Customer Reviews

Heartbreaker

5 star:		(129)
4 star:		(31)
3 star:		(39)
2 star:		(20)
1 star:		(22)

 

 

Julie Garwood's first contemporary chiller is a must read for any Garwood fan. Like many, I was sceptical and wondered if I would like this "new" type of book.

It's wonderful. Ms. Garwood stays true to her writing style with real life hero and heroine characters, along with her always perfect secondary characters. The suspense and tension is believable and scary, but there's humor, too. Nick's reactions when Laurent agrees with him after he tries to explain to her that she couldn't possibly love him, that it's just the situation they're in is hilarious - "Of course you don't love me.....what do you mean, you don't love me?". Vintage Garwood bantering and I just put the book down and laughed.

I also know I'm not alone in falling for Father Tom and Noah Clayborne (yes, Clayborne) and am hoping (demanding?) that Noah get his own book as soon as possible.

It's been rumored that each of the so-called FBI "Apostles", Noah among them, will be getting their own books, but for now, one of Nick's brothers is the next to get his own book. Theo? Please, please let Noah be next.

Anyway, run, do not walk to your bookstore / internet site to get this book. You WON'T be disappointed.

What? Julie Garwood's "Heartbreaker" is a contemporary romance/mystery? My words when I discovered my favorite writer was stepping out of the mold I associated with her of dark, brooding Earls and fair, fancy Ladies! My next sentence was a half-hearted....."Okay, I'll lay down my money and give it a shot". Thank goodness I did or I'd have missed out on my favorite Garwood book to date!

Her characters, Nick and Laurant jump at your from the pages...and fill your imagination with fanciful thoughts of actually knowing them along with Laurant's brother, Father Tom and the exciting Noah Clayborne (please let there be a book on Noah...please, please, please?).

Oh, did I mention the psycho that has designs on Larant....as his next victim? The plot is so intricatly woven by Garwood you'll drive yourself nuts trying to figure out who the "Heartbreaker" is. Great read! Can't wait for her next book....I'm betting it's a sequel to this one.

I'm a longtime fan of Julie Garwood's historicals. When I first read that her newest book was a Romantic Suspense novel, I was ready for disappointment. I just couldn't see how she could make the transition from very sweet and humorous to gritty and suspenseful. I was VERY surprised and pleased with the transition. Ms. Garwood has brilliantly plotted a suspense novel full of twists and turns that keeps the reader guessing until the very end. Even when you know who the killer really is, you have to figure out who he has become. At the same time Ms. Garwood has woven a very nice love story between Nick and Laurent. The tension from the suspense is relieved with classic Garwood one-liners that make you want to laugh. Secondary characters, such as Laurent's brother the priest and Nick's friend Noah, are well developed and add to lightening the dark side of the novel. All in all, a very good book from a favorite author. Hopefully she will write Noah's story next.....

A murderer goes to confession asking for absolution for a crime he is going to commit. He chillingly describes how he tortured and killed his last victim. He challenges the priest to notify the authorities. The priest refuses to knowing the he can't reveal what is said in confession. The killer plays mind games with the priest letting him know he has already selected his next victim. This killing will be better, after all, practice makes perfect. The killer is convinced no one can stop him. He wants a challenge. He tells the priest to call his FBI friend to come and take the next victim into hiding. The killer will either follow or look for a new victim. He describes his next victim in such terms that the priest is shocked to realize it is his sister.

The priest, Tommy Madden, panics and calls in his childhood friend to protect his sister. Nick Buchanan belongs to an elite division of the FBI. He works in a specialized division called the "lost and found." His talent is in tracking the most difficult cases involving lost and abducted children. He comes to his old friend's aid by promising to take care of Laurant Madden. Laurant Madden takes matters into her own hands. She refuses to hide and instead taunts the killer into striking out at her. The FBI agree with what she is doing and provide around the clock protection for her. There are several secondary story lines that are interesting to go along with the plot.

I have always admired Julie Garwood's writing style. She generally has strong, independent heroines and dashing, brooding heros. I was excited to see her switch over to suspense. The synopsis I read had me hooked on this book long before it came out. In fact, this book was advertised as being released in February, 2000, and was then pushed back. This should tell you how long I've waited for it. Was it worth the wait? No, not really.

For some reason this story doesn't work. It has its moments, some scary and some funny, but didn't captivate me like I expected which is why I gave it a 3. Laurant is not a believable character. She reminds me of those wimpy heroines from earlier romance novels in the 70s and 80s. Nick, who should have been a strong presence as the tortured FBI agent who has seen too much wasn't much better. I did enjoy the secondary story line with Father Tommy and Noah, the second FBI agent who helps Nick.

Read or buy this book at your own risk. When I see Ms. Garwood's name on a book, I expect more. I know it can't be easy switching styles of writng, but I expected better.

