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Fatal Embrace
High-spirited horse trainer Jessica Stanson stumbles into the perfect job on one of the most elite ranches in Montana. Or at least it would be if her boss, ex-detective Michael Carven, stopped acting like he didn't want her there. Jessica has to prove herself to him on the ranch, and also try to penetrate his armor to get to the man inside.
Michael Carven is a man who has left a difficult past behind him, and now works at his dream job raising horses under the Montana sky. But he knows that the past has a way of coming back to him, and soon enough, it does.
A wave of violence hits the nearby small town of Riverside, nestled deep in the mountains, as a cunning serial killer preys on the population. Against his will, Michael finds himself both drawn into the case and coming to care for his independent new trainer. And if having a killer on the loose wasn't enough, his two worlds collide when Jessica becomes the only material witness in the case. Before it is over, Michael and Jessica will put everything they know and hold dear on the line to catch a vicious, cunning killer - and to protect each other as well.
Michael Carven is a man who has left a difficult past behind him, and now works at his dream job raising horses under the Montana sky. But he knows that the past has a way of coming back to him, and soon enough, it does.
A wave of violence hits the nearby small town of Riverside, nestled deep in the mountains, as a cunning serial killer preys on the population. Against his will, Michael finds himself both drawn into the case and coming to care for his independent new trainer. And if having a killer on the loose wasn't enough, his two worlds collide when Jessica becomes the only material witness in the case. Before it is over, Michael and Jessica will put everything they know and hold dear on the line to catch a vicious, cunning killer - and to protect each other as well.
280 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 2, 2004
48 people are currently reading
454 people want to read
About the author
Aris Whittier
8 books58 followersAris Whittier is a romance writer. She writes suspense, contemporary, and commercial woman’s fiction. Her debut novel, Fatal Embrace is a romantic suspense that was featured in Cosmopolitan Magazine as a Red-Hot Read. Foolish Notions is a contemporary romance that has just a touch a mystery too. Across Eternity is a beautiful love story that transcends time. Visit Aris Whittier at: www.awhittier.blogspot.com
or www.facebook.com/ArisWhittier
Aris has also written non-fiction as well. The Truth About Being A Bass Fisherman’s Wife was featured in many fishing magazines and sold in Bass Pro Shops. It was rated one of the top Christmas gifts for the outdoors mans for under twenty bucks.
or www.facebook.com/ArisWhittier
Aris has also written non-fiction as well. The Truth About Being A Bass Fisherman’s Wife was featured in many fishing magazines and sold in Bass Pro Shops. It was rated one of the top Christmas gifts for the outdoors mans for under twenty bucks.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews
April 20, 2025
Decent plot. The characters' interactions were uncomfortable. The romance was a red-flag relationship. I'm concerned about the authors real life marriage if she thinks blatant misogyny, control issues, and unfettered anger are swoonworthy.
June 2, 2017
This was an excellent book. Very thrilling, and kept me reading until the end. Could not put this book down.
May 10, 2018
Predictable, but with a surprising ending.
September 16, 2020
Good story
Quick read with a good amount of romance and suspense. Kept me interested though I did figure out the ending.
Quick read with a good amount of romance and suspense. Kept me interested though I did figure out the ending.
May 5, 2021
The romance was definitely uneven and choppy, the mystery was police procedural -ly BUT the twist at the end was shocking..
May 2, 2023
I kept thinking it would get better it did not.
July 15, 2024
Predictable but entertaining.
October 13, 2011
RATING: Four of Five Stars
GENRE: Adult Fiction
FORM: eBook
While the author requested that I read and review her book, I have received no compensation for
this review other than the joy of reading!
SYNOPSIS: Michael trusted the responsibility of hiring a temporary horse trainer to his good friend, Dan, so that he can come out of retirement long enough to help catch the serial murder that has been plaguing the town. He gets quite a shocker when he finds out that the new guy that Dan hired, Jess Stanson, is actually Jessica. She is not only young and beautiful, but she is a great horse trainer. What he didn’t expect was for her to warm his heart and fill his home with life. He also didn’t realize that the attraction he starts to have for her would ultimately bring her closer to danger.
REVIEW: I hesitate to say I’m a big fan of this type of crime/mystery novels, mostly because I have to be very, very careful about the books I read. Some books fall on the wrong side of scary for me, and I’ll have nightmares. I find that being a mother doesn’t help matters much, in fact I become more paranoid and crazy because of the kids, so I try to stick with light and fluffy, or just plain “not possible” when I read. Fatal Embrace was suspenseful enough to keep me on the edge of my seat and wanting more – in fact, I almost could have taken a little bit more story line in the crime/murderer area than was given. The book moved forward nicely, and if you’re like me and like to try and solve the “who did it,” it might lead you in the wrong direction once or twice.
Jessica is enjoyable most of the time, she’s very light hearted and fun. She likes to joke around, but knows when to be serious and get the job done. Every now and then her personality seems to do a complete 180 and suddenly she is a scared animal though. She is vulnerable and even appears a bit weak and needy. While it gives Michael plenty of chances to play the hero and to grow the romance, the two sides of Jessica almost seemed to contradict in my mind.
Michael is a determined man, and in that he is determined to hold on to the loneliness that has consumed his life since his fiancée was killed three years earlier. He wants to make sure to keep Jessica at arm’s length, but fails miserably. Her vulnerability and need, and the fact that she is the best witness he has to the serial murderer, Michael is helpless to the need to comfort and protect Jessica.
The romance that stirs between the two of them is very slow moving, but very hot! Aris Whittier has provided many fun moments between Michael and Jessica that are heartwarming, or that will make you laugh. The attraction is instantaneous and long lasting, and one that keeps the reader constantly hoping for more. I love stories where the couple have plenty of time to get to know each other and truly fall into friendship prior to falling in love. It makes the characters seem more real.
I am very happy that Aris Whitter asked me to review this book, and look forward to reading more from her in the future.
AUTHOR BIO:
Aris Whittier is a romance writer. She writes suspense, contemporary, and commercial woman's fiction. Her debut novel, Fatal Embrace is a romantic suspense that was featured in Cosmopolitan Magazine as a Red-Hot Read. Foolish Notions is a contemporary romance that has just a touch a mystery too. Across Eternity is a beautiful love story that transcends time. Visit Aris Whittier at: awhittier.blogspot.com
GENRE: Adult Fiction
FORM: eBook
While the author requested that I read and review her book, I have received no compensation for
this review other than the joy of reading!
SYNOPSIS: Michael trusted the responsibility of hiring a temporary horse trainer to his good friend, Dan, so that he can come out of retirement long enough to help catch the serial murder that has been plaguing the town. He gets quite a shocker when he finds out that the new guy that Dan hired, Jess Stanson, is actually Jessica. She is not only young and beautiful, but she is a great horse trainer. What he didn’t expect was for her to warm his heart and fill his home with life. He also didn’t realize that the attraction he starts to have for her would ultimately bring her closer to danger.
REVIEW: I hesitate to say I’m a big fan of this type of crime/mystery novels, mostly because I have to be very, very careful about the books I read. Some books fall on the wrong side of scary for me, and I’ll have nightmares. I find that being a mother doesn’t help matters much, in fact I become more paranoid and crazy because of the kids, so I try to stick with light and fluffy, or just plain “not possible” when I read. Fatal Embrace was suspenseful enough to keep me on the edge of my seat and wanting more – in fact, I almost could have taken a little bit more story line in the crime/murderer area than was given. The book moved forward nicely, and if you’re like me and like to try and solve the “who did it,” it might lead you in the wrong direction once or twice.
Jessica is enjoyable most of the time, she’s very light hearted and fun. She likes to joke around, but knows when to be serious and get the job done. Every now and then her personality seems to do a complete 180 and suddenly she is a scared animal though. She is vulnerable and even appears a bit weak and needy. While it gives Michael plenty of chances to play the hero and to grow the romance, the two sides of Jessica almost seemed to contradict in my mind.
Michael is a determined man, and in that he is determined to hold on to the loneliness that has consumed his life since his fiancée was killed three years earlier. He wants to make sure to keep Jessica at arm’s length, but fails miserably. Her vulnerability and need, and the fact that she is the best witness he has to the serial murderer, Michael is helpless to the need to comfort and protect Jessica.
The romance that stirs between the two of them is very slow moving, but very hot! Aris Whittier has provided many fun moments between Michael and Jessica that are heartwarming, or that will make you laugh. The attraction is instantaneous and long lasting, and one that keeps the reader constantly hoping for more. I love stories where the couple have plenty of time to get to know each other and truly fall into friendship prior to falling in love. It makes the characters seem more real.
I am very happy that Aris Whitter asked me to review this book, and look forward to reading more from her in the future.
AUTHOR BIO:
Aris Whittier is a romance writer. She writes suspense, contemporary, and commercial woman's fiction. Her debut novel, Fatal Embrace is a romantic suspense that was featured in Cosmopolitan Magazine as a Red-Hot Read. Foolish Notions is a contemporary romance that has just a touch a mystery too. Across Eternity is a beautiful love story that transcends time. Visit Aris Whittier at: awhittier.blogspot.com
October 22, 2011
Review written by Leisha for A Tale of Many Reviews
Every once in awhile a reader will come across a book that simply cannot be put down. When you find that book and begin reading, all else in your world ceases to exist. The dishes don’t get done, the laundry goes unfolded, and the dirty toilet can just wait one more day! Most recently, I found that wondrous sensation with Aris Whittier’s fast-paced and well-written romantic-suspense novel, Fatal Embrace.
Whittier opens her novel with Michael, a hard-working if sullen cowboy who owns and operates a horse training facility; a place that has become his sanctuary since leaving his job as a police detective. Whittier also quickly introduces a second main character, the witty, sarcastic, and somewhat naughty Jessica Stanson, a young woman who has come to Michael’s ranch to work as a trainer. The opening scene between these two characters does much to set the stage for not only their relationship but for the novel as a whole. The opening scene is well thought out and well written. It is a primary motivator in engaging the reader so completely.
Just beyond the opening scene we discover that the communities surrounding the ranch have recently been plagued by a viscous killer who is targeting young women. To date, the crimes have gone unsolved and as such, a very reluctant Michael has agreed to serve as a consultant to the police in an effort to solve a seemingly unsolvable case. As Michael becomes obsessed with finding the killer he also discovers that Jessica is a good sounding board for his thoughts and concerns. This arrangement could have become awkward as Jessica is a horse trainer. Whittier has managed to successfully weave Jessica into Michael’s world. Of course, the two also discover a mutual attraction to one another – DUH and YIPPEE!
The crimes, Jessica’s presence, and the pressure to find the killer all combine to create a novel that is bursting with sexual and psychological tension. This tension continues to mount throughout the novel as Whittier leads us toward the end. She skillfully draws all of the plots, sub-plots, and characters together into what should have been a really spectacular finish. As I headed into this section of the book, I was completely lost in this world and couldn’t wait to discover the fate of all involved. Unfortunately, I was completely disappointed. Where the book failed for me was in how quickly everything was resolved. What had been a well-paced and exciting read became a horse race (pardon the pun) to the finish. Whittier should have devoted more time and space to the completion of this book. Each of the major revelations needs time to sink before moving on to the next.
Was I disappointed by anything else? No, absolutely not! Would I recommend this book to a friend? Absolutely! Fatal Embrace is an engrossing tale with excellent dialogue, fun characters, and a smart plot that is, unfortunately, lacking conviction in the conclusion.
Every once in awhile a reader will come across a book that simply cannot be put down. When you find that book and begin reading, all else in your world ceases to exist. The dishes don’t get done, the laundry goes unfolded, and the dirty toilet can just wait one more day! Most recently, I found that wondrous sensation with Aris Whittier’s fast-paced and well-written romantic-suspense novel, Fatal Embrace.
Whittier opens her novel with Michael, a hard-working if sullen cowboy who owns and operates a horse training facility; a place that has become his sanctuary since leaving his job as a police detective. Whittier also quickly introduces a second main character, the witty, sarcastic, and somewhat naughty Jessica Stanson, a young woman who has come to Michael’s ranch to work as a trainer. The opening scene between these two characters does much to set the stage for not only their relationship but for the novel as a whole. The opening scene is well thought out and well written. It is a primary motivator in engaging the reader so completely.
Just beyond the opening scene we discover that the communities surrounding the ranch have recently been plagued by a viscous killer who is targeting young women. To date, the crimes have gone unsolved and as such, a very reluctant Michael has agreed to serve as a consultant to the police in an effort to solve a seemingly unsolvable case. As Michael becomes obsessed with finding the killer he also discovers that Jessica is a good sounding board for his thoughts and concerns. This arrangement could have become awkward as Jessica is a horse trainer. Whittier has managed to successfully weave Jessica into Michael’s world. Of course, the two also discover a mutual attraction to one another – DUH and YIPPEE!
The crimes, Jessica’s presence, and the pressure to find the killer all combine to create a novel that is bursting with sexual and psychological tension. This tension continues to mount throughout the novel as Whittier leads us toward the end. She skillfully draws all of the plots, sub-plots, and characters together into what should have been a really spectacular finish. As I headed into this section of the book, I was completely lost in this world and couldn’t wait to discover the fate of all involved. Unfortunately, I was completely disappointed. Where the book failed for me was in how quickly everything was resolved. What had been a well-paced and exciting read became a horse race (pardon the pun) to the finish. Whittier should have devoted more time and space to the completion of this book. Each of the major revelations needs time to sink before moving on to the next.
Was I disappointed by anything else? No, absolutely not! Would I recommend this book to a friend? Absolutely! Fatal Embrace is an engrossing tale with excellent dialogue, fun characters, and a smart plot that is, unfortunately, lacking conviction in the conclusion.
August 20, 2011
Fatal Embrace was nothing if not predictable.
Jessica Stanson is a horse trainer, a female one, and when she shows up at Michael Carven’s farm for her first day of work, he flips. He doesn’t want a girl running his stables let alone a woman living in his house.
But they grow closer as Jessica helps Michael finally get past his traumatic loss and simultaneously fight the common enemy in the form of a serial killer that is after her.
Jessica was a nice enough character, feisty and intelligent, but iin many ways she was also extremely stupid. If there was a serial killer after me I would barely want to leave the house let alone go flouncing around by myself for drives out to other farms or going into a not very busy town by myself.
Michael was a complete contradiction of himself. One minute he is angry at Jess, the next he can’t stand to be without her, but before even finishing that breath he is pushing her away again. He just couldn’t make up his mind and his emotions were all over the place, but not in a good way. Michael was not an asset to this story, no matter how major his part was.
The writing in Fatal Embrace, for me, was very frustrating to read. Facts didn’t add up, leads weren’t followed up and obvious clues were completely looked over. Basically I had the killer worked out as soon as all of the main and secondary characters were laid out on the table, which wasn’t that far in.
Then we have the writing itself, which was jerky and badly formatted. Most formatting errors I can overlook but words were in the wrong place and the wrong “there” was used a couple of times. But what killed Fatal Embrace for me completely was Whittier never seemed to know whose head she was in. The POV would jump from Jessica to Michael in a sentence, no breaks or obvious change overs, it took a lot of re-reading on my part to keep up with whose head we were in at any one time and even after you thought you had it figured out, you still weren’t right.
I also had a lot of trouble with some of the major details in Fatal Embrace, Michael might be working on the investigation, but he isn’t a cop, he’s just a ranch owner, he used to be a cop, but he quit the force, and yet he is questioning people, knocking on peoples doors and acting like he is the chief without so much as a flash of a badge? Women are scared of what’s out there and yet here they are letting a strange man who claims to be a cop, but has no idea, into their house while they are alone? It doesn’t make sense.
My other pet peeve for Fatal Embrace was the sex break we took right towards the end, instead of finding the serial killer Jess and Michael decided to bed down for the last ten to fifteen pages so we could cram the climax into two pages of broken action.
Fatal Embrace had a pull over me, because I wanted to confirm that I was right. Other than that it was a very frustrating and predicatable read.
Find this review at storywings.com
Jessica Stanson is a horse trainer, a female one, and when she shows up at Michael Carven’s farm for her first day of work, he flips. He doesn’t want a girl running his stables let alone a woman living in his house.
But they grow closer as Jessica helps Michael finally get past his traumatic loss and simultaneously fight the common enemy in the form of a serial killer that is after her.
Jessica was a nice enough character, feisty and intelligent, but iin many ways she was also extremely stupid. If there was a serial killer after me I would barely want to leave the house let alone go flouncing around by myself for drives out to other farms or going into a not very busy town by myself.
Michael was a complete contradiction of himself. One minute he is angry at Jess, the next he can’t stand to be without her, but before even finishing that breath he is pushing her away again. He just couldn’t make up his mind and his emotions were all over the place, but not in a good way. Michael was not an asset to this story, no matter how major his part was.
The writing in Fatal Embrace, for me, was very frustrating to read. Facts didn’t add up, leads weren’t followed up and obvious clues were completely looked over. Basically I had the killer worked out as soon as all of the main and secondary characters were laid out on the table, which wasn’t that far in.
Then we have the writing itself, which was jerky and badly formatted. Most formatting errors I can overlook but words were in the wrong place and the wrong “there” was used a couple of times. But what killed Fatal Embrace for me completely was Whittier never seemed to know whose head she was in. The POV would jump from Jessica to Michael in a sentence, no breaks or obvious change overs, it took a lot of re-reading on my part to keep up with whose head we were in at any one time and even after you thought you had it figured out, you still weren’t right.
I also had a lot of trouble with some of the major details in Fatal Embrace, Michael might be working on the investigation, but he isn’t a cop, he’s just a ranch owner, he used to be a cop, but he quit the force, and yet he is questioning people, knocking on peoples doors and acting like he is the chief without so much as a flash of a badge? Women are scared of what’s out there and yet here they are letting a strange man who claims to be a cop, but has no idea, into their house while they are alone? It doesn’t make sense.
My other pet peeve for Fatal Embrace was the sex break we took right towards the end, instead of finding the serial killer Jess and Michael decided to bed down for the last ten to fifteen pages so we could cram the climax into two pages of broken action.
Fatal Embrace had a pull over me, because I wanted to confirm that I was right. Other than that it was a very frustrating and predicatable read.
Find this review at storywings.com
December 19, 2012
Source: Author; 3½/5 stars
Every once in awhile a reader will come across a book that simply cannot be put down. When you find that book and begin reading, all else in your world ceases to exist. The dishes don’t get done, the laundry goes unfolded, and the dirty toilet can just wait one more day! Most recently, I found that wondrous sensation with Aris Whittier’s fast-paced and well-written romantic-suspense novel, Fatal Embrace.
Whittier opens her novel with Michael, a hard-working if sullen cowboy who owns and operates a horse training facility; a place that has become his sanctuary since leaving his job as a police detective. Whittier also quickly introduces a second main character, the witty, sarcastic, and somewhat naughty Jessica Stanson, a young woman who has come to Michael’s ranch to work as a trainer. The opening scene between these two characters does much to set the stage for not only their relationship but for the novel as a whole. The opening scene is well thought out and well written. It is a primary motivator in engaging the reader so completely.
Just beyond the opening scene we discover that the communities surrounding the ranch have recently been plagued by a viscous killer who is targeting young women. To date, the crimes have gone unsolved and as such, a very reluctant Michael has agreed to serve as a consultant to the police in an effort to solve a seemingly unsolvable case. As Michael becomes obsessed with finding the killer he also discovers that Jessica is a good sounding board for his thoughts and concerns. This arrangement could have become awkward as Jessica is a horse trainer. Whittier has managed to successfully weave Jessica into Michael’s world. Of course, the two also discover a mutual attraction to one another – DUH and YIPPEE!
The crimes, Jessica’s presence, and the pressure to find the killer all combine to create a novel that is bursting with sexual and psychological tension. This tension continues to mount throughout the novel as Whittier leads us toward the end. She skillfully draws all of the plots, sub-plots, and characters together into what should have been a really spectacular finish. As I headed into this section of the book, I was completely lost in this world and couldn’t wait to discover the fate of all involved. Unfortunately, I was completely disappointed. Where the book failed for me was in how quickly everything was resolved. What had been a well-paced and exciting read became a horse race (pardon the pun) to the finish. Whittier should have devoted more time and space to the completion of this book. Each of the major revelations needs time to sink before moving on to the next. Was I disappointed by anything else? No, absolutely not! Would I recommend this book to a friend? Absolutely! Fatal Embrace is an engrossing tale with excellent dialogue, fun characters, and a smart plot that is, unfortunately, lacking conviction in the conclusion.
Every once in awhile a reader will come across a book that simply cannot be put down. When you find that book and begin reading, all else in your world ceases to exist. The dishes don’t get done, the laundry goes unfolded, and the dirty toilet can just wait one more day! Most recently, I found that wondrous sensation with Aris Whittier’s fast-paced and well-written romantic-suspense novel, Fatal Embrace.
Whittier opens her novel with Michael, a hard-working if sullen cowboy who owns and operates a horse training facility; a place that has become his sanctuary since leaving his job as a police detective. Whittier also quickly introduces a second main character, the witty, sarcastic, and somewhat naughty Jessica Stanson, a young woman who has come to Michael’s ranch to work as a trainer. The opening scene between these two characters does much to set the stage for not only their relationship but for the novel as a whole. The opening scene is well thought out and well written. It is a primary motivator in engaging the reader so completely.
