What do you think?
Rate this book
Love and Light #5
Blindsight
A young girl is missing, and her only hope is a blind woman who can see through her eyes...
Eight-year-old Phaedra Burns has been kidnapped by a madman who believes her sacrifice will assuage his rage. Olivia Howe knows that rage; sixteen years ago, she escaped his clutches. The psychological trauma stole her sight but gave her something in return: a psychic connection to abducted children. Now, that connection is Phaedra’s only hope, if Olivia can face the terrors of her past — and an inescapable new nightmare.
Phaedra’s kidnapping is the case that could push Detective Max Callahan over the edge. Especially when his key witness — or suspect — is a beautiful blind woman with a crazy claim. But her fragile beauty isn’t the only thing that draws him to her. And as their lives and passion twist together, a killer stalks their every move.
Eight-year-old Phaedra Burns has been kidnapped by a madman who believes her sacrifice will assuage his rage. Olivia Howe knows that rage; sixteen years ago, she escaped his clutches. The psychological trauma stole her sight but gave her something in return: a psychic connection to abducted children. Now, that connection is Phaedra’s only hope, if Olivia can face the terrors of her past — and an inescapable new nightmare.
Phaedra’s kidnapping is the case that could push Detective Max Callahan over the edge. Especially when his key witness — or suspect — is a beautiful blind woman with a crazy claim. But her fragile beauty isn’t the only thing that draws him to her. And as their lives and passion twist together, a killer stalks their every move.
437 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 13, 2002
107 people are currently reading
425 people want to read
About the author
Tina Wainscott
57 books276 followersTina Wainscott is the USA Today bestselling author of over thirty books with romantic thrills and suspenseful chills. A happy ending is a must, but the road to it is full of ravines and shaky bridges.
As Jaime Rush, Tina is the author of the Hidden series, featuring humans with the essence of dragons, angels, and magic, and the award-winning Offspring series, about psychic abilities and government conspiracies. www.jaimerush.com.
As Jaime Rush, Tina is the author of the Hidden series, featuring humans with the essence of dragons, angels, and magic, and the award-winning Offspring series, about psychic abilities and government conspiracies. www.jaimerush.com.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
August 14, 2014
The first I've read by this author. I really liked it and will read more of her in the future. There was a good balance between the suspense and romance and lots of interesting twists in the story.
July 5, 2019
Blindsight started interesting but that all went downhill with crazy situations and weird twists, one after the other.
My first problem was with the two cops in charge of the case - Max and Sam.
Detective /Police novels aren't my thing but I've read enough of them to know cops shouldn't act they way Max and Sam do.
They're both on the opposite ends of the scale with Max instinctively trusting Olivia and Sam treating her with scorn and derision. Both reactions are wrong. Max's gut tells him that Olivia is innocent which he shouldn't let cloud his judgement. It does.
And Sam? The way he treats Olivia is more than just plain rude, it is improper for someone who is investigating a suspect to have such strong personal views against someone. He's condescending and patronising. He should have been taken off the case the second the first sneering sentence came out of his mouth. As a cop he has to be impartial, when he is anything but.
Back to Max, he shouldn't have been given the case at all. I understand that he needs to rejoin the action but considering that his wife and daughter died in a similar, kidnapping case, he should stay as far away as possible from such a case. He needs to get back into the job? Sure, give him a case but not this one. Especially since he's shown literally no sign that he can handle it.
Apparently it's such an important case and yet they give it to Sam and Max. Woah, is that a Wrong Choice.
And don't get me started on the improbability of Olivia and Max meeting each other as children but not knowing who they were years later. Wouldn't you have kept track of the person who saved you/who's life you saved? And the fact that Max's dad was thought to be dead for sixteen years and went on kidnapping young girls? I can't even.
Add a gazillion other problems and I DNF'ed this at around 70%.
My first problem was with the two cops in charge of the case - Max and Sam.
Detective /Police novels aren't my thing but I've read enough of them to know cops shouldn't act they way Max and Sam do.
They're both on the opposite ends of the scale with Max instinctively trusting Olivia and Sam treating her with scorn and derision. Both reactions are wrong. Max's gut tells him that Olivia is innocent which he shouldn't let cloud his judgement. It does.
And Sam? The way he treats Olivia is more than just plain rude, it is improper for someone who is investigating a suspect to have such strong personal views against someone. He's condescending and patronising. He should have been taken off the case the second the first sneering sentence came out of his mouth. As a cop he has to be impartial, when he is anything but.
Back to Max, he shouldn't have been given the case at all. I understand that he needs to rejoin the action but considering that his wife and daughter died in a similar, kidnapping case, he should stay as far away as possible from such a case. He needs to get back into the job? Sure, give him a case but not this one. Especially since he's shown literally no sign that he can handle it.
Apparently it's such an important case and yet they give it to Sam and Max. Woah, is that a Wrong Choice.
And don't get me started on the improbability of Olivia and Max meeting each other as children but not knowing who they were years later. Wouldn't you have kept track of the person who saved you/who's life you saved? And the fact that Max's dad was thought to be dead for sixteen years and went on kidnapping young girls? I can't even.
Add a gazillion other problems and I DNF'ed this at around 70%.
July 5, 2022
4.5⭐️ An Unexpected Gem! Originally Written on 1/26/2013. It’ll be interesting, this retrospective. 😁
I've read all of Jaime Rush's Offspring series books, but was unaware of her writings as Tina Wainscott. Being the very curious sort of person, I took a chance and chose to read "Blindsight." The synopsis for this book is pretty detailed, so I'll not reiterate what's already been done. "Blindsight" was a thoroughly intriguing book. The story line's been done before where a person can "see" through another person's eyes, but this book was by no means stale. You empathized with the plight of the little kidnapped girl. You felt the pain and frustrations of the heroine, Olivia, and the hero, detective Max Callahan. They had emotions that were real and wholly recognizable. There were twists and turns in this romantic suspense that were so unexpected---and that's what sets this book apart from many other romantic suspense novels. A lot of romantic suspense novels are either short on the suspense or shortchanges on the romance. This book had the perfect balance, and it was a real treat for me.
So, while I'm salivating, waiting for the next Offspring novel, I am buying up Tina Wainscott's back list for my new paperwhite Kindle. Hooray for me!! I highly recommend this book if you enjoy a really suspenseful romantic novel with a paranormal/psychic element.
I've read all of Jaime Rush's Offspring series books, but was unaware of her writings as Tina Wainscott. Being the very curious sort of person, I took a chance and chose to read "Blindsight." The synopsis for this book is pretty detailed, so I'll not reiterate what's already been done. "Blindsight" was a thoroughly intriguing book. The story line's been done before where a person can "see" through another person's eyes, but this book was by no means stale. You empathized with the plight of the little kidnapped girl. You felt the pain and frustrations of the heroine, Olivia, and the hero, detective Max Callahan. They had emotions that were real and wholly recognizable. There were twists and turns in this romantic suspense that were so unexpected---and that's what sets this book apart from many other romantic suspense novels. A lot of romantic suspense novels are either short on the suspense or shortchanges on the romance. This book had the perfect balance, and it was a real treat for me.
So, while I'm salivating, waiting for the next Offspring novel, I am buying up Tina Wainscott's back list for my new paperwhite Kindle. Hooray for me!! I highly recommend this book if you enjoy a really suspenseful romantic novel with a paranormal/psychic element.
February 10, 2022
More convoluted than it needed to be. So many things went on in that police station - decisions, actions, behaviours, things said and done that were out of the scope of dealistic expectations - it was just a bit ridiculous.
A few reviewers said they DNF, which I can understand, but for me there was enough curiosity about how things would be resolved that I stuck with it. But - Right to the end, even if his fellow officers felt he had lost his reason, with lives at stake it is hard to believe they wouldn't give Max the benefit of the doubt; especially since he was saying if wrong, they could lock him up. Then, once the bad guy is down we don't even get to see the parents of the missing girl reunite with her. But, there is an added epilogue, making me think, okay here we get to see little Phadre safe in the loving arms of her parents. Nope, instead it's a boring scene, preparing to go to a party where they are to be thanked for being heros. I really liked previous books from this writer, so I'll likely read her again but this one was a bit of a miss. That said, I did read to the end and there are some redeeming factors. Some folks liked it well enough.
A few reviewers said they DNF, which I can understand, but for me there was enough curiosity about how things would be resolved that I stuck with it. But - Right to the end, even if his fellow officers felt he had lost his reason, with lives at stake it is hard to believe they wouldn't give Max the benefit of the doubt; especially since he was saying if wrong, they could lock him up. Then, once the bad guy is down we don't even get to see the parents of the missing girl reunite with her. But, there is an added epilogue, making me think, okay here we get to see little Phadre safe in the loving arms of her parents. Nope, instead it's a boring scene, preparing to go to a party where they are to be thanked for being heros. I really liked previous books from this writer, so I'll likely read her again but this one was a bit of a miss. That said, I did read to the end and there are some redeeming factors. Some folks liked it well enough.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 15, 2023
Blindsight is a mystery with a little telepathy that will keep any reader glued until the climatic ending.
The main protagonists, Olivia Howe and detective Max Callahan, become embroiled in a kidnapping when Olivia, who is blind but has telepathic talents, sees the girl being kidnapped. She continues to ‘see’ through the young girl’s eyes throughout her ordeal as she is caged by her kidnapper.
There is more to what Olivia sees than is explained to the detective when she reaches out to the police for help to find the girl. Her feelings during this time are more than just concern for the little girl but also because she had been kidnapped when she was the same age but escaped thanks to an angel who rescued her from her ordeal.
Max spends more and more time with Olivia and soon realizes that he feels more for her than as a part of his investigation. Once he connects the clues to Olivia’s kidnapping to the present one he is forced not only to help the girl but also to rescue Olivia from her past which his part of his own.
An unforgettable story that kept me on the edge of my seat!
The main protagonists, Olivia Howe and detective Max Callahan, become embroiled in a kidnapping when Olivia, who is blind but has telepathic talents, sees the girl being kidnapped. She continues to ‘see’ through the young girl’s eyes throughout her ordeal as she is caged by her kidnapper.
There is more to what Olivia sees than is explained to the detective when she reaches out to the police for help to find the girl. Her feelings during this time are more than just concern for the little girl but also because she had been kidnapped when she was the same age but escaped thanks to an angel who rescued her from her ordeal.
Max spends more and more time with Olivia and soon realizes that he feels more for her than as a part of his investigation. Once he connects the clues to Olivia’s kidnapping to the present one he is forced not only to help the girl but also to rescue Olivia from her past which his part of his own.
An unforgettable story that kept me on the edge of my seat!
October 11, 2020
I love a good thriller where one person has psychic abilities.. Olivia was kidnapped as a child, and ended up blind. When she got older she realized that she could connect to other children who had been taken. When she has a vision of a little girl being taken from a toy store she trys to let people know.. but know one believes her..
Its only later when she becomes a suspect when the lead detective starts to belive she could actually have visions..
When Olivia realizes that this new kidnapping could have been done by the same person who took her things go from bad to worse.
Its only later when she becomes a suspect when the lead detective starts to belive she could actually have visions..
When Olivia realizes that this new kidnapping could have been done by the same person who took her things go from bad to worse.
January 23, 2021
Not the best by this author
I really love the idea of this story, and for the first part of the story I was going with it. However, it all started to get strange and the storytelling just went down hill. I’m sad about that, this story has the potential to be so much better. Not one of the author’s better works. But that’s just me.
I really love the idea of this story, and for the first part of the story I was going with it. However, it all started to get strange and the storytelling just went down hill. I’m sad about that, this story has the potential to be so much better. Not one of the author’s better works. But that’s just me.
July 9, 2022
Deeply disturbing focus on cruelty to children!
While Tina Wainscott has written an intriquing plotline with lots of twists and turns, but her subject matter is horrific! Descriptive narratives about child abuse, of an ongoing nature, are graphically detailed throughout the book!
This book may not be for you!
While Tina Wainscott has written an intriquing plotline with lots of twists and turns, but her subject matter is horrific! Descriptive narratives about child abuse, of an ongoing nature, are graphically detailed throughout the book!
This book may not be for you!
July 9, 2022
Thoroughly enjoyable crime story - with a twist
Interesting start to the story - a psychic blind woman trying to prevent history repeating itself
The middle part was a bit slow.
Culminating in the twist.
Very enjoyable .
Interesting start to the story - a psychic blind woman trying to prevent history repeating itself
The middle part was a bit slow.
Culminating in the twist.
Very enjoyable .
November 13, 2022
Started out liking this book, but ended up disapointed. Too many false leads, too little character development and too long with not enough suspense or emotional build-up. I did finish this book, but not inclined to read another by this author.
April 24, 2023
Very good
I enjoyed this book, a nice balance of romantic suspense. Enjoyable storytelling with great characters. I could not put this book down, will definitely be checking out some more of this author's work. A great recommendation from bookbub thanks
I enjoyed this book, a nice balance of romantic suspense. Enjoyable storytelling with great characters. I could not put this book down, will definitely be checking out some more of this author's work. A great recommendation from bookbub thanks
October 20, 2024
Lots of Action
Very good book. Really liked the relationship development. Suspense was this too. Well worth the time spent reading it. As it is fiction, I didn't have an issue some of the unbelievable parts and instead enjoyed the author's imagination.
Very good book. Really liked the relationship development. Suspense was this too. Well worth the time spent reading it. As it is fiction, I didn't have an issue some of the unbelievable parts and instead enjoyed the author's imagination.
February 16, 2020
Blindsight
This book was an up and down scary confusion. A woman a victim of a kidnapping connecting with a new victim and all it entailed.
This book was an up and down scary confusion. A woman a victim of a kidnapping connecting with a new victim and all it entailed.
August 14, 2020
Great book
I have read all of the Love and Light books and so far I enjoyed this one the best. Suspenseful, mystery, and a love story all in one.
I have read all of the Love and Light books and so far I enjoyed this one the best. Suspenseful, mystery, and a love story all in one.
July 13, 2022
Strong 2.5. Story was okay, it just didn’t flow as I’d like and the romance was minimum.
August 16, 2022
Great story....
Wow. Wonderfully written. The plot was well executed. The story kept you engaged. It is amazing what our minds can overcome as well as paralyze us in our fear.
Wow. Wonderfully written. The plot was well executed. The story kept you engaged. It is amazing what our minds can overcome as well as paralyze us in our fear.
April 13, 2023
Intriguing.
A story full of complex characters and many possible suspects. Max and Olivia’s link was quite poignant and I liked how their relationship developed.
A story full of complex characters and many possible suspects. Max and Olivia’s link was quite poignant and I liked how their relationship developed.
April 27, 2023
Great book. I'm not into psychics, but this was a really good book.
June 1, 2023
Blindsight
I like that you thought you had it figured out but another curve came and you didnt. I enjoyed the end very much so
I like that you thought you had it figured out but another curve came and you didnt. I enjoyed the end very much so
October 4, 2023
Pretty good pace and suspenseful, but the end kind of devolved into a trite, killer-spills-his-whole-backstory-to-the-victim resolution.
December 19, 2024
The story was so intense, I was glad it was fiction because it had me feeling a bit uneasy every time things got more complicated and everyone felt like a suspect.
February 12, 2022
A fair enough mystery/ thriller, but I was bored more often than I would have liked.
March 15, 2010
Lots of spine tingling suspense but not a lot of romance. I enjoyed the characters of Olivia, Max and Olivia's seeing-eye dog, Stasia. The identity of the villain came as a slight surprise, especially when I found out the same man who kidnapped Olivia 16 years ago is still alive and is the one behind the current kidnapping. However, I was blown away to learn who the villain was pretending to be.
I did not like Max's partner, Sam. I thought he was a royal asshole for the way he treated both Olivia and Max. He was very condescending and from his very first encounter, on the job, with Olivia, he was extremely unprofessional. Gives cops a bad rap. Learning why he was the way he was still did not endear him to me.
The scenes with Olivia's ex-boyfriend, Terry, were kind of creepy too. Even though she's blind, Olivia is very independent and strong willed, which Terry doesn't like. It seemed so obvious that the author was trying to set up Terry as the major villain, but it never rang true for me. Even though he wasn't the main villain, he was still a problem that Olivia would need to deal with.
This was my first Tina Wainscott book and I look forward to reading more by her.
I did not like Max's partner, Sam. I thought he was a royal asshole for the way he treated both Olivia and Max. He was very condescending and from his very first encounter, on the job, with Olivia, he was extremely unprofessional. Gives cops a bad rap. Learning why he was the way he was still did not endear him to me.
The scenes with Olivia's ex-boyfriend, Terry, were kind of creepy too. Even though she's blind, Olivia is very independent and strong willed, which Terry doesn't like. It seemed so obvious that the author was trying to set up Terry as the major villain, but it never rang true for me. Even though he wasn't the main villain, he was still a problem that Olivia would need to deal with.
This was my first Tina Wainscott book and I look forward to reading more by her.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 30, 2023
Well written, exciting and good clean reading.
I would recommend this book to anyone who loves suspense novels that are exciting with well rounded characters. No filthy language or inuendos and still very real. Love this author!
I would recommend this book to anyone who loves suspense novels that are exciting with well rounded characters. No filthy language or inuendos and still very real. Love this author!
September 6, 2014
Great romantic suspense!
Loved this psychological thriller that included a little romance and a lot of psychic suspense. I have never read any of Tina Wainscott's books before and I can honestly say I have missed out. The suspense was incredible and each page left you wondering who was responsible for the events that brought everybody together. The characters were believable and left you wondering who some of them really were. Who is t the real suspect in the case? Incredible writing.
Loved this psychological thriller that included a little romance and a lot of psychic suspense. I have never read any of Tina Wainscott's books before and I can honestly say I have missed out. The suspense was incredible and each page left you wondering who was responsible for the events that brought everybody together. The characters were believable and left you wondering who some of them really were. Who is t the real suspect in the case? Incredible writing.
August 29, 2014
AWESOME! THIS BOOK HAD SO MANY SURPRISE TWIST AND TURNS IN IT, KEPT YOU GUESSING. I MUST SAY THE CLUE AT ABOUT 3% PUT ME ON THE RIGHT TRAIL TO THE MANIAC KILLER. I THINK THE AUTHOR DID AN EXCELLENT JOB OF DRAWING YOU INTO THE WORLD OF DARKNESS THAT OLIVIA LIVED IN FOR 16 YEARS. SEEMS THAT ALL THE WRONG PEOPLE HAVE CHILDREN, WITH THE PARENTAL SKILLS OF AN AMOEBA. I LIKED THE PSYCHIC MIXED IN WITH SUSPENSE-THRILLER, THE ROMANCE WAS THE CHERRY ON TOP. SCARY-SWEET! ;D
September 15, 2014
Started out good, I was sucked in. Unfortunately, too soon it became ridiculously unbelievable. I can't believe any of the main persons behaivors and actions. And the evil one, who he was and all the stuff he did, come on! The cops felt very unprofessional...the story left me irritated and disappointed. Too bad because I think the author has writing skills, the story though was just absurd. It didn't need to be that complicated and have all those twists. It became too much.
February 9, 2011
This is the second book I have read by this author and I have enjoyed both books. Several times I thought I had figured out who the kidnapper was, but then something would happen that would make me change my mind. It did end up being the person I suspected the most. This was a good suspense story.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews