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Sanctuary #8
Accidental Hero
alternate cover edition of ASIN B0187F8V8W
Book 8 in the Sanctuary Series
Chicago Cop Simon Grant and Sanctuary operative Cain Brodie, have to be the heroes of their own stories, just to stay alive.
Everyone wants Chicago cop, Simon Grant, dead. Armed with an address, he is on the run and heading for Sanctuary, only to end up at the wrong end of a gun. Is it possible the tall amber-eyed man holding the gun is actually going to be able to help him?
Cain Brodie is in charge of Sanctuary’s new Chicago office, C-Tower. His well organised administration day takes an unexpected turn when he has a man wanted for murder right in his gun sights. Thrust into a situation he has no control over suddenly he needs to be the one in control.
Accidental or not, Simon and Cain have to be the heroes of their own stories, just to stay alive.
Word count: 43,800
Book 8 in the Sanctuary Series
Chicago Cop Simon Grant and Sanctuary operative Cain Brodie, have to be the heroes of their own stories, just to stay alive.
Everyone wants Chicago cop, Simon Grant, dead. Armed with an address, he is on the run and heading for Sanctuary, only to end up at the wrong end of a gun. Is it possible the tall amber-eyed man holding the gun is actually going to be able to help him?
Cain Brodie is in charge of Sanctuary’s new Chicago office, C-Tower. His well organised administration day takes an unexpected turn when he has a man wanted for murder right in his gun sights. Thrust into a situation he has no control over suddenly he needs to be the one in control.
Accidental or not, Simon and Cain have to be the heroes of their own stories, just to stay alive.
Word count: 43,800
134 pages, ebook
First published November 20, 2015
79 people are currently reading
312 people want to read
About the author
R.J. Scott
307 books2,714 followersRJ Scott writes heartwarming, passionate MM/gay romance stories where every man finds his happily ever after. When not writing, she enjoys reading books, watching movies, spending time with her family, following Formula 1 (Forza Ferrari!), and cheering on the Pittsburgh Penguins. Email her here: rj@rjscott.co.uk
Find RJ here: Amazon | BookBub | Facebook - Also, Never miss a release
Find RJ here: Amazon | BookBub | Facebook - Also, Never miss a release
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews
May 10, 2024
Things are getting better and better
Ooh there's a right twisty turn in this book that I never would have imagined and a completely new set of players on the table.
Cain and Simon were a well matched pair, even if we're back into the "spend a few weeks of intense time together and fall in love" territory.
I didn't mind so much because there's something new happening up in Chicago and more bad guys to bring down.
Ooh there's a right twisty turn in this book that I never would have imagined and a completely new set of players on the table.
Cain and Simon were a well matched pair, even if we're back into the "spend a few weeks of intense time together and fall in love" territory.
I didn't mind so much because there's something new happening up in Chicago and more bad guys to bring down.
November 22, 2015
It was wonderful to return to the world of Sanctuary, with its mystery, suspense, and dark plotting by criminals who are always (eventually) put in their place by the wonderfully diverse team of Sanctuary agents and those they work and sometimes fall in love with. And even though this the first book in an entirely new group of stories, centered around the newly established Chicago office, some of the earlier characters made an appearance, and it was great to see how they were doing as well. Front and center of ‘Accidental Hero’ are Simon, a Chicago cop who is too honest for his own good, and Cain, who is in charge of setting up the new office, as well as providing admin and tech support. Neither of them set out to be heroes, hence the title, but both of them turn out to be far more courageous and talented than anyone would have expected. It makes for an intense and very satisfying ride!
Simon is a cop, one of the good guys. So why does everyone want him dead? The book starts with a bang when he discovers his police partner murdered and finds himself at the wrong end of several guns and more than one attempt to end his life. Based on what he has already experienced from his colleagues, he has no idea whom to trust in the force, so he makes his way to the Sanctuary office. Nothing is as easy as it looks, what with all the high-tech gadgets and security measures in place, but at least the agent Simon talks to seems to believe his story – someone is trying to kill Simon, and at least some of his colleagues on the police force may be involved.
Cain is a techie and an admin guy. He is good at analysis and in charge of the office. But when he finds a cop who is wanted for murder in the elevator to Sanctuary’s new office, he doesn’t hesitate to pull a gun and secure the man. As it turns out, Simon needs help, but his situation is complicated, and Cain is just the man to help. As it turns out, Cain has a few “hidden” talents, some powerful connections, and enough determination for two field agents. He takes control – but when all hell breaks loose, his abilities are severely tested.
This is a fast-paced action/adventure in the best Sanctuary tradition. The mystery as to who wants Simon dead and several other questions are only partially answered and if the previous Sanctuary arc around Senator Bullen is any indication, it will take a few more books to solve it. Simon and Cain manage to figure out what to do about their attraction though, and I was happy to see them add their names to the growing list of happily committed Sanctuary agents.
If you like stories about agents and cops fighting crime together, if you enjoy relationship forged in the fire of a tough hunt for unknown criminals, and if you’re looking for a read that is much like an action movie, yet offers a wonderful (and hot!) romance on top of everything else that’s going on, then you will probably like this novella. I’m eagerly expecting the sequel!
