Customer Reviews

Always Look Twice (Signet Eclipse)

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

We met Mark Callahan in the earlier books in the series. He is one of the Callahan brothers, sons of Branch, and a former military squad leader. We learned in a previous book that he had been secretly married and his wife had his baby, but they were killed. In this book, we learn that he secretly married again to Anabelle, a former squad member but that they are estranged. They work together to track down a killer targeting their squad members.

The first half of the book was pretty good, but it didn't pull me in as well as the earlier books. The last half was full of twists and turns that kept me turning the pages--really great! I liked the surprises uncovered towards the end. I enjoy most of the characters in this series, with the exception of Mark the lead character in this book. He was just too much of a jerk and so much of his angst could have been avoided if he'd just communicate a little better. The romance parts of this book I had a hard time buying. Annabelle was such a sharp, successful, strong character I just didn't see her pining away for Mark for so long or putting up with his crap.

Overall I really enjoy the Callahan series and look forward to reading the next book. This was the weakest book so far in the series (good not great), but still entertaining and worth reading.

When members of his former unit are murdered Mark Callahan is forced to work with his ex-wife in order to protect her and the remaining members. Mark had divorced Annabelle because he couldn't give her what she needed, a family and his heart. Now as a killer sets Annabelle in his sights, Mark finally has to face his past in order to have a future.

I have to say, when I read the other books of this series which were about Mark's brothers, I about died wanting Mark's story. But once I started reading it, I was disappointed. It just wasn't as good in the romance department. Yes, Always Look Twice, has the pulse pounding adventure and I love a kick butt heroine and a tortured hero, but Mark is so tied up in his past that even when his past is finally resolved, I didn't see how any woman, and especially one so kick butt as Annabelle, could feel anything but second choice. Readers should definitely pick up the first two books in this series Never Say Never and Give Him the Slip, and I will be impatiently waiting for the final brother's, John, book. However I have to say that Always Look Twice just left me somewhat unsatisfied.

Melissa
Reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed

Always Look Twice (Signet Eclipse)

"The Fixer" Team Leader, Mark Callahan Climbed The Hawaiian Mountain, Intent On Crashing The Party To Find Sofia Who Had Gotten Herself Into Trouble And Was About To Star In Porn Show, But Not If He Could Help It! His Brothers Were Waiting To Get Them To Safety. He Looked Cautiously, Saw That The Coast Was Clear, And Sprinted Toward Some Bushes To Change Into A Tux To Blend In, Then He Could Search For Sofia, But Instead He Found His Wife! What The Hell Was Annabelle Doing At A Porn Film Movie Shoot?

Annabelle Monroe Was Hired To Keep Rad Safe, At Least Until She Could Get Evidence To Put Him In Prison For A Long, Long Time, But What She Did't Expect To See Was Her Husband And Knowing The Story About His Younger Brother's Murder By Rad's Goons, She Just Knew That Mark Was Determine To Kill Him.

Geralyn Dawson Captures Readers From The Very First Page Of her Thrilling Novel: Always Look Twice, And It Is Filled With Twists, Hot Sex, And Knee-Jerk Emotions That You Never Want To Stop Reading It! Mark Callahan Is The Team Leader Of "The Fixers", And Is Hell Bent On Revenge But Someone Is Killing Off Members Of His Team One By One And He Has No time To Get Over His Ex-Wife Or Think About His Meddling Dad Who All But Killed His First Wife And Baby Daughter Even Though He Was Driving The Car That Hit Them. Annabelle Monroe Couldn't Believe Mark Was On Her Turf Looking As Sinfully Delicious As The Day She Last Saw Him And He Still Feared Commitment! Funny How He Could Face Desert Terrorist And Jungle Drug Lords Without Breaking A Sweat, But The Idea Of Having A Wife And Kids Scared The Bejesus Out Of Him! Mark and Annabelle Are Thrown Together When Someone Attempts To Kill Family Members But They Have No Time To Straighten Out Their Problems When They Must Concentrate On Keeping Their Family And The Team Members Safe.

The biggest flaw in Geralyn Dawson's Always Look Twice is its hero, Mark Callahan. At times he's an enjoyable character, but when he isn't, he's so obnoxious that there were times when I had to struggle not to put the book down and stop reading. Much of the time I didn't even want the lovers to get back together at all. I detest characters who display an attitude of "I'm not going to give you a relationship, but I'm going to be rude and jealous any time there's a hint of friendliness between you and another person."

The serial killer plot is interesting and sufficiently complex to hold attention. There's action and tension aplenty--that's one of the better aspects to the book. Both Annabelle and Mark's families put in appearances, and the family dynamics are fantastic. Sisters and aunts who appear for only brief moments have vibrant personalities.

A couple elements of the story wrap up a little too neatly. Part of the serial killer mystery is handled off-screen, in an anti-climactic fashion. One family issue has too pat and easy a resolution.

The romantic leads have lots of chemistry, and there's plenty of sex to keep things lively. In particular I also like the role an enemy of Mark's plays in things, and I hope to see more of him in other books by Dawson.

This isn't my favorite romance or mystery, but it was an enjoyable read.


[NOTE: review book provided by publisher]

This was the best book of the series. Mark's complex character was evident. I really enjoyed this one.

Geralyn Dawson once again keeps you on the edge of your seat as the third Callahan, Luke and his former wife Annabelle pursue an assassin intent on killing the former members of the covert unit, The Fixers. After many twists and turns the truth is revealed, with a surprise or two.

This is the 3rd book in Geralyn Dawson's new series and I feel the best one to date. This one had LOTS of twists and turns and a hero that had some major healing to do. All the characters from the previous 2 books appear and I really like that in a series. Can't wait for the next one, I had guessed who it is to be about but won't say as that's a spoiler!!
A must read for the series. Definitely read the books in order, Give Him the Slip and Never Say Never then this one.

Former Military Intelligence officer Mark Callahan believes someone is killing off the members of his covert ops unit one at a time. He knows the danger he faces from this unknown adversary but has no idea what the motive could be; however, he is more concerned for his ex-wife private investigator Annabelle Monroe; in his mind the most dangerous member of their military squad.

Although both are wary to team up after their disastrous short lived marriage, Mark and Annabelle agree they must act to stop the killer. As they begin to follow clues that they hope leads to the killer soonest, their attraction remains as hot as ever especially in the bedroom. As they realize they remain in love and Mark begins to understand his past keeps them apart, they remain focused on bringing down a covert serial killer.

Mark and Annabelle heat the sheets in this exciting romantic suspense mystery. The story line is fast-paced from the moment that Mark believes someone is killing their former brothers and sisters in arms. Although the confrontational climax will be anticipated early on, fans will enjoy this fast-paced second chance at love whodunit (except perhaps rooters of the Kansas Jayhawks).

Harriet Klausner