Psychic Selene Johansen is an excellent police investigator, able to determine guilt from the first handshake.
While her talent for fact-finding keeps her busy, her personal life is lonely. After all, who wants to date a girl who can read minds?
But Selene's consuming solitude dissolves when she learns longtime friend Brandon Price knows about her psychic gift ... and her secret love for him.
As their relationship heats up, Selene dares let her guard down, not realizing that a ruthless stalker is determined to put an end to the couple's passion... and their lives.
This novel has recently been re-edited, and with luck, any typographical and formatting errors have been eliminated.
Hello, I am Simone Beaudelaire, romance enthusiast, freelance proofreader, and novice author. In real life, I'm a wife, mother, and full time high school French teacher, which doesn't leave me a lot of time for my hobby. Of course, that hasn't stopped me yet. I hope I can connect with other readers of romance (and other genres. I love to read, and through my beta reading group, I have recommendations in all different categories.)
Watching Over the Watcher was a story that held potential; with a paranormal aspect amongst the romance and a storyline that held suspense in the form of a stalker, I was hopeful when I started reading. But what started out fairly well was quickly overshadowed by weak characterisations, questionable dialogue, what I perceived as not an exactly healthy relationship between the H/h despite the fact that they're in love, and a lack of attention to the cultural diversity of the hero who is Native American.
"Any time a person's hand touched her bare skin, she knew exactly what that person was thinking."
The story opens with Selene facing her first client as a newly qualified counselor: teenager, Maggie, who's just lost her mother and, despite her unfriendly reaction to Selene's gift, in time they become best-friends, undeterred by a seven year age-gap and not actually particularly noticeable as Selene is pretty immature. Fast forward a few years and she and Maggie's dad act on their attraction to one another and begin a relationship which moves at warp speed, and her insecurities and lack of experience are highlighted.
"No one wants to be with a girl who can read minds."
I tried to find reason and empathise with Selene's immaturity due to the fact that her mind-reading aptitude hasn't made forming relationships on any level easy for her, but on the flip-side she's now a police-officer, she's dealt with terrible, dangerous people and her gift has meant she's helped justice prevail time and time again. Yet she still has a child-like attitude and a naïvety which at times was just frustrating. She's 29, a virgin (a very clueless one) and dating a man who is 40, more experienced and her best-friends dad; I'm all for the older man but at times it did feel like she was seeking a father-figure rather than a lover. Brandon is constantly reassuring her, protecting and telling her what they need to do, and yes, I have no doubt it's because he loves her and he does have a gentle, patient nature, he certainly wasn't unlikeable, and he does coax her out of her shell, but at the same time it came over as an unhealthy balance as Selene just agrees with all he says and spends a large part of the book unable to make decisions for herself.
"I'll go to…my Aunt Karen. That's where I'll go. She'll know what to do."
That said, this couple do have chemistry, and the author has packed the pages with the sexual discoveries and the the stalker part of this story builds up throughout and was what kept me from calling it a day. However the conversational language between characters was either too nice and agreeable verging on saccharine or more fitting to YA, and their thoughts read unrealistic to the point where it was a little cringeworthy.
"He found her hymen, still intact. I wish it had broken some other time. It would make this easier for her. Now I have to break it"
As for the authors delve into diversity, she'd have been better not to. Descriptions such as excellent conditioning and exotic are used and they do not sit well with me. But of everything from this book that has frustrated, it's Simone Beaudelaire's afternote, where she says she's tried to represent the Lakota culture accurately, and apologises for any mistakes she may have made as she's "not Lakota and cannot grasp what it must be like to be one, although I like them very much."
*sighs* Please don't write about cultures simply because you "like them very much". We absolutely need diverse characters in books, but if as an author you admit you can't grasp it, stay far FAR away from it and let those who do know, who can grasp it because that's their life, write it. In one paragraph it's easy to totally dehumanise a marginalised group and that's hurtful and harmful. These are people not objects and when a POC character in a book could have so easily been white, then that's not diversity.
And all this is why this book gets one star.
Copy received courtesy of NetGalley for an honest and unbiased opinion. ["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>
I read Watching Over the Watcher about four times, and I loved it every one of them. Well, yes, I was beta reading, but that is beside the point. Or maybe it is part of it. I saw the story flourish and ripen. At this point I can honestly say it is mature love story, with the tiny details taken care of.
Simone writes amazing, steamy, love stories, beautiful in their own right, without botox or plastic surgery. They are the type of stories that you will probably not find mainstream, because they are original, they don´t follow the proven formula that sells. They come from the heart of a writer and fly free seeking their readers. The ones out there, waiting.
Watching Over the Watcher tells the tale of Selene and Brandon. They are very different, and yet, very similar. Selene works for the police, Brandon is a counselor. Selene has blonde hair and green eyes, Brandon is native American. Selene is twenty eight, Brandon is forty. And yet… there is something very powerful that pushes them together, a love beyond words. Selene perceives more than she would like to, and Brandon finds the way to turn her “curse” in a blessing.
Their love flourishes in spite of real life, and problems, and even a stalker result of Selene´s work at the police department.
It is a heartwarming story, with some mystery, amazing settings, a tiny bit of magic and plenty of sensuality.
Blurb: Psychic Selene Johansen is an excellent police investigator, able to determine guilt from the first handshake.
While her talent for fact-finding keeps her busy, her personal life is lonely. After all, who wants to date a girl who can read minds?
Selene's consuming solitude dissolves when she learns longtime friend Brandon Price knows about her psychic gift - and her secret love for him.
As their relationship heats up, Selene lets her guard down. What she doesn't realize is that a ruthless stalker is determined to put an end to the couple's passion... and their lives.
I was looking forward to this one as very intrigued by the premise of a psychic person in love and romance. Exactly how would someone manage a relationship of this kind? And indeed, for how long could a partner tolerate such intrusion into his thoughts? But I was not to be disappointed as the author adequately answered these questions in a delightful way
This is an awesome book. I like how things ended with Selena & Brandon. They both deserved some happiness. I printed the book so as to make it easier for me to read. I haven't done this much reading in a long time. I highly recommend this book. Awesome job Simone!!!!
I really enjoy the creative writing of this Author, Simone Beaudelaire. Her characters are very human and down to earth and the situations they find themselves in are realistic and believable.
The main characters in this story are Brandon and Selene. These two have known each other for about 7 years and have each carried a torch for the other. Circumstances changed and Brandon reaches out to Selene for company after his daughter moves out of his house. Brandon knows about Selene's gift of touch and her perceptions of the others thoughts and memories. Brandon is reserved and quiet, and he offers his hand to Selene so she will know how much he cares for her.
Selene is a cop specializing in interrogations; trained in social work she is an amazing asset to her police department. The story gets interesting and scary when Selene is targeted by someone and the mystery continues throughout the story.
"Several minutes passed while their mouths played and mated, arousing untapped desires, desires too long left dormant, too long denied."
"...the shy smile on her face warmed his heart. He couldn't resist laying his hand on hers, where it rested on the seat. He knew his intense attraction would be transmitted directly to her psyche. While she might be uncomfortable wit her gift, he was glad of it. Instead of trying to express himself with words, which were often vague and open to interpretation, he was able to communicate his actual thoughts and feelings to her directly."
Simone is quickly becoming a favorite author of mine, and I will definitely be looking for more of her book to read in the near future.
This book was gifted by the Author for an honest review.
Selene is an unusual woman. When she touches skin, she can read the person's mind. After a difficult start as a counselor, she is now in law enforcement.
Selene has had a crush on her friend Maggie's father Brandon for years. When the handsome Brandon deliberately uses Selene's gift to communicate his interest to her, Selene is surprised and delighted.
Selene doesn't get much time to float on the clouds and sigh in wonder. When her house burns to the ground, arson is suspected.
If Selene can't solve the crime in time, arson could escalate. To murder.
Simone Beaudelaire's Watching Over the Watcher is an entertaining romantic suspense. Ms. Beaudelaire also offers some deeper themes, including racism, stereotypes, and prejudice.
Selene is a police officer with a rare gift. She can read peoples thoughts with just one touch. Because of this she has never had a relationship until Brandon.
There is love, intrigue, danger and friendship, it's a great read and I look forward to more.
Noioso. Mollato poco prima della metà. Ma la cosa che mi manda in bestia è che ci sia così tanta diversità di anni tra i protagonisti. Addirittura lui è il padre della migliore amica. Bah, io vorrei che ci fosse un qualche spunto nelle trame. Non fa per me.
First thing to say about this entertaining read is that it IS a paranormal romance and suspense novel in one. Key word suspense. The author did a brilliant job of pacing the mystery in my opinion and achieved the desirable outcome of keeping me, as a reader, at the edge of my seat wondering what would happen and what was going on.
The characters: As a starring character Selene had her strong and weak points. I was rather fascinated by the idea of a psychic investigator. There were times I felt she was a little on the weak side emotionally but she more than makes up for it in time. Brandon is a very hot guy, and Maggie ended up being one of my favorite characters. she was a chick I'd love to hang out with! These were flawed individuals with human characteristics who made the mistakes true people are capable of making.
The relationship: Steamy. If you aren't prepared for steam and sex, this isn't for you. This is an adult book. I would have liked to see more build up, but that's a personal preference. The rest was freaking awesome and the plot twists felt wholly realistic.
The only negative to this book is that sometimes the dialogue felt a little flat. Easily ignored, as the rest of the story pulls you in.
The supernatural blends nicely into a true-to-life romantic thriller. This is a story that remains grounded in the real world while cleverly spicing up powerful police drama with an extrasensory component. The spicing up doesn’t end there either. Woven through the intrigue is a sweet romance that gets plenty steamy. If you think making sweet love can’t be sizzling hot, you might need to have a look at the way this author writes it…. Love and crime in a superbly detailed story that brings your surroundings into high definition. The hero and heroine in this one are regular people, as true-to-life as the romance and crime thriller they are embroiled in. Everything about this story reads real, true and classy.
Another home run for Simone!!!! This book is amazing from the writing to the characters themselves. This is the story of Selena a cop who has a 'gift' for making the bad guys confess. Brandon is her long time crush that actually has feelings for her as well. So what would make this situation hard???? Well for one Brandon's daughter Maggie is Selenas best friend, oh and not to mention there is a psycho looking for revenge on Selena. But no matter what is thrown at Selena and Brandon their love triumphs all the odds. This book is so touching in the way the characters help make each other better people. I couldn't get enough of them I'm a bit sad to have to let them go, oh wait I'm just gonna re-read it again!!!
What a great romance mystery novel that isn't all about the romance. But it is seeing the love blossom into a mature relationship. Selene was a great character with psychic powers and I could definitely read this book over and over again
Reading this author. I've had it on my Kindle for years. I'm really glad I finally found and read it. The premise of the story was a good one but the action scenes were only a few and too far apart. Waaaay too much sex! Coming from me, then you know I'm serious. They were like rabbits!! I would have enjoyed seeing her use her gift, on the bad guys more. We see what happens with the H and know pretty much everyone who knows about her gift, won't touch her. Which is all her friends, at the police station, but it would have been interesting, for more interaction, with strangers. This story had a lot more possibilities. It's too bad the author didn't play on those more. As for the end?? VERY anticlimactic.
I loved the story, hated the cover and title. It doesn't do the story justice. It was an interesting romance between Selene and Brandon. Selene is a police officer with an interesting gift and Brandon is her best friends dad. While their romance is building a stalker is causing problems. I really enjoyed reading it.
I enjoyed this book as a whole. I was very skeptical at the beginning because it seemed that the author detailed very thing (colors,walls, ect.) I thoroughly enjoyed the story though. I am saddened that I don't know the ending (if they lasted, about the baby and about Maggie and Jan) I
I was kinda all over the board with this book. Simone has written some amazing romance stories that I’ve given 5 stars too. But, sometimes she misses the mark. She likes to write weak female characters, which is fine for some, just not for me, especially when the character is supposed to be strong. Like a police detective.
Other reviewers belabored the fact there was a 12 year age difference between Selene and Brandon. And that the romance happened too fast. My husband and I were 12 years apart and we also had a fast romance. We were together 30 years before he passed away. That’s where the age difference rears its ugly head.
As for the story itself, I’ve always wanted some type of paranormal ability. But, being able to read a person’s thoughts and feelings with just a touch would suck big time. So, yes, I felt for Selene. It may be a gift but a curse as well.
There is also a mystery entwined in the story. It’s not an edge of your seat type of thriller, but it kept my attention. Selene is being stalked, harassed and threatened. Is it someone she previously put behind bars? I did understand the perp’s motivation, but I thought he was missing some depth. He felt more like an add-on.
Between the mystery, the romance, and the interaction between Selene and her fellow cops, I found it an enjoyable read. I give it 4 feathers.
I really enjoyed the story of Selene and Brandon. Selene is a police officer who uses her physic abilities in interrogating suspects and getting them to confess. Her physic abilities have not made her life easy. People tend to see her as a freak. But Brandon knows of her abilities and loves her even more for them, actually using them to communicate his feelings to her. As their relationship develops, a stalker targets Selene. She has no idea who the stalker is, just that he wants her dead. The author effectively conveyed the fear Selene has of allowing herself a relationship with Brandon and love that they have for one another. I would definitely recommend this book.
I acquired this book as it had a high star rating. I now wonder why! The idea behind this book was a good one, unfortunately I found it wanting. It read like a draft copy. The dialogue seemed unnatural and stilted. The characters unbelievable and didn't engage me. I found myself speed reading through the last half just to finish it. Sorry to say I found it boring and won't be reading any other work from this Author. What a shame.
The reason I bought this book was because of the touted abilities of the heroine. Little did I know there would be more 'amorous activity' than psychic activity. Would to see more of the latter and less of the former. It would be fantastic if we had people like this in the police departments to readily eliminate those who were innocent and know which ones were guilty.
More sexual than I like but nothing really wrong with it. Except I will never find baby as an endearment to make sense to me, especially considering the age difference. My husband is also older, but he doesn't refer to me with terms implying I am incapable of seeing to my own welfare.
This story was not as profound as some of the authors other stories. How these two blended together was very neat. I liked the age difference however most men who are older than me are dead! Oh well onto the next story.