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Locked, Loaded, & Lying
He might be innocent.
Or he might be very, very guilty...
Olympic skier Lock Roane was on top of the world: smashing world records, collecting medals, and basking in the love of a nation and his beautiful heiress girlfriend. It all comes crashing down after Lock discovers his girlfriend had an affair - then wakes from a drunken bender to find himself covered in her blood. Disgraced and dethroned, Lock awaits his murder trial with dread, not knowing if his girlfriend died at his own hands.
Journalist Jordan Sinclair is out of options. To satisfy her blackmailer, she must get the inside scoop (and its cash reward) on Lock Roane. An attraction to the arrogant athlete was not part of the plan. Neither is trying to find out what really happened that night. Now Jordan risks everything - including her life - to help the man she's falling for. A man who just might be a cold-blooded killer...
Or he might be very, very guilty...
Olympic skier Lock Roane was on top of the world: smashing world records, collecting medals, and basking in the love of a nation and his beautiful heiress girlfriend. It all comes crashing down after Lock discovers his girlfriend had an affair - then wakes from a drunken bender to find himself covered in her blood. Disgraced and dethroned, Lock awaits his murder trial with dread, not knowing if his girlfriend died at his own hands.
Journalist Jordan Sinclair is out of options. To satisfy her blackmailer, she must get the inside scoop (and its cash reward) on Lock Roane. An attraction to the arrogant athlete was not part of the plan. Neither is trying to find out what really happened that night. Now Jordan risks everything - including her life - to help the man she's falling for. A man who just might be a cold-blooded killer...
418 pages, ebook
First published June 9, 2015
14 people are currently reading
495 people want to read
About the author
Sarah Andre
12 books116 followersExcerpt Of "Incendiary Attraction":
https://sarahandre.com/books/incendia...
Excerpt of "A Savage Trick":
https://sarahandre.com/books/a-savage...
Excerpt of "Capturing the Queen":
http://sarahandre.com/books/capturing...
Excerpt Of "Tall, Dark and Damaged":
http://sarahandre.com/books/tall-dark...
Excerpt of "Locked, Loaded and Lying":
http://sarahandre.com/books/locked-lo...
Sarah Andre is a 2017 RITA® finalist, which is Romance Writers of America highest award of distinction. She lives in serene Southwest FL with her husband and two naughty Pomeranians. When she’s not writing, Sarah is either reading novels or coloring. Yes, you read that right. She’s all over those coloring books for adults.
For more information please visit www.SarahAndre.com
Facebook: facebook.com/SarahAndreNovels
Twitter: @SarahRSWriter
https://sarahandre.com/books/incendia...
Excerpt of "A Savage Trick":
https://sarahandre.com/books/a-savage...
Excerpt of "Capturing the Queen":
http://sarahandre.com/books/capturing...
Excerpt Of "Tall, Dark and Damaged":
http://sarahandre.com/books/tall-dark...
Excerpt of "Locked, Loaded and Lying":
http://sarahandre.com/books/locked-lo...
Sarah Andre is a 2017 RITA® finalist, which is Romance Writers of America highest award of distinction. She lives in serene Southwest FL with her husband and two naughty Pomeranians. When she’s not writing, Sarah is either reading novels or coloring. Yes, you read that right. She’s all over those coloring books for adults.
For more information please visit www.SarahAndre.com
Facebook: facebook.com/SarahAndreNovels
Twitter: @SarahRSWriter
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews
June 6, 2015
(Source: I received a digital copy of this book for free on a read-to-review basis. Thanks to Entangled Publishing, LLC and NetGalley.)
“Call Parker and inform him I saved the life of a reporter who’s now bulldozed her way deep into my case?” He rubbed his beard. “Christ, this day just keeps getting better.”
This was an adult romantic suspense story.
Jordan was quite a pushy girl, and I couldn’t quite believe the lengths she went to for a story! I felt quite sorry for Lock; wrongly accused of a murder that he didn’t commit, and then forced to hide out in the middle of nowhere for months to avoid being sent to jail!
“USSA ordered me to disappear from public, and I’ve done it for ten goddamn months.”
The storyline in this was about finding the real murderer, and the question of what it really Lock, or was it someone else?
There was some romance and a sex scene, but it all seemed to happen way too quickly for me, and I felt like the sex scene came totally out of the blue.
“She sighed blissfully into his mouth, stroking his satin-smooth cheeks, and burying her fingers in his thick, still-damp hair.”
The ending to this was okay, and I was happy that things worked out okay in the end.
6 out of 10
“Call Parker and inform him I saved the life of a reporter who’s now bulldozed her way deep into my case?” He rubbed his beard. “Christ, this day just keeps getting better.”
This was an adult romantic suspense story.
Jordan was quite a pushy girl, and I couldn’t quite believe the lengths she went to for a story! I felt quite sorry for Lock; wrongly accused of a murder that he didn’t commit, and then forced to hide out in the middle of nowhere for months to avoid being sent to jail!
“USSA ordered me to disappear from public, and I’ve done it for ten goddamn months.”
The storyline in this was about finding the real murderer, and the question of what it really Lock, or was it someone else?
There was some romance and a sex scene, but it all seemed to happen way too quickly for me, and I felt like the sex scene came totally out of the blue.
“She sighed blissfully into his mouth, stroking his satin-smooth cheeks, and burying her fingers in his thick, still-damp hair.”
The ending to this was okay, and I was happy that things worked out okay in the end.
6 out of 10
August 4, 2015
Packed full or romance, suspense, and likable characters, Locked, Loaded, & Lying is a must-read! I look forward to reading more by Sarah Andre.
*I received this book from Goodreads in exchange for an honest review.
*I received this book from Goodreads in exchange for an honest review.
June 8, 2015
In Sarah Andre’s exciting debut novel, Olympic skier Lock Roane, accused of viciously slaying his troubled, drama-queen girlfriend a year ago, has laid low at his brother’s Colorado mountain cabin since he got out on bail. His trial starts soon, and the problem is, he doesn’t know if he’s guilty or not - he can’t remember.
Jordon Sinclair is a woman who lives with lies and secrets. She’s done it since she was sixteen. But she’s made a good life, working as a private investigator’s assistant and writing incendiary articles on sports figures on the side. Now she needs money, so she’s off to find a big story. At least, until she loses control of her car in a blizzard.
