Customer Reviews

Deadly Fear

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(16)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Deadly Fear by Cynthia Eden
Paranormal Romance - July 27th, 2010
5 Stars

Books like 'Deadly Fear' are why Cynthia Eden is one of my favorite authors. Her writing style always feels new and special. I feel her books are a treat because she has unbelievable skills at storytelling. Deadly Fear is a fast-paced thrill ride, and this reader could not help herself from finishing it late into the night (On a work night!).

I loved Monica Davenport, the main heroine in this story. Her personal tragedy and endurance made my heart really feel for her. She was kidnapped and tortured, and lost her family. But somehow she finds the strength to survive, and fight back as a FBI special agent. It was thrilling to read about how she focuses on her job and believes in her work. I was so happy when she finally falls in love with Luke. Luke is another special agent and the perfect match for her. He's the opposite of her in so many ways. He puts the victims at ease, but understands the perspective of the killers. It is no wonder that he is the one to finally heal Monica's wounded heart. Their partnership is an absorbing part of the story and I loved reading them fight their attraction which was actually amusing and fun.

I normally am not a fan of thrillers because the thought of an unhappy ending is too much for me. However, I liked how Cynthia Eden really made the main characters fight to achieve their happy ending. The many twists and turns were absolutely violent and sickening to read about for me but I think that suspense and crime readers will enjoy the mystery. What kept me spell bound was the fact that I knew Luke and Monica had nothing to fear as long as they were together.

This was a suspenseful read that fans of mystery and romance will certainly thrill to read.

Reviewed by Sophia from the Bookaholics Romance Book Club

Let me preface this review with this bit of info: I'm not a big romantic suspense reader. I can count on one hand the number that I've read and, so far, none of them have been favorites of mine. That said, I did enjoy Deadly Fear but it didn't fill me with the urge to seek out more romantic suspense.

My issues with the book mostly lie with the repetition and lack of subtlety. I do understand that it's especially important for a suspense novel to lay out details and facts in such a way that the reader isn't confused and to ensure proper foreshadowing. However, the characters constant noting of previously stated things only served to get on my nerves. Especially when they seemed to be surprised by an event or another character's behavior when they should have seen it coming a mile away. I like my suspense, novels and films, to subtlety show characterization and hint at motivation and, unfortunately, that wasn't always the case with Deadly Fear.

The romance portion is another story altogether. Monica isn't the most lovable character, but I found myself warming up to her gradually. Her coldness was effective enough to keep me from connecting with her but, given her history, her demeanor is understandable and her HEA with Luke well deserved. Luke is a pretty typical tough-guy alpha. The sexy, rough-around-the-edges sort that you would expect from this sort of novel. His perseverance and constant love in the face of the ice princess that is Monica is beyond admirable. As for the love scenes, Deadly Fear has some of the steamiest sex that I've read outside of erotica. Sure it's graphic, but it's never off-putting.

Despite my issues, I really did enjoy the book and I finished inside of a day. I'll definitely look into reading the next two in this series, Deadly Heat (02/11) and Deadly Lies (03/11), as well as her paranormal romances.

I would like to begin this review by stating that I am not usually a fan of romantic suspense without the paranormal element. I am a fan of Cynthia Eden and have read most of her paranormal romance suspense books, which is why I opted to try this novel. I was not dissapointed. Cynthia Eden delivered a romantic suspense novel that kept me turning pages, which proves to me that just about anything coming from this author is gold.

The plot of this novel, as with most of Ms. Eden's books, was not simply interesting. It kept me guessing to the very end. I usually find suspense plots predictable, but this novel was anything but. As good as the plot was, the strength in this novel were the characters. Cynthia Eden creates characters the reader cares about. They are flawed, they are strong, and they are magnetic. Monica and Luke are wonderful characters separately, but when you put them together they sizzle on the page, playing off each other with perfect chemistry and scorching sexual tension. The secondary characters were strong as well, and provide a solid foundation for future installments of this series. The villians in this story are terrifyingly psychotic. Reading the scenes from the point of view of the victims stays with you for a while after finishing the novel. I will not go into the plot because this is a suspense story and I do not want to give anything away thereby ruining the book for others.

I highly recommend this novel for readers who like romantic suspense and those who are fans of Cynthia Eden. Did this book turn me into a fan of romantic suspense? Not really, I still prefer paranormal romance. Did it reinforce my belief that Cynthia Eden is one of the best authors currently in this genre? Definitely. I will probably read the next two books in the series to find out what happens to the secondary characters introduced in this novel. For those who have not read Ms. Eden's other books, I encourage you to do so. Her Midnight trilogy (I absolutely loved Hotter After Midnight), the Night Watch trilogy and the stand alone Immortal Hunter novel are the cream of the crop in paranormal romantic suspense and are well worth the read. Readers new to Ms. Eden's work should definitely give them a try.

Check out Cynthia Eden's webpage for more information on all of her books.

Cynthia Eden writes excellent crime stories, proving now that she's as good at it in romantic suspense as she was in paranormal romance. There are plenty of twists and turns in this book, complemented by an engrossing romance.

Monica is an FBI agent with quite a past. She walked away from fellow agent Luke - who she trained with - before their relationship could get too serious and too many secrets got out. Now they are working together to see if they have a serial killer on their hands and then to see if they can catch him, and there's no way Monica's past can stay secret.

Yes, this story has been done before, and yes many of the devices have been used before. But Eden's easy, engaging writing style and her captivating relationships mean this book is better than so many others in the genre. This was a complex story with lots of people involved, lots of different motivations. The author did a fantastic job of making all the minor characters into real people without letting them get in the way of the main story.

One thing I find original about Cynthia Eden's writing - and that I quite like - is that the relationships take off pretty much from the start of the books. There are plenty of problems along the way, but we're not waiting until the very end to see if the couple will get together.

And thank God for a blonde hero! I'm so sick of the double-standard of heroines being able to be any look, size or shape, but the heroes always having to appear as though they've stepped out of `The Billionaire Greek/Italian/Spanish Sheik's Timid Virgin Chamber Maid'. I loved Luke, and though I usually don't like those `cold as ice' heroines, Monica's reasons were believable and she was an interesting character.

This is the first book in a trilogy of loosely-related stories - unfortunately it's a long wait for the next two books.

Deadly Fear is pure sexual tension and simply riveting. Most Cynthia Eden fans are into her paranormal romances- don't skip out on this just because it skips the paranormal! SUCH a great book. This brilliant romantic suspense sucked me into the story instantly.

The plot begins as the FBI sets out on a desperate mission to find and stop a serial killer that is wreaking havoc on a small town. Although most serial killers are unique in their own murderous ways, this particular one has a dark and eerie obsession with using his victims own fears to torture them to death. Agent Monica Davenport, a former victim herself, is suddenly forced to confront not only her terrifying past but break down her protective walls to let Agent Luke Dante, former lover and new member of her team, in to help her to capture the killer. But can she overcome her greatest fears to help prevent more innocent people from succumbing to torturous death?

This book is bristling with suspense and sexual tension. The characters are complex, completely amazing and the plot will get you playing detective- following through the wild turn of events filled with betrayal and wild discoveries. As I find most suspense novels highly predictable, this one was anything but... and I can't wait to read the next two in this trilogy! I highly recommend this novel, so get ready for Eden to keep you guessing and on your toes right up until the very end and enjoy!!

Cynthia Eden is an author I've been wanting to read for a long time (I have her entire Night Watch series on my shelf but I have yet to read any) and when I saw that Hachette was offering the first book in her new romantic suspense series for review, I jumped at the chance. Romantic suspense is one of my favorite romance sub-genres and the fact that Deadly Fear is also a reunion story (my favorite plot line!) made me more than excited to read it.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book and it's one of those where I wasn't able to guess who the killer until the last few chapters in the book--in most mystery suspense I can guess who the killer is a few chapters in and I am usually right. I really liked the heroine in the story--Monica is smart, tough and a take-charge/in-control type but she also has a vulnerable side and a horrific past that makes you feel for her. We really get to know Monica as Deadly Fear is her story more than anyone else's. Hence, I feel like I didn't get to know the hero, Luke, as much as I did Monica. He was supposed to be a victims expert but I never really got to see that. Monica and Luke are great together though and the connection and chemistry is there. I thought it refreshing that while they each have secret pasts, they are talking about their shared past out loud with each other early on (the second chapter in fact). There is none of that pretending it never happened for so many chapters.

However, my biggest complaint is the use of the "f" word in this book. I'm all for characters using that word and any other cuss words when appropriate and when their character calls for it. In this book, most of the "f" usage was through Luke and when we are reading in his perspective and the cussing thing is just how his character is. I get that. But I thought Luke would've been his cold, rough-talking character just the same without at least a third of those f-words peppered in his speech and thoughts. Other than that, I thoroughly enjoyed this book! The mystery aspect of it is spot on, it has a fantastic heroine and it's a pulse-pounding, suspenseful read. I'm excited to read the next installment of this series.

4.25 out of 5 stars

I'm always thrown off a little when the main characters in a romance look at each other, the sparks fly, and things get very intense from there. My personal preference is for the characters to get to know each other before the clothing comes off. I actually like to see emotion develop.

In this case, Monica and Luke knew each other before their first on-page meeting. They were well acquainted. Very well acquainted. And when they see each other, it doesn't take long for the sparks to fly. But that connection I value is already there, and I'm perfectly happy for the heat to kick in. Which it did. Really, really hot.