I enjoyed Heartbreaker, however, I did not feel it was in "Julie Garwood Style". I am a diehard fan of Ms. Garwood's. I own all of her books, and have read each one at least four times. I also read contemporary romance, however. My first love, though, is Ms. Garwood's historical romance. The one thing about her books that I have always loved is my ability to feel a part of the characters, that is why I am able to read them over and over again. My heart is with Jamie and Alec first and foremost, and I was hoping to feel the same about her new novel. I wasn't able to make the connection though. I thoroughly enjoy Ms. Garwood's style of writing, and was somewhat disappointed to read Heartbreaker because it reads very much like a Mary Higgins Clark novel. Not that that is an insult, she also happens to be one of my favorites. However, I read Garwood novels, and always eagerly await the next novel because she makes the reader feel a part of the story. I have cried over many of her novels. I just didn't feel that way with this novel. I truly feel that Ms. Garwood's forte is in the historical romance department. I not only enjoy reading her historical fiction, but I have picked up many historical facts from her books, which is like an added bonus. My hope is to see another novel, or two, in the line of Jamie and Alec! They are by far the best couple Ms. Garwood wrote about, and that book, The Bride (for those who are not as familiar), has been read more than 15 times and is looking a little worse for the wear. Sincerely, A devoted fan

He sees them; he wants them; he stalks them; he takes them; finally, he kills them. The dangerous psychopath HEARTBREAKER enjoys murdering his victims. He has already chosen the next woman to add to his demonic list. Father Thomas is in confessional when HEARTBREAKER admits he plans to go after the holy man's sister Laurant. Tommy is so frightened he calls his FBI friend Nick Buchanan for help. Nick promises to serve as Laurant's bodyguard until the monster is caught.

The savvy Laurant realizes her situation could go on indefinitely. She offers to use herself as bait to draw out HEARTBREAKER, but a ballistic Nick rejects the notion because he refuses to allow her to take such a perilous risk. Instead, with the FBI involved, Nick and Laurant pretend to be lovers to make HEARTBREAKER jealous. While danger stalks them, the pair falls in love, even as the killer sets a trap to destroy Nick and Laurant.

Among romance readers, Julie Garwood is renowned for her lighthearted Medieval and Regency romps. HEARTBREAKER is different, as the author's first contemporary is a taut suspense thriller that never eases up on the throttle. The charcaters are very complex accepting their current situation in a grave manner, but remain likable. Reminiscent of Brown and Hoag, HEARTBREAKER is heading to all the bestseller lists with Ms. Garwood expanding her already impressive fan base.

Harriet Klausner

Julie Garwood is by far my favorite author, and I have been a devoted fan from the first chapter of "The Bride." Unfortunately, I was not fully prepared for the turn her new book has taken. This book is not the type of thing I enjoy reading (particulary before bed), because to be honest it scared the heck out of me, and that's not what I'm looking for.

I take the blame for not taking the storyline more seriously, but truthfully, I thought the scary stuff would be secondary. It's not, and it's exactly the type of thing that young women fear.

My favorite qualities of Garwood's past work have always been her ability to tell the story through the woman's eyes. To show her heroines as bright and witty individuals. I do not think that this story, told from the omniscient perspective, achieves the same respect for and closeness with the heroine I have previously enjoyed.

My main point in writing this review (having never written one before) is simply to warn readers that this book may not be what you expect. So, double check before you lay down the money for the hardback copy. Personally, I'm hoping she goes back to historical romances. No one can write them like she does.

I have been a fan of Julie's for many years, but I must admit, I was also disappointed by this book. Although the plot around the killer was very good, something was missing in the love story between the two main characters. Another novel of Garwood's with a good plot, but with character connection is "Saving Grace" or "The Lyon's Lady." Either one of those would be a better start to see what Julie is about then this new work. Sorry Julie.

All of us have watched our favourites (Judith McNaught, Sandra Brown, Linda Howard, Mary Jo Putney, etc.) move into the realm of contemporary suspense and fail miserably in the attempt. I am happy to report, contrary to the dismal statistics, Julie Garwood emerges Victorious!! She has succeeded admirably with her new book Heartbreaker. So many wonderful "Julie-isms" are still to be found here. Take this for example:"Tommy heard all the commotion and came running, Noah hot on his trail. As soon as Nick had told her brother what she'd done, Tommy joined in the shouting match, but she held her own and stood up to them. Pete and Noah came to her assistance, flanking her sides like protective guardians." How many times haven't we seen Julie's heroines walk through a castle bailey boxed in by her protective knights? All of Garwood's familiar, loved elements are here. Laurant and Nick, the main characters have lots of sizzle; the plot is very exciting and the action swift. The ending is left wide open for Noah's story, the other hunky FBI agent. So, as far as I'm concerned, her next novel can be historical or contemporary - I think we can trust Julie to DO IT RIGHT!

A blurb on the cover of Heartbreaker describes it as being "electrifying". Not to me. I like my thrillers to thrill, my romances to be romantic, and my suspense novels to be mysterious. To me, this book was none of the above...I found this book very boring...None of the characters add thrills, suspense, or romance to the story. And, never for a moment, was I excited, terrified, or immersed in this book.

I've read Ms. Garwood before. Her male characters are usually charismatic, her heroines entertaining, her love scenes, sexy. I saw none of that, in this book. To me, two stars may be high. But, the book has a good flow, and the writing itself, is fine...