Customer Reviews

All I've Ever Wanted (Arabesque)

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Kennedy St. James single mother, minding her own business,coming home from a hard days work, comes across something no one should see, the murder of the ADA. Running from the crime she looses necklace given to her by her father years ago. Detective Maxwell Collier catches the case but no one has come forward. Maxwell get his first break in the case when he finds Kennedys necklace. Trying to get her to tell what she knows, he promises to protect her and her son Tommy. By the time she is ready to talk Maxwell realizes that he isn't the only one watching Kennedy. He also is slapped in the face that he is in love with her. He know once she talks he never stop taking care of her because she is all he ever wanted. This was a very quick read if kept me on my toes.

Kennedy St. James is a single, hard working mother, attending college classes at night. Deciding to take a short cut home late one night puts Kennedy in the wrong place just in time to witness the murder of a prominent District Attorney. To make matters worse she recognizes one of the gunman. Dectective Maxwell Collier has just returned from the vacation from hell that had him and his unfaithful ex-wife in court fighting over visitation of his young son. Now, the case from hell has been dropped in the lap of he and Dossman his partner, and has them scrambling to find evidence in the DA's murder.

Although Kennedy's deceased father was a respected Police Lieutenant, she is too afraid of risking her son Tommy's life by telling police what she saw. She had barely escaped with her life after the not so quiet get-away she tried making was heard. Kennedy is not about to put Tommy in danger over a dead man. Max and Dossman find evidence of a possible witness that leads them directly to Kennedy's door.

Max is certain Kennedy is their witness even as she continues to deny it. He's also certain the attraction that sparked the moment the beautiful waitress literally ran into his hard body at the restaurant she works earlier that day, has him needing to do more to protect her and Tommy. Kennedy is not immune to the feelings that ignited after being caught by the strong arms and staring into the handsome face of the lead detective in the case. As the game of survival with the gunman takes on a more dangerous twist, Kennedy finds herself depending on Max for more than just her and Tommy's protection.

Initially when I read this book I had a different view of Max and Kennedy's plight. I'm glad I discovered what I almost missed after my re-read. Kennedy was a woman who endured much tragedy in her young life. Max suffered the betrayal of those he held close. It was truly in one another they found "All They Ever Wanted".

"All I've Ever Wanted" was a good adventure/suspense book with a twist of romance. It was a fast paced action packed story.

Kennedy St. James was a little naive to believe that she could just witness a murder, nearly get herself killed, then go home and forget everything that she just stumbled upon. She should have known better. The daughter of a policeman and going to college to get a degree even though she was pushing 30, Kennedy should have used better judgement and gone to the police instead of not doing anything.

The night Kennedy stumbled upon the murder not only changed her life, but the life of Maxwell Collier, the homicide detective assigned the case. Kennedy's and Maxwell's paths cross and they are forever enjoined.

Kennedy feels like she if does not say anything, but keep quiet, the murder investigation will eventually solve itself. Even when Maxwell is seeking clues that Kennedy could provide, she is determined to keep her mouth shut. However, when home is trashed and she feels the life of her 4 year son is threatened, Kennedy is determined to do whatever it takes to save her son and Maxwell is there to watch out for Kennedy.

Maxwell knows Kennedy is somehow involved, but does not know to what extent. He trails her to try to uncover what she knows. Maxwell not only uncovers what Kennedy knows, but he uncovers that his interest in Kennedy is not only work related but of a personnel interest. Maxwell is determined to keep Kennedy safe whether she wants him involved in her life or not.

"All I've Ever Wanted" involves love, commitment, trust, danger and intrigue. It is not only about Kennedy and Maxwell, but Maxwell's partner, Dossman, and Lt. Kelly Scardino are involved as a couple and can also say to each other that they are "All I've Ever Wanted."

This book was selected as our Book Club's Book of the Month and I was somewhat disappointed after reading the book. I'd heard so many great accolades for the Arabesque Romances that I was really excited to have the opportunity to read one.

Well, unfortunately I was somewhat disappointed. Although the novel had the murder mystery, parallel love affair, and "damsel in distress/knight in shining armor" (Kennedy St. James/Max Collier) components--it still fell flat. The elements for a great story was there but seemed to be lacking character depth for the central characters and I found myself wanting to know more about the supporting cast. The end also seemed to be a bit rushed and forced.

Overall, I would rate it a 2.5 if it were allowed, but I don't feel generous enough to push it up to a three. I am willing to read other works by Ms Byrd and other Arabesque authors.

This book has it all. Love, suspense, and humor. I can't believe I read the book in a matter of hours. Bravo, Ms. Byrd you done good

Ms. Byrd is becoming one of my favorite authors. This is a perfect book to end a week with it has passion, love and just the right amount of drama.

This book was horrible. I don't even know where to begin. First off, there were way too many characters making they're appearance in this book. You got side tracked and annoyed trying to figure out who was who. In addition, Kennedy St. James, the daughter of a cop seems to have no common 'cop' sense. Really? you're going to make her that stupid? I'm not impressed. And Maxwell? Well he sounds like a dream, but he seems only attracted to Kennedy for her looks, and then two seconds later he's in LOVE with her? COME ON. This is about as believable as Obama and Dubya being twins. Ridiculous. This was a real departure from her normal romance novels and I regret having read this travesty. Oh and love scenes. f-o-r-g-e-t about it. No really, they are non-existent.

I want not only my time back, but also the money I spent on this book.

This story was just doing too much. I get that she wants to get away from the standard blueprint of a romance novel and I respect that. I get tired of reading the same story with different names like everyone else. But this... It's missing the Adrianne Byrd flare. It's not that it's a bad story, in fact If someone else had written it, I might (can't make any promises) have given it more stars. But Adrianne has a little something that she adds to her books that was missing in this one.

... it was just mediocre.

Good luck next time...

I would like to add someone elses review to mine... keepin' it real wrote:

This book was horrible. I don't even know where to begin. First off, there were way too many characters making they're appearance in this book. You got side tracked and annoyed trying to figure out who was who. In addition, Kennedy St. James, the daughter of a cop seems to have no common 'cop' sense. Really? you're going to make her that stupid? I'm not impressed. And Maxwell? Well he sounds like a dream, but he seems only attracted to Kennedy for her looks, and then two seconds later he's in LOVE with her? COME ON. This is about as believable as Obama and Dubya being twins. Ridiculous. This was a real departure from her normal romance novels and I regret having read this travesty. Oh and love scenes. f-o-r-g-e-t about it. No really, they are non-existent.

I want not only my time back, but also the money I spent on this book.

truth!

The characters were great. Max Collier was a great hero and seemed to be very strong. Kennedy St. James seemed to be beautiful and a grounded woman. The mystery and story line were great. I found myself desperate for passion in the book. It lacked passion and romance. It was as if the romance was an after thought.

This book should have never been placed in the romance category. The ending was vague and left a lot to be desired. With the great suspense story line the book had great potential, however, the author missed the mark with this one.

From previous reviews, I'm seeing that this is a reprint of one of Ms. Byrd's earlier title. Reprint or not, I loved this book. The suspense was great. You really couldn't figure out who the bad guys were working for and once you did, it shocked your system. I found myself laughing, crying and screaming at the characters to get out of this place or that place. At one time my husband even asked me, "and you are talking to who"? This book is a must read. I ran into some characters from other books, which I read after this book was obviously printed. I'm so glad I read this and can't wait to purchase it for my Kindle. This book is definitely a keeper.