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Shadows #1
Shadows and Lies
One lie can change your life.
A web of lies can destroy it.
Neil Ryan was a good Navy SEAL. He was an even better detective, but when an unmarked envelope lands on his desk, long-buried secrets are resurrected and Ryan questions everything he thought he knew about justice, including who killed his mother.
Alex Black is a distraction Ryan doesn’t need—she’s loud, obnoxious and a common thief, but her eyes are haunting, her lips irresistible and Ryan happens to love her filthy mouth.
Alex is also the only one able to help Ryan find the leads he's missing. She's the only one who can lead him to the one person who has the answers he seeks, but following her could cost Ryan everything.
Secrets get told, lives get wrecked and in every shadow, the truth is hiding.
A web of lies can destroy it.
Neil Ryan was a good Navy SEAL. He was an even better detective, but when an unmarked envelope lands on his desk, long-buried secrets are resurrected and Ryan questions everything he thought he knew about justice, including who killed his mother.
Alex Black is a distraction Ryan doesn’t need—she’s loud, obnoxious and a common thief, but her eyes are haunting, her lips irresistible and Ryan happens to love her filthy mouth.
Alex is also the only one able to help Ryan find the leads he's missing. She's the only one who can lead him to the one person who has the answers he seeks, but following her could cost Ryan everything.
Secrets get told, lives get wrecked and in every shadow, the truth is hiding.
239 pages, ebook
First published March 1, 2015
15 people are currently reading
885 people want to read
About the author
Eden Butler
50 books1,635 followers
Eden Butler is a writer of contemporary, fantasy, and romantic suspense novels and the nine-times great-granddaughter of an honest-to-God English pirate. This could explain her affinity for rule breaking and rum.
When she's not writing or wondering about her possibly Jack Sparrowesque ancestor, Eden patiently waits for her Hogwarts letter, reads, and spends too much time in her garden perfecting her green thumb while waiting for the next New Orleans Saints Super Bowl win.
She is currently living under teenage rule alongside her husband in southeast Louisiana.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
March 28, 2015
3.5 STARS! ★★★☆
"Sometimes things fall into the shadows because they want to be hidden. Sometimes shadows are home to things you didn't know existed- or wish you didn't know."
Ever since finishing Thin Love last year, it's no lie that Eden Butler has been on my radar on authors to lookout for. I was swept away by the hurricane of emotions that Thin Love left me in and I just knew that I need to get my hands on the next book she writes. While this one proves to be a step-out of her usual niche and entering into the mystery/suspense genre, I can say that the author still managed to weave a story that had me finishing it in almost one sitting.
Shadows & Lies follows Neil Ryan, an ex-Navy SEAL who now runs a security company with a small group of his close buddies and while on one of their assigned jobs, Ryan stumbles across an act of misdemeanour on his client. That's when he crosses path with Alex Black who is a lady of many talents; a grifter who's about to steal from Ryan's client but was caught red-handed by him before she succeeded. After bringing her in for questioning, it was then that they realized both of them had crossed paths a while back ago and what a surprise to find out the circumstances of how they actually met back then.
Soon after, we have Alex's past catching up with her which threatens her to take cover but with almost nowhere to go & little to trust, she had to make a choice of seeking help from the one man who could possibly protect her.
I feel that it's imperative to mention here that this book heavily focuses on the mystery/suspense rather than the romance. As per the author's note prior to the start of the read, she makes it very clear to her readers that this series isn't like her usual writings. So if I had to judge how much I think the romance weighed in on this one, I would say only 30% of this read captured the romance element while the huge portion of the book ran on the mystery plot. And for my smut-lover friends,
That being said, I personally enjoyed watching the story slowly unravelling and allowing me to gain bits of information from both Alex & Ryan with the dual POV shifting between them. They're both connected by their own pasts and driven by a common goal; to determine who killed their loved ones. A heroine like Alex stood out to me because she was the kind of woman who knew how to take control of her life despite her less than ideal upbringing in the foster system.
What I did struggle with this read is that at times, I felt that the story fell a little flat in between and it dragged out at certain scenes that may not have been very crucial to the plot as an overall. I would say like they acted like filler scenes? Perhaps I was hoping more of a suspenseful vibe but I didn't really get that a lot throughout but the story was engaging enough for me to carry on with it. Also the romance buildup between these two felt kinda choppy to me, I was a little thrown off by how slow the buildup was at first but suddenly escalated towards the end.
Overall I think Shadows & Lies is a rather solid decent read coming from this author who decided to try out the romantic suspense genre as it does have intriguing characters and an engaging plot with a tad amount of suspense. But again as I mentioned earlier, the romance element is very light and personally I would have loved to have an equal balance of romance and suspense in this one that could have satisfied the romance junkie in me.
Oh and the book does end in relatively safe place that isn't a major cliffy but would definitely leave you wondering what's to come next for this duo and not to mentioned, the answers to the mysteries of this plot.
Shadows & Lies is the first book in the Shadows series which is a romantic suspense series.
ARC kindly provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
"Sometimes things fall into the shadows because they want to be hidden. Sometimes shadows are home to things you didn't know existed- or wish you didn't know."
Ever since finishing Thin Love last year, it's no lie that Eden Butler has been on my radar on authors to lookout for. I was swept away by the hurricane of emotions that Thin Love left me in and I just knew that I need to get my hands on the next book she writes. While this one proves to be a step-out of her usual niche and entering into the mystery/suspense genre, I can say that the author still managed to weave a story that had me finishing it in almost one sitting.
Shadows & Lies follows Neil Ryan, an ex-Navy SEAL who now runs a security company with a small group of his close buddies and while on one of their assigned jobs, Ryan stumbles across an act of misdemeanour on his client. That's when he crosses path with Alex Black who is a lady of many talents; a grifter who's about to steal from Ryan's client but was caught red-handed by him before she succeeded. After bringing her in for questioning, it was then that they realized both of them had crossed paths a while back ago and what a surprise to find out the circumstances of how they actually met back then.
Soon after, we have Alex's past catching up with her which threatens her to take cover but with almost nowhere to go & little to trust, she had to make a choice of seeking help from the one man who could possibly protect her.
I feel that it's imperative to mention here that this book heavily focuses on the mystery/suspense rather than the romance. As per the author's note prior to the start of the read, she makes it very clear to her readers that this series isn't like her usual writings. So if I had to judge how much I think the romance weighed in on this one, I would say only 30% of this read captured the romance element while the huge portion of the book ran on the mystery plot. And for my smut-lover friends,
That being said, I personally enjoyed watching the story slowly unravelling and allowing me to gain bits of information from both Alex & Ryan with the dual POV shifting between them. They're both connected by their own pasts and driven by a common goal; to determine who killed their loved ones. A heroine like Alex stood out to me because she was the kind of woman who knew how to take control of her life despite her less than ideal upbringing in the foster system.
What I did struggle with this read is that at times, I felt that the story fell a little flat in between and it dragged out at certain scenes that may not have been very crucial to the plot as an overall. I would say like they acted like filler scenes? Perhaps I was hoping more of a suspenseful vibe but I didn't really get that a lot throughout but the story was engaging enough for me to carry on with it. Also the romance buildup between these two felt kinda choppy to me, I was a little thrown off by how slow the buildup was at first but suddenly escalated towards the end.
Overall I think Shadows & Lies is a rather solid decent read coming from this author who decided to try out the romantic suspense genre as it does have intriguing characters and an engaging plot with a tad amount of suspense. But again as I mentioned earlier, the romance element is very light and personally I would have loved to have an equal balance of romance and suspense in this one that could have satisfied the romance junkie in me.
Oh and the book does end in relatively safe place that isn't a major cliffy but would definitely leave you wondering what's to come next for this duo and not to mentioned, the answers to the mysteries of this plot.
Shadows & Lies is the first book in the Shadows series which is a romantic suspense series.
ARC kindly provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
March 28, 2015
"Ryan had been a hustle I hadn't counted on losing. He'd been the one great score that I didn't know I wanted."
There is a warning preceding this story that stresses that this read will be more suspenseful rather than a romance book. I liked the flow at times and the assortment of characters but once I reached the end which leads for next book, I realized that the suspense portion was rather weak. There were also some errors that I did notice. The author should have focused more on several aspects of the story including the romance portion which felt rushed. As for the reveals at the end, I felt that they lacked the wow factor that it needed to make me interested in reading on in this series.
I did find out after reading this book that there is a novella – Night Shift Anthology which precedes this story maybe that would have helped more during this read? I wish the author would have included this novella in beginning of this book or at least mention it's existence.
Alex and Neil were decent characters and Timber was cool in his dark twistedness but the story felt lacking all around. Sometimes in adequate dialogue, sometimes I think it would have benefited my read if some scenes were expanded on while others were shortened. Still I didn’t hate the story and enjoyed it for the most part.
There is a warning preceding this story that stresses that this read will be more suspenseful rather than a romance book. I liked the flow at times and the assortment of characters but once I reached the end which leads for next book, I realized that the suspense portion was rather weak. There were also some errors that I did notice. The author should have focused more on several aspects of the story including the romance portion which felt rushed. As for the reveals at the end, I felt that they lacked the wow factor that it needed to make me interested in reading on in this series.
I did find out after reading this book that there is a novella – Night Shift Anthology which precedes this story maybe that would have helped more during this read? I wish the author would have included this novella in beginning of this book or at least mention it's existence.
Alex and Neil were decent characters and Timber was cool in his dark twistedness but the story felt lacking all around. Sometimes in adequate dialogue, sometimes I think it would have benefited my read if some scenes were expanded on while others were shortened. Still I didn’t hate the story and enjoyed it for the most part.
Read
April 17, 2015DNF
This is a romantic suspense that will appeal to lovers of this genre. There is a warning at the beginning of the book to say that the story focuses more on the suspense than the romance, and this much was true. I think if the romance was more prevalent, I would have enjoyed it a lot more. It took me a long time to get into this book and I don't really think it was for me.
However, if you don't mind the lack of romantic development, then please don't disregard this book. Eden Butler is a great writer and the story itself was fairly intriguing.
This is a romantic suspense that will appeal to lovers of this genre. There is a warning at the beginning of the book to say that the story focuses more on the suspense than the romance, and this much was true. I think if the romance was more prevalent, I would have enjoyed it a lot more. It took me a long time to get into this book and I don't really think it was for me.
However, if you don't mind the lack of romantic development, then please don't disregard this book. Eden Butler is a great writer and the story itself was fairly intriguing.
May 4, 2015
(Arc kindly offered in exchange for an honest review)
Read
March 30, 2015
Before Reading
A new EDEN BUTLER book?! OMG.
I NEED IT RIGHT NOW.
After Reading
I don't really know what to think of this.
The author di warn us that the book was going to be more mystery than romance, but I always preferred my reads to be more filled with the latter. I chose to give Butler a chance nonetheless, and some things worked, but others didn't.
The only thing I hated passionately is that scene
That said, I don't know if I'm going to read the sequels.
A new EDEN BUTLER book?! OMG.
I NEED IT RIGHT NOW.
After Reading
I don't really know what to think of this.
The author di warn us that the book was going to be more mystery than romance, but I always preferred my reads to be more filled with the latter. I chose to give Butler a chance nonetheless, and some things worked, but others didn't.
The only thing I hated passionately is that scene
That said, I don't know if I'm going to read the sequels.
Want to read
April 5, 2015ARC provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
April 19, 2015
4 SMOOCHES!!
I read and reviewed this book on behalf of RED CHEEKS READS.
Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Red Cheeks Reads blog: www.redcheeksreads.com
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I read and reviewed this book on behalf of RED CHEEKS READS.
Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Red Cheeks Reads blog: www.redcheeksreads.com
Follow Red Cheeks Reads on:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/redcheeksreads
Twitter: https://twitter.com/redcheeksreads
April 11, 2015
Shadows & Lies is different from a lot of the romances that I read because it's more of action/mystery. Instead of the thrill of the chase of the opposite sex, the leads are looking to solve cold case murders connected to them.
Ryan is an ex SEAL and ex cop. Now he works for a security company with his friends who are also ex military. He has been searching for clues to his mother's death for years. His one connection was a jewelry box which was stolen. Alex grew up hard as an orphan. She knows all the scamming tricks. Years back, she stole the jewelry box from Ryan. Now they come across each other's paths again. They both need the other's help whether willing to admit it or not. The more they talk, the more they begin to recognize the many links between them. They also realize that they cannot fight the attraction they feel.
I would like to have seen the author take the story further into suspense. Even though, it is more this direction than romance, it still feels a little too safe, and things work out quite easily. In the beginning, the clues come slowly without certainty of where it's going, and near the end, it has more action with outcome and no lead in.
I like both leads. He seems like a great guy, sweet & sexy. She a very tough girl, always depending on herself only. It's a cool twist seeing Alex not play the damsel in distress throughout. Also, I like how kind and concerned Ryan is.
From the ending, it's definite there will be more to come with these characters and his teammates. I enjoyed reading this book, and I'm intrigued to find out who is the mastermind.
3.5 stars
FULL REVIEW CAN BE FOUND AT http://fangirlmomentsandmytwocents.bl...
Ryan is an ex SEAL and ex cop. Now he works for a security company with his friends who are also ex military. He has been searching for clues to his mother's death for years. His one connection was a jewelry box which was stolen. Alex grew up hard as an orphan. She knows all the scamming tricks. Years back, she stole the jewelry box from Ryan. Now they come across each other's paths again. They both need the other's help whether willing to admit it or not. The more they talk, the more they begin to recognize the many links between them. They also realize that they cannot fight the attraction they feel.
I would like to have seen the author take the story further into suspense. Even though, it is more this direction than romance, it still feels a little too safe, and things work out quite easily. In the beginning, the clues come slowly without certainty of where it's going, and near the end, it has more action with outcome and no lead in.
I like both leads. He seems like a great guy, sweet & sexy. She a very tough girl, always depending on herself only. It's a cool twist seeing Alex not play the damsel in distress throughout. Also, I like how kind and concerned Ryan is.
