Fatal Embrace (Five Star Expressions) [Hardcover]

Aris Whittier (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1594141789 | ISBN-13: 978-1594141782 | Publication Date: December 2, 2004 | Edition: 1

High-spirited horse trainer Jessica Stanson stumbles into the perfect job on one of the most elite ranches in Montana. Or at least it would be if her boss, ex-detective Michael Carven, stopped acting like he didn't want her there. Jessica has to prove herself to him on the ranch, and also try to penetrate his armor to get to the man inside. Michael Carven is a man who has left a difficult past behind him, and now works at his dream job raising horses under the Montana sky. But he knows that the past has a way of coming back to him, and soon enough, it does. A wave of violence hits the nearby small town of Riverside, nestled deep in the mountains, as a cunning serial killer preys on the population. Against his will, Michael finds himself both drawn into the case and coming to care for his independent new trainer. And if having a killer on the loose wasn't enough, his two worlds collide when Jessica becomes the only material witness in the case. Before it is over, Michael and Jessica will put everything they know and hold dear on the line to catch a vicious, cunning killer - and to protect each other as well.

Aris Whittier is a freelance writer who lives in northern California. (20050101)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Whittier (The Truth About Being a Bass Fisherman's Wife) makes a promising fiction debut with a tale of romantic suspense set in the contemporary west. When a serial killer rapes and murders three young women, retired detective Michael Carven hires a new trainer, Jessica Stanson, to run his Montana horse ranch so he can investigate. A young woman with a sunny disposition, Jessica tries to crack the protective emotional shell of the loner Michael. To complicate matters, Jessica fits the profile of the serial killer's victims and becomes the only material witness who can testify to the killer's identity. Frustrated with his lack of progress in solving the crimes, Michael decides to risk using Jessica as bait. The two main narrative threads—the effort to track down the killer and the growing attraction between the well-portrayed hero and heroine—come together only late in the story, giving the book a choppy pace. At times the protagonists behave illogically and secondary characters have no impact on the main action, but despite these flaws, this cross-genre novel should have wide appeal.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Review

"...action-packed suspense...A reader can envision this story while reading it, as if it is playing on the big screen..rife with passion from the characters and suspense,..This tale has it all ... I hope Ms. Whittier has another release soon. I look forward to it!"
--The Road to Romance (November 2004) (The Road to Romance 20041101)

"Fatal Embrace is a page-turner and moves with the speed of lightening. It is so easy to like the characters that Aris Whittier has created; they are interesting, intelligent, and totally believable. The narration is also outstanding. The identity of the killer is abig surprise, as are the motives for the murders, but otherwise this is a very good romantic suspense novel that is easy, enjoyable reading."
--America Online Romance Fiction Forum, January 2005 (America Online's Romance Fiction Forum 20041101)

"...a promising fiction debut...this cross-genre novel should have wide appeal."
--Publisher's Weekly (November 2004) (Publisher's Weekly 20041001)

"...nail-biting, suspenseful writing...an author on the rise...well plotted out with twists and turns that keep readers riveted throughout the book...this book is fast-paced and chilling in its intensity...Aris Whittier is one writer readers are sure to be embracing as a 'must read' author."
--Love Romances (November 2004) (LoveRomances.Com )

"I was simply amazed...Fast paced, vivid descriptions, and a scenic local blended into one fabulous book...couldn't put it down..had me on the edge of my seat...Fatal Embrace will have you making room on your keeper shelf."
--Tami Sutton, Escape to Romance (October 2004) (EscapeToRomance.com )

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 273 pages
• Publisher: Five Star Trade; 1 edition (December 2, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1594141789
• ISBN-13: 978-1594141782
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.9 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,868,907 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Terror in Montana., April 19, 2005

By 

Detra Fitch (USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Fatal Embrace (Five Star Expressions) (Hardcover)

Michael "Mike" Carven owns and operates a ranch in Montana. Until three years ago he had been the best detective around. But when his fiancée had been murdered, he had been unable to deal with it. Mike's partner, Dan Walker, had been handed the position of Chief and Mike concentrated on his ranch.

After a few recent serial killings in the area, Dan goes to Mike for help. Mike has the ability to get inside the mind of a killer. It was what had made him such a good detective. Mike agrees to help. In exchange, Dan locates and hires Mike a new foreman to help train horses, teach children's classes, and organize the ranch hands. Dan found Jess Stanson, whose reputation showed him to be the best around.

"Jess" turns out to be short for Jessica. No one expected a woman to show up. Mike is determined to fire her, but Jess turns out to be just as stubborn as he. Mike soon admits that Jess really IS the best. Things around the ranch improve. Even the hands respect her and treat her as one of their own. (Pranks and all.) As Jess settles in, Mike softens toward her and he begins to open up.

When the next body is found, the young victim's photo is shown on television. Jess recalls seeing the lady with a man on the day she disappeared. Jess is able to give a very good description of the killer. Problem is that the killer had noticed Jess seeing him with the victim. Now the killer has Jess marked as his next prey.

***** This story could take you to the edge of insanity with suspense. Therefore, the author adds humor and romance to help ease your blood pressure. No boredom in this novel. Expect to stay up late in order to read "just one more chapter". *****

Reviewed by Detra Fitch of Huntress Reviews.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Fne police procedural romance, October 31, 2004

By 

Harriet Klausner - See all my reviews
(#1 Hall OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Fatal Embrace (Five Star Expressions) (Hardcover)

Former police detective Michael Carven agrees to help his former partner Dan Walker stop a serial killer who has raped, strangulated, and stole the underwear of three white females between the ages of twenty and twenty-five in Riverdale, Montana. To take over the investigation, Michael hires Jess Walker to replace him as temporary foreman of his ranch only the new employee is a forewoman.

Michael and Jess get off on the wrong side as he does not want a female to share his home with (part of the job) since he still has not stopped grieving the murder of his fiancée three years ago by an unknown culprit; she reacts to his sexism with humor. However, he quickly changes his mind when he sees how good a horse trainer she is. As they live together and share special ranch moments, they fall in love. However, the killer is striking closer to home and Michael worries that his beloved could be a victim since she is out in the open alone a lot and the culprit seems to know what he and Dan plan.

In a Monday quarterback way, the killer seems obvious after a final twist occurs; however, that climatic spin seems asking a lot of readers to accept. Michael is a terrific protagonist who returns to life because of the investigation and the love of Jess. His counterpart Jess is a likeable person whose amusing retorts will leave the audience smiling. The official inquiries are handled interestingly with Michael taking charge so that readers will enjoy this fine police procedural romance.

Harriet Klausner

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Fatal Embrace, January 14, 2011

By 

Julie Brazeal - See all my reviews

This review is from: Fatal Embrace (Paperback)

Every once in awhile a reader will come across a book that simply cannot be put down. When you find that book and begin reading, all else in your world ceases to exist. The dishes don't get done, the laundry goes unfolded, and the dirty toilet can just wait one more day! Most recently, I found that wondrous sensation with Aris Whittier's fast-paced and well-written romantic-suspense novel, Fatal Embrace.

Whittier opens her novel with Michael, a hard-working if sullen cowboy who owns and operates a horse training facility; a place that has become his sanctuary since leaving his job as a police detective. Whittier also quickly introduces a second main character, the witty, sarcastic, and somewhat naughty Jessica Stanson, a young woman who has come to Michael's ranch to work as a trainer. The opening scene between these two characters does much to set the stage for not only their relationship but for the novel as a whole. The opening scene is well thought out and well written. It is a primary motivator in engaging the reader so completely.

Just beyond the opening scene we discover that the communities surrounding the ranch have recently been plagued by a viscous killer who is targeting young women. To date, the crimes have gone unsolved and as such, a very reluctant Michael has agreed to serve as a consultant to the police in an effort to solve a seemingly unsolvable case. As Michael becomes obsessed with finding the killer he also discovers that Jessica is a good sounding board for his thoughts and concerns. This arrangement could have become awkward as Jessica is a horse trainer. Whittier has managed to successfully weave Jessica into Michael's world. Of course, the two also discover a mutual attraction to one another - DUH and YIPPEE!

The crimes, Jessica's presence, and the pressure to find the killer all combine to create a novel that is bursting with sexual and psychological tension. This tension continues to mount throughout the novel as Whittier leads us toward the end. She skillfully draws all of the plots, sub-plots, and characters together into what should have been a really spectacular finish. As I headed into this section of the book, I was completely lost in this world and couldn't wait to discover the fate of all involved. Unfortunately, I was completely disappointed. Where the book failed for me was in how quickly everything was resolved. What had been a well-paced and exciting read became a horse race (pardon the pun) to the finish. Whittier should have devoted more time and space to the completion of this book. Each of the major revelations needs time to sink before moving on to the next.

Was I disappointed by anything else? No, absolutely not! Would I recommend this book to a friend? Absolutely! Fatal Embrace is an engrossing tale with excellent dialogue, fun characters, and a smart plot that is, unfortunately, lacking conviction in the conclusion.

Review written by Leisha for my blog A Tale of Many Reviews