Broken By Shiloh Walker
Paperback: 336 pages
Publisher: Berkley Trade
Available: March 2, 2010
ISBN-13: 978-0425232415
Genre: Contemporary Romantic Suspense
Book received from: Author
Shattered
Quinn Rafferty is working as a bounty hunter and bail bondsman in St. Louis when a new neighbor catches his eye. He’s tempted by her beauty—but he knows from experience that anyone desperate enough to live in his building is damaged goods. Besides, he has his own soul to mend before he can worry about anyone else.
Desperate
Sarah McElya is on the run, but not for the usual reasons a woman goes on the lam. She’s not an abused wife, and she’s not a criminal. But she does have 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. There’s just too much at stake.Driven to desire…
But Quinn must get closer to Sarah when she turns out to be the target of his new missing persons case, and he discovers that there is something more complex and dangerous to her than he thought. Now, both Quinn and Sara will have to expose their true feelings—as well as their fragile hearts—if they hope their love will survive…
I’ve heard more than a few times, that Shiloh Walker is a must read author, but until Broken I hadn’t given her a try. When she held an ARC contest for Broken on her blog I leapt at the opportunity and I was very lucky to be a winner! I’m just kicking myself for waiting so long to read a Shiloh Walker novel.
Quinn is a loner and for good reason. He is dealing with a past that is filled with betrayal and abuse. His romantic history is tragic as well. Preferring to keep to himself he rents a basement apartment and does dangerous work as a bounty hunter. He discourages personal relationships by putting on a gruff facade, that is until he meets Sarah, a new tenant in his building, who stirs emotions in him he had put aside long ago.
Sarah is on the run, moving from one town to the next, taking cash only work where she can get it. She trusts no one and is very careful not to leave a paper trail. Although flashbacks suggest that she is an abused wife running from a husband who wants her dead, there is much more to Sarah’s story. She has a secret that could put more than just her in danger and she’ll do whatever it takes to keep herself and those she loves safe. Although there is no room in her life for romance or dating, she can’t deny her sexy new neighbor has piqued her interest.
Despite their reasons for not becoming involved, Quinn and Sarah find their chemistry too difficult to deny and begin an affair that Sarah knows can never last. Through a twist of fate, Quinn is asked to hunt down a woman on the run, and soon realizes that woman he must track down is Sarah. He must deal with the pain of her betrayal and make an even more painful decision. To turn her in, or turn the other cheek.
Usually, when I read a romance I gravitate toward one of the two main protagonists. I always have a favorite. I have to say, I love both Quinn and Sarah and I cannot choose a favorite in this case. Quinn is broody and tormented by his past. He puts out a dangerous vibe in order to keep distance between him and the rest of the world but his internal dialogue reveals a man that is vulnerable and one who truly wants to be able to trust, love and be loved. Sarah is tough, smart and doesn’t seem to scare easily. Although her motives are not revealed until late in the story, you get a sense of her true nature as the story unfolds. You know that whatever she is dealing with is important to her. So important that she is willing to sacrifice her own happiness to protect her secrets.
I’d be doing my readers a disservice if I didn’t mention the sexual chemistry between Quinn and Sarah. They are one of the sexiest couples I have ever read. Quinn says things that make me shiver and Sarah is his equal in all things sexy.
Kiss me, she whispered, sliding her hands up over his arms, along his shoulders until she could lace her fingers behind his neck. “I love the way you kiss me.”
Quinn rubbed his lips against hers. “How do I kiss you?”
”Like you‘re starving for me . . . like you don’t ever want to stop.”
“I am starving for you. He nipped her lower lip and licked her. I don’t ever want to stop. Open for me, pretty girl . . . let me in.”
Broken is an amazing romantic tale with vibrant characters that come alive at page one. If you like a romantic story, sexual chemistry that will leave you breathless, with a few unexpected plot twists, I highly recommend that you read Broken by Shiloh Walker
Other related books:
Fragile (February 3, 2009)
Add Broken to your GoodReads shelf
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About FV Sophia
Great review hon! I will be adding this one to my tbb list! Hope you have a great weekend!
I'm going to have to read this. For some reason I thought this was a paranormal and I'm so lukewarm on paranormals now. Sigh. I don't think my bank account is going to be happy.
Cecile–Have you read Fragile yet? I'm eager to read it, it's Luke, Quinn's twin brother!
Lynette–Burnt out on PNR? I've enjoyed more contemporaries lately, this is a good one!
Yes. Getting sick of it. They're all running together (paranormals). I just pre-ordered Broken and entered her contest. So it's all your fault that I broke down and bought another book when I swore I wouldn't. LOL.
Lynette–I'd say I'm sorry but I'm not.
Broken is worth breaking the book budget!
Thanks for the review… glad you liked it!
I LOVED Broken! And Fragile. Shiloh writes awesome books. For me Fragile and Broken were my first tastes of her books too, and definitely not the last!
Pearl–I can't wait for Fragile! How is Luke? Is he as sexy as Quinn?
Shiloh–Thank you for the opportunity review Broken. You have a new fan.
Luke is *sigh* Of the two I'd go for Luke but that's because A) I am a sucker for dirty talk and Luke does that so well *fans self* and B) dark and broody is sexy but I like my men more open and talkative
Hot damn FV I'm putting Broken on my next to buy list. Awesome review!!!
I cannot wait to get my hands on this book and Fragile as well. I've heard nothing but good reviews.
(I though it was paranormal too, maybe because of the cover? It looks a bit "otherworldly".)
Great review! This one was sooooo good. Quinn=RAWR. Naughty, naughty boy.
KC–Get it! You are going to love Quinn!! Such a sexy man. I loved the twist in the book. I can't wait to hear what you think.
Patti–Not sure why people are thinking it's PNR. *shrugs* It's great romantic suspense though!
Mandi–Yes, Quinn and Sara are verra naughty together. They made a great couple.
Darn, I need to read this… Oh wait I have Fragile on my ereader! Yay!
I liked what Pearl said about both guys too! I'm so looking forward to these twin brothers
Janna–I've got Fragile on my Kindle right now! Luke is calling to me.
FV, very nice review. I have to add this one to my growing pile of TBR books!! Thanks for the recommendation.
This book is hot!! I can't wait to get Fragile.
This book sounds great – I should probably branch out from the paranormal and I love Shiloh Walker.
This book sounds good and I'm not much for reading Contemporary Romantic Suspense but I'm keeping this one in mind. Thanks!
Armenia–bump this one to the top!
BV–Do you have Fragile on order? If not, why not?
Heather–I read a lot more PNR that contemp, but I have to say, I really enjoyed this. It's nice to change it up with a really good rom suspense.
Donna–This one has a good twist. I think you'll enjoy it.
It's in my Amazon cart
This sounds interesting I'm gonna have to check it out. Thanks!
*closes eyes* la la la la
I'll come back after I've read Fragile and Broken! I love it when reviews convince me to read a book, but once I've already decided I want to read something, I avoid reviews until after. Is that weird?
Nicola–no not weird at all. I say that because I do the same lol. I hope you enjoy!
This is without a doubt my favorite book, and that's saying a lot because I read constantly. There is something that draws me to Quinn. Have you read Fragile yet? It is also a very good read.
Christy–yes I did read Fragile finally. I enjoyed it but Quinn was the one for me.