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Review: Sting by Sandra Brown



Blurb from Goodreads:
When Jordie Bennet and Shaw Kinnard lock eyes across a disreputable backwater bar, something definitely sparks. Shaw gives off a dangerous vibe that makes men wary and inspires women to sit up and take notice. None feel that undercurrent more strongly than savvy businesswoman Jordie, who doesn't belong in a seedy dive on the banks of a bayou. But here she is . . . and Shaw Kinnard is here to kill her. 

As Shaw and his partner take aim, Jordie is certain her time has come. But Shaw has other plans and abducts Jordie, hoping to get his hands on the $30 million her brother has stolen and, presumably, hidden. However, Shaw is not the only one looking for the fortune. Her brother's ruthless boss and the FBI are after it as well. Now on the run from the feds and a notorious criminal, Jordie and Shaw must rely on their wits-and each other-to stay alive. 

Miles away from civilization and surrounded by swampland, the two play each other against their common enemies. Jordie's only chance of survival is to outwit Shaw, but it soon becomes clear to Shaw that Jordie isn't entirely trustworthy, either. Was she in on her brother's scam, or is she an innocent pawn in a deadly vendetta? And just how valuable is her life to Shaw, her remorseless and manipulative captor? Burning for answers-and for each other-this unlikely pair ultimately make a desperate move that could be their last.

With nonstop plot twists and the tantalizing sexual tension that has made Sandra Brown one of the world's best-loved authors, STING will keep readers on the edge of their seats until the final pages.
My Review:
 
You guys probably already know but I love romantic suspense.  It's probably my favorite genre although it is hard to articulate the perfect formula.  I do know that I love and want a good mix of both romance and suspense -- too heavy in either direction is a surefire way to write a book that is not the best of the genre, at least in my opinion.  And the funny thing is if you asked a bunch of regular readers which author is amazing at romantic suspense?  You would probably hear a lot of people say Sandra Brown.  Sadly, I am still missing my connection with this author in this genre after reading her latest, Sting.  I'm just not sure that her particular brand of romantic suspense is for me.

In Sting, what didn't work for me was the romance.  The suspense was good and I was surprised by a few of the twists but the romance was totally unbelievable to me.  Call it Stockholm Syndrome or something else to that effect but I just have a hard time with a victim being physically assaulted, restrained and kidnapped falling for her captor.  Part of the problem is that most of the book was in the head of, and told from the POV of, Shaw.  He isn't likable for a good portion of the book -- mainly because he's a hitman and this is job (his kidnapping and restraint, etc.) but I still really struggled with any inkling of romance, lust or more between Jordie and Shaw.  Why on earth would Jordie want this man?  Feelings are complicated and attraction isn't something anyone can pinpoint but I wish this one had skipped the romance altogether.  And that, to me, is a mortal sin in romantic suspense.  I know a lot of my friends loved this book so I hope it is better for you! 
Sting comes out next week on August 16, 2016, and you can purchase HERE.
Noise had prevented him and Hick from talking on the short flight back to New Orleans.  Since each had left his car at the heliport, they'd split up there.  Joe had offered to stop on the way to the office to pick up a couple of sandwiches.   
Now, Hick took one from the sack, unwrapped it, discovered meatballs smothered in melted mozzarella and passed it to Joe, who said, "Don't worry. You Veggie Delite is in there."  He took a bit of meatball and spoke around it. "'To live in New Orleans and be a vegetarian--" 
"--is a waste.' So you've said. About ten thousand times."   
"It's worse than a waste. It's a sin. Ask your priest. He'll back me up."   

Comments

  1. This book sounds so promising from the synopsis (and that cover is to DIE for) but it really sucks that the romance didn't quite work out for you. What a letdown for a romantic suspense! I do so hate it when what's important in a genre itself turns out to be problematic, but I'll still keep an eye out for this one. Great review, Eva! :)

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  2. Yeah I have seen good things about this but the romance does not sound like one that works. Romantic suspense is a genre that is so hit or miss for me. Sorry this didn't work for you!

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  3. I've actually never read anything by Sandra Brown but I know a lot of people love her. But it sounds like that romance would be hard to swallow. Especially since it's told from the male POV. Weird choice. At least if it was from the female POV you'd be able to get some insight into *why* she fell for him - what was going through her head.

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  4. I'm sorry to hear you haven't connected with this author yet, Eva. I've been meaning to try something by her because of the rave she gets, but I haven't had the chance yet. Captor-victim romances can be very tough. I've only read one book where I liked it so I can understand where you are coming from. I think I'll skip this one.
    Great review!

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  5. Yikes, sounds like this didn't work for you at all really. I do need to try this author but I definitely won't start with this one first.

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  6. Sorry to hear you didn't like this one much, Eva. :( Will come back to read your review until after I write mine.

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  7. I read a book by this author last winter, and I struggled with the romance as well. I think this author is more of a miss for me.

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  8. oh too bad about the romance!!! I don't mind the theme here, but it needs to be handled well. I do like this authors writing (at least what I have read from her in the past)

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  9. An author pretty much loses me if this is the premise for a story. It's lazy writing and does a disservice to her female characters, IMHO.

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  10. Oh, I do not like that type of romance! I mean, how could someone fall in love with someone intent on hurting you? That's just so wrong :(

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  11. Yikes - the romance in this doesn't sound that great! The cover is very pretty though :')

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  12. Sorry to hear that the romance didn't work for you in this one

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  13. I had big issues with Shaw too at first and I wondered how it would be possible for me to even like him let alone accept him as a romantic lead. Fortunately for me it ended up working. Maybe because I just knew that somehow Sandra Brown would somehow redeem his character I kept holding out hope that he wasn't what he appeared to be. Great honest review, Eva! I can understand why this didn't end up working for you.

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  14. I haven't read Sandra Brown before. Glad you liked the suspense part of the book. Any romantic suspense authors/books you recommend?

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    Replies
    1. Linda Howard and Suzanne Brockmann are my all time favorites. I recently read a duo by Laura Griffin and they were really good, too.

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