Just beyond the opening scene we discover that the communities surrounding the ranch have recently been plagued by a viscous killer who is targeting young women. To date, the crimes have gone unsolved and as such, a very reluctant Michael has agreed to serve as a consultant to the police in an effort to solve a seemingly unsolvable case. As Michael becomes obsessed with finding the killer he also discovers that Jessica is a good sounding board for his thoughts and concerns. This arrangement could have become awkward as Jessica is a horse trainer. Whittier has managed to successfully weave Jessica into Michael’s world. Of course, the two also discover a mutual attraction to one another – DUH and YIPPEE!
The crimes, Jessica’s presence, and the pressure to find the killer all combine to create a novel that is bursting with sexual and psychological tension. This tension continues to mount throughout the novel as Whittier leads us toward the end. She skillfully draws all of the plots, sub-plots, and characters together into what should have been a really spectacular finish. As I headed into this section of the book, I was completely lost in this world and couldn’t wait to discover the fate of all involved. Unfortunately, I was completely disappointed. Where the book failed for me was in how quickly everything was resolved. What had been a well-paced and exciting read became a horse race (pardon the pun) to the finish. Whittier should have devoted more time and space to the completion of this book. Each of the major revelations needs time to sink before moving on to the next. Was I disappointed by anything else? No, absolutely not! Would I recommend this book to a friend? Absolutely! Fatal Embrace is an engrossing tale with excellent dialogue, fun characters, and a smart plot that is, unfortunately, lacking conviction in the conclusion.
June 4, 2011
My Rating: 4/5 stars!
I always enjoy a good romantic suspense novel. I’m a sucker for romance and I happen to really enjoy suspenseful moments… so put them together and you have a nice little party via words. Fatal Embrace was a well-written, nicely-paced, enjoyable romantic suspense novel. It can easily be read in one sitting although it took me much longer because of little girls not letting me get my reading time in…
Jessica and Michael were very likable. Although their relationship was somewhat shoved together at times I thought they went well together. Michael has a very painful past that he’s still working on getting over. His ranch is what keeps him grounded and brings him peace in a world full of chaos. Jess enters his life as a new horse trainer and brings about a whole string of emotions that threatens to unravel the carefully constructed world Michael has created for himself. Michael does his best to keep Jess away from his heart but she pretty much wonderful in every sense of the word. Her personality, beauty, and strength make it impossible for Michael not to fall in love with her.
Even though Michael owns a very successful ranch and is no longer a detective he still likes to help out his ex-partner on cases. There is a string of murders in a nearby town and a serial killer seems to be on the loose. Michael seems to be making it his personal mission to find out who the killer is and put an end to the murders. And things really hit home when Jess becomes a key witness in the case and just may be the killer’s next victim.
I was a little troubled with the mixture of the mystery aspect and the contemporary romance on the ranch. Sometimes the transitions were a little jumbled and I had a hard time switching between mystery-suspense mode and contemporary-romance mode. There were times when they flowed nicely into each other but others…not so much. I also had love-hate feelings towards Michael and Jess’ relationship. Michael is very tough and he’s got a hard exterior. He’s obviously trying to push Jess away despite her persistence. Jess is very sweet. She’s intelligent, funny, and caring. So they actually go together nicely but there were moments when I felt things were a little forced together…like two puzzle pieces that don’t quite match. I get that Michael had a complicated and hurtful past but his mood swings were a little out there… Despite that I still really loved Michael and Jess. They are very passionate people and like I said they do go well together.
I loved how realistic things were in Fatal Embrace. It was so easy to envision things happening and I really like that about a novel. I like to be able to see things in my mind. I know a lot of people who haven’t had a chance to pick it up yet or those who haven’t heard of Fatal Embrace will like it!
I always enjoy a good romantic suspense novel. I’m a sucker for romance and I happen to really enjoy suspenseful moments… so put them together and you have a nice little party via words. Fatal Embrace was a well-written, nicely-paced, enjoyable romantic suspense novel. It can easily be read in one sitting although it took me much longer because of little girls not letting me get my reading time in…
Jessica and Michael were very likable. Although their relationship was somewhat shoved together at times I thought they went well together. Michael has a very painful past that he’s still working on getting over. His ranch is what keeps him grounded and brings him peace in a world full of chaos. Jess enters his life as a new horse trainer and brings about a whole string of emotions that threatens to unravel the carefully constructed world Michael has created for himself. Michael does his best to keep Jess away from his heart but she pretty much wonderful in every sense of the word. Her personality, beauty, and strength make it impossible for Michael not to fall in love with her.
Even though Michael owns a very successful ranch and is no longer a detective he still likes to help out his ex-partner on cases. There is a string of murders in a nearby town and a serial killer seems to be on the loose. Michael seems to be making it his personal mission to find out who the killer is and put an end to the murders. And things really hit home when Jess becomes a key witness in the case and just may be the killer’s next victim.
I was a little troubled with the mixture of the mystery aspect and the contemporary romance on the ranch. Sometimes the transitions were a little jumbled and I had a hard time switching between mystery-suspense mode and contemporary-romance mode. There were times when they flowed nicely into each other but others…not so much. I also had love-hate feelings towards Michael and Jess’ relationship. Michael is very tough and he’s got a hard exterior. He’s obviously trying to push Jess away despite her persistence. Jess is very sweet. She’s intelligent, funny, and caring. So they actually go together nicely but there were moments when I felt things were a little forced together…like two puzzle pieces that don’t quite match. I get that Michael had a complicated and hurtful past but his mood swings were a little out there… Despite that I still really loved Michael and Jess. They are very passionate people and like I said they do go well together.
I loved how realistic things were in Fatal Embrace. It was so easy to envision things happening and I really like that about a novel. I like to be able to see things in my mind. I know a lot of people who haven’t had a chance to pick it up yet or those who haven’t heard of Fatal Embrace will like it!
March 2, 2011
Let me start by saying that I finished this in 4 hours. I loved this book. It drew me in from the first page and kept me hooked as I tore through the book. I immediately liked Jess and felt the draw towards the painfully lonely Michael. I like that the author spent the better part of the book developing the relationship between Jess and Michael. They didn't just fall into each other's arms and profess their love for each other. They had their ups and downs, and by half way through the book I was screaming (in my head, of course!) "Just kiss already!" I liked the internal struggle for Michael and the way Jess slowly chipped away at his hard exterior. It was that slow progression into the relationship that made it believable and made me, as a reader, love them as a couple.
And then of course, there's the murders that must be solved. The mystery was told well, with plenty of suspense, drama and action. I like the premise of the story. I like that Michael is tormented by the most important case of his career which remains unsolved. I do think that the author could have spent just as much time developing the case as she did the romance, though. Unfortunately, I was able to pin down the killer within the first half of the book, but really, it's through no fault of the author. There was no indication about who the killer was and the author even drops clues that it might have been someone else. I wasn't buying it though, but I chalk that up to the fact that I have read so many mysteries and watched so many crime shows. It's sort of a skill that I have developed and my husband hates me for it, LOL!
Favorite quote:
"The haunting memories that inhibited every aspect of his life were set free. He had managed to accept them and then let them go."
Rating:
It wasn't hard for me to give this one 4 stars. I'm going to have to throw in a half a star, too because I loved this book that much. The only thing keeping it from 5 stars is the fact that I wish there was much detail and plot development with the murder mystery part of the story. What was included was well written and I enjoyed it. I just feel like there was the potential to take this book to a whole new level with another chapter or two of plot development in that area.
