Review: Suspenseful Contemporary Romance
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 03 18, 2014
I received this book from the author and the Indie Author Central group in exchange for a honest review.NOTE: Review contains some spoilers!!!!I really liked this book.  The author definitely kept me guessing.  I liked how the author went into the past to explain how the heroine turned into what she was.Main Characters:1.  Mark (the hero) - He is described as a playboy with a different woman every week.  When he meets the heroine for the first time, he gives all of that up.  He was a considerate and caring person toward the heroine.  He never pushed past the boundaries she put on their relationship.  I loved how he was steadfast in his love for her even after finding out all of her secrets.2.  Rachel(the heroine) - I can understand how she evolved into the person she became.  From the age of 10 when she went to live with her Uncle Paul, she was isolated and secluded from the outside world.  She was definitely indoctrinated by Donovan.  Donovan was a expert manipulator of people.  Rachel and Donovan's relationship was Stockholm syndrome like to me.  Rachel is so damaged emotionally that after Donovan recaptures her she convinces herself that she can re-fall in love with him and make their relationship work.  She is resigned to her fate.3.  Donovan (abusive ex-boyfriend) - He owns a security company, but it is just a front for his criminal activities.  He was a typical abuser.  He hits her and then profusely apologizes.  At the beginning of their relationship, he was kind and attentive.  But once he had her in his clutches, he turned into a possessive and violent jerk.4.  Uncle Paul - He took Rachel in after her parent's death.  He was Donovan's chief of security at his estate.  I could not reconcile myself to like him.  In one part of the book, he is taking care of her after she is whipped and he does not try to help her escape.  I also did not like how he killed Jonathon Thomas.  He could have just gone to his house and ran away with him.  Jonathan was the only person at the time who helped Rachel escape Donovan.The story is broken up into 3 parts:Part 1 - Rachel has been on the run for 3 years from Donovan.  She meets Mark at the bookstore he operates with his brother.  He asks her out and eventually she accepts.  They date for several months.  Mark knows she is hiding something from him and he starts pressing her for answers.  On the night she is going to tell him all, Donovan's thugs find her.Part 2 - Starts back when Rachel first came to live with her Uncle Paul.  It explains how she became a master criminal and her escape from Donovan.Part 3 - Starts where part 1 left off.  Mark and Rachel eventually have their HEA after traversing many hurdles and finally getting rid of Donovan.Overall, a great suspenseful contemporary romance with a damaged heroine and a hero who will not give up on their love.