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Race Against Time
Sometimes fate brings you together...only to tear you apart
Growing up in the foster system, Quinn O'Meara made a point of never getting involved. But when she discovers a crying baby amid a fiery crime scene, she knows she has no choice. Suddenly in way over her head, Quinn turns to the police, unintentionally positioning herself in the crosshairs of a deadly human-trafficking ring.
The last time homicide detective Nick Saldano saw Quinn, she was still the young girl he'd shared a foster home with. The girl who'd loved and cared for him when no one else had. Now here she was, gorgeously all grown-up--and in terrible danger.
Unwilling to lose her again, Nick insists on keeping Quinn close, especially when the bond they once shared heatedly slides into desire. Quinn finally has someone worth holding on to, but what kind of future can they have when she might not live to see tomorrow?
Growing up in the foster system, Quinn O'Meara made a point of never getting involved. But when she discovers a crying baby amid a fiery crime scene, she knows she has no choice. Suddenly in way over her head, Quinn turns to the police, unintentionally positioning herself in the crosshairs of a deadly human-trafficking ring.
The last time homicide detective Nick Saldano saw Quinn, she was still the young girl he'd shared a foster home with. The girl who'd loved and cared for him when no one else had. Now here she was, gorgeously all grown-up--and in terrible danger.
Unwilling to lose her again, Nick insists on keeping Quinn close, especially when the bond they once shared heatedly slides into desire. Quinn finally has someone worth holding on to, but what kind of future can they have when she might not live to see tomorrow?
350 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 27, 2017
788 people are currently reading
1392 people want to read
About the author
Sharon Sala
280 books2,304 followersBiography
Sharon Sala is a Native Oklahoman and still lives within a two hour drive of where she was born.
First published in 1991, she is a New York Times/USA Today, best-selling author with a 135 plus books published in seven different genres, including Romantic suspense, Mystery, Young Adult, Western, Fiction, Women’s Fiction and Non-Fiction.
Industry Awards include:
Eight-time RITA finalist. (Romance Industry award)
The Janet Dailey Award.
Five-time Career Achievement winner from RT Magazine.
Five time winner of the National Reader’s Choice Award.
Five time winner of the Colorado Romance Writer’s Award of Excellence.
Heart of Excellence Award.,
Booksellers Best Award.
Nora Roberts Lifetime Achievement Award RITA, presented by RWA.
Centennial Award from RWA for recognition of her 100th published novel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 173 reviews
June 19, 2017
**ARC provided by publisher in exchange for an honest review**
"Finding you again feels like an apology from the Universe for separating us the first time."
This book started out really strong, I was really excited for all the action and suspense. I enjoyed the first half of the book more than I did the second. I was looking forward to seeing how two kids who shared a foster home would reconnect again. I liked Nick and Quinn's personalities a lot, I especially loved when they realized they knew each other. Nick is protective and sweet. Quinn is independent and always been on her own. Nobody but Nick had her back, and when they were reunited she finally had someone who cared about her again. This book is told from multiple POVs and it worked pretty well in my opinion. There were a couple of subplots that were important to the story, and it flowed well with the main plot. The suspense was done really well, and it was unpredictable so that was a huge plus for me. I really loved the ladies in this book, they were very strong and brave and took action in very difficult times.
However there were a couple of things that didn't add up:
At 29% the main character Nicks mentions that his aunt and uncle who adopted him have four kids including him (so that is three kids). At 85% there are only two kids left. The same goes for the grandkids, at 29% there are four of them and at 85% NONE. As for Quinn, something very traumatic happened to her which still affects her to this day, however the thing that freaked her out (BIG TIME), doesn't really bother her a day or two later. As a reader these things stand out, and makes it harder for us to fully connect with the characters. I am not a nitpicky reader at all, especially with ARCs, however I assume authors to have gone through their books a couple of times when they are writing it. I hope these things will be corrected before the book is released. Also Nick and Quinn's relationship developed very fast, and came across as a bit unbelievable.
"Finding you again feels like an apology from the Universe for separating us the first time."
This book started out really strong, I was really excited for all the action and suspense. I enjoyed the first half of the book more than I did the second. I was looking forward to seeing how two kids who shared a foster home would reconnect again. I liked Nick and Quinn's personalities a lot, I especially loved when they realized they knew each other. Nick is protective and sweet. Quinn is independent and always been on her own. Nobody but Nick had her back, and when they were reunited she finally had someone who cared about her again. This book is told from multiple POVs and it worked pretty well in my opinion. There were a couple of subplots that were important to the story, and it flowed well with the main plot. The suspense was done really well, and it was unpredictable so that was a huge plus for me. I really loved the ladies in this book, they were very strong and brave and took action in very difficult times.
However there were a couple of things that didn't add up:
At 29% the main character Nicks mentions that his aunt and uncle who adopted him have four kids including him (so that is three kids). At 85% there are only two kids left. The same goes for the grandkids, at 29% there are four of them and at 85% NONE. As for Quinn, something very traumatic happened to her which still affects her to this day, however the thing that freaked her out (BIG TIME), doesn't really bother her a day or two later. As a reader these things stand out, and makes it harder for us to fully connect with the characters. I am not a nitpicky reader at all, especially with ARCs, however I assume authors to have gone through their books a couple of times when they are writing it. I hope these things will be corrected before the book is released. Also Nick and Quinn's relationship developed very fast, and came across as a bit unbelievable.
June 30, 2017
Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) provided by the Author and Publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an fair and honest review.
First off I want to say that I do not like romantic-suspense books centered around human trafficking, it is nothing less than slavery and unless and until everyone views it that way it will continue to exist unimpeded. I chose this book from NetGalley because I really like the author, Sharon Sala. I especially like her books featuring the Appalachian part of the county. This setting in Las Vegas, NV seems a bit off for her. She can write a location so it almost seems like another character. That aspect isn't present here.
In this story we really have four main characters but the plot doesn't start on the night their lives all intersect in a fiery crash in the desert outside Las Vegas, NV. It starts seven years earlier when a 17 year old girl meets up with a man she met on the internet. If Starla Davis could have that decision back she would, in a heartbeat. For the next seven years she is a slave to a very powerful, nasty piece of work, Anton Baba. When the chance presents itself she takes FBI protection and flees with her two year old son, Sammy. That ends with the fiery crash in the desert. She and her son survive but she is recaptured by Anton's goons. She has hidden Sammy and he is rescued by Good Samaritan Quinn O'Meara who is shot but saves Sammy.
Quinn is a complex character who has not had a lot of good breaks in her life. It would almost seen that this is just business as usual for her, but this is actually the day that the universe is making something right for her. Quinn is reunited with Nick Saldano, her Knight in Shining Armor from a foster care home. Nick is a Las Vegas cop and it is his arms she passes out in. Nick is a born protector and had always protected Quinn in the home, until he wasn't there any longer. He can't believe she is back in his life.
The first half of the book is fantastic and gripping. When the plot moves to the cat and mouse, time to get the baddie part, it bogs a bit. Starla and Quinn are both strong, resourceful, determined women. When the red-headed Quinn finally reaches her limit, watch out as she is determined to bring Anton Baba to justice.
First off I want to say that I do not like romantic-suspense books centered around human trafficking, it is nothing less than slavery and unless and until everyone views it that way it will continue to exist unimpeded. I chose this book from NetGalley because I really like the author, Sharon Sala. I especially like her books featuring the Appalachian part of the county. This setting in Las Vegas, NV seems a bit off for her. She can write a location so it almost seems like another character. That aspect isn't present here.
In this story we really have four main characters but the plot doesn't start on the night their lives all intersect in a fiery crash in the desert outside Las Vegas, NV. It starts seven years earlier when a 17 year old girl meets up with a man she met on the internet. If Starla Davis could have that decision back she would, in a heartbeat. For the next seven years she is a slave to a very powerful, nasty piece of work, Anton Baba. When the chance presents itself she takes FBI protection and flees with her two year old son, Sammy. That ends with the fiery crash in the desert. She and her son survive but she is recaptured by Anton's goons. She has hidden Sammy and he is rescued by Good Samaritan Quinn O'Meara who is shot but saves Sammy.
Quinn is a complex character who has not had a lot of good breaks in her life. It would almost seen that this is just business as usual for her, but this is actually the day that the universe is making something right for her. Quinn is reunited with Nick Saldano, her Knight in Shining Armor from a foster care home. Nick is a Las Vegas cop and it is his arms she passes out in. Nick is a born protector and had always protected Quinn in the home, until he wasn't there any longer. He can't believe she is back in his life.
The first half of the book is fantastic and gripping. When the plot moves to the cat and mouse, time to get the baddie part, it bogs a bit. Starla and Quinn are both strong, resourceful, determined women. When the red-headed Quinn finally reaches her limit, watch out as she is determined to bring Anton Baba to justice.
September 2, 2018
I met Sharon at RWA last summer and she was super nice. She was honored for writing over 100 books! I sat next to her during one of the signings and when I found out she wrote romantic suspense I got this book. Overall it was pretty good if you didn't question the logic too much. The story went in unexpected ways and that was refreshing! But there was also quite a bit of "head hopping." I don't think the book is supposed to be omniscient POV (I could be wrong), but the POV kept switching to another character in the middle of a scene - fortunately it wasn't confusing or I wouldn't have finished the book.
January 26, 2025
solid
A pretty solid and typical Sala book. Has the mystery/ suspense, light romance and action. Unlike her earlier books, these you hav3 to get used to multiple POV and it’s something I’m not fond of as I like the story to focus on the main characters, but other than that, good read.
A pretty solid and typical Sala book. Has the mystery/ suspense, light romance and action. Unlike her earlier books, these you hav3 to get used to multiple POV and it’s something I’m not fond of as I like the story to focus on the main characters, but other than that, good read.
November 25, 2017
Great concept, but poor execution - SPOILERS
The only thing that kept me going to the end was that in the wide scope it's a great concept for a romantic suspense story which is my fave kind of novel. However, this is very poorly written in my opinion. The characters were not consistent throughout and while some overcame issues it wasn't realistic the way they did. Someone who has such a visceral reaction to water like in the hospital scene to then be fine with it only a few showers later is just unbelievable. And then with Star - she's been held captive for multiple years and then all of a sudden decides to leave and conveniently has a brother not only locally but who's also in law enforcement, a nurse sister in law to take care of her wounds and she just calls her parents to come pick her up like she hasn't been gone for like 7+ years! It's not realistic or plausible even for fiction. Then there's the dialogue which was just awful. Half the time contractions weren't used and half the time they were. And some of the things these characters said were just silly and not believable for a normal conversation. Overall, the concept for the book was very cool and appealing (foster kids finding each other again and falling in love while trying to run from a killer), but it was poorly executed. I wish there was a better version somewhere!
The only thing that kept me going to the end was that in the wide scope it's a great concept for a romantic suspense story which is my fave kind of novel. However, this is very poorly written in my opinion. The characters were not consistent throughout and while some overcame issues it wasn't realistic the way they did. Someone who has such a visceral reaction to water like in the hospital scene to then be fine with it only a few showers later is just unbelievable. And then with Star - she's been held captive for multiple years and then all of a sudden decides to leave and conveniently has a brother not only locally but who's also in law enforcement, a nurse sister in law to take care of her wounds and she just calls her parents to come pick her up like she hasn't been gone for like 7+ years! It's not realistic or plausible even for fiction. Then there's the dialogue which was just awful. Half the time contractions weren't used and half the time they were. And some of the things these characters said were just silly and not believable for a normal conversation. Overall, the concept for the book was very cool and appealing (foster kids finding each other again and falling in love while trying to run from a killer), but it was poorly executed. I wish there was a better version somewhere!
May 23, 2017
I thought this book started out with a bang but the last half of it seemed to drag some. There were a couple of inconsistencies that kind of bothered me but the whole human trafficking aspect of it was heart breaking and so sad that it almost had me in tears.
I'm generally not a fan of a book that is from different POVs but it definitely worked here. There is a lot of suspense and I found myself gripping my Kindle for dear life on numerous occasions. I loved the romance between Quinn and Nick and thought the mixture of romance and suspense to be a great balance. Quinn was the kick-ass person every woman wants to be.
I'm generally not a fan of a book that is from different POVs but it definitely worked here. There is a lot of suspense and I found myself gripping my Kindle for dear life on numerous occasions. I loved the romance between Quinn and Nick and thought the mixture of romance and suspense to be a great balance. Quinn was the kick-ass person every woman wants to be.
July 2, 2017
When I pick up a Sharon Sala book I always know my love for reading will be satisfied, tenfold. Her books are so intriguing and her characters become so real, that I believe I'm reading a true life story, not fiction. Sharon Sala has a talent that few authors conquer, the ability to draw you in immediately and keep you in suspense until the end.
Race Against Time is definitely one of those type of books. Nail biting until the shocking conclusion.
Abducted as a teenager, in a deadly human- trafficking ring, Star is on the run, finally escaping her abductor, after seven years of being his captive. Will Star find safety after her long captivity or is she destined to remain hunted?
On her Harley, Quinn is heading to Vegas, when she rides upon a car engulfed in flames in the desert. She finds only one survivor in the wreck, a toddler. What happens next is spellbinding. As two unsuspecting worlds collide, all chaos erupts.
Will Quinn survive what she witnessed in the desert or is her life about to become a game of survival?
Phenomenal book, Sharon Sala has an undeniable talent for writing romantic-suspense.
Race Against Time is definitely one of those type of books. Nail biting until the shocking conclusion.
Abducted as a teenager, in a deadly human- trafficking ring, Star is on the run, finally escaping her abductor, after seven years of being his captive. Will Star find safety after her long captivity or is she destined to remain hunted?
On her Harley, Quinn is heading to Vegas, when she rides upon a car engulfed in flames in the desert. She finds only one survivor in the wreck, a toddler. What happens next is spellbinding. As two unsuspecting worlds collide, all chaos erupts.
Will Quinn survive what she witnessed in the desert or is her life about to become a game of survival?
Phenomenal book, Sharon Sala has an undeniable talent for writing romantic-suspense.
December 31, 2020
Not Sala's best, but not bad at all. I'm feeling generous with four stars because this story reminded me a lot of my favorite Sala story: Next of Kin. Quite a few similarities. But I didn't love this one, mainly because page time was split between three different parties - the victims, the bad guy, and the good guys. Also, the romance happened way too quick. I mean, everything about it just moved too fast.
Still, Sala rarely lets me down and even though I have complaints, I still really enjoyed the overall story.
Still, Sala rarely lets me down and even though I have complaints, I still really enjoyed the overall story.
August 31, 2017
Great story with plenty of suspenseful scenes that will keep you grabbing the edge of your seat. I really enjoyed the characters, but I would love to see a story for Starla. Happy reading!
July 1, 2017
It’s been a few years since I’ve read anything by Sharon Sala, but I remember loving them. I’m particularly fond of Shades of Desperado. So, Race Against Tim popped up on one of Amazon’s recommended upcoming release lists, I decided to give it a whirl.
The good news is that the tight plot and engaging characters kept me turning pages and I finished the book in just a little over 12 hours.
The down side was that while the author is clearly trying to find the balance between both romance and suspense, she didn’t quite hit the mark in either case, at least not for me. There wasn’t quite enough relationship growth to sell the romance and the suspense involved a bit too much of the Feds tripping over themselves.
An interesting read, perfect for a long, rainy afternoon, but not one that will land on my keeper shelf. Still, I must remember to check out some of Sala’s recent work and see if those hit a better note with me.
The good news is that the tight plot and engaging characters kept me turning pages and I finished the book in just a little over 12 hours.
The down side was that while the author is clearly trying to find the balance between both romance and suspense, she didn’t quite hit the mark in either case, at least not for me. There wasn’t quite enough relationship growth to sell the romance and the suspense involved a bit too much of the Feds tripping over themselves.
An interesting read, perfect for a long, rainy afternoon, but not one that will land on my keeper shelf. Still, I must remember to check out some of Sala’s recent work and see if those hit a better note with me.
did-not-finish
May 11, 2023DNF at 30%. It's fine. It's a bit unbelievable that a woman would be able to hold onto her child when a vehicle rolls and she is thrown out the window.
And it's a bit unbelievable that a tracking device could be inserted in someone and still be usable seven years later. I wish that were true because I could really use that for my mom with dementia. But these things take batteries and they go bad over time.
Plus, I am just not feeling the constant change in point of view. It's hard to understand who is the main character. It doesn't feel like a romance to me.
And it's a bit unbelievable that a tracking device could be inserted in someone and still be usable seven years later. I wish that were true because I could really use that for my mom with dementia. But these things take batteries and they go bad over time.
Plus, I am just not feeling the constant change in point of view. It's hard to understand who is the main character. It doesn't feel like a romance to me.
May 3, 2021
I love books by Sharon Sala. They are very hard to put down. This one keeps you guessing and wondering what will happen next all the way to the end of the story.
February 4, 2020
Didn't care for the prose.
The subject matter was fine, but the manner in which it was handled...meh.
The characters were inconsistent.
Not for me.
The subject matter was fine, but the manner in which it was handled...meh.
The characters were inconsistent.
Not for me.
September 30, 2018
Maybe 3.5 stars. Not one of this author's best, but not terrible either. I found it difficult to connect with the main couple romance becuse there was too much else going on. Too many other characters and stories too up page time to the detriment of developing Nick and Quinn.
In a way I can't fully explain, it felt like the author had a bone to pick and some of it came out in the various divergent incidents of this book. Maybe I'm wrong, but that was a feeling I got off and on throughout and it took away from what could have been a great couple and showing their connection to each other.
In a way I can't fully explain, it felt like the author had a bone to pick and some of it came out in the various divergent incidents of this book. Maybe I'm wrong, but that was a feeling I got off and on throughout and it took away from what could have been a great couple and showing their connection to each other.
December 28, 2020
TW: Sex trafficking, abuse
I am not a fan of stories revolving around sex trafficking but I am a big fan of Sharon Sala and she started the story of Starla 7 years ago, recounting her horrific descent into this life of hell and how she escaped and became a witness.
I love how strong she portrayed the women in her stories. How both Starla and Quinn fought back, how sassy and independent they both are. This is the first book I can ever recall making the FBI looked like the dumbest law enforcers around and how they messed it up so badly. Love it.
I am not a fan of stories revolving around sex trafficking but I am a big fan of Sharon Sala and she started the story of Starla 7 years ago, recounting her horrific descent into this life of hell and how she escaped and became a witness.
I love how strong she portrayed the women in her stories. How both Starla and Quinn fought back, how sassy and independent they both are. This is the first book I can ever recall making the FBI looked like the dumbest law enforcers around and how they messed it up so badly. Love it.
August 20, 2017
Another excellent effort by Sharon Sala. Quinn is a kick-ass heroine, doing what’s right and saving a child’s life in the process. Nick is a lovable hero, strong and caring. Their backstory makes them perfect for each other. And I liked that one POV is that of a victim of the trafficking ring. This was a suspenseful, scary story. I couldn’t put it down.
April 1, 2021
3.50 / 4 Stars
Liked the Jigsaw series so I tried this one.....
I'm not the kind of reader that wants to be in suspense CONSTANTLY. Every new character whether cop, doctor or nurse could be a mole. I was soooo distrusting; just waiting for the betrayal. Don't mind a mystery or a bad guy here and there....but I don't want to try and figure it out at every turn.
Liked the Jigsaw series so I tried this one.....
I'm not the kind of reader that wants to be in suspense CONSTANTLY. Every new character whether cop, doctor or nurse could be a mole. I was soooo distrusting; just waiting for the betrayal. Don't mind a mystery or a bad guy here and there....but I don't want to try and figure it out at every turn.
January 1, 2021
Mulle meeldis, kui leidlik Star oli ja Quinni julgus oli muljetavaldav. Isegi loo kurjam oli usutav ning tempo, millega kogu lugu arenes oli meeletu. Istusin ja lihtsalt ahmisin iga sõna. Kuid siis otsustas autor sisse tuua romantilise liini Nicki ja Quinni vahel. Noorte ülepeakaela armumine oli täiesti ebareaalne ja absurdne. Seega olen natuke pettunud, aga muidu päris korralik lugu.
June 13, 2024
The title says it all. One super aggressive evil gangster will do anything the get who and what he wants. Sharon Sala created two storylines that intertwine two woman trying to survive, outwit and gain control of their own lives. A love interest and families prove they are strong and rally ‘round those they love.
Fast and fun.
Good job.
Fast and fun.
Good job.
May 31, 2017
Quinn O'Meara finds it hard to trust people after experiencing tough times while growing up in the foster system. However, the moment she comes upon a fiery car crash, and finds a crying baby, she's determined to get the baby to safety. Except she never imagined she'd find herself hunted by a bad man involved in human trafficking. Luckily, her long-lost friend, Detective Nick Saldano, is determined to protect her at all costs. Will Nick be able to win Quinn over, so they can have a second chance at happy ever after?
What a wild ride Ms. Sala takes readers on this story, which encompasses several characters points-of-view in both the good guys and the bad guys, the second chance romance trope, plot twists that will leave readers determined to discover what else happens and a prologue that will have readers hooked from the very beginning. The way this story started had me feeling sorry for the victims of the human trafficking ring, as the treatment was rough and horrible. How can people be so cruel?
As for the dialogue, it was powerful, emotional and takes readers on a thrilling journey into the devastation human trafficking rings create for loved ones of kidnapped victims, the hope that a family will be reunited with said loved ones, how far the bad guys are willing to go to escape capture and what the cops are willing to do to protect witnesses and take down the bad guys. Moreover, the dialogue was also intense due to the main characters back stories, especially that of the heroine. She had it rough growing up, and I could understand why she finds it hard to trust people. Although, Nick is completely different, because of the tight bond they shared years ago. I also liked how strong and brave she was, as it shows she's a fighter who has managed to survive all she's suffered during her time in the foster system.
While Nick, I loved him. He's strong, smart, protective and I liked how determined he was to win the heroine over to make her realize that she doesn't have to keep running from her past. I also liked the tight bond he shared with his relatives, as it showed he had a good life; a life filled with love and laughter after he and the heroine were separated when they were younger. Luckily, there's a lot of love to go around and that Nick's family was so accepting of Quinn.
Overall, Ms. Sala has penned a really good read in this romantic suspense where the chemistry was strong and palpable and revealed how right these two are for each other. The way this story ended had me on the edge-of-my-seat due to the danger the main characters face. Will they get the head bad guy that is determined to rob Quinn of her life? Will Nick be able to protect Quinn? Moreover, I liked how Quinn handles herself, as it proves she's determined to see justice served. However, it was the epilogue that wrapped everything up nicely, as we discover how far Nick and Quinn have come in their relationship and what happened to the bad guy. I would recommend Race Against Time by Sharon Sala, if you enjoy romantic suspense, second chance romances, the sexy protector trope or books by authors Alison Brennan, Karen Rose, Melinda Leigh or Pamela Clare.
dnf
July 9, 2017I received this via Goodreads Giveaways in exchange for an honest review. All my opinions are my own:).
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Good plot idea but ultimately not for me.. maybe I'm just a more critical reader and/or I've outgrown these types of stories. *shrugs*
Not you book, its me.
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Good plot idea but ultimately not for me.. maybe I'm just a more critical reader and/or I've outgrown these types of stories. *shrugs*
Not you book, its me.
September 12, 2017
3.5 this book was interesting and i will read the author again. but i felt like it was light on suspense.
Read
February 22, 2019DNF
October 28, 2019
Race Against Time
While I very much enjoyed this book and the reconnection of Nick and Quinn, would have loved a meet between Quinn and Starla.
While I very much enjoyed this book and the reconnection of Nick and Quinn, would have loved a meet between Quinn and Starla.
January 19, 2025
Another good one
I am going through and rereading my Sharon Sala books and am very much enjoying them. I love the characters and the storylines always keep my interest.
I am going through and rereading my Sharon Sala books and am very much enjoying them. I love the characters and the storylines always keep my interest.
June 30, 2017
3.5 stars - Race Against Time is a stand-alone romantic suspense novel that kept me on the edge of my seat as the story progressed. It started out very fast and kept that pace for most of the book.
The seedy underbelly of Las Vegas is explored in the world of Anton Baba, a casino kingpin with his hand in assorted related ventures (not the least being human trafficking). When Baba decides to make some changes his world begins to collapse in ways he’d never imagined. He won’t rest until he takes down the people responsible.
Race Against Time is a story of good vs. evil. It was easy to cheer on Nick and Quinn as they courageously stood up against Anton Baba. They knew it would be worth any chance to bring down that evil man instead of having to run and hide for the rest of their lives. They have a past and are brought back together in a wild coincidence – one that I decided just to go along with and enjoy wherever Sharon Sala’s story took me. It’s a very fast read and one I’d recommend to fans of romantic suspense and the author. *I received a copy from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for my unbiased review.
The seedy underbelly of Las Vegas is explored in the world of Anton Baba, a casino kingpin with his hand in assorted related ventures (not the least being human trafficking). When Baba decides to make some changes his world begins to collapse in ways he’d never imagined. He won’t rest until he takes down the people responsible.
Race Against Time is a story of good vs. evil. It was easy to cheer on Nick and Quinn as they courageously stood up against Anton Baba. They knew it would be worth any chance to bring down that evil man instead of having to run and hide for the rest of their lives. They have a past and are brought back together in a wild coincidence – one that I decided just to go along with and enjoy wherever Sharon Sala’s story took me. It’s a very fast read and one I’d recommend to fans of romantic suspense and the author. *I received a copy from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for my unbiased review.
October 28, 2018
Semi-Spoilers
The premise of this story is very exciting, the characters had potential- unfortunately the execution left me underwhelmed and slightly cold. As a fan and owner of several books from Sharon Sala, I was looking forward to reading this, especially after reading the back cover. Like most of her books, it's a easy read with a mix romance and drama. I wanted to root for the female characters, and mostly I did, but I never connected with them. Overall, this did not feel like a story from Sharon Sala.
We have two main female characters here: Quinn and Starla. Both female characters have devastating pasts and endured more pain than they should. However, I felt like there was more growth with Starla. She went from gullible teenager to quick-witted, protective mother. In some ways, I wanted more from/about her. Especially when she is reunited with her family. When her brother finds her, that was special. It actually made me tear up. Sadly I couldn't say the same when she is reunited with her parents.
I assumed Quinn was supposed to be our main heroine, but other than being told her story I didn't feel it. She comes along a crime scene, saves a toddler (who feels more like a plot device than anything), gets shot, goes to the hospital, is reunited with an old friend who she quickly falls in love with, goes into hiding, waits in panic and fear and then ends up being the big badass at the end of the story. She didn't feel consistent. Her characterization ping-ponged between damsel in distress and mysterious loner. Also the love story between Quinn and Nick felt very circumstantial and a byproduct of their shared past. I mean, they first don't recognize each other but because she talks in her sleep, he finds out that she is the little girl he was friends with back in foster care - SMALL WORLD! (speaking of small world, how is it that Starla's brother is now a cop in Las Vegas, where she is being held when their family is from across the country - but I digress). All of sudden, they cannot live without one another. Relationships built under intense situations is normal in romance stories, yet the sizzle and spark between them just felt manufactured.
Overall, it was not a horrible read. I finished it in a weekend. The premise was interesting. I guess I just expected more.
The premise of this story is very exciting, the characters had potential- unfortunately the execution left me underwhelmed and slightly cold. As a fan and owner of several books from Sharon Sala, I was looking forward to reading this, especially after reading the back cover. Like most of her books, it's a easy read with a mix romance and drama. I wanted to root for the female characters, and mostly I did, but I never connected with them. Overall, this did not feel like a story from Sharon Sala.
We have two main female characters here: Quinn and Starla. Both female characters have devastating pasts and endured more pain than they should. However, I felt like there was more growth with Starla. She went from gullible teenager to quick-witted, protective mother. In some ways, I wanted more from/about her. Especially when she is reunited with her family. When her brother finds her, that was special. It actually made me tear up. Sadly I couldn't say the same when she is reunited with her parents.
I assumed Quinn was supposed to be our main heroine, but other than being told her story I didn't feel it. She comes along a crime scene, saves a toddler (who feels more like a plot device than anything), gets shot, goes to the hospital, is reunited with an old friend who she quickly falls in love with, goes into hiding, waits in panic and fear and then ends up being the big badass at the end of the story. She didn't feel consistent. Her characterization ping-ponged between damsel in distress and mysterious loner. Also the love story between Quinn and Nick felt very circumstantial and a byproduct of their shared past. I mean, they first don't recognize each other but because she talks in her sleep, he finds out that she is the little girl he was friends with back in foster care - SMALL WORLD! (speaking of small world, how is it that Starla's brother is now a cop in Las Vegas, where she is being held when their family is from across the country - but I digress). All of sudden, they cannot live without one another. Relationships built under intense situations is normal in romance stories, yet the sizzle and spark between them just felt manufactured.
Overall, it was not a horrible read. I finished it in a weekend. The premise was interesting. I guess I just expected more.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 11, 2019
The book started well but the second half felt flat, with little action except the FBI and Anton running around in circles and no big character development except the instalove between Quinn and Nick (Aside from the first chapter flashback, the entire book happens over about a week). It was only in the last three chapters were it picked the pace back up, when the villain finally realised that "now it was time to get serious" (p.346).
Plus I had a BIG issue with a main character's water phobia inconstancy.
Plus I had a BIG issue with a main character's water phobia inconstancy.
April 6, 2017
3 and a half stars.
Human trafficking is very much a tragic and horrifying fact of life. That’s why I found Sharon Sala’s description of how Starla was abducted and sold into sex slavery so hard to read because she made it sound so real! I had to check the book summary to make sure that I was not reading a non-fiction.
Race against Time is very fast-moving and very well written. I could not put my Kindle down till I reached about 60 percent! Then, surprisingly, I couldn’t get into the slow and romantic part. When it picked up speed again towards the last part, I was hooked again.
I wish all trafficking cases had such happy endings.
For those who want to avoid explicit sex scenes, there are two brief ones in this book as far as I can remember, and there is a bit of cursing.
Thankful for an ARC from Netgalley and Harlequin, and I wrote this review because I enjoyed a large part of it!
Human trafficking is very much a tragic and horrifying fact of life. That’s why I found Sharon Sala’s description of how Starla was abducted and sold into sex slavery so hard to read because she made it sound so real! I had to check the book summary to make sure that I was not reading a non-fiction.
Race against Time is very fast-moving and very well written. I could not put my Kindle down till I reached about 60 percent! Then, surprisingly, I couldn’t get into the slow and romantic part. When it picked up speed again towards the last part, I was hooked again.
I wish all trafficking cases had such happy endings.
For those who want to avoid explicit sex scenes, there are two brief ones in this book as far as I can remember, and there is a bit of cursing.
Thankful for an ARC from Netgalley and Harlequin, and I wrote this review because I enjoyed a large part of it!
June 30, 2017
Starla, as a lot of seventeen-year-olds do, felt guilty about lying to her parents regarding where she was going, but she did it anyway. Instead of hanging out with her friend as believed, she was meeting a guy she'd met online. Seven years later, Star as she is now called, has outlived her "usefulness" to her owner, Anton, and he is trying to find a new buyer for her. However, their two-year-old son, Sammy, will not be going anywhere. Star, overhearing Anton's plans, knows she needs to escape, her obedience for the sake of her family's survival has been overtaken by the need to protect Sammy at all costs. Unfortunately, it doesn't go well and the two people helping Star getaway, with the promise to testify, perish in a car accident and she herself is injured, both from the crash and Anton's men, as they were responsible for causing it. Thankfully, she was able to hide Sammy first. She refused to let Anton get his hands on her son.
Quinn, a wanderer, is out riding, having just finished a favor for a friend, when she comes upon a fiery crash, and shockingly a toddler by himself. Knowing she needs to ensure the boy's safety, especially as she's now being shot at, she takes off, heading for the nearest police station. Upon arriving, a few detectives, including one named Nick who swears the woman looks familiar, sees her, the child, and the blood covering her. Quinn is able to share a scant amount of information before passing out from her injury. At the hospital, before she's taken into surgery, Nick is able to get a few more details from the woman, Quinn as she was able to tell the nurse her name. Nick also realizes that Quinn is a witness, one that's probably in danger of being silenced for good.
Nick learns from his boss that the Feds are involved and why, plus, that the witness will more than likely not be protected, leaving her vulnerable, as she wasn't able to supply "helpful" information. Nick, guaranteed guards in the form of fellow cops, at least short-term, informs his boss he plans on watching her overnight. As he waits, Nick is still struggling to remember why she looks familiar. All it takes is one name from Quinn, mumbled in her sleep, one he hasn't heard in almost twenty years. He knows who she is now, the background check only confirms it, and he can't help, after witnessing her tears while she's asking for him, the child version that is, while asleep, wondering what she endured after he was taken away from the foster home they shared, reunited with family he didn't know existed.
"Where is he? Where's my Nicks?" - Quinn
"Oh, my God, my little Queenie! What happened to you after they took me away?" - Nick
Nick and Quinn shared a strong bond as children, him filling the role of something like a big brother, always her protector, her safe place. After he left, Quinn's situation wasn't as pleasant, and she eventually lived with the devil incarnate until she ran away. As adults, Nick and Quinn's childhood bond is still there, yet it's obvious to both a different sort of a bond, one potentially even stronger, is growing between them.
"I'm not afraid of the dark. Besides, you're light enough for me." - Quinn
As Nick watches over Quinn, he loves seeing her in his home, feeling the rightness of having her there, while they share what's happened since they were separated, the loving family Nick was blessed to have and the terrifying reality of Quinn's life. They also start falling for one another, for the people they've become over the years. However, when it's discovered that Quinn's eyewitness account will help, they both know their situation is suddenly more dangerous. Anton will stop at nothing to take out anyone that could implicate him, and that includes the redhead that rescued his son, as well as Star.
Can Nick keep Quinn safe? Is Star finally free? Will she and Sammy be reunited? Will her parents and brother finally get their loved one back? Will Nick and Quinn explore the intense feelings rapidly growing between them? Will Anton get what he deserves? Is there a HEA for everyone?
One-click now and follow along as one young woman's attempt to escape the tragedy her life has become, desperate to save the only bright spot in it, her son, has her crossing paths with and reuniting the lives of two people separated as kids. This journey will not only reconnect a family who thought they lost a beloved member, and in fact end up gaining another one, but also will result in a new one beginning as childhood confidants discover their love for one another is merging into so much more than they ever expected.
I really liked this book. My intention was to start it, reading a few chapters before going to bed (that's what we all say, right? LOL), however, that did not happen. I had to know and continued reading until I did so. There were some dark moments in regards to what Star lived through, and knowing others in real life are forced into this horrible existence, as well as Quinn's childhood in the foster care system. Yes, there are wonderful people helping to care for the children facing this situation, and some, thankfully, find loving homes, but we also know the alternative is sadly true and that's the side we see through Quinn's memories. I enjoyed watching the love grow between Nick and Quinn, and Star finding freedom, starting a new and safer life for her and Sammy. I highly recommend it. I do wish we could see Star find happiness in the future as well. I'd love to see her have her own book, even if it's a novella. *hint hint* ;-)
**I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book.**
Quinn, a wanderer, is out riding, having just finished a favor for a friend, when she comes upon a fiery crash, and shockingly a toddler by himself. Knowing she needs to ensure the boy's safety, especially as she's now being shot at, she takes off, heading for the nearest police station. Upon arriving, a few detectives, including one named Nick who swears the woman looks familiar, sees her, the child, and the blood covering her. Quinn is able to share a scant amount of information before passing out from her injury. At the hospital, before she's taken into surgery, Nick is able to get a few more details from the woman, Quinn as she was able to tell the nurse her name. Nick also realizes that Quinn is a witness, one that's probably in danger of being silenced for good.
Nick learns from his boss that the Feds are involved and why, plus, that the witness will more than likely not be protected, leaving her vulnerable, as she wasn't able to supply "helpful" information. Nick, guaranteed guards in the form of fellow cops, at least short-term, informs his boss he plans on watching her overnight. As he waits, Nick is still struggling to remember why she looks familiar. All it takes is one name from Quinn, mumbled in her sleep, one he hasn't heard in almost twenty years. He knows who she is now, the background check only confirms it, and he can't help, after witnessing her tears while she's asking for him, the child version that is, while asleep, wondering what she endured after he was taken away from the foster home they shared, reunited with family he didn't know existed.
"Where is he? Where's my Nicks?" - Quinn
"Oh, my God, my little Queenie! What happened to you after they took me away?" - Nick
Nick and Quinn shared a strong bond as children, him filling the role of something like a big brother, always her protector, her safe place. After he left, Quinn's situation wasn't as pleasant, and she eventually lived with the devil incarnate until she ran away. As adults, Nick and Quinn's childhood bond is still there, yet it's obvious to both a different sort of a bond, one potentially even stronger, is growing between them.
"I'm not afraid of the dark. Besides, you're light enough for me." - Quinn
As Nick watches over Quinn, he loves seeing her in his home, feeling the rightness of having her there, while they share what's happened since they were separated, the loving family Nick was blessed to have and the terrifying reality of Quinn's life. They also start falling for one another, for the people they've become over the years. However, when it's discovered that Quinn's eyewitness account will help, they both know their situation is suddenly more dangerous. Anton will stop at nothing to take out anyone that could implicate him, and that includes the redhead that rescued his son, as well as Star.
Can Nick keep Quinn safe? Is Star finally free? Will she and Sammy be reunited? Will her parents and brother finally get their loved one back? Will Nick and Quinn explore the intense feelings rapidly growing between them? Will Anton get what he deserves? Is there a HEA for everyone?
One-click now and follow along as one young woman's attempt to escape the tragedy her life has become, desperate to save the only bright spot in it, her son, has her crossing paths with and reuniting the lives of two people separated as kids. This journey will not only reconnect a family who thought they lost a beloved member, and in fact end up gaining another one, but also will result in a new one beginning as childhood confidants discover their love for one another is merging into so much more than they ever expected.
I really liked this book. My intention was to start it, reading a few chapters before going to bed (that's what we all say, right? LOL), however, that did not happen. I had to know and continued reading until I did so. There were some dark moments in regards to what Star lived through, and knowing others in real life are forced into this horrible existence, as well as Quinn's childhood in the foster care system. Yes, there are wonderful people helping to care for the children facing this situation, and some, thankfully, find loving homes, but we also know the alternative is sadly true and that's the side we see through Quinn's memories. I enjoyed watching the love grow between Nick and Quinn, and Star finding freedom, starting a new and safer life for her and Sammy. I highly recommend it. I do wish we could see Star find happiness in the future as well. I'd love to see her have her own book, even if it's a novella. *hint hint* ;-)
**I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book.**
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