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Black Raven #3
Concierge: A Black Raven Novel
"If you’re a fan of fast paced thrillers with phenomenal leads, sizzling romance and awesome secondary characters, you will never go wrong with one of Barcelona’s stories. Well done, Stella Barcelona! Very, very well done!!!” – The Reading Café, Review Blog
"Exceptional … It’s a slow burn, it’s a multi-layer story, it’s a multi-plot story, it’s a total and utter plot twist that I really did not see coming." – The Archaeolibrarian, Review Blog
From the back
The Concierge delivers anything…for a price.
A provider in the underworld of human trafficking, the Concierge fills deviant orders of an exclusive clientele with inventory collected from people who live on the streets. As client requests are delivered, a personal obsession with New Orleans artist Andi Hutchenson festers…until the predator’s quest is possession.
Andi Hutchenson lives in a world of fear-fueled shadows...
Two and a half years ago, Andi was kidnapped, tortured, and left for dead. Since then, crippling fear has ruled her life. Round the clock security enables her to leave her French Quarter home to paint the world around her, but Andi’s past is about to collide with her lonely present.
Gabe Hernandez believes his client is safe…but she isn’t. Protecting Andi is a given, but Black Raven Agent Gabe Hernandez is captivated by her and wants to entice her back to the land of the living. Yet with each tug on the lifeline he offers, Gabe is pulled deeper into Andi’s world, where the dividing line between imagined horrors and real-life demons is whisper thin.
"Exceptional … It’s a slow burn, it’s a multi-layer story, it’s a multi-plot story, it’s a total and utter plot twist that I really did not see coming." – The Archaeolibrarian, Review Blog
From the back
The Concierge delivers anything…for a price.
A provider in the underworld of human trafficking, the Concierge fills deviant orders of an exclusive clientele with inventory collected from people who live on the streets. As client requests are delivered, a personal obsession with New Orleans artist Andi Hutchenson festers…until the predator’s quest is possession.
Andi Hutchenson lives in a world of fear-fueled shadows...
Two and a half years ago, Andi was kidnapped, tortured, and left for dead. Since then, crippling fear has ruled her life. Round the clock security enables her to leave her French Quarter home to paint the world around her, but Andi’s past is about to collide with her lonely present.
Gabe Hernandez believes his client is safe…but she isn’t. Protecting Andi is a given, but Black Raven Agent Gabe Hernandez is captivated by her and wants to entice her back to the land of the living. Yet with each tug on the lifeline he offers, Gabe is pulled deeper into Andi’s world, where the dividing line between imagined horrors and real-life demons is whisper thin.
- GenresRomantic Suspense
432 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 27, 2017
118 people are currently reading
25 people want to read
About the author
Stella Barcelona
10 books254 followersStella Barcelona is now a full-time author but was previously an attorney and a history teacher. Her love of history and experience as an attorney influence her writing and provide a fertile backdrop for her romantic suspense stories.
Stella and her husband Bob split their time between New Orleans and Fort Lauderdale. In addition to faraway places, both Louisiana and South Florida provide inspiration for settings in Stella’s novels. When Stella is not writing, she is often reading. She also enjoys Pilates classes, loves Italian food, and has a thing for early mornings and sunrises. Stella and Bob’s two papillons, Sucre and Summer, are their “children.”
Stella's stories have romance, mystery, and action, as intelligent protagonists face dark adversaries. From her fertile imagination, Black Raven Private Security Contractors, the continuing character in her romantic suspense series, was born.
As Stella tells it, “Black Raven is introduced in Deceived and is featured in my other novels. The genesis for Black Raven was my experience with Hurricane Katrina. At the time, we lived in downtown New Orleans. Our condo was centered between the Superdome and the Convention Center, within easy walking distance of both. We evacuated for the storm, and lived in Memphis, Tennessee for the weeks that New Orleans was closed to residents. Before Katrina, I had imagined devastating hurricanes. I had also imagined floodwaters inundating the area. I had never imagined how quickly civilization would erode once a storm of Katrina’s magnitude hit, nor had I imagined the depravity that ruled the streets of my beloved city in the days following the flood. Because we did not stay for the storm, I was able to watch the news coverage of the horror that unfolded in New Orleans. I was glued to the television for days and nights.
