Customer Reviews

Fatal Embrace (Five Star Expressions)

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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

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

Loved Fatal Embrace! This book received a lot of great reviews and there is a reason why...this book was great. I couldn't put it down. I think I read until 3 in the morning. If you want a good romantic suspense you won't be disappointed with Fatal Embrace.

Detective Michael Carvin hasn't worked a case since the brutal slaying of his wife three years earlier. A serial killer is on the loose, and only Michael can catch him. That is if the arrival of his new horse trainer, Jessica Stanson doesn't get in his way and his heart. He has guarded his feelings for too long. Jess is everything he could ever want in a woman and the best part is she helps him get through the pain he has been living with all these years. Unfortunately, the killer knows what Jessica means to Michael. Can Michael find the killer before it is too late for Jessica? Or will he lose her forever?

Fatal Embrace is the classic example of a Romantic Suspense. It is a quick read at only 279 pages that seem to turn themselves. From the very beginning the reader is drawn into the suspense. The characters are likable and easy to connect with. The only disappointing part of the entire book is the ending. With as short as this book is, the author could have taken a few more pages to really wrap the story up. It's not that the reader is left hanging, but more like the last chapter is missing and then it jumps into the epilogue without a solid conclusion.

Is it worth buying?
I enjoyed the book very much. However, the $11.86 price on this short novel seems extremely high, and that is the marked down sales price. It is definitely worth reading though, if you enjoy a good romantic suspense novel.

I'm am not an avid reader. However, I picked this book up while doing some observation hours at our local library and finished it in two days. I thought it was a fun read. Romantic, mysterious, and believable.

For a mystery, this book wasn't that great. It focused more on the romance, which in my opinion was lacking, than the mystery. There was no suspence. Not very much chemistry between the characters. And in the end the killer made no sence. I don't think I'll be buying another on of her books.

Michael runs Pine Crest with his faithful ranch hands. He entrusts Dan, his ex-partner, to bring him back a horse trainer that will keep his boys in line and his ranch running smoothly. What Jake brings is a whole lot of trouble in a little delicate package named Jessica `Jess' Stanson. She can definitely hold her own, but Michael was expecting a man not a woman. Jess has a lot to prove and she isn't going to let Michael run her off. She defied her father by coming to his ranch and she is going to prove him wrong. Even the scare of a serial killer on the loose isn't going to deter Jess. With a little help from the housekeeper, Mrs. Mayfield, Jess will break Michael down.

Michael retired from law enforcement after his fiancée was murdered and he was unable to find who done it. Now Riverside is in the grips of a serial killer and Dan needs Michaels expert help. As fate would have it there was a witness to the identity of the killer. That witness is Jess and the killer knows she saw him. Now Michael must solve this case before another person he cares for is hurt.

What begins as a hate-hate relationship falls into a love-love. All can see it but Jess and Michael. Michael doesn't want any close to him since his first love died. He doesn't want to feel that way again. Jess, of course, finds Michael attractive right away but his flippant attitude really throws her for a loop so she shoots back with her witty humor. She is a fighter and wants to stick it out as long as it takes. Even though Jess acts all tough, she is really a girly-girly underneath. She is deathly afraid of thunderstorms and needs comfort when they happen (that is Michael's cue). She also has a way of getting into trouble and needing to be bailed out.

Characters in Fatal Embrace are lovable especially Mrs. Mayfield. I wanted to take her home with me so she could flutter about my household. The looming threat of a serial killer adds just the right about of suspense to keep the reader's attention and when the killer is revealed it is a surprise to all. Fatal Embrace is great for anyone who loves a little romantic suspense in their life.

Reviewed at Another Look Book Reviews

I received a copy of Fatal Embrace by the author way back in May to complete a book review. It took me a long time to finally read Fatal Embrace as it is now July. I kept putting it off and putting it off because I am a romance book junkie and Fatal Embrace didn't scream romance to me. However, I did commit to the author that I'd review her book, so Fatal Embrace was added to my vacation reading calendar and I was hoping to just get it off my TBR list.

Now why did I include the above paragraph? Because when I tell you how much I loved Fatal Embrace you'll understand that I truly liked it and I'm not "giving" this a solid 4 heart rating just because the author gave me a copy to read. My eyes were glued to the pages of Fatal Embrace and I really kick myself for taking my sweet time to read such a wonderful exciting book.

In just the first few lines of Chapter One, I knew I was going to read quality writing and the style was exactly what I prefer to read. I love to read when authors add extra descriptions and actions while conveying an image. There was a scene further in the book where Jessica is so tired but Michael wants her to keep reviewing mug shots. The banter was so real, the actions were so life like that I felt I was with the couple participating in the conversation.

Jessica was a truly a delight as a female lead. I liked her from the get go and I love how she teased and bantered with Michael. She constantly pushed and challenged him to come out of his iron shell. Michael was so emotionally damaged that he was simply existing and not living. As a reader you were experiencing her falling for Michael without being deliberately told how she was feeling. Her gestures, her kindness, her wit, her willingness to know when to leave him alone spoke volumes without having it spelled out to the reader. That is probably one of my most favourite writing styles. Thank you Aris Whittier for trusting your readers to "get it".

The serial killer hunt was full of angst and suspense. There is a particular scene in Fatal Embrace where there was a storm outside and it was brilliantly written. I was chewing my bottom lip. I don't read a lot of mysteries so I am horrible at guessing the "who done it" but I loved how it all ended and came about.

The only reason I am not granting a perfect 5 hearts for Fatal Embrace is because of the low heat factor. Not all of my stories need to have intense love making scenes by any means but Fatal Embrace would have spectacular if we had more than one passionate scene. Michael had been so conservative and bottled up in Fatal Embrace that when he finally did let his guard down and his allow his feelings to pour out, the pages burned up. But that was the one and only time. There were other alluded intimate moments but I craved a bit more from Michael and Jessica. Not erotica but more passion. Otherwise excellent excellent book.

Teasers - stormy weather, rat surprise, slow dancing, late night horseback ride

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.