Laura Griffin

I rarely read anything in the genre of romance novels, or “romantic suspense” as this book is styled. Rather I generally feel obligated to continue my education with some chunky difficult history book. Nevertheless, I won this book from the blog Booking with Bingo, so I opted to avoid the depressing holocaust book and depressing slavery/reconstruction book in favor of Whisper of Warning.

And oh what fun I had! The stereotype I hold of romances is: not much plot but lots of rippling show more muscles and throbbing members. This book does have the rippling muscles, but no throbbing per se, and an entertaining and suspenseful plot.

Courtney Glass, an unconventional but beautiful (well, what else?) and resourceful hair artist witnesses a horrible murder, and barely escapes death herself. Whoever wanted her dead is not giving up. She doesn’t understand why, and is under suspicion by the police. But the main investigator, Will Hodges (military shape, muscles that strain the fabric of his shirt, strong yet gentle) finds he can’t be objective, because he is too attracted to Courtney.

As you might expect in a romance, Will can only resist up to a point, and then his strength must succumb to his desire. The physical scenes are neither too frequent nor too explicit (which I think is really much more tasteful and even more suggestive than giving us every anatomical detail). The plot has humor and enough complexity to keep you turning the pages. Although it would make a fine detective television series, it isn’t written as so many inferior books are with short chapters ending with cliff-hanging statements (designed, one supposes, for commercial breaks).

I thoroughly enjoyed my fling with romance! show less

Awesome. I have another author to add to my 'buy' list. One more home run with me and she'll be on the 'auto-buy' list! And I'm absolutely gobsmacked that this is only her SECOND full-length novel! Just incredible how good these are for such a 'new' name.

"One Wrong Step" by Laura Griffin was a smart, action-packed romantic suspense novel that hit my sweet spot. The characters are just filled with foibles which makes for great twists and turns in the story. And the action? It's intelligent show more with no TSTL events thrown in just to 'move the plot' and irritate me! And really good sexual tension between the lead characters leading to some steamy sex scenes that are the icing on the cake.

Celie was a secondary character in "One Last Breath", but you don't need to have read that book to enjoy this one. Her husband became involved with cooking the books for a South American drug-lord. Then when Celie 'busted' him, he tried to have her best friend killed! When he disappeared into Mexico, Celie was relieved and immediately filed for divorce. It turns out that he left behind a 'little something' and the book opens with him paying a visit to Celie...an hour later he's dead.

Celie's best friend already warned her about reporter John McAllister. He's a gorgeous playboy...the last thing Celie needs right now. But as far as John's concerned, Celie's just...different. He's doesn't know what he wants with her, but it's not just fun and games. He admired her courage from afar ten years ago. About nine months ago he finally met her after she was almost killed. Now, she's in trouble again and this time he's not leaving.

There is SO much going on in "One Wrong Step". Personal issues, hopes and dreams, safety, battered women/children, barreness, adoption, crime, bravery...I could just go on and on. I think that's what draws me into Griffin's stories so quickly...I try to put myself into the heroine's shoes and it seems all too easy to imagine.

I could kick myself for letting "One Wrong Step" sit in my TBR until now. But her next novel, "Thread of Fear", will be out at the end of this month (Sep08) and you can bet it won't sit for even a day after I pick it up!! show less

Maddie, a crime scene photographer for the Delphi Centre, who still manages to find time to moonlight as a wedding photographer, is attacked after Serbian baddies fear she may have caught a compromising shot of them in the background of an engagement photo.

She is a slightly unusual heroine for this series, seeming older and having a tragic backstory. Brian, the FBI agent on the tail of the Serbians, is more straightforward. As ever no one sleeps more than two hours a night, scientists show more explain things to one another for the benefit of the reader and

SPOILER

I am beginning to wonder just how many corrupt law officers the state of Texas can be harbouring! show less

Beyond Limits by Laura Griffin is a 2015 Gallery Books publication. I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Laura Griffin rules the military style romantic suspense genre. This eighth installment in the Tracers series does not disappoint.

Elizabeth is an FBI agent still struggling with the aftermath of her last case and the lingering feelings she has for Navy SEAL Derek Vaughn.
When a terrorist cell is discovered that has big plans for Texas, show more Elizabeth and Derek find themselves face to face once again and the chemistry between them is just as strong as ever.
For Derek the FBI is not moving fast enough. Lives are stake as the possibility arises that chemical warfare is the terrorist weapon of choice. Instead of wading through bureaucracy, red tapes and waffling, which is the FBI in a nutshell, he wants to gain Intel from Elizabeth and use it go after the terrorist himself.

From start to finish the action is non-stop and suspense gets more intense with each chapter. This story touches on several themes. The work of the SEALS, and vast difference in methods they employee as opposed to government agencies. If this scenario was a real live case, I think I would have to put my money on the SEALS. The FBI might let us all die.
The effects of war, the honor among SEALS, the impact it has on the personal lives of the men is also an undercurrent.

Derek is my kind of guy. He pulls no punches, gets the job done and means business. We really need more guys like this one! Oh and he's a super hot SEAL and that makes him super sexy too. Elizabeth was a bit timid, sort of damaged after all she had been through before she took on this case. She doesn't fight Derek too hard when he wants information from her even though she knows he is using her for the Intel. Despite her issues, she is no shrinking violet when comes to doing her job and is as serious as Derek about catching the terrorists before the worst happens.

The romance in this one is not quite as heated as some previous books in the series, but the story line here is just really, really intense and serious and there is a lot going on, so I thought it was more realistic. That is not to say the romance is not hot, just fewer love scenes. This couple has a few challenges to face but if they are as determined to work on their relationship as they do in other areas of their lives , then I think they are going to be just fine.

Overall I have to say I enjoyed this book as much as all the others in the series. If you are fan of this author then snap up your copy now, you won't regret it. If you new to this author, never fear, you can read this one as a stand alone. Once you do, you will want to read all Laura Griffin novels! 4.5 stars . show less