I love every book that Sandra Brown writes, and this one is no exception. Great plot, characters that you care about and can't stop turning the pages to find out what happens to them!! Brilliant!!

(I received a free copy of this book from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.)

When Jordie Bennet and Shaw Kinnard lock eyes across a disreputable backwater bar, something definitely sparks. Shaw gives off a dangerous vibe that makes men wary and inspires women to sit up and take notice. None feel that undercurrent more strongly than savvy businesswoman Jordie, who doesn't belong in a seedy dive on the banks of a bayou. But here she is . . . and Shaw Kinnard is here to kill her.
As Shaw and his partner take aim, Jordie is certain her time has come. But Shaw has other plans and abducts Jordie, hoping to get his hands on the $30 million her brother has stolen and, presumably, hidden. However, Shaw is not the only one looking for the fortune. Her brother's ruthless boss and the FBI are after it as well. Now on the run from the feds and a notorious criminal, Jordie and Shaw must rely on their wits - and each other - to stay alive.
Miles away from civilization and surrounded by swampland, the two play each other against their common enemies. Jordie's only chance of survival is to outwit Shaw, but it soon becomes clear to Shaw that Jordie isn't entirely trustworthy, either. Was she in on her brother's scam, or is she an innocent pawn in a deadly vendetta? And just how valuable is her life to Shaw, her remorseless and manipulative captor? Burning for answers-and for each other-this unlikely pair ultimately make a desperate move that could be their last.

*3.5 stars*

Sandra Brown has been writing quality romantic suspense novels for quite a while now. While they all aren't the best you will ever read, they are certainly above average...

And this one is no exception.

While the first half of the book did take some time to really get past the talking and describing and just getting on with the plot, the second half of the book really took off and was classic Sandra Brown. I am not sure why she chose to put some much detail in to the first part of the book but it did slow the pace down quite a bit.

On a more positive note, the building of suspense and the twists and turns that go along with that really had me turning the pages. When Sandra Brown turns on the jets, there are very few authors that can match her for strong plots, twists and ratcheting of the suspense.

She clearly finds her groove after the halfway mark and the characters fall into line with that as well. For a while, I thought Jordie was going to be another helpless damsel in distress but, as the story and plots unfolded, we could see that she was much more than that. And Shaw? Well, you were just never really sure what you were getting there.

The romance was a little awkward for me but I see that was an issue for a number of reviewers as well.


Paul
ARH

This was an intriguing thriller which is to be expected from Sandra Brown who is an expert storyteller. I would probably be closer to four and half stars as it was very enjoyable. It just took me a moment or two to actually commit to the characters.

Jordie Bennet is not having the best of lives and its about to get a little more complicated. Kidnapped by a professional killer , Shaw Kinnard,who had actually been sent to take her life, she finds herself in a deserted backwater with a man who is scarily sexy. She is caught in a situation not of her making, a victim of her brother's actions. Josh Bennet worked for a bad, bad man manipulating his money before becoming an informant for the law against his old boss. However, Josh, has escaped witness protection and is on the run, leaving his boss gunning for him. If his boss can't get Josh, he will settle for Jordie instead. It appears that Jordie is an innocent bystander in a difficult situation but how innocent is she?

This book is quite a romp. You're never quite sure of where anyone's loyalty lies and certainly is hard to predict what the outcome is going to be for any of the main characters. The story begins with a bang literally and keeps accelerating right to the end. Well worth spending a few hours immersed in 'Sting' - it is quite an adventure.