As these two are thrown together looking for answers to the mystery of whodunit, secrets come out, and trampled trust becomes a difficult necessity. The author did a great job of creating a complex history for both of them, woven into a fabulous conflict. There’s plenty of possible guilty parties, great sexual tension, and a strong and powerful romance. Lock’s brother, Leo, is a wonderful secondary character, and I’d love to see him get his own happily-ever-after.
I haven't been this 'involved' in a story in a long time (uh, 4 AM involved). Loved it. I will definitely be looking for Sarah’s next one.
Jordon Sinclair is a woman who lives with lies and secrets. She’s done it since she was sixteen. But she’s made a good life, working as a private investigator’s assistant and writing incendiary articles on sports figures on the side. Now she needs money, so she’s off to find a big story. At least, until she loses control of her car in a blizzard.
As these two are thrown together looking for answers to the mystery of whodunit, secrets come out, and trampled trust becomes a difficult necessity. The author did a great job of creating a complex history for both of them, woven into a fabulous conflict. There’s plenty of possible guilty parties, great sexual tension, and a strong and powerful romance. Lock’s brother, Leo, is a wonderful secondary character, and I’d love to see him get his own happily-ever-after.
I haven't been this 'involved' in a story in a long time (uh, 4 AM involved). Loved it. I will definitely be looking for Sarah’s next one.
June 9, 2015
Lock is an Olympic skier known by his fans and the media as Lock and Load because of his cocky, sometimes wild behavior. After a fight with is girlfriend, he blacks out drunk and wakes up to find her dead and finds himself covered in her blood. With no memory of what happened, Lock has to stand trial for the murder. While awaiting the trial, he disappears from the spotlight. Jordan is a freelance journalist and also works for a private investigator. She has secrets of her own that she's hiding. To save her life, she needs the inside story about Lock. I enjoyed this story. It was suspenseful and well written. My only complaint is that I guessed pretty early on what happened to Tiffany and I was right - it was a little too obvious. Overall, I enjoyed this story and recommend it to anyone who enjoys a suspenseful romance.
**ARC provided in exchange for an honest review**
**ARC provided in exchange for an honest review**
June 16, 2015
Oscar Pistorius, anyone? That is the first thing that came to mind for me when I read the synopsis for this book. Maybe I jumped on this book because I followed and wrote articles on the Pistorius murder trial in 2014. In case you aren’t familiar with the case, it made international news, coming from South Africa. Paralympic, double amputee, Oscar Pistorius was on trial for the murder of his girlfriend who was shot multiple times inside their house.
So moving into the story of Lock Roane and the murder trial he is about to face for allegedly slaying his girlfriend, I was excited to read it and see how it all came about.
Even though I paralleled Lock to Oscar, not much else is really the same. They just both happen to be Olympic athletes that “murdered” their girlfriends.
Lock has been in hiding for the last ten months, awaiting trial, staying out of the media, and making sure to keep his spot on the team if he isn’t found guilty. The week before his trial is to begin, he rescues a woman who was driving recklessly on the highway right down the hill from where he is hiding out. In good conscious, he couldn’t just leave her in her overturned car as a blizzard descended.
Jordan Sinclair is in desperate need to get to Aspen, Colorado to find the elusive Lock Roane. It is the only way she can save herself and, more importantly, her mother. She has been running from her past which has, finally caught up with her. As Jordan’s time is running out, she finds herself sliding off the road and the next moment, in the warmth of a cabin with two handsome men.
Jordan couldn’t have been any luckier, other than the fact that her body is bruised and busted and her car with her belongings is no longer within her reach, but she found Lock. Now she only has a few days to get the material she needs and to get out of there.
But then she learns about Lock. She gets to know the man behind the Lock and Load persona that only the media gets to see.
Lock is suspicious of Jordan and her non-stop questions and her bright eyes that he keeps getting lost in. Lock isn’t sure of what Jordan’s agenda is, but as soon as he senses her getting too close, he throws up Lock and Load, pushing her away. What he doesn’t expect is Jordan to stick it out, being persistent in getting through to him. Until he discovers her secret and realizes what her real agenda is. But how can he reconcile what he learned about her with the woman he has begun to know?
The trial is approaching fast and Jordan finds herself veering from her original mission and helping Lock with is defense for the trial. Jordan had followed the story these last ten months and instantly found him guilty, right along with the rest of the world, but the more time she spends with him, the more she decides he may not be guilty after all, but how to prove it?
Despite why Jordan is in Colorado, Lock allows her to help him figure out what really happened the night his girlfriend was found murdered. As these two, along with Lock’s twin, Leo, traipse around Aspen trying to find out the real events of the night, leading up to the bloody morning, secrets surface and they find themselves in danger of having the same fate as Lock’s girlfriend.
I found myself liking Lock as himself and as Lock and Load. I didn’t have a stand on if he was guilty or not, but the more I read and started to know who he was, I was praying they could figure out what really happened and that he wasn’t guilty.
Jordan was a strong, determined woman whose past is one most wouldn’t be able to survive, yet she did. She was a character I admired.
Leo was the reserved character that had more to say in his silence than the other two when they would verbally spar.
There were heart racing moments, terror-filled moments, hope blooming and bursting moments, and utterly adorable moments.
#BookReviews @ www.fictionmusings.com
So moving into the story of Lock Roane and the murder trial he is about to face for allegedly slaying his girlfriend, I was excited to read it and see how it all came about.
Even though I paralleled Lock to Oscar, not much else is really the same. They just both happen to be Olympic athletes that “murdered” their girlfriends.
Lock has been in hiding for the last ten months, awaiting trial, staying out of the media, and making sure to keep his spot on the team if he isn’t found guilty. The week before his trial is to begin, he rescues a woman who was driving recklessly on the highway right down the hill from where he is hiding out. In good conscious, he couldn’t just leave her in her overturned car as a blizzard descended.
Jordan Sinclair is in desperate need to get to Aspen, Colorado to find the elusive Lock Roane. It is the only way she can save herself and, more importantly, her mother. She has been running from her past which has, finally caught up with her. As Jordan’s time is running out, she finds herself sliding off the road and the next moment, in the warmth of a cabin with two handsome men.
Jordan couldn’t have been any luckier, other than the fact that her body is bruised and busted and her car with her belongings is no longer within her reach, but she found Lock. Now she only has a few days to get the material she needs and to get out of there.
