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Star Struck
Mercedes Grant is known to the world as Stormy Ryan, action hero. Her movie-star status has led to some unpleasant interactions in the past, and even a few stalkers, but none has ever come close enough to her to seem dangerous—until now. When she receives a death threat on her personal cell phone, she is understandably shaken. Seizing the opportunity to take some time away from the limelight while the police investigate the phone call, Mercedes escapes to her remote cabin near Idaho’s Snake River. She knows it is the perfect place to lie low, but she doesn’t realize how low she’ll actually feel once she arrives.
After days of suffering from a cold she just can’t shake, Mercedes visits the town physician, Luke Parker. The handsome doctor, a fan of the stunning celebrity, performs the necessary tests and is devastated at the unexpected diagnosis he must give her. Mercedes is sick—really sick. He knows she can handle crazy fans, but the news he has to give is another story. As Mercedes struggles to come to terms with her new future, she relies on Luke’s support. But neither imagines the disease is the only danger Mercedes is facing—because just out of view, someone is watching her and is determined to make good on their threat.
After days of suffering from a cold she just can’t shake, Mercedes visits the town physician, Luke Parker. The handsome doctor, a fan of the stunning celebrity, performs the necessary tests and is devastated at the unexpected diagnosis he must give her. Mercedes is sick—really sick. He knows she can handle crazy fans, but the news he has to give is another story. As Mercedes struggles to come to terms with her new future, she relies on Luke’s support. But neither imagines the disease is the only danger Mercedes is facing—because just out of view, someone is watching her and is determined to make good on their threat.
272 pages, Paperback
Published February 1, 2016
22 people are currently reading
224 people want to read
About the author
Kathi Oram Peterson
27 books159 followersKathi Oram Peterson is the Whitney Award winning author of TREACHEROUS LEGACY (2021 )A STRANGER WATCHES (2019), and A FAMILIAR FEAR (2018).
Kathi's heart-pounding suspense novels make readers double check door locks and sleep with a flashlight. Her YA Time Travels bring readers to historical events as if they are there. Her novels have richly-drawn characters and plots that hook readers and make setting the book down nearly impossible.
Keep connected with Kathi--and stay informed about special deals, new released, and other reader perks--by signing up for her newsletter: http://eepurl.com/cE52Y1
Visit Kathi at:
Her website http://authorkathiorampeterson.com/
Bookbub: : https://www.bookbub.com/authors/kathi...
Facebook: https://tinyurl.com/y65rlqtj
Tweeter: https://twitter.com/KathiOPeterson
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Kathi-Oram-Pet...
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/kathiopeter...
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authorkathip/
Romantic Suspense:
Shifting Sands (2023)
Danger Unknown (2022)
Treacherous Legacy (2021)
A Stranger Watches (2020) Whitney winner
Bloodline (2019)
A Familiar Fear (2018) Whitney Winner
Breach of Trust (2017)
Star Struck (2016)
Deceived (2014)
Wanted (2013)
Cold Justice (2012)
River Whispers (2011)
Novella: An Angel on Main Street (2009).
YA Time Travel Novels:
Reluctant Warrior (2017)-Previously published as The Forgotten Warrior (2009)
Stripling Warrior (2017)
Guardian of the Stone (2017) Previously published asThe Stone Traveler (2010)
Chasing the Star (2017)
Stories included in other books:
A Christmas to Remember (2011)
Life Lessons from Mothers of Faith (2013)
Remembering the Joy of Christmas (2015)
Concept and Biography Books for Children:
I Want to Be a Mathematician Like Archimedes
I Want to Be a Scientist Like Thomas Edison
I Want to Be a Scientist Like Antoni Van Leeuwenhoek
I Want to Be a Scientist Like Alexander Von Humboldt
Tyrannosaurus X 1
How Did the Chicken Cross the Road
Yangshi’s Perimeter
Lightning Bells
The Beginning of Numbers
Kathi's heart-pounding suspense novels make readers double check door locks and sleep with a flashlight. Her YA Time Travels bring readers to historical events as if they are there. Her novels have richly-drawn characters and plots that hook readers and make setting the book down nearly impossible.
Keep connected with Kathi--and stay informed about special deals, new released, and other reader perks--by signing up for her newsletter: http://eepurl.com/cE52Y1
Visit Kathi at:
Her website http://authorkathiorampeterson.com/
Bookbub: : https://www.bookbub.com/authors/kathi...
Facebook: https://tinyurl.com/y65rlqtj
Tweeter: https://twitter.com/KathiOPeterson
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Kathi-Oram-Pet...
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/kathiopeter...
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authorkathip/
Romantic Suspense:
Shifting Sands (2023)
Danger Unknown (2022)
Treacherous Legacy (2021)
A Stranger Watches (2020) Whitney winner
Bloodline (2019)
A Familiar Fear (2018) Whitney Winner
Breach of Trust (2017)
Star Struck (2016)
Deceived (2014)
Wanted (2013)
Cold Justice (2012)
River Whispers (2011)
Novella: An Angel on Main Street (2009).
YA Time Travel Novels:
Reluctant Warrior (2017)-Previously published as The Forgotten Warrior (2009)
Stripling Warrior (2017)
Guardian of the Stone (2017) Previously published asThe Stone Traveler (2010)
Chasing the Star (2017)
Stories included in other books:
A Christmas to Remember (2011)
Life Lessons from Mothers of Faith (2013)
Remembering the Joy of Christmas (2015)
Concept and Biography Books for Children:
I Want to Be a Mathematician Like Archimedes
I Want to Be a Scientist Like Thomas Edison
I Want to Be a Scientist Like Antoni Van Leeuwenhoek
I Want to Be a Scientist Like Alexander Von Humboldt
Tyrannosaurus X 1
How Did the Chicken Cross the Road
Yangshi’s Perimeter
Lightning Bells
The Beginning of Numbers
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews
March 15, 2018
3.5* rounding up
I'm a little slow writing this review so it'll be short (hopefully).
Mercedes is a movie star...a pretty famous movie star. Not as famous are her parents, but still she's known worldwide. She has a problem. She's been receiving some pretty serious threats and after that phone call, she's tried to disappear and hide away. Believing that she is safe and the person threatening her won't be able to find her.
He's there watching her. She feels safe. He's biding his time. How dare she think she's better than him. He'll teach her a lesson she'll never forget. But first, he'll taunt her very carefully that she it's her thinking her mind his tricking her. Then he'll make his move. He knows how to be patient.
Mercedes ends up with a bad cold and finds herself trying to go incognito to the local small town Doctor's office. She meets Dr. Luke who plays along with not knowing who she is. A few different encounters keep throwing them together and Luke is thrown into Mercedes world and the craziness brought on by her family, the stalker and her being sick.
The author goes back on forth on points of view in this story. Mercedes', the stalker's, and Dr. Luke. With the suspense starting to build and having you think you know who the stalker could be, only to be turned around and looking at somebody completely different than you first thought. I finally nailed down my guess before the big reveal but I think I guessed that particular character a couple times only to jump to another character as being the guilty party.
If you enjoy clean romantic suspense, this was one that I didn't want to turn off (I listened to an audiobook).
Content: Clean. There is the stalker and the suspense that comes from him pursuing Mercedes and a couple attacks in the book. Nothing graphic. LDS fiction but not a lot of religious talk, very mild.
I listened to an audiobook on Deseret Bookshelf.
Happy Reading!!!
I'm a little slow writing this review so it'll be short (hopefully).
Mercedes is a movie star...a pretty famous movie star. Not as famous are her parents, but still she's known worldwide. She has a problem. She's been receiving some pretty serious threats and after that phone call, she's tried to disappear and hide away. Believing that she is safe and the person threatening her won't be able to find her.
He's there watching her. She feels safe. He's biding his time. How dare she think she's better than him. He'll teach her a lesson she'll never forget. But first, he'll taunt her very carefully that she it's her thinking her mind his tricking her. Then he'll make his move. He knows how to be patient.
Mercedes ends up with a bad cold and finds herself trying to go incognito to the local small town Doctor's office. She meets Dr. Luke who plays along with not knowing who she is. A few different encounters keep throwing them together and Luke is thrown into Mercedes world and the craziness brought on by her family, the stalker and her being sick.
The author goes back on forth on points of view in this story. Mercedes', the stalker's, and Dr. Luke. With the suspense starting to build and having you think you know who the stalker could be, only to be turned around and looking at somebody completely different than you first thought. I finally nailed down my guess before the big reveal but I think I guessed that particular character a couple times only to jump to another character as being the guilty party.
If you enjoy clean romantic suspense, this was one that I didn't want to turn off (I listened to an audiobook).
Content: Clean. There is the stalker and the suspense that comes from him pursuing Mercedes and a couple attacks in the book. Nothing graphic. LDS fiction but not a lot of religious talk, very mild.
I listened to an audiobook on Deseret Bookshelf.
Happy Reading!!!
February 10, 2016
I enjoyed this romantic suspense book.
Mercedes in an actress with a stalker and a serious illness. Her quest for solitude leads her to her remote cabin. She thinks it is the perfect place to escape the death threats and far away from the limelight.
The local Doctor, Luke, is a hero in so many ways. He is there to help her through the tough part of accepting her illness. He protects her and gives her emotional support. Their lives are different, but they compliment each other. He is the rock that she needs.
I loved that Kathi Oram Peterson didn't give away the identity of the bad guy until the end. She was able to create doubt of several different people, that I was guessing and didn't decide for sure which one he was. I didn't like who it was, but the reasoning became clear as the story progressed.
Many of the people surrounding Mercedes are controlling. It was amazing to me at what a grounded character she was with her influences. I think it is one of the reasons that I appreciated Luke more. His nurse is amazing too. I loved her influence. She was full of surprises.
This is a clean suspense book with a romance.
Mercedes in an actress with a stalker and a serious illness. Her quest for solitude leads her to her remote cabin. She thinks it is the perfect place to escape the death threats and far away from the limelight.
The local Doctor, Luke, is a hero in so many ways. He is there to help her through the tough part of accepting her illness. He protects her and gives her emotional support. Their lives are different, but they compliment each other. He is the rock that she needs.
I loved that Kathi Oram Peterson didn't give away the identity of the bad guy until the end. She was able to create doubt of several different people, that I was guessing and didn't decide for sure which one he was. I didn't like who it was, but the reasoning became clear as the story progressed.
Many of the people surrounding Mercedes are controlling. It was amazing to me at what a grounded character she was with her influences. I think it is one of the reasons that I appreciated Luke more. His nurse is amazing too. I loved her influence. She was full of surprises.
This is a clean suspense book with a romance.
February 12, 2016
3.5 stars
If you are in the mood for a light romantic suspense, this book will fit the bill perfectly. Kathi Oram Peterson is known for her place in this genre in the LDS fiction world.
Mercedes is a famous movie star with a serious stalker. She decides to take some time to get away and see if the police can catch the person. Her remote cabin seems like the perfect place to hide out. But, things don't go exactly as Mercedes hopes. She gets sick and things start happening that she can't just explain away.
Luke is easy to like. Down to earth, a bit heart sore but kind and generous. Mercedes is different. I didn't like how she always wanted to put everything off. Every conversation, every confrontation. It was hard to connect with her. I didn't really get her connection to Luke. The attraction between the characters- the spark- wasn't there.
I loved how every character was suspicious at some point. Even though I nailed the real bad guy early on, it was fun to wonder and think everyone had a motive. There was lots of drama swirling around everywhere.
This is an LDS fiction book and there are some religious elements. Clean.
If you are in the mood for a light romantic suspense, this book will fit the bill perfectly. Kathi Oram Peterson is known for her place in this genre in the LDS fiction world.
Mercedes is a famous movie star with a serious stalker. She decides to take some time to get away and see if the police can catch the person. Her remote cabin seems like the perfect place to hide out. But, things don't go exactly as Mercedes hopes. She gets sick and things start happening that she can't just explain away.
Luke is easy to like. Down to earth, a bit heart sore but kind and generous. Mercedes is different. I didn't like how she always wanted to put everything off. Every conversation, every confrontation. It was hard to connect with her. I didn't really get her connection to Luke. The attraction between the characters- the spark- wasn't there.
I loved how every character was suspicious at some point. Even though I nailed the real bad guy early on, it was fun to wonder and think everyone had a motive. There was lots of drama swirling around everywhere.
This is an LDS fiction book and there are some religious elements. Clean.
February 8, 2016
This was a pretty good suspense novel. It was entertaining and it kept me guessing on who Mercedes' stalker was. When that finally came out, I was surprised (and saddened). Although I didn't feel much of a connection with the characters, the relationship the stalker had with Mercedes made everything he did all the more disturbing.
The romance of a big time movie star with a small town doctor didn't seem very realistic to me. It's those Cinderella type (commoner/royalty) relationships that tend to appeal to the masses, but in this case Mercedes' fundamental beliefs just seemed so different from Luke's for them to have enough interest to start a relationship. That and their feelings came on so quickly. But, you do hear about people falling for people who save them, so maybe it was realistic in that sense.
I liked the cover and would probably pick up the book in a bookstore or library to learn more. The cover model doesn't match Mercedes' description (wrong hair color), which totally bugged me, but if you're not a cover snob, it probably wouldn't bother you.
The romance of a big time movie star with a small town doctor didn't seem very realistic to me. It's those Cinderella type (commoner/royalty) relationships that tend to appeal to the masses, but in this case Mercedes' fundamental beliefs just seemed so different from Luke's for them to have enough interest to start a relationship. That and their feelings came on so quickly. But, you do hear about people falling for people who save them, so maybe it was realistic in that sense.
I liked the cover and would probably pick up the book in a bookstore or library to learn more. The cover model doesn't match Mercedes' description (wrong hair color), which totally bugged me, but if you're not a cover snob, it probably wouldn't bother you.
April 23, 2022
Intense! I really enjoyed this book. There were a few eye rolling moments but it was mostly a captivating story. I thought I had things figured out early on but a few twists and turns kept me engaged. I liked Mercedes and Luke’s characters but I loved Winona! She was awesome! The only thing this story needed was an epilogue. The ending was way too abrupt.
February 18, 2016
Mercedes Grant is a movie star who plays Stormy Ryan, an action hero. Right as she's finished shooting her latest film, she receives a death threat on her cell phone which shakes her up some. She heads to Idaho to stay at her cabin until she's ready to go to Paris to film her next movie, the role of a lifetime. While in Idaho, she feels sick and visits the local doctor, Luke Parker. After conducting some tests, he has some bad news for her and his diagnosis could change everything.
Mercedes is the daughter of two movie stars, who have married and divorced twice. They are both trying to get parts in her new movie and end up visiting her at the same time. She and Luke have feelings for each other, but they lead such different lives, that they don't see how it would work. Luke has a teenage daughter, Jessie, and they're going through a difficult time.
Then her co-star Craig shows up. Her mother is rooting for them to get together, but Mercedes only sees Craig as a friend. There's a stalker and we know that he's watching her and what he's thinking, but his identity isn't revealed until close to the end. Once that happens, it gets pretty intense for a while.
There was a lot happening and things got crazy and dramatic at times! There were several characters that I wound up changing my mind about as I got to know them better and some things were explained. I liked Mercedes and Luke together and hoped they could find a way to make their relationship work. The first time they met was especially funny. Luke's 90-year-old nurse, Winona, was a fun character and added to the story as well. I enjoyed this book and liked how it wrapped up in the end!
I received a copy of this book from the publisher to review. My opinion is 100% my own.
Mel's Shelves
Mercedes is the daughter of two movie stars, who have married and divorced twice. They are both trying to get parts in her new movie and end up visiting her at the same time. She and Luke have feelings for each other, but they lead such different lives, that they don't see how it would work. Luke has a teenage daughter, Jessie, and they're going through a difficult time.
Then her co-star Craig shows up. Her mother is rooting for them to get together, but Mercedes only sees Craig as a friend. There's a stalker and we know that he's watching her and what he's thinking, but his identity isn't revealed until close to the end. Once that happens, it gets pretty intense for a while.
There was a lot happening and things got crazy and dramatic at times! There were several characters that I wound up changing my mind about as I got to know them better and some things were explained. I liked Mercedes and Luke together and hoped they could find a way to make their relationship work. The first time they met was especially funny. Luke's 90-year-old nurse, Winona, was a fun character and added to the story as well. I enjoyed this book and liked how it wrapped up in the end!
I received a copy of this book from the publisher to review. My opinion is 100% my own.
Mel's Shelves
February 12, 2016
(3.5 Stars) Hollywood actress, Mercedes, is taking a break from fame at her cabin in small-town Idaho, when a devastating diagnoses sends her life into a tailspin. Dr. Luke Parker is good at what he does, but the lines between physician and friend are blurred.
Mercedes is very down-to-earth, personable, and I felt sorry for her with her situation. Luke is a great, strong character--someone who has his friends backs. I loved the spunky receptionist, Winona, as well as Luke's daughter. There was just something missing in the relationship and I had a hard time believing it and feeling that emotional connection. I think it's that the characters are more superficial and I wanted to hear their voices, feelings, and thoughts more, digging deeper into who they really are.
One thing that I thought was really well done is the suspense angle of the story. Mercedes has received threats and is being subtly stalked and I loved how creepy and mysterious it all is. This is what really drives the story and what drew me in. There are some emotional events and things to come to terms with and I didn't feel that things resolved. I wanted more from the ending, but maybe it's left open for an additional story. All in all, it is entertaining.
Content: moments of peril, mild violence; religious references, specific to the LDS religion; mild romance (kissing, mild innuendo). Clean.
*I received a copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review*
Mercedes is very down-to-earth, personable, and I felt sorry for her with her situation. Luke is a great, strong character--someone who has his friends backs. I loved the spunky receptionist, Winona, as well as Luke's daughter. There was just something missing in the relationship and I had a hard time believing it and feeling that emotional connection. I think it's that the characters are more superficial and I wanted to hear their voices, feelings, and thoughts more, digging deeper into who they really are.
One thing that I thought was really well done is the suspense angle of the story. Mercedes has received threats and is being subtly stalked and I loved how creepy and mysterious it all is. This is what really drives the story and what drew me in. There are some emotional events and things to come to terms with and I didn't feel that things resolved. I wanted more from the ending, but maybe it's left open for an additional story. All in all, it is entertaining.
Content: moments of peril, mild violence; religious references, specific to the LDS religion; mild romance (kissing, mild innuendo). Clean.
*I received a copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review*
Read
March 21, 2017Phew. Suspenseful ending.
September 17, 2019
Very likable characters--it was easy to get caught up in the story. Mercedes Grant wore me out with her on screen persona, her famous and extremely needy parents that happen to show up at her mountain retreat, Doctor Luke Parker's diagnosis, and a mysterious stalker who threatens her life. I hope there's a happy ever after for Mercedes and Luke, but we are left to wonder if Mercedes will survive her cancer.
June 7, 2017
I found it so interesting that after all this time Bo was the stalker! it just surprises me. I thought they were friends. So....uh yeah. I really enjoyed this book. It was so intense! I honestly wanted Mercedes and Luke to be part of each others life. But she had to go to Paris for a film....so maybe when she gets back....you never know.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 21, 2018
This is my favorite Kathi Oram Peterson book I've read so far. I loved the main characters and felt like I really connected with them. I don't always connect with actor types, but I liked Mercedes. She was the perfect mix of flawed and sympathetic. The mystery worked for me and kept me guessing, and though the romance happened pretty quickly, I felt like it was mostly believable.
April 24, 2020
I've read some really great books by this author (Breach of Trust, A Stranger Watches), so I wasn't really prepared for this book. It reads like a B-movie script (intentional maybe because the MC is an actress?) and most of the emotional connections felt phony (MC and her mom were the exception). There's a good twist at the end, but the villain feels two-dimensional because we don't get enough back story. 2.5 stars
February 7, 2018
Listened to this on CD. It was a good story with a decent plot. I liked the love twist, but didn't like some of the times when they refused to discuss important things. That is really frustrating. Overall, a worthwhile read.
May 28, 2020
I really really liked this book. Just enough suspense with a different set of worries. Even though I had figured out the bad guy it didn’t bother me than she hadn’t because of all the stress. Yahoo on a good book.
April 3, 2024
Language: G (0 swears, 0 "f"); Mature Content: PG13; Violence: PG13
The mature content rating is for mentions of alcohol, illegal activity, innuendo, and sexual harassment. The violence rating is for threat, gun use, animal cruelty, and assault.
The mature content rating is for mentions of alcohol, illegal activity, innuendo, and sexual harassment. The violence rating is for threat, gun use, animal cruelty, and assault.
June 26, 2017
Fun read.
May 29, 2017
Star Struck
Abigail Merritt
5-29-17
pg.272
This book is about a Young Actress named Mercades Grant she has lived her entire life in the spotlight as her parents were and still are famous actresses. Mercades play's an action hero named Stormy Ryan. Everything was going along fine but on the day of the last shoot she receives a death threat on her phone. This changes everything she then goes to a cabin she owns and visits a doctor in the small town what the doctor discovers changes her life forever. I highly reccomend this book it is full of adventure suspense and romance it is a book I couldn't put down.
This Quote is the phone call Mercades had received.
Quote:
"'No matter were you go, no matter what you do I'll kill you.'"
Abigail Merritt
5-29-17
pg.272
This book is about a Young Actress named Mercades Grant she has lived her entire life in the spotlight as her parents were and still are famous actresses. Mercades play's an action hero named Stormy Ryan. Everything was going along fine but on the day of the last shoot she receives a death threat on her phone. This changes everything she then goes to a cabin she owns and visits a doctor in the small town what the doctor discovers changes her life forever. I highly reccomend this book it is full of adventure suspense and romance it is a book I couldn't put down.
This Quote is the phone call Mercades had received.
Quote:
"'No matter were you go, no matter what you do I'll kill you.'"
June 8, 2017
suspense and romance in a clean novel! Yay!
March 2, 2018
3.75 stars...not sure i want to give it 4, but it’s pretty close.
June 12, 2018
This is a great book! I'm going to find more of Kathi Oram Peterson's books because this one was SUPER good!
August 23, 2018
Movie star retreats to Palisades Lake cabin for break, catches a cold and goes to local clinic. Doc diagnoses leukemia on top. Upcoming shoot and stalker up the ante, along with quarreling parents
May 29, 2019
It's a 3.5.
September 18, 2019
Great job, really enjoyed!
February 2, 2020
I tend to avoid Covenant Books, but picked this one up by mistake. It was OK, but the goody, goody aspect of it kind of gives me the willies.
July 1, 2020
Loved it!!!!
Audio book
Audio book
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March 29, 2023Just four chapters into the book and it got a little too creepy. With so many other books to read, I don't need to spend any more time on this one.
July 6, 2023
Enjoyed reading this, great characters. Wrapped up a little too quickly at the end. Perhaps a bit formulaic
August 25, 2023
A little cheesy for me, especially the end.
November 10, 2023
Peterson's best so far
June 13, 2025
Writing was terrible, I couldn’t even finish the book
Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews