When the Storm Breaks

Rating:
Summary: A thriller
Review: Adult content: sex and violence

When The Storm Breaks is a romantic thriller set in Washington D.C. Marie Claire Lambert is heading home from a late night appointment and stumbles across a serial killer finishing off his latest victim. When he spots her, she takes flight, looking for the nearest refuge. Before she can reach the door to an all-night ladies club, she slips on the stairs in the rain and is knocked unconscious. As she drifts in and out, she is able to tell the people who find her she has witnessed a murder, but when she fully regains consciousness, all memory of the event is blocked. Will she remember who the killer is before he can kill his only witness?

Marie Claire is a strong, independent, 30-year-old woman who knows how to take care of herself in the big city. Her life is threatened by a serial killer when she becomes his only witness, but all she can remember of that night is a horrible smile on a face she saw in a picture. Retracing the events of that evening, all leads point to the dating agency run by her friend and the photos Claire was looking over before she saw the killer.

Sean Richter is the detective assigned to protect Claire. One look at her in the hospital and his interest in her goes beyond professional. For Sean, his struggle to maintain professionalism makes his job that much more difficult. He sends mixed signals to Claire, unable to deny his attraction to her and yet forbidden to act on it. They work together along with Claire's close-knit group of friends to identify the killer knowing that Claire is the next target.

This book was a page-turner! The action was nonstop and the tension between Sean and Claire was tangible. Ms. Lowell's ability to take us through the police investigation and the pratfalls of avoiding the personal relationship were intense and realistic. This book was thrilling to the very end.

Rating:
Summary: captivating and suspenseful serial killer romance
Review: Afton Gallagher, assisted by her mom Peggy, persuades her friend Claire Lambert to try the computer dating service that they own. It is after midnight by the time they are through providing "Marie Claire" with a bio. Claire heads home to Georgetown taking a short cut to catch her bus. However, she sees a man with a knife killing a woman and the murderer notices her too. Claire flees in terror, but falls down a set of stairs before banging her head. Though the killer lost the gazelle he has found her purse that she dropped when she ran the hundred-yard dash in record time.

DC Police Detectives Sean Richter and Aidan Burke believe one of their cold cases has just got hot with the apparent return of a dormant serial killer. He learns of Claire witnessing the homicide, but her memory remains faulty from the concussion she suffered. Sean works with Claire to help her recall that horrifying night, but also to keep her safe from a killer who knows who she is and where she lives.

Though amnesia has served as a device in many a thriller, fans will believe that Heather Lowell introduced the technique with this tale because it feels as fresh as the air following WHEN THE STORM BREAKS. The key to the invigorating plot is the key cast members especially the heroine. Sean is a caring hunk who risks his life not for duty, but more to keep the woman he loves safe. Profanity fits within the plot. Fans will appreciate this second-generation novelist's captivating and suspenseful serial killer romance.

Harriet Klausner

Rating:
Summary: Terrific debut.
Review: Cannot wait for Ms. Lowell's next book. I had read a few not so flattering reviews but decided to make my own decision. So glad I did!! This book kept me interested til the end and I loved the chemistry between the characters. Hope the next book is about Aidan and Olivia. Keep up the great work!

Rating:
Summary: Terrific debut.
Review: Cannot wait for Ms. Lowell's next book. I had read a few not so flattering reviews but decided to make my own decision. So glad I did!! This book kept me interested til the end and I loved the chemistry between the characters. Hope the next book is about Aidan and Olivia. Keep up the great work!

Rating:
Summary: Awesome debut suspense novel....
Review: Claire Lambert decides to give her friend Afton's dating service Camelot a try. On her way to the bus stop late at night after providing Camelot with her bio, she cuts through a schoolyard and witnesses a brutal murder. She flees the scene, only to be chased by the killer. She manages to escape his evil clutches, but slips and falls, banging her head on the way down, only to wake up in the hospital with very few memories of what happened the night before - and Washington, D.C. detective Sean Richter, along with partner/cousin Aidan Burke waiting for answers regarding the murder.

The two detectives work the Cold Case Unit, and fear this is the work of a serial killer from the past that has struck again. With Claire's memory in shreds, they focus their attentions on the dating service, believing this is the link to the killer. When Claire fled the murder scene, she dropped her purse, along with her ID, which the killer has. Sean and Aidan walk a fine line, trying to protect Claire from the killer, while using her as bait to reel him in. And, in the process, Sean and Claire develop more than a working relationship, which could put the entire case in jeopardy.

This is an awesome debut novel from Heather Lowell. The amnesia angle has been used over and over again in suspense stories, but this author gives it a whole new believable spin. The characters are well developed and likeable, with a heroine to be admired. The hunky detectives speak for themselves, with a story line that is loaded with suspense and passion. Kudos, Ms. Lowell, for a presenting a captivating and sexy debut novel. I certainly hope the saga continues, with Aidan's story.

Rating:
Summary: Loved It!!!
Review: Claire sees the face of a murderer right after he has committed his crime. He chases her and she gets away but not without injury. She is unable to remember the murder or the murderer. Sean is the police detective who is in charge of Claire's case and tracking the serial killer who is pursuing Claire to rid himself of the only witness to ever see him. Sean and Claire are attracted to each other. Sean knows he can't get involved with a witness but he can't stay away from her either. This was a great first book from a new author! I enjoyed it will definately purchase Heather Lowell's next title when it comes out. I recommend this book to all lovers of romantic suspense!

Rating:
Summary: Unprofessional police officer
Review: Detective Sean Richter had to be the most unprofessional police officer in history. The scene between him and Claire in Olivia's kitchen was disgusting. I also found it hard to believe they fell in love in just a month. All in all, the book really wasn't too bad, just not the best.

Rating:
Summary: Strong finish doesn't compensate for weak start
Review: Executive Claire Lambert has the stupendous bad luck to witness a serial killer at work. She barely escapes from his murderous intentions, but whacks herself on the head in the mean time. As a result, she does not remember anything about the entire event. But the killer doesn't know that, and thus Claire becomes his special target, the one that got away, his "sweet prey." And Detective Sean Richter makes it his personal business to protect her until this sick puppy is caught and put out of commission. Unfortunately, Claire and Sean's instant and stunning attraction complicates things.

I wanted to like this book, I really did. Women-in-jeopardy stories are a personal favorite, and I had high hopes for Lowell, daughter of veteran romance and romantic suspense author Elizabeth Lowell. But this story was just too familiar, and there were no unusual plot twists or emotional underpinnings to make this tale stand out from the crowd. The main characters were likable, but didn't truly "live" for me. They felt like constructs.

I will say that the last 50 pages were gripping, proving that Lowell can write a riveting action sequence. But I would have liked to see more of this type of writing throughout the book.

Rating:
Summary: A good read
Review: I am a big fan of psycological thrillers and this book does not dissapoint. Although there are some cliches, I say all in all it is very entertaining. I read it in 2 days! The characters are in some ways predictable but not so much so that you lose interest. All in all I rate it a 3.5. I say read it and enjoy!!!!!!

Rating:
Summary: this book was absolutely fantastic!
Review: I bought this book because i thought it sounded good. When i finished reading this book it wasnt just good, it was great. I stayed up till 3 in the morning just to finish this book because it was so suspenseful and impossible for me to put down at the end. I'm not usually into murder mysterys or anything of the sort, but this book changed my opinion on those types of book. I recommend this book to everybody and you're missing out on great book if you choose not to read this!