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Every Move She Makes
SLEEPY SOUTHERN DAYS
As the pampered daughter of one of Spring Creek's most prestigious southern families, Ella Porter has lived her entire life on the straight-and-narrow, And being "good" has kept Ella safe and sane--until now. Suggestive yet ominous letters have been arriving at her office with alarming frequency. Letters that remind her of the disturbing ones she used to get from Reed Conway--the hellraiser she knew from childhood--after her father prosecuted him for murder. Now Reed's been released from prison, and though Ella finds herself wanting to believe his claims of innocence, she's getting closer than a "good girl" ever should to a man with such a bad reputation...
DANGEROUS SOUTHERN NIGHTS
Reed Conway is on a mission: to find out who really murdered his stepfather. But someone wants to interfer--someone determined to send Reed right back to prison for a brand-new crime. They've made it look like he's still a threat to Ella Porter and her family, when the truth is, the more he sees Ella, the most desperately he wants her. But his attempts to prove his innocence have put both their lives in jeopardy...because whoever is stalking Ella will stop at nothing--including murder...
As the pampered daughter of one of Spring Creek's most prestigious southern families, Ella Porter has lived her entire life on the straight-and-narrow, And being "good" has kept Ella safe and sane--until now. Suggestive yet ominous letters have been arriving at her office with alarming frequency. Letters that remind her of the disturbing ones she used to get from Reed Conway--the hellraiser she knew from childhood--after her father prosecuted him for murder. Now Reed's been released from prison, and though Ella finds herself wanting to believe his claims of innocence, she's getting closer than a "good girl" ever should to a man with such a bad reputation...
DANGEROUS SOUTHERN NIGHTS
Reed Conway is on a mission: to find out who really murdered his stepfather. But someone wants to interfer--someone determined to send Reed right back to prison for a brand-new crime. They've made it look like he's still a threat to Ella Porter and her family, when the truth is, the more he sees Ella, the most desperately he wants her. But his attempts to prove his innocence have put both their lives in jeopardy...because whoever is stalking Ella will stop at nothing--including murder...
384 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 2001
147 people are currently reading
1847 people want to read
About the author
Beverly Barton
298 books706 followersBeverly Marie Inman was born on 23 December 1946 in Tuscumbia, Alabama, USA. Daughter of Doris Marie and Walter D. Inman Jr. A born romantic, she fell in love with The Beauty and the Beast epic at an early age, when her grandfather bought her an illustrated copy of the famous fairy tale. Even before she learned to read and write, her vivid imagination created magical words and fabulous characters inside her mind. Movies fascinated her, and by the time she was seven she was rewriting the movies she saw on television and at the local theater to give them all happy endings. By the age of nine she'd penned her first novel. She wrote short stories, TV scripts, poetry, and novels throughout high school and into college.
After her marriage to Billy Ray Beaver, the "love of her life", and the births of her two children, Beverly continued to be a voracious reader and a devoted moviegoer, but she put her writing aspirations on hold until her children were teenagers. At every age of their lives, from infancy to adulthood, the children had been a true joy to her. She devoted herself to her husband and children and considered herself one of the many selfless "supermoms" who put their family's needs first. She believed she had had it all, just not all at the same time.
In her mid-30s, Beverly returned to her former passion — writing — as a hobby, but before 40, she decided that she wanted to make writing a full-time career. And when she rediscovered an old dream — of becoming a published writer — no one was more supportive of her aspirations than her family. Her children were her greatest cheerleaders and her husband was her biggest supporter. After writing over 40 books and receiving numerous awards and nominations, as well as having books on the USA Today list and consistently on the Waldenbooks bestseller list, her career was indeed a dream come true. Having a fantastic family and fabulous friends, as well as making a living doing the one thing she had loved doing since childhood, she considered herself truly blessed. Beverly died suddenly of heart failure on 21 April 2011.
After her marriage to Billy Ray Beaver, the "love of her life", and the births of her two children, Beverly continued to be a voracious reader and a devoted moviegoer, but she put her writing aspirations on hold until her children were teenagers. At every age of their lives, from infancy to adulthood, the children had been a true joy to her. She devoted herself to her husband and children and considered herself one of the many selfless "supermoms" who put their family's needs first. She believed she had had it all, just not all at the same time.
In her mid-30s, Beverly returned to her former passion — writing — as a hobby, but before 40, she decided that she wanted to make writing a full-time career. And when she rediscovered an old dream — of becoming a published writer — no one was more supportive of her aspirations than her family. Her children were her greatest cheerleaders and her husband was her biggest supporter. After writing over 40 books and receiving numerous awards and nominations, as well as having books on the USA Today list and consistently on the Waldenbooks bestseller list, her career was indeed a dream come true. Having a fantastic family and fabulous friends, as well as making a living doing the one thing she had loved doing since childhood, she considered herself truly blessed. Beverly died suddenly of heart failure on 21 April 2011.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 135 reviews
October 24, 2014
I'll Be Watching You by Beverly Barton is a romantic suspense novel with elements of erotica and mystery. After spending fifteen years in jail for a crime he did not commit, Reed Conway is determined to return to Spring Creek and prove his innocence by outing whoever really slit his step father's throat. When Ella Porter, the daughter of the man who secured Reed's conviction, receives a vulgar and threatening anonymous letter the day after Reed is paroled, Reed is an immediate suspect but after Ella confronts him, she As threats against the Porter family escalate Ella, swayed by Reed's sexy charm, begins to believe in his claim that he is being framed now, as he was fifteen years ago, but can she really trust a man convicted of murder with her life?
Unfortunately I wasn't terribly impressed with this story. The plot resembles a daytime soap opera arc with the a small cast tangled in an almost incestuous web of abuse, deceit, betrayal, adultery, obsession, and murder. The suspense is okay but the plot shocks are fairly heavily foreshadowed and when the killer's identity was revealed, I realised I wasn't surprised in the least.
The narrative is written in the third person using multiple perspectives, including that of the anonymous killer. If I am honest, I didn't find any of the the characters very convincing as individuals, not helped by their convoluted relationships to one another.
