Thrill Me to Death (The Bullet Catchers, Book 2) [Mass Market Paperback]

Roxanne St. Claire (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 25, 2006

A hot-blooded bodyguard. An heiress worth a cool billion. And one dangerous attraction.... Roxanne St. Claire delivers a heart-pounding thrill ride in the second Bullet Catchers novel!

HE KNOWS ALL HER SECRETS...

Max Roper never lets emotion get in the way of his job -- not since the tragic shooting that killed his fiancée's father. Now the former DEA agent is a Bullet Catcher, and he's managed to block out Cori's bitter goodbye -- and their sizzling passion. Those dangerous desires come back with a vengeance when Max is assigned to protect a recently widowed heiress: who turns out to be Cori. But Max must also discover his ex's dark secret...and they both know she can't hide anything from him.

...AND HOW TO USE THEM AGAINST HER

Her luxury lifestyle suggests that Cori has gone from being a trophy wife to a merry widow, but nothing could be further from the truth. Suspicious of her billionaire husband's sudden death, she hires a bodyguard. But her protector is the one man who can melt her every defense -- the one man she blames for her deepest sorrow, the one man whose six-feet four-inches of solid muscle ignites reckless passion in her. And as they close in on a killer who hides in plain view, their high-stakes affair could cost her everything...including her life.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Former DEA agent Max Roper finds love again in this well-balanced romantic suspense novel, the second installment of St. Claire's Bullet Catcher series. Max is a member of the Bullet Catchers, an elite team of bodyguards made up of former government agents. His latest assignment is to protect Cori Peyton, widow of recently murdered billionaire William Peyton. Five years ago, Max and Cori were a couple on the verge of engagement; when Cori's father, Max's old partner at the DEA, died in a drug bust gone bad, Cori blamed Max, and ended their affair. Dogged by both the rekindling passion between them and suspicions about the secretive Cori's motives—did she kill her husband?—the stoic bodyguard delves into Cori and William's life by whatever means necessary: "[H]e knew a million ways to get information. With Cori, a million and one." As Max and Cori discover that she's a target for the mystery killers, the two uncover an intricate web of greed and deceit that traces back to Peyton Enterprises. St. Claire's ability to evenly match sultry romance with enticing suspense make this novel a superior entry into the romantic suspense game. (Aug.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

After her brief but passionate romance with DEA agent Max Roper ended, law student Cori Cooper married billionaire William Peyton, an older man whom she'd grown to love. Five years later, Cori is a widow and heir to a massive fortune, and someone is trying to kill her. In a capricious twist of fate, Max, now a member of the elite Bullet Catcher security force, finds himself assigned by the agency to be Cori's bodyguard, something that pleases neither one of them. All evidence points to Billy, Cori's disgruntled, alcoholic stepson as the guilty party, but it soon becomes obvious that an insider, someone Cori trusts, is the person trying to do her in. Old flames rekindle as Max tries his best to protect Cori. St. Claire, who writes fast-paced, sexy romantic suspense (Killer Curves, 2004; Hit Reply, 2004), has once again penned a book that will keep the reader engrossed in the story from cover to cover. Shelley Mosley
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Pocket Books (July 25, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1416521852
• ISBN-13: 978-1416521853
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.2 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #191,156 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

ROXANNE ST. CLAIRE is a New York Times Bestselling author of nearly thirty novels of romance and suspense. The author of two very popular suspense series, the Bullet Catchers and the Guardian Angelinos, her most recent release is a full-length stand-alone romantic suspense novel, Space In His Heart.

A five-time nominee and one-time winner of the prestigious RITA Award for the best in romantic fiction, Roxanne's books have also been awarded the National Readers Choice Award for best romantic suspense for two consecutive years as well as the Daphne du Maurier award, the Booksellers Best Award, the Award of Excellence, the Maggie, the Holt Medallion and many more. Her novel, The Sins of His Past, was selected as the Borders Top Pick in Romance for 2007, and will be reissued this March as part of the "Kiss Me, I'm Irish" trilogy from Harlequin. Roxanne's books have been published in dozens of countries and are routinely featured as selections in the Doubleday and Rhapsody book clubs.

Space In His Heart is her first independently published novel, a never-before-released thriller about a Navy fighter pilot turned astronaut and the PR superstar who sends his heart to the moon. This spring, a brand new contemporary romance series set on a fictional island off the coast of Florida begins with the April 2012 release of Barefoot In The Sand. In addition, Roxanne has stories in multiple anthologies throughout 2012 and her entire backlist is available in electronic versions. This summer, her first Young Adult novel, Don't You Wish, will be released in hardcover.

Free reads, excerpts, character profiles, author news and contests can be found on her web site: www.roxannestclaire.com. You can follow her at www.facebook.com/roxannestclaire and www.twitter.com/@roxannestclaire,or email her via her web site. Roxanne lives in Florida with her husband, two children and loves to hear from readers all over the world!

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Thrills, Twists, Turns! A Hot Read with an Incredible Cast of Characters!, June 20, 2006

By 

Marilyn Shoemaker (Seattle, Washington) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Thrill Me to Death (The Bullet Catchers, Book 2) (Mass Market Paperback)

Thrill Me to Death is an exceptional addition to Roxanne St. Claire's Bullet Catcher series. It's emotionally packed with all sorts of twists, turns and danger not to mention the sensual tension and scenes between the main characters Max and Cori.

