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Shark Bait
Mental health counselor Kate Ainsworth received the call from Det. Rayder summoning her to the beach. Never did she guess that the trip involved a client's head washed up on shore. Murder and mayhem ensue with Kate in the crosshairs. Ben Rayder is set to protect the woman he loves and track down the murderer, hoping it is her pesky ex-husband just so he can arrest the rich bum. Can he convince her to give love a second chance after devastating betrayal? But first, he must protect her from becoming shark bait.
308 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 18, 2017
6 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
May 19, 2017
4.5 stars rounded up!
It's been a very long time since I've read a romantic thriller. They're not usually my cup of tea, but I gave this one a shot when I read the blurb, since I'm a huge fan of police procedurals. Cop dramas, though everywhere on TV nowadays, don't pop up in books I come across much, so I was eager to pick this one up. It didn't disappoint!
The author crafts an intriguing mystery with clues scattered throughout the story in a way only talented mystery writers can. I've always envied that ability in mystery writers. It takes a lot of concentration and attention to detail so no plot point goes unsolved, and this is about as airtight as a piece of writing can get! That's what's fun about mysteries to me - they always tie up nicely. And it's not just about the mystery, either - Miller brings to life a great cast of characters. From the rich, bratty ex-husband to the motherly neighbor, every character brings their own weight, their own background to the story, so they all feel like very real people.
As far as the protagonists go, Kate and Ben were fun to follow around. Kate is strong, yet vulnerable - a balance that is sometimes difficult to manage in a leading lady, yet Miller writes her so easily, so she never comes across as too perfect or too damaged - just human. Ben is much the same way. Of course, both characters are not without their flaws, and each of them made me put the book down and face-palm at different intervals with a couple of choices they make. That's not a mark against the story, though - that's a testament to how invested I was in what happened to them.
My favorite aspect of the book, though, wasn't the characters or the mystery, but how well the writer handled the topic of mental health. Too often in books and movies people with mental health issues are made to seem like the villain (Split, The Visit, etc), when in reality they're much more likely to be victims. Miller presents us with the point of view of not only someone who's made it her life's career to help the mentally ill, but someone who suffers from her own demons, as well. And Kate spends the book advocating for her clients, weaving in small lessons on compassion and understanding. That, by far, is what really reeled me in. It was the cherry on top of already well-crafted characters and story.
All in all, it was a great book! I only don't give it 5 stars because there was a point in the story where I could accurately predict the ending, and I was hoping to be surprised. So half a star for predictability, but 4.5 stars is still nothing to scoff at! If you enjoy a good mystery, well-written romance, and nuanced characters, don't let Shark Bait pass you by!
It's been a very long time since I've read a romantic thriller. They're not usually my cup of tea, but I gave this one a shot when I read the blurb, since I'm a huge fan of police procedurals. Cop dramas, though everywhere on TV nowadays, don't pop up in books I come across much, so I was eager to pick this one up. It didn't disappoint!
The author crafts an intriguing mystery with clues scattered throughout the story in a way only talented mystery writers can. I've always envied that ability in mystery writers. It takes a lot of concentration and attention to detail so no plot point goes unsolved, and this is about as airtight as a piece of writing can get! That's what's fun about mysteries to me - they always tie up nicely. And it's not just about the mystery, either - Miller brings to life a great cast of characters. From the rich, bratty ex-husband to the motherly neighbor, every character brings their own weight, their own background to the story, so they all feel like very real people.
As far as the protagonists go, Kate and Ben were fun to follow around. Kate is strong, yet vulnerable - a balance that is sometimes difficult to manage in a leading lady, yet Miller writes her so easily, so she never comes across as too perfect or too damaged - just human. Ben is much the same way. Of course, both characters are not without their flaws, and each of them made me put the book down and face-palm at different intervals with a couple of choices they make. That's not a mark against the story, though - that's a testament to how invested I was in what happened to them.
My favorite aspect of the book, though, wasn't the characters or the mystery, but how well the writer handled the topic of mental health. Too often in books and movies people with mental health issues are made to seem like the villain (Split, The Visit, etc), when in reality they're much more likely to be victims. Miller presents us with the point of view of not only someone who's made it her life's career to help the mentally ill, but someone who suffers from her own demons, as well. And Kate spends the book advocating for her clients, weaving in small lessons on compassion and understanding. That, by far, is what really reeled me in. It was the cherry on top of already well-crafted characters and story.
All in all, it was a great book! I only don't give it 5 stars because there was a point in the story where I could accurately predict the ending, and I was hoping to be surprised. So half a star for predictability, but 4.5 stars is still nothing to scoff at! If you enjoy a good mystery, well-written romance, and nuanced characters, don't let Shark Bait pass you by!
January 30, 2019
I’ve read Nancy E. Miller’s two other suspense/romance novels, and by far, Shark Bait was my absolute favorite and falls firmly in the Romantic Suspense category.
Kate Ainsworth is a mental health counselor. She mostly enjoys her job, though her boss is a chronic headache. Unfortunately for Kate, one of her clients has washed up on the beach. In pieces. With two dead sharks. Enter Det. Ben Rayder, who is in the unfortunate position of having to call Kate to identify her client’s remains.
The situation grows more and more complicated as Ben and Kate reconnect and the danger to Kate becomes increasingly apparent. The pair has a history that didn’t end well, and Kate’s ex-husband is on the prowl to seemingly get himself back into her good graces. Can Ben keep her safe when more than her heart is on the line?
As I mentioned, this book falls squarely in the romantic suspense category, and I thoroughly enjoyed reading this. I read the entire book in two sittings and had to rearrange my calendar just so that I could sit and enjoy this fast-paced adventure.
