What do you think?
Rate this book
Don't Look Back
When her best friend is kidnapped in Africa, Dr. Liv Olney must return to the scene of her own horrific captivity. The only man she trusts is former Army Lt. Gerard "Del" Delaney, the man who rescued her. Even with him, she can't relinquish control of her emotions, needing to keep painful memories at bay. Del takes honor seriously, but sometimes neither honor nor humanity are found in the orders he receives. In exile after a court martial that stripped him of everything, he misses his son and his country. When Liv asks for help, his instinct is to turn away. But her courage reaches out to him and he cannot refuse, especially when she promises that she can help clear his name so he can go home. Together they travel to Africa, where they fight warlords and monsoons, and learn to trust and hope that, together, they can find happiness and peace.
254 pages, Paperback
First published August 12, 2010
3 people are currently reading
495 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
July 14, 2011
Don’t Look Back by M.J. Fredrick is going to be a hard book for me to review, not because I didn’t love the story that unfolded but rather because of just how much the story drew me in and wrapped its words around me, making me savor every emotion that it wrenched from me that I want to do this book the justice that it deserves. Before I begin my review however, there are two things that I would like to thank the very wonderful M.J. Fredrick for. Number one being for the blog post that she published which drew my attention to this gem, and the second for being generous enough to give me a copy of this book which I appreciate from the bottom of my heart.
Don’t Look Back kicks off seven years prior to the start of the actual story when Dr. Olivia Olney is rescued by a team led by Captain Gerard Delaney from Special Forces who specializes in hostage recovery. Broken, battered, raped and barely alive, Olivia finds the strength to persevere and come out fighting by never letting go of the image of the tough blue-eyed soldier who arrived to her rescue when she had right about given up hope.
Seven years later, Olivia is a changed woman, the scars of the ordeal that she underwent which she carries with her every day. However, that doesn’t stop her from helping out the less fortunate souls who struggle to survive the depths of hell that is war riddled Africa, even if it means going back to the one place that brings back the nightmares of how she was captured and tortured at the hands of violent and vicious men.
When her best friend Jill gets taken as a hostage by the man who imprisoned Olivia and introduced her to the depths of hell, there is no stone that Olivia would leave unturned in her quest to rescue the one woman who stood by her through every single step of her recovery. When Olivia finds out that the soldier who has haunted her dreams since the night of her rescue is very much alive and living in exile in Spain, she doesn’t hesitate to pull out all the stops, even kicking Delaney where it hurts to get him to lead their rescue operation.
Delaney is a man who has been stripped bare of everything, a man with nothing left to lose who remains in hiding, fearing for the life of his son and his ex-wife whom he has left behind. Three years of merely existing comes to an end when the sexy and vibrant Olivia sashays into his life, opening up the wounds that have been quietly festering all this while. Olivia forces Delaney to confront his fear of failure and his reluctance to go back to a country that has already taken too much from him and left him high and dry.
Making their way to Amadan, a jungle-choked country with very poor roads begins their journey towards endless violence and danger which seems to lurke amidst every step they take. But the biggest threat comes not from the danger to each of their lives but rather that to their hearts when desire races like a raging inferno through both of them until there is no choice left but to surrender.
Combining sizzling sexual tension, toe-curling passion, heart pounding adventure and vicious war lords whose agendas change as swiftly as that of the colors of a chameleon, M.J. Fredrick earns herself 5 solid stars for penning such a fantastic romantic suspense that ALL fans of the genre must read. Bringing together two souls who have already seen the worst life can offer, but still has the courage to stand tall, both Delaney and Olivia are heartwarming and endearing characters that I fell in love with right from the very beginning.
In my opinion, the fact that M.J. Fredrick portrays the story in gritty and realistic terms to the very last detail made this earn a spot from my favorite reads for this year. Raw and honest in the gut wrenching emotions that it brings forth, heartbreaking in the details of the rape and torture that is part of every day life for women in the region, Don’t Look Back is a novel that has got it all. If a well-balanced romantic suspense with a bit of dark edge to it is what you want, don’t hesitate to pick this one up and let yourself be taken away on an intense adventure that would have you biting your nails before halfway through!
Memorable Quotes
To compensate, she took a deep breath and found herself with a noseful of Del-scent. Something about the sharp smell of him, lying beneath what might be Old Spice, made her want to bury her face in his throat and breathe him in.
Words escaped him. All his energy was in controlling his desire. He had no business looking at her, no business wanting to run his fingers through her hair, to bring her body against his and warm her with his kisses. He was the last thing she needed in her life.
Rating=5/5
Original Review posted on MBR's Realm of Romance
Don’t Look Back kicks off seven years prior to the start of the actual story when Dr. Olivia Olney is rescued by a team led by Captain Gerard Delaney from Special Forces who specializes in hostage recovery. Broken, battered, raped and barely alive, Olivia finds the strength to persevere and come out fighting by never letting go of the image of the tough blue-eyed soldier who arrived to her rescue when she had right about given up hope.
Seven years later, Olivia is a changed woman, the scars of the ordeal that she underwent which she carries with her every day. However, that doesn’t stop her from helping out the less fortunate souls who struggle to survive the depths of hell that is war riddled Africa, even if it means going back to the one place that brings back the nightmares of how she was captured and tortured at the hands of violent and vicious men.
When her best friend Jill gets taken as a hostage by the man who imprisoned Olivia and introduced her to the depths of hell, there is no stone that Olivia would leave unturned in her quest to rescue the one woman who stood by her through every single step of her recovery. When Olivia finds out that the soldier who has haunted her dreams since the night of her rescue is very much alive and living in exile in Spain, she doesn’t hesitate to pull out all the stops, even kicking Delaney where it hurts to get him to lead their rescue operation.
Delaney is a man who has been stripped bare of everything, a man with nothing left to lose who remains in hiding, fearing for the life of his son and his ex-wife whom he has left behind. Three years of merely existing comes to an end when the sexy and vibrant Olivia sashays into his life, opening up the wounds that have been quietly festering all this while. Olivia forces Delaney to confront his fear of failure and his reluctance to go back to a country that has already taken too much from him and left him high and dry.
Making their way to Amadan, a jungle-choked country with very poor roads begins their journey towards endless violence and danger which seems to lurke amidst every step they take. But the biggest threat comes not from the danger to each of their lives but rather that to their hearts when desire races like a raging inferno through both of them until there is no choice left but to surrender.
Combining sizzling sexual tension, toe-curling passion, heart pounding adventure and vicious war lords whose agendas change as swiftly as that of the colors of a chameleon, M.J. Fredrick earns herself 5 solid stars for penning such a fantastic romantic suspense that ALL fans of the genre must read. Bringing together two souls who have already seen the worst life can offer, but still has the courage to stand tall, both Delaney and Olivia are heartwarming and endearing characters that I fell in love with right from the very beginning.
In my opinion, the fact that M.J. Fredrick portrays the story in gritty and realistic terms to the very last detail made this earn a spot from my favorite reads for this year. Raw and honest in the gut wrenching emotions that it brings forth, heartbreaking in the details of the rape and torture that is part of every day life for women in the region, Don’t Look Back is a novel that has got it all. If a well-balanced romantic suspense with a bit of dark edge to it is what you want, don’t hesitate to pick this one up and let yourself be taken away on an intense adventure that would have you biting your nails before halfway through!
Memorable Quotes
To compensate, she took a deep breath and found herself with a noseful of Del-scent. Something about the sharp smell of him, lying beneath what might be Old Spice, made her want to bury her face in his throat and breathe him in.
Words escaped him. All his energy was in controlling his desire. He had no business looking at her, no business wanting to run his fingers through her hair, to bring her body against his and warm her with his kisses. He was the last thing she needed in her life.
Rating=5/5
Original Review posted on MBR's Realm of Romance
October 5, 2010
Christy’s Review
I love a good romantic suspense and Don’t Look Back didn’t disappoint. This is the first novel by author M. J. Frederick that I have read and it won’t be the last. Her characters are realistic, as is the storyline.
I loved Dr. Olivia Olney aka Liv. She’s strong, independent, and has overcome a horrible tragedy where she was kidnapped, tortured and raped by a man known as Wamukota. She was rescued by Captain Gerard Delaney aka Del while being held captive in the country of Amadan in central Africa. Del lost a lot after that mission when things went terribly wrong on another mission. He’s lived in exile for 3 years and has cut all ties with his ex-wife and young son Connor because Wamukota wants him dead. When Liv’s friend Jill is taken by the same madman she enlists the help of Del in finding her. Del’s reluctant at first but finally agrees to help.
The chemistry and sexual tension between Liv and Dell is sizzling. The action scenes of the book had me sitting on the edge of my seat and I couldn’t put it down. I was able to get through this novel in one day, it was that good.
So, if you enjoy a good romantic suspense where the hero and heroine are both strong, have great chemistry and a happily ever after then Don’t Look Back is for you.
4 1/2 Tea Cups!
I love a good romantic suspense and Don’t Look Back didn’t disappoint. This is the first novel by author M. J. Frederick that I have read and it won’t be the last. Her characters are realistic, as is the storyline.
I loved Dr. Olivia Olney aka Liv. She’s strong, independent, and has overcome a horrible tragedy where she was kidnapped, tortured and raped by a man known as Wamukota. She was rescued by Captain Gerard Delaney aka Del while being held captive in the country of Amadan in central Africa. Del lost a lot after that mission when things went terribly wrong on another mission. He’s lived in exile for 3 years and has cut all ties with his ex-wife and young son Connor because Wamukota wants him dead. When Liv’s friend Jill is taken by the same madman she enlists the help of Del in finding her. Del’s reluctant at first but finally agrees to help.
The chemistry and sexual tension between Liv and Dell is sizzling. The action scenes of the book had me sitting on the edge of my seat and I couldn’t put it down. I was able to get through this novel in one day, it was that good.
So, if you enjoy a good romantic suspense where the hero and heroine are both strong, have great chemistry and a happily ever after then Don’t Look Back is for you.
4 1/2 Tea Cups!
just-not-for-me-stay-away-hell-no
March 30, 2016self note:just not for me
March 8, 2018
Terrific suspense. Strong female lead. Enjoyed reading.
October 5, 2019
A good read,fast paced:)
July 5, 2015
3.8 stars. okay this book grabs your attention and holds it until the end. This is a great romantic suspense read with great characters an a very intense subject matter. This is not a light book. The subjects dicussed and the situations these women go through is not for the faint of heart. Equally disturbing is what our men and women in the military are faced with when in other countries for our freedom and for those too weak to fight for themselves. People oppressed by terrorists, militant warlords, people that need our help, that our military men and women sacrifice their own happiness even their lives to help and protect. That is what this book brings to light. So even though this was a good book, due to very real subject matters it makes this a difficult read and could trigger negative reponses for some. Also as intense as the book was it just kinda ended, no story to go with the HEA, no epilogue just the end. I needed more happiness with the H/h after the emotional rollercoaster ride of emotions this book brought to light. So in conclusion good book, good characters, intense subject matters, some steamy scenes (2 I think) standalone with HEA. Will read next in series.
March 27, 2014
DON'T LOOK BACK
I loved the story. It was exciting from the beginning to end. It kind of dragged on a little in the beginning but got my attention again in the end. It was suspenseful throughout the book. I gave it four stars instead of five because there were some grammatical errors. All in all, I enjoyed the story.
I loved the story. It was exciting from the beginning to end. It kind of dragged on a little in the beginning but got my attention again in the end. It was suspenseful throughout the book. I gave it four stars instead of five because there were some grammatical errors. All in all, I enjoyed the story.
March 3, 2014
I almost want to give this a 5, but though I really liked it, I don't see myself reading it again. I will definitely try more from this author.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews