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Rating: 
Summary: Another Treat From One of My Favorites!
Review: Jenna Ryan's books are great because they are so different from most Harlequins, not as cookie cutter and formula driven, which means no babies and cowboys. THE STROKE OF MIDNIGHT is no different. Unlike most Harlequin Intrigue books now and category romances in general, Jenna has a unique "voice." I can't imagine anyone else telling a story in the same way. Like the other two readers, I figured out "who done it" early on. In another book I would have lost interest from that point, but I was enjoying her prose so much I stayed engrossed. This is an eerie romance and suspense novel and a very different Christmas book that holds up year round. Great!
Rating:
Summary: Another Treat From One of My Favorites!
Review: New books from Jenna Ryan don't come out nearly as often as they used to, so each one is cause for celebration. "The Stroke of Midnight" is no exception. With her distinctive writing style and flair for suspense, Ryan tells a tale that's sure to turn up the heat, even when sending chills up your spine.In Philadelphia, a serial killer has murdered a radio talk show host on each Christmas of the last seven years. Last year, a man confessed to the crimes. But now, Devon Tremayne is receiving the same threats of the seven women killed before her. The police believe it's just a hoax--all except Detective Joel Riker. The sexy, closed-mouthed cop has vowed to protect her. But when even Riker has secrets he refuses to let her know, is there any hope that Devon won't be another victim--killed on Christmas Eve at the stroke of midnight? A top-notch antidote for those tired of the glut of sappy holiday releases coming our way, "The Stroke of Midnight" is another of Ryan's dark, atmospheric tales of love found in the most frightening of circumstances. The romance between Devon and Riker smolders before sparks begin to really fly, and both characters are well-drawn, an impressive feat considering all that's going on around them. Though astute readers will probably get clued in to the killer's identity long before intended, Ryan provides enough twists and excitement to keep you glued to the page. The only aspect I question is the epilogue, where she tries to do one of her patented twists and which I'm only marginally sure I understood (if anyone would like to e-mail me with what they think happened, I wouldn't mind comparing notes). Still, I would relish any Ryan story just for the atmosphere, and "Stroke of Midnight" doesn't fail on that count. Even the cover is beautiful--and not only do the characters look like they're described in the book, but they're wearing the colors they're constantly described as wearing! It may be a little thing, but considering how often the heroes on these things look like those same cover models or the heroine has the wrong color hair, it's a relief. If you love romance and true suspense, put "The Stroke of Midnight" on your To Buy list and watch a master at work.
Rating:
Summary: A Stroke of Genius
Review: New books from Jenna Ryan don't come out nearly as often as they used to, so each one is cause for celebration. "The Stroke of Midnight" is no exception. With her distinctive writing style and flair for suspense, Ryan tells a tale that's sure to turn up the heat, even when sending chills up your spine. In Philadelphia, a serial killer has murdered a radio talk show host on each Christmas of the last seven years. Last year, a man confessed to the crimes. But now, Devon Tremayne is receiving the same threats of the seven women killed before her. The police believe it's just a hoax--all except Detective Joel Riker. The sexy, closed-mouthed cop has vowed to protect her. But when even Riker has secrets he refuses to let her know, is there any hope that Devon won't be another victim--killed on Christmas Eve at the stroke of midnight? A top-notch antidote for those tired of the glut of sappy holiday releases coming our way, "The Stroke of Midnight" is another of Ryan's dark, atmospheric tales of love found in the most frightening of circumstances. The romance between Devon and Riker smolders before sparks begin to really fly, and both characters are well-drawn, an impressive feat considering all that's going on around them. Though astute readers will probably get clued in to the killer's identity long before intended, Ryan provides enough twists and excitement to keep you glued to the page. The only aspect I question is the epilogue, where she tries to do one of her patented twists and which I'm only marginally sure I understood (if anyone would like to e-mail me with what they think happened, I wouldn't mind comparing notes). Still, I would relish any Ryan story just for the atmosphere, and "Stroke of Midnight" doesn't fail on that count. Even the cover is beautiful--and not only do the characters look like they're described in the book, but they're wearing the colors they're constantly described as wearing! It may be a little thing, but considering how often the heroes on these things look like those same cover models or the heroine has the wrong color hair, it's a relief. If you love romance and true suspense, put "The Stroke of Midnight" on your To Buy list and watch a master at work.
Rating:
Summary: A Stroke of Genius
Review: New books from Jenna Ryan don't come out nearly as often as they used to, so each one is cause for celebration. "The Stroke of Midnight" is no exception. With her distinctive writing style and flair for suspense, Ryan tells a tale that's sure to turn up the heat, even when sending chills up your spine. In Philadelphia, a serial killer has murdered a radio talk show host on each Christmas of the last seven years. Last year, a man confessed to the crimes. But now, Devon Tremayne is receiving the same threats of the seven women killed before her. The police believe it's just a hoax--all except Detective Joel Riker. The sexy, closed-mouthed cop has vowed to protect her. But when even Riker has secrets he refuses to let her know, is there any hope that Devon won't be another victim--killed on Christmas Eve at the stroke of midnight? A top-notch antidote for those tired of the glut of sappy holiday releases coming our way, "The Stroke of Midnight" is another of Ryan's dark, atmospheric tales of love found in the most frightening of circumstances. The romance between Devon and Riker smolders before sparks begin to really fly, and both characters are well-drawn, an impressive feat considering all that's going on around them. Though astute readers will probably get clued in to the killer's identity long before intended, Ryan provides enough twists and excitement to keep you glued to the page. The only aspect I question is the epilogue, where she tries to do one of her patented twists and which I'm only marginally sure I understood (if anyone would like to e-mail me with what they think happened, I wouldn't mind comparing notes). Still, I would relish any Ryan story just for the atmosphere, and "Stroke of Midnight" doesn't fail on that count. Even the cover is beautiful--and not only do the characters look like they're described in the book, but they're wearing the colors they're constantly described as wearing! It may be a little thing, but considering how often the heroes on these things look like those same cover models or the heroine has the wrong color hair, it's a relief. If you love romance and true suspense, put "The Stroke of Midnight" on your To Buy list and watch a master at work.
Rating: 
Summary: Merry Murder
Review: This was the first Jenna Ryan book I ever read. And I thought it was good, but not exceptional: for some darn reason, I instantly guessed the killer's identity, and that made me impatient with the rest of the story. But, this one was good enough that I hunted down a couple of her older books and they are TERRIFIC. Really entertaining. I think the problem with her newer stuff, and this novel in particular, is it is a little too formulaic. The hero and heroine are about as deep as paper dolls--they are like every other Intrigue hero and heroine these days: wooden. And, after all, these books rely heavily on identifying with the protags. If you aren't into them, you are not into the story. I have a feeling Jenna Ryan needs to break her own mold and write something really different, something to challenge herself: a totally different locale? a different crime, maybe blackmail or kidnapping instead of murder? a hero or heroine with a disability perhaps? I don't know if her editors would go for it, but I know one reader who sure would!
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