Overall, this was an excellent book and I would recommend it to anyone who is a fan of mystery, suspense and/or romance.
And then of course, there's the murders that must be solved. The mystery was told well, with plenty of suspense, drama and action. I like the premise of the story. I like that Michael is tormented by the most important case of his career which remains unsolved. I do think that the author could have spent just as much time developing the case as she did the romance, though. Unfortunately, I was able to pin down the killer within the first half of the book, but really, it's through no fault of the author. There was no indication about who the killer was and the author even drops clues that it might have been someone else. I wasn't buying it though, but I chalk that up to the fact that I have read so many mysteries and watched so many crime shows. It's sort of a skill that I have developed and my husband hates me for it, LOL!
Favorite quote:
"The haunting memories that inhibited every aspect of his life were set free. He had managed to accept them and then let them go."
Rating:
It wasn't hard for me to give this one 4 stars. I'm going to have to throw in a half a star, too because I loved this book that much. The only thing keeping it from 5 stars is the fact that I wish there was much detail and plot development with the murder mystery part of the story. What was included was well written and I enjoyed it. I just feel like there was the potential to take this book to a whole new level with another chapter or two of plot development in that area.
Overall, this was an excellent book and I would recommend it to anyone who is a fan of mystery, suspense and/or romance.
March 12, 2011
After tragedy strikes, Michael Carven leaves his career as a police detective behind and runs his own ranch in Montana. When his former partner, Dan Walker, calls to seek his help in tracking down a serial killer, he feels obligated to lend a hand in the investigation. Dan hires Jessica Stanson help out on the ranch as a horse trainer. Michael is not thrilled to discover his new horse trainer is a woman. Against his better judgment, he agrees to give her a chance.
Jessica has no intentions of letting Michael run her off the ranch just because she happens to be female. She’s a good horse trainer and she plans to prove it. It doesn’t take long for the sparks to fly between Jessica and Michael, despite his insistence that he has no room in his life for anyone other than himself.
Things take a scary turn when Jessica is the sole witness who can identify the serial killer. She, also, becomes his next target. Michael is determined to keep Jessica safe at all costs. He already lost one woman through a tragedy, he’s not going to let it happen again.
Jessica is a likeable, upbeat character. Michael is a brooding loner who you want to give a huge hug to. I did think Michael opened up a bit too quickly for someone who shut himself off from the world for such a long time, but readers can’t help but be happy that he did.
This is a nice romantic suspense – more romance than suspense, which is fine with me. Lately I’ve been reading more suspense than romance. Most of the book was building up the romance between Michael and Jessica. The mystery part didn’t really heat up until the final few chapters. I did figure out who the killer was pretty quickly, but that’s probably because I’ve become a suspense expert lately. LOL
Fatal Embrace is the first book by Whittier and she’s off to a great start. It’s a fast-paced story with characters readers can truly care about. I will definitely be looking for more work by this author.
Jessica has no intentions of letting Michael run her off the ranch just because she happens to be female. She’s a good horse trainer and she plans to prove it. It doesn’t take long for the sparks to fly between Jessica and Michael, despite his insistence that he has no room in his life for anyone other than himself.
Things take a scary turn when Jessica is the sole witness who can identify the serial killer. She, also, becomes his next target. Michael is determined to keep Jessica safe at all costs. He already lost one woman through a tragedy, he’s not going to let it happen again.
Jessica is a likeable, upbeat character. Michael is a brooding loner who you want to give a huge hug to. I did think Michael opened up a bit too quickly for someone who shut himself off from the world for such a long time, but readers can’t help but be happy that he did.
This is a nice romantic suspense – more romance than suspense, which is fine with me. Lately I’ve been reading more suspense than romance. Most of the book was building up the romance between Michael and Jessica. The mystery part didn’t really heat up until the final few chapters. I did figure out who the killer was pretty quickly, but that’s probably because I’ve become a suspense expert lately. LOL
Fatal Embrace is the first book by Whittier and she’s off to a great start. It’s a fast-paced story with characters readers can truly care about. I will definitely be looking for more work by this author.
June 17, 2012
For this review and more like it visit my new Adult book review blog: The Little Death
This book had all the right ingredients but none of the fizz. There was drama, romance, sex, angst and crime but it never quite hit the mark for me. The characters, although well put together, changed their minds about things all the time. Their personalities also seemed to change a lot too. One minute he was hot then cold. One second she was tender and caring then sarcastic and snappy. There is nothing wrong with that in general but it seemed like the changes were occurring in the same sentence, it was hard to keep up.
I liked that the romance was a slow burner, it took it’s time and built up throughout the book. My main problem with it was that I didn’t care that much for the characters; sure I thought it would be nice for them to be together but I was never truly invested in them. I didn’t get that agonising feeling in my gut where you want characters to be together so much it almost hurts.
Also, everything was a little fast in the beginning. The set up appeared to be in the middle of the book and not the start which I found a little bit bizarre, but once it had settled in it was much better.
There were times when this book seemed to step right out of reality and read a lot more like an over done Fan Fiction but those moments were few and far between.
What this novel does get right is the crime. About half way through I was pretty sure I know who the killer was but was surprised to find that I was well off base. It was a well done twist that really raised the level of the book for me. I didn’t see it coming and I often do so I give the Author credit for that.
If you are a crime-romance fan this is a short and pleasant read that you will probably enjoy. It could have been a lot better but it was still a nice way to waste away a rainy bank holiday afternoon.
This book had all the right ingredients but none of the fizz. There was drama, romance, sex, angst and crime but it never quite hit the mark for me. The characters, although well put together, changed their minds about things all the time. Their personalities also seemed to change a lot too. One minute he was hot then cold. One second she was tender and caring then sarcastic and snappy. There is nothing wrong with that in general but it seemed like the changes were occurring in the same sentence, it was hard to keep up.
I liked that the romance was a slow burner, it took it’s time and built up throughout the book. My main problem with it was that I didn’t care that much for the characters; sure I thought it would be nice for them to be together but I was never truly invested in them. I didn’t get that agonising feeling in my gut where you want characters to be together so much it almost hurts.
Also, everything was a little fast in the beginning. The set up appeared to be in the middle of the book and not the start which I found a little bit bizarre, but once it had settled in it was much better.
There were times when this book seemed to step right out of reality and read a lot more like an over done Fan Fiction but those moments were few and far between.
What this novel does get right is the crime. About half way through I was pretty sure I know who the killer was but was surprised to find that I was well off base. It was a well done twist that really raised the level of the book for me. I didn’t see it coming and I often do so I give the Author credit for that.
If you are a crime-romance fan this is a short and pleasant read that you will probably enjoy. It could have been a lot better but it was still a nice way to waste away a rainy bank holiday afternoon.
April 6, 2011
This book is classified as a romantic suspense but it was heavier on the suspense than the romance. I was pleasantly surprised at that---I am no great fan of pure romance novels. They always feel too shallow to me. I was so happy that Fatal Embrace was not an empty read. It had romance and suspense in perfect balance.
I love books set on ranches. I think it's because I've always wanted to ride a horse, so the idea of being around horses all the time appeals to me. The appeal of ranches is definitely not the men in Wranglers and cowboy boots, because we have plenty of that here in southeast Texas!
Michael and Jessica start out as work associates and very slowly develop a friendship. Michael is very distant and emotionally unavailable, because of events from his past. Jessica is a hard worker and quickly earns the respect of the ranch-hands. She has a good sense of humor and great self-esteem. I love it when a female lead has those qualities. The relationship between the two develops slowly, which I love. I don't like it when relationships move too fast because I think it's not realistic. I'm too practical to believe in falling in love at first sight, so I don't like reading about characters who jump into bed together too quickly or declare love within a couple of days of meeting.
The book moves at a good pace, not too slow or too fast. I enjoyed the writing and the suspense. I think that I would have liked Fatal Embrace even more if I had read it more quickly. I started the book after I had my baby and it took me a couple of weeks to finish it. I don't like taking that long to read a book because I tend to forget important events and plot points along the way.
I would recommend Fatal Embrace to fans of mysteries, suspense, and romance novels. I would definitely read more from Aris Whittier in the future!
I love books set on ranches. I think it's because I've always wanted to ride a horse, so the idea of being around horses all the time appeals to me. The appeal of ranches is definitely not the men in Wranglers and cowboy boots, because we have plenty of that here in southeast Texas!
Michael and Jessica start out as work associates and very slowly develop a friendship. Michael is very distant and emotionally unavailable, because of events from his past. Jessica is a hard worker and quickly earns the respect of the ranch-hands. She has a good sense of humor and great self-esteem. I love it when a female lead has those qualities. The relationship between the two develops slowly, which I love. I don't like it when relationships move too fast because I think it's not realistic. I'm too practical to believe in falling in love at first sight, so I don't like reading about characters who jump into bed together too quickly or declare love within a couple of days of meeting.
The book moves at a good pace, not too slow or too fast. I enjoyed the writing and the suspense. I think that I would have liked Fatal Embrace even more if I had read it more quickly. I started the book after I had my baby and it took me a couple of weeks to finish it. I don't like taking that long to read a book because I tend to forget important events and plot points along the way.
I would recommend Fatal Embrace to fans of mysteries, suspense, and romance novels. I would definitely read more from Aris Whittier in the future!
May 3, 2011
I can just say one thing about this book: I loved it! I loved the romantic parts, loved the mystery part, loved the characters and everything else! The story begins with Michael, retired homicide detective, who has the guilty of never being able to catch his fiancée murder. So now, he lives in a ranch in Montana with his horses, but the past always come.
His old partner Dan, who is now the homicide chief, asks Michael if he can help the force to catch a serial killer, who has been murdering young girls in the city. He accepts to help, so he needs to hire somebody to take his place in the ranch, while he's busy following leads. This is when, he hires Jess Stanson. The problem is: He doesn't now that Jess is Jessica, and he gets very surprised and angry with this fact, but with time and Jess insistence, they build a friendship. The only problem is: After a little trip to the city, Jess saw the killer. And now he's watching her. How Michael will deal with that? And what he's going to do to stop the murder, before he gets the woman that he loves?
I love when the emotions that the characters are expressing are so real, that you think "That could happen to me too! And I would do/feel the same thing as her!" I felt that with Jess and Michael. I felt connected with them, so I could understand their emotions. And another thing that was that Jess and Michael didn't fall in love in 30 seconds, are in the bed in one day and planning their life in the rest of the book. Everything happened so calmly and smoothly, principally because of Michael's dead fiancée.
In the end... They mystery part... That was good. I loved how Aris balanced the
romance, but without letting the mystery get boring and easy for the readers.
Well, I recommend this book for everybody who loves a great romance and a great mystery all together in one place.
October 15, 2015
Up until about 85 %, this was a strong 4-star read. Up until this point, the storytelling was engaging, the characters interesting, and the tension alive.
All in all, it's a quick, nice read, and it might appeal to many people. I'm a little disappointed with the ending, but the story had me hooked up until that 85 % mark and I read that bit in one go late at night (too late, since I have a job to go to in the mornings), then I read the remainder in the harsh light of day. Maybe that influenced my feelings on the book as a whole, too.
All in all, it's a quick, nice read, and it might appeal to many people. I'm a little disappointed with the ending, but the story had me hooked up until that 85 % mark and I read that bit in one go late at night (too late, since I have a job to go to in the mornings), then I read the remainder in the harsh light of day. Maybe that influenced my feelings on the book as a whole, too.
March 13, 2011
Originally posted at Once Upon a Chapter
Whittier writes a pretty good romantic suspense. If you’re looking for a good thrill that will keep you guessing, Fatal Embrace is a great read! Michael has spent most of his life dealing with loss. As an adult he owns and operates a very successful ranch that holds riding lessons for disabled children.
Unfortunately there is a serial rapist killer terrifying the area that Michael lives in. Known as the best of the best of detectives, his good friend Dan asks for his assistance with the case. He doesn’t think he can solve it without Michael’s help. Enter Jessica Stanson. She becomes Michael’s replacement while he’s working the case. She’s also living in his house instead of the foreman’s bunk he set up before he left on business. She insinuates herself in Michael’s life and before he knows it, he’s looking forward to the little things to make him smile.
Jessica too knows a little something about loss. Her family is tight knit because of that and she misses them. Jessica looks to make friends during her stay on the ranch. She doesn’t expect to meet a man that steals her breath. As it turns out, Jessica may be a bigger help to Michael than he originally thought.
Whittier kept me intrigued through the book and I continually tried to figure out who the bad guy was. I thought that I had thought of everyone and I still didn’t have a clue how it was going to end. Well, the ending was a real surprise to me and a pretty great plot twist. For $2.99, Fatal Embrace is a great way to introduce yourself to a new author and a great story line!
Whittier writes a pretty good romantic suspense. If you’re looking for a good thrill that will keep you guessing, Fatal Embrace is a great read! Michael has spent most of his life dealing with loss. As an adult he owns and operates a very successful ranch that holds riding lessons for disabled children.
Unfortunately there is a serial rapist killer terrifying the area that Michael lives in. Known as the best of the best of detectives, his good friend Dan asks for his assistance with the case. He doesn’t think he can solve it without Michael’s help. Enter Jessica Stanson. She becomes Michael’s replacement while he’s working the case. She’s also living in his house instead of the foreman’s bunk he set up before he left on business. She insinuates herself in Michael’s life and before he knows it, he’s looking forward to the little things to make him smile.
Jessica too knows a little something about loss. Her family is tight knit because of that and she misses them. Jessica looks to make friends during her stay on the ranch. She doesn’t expect to meet a man that steals her breath. As it turns out, Jessica may be a bigger help to Michael than he originally thought.
Whittier kept me intrigued through the book and I continually tried to figure out who the bad guy was. I thought that I had thought of everyone and I still didn’t have a clue how it was going to end. Well, the ending was a real surprise to me and a pretty great plot twist. For $2.99, Fatal Embrace is a great way to introduce yourself to a new author and a great story line!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 8, 2011
So who doesn’t love a good mystery? This one throws in a little romance, a little horse love (which by the way, I’m a huge animal person so that was a plus for me), some pain, some happiness, a murder and some fun and interesting side characters. It’s a quick read, and even though I guessed who it was, I don’t think that was necessarily the author’s purpose in writing this book (I mean, I don't think the book was intended to keep you guessing until the very end). I felt more like she wanted to entertain her reader and that’s what she did. So for that, I would recommend this book to anyone loving a good romance/murder mystery book. I still kept looking for my vampires though. ::smiling::
What I liked: I’m not sure how it happened, but from the very opening scene in this book, I found myself really liking these characters. I have read other reviews that said that the dialogue was witty. Personally, I didn’t find that to be the case. I found it to be more realistic in a soap opera sort of way. Whatever the case, these characters reached right through my e-reader and grabbed me!
What I disliked: I don’t feel like the relationship between Michael and Stanson (Jess) develops on a smooth level. Michael seems, eh, I’m not sure of the right word, strained maybe? It’s just not a smooth thing. He runs too hot and cold. He’s almost bipolar or something. I don’t know. It just didn’t *feel* right. Oh, and one more thing, I really did not like the title of this book. I think the title might even keep people away from reading it.
What I liked: I’m not sure how it happened, but from the very opening scene in this book, I found myself really liking these characters. I have read other reviews that said that the dialogue was witty. Personally, I didn’t find that to be the case. I found it to be more realistic in a soap opera sort of way. Whatever the case, these characters reached right through my e-reader and grabbed me!
What I disliked: I don’t feel like the relationship between Michael and Stanson (Jess) develops on a smooth level. Michael seems, eh, I’m not sure of the right word, strained maybe? It’s just not a smooth thing. He runs too hot and cold. He’s almost bipolar or something. I don’t know. It just didn’t *feel* right. Oh, and one more thing, I really did not like the title of this book. I think the title might even keep people away from reading it.
February 27, 2013
Disappointing! I wouldn't normally buy a romance, but it was free so I had nothing to lose except perhaps my patience. This book wasn't complete balderdash but it was incredibly lightweight. From the start I was left wondering why anyone who owned a horse ranch would leave anything as important as hiring a horse trainer to a friend, who hadn't even seen the trainer in person. It was obvious that Stanton and Carven were destined to fall in love, but there was very little work put into mapping the change from annoyance to passion between them.
As for Carven being called in to solve a serial killer case on a part time basis, how likely is that scenario? It rather implies a huge laxity in the standards of the Montana police force. Would an ex-cop be allowed to go around impersonating a police officer and interviewing witnesses? As for guessing who the murderer was, I didn't bother, but I did wonder if Carven would ever be able to work it out!
I feel like I am being rather hard on this book, I like thrillers and I don't much like romances and this did nothing to change my mind on that score. I must have had a soft half hour! If you like slushy romance, I'm sure this book will float your boat, but if you like hard hitting, well reasoned murder mysteries then this book bears only a cursory resemblance to one of those.
As for Carven being called in to solve a serial killer case on a part time basis, how likely is that scenario? It rather implies a huge laxity in the standards of the Montana police force. Would an ex-cop be allowed to go around impersonating a police officer and interviewing witnesses? As for guessing who the murderer was, I didn't bother, but I did wonder if Carven would ever be able to work it out!
I feel like I am being rather hard on this book, I like thrillers and I don't much like romances and this did nothing to change my mind on that score. I must have had a soft half hour! If you like slushy romance, I'm sure this book will float your boat, but if you like hard hitting, well reasoned murder mysteries then this book bears only a cursory resemblance to one of those.
October 22, 2011
Michael Carvin is very surprised when his trainer turns out to be a woman. Jess is just what the ranch needs, a woman's touch so to speak. On their first meeting, as his friend is the one who hired her, they were squabbling like kids and Mike wanted her gone then and there. Dan, Mike's friend, needs his help on a case and helps Mike makes up his mind to keep Jess on the job for 2 months. The story gets interesting at this point and gets better with each page.
The reason for my 5 star rating? I loved the characters, they were described perfectly. The book was written so well I was on the edge of my seat to see what was going to happen next. I also enjoyed the interaction between all the characters. I actually felt like part of the group watching with them what was going on or working with them out in the fields training horses.
The romance of the story is just as pleasing. I felt for Mike, as he needs someone to love and care for and vice versa. I was either laughing or on the edge reading this book. I did not put this book down till the end and even then I hated seeing the book end.
I will be looking or more books from this author. She has a fan.
--Babs, The One Hundred Romances Project
The reason for my 5 star rating? I loved the characters, they were described perfectly. The book was written so well I was on the edge of my seat to see what was going to happen next. I also enjoyed the interaction between all the characters. I actually felt like part of the group watching with them what was going on or working with them out in the fields training horses.
The romance of the story is just as pleasing. I felt for Mike, as he needs someone to love and care for and vice versa. I was either laughing or on the edge reading this book. I did not put this book down till the end and even then I hated seeing the book end.
I will be looking or more books from this author. She has a fan.
--Babs, The One Hundred Romances Project
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 21, 2012
Micheal Carven starts this book out with his POV coming home after a couple of days of hard work then throws himself into another day with no sleep. He has a shock meeting 'Jess' Stanson the new head horse trainer because he thinks that it is a man.
Surprise! It's a woman, a beautiful woman. Micheal quickly tries to fire her because he doesn't want to live and work with a beautiful woman, we don't know much about him or his motivations, but after arguing he ends up keeping her. Plus, I believe she'd have a solid case against him for sexual discrimination!
Micheal hires Jess because he is taking on a new serial killer case for the local police, he retired three years ago when his own fiance was horribly murdered and he never found the killer.
This all goes down in a small town in Montana (aren't they all small in that state?) in this contemporary mystery-romance. The killer was a BIG surprise because I usually can guess who-done-it, but this time I was more then a mile off... I won't spoil the big surprise and when I look back it makes sense because Jess never meet the person even though that person is around everywhere just like he threatens! So good!
I will definately look up more books by this author. So delicious a read!
280 pages and kindle freebie
3 stars
Surprise! It's a woman, a beautiful woman. Micheal quickly tries to fire her because he doesn't want to live and work with a beautiful woman, we don't know much about him or his motivations, but after arguing he ends up keeping her. Plus, I believe she'd have a solid case against him for sexual discrimination!
Micheal hires Jess because he is taking on a new serial killer case for the local police, he retired three years ago when his own fiance was horribly murdered and he never found the killer.
This all goes down in a small town in Montana (aren't they all small in that state?) in this contemporary mystery-romance. The killer was a BIG surprise because I usually can guess who-done-it, but this time I was more then a mile off... I won't spoil the big surprise and when I look back it makes sense because Jess never meet the person even though that person is around everywhere just like he threatens! So good!
I will definately look up more books by this author. So delicious a read!
280 pages and kindle freebie
3 stars
August 8, 2013
And yet another good one by Aris! I am not surprised. I believe this was Aris' first book. You can tell right away that she has the knack for writing suspenseful romance. While not my favorite one by her, this one is certainly well worth the read and will keep you guessing right up to the very end.
I thought there was real nice character development. I liked Jess, I thought she was a good strong (enough, I don't like them too strong) and yet nice and very likeable female lead. Surprise surprise! I also liked Mike. I sometimes have a hard time connecting to the male characters and I didn't care for the male lead in the last book by Aris I read. But I did like Mike. He was strong and sometimes a little too macho (just like a man!) but also let his heart show through.
I liked the playfulness of the all characters and the little jokes they played on each other and how Jess got one man back (you will have to read the book to find out).
There was a nice little romance in here that I felt was not too strong and very believable. There was a couple of sex scenes at the end but were only mildly graphic (I didn't have to cover my eyes).
This was a book I have had on my nook for about a year now. So it was about time I read it.
I thought there was real nice character development. I liked Jess, I thought she was a good strong (enough, I don't like them too strong) and yet nice and very likeable female lead. Surprise surprise! I also liked Mike. I sometimes have a hard time connecting to the male characters and I didn't care for the male lead in the last book by Aris I read. But I did like Mike. He was strong and sometimes a little too macho (just like a man!) but also let his heart show through.
I liked the playfulness of the all characters and the little jokes they played on each other and how Jess got one man back (you will have to read the book to find out).
There was a nice little romance in here that I felt was not too strong and very believable. There was a couple of sex scenes at the end but were only mildly graphic (I didn't have to cover my eyes).
This was a book I have had on my nook for about a year now. So it was about time I read it.
April 22, 2015
Review of Fatal Embrace
4/22/2015
0 Comments
The owner of a ranch is called back to his former position as police detective when a string of murders occur that the police cannot solve. He has to hire a new ranch manager who surprisingly turns out to be a woman, a very attractive woman. The attraction between them is intense, but a killer is on the loose. It gets more heated when the killer turns his attention to the new woman in his life.
From the look of the cover, I thought this was mainly romance. It turns out that the romance is only part of the story, and I’m glad. The suspense takes up a vast majority of it and keeps you guessing.
I enjoyed the interactions between the characters. It was intense as well as hilarious. I did at times have trouble with the female main character. At times I felt she was slightly inconsistent. At other times I just felt that it was me as I couldn’t connect to that type of personality. That did not detract from the story though.
I have to admit that I didn’t figure out much in this story. The author kept me clueless. Great read.
Need a little romance and lots of suspense? Check this story out.
Note: I received this book from free download days on Amazon with no expectation of a positive review.
Want to read
February 15, 2016montana horse ranch, and a serial murder mixed in,
280p High-spirited horse trainer Jessica Stanson stumbles into the perfect job on one of the most elite ranches in Montana. Or at least it would be if her boss, ex-detective Michael Carven, stopped acting like he didn't want her there. Jessica has to prove herself to him on the ranch, and also try to penetrate his armor to get to the man inside. Michael Carven is a man who has left a difficult past behind him, and now works at his dream job raising horses under the Montana sky. But he knows that the past has a way of coming back to him, and soon enough, it does. A wave of violence hits the nearby small town of Riverside, nestled deep in the mountains, as a cunning serial killer preys on the population. Against his will, Michael finds himself both drawn into the case and coming to care for his independent new trainer. And if having a killer on the loose wasn't enough, his two worlds collide when Jessica becomes the only material witness in the case. Before it is over, Michael and Jessica will put everything they know and hold dear on the line to catch a vicious, cunning killer - and to protect each other as well.
280p High-spirited horse trainer Jessica Stanson stumbles into the perfect job on one of the most elite ranches in Montana. Or at least it would be if her boss, ex-detective Michael Carven, stopped acting like he didn't want her there. Jessica has to prove herself to him on the ranch, and also try to penetrate his armor to get to the man inside. Michael Carven is a man who has left a difficult past behind him, and now works at his dream job raising horses under the Montana sky. But he knows that the past has a way of coming back to him, and soon enough, it does. A wave of violence hits the nearby small town of Riverside, nestled deep in the mountains, as a cunning serial killer preys on the population. Against his will, Michael finds himself both drawn into the case and coming to care for his independent new trainer. And if having a killer on the loose wasn't enough, his two worlds collide when Jessica becomes the only material witness in the case. Before it is over, Michael and Jessica will put everything they know and hold dear on the line to catch a vicious, cunning killer - and to protect each other as well.
June 28, 2012
The most incredible part of this story was the relationship between the two main characters, Michael and Jess. The plot itself was well done, and I did not see the ending coming at all. In fact, I'd say it was one of the biggest surprises in a suspense/mystery plot that I've read recently. The story structure itself had quite a bit of head-hopping (going from one point of view to another) and this became annoying. There were also large sections of "telling" where the author could have greatly improved the story by "showing" me instead. In some cases she did "show", and then "told" anyway. There is also some strong language. Yet what captured me and made me overlook all of that was that this is a true love story. It was more than a romance. (It does contain sex scenes.) Instead, it was as if Michael and Jess fell in love without realizing that's what was happening, and that was beautifully done. I'd go even further to say they are one of my favorite fictional character couples from recent days and for that reason alone, I recommend this book. I appreciated the Epilogue at the end because otherwise, I'd have felt a little too much like I was left hanging. A wonderful read!
December 26, 2011
I love a book with deep, interesting characters- this book did not have them.
I love a romance where two broken people come together after finally breaking through each other's walls- also not this book. It attempted such a thing, but failed terribly.
I like good writing and a good storyline. Not this book! The storyline was passable but not really explored and the writing poor with such lines as "He was worried I'd kick his ass because he tried to pick up you."
Jessica comes across in the first few pages as tough as nails, but after that comes across as weak and needy. The conclusion, though predictable, made no sense.
It seemed like the writer found a crime novel template, threw a a few charcters and a psuedo plotline in, shook it up and called it a novel.
Won't be reading this author again.
I love a romance where two broken people come together after finally breaking through each other's walls- also not this book. It attempted such a thing, but failed terribly.
I like good writing and a good storyline. Not this book! The storyline was passable but not really explored and the writing poor with such lines as "He was worried I'd kick his ass because he tried to pick up you."
Jessica comes across in the first few pages as tough as nails, but after that comes across as weak and needy. The conclusion, though predictable, made no sense.
It seemed like the writer found a crime novel template, threw a a few charcters and a psuedo plotline in, shook it up and called it a novel.
Won't be reading this author again.
August 11, 2016
I am happy to say that Aris Whittier outsmarted me with her novel, Fatal Embrace. Once she unmasked the killer, it made perfect sense. Still, not once did I suspect that person of being the murderer. Whittier keeps her audience glued from beginning to end as she makes the character’s feelings become one with those of the reader. Fatal Embrace is good for anyone looking for a cleaner Nora Roberts’ kind of story. Whittier offers the suspense without having to trudge through sex scenes about every other chapter. However, the reader should be aware there are some bedroom scenes toward the end of the novel, as well as some bad language. Other than that, I really enjoyed this book and would recommend it to romance/suspense aficionados.
Review copy provided by publisher.
Review copy provided by publisher.
October 18, 2011
Rating 6/10
This was definitely a well written, thoroughly entertaining read. You get mystery, romance and suspense all in one neat little package!
The story flowed effortlessly with great character development. Michael and Jessica have intense chemistry and you can't help but root for them! They started out not too fond of one another but slowly their relationship grew and so did their love for one another.
The mystery is also a big aspect of the story. You can't help but to try and solve the crime yourself and you get excited every time Michael discovers something new!
Definitely a read if you like a good mystery/romance!
For those who have read it:
Did you see that coming?
This was definitely a well written, thoroughly entertaining read. You get mystery, romance and suspense all in one neat little package!
The story flowed effortlessly with great character development. Michael and Jessica have intense chemistry and you can't help but root for them! They started out not too fond of one another but slowly their relationship grew and so did their love for one another.
The mystery is also a big aspect of the story. You can't help but to try and solve the crime yourself and you get excited every time Michael discovers something new!
Definitely a read if you like a good mystery/romance!
For those who have read it:
Did you see that coming?
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