Customer Reviews

A Stranger's Game (Bitter Creek Novels)

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

 

 

One of my favorite books is "The Next Mrs. Blackthorne" I was disappointed to read "A Stranger's Game" I really liked both Kate and Breed in the previous book and I expected more from their characters. I felt like alot of details were left out, the relationship between the two main characters was rushed and I didn't feel any chemistry between them from the beginning. There was no "big ending" for their relationship - the ending was more about the beginning of the next book.

I have not finished the book yet but so far it's ok I just hate mistakes that are just stupid i.e. when your (Kate's) parents (Clay & Libby) have two kids 18 years after they have you (Kate) HOW do these children become your half brother and sister? All three have the same parents! Mistake like this drive me crazy!

I expected a lot better from this author. The book was good but if you did not read her last book, you would have been lost on who the characters were.

Her story was good and left you a cliffhanger, but I thought that her special spark was missing.

I would recommend you wait for the paperback, as the hard cover price even with a discount is a bit steep,

Dirty little secrets --- addictions, infidelity, murder, cover-ups, betrayal, desertion, lies. Not one of these vices can stop romance from blossoming between accused murderer Grace Caldwell and FBI special agent Breed Grayhawk in A STRANGER'S GAME. Grace and Breed play with fire, hot on the trail of a murderer and hotter as they explore their insatiable passion for each other.

"A few husky words. A look of invitation." When Grace meets Breed's eyes in the mirror above the bar, "the attraction was immediate. And powerful." Breed is soon uttering, "What would it take to get you into bed?" Sex under the Texas stars with a handsome, Stetson-wearing FBI agent launches Grace's plan to clear her name of this tragic double murder. This all sounds like the latest Alan Jackson song, but the scene is expertly played out on the pages of A STRANGER'S GAME. New York Times bestselling author Joan Johnston leads the novel with violence, inserts the power and passion of romance and closes with trust.

Johnston rivets the reader with an opening scene of domestic violence. Homicide cop Big Mike Finkel physically abuses his 13-year-old daughter Merle Raye; he then turns on her stepmother Allie and beats her too. Merle Raye hates Big Mike and wishes he were dead. When both Big Mike and Allie are found slain, Merle Raye is wrongfully convicted and imprisoned. She emerges on parole, takes the name of Grace Caldwell and sets out with a plan to seek revenge against whoever framed her. After eight years in the Texas Youth Commission's high restriction facility at Giddings, east of Austin, Texas, Grace had learned to be a criminal.

As she pursues the clues to her parents' murders, Grace uncovers a shocking string of secrets that leads to a respected FBI special agent, Vince Harkness, and his wife, Stephanie.
Grace turns to Breed to help her prove her innocence and expose Vince, who happens to be Breed's boss. Breed is torn between his duty and Grace's plea. But can Breed trust Grace? Lust is a powerful motivator, and Breed succumbs to Grace's blue eyes and the compelling evidence in the diary she stole from Stephanie. The race begins to clear Grace's name --- before she's set up again.

Addictions (sex, gambling, abuse, alcohol) and the powerful role they play in shaping Grace, Breed and Jack create believable characters who face fears born of painful childhood experiences. Trust is a major issue, and how each finds the courage to close the door on the past and indulge in a little fantasy defines Johnston as a writer who can combine romance side by side with tragedy, proving that there is magic in relationships and that love is worth the risk.

--- Reviewed by Hillary Wagy

This was by far NOT my favorite novel by Joan. I sat this book down many times and just thought " What happened to you joan? " This book is so under developed. The characters are flat. The story is choppy and the story line is just boring and unbelievable. I've read better from her and I hope her editor and her take more time and use more effort with her next one.

I do not think that this book is hard to follow (like some of the other reviews claimed)... as long as you have read the previous Bitter Creek novels. If you pick this book up in the middle of series, you'll be lost. I was VERY disappointed in the end though. BUT, it does leave you a reason to read the next (and final) book. Beyond that, I loved the book! It would be great though if Joan Johnston could keep this series going! Big fan! : )

I love Joan Johnston's writing. The "Bitter Creek" books are among my favorites. I am going to have a hard time waiting for the next one. I want to know what happens with "Kate."

Ten years ago Merle Raye Finkel was convicted of killing her abusive father Austin police detective Big Mike; something she dreamed of doing many times when he assaulted her or her stepmother or flushed her live turtle down the toilet to punish her, but she never did. When she was freed from an Austin youth facility, she changed her name to Grace Caldwell and began a quest to uncover the identity of the true killer.

Her clues begin to point towards FBI Assistant Special Agent Vincent Harkness, whose current assignment is security for the president's visit to the University of Texas at Austin. Grace meets FBI Supervisory Special Agent Breed Grayhawk, who she hopes will provide her insider info about his superior. As they fall in love, he hides her when he realizes the Feds are gunning for her; especially when he knows she is innocent yet accused of planning to assassinate the president.

This is an interesting Bitter Creek FBI romantic suspense starring an intrepid heroine and the gutsy hero who risks his career and his freedom for the woman he loves and believes in even when the evidence condemns her. The storyline is action-packed and filled with entertaining twists. Although a spin involving a Texas Ranger is more a set up for the next tale and feels out of place in A STRANGER'S GAME, series fans will appreciate this dynamic entry.

Harriet Klausner

When I first saw this book on the shelf at the store, I had to have it. It is part of the Bitter Creek series that Mrs. Johnston has been writing. I've read several of the others, and loved them, so this was a natural buy. When I read it the first time, I was a little confused by all the characters and relationships. I questioned some of the family relationship errors and a few grammatical errors. However, overall, I really enjoyed the book, until the ending. The way the character, Kate, was left, was exactly like something from a television serial. In fact, this entire series would make a very good TV series.

I read it a second time prior to reviewing it. Again, I enjoyed it, except for those problem areas I found, which should have been caught by an editor or proofreader. For those who enjoy their romance novels with intrigue in a modern western setting, this is perfect. There is a lot going on here. The entire Bitter Creek series would be great for a series on TV, as I previously said, and particularly this one. The only suggestion I would make would be to reduce the number of characters and intrigues which happen at the same time. However, Mrs. Johnston does a great job of following through with all of them, and leading into the next book in the series, Shattered. I believe she did a lot of excellent research when writing this novel. The characters are very believable to me, and as usual, become part of your life, as if they are, indeed, real. This is a Yes to recommend to friends who enjoy this type of reading.

This was a typical Bitter Creek story, full of sensual romance, suspense which held me so captive, I couldn't put it down. Joan knows how to write a compelling story that is thrilling, exciting and mysterious. It was cool to see Breed, who had such a rotten childhood, become a successful,respected FBI agent. The outcome with his Father was also rewarding, also to find love and be loved. Fantastic!! I love the Bitter Creek series where you get to follow the lives of each of the family characters and their interaction throughout their lives. Well done!