But then she learns about Lock. She gets to know the man behind the Lock and Load persona that only the media gets to see.
Lock is suspicious of Jordan and her non-stop questions and her bright eyes that he keeps getting lost in. Lock isn’t sure of what Jordan’s agenda is, but as soon as he senses her getting too close, he throws up Lock and Load, pushing her away. What he doesn’t expect is Jordan to stick it out, being persistent in getting through to him. Until he discovers her secret and realizes what her real agenda is. But how can he reconcile what he learned about her with the woman he has begun to know?
The trial is approaching fast and Jordan finds herself veering from her original mission and helping Lock with is defense for the trial. Jordan had followed the story these last ten months and instantly found him guilty, right along with the rest of the world, but the more time she spends with him, the more she decides he may not be guilty after all, but how to prove it?
Despite why Jordan is in Colorado, Lock allows her to help him figure out what really happened the night his girlfriend was found murdered. As these two, along with Lock’s twin, Leo, traipse around Aspen trying to find out the real events of the night, leading up to the bloody morning, secrets surface and they find themselves in danger of having the same fate as Lock’s girlfriend.
I found myself liking Lock as himself and as Lock and Load. I didn’t have a stand on if he was guilty or not, but the more I read and started to know who he was, I was praying they could figure out what really happened and that he wasn’t guilty.
Jordan was a strong, determined woman whose past is one most wouldn’t be able to survive, yet she did. She was a character I admired.
Leo was the reserved character that had more to say in his silence than the other two when they would verbally spar.
There were heart racing moments, terror-filled moments, hope blooming and bursting moments, and utterly adorable moments.
#BookReviews @ www.fictionmusings.com
June 18, 2015
Reviewed @ Confessions From Romaholics
Review copy kindly provided by author in exchange for a honest review
Whilst the idea of Locked, Loaded, & Lying isn’t anything new if real life is anything to go by. So with this in mind, I dove into the story and was curious to see what this book would bring to the table. What works for me is that this book sets up the whole story well. Instead of diving into the present and using flashbacks to tell what happened that faithful night. The book opens to the night that changes Lock’s life forever as we read the events that led up to the murder.
The scene we are opened to seems something that would not go missed in today society specifically the rich and the famous . Olympic skier Lock Roane comes of like an arrogant sportsman at the top his game. Perfect match in heaven is his girlfriend spoilt rich heiress Tiffany who floats through life expecting everything to be hand to her on plate. Their relationship is hot and cold with their fights off epic proportions always landing them in the news. Until this faithful night were a secret or two is divulge and Lock the hot head that he utter words that he would soon regret.
However we don’t experience the actual moments of the murder though as the book fast forward to the present time ten months later where things have become very different. Lock is hiding, and whilst he is angry over the fact he is suspended from competing and basically the whole world believes that he is a murderer . Not much information is provided about the aftermath of the scene we open up to but we know one thing. He is a supposed killer and Lock is only biding his time and hoping for the best. Until Jordan Sinclair walks into his hiding place with a bang and turns his life upside down.
It was nice to see a book with a difference where the hero had the problems and it was focused more him. Instead the usual heroine with the issues and the hero did all the saving. IT too both of them to save themselves but the heroine did all the hard work despite having issues on her own. I love she wasn’t going to let any stone unturned to get Lock free.
The one major problem I had with this book is Jordan. The fact she has to lie is no problem with me as she has to protect her family .However the fact it seems that constant lying for a while and be pushy to get her story and her personal story took a bit of backseat. I get the suspense angle was focusing on Lock as he is the reason for this story. Though it didn’t bode with me well, the fact they way things played out with her story. I expected more to finish her part of the story since there was so much drama and suspense her side as well.
Lock on the other hand only grew on me , more and more as we watched his story unfold as he solves to clear his name and deal with his childhood. I love the whole childhood angle that was thrown into this book and how it tied in with everything going on. It redeemed Jordan a bit but not totally and that why I totally can’t love this book.
3.5 couples
For more of my reviews, visit Confessions From Romaholics.And drop by the blog's Facebook page
Review copy kindly provided by author in exchange for a honest review
Whilst the idea of Locked, Loaded, & Lying isn’t anything new if real life is anything to go by. So with this in mind, I dove into the story and was curious to see what this book would bring to the table. What works for me is that this book sets up the whole story well. Instead of diving into the present and using flashbacks to tell what happened that faithful night. The book opens to the night that changes Lock’s life forever as we read the events that led up to the murder.
The scene we are opened to seems something that would not go missed in today society specifically the rich and the famous . Olympic skier Lock Roane comes of like an arrogant sportsman at the top his game. Perfect match in heaven is his girlfriend spoilt rich heiress Tiffany who floats through life expecting everything to be hand to her on plate. Their relationship is hot and cold with their fights off epic proportions always landing them in the news. Until this faithful night were a secret or two is divulge and Lock the hot head that he utter words that he would soon regret.
However we don’t experience the actual moments of the murder though as the book fast forward to the present time ten months later where things have become very different. Lock is hiding, and whilst he is angry over the fact he is suspended from competing and basically the whole world believes that he is a murderer . Not much information is provided about the aftermath of the scene we open up to but we know one thing. He is a supposed killer and Lock is only biding his time and hoping for the best. Until Jordan Sinclair walks into his hiding place with a bang and turns his life upside down.
It was nice to see a book with a difference where the hero had the problems and it was focused more him. Instead the usual heroine with the issues and the hero did all the saving. IT too both of them to save themselves but the heroine did all the hard work despite having issues on her own. I love she wasn’t going to let any stone unturned to get Lock free.
The one major problem I had with this book is Jordan. The fact she has to lie is no problem with me as she has to protect her family .However the fact it seems that constant lying for a while and be pushy to get her story and her personal story took a bit of backseat. I get the suspense angle was focusing on Lock as he is the reason for this story. Though it didn’t bode with me well, the fact they way things played out with her story. I expected more to finish her part of the story since there was so much drama and suspense her side as well.
Lock on the other hand only grew on me , more and more as we watched his story unfold as he solves to clear his name and deal with his childhood. I love the whole childhood angle that was thrown into this book and how it tied in with everything going on. It redeemed Jordan a bit but not totally and that why I totally can’t love this book.
3.5 couples
For more of my reviews, visit Confessions From Romaholics.And drop by the blog's Facebook page
July 19, 2015
I received a free copy of this book by the book's publishers in exchange for an honest review.
