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Nerve
When Lauren “Wren” Masterson discovers her deceased father’s medical invention has been stolen from her childhood home in Florida, she never expects the officer assigned to the case will be Justin Breck, who asked her out two years ago. He’s changed since then, seems like he’s hiding something. What happened to his openness, his no-holds-barred, carefree attitude? She wonders how this new Justin could possibly accept her imperfections, namely the persistent nerve disorder her father’s missing invention might cure. Justin is learning the darker side of Doctor Masterson’s past life. The hard part? Proving it to Doc’s adoring daughter, while attempting to win her heart. He might have some history with her, but Doc’s lawyer, Connor Radcliffe, has more. As bodies begin to drop around them, will Justin and Lauren find the invention before the thief uses it to kill Lauren?
322 pages, Paperback
First published February 14, 2015
1 person is currently reading
9 people want to read
About the author
Bethany Macmanus
3 books22 followersBethany lives in Houston with her husband, daughter and son. After practicing as an RN for five years, Bethany left the nursing field to pursue a fiction writing passion God planted in her heart when she was a child. And as Nancy Drew mysteries were her guilty pleasure during those early years, so she naturally gravitates her pen toward the things that go bump in the night.
She draws many interesting and perplexing facts from her former career. These come in handy when her characters get themselves into serious scrapes, and gives a psychological spin to many of her plots.
She's allergic to milk, Sulfa drugs, and people who stop in the middle of intersections while driving.
Member American Christian Fiction Writers since Jan. 2011
2011 ACFW Genesis Finalist for Mystery/Suspense/Thriller
2013 RWA Daphne du Maurier (unpublished) Winner for Inspirational Romantic Suspense
She draws many interesting and perplexing facts from her former career. These come in handy when her characters get themselves into serious scrapes, and gives a psychological spin to many of her plots.
She's allergic to milk, Sulfa drugs, and people who stop in the middle of intersections while driving.
Member American Christian Fiction Writers since Jan. 2011
2011 ACFW Genesis Finalist for Mystery/Suspense/Thriller
2013 RWA Daphne du Maurier (unpublished) Winner for Inspirational Romantic Suspense
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
March 10, 2015
I was interested in Nerve by Bethany Macmanus because we both read and write suspense. When Bethany asked for someone to review her book, I jumped on board quickly. The book’s cover with the woman in the red dress sparked my interest. The synopsis on the book’s back drew me in and begged me to read the story. I expected a suspense with medical elements mixed in, and I was proven correctly. if you like medical mysteries like Candace Calvert, Harry Kraus, Jordyn Redwood, or Richard Mabry, then Bethany Macmanus book is right for you.
As important to any story, the hero and heroine practically make the story. You'll fall in love with Police Lietutenant Justin Breck, the friend and boy next door, who got away. Justin will do anything to protect Lauren, and he is definitely capable of solving the crime, especially when his heart is on the line. As for Lauren, she is not your typical wealthy child. She wants to find her own way without depending on her father's money to support her. Lauren has a take no crap for anyone attitude, including Justin as he tries to wiggle his way back into her life. It was a nice change seeing Justin and Lauren fight, even though they wanted nothing more than to be together.
Macmanus’ writing was well done. There was an even amount of pace and dialogue. We understood the characters and could understand their personality and quirks by following the dialogue and internal struggles of Justin and Lauren, who were the main characters in the story. The pace of the story started off with a person sneaking into a Lauren's father's, Dr. Noah Masterson, house, then unfolding through the rest of the plot, dragging the readers along for a suspenseful evening of pleasure reading. I never once lost my place as I read the story.
The tension in the story dragged me into Justin and Lauren’s lives and kept me entertained. I loved the idea of a medical equipment being stolen that was important to diagnose nerve problems. The story had the traditional elements of hunting down the bad guys with interviews, watching suspicious characters, and going over the crime scene again and again. As I got to the last scene, I was hanging on every word, breathless to see what would happen to Justin and Lauren. As for the romantic tension, the feelings between Justin and Lauren was the relationship between a guy and girl who used to be friends but moved into something deeper. The book’s climactic moment will keep the readers up all night, wanting to see how the plot ends. (Don’t worry. I won’t tell. You have to buy the book for yourself. Trust me. It’s good.) The story world takes place in Violetta, Florida, allowing the readers to imagine palm trees swaying above elaborate houses with the ocean within spitting distance. Macmanus does a good job at showing her readers the setting, anchoring them to the Florida town.
Bethany Macmanus’ Nerve is a thrilling romantic suspense with an original climactic idea, quirky characters, and a sappy romance filled with many twists and turns, keeping the readers on the edge of their seat.
I received a ARC of Nerve from Bethany Macmanus in exchange for my honest opinion. All the statements above are all my own.
As important to any story, the hero and heroine practically make the story. You'll fall in love with Police Lietutenant Justin Breck, the friend and boy next door, who got away. Justin will do anything to protect Lauren, and he is definitely capable of solving the crime, especially when his heart is on the line. As for Lauren, she is not your typical wealthy child. She wants to find her own way without depending on her father's money to support her. Lauren has a take no crap for anyone attitude, including Justin as he tries to wiggle his way back into her life. It was a nice change seeing Justin and Lauren fight, even though they wanted nothing more than to be together.
Macmanus’ writing was well done. There was an even amount of pace and dialogue. We understood the characters and could understand their personality and quirks by following the dialogue and internal struggles of Justin and Lauren, who were the main characters in the story. The pace of the story started off with a person sneaking into a Lauren's father's, Dr. Noah Masterson, house, then unfolding through the rest of the plot, dragging the readers along for a suspenseful evening of pleasure reading. I never once lost my place as I read the story.
