Customer Reviews

What You Can't See

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"What you Can't See" is a compilation of three novellas, including Roxanne St. Claire's Bullet Catchers story, "A Reason to Believe". This review is written with Bullet Catchers fans in mind. If you haven't been reading the series, start from the first book. My review, as well as the story, will not have much meaning for new readers. The entire series is terrific.

The Bullet Catchers Series:

Kill Me Twice

Thrill Me to Death

Take Me Tonight

What You Can't See: "A Reason to Believe"

First You Run


I like every type of romance novel... historical, paranormal, contemporary, western, you name it. I've been enjoying the Bullet Catchers as a contemporary series. After reading the first three books, I started "A Reason to Believe" with the expectation of a contemporary continuation to the ongoing story of the Bullet Catchers bodyguard firm. It threw me a bit when I realized that this edition of the series is a paranormal. As much as I love paranormals, I didn't like seeing this straight- shooting series bend towards a different genera.

I was also disappointed in the fact that "A Reason to Believe" was so short. At under 100 pages, I read it in one sitting. I wanted more for Chase Ryker. He's ultra hot with a super sexy intelligent mind. We didn't get to really explore his soul, which is what has made the BC men so appealing up to this point.

That being said, the story was actually very good. Plenty of action, suspense, romance, and good laughs. A 5- Star quality story:


Chase Ryker is no ordinary bodyguard. He has more than muscle, courage, and brawn. He has an extremely brilliant mind. Rather than coming from a military or law enforcement background, Chase is a former scientist and astronaut. With all of his years of studying the facts and laws of science, he finds paranormal ideas to be ridiculous. When he is assigned the job of guarding a television talk show psychic, he dreads having to listen to her nonsense. After watching a taping of her show, he is impressed with how good she is at fooling people. He's sure she has been given information about her guests before the show. No one could be that good at guessing other people's pasts.

Arianna isn't surprised when her new bodyguard thinks she's a fraud. There are many people who would agree with him. Her fear is in the fact that if he doesn't believe her visions are real, he can't protect her from the death that the visions precede. She has psychically witnessed a murder. Once the murderer realizes that she knows, she will be the next victim. Her only hope is to prove herself to Chase.

One thing Chase can't deny is his attraction to Arianna. The more time he spends with her, the more his scientific denials of her gift seem to falter. Could Arianna really be what she claims? Can she really have witnessed a murder in her mind? Has she seen Chase's own past, or has she spied into his background for the information? Whether or not her gift is real, Arianna has become precious to him. He'll do whatever it takes to stop those who threaten her. As a team, they will solve the mysteries of her visions of murder.


Want to read the whole BC series? Here are the links:

Kill Me Twice (The Bullet Catchers, Book 1)

Thrill Me to Death (The Bullet Catchers, Book 2)

Take Me Tonight (The Bullet Catchers, Book 3)

What You Can't See

First You Run

DELIVER US FROM EVIL by Allison Brennan
Demonologist Anthony Zaccardi works in conjunction with the Vatican. When he is summoned by a friend to come immediately to a small California mission that is home to a dozen emotionally troubled priests, he is disturbed to find the priests all brutally murdered and his friend near death. There remains a demonic presence at the mission that is so evil that Anthony can scarce get his mind around it. When Sheriff Skye McPherson arrives on the scene, Anthony is her first suspect. It isn't long before the evil that killed the priests worms its way into Skye's very being and she has little choice but to trust Anthony to assist with her investigation, and to keep her alive.
This story is the darkest and contains the vilest evil of the three stories. Anthony and Skye are intriguing characters. Anthony is practical and patient, wise beyond his years, having been reared with other "gifted" young men. Skye is a serious, self-sufficient woman who bears the emotional scars from a lonely, loveless childhood. Together they make an unforgettable couple, ready to take on any force that tries to come between them.
REASON TO BELIEVE by Roxanne St. Claire
Bullet Catcher Chase Ryker is sent to act as bodyguard to Arianna Killian. Chase doesn't appreciate the assignment or Arianna's "act" as a psychic and thinks she's exploiting those trusting enough to believe that she's in touch with their deceased loved ones. Chase's boss, Lucy Sharpe, has no doubt that her friend Arianna is the real deal when it comes to her psychic abilities, and she is determined to keep Arianna safe from a stalker who has been hounding her. When the stalker's threats escalate and Chase and Arianna are forced to remain side by side he begins to reconsider her capabilities, especially when she confronts him about troubling events from his past - events that he's never shared with anyone.
I've read negative comments from Bullet Catcher fans that have me shaking my head. This is an excellent story and I don't see how they could possibly be dissatisfied. Chase and Arianna are perfect for each other, even if it takes them a while to realize it. Chase refuses to believe in Arianna's abilities, but readers will see him slowly begin to question the things he witnesses. Arianna's patience as she gently tries to persuade him speaks volumes about the confidence she has in her abilities. I realize that this is a novella and Bullet Catcher readers want full-length stories, but I found it satisfying and complete without being rushed.
REDEMPTION by Karin Tabke
When Zach Garrett's former undercover partner sets him up and attempts to kill him, he is shocked at the betrayal. But that confusion multiplies as he finds himself suspended in an unknown place, with the fires of hell nipping at his feet. It turns out he's being given a second chance but in order to take full advantage of it, he must convince his former fiancée, Danica Keller, to believe the unbelievable truth, that she comes from a lineage of Starkeepers and that she must willingly join forces with him or die. All of this expected from a woman who thinks that Zach betrayed her on the police force years before resulting in the loss of her job, her reputation, and her trust. What Danica doesn't know is that Zach betrayed her in order to save her life and was devastated by doing so, living with a shattered heart since. Convincing Danica of her destiny may be the least of Zach's worries when his partner returns on the scene in a form much deadlier than that of a dirty cop and more determined than ever to end Zach's life once and for all.
This story was (in my opinion) the most sensual of the three. Zach and Danica had been lovers and know what magic lies between them. Despite the crushing pain of their past, they love each other deeply, but with seemingly insurmountable tasks ahead of them, it's unclear whether they will survive to attempt a future together. Zach's near-death experience is wonderfully written and readers can feel the devil's very presence. Danica's pain at Zach's earlier betrayal is brought to light so excellently that I was incredibly aware of her painful heartache. I so badly wanted to see these two get together, but Danica's hatred of Zach runs so deep that it's not clear whether it will truly pan out.
I can't say that I have a favorite of the three stories - I enjoyed them all. I will say that I would have liked to see the second and third be just a tad longer, but only because I selfishly wanted more, not because I felt shortchanged or that they were rushed.

I bought this on a whim. I wasn't sure if I would like this type of book, but thought that I would give it a try. The subject matter of the stories bothers me for some reason. I have nightmares whenever I watch scary movies that feature demons or devil worship, but these stories actually caught my attention, and kept it. The first story had me thinking about it even when I wasn't reading it. This is unusual for me. I even went out and bought another book by Allison Brennan to see if I will like it or not.

If you like paranormal stories (I do) that feature demons (I usually don't) you should enjoy this anthology. They did have good plots, and I enjoyed reading the entire book. My daughter asked to borrow it, and that is unusual as we usually don't read the same type of stories.

I absolutely adore Allison Brennan's books. Although I have not read one if a very long time, they were always page turners, suspenseful, and I could never put the books down. I enjoyed her way of having the books suspenseful mysteries, with a little romance thrown in with the hero in the book, whether it was the cop, detective, or other hero in the book. Some of her books spooked me out a little, and I can only describe it as me making sure my back was against the wall, and that I could see every inch of the room I was in. Great books, great reads, great author, really recommend!

This was a great book that incorporated other authors into it. I highly enjoyed this book, and knew Brennan would not let her fans down.

"Deliver Us From Evil" by Allison Brennan

Sheriff Skye McPherson has a massacre on her hands. Someone has slain twelve priests residing in a California mission. She's determined to find the culprit and bring him, or her, to justice.

Demonologist Anthony Zaccardi knows the force behind the murders is a demon. He flies from Rome to the mission, where a friend of his, the only survivor of the attacks, resides. He's determined to help Skye find the supernatural forces behind the slayings, even if she doesn't believe they exist.

"Deliver Us From Evil" is a taut, suspenseful story that made me shiver. Both Skye and Anthony are willful characters, both firmly rooted in their believes about fact versus the supernatural. Watching them connect was a true pleasure, and seeing their feelings for each other develop balanced well with the criminal aspect of the tale. This story is a great start to this anthology.



"Reason to Believe" by Roxanne St. Claire

Someone is threatening TV psychic Arianna Killian, so she does what any sensible woman would do. She hires a bodyguard.

Chase Ryker is not just any bodyguard; he's employed by the Bullet Catchers, an elite group of minders who are very good at their jobs.

Chase doesn't believe in Arianna's abilities. And Arianna is not sure he can protect her, when he thinks she's a fake. But when someone takes a shot at her, and she has a few visions, Chase begins to think she may be telling the truth about her abilities. Now, he just has to figure out who is trying to kill her.