NOTE: This book was provided by Love Lane Books for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
Simon is a cop, one of the good guys. So why does everyone want him dead? The book starts with a bang when he discovers his police partner murdered and finds himself at the wrong end of several guns and more than one attempt to end his life. Based on what he has already experienced from his colleagues, he has no idea whom to trust in the force, so he makes his way to the Sanctuary office. Nothing is as easy as it looks, what with all the high-tech gadgets and security measures in place, but at least the agent Simon talks to seems to believe his story – someone is trying to kill Simon, and at least some of his colleagues on the police force may be involved.
Cain is a techie and an admin guy. He is good at analysis and in charge of the office. But when he finds a cop who is wanted for murder in the elevator to Sanctuary’s new office, he doesn’t hesitate to pull a gun and secure the man. As it turns out, Simon needs help, but his situation is complicated, and Cain is just the man to help. As it turns out, Cain has a few “hidden” talents, some powerful connections, and enough determination for two field agents. He takes control – but when all hell breaks loose, his abilities are severely tested.
This is a fast-paced action/adventure in the best Sanctuary tradition. The mystery as to who wants Simon dead and several other questions are only partially answered and if the previous Sanctuary arc around Senator Bullen is any indication, it will take a few more books to solve it. Simon and Cain manage to figure out what to do about their attraction though, and I was happy to see them add their names to the growing list of happily committed Sanctuary agents.
If you like stories about agents and cops fighting crime together, if you enjoy relationship forged in the fire of a tough hunt for unknown criminals, and if you’re looking for a read that is much like an action movie, yet offers a wonderful (and hot!) romance on top of everything else that’s going on, then you will probably like this novella. I’m eagerly expecting the sequel!
NOTE: This book was provided by Love Lane Books for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
December 21, 2015
4.5 Stars
I think I’ve found my new favorite Sanctuary book. Cain and Simon stole the show, and I loved every minute of it. Cain is the techno guy setting up the new Sanctuary office in Chicago. He is not a field agent, so when he is confronted with Simon, a suspected rogue cop, he is immediately pulled out of his comfort zone and has to rely on his training, and Manny, to subdue the threat. Simon is running for his life. He is a good cop who has been framed and all he knows is that he has to find the mysterious Sanctuary to get to safety. Thus, the meeting between these two men who eventually fall for one another while trying to protect Simon from a corrupt police department. Someone wanted Simon and his partner Jamie dead…and it looks like they found a way to kill two birds with one stone.
Simon is a dark, sexy man, one who wanted to be good cop and do the right thing. One who lost his friend, his partner, and is freaking out about how to save his skin, while redeeming his name. He needs Sanctuary, and more specifically, Cain, to do it. I loved the adorable Cain…and Cain loved his European sports car that gets beat all to hell while trying to outrun the bad guys. Being a field agent can really suck some times, especially when you are not a field agent but no one else is around to help.
This is the first in an offshoot series of the Sanctuary series which will be based in Chicago. And it is a pretty amazing start, even though the ending left me eagerly waiting and wanting more. We get a lot of sexy, we get a decent closure for our guys, but we also get to wait until next year for the next book for the mystery to continue. Not quite a cliff hanger, but not a complete ending either. Just what one would expect from a new series. I’m looking forward to Ghost, and seeing where the author takes us from here.
The Blogger Girls
I think I’ve found my new favorite Sanctuary book. Cain and Simon stole the show, and I loved every minute of it. Cain is the techno guy setting up the new Sanctuary office in Chicago. He is not a field agent, so when he is confronted with Simon, a suspected rogue cop, he is immediately pulled out of his comfort zone and has to rely on his training, and Manny, to subdue the threat. Simon is running for his life. He is a good cop who has been framed and all he knows is that he has to find the mysterious Sanctuary to get to safety. Thus, the meeting between these two men who eventually fall for one another while trying to protect Simon from a corrupt police department. Someone wanted Simon and his partner Jamie dead…and it looks like they found a way to kill two birds with one stone.
Simon is a dark, sexy man, one who wanted to be good cop and do the right thing. One who lost his friend, his partner, and is freaking out about how to save his skin, while redeeming his name. He needs Sanctuary, and more specifically, Cain, to do it. I loved the adorable Cain…and Cain loved his European sports car that gets beat all to hell while trying to outrun the bad guys. Being a field agent can really suck some times, especially when you are not a field agent but no one else is around to help.
This is the first in an offshoot series of the Sanctuary series which will be based in Chicago. And it is a pretty amazing start, even though the ending left me eagerly waiting and wanting more. We get a lot of sexy, we get a decent closure for our guys, but we also get to wait until next year for the next book for the mystery to continue. Not quite a cliff hanger, but not a complete ending either. Just what one would expect from a new series. I’m looking forward to Ghost, and seeing where the author takes us from here.
The Blogger Girls
December 22, 2015
REVIEWED FOR PRISM BOOK ALLIANCE
Sanctuary is expanding and their new offices are almost ready to open in Chicago. The man in charge of all the tech stuff is Cain Brodie but he suddenly finds himself thrown into the field when a cop on the run and wanted for murder barges into his life.
Cain wears nice suits, comes from money and drives a Ferrari but for all his confidence in the job he does, he is extremely smart and quick thinking, he doesn’t seem to have a lot of confidence where other men are concerned. He also has a lot of hidden talents! For all his nerdiness he drives like a beast and with help from Manny manages to get Simon to a safe house.
Simon starts out the story with a bang when he finds his Police partner dead in his apartment and quickly realises he is being set up for murder. The mystery revolves around dirty cops and a myriad of other players and as hard as the Sanctuary operatives work we don’t find all the answers out in this book. RJ leaves us hanging but the title of the next book, obviously about the elusive Ghost excites me!
Stuck in a safe house for nearly two weeks along with his dead partners ex-girlfriend, they picked her up on the way, starts to make everyone stir crazy. To ease some of the tension and as both men are attracted to each other they move forward with their blatant flirting and end up in bed. Any idea of casual goes straight out of the window as that is not how either of these men roll. Before they even have chance to talk about their future though trouble knocks at the door, or actually it comes straight in, and RJ adds another unanswered twist. Who exactly is Amy beyond being the ex-girlfriend and what part does she have to play?
The romance may get resolved but the mystery is left hanging…so now we wait.
Sanctuary is expanding and their new offices are almost ready to open in Chicago. The man in charge of all the tech stuff is Cain Brodie but he suddenly finds himself thrown into the field when a cop on the run and wanted for murder barges into his life.
Cain wears nice suits, comes from money and drives a Ferrari but for all his confidence in the job he does, he is extremely smart and quick thinking, he doesn’t seem to have a lot of confidence where other men are concerned. He also has a lot of hidden talents! For all his nerdiness he drives like a beast and with help from Manny manages to get Simon to a safe house.
Simon starts out the story with a bang when he finds his Police partner dead in his apartment and quickly realises he is being set up for murder. The mystery revolves around dirty cops and a myriad of other players and as hard as the Sanctuary operatives work we don’t find all the answers out in this book. RJ leaves us hanging but the title of the next book, obviously about the elusive Ghost excites me!
Stuck in a safe house for nearly two weeks along with his dead partners ex-girlfriend, they picked her up on the way, starts to make everyone stir crazy. To ease some of the tension and as both men are attracted to each other they move forward with their blatant flirting and end up in bed. Any idea of casual goes straight out of the window as that is not how either of these men roll. Before they even have chance to talk about their future though trouble knocks at the door, or actually it comes straight in, and RJ adds another unanswered twist. Who exactly is Amy beyond being the ex-girlfriend and what part does she have to play?
The romance may get resolved but the mystery is left hanging…so now we wait.
November 20, 2015
Happy happy Release Day!!! eARC Review, Excerpt & #Giveaway: Accidental Hero (Sanctuary #8) by RJ Scott
Review by: multitaskingmomma
My Rating: 5 of 5 Stars
I never thought I would enjoy this story as much as I did. Especially the ending. That was a WOW!
The opening salvo was frightening, to both this reader and Simon. I won't tell you why or what happened, but I can tell you that it read confusing as Simon was confused. It read confusing for Simon nor the reader knows what is going on. The fight or flight instinct kicks in. Where does he go? What does he do? How was he going to get out? Will he survive?
The exhausting first chapter sets the pace for Accidental Hero then it slows down a bit, getting the reader into the basics of how Simon came to that point. Then just as quickly, another set of stressful events happen and it takes Simon by surprise. Again. He is in a poor situation but he is fighting to hang on.
Cain is an admin for Sanctuary so is dismissed by many as someone who is not the type to be able to subdue a felon. Well, he surprises Simon and the rest of the team for not only does he prove his worth, he proves he can fight when he needs to.
And drive a bad ass car he lovingly caresses and talks to...
...and pet a computer lovingly and speak to it like a lover should...
Cain is surprisingly my favorite character! He's... weird. And just plain awesome.
So Simon and Cain try to make heads and tails of a killer on the loose. Simon finds himself making a choice and he faces the bullet when he does. Cain will fight to get his lover to safety, even if it means giving up his Ferrari for a BMW. (Frankly, I am with him :D)
This. This book. Ms RJ— you rock!
Review by: multitaskingmomma
My Rating: 5 of 5 Stars
I never thought I would enjoy this story as much as I did. Especially the ending. That was a WOW!
The opening salvo was frightening, to both this reader and Simon. I won't tell you why or what happened, but I can tell you that it read confusing as Simon was confused. It read confusing for Simon nor the reader knows what is going on. The fight or flight instinct kicks in. Where does he go? What does he do? How was he going to get out? Will he survive?
The exhausting first chapter sets the pace for Accidental Hero then it slows down a bit, getting the reader into the basics of how Simon came to that point. Then just as quickly, another set of stressful events happen and it takes Simon by surprise. Again. He is in a poor situation but he is fighting to hang on.
Cain is an admin for Sanctuary so is dismissed by many as someone who is not the type to be able to subdue a felon. Well, he surprises Simon and the rest of the team for not only does he prove his worth, he proves he can fight when he needs to.
And drive a bad ass car he lovingly caresses and talks to...
...and pet a computer lovingly and speak to it like a lover should...
Cain is surprisingly my favorite character! He's... weird. And just plain awesome.
So Simon and Cain try to make heads and tails of a killer on the loose. Simon finds himself making a choice and he faces the bullet when he does. Cain will fight to get his lover to safety, even if it means giving up his Ferrari for a BMW. (Frankly, I am with him :D)
This. This book. Ms RJ— you rock!
November 27, 2015
Accidents Happen
In this first of a spinoff of the exciting and erotic Sanctuary series, we are taken on a journey that the first series never failed to deliver upon: Accidental meeting of the MCs, totally baffling mystery, time spent in the Sanctuary lockdown, budding romance, fierce lust, developing love, crazy climax and finishes.
Here we have Chicago cop Simon Grant (background, cover) and Sanctuary's new Chicago office manager, Cain Brodie (foreground) sort of running into each other as Simon flees a scene where he discovers his cop partner brutally murdered and he, logically, suspects he will be framed.
So they meet cute and a bit brutish, and they throw up their personal defenses, and then their world caves in an somewhere along the way their gaydar goes bing-bing-bing! Gotta love it.
This one's twists and turns come sometime late in the book, but the beginning is action packed, the middle is lust driven, and the end ride is a roller coaster which comes to a screeching plot halt but a well resolved relationship. Bring on the next one, fast!
In this first of a spinoff of the exciting and erotic Sanctuary series, we are taken on a journey that the first series never failed to deliver upon: Accidental meeting of the MCs, totally baffling mystery, time spent in the Sanctuary lockdown, budding romance, fierce lust, developing love, crazy climax and finishes.
Here we have Chicago cop Simon Grant (background, cover) and Sanctuary's new Chicago office manager, Cain Brodie (foreground) sort of running into each other as Simon flees a scene where he discovers his cop partner brutally murdered and he, logically, suspects he will be framed.
So they meet cute and a bit brutish, and they throw up their personal defenses, and then their world caves in an somewhere along the way their gaydar goes bing-bing-bing! Gotta love it.
This one's twists and turns come sometime late in the book, but the beginning is action packed, the middle is lust driven, and the end ride is a roller coaster which comes to a screeching plot halt but a well resolved relationship. Bring on the next one, fast!
November 26, 2019
Ya en este libro comenzamos con un nuevo enemigo en una nueva oficina, la oficina de Chicago. Ahora Cain, nombrado como encargado de la oficina, se encuentra en una situacion comprometida, cuando Simon, un policia acusado del homicidio de su compañero, llega a las nuevas oficinas de Sanctuary en Chicago pidiendo proteccion, y ayuda para descubrir al verdadero asesino de su amigo y compañero.
Cain y Simon sienten la atraccion enseguida, pero intentan mantenerse separados ya que no confian en las verdaderas razones del otro para buscar su ayuda.
Sim embargo, al final sucumben a ese amor, y logran demostrar la inocencia de Simon, junto con el equipo de Sanctuary.
El libro entretenido, yo diria que es mas un spin-off de la serie original, los principales de los otros libros aparecen en pocas partes, y se conoce poco de ellos. Y aunque los nuevos personajes tienen sus momentos, no dejas de ver similitudes entre ellos y los anteriores, lo que hace el libro un poco repetitivo.
Cain y Simon sienten la atraccion enseguida, pero intentan mantenerse separados ya que no confian en las verdaderas razones del otro para buscar su ayuda.
Sim embargo, al final sucumben a ese amor, y logran demostrar la inocencia de Simon, junto con el equipo de Sanctuary.
El libro entretenido, yo diria que es mas un spin-off de la serie original, los principales de los otros libros aparecen en pocas partes, y se conoce poco de ellos. Y aunque los nuevos personajes tienen sus momentos, no dejas de ver similitudes entre ellos y los anteriores, lo que hace el libro un poco repetitivo.
August 14, 2018
3.5 but a good start
A good start to a new part of the series. It wasn't completely coherent in some places. The murder and Elliot and Vargas connection were explained in a rather disjointed fashion. The car chase was pretty good but the time in the safe house really dragged out. It was like he author used it strictly as a time for sex scenes. Amy's role was rather easy to figure out except for Abraham. As usual some of the police connections and procedures weren't very believable. It was an overall good story in the Sanctuary spirit of finding one's soulmate while pursuing the bad guys.
A good start to a new part of the series. It wasn't completely coherent in some places. The murder and Elliot and Vargas connection were explained in a rather disjointed fashion. The car chase was pretty good but the time in the safe house really dragged out. It was like he author used it strictly as a time for sex scenes. Amy's role was rather easy to figure out except for Abraham. As usual some of the police connections and procedures weren't very believable. It was an overall good story in the Sanctuary spirit of finding one's soulmate while pursuing the bad guys.
July 30, 2020
Ridiculous
I think this series has started to go of track. The characterisation wasn't very good and neither was the storyline which is a shame because I liked some of the previous books. I will try the next one in the series though just in case this was a one off.
I think this series has started to go of track. The characterisation wasn't very good and neither was the storyline which is a shame because I liked some of the previous books. I will try the next one in the series though just in case this was a one off.
November 28, 2015
Hello Sanctuary, we meet again. It's been way too long! Can't wait for book 2.
