I love romantic suspense and after reading so many I found I was missing something. I knew what I wanted so I write it myself. I wanted a good balance of romance and suspense. Let me know if you think I succeeded.
Rating: 4 Nymphs
Literary Nymphs Reviewer: Goddess Minx
While out of town, Eric and Rebecca meet in a bar and find themselves seared by
their one night of being together. Afterward back home, they both regret that
they kept their conversation general and never knew each other’s name.
Rebecca buries herself in work to forget that one night long ago and she
focuses on her family and friends to try not to think about him. The only
pressing problem is she now has a stalker, who is determined to drive her to an
emotional breakdown. She is forced to call the police when the stalker leaves a
nasty present for her and Eric is brought in to work on the case.
Eric Stiles works for the police department in a special unit, dealing with
serial killers, and his brother Charlie calls him to keep an eye on a good
friend. This friend turns out to be Rebecca Gailen and both of them are shocked
to see one another again. When he realizes that she might be his brother’s
girlfriend, Eric does his best to stay away from her, to keep from hurting
Charlie.
Talk about a suspenseful thrilling book! Serenity
Lost is just that and more! I truly enjoyed reading the first
book in the Trust Me series, especially since I am left hanging in regards to
whom the villain is and why they are so obsessed with Rebecca. There were times
when I was cringing at the state in which the victims are left and cheering
Rebecca on for her courage in not breaking down from the evil that stalked her.
There are a few times, during the story, when you think the police have gotten
one person for the murders and then you find out they are pawns being used by
the true villain. Ms. Romine really did a great job at storytelling, and she
had me entranced until the end. Lo and behold, I am left hanging until the next
book comes out! Read and enjoy!
Reader Recommended - My Review: Rating 5 Nymphs
Amy Romine brought me back to my roots of reading with this wonderfully written
romantic thrill ride full of twists and turns. There was not one moment
without action, be it a hot romantic encounter between Eric and Rebecca, or a
horrifying visit from the psychopath stalker. This book will have you
guessing with every page you turn.
The characters in Serenity Lost are so alive that you feel their emotions.
Rebecca, the damsel in distress is terrified of a stalker who seems to
know her every move. Eric, the knight in shining armor (wearing a badge),
is torn between helping the woman that he can't get out of his mind, and loyalty
to his brother, Charlie. Did I happen to mention that Charlie is in love
with Rebecca? Yes, quite the dilemma. Eric and Rebecca's desire for
one another is so magnetic, but can they really let go? Will the psycho
stalker give them the chance?
To find out, you MUST read Serenity Lost. You will not be disappointed.
I highly recommend this book to readers who enjoy a great romantic suspense.
The content is adult in nature with graphic sex and violence (not
necessarily together, mind you), so it is not recommended for younger readers.
And of course, I was left hanging yet again with that dreaded cliffhanger,
evil, Amy, pure evil.
Review: 4 Kisses
At first blush the opening scene is romantic, but by the time I’d reached the bottom of the first page I realized that this was NOT going to be your run-of-the-mill story, suspenseful or not. In fact this story could rival some of the freakiest, aka bloody, gory and scary-as- all-get-out, stories that I’ve read. And while there is a fair amount of violence, by and large the story is mostly one of often gut-clenching suspense. But if you’re at all squeamish, then this may very well not be the book for you.
There are many different layers to this story that, at first, seem to be completely unrelated but, and you guessed it, are actually very closely tied together. The manner in which Amy J. Romine goes about illuminating the background and the multiple connections is intriguing to say the least. Each block carefully built on top of the other until the structure is irrevocably one piece. The many divergent events slowly begin to coalesce and we begin to see the whole picture...or at least as much as the author is willing to show us. Can you say tease? Ms. Romine certainly knows how to do it.
There is one part of the book that I think deserves special mention, and that is the seduction scene between Eric Stiles and Rebecca Gailen. It begins in the second chapter and I don’t recall ever having read such an enthralling and lengthy, but oh-so...Yowza!, passage. What Ms. Romine treats us to, and I do mean treats us, is 30 or so pages of sensuality and eroticism that covers the range from attraction to hot-and-heavy action. And all I could do was read on and marvel at the depth and the tension wrought by the author as we played voyeur. In fact I’m still in awe of her achievement.
Ahem... okay, back to the review.
Some of the characters are extremely likable; for me these are, in particular, brothers Eric and Charlie Stiles. But I also really like Mindy, Rebecca’s assistant. All three of these people are not only easy to like, but I found a lot in each of them to admire. Their loyalty to those they care about and their interactions with those around them all show them to be people I would be pleased to call friend. But I must admit that I have a deeper liking...okay I’ll call it what it is...an extreme attraction to Eric. There’s something about him; not necessarily mysterious, but he’s not someone that can be pigeon-holed and he’s very much his own man. Definitely an attractive man.
Rebecca; she is a more difficult person to get to know. In her attempts to keep herself emotionally safe she, to me at least, comes across as...how to say it; stubborn and a bit self-absorbed. But I also understand that she has reasons to try and protect herself. What tells me that I’m, perhaps, a little judgmental is that the people around her have the utmost respect and a true liking for her. They’re not put off by the wall she’s built around herself, even though they, at times, may feel that they’re doing nothing more than trying to scale the Great Wall of China in their sneakers. But there is obviously something about her that makes people want to know and to care for her.
One thing that I will say is that this, being the first of three (?) books, ends in an extremely abrupt and right-in-the-middle-of-something manner. Personally I’m going to be gnawing at my knuckles waiting for the next installment because, while I may not be overly fond of Rebecca, there is a whole lot more to Serenity Lost than just the one person. And, frankly, I can’t wait—although I must—for the next book in Amy J. Romine’s Trust Me series to be released.
Rating 5 Stars
Seeing
her from afar Eric was mesmerized, taken in by her beauty and beautiful eyes,
he looked for her, to be taken aback by her sun kissed hair and sweet voice.
She asks him for coffee they talk generalities and go their separate ways, to
meet back on the same floor together same motel. A night filled with passion
and romance and heated moments leaves the two strangers in thoughts of each
other. No names, no identity just a blessed night that neither will forget.
Eric Stiles is a police officer, hard working trying to crack a case of a
murderer, Rebecca Gailin his next case. They meet again and Eric realizes that
this mysterious woman is his brother’s girlfriend, he must stay clear but his
heart and body tells him differently. Rebecca can’t stop thinking about Eric,
there worlds collide on a whirlwind of events. Rebecca is being stalked by a
killer and Eric is her knight in shining amour. Will his loyalty to his brother
block his focus, will he peruse Rebecca’s as his heart desires, his macho man
exterior has gone to butter and he finds himself drawn to her but he must stay
away - but does he?
Rebecca is haunted in so many ways by this serial killer, no one knows why, and
every turn he seems to have been there.
I must say this is the first book I have read in Amy's series and thoroughly
enjoyed it. Just the right amount of romance to equal the thrills and roller
coaster ride. I was on the edge of my seat, reading swiftly to just find out
what was next. The thrills and suspense was fantastic, the romance very real
and electrifying. These parts I found very realistic. The storyline flowed
smoothly, giving the reader that right amount of smexy, sexy stuff, and of
course the suspense was riveting. I was so intrigued with this book I read it
from beginning to end in one sitting and delved into book 2 the same day.
Amy has created a realistic world, of love, hate, and life. Experiences we all
go through in life I am sure. The characters created were realistic ... Eric's
character is torn between his loyalty to his brother and his magnetic connection
to Rebecca - is she the one? Rebecca’s plays the damsel in distress, but by all
means she is a strong character but one can only take so much. I enjoyed her
character, honest, and strong, yet also self dependent and very caring. A
romantic thriller I would defiantly recommend to all.
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