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Rescues #4
Mentiras piadosas
Nada podría haber preparado a Jay Granger para la visita de dos agentes del FBI... ni para las noticias que le traían. Steve, su ex marido, había sufrido un accidente que lo había dejado gravemente herido y el FBI necesitaba que Jay confirmara su identidad.
El hombre que Jay encontró en la cama del hospital era prácticamente irreconocible. Seguramente porque estaba agotada y algo asustada, Jay confirmó que se trataba de Steve Crossfield. Pero cuando se despertó del coma no era para nada como ella recordaba a su ex marido. Además, no guardaba memoria de su vida junto a ella.
De pronto nada le resultaba familiar, ni su aspecto, ni su intensa personalidad, ni el deseo que provocaba en ella. ¿Quién era ese hombre? Y... ¿se rompería la pasión que había entre ellos cuando descubriera su verdadera identidad?
267 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 1, 1988
986 people are currently reading
1749 people want to read
About the author
Linda Howard
223 books7,171 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name.
Linda S. Howington is an American best-selling romance author writing under the pseudonym Linda Howard. After 21 years of penning stories for her own enjoyment, she submitted a novel for publication which was very successful. Her first work was published by Silhouette in 1982. She is a charter member of Romance Writers of America and in 2005 Howard was awarded their Career Achievement Award.
Linda Howard lives in Gadsden, Alabama with her husband, Gary F. Howington, and two golden retrievers. She has three grown stepchildren and three grandchildren.
Linda S. Howington is an American best-selling romance author writing under the pseudonym Linda Howard. After 21 years of penning stories for her own enjoyment, she submitted a novel for publication which was very successful. Her first work was published by Silhouette in 1982. She is a charter member of Romance Writers of America and in 2005 Howard was awarded their Career Achievement Award.
Linda Howard lives in Gadsden, Alabama with her husband, Gary F. Howington, and two golden retrievers. She has three grown stepchildren and three grandchildren.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 386 reviews
October 11, 2022
All the Nostalgia Stars
I originally read this in 1997 or 1998 as a teenaged high schooler. I ADORED it when I first read it and I have re-read it so many times over the years that my 1997 mass market paperback is falling apart from all the moves and reads.
As I've said before, I am slowly replacing (and then keeping both, let's be honest) all my classic mass market romance paperbacks with kindle editions...only about 100 to go still lol...and this was my most recent. Which, of course, required another re-read...
I love this just as much today as the day I read it. Classic Linda Howard is the shit Val dreams are made of, folks. My Linda Howard collection is literally one of my coveted possessions.
I originally read this in 1997 or 1998 as a teenaged high schooler. I ADORED it when I first read it and I have re-read it so many times over the years that my 1997 mass market paperback is falling apart from all the moves and reads.
As I've said before, I am slowly replacing (and then keeping both, let's be honest) all my classic mass market romance paperbacks with kindle editions...only about 100 to go still lol...and this was my most recent. Which, of course, required another re-read...
I love this just as much today as the day I read it. Classic Linda Howard is the shit Val dreams are made of, folks. My Linda Howard collection is literally one of my coveted possessions.
December 4, 2020
I have no life and I'm running out of LH books to read.
HELLLLLLLPPPPPPPPPPPPPPP!
HELLLLLLLPPPPPPPPPPPPPPP!
August 12, 2011
Rating 4.5
I really enjoyed White Lies, it was really good.
Jay Granger is not having a good day, for five years she has tried to be sexless to succeed in her career in investment and now due to doing her job so well and showing up the boss's son she is being let-go. She doesn't know what to do, how to pay her bills and then the FBI pays her a visit regarding her ex-husband Steve. Jay had kind of forgotten about him, her divorce was painless since their love was never that deep, Steve was a loner flitting from adventure to adventure while she craved stability. The FBI tells her that they need her to identify Steve as he's in critical condition.
In the hospital, he's filled with tubes and bandages and Jay can't be sure, then the agent Frank tells her that he has brown eyes and suddenly the man lying in the hospital bed is Steve and he seems to respond to her voice. Frank convinces her to stay for his recuperation and Jay does, she seems to feel a lot for this injured Steve who despite the pain is fighting for his life, who needs her comfort and presence.
What is very evident at this point is that there is something big at play, as the man Frank keeps reporting to is Kell Sabin and what I gleaned fairly early is that the man in the bed wasn't Steve.
When Steve gets a bit better it is discovered his memory is gone. Jay helps him in getting better and doing his exercises, by that time she loves him completely while Steve just wants to see her and wonders how he could have let her go and promises to himself that he would choose her over the job and not let her go again.
When his bandages come off, to her shock Jay discovers that he is the man she loves but he is not her ex-husband, afraid that if she speaks the truth out loud she will be sent away and that "Steve" is in danger since he is the agent presumed dead, she doesn't say a word and instead prepares to move to a safe house with Steve. She soon comes to the conclusion that Frank knows the truth but doesn't fault him since it is for the protection of Steve.
Steve on the other hand doesn't know why Jay balks at them getting married again or falling in bed, she tells him that she loves him but he may have someone else in his life, to which he says no while she tells him to ask again when he can remember, of course they don't hold out for long and end up being lovers.
I loved how Jay adored him but was still scared, when Steve's memory comes back he in turn is afraid of losing Jay since he is not her ex.
Lots of melodrama, passionate moments and a enjoyable book.
I really enjoyed White Lies, it was really good.
Jay Granger is not having a good day, for five years she has tried to be sexless to succeed in her career in investment and now due to doing her job so well and showing up the boss's son she is being let-go. She doesn't know what to do, how to pay her bills and then the FBI pays her a visit regarding her ex-husband Steve. Jay had kind of forgotten about him, her divorce was painless since their love was never that deep, Steve was a loner flitting from adventure to adventure while she craved stability. The FBI tells her that they need her to identify Steve as he's in critical condition.
In the hospital, he's filled with tubes and bandages and Jay can't be sure, then the agent Frank tells her that he has brown eyes and suddenly the man lying in the hospital bed is Steve and he seems to respond to her voice. Frank convinces her to stay for his recuperation and Jay does, she seems to feel a lot for this injured Steve who despite the pain is fighting for his life, who needs her comfort and presence.
What is very evident at this point is that there is something big at play, as the man Frank keeps reporting to is Kell Sabin and what I gleaned fairly early is that the man in the bed wasn't Steve.
When Steve gets a bit better it is discovered his memory is gone. Jay helps him in getting better and doing his exercises, by that time she loves him completely while Steve just wants to see her and wonders how he could have let her go and promises to himself that he would choose her over the job and not let her go again.
When his bandages come off, to her shock Jay discovers that he is the man she loves but he is not her ex-husband, afraid that if she speaks the truth out loud she will be sent away and that "Steve" is in danger since he is the agent presumed dead, she doesn't say a word and instead prepares to move to a safe house with Steve. She soon comes to the conclusion that Frank knows the truth but doesn't fault him since it is for the protection of Steve.
Steve on the other hand doesn't know why Jay balks at them getting married again or falling in bed, she tells him that she loves him but he may have someone else in his life, to which he says no while she tells him to ask again when he can remember, of course they don't hold out for long and end up being lovers.
I loved how Jay adored him but was still scared, when Steve's memory comes back he in turn is afraid of losing Jay since he is not her ex.
Lots of melodrama, passionate moments and a enjoyable book.
December 15, 2025
Great ending to the series~
Is this, objectively, a 5 star book? Maybe, maybe not. But
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🕮⋆˚࿔✎𓂃 𝐣𝐨𝐢𝐧 𝐦𝐲 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐦𝐲 𝐟𝐮𝐥𝐥 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰
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Is this, objectively, a 5 star book? Maybe, maybe not. But
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🕮⋆˚࿔✎𓂃 𝐣𝐨𝐢𝐧 𝐦𝐲 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐦𝐲 𝐟𝐮𝐥𝐥 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰
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September 17, 2017
3.5 stars. Very far fetched story but still very entertaining.
September 15, 2019
3.5 stars
Romantic suspense.
A case of amnesia and mistaken identity.
Altogether a little too fantastical but nevertheless a sexy and fun read.
**Currently available on amazon prime, free to borrow.
Romantic suspense.
A case of amnesia and mistaken identity.
Altogether a little too fantastical but nevertheless a sexy and fun read.
**Currently available on amazon prime, free to borrow.
November 4, 2021
4.5 stars
Holy fucking shit!!
This baby was gooooood...
I'll be very quick because I'm busy af today.
After the Night is still my fave from Howard.
This one, however, is completely different. I initially thought it would be packed with action to the fullest but that ain't the case. It's more like a twisted mystery romance, but good nonetheless.
Plus, we have to remember that it is vintage and when it was first published I was at the stage of playing with dirt and probably even eating it.
After all this time?
It's still better than some highly-rated contemporary "bestsellers" which we are being bombarded with from every darn corner.
But that's how you can recognise an awesome read.
This book is the shit!
There were some elements that I didn't like or understand, hence the -0.5 star but when I think of my level of enjoyment? Fuck yeah, I'll give it a 5.
Because I inhaled this baby!!
Highly recommend to harlequin lovers who also enjoy a darn good dose of twisted suspense.
Holy fucking shit!!
This baby was gooooood...
I'll be very quick because I'm busy af today.
After the Night is still my fave from Howard.
This one, however, is completely different. I initially thought it would be packed with action to the fullest but that ain't the case. It's more like a twisted mystery romance, but good nonetheless.
Plus, we have to remember that it is vintage and when it was first published I was at the stage of playing with dirt and probably even eating it.
After all this time?
It's still better than some highly-rated contemporary "bestsellers" which we are being bombarded with from every darn corner.
But that's how you can recognise an awesome read.
This book is the shit!
There were some elements that I didn't like or understand, hence the -0.5 star but when I think of my level of enjoyment? Fuck yeah, I'll give it a 5.
Because I inhaled this baby!!
Highly recommend to harlequin lovers who also enjoy a darn good dose of twisted suspense.
July 21, 2016
(Book 4 in the Kell Sabin spy series).
I liked this story! Old, but not too dated. A spy recovers in the hospital, brought back to the light by the voice and touch of a woman he's never met before. Near death, he somehow "knows" her at first sight, even though his eyes are bandaged and they've never met. She recognizes a soulmate in him, too, as they communicate through touch, scent, and finger tapping. She's good looking, but that's not relevant -- he's virtually blind for half the book. Sweet.
An intensely alpha male and a strong heroine. Setting moves from Bethesda Naval Hospital to cozy cabin in snowy Colorado. Not too much action, but just enough to keep the pages turning. This book was more about relationship, less about spy games.
Minor quibble: The heroine keeps a secret from the hero. At first, it was understandable and I sympathized with her dilemma, but the deception went on too long. There came a turning point in his recovery to physical fitness and in their developing relationship when Jay should have told Lucas (aka Steve) the truth.
The sexual tension builds through most of the book, ultimately yielding to sizzling sex in the snow and elsewhere (not nearly as graphic and explicit as what is published today, but hot enough for me). This book was written in 1988 -- a lot has changed in 25 years!
One of Howard's better old books. I enjoyed the entire Kell Sabin series, but my favorite is Midnight Rainbow. In this book, there is no mention of Grant Sullivan and Jane, but there is a reference to Kell Sabin ("The Man") and Rachel, happily married with kids.
I liked this story! Old, but not too dated. A spy recovers in the hospital, brought back to the light by the voice and touch of a woman he's never met before. Near death, he somehow "knows" her at first sight, even though his eyes are bandaged and they've never met. She recognizes a soulmate in him, too, as they communicate through touch, scent, and finger tapping. She's good looking, but that's not relevant -- he's virtually blind for half the book. Sweet.
An intensely alpha male and a strong heroine. Setting moves from Bethesda Naval Hospital to cozy cabin in snowy Colorado. Not too much action, but just enough to keep the pages turning. This book was more about relationship, less about spy games.
Minor quibble: The heroine keeps a secret from the hero. At first, it was understandable and I sympathized with her dilemma, but the deception went on too long. There came a turning point in his recovery to physical fitness and in their developing relationship when Jay should have told Lucas (aka Steve) the truth.
The sexual tension builds through most of the book, ultimately yielding to sizzling sex in the snow and elsewhere (not nearly as graphic and explicit as what is published today, but hot enough for me). This book was written in 1988 -- a lot has changed in 25 years!
One of Howard's better old books. I enjoyed the entire Kell Sabin series, but my favorite is Midnight Rainbow. In this book, there is no mention of Grant Sullivan and Jane, but there is a reference to Kell Sabin ("The Man") and Rachel, happily married with kids.
March 19, 2015
I've said it before. I'm saying it again.
"IF YOU HAVE A READER'S SLUMP, GO READ LINDA HOWARD."
The book is a refreshing read for me, even though I kinda guessed what will happen in the end. But nevertheless, Linda Howard is such a great author.
January 23, 2022
Steve Austin, astronaut. A man barely alive. Gentlemen, we can rebuild him. We have the technology. We have the capability to build the world's first bionic man. Steve Austin will be that man. Better than he was before. Better, stronger, faster. . . . [Cue Six Million Dollar Man theme]
Perhaps not an astronaut, but our hero STEVE is indeed a superman--not to mention superspy! Called back from a coma by our heroine's instalove and tender attentions, Steve overcomes crippling injuries (two broken legs, a shattered face and skull, punctured lung, eye damage, burns, you name it) in a couple of months, easy peasy! He's got our heroine pinned down in LH Neanderthal hero fashion in just a few weeks! The stamina! And he's got amnesia to boot! What's not to revel in here?
This book was so ridiculous and thinly plotted (particularly the McGuffin suspense subplot)--and you know? I didn't even care. Because I find LH's alpha-est caveman heroes to be hot in a totally un-PC, scratches-my-dommy-itch way, and I liked that her heroine is no dummy and figures out all the mysteries for herself. And LH keeps the story very strongly centered on the hero and heroine, which is what I'm there for. As in some of her other stories, the intense connection between the hero and heroine begins with an instant physical connection that is deepened by the heroine's intense care of the wounded hero.
LH can write some serious sexual tension and heat too! Now I don't know why certain scenes had to take place in frozen mud rather than atop a handily available Jeep, but that's Linda "my heroes and heroines like it primitive" Howard, I guess.
Was this a great book? Hell no--massive suspension of disbelief required and some pacing issues, along with an offscreen quickie resolution of the main suspense plot that was pretty laughable. Was this book entertaining? Except for some draggy hospital parts, hell yes! As another reviewer noted, it was like watching an 70s/80s soap--who needs realism when you have a crossover episode of Six Million Dollar Man and General Hospital?
Perhaps not an astronaut, but our hero STEVE is indeed a superman--not to mention superspy! Called back from a coma by our heroine's instalove and tender attentions, Steve overcomes crippling injuries (two broken legs, a shattered face and skull, punctured lung, eye damage, burns, you name it) in a couple of months, easy peasy! He's got our heroine pinned down in LH Neanderthal hero fashion in just a few weeks! The stamina! And he's got amnesia to boot! What's not to revel in here?
This book was so ridiculous and thinly plotted (particularly the McGuffin suspense subplot)--and you know? I didn't even care. Because I find LH's alpha-est caveman heroes to be hot in a totally un-PC, scratches-my-dommy-itch way, and I liked that her heroine is no dummy and figures out all the mysteries for herself. And LH keeps the story very strongly centered on the hero and heroine, which is what I'm there for. As in some of her other stories, the intense connection between the hero and heroine begins with an instant physical connection that is deepened by the heroine's intense care of the wounded hero.
LH can write some serious sexual tension and heat too! Now I don't know why certain scenes had to take place in frozen mud rather than atop a handily available Jeep, but that's Linda "my heroes and heroines like it primitive" Howard, I guess.
Was this a great book? Hell no--massive suspension of disbelief required and some pacing issues, along with an offscreen quickie resolution of the main suspense plot that was pretty laughable. Was this book entertaining? Except for some draggy hospital parts, hell yes! As another reviewer noted, it was like watching an 70s/80s soap--who needs realism when you have a crossover episode of Six Million Dollar Man and General Hospital?
August 10, 2020
White Lies
4 Stars
Series note: This is the final book in Howard's Rescues series focusing on a group of covert operatives. That said, there is no ongoing story arc, and the books can all be read as standalones (book #3 is actually only loosely related).
Unlike the first three installments, which are solid romantic suspense, this one is more contemporary romance with the action taking place off-page. That said, the format works in this case as the romance is the focus, and the connection between the hero and heroine is intense both emotionally and physically from the moment they come in contact.
While the basic premise requires some suspension of disbelief, , it is, nonetheless, entertaining and the amnesia trope works well.