December 4, 2015
I forgot how much I love these books.
August 29, 2020
When Simon finds his partner dead on the floor and himself as the prime suspect he turns to Sanctuary for help. Cain is normally the one behind the desk and usually never gets involved with the actual client. But when Simon is caught trying to break into the new Chicago office it is Cain that keeps him under lock and key. Will Simon get the help he needs from the least likely operative? I fell in love with the quirky and adorable Cain from the minute he had no idea what he was doing. Humor over skills made this an enjoyable book.
June 7, 2019
2.5
Me encanta como escribe el autor pero en este libro la acción se ha quedado corta o no sé qué pasó pero al final no me convenció tanto, de igual forma el romance ha sido acelerado y frío, se ve la tensión sexual pero muy pocos momentos bonitos.
Me encanta como escribe el autor pero en este libro la acción se ha quedado corta o no sé qué pasó pero al final no me convenció tanto, de igual forma el romance ha sido acelerado y frío, se ve la tensión sexual pero muy pocos momentos bonitos.
August 19, 2017
Yeah... Cain, he's the man! Oh, and Simon was very entertaining also! ;p
I am on a Sanctuary re-a-thon, so I must move on to book 9 and see if they can catch a ghost! :D
I am on a Sanctuary re-a-thon, so I must move on to book 9 and see if they can catch a ghost! :D
November 21, 2015
This is book number 8 in the Sanctuary series and at the same time we’re starting over – with a new location in Chicago and a new case of characters. We meet Nik and Manny again and hear about Jack but this feels the beginning of a new group. It’s also the beginning of a new case.
Cops Jamie and Simon have discovered irregularities in their department, D&G (drugs & guns) and suspect one of the old-timer cops is on the take and working with Varga, a big time drugs and weapons dealer. After receiving a text from Jamie to meet him at his apartment, Simon goes to meet him only to find Jamie recently shot. He runs away and tries to find Sanctuary, the place a fellow cop told him to go if he ever found himself in a situation with no way out. There he meets Cain, who is setting up Sanctuary’s Chicago operations. They go to a safe house with Jamie’s ex-girlfriend, but things start to go wrong.
For the romantic part of the story, the book was really too short for me to really get into it and root for the guys. Not that it wasn’t a good storyline but I would have liked more time for the relationship to develop, as it was, it felt rushed to me.
I really like the criminal story line and can’t wait to find out how it continues.
I’m definitely going to by Sanctuary 9 (Ghost) when it comes out.
Cops Jamie and Simon have discovered irregularities in their department, D&G (drugs & guns) and suspect one of the old-timer cops is on the take and working with Varga, a big time drugs and weapons dealer. After receiving a text from Jamie to meet him at his apartment, Simon goes to meet him only to find Jamie recently shot. He runs away and tries to find Sanctuary, the place a fellow cop told him to go if he ever found himself in a situation with no way out. There he meets Cain, who is setting up Sanctuary’s Chicago operations. They go to a safe house with Jamie’s ex-girlfriend, but things start to go wrong.
For the romantic part of the story, the book was really too short for me to really get into it and root for the guys. Not that it wasn’t a good storyline but I would have liked more time for the relationship to develop, as it was, it felt rushed to me.
I really like the criminal story line and can’t wait to find out how it continues.
I’m definitely going to by Sanctuary 9 (Ghost) when it comes out.
December 27, 2015
I've started this series with volume 8 but, even so, it wasn't hard to follow the story.
Cain and Simon are fighting to stay alive while trying to unearth a murderer and unravel a mystery that is more complex and brings more danger for the team than they were ready for.
On top of that, Sanctuary is working on opening a new office in Chicago so their resources are limited.
Cain is not exactly a field agent. He's the brain behind the computer and, when he finds himself in the center of the action, he surprises everyone.
Simon is good cop who has been in the wrong place at the wrong time. Now, his only hope of clearing his name is an organization he's never heard about but which he'll have to trust if he wants to find out the truth and stay alive while doing it.
The writing is light and fast paced but I would have liked more details. IMO, this novel was too short. I'm not saying it wasn't good. Even if things do happen a little too fast, the author paid attention to details and there were no loose ends.
I liked how the story was spun, ending with enough suspense and mystery to make me want to read the next volume ASAP, which won't happen for a few months yet. Sigh..
I guess I'll have to go back to the beginning and get to know all the team while I wait for Ghost to be released.
4*
Happy Reading!
Cain and Simon are fighting to stay alive while trying to unearth a murderer and unravel a mystery that is more complex and brings more danger for the team than they were ready for.
On top of that, Sanctuary is working on opening a new office in Chicago so their resources are limited.
Cain is not exactly a field agent. He's the brain behind the computer and, when he finds himself in the center of the action, he surprises everyone.
Simon is good cop who has been in the wrong place at the wrong time. Now, his only hope of clearing his name is an organization he's never heard about but which he'll have to trust if he wants to find out the truth and stay alive while doing it.
The writing is light and fast paced but I would have liked more details. IMO, this novel was too short. I'm not saying it wasn't good. Even if things do happen a little too fast, the author paid attention to details and there were no loose ends.
I liked how the story was spun, ending with enough suspense and mystery to make me want to read the next volume ASAP, which won't happen for a few months yet. Sigh..