If you've read St. Claire's books Max Roper, first appeared in Tropical Getaway, her debut novel. Max left the DEA and followed his best buddy, Dan to the security and personal protection business as a Bullet Catcher. Max also makes an appearance in the first book of the series, KILL ME TWICE One gets the impression that Max is not only handsome and strong but shows absolutely no emotion. Wrong..... in this book, the reader will absolutely fall in love with this man who keeps to himself, holds back and will soon have the answers revealed in his past.

Enter Cori Peyton, Max's Bullet Catcher assignment. Max is assigned to protect Cori and is hired to be her bodyguard and security expert. They have a past history, at one time they were in love and hoped to marry. However, things happened and Cori ended up marrying an older millionaire who has died and his death is being questioned and Cori's now in possible danger. Max is to sort this out and put all personal feelings aside.

I enjoyed THRILL ME TO DEATH due to the danger, the cast of characters and of course the romance. Max and Cori's love story is so full of passion and tension and how they find their way back to each other is an emotional rollercoaster ride. There are so many twists and turns to this very exciting romance/suspense and again St. Claire has written a winner!

There are other interesting characters, her stepson, attorney, best friend Breezy and a cast of other Bullet Catcher's. This is a book I've been waiting for since I read KILL ME TWICE and I wasn't disappointed. I can't wait for the next in this Bullet Catcher series. Again, Roxanne St.Claire has written an entertaining and steamy story, just in time for the beach!

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Thrill Me To Death, July 22, 2006

By 

M. Nix - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Thrill Me to Death (The Bullet Catchers, Book 2) (Mass Market Paperback)

Max is a bodyguard. He works for the Bullet Catchers Bodyguard Service. His current assignment is guarding Corinne Peyton. Cori's husband, billionaire William Peyton, died three months ago but Cori doesn't believe it was from natural causes. Max has been told to not only guard Cori, but to find out as well if she could have killed her husband. The fact that he and Cori were once lovers may or may not be an advantage.

Cori is in danger. Discovering who the threat is proves difficult though. Cori's stepson Billy is harassing her, and someone has tried to kill her once already. Some of her friends are acting strangely as well. Max and Cori discover a suspicious signature and they start an investigation of their own. The more they discover, the more questions they have.

As they get closer to figuring out who killed William and why, Cori discovers the truth about why her relationship with Max truly ended. If they can't find the killer before he finds Cori, they may lose the last chance at a life together.

Thrill Me To Death is fantastic! It's sexy and thrilling. I was completely engrossed from start to finish. Cori and Max are very loving and passionate together. Max is gorgeous and all alpha male. Cori is beautiful, kind and generous.

Thrill Me To Death is an excellent romantic suspense story. It kept me guessing until the end, and the romance is hot and sweet.


Nannette
Reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Even better than book 1! Max Roper is a dream hero. Cori is a smart but vulnerable heroine. Their love story is gripping., October 28, 2007

By 

Alyce In Wonderland "The Looking Glass" (Over the hill or underland, or just behind a tree) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Thrill Me to Death (The Bullet Catchers, Book 2) (Mass Market Paperback)

The Bullet Catcher Series:

Kill Me Twice

Thrill Me To Death

Take Me Tonight


Roxanne St. Claire has me hooked. Her hero characters, known as The Bullet Catchers, are incredible. Each has a unique personality, an interesting past, and a noble heart. None would hesitate to sacrifice himself for his client. These men are intelligent and powerful, yet still ordinary guys who make each other laugh with good- natured taunting.

St. Claire really hit a home run with "Thrill Me To Death". Her Bullet Catcher, Max Roper, has everything that makes a woman melt. Not only is he towering in size, he has a big heart as well. His friends and clients don't see it, because he hides behind a "tough guy" facade. His one true love left him 5 years ago, taking the laughter from his soul and the smile from his face.

Now Max has been assigned the job of protecting the very woman who turned his heart upside- down. His hardest task is keeping his feelings out of the picture. However when the two see each other, 5 years melt away as if they had never parted. Both are wary of rekindling their relationship, but their need for one another is undeniable. Max, known as "Mad Max" to his fellow Bullet Catchers, is brought to knees. He finds himself throwing caution to the wind, confessing to Cori that he accepted the assignment of protecting her because he never stopped loving her. Although Cori had pushed herself to move on by marrying a different man after their break- up, she admits to Max that she thought of him every single day.

Cori is caught in a web of lies. All of the people who matter in her life eventually become suspects in the murder of her late husband. That same murderer is now targeting Cori. After losing both her father and Max 5 years ago, Cori clings to every friend she has. She can't believe that any of them could be a killer. Max must keep her close to guard her life as he works to solve the mystery. The thought of losing her again is unbearable.


I never wanted to put this book down. Not only were the characters and the love story great, but the mystery was excellent as well. St. Claire kept me guessing. It has been a very long time since I read a crime story that was not predictable. Every time I thought I had figured out who the murderer was, she threw in twists that changed my mind. I was enthralled with this tale. I can't wait to read the next in the series!

Want to read the whole Bullet Catchers series? Here are the links:
First book in the series:
Kill Me Twice (The Bullet Catchers, Book 1)
Third in the series (following "Thrill Me To Death"):
Take Me Tonight (The Bullet Catchers, Book 3)

More Roxanne St. Claire favorites:
Killer Curves
French Twist

If you enjoy romantic tales between protective men and modern women, try these:
Hard Evidence
Extreme Exposure