The tension in the story dragged me into Justin and Lauren’s lives and kept me entertained. I loved the idea of a medical equipment being stolen that was important to diagnose nerve problems. The story had the traditional elements of hunting down the bad guys with interviews, watching suspicious characters, and going over the crime scene again and again. As I got to the last scene, I was hanging on every word, breathless to see what would happen to Justin and Lauren. As for the romantic tension, the feelings between Justin and Lauren was the relationship between a guy and girl who used to be friends but moved into something deeper. The book’s climactic moment will keep the readers up all night, wanting to see how the plot ends. (Don’t worry. I won’t tell. You have to buy the book for yourself. Trust me. It’s good.) The story world takes place in Violetta, Florida, allowing the readers to imagine palm trees swaying above elaborate houses with the ocean within spitting distance. Macmanus does a good job at showing her readers the setting, anchoring them to the Florida town.
Bethany Macmanus’ Nerve is a thrilling romantic suspense with an original climactic idea, quirky characters, and a sappy romance filled with many twists and turns, keeping the readers on the edge of their seat.
I received a ARC of Nerve from Bethany Macmanus in exchange for my honest opinion. All the statements above are all my own.
January 15, 2015
Environmental photographer Lauren "Wren" Masterson discovers a very important medical invention has been stolen from her father's house, two days after his death. Her father, Doctor Noah Masterson, had built it for her, in hopes her mysterious nerve problem could finally be diagnosed.
Lietenant Justin Breck is the police officer assigned to the case. He has serious reservations, to the tune of knowing and having feelings for Wren two years ago.
But Justin doesn't know about Lauren's nerve problem. How will he feel about her when and if he finds out? Does she dare to open her heart, and reveal?
And what will the thief do with the invention, now that its power is in his hands?
Lietenant Justin Breck is the police officer assigned to the case. He has serious reservations, to the tune of knowing and having feelings for Wren two years ago.
But Justin doesn't know about Lauren's nerve problem. How will he feel about her when and if he finds out? Does she dare to open her heart, and reveal?
And what will the thief do with the invention, now that its power is in his hands?
February 20, 2015
As a reader, I’m looking to be entertained. I want the characters to seem real and the story world to draw me in. As a writer, I don’t want to get caught up in the technical side of writing. I hate when I see glaring mistakes in the writing or the writer’s voice is not working for me.
One of things I enjoyed about Nerve were the characters. Lauren, in particular, was really well done. I watched her grow throughout the story. It was painful for me the reader, when she came to realize her father was not the perfect Dad. Then as she learned how to let go of her own control issues, so she could start to trust God more. When we first met Justin I instantly sensed the chemistry between him and Lauren. I love when the author is able to put the reader right in the story and watching their relationship develop was one of the best parts of the book. Of course, I say that being a romance reader and writer. :) Lauren and Justin were well matched, so it was easy to root for them from page one. Plus, I must admit… Bethany knows how to write those kissing scenes!
Bethany hit the nail right on the head with this novel. Her keen editor’s eye made it an enjoyable read while her natural voice gave it the right flair. I loved Lauren’s personality and could see quite a bit of Bethany in her, which just made it even more fun to read.
Bethany’s ability to keep the mystery of who did it a secret is a true mystery writer’s gift. She kept me guessing through her whole first book and now with this book. She is a master of suspense!
One of things I enjoyed about Nerve were the characters. Lauren, in particular, was really well done. I watched her grow throughout the story. It was painful for me the reader, when she came to realize her father was not the perfect Dad. Then as she learned how to let go of her own control issues, so she could start to trust God more. When we first met Justin I instantly sensed the chemistry between him and Lauren. I love when the author is able to put the reader right in the story and watching their relationship develop was one of the best parts of the book. Of course, I say that being a romance reader and writer. :) Lauren and Justin were well matched, so it was easy to root for them from page one. Plus, I must admit… Bethany knows how to write those kissing scenes!
Bethany hit the nail right on the head with this novel. Her keen editor’s eye made it an enjoyable read while her natural voice gave it the right flair. I loved Lauren’s personality and could see quite a bit of Bethany in her, which just made it even more fun to read.
Bethany’s ability to keep the mystery of who did it a secret is a true mystery writer’s gift. She kept me guessing through her whole first book and now with this book. She is a master of suspense!
May 4, 2015
This was my first book by this author and I enjoyed it. Suspense is fast becoming one of my favorite sub genres of Christian fiction and this book kept me in suspense. The storyline was good, the characters believable, and overall I felt like it was a well written book. If I had to find anything critical, for me I think I would have liked a little more backstory on Wren to understand her medical issues, but that certainly didn't detract from the book. I have already gotten my next book by this author and will keep her on my "go to" list for things to read.
April 15, 2015
I was blown away with this novel by Bethany Macmanus. NERVE is a novel of medical suspense and romance. As a retired nurse, one of my favorite genres is medical suspense/thrillers. Her characters are well developed and believable. The writing is smooth. A true page turner. I was given a digital copy of NERVE by the author in exchange for an unbiased opinion. No compensation was received. I highly recommend this novel. I will be reading more by this author.
November 13, 2015
This is a fun suspenseful read about a woman dealing with an uncertain medical diagnosis. It kept me guessing about who was involved in the crime. Plus, the romance between Justin and Wren was full of fire. I recommend this one for Romantic Suspense lovers.
June 16, 2015
I think if you’re an avid romantic suspense or Christian fiction reader, this book will be right up your alley. Read my full review here: https://anakalianwhims.wordpress.com/...
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews