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Paradise Falls #1-5
Paradise Falls
I didn't believe in heroes until I met him. For five years, I've lived in fear. No one will stop my stalker. Nobody can - his father is a senator. Alone and powerless, I couldn't run, couldn't hide, couldn't escape. Then I met Jacob. He's built like a freight train, covered in scars, and fights like a trained killer. He scares me. Fascinates me. One look in his haunting eyes draws me in. Tempts me to do things that I'd never imagined. If I can trust him with my life like I have with my body, he might just be my hero. --- I came to destroy this town. I lost everything, spent a year under a torturer's knife, and woke up a dead man walking, hungry for vengeance... Then I saw her. The man I hate was laying his hands on her and I snapped. Something went off inside me, something that drove me to remove his filthy hands from her beautiful body and replace them with mine. The mission has changed. I won't stop until she's safe, and I've found out how hot her lips burn on mine..."
764 pages, Paperback
First published July 7, 2015
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July 14, 2015Overwriting Kills!
The author immediately grabbed my attention with Elliot running his dead brother's wife off the road & the dynamics of this long-standing abusive relationship set in a good'ol'boy corrupt town.
A former student returning as a mysterious, rich, hulking hero of a teacher... Well, damn, if that didn't sound like a swoon waiting to happen.
Soooooo....
Ever wonder why such a perfect creation as a strawberry has to be tainted with mold? Yeah, me too. It's a real bummer when you walk by the produce and smell the temptation of the sweet little treats only to find someone wasn't careful in their handling and they've all started to grow mold.
At 3% in, ^ that is my exact reaction to this book.
As interesting as the plot all seems like it's going to get... eventually, hopefully, maybe... I immediately know this is going to be a long ass read because it's already been mishandled and is growing moldy:(
It's bogged down with too much superfluous info, too many overly descriptive adjectives, & too much repetition before a point is made.
Then, there are also these random whimsical musings to really make you just scream at the author to get the fuck on with it already.
Here's what I mean...
The new luxury car in the parking lot is mentioned multiple times to bring us to the very simple point of its owner being the new school teacher.
She's on hall duty, okay! I'm told this fact that means nothing to the storyline nothing short of four times within the same scene.
Do I need to know that the wall she leaned against was brick and cool?
Do I need to know that "Behind and to the right of her window, a large hill rose on the other side of the deep but narrow gorge dug out by the Susquehanna river south of town. A windy road led to the very top of the biggest hill, and a sprawling house held up by pilings driven into the ground crouched over a sheer drop.
Do I need to know that she took a sharp breath of chilly air & then have an entire paragraph devoted to duct work and why the air was chilly?
Do I need multiple pages just to describe how she operates as a teacher, the mundane goings on of a classroom curriculum, her professional feelings about Odyssey, and such?
Is it necessary for her to apologize half a dozen times for a simple lunch decline?
Are you feeling me? I'm bored! I'm impatient! I'm ready to scrape the mold off & get on with the mf'ing story!
Awkward
There's a lot of awkward here. The female MCs personality, interactions, thoughts, etc are all just weird to me. Her burning, itching ring finger. The odd relationship she seems to have with a female student getting into her personal business. Offering someone milk when she doesn't have any. Having a kiddie table as her kitchen table. The way she just randomly asks the male MC out - "I'd like to see you. Socially, I mean."
I dont know? But, I'm just not "getting" her.
Bottom Line
Between the pacing & flow of the storyline and the weird as hell female MC, I'm going to carefully set these strawberries back on the shelf for a more patient and tolerant reader.
I can neither recommend nor dissuade anyone from this book because I just didn't read enough. To give it an overall rating would be disingenuous and unfair at the point I called it quits.
I will, however, strongly recommend downloading a sample of this book if you don't have KU and would be purchasing this book. Those that value plot driven narrative and dialogue, that is nuts and bolts writing style, will most likely find this book as irritating as sand in unmentionable orifices!
The author immediately grabbed my attention with Elliot running his dead brother's wife off the road & the dynamics of this long-standing abusive relationship set in a good'ol'boy corrupt town.
A former student returning as a mysterious, rich, hulking hero of a teacher... Well, damn, if that didn't sound like a swoon waiting to happen.
Soooooo....
Ever wonder why such a perfect creation as a strawberry has to be tainted with mold? Yeah, me too. It's a real bummer when you walk by the produce and smell the temptation of the sweet little treats only to find someone wasn't careful in their handling and they've all started to grow mold.
At 3% in, ^ that is my exact reaction to this book.
As interesting as the plot all seems like it's going to get... eventually, hopefully, maybe... I immediately know this is going to be a long ass read because it's already been mishandled and is growing moldy:(
It's bogged down with too much superfluous info, too many overly descriptive adjectives, & too much repetition before a point is made.
Then, there are also these random whimsical musings to really make you just scream at the author to get the fuck on with it already.
Here's what I mean...
The new luxury car in the parking lot is mentioned multiple times to bring us to the very simple point of its owner being the new school teacher.
She's on hall duty, okay! I'm told this fact that means nothing to the storyline nothing short of four times within the same scene.
Do I need to know that the wall she leaned against was brick and cool?
Do I need to know that "Behind and to the right of her window, a large hill rose on the other side of the deep but narrow gorge dug out by the Susquehanna river south of town. A windy road led to the very top of the biggest hill, and a sprawling house held up by pilings driven into the ground crouched over a sheer drop.
Do I need to know that she took a sharp breath of chilly air & then have an entire paragraph devoted to duct work and why the air was chilly?
Do I need multiple pages just to describe how she operates as a teacher, the mundane goings on of a classroom curriculum, her professional feelings about Odyssey, and such?
Is it necessary for her to apologize half a dozen times for a simple lunch decline?
Are you feeling me? I'm bored! I'm impatient! I'm ready to scrape the mold off & get on with the mf'ing story!
Awkward
There's a lot of awkward here. The female MCs personality, interactions, thoughts, etc are all just weird to me. Her burning, itching ring finger. The odd relationship she seems to have with a female student getting into her personal business. Offering someone milk when she doesn't have any. Having a kiddie table as her kitchen table. The way she just randomly asks the male MC out - "I'd like to see you. Socially, I mean."
I dont know? But, I'm just not "getting" her.
Bottom Line
Between the pacing & flow of the storyline and the weird as hell female MC, I'm going to carefully set these strawberries back on the shelf for a more patient and tolerant reader.
I can neither recommend nor dissuade anyone from this book because I just didn't read enough. To give it an overall rating would be disingenuous and unfair at the point I called it quits.
I will, however, strongly recommend downloading a sample of this book if you don't have KU and would be purchasing this book. Those that value plot driven narrative and dialogue, that is nuts and bolts writing style, will most likely find this book as irritating as sand in unmentionable orifices!
July 9, 2015
WOW, what a book. It was one that was hard to put down.
Jennifer is living in the past. She has some really issue from when she was a teenager that cause her not to get physical with a man. Add on top of that she lives with the death of her husband that died in a bridge collapse. Even after several years she has issues getting past it.
I truly hated Elliot. Elliot was Jennifer’s brother-in-law who was obsessed with Jennifer. Elliot was a type of person that liked to take what he wanted. The problem with wanting Jennifer she was not going down without a fight.
I have to say I love Jennifer’s mystery man, Jacob Kane. The name alone sounds sexy as hell. Jacob is full of scars and fells ugly due to his scars. Jacob has been smitten with Jennifer since he was 17. Now back in Paradise Falls is surprised to see her there. He thought she would be gone and had moved on by now. He does not hesitate to help her when he sees her in trouble. I believe he would lay down his life for her if needed.
Jacob is back for revenge. See Jacob lost family the day the bridge collapsed. Now years later all he can think about is making the ones pay that are responsible for his families death. But when you meet someone that makes you a better person can you turn away from vengeance?
The town of Paradise Falls is full of corruption. There is even corruption in the police department and the Senator. As Jennifer and Jacob start to uncover the bridge collapse they start to uncover how much corruption is really there from drugs, underage sex slaves, and murder. But believe it or not this only scratches the surface, but you will have to read the book to find out about the big picture.
Along the way Jennifer starts to see how much of a good man Jacob is. The good she sees in him makes her start to fall in love with him. Can she overcome her past to be with Jacob? Will they make it thru everything without one or both of them dying?
I have to say I am very impressed with the knowledge the author showed with the guns. Normally I find some errors when authors talk about guns, but not with this author. Great job. You will find some much with this book. Love, mystery, murder, and danger. Have to say it was a read well worth reading. FYI, loved the other car. I need on..LOL
Jennifer is living in the past. She has some really issue from when she was a teenager that cause her not to get physical with a man. Add on top of that she lives with the death of her husband that died in a bridge collapse. Even after several years she has issues getting past it.
I truly hated Elliot. Elliot was Jennifer’s brother-in-law who was obsessed with Jennifer. Elliot was a type of person that liked to take what he wanted. The problem with wanting Jennifer she was not going down without a fight.
I have to say I love Jennifer’s mystery man, Jacob Kane. The name alone sounds sexy as hell. Jacob is full of scars and fells ugly due to his scars. Jacob has been smitten with Jennifer since he was 17. Now back in Paradise Falls is surprised to see her there. He thought she would be gone and had moved on by now. He does not hesitate to help her when he sees her in trouble. I believe he would lay down his life for her if needed.
Jacob is back for revenge. See Jacob lost family the day the bridge collapsed. Now years later all he can think about is making the ones pay that are responsible for his families death. But when you meet someone that makes you a better person can you turn away from vengeance?
The town of Paradise Falls is full of corruption. There is even corruption in the police department and the Senator. As Jennifer and Jacob start to uncover the bridge collapse they start to uncover how much corruption is really there from drugs, underage sex slaves, and murder. But believe it or not this only scratches the surface, but you will have to read the book to find out about the big picture.
Along the way Jennifer starts to see how much of a good man Jacob is. The good she sees in him makes her start to fall in love with him. Can she overcome her past to be with Jacob? Will they make it thru everything without one or both of them dying?
I have to say I am very impressed with the knowledge the author showed with the guns. Normally I find some errors when authors talk about guns, but not with this author. Great job. You will find some much with this book. Love, mystery, murder, and danger. Have to say it was a read well worth reading. FYI, loved the other car. I need on..LOL
July 24, 2015
Holy Overwriting, Batman
This book was so incredibly sloooooooow, that it took me several days (with several breaks) to finish it. The storyline had promise, which was the only reason I stuck it out...and the only thing it had good about it.
Now, let's talk about the bad. First, I understand "painting the picture" for your readers but the author attempted the Sistine Chapel with all the details. Way, way too much. I found myself skimming several parts without losing the understanding of the storyline. That's when you know you wrote too much.
Second, the editing was pretty bad: grammar errors, missing words, contradictory situations in the storyline, etc. It's my understanding that this book was rereleased under a new name, why not fix the error, too?
All in all, the storyline kept bringing me back, so that's essentially why I gave it 3 stars. Good story, terrible editing and overwriting.
This book was so incredibly sloooooooow, that it took me several days (with several breaks) to finish it. The storyline had promise, which was the only reason I stuck it out...and the only thing it had good about it.
Now, let's talk about the bad. First, I understand "painting the picture" for your readers but the author attempted the Sistine Chapel with all the details. Way, way too much. I found myself skimming several parts without losing the understanding of the storyline. That's when you know you wrote too much.
Second, the editing was pretty bad: grammar errors, missing words, contradictory situations in the storyline, etc. It's my understanding that this book was rereleased under a new name, why not fix the error, too?
All in all, the storyline kept bringing me back, so that's essentially why I gave it 3 stars. Good story, terrible editing and overwriting.
July 11, 2015
Paradise Falls by Abigail Graham gives us the story of Jennifer and Jacob.
When the Paradise Falls bridge fell, Jennifer Katzenberg lost her husband and gained a obsessed stalker. Elliot, her abusive brother-in-law. Elliot has wanted Jennifer since before she married his brother. Now that he is out of the way Elliot is trying to claim her any way he can. Even by force.
Jacob has come back for revenge. He lost family the day the bridge collapsed and now plans to make the people responsible for his families death pay with their lives. Lucky for Jennifer, Elliot is one of the people he is after.
I love this authors ability to write such deep and complex characters. Her plots are always full of twists and surprises both dark yet hopeful. The author makes you feel what they do and easily picture an believe in their fascinating world. Ms. Jacob has a gift of really bringing you into the story.
I highly recommend this story.
***Given gift copy***
L.
When the Paradise Falls bridge fell, Jennifer Katzenberg lost her husband and gained a obsessed stalker. Elliot, her abusive brother-in-law. Elliot has wanted Jennifer since before she married his brother. Now that he is out of the way Elliot is trying to claim her any way he can. Even by force.
Jacob has come back for revenge. He lost family the day the bridge collapsed and now plans to make the people responsible for his families death pay with their lives. Lucky for Jennifer, Elliot is one of the people he is after.
I love this authors ability to write such deep and complex characters. Her plots are always full of twists and surprises both dark yet hopeful. The author makes you feel what they do and easily picture an believe in their fascinating world. Ms. Jacob has a gift of really bringing you into the story.
I highly recommend this story.
***Given gift copy***
L.
July 25, 2015
I am sorry I just couldn't get thru it. It was not just the atrocious editing, I have read books with bad editing before and loved them. No it is the repetitive writing and the overly descriptive wording ad nauseam. I really tried to like it as the premise was interesting but there is way to much focus on things that do nothing for the story (ie the several sentences on ductwork just because she took a breath. With some judicious editing the book would be great not to mention half the size.
April 8, 2016
I went into this not knowing that this was a serial... of course I eventually figured it out, but that wasn't without the fits of annoyance at strangely abrupt chapter endings, repeats of stuff we've already read and then, the worst part, the inconsistencies.
Story: Starts as small town teacher harassed by psychotic former brother-in-law who believe she should be his even though he attempted to rape her when she was 17 and she married his brother, who dies in a tragic bridge collapse. First day of school and she connects with the new math teacher, Jacob, who knew her when he was a student at the school, went into the Army, and has come back a wealthy man. In fact, he rescues her after the BiL tries to kidnap her after running her off the road. Then there are all these strange things happening: a fight at school over drugs, another attempted kidnapping, three kids killed... and then it morphs into some sort teacher/007/jean claude van damme book where the whole town's corrupt, the senator (and her ex father in law) rules, there are massive amounts of drugs, terrorists, biker gangs, human trafficking, and that's just to name a few... and there's only Jacob and Jennifer to stop it all.
So many issues with this: It's SLOPPY. Needed an editor and a proofreader. So many instances of misspelled words, grammar issues (punctuation, plurals, possessives). It's like she wrote it once and never bothered to reread what she wrote.
She introduces storylines that go nowhere and there are a lot of unanswered questions. Was the mother implicated in any of the wrong doings of the senator? Why was she so cruel? Why did she marry J's dad if she's in love with someone else. What happened to Franklin's mom? What was really with the relationship between J and F? She states that she wasn't happy and knew she didn't make him happy and that she probably shouldn't have married him, but why does she say she loves him and what was with the itchy ring finger?? What happened to Katie and the girls? What happened to all of this money he stole? There were supposed to be three locations involved with the terrorist plot... so what happened to the other two? Were there no implications to any of their actions?? And why was the big deal that she gets her job reinstated?? Okay, and then the last chapter does a poor job of wrapping things up. She was starting her 4th year of school, and then the last chapter says she's starting her 4th year of school? Huh? Did you mean re-starting? Not sure. Also the sexy times in this book are completely overshadowed by the amount of violence in this book. She's so timid about sex that it was uncomfortable, since she's relatively young 25 or 26. I mean she's from Central PA, but come on.
Story: Starts as small town teacher harassed by psychotic former brother-in-law who believe she should be his even though he attempted to rape her when she was 17 and she married his brother, who dies in a tragic bridge collapse. First day of school and she connects with the new math teacher, Jacob, who knew her when he was a student at the school, went into the Army, and has come back a wealthy man. In fact, he rescues her after the BiL tries to kidnap her after running her off the road. Then there are all these strange things happening: a fight at school over drugs, another attempted kidnapping, three kids killed... and then it morphs into some sort teacher/007/jean claude van damme book where the whole town's corrupt, the senator (and her ex father in law) rules, there are massive amounts of drugs, terrorists, biker gangs, human trafficking, and that's just to name a few... and there's only Jacob and Jennifer to stop it all.
So many issues with this: It's SLOPPY. Needed an editor and a proofreader. So many instances of misspelled words, grammar issues (punctuation, plurals, possessives). It's like she wrote it once and never bothered to reread what she wrote.
She introduces storylines that go nowhere and there are a lot of unanswered questions. Was the mother implicated in any of the wrong doings of the senator? Why was she so cruel? Why did she marry J's dad if she's in love with someone else. What happened to Franklin's mom? What was really with the relationship between J and F? She states that she wasn't happy and knew she didn't make him happy and that she probably shouldn't have married him, but why does she say she loves him and what was with the itchy ring finger?? What happened to Katie and the girls? What happened to all of this money he stole? There were supposed to be three locations involved with the terrorist plot... so what happened to the other two? Were there no implications to any of their actions?? And why was the big deal that she gets her job reinstated?? Okay, and then the last chapter does a poor job of wrapping things up. She was starting her 4th year of school, and then the last chapter says she's starting her 4th year of school? Huh? Did you mean re-starting? Not sure. Also the sexy times in this book are completely overshadowed by the amount of violence in this book. She's so timid about sex that it was uncomfortable, since she's relatively young 25 or 26. I mean she's from Central PA, but come on.
July 31, 2015
Paradise Falls by Abigail Graham
Widowed for four years Jennifer was working on her career mode and trying to still deal with the death of her husband Franklin. Teaching the children at the high school means everything to her. On the first day back on a warm August day she is stopped and almost kidnapped by her former brother in law Elliot. His actions bring back all the painful memories as she fights back. This time, however, a man stops and saves her and totally captures her imagination. Later at school she learns he is the new teacher and a former student. They both shared a loss back when her husband died on a bridge disaster. He lost a family she lost her spouse. Now he is back with a vengeance and she is about to learn a whole lot more about the strange man that calls her Miss K. In fact he is going to draw her into a whole web of things that will change her life forever. Things that she never thought she would do and a love she never thought she would have. Join Miss K and her rogue knight in this story about Paradise Falls and how when truth is uncovered it can never go back to what it was before.
Bella Doerres Ma/Ed
Widowed for four years Jennifer was working on her career mode and trying to still deal with the death of her husband Franklin. Teaching the children at the high school means everything to her. On the first day back on a warm August day she is stopped and almost kidnapped by her former brother in law Elliot. His actions bring back all the painful memories as she fights back. This time, however, a man stops and saves her and totally captures her imagination. Later at school she learns he is the new teacher and a former student. They both shared a loss back when her husband died on a bridge disaster. He lost a family she lost her spouse. Now he is back with a vengeance and she is about to learn a whole lot more about the strange man that calls her Miss K. In fact he is going to draw her into a whole web of things that will change her life forever. Things that she never thought she would do and a love she never thought she would have. Join Miss K and her rogue knight in this story about Paradise Falls and how when truth is uncovered it can never go back to what it was before.
Bella Doerres Ma/Ed
July 15, 2015
The storyline is a good idea, but (and I almost never do this) downgraded the rating due to grammar, editing, and readings issues. This is a serial and according to the author's thank your, etc, this took a year. The grammar, writing and editing did not improve. That made this difficult to read. I liked the main characters but the author could have cleaned up the serial before publishing as a "book" but this is just my opinion. if you want suspense and not the fun easy Sunday afternoon read it shouldn't be this difficult.
July 26, 2015
Really wanted to give this 5 stars, but couldn't
Really enjoyed the story line and characters. Kept wanting to read and find out what happened next. I was pleasantly surprised with how much I enjoyed the suspense with less romance. (I tend to read mostly romance genre). The reason I only gave it a 4 was because there were a lot of typos and errors. I found myself rereading to make sure I was following the story.
Really enjoyed the story line and characters. Kept wanting to read and find out what happened next. I was pleasantly surprised with how much I enjoyed the suspense with less romance. (I tend to read mostly romance genre). The reason I only gave it a 4 was because there were a lot of typos and errors. I found myself rereading to make sure I was following the story.
August 22, 2023
I borrowed Paradise Falls ~ Books 1-5 from the Kindle Unlimited Program.
Jennifer and Jacob are both teachers and in this adventurous plot so much more. They both are from the small town of Paradise Falls and it is about the furthest place from paradise it is possible to imagine.
In this adventure they expose a drug ring, a motorcycle gang running an under age prostitution operation, a plot by foreign terroirs to start a war with the United States using nuclear bombs and a family group of corrupt politicians starting with a US Senator to the police chief and his staff in the town.
Jacob is an ex-Army soldier that was captured and tortured, has a ton of money and is very well trained in warfare. Jennifer is a emotionally damaged woman that is fighting to get past her fears and paranoia and turns out to be fearless when her school, the people she calls friends and her students and her country are threatened.
I couldn't put this one down and would give it ten stars if that were possible.
Jennifer and Jacob are both teachers and in this adventurous plot so much more. They both are from the small town of Paradise Falls and it is about the furthest place from paradise it is possible to imagine.
In this adventure they expose a drug ring, a motorcycle gang running an under age prostitution operation, a plot by foreign terroirs to start a war with the United States using nuclear bombs and a family group of corrupt politicians starting with a US Senator to the police chief and his staff in the town.
Jacob is an ex-Army soldier that was captured and tortured, has a ton of money and is very well trained in warfare. Jennifer is a emotionally damaged woman that is fighting to get past her fears and paranoia and turns out to be fearless when her school, the people she calls friends and her students and her country are threatened.
I couldn't put this one down and would give it ten stars if that were possible.
March 14, 2017
Overwrite much?
On October 9, 2015, I wrote: I'm 9% done with Paradise Falls: I am being driven out of my mind with boring details about things I could care less about. I am 9% into this book and I've already put it down twice. I read a couple more pages, and I don't think I can finish this one. I might go crazy if I read about how her ring itches (what?!) one more time or have to endure her awkwardness anymore... Ugh. Done for now.
Now in March of 2017, I will formally admit to myself that I have absolutely no intention of continuing this book. The very thought makes my eyelid twitch. What an awful waste of my money, and just so awkward. This is probably the worst example of overwriting that I ever had the displeasure to read. I will make sure to note the author and steer clear of anything else from her.
On October 9, 2015, I wrote: I'm 9% done with Paradise Falls: I am being driven out of my mind with boring details about things I could care less about. I am 9% into this book and I've already put it down twice. I read a couple more pages, and I don't think I can finish this one. I might go crazy if I read about how her ring itches (what?!) one more time or have to endure her awkwardness anymore... Ugh. Done for now.
Now in March of 2017, I will formally admit to myself that I have absolutely no intention of continuing this book. The very thought makes my eyelid twitch. What an awful waste of my money, and just so awkward. This is probably the worst example of overwriting that I ever had the displeasure to read. I will make sure to note the author and steer clear of anything else from her.
dnf
August 11, 2017@27%
I honestly forgot I had this book on Kindle Unlimited until I was trying to check out more books and saw this was still there. I just felt like I was going no where in the story and it was just taking way too long to get to the point. When a story is contemporary I don't think it should have the length of a book that has to do world building. I was on chapter 18 of 64....nope nope nope. I felt as though I should have gotten a better understanding of the story by chapter 18 and I just hadn't. Maybe I'll come back to this another day, but it wont be anytime soon.
note: I borrowed this on Feb 1st 2017 it is now Aug 11 2017.
I honestly forgot I had this book on Kindle Unlimited until I was trying to check out more books and saw this was still there. I just felt like I was going no where in the story and it was just taking way too long to get to the point. When a story is contemporary I don't think it should have the length of a book that has to do world building. I was on chapter 18 of 64....nope nope nope. I felt as though I should have gotten a better understanding of the story by chapter 18 and I just hadn't. Maybe I'll come back to this another day, but it wont be anytime soon.
note: I borrowed this on Feb 1st 2017 it is now Aug 11 2017.
April 22, 2022
This book started off really good it was interesting but I'm sorry it was just overwritten it was dragging on so long I ended up not being able to finish it lost interest about 500 or so pages in. I like action adventure romance books but this had very little romance and just dragged too much for me. I have read other books by this author that were great I still highly recommend this author just not necessarily this book.
May 16, 2019
Drawn out
I didn’t really like this book, it was so drawn out and full of so much that it made my head spin. There was a lot to follow. I only continued to read to see if main characters ended up with a happily ever after
I didn’t really like this book, it was so drawn out and full of so much that it made my head spin. There was a lot to follow. I only continued to read to see if main characters ended up with a happily ever after
February 21, 2021
Not entirely sure what to say. I know this is like a boxset, It was entertaining, but I felt it was way too long. Eventually it would get a little boring, but then it would get exciting again. This is one I would reccomend you read, before you buy.
March 3, 2019
Very interesting couldn't put it down.
I thought it had right about if action with a sexual drive to it. It kept me wanting read more.
I thought it had right about if action with a sexual drive to it. It kept me wanting read more.
March 13, 2017
While I enjoyed this book, it was awkward to read in some ways. It is a compilations of serials, which I hadn't realized when I first started reading it, and I kept wondering why there seemed to be short recaps every once in a while. It made sense once I figured out it was a serial collection, but it really threw me for a loop at first. This was not the healthiest of relationships, and I never quite got into it. I think it was good at building her confidence in herself and finding out she didn't have to be with a man because he could protect her (as we discovered had been the case with her first marriage), but otherwise, I don't think they were right for one another. He was extremely self-destructive, and it kept getting her hurt in the process. She did become a badass though, able to stand up to her bullies and even crime lords, so maybe it wasn't all for naught.
March 13, 2017
Jacob & Jennifer
Ms. Graham calls this book a soap opera and in many ways it is, especially if you consider the book is so much better than a tv show or movie. The plot is convoluted and expands in scope constantly. It is amazing how the author never looses sight of the romance and love that is the underlying character and structure of this entire book. The people inhabiting this book are well written and complex and the events leading to the explosive end of this book is carried by the intrinsic reality of the characters. This is the second book I have read by this author and I am ready to read more.
Ms. Graham calls this book a soap opera and in many ways it is, especially if you consider the book is so much better than a tv show or movie. The plot is convoluted and expands in scope constantly. It is amazing how the author never looses sight of the romance and love that is the underlying character and structure of this entire book. The people inhabiting this book are well written and complex and the events leading to the explosive end of this book is carried by the intrinsic reality of the characters. This is the second book I have read by this author and I am ready to read more.
October 15, 2015
This book had a lot of potential, but it was very poorly executed. The story line was intriguing, but too far fetched. I couldn't figure out why this high school in this insignificant and all but forgotten town was targeted. Yeah, yeah, yeah, it all ties back to Jacob, but it would have made more sense in a bigger city, because the impact, in the grand scheme of the book's premise, would have been greater. The ultimate impact was the entire point of the existence of the bad guys in the first place. The best reason I could come up with was because the author thought they could. I can live with that because, let's face it, those of us who love the romance genre have to suspend reality quite frequently.
However, the issues didn't end there. The author mentions two other targets, but seems to have forgotten that part of her storyline and just leaves the reader hanging. All of this, and a plethora of other issues, would have been lessened, if not completely avoided, had the dang book just been properly edited. Even a fair amount of editing would have caught some of the numerous typos, grammar annihilations, and vocabulary blunders that plagued every single page of this book. Good editing would have corrected the author's tendency to write in circles and repeat herself ad nauseum too. The lack of proper editing made the book incredibly tedious, and not all that enjoyable, to read.
To add insult to injury, the author, on multiple occasions, would have a character start to explain something (usually technical, and having very little to do with the storyline, but I figured, what the heck, at least I might learn a thing or two) only to have them change their mind and drop the entire line of thought. Are you freaking kidding me?!!!!!! Aaaaaaaagggggggghhhhhhhhh!
Another issue that just became irksome, was the constantly repeated comment about Jenny's wedding ring itching, burning, or just being stuck. I get the symbolism, but it just didn't work because the author tells us by Jenny readily admitting her marriage to her now dead husband wasn't good or even a happy one. Her "survivor's guilt" doesn't work either because she wasn't on the freaking bridge when it collapsed. Survivor's guilt is caused when a person lives through the same ordeal that kills another person. Having a spouse die via an accident you were not involved in is called grief, not survivor's guilt!!!!! These are integral parts of the story so perhaps the author should have thought it out a bit better. Shoving it down our throats every other page does not make it anymore believable the thousandth time than it was the first time. Although, given the cataclysmic over abundance of superfluous and nonsensical information in this book, it is quite clear the author has a gigantic problem identifying what is integral to the freaking story. Imagery is great, and helps to bring a story to life, but when it gets to the point where the reader has to sift through all the crap to get to the story, the book becomes as dull as dishwater! All these irritations on top of everything else wrong with this book, took a story that was tedious and confusing into a completely different realm of just simply insipid, as in pointless!
I persevered and finished this ridiculous book, but honestly, it was not worth the frustration. My rating of two stars is a freaking gift. Save yourself the hours of annoyance, and just skip this book as there are plenty of much more enjoyable and incredibly well written titles to choose from. Happy reading!
However, the issues didn't end there. The author mentions two other targets, but seems to have forgotten that part of her storyline and just leaves the reader hanging. All of this, and a plethora of other issues, would have been lessened, if not completely avoided, had the dang book just been properly edited. Even a fair amount of editing would have caught some of the numerous typos, grammar annihilations, and vocabulary blunders that plagued every single page of this book. Good editing would have corrected the author's tendency to write in circles and repeat herself ad nauseum too. The lack of proper editing made the book incredibly tedious, and not all that enjoyable, to read.
To add insult to injury, the author, on multiple occasions, would have a character start to explain something (usually technical, and having very little to do with the storyline, but I figured, what the heck, at least I might learn a thing or two) only to have them change their mind and drop the entire line of thought. Are you freaking kidding me?!!!!!! Aaaaaaaagggggggghhhhhhhhh!
Another issue that just became irksome, was the constantly repeated comment about Jenny's wedding ring itching, burning, or just being stuck. I get the symbolism, but it just didn't work because the author tells us by Jenny readily admitting her marriage to her now dead husband wasn't good or even a happy one. Her "survivor's guilt" doesn't work either because she wasn't on the freaking bridge when it collapsed. Survivor's guilt is caused when a person lives through the same ordeal that kills another person. Having a spouse die via an accident you were not involved in is called grief, not survivor's guilt!!!!! These are integral parts of the story so perhaps the author should have thought it out a bit better. Shoving it down our throats every other page does not make it anymore believable the thousandth time than it was the first time. Although, given the cataclysmic over abundance of superfluous and nonsensical information in this book, it is quite clear the author has a gigantic problem identifying what is integral to the freaking story. Imagery is great, and helps to bring a story to life, but when it gets to the point where the reader has to sift through all the crap to get to the story, the book becomes as dull as dishwater! All these irritations on top of everything else wrong with this book, took a story that was tedious and confusing into a completely different realm of just simply insipid, as in pointless!
I persevered and finished this ridiculous book, but honestly, it was not worth the frustration. My rating of two stars is a freaking gift. Save yourself the hours of annoyance, and just skip this book as there are plenty of much more enjoyable and incredibly well written titles to choose from. Happy reading!
July 25, 2015
I received a ARC for an honest review. This was a story about adventure, romance, suspense and intrigue it was one of the most well written stories I've read in a long while it captured your attention from the first page with Jennifer Katzenberg and her meeting Jacob Kane as an adult who is now a new teacher in her school No 1 in Paradise Falls something evil happened there several years ago that changed the lives of many the bridge fell during the Christmas season and Jennifer lost her husband supposedly and Jacob did lose his Father,Mother and his beloved Sister Jacob was in his teens an had to go live with a relative who didn't care about him half as much as his own father did so he ended up going to the army where he was captured and tortured horribly before he was rescued but the man who tortured him was a monster and he thought that man was dead now Jennifer was assaulted by Elliot Katzenberg while she was still in high school but not raped his brother Franklin intervened but the father threaten to have her murdered if she told anybody what happened at the house party at the Katezenberg house where shortly after that she graduated and went away to college the same college that Franklin attended they became friends she trusted him as a friend they decided to get married but it was not a real marriage she still wears her wedding ring even though when Jacob saves her from her brother in-law and his friend on the way to school one morning she decides that she likes him and she asks him on a date from then on they become very close but not in a sexual way something horrible happens one night and she is taken to Jacobs house where she recuperates and stays there in the master bedroom while Jacob lives downstairs in the basement then they get more bad news when one of her students is killed with a boy that she was with who exposed a boy at school for selling drugs who was arrested after that things start to happen and don't stop until everything comes to a big explosion before they get a chance to catch their breathes again this is a very powerful story about something so much bigger than they were even where of but they find it all out in the end. Great story rate 5 of 5 stars.
August 2, 2015
Overall, I enjoyed it. I was entertained. I didn't mind that it wasn't a very believable plot because it's a book. Who cares if it's believable? It was fun and action packed.
Now, as for what's wrong with it. EDITING. That's a big one. I am not super nit picky when it comes to editing on self published books. You kinda have to expect them to be somewhat below par. However, this had WAY too many errors. When there are multiple errors in one paragraph, that's a problem. There's no excuse for that. There are plenty of people willing to help proof read a book to get to read free.
I'm glad that I bought it as a single book. Had I known it was a serial at any point I would not have read it because I am just fully against serials.
The ages of the main characters bugged the LIVING HELL out of me. You start reading and your impression of Jennifer is that she's in her early to mid thirties. Jacob was a student at the high school she is teaching at four years ago. Which is just really kinda gross. So the feeling you get is that there must be a huge age gap. She's twenty-six. He's twenty-one. Still kinda gross.
I will say that he seems older and so you can kinda forget about their ages except that you already know about them and it keeps popping into your head. Why not just make them more appropriate ages?
And if I had to read about her freaking sprained ankle ONE MORE TIME... ugh.
Whatever. I did enjoy it when the editing and the ages and her stupid ankle weren't grating on me.
Now, as for what's wrong with it. EDITING. That's a big one. I am not super nit picky when it comes to editing on self published books. You kinda have to expect them to be somewhat below par. However, this had WAY too many errors. When there are multiple errors in one paragraph, that's a problem. There's no excuse for that. There are plenty of people willing to help proof read a book to get to read free.
I'm glad that I bought it as a single book. Had I known it was a serial at any point I would not have read it because I am just fully against serials.
The ages of the main characters bugged the LIVING HELL out of me. You start reading and your impression of Jennifer is that she's in her early to mid thirties. Jacob was a student at the high school she is teaching at four years ago. Which is just really kinda gross. So the feeling you get is that there must be a huge age gap. She's twenty-six. He's twenty-one. Still kinda gross.
I will say that he seems older and so you can kinda forget about their ages except that you already know about them and it keeps popping into your head. Why not just make them more appropriate ages?
And if I had to read about her freaking sprained ankle ONE MORE TIME... ugh.
Whatever. I did enjoy it when the editing and the ages and her stupid ankle weren't grating on me.
July 15, 2015
I received this book for an honest review.
Jennifer is living in fear everyday of her stalker who just so happens to be her brother-in-law and the son of the senator. Jacob is back home in Paradise Falls to uncover the truth of a tragedy from years ago a tragedy that him and Jennifer both lost people in. He had planned to stay a loner but what he hadn't planned on was the pull him and Jennifer would feel for each other. United by a common goal they work together to uncover what really happened never expecting the conspiracy to go as deep as it does. Along the way can these two "broken" people finally find someone to help them heal and someone they can each trust once again?
The series started out a little slow for me I was intrigued enough to keep reading but was unsure how I felt about it all. As the story goes on though the pace picked up and definitely held my interest better and kept me wanting to find the answers myself. There were definitely plenty of twists and turns with some predictability but a few surprises too. As for the characters I liked that instead of just being a caveman and insisting on protecting Jennifer, Jacob empowered her and taught her to protect herself. There were a good fit and I found myself rooting for them especially against the "bad guys" who the author definitely painted as evil! Overall I enjoyed the series and would recommend it this is the boxed set so the complete story is here in order so no cliffhanger on this one!
Jennifer is living in fear everyday of her stalker who just so happens to be her brother-in-law and the son of the senator. Jacob is back home in Paradise Falls to uncover the truth of a tragedy from years ago a tragedy that him and Jennifer both lost people in. He had planned to stay a loner but what he hadn't planned on was the pull him and Jennifer would feel for each other. United by a common goal they work together to uncover what really happened never expecting the conspiracy to go as deep as it does. Along the way can these two "broken" people finally find someone to help them heal and someone they can each trust once again?
The series started out a little slow for me I was intrigued enough to keep reading but was unsure how I felt about it all. As the story goes on though the pace picked up and definitely held my interest better and kept me wanting to find the answers myself. There were definitely plenty of twists and turns with some predictability but a few surprises too. As for the characters I liked that instead of just being a caveman and insisting on protecting Jennifer, Jacob empowered her and taught her to protect herself. There were a good fit and I found myself rooting for them especially against the "bad guys" who the author definitely painted as evil! Overall I enjoyed the series and would recommend it this is the boxed set so the complete story is here in order so no cliffhanger on this one!
August 5, 2015
A Let Down...
This story had so much potential but I think it got away from the author and became too much. It started really good: the storyline was awesome and the characters were extremely interesting but something happened that changed the story from one I perceived into something bigger, messier, and boring because of its implausibility. POSSIBLE SPOILERS... The book begins as an obsessive stalker/bully harasses the hometown girl but nobody can or will do anything to stop him because his father is a Senator and his uncle is mayor. The new math teacher comes to her rescue during one incident and he turns out to be back for revenge against the big wigs. Years ago, a bridge collapse took the lives of his parents and sister just as it did the life of the heroine's husband. The story then morphs into this convoluted mess of local corruption, drug running, arms-dealing, and terrorism. The author also throws in a motorcycle gang! In my opinion, it was too much. The story went in too many directions. It could have been so much better if one of those themes were picked and then the story continued with that particular theme, i.e. stalker or local corruption, or terrorism .
This story had so much potential but I think it got away from the author and became too much. It started really good: the storyline was awesome and the characters were extremely interesting but something happened that changed the story from one I perceived into something bigger, messier, and boring because of its implausibility. POSSIBLE SPOILERS... The book begins as an obsessive stalker/bully harasses the hometown girl but nobody can or will do anything to stop him because his father is a Senator and his uncle is mayor. The new math teacher comes to her rescue during one incident and he turns out to be back for revenge against the big wigs. Years ago, a bridge collapse took the lives of his parents and sister just as it did the life of the heroine's husband. The story then morphs into this convoluted mess of local corruption, drug running, arms-dealing, and terrorism. The author also throws in a motorcycle gang! In my opinion, it was too much. The story went in too many directions. It could have been so much better if one of those themes were picked and then the story continued with that particular theme, i.e. stalker or local corruption, or terrorism .
August 9, 2015
I don't like giving negative reviews for any author but...
There are so many things wrong with this book. First of all the grammar absolutely sucks. Not only are words wrong or mixed up, but apparently this author can't keep her own characters name correct. In one chapter, Hailey n Kirsten are sisters but by the next couple of chapters the sisters are now named Hailey n Kelly. I'm just thinking if an author can't keep track of her characters names. , there is a problem. Also the stuff that's going on with the characters r just not realistic at all. At the beginning we have the phrase " my ring itched in every other paragraph n she can't get it off even when she loses wait. Not logical.. there just isn't any rhyme or reason to repeating it over n over again..personally I think this title she'd fall under fantasy. Most of this just isnt believable.
All that being said, the storyline itself is very good, if you like action packed adventure, this is full of it and will definitely keep you reading
Sorry for this review, but I truly believe u need a better staff of people who can help out with the bad grammar, typing errors, wrong words and characters. A lot of his n hers mixed up
There are so many things wrong with this book. First of all the grammar absolutely sucks. Not only are words wrong or mixed up, but apparently this author can't keep her own characters name correct. In one chapter, Hailey n Kirsten are sisters but by the next couple of chapters the sisters are now named Hailey n Kelly. I'm just thinking if an author can't keep track of her characters names. , there is a problem. Also the stuff that's going on with the characters r just not realistic at all. At the beginning we have the phrase " my ring itched in every other paragraph n she can't get it off even when she loses wait. Not logical.. there just isn't any rhyme or reason to repeating it over n over again..personally I think this title she'd fall under fantasy. Most of this just isnt believable.
All that being said, the storyline itself is very good, if you like action packed adventure, this is full of it and will definitely keep you reading
Sorry for this review, but I truly believe u need a better staff of people who can help out with the bad grammar, typing errors, wrong words and characters. A lot of his n hers mixed up
July 15, 2015
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Where do you start after you read a book of this quality? I had such a hard time putting this book down as soon as I started reading it. The plot was complex, yet well planned and executed. The characters? I don't think I could have came close to having created the characters in this story. They will have you twisted in knots trying to figure out what they are feeling and thinking. Abigail has done an outstanding job with the people in this book. The entire book has a "James Bond" kind of feel to it, where our hero and heroine "save the day" throughout it's entirety . I have to applaud Ms. Graham. There was definitely not a dull moment between page one until the end. This book is very long, but oh so worth the read. I won't get into the synopsis, as that is sufficiently covered in numerous other reviews, but if you are looking for an awesome action packed, fast paced, nail biting romance, then this is the book for you! A definite must read in my opinion! Well done. I am looking forward to reading more from Paradise Falls.
Where do you start after you read a book of this quality? I had such a hard time putting this book down as soon as I started reading it. The plot was complex, yet well planned and executed. The characters? I don't think I could have came close to having created the characters in this story. They will have you twisted in knots trying to figure out what they are feeling and thinking. Abigail has done an outstanding job with the people in this book. The entire book has a "James Bond" kind of feel to it, where our hero and heroine "save the day" throughout it's entirety . I have to applaud Ms. Graham. There was definitely not a dull moment between page one until the end. This book is very long, but oh so worth the read. I won't get into the synopsis, as that is sufficiently covered in numerous other reviews, but if you are looking for an awesome action packed, fast paced, nail biting romance, then this is the book for you! A definite must read in my opinion! Well done. I am looking forward to reading more from Paradise Falls.
July 16, 2015
ARC read for an honest review.
This book was the best I have read in awhile. I love all the twists and turns thus book took me on. I was retelling the biggest highlights to anyone that was near me while reading this. The background that Jennifer had wad to real. The hardship she has to conquer is unfair for one women to have to go though. Without Jacob I know she wouldn't of made it past chapter one. Jacob also has a lot of demons to conquer for himself. Jennifer is his saving angel for him everything: life, sanity, love, friendship, anchor. Without her I know he wouldn't be who he is or even be alive till the end of this amazing story. The things they have to go threw to get to the end is unreal. The things you could imagine are nothing like what actually gets thrown at these two. I give these two everything for everything they did to save ego they could and still make it. This is what you call the perfect power couple,they work but together they are a well oiled machine.
I hope Abigail Graham comes up with more people like these too. Much love for this book and her wonderful world she made with this book.
This book was the best I have read in awhile. I love all the twists and turns thus book took me on. I was retelling the biggest highlights to anyone that was near me while reading this. The background that Jennifer had wad to real. The hardship she has to conquer is unfair for one women to have to go though. Without Jacob I know she wouldn't of made it past chapter one. Jacob also has a lot of demons to conquer for himself. Jennifer is his saving angel for him everything: life, sanity, love, friendship, anchor. Without her I know he wouldn't be who he is or even be alive till the end of this amazing story. The things they have to go threw to get to the end is unreal. The things you could imagine are nothing like what actually gets thrown at these two. I give these two everything for everything they did to save ego they could and still make it. This is what you call the perfect power couple,they work but together they are a well oiled machine.
I hope Abigail Graham comes up with more people like these too. Much love for this book and her wonderful world she made with this book.
July 27, 2015
A TRUE PAGE TURNER.
Let me start out by saying I picked this book because of the cover. I new that there had to be a story behind the guy with the scars.
I didn't realize it had all of the books together which please me immensely.
Jennifer was not what I expected at all. She took a complete turnaround. I expected her to be this damsel in distress run and hide woman. But instead she stood next to Jacob reading to go waste deep in anything. Once she got around him she came alive. She didn't let her mom or her in laws intimidate her any longer.
When Jacob started at the school I new he was tied to Jennifer somehow I just didn't know how deep. Here is this man who has all the times of a mob boss and is scary as well. But when it comes to Jennifer he is soft and goes at her pace. He wants her to know that no matter he can take of her and he will.
When they embark on finding out the truth behind the bridge collapse that took something from them both deep hidden secrets from the past that will affect the future come to light.
I recommend this book for someone who is looking for suspense, intrigue, edge of your seat reading and some romance thrown in.
Let me start out by saying I picked this book because of the cover. I new that there had to be a story behind the guy with the scars.
I didn't realize it had all of the books together which please me immensely.
Jennifer was not what I expected at all. She took a complete turnaround. I expected her to be this damsel in distress run and hide woman. But instead she stood next to Jacob reading to go waste deep in anything. Once she got around him she came alive. She didn't let her mom or her in laws intimidate her any longer.
When Jacob started at the school I new he was tied to Jennifer somehow I just didn't know how deep. Here is this man who has all the times of a mob boss and is scary as well. But when it comes to Jennifer he is soft and goes at her pace. He wants her to know that no matter he can take of her and he will.
When they embark on finding out the truth behind the bridge collapse that took something from them both deep hidden secrets from the past that will affect the future come to light.
I recommend this book for someone who is looking for suspense, intrigue, edge of your seat reading and some romance thrown in.
August 27, 2015
ARC given in exchange for an honest review
I have to say this was a hard book for me to stay focused in. I was practically lost in parts of it but overall it does have a good plot. You can tell the author put a lot of time into this story and focused on some things a little to much. This book was just different for me and new.
Jennifer is a teacher and has been living in fear for five years and deals with a stalker on a daily basis. She lost her husband to a bridge collapsing and lives on her own after that in the same place. The town she lives in is controlled by the Senator and his goons and no matter what nothing ever gets done. Things change when she meets Jacob and he saves her.
Jacob came back to the town where he lost his family due to the bridge collapsing and out for vengeance. He was going to get anyone who was responsible until he met Jennifer. Jacob's views on everything changes once he sees her.
Jennifer & Jacob will take you on a journey that will involve action, tragedy, heartbreak and much more. Some things you won't expect and things you will try to figure out.
I have to say this was a hard book for me to stay focused in. I was practically lost in parts of it but overall it does have a good plot. You can tell the author put a lot of time into this story and focused on some things a little to much. This book was just different for me and new.
Jennifer is a teacher and has been living in fear for five years and deals with a stalker on a daily basis. She lost her husband to a bridge collapsing and lives on her own after that in the same place. The town she lives in is controlled by the Senator and his goons and no matter what nothing ever gets done. Things change when she meets Jacob and he saves her.
Jacob came back to the town where he lost his family due to the bridge collapsing and out for vengeance. He was going to get anyone who was responsible until he met Jennifer. Jacob's views on everything changes once he sees her.
Jennifer & Jacob will take you on a journey that will involve action, tragedy, heartbreak and much more. Some things you won't expect and things you will try to figure out.
August 23, 2015
OMG! Talked about having a bad day that won’t end. Story is action packed, full of suspense, with surviving after losing loved ones, a town filled with corruption along with a lot of twists. Jennifer lives in fear from her stalking brother in law while struggling to get over the death of her husband but truly only existing. Jacob comes home to Paradise Falls to uncover the truth. What really happened in the tragedy that claims the lives of his family and Jennifer’s husband. Seeing what is happening to Jennifer, he is drawn to her and goes out of his way to protect her. Both are broken and have their own demons to fight while working together to solve the mystery and conspiracy they start to connect emotionally and physically. At the end of the day, if anybody deserves a happy ending these two do. Overall, I found this book to be a great read. Can’t wait for more from this author. Received an ARC copy from author for a honest review.
July 12, 2015
This is a re-read for me as I read this book when it came out as a serialized novel. I will say the same thing I’ve said before: What a ride. I knew how the book ended but was still biting my nails. Paradise Falls is a fast-paced, action-never-stops read that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Get ready for a wild ride – the book gets into the action right from the start and it gets better and wilder from there. My heart was beating wildly in my chest and didn’t calm down until I finished the book, again. Great job, Ms. Graham. These two have been thru trials and assassinations (how often to you get to say THAT!) and come out the other side. I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review If you like action, adventure, with a love story on the side, pick up this Abigail Graham book, now all in one book!
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