I refrain from calling ‘Dangerous Vows’ a mystery, as Parker lays everything out on the table from the get-go. There’s nothing left to the imagination. We’re told right away who the murderer is, why he did it, and what he plans on doing next. The only thing we really get to discover is how Lucy and her friends deal with the situations. Overall, it’s an interesting story. I enjoyed the small additions to the plot which made it slightly more complex. It wasn’t simply a husband scorned by his adulterous wife. There were quite a few more layers to him which I enjoyed reading. Unfortunately, there were other aspects of the novel I felt were forced and made me angry. Lucy is introduced as a cop who had recently been underground with a Miami drug cartel, but the rest of the novel she is described as moderately useless and in need of saving. At least, that’s how the people around her treat her, which is pretty aggravating. Even Gabriel, an ex soldier and military police officer, seems to have a hard time seeing her as much more than an attractive woman. I concede she had been wounded, but there was just something about their interactions that made me want to blare ‘Girl on Fire’ by Alicia Keys, just to give Lucy some support.
Overall, Parker has written an entertaining novel and keeps true to many of the genre’s characteristics. After all is said and done, you’re left happy and satisfied. Much like after an encounter with Gabriel. Perhaps the best part of the novel was Lucy’s relationship with Gabriel. After living undercover, she learns to open herself, body and soul, and learns what it’s like to have true intimacy after a hard life. It’s sappy, but beautiful and powerful and makes me grateful for the love I have in my own life. Lucy is a relatable character for that reason, and if the plot wasn’t as interesting, she is the reason I would recommend this novel. And while Lucy learns to be intimate, through Caroline we learn that love truly is blind. In a just as powerful message, we are given a powerful message that is often overlooked in today’s society. It is not your fault. If you are abused, hurt, or if someone you care for is hurt, it is not your fault. But you can do something about it.
February 26, 2015
I am incredibly busy right now with a whole range of other projects, and Jo Armstrong has been handling 99.9% of the reviews for the past few months. It is credit to the author that I actually stuck with this book from beginning to end and that it has made it to review. (I have started a LOT of books and not got beyond the first few pages lately...)
Dangerous Vows is a romantic thriller. Lucy Walker quits her job as an undercover cop after her deep cover is blown, and her partner is killed. She returns to her hometown to heal, and is reunited with her best friend. It seems like Lucy is not the only one to have been busy in recent years, as her friend Caroline has some secrets of her own. When it becomes apparent that Caroline's life is in danger, Lucy steps in to save her friend with the help of Gabriel Black, a private security consultant and sex on legs.
This kind of book is exactly what I need when I am shattered, and just need a light read that is not going to challenge me but will keep me entertained. It is also a curious book in many ways because while the chemistry between Caroline and Gabriel is hot, and her friendship with Caroline is genuine and sincere. The Thriller aspect, well, wasn't very thrilling. The author has sent me two different versions, I read half of the first version before switching and reading half of the second version. Both versions are technically well written with no major grammatical errors or glitches. I just think that the story-telling is light and needs some work.
There is a chapter around a quarter of the way in (and I went back and checked that it is the same in the new version) where the author just dumps a big reveal about the bad guy on the reader. There is no build up. No letting the reader work things out for themselves. No mystery, no suspense, just a spew. This character is so pantomime that he seriously pulls the book down several notches. Likewise, the mob, well, they were pussycats and not remotely scary and dangerous. I don't think Lucy and Gabriel needed their weapons, they could have taken them down with a frying pan...or handbag.
I am sure that there are huge fans of light, fluffy thrillers out there. People who don't need their characters to be realistic or chilling and like I say, I was compelled to read it from beginning to end. You just need to be aware that it is not hard core...
Dangerous Vows is a romantic thriller. Lucy Walker quits her job as an undercover cop after her deep cover is blown, and her partner is killed. She returns to her hometown to heal, and is reunited with her best friend. It seems like Lucy is not the only one to have been busy in recent years, as her friend Caroline has some secrets of her own. When it becomes apparent that Caroline's life is in danger, Lucy steps in to save her friend with the help of Gabriel Black, a private security consultant and sex on legs.
This kind of book is exactly what I need when I am shattered, and just need a light read that is not going to challenge me but will keep me entertained. It is also a curious book in many ways because while the chemistry between Caroline and Gabriel is hot, and her friendship with Caroline is genuine and sincere. The Thriller aspect, well, wasn't very thrilling. The author has sent me two different versions, I read half of the first version before switching and reading half of the second version. Both versions are technically well written with no major grammatical errors or glitches. I just think that the story-telling is light and needs some work.
There is a chapter around a quarter of the way in (and I went back and checked that it is the same in the new version) where the author just dumps a big reveal about the bad guy on the reader. There is no build up. No letting the reader work things out for themselves. No mystery, no suspense, just a spew. This character is so pantomime that he seriously pulls the book down several notches. Likewise, the mob, well, they were pussycats and not remotely scary and dangerous. I don't think Lucy and Gabriel needed their weapons, they could have taken them down with a frying pan...or handbag.
I am sure that there are huge fans of light, fluffy thrillers out there. People who don't need their characters to be realistic or chilling and like I say, I was compelled to read it from beginning to end. You just need to be aware that it is not hard core...
August 7, 2015
Ava Parker’s DANGEROUS VOWS adventure thriller features protagonist, Lucy Walker, an undercover Miami police officer. After ten years in law enforcement, Lucy returns to Graceful Bay, S.C., after her cover is blown to save her partner’s. Even though Lucy has been gone ten years, she has kept in contact with her friend, Caroline Dixon Lamont. Parker gives her readers Lucy’s backstory including the deaths of Lucy’s parents and grandparent and details of her close childhood friendship with Caroline. The author’s Alfred Hitchcock like storyline involves her readers from the beginning, sharing details of the crimes committed. Parker describes who is arranging the murder of Caroline’s lover, circumstances of Caroline’s marriage problems, and mob/drug cartel connections of Daniel Lamont, Caroline’s husband. She creates her thriller storyline giving readers an insight to steps Lucy takes to protect her friend Caroline.