Ms. Miller’s characters are well developed and multi-faceted. It was difficult to hit the end of this book because I really wanted to continue following their journey. Her world-building in this novel was superb. I think only one or two moments gave me pause enough to pull me out of the story for more than a moment. Plot twists were mostly surprises, though one or two were visible from a long way off.
Considering the plot of the book, I also give props to Ms. Miller for her deft handling of what could be very disturbing and graphic moments in the story. She’s handled potential triggers with a deft hand and dialed down the “gross”.
In short, if you only read one of Miller’s novels this year, start here. By far the best indie-published romantic suspense I’ve read in a long time.
Kate Ainsworth is a mental health counselor. She mostly enjoys her job, though her boss is a chronic headache. Unfortunately for Kate, one of her clients has washed up on the beach. In pieces. With two dead sharks. Enter Det. Ben Rayder, who is in the unfortunate position of having to call Kate to identify her client’s remains.
The situation grows more and more complicated as Ben and Kate reconnect and the danger to Kate becomes increasingly apparent. The pair has a history that didn’t end well, and Kate’s ex-husband is on the prowl to seemingly get himself back into her good graces. Can Ben keep her safe when more than her heart is on the line?
As I mentioned, this book falls squarely in the romantic suspense category, and I thoroughly enjoyed reading this. I read the entire book in two sittings and had to rearrange my calendar just so that I could sit and enjoy this fast-paced adventure.
Ms. Miller’s characters are well developed and multi-faceted. It was difficult to hit the end of this book because I really wanted to continue following their journey. Her world-building in this novel was superb. I think only one or two moments gave me pause enough to pull me out of the story for more than a moment. Plot twists were mostly surprises, though one or two were visible from a long way off.
Considering the plot of the book, I also give props to Ms. Miller for her deft handling of what could be very disturbing and graphic moments in the story. She’s handled potential triggers with a deft hand and dialed down the “gross”.
In short, if you only read one of Miller’s novels this year, start here. By far the best indie-published romantic suspense I’ve read in a long time.
May 19, 2017
Kate Ainsworth is summoned to the beach to identify a dead body by Detective Ben Rayder. One of her clients at the counseling center has been murdered.
As time goes by, they find out the dead man had drugs in his body, he was apparently a mule for someone and another one of Kate's co-worker's is injured and one is murdered. The link seems to be someone at the counseling center. Someone breaks into Kate's apartment,injuring her neighbor, Ben thinks Kate knows something that she just doesn't know she knows that holds the key to the hold thing.
The ex-husband come to town lurking around. Making both Kate and Ben uneasy and Ben jealous and he doesn't trust the ex.
As Ben and Kate search for answers while Ben tries to keep Kate safe as their romance blossoms, they get closer than they know to the truth.
This was such a great and exciting book! I enjoyed it so much! Nancy Miller is an excellent writer. I suggest you read this book. You will not be sorry.
As time goes by, they find out the dead man had drugs in his body, he was apparently a mule for someone and another one of Kate's co-worker's is injured and one is murdered. The link seems to be someone at the counseling center. Someone breaks into Kate's apartment,injuring her neighbor, Ben thinks Kate knows something that she just doesn't know she knows that holds the key to the hold thing.
The ex-husband come to town lurking around. Making both Kate and Ben uneasy and Ben jealous and he doesn't trust the ex.
As Ben and Kate search for answers while Ben tries to keep Kate safe as their romance blossoms, they get closer than they know to the truth.
This was such a great and exciting book! I enjoyed it so much! Nancy Miller is an excellent writer. I suggest you read this book. You will not be sorry.
March 9, 2018
Awesome, Intense Story!
Do not start this book until you have time! From page one to the end, it is non stop intense action! This writer is so good, you get sucked into the story, you become a part of it...and in the middle of all the action is a real woman who is strong, independent and stubborn...just like the detective...the same one she had a crush on in high school...and she was the same girl he had a crush on...so, in the middle of all this intense action, is a very sweet love story! This book has it all...but it, you won't be disappointed...tired maybe from staying up all night reading it :)
Do not start this book until you have time! From page one to the end, it is non stop intense action! This writer is so good, you get sucked into the story, you become a part of it...and in the middle of all the action is a real woman who is strong, independent and stubborn...just like the detective...the same one she had a crush on in high school...and she was the same girl he had a crush on...so, in the middle of all this intense action, is a very sweet love story! This book has it all...but it, you won't be disappointed...tired maybe from staying up all night reading it :)
May 25, 2017
This is a pretty straight forward romantic suspense. The writing is simpler than I would have liked, the plot nicely crafted. I found it curious (not in a bad way) that almost everyone Kate (the m/c) didn’t like was either guilty or ended up dead.
*spoiler*
The romance was nicely done, none of those weird moments you find in some books where the romantic interplay is wildly inappropriate. Everything ended in an expectedly satisfying finale.
*spoiler*
The romance was nicely done, none of those weird moments you find in some books where the romantic interplay is wildly inappropriate. Everything ended in an expectedly satisfying finale.
June 19, 2017
This book was great. When I think of crime romance, I also think of a good summer read, one to take with you to the beach. If you do take it to the lake or ocean, beware, you might be looking over your shoulder.
This book is well paced, with short chapters that keeps the pages turning. Kate Ainsworth is the main character and she is interesting and likable. Her main flaw is she is an overly trusting person, which is needed for her job as a mental health counselor.
This book is well paced, with short chapters that keeps the pages turning. Kate Ainsworth is the main character and she is interesting and likable. Her main flaw is she is an overly trusting person, which is needed for her job as a mental health counselor.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews