Thank you all so much for stopping! I'll have another contest in the next couple of days for prizes from the Shop Red! store at the American Heart Association and the Susan G. Komen store! There will be at least three prizes, so be sure to stop back!
Remember, Friday's "Wear Red" day! Have a great weekend - and if you're in the path of the predicted storm, please be careful driving and walking.
Shannon K. Butcher is a new author to me and boy am I happy! My good friend Barb Smith gave me a copy of LOVE ME TO DEATH to borrow, knowing how much I love romantic suspense and that I'm always on the lookout for new suspense authors. Barb's copy got a little dog-eared from being carried in my purse so I replaced hers with a new copy. Soon after I started reading, LOVE ME TO DEATH appeared on the Romance Junkies review list and already having a copy, I spoke for it. This is an amazingly good book and I hope if you're not familiar with Shannon K. Butcher, you'll check her out. She has several other romantic suspense titles including NO REGRETS, NO CONTROL and NO ESCAPE (which I have but haven't started). She also has a paranormal series, The Sentinel War Series: BURNING ALIVE, FINDING THE LOST, and upcoming RUNNING SCARED. I'm not a paranormal fan, but if anyone's familiar with this series, please share your thoughts!
There's a first chapter excerpt from LOVE ME TO DEATH on Ms. Butcher's website, and I'm sharing my Romance Junkies (4.5 blue ribbons) review here:
Spine-tingling intrigue, heated romance and a twisted madman are just a few of the makings of an excellent romantic suspense. Shannon K. Butcher proves unquestionable expertise on the subject with LOVE YOU TO DEATH.
Reporter Elise McBride is terrified when she doesn’t hear from her younger sister, Ashley, for several days. Elise leaves her most recent story in Hong Kong to hurry home to find Ashley. When she breaks into Ashley’s home in the middle of the night, she’s quickly intercepted by Ashley’s neighbor, former cop Trent Brady, and her exasperation grows even more. Repeatedly refusing Trent’s insistence that she allow the police to handle the investigation into Ashley’s disappearance, Elise feels a heartbreaking desperation and has no qualms about placing herself in danger. Once the two join forces and discover angles not being investigated by police, it isn’t long before they’re fully immersed in a dark, dangerous world unknown to most.
Trent Brady’s confidence as a capable cop takes a severe blow and he battles self-imposed demons after accidentally shooting and paralyzing his partner on the job. Despite that, he jumps in to assist Elise and although it would undoubtedly pain him to admit it, it was good for him to be involved with an investigation. When threats are made against Elise, escalating into violent attacks on her life, he has to admit that his feelings for her run much deeper than simply helping a neighbor’s sister.
This was my first time reading Shannon K. Butcher’s work. It won’t be my last. This book is an exceptional example of romantic suspense. The risks Elise takes in trying to find her sister could have appeared foolish but her painful desperation is written so exactly as to be reasonable and understandable. Trent’s sudden realization that he loved Elise was sweet, especially his understanding that her despair over her missing sister is so strong that she doesn’t recognize the same feelings for him. “Bad guy” is far too mild for the serial killer in this book. His evil runs so deep that you could wonder how an author thinks up someone so bizarrely twisted. The suspense is intense and while implications of the most chilling violence are made, it is done so without the most gruesome details. Romance readers will be satisfied with the passions of Trent and Elise. The balance of suspense and romance is just right and I truly don’t think it could have been done any better. LOVE YOU TO DEATH has my highest recommendation.
Reporter Elise McBride is terrified when she doesn’t hear from her younger sister, Ashley, for several days. Elise leaves her most recent story in Hong Kong to hurry home to find Ashley. When she breaks into Ashley’s home in the middle of the night, she’s quickly intercepted by Ashley’s neighbor, former cop Trent Brady, and her exasperation grows even more. Repeatedly refusing Trent’s insistence that she allow the police to handle the investigation into Ashley’s disappearance, Elise feels a heartbreaking desperation and has no qualms about placing herself in danger. Once the two join forces and discover angles not being investigated by police, it isn’t long before they’re fully immersed in a dark, dangerous world unknown to most.
Trent Brady’s confidence as a capable cop takes a severe blow and he battles self-imposed demons after accidentally shooting and paralyzing his partner on the job. Despite that, he jumps in to assist Elise and although it would undoubtedly pain him to admit it, it was good for him to be involved with an investigation. When threats are made against Elise, escalating into violent attacks on her life, he has to admit that his feelings for her run much deeper than simply helping a neighbor’s sister.
This was my first time reading Shannon K. Butcher’s work. It won’t be my last. This book is an exceptional example of romantic suspense. The risks Elise takes in trying to find her sister could have appeared foolish but her painful desperation is written so exactly as to be reasonable and understandable. Trent’s sudden realization that he loved Elise was sweet, especially his understanding that her despair over her missing sister is so strong that she doesn’t recognize the same feelings for him. “Bad guy” is far too mild for the serial killer in this book. His evil runs so deep that you could wonder how an author thinks up someone so bizarrely twisted. The suspense is intense and while implications of the most chilling violence are made, it is done so without the most gruesome details. Romance readers will be satisfied with the passions of Trent and Elise. The balance of suspense and romance is just right and I truly don’t think it could have been done any better. LOVE YOU TO DEATH has my highest recommendation.
I want to give someone else the opportunity to read this great book and decided to give my copy to one lucky reader. I feel certain that like me, you'll be running out to get your hands on more!Keep in mind that this copy has been very gently read and it is not autographed. If you'd like your name in the draw, simply leave a comment saying so. If you've read Ms. Butcher's work, please chat it up, ok? I'm thrilled to have found a new (to me) action adventure author and want to know about more of her books. I'll draw a winning name on Thursday, 2/4. Good luck!
Click here to go to Amazon to toss a copy in your cart!
Thanks for checking it out!
Laurie