“Later, I learned that individuals, business entities, and governmental agencies had hired private security contractors to protect people and assets to fill the void left by the inability of government officials to provide safety. When I returned home, I was the beneficiary of such protection. I started researching private security contractors, and from that research my fictional company, Black Raven Private Security Contractors, was born. Black Raven is called upon when there’s a wrinkle in time, when civilization has faltered. They handle problems that others can’t solve, and they do it capably, efficiently, and with confidence. They protect, when no one else can. It’s what they do.”
Stella and her husband Bob split their time between New Orleans and Fort Lauderdale. In addition to faraway places, both Louisiana and South Florida provide inspiration for settings in Stella’s novels. When Stella is not writing, she is often reading. She also enjoys Pilates classes, loves Italian food, and has a thing for early mornings and sunrises. Stella and Bob’s two papillons, Sucre and Summer, are their “children.”
Stella's stories have romance, mystery, and action, as intelligent protagonists face dark adversaries. From her fertile imagination, Black Raven Private Security Contractors, the continuing character in her romantic suspense series, was born.
As Stella tells it, “Black Raven is introduced in Deceived and is featured in my other novels. The genesis for Black Raven was my experience with Hurricane Katrina. At the time, we lived in downtown New Orleans. Our condo was centered between the Superdome and the Convention Center, within easy walking distance of both. We evacuated for the storm, and lived in Memphis, Tennessee for the weeks that New Orleans was closed to residents. Before Katrina, I had imagined devastating hurricanes. I had also imagined floodwaters inundating the area. I had never imagined how quickly civilization would erode once a storm of Katrina’s magnitude hit, nor had I imagined the depravity that ruled the streets of my beloved city in the days following the flood. Because we did not stay for the storm, I was able to watch the news coverage of the horror that unfolded in New Orleans. I was glued to the television for days and nights.
“Later, I learned that individuals, business entities, and governmental agencies had hired private security contractors to protect people and assets to fill the void left by the inability of government officials to provide safety. When I returned home, I was the beneficiary of such protection. I started researching private security contractors, and from that research my fictional company, Black Raven Private Security Contractors, was born. Black Raven is called upon when there’s a wrinkle in time, when civilization has faltered. They handle problems that others can’t solve, and they do it capably, efficiently, and with confidence. They protect, when no one else can. It’s what they do.”
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
October 9, 2017
Where are the Children?
I cut my teenage mystery-thriller teeth on books by Mary Higgins Clark, where the creepy, stalker-like villains scared me so much my heart would pound while I was reading. I revisited that terrifying vibe, complete with shudders, as I raced through Concierge, a much more twisted adult mystery-thriller with an equally compelling romance threatened by a sadistic villain.
The "raced through" statement in the first paragraph of this review is a bit of a lie. I nearly stopped the first time the Concierge appears on page. I was disturbed, disgusted, horrified. I was feeling every appalled emotion I am sure Stella Barcelona wanted me to feel. But since this is the fourth book by Barcelona that I've read, I was confident there would be a pulse-thrumming, rush-filled, yet original rescue by Agent Gabriel Michael Hernandez.
Gabe is the eternally optimistic agent with the great smile and the chiseled abs sent by Black Raven Security to placate one of their most valued clients. The agoraphobic Andi, who has survived hell on earth, is just as ticked off at first with her new guardian angel as she has been with the rest of her security team. She can't remember his name and internally assigns him one new moniker after another - Agent Can't-Take-A-Hint, Agent Obtuse, Agent Jokester. Meanwhile, Gabe makes it his mission to make an impression on her and get her to use his real name. He does this by calling her Boss - never Ma'am - using every synonym listed in Roget's Thesaurus. These early scenes are lively and smart and the reader feels eased into the sharp-witted dialogue between Andi and Gabe. Which is good, given the depravity of every chapter starring the Concierge.
This story is told in third-person omniscient point of view. I admit that it took me awhile to adjust to this perspective. It seems so many books are written in first person POV these days, that this classic style needed a mental adjustment by me. But I see why Barcelona used it. Every second spent inside the Concierge's mind made me want to scrub off my skin. It also builds the horror and the thriller aspect. Bad things are coming because you know the Concierge has it all planned. As an aside, the human trafficking component of this story is sensationalistic and over-the-top. Or is it? All I know is that there are unimaginable horrors inflicted on these victims and Barcelona doesn't pull any punches in the dramatic storytelling.
The narrative is filled with details. Partly because Gabe has told his team to, "Do a quarterly status report that includes details. Give me minutia. Stay alert." His highly-trained observant nature and Andi's artistic eye combine to provide a tapestry that is rich and complete. I felt enveloped in atmosphere as I read this book, and the New Orleans location as Mardi Gras approaches enhances this perception.
And then every so often there is this profoundly insightful statement that just takes you to the heart of a strong love story. "The currents in this beautiful river of a man ran deep."
There were a few hiccups for me, including the insta-love with a heroine who clearly had many, many issues to overcome. And then it went sideways a little more with the circumventing role-playing. Luckily, these nitpicks fade to the background as the thriller component speeds up.
Misdirection is rampant as secondary and tertiary characters are introduced. I love it when a book makes me go back to look at clues that I missed, and I did that more than once with Concierge.
I had to debate with myself long and hard about the star rating for this book. I wanted to mark it lower for how disturbed I felt given the human trafficking component. But in the end, I felt like Barcelona shed some light on a situation that is terrible and tragic while doing it within a masterfully manipulated romantic suspense novel.
4.5 rounded to 5 stars.
Book source: Kindle Unlimited subscription
I cut my teenage mystery-thriller teeth on books by Mary Higgins Clark, where the creepy, stalker-like villains scared me so much my heart would pound while I was reading. I revisited that terrifying vibe, complete with shudders, as I raced through Concierge, a much more twisted adult mystery-thriller with an equally compelling romance threatened by a sadistic villain.
The "raced through" statement in the first paragraph of this review is a bit of a lie. I nearly stopped the first time the Concierge appears on page. I was disturbed, disgusted, horrified. I was feeling every appalled emotion I am sure Stella Barcelona wanted me to feel. But since this is the fourth book by Barcelona that I've read, I was confident there would be a pulse-thrumming, rush-filled, yet original rescue by Agent Gabriel Michael Hernandez.
Gabe is the eternally optimistic agent with the great smile and the chiseled abs sent by Black Raven Security to placate one of their most valued clients. The agoraphobic Andi, who has survived hell on earth, is just as ticked off at first with her new guardian angel as she has been with the rest of her security team. She can't remember his name and internally assigns him one new moniker after another - Agent Can't-Take-A-Hint, Agent Obtuse, Agent Jokester. Meanwhile, Gabe makes it his mission to make an impression on her and get her to use his real name. He does this by calling her Boss - never Ma'am - using every synonym listed in Roget's Thesaurus. These early scenes are lively and smart and the reader feels eased into the sharp-witted dialogue between Andi and Gabe. Which is good, given the depravity of every chapter starring the Concierge.
This story is told in third-person omniscient point of view. I admit that it took me awhile to adjust to this perspective. It seems so many books are written in first person POV these days, that this classic style needed a mental adjustment by me. But I see why Barcelona used it. Every second spent inside the Concierge's mind made me want to scrub off my skin. It also builds the horror and the thriller aspect. Bad things are coming because you know the Concierge has it all planned. As an aside, the human trafficking component of this story is sensationalistic and over-the-top. Or is it? All I know is that there are unimaginable horrors inflicted on these victims and Barcelona doesn't pull any punches in the dramatic storytelling.
The narrative is filled with details. Partly because Gabe has told his team to, "Do a quarterly status report that includes details. Give me minutia. Stay alert." His highly-trained observant nature and Andi's artistic eye combine to provide a tapestry that is rich and complete. I felt enveloped in atmosphere as I read this book, and the New Orleans location as Mardi Gras approaches enhances this perception.
And then every so often there is this profoundly insightful statement that just takes you to the heart of a strong love story. "The currents in this beautiful river of a man ran deep."
There were a few hiccups for me, including the insta-love with a heroine who clearly had many, many issues to overcome. And then it went sideways a little more with the circumventing role-playing. Luckily, these nitpicks fade to the background as the thriller component speeds up.
Misdirection is rampant as secondary and tertiary characters are introduced. I love it when a book makes me go back to look at clues that I missed, and I did that more than once with Concierge.
I had to debate with myself long and hard about the star rating for this book. I wanted to mark it lower for how disturbed I felt given the human trafficking component. But in the end, I felt like Barcelona shed some light on a situation that is terrible and tragic while doing it within a masterfully manipulated romantic suspense novel.
4.5 rounded to 5 stars.
Book source: Kindle Unlimited subscription
September 27, 2017
Concierge. “A resident in an apartment building especially in France who serves as doorkeeper, landlord's representative, and janitor….” When one hears the word “concierge,” one thinks of an efficient individual, professionally dressed in business attire, greeting you with a warm smile and the job to make your requests become reality. In Stella Barcelona’s third book in her Black Raven series, the concierge in the title fields requests, but “The Concierge” wants to be satisfied too, demanding utter loyalty and devotion. When one thinks of this “Concierge,” the image conjured in your mind is of the Devil himself…..
Andi Hutchinson lived through hell, but in the two and a half years since her kidnapping and torture she lives within a prison she created for herself - when not in her French Quarter home, she is closely guarded by a Black Raven security detail. Although she paints scenes of New Orleans with with expansive color and emotional depth, her life is a two-dimensional charcoal sketch. Perpetually unhappy with Black Ravens agents, the company sends its elite superagent, Gabe Hernandez to smooth ruffled feathers with his notorious charm. But Andi only seems to get more ruffled with the presence of the easygoing, likable Gabe! Gabe feels a pull of attraction to Andi, knowing full well this is not a client to get involved with. When some of the young runaway teens Andi often sketches go missing, it is clear there are demons at play.
What a well-written, spellbinding book! From the first pages the reader is drawn into Andi’s world of daytime isolation and night terrors. I found Andi to be a stunning contradiction - seemingly emotionally fragile while in reality strong-willed and fierce! The gentle Gabe lives up to his Guardian Angel namesake - the easygoing hero who can, on the drop of a dime, turn into fearsome protector. And such a protector Andi needs, for with the appearance of Concierge, Ms. Barcelona introduces one of the most evil, depraved, perverse villains to grace a romantic suspense novel. The pacing was perfect, the suspense nail-biting and the romance…..*sigh* so satisfying!
Although the last two Black Raven books were terrific, something about the return of the series to New Orleans just sharpens the moments - it amplifies the characters actions, the parade scenes, the desolation of Pic’s long walk to his safe place. All while the Mississippi lazily drifts by, hiding its secrets and mesmerizing us. A++
Andi Hutchinson lived through hell, but in the two and a half years since her kidnapping and torture she lives within a prison she created for herself - when not in her French Quarter home, she is closely guarded by a Black Raven security detail. Although she paints scenes of New Orleans with with expansive color and emotional depth, her life is a two-dimensional charcoal sketch. Perpetually unhappy with Black Ravens agents, the company sends its elite superagent, Gabe Hernandez to smooth ruffled feathers with his notorious charm. But Andi only seems to get more ruffled with the presence of the easygoing, likable Gabe! Gabe feels a pull of attraction to Andi, knowing full well this is not a client to get involved with. When some of the young runaway teens Andi often sketches go missing, it is clear there are demons at play.
What a well-written, spellbinding book! From the first pages the reader is drawn into Andi’s world of daytime isolation and night terrors. I found Andi to be a stunning contradiction - seemingly emotionally fragile while in reality strong-willed and fierce! The gentle Gabe lives up to his Guardian Angel namesake - the easygoing hero who can, on the drop of a dime, turn into fearsome protector. And such a protector Andi needs, for with the appearance of Concierge, Ms. Barcelona introduces one of the most evil, depraved, perverse villains to grace a romantic suspense novel. The pacing was perfect, the suspense nail-biting and the romance…..*sigh* so satisfying!
Although the last two Black Raven books were terrific, something about the return of the series to New Orleans just sharpens the moments - it amplifies the characters actions, the parade scenes, the desolation of Pic’s long walk to his safe place. All while the Mississippi lazily drifts by, hiding its secrets and mesmerizing us. A++
November 1, 2017
Concierge begins with Andi Hutchenson believing that she’s seen a young woman kidnapped in broad daylight in the French Quarter, not far from her home. The Black Raven agents assigned to her detail saw nothing. Which causes Andi more stress because she doesn’t know if the agents are lacking or if she’s having hallucinations. Due to the fact that Andi is best friends with one of Black Raven’s founding partners, who still feels somewhat responsible for what happened to Andi, she is a high priority client. When she fires yet another agent, they send in Gabe Hernandez.
Agent Hernandez is known for his quick wit and his charm, but even more for his almost empathic abilities. Once he makes the scene, it doesn’t take too long for him to ascertain that there is more to Andi than meets the eye. She has basically shut herself off from society, the same society that she once enjoyed, almost to the extreme. But what makes her stand out for Gabe, other than being a beyond gifted artist, is the way she sees herself….broken. That is NOT what he sees. He sees a beautiful, determined woman who is doing her best to navigate through what’s happened to her and try and make herself whole again. He makes it his mission to get her see to herself the way he does: unstoppable.
Andi tries to resist Gabe’s charm. She’s never even known another agent’s name. He invades her space, almost daring her to fire him, which she wants to do, but for some reason can’t. She eventually starts to feel something she hasn’t felt for two and a half years….safe. Just as Gabe starts to convince her that he’s the real deal, and so is she, evil rears its ugly head and upsets the calm they’ve been striving for. As Gabe and almost the entire Black Raven team race against the clock to save Andi, all he can do is pray that she’s still alive.
Wow……….just wow.
Concierge is an intense story from beginning to end. Your heart breaks for Andi and what she’s endured. It will also beat with pride as she is determined to make it out the other side of what happened to her. Yes, there are times that she doesn’t think she’ll be able to do it. Yes, there are times that she second guesses all aspects of her life that led up to her being kidnapped and tortured. Gabe is just what she needed. Of course, he’s charming and all of that, but it’s his empathic side that allows him to see Andi in a way that she doesn’t even see herself. All she has to do is believe in herself and in his steadfast support. Easier said than done when you’ve been through what she’s been through.
I have to say that there are a couple of parts of this book that are very dark. One particular scene in the beginning almost had me putting the book down, but I will say that I’m glad I didn’t. The Concierge (character) is a twisted, perverse being and Barcelona held nothing back in her portrayal of that character. Thankfully, there are only a few scenes where we are subjected to the Concierge’s whims. With all of that said, this book is by far my favorite in the series, and that’s saying a lot. Intense really isn’t a good enough word to describe it, but that’s what I’m going with. There is also not a problem reading this as a standalone. If you’re a fan of fast paced thrillers with phenomenal leads, sizzling romance and awesome secondary characters, you will never go wrong with one of Barcelona’s stories. I cannot wait for the next installment. Well done, Stella Barcelona! Very, very well done!!! (p.s. Stella Barcelona, please tell me Ragno’s story is coming soon!!!!)
Agent Hernandez is known for his quick wit and his charm, but even more for his almost empathic abilities. Once he makes the scene, it doesn’t take too long for him to ascertain that there is more to Andi than meets the eye. She has basically shut herself off from society, the same society that she once enjoyed, almost to the extreme. But what makes her stand out for Gabe, other than being a beyond gifted artist, is the way she sees herself….broken. That is NOT what he sees. He sees a beautiful, determined woman who is doing her best to navigate through what’s happened to her and try and make herself whole again. He makes it his mission to get her see to herself the way he does: unstoppable.
Andi tries to resist Gabe’s charm. She’s never even known another agent’s name. He invades her space, almost daring her to fire him, which she wants to do, but for some reason can’t. She eventually starts to feel something she hasn’t felt for two and a half years….safe. Just as Gabe starts to convince her that he’s the real deal, and so is she, evil rears its ugly head and upsets the calm they’ve been striving for. As Gabe and almost the entire Black Raven team race against the clock to save Andi, all he can do is pray that she’s still alive.
Wow……….just wow.
Concierge is an intense story from beginning to end. Your heart breaks for Andi and what she’s endured. It will also beat with pride as she is determined to make it out the other side of what happened to her. Yes, there are times that she doesn’t think she’ll be able to do it. Yes, there are times that she second guesses all aspects of her life that led up to her being kidnapped and tortured. Gabe is just what she needed. Of course, he’s charming and all of that, but it’s his empathic side that allows him to see Andi in a way that she doesn’t even see herself. All she has to do is believe in herself and in his steadfast support. Easier said than done when you’ve been through what she’s been through.
I have to say that there are a couple of parts of this book that are very dark. One particular scene in the beginning almost had me putting the book down, but I will say that I’m glad I didn’t. The Concierge (character) is a twisted, perverse being and Barcelona held nothing back in her portrayal of that character. Thankfully, there are only a few scenes where we are subjected to the Concierge’s whims. With all of that said, this book is by far my favorite in the series, and that’s saying a lot. Intense really isn’t a good enough word to describe it, but that’s what I’m going with. There is also not a problem reading this as a standalone. If you’re a fan of fast paced thrillers with phenomenal leads, sizzling romance and awesome secondary characters, you will never go wrong with one of Barcelona’s stories. I cannot wait for the next installment. Well done, Stella Barcelona! Very, very well done!!! (p.s. Stella Barcelona, please tell me Ragno’s story is coming soon!!!!)
November 19, 2017
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.
This is book three in the Black Raven series, but you don't need to have read books one, Shadows, which was a 5 star read from me, or book two, Jigsaw, which I have NOT read but really REALLY want to! The characters pop up and take part in this story, but you don't need their stories to follow this one.
OH
MY
FREAKING
GOD!!!!
Oh!! Deep breath, Debbie, its just a review. Words, thats all!!
But!! Oh my god!! I loved this book!!
It's a slow burn, it's multi layer story, its a multi plot story, its a total and utter plot twist that I really did not see coming at me and I was like, say WHAAAAAAAAAAAAT did Ms Barcelona just throw at me!?!?!?
I mean, there I was merrily reading away, I might well have read this book in one sitting but for that darn dayjob, and its nearly 500 pages long, I was that engrossed! And then, THAT happened, and it was revealed WHO the Concierge was, and I was WHAT?? WHO??? NO???? I missed the clues, I must have!! But I went back, and there WERE clues, I just put them together totally wrong!! I launched the poor cat, sitting blot upright when I got to that bit!!
I felt for Andi, in ways she probably didn't want me to feel for her, but what she went through, what she has fought though to get where is?? Woman is STRONG!!! I loved that Gabe, coming into her space, was still Gabe, but within Andi's boundaries, mostly. Loosely. Roughly! He respected the boundaries she set, so long as it did not compromise her safety, and she let him in. Into her life, her home, her heart. I LOVED the build up to their main event, had to wait a bloody long time for it, I tell ya! But the built up was amazingly well written. I dread to think the amount of research that went into recovery times and reactions to Andi's torture and kidnapping.
But you know what totally made this book for me?? The bad guy. That bad guy gets their say, in the FIRST PERSON, while Gabe and Andi are in the third. But I LOVED it!! I must really have a warped mind to enjoy it when the bad guy gets their say, mustn't I?? But I mean! Come on!! This bad guy has been after Andi for years, and was thwarted when she was kidnapped before. This bad guy has waited for a long time to get their hands on Andi. This bad guy is seriously BAD in every single cell in their body! Bad guy has a very lucrative business that runs into BILLIONS of dollars, but the bad guy just WANTS Andi! And since I was totally off base with WHO the bad guy was, it was. . . . .like. . . . . freaking awesome!!
Zeus, from Jigsaw, plays a part here, and I want to go back and read his story, but only because I WANT to, not because I NEED to.
It does carry some difficult topics, kidnapping, people trafficking, forced drug taking, and other things that really would be spoilers so not saying, but it is extremely well written! Graphic in some places, quite graphic. *shudders thinking about it*
Because I can give it no other rating.....
5 stars
**same worded review will appear elsewhere**
This is book three in the Black Raven series, but you don't need to have read books one, Shadows, which was a 5 star read from me, or book two, Jigsaw, which I have NOT read but really REALLY want to! The characters pop up and take part in this story, but you don't need their stories to follow this one.
OH
MY
FREAKING
GOD!!!!
Oh!! Deep breath, Debbie, its just a review. Words, thats all!!
But!! Oh my god!! I loved this book!!