Nearly thirty and a circuit judge, Ella Porter lacked the presence or personality I would expect from such an accomplished, mature woman. She's a daddy's girl, believing him to be infallible and completely clueless about the state of her parents marriage. And despite believing that Reed is a killer who plans to harm her, she dissolves anytime Reed looks her way.
Reed is described appealingly "A good six three. Broad shoulders. Biceps bulging...surprisingly tanned...thick tawny hair curled about his neck and ears...A lazy, raw sensuality oozed from his pores." However the moment he is distracted by Ella he completely forgets about searching for the killer who framed him, despite spending the last 15 years in prison waiting for his opportunity to prove his innocence.
The chemistry between them is a bit contrived (bad boy meets good girl) but the erotic scenes are written well enough, if a little florid. Be aware that Ella and Reed aren't the only couple to share some steamy moments, and there are several erotic encounters through the book.
There is a distinct southern small town feel to the setting, both through the use of double barreled first names like Jeff Henry and Joe Brierly and the brief descriptions of the town and its social structure. The language is a bit odd though, sometimes feeling very stilted and formal for such a contemporary setting. I think it was an attempt by the author to distinguish between class - but it just came off as weird.
Though I'll Be Watching You didn't really work for me, it was a quick and undemanding read. it seems to have an appreciative audience from readers who enjoy the soap opera style melodrama and sexy bits, so if that is you..enjoy!
October 11, 2014
I’ll Be Watching You – Brilliantly Twisted
I’ll Be Watching You by Beverley Barton is the first time I have read any of her crime fiction and after this outing I shall be reading more from her pen. Avon Books puts a handy content guide on the back of their books and on this they said it contained; terror, thrills, drama, law and order. Well it delivers on all levels with a wonderful twist at the end which I can honestly say I did not see that coming. This really is a story of forbidden love tied in to murders to hide a murderer and the opportunity for revenge.
Reed Conway has been locked up for fifteen years for a murder he claims never to have committed and on his release nothing will stop his search for the truth while avoiding getting in to trouble so the folks of Spring Creek, Alabama otherwise he would be returned back to prison. There are plenty of people in Spring Creek who would happily see him returned to prison including Senator Webb Porter who wants to protect his daughter Ella and his disabled wife Carolyn and his family circle who are old Alabama money.
Ella is being harassed with anonymous letters, silent telephone calls and ‘presents’ and all the fingers are pointing at Reed Conway who protested his innocence to no avail. Carolyn is worried that her daughter may be the target of Conway and wants him returned to prison. The real culprit would also like to see Reed returned to prison as they would not like the murder of Junior Blalock for which Reed was convicted, reopened and the truth be out. They will go to any lengths to keep that secret and that includes shooting the centre and dropping a dead body to muddy the waters.
The murderer in the end believes that the only way to get Conway returned to prison will be to murder the ultimate person, Ella; nobody anywhere would believe anything he said in his defence. It becomes a race to the death literally and just for added fun there is a twist at the end and a few more bodies piled up.
This is a great read and a fantastic thriller that delivers on all levels with love lust and murder, what more can a person want in one book. The writing is sharp, the imagery was clear and the setting was perfect and the characters were wonderfully rounded with all the hang-ups that all people have in life. A perfect book for lovers of crime thrillers that has an addictive story and it hits the mark.
I’ll Be Watching You by Beverley Barton is the first time I have read any of her crime fiction and after this outing I shall be reading more from her pen. Avon Books puts a handy content guide on the back of their books and on this they said it contained; terror, thrills, drama, law and order. Well it delivers on all levels with a wonderful twist at the end which I can honestly say I did not see that coming. This really is a story of forbidden love tied in to murders to hide a murderer and the opportunity for revenge.
Reed Conway has been locked up for fifteen years for a murder he claims never to have committed and on his release nothing will stop his search for the truth while avoiding getting in to trouble so the folks of Spring Creek, Alabama otherwise he would be returned back to prison. There are plenty of people in Spring Creek who would happily see him returned to prison including Senator Webb Porter who wants to protect his daughter Ella and his disabled wife Carolyn and his family circle who are old Alabama money.
Ella is being harassed with anonymous letters, silent telephone calls and ‘presents’ and all the fingers are pointing at Reed Conway who protested his innocence to no avail. Carolyn is worried that her daughter may be the target of Conway and wants him returned to prison. The real culprit would also like to see Reed returned to prison as they would not like the murder of Junior Blalock for which Reed was convicted, reopened and the truth be out. They will go to any lengths to keep that secret and that includes shooting the centre and dropping a dead body to muddy the waters.
The murderer in the end believes that the only way to get Conway returned to prison will be to murder the ultimate person, Ella; nobody anywhere would believe anything he said in his defence. It becomes a race to the death literally and just for added fun there is a twist at the end and a few more bodies piled up.
This is a great read and a fantastic thriller that delivers on all levels with love lust and murder, what more can a person want in one book. The writing is sharp, the imagery was clear and the setting was perfect and the characters were wonderfully rounded with all the hang-ups that all people have in life. A perfect book for lovers of crime thrillers that has an addictive story and it hits the mark.
August 27, 2014
Ella's very well laid out life is spiraling out of control! Daughter to a Senator and the highest ranking judge of her town, Ella has seen her share of heartbreak through her dysfunctional but loving family. When she starts to receive threats against herself and attacks against her family, some old and buried secrets are revealed that spin her reality off axis. The one person who stands a chance of helping her against all the odds, shocks and dangers ahead is the one person she should stay well clear of. The one who could be behind the whole thing. Reed! An old crush she really never knew that has currently just been released after serving a sentence for murder. A man who has every reason to hate her family and have the motive to destroy them.
After returning home from serving his sentence for a murder he didn't commit, Reed is immediately put back on the spot when the family he hates are terrorized and threatened. With the intention of finding the person who set him up and clearing his own name, he is destined to join forces with the daughter of the man he suspects as being the real killer. Along the way an old crush for Ella resurfaces and as they try to fight for justice and their lives they find them selves also trying to fight the growing attraction between them.
Will the secrets revealed and dangers ahead prove to be too much for love to prevail?
I have mixed feelings for this book. I really enjoyed the mystery element to it, it was written very well and kept my attention through out. Reed and Ella were strong characters with a connection you felt. I did change my mind a lot through out on who the killer might be as there were plenty of snakes and half truths to keep you guessing. The reason I only gave 3 stars is the way it is written is confusing. The way the characters speak and behave reminds me of the 1800's and instead of Ella jumping in her car you expected her to be helped into a carriage with the big over flowing dress and perfectly groomed horses. For me the mix of half history half modern just didn't do it, sorry! It is also written from multiple and I mean multiple points of views so some times it is hard to keep track of everything happening and everyone involved.
Over all I did enjoy it so I'd say if you like mystery, romance and a book that keeps you thinking then definitely give this book a shot!
After returning home from serving his sentence for a murder he didn't commit, Reed is immediately put back on the spot when the family he hates are terrorized and threatened. With the intention of finding the person who set him up and clearing his own name, he is destined to join forces with the daughter of the man he suspects as being the real killer. Along the way an old crush for Ella resurfaces and as they try to fight for justice and their lives they find them selves also trying to fight the growing attraction between them.
Will the secrets revealed and dangers ahead prove to be too much for love to prevail?
I have mixed feelings for this book. I really enjoyed the mystery element to it, it was written very well and kept my attention through out. Reed and Ella were strong characters with a connection you felt. I did change my mind a lot through out on who the killer might be as there were plenty of snakes and half truths to keep you guessing. The reason I only gave 3 stars is the way it is written is confusing. The way the characters speak and behave reminds me of the 1800's and instead of Ella jumping in her car you expected her to be helped into a carriage with the big over flowing dress and perfectly groomed horses. For me the mix of half history half modern just didn't do it, sorry! It is also written from multiple and I mean multiple points of views so some times it is hard to keep track of everything happening and everyone involved.
Over all I did enjoy it so I'd say if you like mystery, romance and a book that keeps you thinking then definitely give this book a shot!
October 22, 2014
This is my first book by Beverly Barton, and I was really keen to start reading and see what her stories were like.
Ella is frightened and scared for her life after she receives a series of hand-delivered letters. Someone is out there – watching, wanting her, and promising revenge. Ella will do anything to discover the truth, even if that means joining forces with a man who comes with his own danger warning…
I really enjoyed this! I haven’t read any crime books recently so it was great for me to get back into them, and this one was just what I needed! I was instantly pulled in from the first chapter and I did not want to be parted from it – I’ll Be Watching You is impossible t put down.
In this case I’m keen not to reveal much about the storyline – I went in without knowing much and for me it was SO MUCH better that way as I was constantly on the edge of my seat, constantly surprised and I didn’t know which way the story would go. Reading it this way also made it more enjoyable for the characters – I didn’t know who to trust or what the motives were for the person who was sending Ella letters and s I desperately wanted to read on to find out what would happen to Ella and if she would ever uncover the truth.
I’ll Be Watching You isn’t just a story about crime or a thriller, it has mystery, suspense and even romance and some steamy scenes in. This is a story that will have you intrigued and absorbed from the very beginning, I’m looking forward to reading more from Beverly.
Ella is frightened and scared for her life after she receives a series of hand-delivered letters. Someone is out there – watching, wanting her, and promising revenge. Ella will do anything to discover the truth, even if that means joining forces with a man who comes with his own danger warning…
I really enjoyed this! I haven’t read any crime books recently so it was great for me to get back into them, and this one was just what I needed! I was instantly pulled in from the first chapter and I did not want to be parted from it – I’ll Be Watching You is impossible t put down.
In this case I’m keen not to reveal much about the storyline – I went in without knowing much and for me it was SO MUCH better that way as I was constantly on the edge of my seat, constantly surprised and I didn’t know which way the story would go. Reading it this way also made it more enjoyable for the characters – I didn’t know who to trust or what the motives were for the person who was sending Ella letters and s I desperately wanted to read on to find out what would happen to Ella and if she would ever uncover the truth.
I’ll Be Watching You isn’t just a story about crime or a thriller, it has mystery, suspense and even romance and some steamy scenes in. This is a story that will have you intrigued and absorbed from the very beginning, I’m looking forward to reading more from Beverly.
December 8, 2014
After seeing a great cover and reading a strong blurb, I had seen some reviews for it which assured a strong plot, and a dark, creepy, sinister read. I'll Be Watching You became a book I couldn't wait to read.
Imagine by disappointment when that is not what I found myself reading. What I did find myself reading was a book, I agree, had a great plot, but was in fact let down by an overall lack of suspense due to obvious give aways, and was to me boring. It also had a very bizarre dialogue.
I do have to point out that I understand this book is South American based, and I am in fact totally English to the core and there is obviously a culture difference here. However, that being said I have to admit that the overall sexual content that was supposedly upsetting, crude and vile in letters that are involved in this plot, were to me in fact nothing of the sort. The whole social circle issues were also a big buzz kill to me too. I just can't get into anything like that. I'm equal to everybody regardless of what they do, where they come from, or who their family may be. In fiction or not I can't stomach it.
I hate writing such a negative review, but I really did struggle to finish the book. I found it over dramatic to an eye-rolling extend, and really couldn't get over my disappointment in it.
I would also not think this is a book for anyone who has suffered sexual abuse as a child or teen. Just my opinion.
1/5
Imagine by disappointment when that is not what I found myself reading. What I did find myself reading was a book, I agree, had a great plot, but was in fact let down by an overall lack of suspense due to obvious give aways, and was to me boring. It also had a very bizarre dialogue.
I do have to point out that I understand this book is South American based, and I am in fact totally English to the core and there is obviously a culture difference here. However, that being said I have to admit that the overall sexual content that was supposedly upsetting, crude and vile in letters that are involved in this plot, were to me in fact nothing of the sort. The whole social circle issues were also a big buzz kill to me too. I just can't get into anything like that. I'm equal to everybody regardless of what they do, where they come from, or who their family may be. In fiction or not I can't stomach it.
