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Head on

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Hell On Wheels...

The full moon brings out the crazies; anyone in emergency services knows that. But for hospice nurse Beth Ann Decker, the gruesome murder that rocks Hatcher County is shockingly unexpected. As is the return of the Texas community's most hated prodigal son -- Mark Jessup. Sixteen years before, the town's bad boy was behind the wheel of a pickup that left three cheerleaders dead and Beth Ann so badly injured that people whispered she'd have been better off in the grave with them.

Jessup is all man now -- tough, uncompromising, rich -- and a possible suspect in this new killing. Beth Ann knows he's the last person she should be spending time with, especially when a nighttime intruder makes it clear that she herself is a target. But in Mark's heated gaze, Beth Ann sees something a lot more exciting than pity. No matter how dangerous the road ahead, she's dead set on meeting life, and love...

Head On.

Kindle Edition

First published July 1, 2007

100 people are currently reading
168 people want to read

About the author

Colleen Thompson

85 books171 followers
Colleen Thompson began writing the contemporary romantic suspense novels she loves in 2004. Since then, her work has been honored with the Texas Gold Award, nominations for the RITA, Daphne du Maurier, multiple reviewers' choice honors, along with starred reviews from Romantic Times and Publisher's Weekly. A former teacher living with her family and their latest rescue dog in the Houston area, Colleen can be found on the web at www.colleen-thompson.com.

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5 stars
219 (34%)
4 stars
230 (35%)
3 stars
138 (21%)
2 stars
30 (4%)
1 star
22 (3%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
Profile Image for Danielle  Gypsy Soul.
3,174 reviews81 followers
December 14, 2015
3.5 Stars.

This is an intense romantic suspense with strong characters with faults, a tragic past who learn to forgive and let go of guilt.

This book center's around Beth Ann who is a hospice nurse that survived a car crash as a teen. The crash killed her two best friends and sent Mark who was driving the other car to prison for three years. Mark went on to start his own company and make a lot of money. He is returning to town because his father (who disowned him after the accident) is dying. Mark comes face to face with Beth Ann who is also there to help Mark's dying father.

Mark is still dealing with the guilt of the accident which killed his sister, the fact that his father hasn't spoken to him since and that his mother died while he was in prison. He has brought his son home and just wants to find some sense of closure with his dad. When Beth Ann's mother is found murdered everyone looks at Mark as the prime suspect. However, Beth Ann has a lot of doubts and sees the man that Mark has become. The two are thrown together and have to confront not only their past (which isn't entirely what everyone was led to believe) but also their attraction for each other along with the danger that seems to surround both Beth Ann and Mark.

This story had a lot of twists and turns that I didn't see coming. It was an intense story about loss, corruption, forgiveness and letting go of the past. The secondary characters were well developed and added to the story. The biggest down-side was the ramblings of the villain or "appointed one" as they called themselves. I just didn't really buy the villain in this story.

While the main characters received their HEA not everything ended with happiness. Some of the secondary characters were left picking up the pieces and with lives still crumbling which was very realistic.

I enjoyed this book and wanted to love it. I can't quite put my finger on why I did not. However, it was still a good read and I will read another Colleen Thompson book in the future.

Profile Image for Wendy.
1,225 reviews13 followers
April 11, 2008
I enjoyed this book a lot, it kept me turning the pages, which is just lately a rare thing.

The suspense was great, and I hadn't worked out who the villain was until I peeked. The chemistry between Mark and Beth Ann was good but not hot. The romance was a bit lacking but taking the book overall it was a great read.

139 reviews
June 1, 2015
Pretty good book. I guessed a lot of the ending, as far as what happened and how it was done, etc I just didn't guess who.
4 reviews
April 28, 2018
Really enjoyed

I gave this book 5 stars as it is the first one I have read from this author and as a lover of suspense and thrillers it did not fail. I enjoyed every page even if I had worked it out. Will definitely read more of her books
Profile Image for Karen.
Author 10 books30 followers
October 9, 2018
I found this book pretty bad -- no so bad that is was spreading misinformation -- but still pretty bad. The writing was clunky and tried to be unnecessarily shocking. The story was weak and implausible. And the characters were flat and not especially memorable or even likable.
377 reviews3 followers
September 13, 2020
Another Great Novel

Colleen Thompson knows how to write! I thought I knew who the killer was..wrong again! I couldn't believe the awful things one human being can do to one another. I would definitely recommend this one!!
129 reviews
February 12, 2021
Head on

I have had this book in my library for a while, and I am very glad I decided to read it. I couldn't put it down until I finished it. The characters and plot were excellent . It kept you guessing until nearly the very end.
Profile Image for Cecly Ann.
Author 21 books28 followers
February 20, 2018
These plots!

The characters, plots and narrative of this series of novels means you cannot put the book down until you have read the last word. Can't wait to read another.
2 reviews
March 21, 2021
Good read

I found it a good book and couldn't stop reading it. The plot was well mixed with a lot of twists.
187 reviews
February 9, 2017
Head On by Colleen Thompson

This book was fantastic and full of excitement. It kept me on the edge of my seat wondering what was going to happen next. I can't wait round read more of this author's books !!
Profile Image for Lynda Kelly.
2,215 reviews109 followers
November 17, 2013
Not impressed at all AND I paid for this so even less so. Whoever formatted it for the Kindle (and I use that term very loosely) needs stringing up. It looks like a load of photocopied pages and is just a mess. Even my Kindle "read" it wrong because on pages I made notes on it didn't get the words right because it's impossible to read !!!
I got to 15% and deleted it.
There were random gaps and hyphens put into words like Pe te and Al- ways and set-tled.Then the passage "His mother and IShe's a fine woman".
Just a real untidy mess that shouldn't be on sale in its current incarnation. Take note, Amazon, and start checking what you're putting out there.
The cover I thought was lovely and that was what first drew me to the book. Just a shame somebody took so little care with the Kindle version.
109 reviews
November 6, 2013
I am totally confused because the e-copy I have of "Head On" tells the story of Beth Ann Decker, a terminal care nurse who must cope with her own injuries caused during a car crash years before.

Her efforts at coping with her physical problems, and the pity her neighbours pour over her daily are threatened when the apparent instigator of her suffering returns to town, the prodigal son of one of her patients.

I enjoyed the story and look forward to reading more by Ms Thompson.... but I would be grateful if someone can sort out why MY copy is a different story to the one reviewed by everyone else here! :)
Profile Image for Becki.
51 reviews3 followers
November 29, 2011
Colleen Thompson's essential ingredients for a mystery novel:

A misfit heroine
A bad boy with a secret past
A bad guy
A secret bad guy with a creepy name ("Watcher", "Intruder", "Appointed One")
A steamy sex scene
An out-of-place misunderstanding
Happy ending (ie, heroine and bad boy ride off into the sunset)
And it all has to be set in a small Texas town

I don't know WHY I keep trying her books. They are ALL the same. Every single book. This was the last one. They aren't bad stories, but if you've read one, you've practically read them all.
Profile Image for Tammy.
208 reviews4 followers
August 1, 2013
This was a phenomenal story! I was up half the night because I couldn't put it down.Then even after going to bed I couldn't stop thinking about it.The character's were so rich and well written. The mystery and intrigue was awesome. There were so many great twists and turns! The romance was sweet and so well done. I am quickly becoming a huge fan of this talented and amazing author. Highly highly recommend this book.
1 review1 follower
January 4, 2015
I had to stop reading this book because she kept taking the Lords name in vain and the storyline was hard to follow

I had to stop reading this book because she kept taking the Lords name in vain and the storyline was hard to follow.i just don't understand why some authors think it is ok to take the Lords name in vain!

I did not want to even give it one star......but it would not let me submit it if I did not do it.

Profile Image for Allyson Simonian.
Author 14 books46 followers
April 3, 2014
Some authors write fun, lighthearted books, while some write more deep and serious pieces. I'd definitely use the word deep to describe Colleen Thompson's novels. The word intelligent also comes to mind. Her books have a really smooth flow. I've read two now and have found them both to be excellent reads. Definitely looking forward to reading more.
Profile Image for Lisa Rayns.
Author 7 books145 followers
January 25, 2012
Imagine being the car on the cover and driving 90. That's what it's like. This book hit me head on. Thrown together with the bad boy who'd injured her years ago, Beth Ann's life becomes very complicated. This book is a dangerous and fun roller-coaster ride. Another one setting read.
72 reviews
December 22, 2014
Great reading,an ending I did not see coming.

I am always trying to figure out the mystery of who done it. But this time the writer got me and that is rare. This book would be a good book for 16+.
Profile Image for Debbie Braun Zietak.
17 reviews1 follower
July 29, 2013
Great book. Romance and suspense. Keeps you guessing until the end. Highly recommended!
Profile Image for Miss Dizzy Read .
599 reviews6 followers
October 9, 2013
probably 3 and a half stars, took a while to get into, but was readable, can't really comment any more than that
186 reviews9 followers
December 22, 2014
Too predictable, the small town thing bugged me for some reason and I didn't particularly like the characters in the story. Don't think I will bother with her as an author again.
26 reviews
March 13, 2015
Enjoyed this suspense!

I liked the story-it kept me guessing and intrigued to the very end. If you enjoy a mystery, with a romance weaved in, you'll enjoy this book.
9 reviews
June 2, 2015
Keeps you turning pages

I liked the story line very much. Got kind of confusing at times, but would definitely recommend. Good books are hard to find.
83 reviews1 follower
November 21, 2015
What a twist

This was a good read. Full of suspense with a few twists and turns. Never would've figured it out as to who did it.
2,864 reviews8 followers
March 17, 2016
An enjoyable read! I liked the suspense, and the characters were great. Looking to read more by this author
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews

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