Rating: 
Summary: REAL AND SEXY!!!
Review: After reading some of the reviews on this books I was skeptical in buying it. Im glad i didnt listen to the negative reviews. for once the hero wasnt some oopver the top good guy. he had problems and insecurities that made him a little rough around the edges. but thats what i liked about him. you never knew what to expect and i found myself both anxious and curious as to what the character would say or do next. The heroine was also real in the fact that even though the hero was tough and at times mean to her, she understoos that it was all a front to shield himself from what he knew was inevitable. Fallin in love. Its not the typical quirky romance from susan anderson. Its dark and violent, and it keeps your interest from start to finish. And with all that it still had some of the steamiest sex scenes Ive read. they were hot and sexy and it made the characters more honest. All in all it was a very good book and a definite keeper.
Rating: 
Summary: Not impressed.
Review: All in all, I liked the characters of this book. But---the "hero" Vincent was not at all appealing. OK, he was badly burned by his ex-wife. But that was THREE years ago. He meets and is immediately attracted to Ivy. She is as different from his ex as night and day, yet he treats her as if they were one and the same. I'm surprised his "push me-pull me" attitude with Ivy wasn't enough to make her knock him off a balcony. He was self-centered & determined not to involve himself in her life, since he only wanted her for sex, and yet jealous of anyone who talked to her. He wanted her to give, but he only wanted to take. Not much of a hero.
Rating:
Summary: Not impressed.
Review: All in all, I liked the characters of this book. But---the "hero" Vincent was not at all appealing. OK, he was badly burned by his ex-wife. But that was THREE years ago. He meets and is immediately attracted to Ivy. She is as different from his ex as night and day, yet he treats her as if they were one and the same. I'm surprised his "push me-pull me" attitude with Ivy wasn't enough to make her knock him off a balcony. He was self-centered & determined not to involve himself in her life, since he only wanted her for sex, and yet jealous of anyone who talked to her. He wanted her to give, but he only wanted to take. Not much of a hero.
Rating: 
Summary: not a keeper
Review: I agree with the previous reviewer (Nicole) that Obsessed is not Susan Andersen at her best. I bought it after having read reviews saying that the hero is difficult to like; I assumed that I would like the book anyway; I didn't. In my opinion, he is the weak point of the book. There's little suspense since the villain is given away early on; the sexual tension between the hero and heroine is difficult to sustain since he is so unpleasant. It's nice to know that Ms Andersen has improved so much.
Rating:
Summary: out of the bedroom
Review: I really enjoyed the story line of this book. I have not read any of Ms. Andersen's earlier books so I have no way of knowing if this is her standard fare. I would have enjoyed this much more if there had been more story and less cavorting.
Rating:
Summary: Good, but not Susan's Best
Review: I'm a longtime romance fan who has learned over the years to be wary of rereleases because they usually can't live up to the author's newest work and you wind up being disappointed. I think that's the case with Obsessed, which is a good book, and is worth checking out, but will disappoint you if you're looking for the quality/level of Susan Andersen's latest works. I'm a Susan Andersen fan, and Obsessed contains all the elements that make her writing so much fun for me: hot cranky hero, smart, "sassy" heroine, great banter and dialogue between all the characters (not just the heroine/hero), and HOT sex scenes. The emotional baggage the characters carry is well drawn and the suspense is creepy enough to live with you after the book is finished and sitting on the bookshelf again. The rapist theme itself is handled sensitively. The main problem I had with Obsessed is that it feels like a retread of some of Ms. Andersen's other books. In actuality, since this one was published first, the opposite is probably true. This book doesn't feel as well developed or as cohesive as Exposure or Baby, I'm Yours, but has a lot of the same plot/character devices. It is very similar to Present Danger in feel, an Andersen rerelease that I think was a better book overall. If you're an Andersen fan already, then you'll want to read Obsessed to keep your collection complete, and it's worth it as long as you don't expect too much. If you haven't read anything by Ms. Andersen yet but want to try this one, just be forewarned that it isn't her best. Any of the others I've mentioned in this review are better bets to start out.
