Casee‘s review of Broken by Shiloh Walker.
Quinn Rafferty is working as a bounty hunter for a private detective agency in St. Louis when a new neighbor catches his eye. He’s drawn to her-but he has his own soul to mend before he can worry about anyone else.
Sarah McElyea is on the run, but not for the usual reasons a woman goes on the lam. She has a plan for her future. And as much as she finds herself attracted to her gruff, tough neighbor, she can’t risk telling him the secrets she’s hiding.
But Quinn must get closer to Sarah when she turns out to be the target of his new missing persons case, and both Quinn and Sarah will have to expose their true feelings-as well as their fragile hearts-if their love is to survive.
Quinn Rafferty was first introduced in Fragile. Quinn is Luke’s twin brother and a man that was shown to have an obvious darkness within. It’s really no surprise considering where he grew up the first part of his life. After his mom dies, he learns that he not only has a twin brother, but a father as well. And they both seem to want him, something that baffles Quinn at the same time it draws him in.
Quinn has too many demons inside to have a relationship. Working in St. Louis as a bounty hunter, Quinn is content with his life. When Sara shows up as a tenant in the building he lives in, he knows that she’s one of the walking wounded for two reasons. One is because his landlord seems to be able to spot a person with problems from a mile away. The second is because Quinn sees the secrets in her eyes and recognizes Sarah for what she is. Someone on the run.
Sara’s plan to leave her life behind was carefully planned. Quinn wasn’t planned. Sara is drawn to her quiet neighbor who seems to push and pull her all at the same time. They fall into what anyone else would call a relationship, but Sarah and Quinn will admit no such thing. Quinn knows Sara has secrets, he just doesn’t realize how big they really are.
Classic Shiloh Walker. Quinn is an uber alpha male. He’s had so many problems in life that he doesn’t want to take on anyone else’s. That’s exactly what happens with Sara and he is helpless to stop it. Quinn has been wounded by love before and the last thing he wants to do is fall in love with a woman that is ready to run at any minute.
They were both such lonely people. Knowing what we know about Quinn’s childhood, you can’t help but want him to find happiness. Sara isn’t so cut-and-dry. Until the end of the book, all the reader knows is that she’s running from a man. And that she fears for her life if he finds her. I was surprised by the climax at the end of the book, but it made the book that much better.
By the end of the story, I was ready for these two to get their HEA. They are two characters that definitely deserved it.
4 out of 5.
This book is available from Berkley. You can buy it here or here in e-format.
CONTEST ALERT:
To celebrate the release of Broken, Shiloh is giving away a copy of Fragile as well as a $20 gc to Borders. The contest is open to international readers (Shiloh will contact you if you win). So what do you have to do? Go to Shiloh’s website and find a book that looks good to you. Come back and comment on which book it is and why it sounds good.
I love books where somebody is on the run. I don’t know why. And also, Alpha males!! I totally have to read this.
I have been waiting for Broken to be released forever! I loved Quinn in Fragile and I was dying to know his story, so when Shiloh announced he would get his HEA I was pumped! As to Shiloh’s stories… hands down it has to be The Missing. I read this back when it was released and the book earned an A+. The characters are strong but the suspense is what grabs you and will not let you go until the very end. FABULOUS! If you haven’t read it, you need to pick it up.
Hunters: Interlude (books 3&4)
Book# 4 Jonathan & Lori’s story sounds really good and the cover is fabulous!
Can’t wait to read Broken.
Broken sounds great.
Hunter’s Salvation sounds good to me. I love Shiloh’s hunter books.
Broken sounds v.g. And I love the name Quinn.
Helen L.
I just have to read Fragile…sounds so good and I love how strong the attraction is…(from the excerpt)
Plus, I have to read it before Broken arrives at my house…want to be introduced to Quinn before I read his story.
i love reunion stories best so I’d love to read THE MISSING.
great review! BROKEN sounds really good but I’ll have to read the first book first because I’m anal like that.
Fragile and Broken both sound great. Thanks for the review and excerpt.
love shiloh books
loved fragile
would love to read chains great rewviews
please enter me
thanks all
kim h
I just finished Fragile and am getting ready to read Broken I can’t wait, Quinn deserves his happy ending too (yes, I am a sappy romantic)!
I really want to read Through the Veil! I love paranormal romances and the idea of finding out there is so much more out there, more to the world than you originally knew, I dunno it just sounds so intriguing! And the excerpt…WOW!