Both the hero and heroine are likable characters, and Howard manages to just squeak by with the annoying keeping secrets trope as the heroine's reasoning is quite plausible given the circumstances.
Overall, this has been a very enjoyable series and I will continue with my read of Howard's backlist.
4 Stars
Series note: This is the final book in Howard's Rescues series focusing on a group of covert operatives. That said, there is no ongoing story arc, and the books can all be read as standalones (book #3 is actually only loosely related).
Unlike the first three installments, which are solid romantic suspense, this one is more contemporary romance with the action taking place off-page. That said, the format works in this case as the romance is the focus, and the connection between the hero and heroine is intense both emotionally and physically from the moment they come in contact.
While the basic premise requires some suspension of disbelief, , it is, nonetheless, entertaining and the amnesia trope works well.
Both the hero and heroine are likable characters, and Howard manages to just squeak by with the annoying keeping secrets trope as the heroine's reasoning is quite plausible given the circumstances.
Overall, this has been a very enjoyable series and I will continue with my read of Howard's backlist.
June 18, 2024
The setting at a hospital with a mummy-like bandaged patient with AMNESIA and a MYSTERIOUS identity crisis was straight out of those terrible daytime soaps of the 80s. For being a romantic suspense book that is part of a series of swashbuckling secret agent capers, the pace was seriously slow, monotonous, and dull. I enjoyed the rest of the Kell Sabin books, more or less, but this one could not hold my attention to the finish line.
September 21, 2025
4 stars.
I really enjoyed this story, it was a pretty unique read. There are some elements of mystery in this one, so don’t read spoilers if you can help it.
Safe, hero’s manwhore past alluded to, but there are no OM/OW in the story
I really enjoyed this story, it was a pretty unique read. There are some elements of mystery in this one, so don’t read spoilers if you can help it.
Safe, hero’s manwhore past alluded to, but there are no OM/OW in the story
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 10, 2010
Liked 1st half, did not like 2nd half.
I enjoyed their meeting and development of the relationship, but I hated her lying during the 2nd half. I did not like her reasoning.
DATA:
Sexual language: mild. Number of sex scenes: six. Setting: current day New York City, Washington DC, and Colorado. Copyright: 1988. Genre: contemporary mystery romance.
CAUTION SPOILERS:
They fell in love with each other but she refused to have sex with him for reasons I didn't understand. Later she said yes to sex. I disliked even more that she lied to him when she didn't need to. He had amnesia and didn't know his name. She knew he wasn't Steve but pretended to him that he was. As long as the bad guy thought he was Steve, he was safe from being killed and her presence was the cover. She feared he would send her away if he knew she wasn't his supposed ex-wife so she kept up the pretense to keep him safe. I believe she should have told him the truth. I know he was smart enough to keep up the cover without sending her away. Besides he was already in love with her. The lie was a crime to me and hurt the story.
I enjoyed their meeting and development of the relationship, but I hated her lying during the 2nd half. I did not like her reasoning.
DATA:
Sexual language: mild. Number of sex scenes: six. Setting: current day New York City, Washington DC, and Colorado. Copyright: 1988. Genre: contemporary mystery romance.
CAUTION SPOILERS:
They fell in love with each other but she refused to have sex with him for reasons I didn't understand. Later she said yes to sex. I disliked even more that she lied to him when she didn't need to. He had amnesia and didn't know his name. She knew he wasn't Steve but pretended to him that he was. As long as the bad guy thought he was Steve, he was safe from being killed and her presence was the cover. She feared he would send her away if he knew she wasn't his supposed ex-wife so she kept up the pretense to keep him safe. I believe she should have told him the truth. I know he was smart enough to keep up the cover without sending her away. Besides he was already in love with her. The lie was a crime to me and hurt the story.
August 3, 2010
I did a reread of Linda Howard's White Lies the other night because I needed a sure thing- i.e. the book you KNOW will make you fall in love with both the hero AND the heroine, as well as their HEA- also something engaging yet one I didn't have to think too much over! Linda Howard's oldies are all that for me... but mostly I read it because I needed a sure thing.
White Lies begins with the heroine, Jay, losing her job- a job she's worked her tail off for. Things go from bad to worse when the FBI show up at her door informing her that her ex-husband was involved in an explosion- one that involved a very important agent...and one of them is dead. (It is Jay's job to discover which.)
Shaken, she accepts- it's the least she can do for the man she once called husband and friend, even if she let him go long ago. But immediately upon entering the hospital room, her heart goes out to him- only he's so broken and bruised she has no idea if he really IS her ex-husband.
The man in the bed is just as drawn to Jay- even in a coma- but when he comes to quicker than expected, they are still at square one. He has amnesia.
Altho Jay comes to accept the convalescing man as her ex-husband, something is still very different- he's more intense, dangerous even, and there's one thing she knows for certain- she's falling in love and she'll stop at nothing to keep him safe.
Originally published as category romance in the 80's, The Kell Sabin Series by LH are some of all time favorite re-reads and they hold up even today!. I rec' all of them!
White Lies begins with the heroine, Jay, losing her job- a job she's worked her tail off for. Things go from bad to worse when the FBI show up at her door informing her that her ex-husband was involved in an explosion- one that involved a very important agent...and one of them is dead. (It is Jay's job to discover which.)
Shaken, she accepts- it's the least she can do for the man she once called husband and friend, even if she let him go long ago. But immediately upon entering the hospital room, her heart goes out to him- only he's so broken and bruised she has no idea if he really IS her ex-husband.
The man in the bed is just as drawn to Jay- even in a coma- but when he comes to quicker than expected, they are still at square one. He has amnesia.
Altho Jay comes to accept the convalescing man as her ex-husband, something is still very different- he's more intense, dangerous even, and there's one thing she knows for certain- she's falling in love and she'll stop at nothing to keep him safe.
Originally published as category romance in the 80's, The Kell Sabin Series by LH are some of all time favorite re-reads and they hold up even today!. I rec' all of them!
June 20, 2022
3.5
Lovely to read but the nits were strong enough that I couldn't give it more than a middle range rating. The tension was good, but the weak beginning and weak ending marred a bit the experience for me.
- The beginning:
- The end: after all the angst and drama I needed a longer resolution. You expected a bang and got a phtss.
-I'm not even sure why she lies too. Her reasonings is again pretty weak. I don't mind it, but again I see no reason why in Colorado she's not telling him the truth. Nor I see why she doesn't get mad when she realizes all the lies they feed her.
So, lot of nits. But I really enjoyed most of the book anyway :D
Lovely to read but the nits were strong enough that I couldn't give it more than a middle range rating. The tension was good, but the weak beginning and weak ending marred a bit the experience for me.
- The beginning:
- The end: after all the angst and drama I needed a longer resolution. You expected a bang and got a phtss.
-I'm not even sure why she lies too. Her reasonings is again pretty weak. I don't mind it, but again I see no reason why in Colorado she's not telling him the truth. Nor I see why she doesn't get mad when she realizes all the lies they feed her.
So, lot of nits. But I really enjoyed most of the book anyway :D
September 10, 2019
Two men in an explosion, only one man survives. Is it the FBI agent or Jay's ex-husband? The FBI call on her to identify the man, hoping it's her ex-husband and assuming the agent was killed in the explosion.
Jay hasn't seen or talked to her ex in 5 years and the man laying in the hospital has been badly damaged. The FBI talk her into staying with the patient since he seems to respond to her voice even though he may not end up being her ex.
I wasn't sure I was going to like this one based off the blurb but it was way more exciting than I thought it would be. I borrowed this on audible escape. The narrator did a good job with the characters and I would recommend listening to the audiobook.
Jay hasn't seen or talked to her ex in 5 years and the man laying in the hospital has been badly damaged. The FBI talk her into staying with the patient since he seems to respond to her voice even though he may not end up being her ex.
I wasn't sure I was going to like this one based off the blurb but it was way more exciting than I thought it would be. I borrowed this on audible escape. The narrator did a good job with the characters and I would recommend listening to the audiobook.
March 14, 2017
I really enjoyed this White Lies. The beginning was so different, with a hero who's terribly injured for a good 30%-40% of the book. His skull was cracked, lung collapsed, face and hands burned, legs broken so the first time the heroine sees him, he looks like a mummy, bandaged from head to toe. Not that he was totally out of it for a long time. Jay, the heroine, finds a way to communicate with him (even when the poor guy had a tube down his throat) but his strong will, sense of humor, and smarts come across. For me it was totally believable that she fell in love with him even before she saw his face.
The setup for the plot was a totally outlandish, relying on a mole AND amnesia! Jay knew something fishy is going on but she can't figure out what. As soon as she sees Steve's face, though, the light dawns and she plays along without telling anybody. I loved how everybody thought she was clueless while she was in the know for a good chunk of the book! (It was very satisfying how flabbergasted everybody was when they learned that she knew.)
I really liked the hero. He was sexy, smart and a total badass. Even having lost his memory, he didn't lose his skills - he realized right away something was going on - and his personality was so forceful. He also didn't play games and once he fell in love with Jay and realized she loved him back, he saw no need to wait to get married. Poor Jay had a hell of a time convincing him to wait.
The narration was good but nothing amazing. She had really good male voices but Jay sounded a bit too old to my ears. Maybe it's just me.
If there was something I didn't like, was that the confrontation with the villain was fade to black. What the hell was that?
Anyhow, this is probably the best book in this series. I don't know that I recommend every single one but this one is definitely worth the try.
The setup for the plot was a totally outlandish, relying on a mole AND amnesia! Jay knew something fishy is going on but she can't figure out what. As soon as she sees Steve's face, though, the light dawns and she plays along without telling anybody. I loved how everybody thought she was clueless while she was in the know for a good chunk of the book! (It was very satisfying how flabbergasted everybody was when they learned that she knew.)
I really liked the hero. He was sexy, smart and a total badass. Even having lost his memory, he didn't lose his skills - he realized right away something was going on - and his personality was so forceful. He also didn't play games and once he fell in love with Jay and realized she loved him back, he saw no need to wait to get married. Poor Jay had a hell of a time convincing him to wait.
The narration was good but nothing amazing. She had really good male voices but Jay sounded a bit too old to my ears. Maybe it's just me.
If there was something I didn't like, was that the confrontation with the villain was fade to black. What the hell was that?
Anyhow, this is probably the best book in this series. I don't know that I recommend every single one but this one is definitely worth the try.
June 26, 2024
4.25 stars
I thoroughly enjoyed this one. The amnesia plot and the alpha male MMC kind of gave me made for TV vibes, but in a good way? I really liked the FMC as well, she was a 'warm' character. Romantic suspense with a great external plot, the story did not linger. Audiobook was pretty good. I will be having look at Linda Howard’s backlist!
I thoroughly enjoyed this one. The amnesia plot and the alpha male MMC kind of gave me made for TV vibes, but in a good way? I really liked the FMC as well, she was a 'warm' character. Romantic suspense with a great external plot, the story did not linger. Audiobook was pretty good. I will be having look at Linda Howard’s backlist!
April 2, 2020
.
I revisited this one again. The audioreader was great (Lesa Lockford).
Still one of my fave romantic endings. Love Linda Howard's style!
................
Jay and Steve??
don't worry about it (the secrecy I mean), it's not what drives the plot.
