Customer Reviews

Trust No One (Zebra Romance)

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I borrowed this book from a friend who went on and on about how good the book was. I'm pretty picky about the authors I read, and usually stick with the same ones. I must say that Meryl Sawyer has just joined my list of favorites. Trust No One focuses on two twins separated at birth, both have no clue of the other. One of the twins, Brody, is a Navy Seal. The other, Elliott, runs the fathers winery business. Both are brought together when their father dies, which looks as if it was no accident, but murder. Brody and Elliott connect as they try to find who is making trouble for the family. In the meantime they have problems of their own when both realize they are in love with the same women, Tori, who Elliott is engaged to marry. Trust No One is full of suspense and plenty of surprises, and will keep you intrigued till the very last page!

Okay, twins separated at birth. I'd read this before but I trusted that Meryl Sawyer who did such a wonderful twist on anmesia in UNFORGETTABLE would deliver another unusual book and she did. This is Brody from THUNDER ISLAND'S story. He's a Navy SEAL and everything about him--except his looks--is different than his brother, Elliott. The twists and riveting characters and the setting in California's wine country were great. I did not want this book to end. Again, as Meryl always does, there was a great animal. Piny, Tori's labrador retriever is a very special dog. If you want romance and suspense, Meryl is the best. Now I'm waiting for Elliott's story.

Another good book from Meryl Sawyer. It takes place in the wine coutry of Northern California. If you've never had the pleasure of visiting this part of the state then this book will take you there. The descriptions of the wineries are right on target as well as the tourists and the locals who inhabit the area. Brody Hawke is sent a letter by his father along with a picture of a brother he never knew existed. The last sentence of the letter tells him, Trust No One. Tori Anderson is the woman who can't let go of her past, and is engaged to a man she knows she can't marry. One kiss from Brody and her world is spinning. The web spins as soon as Brody arrives in town. His father has died and someone would just as soon get him out of the picture too. The entire family is involved in this story from Brody's twin brother to Tori's dog. Brody has some insecurities when it comes to women and this comes across as rather refreshing without being wimpy

While on a counter-terrorist mission, Navy Seal Brody Hawke receives a letter from Giancarlo Hawke, who purports to be Brody's father. The letter says that he, Gian,is in danger and begs his son to come home and "trust no one". Also included in the letter is picture of a man who looks exactly like Brody except for the scar over the eyebrow and is supposed to be Brody's twin brother, Elliott. Brody is stunned by the letter as before his mother died, she told him that his father had died in an automobile accident and never mentioned any living relatives

Brody takes off for the Napa Valley where Hawke's Landing Vineyards is located and rents a room at the Silver Moon Bed and Breakfast, owned and operated by Lou Edwards whose daughter Victoria Anderson, a graphic artist, is engaged to Elliott Hawke. Brody meets Tori and sparks immediately fly. He is informed that his father, Gian, is dead and fowl play is intimated and that the funeral is the next day.

In the meantime, the family lawyer has read the will wherein Gian leaves 10% of the vineyards to his wine master and best friend Aldo Abruzzo, and 10% to Gian's twin sister, Gina Barzini and other than small bequests to servants, the reminder of the vineyards is left to Elliott and his twin brother, Brody. Everyone is shocked especially Elliott who had no idea he had a twin brother and had been told by his father that his mother had died in an automobile accident.

The brothers meet and each is suspicious of the other;however, Brody offers his share of the vineyards, no strings attached. Elliott is still quite wary and is not certain he can believe his newly discovered brother.

Prior to Gian's death Tori had decided that she did not love Elliott and planned to return his ring even before she met Brody and is dangerously attracted to him. The return of his ring did not please Elliott.

Elliott lends his Porsche to Brody and a near fatal accident when trouble develops with the steering mechanism and the car is totaled. Who was the target? Was it Brody or Elliott?

Rachel Rittvo, a distant cousin, works for Elliott and unbeknownest to him is in love with him and resents Tori. To complicate matters Rachel has been having an affair with Alex Abruzzo who manages another vineyard and has hopes of owning his own.

Enter the Corelli brothers who want to buy Hawke's Landing Vineyard, Keith Puth, a millionaire who also wants to buy a vineyard, Maria, who cared for Elliott as a child, The Rittvoes who will inherit the vineyard if anything happens to Elliott and Brody.

Tori and Brody set out to solve Gian's mysterious death and they uncover a trail of lies and betrayals which had been hidden in the past.

You will suspect everyone and no one. This is a really good romance suspense book. Enjoy.

While on assignment, Navy SEAL Brody Hawke gets the shock of his life - the father he has always believed dead is alive and a vintner in Napa Valley, and has written asking him to come to his aid and that of his twin brother Elliott.

Widow Tori Anderson is engaged to Elliott Hawke. It has been five years since her stunt man husband died, and she vowed she would not get involved with anyone else that is into danger. As Elliott pressures her into setting a date, she realizes that she's not in love with him. When Elliott's father Gian dies, she puts off ending the engagement. At the reading of the will, Elliott learns about his twin brother Brody, and that the two have an equal share of the estate, with the remaining going to Gian's sister and his loyal manager, Aldo.

When Brody arrives, he is mistaken by Tori as Elliott, and the two share a hot kiss. She is surprised since she has never reacted this way to Elliott in the past. When Brody tells her who he is, she tells him that Gian has died. At the funeral, Elliott and Brody meet for the first time since birth and start a tentative friendship. Cousin Rachel (non-blood) notices the attraction between Brody and Tori, and decides to fan the flames as she wants Elliott all to herself.

Brody is willing to give up claim to his inheritance - all he wants to know is why their parents separated them. But can Elliott believe him as he fights down the vultures and family members who want to get control of the winery? An attempt is made on Brody's life and he cannot help but wonder if Elliott is behind it. Tori and Brody work together to investigate whether Gian was murdered, they discover even more lies and unbearable truths.

The plot of "Trust No One" was intriguing, but the execution was okay, and there was little suspense as to who was good or bad. It's hard to root for a couple who are carrying on behind a twin's back. But Sawyer is great at writing sensual scenes, and painstakingly made it clear that Tori had no feelings for Elliott. There was also not a lot of differentiation between the brothers - they spoke in the same formal manner, which is not consistent with Brody's upbringing.

Take an intense Navy Seals officer who lives for danger and combined him the the heir to a prestigious wine-producing dynasty who is suave and sophisticated. What do you get? Identical twins separated at birth who have no knowledge of each other.

Brody Hawke had no idea the letter he had received from a stranger claiming to be his father would change his life in more ways than one. The letter from Giancarlo Hawke implores his son to come home because "...my enemies are closing in. Trust in no one." Enclosed is a picture that is identical to Brody except for one small detail. Brody has a small scar over his eye. Giving in to curiosity, Brody decides to go meet the father he has never known existed.

Meryl Sawer has done an excellent job in creating a romantic suspense with complex human relationships. The difference beween Brody and his identical twin brother Elliot is as stark as black and white. Each man is a product of the environment he has been brought up in. In the equation, Ms. Sawyer throws in Tori Anderson who is engaged to stable Elliot, but attracted to dangerous Brody.

I have to admit I was a little leery of this story line when I bought No More Lies. After all, the identical twins separated at birth plot has been done numerous times. However, in this case it works. I hated for the story to end. Ms. Sawyer did such a fantastic job of developing the characters that I felt there was still more to tell about each of them. I sincerely hope there is a sequel to this book. I want more.

I really liked "Trust No One." Especially the character Brody Hawke and his brother Elliot. I mean, who hasn't dreamed of having an identical twin? Their conversations were fun and interesting... Brody is intimidated at having such a cosmopolitan brother, Elliot is surprised by having a brother who is a SEAL. Simply fun.

Now for what I didn't like: I really did NOT like the romance being between his brother's fiancée and Brody. His brother deserved better than to have Brody steal his fiancée, even if Tori was going to call it off, likewise Brody was a jerk to betray his brother like that. Bleh. I also thought Tori's character was very undeveloped. I mean she seemed to serve no purpose other than to be an object for Brody and El to fight over. She was a bit on the spineless side.

This was a great book, with exciting gripping characters, even if the Heroine irritated me.

I greatly enjoyed this book! You can see that the author made a very good research concerning the production of wine and vineyards! My husband happens to own a vineyard in the Central Valley of Chile, and I was really impressed by the author's knowledge related to vineyards in the USA and the rest of the world! So, I doubly enjoyed a good thriller, and very well written book!

The editing in this book is terrible. So very bad. Shame on Zebra Romantic Suspense for producing a book with so many blatant errors in it.

Repetitive phrases are used; 'heart pounding', 'hung the moon'. Silent knowing, understanding and probing looks are also way over used. The main character's pasts and feelings are explained so frequently it's boring and irritating. The same sets are described over and over.

Too many explanations points!!!!!

Brody Hawke is a horrible example of a Navy SEAL.

Nothing about this book works well or is believable.

I usually keep the books I've read, but I'll sell this one because there is no chance I'll ever want to read it again.

I apologize for the harshness of this review, I usually find something positive to say about an author's work. I just can't do that in this case. I have two more of Ms. Sawyer's books to read and I'm hopeful they will be better.

Shelley Dawn, author of Dark Nights and Sweet, Sweet Jessie

While on a counter-terrorist mission, Navy Seal Brody Hawke receives a letter from Giancarlo Hawke, who purports to be Brody's father. The letter says that he, Gian,is in danger and begs his son to come home and "trust no one". Also included in the letter is picture of a man who looks exactly like Brody except for the scar over the eyebrow and is supposed to be Brody's twin brother, Elliott. Brody is stunned by the letter as before his mother died, she told him that his father had died in an automobile accident and never mentioned any living relatives

Brody takes off for the Napa Valley where Hawke's Landing Vineyards is located and rents a room at the Silver Moon Bed and Breakfast, owned and operated by Lou Edwards whose daughter Victoria Anderson, a graphic artist, is engaged to Elliott Hawke. Brody meets Tori and sparks immediately fly. He is informed that his father, Gian, is dead and fowl play is intimated and that the funeral is the next day.

In the meantime, the family lawyer has read the will wherein Gian leaves 10% of the vineyards to his wine master and best friend Aldo Abruzzo, and 10% to Gian's twin sister, Gina Barzini and other than small bequests to servants, the reminder of the vineyards is left to Elliott and his twin brother, Brody. Everyone is shocked especially Elliott who had no idea he had a twin brother and had been told by his father that his mother had died in an automobile accident.

The brothers meet and each is suspicious of the other;however, Brody offers his share of the vineyards, no strings attached. Elliott is still quite wary and is not certain he can believe his newly discovered brother.

Prior to Gian's death Tori had decided that she did not love Elliott and planned to return his ring even before she met Brody and is dangerously attracted to him. The return of his ring did not please Elliott.

Elliott lends his Porsche to Brody and a near fatal accident when trouble develops with the steering mechanism and the car is totaled. Who was the target? Was it Brody or Elliott?

Rachel Rittvo, a distant cousin, works for Elliott and unbeknownest to him is in love with him and resents Tori. To complicate matters Rachel has been having an affair with Alex Abruzzo who manages another vineyard and has hopes of owning his own.

Enter the Corelli brothers who want to buy Hawke's Landing Vineyard, Keith Puth, a millionaire who also wants to buy a vineyard, Maria, who cared for Elliott as a child, The Rittvoes who will inherit the vineyard if anything happens to Elliott and Brody.

Tori and Brody set out to solve Gian's mysterious death and they uncover a trail of lies and betrayals which had been hidden in the past.

You will suspect everyone and no one. This is a really good romance suspense book. Enjoy.