"Reason to Believe" is an action-packed romantic tale that was a wonderful introduction to the Bullet Catcher series. This was my first story in that world, and I devoured each word, enjoying both the characters and the setting. If Chase is any indication of the heroes in Ms. St. Claire's books, I'm going to have to run to the bookstore ASAP. "Reason to Believe" is a definite keeper in my book.



"Redemption" by Karin Tabke

When cop Zach Garrett dies he finds himself on the way to hell, since he hasn't lived the best of lives. He's surprised then, when an unseen hand pulls him back, and he finds himself standing before Michael, who informs Zach he's part of an ancient race of people, and his services are required to locate three ancient relics, and then protect the Starkeeper.

Zach's former girlfriend, Danica Keller, doesn't trust Zach very much; after all, he hung her out to dry to save his own skin. But when he miraculously awakens from what should have been a fatal car crash she's stunned. She's even more stunned to hear him spout a tale about relics and a Starkeeper, especially when he tells her she's a huge part of the situation.

"Redemption" is a fantastic view of a universe that fascinated me. I love urban fantasy stories, and the one woven in this novella keep me glued to the pages. I would love to see more chronicles set in this universe. Zach and Danica fit perfectly together, and their fight back to each other's arms was heart wrenching and beautifully written.



What You Can't See did exactly what I want an anthology to do: it introduced me to three authors I hadn't read before, and made me want to search out more of their work and see what I'd been missing. Definitely a job well done. This series of short stories will keep you up late at night reading.

Amelia
Reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed

"Deliver Us From Evil" by Allison Brennan. His friend Rafe Cooper calls demonologist Anthony Zaccardi to come immediately from the Vatican to Santa Louisa, California as an evil permeates the sanitary for disturbed priests. Knowing his friend is not an alarmist, Anthony leaves immediately only to arrive to see twelve slaughtered priests and Rafe in a coma. He knows three humans are trying to bring the demon Ianax completely over from hell, but local sheriff Skye McPherson refuses to believe anything religious as she knows personally they are human charlatans, but her heart wants to believe Anthony.

"Reason to Believe" by Roxanne St. Claire. The Bullet Catchers personal protection firm sends Chase Ryker to keep TV psychic Arianna Killian safe from what appears to be serious email threats. He is skeptical of her skills though she proves her ability even before they formally meet. When someone tries to kill his client, Chase risks his life to keep her safe; not knowing his heart already belongs to the psychic.

"Redemption" by Karin Tabke. Oakland police officer Zach Garret has crossed the line often, but his only regret is what he did to his former fiancé Danica Keller. Zach survives a car crash caused by his partner Mark, but not the punch to his throat. Michael gives Zach a choice of eternal burning in hell or persuading Danica that she is the last Starkeeper and he as a Caladin needs to keep her safe from the Immortals, merge the three objects that make up the trinity, and sire the next generation with her. Fighting evil is easy compared to persuading Danica that he loves her.

Romantic fantasy readers will appreciate these three delightful exhilarating tales that make the paranormal seem real with the bonus being one includes the "Bullet Catchers".

Harriet Klausner

The book was in alright condition. The book arrived later than I would have liked.

Book arrived quickly, a real steal for the money! Great reading! Thumbs up!

I have just start to read her books and I would recommend them she is great up there with Mary Clark

My reason for purchasing the book, well the Bullet Catchers and Roxanne St.Claire but I never would have believed it to be a paranormal and I was so pleasantly surprised. This book is a "teaser" but it stands alone, how could it not with sexy Chase Ryker, astronaut, scientist, all alpha, sexy, smart, a man any woman would fall for and then some!

As Roxanne says......"some things you just know" and for me I just know that Roxanne St. Claire ALWAYS delivers; her stories are exceptional and extremely entertaining. I realized I had to get this book and read it immediately in order to be ready for her next Bullet Catcher 'FIRST YOU RUN".

What I loved about this book is Ari has a "pixie like quality"....she sports a "Tinkerbell's" tattoo, she has her mother's gift of being a physic. She is sexy, playful, sincere and she adores Chase. Being a television celebrity, having a stalker and seeing an accident which takes a life, well it is all too much at first but in the end, a wonderful storyline.

Chase seems like someone we would all want as a friend and or boyfriend. He has a brilliant mind and yet he's down to earth, sexy and someone you would want to protect you all all cost! Saying that..... if you are a Bullet Catcher fan, why would you not want to add this fascinating book to your romance/suspense collection? I personally want to say to the author, thanks for this wonderful series and for making Chase and Ari such special characters and lovers.!