The fast moving storyline place readers inside Lucy’s head helping them understand why Lucy fears for her friend’s life. Readers follow Lucy working to uncover facts that will help her prove Daniel murdering Caroline’s boyfriend and proof of Daniel’s criminal activities. Parker introduces readers to her male protagonist, Gabriel Black, an ex-marine military policeman who runs a security firm in New York. Gabriel is renting a home down the beach from Lucy’s home. The author quickly builds a romantic relationship with Lucy and Gabriel. Parker describes Lucy and Gabriel joining forces to protect Caroline from Daniel and even from herself. The author describes why Lucy and Gabriel believe Daniel is planning to kill Caroline.
Parker keeps her complex story moving forward, adding twists and turns keeping readers guessing. Parker shares details of her support characters’ backstories and their roles in the story as she introduces them to the storyline. The author continues building her mystery introducing details of her antagonists. DANGEROUS VOWS delivers breathtaking action as Parker help readers see how Lucy, Gabriel and Caroline deal with one dangerous scene after another. Readers will find the story spellbinding as they learn in true Hitchcock fashion an unexpected ending. Parker’s DANGEROUS VOWS creates a thrilling romantic adventure for her readers earning a 5-star ranking.
The fast moving storyline place readers inside Lucy’s head helping them understand why Lucy fears for her friend’s life. Readers follow Lucy working to uncover facts that will help her prove Daniel murdering Caroline’s boyfriend and proof of Daniel’s criminal activities. Parker introduces readers to her male protagonist, Gabriel Black, an ex-marine military policeman who runs a security firm in New York. Gabriel is renting a home down the beach from Lucy’s home. The author quickly builds a romantic relationship with Lucy and Gabriel. Parker describes Lucy and Gabriel joining forces to protect Caroline from Daniel and even from herself. The author describes why Lucy and Gabriel believe Daniel is planning to kill Caroline.
Parker keeps her complex story moving forward, adding twists and turns keeping readers guessing. Parker shares details of her support characters’ backstories and their roles in the story as she introduces them to the storyline. The author continues building her mystery introducing details of her antagonists. DANGEROUS VOWS delivers breathtaking action as Parker help readers see how Lucy, Gabriel and Caroline deal with one dangerous scene after another. Readers will find the story spellbinding as they learn in true Hitchcock fashion an unexpected ending. Parker’s DANGEROUS VOWS creates a thrilling romantic adventure for her readers earning a 5-star ranking.
February 4, 2015
This is a gripping, thrilling suspenseful romance. One of the things I really enjoyed is that the romance is off-center a bit. Instead of that really being the plot line it's the heroine's best friend's like that is really the focus with the romance developing as a secondary focus. It's hard to explain, but Ava managed to do it quite well.
I found that I was completely enthralled with this book from page one. I couldn't wait to see how things were going to develop. My only real disappointment was in the fact that the villain's plans were revealed to the reader from their viewpoint long before the other characters should've suspected them. This took the drama and excitement out of it for the reader. I would've preferred to have been kept in the dark and learned of the plans and motives with the main characters. Along that same line, you have to be very careful when writing from different viewpoints. I think Ava really skated the line with how many different perspectives she used. She used two of them infrequently enough that it worked, but I prefer to have two...maybe three viewpoints to switch between. It can be overwhelming to have more.
Overall though, I really enjoyed Dangerous Vows. It was gripping, exciting, and fast paced. I would recommend it to anyone that enjoys this style of book normally.
I found that I was completely enthralled with this book from page one. I couldn't wait to see how things were going to develop. My only real disappointment was in the fact that the villain's plans were revealed to the reader from their viewpoint long before the other characters should've suspected them. This took the drama and excitement out of it for the reader. I would've preferred to have been kept in the dark and learned of the plans and motives with the main characters. Along that same line, you have to be very careful when writing from different viewpoints. I think Ava really skated the line with how many different perspectives she used. She used two of them infrequently enough that it worked, but I prefer to have two...maybe three viewpoints to switch between. It can be overwhelming to have more.
Overall though, I really enjoyed Dangerous Vows. It was gripping, exciting, and fast paced. I would recommend it to anyone that enjoys this style of book normally.
March 16, 2015
great book from a new author!!
I really enjoyed reading this book!!! Lucy and Gabriel were so hot together!!! This book had murder, sexy scenes and a hot alpha male!!! What more could you ask for!!! I loved the main characters (except for Daniel) they were funny and Gabriel charmed me!!! I hope Caroline gets her own book with a hea!!!
Give this new author a try you won't be disappointed!!!
I really enjoyed reading this book!!! Lucy and Gabriel were so hot together!!! This book had murder, sexy scenes and a hot alpha male!!! What more could you ask for!!! I loved the main characters (except for Daniel) they were funny and Gabriel charmed me!!! I hope Caroline gets her own book with a hea!!!
Give this new author a try you won't be disappointed!!!
February 17, 2015
Although I think the author should have begun her book in the middle of an action sequence, I’ll still assign this book a four-star read. It was refreshing as it was edited properly, and the characterization was strong. I definitely recommend this book.
February 28, 2015
I read the book from start to finish in one day. Is is a perfect vacation novel. I rated it highly because I loved the characters (especially the cat) and it was very well written. Fun!
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews