Thursday, September 12, 2019

Review - - Claiming Sarah


Claiming Sarah
by Susan Stoker
Ace Security - Book 5
Publisher: Montlake Romance
Release Date: September 10, 2019
Reviewed by PJ
    


Sarah Butler isn’t flattered. She’s angry and unnerved. She’s been getting intimate gifts from a man she barely knows. Nothing threatening yet, but there’s just a weird vibe she can’t ignore. Her recourse is Ace Security. Their solution: self-defense lessons at Rock Hard Gym with a personal, hands-on instructor. One look at the bearded, tattooed, green-eyed alpha is enough to take Sarah’s breath away.
Cole Johnson is definitely the man for the job. He’s eager to train her. Eager to get closer. And when it comes to Sarah’s instincts, Cole knows she’s not imagining things. He’s also not imagining the intense attraction between them—and his desire to protect her is growing. But so are Sarah’s fears, the worst of which come true when she disappears.

Enlisting the help of Ace Security, Cole will stop at nothing to find the love of his life…before she vanishes forever.

My thoughts:

I'm relatively new to Susan Stoker's books, having read (and loved) only the first four books in her Mountain Mercenaries series. When I agreed to review Claiming Sarah, I didn't realize it was the fifth book in a different series. It didn't matter. Though earlier couples pop up here and there in this book, it didn't confuse me or detract from Sarah and Cole's story in any way. Claiming Sarah stands on its own.

This book is fast-paced, intense, and suspenseful, with chemistry between Cole and Sarah that is not only sizzling but also tender and sweet. Cole is alpha-extra (a little much for me at times) and he pursues Sarah with intensity once they connect but he's also caring and protective. Sarah is one of the kindest heroines I've read in ages. In fact, it's that kindness that lands her in the dangerous situation which leads her to Cole for self defense lessons. I enjoyed seeing her evolve throughout the story and watching her hold her own with Cole. They really do balance each other well. I was also glad that when Sarah has every reason to unleash fury during an encounter fraught with danger, her innate kindness guides her actions once again. I don't want to divulge too much for fear of venturing into spoiler territory so I'll just say that I applaud Stoker for the way she handles a situation that could have - and in real life, frequently does - end in tragedy.  


Have you read any of Susan Stoker's books?

Do you enjoy romantic suspense?

How do you feel about alpha heroes?



5 comments:

  1. I have not ready any books by Ms Stoker. I do enjoy romantic suspense, but if things become too intense, I have anxiety issues. I have to monitor my degrees of suspense.

    Alpha heroes are lovely in books. But, at times I think being in a relationship with one would be exhausting.

    Yes, I know, TMI.

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  2. I love romantic suspense. The alpha hero can ride a fine line for me. Too intense and it crosses the line. I haven't read anything by Ms. Stoker, but I think I will now. Thanks for the great review.

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  3. I love reading her books. I like romantic suspense and Ms. Stoker writes some of the best alphas.

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  4. I think I own a few of Susan's books which I haven't read yet. I do enjoy romantic suspense and alpha heroes. Thanks for the review PJ.

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  5. I have not yet read her books. After checking her books on Amazon, they look like they will be good, suspenseful reads. Romantic suspense is one of my two favorite types of romance. Good ones grab you and you have to hold on reading as fast as you can to find out what happens. I enjoy Alpha heroes, but not when they are too domineering and don't give a woman credit for her abilities.

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