Private Passions

Rating:
Summary: A suspense and love story all in one........................
Review:


A suspense and love story all in one....what a great read. Swanzetta really out did herself on her very first novel!



Each chapter had you wanting more. Both characters Denise and Detective Terrance O'Neal .had previous relationships that were sour, yet both were trying to deny what was happening between the two of them. After witnessing a murder the killers are now after Denise. Were the after her from the very beginning? The Detective O'Neal believing that Denise was guilty from the beginning is now rethinking this.


Can both Denise and Terrance learn to love again?


Private passions was a very good read and everything came together so nicely...
It is a very good novel from the beginning to the end!


Reviewed by J. Thomas
A SistaGirl Book Club Reviewer
sistagirlbookclub.com


Rating:
Summary: Nothing like a lil intrigue with a touch of Romance
Review: Denise Richardson wakes up to find her house is being invaded. In her quest for help, she witnesses a brutal murder and now the killers are after her. Terrence O'Neal is the police detective that is lead investigator but the only thing he seems to want to investigate is whether Denise is feeling the magnetism he is. And she is. All of this romance and intrigue is wrapped up in Swanzetta Smith's debut novel, Private Passions.

Denise's regular morning ritual being interrupted by subtle things that most people shake off was a great way of capturing this reader's interest. As the story unfolds the characters are revealed as real and relatable. The chemistry between Denise and Terrence is carefully crafted with just enough tension to make you as frustrated as they. However their emotional ties move from zero to love in 2.5 seconds. That was too quick for this reader. The story played like a typical intrigue romance with little to no variation from the formula and depending on what you want that is not a bad thing.

Private Passions is an easy entertaining read and definitely leaves room open for a sequel with a couple of other characters. If this is the case I will probably check it out.

Kotanya
APOOO Bookclub

Rating:
Summary: Who can you trust...
Review: Imagine waking up to find intruders in your home. If that isn't horrific enough, imagine those same intruders, who you were fortunate enough to escape, murdering your next door neighbor right before your very eyes. This is exactly what happens to Denise Richardson, setting off a string of events that would weaken the resolve of the strongest person.

Detective Terrance O'Neal is the homicide investigator working the case. Denise and Terrance are immediately attracted to each other, but Terrance is determined to not let Denise's beauty distract him from finding the murderer, even if Denise is the prime suspect.

Will Terrance be able to prove Denise is innocent, allowing them to act upon their mutual attraction? Or will fate step in and deal them each a bad hand? The combination of romance, mystery and intrigue makes this debut novel an enjoyable read. I look forward to other works by Ms. Smith.

Reviewed by Renee Williams
of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers

Rating:
Summary: Who can you trust...
Review: Imagine waking up to find intruders in your home. If that isn't horrific enough, imagine those same intruders, who you were fortunate enough to escape, murdering your next door neighbor right before your very eyes. This is exactly what happens to Denise Richardson, setting off a string of events that would weaken the resolve of the strongest person.

Detective Terrance O'Neal is the homicide investigator working the case. Denise and Terrance are immediately attracted to each other, but Terrance is determined to not let Denise's beauty distract him from finding the murderer, even if Denise is the prime suspect.

Will Terrance be able to prove Denise is innocent, allowing them to act upon their mutual attraction? Or will fate step in and deal them each a bad hand? The combination of romance, mystery and intrigue makes this debut novel an enjoyable read. I look forward to other works by Ms. Smith.

Reviewed by Renee Williams
of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers

Rating:
Summary: Private Passions Turns Up the Heat
Review: Looking for plenty of twists and turns? You'll find them in "Private Passions", a romantic suspense novel by Swanzetta Smith. Our heroine Denise is a computer technician in constant jeopardy, both with her heart and her own personal safety.

Awakened one day with a sense of foreboding, Denise's worst fears are confirmed when two strangers invade her apartment and threaten her life. Barely escaping, Denise is horrified when she witnesses the murder of her next door neighbor. Someone wants Denise dead, and apparently nothing and no one will stand in the killers' way. The question is not only who is after Denise, but why?

When Terrence, a handsome Detective with melt-down eyes and a physique to match comes on the scene he wonders whether Denise is the innocent victim she appears to be, or a possible suspect herself. The plot thickens with tension-filled encounters between the two of them. Although physically attracted to each other, both have dismal histories of loving the wrong man or woman, and trust is a major issue.

As the story becomes a pursuit for the killers as well as a pursuit for Denise's heart, the investigation heats up and so does Terrence's consuming desire for Denise. To keep the pot boiling, all the players are not who they seem to be, and betrayal is the name of the game.

Author Swanzetta Smith has peppered her plot with sexy, well-written scenes as Denise and Terrence try to overcome their distrust, ignite flames of desire, and hopefully open their hearts.

-Gammy Singer, author of "A Landlord's Tale"
Flavah Reviewers

Rating:
Summary: Murder, Mystery, and Romance
Review: Private Passions, the debut novel by Swanzetta Smith, is a romantic suspense that captures the reader's attention right from the beginning with an intriguing prologue.



Denise Richardson awakens and immediately senses something is amiss in her apartment. And she's right. Two thugs have broken in and are trying to kill her. She escapes and runs through her complex screaming for help. Her only hope appears to be Mrs. Sheldon, her elderly neighbor, who doesn't hear so well. But, as fate would have it, it's too late. One of the intruders gets to Mrs. Sheldon first and Denise watches in horror as he slits her neighbor's throat.



Can things get any worse? Of course. When Denise goes to the police station with details regarding the murder, the officers seem to doubt her story. Detective Terrence O'Neal looks into the interrogation room and is instantly taken by Denise's beauty. However, he, too, wonders if she is telling the truth. Although Denise is attracted to Terrence, she is irritated by his line of questioning, which implies that she is a suspect. To make matters worse, a few days later it is discovered that Mrs. Sheldon left the apartment complex and a considerable amount of money to Denise.



As the story progresses, Denise's life is still in danger and Terrence, as the lead detective on the case, is tasked with finding out who is trying to kill his witness and why? Meanwhile, he struggles to keep his amorous feelings for Denise in check. But when she is involved in a serious car accident at the hands of the killers, Terrence and Denise quickly realize they are falling in love. The detective is even more determined to solve the case. As clues are revealed, he discovers that reopening a previous case may be the key.



Although the story line seemed vastly familiar, the characters are believable and developed well. Like all romance novels, it's happily ever after, but the journey from murder mystery to "love conquers all" with a little betrayal in between was enjoyable.

Reviewed by Joan Burke Stanford for Loose Leaves Book Review