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Serve and Protect #1
Guarding Suzannah
Criminal defense attorney Suzannah Phelps is the bane of the Fredericton Police Department (they call her She-Rex for her habit of shredding cops in the witness box). She is currently being stalked, but is reluctant to report it to the police, whom she half suspects of being the perpetrators of the low-level harassment.
Detective John (Quigg) Quigley has always had a bit of a thing for Suzannah Phelps. When he learns of the harassment, it gives him the perfect opportunity to interact with her. They've struck sparks off each other in the courtroom, and he's determined to find out if the chemistry is just as combustible outside of work. But when the stalker ups his game, Quigg knows it's not a case of disgruntled cops razzing her. It's deadly serious, and he's determined to protect her. To do that, he must pose as her boyfriend, but the closer they get, the more the lines between pretense and reality blur.
Norah Wilson is a USA Today bestselling author, a three-time finalist in Romance Writers of America's Golden Heart contest, and winner of the New Voice in Romance award (2003).
Book Junkie says: Explosively sexy, the chemistry between the two is hot, sensual and sweet all at the same time!
Detective John (Quigg) Quigley has always had a bit of a thing for Suzannah Phelps. When he learns of the harassment, it gives him the perfect opportunity to interact with her. They've struck sparks off each other in the courtroom, and he's determined to find out if the chemistry is just as combustible outside of work. But when the stalker ups his game, Quigg knows it's not a case of disgruntled cops razzing her. It's deadly serious, and he's determined to protect her. To do that, he must pose as her boyfriend, but the closer they get, the more the lines between pretense and reality blur.
Norah Wilson is a USA Today bestselling author, a three-time finalist in Romance Writers of America's Golden Heart contest, and winner of the New Voice in Romance award (2003).
Book Junkie says: Explosively sexy, the chemistry between the two is hot, sensual and sweet all at the same time!
230 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 14, 2010
543 people are currently reading
2456 people want to read
About the author
Norah Wilson
33 books415 followersA USA Today bestselling author of contemporary romance, romantic suspense and paranormal romance, Norah lives in Fredericton, New Brunswick, with her husband, two adult children, two dogs (Ruby and Neva) and two cats (Ruckus and Milo).
Norah is a three-time finalist in the Romance Writers of America's Golden Heart contest. In 2003, she won Dorchester Publishing's New Voice in Romance contest.
In addition to writing romance, Norah also writes in the mystery and YA genres with writing partner Heather Doherty. The mystery is the cozy variety, not the thriller variety (they dare you to read a Dix Dodd mystery and not laugh out loud).
Norah is a three-time finalist in the Romance Writers of America's Golden Heart contest. In 2003, she won Dorchester Publishing's New Voice in Romance contest.
In addition to writing romance, Norah also writes in the mystery and YA genres with writing partner Heather Doherty. The mystery is the cozy variety, not the thriller variety (they dare you to read a Dix Dodd mystery and not laugh out loud).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 207 reviews
May 9, 2013
For a limited time this book is free on Smashwords. I really enjoyed this story and recommend you check it out! Use coupon code: VX22S
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view...
My thanks to Amy for posting a link to Rock*It Reads Free Books
Review:
Guarding Suzannah is a fun, sexy, romantic suspense novel, and my first taste of Norah Wilson’s writing. I enjoyed her easy, comfortable way of storytelling, and the voice she gives to her characters, making them believable, quirky people I couldn't help but love!
Suzannah Phelps is a criminal defense attorney who has been dubbed ‘The Ice Princess’ due to her cold, calculating demeanor in the courtroom. She’s every cop’s worse nightmare because with her razor sharp mind and well honed skills, she can tear their cases apart, and few of the people she represents ever end up behind bars.
John “Quigg” Quigley is a no-nonsense Detective who has seen firsthand how The Ice Princess works in the courtroom, but despite her aloof, seemingly snobbish behavior, he sees something else in her, too – that Suzannah’s need to keep people at arm’s length, to be in absolute control of her life is her way of making sure no one sees how vulnerable she really is. But when it becomes clear to John that Suzannah’s life is in danger, there’s no way he’s going to let her out of his sight. John knows she needs the kind of protection he can provide, and despite her protestations to the contrary, becomes her self-appointed bodyguard.
I really enjoyed this story. While it is romantic suspense, it’s more romantic than suspenseful, and I loved that through their budding relationship, the characters drive the story. There's certainly a ‘bad-guy’ plot there - and a well told one at that, but what I loved about it most is that it enhanced, rather than overshadowed, the romance. Another thing that I enjoyed about Guarding Suzannah is the location. This story takes place in Canada which made it refreshing in that phrases, dialogs and settings were not the same places we so often read about.
The bottom line – If you're looking for something fresh, and you enjoy romance in your romantic suspense like I do, you’ll definitely want to give Guarding Suzannah a try. As I said, it’s a fun, sexy story and I’m thrilled to have found another author who knows how to tell a tale – by letting her characters pull us in and keep us coming back for more.
March 17, 2011
A very sweet and unique love story about a wealthy attorney who's afraid to let herself be vulnerable and a hard-boiled cop who's determined to protect her.
