it seems like forever since I last wrote a review, I'm not too sure if I remember how :D Now, kidding aside, I've had such a crappy week last week because of work that it has put me in a mood. In a changing mood... so things here will probably change around a little... and that includes my review format... :P
So onto the first review:
High Noon by Nora Roberts
published by Putnam in July 2007
Police Lieutenant Phoebe MacNamara found her calling at an early age when an unstable man broke into her family's home, trapping and terrorizing them for hours. Now she's Savannah's top hostage negotiator, defusing powderkeg situations with a talent for knowing when to give in-and when to jump in and take action. It's satisfying work-and sometimes those skills come in handy at home dealing with her agoraphobic mother, still traumatized by the break-in after all these years, and her precocious seven-year-old, Carly.Why I got this book: It's Nora Roberts :D Need I say more?
It's exactly that heady combination of steely courage and sensitivity that first attracts Duncan Swift to Phoebe. After observing her coax one of his employees down from a roof ledge, he is committed to keeping this intriguing, take-charge woman in his life. She's used to working solo, but Phoebe's discovering that no amount of negotiation can keep Duncan at arm's length.
And when she's grabbed by a man who throws a hood over her head and brutally assaults her-in her own precinct house-Phoebe can't help but be deeply shaken. Then threatening messages show up on her doorstep, and she's not just alarmed but frustrated. How do you go face-to-face with an opponent who refuses to look you in the eye?
Now, with Duncan backing her up every step of the way, she must establish contact with the faceless tormentor who is determined to make her a hostage to fear... before she becomes the final showdown.
My impressions: This book delivers. It was well written, the story was engaging and intriguing and the characters, well developed. So I truly enjoyed this book :D I pre-ordered it and got it one day before its release date... and one day was enough for me to finish it :D This was quite an action-packed book, as in one thing happens after the other... and it's almost too much, but then, I think it's because of Phoebe's job... After all, she's not a regular cop, she's a negotiator...
The Heroine, Hero and Romance: Phoebe and Duncan are pretty much Nora Roberts' "classical" characters. Phoebe is quite strong, but she does have weakness. In fact, she's like a gentler version of Eve with a family. As for Duncan, the guy is really too charming, LOL :P He's very outgoing and probably the most lucky guy on Earth... I mean, winning 138M$ at the lottery... ^^; Are there such big jackpots nowadays? I have to admit, I really liked him :D As for the romance, theirs was quite nice... I'm getting a bit tired of the "hero is ready, but not the heroine" romance type ^^; Think I've read too many of those lately... but there chemistry is good and it's not just Phoebe and Duncan, but it's also Duncan and the whole family.
Secondary characters: There was a myriad of secondary characters such as Phoebe's family, Duncan's family and then the cops and so on... but there was no secondary storyline/romance really worth mentioning. This book was pretty much focus on Phoebe and Duncan. However, I do think there's potential to write about a character or two that was introduced... I don't know if it'll happen though since this is a stand-alone book.
So, what I liked: pretty much everything of the book :D I think that what Nora Roberts does best is writing about human interaction... She almost always on target with the amount of chemistry, romance and fighting :D
What I didn't like: Not much... 1) The quotation marks ^^; I know, it sounds stupid and the worst is I think this is the proper way to use quotation marks... but sometimes, I was lost as who was talking :( 2) The ending did seem rush a little bit. I'd have like for more closure. 3) Duncan keeps mentioning his best friend Jake, but he never really appeared and I found it annoying cos I wish he would ^^;
So if you're a fan of Nora Roberts, don't hesitate, find a way to read it :D
Grade: A-
