Rating: 
Summary: Wonderful Story, Engaging Characters
Review: The "ugly duckling" hook was the one that got me reading this book, and I didn't regret it.This is one of the best "stories" I've read. I loved the main characters - the author makes clever use of dialogue to make the characters come alive. Nell Calder turns from a plain Jane to Helen of Troy and from a wallflower to a strong, determined woman, but the reason for the change: the loss of her 4-year old daughter, is believable. Jill was her only source of happiness, after all. She needs the help of ex-criminal Nicholas Tanek in her quest for revenge, and their lives entwine in the most delicious way! This was a very enjoyable read, romantic, suspenseful and thrilling.
Rating: 
Summary: A Swan¿s Revenge
Review: The promise of the book kept me reading through the first ten or so pages, which I found stiff and boring. To much information given away in dialogue that the characters obviously knew. I almost put the book down, but thankfully didn't, because when I got to meet Nell and the interplay between her and her daughter Jill midway through the first chapter, I was hooked. Sadly, Jill dies with her father in the violence that leaves Jill disfigured. As a child, Nell's mother told her over and over that she was the Ugly Duckling. However after a murderous attack on a Greek island, wealthy Nick Tanek flies her to the States where she is transformed into the Swan her mother told her she could never be. Beautiful now, Nell works on her body, getting it in shape to go after a killer, but to get him, she has to put herself at risk. I loved this five star thriller, my only fault with it was the slow beginning, but once through that, I couldn't put it down. I particularly loved how duckling Nell was transformed. And I loved the revenge aspect of it. I can't recommend "The Ugly Duckling" highly enough. Reviewed by Vesta Irene
Rating:
Summary: Great but not the best Johansen book
Review: This is was the first IJ book I've read, and I have honestly read pretty much all her books since this one. Ducking is really great, but the characters could be developed more, there was so much written about Nells "transformation" but I would have like more dialouge between Nell and Tanek. I would love to read a sequel of this book because I really liked the characters both are strong, but vulernable. The side characters, although well written, took on too much of an importance in this story. After reading Dead Aim, Face of Deception, Killing Game, Long after midnight, its obvious that this is not IJs best book but a great read. You won't be disapointed, you'll just want to read more about these characters.
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Summary: I LOVED THIS BOOK!
Review: Iris Johansen is becomming one of my favorite authors. I didn't want to put it down! It is a book I wanted to read again right after I finished it. The characters were such strong people in the book. This book really keeps you on the edge of your seat. I am normally a fan of historical romance, but this book is now my favorite book. Nell Calder is an incredible character with such stength and bravery. Being a mother myself, losing a child would be the worst, and Iris Johansen depicts Nell's feelings of loss well. I like the description of Nocholas Tanek being compared to Arnold Schwarzenegger, then finding out more about him and his ranch. Nell's husband got what he deserved for how he treated Nell. This book has a little bit of everything. Even touching on corruption in the DEA. Iris Johansen is an amazing author. The details she puts into her books is outstanding!
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Summary: One of Johansen's best!
Review: The Ugly Duckling is one of those rare books you can read over and over and never grow tired. The strength of Nell Calder as she works to overcome and avenge her daughter's murder, and the relationship between Nell and Nicholas Tanek keep the pages turning. The characters are intriguing, the story suspenseful, and the ending to the conflict is very surprising and well-done. This book made Iris Johansen one of my favorite authors. Highly recommended!
Rating:
Summary: Loved it!
Review: I recently discovered IJ and I have been reading everthing that she has written, I like her style. I loved this book because this was no size 2 model type woman, she was real, a little plump and dealing with many insecurities. He saw something in her anyway that he loved. IJ makes her men strong but yet vulerable to her strong but loving women, and it is refreshing to have men who wear their hearts on their sleeves sometimes. Alex from Reap the Wind is a perfect example(my all time fav). Nick and Nell are a good couple and this is a great read! Pick it up and try Reap the Wind and the continuation Final Target too, you will not regret it!
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Summary: Beauty Fights the Beast....
Review: What if you had lived a life of suppression and been constantly passed over? Suddenly, your comfortable world and everything that you hold dear are stripped away from you and you are brutally attacked. Through cosmetic surgery you are given an exquisite face and seek nothing but revenge. This is the premise that Iris Johansen presents in THE UGLY DUCKLING. This was really a good book. It was not quite as "gruesome" in terms of the specific details as some of her novels, which I appreciated. I especially enjoyed that she referred to a scene (that reminded me of the movie as well) as remeniscent of the movie, TRUE LIES. I also really enjoyed the singleness of purpose as Nell strives to make herself strong. So many things work with this novel. We are given an insight into Nell Calder's childhood as to why she is so submissive; we are given a glimpse into the dynamics of her marriage; we are even a party to the horrible dreams that she endures night after night. The supporting characters are some of the best from Johansen. Tania, a woman who truly understands what Nell has been through and Peter, the young man who stands by her through adversity were two of my favorites. A great book from a great author.
Rating:
Summary: Love it!!
Review: This is a great novel. it was so suspensefull, sad, romantic and the story just flows naturally... This was an awesome read, I can re-read this and enjoy it still.
Rating:
Summary: exciting, hooked from the beginning
Review: Really enjoyed this book - this was my first book from iris johansen, and I've continued buying her books ever since. its the right blend of fantasy, romance, intrigue. Read it!
Rating:
Summary: Beauty Plus Revenge Equals a Heck of a Read
Review: Nell Calder is plain and plump with a pretty daughter and a handsome financier husband. For some unknown reason she's the target of a drug cartel and during the attempt on her life at a party on a Greek island she's disfigured and her husband and daughter are killed. Nicholas Tanek, enemy of her attackers, flies her to safety and has her transformed from the Ugly Duckling to the Beautiful Swan via plastic surgery. However beauty alone isn't enough of a reason for Nell to go on living, but Nick gives her another, Revenge. This book marks Iris Johansen's shift from romance writer to a writer of romantic thrillers and it's worth the read. I give it five stars. Review submitted by Captain Katie Osborne
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