It's a slow burn, it's multi layer story, its a multi plot story, its a total and utter plot twist that I really did not see coming at me and I was like, say WHAAAAAAAAAAAAT did Ms Barcelona just throw at me!?!?!?
I mean, there I was merrily reading away, I might well have read this book in one sitting but for that darn dayjob, and its nearly 500 pages long, I was that engrossed! And then, THAT happened, and it was revealed WHO the Concierge was, and I was WHAT?? WHO??? NO???? I missed the clues, I must have!! But I went back, and there WERE clues, I just put them together totally wrong!! I launched the poor cat, sitting blot upright when I got to that bit!!
I felt for Andi, in ways she probably didn't want me to feel for her, but what she went through, what she has fought though to get where is?? Woman is STRONG!!! I loved that Gabe, coming into her space, was still Gabe, but within Andi's boundaries, mostly. Loosely. Roughly! He respected the boundaries she set, so long as it did not compromise her safety, and she let him in. Into her life, her home, her heart. I LOVED the build up to their main event, had to wait a bloody long time for it, I tell ya! But the built up was amazingly well written. I dread to think the amount of research that went into recovery times and reactions to Andi's torture and kidnapping.
But you know what totally made this book for me?? The bad guy. That bad guy gets their say, in the FIRST PERSON, while Gabe and Andi are in the third. But I LOVED it!! I must really have a warped mind to enjoy it when the bad guy gets their say, mustn't I?? But I mean! Come on!! This bad guy has been after Andi for years, and was thwarted when she was kidnapped before. This bad guy has waited for a long time to get their hands on Andi. This bad guy is seriously BAD in every single cell in their body! Bad guy has a very lucrative business that runs into BILLIONS of dollars, but the bad guy just WANTS Andi! And since I was totally off base with WHO the bad guy was, it was. . . . .like. . . . . freaking awesome!!
Zeus, from Jigsaw, plays a part here, and I want to go back and read his story, but only because I WANT to, not because I NEED to.
It does carry some difficult topics, kidnapping, people trafficking, forced drug taking, and other things that really would be spoilers so not saying, but it is extremely well written! Graphic in some places, quite graphic. *shudders thinking about it*
Because I can give it no other rating.....
5 stars
**same worded review will appear elsewhere**
April 21, 2019
In a previous Black Raven story, Andi Hutchenson was tortured and left for dead. Even though the culprit was caught and killed, Andi lives in fear. She hires Black Raven Security for round-the-clock protection, but she isn't the best of clients. After firing multiple bodyguards, congenial Gabe Hernandez is brought in to oversee her protection detail. Andi is frustrated by Gabe's smiling presence, but accepts him for the time being. When Andi's homeless friend, Pic, runs away and is taken, Gabe's search leads him to a human trafficking ring in New Orleans. Andi's only hope to find Pic and happiness seems to be Gabe.
This book was tough to put down. The story hooked me from the first few pages and didn't let go until the very end. However, I wouldn't recommend it for the faint of heart. There are depictions of physical and sexual abuse as well as drug use and attempted suicide, but I did find that those scenes were very appropriate for the story being told and even enhanced the emotional connections of the characters involved. Another winner by Stella Barcelona.
This book was tough to put down. The story hooked me from the first few pages and didn't let go until the very end. However, I wouldn't recommend it for the faint of heart. There are depictions of physical and sexual abuse as well as drug use and attempted suicide, but I did find that those scenes were very appropriate for the story being told and even enhanced the emotional connections of the characters involved. Another winner by Stella Barcelona.
November 3, 2017
Excellent!
Cherry Adair recommended this book, and as I love Cherry’s books I had to try it. I wasn’t disappointed. All of Stella’s books are excellent - well written, suspenseful, romantic, and heart-stoppingly thrilling. Once you get started you won’t want to stop! But if you haven’t read the previous books, read them first. Each book stands on its own, but if, like me, you want to know the backstories of some of the main characters, you’ll want to start with “Deceived” and work your way through. Very well done, Stella!
Cherry Adair recommended this book, and as I love Cherry’s books I had to try it. I wasn’t disappointed. All of Stella’s books are excellent - well written, suspenseful, romantic, and heart-stoppingly thrilling. Once you get started you won’t want to stop! But if you haven’t read the previous books, read them first. Each book stands on its own, but if, like me, you want to know the backstories of some of the main characters, you’ll want to start with “Deceived” and work your way through. Very well done, Stella!
October 8, 2017
Awesome, Intriguing, and Thrilling
This book like all of the Black Raven books is fantastic. These books are the most intense and thrilling books that I have ever read. This story is about Andi who was attacked in Jigsaw. She now has Black Raven security, but it’s not working out the best. Black Raven sends in Gage to get the job back on track and help Andi.
If you like awesome, intriguing, thrilling and well written books this one you really must read.
This book like all of the Black Raven books is fantastic. These books are the most intense and thrilling books that I have ever read. This story is about Andi who was attacked in Jigsaw. She now has Black Raven security, but it’s not working out the best. Black Raven sends in Gage to get the job back on track and help Andi.
If you like awesome, intriguing, thrilling and well written books this one you really must read.
December 28, 2019
Unbelievably good book!!!
I couldn't put it down, it was so fantastic. Edge of my seat... Exciting, suspense, not the typical stereotypical romance stuff that is super predictable. It is a little dark, but that made it so much more intense and believable. I really liked these characters and than writing was very well down. First time I didn't guess the villain at the onset in a very long time. it was nice to be surprised for a change.
I couldn't put it down, it was so fantastic. Edge of my seat... Exciting, suspense, not the typical stereotypical romance stuff that is super predictable. It is a little dark, but that made it so much more intense and believable. I really liked these characters and than writing was very well down. First time I didn't guess the villain at the onset in a very long time. it was nice to be surprised for a change.
December 8, 2025
Dark, gripping, and impossible to put down. The Concierge is a chilling villain whose presence looms over every page, while Andi’s trauma feels raw and heartbreakingly real. I loved the slow-burn connection between Andi and Gabe—protective without being overdone, romantic without overshadowing the suspense. The New Orleans setting adds an eerie richness that makes the danger feel close and personal.
February 9, 2018
Not my kind of book.
If you like books about sadistic sexual predators and trafficking in young people read it if not don't bother buying this. I wish I hadn't just a waste of money for me. I will be very hesitant to buy another from her. Some bks should have ratings on them. This would be xxx.
If you like books about sadistic sexual predators and trafficking in young people read it if not don't bother buying this. I wish I hadn't just a waste of money for me. I will be very hesitant to buy another from her. Some bks should have ratings on them. This would be xxx.
August 20, 2019
Such a great book/series.
This author knows her characters and especially the villains. Stayed up till 3am reading this one and I was not disappointed. Series just keep s getting better and better.
This author knows her characters and especially the villains. Stayed up till 3am reading this one and I was not disappointed. Series just keep s getting better and better.
April 8, 2020
3.5 stars
Again, this author’s books are a challenging read, but in a good way. The subject matter of this one may be uncomfortable for some readers, so be warned. But it was definitely a fast paced, romantic thriller.
Again, this author’s books are a challenging read, but in a good way. The subject matter of this one may be uncomfortable for some readers, so be warned. But it was definitely a fast paced, romantic thriller.
October 9, 2017
6 stars! Loved it! Action packed, fantastic hero, strong heroine and fast moving.
January 18, 2018
5 star!
This book was impossible to put down. A great story, thrilling plot, anticipation in each chapter. I highly recommend this book!!
This book was impossible to put down. A great story, thrilling plot, anticipation in each chapter. I highly recommend this book!!
September 29, 2018
Best yet
Truly a page turner, the story kept me up into the wee hours. And then, I dreamt about it. Characters are so well described and developed. Looking forward to next book.
Truly a page turner, the story kept me up into the wee hours. And then, I dreamt about it. Characters are so well described and developed. Looking forward to next book.
November 17, 2019
WARNING
Explicit graphic sexual abuse. Not for the faint of heart. That said, an intriguing story of those whom have survived such atrocities.
HEA of course.
Explicit graphic sexual abuse. Not for the faint of heart. That said, an intriguing story of those whom have survived such atrocities.
HEA of course.
February 18, 2021
Read this to learn about human trafficking but like in a fictional setting. Book was dense, and emotionally heavy read for obvious reasons. Interesting plot. Parental supervision advised.
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