I guess I'll have to go back to the beginning and get to know all the team while I wait for Ghost to be released.
4*
Happy Reading!
November 22, 2015
Normally when I give a review I like to say how I feel about the characters and the situations they find themselves in and what the book meant to me. Today I have decided to just go with what I felt while reading. Scared, excited, confused, impressed, betrayed (for 2 characters) , "oh my god is it hot in here?", angry , intrigued, worried and teased. Now the "OMGIIHIH" happened quite a few times and I enjoyed that. The two characters that we get to know to the extreme, fight for justice, for information and for their love. Their supporting cast , some we have met before, some not , all work so well together and make this , yet another great story.
July 5, 2024
As always, the writing was beautiful but the story, not so much. Unlike the original Sanctuary series, there was no resolution to the story. It seems like this may be a serialized thing with nothing established in each book but the character relationships. I hope I'm wrong.
If it weren't for the quality of the writing my rating would be lower. Just too many dangling ends. No cliffhanger but it ended mid-story.
If it weren't for the quality of the writing my rating would be lower. Just too many dangling ends. No cliffhanger but it ended mid-story.
May 20, 2021
I'm so disappointed with this book. I knew "who" from first meeting. Plus many discrepancies. Worst of all Sanctuary is nothing like the Sanctuary in past books. I will not be reading the last two books.
January 4, 2016
More Sanctuary, I approve
January 7, 2016
A new couple, a new mystery...a whole new set of Sanctuary books! Yay! I NEED the next one NOW!!
May 10, 2018
I couldn't connect with the characters and the story felt unfinished, but the writing was good and the story was easy to follow even though I have only read book 1 and then jumped to this one.
September 7, 2022
Worst of the series.
Simon was arrogant and annoyed me.
Cain was terrible at his job.
Amy was obvious. Should have ended the series with Jake and Sean.
Simon was arrogant and annoyed me.
Cain was terrible at his job.
Amy was obvious. Should have ended the series with Jake and Sean.
February 25, 2024
3/5 I wasn’t expecting a whole new plot arc when we hit book 8 in this series. I liked both Cain and Simon, mostly, but wasn’t totally sold on them together. I found the first kiss pretty creepy, in fact. Having just locked Simon into the safe house and then learned that Simon was harassed with gay slurs at work, Cain promptly kisses him in an awkward fight-turned-kiss moment. Seriously? This struck me as nothing but creepy and inappropriate. (He then apologises and a few pages later belligerently demands, “Do you expect an apology? Didn’t we … just do that?)
Then there’s this weird “Cain says no” to any intimacy that morphs with no explanation to “it’s Simon saying no”, to them both changing their minds and soon after declaring their love. I just wasn’t convinced. We get very little closure here, it’s full on mystery for the next book.
I guessed about one of the problem people, and I found the violence at the end extreme and unnecessary. (Maybe this was all just to add to the mystery, maybe this is just how some people act, but I didn’t see the value of the final injury when escape was already ensured and it was acknowledged that they were tangentially on the same side. A more non-lethal injury or an immediately fatal one would have made more sense to me.)
I did enjoy Cain and all the tech, his defensive driving and love of his Ferrari. I liked how determined Simon was to get to the truth of what happened and do the right thing. I did feel like these two wanted the same thing and had some interest in one another, but I didn’t feel like there was enough time (especially with Amy as a third wheel) for them really to get to know one another in a meaningful way.
Then there’s this weird “Cain says no” to any intimacy that morphs with no explanation to “it’s Simon saying no”, to them both changing their minds and soon after declaring their love. I just wasn’t convinced. We get very little closure here, it’s full on mystery for the next book.
I guessed about one of the problem people, and I found the violence at the end extreme and unnecessary. (Maybe this was all just to add to the mystery, maybe this is just how some people act, but I didn’t see the value of the final injury when escape was already ensured and it was acknowledged that they were tangentially on the same side. A more non-lethal injury or an immediately fatal one would have made more sense to me.)
I did enjoy Cain and all the tech, his defensive driving and love of his Ferrari. I liked how determined Simon was to get to the truth of what happened and do the right thing. I did feel like these two wanted the same thing and had some interest in one another, but I didn’t feel like there was enough time (especially with Amy as a third wheel) for them really to get to know one another in a meaningful way.
March 21, 2024
Ce tome 8 semble démarrer une nouvelle intrigue, située à Chicago, où Cain Brodie est à la tête du nouveau bureau du sanctuaire... où il intercepte Simon Grant, flic principal suspect du meurtre sanglant de son partenaire de travail, venu chercher assistance...
Bien entendu, la situation n'est pas aussi simple et Simon n'est pas coupable.
Par contre, Simon a vu quelque chose qu'il n'aurait pas du voir, son partenaire l'a payé de sa vie et c'est lui le prochain sur la liste. Et Cain est le seul qui peut le protéger... sauf que Cain est plus un geek qu'un agent, mais un geek du sanctuaire c'est forcément pas un geek ordinaire...
Les voilà donc partis dans une cavale pour sauver leur vie, accompagnés de l'ex petite amie du partenaire de Simon, pour aller se réfugier dans une cabane au fond des bois (ce qui semble être un thème assez récurent de cette série).
Trahison, surprises, rapprochements, révélations, suspens, une nouvelle machination semble démarrer avec ce huitième tome, qui se lit aussi agréablement et facilement que les précédents, toujours sous la forme de grosse nouvelle (environ 150 pages).
Bref, distrayant, ça détend, ça prend pas trop la tête, moi je suis cliente, ça me va.
Bien entendu, la situation n'est pas aussi simple et Simon n'est pas coupable.
Par contre, Simon a vu quelque chose qu'il n'aurait pas du voir, son partenaire l'a payé de sa vie et c'est lui le prochain sur la liste. Et Cain est le seul qui peut le protéger... sauf que Cain est plus un geek qu'un agent, mais un geek du sanctuaire c'est forcément pas un geek ordinaire...
Les voilà donc partis dans une cavale pour sauver leur vie, accompagnés de l'ex petite amie du partenaire de Simon, pour aller se réfugier dans une cabane au fond des bois (ce qui semble être un thème assez récurent de cette série).
Trahison, surprises, rapprochements, révélations, suspens, une nouvelle machination semble démarrer avec ce huitième tome, qui se lit aussi agréablement et facilement que les précédents, toujours sous la forme de grosse nouvelle (environ 150 pages).
Bref, distrayant, ça détend, ça prend pas trop la tête, moi je suis cliente, ça me va.
November 3, 2025
Chicago cop Simon Grant is on the run, falsely accused of murder and hunted by ruthless enemies. Desperate and out of options, he seeks refuge at Sanctuary—only to be met by Cain Brodie, a man who doesn’t trust easily and has no reason to help. Cain, determined to keep his operation clean, reluctantly takes Simon in. But what begins as a tense alliance quickly deepens into something far more powerful: a bond forged in danger, loyalty, and unexpected desire. As betrayal and violence close in, Simon and Cain must navigate a deadly conspiracy and the fragile hope that love might be their only way out. When the dust settles, they’ll face the ultimate question—can love truly redeem two men shaped by shadows?
I loved this story which was packed with emotional depth and high-stakes tension. I liked how the story explored how trust is built not through words, but through action and sacrifice. I enjoyed that the story explored how crisis strips away pretense, revealing what truly matters. Love becomes not just a comfort, but a reason to fight, survive, and hope. Easy to read and understand. This was an MM story with mature content.
I loved this story which was packed with emotional depth and high-stakes tension. I liked how the story explored how trust is built not through words, but through action and sacrifice. I enjoyed that the story explored how crisis strips away pretense, revealing what truly matters. Love becomes not just a comfort, but a reason to fight, survive, and hope. Easy to read and understand. This was an MM story with mature content.
March 6, 2023
3.5 stars
This was just average. Most of the excitement and danger was in a long car chase scene which doesn’t do it for me. The rest was short lived. There was a very short hospital scene though. The plot was okay but I kept thinking that Cain was being too stupid for words. I like that he had the skills of an operative though.
This book had more little nits for me to pick than usual for one Scott’s books. It felt more like a shifter-of-the month book. Like not remembering they had a stolen car right outside their safe house, lots of missing periods at the ends of sentences, and a first aid box being locked and coded. What if the person who was injured was the only one who knew the code?
It was nice that there finally was a woman involved that was competent and who liked video games and Madden.
I love the fact that the sanctuary doctor, who had his own book and is in most of the series, has a terrible bedside manner.
This was just average. Most of the excitement and danger was in a long car chase scene which doesn’t do it for me. The rest was short lived. There was a very short hospital scene though. The plot was okay but I kept thinking that Cain was being too stupid for words. I like that he had the skills of an operative though.
This book had more little nits for me to pick than usual for one Scott’s books. It felt more like a shifter-of-the month book. Like not remembering they had a stolen car right outside their safe house, lots of missing periods at the ends of sentences, and a first aid box being locked and coded. What if the person who was injured was the only one who knew the code?
It was nice that there finally was a woman involved that was competent and who liked video games and Madden.
I love the fact that the sanctuary doctor, who had his own book and is in most of the series, has a terrible bedside manner.
April 1, 2017
´*•.¸(*•.¸♥¸.•*´)¸.•*´4 Hero Stars*•.¸(*•.¸♥¸.•*´)¸.•*´
The Cop and the Sanctuary agent.
Simon Grant was just another Chicago cop on the beat. Unfortunately, he was also a cop on the run. He had been mistakenly marked as a suspect in the murder of his partner, Jaime. Not knowing what to do, but having vague information and a card from a Sanctuary agent named Elliott, Simon did the next best thing when trouble found him. He finds himself at Sanctuary's Chicago HQ where he meets Cain.
Cain was not a typical Sanctuary agent. He was a part of the administrative team, but had enough experience to hold his own against the bad guys. Cain is also a rich man who does not flaunt his upbringing...much. He wants to live outside the shadow of his wealthy family. So when he was confronted by Simon, he was thrown off his A-game. When it becomes too much, Cain and Simon find themselves on the run from the people who want Simon dead. Thrown together in hiding at a Sanctuary safehouse, it proves that close proximities could be a good thing for some people.
There was enough suspense to keep me invested and I was floored when a web was spun and made me sit up and pay attention. No one was innocent, no matter how much you wanted them to be. You have to read the book to understand. The premise to this set the scene for the next upcoming book entitled Ghost.
I was looking forward to this book. And though it did not disappoint [I am a Sanctuary/R.J. Scott fan] I expected more, more, more. I guess the first seven books spoilt me. Yet, I had to step back and say: it is a new arc to the old series, so I have to relax and move on. I enjoyed the speed chase, Cain's geeky character who was badassed when need be and so gentle with his toys. And when Simon said: "You're sacrificing your Ferrari for me?" and Cain answered: "Every time," you knew it had to be love.
This first book is a good set up to what is to come and I cannot wait for book two in this arc. And yes, I will be reading this book again.
Reviewed by Cee from Alpha Book Club
The Cop and the Sanctuary agent.
Simon Grant was just another Chicago cop on the beat. Unfortunately, he was also a cop on the run. He had been mistakenly marked as a suspect in the murder of his partner, Jaime. Not knowing what to do, but having vague information and a card from a Sanctuary agent named Elliott, Simon did the next best thing when trouble found him. He finds himself at Sanctuary's Chicago HQ where he meets Cain.
Cain was not a typical Sanctuary agent. He was a part of the administrative team, but had enough experience to hold his own against the bad guys. Cain is also a rich man who does not flaunt his upbringing...much. He wants to live outside the shadow of his wealthy family. So when he was confronted by Simon, he was thrown off his A-game. When it becomes too much, Cain and Simon find themselves on the run from the people who want Simon dead. Thrown together in hiding at a Sanctuary safehouse, it proves that close proximities could be a good thing for some people.
There was enough suspense to keep me invested and I was floored when a web was spun and made me sit up and pay attention. No one was innocent, no matter how much you wanted them to be. You have to read the book to understand. The premise to this set the scene for the next upcoming book entitled Ghost.
I was looking forward to this book. And though it did not disappoint [I am a Sanctuary/R.J. Scott fan] I expected more, more, more. I guess the first seven books spoilt me. Yet, I had to step back and say: it is a new arc to the old series, so I have to relax and move on. I enjoyed the speed chase, Cain's geeky character who was badassed when need be and so gentle with his toys. And when Simon said: "You're sacrificing your Ferrari for me?" and Cain answered: "Every time," you knew it had to be love.
This first book is a good set up to what is to come and I cannot wait for book two in this arc. And yes, I will be reading this book again.
Reviewed by Cee from Alpha Book Club
January 8, 2025
Hace un tiempo dejé de leer la serie Sanctuary. Volver, y nada menos que con el libro 8, me resultó muy interesante y bonito.
Caín y Simón se volvieron mi segunda pareja favorita de la serie.
Caín fue el personaje que más me gustó, por como lo describieron.
Me hubiera gustado mucho que el libro fuera más largo, que hubiera más detalles, más información sobre la relación amorosa de los protagonistas. Me quedé con ganas de ver más sobre esta pareja y sobre el caso, pero aquí entre tú y yo, la interacción entre los chicos era mejor.
No tengo nada más que escribir. No se que más poner. No se me da mucho hacer esto. Ayer estuve todo el día pensando en esta pareja y no quería escribir una reseña aún. Pero hoy, simplemente estoy en blanco. Fue una lectura agradable y picante 🔥. Ame leerlo. No dormí mucho por terminarlo, me tenía atrapada.
Caín y Simón se volvieron mi segunda pareja favorita de la serie.
Caín fue el personaje que más me gustó, por como lo describieron.
Me hubiera gustado mucho que el libro fuera más largo, que hubiera más detalles, más información sobre la relación amorosa de los protagonistas. Me quedé con ganas de ver más sobre esta pareja y sobre el caso, pero aquí entre tú y yo, la interacción entre los chicos era mejor.
No tengo nada más que escribir. No se que más poner. No se me da mucho hacer esto. Ayer estuve todo el día pensando en esta pareja y no quería escribir una reseña aún. Pero hoy, simplemente estoy en blanco. Fue una lectura agradable y picante 🔥. Ame leerlo. No dormí mucho por terminarlo, me tenía atrapada.
June 3, 2017
I didn’t read the first 7 books in the series and I was fine in following the story. Aside from the characters’ history and how Sanctuary was established, I didn’t feel like I was missing anything from the story.
This is a pretty fast paced story that is clearly setting up for at least the next book which won’t be a standalone. There are a lot of questions still to be answered and people to be found.
I really liked Simon and Cain. They are great together and just mushy enough with each other to somewhat satisfy my need for romance. Both are strong investigators and work well with each other and the rest of the team. I hope we get to see more of them in the next book.
Moving on to the next book to see if we can find the Ghost!
This is a pretty fast paced story that is clearly setting up for at least the next book which won’t be a standalone. There are a lot of questions still to be answered and people to be found.
I really liked Simon and Cain. They are great together and just mushy enough with each other to somewhat satisfy my need for romance. Both are strong investigators and work well with each other and the rest of the team. I hope we get to see more of them in the next book.
Moving on to the next book to see if we can find the Ghost!
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