Once you accept the history of the characters (even before their relationship starts), they grow in a manner that makes sense. They have some major challenges to overcome, but hey, this is a romance novel. I think the author pulled it off well.

Hyde (the team leader) was also an interesting guy. He's played a key role in Monica's life up until this point, and was vital to how we learned about the past that haunted Monica. I enjoyed seeing how he responded to Monica and Luke as the story continued.

Most of the other team members weren't particularly fleshed out, but I think we'll see more of them as the series continues. I'm particularly interested in Sam, and hope she recovers from the events in this book.

And oh yes, there was a serial killer. He was pretty scary.

What becomes of a person when we have been through the worst of times and pushed further than you ever could have anticipated while still a child? In the case of Monica Davenport you become a Special Agent with the FBI and show all the doubters that you truly do know how to profile and help capture serial killers and she had a gift for closing the case. The downside of Monica's expertise is that she has walls built up so high and thick around her heart that it has turned her to ice. But leave it to Luke Dante, one handsome; alpha male to knock those walls down and step right over them showing that he is as determined to be with Monica and she is to keep him out. Game On!

Luke is a Special Agent with the FBI as well who already knows how amazing Monica is from when they met during their academy days. He has experienced her on an intimate level and now they are reunited to work on with an elite team of agents who do nothing but hunt down serial killers until the murderer is caught. Being back together with her Luke has both his head and body screaming for him to use any means available to get her back in his life on a personal level as much as a professional one.

Their first assignment together is horrific and has all the signs of an out of control serial killer who is torturing and brutalizing young women. Both Luke and Monica have to fight off their demons that still lurk in the night to scare them and for Monica déjà vu sets in as this case mirrors another that she was personally involved in and may interfere with her ability to keep her head clear. Luke knows that he can work with Monica and hopes that he is finally able to break down her barriers and warm her heart and help her turn the lights off when the night has come.

Luke is also determined to protect Monica regardless of her protesting when the killer marks her as a target and preys on her fear. All bets are off on what Luke will do to find this maniac and make sure one way or another the perp is gone forever.

The discovery of love not just lust and passion between Luke and Monica is a hard traveled road but one worth the ride as they realize that together they are a formidable team in and out of bed. But there is so much past that each of them has lived through and both are working out the demons and making sure that what scares them they are able to conquer and ensure that it does not kill them.

The most pleasurable yet difficult journey a reader takes is one where you actually feel the emotions and pain the characters are experiencing along with her fear. It is great authors that can have the reader feel as if they are literally walking in the character's footsteps and taste the same terror as the character. Ms. Eden has done just that with this book and knows that the scary parts are offset with the tenderness and emotion from Luke and Monica. Great book and this series is off to an amazing start.

Mary Gramlich is The Reading Reviewer at [...]

Since the trauma of childhood FBI profiler Monica Davenport conceals her emotions behind a seemingly impregnable wall she created ever since surviving serial killer Romeo. After that horror, sixteen years later she mentally survives and thrives by putting herself inside the minds of serial killers in order to catch these deadly vile predators and lock them away before they harm someone else.

Recently, the first cracks in her barrier have occurred as FBI Agent Luke Dante wants in as he wants her. The Bureau teams them up to bring down the notorious Watchman, who uses fear to immobilize victims. To defeat this brilliant psychopath, Monica and Luke will have to face their worst respective personal nightmare; if they unite they might overcome their baggage; if not two more filled body bags.

This is an entertaining romantic police procedural starring a fascinating heroine and a more typical alpha hunk. The story line is fast-paced throughout with a sort of second chance relationship between the lead couple as they met intimately at the Academy. Filled with tension especially when the Watchman targets Monica, fans will relish Deadly Fear as Cynthia Eden provides a taut nail biter.

Harriet Klausner

What makes "Deadly Fear" especially worthy of attention is the suspense/ murder/ mystery part of the story that kept me hooked until the end. On the other side the setting or premise of the plot leaves little room for romance and the "love story" between Monica and Luke leaks from all sides. The two main characters never had a real conversation or interaction together until suddenly they have sex and still during their intimate moments everything felt so wrong and impersonal. Monica and Luke had an affaire 6 years ago, Monica is victim of a tragic past and the fact that she is alive at all is remarkable; in my opinion she is a twisted character but the author missed the depth of this personage and she felt to me just plain and one-dimensional. Nevertheless, the sporadic and cold sex encounters between the two main characters don't make up the lack of feelings and emotions and their relationship comes across as just not believable. I have to admit that at the end I just overlooked the inconsistent romantic part and just went along with the resolution of the crime novel. If you are looking for a story that inspire you and evoke your romantic emotions, this book is definitely not for you, if you rather looking for an exciting roller coaster mystery crime, then you can't go wrong.