Fantastic military romance.: (2010-04-12)
Cindy Gerard is hands-down the best military romance writer out there. She brings an edge of realism to her stories that put her ahead of most other writers in the genre.
Just before Darcy is kidnapped in the Philippines, she leaves a desperate phone message for her ex-husband, Ethan. This is a second chance at love story at its best.
Ethan is a dream - flawed and real and a man - not some idealised woman's version of a man. Darcy is great - strong without turning into the stereotypical She-Ra that is so common in this genre these days. Their reunion story is moving, and the parts of the book in the past are as powerful as those in the present. Gerard handled this so well. I wanted to read more about them!
In addition to this we get to see characters who star in past and future books. In particular we meet Amy - who is also kidnapped in the Philippines. Her growing connection with Dallas is as powerful as the main relationship.
This is a book I have read more than once.
Dissappointed with the heroine..: (2009-02-24)
she is just a complete moron if you ask me. Darcy and Ethan are a married couple who survive a violent attack because he defends them and kills the guy. Both of them are understandably upset over this. Their supposedly great love unravels rather quickly in the face of this bump in the road. There are work related stresses on the relationship too. Of course the heroine's solution to their unresolved feelings is to file for divorce. For some insane reason she thinks this will cause the hero to chase after her and tell her all the things she wants to hear. In my world when you file for divorce and your ex chases you it's called stalking. I'm thinking if you're wanting to be chased you might try something more inviting than divorce. He of course doesn't catch the hint. What do we expect of guys today? No means no or does it?
Then several years after the divorce of course they both still want each other so much (that's why they've been wasting some of their best years together because they're so hot for each other). I'm sorry but there are just too many great fish in the sea for me to buy into this favorite romance theme. A guy like Ethan wouldn't be on the market long.
The heroine gets in hot water, apparently it's her job. So 5 yrs later she suddenly calls her ex to ask for help. She's kidnapped by terrorists and he and his special ops buddies track her down and save her. He gets hurt and they hang out together as they solve the mystery of who's trying to kill the heroine. Then she ditches him again and this time he chases her home and apologizes for not chasing after her before cause it's all his fault. The end. Really felt like the heroine cared alot more for herself than the hero.
Great read!: (2009-01-06)
To the Brink (The Bodyguards, Book 3)
If you're looking for a great series that you can't put down, try this book and the other 5 books in this series by Cindy Gerard.
After you read this series - check out her next series starting with "Show No Mercy". You won't be disappointed.
Without a doubt, the BEST of the series so far!I had put off reading it because the others had been dull, but WOW it's terrific!: (2009-01-06)
Gerard's Bodyguard Series:
To the Edge
To the Limit
To the Brink
Over the Line
Under the Wire
Into the Dark
FYI: You don't have to read the first two books in series before reading this one. I actually read them so long ago, I don't even remember what happened in them.
"To the Brink" is the perfect title for this book. It's also the perfect description for Gerard's awesome work in writing it. She left nothing out, and in no way went light on any aspect of the romance or the suspense and action.
The romance:
When Ethan and Darcy fall in love, it is a beautiful and sweet story that makes you instantly want happiness for them both. As you watch Ethan's war trauma slowly unravel their first marriage to each other, you feel their pain and devastation as they both realize that it can't be saved. While apart, neither ever remarried. Neither could get over their love for one another. When they meet again, both are aware that the feelings are still very much alive. The question is whether there can be any hope for a future together. Darcy fears Ethan is still a slave to his emotional demons.
The Suspense and Action:
After 5 years of living apart, when Darcy's life is threatened she doesn't have to think twice about who to call for help. She knows Ethan will come for her. She knows he will tear the jungle apart to find her and save her from the terrorists who kidnapped her.
Within a day of receiving Darcy's message, Ethan and his personal team of former special ops and marines are on their way to save her. Ethan, his brothers Nolan and Dallas, and his best friend Manny made the trip without a pause. Although they have all been out of the service for a few years, they put their training back to work to save Darcy. Both the Filipino army and a radical terrorist group stand in their way. For Darcy's sake, Ethan will risk all. In loyalty to Ethan, the other three men won't hesitate to join in.
Great love scenes, tons of emotion, powerful action scenes and endless suspense kept me locked to this book. I couldn't put it down.
Want to read the whole series?
To the Edge (The Bodyguards, Book 1)
To the Limit (The Bodyguards, Book 2)
(To the Brink is third in the series)
Over the Line (The Bodyguards, Book 4)
Under the Wire (The Bodyguards, Book 5)
Into the Dark (The Bodyguards, Book 6)
Love Romantic Suspense Novels? Try Roxanne St.Clare's "Bullet Catchers" Series. Here is the link to the first book in the series:
Kill Me Twice (The Bullet Catchers, Book 1)
St.Clare also wrote a terrific stand-alone book:
Killer Curves
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