Rating: ![3 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-3-0.gif) Summary: Surprisingly VERY Disappointed :-( Review: While I have in the past loved Garwood's books, I was surprisingly disappointed in her first (i think) attempt at modern mystery/romance. The storyline was very unbelievable and the characters did not have quite enough "depth". The heroine was pretty blah and the hero was just ok. Not what I would expect of a writer such as Garwood. Now....I did enjoy the character Noah Clayborne(any relation to the previous Clayborne's written about ?Hmmm.) I would definitely like to see Garwood write a story with Noah as the main character and who knows maybe the 2nd contemporary would be better than the first.......
Rating: ![5 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-5-0.gif) Summary: Heartbreaker Review: This was one of the best thrillers I've read. I couldn't put the book down. I've read all of Mary Higgins Clarks' books and this one was right up there with them. I actually liked this one better. The characters were well described and easy to picture. There was a coziness to this thriller that I didn't find in other thrillers and that doesn't mean your not kept on the seat of your chair. The story kept my interest and moved along fast and smoothly. GREAT WORK JULIE GARWOOD! I hope to see lots more of these. I've read all of your romance novels and loved them too. This was an unexpected delight.
Rating: ![5 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-5-0.gif) Summary: Outstanding Review: This was one of the best books I've read. Garwood did it again! Her characters are unique. I laughed,worried and sighed with relief throughout this book. I couldn't put this book down! Again her strong sense of family came thru loud and clear. I loved this book!
Rating: ![2 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-2-0.gif) Summary: Mistaken Identity Review: I love Julie Garwood and have read every book she has written, several times. Heartbreaker was a major let down. The setting is small town Iowa, the plot involves an FBI agent sent to protect his best friend's gorgeous and single sister from a crazed psychopath. The hero, Nick Buchanan (FBI) has some appeal, but his character is not well developed. In romantic fiction, the hero has to be so well defined that the reader can get to know him and fall in love with him. The author has done a better job with Laurent Madden, the spirited heroine, but the character the most fully developed is that of the third party killer. A considerable amount of time is spent delving into his macabre thoughts and feelings. So much, that one would seriously question whether this book belongs in the romance section or the horror/thriller section of Amazon. Then there is a lot of attention spent on leading the reader away from the real killer to a likely suspect. Again, this trivial character is given too much time and emphasis, and his character, again, is revolting. This contemporary novel (from an author who has always written historical romance) seems to have an identity crisis. Is it romance, or is it Hannibal Lechter horror remininscent of Silence of the Lambs? I look forward to more contemporary novels by Julie Garwood, but I would hope to see more of the romantic characters and less of the "extras" and a better definition of the unique conflicts between the leading lady and her man. It would be interesting to see what Ms. Garwood does with the very sexy FBI agent Noah Clayborne, if she writes a sequel to this story.
Rating: ![5 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-5-0.gif) Summary: Awesome, A must read ! Review: This book is incredible. I couldn't put this book down. Funny thing is I never read books because they can't keep my interest. This book had me on the edge of my seat with anticipation.
Rating: ![5 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-5-0.gif) Summary: Julie Garwood can't write fast enough for me! :) Review: I waited and waited...and waited some more (it seems like FOREVER) for this book to come out. It is a really good book and the characters were great. My only complaint would be that there was not enough interaction between the main love interests. There should have been more time between just the two of them, giving the reader the same feeling that these two people just HAVE to be together, as in Ms. Garwood's other novels. This was a step in the right direction for Ms. Garwood. I have to say her last novel "The Wedding" just wasn't up to the greatness she is SOOOOOOOO capable of. Still, the thing about reading a Julie Garwood novel is that you know even her below-best is going to be good storytelling. I would highly recommend this book. And, once again I have to say that my only complaint would be that Ms. Garwood can't write fast enough for me. After waiting for more than a year for "Heartbreaker" to come out, and after having read it three times over (okay, maybe more...) now what am I supposed to do? :( FASTER, Ms. Garwood, FASTER! :)
Rating: ![3 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-3-0.gif) Summary: A MEDIOCRE THRILLER Review: Father Thomas sits in the confessional awaiting the confession of the man on the other side of the wall...nothing could have prepared him for the man's actual confession. "Forgive me father for I will sin..." begins his confession. Father Thomas struggles with what he just heard, for this man is the "heartbreaker", a psychopath who has killed, and is planning to kill again, his next target...father Thomas' sister. The plot in Julie Garwood's first thriller is interesting enough, but becomes silly as it goes along. The priest's best friend happens to be an FBI agent, and of course there is an instant attraction between the agent and the sister. Garwood is known for her historical romances, and with this new novel she ventures into thriller territory. I can't say the author is totally successful in the genre, it has too many traces of romance writing. The plot is suspenseful, but too much time is wasted on the attraction of Nick and Laurent, and not enough time is spent on "heartbreaker" and his crimes. Despite slow pacing in spots, Garwood does accomplish a good climax, giving the killer an identity and reason for his madness. If Garwood removes the romantic themes of her next suspenser, she will be on her way to joining Tami Hoag and Catherine Coulter, two authors who have crossed over into thriller territory very successfully. Nick Gonnella
Rating: ![2 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-2-0.gif) Summary: Disappointing! Review: I have to tell you right off the bat that I was really looking forward to this novel. I believe that this is the first comtempory romance novel that Garwood has written. The premise is something right up my alley. Close your eyes and imagine: A priest is in the confessional; he is bored and sweaty from the heat, waiting patiently for his time to be up. Right as he is ready to get up and call it a day, a man steps into the confessional "Bless me father, for I will sin, I'm a heartbreaker" Not only does this heartbreaker give the name of the victim he will murder next, he implores the priest to involve his best friend, Nick Buchanan from the F B I. And the victim...the priests beloved sister. So imagine my disappointment when I actually finished Heartbreaker and it is more like a Hannibal lite novel. The characters fall in love with each other just a little too quickly for my tastes, but I should have know being the writer is a romance novelist and not a horror writer. Garwood fans will have a rare gem of a book, but for us others, best to skip it!
Rating: ![3 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-3-0.gif) Summary: TOO BAADD Review: I was disappointed by this novel. I have enjoyed all of Ms Garwood's other books, but this one just did'nt do it for me. Somehow though her female characters are interesting in period novels this one was not believable nor was the romance. I was more interested in the hero's friend than I was the hero although his fear of flight was a nice touch.
Rating: ![3 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-3-0.gif) Summary: Half Way Review: I have long enjoyed Julie Garwood's stories, however, this one was my least favorite. I liked the male character, he was interesting and enjoyable. I did not at all like the female character. . . she was too perfect. She had no idiosynchrencies, no foibles, nothing. She was bland, perfect mush, that I could not relate to.
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