From the ending, it's definite there will be more to come with these characters and his teammates. I enjoyed reading this book, and I'm intrigued to find out who is the mastermind.
3.5 stars
FULL REVIEW CAN BE FOUND AT http://fangirlmomentsandmytwocents.bl...
April 18, 2015
Alex Black has not had an easy life, and the one she is living just keeps getting harder. A product of her life’s circumstances, Alex survives the only way she knows how, the way she was taught to – by chasing the next con. Alex doesn’t dare allow herself to think or even hope that there could be something more or different for her in this life.
Former Navy SEAL and police officer, Neil Ryan has seen his share of life’s horrors. He’s lived them, he’s survived them. Still managing to follow his moral compass, he became a police officer after serving in the SEALs under a man whom he respected and thought of as a father figure. Once Ryan became a police officer, he began to dig further into his mother’s murder and her best friend’s supposed suicide. He never uncovered anything factual, and he was left with more questions and suspicions. After a confrontation with his mentor, he leaves the police force and heads to New Orleans where he and a few SEAL buddies start a security firm.
Ryan and Alex meet in a very unusual situation, and they realize that they have met before. Ryan can barely stand Alex, and Alex certainly doesn’t trust Ryan, but then again, she doesn’t trust anyone. Alex has something Ryan wants, and Ryan has something Alex needs, so they strike a mutually beneficial deal, and so begins the unusual partnership of Ryan and Alex.
But Alex has a lot going on, and she is getting some very unwanted attention. That attention escalates truly frightening her, and, with no where else to go, it sends her running to Ryan. Ryan, recognizing the situation must be bad for her to come to him, takes her in and agrees to help her.
The mystery in this book is what had me turning the pages. This part of the plot was very well developed and rich with details. Eden Butler has created an exciting mystery in this book that runs very deep, and I believe it will carry through at least the next book, if not further. I’m very intrigued, and I’ll continue reading this series because I have to know what happens next!
The reason I gave 4 instead of 5 stars was because the romance portion of the book was a very, very slow burn. The reasons for this were partly due to Alex, who really struggled with letting Ryan in and trusting him. I still would have liked there to have been more romance and a slightly quicker romantic build between the characters, but they did get there in the end.
This author is a very talented writer, and she has built a plot line that is nearly impossible not to get completely swept up in. She went into such great detail, it was so easy to picture the places she was describing vividly. I enjoyed this aspect of her storytelling so much, and it made it so easy to get lost in her book. This was the first I’ve read of the talented Eden Butler, but it most definitely won’t be the last. A solid 4 smooches for me!
~ Danielle Palumbo
Former Navy SEAL and police officer, Neil Ryan has seen his share of life’s horrors. He’s lived them, he’s survived them. Still managing to follow his moral compass, he became a police officer after serving in the SEALs under a man whom he respected and thought of as a father figure. Once Ryan became a police officer, he began to dig further into his mother’s murder and her best friend’s supposed suicide. He never uncovered anything factual, and he was left with more questions and suspicions. After a confrontation with his mentor, he leaves the police force and heads to New Orleans where he and a few SEAL buddies start a security firm.
Ryan and Alex meet in a very unusual situation, and they realize that they have met before. Ryan can barely stand Alex, and Alex certainly doesn’t trust Ryan, but then again, she doesn’t trust anyone. Alex has something Ryan wants, and Ryan has something Alex needs, so they strike a mutually beneficial deal, and so begins the unusual partnership of Ryan and Alex.
But Alex has a lot going on, and she is getting some very unwanted attention. That attention escalates truly frightening her, and, with no where else to go, it sends her running to Ryan. Ryan, recognizing the situation must be bad for her to come to him, takes her in and agrees to help her.
The mystery in this book is what had me turning the pages. This part of the plot was very well developed and rich with details. Eden Butler has created an exciting mystery in this book that runs very deep, and I believe it will carry through at least the next book, if not further. I’m very intrigued, and I’ll continue reading this series because I have to know what happens next!
The reason I gave 4 instead of 5 stars was because the romance portion of the book was a very, very slow burn. The reasons for this were partly due to Alex, who really struggled with letting Ryan in and trusting him. I still would have liked there to have been more romance and a slightly quicker romantic build between the characters, but they did get there in the end.
This author is a very talented writer, and she has built a plot line that is nearly impossible not to get completely swept up in. She went into such great detail, it was so easy to picture the places she was describing vividly. I enjoyed this aspect of her storytelling so much, and it made it so easy to get lost in her book. This was the first I’ve read of the talented Eden Butler, but it most definitely won’t be the last. A solid 4 smooches for me!
~ Danielle Palumbo
April 12, 2015
I've read Eden's contemporary novels which feature romance heavily and now I can say I've read romantic suspense by her too. Many might say there's a large gap between the two genres, and they'd be right. However, they've obviously never read any of Eden's books before. A number of her novels have featured suspense elements before and they've always been very well written.
Shadows & Lies is a high intensity, high octane, and fast paced story. This tempo is maintained throughout the story. The action starts almost immediately with our introduction to Alex. The chemistry between Alex and Neil Ryan (Ryan) was palpable from the beginning. It made it interesting to see them try and work together to solve their individual problems. What made it even more interesting was their distrust of one another and seeing how it changed.
I love how this story was told from both Alex and Ryan's points of view. It was the best way to learn of their individual painful and haunting pasts. What was even eerier was the fact the ghosts Ryan was chasing and the ones chasing Alex were connected. Not just to their presents, but also their pasts. I didn't see that coming. It made for some nail biting anxiety and heart pounding hyper awareness as I read. There were plenty of times I wanted to stop reading because I didn't know what was going to happen on the next page, but my curiosity drove me on.
I liked Alex and Ryan. Alex might be a crook, but she's got morals too. There was this vulnerability about her that peeked through the tough exterior she had. Alex wasn't above using all the weapons at her disposal to get what she wanted, so Ryan threw her for a loop. It was easy to relate to her and to Ryan. He might walk on the straight and narrow, but Alex really shook him up. He had to mesh the idea of the criminal Alex and finding the answers he needed. Plus she came to him asking for help from her stalker. He couldn't say no to that, but he also couldn't condone what she needed to do to get him what he needed. It was truly a conundrum for him. Throw in their attraction to one another and it was like watching a keg of dynamite, waiting for it to blow.
Alex and Ryan get the answers to many questions they've been looking for, but for every question that's answered they have more that they need to find answers to. I ended this book eager and excited for the next part. Especially after that Interlude at the end of the book. Eden Butler did a great job at capturing my attention and I can't wait to see where the search for answers takes Alex and Ryan next.
Shadows & Lies is a high intensity, high octane, and fast paced story. This tempo is maintained throughout the story. The action starts almost immediately with our introduction to Alex. The chemistry between Alex and Neil Ryan (Ryan) was palpable from the beginning. It made it interesting to see them try and work together to solve their individual problems. What made it even more interesting was their distrust of one another and seeing how it changed.
I love how this story was told from both Alex and Ryan's points of view. It was the best way to learn of their individual painful and haunting pasts. What was even eerier was the fact the ghosts Ryan was chasing and the ones chasing Alex were connected. Not just to their presents, but also their pasts. I didn't see that coming. It made for some nail biting anxiety and heart pounding hyper awareness as I read. There were plenty of times I wanted to stop reading because I didn't know what was going to happen on the next page, but my curiosity drove me on.
I liked Alex and Ryan. Alex might be a crook, but she's got morals too. There was this vulnerability about her that peeked through the tough exterior she had. Alex wasn't above using all the weapons at her disposal to get what she wanted, so Ryan threw her for a loop. It was easy to relate to her and to Ryan. He might walk on the straight and narrow, but Alex really shook him up. He had to mesh the idea of the criminal Alex and finding the answers he needed. Plus she came to him asking for help from her stalker. He couldn't say no to that, but he also couldn't condone what she needed to do to get him what he needed. It was truly a conundrum for him. Throw in their attraction to one another and it was like watching a keg of dynamite, waiting for it to blow.
Alex and Ryan get the answers to many questions they've been looking for, but for every question that's answered they have more that they need to find answers to. I ended this book eager and excited for the next part. Especially after that Interlude at the end of the book. Eden Butler did a great job at capturing my attention and I can't wait to see where the search for answers takes Alex and Ryan next.
April 20, 2015
**BETH'S REVIEW**
The moment I read the synopsis as saw that Shadows and Lies is a romantic suspenseful mystery with the main character, Neil Ryan, being ex- Navy SEAL, I knew I had to read it. I love a good suspenseful read as well loving military (and Ex-military reads), especially Navy SEAL.
Neil Ryan with a few of his buddies is running their own security company and while working a job for a political candidate he ends up stopping Alex Black from pick pocketing his client. He quickly realizes that Alex and his path has already crossed when she broke into his house and stole his mother’s jewelry box. But as things further unfold they realize they share a connection with the death of his mother and the death of her sister and together these two to try to figure out what really happened.
I did enjoy the characters, she was a great strong character, a nice change from the usual whiny weak ones we tend to see in some of these types of stories. I also enjoyed that her hard upbringing help make her be that strong character rather than be the I’m broken because I had a bad childhood. I did enjoy his character, I liked that he was sweet and sexy but I kind of wanted and expected him to be more Alpha being an ex-cop and ex-Navy SEAL who is running a security company. Although I liked both characters and liked them together, I just didn’t feel the connection between the two, and at times how things played out between them felt a bit off and at times awkward and I think that just didn’t allow me to feel a connection, it felt more like chemistry and lust.
I knew going into the book that it there would be more emphasis on the suspense and mystery than the romance and was actually looking forward to it but I have to say that although I did find the mystery aspect of the storyline to be intriguing, I needed more, there wasn’t enough suspense to keep me engaged in the storyline. I also found that the storyline was slow moving and kind of drug out at times with the excessive description and details that felt like unneeded filler and found myself skimming it.
Overall it was a good read , it had a good storyline I just was left wanting more from it. This is the first book in the series with the next book a continuation of their story. It does leave off without a huge cliffhanger ending and I am intrigued as to where the author will take the storyline and both these characters.
The moment I read the synopsis as saw that Shadows and Lies is a romantic suspenseful mystery with the main character, Neil Ryan, being ex- Navy SEAL, I knew I had to read it. I love a good suspenseful read as well loving military (and Ex-military reads), especially Navy SEAL.
Neil Ryan with a few of his buddies is running their own security company and while working a job for a political candidate he ends up stopping Alex Black from pick pocketing his client. He quickly realizes that Alex and his path has already crossed when she broke into his house and stole his mother’s jewelry box. But as things further unfold they realize they share a connection with the death of his mother and the death of her sister and together these two to try to figure out what really happened.
I did enjoy the characters, she was a great strong character, a nice change from the usual whiny weak ones we tend to see in some of these types of stories. I also enjoyed that her hard upbringing help make her be that strong character rather than be the I’m broken because I had a bad childhood. I did enjoy his character, I liked that he was sweet and sexy but I kind of wanted and expected him to be more Alpha being an ex-cop and ex-Navy SEAL who is running a security company. Although I liked both characters and liked them together, I just didn’t feel the connection between the two, and at times how things played out between them felt a bit off and at times awkward and I think that just didn’t allow me to feel a connection, it felt more like chemistry and lust.
I knew going into the book that it there would be more emphasis on the suspense and mystery than the romance and was actually looking forward to it but I have to say that although I did find the mystery aspect of the storyline to be intriguing, I needed more, there wasn’t enough suspense to keep me engaged in the storyline. I also found that the storyline was slow moving and kind of drug out at times with the excessive description and details that felt like unneeded filler and found myself skimming it.
Overall it was a good read , it had a good storyline I just was left wanting more from it. This is the first book in the series with the next book a continuation of their story. It does leave off without a huge cliffhanger ending and I am intrigued as to where the author will take the storyline and both these characters.
April 15, 2015
Shadows and Lies is equal parts mystery and romance story. Neil Ryan is searching for answers in his mother’s death, and after quitting his job as a detective in his hometown, he relocated to New Orleans to follow up on the most recent lead he had been able to track down. This portion of his story was told in Swimming in Shadows which is part of the Night Shift anthology.
Now he and his closest friends have opened up a security company; one night as they are working an event, Ryan catches a pretty thief in the act of trying to lift a wallet from one of the attendees. He is startled to realize she is none other than Alex Black, the girl who broke into his home years ago and stole his mother’s jewelry box- which is also the one item he is struggling to find again.
Alex and Ryan’s lives are more intertwined than they even realize, and although they have absolutely no trust for each other at first, they slowly start to put the pieces together. When Alex’s life is threatened, she realizes the only person she can trust to help her is Ryan so they form an uneasy alliance. Neither one expected it to be such a challenge to their libidos to be cooped up under the same roof however. Alex is a beautiful woman, and although Neil is not “stop you in your tracks” gorgeous, he has a rugged strength and chiseled good looks that get your attention. Add in the military demeanor that he still retains even though he is no longer a SEAL or a cop and he definitely has the attention of the ladies- Alex included. Now the question is- how long can they both ignore the UST whenever they are in the same room?
The story has all sorts of twists and turns as Ryan and Alex learn more about the threat to her, and Ryan’s investigation into his mother’s death continues with Alex’s assistance once she realizes she has information that he may be looking for. There is still more to the story to be revealed, but this installment leaves off at a good place where it is not a cliffhanger but I am looking forward to finding out what will happen next.
Now he and his closest friends have opened up a security company; one night as they are working an event, Ryan catches a pretty thief in the act of trying to lift a wallet from one of the attendees. He is startled to realize she is none other than Alex Black, the girl who broke into his home years ago and stole his mother’s jewelry box- which is also the one item he is struggling to find again.
Alex and Ryan’s lives are more intertwined than they even realize, and although they have absolutely no trust for each other at first, they slowly start to put the pieces together. When Alex’s life is threatened, she realizes the only person she can trust to help her is Ryan so they form an uneasy alliance. Neither one expected it to be such a challenge to their libidos to be cooped up under the same roof however. Alex is a beautiful woman, and although Neil is not “stop you in your tracks” gorgeous, he has a rugged strength and chiseled good looks that get your attention. Add in the military demeanor that he still retains even though he is no longer a SEAL or a cop and he definitely has the attention of the ladies- Alex included. Now the question is- how long can they both ignore the UST whenever they are in the same room?
The story has all sorts of twists and turns as Ryan and Alex learn more about the threat to her, and Ryan’s investigation into his mother’s death continues with Alex’s assistance once she realizes she has information that he may be looking for. There is still more to the story to be revealed, but this installment leaves off at a good place where it is not a cliffhanger but I am looking forward to finding out what will happen next.
April 7, 2015
3.5 Stars / 3 Flames
This was a solid work for Eden Butler, who decided to try out the romantic suspense niche for this series. I didn't realize prior to reading this that there is a prequel novella in the Night Shift anthology. I wish I would have realized that first because now my Literary-OCD is driving me crazy that I didn't read things "in order". I'm weird, I know.
Anyway, as a newer resident of New Orleans (originally from TN), I enjoy Ms. Butler's works as they are often set in (or at least referencing) Nola and TN. And she does both places justice. You get the grittiness of New Orleans and the serenity of Tennessee. At least that is the way it comes across to me. But I may be biased. (wink wink)
In this story, we have small-time con artist and grifter, Alex, who had a tortured past and is making her way the best she knows how. She has a couple run-ins with ex-SEAL, ex-cop and all around boy scout, Neil Ryan. Thrown together by circumstances that neither understand in the beginning, their attraction slowly blossoms into something more. The romance was actually on the back burner in this book. Ms. Butler instead wanted us to focus on the unfolding mystery, suspense and set of coincidences that tied Alex and Ryan's pasts together.
I didn't connect with Alex as well as I would have liked. The scene where I felt she was most likable was actually not with our main love interest, but between Alex and Frank, when she is helping this wounded warrior understand why he would be desirable to women despite losing his leg to an IED in the war. That was very sweet and a nice addition to the story.
All-in-all, this was an enjoyable read and I look forward to where the series goes in the future. But I would have also liked to see more chemistry between the characters and a little more action in the suspense department.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This was a solid work for Eden Butler, who decided to try out the romantic suspense niche for this series. I didn't realize prior to reading this that there is a prequel novella in the Night Shift anthology. I wish I would have realized that first because now my Literary-OCD is driving me crazy that I didn't read things "in order". I'm weird, I know.
Anyway, as a newer resident of New Orleans (originally from TN), I enjoy Ms. Butler's works as they are often set in (or at least referencing) Nola and TN. And she does both places justice. You get the grittiness of New Orleans and the serenity of Tennessee. At least that is the way it comes across to me. But I may be biased. (wink wink)
In this story, we have small-time con artist and grifter, Alex, who had a tortured past and is making her way the best she knows how. She has a couple run-ins with ex-SEAL, ex-cop and all around boy scout, Neil Ryan. Thrown together by circumstances that neither understand in the beginning, their attraction slowly blossoms into something more. The romance was actually on the back burner in this book. Ms. Butler instead wanted us to focus on the unfolding mystery, suspense and set of coincidences that tied Alex and Ryan's pasts together.
I didn't connect with Alex as well as I would have liked. The scene where I felt she was most likable was actually not with our main love interest, but between Alex and Frank, when she is helping this wounded warrior understand why he would be desirable to women despite losing his leg to an IED in the war. That was very sweet and a nice addition to the story.
All-in-all, this was an enjoyable read and I look forward to where the series goes in the future. But I would have also liked to see more chemistry between the characters and a little more action in the suspense department.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
July 3, 2015
Neil Ryan is looking for answers to his mother's murder and when the trail leads him to New Orleans, he meets up with Alex Black. She's lived on the street most of her life and is integrated into the underbelly of crime in the city. But she has some clues that will help him solve the mystery of his mother's death, and Ryan is not above using her to get the information he needs. When she comes to him for protection and ends up staying at his apartment, he learns that she's more than just a lowlife from the street.
The story centers around Ryan's search for the antique jewelry box he's convinced holds a key to his mother's murder and Alex's attempt to free the clutches of Timber Ironside, the NOLA gangster who thinks he owns Alex.
Shadows & Lies is more mystery and suspense as Ryan and Alex try to unravel their individual situations, but there is some attraction between these two. The question is how much Alex is hardened by her upbringing. Will she see Ryan as someone more than just another mark in her many con games?
I love it when authors I love try something different. I gobble up Eden Butler's romances like candy and I was thrilled to read something new from her. I love the reversal of roles in this one. Alex may be a criminal, but there's something about her I liked. I'm still not sure how I feel about Ryan. I want to know more about both of these characters.
I'm a fan of romantic suspense, so Shadows & Lies worked for me and I thought this was a great start to this series. Looking forward to more.
ARC provided for review.
This review also appears on my blog at:
http://redhotbluereads.blogspot.com/2015/04/review-excerpt-giveawayshadows-lies-by.html
The story centers around Ryan's search for the antique jewelry box he's convinced holds a key to his mother's murder and Alex's attempt to free the clutches of Timber Ironside, the NOLA gangster who thinks he owns Alex.
Shadows & Lies is more mystery and suspense as Ryan and Alex try to unravel their individual situations, but there is some attraction between these two. The question is how much Alex is hardened by her upbringing. Will she see Ryan as someone more than just another mark in her many con games?
I love it when authors I love try something different. I gobble up Eden Butler's romances like candy and I was thrilled to read something new from her. I love the reversal of roles in this one. Alex may be a criminal, but there's something about her I liked. I'm still not sure how I feel about Ryan. I want to know more about both of these characters.
I'm a fan of romantic suspense, so Shadows & Lies worked for me and I thought this was a great start to this series. Looking forward to more.
ARC provided for review.
This review also appears on my blog at:
http://redhotbluereads.blogspot.com/2015/04/review-excerpt-giveawayshadows-lies-by.html
April 14, 2015
Eden Butler is one of my favorite authors. Everytime I see her name attached to a new book, I'm all over it. There is something about her writing, her tone, her "voice," whatever you want to call it, that always pulls me in. This book is no different. Well, it is different than her other books, but it is still very, very good. I was so excited that the author decided to branch out and try something new. I think it paid off. Big time.
Alex is flawed. She isn't perfect. Didn't have a perfect childhood. In fact, she is a criminal. She hustles and steals for her living. She is tough, independent, and street smart. She does have redeeming qualities, though, that make her likable. Really, I enjoyed all her qualities when she wasn't hustling. As far as characters go, she is definitely in my top 5 so far this year.
Ryan is a the good guy. A former cop and Navy Seal he now runs a security film in New Orleans. He and Alex share some unpleasant history from back in his hometown of Cavanaugh. (I love this touch. If you've read the author's other books, you'll get it.) they discover a further link that had then teaming up and relying on each other.
I devoured this story. It was suspenseful, a little gritty, and full of action. If you are looking for a steamy, erotic story, this isn't the book for you. It does contain romance and some heat, but that isn't the focus of the story. Personally, I'm fine with less sex and more story, and that is definitely what the author gives. There isn't one dull moment in this story. There is not a cliffhanger, but the story is far from over. I cannot wait to find out what happens next!
Alex is flawed. She isn't perfect. Didn't have a perfect childhood. In fact, she is a criminal. She hustles and steals for her living. She is tough, independent, and street smart. She does have redeeming qualities, though, that make her likable. Really, I enjoyed all her qualities when she wasn't hustling. As far as characters go, she is definitely in my top 5 so far this year.
Ryan is a the good guy. A former cop and Navy Seal he now runs a security film in New Orleans. He and Alex share some unpleasant history from back in his hometown of Cavanaugh. (I love this touch. If you've read the author's other books, you'll get it.) they discover a further link that had then teaming up and relying on each other.
I devoured this story. It was suspenseful, a little gritty, and full of action. If you are looking for a steamy, erotic story, this isn't the book for you. It does contain romance and some heat, but that isn't the focus of the story. Personally, I'm fine with less sex and more story, and that is definitely what the author gives. There isn't one dull moment in this story. There is not a cliffhanger, but the story is far from over. I cannot wait to find out what happens next!
April 25, 2015
More Neil Ryan, is most definitely- not a bad thing!! Eden sure knew what she was doing when she started this series. While most of her books have been strictly romance, this one leans more toward the suspense of the story, than the romantic relationship in it. And believe me, that is most certainly okay. Ryan and Alex, are quite literally- from two opposite ends of the spectrum. They're not two people that you would ever imagine to be together, nor would you ever think to even try to pair them together. But they totally work.
Ryan, in all of his protective bad ass ways, is the one man who seems to have Alex's best interest at heart. He's the one person who isn't trying to use her for his own personal gain, but instead wants to help her just as much as she can help him. They have a completely equal partnership- no one really comes out better than the other, and I think that's why they work so well. He doesn't solely classify her as a criminal, and she doesn't only think of him as a former cop.
And, while there isn't a ton of steamy scenes in the book, it does not take away from the awesomeness at all. The scenes that are there, have plenty of steaminess to give the visualization of the intense desire of these two. So, you really don't miss too much. The real story is about their characters, and the continuation of the mystery behind Ryan's mother's death and Dot's disappearance.
I'm definitely looking forward to getting more from this series, and commend Eden for this amazing book!! 4 stars!!!
Ryan, in all of his protective bad ass ways, is the one man who seems to have Alex's best interest at heart. He's the one person who isn't trying to use her for his own personal gain, but instead wants to help her just as much as she can help him. They have a completely equal partnership- no one really comes out better than the other, and I think that's why they work so well. He doesn't solely classify her as a criminal, and she doesn't only think of him as a former cop.
And, while there isn't a ton of steamy scenes in the book, it does not take away from the awesomeness at all. The scenes that are there, have plenty of steaminess to give the visualization of the intense desire of these two. So, you really don't miss too much. The real story is about their characters, and the continuation of the mystery behind Ryan's mother's death and Dot's disappearance.
I'm definitely looking forward to getting more from this series, and commend Eden for this amazing book!! 4 stars!!!
April 18, 2015
Delicious tension…
I hesitate to call this a romance per se even if love, or a variation of it, is mentioned fifty one separate times in this first installment to the Shadows series. With an almost noir-feel to the story, the mystery and intrigue definitely takes center stage but the romance bubbles underneath each interaction of the main characters.
Alex Black is a thief, plain and simple. Though life is never that simple, is it? Alex is a thief, yes, but she wasn’t born one. She had been loved fiercely when she was young and she still remembered that time with a longing she keeps deeply buried. As fate would have it she runs into the poster child for the defender of right, the type she actively avoids. Law-abiding citizens were not plentiful on her short friends list. Neil Ryan had fought for his country as a Navy SEAL but has left that behind to build a newly-formed security company.
Little did the two know that they had much more in common than an electric attraction for each other. How did the losses they both experienced be related at all? Realizing that they could help each other their journey begins in earnest with danger, secrets and lies surrounding them both. Trust is hard won but it is building between the two despite each of them fighting hard against it. Stalkers and killers are just a few of the challenges the two will face. A cliffhanger ending has me eagerly awaiting the next in the series. And wanting a bubble bath!
April 13, 2015
Blog tour review with character casting here
(*no spoilers*)
Shadows and Lies got me at synopsis! I love strong female characters and Alex Black is certainly one tough cookie. I was So excited to read and it did not disappoint. We get into the mystery part straight away and it made me go for more.
Alex is a very complex character with a lot of bad life experience. When she meets Neil Ryan, she sees him only as a cop (though a pretty hot cop) and doesn't even consider starting anything with him. I really liked that they didn't start anything straight away and it simmered enough. Ryan looks a bit like Mr Perfect, but he also has some demons which is why I think they are a perfect match!
The suspense and mystery is very well written - not at all predictable. I was wrecking my head for most of the book to find out the connections. What absolutely frustrated me (in the good way though) was the steamy stuff! Ms Butler is such a tease! I updated my statuses on Goodreads, telling everyone that we are finally getting there, but it was like I jinxed it. Nonetheless, there's plenty of sparks that will make you fuzzy! ;)
Overall, I really enjoyed this easy read with a mystery and some suspense. And of course romance! I definitely recommend this book and hopefully, you won't be disappointed.
Rating: 4 out of 5
(*no spoilers*)
Shadows and Lies got me at synopsis! I love strong female characters and Alex Black is certainly one tough cookie. I was So excited to read and it did not disappoint. We get into the mystery part straight away and it made me go for more.
Alex is a very complex character with a lot of bad life experience. When she meets Neil Ryan, she sees him only as a cop (though a pretty hot cop) and doesn't even consider starting anything with him. I really liked that they didn't start anything straight away and it simmered enough. Ryan looks a bit like Mr Perfect, but he also has some demons which is why I think they are a perfect match!
The suspense and mystery is very well written - not at all predictable. I was wrecking my head for most of the book to find out the connections. What absolutely frustrated me (in the good way though) was the steamy stuff! Ms Butler is such a tease! I updated my statuses on Goodreads, telling everyone that we are finally getting there, but it was like I jinxed it. Nonetheless, there's plenty of sparks that will make you fuzzy! ;)
Overall, I really enjoyed this easy read with a mystery and some suspense. And of course romance! I definitely recommend this book and hopefully, you won't be disappointed.
Rating: 4 out of 5
April 12, 2015
Intriguing
***ARC provided in exchange for honest review***
This story wraps you in intrigued from the first page to the last. When we first meet Neil he working security at a political event and foils a would be grifter who just so happens to be a woman that he knows from his past as a cop. Neil left his life as a cop because of unanswered questions surrounding his mom's death and the captain in charge of the case. Alex grifter extraordinaire, has never been caught until Neil and once in custody strikes a deal with him to help retrieve an item that's being sold at a auction which is invite only if he lets her go and help her with her problems which is of the stalker variety. Intensely protective, possessive and dominant, Neil is a force to be reckoned with. The great thing about this story was the underlining chemistry between the two main characters. Alex is a strong-willed woman who stands up to Neil, and that just intensifies the connection these two have. There was such wonderful suspense involved, that the plot continued to draw me in bit by bit with every word written, while luring me with the temptation of more. This book will keep you on your toes and just when you think you have it figured out, it will actually be just beginning.
***ARC provided in exchange for honest review***
This story wraps you in intrigued from the first page to the last. When we first meet Neil he working security at a political event and foils a would be grifter who just so happens to be a woman that he knows from his past as a cop. Neil left his life as a cop because of unanswered questions surrounding his mom's death and the captain in charge of the case. Alex grifter extraordinaire, has never been caught until Neil and once in custody strikes a deal with him to help retrieve an item that's being sold at a auction which is invite only if he lets her go and help her with her problems which is of the stalker variety. Intensely protective, possessive and dominant, Neil is a force to be reckoned with. The great thing about this story was the underlining chemistry between the two main characters. Alex is a strong-willed woman who stands up to Neil, and that just intensifies the connection these two have. There was such wonderful suspense involved, that the plot continued to draw me in bit by bit with every word written, while luring me with the temptation of more. This book will keep you on your toes and just when you think you have it figured out, it will actually be just beginning.
April 5, 2015
I'm a big fan of Eden's work. I love love love her Serenity series and when I saw that this one was a bit more of a mystery, I was intrigued because there's nothing I like more than a bit of a challenge of finding the killer and adding a nice hot man into the equation, well....
I really liked the connections between Alex and Ryan. I liked them both as characters, although Alex did kind of bug me with all the running (all with good reason, sure) but I liked their dynamics. They were funny and I liked that they could call each other out on they're BS.
I think what I really enjoyed about this book was how much I really hated the bad guys. They were all really horrible and I think that's what made it so good for me is that I was totally on the A and R's side the whole time. I wanted to pummel the bad guys for every sick thing they did. That's the way I know I liked the main characters.
I'm really excited for the next book, I want to solve this mystery with them and get a bit more of them as a couple.
There's definitely a reread in order.
Thanks for another good one Eden :)
Sorry for the rubbish review, still practising.
I really liked the connections between Alex and Ryan. I liked them both as characters, although Alex did kind of bug me with all the running (all with good reason, sure) but I liked their dynamics. They were funny and I liked that they could call each other out on they're BS.
I think what I really enjoyed about this book was how much I really hated the bad guys. They were all really horrible and I think that's what made it so good for me is that I was totally on the A and R's side the whole time. I wanted to pummel the bad guys for every sick thing they did. That's the way I know I liked the main characters.
I'm really excited for the next book, I want to solve this mystery with them and get a bit more of them as a couple.
There's definitely a reread in order.
Thanks for another good one Eden :)
Sorry for the rubbish review, still practising.
April 17, 2015
A former cop/Navy SEAL turned owner of a security firm and a criminal thief join forces to uncover a slew of secrets and truths that are begging to be told. Mild steaminess mixed in with a whole lot of suspense and action.
Ryan and Alex are a fantastic coupling with their constant fighting and their refreshing dialogue. They are complete opposites but a force to be reckoned with when they do join forces.
Shadows & Lies is a fantastic storyline that interconnects the 2 main characters through the past with dual POV’s.
I cannot wait to read the next book in this Series.
I was given a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review. Reviewed by Tanya.
Ryan and Alex are a fantastic coupling with their constant fighting and their refreshing dialogue. They are complete opposites but a force to be reckoned with when they do join forces.
Shadows & Lies is a fantastic storyline that interconnects the 2 main characters through the past with dual POV’s.
I cannot wait to read the next book in this Series.
I was given a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review. Reviewed by Tanya.
April 15, 2015
Neil runs a security company with a group of his friends. While on an assignment he comes across Alex who is a thief who was in the process of robbing his client when he stops her. When he takes her in for questioning he realizes that she is part of his past. After all this Alex finds herself in danger with only one man that can help her.
I am a huge fan of Eden's and was so looking forward to this new series. She wrote a wonderful story filled with suspense and romance and I can't wait to read the next book in the series.
I give Shadows & Lies 4 hearts!
I am a huge fan of Eden's and was so looking forward to this new series. She wrote a wonderful story filled with suspense and romance and I can't wait to read the next book in the series.
I give Shadows & Lies 4 hearts!
April 18, 2015
i was given this book for an honest review by United Indie Book Blog
this is different from her normal writing. This is a mystery with some romance. She has written her characters with great development. i love the snaky comments they exchange. Its not an obvious who done it either. Great Details, and fun story line. Well done Ms. Butler
Reviewed by Ashley
this is different from her normal writing. This is a mystery with some romance. She has written her characters with great development. i love the snaky comments they exchange. Its not an obvious who done it either. Great Details, and fun story line. Well done Ms. Butler
Reviewed by Ashley
April 6, 2015
Review to Come!!! ~BookWhisperer Reviewer Jax~
March 19, 2017
I loved it! Eden Butler has yet to disappoint me. I enjoyed the suspense, the questions in the back of your mind, and the romance.
One thing that really struck me was the false sense of security I had toward the end. EB crushed that sense. Obliterated it. And I was so surprised I nearly dropped my kindle.
I will definitely be grabbing the next book.
One thing that really struck me was the false sense of security I had toward the end. EB crushed that sense. Obliterated it. And I was so surprised I nearly dropped my kindle.
I will definitely be grabbing the next book.
April 20, 2015
I knew going into Shadows & Lies that it was going to be different from what I have read in the past from Eden Butler. I have devoured every single book in her Seeking Serenity and Thin Love series, and I could not wait to see what she had up her sleeve for Shadows & Lies. I read much more NA books than Romantic Suspense novels, and I was really excited to see if it's the kind of novel that I would be interested in.
Neil Ryan and Alex Black have one thing in common; they want to solve the mystery behind the death of their loved ones. Both these characters have had a rough time dealing with what happened and working together is the only way to solve this big mystery. What neither of them expected was to feel a strong connection to each other. As they work side-by-side, Alex and Ryan will have to deal with shadows lurking around and unexpected danger. Will they be able to find the clues to solve this mystery?
The first installment of Eden Butler's new series, Shadows, was an enjoyable reading escape! I have to admit that I like my books filled with romance and swoon. There was a warning at the beginning of the book that said that there was more of a mystery feel to this story. I'm really glad that the author issued that warning. The romance between the main characters was slow building, but their chemistry was instant. Their banter was the great and the story was fast-paced. I don't want to say too much about what happens with this story because I don't want to give anything away. As a reader you will want to figure out the mystery by yourself.
We get both Alex and Ryan's POV, which in my books is always a plus for a reader. I got to know them pretty well by the end of the book. Their pasts were very well explained and I was trying to figure out what was going to happen next every time we got a new clue in the case they were working on.
Alex and Ryan were great characters to follow. It was easy to connect with them. Alex is strong and determined. She gets under Ryan's skin even if she knows that it could only mean trouble for her. Ryan is very focused on his mission to find who killed his mother. What he never expected was for Alex to take so much place in his life. He did a fantastic job at making her open up about her past. He got to discover who the real Alex Black is.
Overall, this was a great first installment to this new romantic suspense series by Eden Butler. This was very different from what I usually read, but I really enjoyed it! I am anxious to see what will happen next!
I give Shadows & Lies, by Eden Butler, 4 suspenseful, sexy, intriguing, enjoyable stars!
Neil Ryan and Alex Black have one thing in common; they want to solve the mystery behind the death of their loved ones. Both these characters have had a rough time dealing with what happened and working together is the only way to solve this big mystery. What neither of them expected was to feel a strong connection to each other. As they work side-by-side, Alex and Ryan will have to deal with shadows lurking around and unexpected danger. Will they be able to find the clues to solve this mystery?
The first installment of Eden Butler's new series, Shadows, was an enjoyable reading escape! I have to admit that I like my books filled with romance and swoon. There was a warning at the beginning of the book that said that there was more of a mystery feel to this story. I'm really glad that the author issued that warning. The romance between the main characters was slow building, but their chemistry was instant. Their banter was the great and the story was fast-paced. I don't want to say too much about what happens with this story because I don't want to give anything away. As a reader you will want to figure out the mystery by yourself.
We get both Alex and Ryan's POV, which in my books is always a plus for a reader. I got to know them pretty well by the end of the book. Their pasts were very well explained and I was trying to figure out what was going to happen next every time we got a new clue in the case they were working on.
Alex and Ryan were great characters to follow. It was easy to connect with them. Alex is strong and determined. She gets under Ryan's skin even if she knows that it could only mean trouble for her. Ryan is very focused on his mission to find who killed his mother. What he never expected was for Alex to take so much place in his life. He did a fantastic job at making her open up about her past. He got to discover who the real Alex Black is.
Overall, this was a great first installment to this new romantic suspense series by Eden Butler. This was very different from what I usually read, but I really enjoyed it! I am anxious to see what will happen next!
I give Shadows & Lies, by Eden Butler, 4 suspenseful, sexy, intriguing, enjoyable stars!
June 24, 2015
Delicious tension…
I hesitate to call this a romance per se even if love, or a variation of it, is mentioned fifty one separate times in this first installment to the Shadows series. With an almost noir-feel to the story, the mystery and intrigue definitely takes center stage but the romance bubbles underneath each interaction of the main characters.
Alex Black is a thief, plain and simple. Though life is never that simple, is it? Alex is a thief, yes, but she wasn’t born one. She had been loved fiercely when she was young and she still remembered that time with a longing she keeps deeply buried. As fate would have it she runs into the poster child for the defender of right, the type she actively avoids. Law-abiding citizens were not plentiful on her short friends list. Neil Ryan had fought for his country as a Navy SEAL but has left that behind to build a newly-formed security company.
Little did the two know that they had much more in common than an electric attraction for each other. How did the losses they both experienced be related at all? Realizing that they could help each other their journey begins in earnest with danger, secrets and lies surrounding them both. Trust is hard won but it is building between the two despite each of them fighting hard against it. Stalkers and killers are just a few of the challenges the two will face. A cliffhanger ending has me eagerly awaiting the next in the series. And wanting a bubble bath!
~Diane
I hesitate to call this a romance per se even if love, or a variation of it, is mentioned fifty one separate times in this first installment to the Shadows series. With an almost noir-feel to the story, the mystery and intrigue definitely takes center stage but the romance bubbles underneath each interaction of the main characters.
Alex Black is a thief, plain and simple. Though life is never that simple, is it? Alex is a thief, yes, but she wasn’t born one. She had been loved fiercely when she was young and she still remembered that time with a longing she keeps deeply buried. As fate would have it she runs into the poster child for the defender of right, the type she actively avoids. Law-abiding citizens were not plentiful on her short friends list. Neil Ryan had fought for his country as a Navy SEAL but has left that behind to build a newly-formed security company.
Little did the two know that they had much more in common than an electric attraction for each other. How did the losses they both experienced be related at all? Realizing that they could help each other their journey begins in earnest with danger, secrets and lies surrounding them both. Trust is hard won but it is building between the two despite each of them fighting hard against it. Stalkers and killers are just a few of the challenges the two will face. A cliffhanger ending has me eagerly awaiting the next in the series. And wanting a bubble bath!
~Diane
April 20, 2018
I really loved this book. I felt that it flowed nicely, the suspense was great and the characters worked well with each other. However, I am not happy with the fact that the next book is not done, lol. I tried to see when it would be but there was no detail. I am sad about it because I really need more. Alex is a character, she is strong and vulnerable at at other times. Sometimes she drove me crazy with her stubbornness but I liked how she was written. Neil Ryan, what can I say, just pure yummy! His character had his flaws but he was just as strong too. Alex and Ryan blended well and I loved the slow work up to their relationship. I am not a fan of insta-love (date once or twice and bam you are in love with him/her) at all and it will turn me from a book fast. I didn't feel it was like that at all in this book. I hope the next book comes out soon. Definitely would recommend this author.
February 5, 2016
Overall, this was not a bad novel for the start of a series. There was a lot I liked about it.
I loved Alex Black as the heroine. She was sassy and had a brass set of balls. She was morally ambiguous. I have a soft spot for gritty anti-girl-next-store characters and Butler did a great job of making her sympathic even though she was hardly on the straight and narrow.
The side characters were very interesting and they were fleshed out enough to have me interested in their involvement in future books.
The mystery was decent though there were some scenes I would have like expended on and maybe some that could have used a little editing. The pacing overall was good. The romance wasn't forced to happen too quickly and I liked that it wasn't the main feature of the novel.
This was the first novel by Eden Butler that I have read and it definitely won't be my last.
I loved Alex Black as the heroine. She was sassy and had a brass set of balls. She was morally ambiguous. I have a soft spot for gritty anti-girl-next-store characters and Butler did a great job of making her sympathic even though she was hardly on the straight and narrow.
The side characters were very interesting and they were fleshed out enough to have me interested in their involvement in future books.
The mystery was decent though there were some scenes I would have like expended on and maybe some that could have used a little editing. The pacing overall was good. The romance wasn't forced to happen too quickly and I liked that it wasn't the main feature of the novel.
This was the first novel by Eden Butler that I have read and it definitely won't be my last.
February 18, 2016
Shadows and Lies is a mystery romance and I have to say Eden absolutely nailed it.
The story kicked in right from the start and I was left wondering and guessing all the way through as to how it was going to turn out. This was the sort of book that as I was reading it, felt as though it was set in the dark and for me, it just added to the aura.
I really liked the characters. They were interesting and they edged to being dark characters that you wanted to find out about.
The story didn't resolve in full, but I would in no way consider this a cliff hanger. It merely came to a natural end. I for one will be keeping my eye out for more in this series.
I was gifted a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
The story kicked in right from the start and I was left wondering and guessing all the way through as to how it was going to turn out. This was the sort of book that as I was reading it, felt as though it was set in the dark and for me, it just added to the aura.
I really liked the characters. They were interesting and they edged to being dark characters that you wanted to find out about.
The story didn't resolve in full, but I would in no way consider this a cliff hanger. It merely came to a natural end. I for one will be keeping my eye out for more in this series.
I was gifted a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
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