Lock is a member of the Olympic U.S. Ski team and he's one of the world's finest. When he misses a charity auction headlined by his gorgeous, famous girfriend Tiffany; everything in his life is about to change. A drunken night, arguments and waking up to a dead girlfriend, Lock's life has been flipped upside down. Did he kill her? After blacking out, Lock doesn't know. Once a free but famous star, Lock must go into hiding. When a mysterious woman comes crashing into his life, can he uncover the truth of that fateful night? You're just going to have to read to find out.
This was a great, relaxing easy read that I took on holiday. I found myself quickly liking the characters and empathising with Lock's plight. Jo was my favourite character in the story, if I'm allowed to have favourites! She's so determined, brave and kind throughout and always seems to find a way of putting other people's needs before her own. A really well thought out story and for once, it was an unpredictable ending! A thrilling story which will leave you eager to see the events unravel slowly and the puzzle pieces fit together seamlessly. I will leave you at that and tell you no more!
I can't recommend this book enough to you! If you enjoy murder mysteries with a hint of romance then this is the book for you. A great read and I hope to read more by Sarah Andre in the near future!
Lock is a member of the Olympic U.S. Ski team and he's one of the world's finest. When he misses a charity auction headlined by his gorgeous, famous girfriend Tiffany; everything in his life is about to change. A drunken night, arguments and waking up to a dead girlfriend, Lock's life has been flipped upside down. Did he kill her? After blacking out, Lock doesn't know. Once a free but famous star, Lock must go into hiding. When a mysterious woman comes crashing into his life, can he uncover the truth of that fateful night? You're just going to have to read to find out.
This was a great, relaxing easy read that I took on holiday. I found myself quickly liking the characters and empathising with Lock's plight. Jo was my favourite character in the story, if I'm allowed to have favourites! She's so determined, brave and kind throughout and always seems to find a way of putting other people's needs before her own. A really well thought out story and for once, it was an unpredictable ending! A thrilling story which will leave you eager to see the events unravel slowly and the puzzle pieces fit together seamlessly. I will leave you at that and tell you no more!
I can't recommend this book enough to you! If you enjoy murder mysteries with a hint of romance then this is the book for you. A great read and I hope to read more by Sarah Andre in the near future!
August 13, 2016
I liked the unusual setting for the story, but thing progressed at such a surreal and breakneck pace that I never felt like I'd gotten to know Jordan and Lock even by the very end after the number of facades that they pulled off, let alone make a connection with this pair.
There hadn't been sufficient contrast between the careful but coarse 'Lock and Load' and the real Lock for me to sympathise with the latter. Is the real Lock the notorious manwhore as well, or someone different from what we see in the media? Is he the caring man that Sarah Andre makes him out to be? I couldn't say definitively, even at the end. On the other hand, Jordan's determination to get her story made her seem more distasteful than unwavering. Not having a good grip on these characters - personally at least - made the book a downer for me.
*ARC given by Netgalley
There hadn't been sufficient contrast between the careful but coarse 'Lock and Load' and the real Lock for me to sympathise with the latter. Is the real Lock the notorious manwhore as well, or someone different from what we see in the media? Is he the caring man that Sarah Andre makes him out to be? I couldn't say definitively, even at the end. On the other hand, Jordan's determination to get her story made her seem more distasteful than unwavering. Not having a good grip on these characters - personally at least - made the book a downer for me.
*ARC given by Netgalley
July 11, 2015
Great debut from Sarah Andre. Fast-paced page-turner loaded with suspense and sexual tension. Lock is a champion skier, in hiding while awaiting trial for a murder he may or may not have committed--he was found with his girlfriend's body but doesn't remember what happened--and Jordan is a free-lance reporter trying to score a reward--she desperately needs the money--for tracking him down and exposing him before the trial. If they can solve the mystery of the murder, it may save their lives--or ruin them both.
June 11, 2015
Excellent read that is well written and full of suspense, deception, and romance. After a drunken blackout Locke, Olympic skier, awakes to find his fiancee dead, lying in a pool of blood. Since he's now the number one suspect, he goes into hiding to give his legal team time and stay away from the paparazzi. After stumbling upon a woman involved in a car accident, he has no choice but to help her, hoping all the time that she doesn't recognize him. Little does he know that she has a few problems and secrets of her own!!
This is an excellent romantic suspense that I highly recommend.
This is an excellent romantic suspense that I highly recommend.
June 20, 2015
I really liked the mystery side of this story. Trying to figure out what had happened and what was going to happen as well as all the characters parts in it was really great. I liked seeing inside Lock's head where Jordan was concerned and I enjoyed seeing how strong and determined she was. I had a few 'suspects' in my mind and I'm glad I was wrong about one of them. The ending was perfect, even though I would've loved an epilogue (but that's just because I'm greedy!)
February 11, 2018
This great read by my fellow SWFRW writer has been languishing on my Kindle for a while now. I finally got around to reading it and it's a winner. If you like romantic suspense that surprises you at every turn, this book is for you. It has plenty of them.
Our hero, Lock, is an Olympic champion skier with two personalities. His real one and the one he lets the world see. Jesselynn or Jordan, also has two personas. She sets out to get an exclusive tabloid article on Lock, whose fate hangs in the balance, for money she desperately needs to save her mother and for her own legal defense. She charges in believing he's guilty and probably deserves going to prison for life, then things start happen. Does she change her mind? Is she convinced of his guilt?
Our hero, Lock, is an Olympic champion skier with two personalities. His real one and the one he lets the world see. Jesselynn or Jordan, also has two personas. She sets out to get an exclusive tabloid article on Lock, whose fate hangs in the balance, for money she desperately needs to save her mother and for her own legal defense. She charges in believing he's guilty and probably deserves going to prison for life, then things start happen. Does she change her mind? Is she convinced of his guilt?
June 14, 2015
Check out the full review on Bookaholics Not-So-Anonymous.
Note: This ARC was provided by Entangled Publishing in exchange for an honest review.
Locked, Loaded, & Lying is a standalone romantic suspense novel from Sarah Andre and was a highly entertaining read. I'm one of those people who usually has to, at the very least, like both the lead characters in order for me to truly be into the book I'm reading. And the thing is, I really didn't find much to like about Jordan Sinclair, seeing her as someone who was more than willing to use Lock Roane in order to save her own ass from her father. I get it. She was doing what she felt needed to be done to spare herself and, most especially, her mother the hell that her father was promising to rain down on them. Desperate times call for desperate measures and all that, and that would have been understandable in the beginning. However, time and again, she could have changed her mind but she waffling. Surprisingly, though, my reading experience wasn't as affected as I thought it would be. Yes, I didn't particularly like Jordan for most of the story, but this book had me hooked from start to finish because it was simply just that good.
One of the best things about this story was that it was difficult to come up with one suspect and not end up questioning that choice. I never even considered Lock being guilty of killing his girlfriend, and I loved that, in spite of her faults, he was firm in the feelings he had for her and made it clear that she was so much more than the party girl she was made out to be in the media. I was going back and forth with my list of suspects, wondering what their motives would be for the murder and the resulting frame-up. This is what happens when a story is so well-crafted that the mystery truly lasts until the real killer is revealed by the author. And yes, I did like that Jordan was trying to help Lock by going through the elements of his case and that she was finally doing it because she thought he was innocent and not simply because she was trying to get him to talk long enough to get her photo and put together an article on him. The more sincere she was in her true pursuit to get to the truth for Lock, the more my undeniable dislike for her diminished.
Lock and Leo were definitely my two favorite characters in the book and their relationship was immensely captivating because you could tell that there was a heck of a back story involving this pair of twins. Even with the disappointment and doubt, though I honestly didn't think Leo every truly doubted Lock's innocence, they were brothers who would lay down their lives for one another. That's one more thing I liked about this book--the underlying love for family. And may I just say that I absolutely appreciated the route the story took, what with a female lead character who's motives for getting close to the male lead were often suspect and how things played out in the book, especially in the last two chapters. There was nothing formulaic about it all, meaning the story and characters weren't what you'd find in your typical romance novel, so kudos to Sarah Andre for her inspiring creativity and more than laudable writing skills. Locked, Loaded, & Lying is a debut novel so worth reading, people, so pre-order it! This gets five stars. ♥
Note: This ARC was provided by Entangled Publishing in exchange for an honest review.
Locked, Loaded, & Lying is a standalone romantic suspense novel from Sarah Andre and was a highly entertaining read. I'm one of those people who usually has to, at the very least, like both the lead characters in order for me to truly be into the book I'm reading. And the thing is, I really didn't find much to like about Jordan Sinclair, seeing her as someone who was more than willing to use Lock Roane in order to save her own ass from her father. I get it. She was doing what she felt needed to be done to spare herself and, most especially, her mother the hell that her father was promising to rain down on them. Desperate times call for desperate measures and all that, and that would have been understandable in the beginning. However, time and again, she could have changed her mind but she waffling. Surprisingly, though, my reading experience wasn't as affected as I thought it would be. Yes, I didn't particularly like Jordan for most of the story, but this book had me hooked from start to finish because it was simply just that good.
One of the best things about this story was that it was difficult to come up with one suspect and not end up questioning that choice. I never even considered Lock being guilty of killing his girlfriend, and I loved that, in spite of her faults, he was firm in the feelings he had for her and made it clear that she was so much more than the party girl she was made out to be in the media. I was going back and forth with my list of suspects, wondering what their motives would be for the murder and the resulting frame-up. This is what happens when a story is so well-crafted that the mystery truly lasts until the real killer is revealed by the author. And yes, I did like that Jordan was trying to help Lock by going through the elements of his case and that she was finally doing it because she thought he was innocent and not simply because she was trying to get him to talk long enough to get her photo and put together an article on him. The more sincere she was in her true pursuit to get to the truth for Lock, the more my undeniable dislike for her diminished.
Lock and Leo were definitely my two favorite characters in the book and their relationship was immensely captivating because you could tell that there was a heck of a back story involving this pair of twins. Even with the disappointment and doubt, though I honestly didn't think Leo every truly doubted Lock's innocence, they were brothers who would lay down their lives for one another. That's one more thing I liked about this book--the underlying love for family. And may I just say that I absolutely appreciated the route the story took, what with a female lead character who's motives for getting close to the male lead were often suspect and how things played out in the book, especially in the last two chapters. There was nothing formulaic about it all, meaning the story and characters weren't what you'd find in your typical romance novel, so kudos to Sarah Andre for her inspiring creativity and more than laudable writing skills. Locked, Loaded, & Lying is a debut novel so worth reading, people, so pre-order it! This gets five stars. ♥
July 15, 2015
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Lock is a bit of a badass. He kills it everywhere: on the slopes, with his friends and admirers, with the ladies ... But then he killed it a bit too much and now he's on the hook for knocking off his wealthy girlfriend. Lock thought that his life was over. At least until Jordan crashes into his life and turns his world upside down. Lock doesn't know whether he is guilty or innocent and now, he isn't the only one wondering.
If I'm not mistaken, this is the first novel by Sarah Andre. And holy cannoli, it's a doozy. With new authors, you never really know what to expect and man, I have been burned by some new authors. But fortunately for me, this one was absolutely amazing. Right off the bat, you're sucked into Lock's world and you are left questioning his innocence, right along with him. But that really took a backseat for me at first. I wasn't worried about whether he had done it or not because I was completely entranced with how Sarah Andre wove her story.
The characters are so well written that I felt like I knew them pretty well before I was even a handful of pages into the book. I found myself getting wrapped up in the story and it read like a movie. You know what I'm talking about. It was like the book was playing out in my head. That makes me sound like a crazy person, I know. But that is what I yearn for when I read a book. I want it to seem so realistic that I can picture it happening and that is exactly what L3 did for me. I'm just going to call it L3 because Locked, Loaded & Lying is a lot of commas and L's. Anyhow ... the characters were realistic and I had feelings about all of the characters. I didn't think that any of them were inconsequential or wastes of space ... everyone played a very important role.
Usually I go into the plot and how I either liked or hated it but I'm not going to do that because this would turn into a monologue of me waxing poetic about this book for eons. The bottom line is that I loved it. Sarah Andre is on my list of favorite authors and I suspect that she'll be there for a very long time. If you haven't had the chance to pick this one up, you need to. Especially right now in this summer heat ... the chilly world that Lock and Jordan occupy will cool you off while you sweat it out next to the pool. Now I want to go read it again.
* I received this novel in exchange for an honest review *
July 1, 2015
Sarah Andre’s LOCKED, LOADED, & LYING is a fast moving mystery thriller with a great deal of intrigue and suspense on every page. Her story has three main characters, Locklen Roane, Jordan Sinclair, and Leo Richie. The author skillfully tells her story giving readers her main characters’ perspective on events occurring in the past, the present, and the future. Readers are given the backstories of Locklen, known as Lock, Jordan, and Leo. They also meet the support characters, good and bad and learn their backstories and their roles as Andre brings them into her story. Events including a ten-month-old unsolved murder, an attempted, and a blizzard, place Lock, Jordan, and Leo stuck together in Leo’s cabin in Hidden Valley, Colorado. Readers feel they are part of a major motion picture as each character comes to life, interacting in the investigation of the murder leading up to the murder trial.
The storyline’s pace continues to build with Andre transitioning informing readers details about Lock's murder trial for and the importance of Jordan’s assignment to write an exposé of Lock’s life leading up to the murder. Readers are inside Jordan’s mind as she investigates Lock and the influential people and celebrity citizens of Aspen. Andre is constantly updating details of all the characters helping readers understand her complex plot. She shares secrets involving betrayal, international sports, family issues, drug doping, and manipulation. The author creates strong subplots around the developments of finding the truth of what has been going on in the lives of Lock, Leo, and Jordan. Readers will not be able to put LOCKED, LOADED, & LYING down as they pursue the twists and turns of Andre’s story. Andre's story a must read and earns 5 STAR RANKING
June 16, 2015
In reading Locked, Loaded, & Lying by Sarah Andre, I would have never suspected this was a debut novel. What an incredible talent! I can’t begin to describe how much I love this author’s voice. The descriptions are rich and authentic, the characters are multidimensional and compelling (not to mention, the hero is scorching hot!), and the plot twists kept me guessing up until the most-satisfying ending.
Journalist Jordan Sinclair suffered an unspeakable childhood and harbors a secret that has followed her into adulthood and now threatens to destroy everything, and everyone, she loves. To protect herself and loved ones, and to put her past behind her, she must find the elusive Lock Roane.
By contrast, Olympic skier Lock Roane seems to have led a charmed life – until he suffers the worst kind of luck and is accused of killing his heiress girlfriend in Aspen. All clues point to him being the killer, and even he isn’t certain whether that’s true. Now, he must lay low until the murder trial. Low – as in completely unreachable.
But when an unprecedented blizzard and subsequent car accident force Jordan and Lock together in an isolated cabin, there’s no place for either to hide. And certainly no way to escape their intense attraction to one another. Both have valid reasons to mistrust one another, and even greater reasons to find out what really happened the night of the murder.
I was impressed by so many elements of this book. As a lover of romance novels, I especially enjoyed the chemistry between Lock and Jordan. If you enjoy romance or suspense, or an extremely well written combination of the two, I highly recommend Locked, Loaded, and Lying!
Journalist Jordan Sinclair suffered an unspeakable childhood and harbors a secret that has followed her into adulthood and now threatens to destroy everything, and everyone, she loves. To protect herself and loved ones, and to put her past behind her, she must find the elusive Lock Roane.
By contrast, Olympic skier Lock Roane seems to have led a charmed life – until he suffers the worst kind of luck and is accused of killing his heiress girlfriend in Aspen. All clues point to him being the killer, and even he isn’t certain whether that’s true. Now, he must lay low until the murder trial. Low – as in completely unreachable.
But when an unprecedented blizzard and subsequent car accident force Jordan and Lock together in an isolated cabin, there’s no place for either to hide. And certainly no way to escape their intense attraction to one another. Both have valid reasons to mistrust one another, and even greater reasons to find out what really happened the night of the murder.
I was impressed by so many elements of this book. As a lover of romance novels, I especially enjoyed the chemistry between Lock and Jordan. If you enjoy romance or suspense, or an extremely well written combination of the two, I highly recommend Locked, Loaded, and Lying!
July 14, 2015
Lock Roane is a ski champion hiding out of the spotlight for his impending murder trial. Yes, murder. After having a fight with his girlfriend, he blacks out drunk and wakes to find her dead and himself covered in her blood. All this with no memory of what happened, so he can't defend the allegations.
Jordan Sinclair is a journalist, with some secrets, who sets out to find Lock and get the inside story. She needs money to pay off her blackmailer-or her secrets go public. When her car slides off an icy road during a storm, Lock rescues her. What luck she thinks only to find out he has no clue as to who killed his girlfriend, whether it be he himself or someone else.
As things heat up between them, Jordan starts to believe Lock. Even though the hard evidence against Lock is pretty bad, they try to find clues to who would want his drama-filled girlfriend dead. There are plenty of suspects in this one and a case could be made for each of them. We are kept guessing till the end and the rollercoaster ride is fast and hot! Plenty of mystery and suspense is involved plus some romance on the side!
All in all, Locked, Loaded, and Lying is a good book! If you love your stories to have a bit more than the usual romances, check this mystery out. I think you will be glad you gave it a go!
3.5 stars/3 flames
This book was provided to me by The Jeep Diva for the express purpose of an honest review. The opinions and rating in this review are solely mine and in no way was I compensated.
Jordan Sinclair is a journalist, with some secrets, who sets out to find Lock and get the inside story. She needs money to pay off her blackmailer-or her secrets go public. When her car slides off an icy road during a storm, Lock rescues her. What luck she thinks only to find out he has no clue as to who killed his girlfriend, whether it be he himself or someone else.
As things heat up between them, Jordan starts to believe Lock. Even though the hard evidence against Lock is pretty bad, they try to find clues to who would want his drama-filled girlfriend dead. There are plenty of suspects in this one and a case could be made for each of them. We are kept guessing till the end and the rollercoaster ride is fast and hot! Plenty of mystery and suspense is involved plus some romance on the side!
All in all, Locked, Loaded, and Lying is a good book! If you love your stories to have a bit more than the usual romances, check this mystery out. I think you will be glad you gave it a go!
3.5 stars/3 flames
This book was provided to me by The Jeep Diva for the express purpose of an honest review. The opinions and rating in this review are solely mine and in no way was I compensated.
June 11, 2015
As an award winning Olympic skier, Lock Roane appeared to have everything he could want until he woke up covered in his heiress girlfriend’s blood and can’t remember what happened before he found her with eleven stab wounds. Charged with murder but released on bail, he disappears into the mountains for ten months before his trial, hiding from the media who are desperate to find him.
Jordan Sinclair is a PI and freelance journalist with one heck of a past. That isn’t her real name for a start and the man she’s running from is threatening her and her Mum again. She needs to find Lock and get the inside scoop to pay him off. However, a serious car crash in a blizzard, a heroic rescue and getting to know Lock the man rather than Lock and Loaded the star soon alters her perspective on him and his guilt. Can she risk her life and everything to uncover what really happened when his girlfriend died? Dare he trust a journalist PI to help find evidence to help him? Can either of them resist the attraction to the other despite their distrust? Will love find a way?
Wow - what a fast paced thriller full of unexpected events, mysteries and enthralling action. I really enjoyed this superbly written page turner and didn’t want to put it down till I found out the truth about what happened to Tiffany - and when I did, what a shock! A brilliantly written thriller that I highly recommend. I’ll certainly be looking out for more by this brilliant author in future.
Thanks to the author, publishers and NetGalley, too, for letting me read an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Jordan Sinclair is a PI and freelance journalist with one heck of a past. That isn’t her real name for a start and the man she’s running from is threatening her and her Mum again. She needs to find Lock and get the inside scoop to pay him off. However, a serious car crash in a blizzard, a heroic rescue and getting to know Lock the man rather than Lock and Loaded the star soon alters her perspective on him and his guilt. Can she risk her life and everything to uncover what really happened when his girlfriend died? Dare he trust a journalist PI to help find evidence to help him? Can either of them resist the attraction to the other despite their distrust? Will love find a way?
Wow - what a fast paced thriller full of unexpected events, mysteries and enthralling action. I really enjoyed this superbly written page turner and didn’t want to put it down till I found out the truth about what happened to Tiffany - and when I did, what a shock! A brilliantly written thriller that I highly recommend. I’ll certainly be looking out for more by this brilliant author in future.
Thanks to the author, publishers and NetGalley, too, for letting me read an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
August 14, 2015
Amazing book...Blew my mind...
LOCKED, LOADED, and LYING;
Lock was totally without a doubt up a creek with what happened to his girlfriend.
Everything was pointing to him, and he was going away for a very long time. He doesn't remember what happened..total blackout..He admitted this no one.
Coming across an accident sight, and a women in desperate need of help..he's saves her..but at what price? When he finds out what she is, so not good..The only thing is she might actually be able to help. She's nothing but trouble with a capital "T".
Jordan is stuck in a cabin not knowing what happened to her, until she realizes who the person that saved her is...She needs to take his picture in order to save her life in matter of speaking.
When Jordan believes Lock she finds herself in a sticky situation..because (a) she has to save her situation at home, because it's only a matter of time until the man who ruined her life makes her mother paying dearly..
(b) she's falling for Lock. So she had to lie of course. Until he finds out the truth, and of course he will..plus her past..
Lock is beside himself when he learns what Jordan has been lying, and keeping from him..she has been using him. The thing is she's also helping him. Why would she do that? Well they have to try and help each other out. Can they?
What an awesome book. It's a must read...
LOCKED, LOADED, and LYING;
Lock was totally without a doubt up a creek with what happened to his girlfriend.
Everything was pointing to him, and he was going away for a very long time. He doesn't remember what happened..total blackout..He admitted this no one.
Coming across an accident sight, and a women in desperate need of help..he's saves her..but at what price? When he finds out what she is, so not good..The only thing is she might actually be able to help. She's nothing but trouble with a capital "T".
Jordan is stuck in a cabin not knowing what happened to her, until she realizes who the person that saved her is...She needs to take his picture in order to save her life in matter of speaking.
When Jordan believes Lock she finds herself in a sticky situation..because (a) she has to save her situation at home, because it's only a matter of time until the man who ruined her life makes her mother paying dearly..
(b) she's falling for Lock. So she had to lie of course. Until he finds out the truth, and of course he will..plus her past..
Lock is beside himself when he learns what Jordan has been lying, and keeping from him..she has been using him. The thing is she's also helping him. Why would she do that? Well they have to try and help each other out. Can they?
What an awesome book. It's a must read...
June 17, 2015
I was given copy of this book from NetGalley for an honest review so this is my review.
Overall, this was not a bad book but it was not an excellent book either. If you are looking for a suspense book with some romance in it this would be a good book to pick up but it does lack some depth. I hated the fact that throughout the entire book Lock was referred to as Lock and Loaded, I realize that was his nickname but it was used in really stupid places and about halfway through the book I never wanted to read that name again because one does not call their family member or lover that name it is just not realistic and very annoying to over use it. As for the rest of the book it was okay as well, the storyline kind of moved in a direction that made it hard to bond with the characters so that made it hard to really feel a lot for the book but it was a good fast pace book if you are looking for a fast romantic suspense.
I am giving this book three out of five stars.
Overall, this was not a bad book but it was not an excellent book either. If you are looking for a suspense book with some romance in it this would be a good book to pick up but it does lack some depth. I hated the fact that throughout the entire book Lock was referred to as Lock and Loaded, I realize that was his nickname but it was used in really stupid places and about halfway through the book I never wanted to read that name again because one does not call their family member or lover that name it is just not realistic and very annoying to over use it. As for the rest of the book it was okay as well, the storyline kind of moved in a direction that made it hard to bond with the characters so that made it hard to really feel a lot for the book but it was a good fast pace book if you are looking for a fast romantic suspense.
I am giving this book three out of five stars.
July 16, 2015
Simply a good book! Locklen was such a good character. Super ego, so self assured and so changed when he found himself accused of murder. He was the big, strong brother of the twin boys, an Olympic skier with all the good looks. When he found himself in real trouble he turned to his twin, as usual, and again the not-so-healthy brother came through, harboring him until the trial date. An accident near where he was hiding put a private investigator/reporter in his lap with all sorts of ideas of how to prove him innocent, while thinking he could be guilty. Romance ensues, of course, and it makes this quick, easy read well worth the time. It is quite an enjoyable book.
June 16, 2015
I was completely drawn into this story very quickly. I couldn't put it down and spent every opportunity I could get dipping into it- before work, at the breakfast table etc. There was good chemistry and banter between the characters which was quite amusing. The mystery of who the murderer was kept me guessing right up to the very end. I liked that there were so many plausible suspects to choose from! and I enjoyed the process of elimination as Jordan and Lock investigated the different theories and suspects.
