Rating: 
Summary: Heart Pounding
Review: My first venture into reading a book by Julie Garwood brought a fine surprise. Although the action is somewhat predictable, I found the suspense quite real. Nick, Laurant, Father Tom, Noah were all fully drawn characters about whom I cared,and the plot was quite ingenious. The confession in the confessional--bless me, father, for I will sin--was enough to capture my immediate attention and propel me through the book at breakneck speed. This was just the ticket for a stormy day at home! I would love to know more about the author's son, to whom she dedicated the book. I found that page perfectly beautiful.
Rating: 
Summary: Nice change of pace for this author!
Review: I have been reading Julie Garwood for a long, long time and she never fails to deliver! I was a little nervous with her "new" genre, but needn't have been! She does the same thing with contemporary suspense that she does with her historicals--makes you laugh and cry and care about her characters! I am looking forward to a book about Noah now!
Rating:
Summary: From a new reader
Review: This was my first Julie Garwood and I went to search for more after reading it and can't believe this was her first suspense novel. The story is quick and the characters are engaging. I truely enjoyed this book and hope that Garwood continues on with the Romanic Suspense genre.
Rating:
Summary: EXCELLANT BOOK
Review: I FIND IT HARD TO BELIEVE THAT THIS IS MS GARWOOD'S FIRST ATTEMPT AT MODERN FICTION. NORMALLY WHEN YOU SEE WRITERS VENTURE INTO A NEW GENRE, THEY BRING ALOT OF BAGGABE FROM THE OLD GENRE, WITH A FEW EXCEPTIONS. THIS IS DEFINATELY ONE OF THOSE EXCEPTIONS. MS GARWOOD USES MODERN CHARACTERS, WITH MODERN PROBLEMS, IN MODERN SITUATIONS, WITH MODERN DIALOGUE. THE ONLY THING ABOUT THIS BOOK THAT RESEMBLES HER HISTORICAL ROMANCES, IS THE USE OF A COUPLE OF NAMES. WHICH IS NOT SUCH A BAD THING, IT IS SOMETIMES NICE TO SEE HOW THE CENTURIES HAVE TREATED THE DESCENDANTS OF SOME OF YOUR FAVORITE CHARACTERS. ALTHOUGH I AM NOT A BIG FAN OF HISTORICAL ROMANCES, I HAVE READ A FEW OF MS GARWOODS' AND IT IS NOT HARD TO IMAGINE SOME OF THOSE CHARACTERS ACTING THE SAME WAY AND SAYING THE SAME THINGS, WERE THEY IN MODERN TIMES, AS THEIR DESCENDANTS. THIS IS NOT TO SAY THE CAHRACTERS ARE ALL THE SAME, JUST THAT MS GARWOOD MAKES IT EASY TO SEE HOW THEY WOULD EVOLVE OVER THE CENTURIES.
Rating:
Summary: Good Effort
Review: This being her first contemporary effort it was wonderful. I really enjoyed, and only a tad less than her historicals. The suspense was really great and I loved all the characters. I only have one question: When is it Noah's turn?
Rating: 
Summary: Not Happy From NH
Review: I have loved all of Judy Garwoods books...This one was a total let down. I could not seem to get into it. I was so disappointed that I was not able to finish the book.
Rating:
Summary: Throughly impressed from Texas
Review: I was throughly impressed with Julie Garwood's writing of a suspense novel. I have read all of her books and I believe that she has found a new writing field. Heartbreaker was a moving and fast-flowing reading for me. Once I started I could not stop until I completed the book. I hope she continues to follow up on the supporting characters - Noah Clayborne in particular.
Rating: 
Summary: No More Broken Hearts
Review: Some of the greatest works in suspense fiction (think Hitchcock's classic, "I Confess") have begun in the sanctity of the confessional, when the church's faithful meets personified evil, separated only by a curtain and screen. The ensuing scene, set in the hushed shadows, will pit the saved and virtuous against the lost and debased. Remembering that film, I listened to "Heartbreaker" by Julie Garwood. Although, in retrospect and in general, I must say I liked it, I may have also created a high standard (comparing it to a similar setting used by Hitchcock)which "Heartbreaker" could never achieve, in complexity or depth. Father Tom Madden is the recepient of the omnious confession, leaving Tom with the conviction that his family and others unknown are in imminent danger from the confessor, who identified himself as the "Heartbreaker". Calling on his childhood best friend (a "strong-and-silent-type" FBI agent), Nick Buchanan, Tom shares the confessor's words and intentions, which focus on Tom's younger sister, Laurant, a former model. Assuming her protection as his personal mission, Nick goes to her home (Holy Oaks, Iowa) and insuinates himself into her life and into the town, hoping that he can save her from "heartbreak". I understand that Julie Garwood typically writes historical romance, and "Heartbreaker" is her first foray into contemportary fiction/mystery. I have also enjoyed similar efforts by Catherine Coulter and Barbara Delinsky. I look forward to Garwood's future efforts, as I am hopeful that she will break out of the formulaic romance relationships (Nick and Laurant are absolutely one-dimensional in that respect). I would also like to see her rely less heavily on quaint towns, like "Holy Oaks", and its stereotypical characters. But her strength thus far, it seems, takes an interesting setting and uses it an unusual way. To my delight and humor, for example, she contrasts city attitudes with the small-town conventions of Holy Oaks, by disguising a rough-and-tumble agent, Noah, as a priest to guard Father Tom. Garwood has great promise as a crafter of interesting stories, set off by unusual contrasts in setting and theme. I look forward to her progress and maturity in contemporary fiction/mystery.
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Summary: What a great transition.....
Review: I'm a longtime fan of Julie Garwood's historicals. When I first read that her newest book was a Romantic Suspense novel, I was ready for disappointment. I just couldn't see how she could make the transition from very sweet and humorous to gritty and suspenseful. I was VERY surprised and pleased with the transition. Ms. Garwood has brilliantly plotted a suspense novel full of twists and turns that keeps the reader guessing until the very end. Even when you know who the killer really is, you have to figure out who he has become. At the same time Ms. Garwood has woven a very nice love story between Nick and Laurent. The tension from the suspense is relieved with classic Garwood one-liners that make you want to laugh. Secondary characters, such as Laurent's brother the priest and Nick's friend Noah, are well developed and add to lightening the dark side of the novel. All in all, a very good book from a favorite author. Hopefully she will write Noah's story next.....
Rating:
Summary: interesting
Review: I have read and loved all of Julie Garwood's books and was highly anticipating this one. I was a little aprehensive since she was writing her first contemporary novel, others such as Jude Deveraux, have not done too well with contempory attempts. However, I was not disappointed with this book at all. It had the same humor that is present in all her books. Even with the mystery/thriller background, she is still able to keep it romantic and light. Those of you who enjoy past Garwood books should enjoy this just as much. The style of writing is the same and you will not be disappointed. It was also very nice to see a Clayborne included and I hope there will be a Noah Clayborne sequel. I look forward to her next book. There are never enough to quench my appetite and I wish Julie Garwood would write more.
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