No Escape [Mass Market Paperback]

Heather Lowell (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 27, 2004

Death is the only exit ....

Kelly Martin is a frightened teenage runaway who made a scandalous accusation, then vanished, leaving Los Angeles prosecutor Tessa Jacobi with a ticking time bomb of a case on her hands. When the investigation leads her to chic nightclubs, shadowy business deals and whispers of sexual slavery, Tessa understands that she's out of her league. So she asks for help from a man whose contacts and experience can help her bring Kelly home.

Burned by the system in the past, private investigator Luke Novak plays by his own rules -- and he's not about to change them to accommodate a smart, classy blonde from the D.A.'s office. But when a killer strikes frighteningly close to home, Tessa has nowhere to turn -- except to Luke. Because somewhere in a neon underworld, a young girl is running for her life. And Tessa is determined to get her out, even if it means placing her own life in the hands of a renegade she has no choice but to trust ...

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Those expecting this book to be as thrilling and romantic as the tales spun by Lowell's mother, Elizabeth Lowell, will be sorely disappointed by this uninspired effort. None of the characters possesses a distinct voice or much depth, so it's difficult to be drawn in by the plight of Los Angeles assistant DA Tessa Jacobi, who has just taken on a high profile date rape case. Aspiring singer Kelly Martin claims that a popular pro quarterback raped her, but there's little physical evidence to support her story. Determined to override the he-said/she-said stalemate of most celebrity cases, Tessa enlists the aid of handsome PI Luke Novak. Their investigation leads them to Club Red, a private salon that serves as a stable for "Thoroughbreds," innocent young girls who are trained for sexual pleasure. As Tessa and Luke dig deeper, the attraction between them builds, but their sex scenes lack passion. A suspenseful attempt on Tessa's life gives readers momentary hope that the author has hit her stride, but the scene quickly gives way to more tedious narration. Lowell (When the Storm Breaks) has yet to master the skill of telling a story through action rather than passive narration and dialogue, and it is this handicap that prevents the novel from fully engaging the reader.
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Review

“From page one, When The Storm Breaks announces itself as a romance for readers of the author’s generation.” (Publishers Weekly )

“[Heather] Lowell has crafted a heroine whose verve mirrors her creator’s.” (Publishers Weekly on WHEN THE STORM BREAKS )

“Heather Lowell Kicks off her teriffic debut with a sexy, romantic suspense.” (Romantic Times on WHEN THE STORM BREAKS )

“[Heather] Lowell proves that talent can pass from one generation to the next.” (Romantic Times BOOKclub )

Lowell is back with another intense romantic thriller that is just as riveting and complex as the first. (Romantic Times BOOKclub )

Definitely an author on the rise (Romantic Times BOOKclub )

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 432 pages
• Publisher: HarperTorch; Regular Print/Single Titl edition (July 27, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060542144
• ISBN-13: 978-0060542146
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.3 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,864,919 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great new author, July 28, 2004

By 

bugg84067 "bugg84067" (Roy UT) - See all my reviews

This review is from: No Escape (Mass Market Paperback)

I'm so glad I don't listen to most critics. The review above by Publishers Weekly was WAY out of line. Let me provide a more realistic review Heather Lowell's second book.........................

I will start first by saying that you can NEVER compare authors. Just because Heather's mom is a best selling author doesn't mean that their writing styles are going to be similar.

I give this book somewhere between 3 ½ and 4 stars. This is only her second book, and I feel she has a GREAT future in writing. Heather's plots are original and quite complex. Her writing style is wonderful and has a bit of a hard edge to it. I can't even begin to tell you how impressed I am with her ability to write such an in-depth book. She is definitely on the right track. Her books are well developed and involve a lot of research on her part. So if you are looking for a simple book with a simple plot then her work is not for you.

I liked the relationship between Tessa and Luke. The plot was great. There were a few times when the story did drag a bit, but the plot was so unique to me that I didn't have trouble staying interested. The book got real interesting after there was an attempt on Tessa's life. I couldn't put the book down after that.

Can't wait for her next book.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Classic 2nd book failure, January 5, 2005

By 

P. Neuhauser - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: No Escape (Mass Market Paperback)

Lowell's first novel was excellent, a definate keeper. I enjoyed it so much, I searched Amazon last year for the date of the publishing of her next effort, No Escape, and anxiously searched two Super Wal-Marts, a Books-A-Million and a Hastings in Lee County, Alabama, awaiting the book.
ACK!
All the anticipation, all the salivating; it's like opening a beautifully wrapped gift from a loved one and finding used kitty litter inside.
Please, please, please, pay attention to the profession review.
It is Ever So Correct!
The book is trite and honestly, not worth the paper it was printed upon.
Go to used bookstores or local libraries if you want to read the book, but please don't pay full price.

(an excellent clue as to if a novel is any good is seeing how cheap used copies are. This novel is going for less than a buck at Amazon!!!)

I haven't given up on Heather Lowell, and I will try her next novel.
Just write No Escape off as the cliched 2nd novel disaster.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent read, March 3, 2007

By 

M. Ferrara "RomanceForMe" (Scottsdale Az) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: No Escape (Mass Market Paperback)

This was the first novel by Heather Lowell I read I loved it so much I went out and purchased When The Storm Breaks

I loved the characters of Tessa and Luke and their relationship and the backdrop of the investigation into Tessa's client Kelly and Tessa's devotion to finding out the truth and doing it by the book and the opposite of doing it by the book Luke and his bending the rules kept the two characters fresh and interesting.

The romance was hot and sexy, the drama kept you on the edge of your seat and this is a keeper of a book I recommend it highly.

The only sad thing for me Heather hasn't written more books.