I hate writing such a negative review, but I really did struggle to finish the book. I found it over dramatic to an eye-rolling extend, and really couldn't get over my disappointment in it.
I would also not think this is a book for anyone who has suffered sexual abuse as a child or teen. Just my opinion.
1/5
June 19, 2015
A page turner of a thriller!
Ella is receiving hand delivered letters threatening harm- someone is watching her. She is determined to get to the bottom of them even if she seems to put herself at risk in the pursuit.
Reed has been in prison for 15 years for a crime that he denies. He wants to be able to clear his name and not have to go back behind bars.
Everyone thinks Reed is behind the letters and Ella’s mum wants him put back in prison. The real murderer wants Reed to remain in the frame- he doesn’t want the crime reinvestigated.
Ella and Reed join forces to try and find the real murderer and find themselves trying to fight growing feelings between them. Will they solve this mystery before they end up in real danger?
Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the chance to read this book.
Ella is receiving hand delivered letters threatening harm- someone is watching her. She is determined to get to the bottom of them even if she seems to put herself at risk in the pursuit.
Reed has been in prison for 15 years for a crime that he denies. He wants to be able to clear his name and not have to go back behind bars.
Everyone thinks Reed is behind the letters and Ella’s mum wants him put back in prison. The real murderer wants Reed to remain in the frame- he doesn’t want the crime reinvestigated.
Ella and Reed join forces to try and find the real murderer and find themselves trying to fight growing feelings between them. Will they solve this mystery before they end up in real danger?
Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the chance to read this book.
August 16, 2022
3 stars
I did really enjoy this book but had to take away one star for the stupidity of the heroine. I just don’t buy that a 30 year old female judge could be as naive as she was. This has definitely dated and I don’t think it’s something generation Z could relate to.
I did really enjoy this book but had to take away one star for the stupidity of the heroine. I just don’t buy that a 30 year old female judge could be as naive as she was. This has definitely dated and I don’t think it’s something generation Z could relate to.
April 17, 2025
I did enjoy this book! I got into it immediately....perhaps some parts were the smallest bit slow but they quickly speed up again and I DID NOT expect that ending!
kept me guessing throughout, give it a read!
excited to read more from this author!
kept me guessing throughout, give it a read!
excited to read more from this author!
September 29, 2014
ARC generously provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
Rating~ 2.5 stars.
The main protagonists of the story are Reed Conway and Ella Porter and the book revolves around the lives of their families and the murder that happened fifteen years ago.
Reed Conway was in prison for a murder he did not commit for fifteen years his step father who was a very bad man. He wants to find the guy who killed his stepfather and get revenge on everyone that contributed to him being falsely accused which includes the heroines father.
Ella porter is a circuit court judge. Her father is the senator and also the lawyer that put away the hero years ago. She has always been attracted towards the bad boy of the town so when he returns and she gets letters which are similar to the ones he wrote her from prison, she goes to question him about it which starts of their subsequent relationship.
Quibbles: I only rarely think it's okay for the hero to sleep with someone else in the book but I always dislike it when the author writes the hero and some random women sex scene. While doing the act is ok before meeting the heroine, doing it after you have known her for years and meeting her again and then thinking about while doing the act with someone else is not ok. Which brings to my next quibble the book has too much sex, not only does it have sex scenes of the hero and heroine but also the above mentioned hero and random girl, then there was the heroines fathers and his mistress similarly the hero's cousins and the heroines aunt and uncle's scene. It was just a lot of it. The suspense part was ok I guessed it from the start from the way that person acted but I was expecting some twists and turns which never came though the author did try to manipulate the suspicion it did not work for me. Lastly, while I could see why the couple would be attracted to each other, I did not feel their connection especially from the Reed's side.
In a couple of chapters towards the start I was getting a feeling like it read a bit like Linda Howard's old romantic suspense which I really like but the feeling soon disappeared.
Overall the story ended up being ok. I guess I just had higher expectations from the book because of the blurb. I felt like there was more drama than the actual suspense and the story ended up being predictable and the ending too good to be true considering everything that happened.
Rating~ 2.5 stars.
The main protagonists of the story are Reed Conway and Ella Porter and the book revolves around the lives of their families and the murder that happened fifteen years ago.
Reed Conway was in prison for a murder he did not commit for fifteen years his step father who was a very bad man. He wants to find the guy who killed his stepfather and get revenge on everyone that contributed to him being falsely accused which includes the heroines father.
Ella porter is a circuit court judge. Her father is the senator and also the lawyer that put away the hero years ago. She has always been attracted towards the bad boy of the town so when he returns and she gets letters which are similar to the ones he wrote her from prison, she goes to question him about it which starts of their subsequent relationship.
Quibbles: I only rarely think it's okay for the hero to sleep with someone else in the book but I always dislike it when the author writes the hero and some random women sex scene. While doing the act is ok before meeting the heroine, doing it after you have known her for years and meeting her again and then thinking about while doing the act with someone else is not ok. Which brings to my next quibble the book has too much sex, not only does it have sex scenes of the hero and heroine but also the above mentioned hero and random girl, then there was the heroines fathers and his mistress similarly the hero's cousins and the heroines aunt and uncle's scene. It was just a lot of it. The suspense part was ok I guessed it from the start from the way that person acted but I was expecting some twists and turns which never came though the author did try to manipulate the suspicion it did not work for me. Lastly, while I could see why the couple would be attracted to each other, I did not feel their connection especially from the Reed's side.
In a couple of chapters towards the start I was getting a feeling like it read a bit like Linda Howard's old romantic suspense which I really like but the feeling soon disappeared.
Overall the story ended up being ok. I guess I just had higher expectations from the book because of the blurb. I felt like there was more drama than the actual suspense and the story ended up being predictable and the ending too good to be true considering everything that happened.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 1, 2015
The book blurb (short) for I'll Be Watching You by Beverly Barton, was more exciting than the actual book was. The list of characters is vast, and for the most part they are all linked together by marriage, extra marital affair or as parents. The book reads like a daytime soap opera, filled with drama, secrets. jealousy, cheating, adultery, murder and made up evidence. What the book lacks is a suspenseful plot, and a quality romance.
