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Benedict Brothers #1
Outcast
Society bachelor and former army sniper Ben Benedict moves between two worlds—from high-society Washington to the mean city streets, from tuxedos to Glocks. His powerful Virginia family wants him out of harm's way, but Ben stays on the job, determined to make amends for a past that haunts him.
Dr. Anna Schuster is fighting demons of her own when she crosses paths with Agent Benedict. The two become adversaries—and lovers—as they search for an Al Qaeda operative bent on revenge.
Ben must fight against time—and his own darkness—to rescue millions of innocents and the woman he loves from a virulent bioweapon in the hands of a dangerous enemy.
Dr. Anna Schuster is fighting demons of her own when she crosses paths with Agent Benedict. The two become adversaries—and lovers—as they search for an Al Qaeda operative bent on revenge.
Ben must fight against time—and his own darkness—to rescue millions of innocents and the woman he loves from a virulent bioweapon in the hands of a dangerous enemy.
374 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2009
41 people are currently reading
361 people want to read
About the author
Joan Johnston
126 books752 followersJoan Johnston (born Little Rock, Arkansas) is a best-selling American author of over forty contemporary and historical romance novels.
Johnston was the third of seven children born to an Air Force sergeant and his music-teacher wife. She received a B.A. in theatre arts from Jacksonville University in 1970, then earning an M.A. in theatre from the University of Illinois, Urbana in 1971. She received a law degree (with honors) at the University of Texas at Austin in 1980. For the next five years, Johnston worked as an attorney, serving with the Hunton & Williams firm in Richmond, Virginia, and with Squire, Sanders, & Dempsey in Miami. She has also worked as a newspaper editor and drama critic in San Antonio, Texas, and as a college professor at Southwest Texas Junior College, Barry University, and the University of Miami.
Johnston is a member of the Authors Guild, Novelists, Inc., Romance Writers of America, and Florida Romance Writers. She has two children and one grandchild, and divides her time between two homes, in Colorado and Florida.
Awards
* Paperbook Book Club of America's Book Rak Award (twice)
* Romantic Times' Best Western Historical Series Award (twice)
* Romantic Times' Best New Western Writer
* Romantic Times' Best Historical Series Award (twice)
* The Maggie (twice)
* Romance Writers of America RITA Award finalist for The Disobedient Bride
Johnston was the third of seven children born to an Air Force sergeant and his music-teacher wife. She received a B.A. in theatre arts from Jacksonville University in 1970, then earning an M.A. in theatre from the University of Illinois, Urbana in 1971. She received a law degree (with honors) at the University of Texas at Austin in 1980. For the next five years, Johnston worked as an attorney, serving with the Hunton & Williams firm in Richmond, Virginia, and with Squire, Sanders, & Dempsey in Miami. She has also worked as a newspaper editor and drama critic in San Antonio, Texas, and as a college professor at Southwest Texas Junior College, Barry University, and the University of Miami.
Johnston is a member of the Authors Guild, Novelists, Inc., Romance Writers of America, and Florida Romance Writers. She has two children and one grandchild, and divides her time between two homes, in Colorado and Florida.
Awards
* Paperbook Book Club of America's Book Rak Award (twice)
* Romantic Times' Best Western Historical Series Award (twice)
* Romantic Times' Best New Western Writer
* Romantic Times' Best Historical Series Award (twice)
* The Maggie (twice)
* Romance Writers of America RITA Award finalist for The Disobedient Bride
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
October 3, 2009
Rating: 4.5 / 5
I hadn't planned to buy this book because I knew it was the first book in a new series and that the author often tended to take a long time between books. So I didn't want to get hooked into a series that I'd have to keep waiting long periods to read more of. But I saw it at Wal-Mart and hadn't found anything else interesting to buy and bought it. And even though I know it'll likely be over a year until the next book, I still ended up enjoying this book a lot more than I thought I would.
Summary:
Ben Benedict comes from a large blended family with step-parents, step-siblings, and half-siblings. Whatever the distinction, they've always just been his family. But he's been keeping a secret from them - that he is suffering from fairly severe PTSD from his time as a military sniper. When the killing became too much, he'd quite and gone to work for ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement...or something like that) where he gets close to gang members who have a connection to terrorists. He's managed to hide his condition from his boss and co-workers as well. Until a sequence of events brings his fragile mental state to the forefront. He's ordered to receive treatment from Dr. Annagreit Schuster - a woman he recently had a chance, steamy encounter with.
Anna is drawn to Ben, but just as much or more so she desperately wants to help him get a handle on his PTSD, and maybe in the process finally put to rest her own nightmares. She knows she will have to set aside her attraction to help him...only she finds that it is impossible and despite ethical obligations, she becomes involved with Ben, as well as the case the government desperately needs his help with. Al Qaeda is planning to use a D.C. gang to help smuggle in a bioweapon that could kill many, many Americans. Ben must deal with his PTSD if he has any hope of becoming a functional agent again. But with Anna's help, anything is possible.
Review:
What I loved most about this book was the romance and the characters. The plot is strong as well, but ti was the romance and the characters that really drew me into the story. Poor Ben is the classic tragic, stoic hero. He's been through so much and continues to be challenged and tried in this book. He's holding on by his fingernails to his sanity and it's only Anna's loving care and support that helps him put himself back together again.
There's such a great connection and chemistry between the two characters. You really feel the synchronicity in the relationship and the mutual support they are able to give each other. A lot of romance books tend to have the male being the strong, able one and the female the one in need of help so it was nice to read a story where it's the hero that is in need of mental and emotional support. The author just did an overall wonderful job with the romance in this story. I enjoyed it a lot.
And the plot was good as well. I thought it fit really well with the story she was telling with the characters. It was a little scary to read as well because there is a definite air of plausibility to the terrorist aspect and what they were trying to do. Not something you want to think too hard about or you'd be worrying about it constantly.
Since the plot came off so real and possible, I give kudos to the author for writing a fiction story that falls into the plausible realm (even if I don't want to think about it).
I didn't really have any problems with the book in any sense. Most of it just worked well for me. If I wanted to quibble with anything it was that there were maybe too many bad things happening to Ben...it was a little too convenient to the progression of the story. But that's a minor quibble.
I'm really looking forward to more in this series. Johnston has set up a large group of characters that we could be reading about for a long, long time. There's a lot going on with the supporting characters in this book and I look forward to seeing what happens with them, especially Julia, Ben's sister, and the Black Sheep (as he's called because of his illegitimacy and reluctance to get involved with the family). Should be an interesting to keep up with. I just hope Johnston doesn't take too long between books!
I hadn't planned to buy this book because I knew it was the first book in a new series and that the author often tended to take a long time between books. So I didn't want to get hooked into a series that I'd have to keep waiting long periods to read more of. But I saw it at Wal-Mart and hadn't found anything else interesting to buy and bought it. And even though I know it'll likely be over a year until the next book, I still ended up enjoying this book a lot more than I thought I would.
Summary:
Ben Benedict comes from a large blended family with step-parents, step-siblings, and half-siblings. Whatever the distinction, they've always just been his family. But he's been keeping a secret from them - that he is suffering from fairly severe PTSD from his time as a military sniper. When the killing became too much, he'd quite and gone to work for ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement...or something like that) where he gets close to gang members who have a connection to terrorists. He's managed to hide his condition from his boss and co-workers as well. Until a sequence of events brings his fragile mental state to the forefront. He's ordered to receive treatment from Dr. Annagreit Schuster - a woman he recently had a chance, steamy encounter with.
Anna is drawn to Ben, but just as much or more so she desperately wants to help him get a handle on his PTSD, and maybe in the process finally put to rest her own nightmares. She knows she will have to set aside her attraction to help him...only she finds that it is impossible and despite ethical obligations, she becomes involved with Ben, as well as the case the government desperately needs his help with. Al Qaeda is planning to use a D.C. gang to help smuggle in a bioweapon that could kill many, many Americans. Ben must deal with his PTSD if he has any hope of becoming a functional agent again. But with Anna's help, anything is possible.
Review:
What I loved most about this book was the romance and the characters. The plot is strong as well, but ti was the romance and the characters that really drew me into the story. Poor Ben is the classic tragic, stoic hero. He's been through so much and continues to be challenged and tried in this book. He's holding on by his fingernails to his sanity and it's only Anna's loving care and support that helps him put himself back together again.
There's such a great connection and chemistry between the two characters. You really feel the synchronicity in the relationship and the mutual support they are able to give each other. A lot of romance books tend to have the male being the strong, able one and the female the one in need of help so it was nice to read a story where it's the hero that is in need of mental and emotional support. The author just did an overall wonderful job with the romance in this story. I enjoyed it a lot.
And the plot was good as well. I thought it fit really well with the story she was telling with the characters. It was a little scary to read as well because there is a definite air of plausibility to the terrorist aspect and what they were trying to do. Not something you want to think too hard about or you'd be worrying about it constantly.
Since the plot came off so real and possible, I give kudos to the author for writing a fiction story that falls into the plausible realm (even if I don't want to think about it).
I didn't really have any problems with the book in any sense. Most of it just worked well for me. If I wanted to quibble with anything it was that there were maybe too many bad things happening to Ben...it was a little too convenient to the progression of the story. But that's a minor quibble.
I'm really looking forward to more in this series. Johnston has set up a large group of characters that we could be reading about for a long, long time. There's a lot going on with the supporting characters in this book and I look forward to seeing what happens with them, especially Julia, Ben's sister, and the Black Sheep (as he's called because of his illegitimacy and reluctance to get involved with the family). Should be an interesting to keep up with. I just hope Johnston doesn't take too long between books!
September 8, 2009
Ben Benedict is having a bad week. He's been shot at, hospitalized, has some family problems, lost some people he cares about, the gangs he's watching don't trust him, and his shrink thinks he's about to have a meltdown. Ben left the army six months ago and works for a division of Homeland Security. Anna Schuler, his psychiatrist thinks he's got Post traumatic Stress Disorder. She's trying to help him. Anna and Ben tangle verbally and then together in the sheets. Ben has a huge extended family, and it looks like some of the siblings will get their own story. Ben reminds me of Jack Reacher. It's not easy to read all the tragedies in this novel, but Ben, Anna and his family make it worthwhile.
April 30, 2018
Enjoyed the book, but keeping all the parents and who belongs to was confusing at times. Looking forward to more stories on this family.
March 6, 2010
This was really intense book. You find yourself liking the characters and your heart breaks for the hero as well.
Ben is an veteran, come home from Iraq and Afghanistan with baggage that he might not be able to deal with. His flashbacks and horrible nightmares are getting to him. when he watches a gang member kill a young friend and then shoots at him in an attempt to get him to stop running, he is mandated to see a therapist.
Anna is a therapist that works with policeman and fireman that have PTSD (Post Traumatic Syndrome Disorder). Having previously met Ben at the veterinarian's office, and again at the hospital ( with a quick make out session afterward) she is very attracted to him. As a therapist she wants very much to help Ben through what is happening to him. She eventually decides to become involved with him, and try to help him at the same time.
I think that this was a timely book that opened my eyes to the effects of PTSD. It really shows the effects that gangs have on those that join them. It also shows how much Al Queda truly hate America and will go to just about any means to hurt us. I give this one 4 out of 5 stars because of the very strong subject matter.
Ben is an veteran, come home from Iraq and Afghanistan with baggage that he might not be able to deal with. His flashbacks and horrible nightmares are getting to him. when he watches a gang member kill a young friend and then shoots at him in an attempt to get him to stop running, he is mandated to see a therapist.
Anna is a therapist that works with policeman and fireman that have PTSD (Post Traumatic Syndrome Disorder). Having previously met Ben at the veterinarian's office, and again at the hospital ( with a quick make out session afterward) she is very attracted to him. As a therapist she wants very much to help Ben through what is happening to him. She eventually decides to become involved with him, and try to help him at the same time.
I think that this was a timely book that opened my eyes to the effects of PTSD. It really shows the effects that gangs have on those that join them. It also shows how much Al Queda truly hate America and will go to just about any means to hurt us. I give this one 4 out of 5 stars because of the very strong subject matter.
September 1, 2009
Gritty, but fabulous!
This, the first story in the Benedict Brothers series, was a fantastic launch for this series!
Ben Benedict is tortured by nightmares . . .
Society bachelor and former army sniper Ben Benedict moves between two worlds -- from high society Washington (his family is more than connected) to the mean city streets where the gangs hang out. His powerful Virginia family wants him out of harm's way, but Ben stays on the job determined to make amends for a past that haunts him.
Dr. Anna Schuster is fighting demons of her own when she crosses paths with Agent Benedict; crosses being the operative word. Their "relationship" is explosive; adversaries one moment, lovers the next. However, they do find a way to work together to search for an Al Quaeda operative bent on revenge.
Throw in the threat of a virulent bioweapon -- a ticking time bomb, and you have the recipe for an entertaining tale of suspense and romance.
This, the first story in the Benedict Brothers series, was a fantastic launch for this series!
Ben Benedict is tortured by nightmares . . .
Society bachelor and former army sniper Ben Benedict moves between two worlds -- from high society Washington (his family is more than connected) to the mean city streets where the gangs hang out. His powerful Virginia family wants him out of harm's way, but Ben stays on the job determined to make amends for a past that haunts him.
Dr. Anna Schuster is fighting demons of her own when she crosses paths with Agent Benedict; crosses being the operative word. Their "relationship" is explosive; adversaries one moment, lovers the next. However, they do find a way to work together to search for an Al Quaeda operative bent on revenge.
Throw in the threat of a virulent bioweapon -- a ticking time bomb, and you have the recipe for an entertaining tale of suspense and romance.
August 17, 2025
I actually found the second book in this series first because it had a secret baby storyline. Then I realized it was the second book and I can't start a series with book 2! So, I got this book. Oh how I should have restrained myself.
Hero and heroine meet when he takes an injured dog he found to a nearby vet. Later they end up making out a bit but decide to stop before they get to the good stuff. Soon after, hero (a cop) is sent for a job required psyche evaluation and guess who the Dr. is. Yep, heroine from the kiss-fest.
They continue to see each other romantically and she continues as his Dr. What-in-the-hells?
We also get a massive info-dump early on with the names of a bunch of siblings, half-siblings, step-siblings, parents and step-parents. Then we have the heroes parents who divorced and married other people, yet are still pining after each other?! What-in-the-hells?
We also have a tragedy on a wedding day. Then later on in the book, another tragedy to someone else that was a part of that wedding. It is then that a secret baby (err...secret young woman?) reveal occurs. What-in-the-hells?
In the end, the hero and heroine get their HEA but there is so much angst and sadness with the other characters that I did not feel any happiness at all when I finished this book. Found it more depressing than anything else.
Hero and heroine meet when he takes an injured dog he found to a nearby vet. Later they end up making out a bit but decide to stop before they get to the good stuff. Soon after, hero (a cop) is sent for a job required psyche evaluation and guess who the Dr. is. Yep, heroine from the kiss-fest.
They continue to see each other romantically and she continues as his Dr. What-in-the-hells?
We also get a massive info-dump early on with the names of a bunch of siblings, half-siblings, step-siblings, parents and step-parents. Then we have the heroes parents who divorced and married other people, yet are still pining after each other?! What-in-the-hells?
We also have a tragedy on a wedding day. Then later on in the book, another tragedy to someone else that was a part of that wedding. It is then that a secret baby (err...secret young woman?) reveal occurs. What-in-the-hells?
In the end, the hero and heroine get their HEA but there is so much angst and sadness with the other characters that I did not feel any happiness at all when I finished this book. Found it more depressing than anything else.
January 20, 2021
I suspect this is going to be another DNF. I'm having a really hard time accepting an ICE agent as the hero, and his best friend the cop who seems to think all South American immigrants will inevitably become gang members. Which may be true, but there's a reason for it.
Also, our hero, the ICE agent, is ex-military and obviously has PTSD, which he expects to be able to handle on his own. Of course. Patriarchy at its best.
The more I think about it, the more I realize that being pissed off at these people isn't in my best interests. The writing is decent, but I don't really care what happens to these people. By, by, book.
Also, our hero, the ICE agent, is ex-military and obviously has PTSD, which he expects to be able to handle on his own. Of course. Patriarchy at its best.
The more I think about it, the more I realize that being pissed off at these people isn't in my best interests. The writing is decent, but I don't really care what happens to these people. By, by, book.
March 31, 2019
Outcast
Terrific story. I have read several Joan Johnston books and they really rock. This is the first terrorist themed one that I have read. Loved it the plot kept me turning the pages until the very end.....
Terrific story. I have read several Joan Johnston books and they really rock. This is the first terrorist themed one that I have read. Loved it the plot kept me turning the pages until the very end.....
July 11, 2019
Very good. Love the short chapters! Can't wait to read the next one!
September 25, 2019
This is a very well written story...I was sorry to come to the end..:)
November 19, 2020
Another really good book with a plot that overshadows the romance scenes! The plot speaks to the terrorist threat that we are facing constantly since 9-11.
library
July 30, 20215
June 10, 2010
Ben Benedict is trying to make is way in the world after leaving the military because of suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. He has joined a task force in Washington DC to fight the ever escalating drug problem. Ironically enough, Ben finds himself back fighting terrorism when Al Qaeda operatives target Washington politicians as their next victims through a DC gang Ben has been working with. As if that isn't enough, he finds himself attracted to the doctor treating him for PTSD.
Outcast reminded me a lot of the 80's old school romances. Here, Ben is one of those hero’s who is a real jerk to the heroine and doesn't want to own up to his "softer" feelings. Ben has a lot of Mommy issues and only uses women for sex. He doesn't want to have to depend on any woman and then have her push him away and therefore leave him vulnerable to a broken heart. He'd rather break their hearts first instead of have his own broken. So this pretty much sums up his poor treatment of the heroine.
Even though, Ben is quite the jerk, it is a true testimony to what a good job Johnston does as a writer because she had me coming back for more time and again even though Ben annoyed me. The story is very gripping and entertaining. If you are looking for heroes of the old days and a gripping, dramatic story then Outcast is for you. Good news is that Outcast is the start of a new series and Ben comes from a very interesting high society Washington family. It looks like there will be more great books on the horizon featuring his brothers and sisters.
Outcast reminded me a lot of the 80's old school romances. Here, Ben is one of those hero’s who is a real jerk to the heroine and doesn't want to own up to his "softer" feelings. Ben has a lot of Mommy issues and only uses women for sex. He doesn't want to have to depend on any woman and then have her push him away and therefore leave him vulnerable to a broken heart. He'd rather break their hearts first instead of have his own broken. So this pretty much sums up his poor treatment of the heroine.
Even though, Ben is quite the jerk, it is a true testimony to what a good job Johnston does as a writer because she had me coming back for more time and again even though Ben annoyed me. The story is very gripping and entertaining. If you are looking for heroes of the old days and a gripping, dramatic story then Outcast is for you. Good news is that Outcast is the start of a new series and Ben comes from a very interesting high society Washington family. It looks like there will be more great books on the horizon featuring his brothers and sisters.
March 27, 2011
I actually found the second book in this series first because it had a secret baby storyline. Then I realized it was the second book and I can't start a series with book 2! So, I got this book. Oh how I should have restrained myself.
Hero and heroine meet when he takes an injured dog he found to a nearby vet. Later they end up making out a bit but decide to stop before they get to the good stuff. Soon after, hero (a cop) is sent for a job required psyche evaluation and guess who the Dr. is. Yep, heroine from the kiss-fest.
They continue to see each other romantically and she continues as his Dr. What-in-the-hells?
We also get a massive info-dump early on with the names of a bunch of siblings, half-siblings, step-siblings, parents and step-parents. Then we have the heroes parents who divorced and married other people, yet are still pining after each other?! What-in-the-hells?
We also have a tragedy on a wedding day. Then later on in the book, another tragedy to someone else that was a part of that wedding. It is then that a secret baby (err...secret young woman?) reveal occurs. What-in-the-hells?
In the end, the hero and heroine get their HEA but there is so much angst and sadness with the other characters that I did not feel any happiness at all when I finished this book. Found it more depressing than anything else.
Hero and heroine meet when he takes an injured dog he found to a nearby vet. Later they end up making out a bit but decide to stop before they get to the good stuff. Soon after, hero (a cop) is sent for a job required psyche evaluation and guess who the Dr. is. Yep, heroine from the kiss-fest.
They continue to see each other romantically and she continues as his Dr. What-in-the-hells?
We also get a massive info-dump early on with the names of a bunch of siblings, half-siblings, step-siblings, parents and step-parents. Then we have the heroes parents who divorced and married other people, yet are still pining after each other?! What-in-the-hells?
We also have a tragedy on a wedding day. Then later on in the book, another tragedy to someone else that was a part of that wedding. It is then that a secret baby (err...secret young woman?) reveal occurs. What-in-the-hells?
In the end, the hero and heroine get their HEA but there is so much angst and sadness with the other characters that I did not feel any happiness at all when I finished this book. Found it more depressing than anything else.
September 28, 2009
I liked the guy a lot. If more of the book were better, I'd give this more stars just for him alone.
The woman--trained as a psychiatrist but actually doing counseling--was pretty much a stereotype. And why hadn't she spayed her cat? (The man and woman meet in the vet's office where the woman has just learned her cat is about to deliver kittens.) I liked the cat--a Maine coon, like my cat.
I liked the dog, too, that Ben ends up with. (But why would a family name their son Ben Benedict?)
I think part of the problem with the book is that it tries to set up the rest of the brothers' stories. Complicated family dynamics.
I was impressed that a romanctic figure from a secondary couple dies. Don't see a lot of that in romances.
Dialogue stiff.
Action packed. That was good.
The woman--trained as a psychiatrist but actually doing counseling--was pretty much a stereotype. And why hadn't she spayed her cat? (The man and woman meet in the vet's office where the woman has just learned her cat is about to deliver kittens.) I liked the cat--a Maine coon, like my cat.
I liked the dog, too, that Ben ends up with. (But why would a family name their son Ben Benedict?)
I think part of the problem with the book is that it tries to set up the rest of the brothers' stories. Complicated family dynamics.
I was impressed that a romanctic figure from a secondary couple dies. Don't see a lot of that in romances.
Dialogue stiff.
Action packed. That was good.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 14, 2012
I liked this a lot but it's really a 4.75 stars because after being action filled, the ending was somewhat anticimactic. Also, I never felt comfortable with the
However, I liked pretty much everything else - loved that there was lots of emotion and angst. Also liked the strangely functional dysfunctional family. Ialso thought the idea of the villain causing so much harm and being so cold about it was well done and very chilling. Ben is a great balance of sweet and tormented with being really competentant to deal with his family and gang members alike.
I liked Anna maybe a little less - maybe her backstory was not as clear to me. I did like how she kept her calm at the end. I have nto read any books by the author but will be seeking some more out now.
However, I liked pretty much everything else - loved that there was lots of emotion and angst. Also liked the strangely functional dysfunctional family. Ialso thought the idea of the villain causing so much harm and being so cold about it was well done and very chilling. Ben is a great balance of sweet and tormented with being really competentant to deal with his family and gang members alike.
I liked Anna maybe a little less - maybe her backstory was not as clear to me. I did like how she kept her calm at the end. I have nto read any books by the author but will be seeking some more out now.
December 24, 2015
Wow, way too many characters in this book - people you need to keep track of but who how aren't involved in the plot line. Both MCs had their TSTL moments and don't get me started on the parents! Thanks God she didn't have any family since he had way too much and they were mostly annoying.
I've Read her Brides series and while they all have complicated families somehow it works better in the historical setting, and in those books the MC spends quite a bit of time mostly alone together. In this book all they did together was have sex - against her professional ethics. And then talk about their dreams once - which magically cured both of them.
I will probably read some of the Bitter Creek books if they show up in the library, but I won't read any more of this series for sure.
I've Read her Brides series and while they all have complicated families somehow it works better in the historical setting, and in those books the MC spends quite a bit of time mostly alone together. In this book all they did together was have sex - against her professional ethics. And then talk about their dreams once - which magically cured both of them.
I will probably read some of the Bitter Creek books if they show up in the library, but I won't read any more of this series for sure.
Read
July 27, 2011Ben is keeping a secret that could lead to the destruction of his family and cost him his life. PTSD, well hidden from all around him, is beginning to leak out and interfer with his life.
Annagreit 'Anna' is the therapist connected to his work with ICE and able to pull him from the job he is needed on to help save the city of DC from and Al Queda dirty bomb. She is also the woman who helps him search within himself for the troubling details of his PTSD and to be able to overcome it all and find love on the other side.
A very enjoyable story. Suspenseful and action packed. I really enjoyed it.
Annagreit 'Anna' is the therapist connected to his work with ICE and able to pull him from the job he is needed on to help save the city of DC from and Al Queda dirty bomb. She is also the woman who helps him search within himself for the troubling details of his PTSD and to be able to overcome it all and find love on the other side.
A very enjoyable story. Suspenseful and action packed. I really enjoyed it.
April 8, 2010
If you want to read a really good book with many twist and turns and definitely intense at times; this is the book for you. The story is centered around a vet named Ben Benendict that is recently home from war and is continuing to serve in the Homeland Security department. Well, Ben is having a string of really bad days. He has been shot at, hospitalized, family problems, lost someone he care about, working ops don't trust him, and the skrink (Anna) think he's about to have a PYSCH 911. Have fun, you will not regret spending an all-nighter to read this book.
December 9, 2013
WOW! The author was all over the place trying to jam pack too much into one book. Too many plots, sub-plots, sub-sub plots. I actually had to stop reading the book several times just to give my brain a rest. When I finished the book I was left with an unfulfilled feeling as though the author invited me to a seven course meal put the portions were only bit size.
I've read Ms. Johnston's Bitter Creek series and enjoyed it immensely; however, I don't have the desire to continue with the Benedict series. Thankfully I checked this book out from the library and didn't pay for it.
I've read Ms. Johnston's Bitter Creek series and enjoyed it immensely; however, I don't have the desire to continue with the Benedict series. Thankfully I checked this book out from the library and didn't pay for it.
July 9, 2009
This was the first time reading this author. Perhaps I should have checked her out before reading. The story itself was good but she ruined it with too many sex scenes. They didn't add to the story line and in my opinion ruined the book. The story line was Al-Queida using street gangs and would have been good in the hands of Brad Thor but here it was just sex. Too bad, I will never read another book by this author again.
December 26, 2010
Really liked this one. There was just enough suspense in it to keep me intrigued and not freaked out. The bioterrorism part of it is a little confusing to me but I liked that it got me thinking about something like that happening without being terrified it would. I really liked how Anna and Ben learned to help each other learn from their pasts and move beyond the horrible things they had experienced. I was rather confused with keeping track of all the siblings in the Benedict family.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 22, 2015
Very intense book that keeps you hooked from the 1st page to the last. It's about war, PTSD, gangs linked to Al Queda, a therapist who tries to help Ben with understanding and helping to overcome PTSD, along with Ben's high society family as they get caught up in the middle of the gang war. Very good read that I highly recommend. You won't put this book down until you find out how it ends.
September 16, 2009
If you're going to set a book in a place that's as well known as Washington, DC, take the time to do a little research. The geography in this book is atrocious. I only finished it because I was already 3/4 through the book, and the deus ex machina ending had me throwing it across the room.
October 10, 2011
This is a taut, well-written thriller, the first in a series. If the author’s intention is to write about the other family members in following books, and if they are as exciting and tense as this one, there will be many more books to come. May they all be as enjoyable as Outcast!
August 9, 2009
4 stars – Contemporary Romance/Romantic Suspense
November 3, 2009
I would have rated it higher if there had been more time with Ben and Anna.
November 1, 2009
I wish I could have given this one more than just 5 stars!
May 30, 2011
Liked the angstyness of the hero's PTSD. All of that was well done. What I didn't like was the speed of the relationship and the fact that she was his shrink and was sleeping with him.
July 8, 2013
Interesting story about al qaeda threat.
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