Book Review: Blackout by Annie Solomon

This is a fast paced, twisting suspense; a bargain of a read on Kindle for $2.99!

Blackout 

by Annie Solomon

• File Size: 470 KB
• Print Length: 376 pages
• Publisher: Forever Yours (December 2, 2008)
• Sold by: Hachette Book Group
• Language: English
• ASIN: B001M2FTFQ

Genre: Romantic Suspense
My rating: 4.25 of 5.0

 

Book Description
Publication Date: December 2, 2008
LIVING NIGHTMARE

A month ago Margo Scott was a book dealer with family and friends. Now, suddenly, she can't remember the last four weeks of her life, everyone close to her has disappeared, and she's the prime suspect in a murder. When an intruder attacks, she responds with lightning-quick moves she has no memory of ever learning. Undercover agent Jake Wise has her in his sights and can't decide if this mysterious woman is an assassin or a pawn. Is he tempted to protect her because she's innocent or because he's falling for her? Thrust together, these two loners realize that trusting each other is their only hope of survival. Because the good guys and the bad guys have one thing in common. They all want Margo Scott dead-the sooner, the better.

Review:

Margo Scott wakes up one day and feels a bit under the weather. Later in the day she discovers from her book store neighbor that she has lost a month.  Not only has she lost time, but she realizes she can’t really verify her identity, much less her whereabouts. She really knows she is in trouble when she begins to respond with skills she doesn’t recognize: fighting off an attacker with skilled defense moves, throwing knives with deadly accuracy and picking up guns that feel naturally familiar to her hands.

The police are beginning to suspect Margo of first one murder, then another. Since she has no memory she isn’t certain she didn’t commit the crimes.  As she begins to get flash backs she suspects she may be a skilled, government or covert assassin who has committed worse killings. Is it possible she shot a child a point-blank range?

Jake Wise was asked do ‘watch’ Margo by his ‘mentor’ and covert operations boss, Frank. Now Frank is dead, Margo is a likely suspect and there are lots of questions as to why Jake was to be watching her. Is Margo the killer and who are the men who are attacking her? One group is looking to question her and another is intent on executing her. Can he keep her alive long enough to find out what the heck is going on?

Can two loners with clearly deadly skills find a place of comfort and peace together? Assuming they live of course.

This story has great suspense and full on action from beginning to end. The romance starts as a battle of two untrusting loners and slowly moves to a merger of need, first for comfort and reassurance of life, and later for companionship, passion and commitment. The writing is crisp and has a fast flow that moves well with the pace of the story.There is some rough language - "f" word used 13 times.

I looked back to see I read Two Lethal Lies by Annie Solomon in September 2010 and gave it a 4.5 rating.  I don’t plan on letting another two years go by before reading this author again. She is going on my "don't miss" list of romantic suspense authors!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Margo realizes she doesn't know what has happened over the past month:

Then where had she been for the last month?
The question thumped inside her, deadly and relentless, and she longed to skitter away to a safe comforting place. A place with no questions. Location 382

Jake wonders if he had made up his mind if she was telling the truth:

Had he? The truth hit him like a gale-force wind, like one of those moments in the movies where the camera closes in and everything slows way down. ... It was that he didn’t care. He would support her either way. Fight for her either way. Location 2455.

Love this quote!! Margo thinks about her love of books:

Books were always more reliable than people anyway. Stories never let her down. No matter where she went there was a bookstore or a library. New worlds, better worlds. Location 2938.

I am very glad that I picked this title up on NetGalley to read for Hachette/Forever Yours imprint of Grand Central Publishing.

This story is set in Georgetown, Washington, D.C. for the Where are You Reading Challenge.

Winners of Two Lethal Lies by Annie Solomon

CONGRATULATIONS

to Winners of 

Two Lethal Lies

by Annie Solomon

I will email the Hachette form to be completed by the winners, Jane, Scottsgal, Autumn, Lisa and Carol M.
Thank you to everyone for entering, and an extra thanks to those who commented on the Guest Post and review.

Review: Two Lethal Lies by Annie Solomon

This story will keep you turning pages to find out how it ends!

Two Lethal Lies by Annie Solomon

• Mass Market Paperback: 400 pages
• Publisher: Forever; Original edition (September 28, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0446178454
• ISBN-13: 978-0446178457

Genre: Romantic Suspense
Rating: 4.5 of 5

Product Description
A love to die for...

On the run since his daughter was born, Mitch Turner has concealed a truth so dangerous, its discovery could jeopardize both their lives. But when a series of shocking murders hits their newfound home, the trail leads straight to Mitch. With the police out for blood and his daughter ripped from his arms, he has nowhere to turn--until a beautiful stranger offers her help.

Neesy Brown has made mistakes in her life, yet she refuses to believe this mysterious man is a killer. There's a strength in his broad shoulders that draws her to him and a weariness in his eyes that she longs to ease. As the murders tear her small town apart, she vows to help Mitch find his missing child. But a cunning predator is pulling them deeper and deeper into his fatal game. And the price of losing is the child--and the future--they could both share...

Review: This was wonderful suspense that kept my attention from beginning to end. The romance was heartfelt and added to the story which I liked as a change from some books with sexual scenes that are too long and distract attention from the mystery.

Mitch Turner is a reluctant hero. He is on the road with his 12 year old daughter and stops to rescue another young girl who jumps from a bridge. It is clear that Mitch doesn’t want to stay in town and doesn’t want any attention. It is also clear that his daughter, Julia, is anxious to stay in one place, near a new friend and go to a regular school for a change. Julia is a good character as a precocious and gutsy girl who wants some roots and is at an age to use a bit of threats and pushing boundaries.

Nessy is a curvy waitress at the diner where Mitch takes a grill cook job. She has a history of picking the wrong type of men. Even though she has sworn off men she finds it hard not to be interested in Mitch, especially after she watches him step in between an abusive husband threatening his very pregnant wife.  Nessy is sure that Mitch has to be a good guy considering the way he takes such care of his daughter and helps others too.

Even though Mitch is in a small town the local journalist gets a picture out that starts trouble. When the murders start it isn’t long before Mitch is suspected and arrested. No one wants to listen when he begs them to protect Julia. Nessy can’t believe that this nice guy is guilty of murder and kidnaping. Even though she has agreed to take Julia home with her, Nessy has no choice but to let her go with the movie star gorgeous man who shows up with an Order of custody.

Now Mitch and Nessy have only each other to stave off the loneliness they have experienced for years and to search out and rescue Julia.  The search runs them from Chicago to Florida and finally to Mitch’s home place in New York, always one step behind the deceiver who has Julia. I liked how the author used some interesting settings including the underground tunnels at Disney World and a gothic like mansion in New York.

The mystery is built one level at a time; first in tension and then as the truths are slowly revealed exposing the pieces of the puzzle. The last 50 pages are all out suspense and action as you come face to face with the danger and fear that Nessy, Julia and Mitch may not survive the monster. If you like good suspense this is one you should read!

xxx

Thank you to Hachette for supplying the book for review and giveaway!  Please visit the author's guest post on Suspense!

Giveaway - Five Copies of Two Lethal Lies by Annie Solomon

You'll find lots of suspense and a down to earth hero and heroine, who are not "model beautiful", trying to protect a child from a an evil killer in Two Lethal Lies by Annie Solomon.

Book Cover

Author Photo and Bio

Facebook

Visit AnnieSolomon.com

Previous title: ONE DEADLY SIN

THANK YOU TO HACHETTE FOR ALLOWING ME TO SPONSOR THIS GIVEAWAY.

TO ENTER THIS GIVEAWAY:

1. For your main entry Check out the Author's Five Fun Facts OR check out the Author's website - there is some really COOL and FUN info there! Tell me something you found interesting.
Make sure you leave your e-mail address!

2. For an extra entry, become a follower or tell me if you are already a follower.

3. For another entry, blog, facebook, tweet (any of those networks!) about this giveaway and tell me where you did.

4. For TWO extra entries comment on the review post.

5. For another THREE extra entries comment on the guest post. 

It isn't necessary to use separate entries unless you want them in different chronological order.

(Eight total entries possible.) MAKE SURE YOU LEAVE YOUR E-MAIL! Five winners!
* This contest is only open to residents of US and Canada.
* No P.O. Boxes Please - for shipping reasons
* This contest will close 10 PM (Central) on October 20, 2010. The winners will be randomly selected from all entries. 

Building Suspense - Guest Post by Annie Solomon

As reviewers, when we sign up for the Hachette blog tours we get to suggest Guest Post topics if we want to host a Guest Post. I am thrilled that Ms. Solomon is posting on one of my suggested questions. I figured it was a perfect topic for an author known for her wonderful romantic suspense novels. Thank you Ms. Solomon for sharing some author insight with us today!

DO YOU HAVE A FORMULA FOR BUILDING SUSPENSE?

Building suspense can be tricky in any novel—suspense or otherwise. It’s a matter of finding ways to create tension and to keep the stakes high. So, I wouldn’t say I have a formula, but I do have techniques.

One way is to hint at information but withhold it at the same time. Take the beginning of in Two Lethal Lies where the hero, Mitch Turner, performs a dangerous rescue. The circumstances would normally require a call for an ambulance, but Mitch has no cell phone and wouldn’t call even if he did. Right away the reader knows something’s up with him. The tension comes because there’s a gap between what the reader suspects and what she knows.

Another tried and true way is to throw bodies at the reader. Sounds grim, or does it sound glib? Either way, it works—unexpected death, especially of likable character, creates an aura of danger and menace. In Two Lethal Lies, I begin with the murder of a dog. And not just any dog. I went out of my way to create a dog that was loveable and heroic. Of course neither the readers or the characters know for sure how the dog died. Survival of the fittest or something more sinister? I hint at the answer but withhold anything definitive.

Throwing bodies at a story also helps keep the stakes high. I start with a dog but the next murder is of a secondary character. The stakes automatically rise. And, of course, the fear is that the killer will strike again, even closer to the characters we’ve come to love. 

 Atmosphere is another way to create suspense. The master of this is Daphne du Maurier in Rebecca. Although I wouldn’t put myself in the same class as du Maurier, I do use setting to heighten suspense. Hanover House, the ancestral home of Mitch and his brother, Dutch, gave me a chance to create a weirdly gothic New York mansion. As the heroine, Neesy Brown, explores it, she finds dark back hallways and empty rooms, a spider-infested attic, and other horrors. But she’s never threatened outright—until it’s too late.

Of course, all the technique in the world is only as good as the writer who uses them. I hope I’ve done a good enough job to give my readers Goosebumps now and again!

Be sure to read my review and enter the Giveaway for a chance to win the book!

Blog Tour: Two Lethal Lies by Annie Solomon - Starts 9/27

Blog Tour starts September 27, 2010 for Two Lethal Lies by Annie Solomon.  Ms. Solomon will be doing a Guest Post here on September 29 so please come by to comment and check out my review and ...of course, enter the giveaway!

Here are the tour stops:

9/27/2010            www.froggaritasbookcase.net  Review, Giveaway

9/27/2010            http://www.extremepersonalmeasures.com/  Review, Giveaway

9/27/2010            http://maryinhb.blogspot.com  Review, Giveaway

9/27/2010            www.rexrobotreviews.com        Giveaway, Q&A

9/27/2010            http://www.mybookaddictionandmore.com      Feature, Review, Giveaway, Guest Post

9/27/2010            http://bookinwithbingo.blogspot.com/ Giveaway

9/27/2010            http://justanothernewblog.blogspot.com/         Giveaway

9/27/2010            http://nhertel85.blogspot.com/               Review, Giveaway

9/27/2010            http://teddyrose.blogspot.com/              Giveaway

9/28/2010            http://diana-book-of-secrets.blogspot.com        Giveaway

9/29/2010            http://marthasbookshelf.blogspot.com/              Feature, Review, Giveaway, Guest Post

9/30/2010            http://cuzinlogic.wordpress.com              Giveaway

9/30/2010            http://carolsnotebook.wordpress.com Review, Giveaway

10/3/2010            Rundpinne          Review

10/4/2010            myfoolishwisdom.blogspot.com               Review, Giveaway, Q&A

10/4/2010            http://booksandneedlepoint.blogspot.com        Feature, Review, Giveaway, Q&A

10/5/2010            http://paranormalromanticsuspensereviews.blogspot.com        Feature, Review, Giveaway, Q&A

10/5/2010            http://bridget3420.blogspot.com             Review, Giveaway

10/6/2010            http://j-rabbits-corner.blogspot.com     Review, Giveaway

10/6/2010            www.cherylsbooknook.blogspot.com    Review, Giveaway

10/7/2010            http://brokenteepee.blogspot.com       Review, Giveaway

10/7/2010            http://bibliophile23.wordpress.com       Review

10/7/2010            http://ashleysbookshelf.blogspot.com  Review, Giveaway

10/7/2010            http://www.kballard87.blogspot.com    Review, Giveaway

10/8/2010            http://thebooktree.blogspot.com           Feature, Giveaway

10/8/2010            http://www.libslibrary.blogspot.com     Feature, giveaway

10/8/2010            http://candidclevercosteffective.net/   Review, Giveaway

10/8/2010            www.renees-reads.blogspot.com           Review, Giveaway

10/8/2010            http://simplystacie.net Review, Giveaway

10/8/2010            http://martasmeanderings.blogspot.com            Review

10/8/2010            www.tarmyblogspot.blogspot.com         Review, Q&A

10/8/2010            http://dkay401-challenges.blogspot.com/           Review, Giveaway

10/8/2010            www.lovetoreadforfun.com      Review, Giveaway

10/8/2010            http://onebookshy.blogspot.com            Feature, Review, Giveaway, Guest Post

10/8/2010            http://kandksblog.blogspot.com              Review

Mailbox Monday July 12, 2010

Mailbox Monday is the gathering place for readers to share the books that came into their house last week.

This Meme starts with Marcia at The Printed Page.

Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists.

This was a really lovely mailbox week!

I got eight -count them 8! - books for  participating in the Hachette Blog Talk Radio Programs last month! Thank you Hachette and Anna.

Here are the books I picked, all from authors I have not read yet. *BG*




All of Me
by Lori Wilde

 To Beguile A Beast (The Legend of the Four Soldiers)

by Elizabeth Hoyt

 Tall, Dark & Fangsome (Immortality Bites, Book 5) 

by Michelle Rowen

 

Sin Undone (Demonica, Book 5)
by Larissa Ione

Two Lethal Lies

by Anne Solomon

Show No Fear: A Nina Reilly Novel

by Marliss Melton

For the Love of Pete
by Julia Harper

How to Tame a Modern Rogue

by Diana Holquist

Now all I need is more time so I can read these and other TBR books.