Amy S.
astewart305(at)rogers(dot)com
Chains and Private Places both look good!
Touch Of Gypsy Fire sounds good. I love fantasy romances! Fragile sounds great too, so please enter me in the contest! Thanks. 🙂
I have read all of the Hunters series, some of the anthologies, as well as Fragile.
I think the book I’d love to read, that has been on my ‘to buy’ list for a while, is The Missing. The pain that Taige must go through, having an ability that no one else could understand, and then having guilt over the death of her boyfriend’s mother, and not being able to help.
I’ve been hearing great things about Broken – just waiting for it to show up as an ebook!
As for which book I want to read… it’s a tie between Chains, Fragile, and Hunter’s Need. 😛 If I *really* had to choose… ermmm…. Fragile 😀 (Even though it sounds so sad, dammit – it also sounds so freaking good!)
Missing looks great. I love reading about psychic heroines and a reunion plotline. Definitely interested in this one.
The Hunter series doesn’t look bad, either!
I can’t wait to read Broken! I just gotta wait until the ebook issue is worked out. I’ve read almost all of Shiloh Walker’s books. I am really looking forward to the sequel to Through the Veil, Veil of Shadows, which comes out this fall!
A Hot Man is the Best Revenge!
Without a doubt, that statement is true!
Thanks,
Tracey D
booklover0226 at gmail dot com
Broken looks really, really good, so will go with that one.
Fragile & The Missing – 2 of my fave books. After I finished The MIssing I just held the book to my chest & sighed. Can’t wait to read Broken but I love all of Shiloh’s books.
I think I would like to read Hunters: The Beginning looks like a great story, I’d love to win it! Also, I cant wait to read Broken!
Thanks for the giveaway!
kpic724 (at) gmail (dot) com
I’d pick Fragile. I definitely love the cover and the excerpt got me hooked. Ok I admit, Luke’s character in particular… now I’m really curious about him and the social worker 😉
Thanks for tge great giveaway !
mollytucker(at)hotmail(dot)fr
Oh, what a tough choice. All of your books look good.
I would have to pick Whispered Secrets, I guess. It sounds fun. I’ve been in the mood for things a little more light hearted lately. A good change in between the more serious ones.
Thanks so much!
I like the sound of Hunting the Hunter. It sounds dark and gritty with a strong female character. I enjoy the paranormal mixed in as well.
Really hoping to win this, it sounds great!
joderjo402 AT gmail DOT com
Im going with Hunter Salvation,It sounds like an awesome read,and cause wow….did you see the cover! I am such a cover hog!!!!
Great giveaway! Thanks!
jojosbookcorner AT gmail DOT com
I love the Missing, coz when i read the this ” A sinfully sexy novel of romantic suspense about a woman whose psychic gift drives away the man she loves—and years later draws him back to her…”
I’m hooked ! romantic suspense is one of my favorite genres !
uniquas at ymail dot com
BROKEN is my choice.
Why? Drug addiction, child welfare, trauma, romance – all difficult concepts to juggle and portray realistically. The depth of the conflict and issues facing the characters hints that this is going to be an emotionally challenging book – for the reader and author – and I can’t wait to see how Ms.Walker tackles it.
I suspect I’m going to be wrung out by the time I finish reading this book.
Which one to talk about? I have loved her Hunter’s series but also really enjoyed: Fragile, For the Love of Jazz, Always yours and more. Congratulations Shiloh on your new release
One book that looks good is The Missing. I’ve actually already read it, but it’s so good that I’ve re-read it a couple of times.
Shiloh Walker is a new author to me and would love to give her a try, especially after hearing such great things about her. “Fragile” is the book that really caught my attention after reading the summery and reviews. I can’t believe I haven’t tried her sooner. Love alpha males!
Fragile! I read Broken and it was great. I need to read Luke’s story.
Broken was awesome, as was Fragile. I definitely recommend reading Fragile first, if only to get a little more insight into Quinn. Otherwise, it works as a standalone even if you haven’t read Fragile.
I think The Missing sounds great. I loved Fragile and think it looks like another great one of hers to read.
Beautiful Girl sounds good to me. I love friends to lover story and this one involves the girl who mysteriously got away after they were together.
I’m waiting to get Broken this weekend! 🙂
Hunters: Heart and Soul sound and look fabulous. I love reading paranormal romances and it sounds like it has some nice action scenes too!
This excerpt looks great; so would have to say Broken.