I found the bulk of the book slow and bogged down with all of the character positioning, and the soap opera plot. I found the romance between Reed and Ella, neither romantic, nor convincing. At times it seemed like part of the muddled plot, that Reed might be using Ella to get back at her father.
I did find that I had 4 main questions that I wanted to have answered..they were:
• Who killed Junior Blalock?
• Who was trying to frame Reed and why?
• Who were Ella’s parents?
• Who was Regina’s Father?
Luckily for the reader these questions do get answered in the last 4-10% of the book. This last section of the book was actually the best part – granted it was a quick wrap-up, with the killer exposed, lots of admissions, and requests for forgiveness. I actually surprised myself in guessing correctly who the killer was, but not for the reasons I thought.
The epilogue of the book is one BIG happy ending for most of the characters – for me it was a bit to neat and tidy.
I like drama in books, but this book just had way too much, I missed a good suspenseful story, and a more believable romance. I also found that as the story seemed to need resuscitation, that a sex scene was tossed in – in my opinion they were not always supportive of the story, but use to keep the reader interested.
I read in the author’s bio on Goodreads that Beverly died suddenly of heart failure on 21 April 2011. After reading that I wondered if this work was actually finished by the author and set aside years ago or if it was finished on behalf of the author and her estate? Either way this was a story filled with too much soap opera drama, lack of suspense and romance, and thin character development.
I was given this ARC by NetGalley on behalf of HarperCollins UK, Avon, with publication date of Oct 9 2014. The views expressed are my honest feelings towards this book.
For me this was a 2 star read
I found the bulk of the book slow and bogged down with all of the character positioning, and the soap opera plot. I found the romance between Reed and Ella, neither romantic, nor convincing. At times it seemed like part of the muddled plot, that Reed might be using Ella to get back at her father.
I did find that I had 4 main questions that I wanted to have answered..they were:
• Who killed Junior Blalock?
• Who was trying to frame Reed and why?
• Who were Ella’s parents?
• Who was Regina’s Father?
Luckily for the reader these questions do get answered in the last 4-10% of the book. This last section of the book was actually the best part – granted it was a quick wrap-up, with the killer exposed, lots of admissions, and requests for forgiveness. I actually surprised myself in guessing correctly who the killer was, but not for the reasons I thought.
The epilogue of the book is one BIG happy ending for most of the characters – for me it was a bit to neat and tidy.
I like drama in books, but this book just had way too much, I missed a good suspenseful story, and a more believable romance. I also found that as the story seemed to need resuscitation, that a sex scene was tossed in – in my opinion they were not always supportive of the story, but use to keep the reader interested.
I read in the author’s bio on Goodreads that Beverly died suddenly of heart failure on 21 April 2011. After reading that I wondered if this work was actually finished by the author and set aside years ago or if it was finished on behalf of the author and her estate? Either way this was a story filled with too much soap opera drama, lack of suspense and romance, and thin character development.
I was given this ARC by NetGalley on behalf of HarperCollins UK, Avon, with publication date of Oct 9 2014. The views expressed are my honest feelings towards this book.
For me this was a 2 star read
August 28, 2014
The language in I’ll Be Watching You is overblown and florid, particularly when it delves into the erotic romance between Reed and Ella:
For heaven’s sake, just write a shapeshifter erotica and get it out of your system already. This prose is so purple it’s practically ultraviolet. It’s a shame, too, because it tends to spoil what is otherwise some rather raw chemistry between Reed and Ella. Oh wait, I forgot one:
This is the point at which I started imagining them making bird calls while naked in bed together.
The narrative can get pretty garrulous, particularly toward the start. It rambles on at length about semi-relevant details. Even at the start of a thriller the pacing is important, and I just didn’t feel that thriller vibe for quite some time. While some characters grew beyond their opening stereotypes (I admit, Webb Porter had more depth than I expected), others just made me groan. Like the ‘slow’ man who has “some strange sixth sense that allowed him a special insight into human nature.” Why do authors always go back to making the slow character have some sort of idealized insight into other people’s souls?
There are some awfully trite story beats, and there’s a ridiculous Hallmark Moment-style scene toward the end–thrillers do not need to end with sparkly pink bows on them. The style clashes. I also had some problems with the revelation of who the bad guy was. I won’t get too specific so as to avoid giving it away; I’ll just say that I couldn’t understand how said person accomplished certain things from earlier in the book.
I’ll Be Watching You includes some good tense scenes, a scorching relationship between its leads, and a few surprises here and there. Unfortunately it’s marred by its own narrative style.
NOTE: review book provided by publisher.
To read a longer review (including premise) at my site, visit: http://www.errantdreams.com/2014/08/r...
The sounds coming from his mouth were those of an alpha male, roaring to the pack that he had just made this female his property.
For heaven’s sake, just write a shapeshifter erotica and get it out of your system already. This prose is so purple it’s practically ultraviolet. It’s a shame, too, because it tends to spoil what is otherwise some rather raw chemistry between Reed and Ella. Oh wait, I forgot one:
He groaned … Ella instinctively recognized the mating call.
This is the point at which I started imagining them making bird calls while naked in bed together.
The narrative can get pretty garrulous, particularly toward the start. It rambles on at length about semi-relevant details. Even at the start of a thriller the pacing is important, and I just didn’t feel that thriller vibe for quite some time. While some characters grew beyond their opening stereotypes (I admit, Webb Porter had more depth than I expected), others just made me groan. Like the ‘slow’ man who has “some strange sixth sense that allowed him a special insight into human nature.” Why do authors always go back to making the slow character have some sort of idealized insight into other people’s souls?
There are some awfully trite story beats, and there’s a ridiculous Hallmark Moment-style scene toward the end–thrillers do not need to end with sparkly pink bows on them. The style clashes. I also had some problems with the revelation of who the bad guy was. I won’t get too specific so as to avoid giving it away; I’ll just say that I couldn’t understand how said person accomplished certain things from earlier in the book.
I’ll Be Watching You includes some good tense scenes, a scorching relationship between its leads, and a few surprises here and there. Unfortunately it’s marred by its own narrative style.
NOTE: review book provided by publisher.
To read a longer review (including premise) at my site, visit: http://www.errantdreams.com/2014/08/r...
January 19, 2011
Before I started reading 'Every Move She Makes' I read 'Close Enough to Kill' which was a complete disappointment for me. I vowed I'd give Beverly Barton's books one last chance to win me over, and if it fell short I'd cut my losses and move on.
A few days ago I was looking for a book in my collection, and came across 'Every Move She Makes'. My first thought was to put it back and find the book I was originally looking for, and then I thought, "Well, no time like the present" and started reading. I'm pleased to report I was instantly hooked!
In every book I'm a sucker for character development and believe if you (the reader) don't form some sort of attachment to the characters, the book will fall short. In 'Every Move She Makes' I really enjoyed how Barton developed both first and secondary characters. She even went to the length of giving the reader a little bit of back story on tertiary characters--i.e. Heather (the BF) and Roy (the Custodian). She made each character believable, and at no point was I tempted to skip a few pages as a character didn't interest me.
I also enjoyed the mysteries with in 'Every Move She Makes'. Not only was I trying to figure out the normal 'who dunnit' part of the novel--which I didn't figure out. Barton also added the extra component of trying to figure out who Ella's biological parents were--which I did figure out. I enjoyed having two mysteries to chase after with each page turn. Obviously the who-dunnit part was the bigger mystery and the books bigger focus, but it was nice to have a secondary mystery to focus on.
So where does that leave my reading relationship with Beverly Barton? Well, I'm gonna say bring on another one, and well go from there. I did find this book a little bit more sexually explicit that some other, and I while I don't mind reading it, there are some choice words I'd prefer to stay away from.
A few days ago I was looking for a book in my collection, and came across 'Every Move She Makes'. My first thought was to put it back and find the book I was originally looking for, and then I thought, "Well, no time like the present" and started reading. I'm pleased to report I was instantly hooked!
In every book I'm a sucker for character development and believe if you (the reader) don't form some sort of attachment to the characters, the book will fall short. In 'Every Move She Makes' I really enjoyed how Barton developed both first and secondary characters. She even went to the length of giving the reader a little bit of back story on tertiary characters--i.e. Heather (the BF) and Roy (the Custodian). She made each character believable, and at no point was I tempted to skip a few pages as a character didn't interest me.
I also enjoyed the mysteries with in 'Every Move She Makes'. Not only was I trying to figure out the normal 'who dunnit' part of the novel--which I didn't figure out. Barton also added the extra component of trying to figure out who Ella's biological parents were--which I did figure out. I enjoyed having two mysteries to chase after with each page turn. Obviously the who-dunnit part was the bigger mystery and the books bigger focus, but it was nice to have a secondary mystery to focus on.
So where does that leave my reading relationship with Beverly Barton? Well, I'm gonna say bring on another one, and well go from there. I did find this book a little bit more sexually explicit that some other, and I while I don't mind reading it, there are some choice words I'd prefer to stay away from.
September 3, 2014
Check out my other reviews at Little Miss Bookmark!
Oh, how I love a good romantic thriller!! This is my first Beverly Barton novel but I can guarantee that it won't be my last. I really, REALLY enjoyed this novel. Immediately after I finished it, I had to look this author up so that I could grab a few more books from her. I know that I won't be disappointed.
The entire novel was set up pretty well. I loved how Barton builds her characters. She gives you tiny tid-bits of info at a time and just piles on more things ... I don't know how else to explain it. But it makes the characters more interesting and I found myself becoming attached to each of them fairly quickly.
Very few authors surprise me any more. Usually, I can pick out the bad guy before I'm even a quarter of the way through the book but this time, I was shocked. Just when I would think that I had the villain pegged, I would turn out to be horribly wrong. I went through that about 4 times in this novel. It definitely kept me on my toes.
All of that being said, there was something vaguely familiar about this plot and ending ... I don't know why but I had a sense of déjà vu throughout most of the novel. It's probably because I've read so many but something was familiar about this one. Anyhow, it's a great novel and I can't wait to see what else this author has up her sleeve.
This one doesn't come out until October 9th, so keep an eye out for it!
October 10, 2014
Wow...talk about masterful suspense!
I couldn't put down this thriller from Beverly Barton. As far as I can remember, I hadn't read anything of the author's before this one. Now I won't hesitate to pick up one or more of her previous works.
The undercurrent of social class distinction reminded me somewhat of Dirty Dancing-- Although this didn't take anything away from the story in my opinion, it did feel familiar.
As for the romance between Ella and Reed: While there is definitely chemistry between the two, I'm not entirely convinced that they laid a foundation for a lasting relationship. I mean, they don't even seem to know each other--except in a physical sense, of course. (P.S. This novel is a steamy one!) In any case, I did like the epilogue and how all loose ends are conveniently tied up.
One final, nagging question:
*Copy generously provided through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.*
I couldn't put down this thriller from Beverly Barton. As far as I can remember, I hadn't read anything of the author's before this one. Now I won't hesitate to pick up one or more of her previous works.
The undercurrent of social class distinction reminded me somewhat of Dirty Dancing-- Although this didn't take anything away from the story in my opinion, it did feel familiar.
As for the romance between Ella and Reed: While there is definitely chemistry between the two, I'm not entirely convinced that they laid a foundation for a lasting relationship. I mean, they don't even seem to know each other--except in a physical sense, of course. (P.S. This novel is a steamy one!) In any case, I did like the epilogue and how all loose ends are conveniently tied up.
One final, nagging question:
*Copy generously provided through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.*
November 24, 2014
This is the very first time I have read a book by this well known author. I have always wanted to read one of her thrillers, she gets really good feedback, however, I think I chose the wrong one to start with :(
I thought, reading the blurb, that this was going to fast paced, exciting and keep my attention throughout. It didn't.
The thing for me is, I have read over 400 books this year and in all the thrillers I have chosen to read, this one doesn't stand out in a crowd at all, its actually similar to one I read not long ago by someone else. Its not exactly the same [let me clarify that] but it has a lot of similarities.
Its a well written book as you would expect from an experienced author, however, I expected more I guess.
I would like to thank HarperCollins UK, Avon via Net Galley for allowing me a copy for my Kindle and also to Goodreads First reads for my paperback version. I have to say though, my husband is reading it now and he's enjoying it.
So the point is, we all have different tastes and expectations.
Would I buy this for someone as a gift? Yes, if they liked the occasional thriller not too heavy.
I thought, reading the blurb, that this was going to fast paced, exciting and keep my attention throughout. It didn't.
The thing for me is, I have read over 400 books this year and in all the thrillers I have chosen to read, this one doesn't stand out in a crowd at all, its actually similar to one I read not long ago by someone else. Its not exactly the same [let me clarify that] but it has a lot of similarities.
Its a well written book as you would expect from an experienced author, however, I expected more I guess.
I would like to thank HarperCollins UK, Avon via Net Galley for allowing me a copy for my Kindle and also to Goodreads First reads for my paperback version. I have to say though, my husband is reading it now and he's enjoying it.
So the point is, we all have different tastes and expectations.
Would I buy this for someone as a gift? Yes, if they liked the occasional thriller not too heavy.
September 20, 2015
I was rather shocked by the amount of graphic sex in this book. I have read porn with less sex, and more realistic depictions. Also some of the behaviour of the men skimmed close to abuse, forced sex, and I was uncomfortable reading that. In old movies I watched as a kid, you'd have a woman scratching and clawing at a man until he kissed her, when she would melt into his embrace, and in this book when women say 'no', all they need is a good enforced kissing to bring out behaviour showing that they hadn't really meant it. Horrible really, what attitude is that?
So, because I did want to know who killed Junior, I skipped a lot of the sex passages, which thankfully reduced as the book wore on anyway. And I quite liked the resolution of the mystery, it was clever. The postscript and it's happy ever after vibe - well, the book would have been better without it, too Harry Potter for me.
So, because I did want to know who killed Junior, I skipped a lot of the sex passages, which thankfully reduced as the book wore on anyway. And I quite liked the resolution of the mystery, it was clever. The postscript and it's happy ever after vibe - well, the book would have been better without it, too Harry Potter for me.
November 17, 2014
For a more detailed review, please check out my review below:
Debra's Book Cafe
Debs :-)
Debra's Book Cafe
Debs :-)
November 24, 2013
I don't want to say anything bad about the book, but what I read I didn't like at all.
Ella is a 30 year old woman and she is blind to all around her especially her parents.
I didn't like the way the book was written, I just couldn't read any more.
I read the end of the book and still not impressed at all, but it made me glad i haven't finished it.
Ella is a 30 year old woman and she is blind to all around her especially her parents.
I didn't like the way the book was written, I just couldn't read any more.
I read the end of the book and still not impressed at all, but it made me glad i haven't finished it.
November 28, 2014
Im afraid to say that this book was awful.
The main female character was so weak and simpering that I hoped someone did bump her off and the main male character was so arrogant and sure of himself I kind of hoped someone would kill him as well.
I normally really enjoy Beverly Bartons book but this one didn't make the cut in my opinion.
The main female character was so weak and simpering that I hoped someone did bump her off and the main male character was so arrogant and sure of himself I kind of hoped someone would kill him as well.
I normally really enjoy Beverly Bartons book but this one didn't make the cut in my opinion.
June 26, 2016
I enjoyed it a lot more then I thought I would, what with everyone cheating on everyone else, and everything being so convoluted... But I was pleasantly surprised. Things worked out well, and I was even rewarded by having correctly pegged the real killer. :)
May 24, 2013
This is a good book, not her best. I found the main female character extremely naïve considering her being a judge. This is a 30 year old woman with no life experience. Other than that, it has good suspense.
September 2, 2014
Pants!!
I loved the cover..... The story had nothing to do with it!
I loved the cover..... The story had nothing to do with it!
August 24, 2017
In 'Every Move She Makes', Ella leads a wonderful life - she's successful career-wise, she's the apple of her father's eye and she has all the money anyone could ever want. However, the release of Reed Conway who was locked up for murdering his stepfather Junior turns her life into a nightmare. Someone is sending her threatening notes and calling her up. Her father Webb had been the one to put Reed behind bars. So is Reed taking revenge or is he being framed?
Although the synopsis hinted at a mystery-centric story, it was actually misleading because a large chunk of the book focused heavily on sex with mystery being relegated to the backseat. Despite preferring it to be the other way round, the author's writing appealed to me as she did a great job alternating between different characters and showing their respective relationship dynamics. All the characters were distinctive and contributed to the development of the story in every aspect. They had plenty of scandalous secrets.
The sex scenes were way more detailed than necessary and were formulaic to the point where they got predictable. Every time Ella and Reed were in the same room they'd instantly start lusting after each other. The writing got a little heavy-handed and unintentionally hilarious during certain scenes. For instance, He was beyond speech, capable only of beastly grunts. His climax hit him hard. The sounds coming from his mouth were those of an alpha male, roaring to the pack that he had just made this female his personal property. Really? Is that supposed to be sexy?
As Reed always only had sex on his mind coupled with the author's repetition about how masculine and powerful he was, I kept visualizing him as a gorilla constantly beating its chest. He was boring and lacked personality too. Ella wasn't any better - she was such a daddy's girl who tried to act tough and smart but she quickly ran into Reed's arms. She had absolutely no self-control and behaved more like a lovestruck high school girl than a mature, ambitious adult. The author's decision to pass off their relationship off as true love was ridiculous. Plus, they talked about finding out who had really killed Junior but ended up doing NOTHING about it.
The other characters were more interesting to read about, especially Webb. He was a good father for the most part but he had his flaws, just like the others. I was interested in seeing how Mark and Regina's relationship would develop, considering how she'd almost been raped by her stepfather Junior. Unfortunately, the author delved right into a steamy scene (that happened way too soon to be realistic, with Regina's trauma in mind) and promptly forgot about them and padded up the pages with more pointless Ella-Reed scenes.
The mystery aspect was promising at first but I got the impression that the author preferred to remind the reader yet again that Reed has 'icy blue eyes'. The identity of the perpetrator wasn't hard to figure out. The motive was believable. But the problem was how the showdown scene was written - it was terribly rushed, the perpetrator was dumbed down and behaved so out of character and none of the other characters seemed shocked. Come on,
Overall, despite the awful so-called romance, 'Every Move She Makes' was an entertaining albeit over-the-top tale featuring lots of drama and secrets with a murder mystery thrown in to keep it interesting.
Although the synopsis hinted at a mystery-centric story, it was actually misleading because a large chunk of the book focused heavily on sex with mystery being relegated to the backseat. Despite preferring it to be the other way round, the author's writing appealed to me as she did a great job alternating between different characters and showing their respective relationship dynamics. All the characters were distinctive and contributed to the development of the story in every aspect. They had plenty of scandalous secrets.
The sex scenes were way more detailed than necessary and were formulaic to the point where they got predictable. Every time Ella and Reed were in the same room they'd instantly start lusting after each other. The writing got a little heavy-handed and unintentionally hilarious during certain scenes. For instance, He was beyond speech, capable only of beastly grunts. His climax hit him hard. The sounds coming from his mouth were those of an alpha male, roaring to the pack that he had just made this female his personal property. Really? Is that supposed to be sexy?
As Reed always only had sex on his mind coupled with the author's repetition about how masculine and powerful he was, I kept visualizing him as a gorilla constantly beating its chest. He was boring and lacked personality too. Ella wasn't any better - she was such a daddy's girl who tried to act tough and smart but she quickly ran into Reed's arms. She had absolutely no self-control and behaved more like a lovestruck high school girl than a mature, ambitious adult. The author's decision to pass off their relationship off as true love was ridiculous. Plus, they talked about finding out who had really killed Junior but ended up doing NOTHING about it.
The other characters were more interesting to read about, especially Webb. He was a good father for the most part but he had his flaws, just like the others. I was interested in seeing how Mark and Regina's relationship would develop, considering how she'd almost been raped by her stepfather Junior. Unfortunately, the author delved right into a steamy scene (that happened way too soon to be realistic, with Regina's trauma in mind) and promptly forgot about them and padded up the pages with more pointless Ella-Reed scenes.
The mystery aspect was promising at first but I got the impression that the author preferred to remind the reader yet again that Reed has 'icy blue eyes'. The identity of the perpetrator wasn't hard to figure out. The motive was believable. But the problem was how the showdown scene was written - it was terribly rushed, the perpetrator was dumbed down and behaved so out of character and none of the other characters seemed shocked. Come on,
Overall, despite the awful so-called romance, 'Every Move She Makes' was an entertaining albeit over-the-top tale featuring lots of drama and secrets with a murder mystery thrown in to keep it interesting.
July 10, 2020
I do love a good thriller story and I certainly got that when I chose to read this book. I’ll admit it is a little slow in places, but it didn’t put me off at all as the story was a good one and I loved getting to know the characters and attempting to figure out how it would all end. There were a couple of twists throughout, both of which I had guessed prior to them being revealed, but that didn’t ruin the story for me in any way.
I liked how the story was told from different characters throughout, as it really does give me an insight into each of the characters that way.
So another jolly entertaining story from Beverly Barton and I’ll be looking forward to reading the rest of her books as and when I get the chance to read them all.
I liked how the story was told from different characters throughout, as it really does give me an insight into each of the characters that way.
So another jolly entertaining story from Beverly Barton and I’ll be looking forward to reading the rest of her books as and when I get the chance to read them all.
July 19, 2017
I did not see the book ending the way it did! For an avid reader it is difficult to find a book that doesn't feel like the same story as other books that have been read. It feels like reading the same book over and over again by different authors. This book definitely stands out from the crowd. It is the first book I have read by this author and I'm excited to dive into to another that she has written!!!
October 24, 2017
Better than loads of Beverly Barton ones I read. although most of the females appeared to be irritatingly simpering waifs (as seems to be the norm here) at the beginning, a few of them gained personality and gumph.
The story seemed to lose its way a few times, but always veered back onto path.
Overall, a nice easy evening's read
The story seemed to lose its way a few times, but always veered back onto path.
Overall, a nice easy evening's read
December 8, 2017
This is an honest review, I received an ARC
For,me this is a holiday or long plane journey read. It's light material and just about held my interest. It's not really a book I'd recommend to my friends however by the same token I wouldn't put people off reading it either. Just not really my style of book
For,me this is a holiday or long plane journey read. It's light material and just about held my interest. It's not really a book I'd recommend to my friends however by the same token I wouldn't put people off reading it either. Just not really my style of book
April 13, 2025
Jakie to było dobre! Zdaję sobie sprawę, że ta książka nie jest mistrzostwem świata ani pod względem warsztatowym ani fabularnym, ale Boże! Wciągnęła mnie jak żadna inna historia w tym roku. Bohaterowie naturalni, prawdziwi, wyraziści. Wątki rozbudowane, poplątane i w końcu znakomicie wyprostowane. Nawet słodki happy end mnie nie zraził. Czytajcie, czytajcie, czytajcie!
June 20, 2017
I was expecting a lot more from a thriller that was supposed to be very suspenseful. Instead of being full of action, I was bored, could not connect with the characters, and gave up after reading about a third of the book.
April 23, 2019
EVERY MOVE SHE MAKES
I have loved every Beverly Barton book that I've read, until this one. It was still a complex plot with good characters, but some of the sex scenes I found to be a little distasteful.
I have loved every Beverly Barton book that I've read, until this one. It was still a complex plot with good characters, but some of the sex scenes I found to be a little distasteful.
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