Jay was having a horrible day, fired for being better at her job than the owner's kid. Then it gets worse when the FBI show up and claim that she is the only one who can identify her ex-husband's body.
He's not dead, but he's hurt bad and even his fingerprints are gone. After over a month in the hospital and being by his side the whole time, it's finally time to remove the bandages on his eyes...
The story isn't so much about whether Jay believes Steve is Steve, but if Steve believes he is Steve.
They leave the hospital and hole up in a cabin in Colorado that isn't on any official FBI/CIA/whatever list. There 'Steve' transforms from a recovering patient to a capable spy and devoted lover.
At times I wanted to smack either MC upside the head, but not to any great degree. They were both great characters and their love was steamy and strong like a big cup of Peet's coffee.
The ending is classic LH goodness and I could've read several more chapters of it. So not a quick ending but so good I didn't want it to end.
I'm not a big suspense fan and if you are, you will likely be disappointed, as that isn't the heart of this story but the framework that supports the romance.
Safety is good
I revisited this one again. The audioreader was great (Lesa Lockford).
Still one of my fave romantic endings. Love Linda Howard's style!
................
Jay and Steve??
don't worry about it (the secrecy I mean), it's not what drives the plot.
Jay was having a horrible day, fired for being better at her job than the owner's kid. Then it gets worse when the FBI show up and claim that she is the only one who can identify her ex-husband's body.
He's not dead, but he's hurt bad and even his fingerprints are gone. After over a month in the hospital and being by his side the whole time, it's finally time to remove the bandages on his eyes...
The story isn't so much about whether Jay believes Steve is Steve, but if Steve believes he is Steve.
They leave the hospital and hole up in a cabin in Colorado that isn't on any official FBI/CIA/whatever list. There 'Steve' transforms from a recovering patient to a capable spy and devoted lover.
At times I wanted to smack either MC upside the head, but not to any great degree. They were both great characters and their love was steamy and strong like a big cup of Peet's coffee.
The ending is classic LH goodness and I could've read several more chapters of it. So not a quick ending but so good I didn't want it to end.
I'm not a big suspense fan and if you are, you will likely be disappointed, as that isn't the heart of this story but the framework that supports the romance.
Safety is good
December 26, 2025
I don't read too much romantic suspense novels and I also don't typically read books published over 10 years ago however I adore Linda Howards writing style. She always gives me a run for my money 💰 in terms of angsty, pull at my heartstrings love stories. This book didn't dissapoint with the typical angst
This book could have been a movie, its perfect as a lifetime movie plot. Divorced woman is called in to identify her ex husband, who was a spy for the federal government after he almost dies in an attack with a killer. There was another man that did die and the men were similar in appearance. The fbi aren't who calls her says he's convinced this is her ex.
She's uncertain and his eyes are bandaged up but she becomes his caretaker in the hospital for months and he eventually regains consciousness.
Then his eyes are unmanaged and she knows the truth but keeps it hidden.
Then she's sent to live with this man she's grown to love ❤️ for a few months..knowing its dangerous to give him her whole heart and body.
I definitely liked the suspense mixed with the development of their love ❤️ story.
This book could have been a movie, its perfect as a lifetime movie plot. Divorced woman is called in to identify her ex husband, who was a spy for the federal government after he almost dies in an attack with a killer. There was another man that did die and the men were similar in appearance. The fbi aren't who calls her says he's convinced this is her ex.
She's uncertain and his eyes are bandaged up but she becomes his caretaker in the hospital for months and he eventually regains consciousness.
Then his eyes are unmanaged and she knows the truth but keeps it hidden.
Then she's sent to live with this man she's grown to love ❤️ for a few months..knowing its dangerous to give him her whole heart and body.
I definitely liked the suspense mixed with the development of their love ❤️ story.
January 8, 2013
One of my all time favorite Linda Howard books.
January 22, 2014
Perfect. Love love love this. Definitely going to read the rest of the series. Yes!
I don't know if this one was romantic suspense though. It didn't seem too suspenseful...
I don't know if this one was romantic suspense though. It didn't seem too suspenseful...
March 26, 2017
You can find this review in English below.
Yo no llamaría a esto un suspense romántico. El suspense es inexistente o penoso, lo dejo a tu elección. Y el resto de la historia es difícil de creer. Es muy complicado engancharse a ella, yo lo he intentado pero me ha sido imposible, es uno de esos casos en lo que te cuentan algo pero ni lo ves ni lo sientes.
La historia ha sido muy predecible. Tenemos a Jay, a Steve, la amnesia y mentiras, muchas mentiras que la autora repetidamente nos intenta explicar pero que en realidad no se las cree ni ella. El principio de la historia estuvo muy entretenido, el inicio de la relación entre ambos protagonistas es interesante aunque seguía habiendo algo que no me cuadraba. Esa relación rozaba peligrosamente la codependencia y no el amor, pero bueno, se podía entender. Previsiblemente todo se viene abajo en cuanto Steve sale del coma y empiezan a aparecer clichés hasta de debajo de las piedras.
Steve es el típico (e insufrible) macho alfa que no entiende ni respeta que otra persona piense diferente a él. Es manipulador y también miente, pero ¿adivina qué? Él no perdona la mentira.
Y Jay está incómodamente cerca de ser una pusilánime para mi tranquilidad mental.
Total, que ya te puedes imaginar cómo acaba la cosa: todo el mundo miente, por razones que no se sostienen, pero no todo el mundo perdona las mentiras de igual manera=ridícula fuente de problemas. Después tenemos la estúpida “voy a perder más tiempo en no explicarte porqué te abandono y te dejo literalmente tirada y emocionalmente hundida” que en “darte un beso y pedirte que confíes en mí y en que volveré a buscarte en cuanto todo haya acabado”, por decir algo…
Y no me hagas hablar del sexo: brusco y desagradable. Apostaría mi dinero a que la señora Howard no ha estado en una cabaña en Colorado durante el invierno en su vida. Porque esa escenita en la que f****n por primera vez (perdón por la vulgaridad pero no podía llamar a eso hacer el amor) da asquito. ¿Sabes que hay en el suelo cuando los primeros rayos de sol derriten toda la nieve del invierno en medio de la naturaleza salvaje? Barro. Que será muy bueno para la piel y todo lo que tú quieras, pero es desagradable. O será que no soy muy aventurera en ese aspecto porque sólo podía pensar en la ducha de después.
Y para terminar la explicación de porqué esto no es un suspense: la autora resuelve todo fuera de página. Un minuto los protagonistas están corriendo porque los malos vienen y al siguiente el héroe aparece con las manos ensangrentadas y dice ya acabó todo. Sip. Y punto pelota. No hay explicaciones, ni sabemos qué pasó en un principio, ni el porqué de toda la trama ni cómo ni cuándo, ni dónde ni para qué. Creo, sinceramente, que esta mujer se ha quedado conmigo.
***
I would not call this story a romantic suspense. The suspense is nonexistent or painful, I leave it to your choice. And the rest of the story is hard to believe. It is very complicated to be invested in it, I have tried but it has been impossible, is one of those cases in which there is more tell than show.
The story has been so predictable. We have Jay, Steve, amnesia and lies, a lot of lies that the author repeatedly tries to explain to us but even she can hardly believe them. The beginning of the story was so entertaining, the relationship between the MC´s is interesting, although there was something that did not felt right. That relationship was dangerously closer to codependency than to love, but, well, it could be understood. Predictably everything comes down as soon as Steve wake up from the coma and clichés start to appear everywhere.
Steve is the typical (and insufferable) alpha male who does not understand or respect someone else who thinks differently to him. He is manipulative and also lies, but guess what? He does not forgive the lies.
And Jay is uncomfortably close to being a pusillanimous for my peace of mind.
In short, you can already guess how the thing ends: everyone lies, for reasons that are not sustainable, but not everyone forgives the lies in the same way = ridiculous source of conflict. Then we have the stupid " I'm going to waste more time on no explaining to you why I abandon you and leave you thinking the worst of you " that in " I kiss you and ask you to trust me and that I will come back to you when everything is over ", to say something ...
And do not make me talk about the sex: rough and disgusting. I'd bet my money that Mrs. Howard has not been in a cabin in Colorado during the winter in all her life. Because that scene in which they f **k for the first time (sorry for the vulgarity but I could not call that to make love) was gross. Do you know what's on the ground when the first rays of sunlight melt all winter´s snow in the midst of wild nature? Mud. It will be good for the skin and all that, but it is gross. Or maybe it is that I'm not very adventurous in that department because I could only think about taking a shower.
And finally the explanation of why this is not a suspense: the author resolves everything off page. One minute the MC´s are running because the bad guys (or so we are made to believe) are coming and the next one the hero appears with bloody hands and says it's all over. Sip. That´s all folks. There is no explanation, we neither know what happened, nor why nor how nor when nor where nor for what. Honestly, are you kidding me?
Yo no llamaría a esto un suspense romántico. El suspense es inexistente o penoso, lo dejo a tu elección. Y el resto de la historia es difícil de creer. Es muy complicado engancharse a ella, yo lo he intentado pero me ha sido imposible, es uno de esos casos en lo que te cuentan algo pero ni lo ves ni lo sientes.
La historia ha sido muy predecible. Tenemos a Jay, a Steve, la amnesia y mentiras, muchas mentiras que la autora repetidamente nos intenta explicar pero que en realidad no se las cree ni ella. El principio de la historia estuvo muy entretenido, el inicio de la relación entre ambos protagonistas es interesante aunque seguía habiendo algo que no me cuadraba. Esa relación rozaba peligrosamente la codependencia y no el amor, pero bueno, se podía entender. Previsiblemente todo se viene abajo en cuanto Steve sale del coma y empiezan a aparecer clichés hasta de debajo de las piedras.
Steve es el típico (e insufrible) macho alfa que no entiende ni respeta que otra persona piense diferente a él. Es manipulador y también miente, pero ¿adivina qué? Él no perdona la mentira.
Y Jay está incómodamente cerca de ser una pusilánime para mi tranquilidad mental.
Total, que ya te puedes imaginar cómo acaba la cosa: todo el mundo miente, por razones que no se sostienen, pero no todo el mundo perdona las mentiras de igual manera=ridícula fuente de problemas. Después tenemos la estúpida “voy a perder más tiempo en no explicarte porqué te abandono y te dejo literalmente tirada y emocionalmente hundida” que en “darte un beso y pedirte que confíes en mí y en que volveré a buscarte en cuanto todo haya acabado”, por decir algo…
Y no me hagas hablar del sexo: brusco y desagradable. Apostaría mi dinero a que la señora Howard no ha estado en una cabaña en Colorado durante el invierno en su vida. Porque esa escenita en la que f****n por primera vez (perdón por la vulgaridad pero no podía llamar a eso hacer el amor) da asquito. ¿Sabes que hay en el suelo cuando los primeros rayos de sol derriten toda la nieve del invierno en medio de la naturaleza salvaje? Barro. Que será muy bueno para la piel y todo lo que tú quieras, pero es desagradable. O será que no soy muy aventurera en ese aspecto porque sólo podía pensar en la ducha de después.
Y para terminar la explicación de porqué esto no es un suspense: la autora resuelve todo fuera de página. Un minuto los protagonistas están corriendo porque los malos vienen y al siguiente el héroe aparece con las manos ensangrentadas y dice ya acabó todo. Sip. Y punto pelota. No hay explicaciones, ni sabemos qué pasó en un principio, ni el porqué de toda la trama ni cómo ni cuándo, ni dónde ni para qué. Creo, sinceramente, que esta mujer se ha quedado conmigo.
***
I would not call this story a romantic suspense. The suspense is nonexistent or painful, I leave it to your choice. And the rest of the story is hard to believe. It is very complicated to be invested in it, I have tried but it has been impossible, is one of those cases in which there is more tell than show.
The story has been so predictable. We have Jay, Steve, amnesia and lies, a lot of lies that the author repeatedly tries to explain to us but even she can hardly believe them. The beginning of the story was so entertaining, the relationship between the MC´s is interesting, although there was something that did not felt right. That relationship was dangerously closer to codependency than to love, but, well, it could be understood. Predictably everything comes down as soon as Steve wake up from the coma and clichés start to appear everywhere.
Steve is the typical (and insufferable) alpha male who does not understand or respect someone else who thinks differently to him. He is manipulative and also lies, but guess what? He does not forgive the lies.
And Jay is uncomfortably close to being a pusillanimous for my peace of mind.
In short, you can already guess how the thing ends: everyone lies, for reasons that are not sustainable, but not everyone forgives the lies in the same way = ridiculous source of conflict. Then we have the stupid " I'm going to waste more time on no explaining to you why I abandon you and leave you thinking the worst of you " that in " I kiss you and ask you to trust me and that I will come back to you when everything is over ", to say something ...
And do not make me talk about the sex: rough and disgusting. I'd bet my money that Mrs. Howard has not been in a cabin in Colorado during the winter in all her life. Because that scene in which they f **k for the first time (sorry for the vulgarity but I could not call that to make love) was gross. Do you know what's on the ground when the first rays of sunlight melt all winter´s snow in the midst of wild nature? Mud. It will be good for the skin and all that, but it is gross. Or maybe it is that I'm not very adventurous in that department because I could only think about taking a shower.
And finally the explanation of why this is not a suspense: the author resolves everything off page. One minute the MC´s are running because the bad guys (or so we are made to believe) are coming and the next one the hero appears with bloody hands and says it's all over. Sip. That´s all folks. There is no explanation, we neither know what happened, nor why nor how nor when nor where nor for what. Honestly, are you kidding me?
September 14, 2015
Overall rating: 5 stars!
Triggers:
Cheating:
Love triangle:
Intimate pasts:
Sex with om/ow:
Push/pull:
HEA:
My review:
I absolutely loved this book. I loved how there was just the right amount of sexual tension, sex and suspense. The premise of this story was something that I feel like isn't too overdone. I feel like I am going to go on a Linda Howard binge LOL!
Triggers:
Cheating:
Love triangle:
Intimate pasts:
Sex with om/ow:
Push/pull:
HEA:
My review:
I absolutely loved this book. I loved how there was just the right amount of sexual tension, sex and suspense. The premise of this story was something that I feel like isn't too overdone. I feel like I am going to go on a Linda Howard binge LOL!
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December 28, 2018
ONE LINE REVIEW
Jay and 'Steve' felt like cardboard cut-out characters and the plot was thinner than paper.
[Blog] - [Bookstagram]
Jay and 'Steve' felt like cardboard cut-out characters and the plot was thinner than paper.
[Blog] - [Bookstagram]
June 10, 2016
I just love it when a book pulls me in to the point I completely forget about time! I absorbed this one in a single setting. There was something special about the connection between Lucas and Jay that drew me in. Linda Howard excels at making her couples emotionally rich and this one gets it right! I loved Jay's strength and her commitment, even though she was facing a lot of her own issues during Steve's rehabilitation. By being there for him when he needed her, I believe it enhanced their relationship tremendously, increasing the intimacy and suspense during the last half of the book. Very enjoyable!
March 2, 2016
I keep thinking about how this book ticked me off. I lowered my rating b/c 3 stars was too generous
2.25 stars
I really liked the first half but than it went down hill fast. Plot holes were annoying & scenes that were important to the story outside of the romance were cut. Book was 1st published in 1988 so the H is more cold. I thought he would of soften but didn't happen.
The sex scenes were blah & sad.
2.25 stars
I really liked the first half but than it went down hill fast. Plot holes were annoying & scenes that were important to the story outside of the romance were cut. Book was 1st published in 1988 so the H is more cold. I thought he would of soften but didn't happen.
The sex scenes were blah & sad.
January 28, 2018
I didn't even realize I had not read this one. I've read the 3 others but this one escaped me some how. I liked both the H & h. The story may be a little out there but who knows what really goes on in this world :)
July 28, 2015
Now, that’s more like it! Thank goodness ... I really enjoyed the first two books in this series (especially the first) and number three was a real let down, so it was with trepidation I opened this one. Thank goodness it was up with the first two. You could almost play the game Which One Isn’t Like the Other One with this series, seeing as how book three truly stands out as not being like the others, almost to the point you think it’s a different author ... the style of book ie. secret agent type book it isn’t as are the other three, the writing was so below par I had to check it was actually Linda Howard on the cover, and why is it actually in this series at all?
This book was much more in line with the first two and back to the wonderful writing of Linda Howard as it should be and back to secret agents.
This book kept my attention right from the first page, right to the end. I enjoyed it a lot. Apart from book three which was a real stinker, this series is a very good read.
This book was much more in line with the first two and back to the wonderful writing of Linda Howard as it should be and back to secret agents.
This book kept my attention right from the first page, right to the end. I enjoyed it a lot. Apart from book three which was a real stinker, this series is a very good read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 386 reviews