As preview to Indie Reads Appreciation Week and Blog Hop I’ like to post the reviews for three books that I have read and loved by Norah Wilson. She’s a Canadian author that is turning out some undiscovered gems and will be joining us tomorrow. Not only will we be able to learn more about her, but she will be offering a book up for the Giveaway. Enjoy the reviews below and be sure to return tomorrow and learn about the author and read the review of the third book that I reviewed!
Guarding Suzannah by Norah Wilson
Publisher: Smashwords
Release: Sept 2010
Source: I originally reviewed this book for The Romance Reviews – see link HERE
There’s no love lost between criminal defense lawyer Suzannah Phelps and the St. Cloud police department. Now she’s being stalked, but she won’t turn to the police, who may be behind it. But when Det. John Quigley learns of it, he’s determined to protect her, no matter who is harassing her. They’ve struck sparks off each other in the courtroom, and he’s burning to do the same in the bedroom.
The Ice Princess is being stalked and she can’t complain to the cops as she excels at taking them to pieces on the witness stand! Suzannah Phelps is one of the best defense attorneys in New Brunswick. Police Detective John Quigley admires Suzannah’s skill in the courtroom and he just happens to be close when she discovers the latest bouquet of dead roses in her locked car. Although she doesn’t ask for help, John’s curiosity is stirred and he follows her to find out what is going on. The more John learns about this stubborn, bright woman, the more he wants to learn. He understands why she doesn’t want to call for help, and is determined, as the situation escalates, to protect her from whomever is threatening her.
Guarding Suzannah is a great romantic suspense story. Suzannah has the name of The Ice Princess for her demeanor in the courtroom and her ability to shred the evidence of most cases she defends. The descriptions of her in the courtroom are wonderfully written. The little asides and reactions from the onlookers have the reader cringing in anticipation of what’s to come. It is so vividly written, the reader can almost visualize the scene in their mind as it unfolds in print. Enough background is give for Suzannah, that all of her mannerisms and actions are completely understandable and in character. The logic in her arguments and discussions with John are fitting with her being a defense attorney. The character of John isn’t written as an over-the-top alpha male, but as more of a caretaker personality. This highly intelligent, not-too-confrontational personality is not threatening to Suzannah. I think it is his personality that allows Suzannah to accept his help. The character of “Bandy” is adorable! A great addition to the story.
The romance portion of this books is well written. There is enough chemistry between John and Suzannah to make for a well-heated love story. The suspense portion of the story has the reader turning pages to find out who the stalker is. I’m not a huge fan of suspense novels, but this story was written as a love story with some good suspense thrown in to add some dimension to the story.
I enjoyed this story and since it is the first of a series, I will be looking for the next in the series!
This book is available from Smashwords and Amazon
Saving Grace by Norah Wilson
Publisher: Smashwords
Release: Aug 2010
This book was originally reviewed for The Romance Reviews-HERE
After wrecking her car and waking with amnesia, reporter Grace Morgan is shocked to hear she’d left the husband she loves (Police Detective Ray Morgan)for another man. It can’t be true! Can it? She’s determined to remember, even if it kills her. And it just might. When bullets start to fly, Ray is forced to take the wife he thinks faithless on the lam while he figures out who wants her dead.
Norah Wilson hits another one out of the park with book two in the Serve and Protect series. She combines characters that just jump off the pages, a winning story line and fast action to make this a real page turner. Take a heroine with amnesia, a police officer hero, wads of cash and a mystery and you get SAVING GRACE.
We start this book with Ray Morgan being drunker than a skunk because his wife has left him. He gets a call letting him know that his wife has been in a serious accident and he needs to come to the hospital. It’s an interesting way to start a story – already part of the way into the tale. It seems that Ray and Grace – whom everyone thinks is the perfect couple – have split. Grace has announced that she is leaving and Ray can’t talk her out of it. Now Ray is put in the position of caring for an injured wife who has told him she doesn’t want to be married anymore, but who has amnesia and can’t remember any of that.
The characters of Ray and Grace are seen as a power couple; they are both attractive people, but together they really shine. The chemistry between them sparkles and the love between feels like as comfortable as a warm blanket. Even when Ray has to care for the woman who supposedly left him, his love for her shines through. I like the way the author allows the events of this story to have them grow as people. Grace goes from being a somewhat dominated wife to being a force in her own right. Ray goes from being a hardworking police officer and somewhat dominant husband to being a drool-worthy, action-packed hero. The secondary characters – some from the first book – add depth to the story. Ms. Wilson creates an “evil bad guy” who has been one step ahead of the police for years. The sheer genius of his plan to get rid of the police dogging his footsteps speaks to the creativity of the author. The mystery aspect of this story is well thought out and the reader is drawn methodically through the diabolical plans!
I like this author’s writing style. She creates a suspenseful romance that is written in a smooth flowing fashion. I found myself quickly drawn into the story and oblivious to the passage of time until I reached the end. I have now read two of Ms. Wilson’s stories, and I find them easy to read, and satisfying to the end. The plot isn’t overly complicated and she doesn’t throw in lots of secondary characters to confuse the reader. What results is a completely delightful short story – perfect for that quiet afternoon of reading!
SAVING GRACE is book 2 of this Norah Wilson’s To Serve and Protect series. I have previously read the first book in the series and it isn’t necessary to read the first book to understand the second. I look forward to the next book in this series, Protecting Paige.
This book is available on Smashwords or on Amazon