Forget Me Not

Rating:
Summary: Very well written
Review: I have to say that I was very impressed. It was the characters that pulled me along. I would have classified this book as more romance than romantic suspense, because it wasn't as suspenseful as I had expected, but it still kept me glued to the pages. Most of the excitement happened near the end and left the story open for the sequel coming out in June 2005 "In the Dark" I am looking forward to reading this next chapter in what will most likely be a series.
This author writes very much like Suzanne Brockmann and you might even think you are reading one of Brockmann's navy seal stories, but just another Seal team and their lives. So if you like her books read Marliss Melton's "Forget Me Not" and at the same time, if you liked this book, read Suzanne Brockmann.

Rating:
Summary: A BOOK I CAN'T FORGET!
Review: I never knew reading about the Navy could be so exhilirating.

This book had it all: suspense, romance, action, drama, and very interesting secondary characters. Though I would have preferred more from Sebastian and Leila. They had as much chemistry as the main characters, Gabe and Helen Renault.

In this book, Marliss Melton-- first book I've read by this author and certainly not the last--, had me engrossed for 3 days. I couldn't put this book down. With the hero and heroine she induced believable, heartfelt emotions, intuned with the circumstances these two faced after a year apart and two years of a strained marriage.

Gabe, of the Navy Seals, disappeared for a year after a mission gone wrong. Held captive by North Korean natives, the only thing that kept him alive and fighting and enduring horrendous bouts of torture was the memory that could never leave him: that of his beautiful wife.

While alone in a miserable dungeon away from civility, he had plenty of time to reflect on a rough childhood upbringing, which was responsible for his always putting his job first and ignoring and keeping feelings at bay when it came to his wife and stepdaughter.

Escaping from his torturers, Gabe returns home only to not remember the past three years of his life, including that of his wife, Helen, and stepdaughter, Mallory.

Being not happy that her husband was assumed dead, but certainly enjoying her freedom to be more independent and not rely on a man who never paid her attention anyways, Helen must relinquish her newfound freedom and be there for Gabe.

What transpires is a newfound love, though rocky at first. Gabe is not the man he used to be and Helen finds it hard to resist this mysterious man who's supposed to be her distant, work-obessed husband. Now disband from the Navy on a disability release, Gabe is much more attentive and loving than ever.

But will this part of Gabe last?? Or be lost to her once again when his memories return? On top of that, should Helen trust her heart to him once again? Only to lose him with the threat of his life hanging in the balance?

Someone wants him to forget the mission that had him captive for a year, and Helen wishes he would, too, if only to keep this part of the man she can not let go, in spite of knowing she should.

With suspense, beautiful dialogue between Helen, Gabe, and Mallory, this story is a 5-star read and worth a second read, too.

You'll also be enthralled by the sexy, latino Master Chief Sebastian Leon and Helen's best friend Leila, hoping for a story of their own. I felt cheated that I didn't get to see how they wound up.

But that's my only omplaint about this book.

Insecurities from Gabe-- was he too scarred physically and emotionally for Helen to love; was he man enough to be a good father to a teenage girl with her own insecurities; did he betray his country and not remember the mission for fear of losing his job; and was a second chance at living enough to warrant a second chance with the family that gave him the strength to want to live? Could Helen be woman enough to see Gabe through his nightmares and inability to recollect his memory?

Read and find out!

This book has it all. I suggest you go buy this one and enjoy it as thoroughly as I!

Miss Melton, you and Karen Rose are treasures to the reading world :)



Rating:
Summary: Wonderful Navy Seal Romantic Suspense
Review: I really enjoyed this book. Being an avid reader of romantic suspense, this one really kept my attention. This book will keep you going until the very end. The only thing I'm hoping is that there will be a sequel as there are a couple of loose ends, wondering if the Geary woman is ever found so the CO Lovitt will be charged on the weapons and if Gabe will be put back on active duty with his group. Also what happens between Leila and Sebastian. Even with these questions unanswered it was a great book and a good ending. You will not be disappointed. In my opinion it rates right up there with Suzanne Brockmann which is one of my favorites.

Rating:
Summary: Gritty Navy Seal Story!
Review: This gritty novel seizes you from the first page and doesn't let you go until the last page is turned. With no holds barred author Marliss Melton sucks you into a world of intrigue, passion and suspense. Meet Gabe Renault. Gabe Renault, Navy Seal, returns to his life with no memory of what has happened to him. He knows he's been tortured, and shadowy figures haunt his dreams but he is unable to piece his memory together. In fact, he can remember nothing from the point before he meets his wife. His escape from a prison camp in North Korea is a shock to his wife and stepdaughter, who had been told he was dead. Helen Ranault, his wife, has pulled her life together, found a job, and finds a sense of peace with the death of Gabe, her neglectful husband. His return is a surprise, and not an entirely welcome one.

In the course of this story, Gabe, the former "perfect Navy Seal" has returned to who he truly is. A man who is capable of great love and no longer fears that love. With all his self-imposed restrictions lifted he is finally able to discover what he had been pushing away and missing all along - his one true love. As his memory begins to fill in, he realizes he is involved in a plot that involves those he thought he could trust. Glimpses of his time in North Korea, his torture, who his captors are, and how he got there all begin to fill in.

While there is a strong current of suspense that really pushes this story forward, it is the relationship between Gabe and Helen as well as Gabe and his stepdaughter that really grabs you.

I look forward to more stories from this new author on the scene!



Rating:
Summary: intriguing romantic suspense
Review: While in North Korea on a mission to steal four SAMs, a SEALS teammate attacks Gabe Renault, leaving him to die. Gabe's only regret is not telling his wife Helen that he loves her. That thought and seeing his teenage stepdaughter Mallory keeps Gave alive in a
North Korean prison.

One year later Gabe escapes and comes home with partial amnesia of the last few years including not recognizing his wife. He vows to be a good husband, but Helen does not want him back as the SEALS always came middle and last with Gabe. As he heals and danger mounts from those who fear her will recover his memory and point out who assaulted him and left one SAM behind, Gabe campaigns to be all he can be to his wife and stepchild as he loves both and knows they kept him alive during his ordeal.

This intriguing romantic suspense for the most part concentrates on the relationship between Gabe and his two women especially his spouse. The story line contains an intrigue element with the attempts on his life, but that takes a backseat to Gabe's campaign to re-win the heart and soul of Helen and to be a true father to Mallory. Readers will take great delight as Gabe struggles to overcome his own neglectful past succeeding with Mallory, but seemingly failing with Helen who does not believe a leopard can change its spots.

Harriet Klausner