All the Queen's Men

Rating:
Summary: A Great Read, but...
Review: All the Queen's Men is a tightly woven, fast paced, exciting thriller that takes the reader seamlessly from one incredible scene to the next, and, oh yeah, tells the story of the romance between John Medina (uber-spy from Kill and Tell) and Niema Burdock. Howard is an incredible writer that keeps me riveted, but when I finished this book, I didn't really feel as if I knew John any better than when I started. Niema's hopes, fears and reactions were present, but John didn't seem to have any human emotions, other than his love for Niema. The guy's been a secretive, emotionless, manipulative spy just a tad bit too long, and seriously needs a vacation. The personal angle was definitely reduced in favor of the thriller angle. If you've been waiting for John Medina's story, as I have, then the book is worth the hardcover price. If you enjoy thrillers where the action comes first, and the romance second (like Now You See Her), then the book is worth the hardcover price. But if you're looking for a book like Kill and Tell (*hot* romance first, thriller second), the book is not worth the hardcover price.

Rating:
Summary: Emotional and Thrilling Novel
Review: All The Queen's Men is an emotional novel which packs the same punch as another Linda Howard book I read recently, Cry No More. What these novels both have in common is HEARTACHE - the characters have tragic pasts, baggage from previous relationships and at the same time are dealing with serious and dangerous situations. All in all, this leads to a read which can seem bittersweet at times and is definitely not as carefree as other Howard romances such as Dream Man or Heart of Fire.

Niema and John are likeable, well-rounded characters. Niema is still grieving for her loving, tough late husband when John comes back into her life. She is a charming mix of toughness and vulnerability, and I really liked her. John is the typical 'hard man' who is smarting from how his first marriage ended and, to some extent, is unable to express his true feelings because of his dangerous job. The relationship between the two definitely seems meant to be and most of their interactions are a mix of passion, tenderness and love.

As other reviewers have mentioned the ending is quite abrupt, but it made me cry anyway because I was so happy for them both. Overall I was unable to leave this novel for a moment while I was reading it, but I don't reread it often simply because it makes me feel sad - despite the happy ending. I can't help but think that their lives will be hard because John will always have to look over his shoulder and be ready for an old enemy to attack him and Niema again.

JoAnne

Rating:
Summary: This'll make you fall for John Medina all over again!
Review: I fell for John in Kill and Tell (despite that fact that he was mostly a shadowy figure there - maybe that's why!) :) I couldn't wait to get a hold of this book when I found out that he was getting his own story. Wasn't disappointed by John's character - he turned out like I thought he would. All the Queen's Men is a great book to curl up with - fast-paced action that makes it hard to put down, electrical interactions between the heroine and the hero, and the pre-requisite evil figure tearing them apart. The world of spies have always been glamorized in tv and in books and this is no different. Which is okay with me since that's part of the reason why I read about espionage agents - the larger than life qualities of the heroes. Despite the fact that I thoroughly enjoyed the book I still couldn't give it 5 stars and that's for one reason only - the action storyline was wrapped up too quickly. It left me hanging and wanting more. Ms. Howard is still one of my favorite authors though and I can't wait to get my hands on the next book!

Rating:
Summary: I liked it!
Review: I'd never read Linda Howard before, but decided to try this book after reading a few reviews. I very much enjoyed it. I really didn't know what to expect so reading a romantic thriller was a pleasant surprise.

I must admit, it doesn't seem as if "thriller" writing is this author's strong point, but that's only because the book lacked the "hard edge" that a lot of thrillers have. But that's not to say it doesn't work. It does. However, the author's strength is in her romance writing. She created a romantic tension between John and Niemi that just about had me swooning. And to top it off, I was pleasantly surprised (okay, shocked) at the sensuality of some of the romantic scenes. The two genres together made for an entertaining good read.

The characters were great too -- John Medina is strength personified. He's all man and he's strictly business, with one exception -- Niemi. Not only that, he has some very creative ways to get them out of a jam. Niemi, on the other hand, loves the excitement of undercover work, but she's not too sure about her feelings for John, or any man for that matter. She'll soon find out.

The plot is good, the setting is varied, and the pace is fast. Bottom line, I enjoyed the book and would recommend it.

Rating:
Summary: It's more like 4 1/2 stars....
Review: I've recently become a big fan of Linda Howards and have been buying up most of her books. I had read "Kill and Tell" a few months ago and became very intrigued with one of it's characters, John Medina, a CIA operative. This book is actually Johns story.

The first part of the book starts off in Iran, 5 years earlier. John is on assignment with several other people, including Niema and her husband Dallas Burdock (a Navy SEAL). During the operation Dallas is killed and John helps Niema escape. Now to the present. John has always had a thing for Niema but had stayed away because he wanted her to find happiness. Now they are sent on a mission together and he decides he doesn't want to give her up. The rest of the story is about their mission which I won't spoil.

Now some reviewers had a problem with the first time John and Niema make love. Some even said it bordered on rape. I didn't see it like that. Niema's reluctance to make love to John had nothing to do with her being unwilling. She just didn't like the location of where it happened and I don't blame her.

Some reviewers felt that at times John was too cold. Again I didn't see that. He was controlled and in his line of work you would have to be. There were times, like when he was bandaging her feet, that I felt he was very sweet.

There were only two things I didn't like about the story. One was John is always portrayed as "wanting" Niema but I would have like to have heard him say he loved her. The second was the sightseeing trip toward the end of the book. I'm sorry but if your being chased by a bunch of goons your not going to go off sightseeing. Other than that it was a pretty good read.

Rating:
Summary: Love It!
Review: This was the second Linda Howard book I read and I must say that after this one, I am totally hooked! If you enjoy reading a good plot with a lot of steam, Linda is your girl. This book really caught my attention. I couldn't put it down so I read it in one day. I loved the controlled strength of John Medina. And Niema's love of adventure really struck a cord. The intensity of John's attraction to her throughout the book will make you sweat.
This is a great and exciting story and the love scenes make this book borderline erotica. For fiction written especially for women, Linda Howard puts the best plot turns and suspense into her books than anyone else in her genre I have ever read!