A great read, Highly recommended.
Copy received in exchange for an honest review
A great read, Highly recommended.
Copy received in exchange for an honest review
June 27, 2015
I thought that this was a great book, completely appeals to both romance readers and suspense readers. As a fan of books that have a bit of mystery and suspense I like that the romance didn’t over take the story. Yes, it was there but for me it was more about finding out who killed Lock’s girlfriend.
This story was a bit predictable, but I still wanted to know if I was right with my assumptions. As, the chemistry between Lock and Jordan was undeniable. I couldn’t wait for them to officially get together!!
Since this is the author’s debut novel, I cannot wait to see more coming from her!!
This story was a bit predictable, but I still wanted to know if I was right with my assumptions. As, the chemistry between Lock and Jordan was undeniable. I couldn’t wait for them to officially get together!!
Since this is the author’s debut novel, I cannot wait to see more coming from her!!
June 16, 2015
This was a bit of a mixed bag for me. I really enjoyed the suspense angle, I thought it was excellent and it had me on the edge of my seat throughout. However, the romance itself didn't really work for me, I didn't feel the connection between Lock and Jordan was strong enough to warrant a HEA and therefore the story as a whole fell a bit flat.
* ARC provided by NetGalley and the publisher in return for an honest review *
* ARC provided by NetGalley and the publisher in return for an honest review *
August 29, 2015
Excellent book! The author took two flawed characters with unlikabke personality traits and peeled away the layers bit by bit until the reader understood their motivations, sympathized and rooted for them to succeed. Tough task. Loved the Aspen setting populated by the skiing population and the rich and famous. Mystery was suitably convoluted to keep the reader guessing.
May 29, 2015
Sarah Andre's debut book is absolutely amazing. A suspensful page-turner that will keep you guessing about what really happened, with characters that you will hold close to your heart, and worry about, and love every single second. Sizzling romance, too. I can't tell you how much I adored this book. A definite must read.
June 8, 2015
Secrets and the "who done it" keep readers in suspense throughout this read. Readers are kept intrigued as to how Lock and Jordan try to work out the events of that night and Jordan having skeletons of her own. Some shocks, twists and characters who are good at being deceptive.
3.5 stars
*Review copy received from the Publisher
3.5 stars
*Review copy received from the Publisher
June 21, 2015
This is Sarah Andre's debut novel, a sharp and wittily written romantic suspense. I enjoyed it immensely and look forward to her next book! I'm sure you'll enjoy Lock, the handsome ski whiz who sure does get into trouble with his women!
August 15, 2015
What a great story! Both the hero and heroine have compelling story lines with ticking clocks, and with revelations popping up at a steady clip, the pace never lets up. Highly recommended.
June 15, 2019
Cheese and monkeys this book is intense! A piece of advice: when you read this make sure you have no other plans for the day because you won’t want to put it down. Both Jordan and Lock have an immediate attraction to one another, but they also carry a heavy load of baggage from their respective pasts. Lock is only a week away from being tried for the murder of his girlfriend, which he can’t say with absolute certainty he didn’t commit. Jordan, on the other hand, is on the run from her abusive father, and is on a deadline to collect a reward for interviewing Lock so she can pay off her dad to leave her and her mother alone.
Needless to say, they both have baggage, and their budding attraction for one another couldn’t have come at a more inconvenient time. However! Something I absolutely loved about this book was that they both admitted how ridiculous it was that they were thinking about getting each other naked when they had much more pressing issues going on. Their admission to the poor timing almost made it seem more realistic, not to mention romantic because they simply couldn’t deny their inner feelings.
For the majority of the novel, Jordan and Lock are trapped together in a small cabin with a roaring fire, and a snow storm just outside. I can’t really think of a better setting for complete and total seduction! Of course, you can’t help but feel sorry for Lock’s poor brother Leo, who is also stuck in the cabin with them, and is the official third wheel of the novel. The sexual tension between Jordan and Lock continues to intensify as the story goes on, as they are constantly interrupted whenever they try to do the dirty. I usually don’t like when a romance novel prolongs the arrival of the sex scene, but in this case it just worked by adding to the overall intensity of the book. Rest assured though, once we do finally get around to the good stuff, it is described in slow and delicious detail. Not at all disappointing, and well worth the wait!
Don’t worry, I won’t spoil anything! I will tell you I thought I had the whole mystery figured out right away in the first chapter. But as the story moved on I think I questioned who dunnit about 50 times, and probably suspected just about every main character at some point for committing the murder. I will say though I thought the big reveal was a tad disappointing. Don’t get me wrong, it was extremely interesting, and an emotional scenario, but it was also kind of unrealistic. It was one of those, “Oh, let me tell you everything about the murder in exact detail so the cops can stop for a doughnut and still get here on time”, kind of situations.
Needless to say, they both have baggage, and their budding attraction for one another couldn’t have come at a more inconvenient time. However! Something I absolutely loved about this book was that they both admitted how ridiculous it was that they were thinking about getting each other naked when they had much more pressing issues going on. Their admission to the poor timing almost made it seem more realistic, not to mention romantic because they simply couldn’t deny their inner feelings.
For the majority of the novel, Jordan and Lock are trapped together in a small cabin with a roaring fire, and a snow storm just outside. I can’t really think of a better setting for complete and total seduction! Of course, you can’t help but feel sorry for Lock’s poor brother Leo, who is also stuck in the cabin with them, and is the official third wheel of the novel. The sexual tension between Jordan and Lock continues to intensify as the story goes on, as they are constantly interrupted whenever they try to do the dirty. I usually don’t like when a romance novel prolongs the arrival of the sex scene, but in this case it just worked by adding to the overall intensity of the book. Rest assured though, once we do finally get around to the good stuff, it is described in slow and delicious detail. Not at all disappointing, and well worth the wait!
Don’t worry, I won’t spoil anything! I will tell you I thought I had the whole mystery figured out right away in the first chapter. But as the story moved on I think I questioned who dunnit about 50 times, and probably suspected just about every main character at some point for committing the murder. I will say though I thought the big reveal was a tad disappointing. Don’t get me wrong, it was extremely interesting, and an emotional scenario, but it was also kind of unrealistic. It was one of those, “Oh, let me tell you everything about the murder in exact detail so the cops can stop for a doughnut and still get here on time”, kind of situations.
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