I really enjoyed this story. For one, the setting is different. New Brunswick, Canada? The differences between the U.S. legal system and the Canadian system was interesting to me, adding a bit of flavor to the story. I could tell the author knew her stuff. The detail she included is the kind that makes a story — and the characters in it — feel real.
And I just loved the characters.
Suzannah comes from a privileged background and has devoted her career to helping those accused of crimes receive the best defense possible. Called the Ice Princess by the police, who are routinely shredded by her on the stand during cross examination, she is the epitome of chic. But that cool demeanor comes at a price. Her professional life has left her coping with emotional deprivation, loneliness, difficulty feeling vulnerable, difficulty enjoying sex. She can't even get herself to go for help when she becomes the focus of a demented stalker because her relationship with the police is so negative.
(Note: I know personally what that's like. I was threatened with death by a man who said he was going to kill me with an AK-47 and who had been stalking me with weekly letters and daily appearances at my office. The cop's response? "Call us if he shows up with the AK." When a guy did brandish a gun at me in the office, I told him to f*ck off and didn't even bother to call the police. So I really, really get where Suz is coming from.)
Quigg is a street-wise cop who recognizes that someone is after Suzannah and takes steps on his own to protect her. Having fallen for her two years prior when she flayed him on the stand, he isn't about to let her face this on her own.
As the situation escalates, so does the attraction between Quig and Suzannah. Eventually, Suz has to learn to let go and to let herself feel — a task Quigg is more than happy to help her with.
I decided to give this book a try because I really enjoyed Norah's Dorchester debut, Lauren's Eyes, back in 2004. She has a uniquely Canadian voice that is somehow both sweet and funny. This book was a Golden Heart finalist, and it's easy to see why. The characters are sympathetic, and you want so very much to see them overcome their differences — and catch the bastard who's making her life hell.
I recommend this to readers of sweeter romantic suspense and contemporary romance and readers who want something just a little bit different. I downloaded the rest of her Kindle backlist because I discovered this was part of a series.
(Corrected version)
I really enjoyed this story. For one, the setting is different. New Brunswick, Canada? The differences between the U.S. legal system and the Canadian system was interesting to me, adding a bit of flavor to the story. I could tell the author knew her stuff. The detail she included is the kind that makes a story — and the characters in it — feel real.
And I just loved the characters.
Suzannah comes from a privileged background and has devoted her career to helping those accused of crimes receive the best defense possible. Called the Ice Princess by the police, who are routinely shredded by her on the stand during cross examination, she is the epitome of chic. But that cool demeanor comes at a price. Her professional life has left her coping with emotional deprivation, loneliness, difficulty feeling vulnerable, difficulty enjoying sex. She can't even get herself to go for help when she becomes the focus of a demented stalker because her relationship with the police is so negative.
(Note: I know personally what that's like. I was threatened with death by a man who said he was going to kill me with an AK-47 and who had been stalking me with weekly letters and daily appearances at my office. The cop's response? "Call us if he shows up with the AK." When a guy did brandish a gun at me in the office, I told him to f*ck off and didn't even bother to call the police. So I really, really get where Suz is coming from.)
Quigg is a street-wise cop who recognizes that someone is after Suzannah and takes steps on his own to protect her. Having fallen for her two years prior when she flayed him on the stand, he isn't about to let her face this on her own.
As the situation escalates, so does the attraction between Quig and Suzannah. Eventually, Suz has to learn to let go and to let herself feel — a task Quigg is more than happy to help her with.
I decided to give this book a try because I really enjoyed Norah's Dorchester debut, Lauren's Eyes, back in 2004. She has a uniquely Canadian voice that is somehow both sweet and funny. This book was a Golden Heart finalist, and it's easy to see why. The characters are sympathetic, and you want so very much to see them overcome their differences — and catch the bastard who's making her life hell.
I recommend this to readers of sweeter romantic suspense and contemporary romance and readers who want something just a little bit different. I downloaded the rest of her Kindle backlist because I discovered this was part of a series.
(Corrected version)
September 20, 2015
3.5 stars
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February 1, 2016
4 stars
This was a good read for me (meaning nothing happened that annoyed me). I had no idea who the stalker was until the end and I found the plot was at a good pace.
I have two tiny complaints. The first is that the heroine was a bit uptight. I would have liked a bit more depth to her as to why she was this way. The second was the scene before the epilogue I felt didn't fit in with the romance. Otherwise I enjoyed it.
This was a good read for me (meaning nothing happened that annoyed me). I had no idea who the stalker was until the end and I found the plot was at a good pace.
I have two tiny complaints. The first is that the heroine was a bit uptight. I would have liked a bit more depth to her as to why she was this way. The second was the scene before the epilogue I felt didn't fit in with the romance. Otherwise I enjoyed it.
April 10, 2014
Originally posted on The Book Nympho
Suzannah Phelps is a formidable defense attorney, renowned for shredding the prosecution's cases. When she starts receiving frightening messages and evidence of a stalker, Detective John Quigley makes it his personal mission to provide protection as she's reluctant to rely on the cops who've been on the witness stand in front of her in court. That includes him moving in and "appearing" to be her lover.
I really enjoyed this story even though it had some issues (Quigley's eyes changed color halfway through). Both Suzannah and John definitely had physical chemistry but had some pretty significant differences that made it interesting. Rather than succumb to the lust, their attraction and her need for protection created a means for them to get to know each other first. It gave me time to develop strong feelings for both of them and root for their relationship.
The balance is more to the romance even though the stalker's presence is always in the background. I still enjoyed the mystery and suspense aspect even if it was slightly overshadowed by Suzanne's relationship with John.
I definitely plan to continue the series as I like the secondary characters and the direction of the stories.
Suzannah Phelps is a formidable defense attorney, renowned for shredding the prosecution's cases. When she starts receiving frightening messages and evidence of a stalker, Detective John Quigley makes it his personal mission to provide protection as she's reluctant to rely on the cops who've been on the witness stand in front of her in court. That includes him moving in and "appearing" to be her lover.
I really enjoyed this story even though it had some issues (Quigley's eyes changed color halfway through). Both Suzannah and John definitely had physical chemistry but had some pretty significant differences that made it interesting. Rather than succumb to the lust, their attraction and her need for protection created a means for them to get to know each other first. It gave me time to develop strong feelings for both of them and root for their relationship.
The balance is more to the romance even though the stalker's presence is always in the background. I still enjoyed the mystery and suspense aspect even if it was slightly overshadowed by Suzanne's relationship with John.
I definitely plan to continue the series as I like the secondary characters and the direction of the stories.
August 6, 2011
Guarding Suzannah by Norah Wilson is the 1st book in her To Serve and Protect Series. Suzannah Phelps is the beautiful and brilliant criminal defense attorney nicknamed the "Ice Princess" and "She-Rex" because of her ability to shred cops in witness stands. Her success rate at the courts comes with a price that sometimes leaves a feeling of discontentment deep within her rather than one of elation. Rich, sophisticated and the daughter of a judge who comes from a long line of judges, Suzannah is being stalked by an unknown assailant that scares her more than she is willing to let on.
Detective John Quigley of the St. Cloud Police Department knows deep in his gut that the sleek and beautiful Suzannah is so way out of his league that it isn't even funny to think about. But John being the masochist he is cannot help but be drawn towards the woman who had made him sit up and take notice of her when he had being the one who had come up with the short end of the straw when placed in the witness stand and quizzed by none other than the woman herself. Though John knows that nothing much can come out of his fascination with a woman who barely seems to notice that he even exists, that doesn't stop him from cluing in on Suzannah's fear of a stalker that she refuses to report to the police.
With no way of protecting her unless Suzannah reports about her stalker to the police, John does the next best thing and proposes that he take on the job, pretending to be her boyfriend for the duration to keep the vicious stalker at bay. Suzannah is not the easiest woman to offer help to and John finds himself infuriated and aroused at the same time by a woman whose stubbornness makes him want to shake her and kiss her senseless.
Though Suzannah knows she is not the passionate type, she can't help but be drawn to explore the coil of desire that slumbers and unfurls slowly deep inside of her when John makes no secret of how much he desires her and has no qualms about showing her just how passionate she can be in the arms of the right man for her. As their desire for each other reach new heights, so does the stalker up the stakes forcing John to pull out all the stops to draw out a mad man willing to do anything to make Suzannah suffer as he has.
Guarding Suzannah is my first taste of romantic suspense by Norah Wilson who wowed me by her paranormal vampire romance The Merzetti Effect which I reviewed sometime last month. Though Guarding Suzannah doesn't make it to the 5-star mark for me, it still managed to keep me riveted on the passion that explodes between two people whom the rest of the world may deem unsuitable because of their differences and of course intrigued me enough to keep continually guessing on who the stalker could be. The twist towards the end certainly managed to surprise me, which is ALWAYS a good thing when it comes to romantic suspense.
John is such a great hero. Tender, possessive, protective and has that sexy vibe that makes a girl's toes curl inward. Suzannah at first comes off perfectly as her "Ice Princess" persona which starts to shed layer by layer until we are left with a woman who yearns for the love of a man like John just like every other girl. Her gutsy nature coupled with her vulnerability won me over and if that didn't do the job for me, then what Suzannah was willing to sacrifice towards the end for her love for John definitely sealed the deal for me.
Witty banter & toe-tingling passion with just the right amount of suspense thrown into make things interesting, Guarding Suzannah is a book for those who love romantic suspense that evolves slowly, but leaves you with a good buzz all around once you are done. And one of the best things about Guarding Suzannah for me was to read a romance between two people who bring no prior baggage into the relationship which was a refreshing change from the norm.
I am definitely getting myself the rest of the books in the series, the next one being Saving Grace which I am very much interested in reading as both the hero and heroine from Saving Grace have already appeared in Guarding Suzannah, enticing me all that much more to know their story. And I've just got to say this, I love me an author who gives a beautiful epilogue that ties up everything towards the end and Norah, you've definitely done that with Guarding Suzannah which makes me one happy chick all around!
Memorable Quotes:
The look he shot was incredulous in the extreme. “You have a filing system for your shoes?”
She lifted her chin, daring him to make something of it. “I can see the concept of organization is a foreign one, Detective, but there’s nothing wrong with knowing what goes where. In fact, there can be some bonuses to being a little anal about this stuff.”
Her hand came up to touch his face and he was lost. Groaning, he went for her upturned mouth, covering it hotly.
She threw herself into the kiss. There was no other way to describe it. Even as he plundered that lush, bourbon-ripe mouth, she plundered right back, giving as good as she got. And all the while, her hands slid through his hair, shaping his skull, pulling him closer.
Rating=4/5
Original review posted on MBR's Realm of Romance
Detective John Quigley of the St. Cloud Police Department knows deep in his gut that the sleek and beautiful Suzannah is so way out of his league that it isn't even funny to think about. But John being the masochist he is cannot help but be drawn towards the woman who had made him sit up and take notice of her when he had being the one who had come up with the short end of the straw when placed in the witness stand and quizzed by none other than the woman herself. Though John knows that nothing much can come out of his fascination with a woman who barely seems to notice that he even exists, that doesn't stop him from cluing in on Suzannah's fear of a stalker that she refuses to report to the police.
With no way of protecting her unless Suzannah reports about her stalker to the police, John does the next best thing and proposes that he take on the job, pretending to be her boyfriend for the duration to keep the vicious stalker at bay. Suzannah is not the easiest woman to offer help to and John finds himself infuriated and aroused at the same time by a woman whose stubbornness makes him want to shake her and kiss her senseless.
Though Suzannah knows she is not the passionate type, she can't help but be drawn to explore the coil of desire that slumbers and unfurls slowly deep inside of her when John makes no secret of how much he desires her and has no qualms about showing her just how passionate she can be in the arms of the right man for her. As their desire for each other reach new heights, so does the stalker up the stakes forcing John to pull out all the stops to draw out a mad man willing to do anything to make Suzannah suffer as he has.
Guarding Suzannah is my first taste of romantic suspense by Norah Wilson who wowed me by her paranormal vampire romance The Merzetti Effect which I reviewed sometime last month. Though Guarding Suzannah doesn't make it to the 5-star mark for me, it still managed to keep me riveted on the passion that explodes between two people whom the rest of the world may deem unsuitable because of their differences and of course intrigued me enough to keep continually guessing on who the stalker could be. The twist towards the end certainly managed to surprise me, which is ALWAYS a good thing when it comes to romantic suspense.
John is such a great hero. Tender, possessive, protective and has that sexy vibe that makes a girl's toes curl inward. Suzannah at first comes off perfectly as her "Ice Princess" persona which starts to shed layer by layer until we are left with a woman who yearns for the love of a man like John just like every other girl. Her gutsy nature coupled with her vulnerability won me over and if that didn't do the job for me, then what Suzannah was willing to sacrifice towards the end for her love for John definitely sealed the deal for me.
Witty banter & toe-tingling passion with just the right amount of suspense thrown into make things interesting, Guarding Suzannah is a book for those who love romantic suspense that evolves slowly, but leaves you with a good buzz all around once you are done. And one of the best things about Guarding Suzannah for me was to read a romance between two people who bring no prior baggage into the relationship which was a refreshing change from the norm.
I am definitely getting myself the rest of the books in the series, the next one being Saving Grace which I am very much interested in reading as both the hero and heroine from Saving Grace have already appeared in Guarding Suzannah, enticing me all that much more to know their story. And I've just got to say this, I love me an author who gives a beautiful epilogue that ties up everything towards the end and Norah, you've definitely done that with Guarding Suzannah which makes me one happy chick all around!
Memorable Quotes:
The look he shot was incredulous in the extreme. “You have a filing system for your shoes?”
She lifted her chin, daring him to make something of it. “I can see the concept of organization is a foreign one, Detective, but there’s nothing wrong with knowing what goes where. In fact, there can be some bonuses to being a little anal about this stuff.”
Her hand came up to touch his face and he was lost. Groaning, he went for her upturned mouth, covering it hotly.
She threw herself into the kiss. There was no other way to describe it. Even as he plundered that lush, bourbon-ripe mouth, she plundered right back, giving as good as she got. And all the while, her hands slid through his hair, shaping his skull, pulling him closer.
Rating=4/5
Original review posted on MBR's Realm of Romance
January 22, 2012
The first book in the Serve and Protect series by Norah Wilson. A wonderful romantic suspense in my most humble opinion. I read the second book,Saving Grace, in this series first. But it didn't harm the story in any way other than the fact I knew their story was next. This story is set in Canada and we get a glimpse into the Canadian judicial system. Suzannah Phelps is an attorney called Ice Princess, not affectionately, by the police. She has a bit of a problem in the form of a stalker. For obvious reasons she won't go to the police. John Quigley is a police officer who is determined to protect Suzannah any way he can. I highly recommend to fellow romantic suspense lovers who love that great balance of romance and suspense.
January 17, 2014
This was a great 4 star read.
I adored our Hero Det. John Quigley . He was just such a regular guy, which was so refreshing. He had no tragic past, no dead spouse, no ptsd, no hidden dungeon, he did not break out whips and chains, or grow fur in the moonlight.
The heroine Suzannah Phelps, was a touch one dimensional, I just wanted more depth to her and some background as to why she was as she was, we only really got hints.
But, overall, it was a great 4 star read. Engaging story that kept my interest till the end and decent bit of "suspense"
I shall be continuing with the series.
I adored our Hero Det. John Quigley . He was just such a regular guy, which was so refreshing. He had no tragic past, no dead spouse, no ptsd, no hidden dungeon, he did not break out whips and chains, or grow fur in the moonlight.
The heroine Suzannah Phelps, was a touch one dimensional, I just wanted more depth to her and some background as to why she was as she was, we only really got hints.
But, overall, it was a great 4 star read. Engaging story that kept my interest till the end and decent bit of "suspense"
I shall be continuing with the series.
July 30, 2013
How are the sex scenes?
Loved them for a reason I can't even tell you because it would be a spoiler. The first one if my favorite. Read it and you'll understand.
How are the storylines?
Liked those too. There's one main plot and all the focus is on the hero and heroine.
I have an author crush on Norah Wilson and will talk about it to anyone who will listen.
Four days ago I purchased Guarding Suzannah and have since finished the Serve and Protect series.
I really, really like this book.
Having been a paralegal, I enjoyed hearing brief references to the Canadian courts (which are referred to as Her Majesty), and the required dress for a prosecutor. Here in America, our attorneys wear suits and our Judges wear robes. In Canada, the prosecutors wear something similar to America's Judges.
Suzannah is a great heroine. She's from a rich family and finds it hard to relate to anyone not from her white collar circle. She's not a snob, but is well aware she comes across as one because of her educated speech and designer, albeit subtle, clothes. She's not cold, but distant. She's not a prude, but private. She's exactly like eighty percent of the women I've met in her profession. Norah nails it.
I enjoyed John as a hero. He's a detective, his crush is already developed when the novel begins and he has a protective streak that lands him in the heroine's life for a legitimate reason. (Though his protectiveness moves a bit too quickly at the start, by page thirty I bought it.)
Insert bad guy, great secondary characters and a bar-b-que (yes, a bar-b-que) that reveals the hero and heroine's inner turmoils and this novel is one I loved reading.
What I enjoy the most about Guarding Suzannah is that Norah brings in events and people, but never takes the focus off the couple. Not once. Everything somehow comes back to them. And I like that.
I hate to even mention this, but if my friends pick this novel up they will find me for not giving the warning... There are a few typos. Generic typos and nothing too distracting. They didn't take away from the story at all and the plot never suffers.
Ah, what little I knew. Those "typos" weren't typos at all. I'm sure this book has one or two, but I was referring to the ellipses. This review? Per the Chicago Manual and AP Stylebook my ellipses here are incorrect. Norah's ellipses are correct per the AP Stylebook.
Reviewer turned editor--corrected.
If you have just under five bucks and want to read about a hot detective, an unknowingly sensual prosecutor and a serial killer...read this.
Loved them for a reason I can't even tell you because it would be a spoiler. The first one if my favorite. Read it and you'll understand.
How are the storylines?
Liked those too. There's one main plot and all the focus is on the hero and heroine.
I have an author crush on Norah Wilson and will talk about it to anyone who will listen.
Four days ago I purchased Guarding Suzannah and have since finished the Serve and Protect series.
I really, really like this book.
Having been a paralegal, I enjoyed hearing brief references to the Canadian courts (which are referred to as Her Majesty), and the required dress for a prosecutor. Here in America, our attorneys wear suits and our Judges wear robes. In Canada, the prosecutors wear something similar to America's Judges.
Suzannah is a great heroine. She's from a rich family and finds it hard to relate to anyone not from her white collar circle. She's not a snob, but is well aware she comes across as one because of her educated speech and designer, albeit subtle, clothes. She's not cold, but distant. She's not a prude, but private. She's exactly like eighty percent of the women I've met in her profession. Norah nails it.
I enjoyed John as a hero. He's a detective, his crush is already developed when the novel begins and he has a protective streak that lands him in the heroine's life for a legitimate reason. (Though his protectiveness moves a bit too quickly at the start, by page thirty I bought it.)
Insert bad guy, great secondary characters and a bar-b-que (yes, a bar-b-que) that reveals the hero and heroine's inner turmoils and this novel is one I loved reading.
What I enjoy the most about Guarding Suzannah is that Norah brings in events and people, but never takes the focus off the couple. Not once. Everything somehow comes back to them. And I like that.
Ah, what little I knew. Those "typos" weren't typos at all. I'm sure this book has one or two, but I was referring to the ellipses. This review? Per the Chicago Manual and AP Stylebook my ellipses here are incorrect. Norah's ellipses are correct per the AP Stylebook.
Reviewer turned editor--corrected.
If you have just under five bucks and want to read about a hot detective, an unknowingly sensual prosecutor and a serial killer...read this.
July 11, 2012
I couldn't connect with the book, not the writing, not the characters. I never found anything special in the heroine, I actually got annoyed with her, the hero too was just okay. He is a police officer, she is a hotshot defence attorney and they play for opposite teams, plus she comes from class and money while he is all average. She is being stalked but doesn't want to report it since cops don't look too favourably on her. I actually found the heroine snobbish and being a dog lover didn't like seeing the dog shot. I found the hero too good for her, he is willing to switch teams so as to not face her in court, ultimately at the end, she too becomes a professor and mother. All in all very average and it didn't interest me enough to immediately get to the next book in the series.
April 17, 2012
This was surprisingly good! I shouldn't have been so surprised, a friend here at goodreads recommended it. This was fun, yet suspenseful too. The hero and heroine were immensely likable! I loved how their relationship evolved I really liked their interactions. And I got to know the secondary characters just enough to make me want to just right into the next book!
March 14, 2011
I really enjoyed this book. It was good for the first half, then it really picked up in the second half. John is a great hero. He is a man's man, but not too domineering. He just wants to see Suzannah safe. He is a perfect gentleman until she shows him she's interested in more, and he's gentle with her feelings and insecurities. The mystery of the stalker really was a mystery. It was so well written that I had no idea until the villain was revealed. There were a few typos here and there, but nothing to worry too much about. Overall, a great romantic suspense read!!
January 30, 2012
3.25; 3 stars; B
This was a good book by a 'new to me' author. I enjoyed the two main characters and, of course, the homely mutt, Bandicoot.
One thing I really enjoyed about this book was the fact that the story took place in Canada. Subtle differences in the legal system (from the more commonly used American system) just made it feel that much more real to me.
I'm looking forward to reading more from this author.
This was a good book by a 'new to me' author. I enjoyed the two main characters and, of course, the homely mutt, Bandicoot.
One thing I really enjoyed about this book was the fact that the story took place in Canada. Subtle differences in the legal system (from the more commonly used American system) just made it feel that much more real to me.
I'm looking forward to reading more from this author.
September 1, 2015
Should be subtitled: Just How Many Stalkers Does One Girl Need?
I really enjoyed this book and am glad it was suggested for me at the JD Robb group. It was sexy and engaging and had a nice little mystery/suspense theme. The main characters were complex and three dimensional and the suspense was good. Oh yes, and the sex/passion was great!
However, when the good, the bad, and the inept are all stalking the heroine, you have to wonder! LOL!!
I really enjoyed this book and am glad it was suggested for me at the JD Robb group. It was sexy and engaging and had a nice little mystery/suspense theme. The main characters were complex and three dimensional and the suspense was good. Oh yes, and the sex/passion was great!
However, when the good, the bad, and the inept are all stalking the heroine, you have to wonder! LOL!!
July 3, 2012
Didn't care for the heroine at all. Hero was a little bland. Lots of grammatical and punctuation errors. At best, a 2 star read.
October 17, 2014
I really liked that the setting was Fredericton, New Brunswick and that all the police and lawyery stuff was Canadian, but the actual story was meh and cliched.
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April 18, 2020🎁 FREE on Amazon today (4/18/2020)! 🎁
April 5, 2017
*Book source ~ A review copy was provided in exchange for an honest review.
Suzannah Phelps is really good at her job. As a criminal defense attorney she has earned the nickname She-Rex for her ability to tear up a cop’s testimony on the stand. When she’s being stalked she half expects it to be the work of a law enforcement officer, so she doesn’t report it. Detective John Quigley figures out about Suzannah’s stalker and takes her to task about not reporting it. Then as the stalker escalates he goes about protecting her all while trying to track the psycho down. What neither of them realized was that Quinn playing her boyfriend would lead them down a surprising path.
This is a pretty good read. Decent sexual tension, great characters, a bit of a mystery and enough suspense to keep me on the edge of my seat. I’ve enjoyed other books by Norah Wilson and this is no exception. I look forward to more reads by her.
Suzannah Phelps is really good at her job. As a criminal defense attorney she has earned the nickname She-Rex for her ability to tear up a cop’s testimony on the stand. When she’s being stalked she half expects it to be the work of a law enforcement officer, so she doesn’t report it. Detective John Quigley figures out about Suzannah’s stalker and takes her to task about not reporting it. Then as the stalker escalates he goes about protecting her all while trying to track the psycho down. What neither of them realized was that Quinn playing her boyfriend would lead them down a surprising path.
This is a pretty good read. Decent sexual tension, great characters, a bit of a mystery and enough suspense to keep me on the edge of my seat. I’ve enjoyed other books by Norah Wilson and this is no exception. I look forward to more reads by her.
January 21, 2012
Suzannah is know by cops as She-Rex for her harsh questioning on the stand, is reluctant to report someone who is stalking her. Feeling that it would make her lose respect from the officers, she successfully keeps it to herself until John Quigley (Quigg to everyone) somehow figures it out and confronts her. After lots of arguing over her safety, Quigg convinces her to let him watch her back since she isn't too concerned about herself if she wasn't going to the police. So people won't ask a million questions as to why Quigg was constantly around Suzannah, he came up with the idea that he pretend to be her boyfriend. As the stalker starts upping the ante, the lines of their agreement start to cross and morph into real feelings.
From start to finish, I read this book in less than twenty-four hours. I can never find enough romance novels with cops. I find them extremely sexy which is why I am married to a detective. **waggles eyebrows** Something about the way their uniform hugs to the curves of their....oh, right. I'm in the middle of writing a review and shouldn't be fantasizing about my husband. Mind out of the gutter! :)
But seriously, I really loved this book. I was doing some work for my business and had my Kindle reading to me when it came to the climatic ending and then she just couldn't spout the words fast enough for me. I decided that was the end of my work night (it should have been anyway since it was almost midnight) and quickly finished up the book. My heart was beating a little faster and one part made me tear up. It seriously takes a lot to make me tear from a book. I have to be emotionally entrenched in it to produce that outcome. So if that tells you anything, the ending was nothing short of thrilling!
From start to finish, I read this book in less than twenty-four hours. I can never find enough romance novels with cops. I find them extremely sexy which is why I am married to a detective. **waggles eyebrows** Something about the way their uniform hugs to the curves of their....oh, right. I'm in the middle of writing a review and shouldn't be fantasizing about my husband. Mind out of the gutter! :)
But seriously, I really loved this book. I was doing some work for my business and had my Kindle reading to me when it came to the climatic ending and then she just couldn't spout the words fast enough for me. I decided that was the end of my work night (it should have been anyway since it was almost midnight) and quickly finished up the book. My heart was beating a little faster and one part made me tear up. It seriously takes a lot to make me tear from a book. I have to be emotionally entrenched in it to produce that outcome. So if that tells you anything, the ending was nothing short of thrilling!
October 13, 2013
Guarding Suzannah was a great story with enough character development and mystery to keep a reader wanting more. Quigg is an exciting alpha bent on ensuring Suzannah is safe without discounting the normally less obvious reasons why she could be in danger. I found myself thoroughly enjoying this read and appreciating the characters independently of their involvement with eachother. The writing is engaging, clear, and easy to follow. I will definitely be reading more from this author.
May 28, 2011
OMG, how I loved Quig! I didn't want this book to end. He was so sexy, the rumpled cop who nonetheless knew what he wanted, and fell for the Ice Princess who was Suzannah. I totally pictured him as Mark Ruffalo. A great, suspenseful read. I never would have guessed who done it!
May 7, 2012
I just dont get the heroine. I give.
dnf
dnf
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May 10, 2013Free on Smashword for a limited time! Use code VX22S
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Thanks to Dhes for the heads up :D
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view...
Thanks to Dhes for the heads up :D
June 3, 2015
I really enjoyed this story. Great, realistic dialogue. Fast-paced. Good suspense. A very nice, believable romance.
November 10, 2014
I discovered a new-to-me author! I bought the "Last Hero Standing" Box Set because of Pamela Clare, but this book was a wonderful find.
Like many others, I liked the setting of Fredericton (somewhere far east of the part of Canada Mr. Richland called home). The setting felt different from the U.S. b/c the author used specific terms for the legal system and for the heroine's work, French character names and police titles like "constable" that we don't use in the U.S., but luckily no one descended into eating poutine. Thank goodness. That has no place in romance!
I found the build up of the creepy stalking to be quite scary. Very well done, when I'm usually left mostly unmoved by stalking in a story - the bathroom scene was inspired and absolutely creeped me out. I just wish it had been shown in real time instead of in a flashback - but I understand, believe me - I know authors have to make choices about pacing and scenes and flow, so the book flowed very well with the bathroom scene as it was (but I really really wanted to get all terrified right with it).
And yes, I thought the sex was very well done and I liked it that the hero and heroine spent enough time getting there that I trusted both of them to really care about each other. I also liked it that the heroine was NOT too stupid to live about how to handle the stalking. She had valid reasons for not reporting it at first, and as soon as it went big, she did - and she never really turned down the hero's help.
**(except for one misunderstanding at the end that she immediately regretted and which I, as a lawyer, totally bought into and believed - if what she mistakenly thought had happened, the hero reading her confidential legal documents, then yes, that would have been a big deal potentially worth breaking up over).
The only reason I didn't give it a 5 is that the final reveal of the villain wasn't quite as good as the rest of the story - it didn't quite live up to the suspense all the way through, which was really tight and scary - but all in all, I liked Guarding Suzannah very much and think most romantic suspense readers will too.
Like many others, I liked the setting of Fredericton (somewhere far east of the part of Canada Mr. Richland called home). The setting felt different from the U.S. b/c the author used specific terms for the legal system and for the heroine's work, French character names and police titles like "constable" that we don't use in the U.S., but luckily no one descended into eating poutine. Thank goodness. That has no place in romance!
I found the build up of the creepy stalking to be quite scary. Very well done, when I'm usually left mostly unmoved by stalking in a story - the bathroom scene was inspired and absolutely creeped me out. I just wish it had been shown in real time instead of in a flashback - but I understand, believe me - I know authors have to make choices about pacing and scenes and flow, so the book flowed very well with the bathroom scene as it was (but I really really wanted to get all terrified right with it).
And yes, I thought the sex was very well done and I liked it that the hero and heroine spent enough time getting there that I trusted both of them to really care about each other. I also liked it that the heroine was NOT too stupid to live about how to handle the stalking. She had valid reasons for not reporting it at first, and as soon as it went big, she did - and she never really turned down the hero's help.
**(except for one misunderstanding at the end that she immediately regretted and which I, as a lawyer, totally bought into and believed - if what she mistakenly thought had happened, the hero reading her confidential legal documents, then yes, that would have been a big deal potentially worth breaking up over).
The only reason I didn't give it a 5 is that the final reveal of the villain wasn't quite as good as the rest of the story - it didn't quite live up to the suspense all the way through, which was really tight and scary - but all in all, I liked Guarding Suzannah very much and think most romantic suspense readers will too.
July 6, 2015
Entretenido, interesante y romántico.
Por ponerle dos pegas, quizás las razones para que los protagonistas pasen todo el tiempo juntos han sido un poco vagas, y el final también ha podido estar mejor…
Pero aparte de esto me ha gustado, incluso más que el siguiente en la serie que me pareció muy flojo.
La historia es interesante y he conectado con los personajes desde el principio. He entendido porqué hacían lo que hacían y me ha parecido realista, no me ha chocado. La relación entre los protagonistas también se va construyendo poco a poco, no insta lust o love, y el misterio o suspense es más de lo que parece, aunque el giro final no ha estado del todo conseguido sí que consiguió sorprenderme.
Me ha gustado.
Entertaining, interesting and romantic.
By putting two drawbacks, perhaps the reasons which the MC´s spend all the time together have been a bit vague, and the end it could have been better...
But apart from that I liked it, even more than the next in the series which I thought was very loose.
The story is interesting and I have connected with the characters from the beginning. I understood why they did what they did and it has seemed realistic, it had not shocked me. The relationship between the main characters is gradually building, not insta-lust-love, and the mystery or suspense is more than it seems, although the final turn has not been entirely well done, it have managed to surprise me.
I liked it.
Por ponerle dos pegas, quizás las razones para que los protagonistas pasen todo el tiempo juntos han sido un poco vagas, y el final también ha podido estar mejor…
Pero aparte de esto me ha gustado, incluso más que el siguiente en la serie que me pareció muy flojo.
La historia es interesante y he conectado con los personajes desde el principio. He entendido porqué hacían lo que hacían y me ha parecido realista, no me ha chocado. La relación entre los protagonistas también se va construyendo poco a poco, no insta lust o love, y el misterio o suspense es más de lo que parece, aunque el giro final no ha estado del todo conseguido sí que consiguió sorprenderme.
Me ha gustado.
Entertaining, interesting and romantic.
By putting two drawbacks, perhaps the reasons which the MC´s spend all the time together have been a bit vague, and the end it could have been better...
But apart from that I liked it, even more than the next in the series which I thought was very loose.
The story is interesting and I have connected with the characters from the beginning. I understood why they did what they did and it has seemed realistic, it had not shocked me. The relationship between the main characters is gradually building, not insta-lust-love, and the mystery or suspense is more than it seems, although the final turn has not been entirely well done, it have managed to surprise me.
I liked it.
July 9, 2011
As I’ve found with most genres, different people have different opinions about what it takes to fit into a particular category. Some believe any romance with a touch of suspense is enough, while other people think the suspense portion of a romantic suspense should get as much attention in a story as the romance portion, close to a fifty-fifty split like I found in "Guarding Suzannah." A reader who would never read a romance novel, but would read a suspense novel that has a romance as a major subplot shouldn’t shy away from this book.
I enjoyed this combination. The suspense portion kept me guessing with plenty of potential culprits and enough directions for the story to take so it wasn’t predictable. The romance portion was predictable in the way a pure romance is; I thought I knew where they would end up in the end. How they would get there, what obstacles would be thrown in their way, and how they would get past them were not.
**Originally written for "Books and Pals" book blog. May have received a free review copy. **
I enjoyed this combination. The suspense portion kept me guessing with plenty of potential culprits and enough directions for the story to take so it wasn’t predictable. The romance portion was predictable in the way a pure romance is; I thought I knew where they would end up in the end. How they would get there, what obstacles would be thrown in their way, and how they would get past them were not.
**Originally written for "Books and Pals" book blog. May have received a free review copy. **
June 27, 2013
Was I surprised! Never judge a book by its cover. I thought this was going to be a chick romance thriller that would be an easy read that I would enjoy. Not only did I enjoy it I couldn’t put it down and was totally engaged in it. Sure there was romance in it but the mystery/suspense part kept my attention and had me guessing. The suspense and development of the characters were great . The Ice Princess lawyer was described so well you felt you were in her closet with her and her shoes and you could totally see Police Detective John Quigley as Columbo when she described his manor of dress. Another reason I enjoyed the book is it just proves you can write a great book without dropping the “f” bomb every other sentence. I was totally disappointed when I realized I was done with the book. I have her next book and can’t wait t start reading it.
May 3, 2012
I read this series out of order. I read
first because it was free on Amazon. By reading a later book first and going back to an earlier book I can see the author's writing growth.
I enjoyed this book but not as much as I enjoyed Needing Nita. I did like the two main characters Suzannah and John Quigley. I also enjoyed learning about New Brunswick, Canada and its judicial system. It is refreshing and sexy to have a romance between a defense attorney and a crimminal detective. Yummy!
I totally loved this book and am now on to read the next one in the series. I just love it when I find a new author!!
first because it was free on Amazon. By reading a later book first and going back to an earlier book I can see the author's writing growth.I enjoyed this book but not as much as I enjoyed Needing Nita. I did like the two main characters Suzannah and John Quigley. I also enjoyed learning about New Brunswick, Canada and its judicial system. It is refreshing and sexy to have a romance between a defense attorney and a crimminal detective. Yummy!
I totally loved this book and am now on to read the next one in the series. I just love it when I find a new author!!
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