Rating:
Summary: The Worst of Andersen's novels
Review: I've read several of Susan Andersen's romance novels, and I like them all, with the exception of this one. As everyone else has noted, the hero is a Jerk (capital J is intentional). Unlike everyone else, however, I was more annoyed with the heroine because she put up with antics. How desperate can you be to constantly throw yourself (literally) at a man who treats you like a one-night stand and repeated insults you? I guess as desperate as the heroine of this novel. I know it's probably more realistic, but I just cannot stand a romance novel heroine who has absolutely no pride. She did most of the chasing in this novel, with the hero only chasing when he wanted sex (which she always succumbed to, by the way). Yuck! If this is your first Andersen novel, don't let it turn you off. Her others are much better.
Rating:
Summary: Suspenseful, hot sex, great hero
Review: Loved this book. This author has an amazing range of talent -
some of her books are playful, some suspenseful in the manner of
Iris Johansen or Karen Robards but with hotter sex scenes. This
book was a bit darker than 'Exposure' or 'Present Danger'
without the dialect to give it a slightly fun feel/charm to it.
I think people would be less confused by which form of her
writing they're getting if she used a pseudonym for her
distinctive styles. It was thought provoking with the subtle twist in the sub-plot
of a cousin's tangled feelings for his 1st cousin - feelings
that might be termed star-crossed by some but more accurately
could be termed a lower key version of an obsession by others. A thoroughly enjoyable romantic suspense - one for the keeper
shelf.
Rating:
Summary: Dark and brooding romantic suspense
Review: Rape is a savage and brutal crime. As a detective in the Special Assaults Unit, Vincent D'Ambruzzi has seen it all: the emotional devastation a victim suffers is paralyzing and complete. His caseload is overwhelming, and the stress of his job is minimized only by the black humor of his co-workers and a professional detachment when investigating a case. His professionalism will soon be tested, however, by the cold and calculated behavior of a serial rapist. He strikes only when the moon is full, and carves a heart into his victims' chests -- a memento to remember him by (as if the terror and utter violation his victims experience isn't brutal enough). So far, his identity is a frustrating blank to Vincent and the police department. A hazy description of a blond man of average height is of little help in a case so lacking in evidence. An unexpected break in the case materializes when Ivy Pennington, a trauma doctor, becomes an unwitting target of the rapist's fascination. His newest victim is sent to the hospital with complications; angry that she might die and thus, not be burdened with the memory of this night, he enters the ER to watch...and wait. As Ivy labors over her patient, she is unaware of the mad man lurking in the hallway and his quickly forming obsession. Tall, beautiful Ivy is able to calm the rapist's anger, to silence the voice in his head with her graceful, take-charge attitude and her determined defiance of the cop trying to barge into her patient's cubicle. He feels an immediate connection to the ER doctor. Now if only he could get closer to her and establish a type of relationship with her... Vincent -- the pushy cop the rapist happily observes Ivy rebuffing -- isn't a stranger to the beautiful physician, however. He's actually Ivy's next-door neighbor. She only recently moved into his apartment building (and he jumped to an insulting conclusion when they were first introduced), but Vincent is far from unaffected by Ivy, her deliciously long legs and caustic wit. He's been celibate too damn long to resist such a powerful attraction. A relationship between them is out of the question, however, as Vincent was badly burned in a previous relationship and is hell bent on avoiding the pain of betrayal again. Ironically, the rapist's machinations will draw Vincent and Ivy closer as evidence starts to build in the case -- and Ivy becomes the focus of the rapist's attention. Needless to say, the subject matter is sensitive and the overall tone of this novel is dark and brooding; OBSESSED isn't for readers faint of heart. Vincent is also an extremely volatile character who clings tenaciously to his past, and allows an unfounded jealously to obscure his common sense. He blows hot and cold over Ivy and his attraction to her, and often acts like a capital-lettered Jerk. (Ivy deserves an award -- or a reality check -- for having the patience to put up with Vincent's fits and starts). Couples therapy would benefit them both, I think. They have an undeniable chemistry, though, and some moments of such sweetness and fire, a reader can't help but sigh. Despite the plot's focus, OBSESSED isn't an overly graphic novel. A reader should be cautioned to expect some unsettling passages -- Ms. Andersen doesn't pull any punches; a general feeling of disquietude is also present. Vincent and Ivy's tumultuous relationship is the glue that holds this novel together, however. The mad man stalking Ivy isn't the only character obsessed in this novel. In a way, Vincent is struggling with his own obsession: his tendency to judge Ivy by his ex-wife's behavior. He steps over the line on numerous occasions. Although not my ideal hero, Vincent has the makings of one. (Be prepared to cut poor Vincent some slack). OBSESSED is a taut novel of romantic suspense that's fast-paced and absorbing. Readers will delight in the level of sensuality, but feel somewhat overwhelmed by Vincent's emotional baggage.
Rating:
Summary: Dark and brooding romantic suspense
Review: Rape is a savage and brutal crime. As a detective in the Special Assaults Unit, Vincent D'Ambruzzi has seen it all: the emotional devastation a victim suffers is paralyzing and complete. His caseload is overwhelming, and the stress of his job is minimized only by the black humor of his co-workers and a professional detachment when investigating a case. His professionalism will soon be tested, however, by the cold and calculated behavior of a serial rapist. He strikes only when the moon is full, and carves a heart into his victims' chests -- a memento to remember him by (as if the terror and utter violation his victims experience isn't brutal enough). So far, his identity is a frustrating blank to Vincent and the police department. A hazy description of a blond man of average height is of little help in a case so lacking in evidence. An unexpected break in the case materializes when Ivy Pennington, a trauma doctor, becomes an unwitting target of the rapist's fascination. His newest victim is sent to the hospital with complications; angry that she might die and thus, not be burdened with the memory of this night, he enters the ER to watch...and wait. As Ivy labors over her patient, she is unaware of the mad man lurking in the hallway and his quickly forming obsession. Tall, beautiful Ivy is able to calm the rapist's anger, to silence the voice in his head with her graceful, take-charge attitude and her determined defiance of the cop trying to barge into her patient's cubicle. He feels an immediate connection to the ER doctor. Now if only he could get closer to her and establish a type of relationship with her... Vincent -- the pushy cop the rapist happily observes Ivy rebuffing -- isn't a stranger to the beautiful physician, however. He's actually Ivy's next-door neighbor. She only recently moved into his apartment building (and he jumped to an insulting conclusion when they were first introduced), but Vincent is far from unaffected by Ivy, her deliciously long legs and caustic wit. He's been celibate too damn long to resist such a powerful attraction. A relationship between them is out of the question, however, as Vincent was badly burned in a previous relationship and is hell bent on avoiding the pain of betrayal again. Ironically, the rapist's machinations will draw Vincent and Ivy closer as evidence starts to build in the case -- and Ivy becomes the focus of the rapist's attention. Needless to say, the subject matter is sensitive and the overall tone of this novel is dark and brooding; OBSESSED isn't for readers faint of heart. Vincent is also an extremely volatile character who clings tenaciously to his past, and allows an unfounded jealously to obscure his common sense. He blows hot and cold over Ivy and his attraction to her, and often acts like a capital-lettered Jerk. (Ivy deserves an award -- or a reality check -- for having the patience to put up with Vincent's fits and starts). Couples therapy would benefit them both, I think. They have an undeniable chemistry, though, and some moments of such sweetness and fire, a reader can't help but sigh. Despite the plot's focus, OBSESSED isn't an overly graphic novel. A reader should be cautioned to expect some unsettling passages -- Ms. Andersen doesn't pull any punches; a general feeling of disquietude is also present. Vincent and Ivy's tumultuous relationship is the glue that holds this novel together, however. The mad man stalking Ivy isn't the only character obsessed in this novel. In a way, Vincent is struggling with his own obsession: his tendency to judge Ivy by his ex-wife's behavior. He steps over the line on numerous occasions. Although not my ideal hero, Vincent has the makings of one. (Be prepared to cut poor Vincent some slack). OBSESSED is a taut novel of romantic suspense that's fast-paced and absorbing. Readers will delight in the level of sensuality, but feel somewhat overwhelmed by Vincent's emotional baggage.
|