I have not ready any of Shiloh’s books, but maybe will have to start.
TGIF.
I’d like to read “Her Best Friend’s Lover”. Who hasn’t been in love with a man who sees her as just a buddy? You just want to shake them and scream: Look at me, you hot, hunky goof! How many songs have been written about this sad state of affairs!
I’m going to get one of Ms. Walkers books. After all she is named after one of my favorite heroines.
Shiloh is an autobuy for me. I love her books. So what book look good to me besides all of them, I’m looking forward to Veil of Shadows.
Fragile actually caught my eye. The description of the book and the characters sounds good. Two emotionally-scarred characters struggling to find their way into each other’s arms. Angst city! What’s not to love?
Diana
They all look great. But Broken will be my choice.
Joanne V.
There are so many I want to read but Broken really caught my attention. I would love to read Broken and then on to others. I have not read any of Shiloh’s books but should I win I would love to start with Fragile. Thanks for this opportunity to enter.
misskallie2000 at yahoo dot com
I would love to read Fragile- audie@wickerness.com
I think the missing sounds good. It seems mysterious and interesting. intense read.
-Lauren
lauren51990 AT aol DOT com
Her Wildest Dreams.
I like books where the heroine grows and learns about her self. Alison seems to be doing that and emerging from her shell. Just what I like to read in order to relax and forget my own troubles 🙂
The Missing looks good. I always like characters with deep hurt. It makes for good drama.
patronus89013 at yahoo dot com
Lover from Another World looks good. The story sounds interesting plus I also like the other authors.
throuthehaze at gmail dot com
I’d love to read Hunter’s Salvation. Love a taste of vengeance in books 🙂
– Elise
east.ofeden AT yahoo DOT com
I haven’t read anything about magic for a while so my choice would be Once Upon a Midnight Blue plus I would get three authors for the price of one !
Please enter me.
Thanks
Carol
buddytho {at} gmail DOT com
I’ve read The Missing and it was great! After looking on her website, “Chains” looks tempting. And that was just after reading the excerpt, not even knowing the plot.
BrittanynoelleATgmailDOTcom
I like the book Hunters: THe Beginning. I have read some of the Hunter books and really liked them.
I’d love to read Fragile. Sounds like a great place to start.
i had no idea she has written so many books. I think Fragile looks good, but I am not sure of the order of the series. I would really want the first one.
Hunting the Hunter looks really good, sounds quite interesting!
faked_sugartone at hotmail
I’d have to go with Fragile because I really want to read Broken, but it sounds like Fragile should be read first to appreciate it. All her books look awesome, but I’ll still go with Fragile.
wayfaringwriter (at) gmail (dot) com
I like The Dragon’s Woman, because it got a dragon in it and the synopsis sounds like it’s a good read 🙂
Re-posted your contest at:
http://contests-freebies.blogspot.com/2010/03/win-fragile-at-book-binge.html
Cherry
mischivusfairy-warrior [at] yahoo [dot] com
Broken has definitely captured my attention so I would also like to read Fragile where we first met Quinn.
Hunters: The beginning book 1 got my attention! I’m a vampire fan, and this book sounds really good!
yavampire(at)hotmail(dot)com
I’d pick Hunters because I like vampires
Fragile looks good!
faked_sugartone at hotmail
Touch Of Gypsy Fire looks oh so good
I’m with Mythe & Magick – the cover is gorgeous and the blurb very interesting
I would love to read HUnters: The Beginning and Book 2 sounds especially exciting! I love the premise that while the hero is infatuated with the heroine the heroine has a mission to kill him, can’t wait to read what will come out of it!!
stella.exlibris (at) gmail DOT com
Thanks for the giveaway. I would love to read Touch Of Gypsy Fire. I love the storyline and am curious about the evil that stalks them.
dorcontest at gmail dot com
I think I want to read Djinn. I have always had a thing for genie like creatures.
Monica
mojo09226@yahoo.com
There are so many options! But I think chains appeals the most to me right now, 3for1 and an intense read.
Miranda
mdwartistry at yahoo dot com
Definitely “Beautiful Girl”. I am a strong believer in first love and second chances.
gcwhiskas at aol dot com
Fragile, well and Broken of course. I have heard good things about them, and after an awesome review I wanted to read them
blodeuedd1 at gmail dot com
That book is great I felt really good when I was reading it because the Sara’s live is so similar to the live that many people live daily.